Fiestas and Celebrations

[KulasKusgan]

Bringing back pride
Stella A. Estremera


THEY were forest people who under stood and respected the land and the creatures that live in it. They knew each forest creature by name and respected them and feared them for the power they have over people.

Even their musical instruments represented the sound of nature. The kubing, for one - that thin bamboo instrument placed in the mouth and tapped with the fingers to make music with -- is the sound of birds of prey.


But that was in the past.

Civilization cut down the forests that once provided for them and the land that nurtured them became a much sought-after property. Worse, the civilization that all people craved likewise deprived them of their culture and heritage and being a lumad meaning "of the land" became something to be embarrassed about.

But as more and more of their people are forgetting their heritage, a few are beginning to realize that it is only by retrieving this heritage that they will again become complete.

"I'm trying to retrieve what has been lost by bringing back our music and dances," Armand Bigcas, a Tagabawa, who hails from Baracatan said in the vernacular.

Tagabawa, he said, means "of the south".

It's not an easy task, he admits. The pride of being a lumad has long been lost as the young yearn to be as modern as the world is.

"It's sad, but in my family's attempt to retrieve our heritage, the most appreciative are those who are not even lumads," Armand, or Dodo as he is better known, said.

And so, he's starting with his family: a very talented one too...

His mother (whom just about every one of his lowlander friends calls Nanay), while claiming dancing the muscle-straining footwork now gives her arthritic pains, still danced well and she played a mean rhythm on the agong and sludoy, too, among other ethnic instruments. Nanay, however, is now going blind from age and can no longer perform as she did last year.

(Here's a trivia on ethnic instruments. The lumads in this part of the region, contrary to general perception, do not make agongs and brass bells although agongs and brass bells have always been part of their dances and music and costumes. These brass instruments and trinkets were actually from Maranaos who even in those days of yore were already traders.

The lumads got these from the nomadic traders in exchange for farm animals and produce.) The expert in ethnic instruments, however, is Dodo's Tiyo Ito who can whip up music like you've never heard before.

His teenage daughter Ace follows her grandmother's footsteps, dancing and thumping on the agong beautifully.

And the family proudly showed several photo albums of her debut - the salagkot kamagi - a coming out ritual for women of their tribe between the ages of 16-20.

Evening before bedtime at the family's ancestral land was spent listening to Nanay tell stories. Stories told by her parents that impart values and morals.

She also recalled the days before the war, the sufferings they had to endure during the war, and the harsh punishments their tribe meted on those who violate their laws.

Nanay recalled a couple who decided to marry even though they were relatives, a gross violation of their tribal laws and a shame in their eyes. The couple was isolated in a bamboo patch and was later chopped to pieces by the tribesmen, the penalty for such infraction.

Harsh though it was, it was the law and their people obeyed it. Admittedly, this can no longer be revived as there are the present-day laws to follow. But they still have their dances, their music, their costumes, and their traditions that can be retrieved.

"We can only protect our people and our land if we all understand and take pride in what binds us together," Dodo said.

Up in the mountains of Marilog, Matigsalogs, Bagobos, and Clatas are likewise going through the same harsh awakening of a heritage lost.

"When logging became rampant here, our forests were destroyed and Panayangan (the demi-god of the forest) abandoned us because we have abused our environment," Datu Noreto Embak, supreme tribal leader of the Matigsalogs, said.

They believe that they fell into greater dire straits when they were caught within the war waged by the communist rebels that saw their people taking arms as well as being massacred.

"Since blood has been shed without justice, then our forests have become barren. Panayangan has left us," Datu Embak said.

The tribal leaders explained that the supreme God, Manama, is what provides for all. Manama, however, has demi-gods (tinugyanan or helpers) that guide and provide for the various activities and endeavors a tribe embarks on.

Aside from Panayangan, there is Karang, the demi-god of love. This demi-god provides the blessings for those who seek to be married as well as intercedes for marital problems.

Timbalong is the demi-god for all creatures in the forests. Kalayag or Ibabasok is the demi-god for planting. Pamolingan is the demi-god for things that men craft for their livelihood, like their bolos. Pahilum is the demi-god for health. Mandalangan is the demi-god of war. Anip is the demi-god of harvest. Gamohamo is the demi-god of the waters. And Pantigum is the demi-god of fertility. Sahabikal is the demi-god of talent.

There is actually a 12th demi-god that unfortunately wasn't listed in the interview notes and time no longer allowed another trip for an interview. Heaven is Buhongan, earth is Panubaran.

The influx of Christianity was what first threatened their culture, they said, because Christianity especially Protestantinism that was what made great incursion in the hinterlands, only believed in one God. There was no room for their tinugyanan.

But they didn't know any better then and thus embraced Christianity decades ago. The hardships their people went through after the forests were denuded in the early 1970s, however, slowly made them think twice about how they have abandoned their beliefs.

"We are not pagans as we were called before, because pagans don't believe in the Supreme Being. We do," Datu Embak said. Aside from their beliefs in the spirits that rule their environment, the lumads also hold dear to their hearts their costumes.

Their clothes, they said, not only identify them and their culture, it also shows their present state of mind as a community.

It's in the color of their costume, they said. Blue, the predominant color that their menfolk wear these days means hope and peace.

The menfolk, on the other hand, only wear red when they are at war. That's why, they said, their menfolk these days no longer wear predominantly red costumes. There are other practices that they do without these days, mostly because present situations no longer allow these.

Pangayao (tribal vendetta) for one is now but a vague memory since they have again put up their tribal elders council where all misunderstandings are settled.

Among the Tagabawas, Nanay said, they once believed that the direction from which on hears the sound of an alimukon (pigeon) is a portent of what will happen to your day.

Nanay said if you hear an alimukon coo to your right, then it's a good omen. To your left, it brings bad tidings.

But that no longer mean much to them now. For one, alimukons are no longer heard regularly in their mountain homes.

The Matigsalogs and Bagobos also had what they called duway or having more than one wife, with the wife choosing the second, third or fourth wife. Their conversion to Christianity put a stop to that.

Now that their returning to their old ways, it's also no longer practical because life is hard for them these days, they can hardly provide for one wife.

In those days of yore, having more than one wife was practical because it was the women who worked the fields.

The menfolk were only for going to war and hunting. Thus, the more wives a man had, the more workers he had in the field. But that was before when the land provided for them.

Now they are wondering...

"A long time ago, only our women worked the fields and yet we had more than enough. Now, the all of us, including our children, work, but we cannot even feed ourselves," one Bagobo datu said.

In retrospect, they believe this is the punishment they are harvesting for forgetting their heritage, their culture and their beliefs.

"We have abused our environment, we have forgotten the past, and we became ashamed of our people and what we are. Now we are reaping God's wrath," they said.

They now look forward to better days by reviving their culture and heritage to bring back the pride their people once had.

"We have to stand up as our own people once more and we can only do that if we revive our past," they said.

[Mers]

Tuna Festival




TUNA FESTIVAL
Sept.1-5
General Santos City

Mindanao celebrates the king of all tinned creatures. There are contests for the best-dressed tuna, a parade of fishing floats and a sashimi night.

Fishing is the fastest growing industry in the city. It is in fact largely responsible for the economic boost enjoyed by the city today. Coming close to Navotas' daily fish landing volume, the city's fish port ranks first in terms of high value fish. The city proudly ships sashimi-grade tuna to Japan, Canada, United States, Hong Kong and leading hotels in Metro Manila.

It is also home to seven of the biggest tuna processing firms in the Philippines with a combined canning capacity of 570 metric tons a day. The city has now over 50 commercial fishing companies landing a collective volume of 8,000 metric tons of sashimi grade tuna per month. All these statistics and more add to the fore of the concept, that of building a trademark for General Santos City.

The Tuna Festival is not merely a spectacle but a venue to showcase the city's pride and meaning. In its entirety, it is a celebration of the ocean's bounty. Moreover, it is fortifying the tangible strength of the city, wherein collective spirit is the inspiration that underscores the leadership of the city's affairs. September 5, 1968 marks the inauguration of General Santos from a municipality into a city without changing its name.

From then until 1986, General Santos moved up from a third class City to a first class City. During those times until today, the agriculture and most especially the fishing industry flourished dramatically. What better way of remembering our charter anniversary than celebrating it with the very foundation that has led the city to where it stands now?

Source: http://www.lutongbahay.com

[rustyboi]

SINULOG
The country's biggest spectacle











Sinulog 2005 Grand Fireworks Display




After Davao's successful Kadayawan Festival, Gen. Santos' Tuna Festival, The Grandest Mardi Gras in the Philippines is now ready to take over the party scene.

Sinulog 2006, Cebu Here We Come!!!
January 15-22, 2006

[KulasKusgan]

Originally Posted by rusty18

After Davao's successful Kadayawan Festival, Gen. Santos' Tuna Festival, The Grandest Mardi Gras in the Philippines is now ready to take over the party scene.

Sinulog 2006, Cebu Here We Come!!!
January 15-22, 2006

its good to start the year with the philippines' grandest party... i wish i could be there.

[slerz]

I hope next grand fireworks in Sinulog will be more than 2M...

[rowell_sk]

yeah... Sinulug's Fireworks display is the most unforgettable story of the event.. people and motorists stop in their feet not to miss the show. It's the wildest and most emotional moment of the Sinulug.

[chymera00]

Originally Posted by rusty18

After Davao's successful Kadayawan Festival, Gen. Santos' Tuna Festival, The Grandest Mardi Gras in the Philippines is now ready to take over the party scene.

Sinulog 2006, Cebu Here We Come!!!
January 15-22, 2006

After the Sinulog people can still extend their partying at Iloilo City for the Dinagyang 2006

[chymera00]

140 festivals and counting

Western Visayas may appropriately be called “Region of Festivals”with the quantity and quality of festivals that it has. As of the latest count of the number of festivals registered with the Department of Tourism Region VI, there are already 140 festivals existing in Western Visayas and the number grows year after year. If we include other special events that are also crowd drawers and tourist attractions, the number can easily double. The oldest and grandest festivals in this region are among the best festivals the Philippines can offer to the world. Ati-atihan of Kalibo, Aklan, Dinagyang of Iloilo City, Masskara of Bacolod City, Pagtaltal sa Jordan and Manggahan of Guimaras, Sinadya sa Halaran, Kahilwayan of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, and Binirayan of Antique, to name a few, are among the most colorful festivals in the 7,107 islands of this country.

Our festivals in the region are named interestingly. Some names need no explanation especially to the Western Visayans but others have been named in such a way that even the young locals do not know how to give a thorough explanation because only the old people in the villages know what the name of the festivals mean. One thing is sure, some organizers cannot seem to have enough of a festival name such one festival name is shared by two or more municipalities despite advise from this office that they should not have the same festival name as an older festival in this region or country as the case may be.

Interested parties may contact the DOT Region VI for clarification about Western Visayas festivals.

[rustyboi]

Originally Posted by chymera00

After the Sinulog people can still extend their partying at Iloilo City for the Dinagyang 2006

oo nga pala, when's Dinagyang festival?

[slerz]

Originally Posted by rusty18

oo nga pala, when's Dinagyang festival?

the week after the Sinulog Festival if I'm not mistaken....

[xXx carlos xXx]

here are some pics of pintados-kasadyaan festival in leyte



















yun lang... hehehe... its celebrated on june 28-30...in honor of Sto. Nino de Leyte...

[xXx carlos xXx]

philippine festivities are truly worldclass... wow...

[KulasKusgan]

Originally Posted by rusty18

Sinulog 2005 Grand Fireworks Display

Firecrackers & fireworks bawal yan dito sa Davao. Inig abot sa NewYear, lata og kaldero lang among ginakalampag og torotot pud.

[chymera00]

[slerz]

Originally Posted by sleepwalker_uno

Firecrackers & fireworks bawal yan dito sa Davao. Inig abot sa NewYear, lata og kaldero lang among ginakalampag og torotot pud.

So I can't dare live in Davao coz I love fireworks displays....

[chymera00]

[lanztrick05]

This festival is not popular as the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban but I think it's quite different.
Feast of San Isidro / Aranya't Baluarte Festival
Gumaca, Quezon
May 15. Huge arches placed on the strategic locations are lavishly decorated with the most colorful farm produce, local delicacies, horticultural products, palm fronds etc. This festival is different from Pahiyas sa Lucban – balwarte or arches are decorated with various agricultural products like suman, bananas, vegetables, buko, pineapple, root crops, and other fruits that would look-like chandeliers. These crop decor are pulled out by the people after the patron saint has passed. The feast of San Isidro Labrador in Gumaca can be traced up from the Spanish Colonial Period with old documents pertaining to this celebration of harvest. The three most beautifully decorated balwartes are given prizes.






[IMG] [/IMG]
















OTHER SITES TO SEE...
San Diego de Alcala Fortress
Recognized by the National Historical Commission as a national treasure in 1981. The fort or better to be called Defense and Observation Tower was made of adobe with brick tile roof. This is the last one remaining of those built under the supervision of the Franciscan friars under the leadership of Franciscan Father Francisco Costein the latter part of the 19th century. This was built to help defend the town against attacks from sea pirates. It has 3 tunnels which connects the fortress to San Diego de Alcala Cathedral altar and the Convent beside Cathedral(now Holy Child Jesus College). The fortress was also used during World War II to protect the port to the invaders.

A view from the southeast. The remnant of the tunnel can be found underneath the stairway shown here

A view from the west, showing a political signboard informing the public that PhP250,000 was allocated in the beautification. I bet I need less than that to remove the garbage.

A view from the northeast. Practically, the enemy's viewpoint, with this photo taken from the sea.


A view of the elevated deck with two of the three cannons. The well at the lower right is the vertical shaft leading to the tunnel

The biggest of the three cannons facing the northeast towards Lamon Bay. In the far background is the island of Alabat


Cathedral of San Diego de Alcala
Its first establishment was in 1582, on its present site. It was transferred to Silangan in the island of Alabat in 1638. It was burned by the Dutch forces in 1665; reconstructed and beautified in 1846. It is known as the biggest and oldest Catholic Church in the province of Quezon. It is located in Gumaca town proper.










Restoration of Cathedral's Dome


San Diego de Alcala Park
It is also known as the park outside the town because it is located 2 kilometers away from the Poblacion. It is located in Barangay Villa Bota, Gumaca, Quezon.

[rustyboi]

Originally Posted by rowell_sk

yeah... Sinulog's Fireworks display is the most unforgettable story of the event.. people and motorists stop in their feet not to miss the show. It's the wildest and most emotional moment of the Sinulog.

more about the festival:

P1.25M worth of Cash prizes will be given away for the Sinulog-Based Category. Another P1.25M worth will be awarded for the Free Interpretation Category.

CASH PRIZES per category:

Awards-----------------------Choreographer
1st - P 500,000.00 & Trophy P 30,000.00
2nd - P 300,000.00 & Trophy P 20,000.00
3rd - P 200,000.00 & Trophy P 15,000.00
4th - P 150,000.00 & Trophy P 10,000.00
5th - P 100,000.00 & Trophy P 5,000.00

But wait, there's more! i just mentioned two of the numerous categories for the Sinulog festival. here's the complete list:

Sinulog-Based Participation Category
Bangga sa Sinulog sa Kabataan
Free Interpretation Participation Category
Arch Decor Category
Float Category
Higante Category
Puppeteers Category
Photo Contest Category
Visual Merchandising
Festival Queen
Street Dancing
Best Drum & Bugle Corps
Best Documentary Competition

can anyone do the math for the cash rewards all in all?? hehe.

here's more!:
contingents/participants who joined the Sinulog festival for 5 consecutive years will be given P100,000.00 as an incentive.

[tigidig14]

^wow, thats a huge price, how many people at least in a group to divide those big money and is only cebuano can compete or it can be all over pinas. i gota tell this but its not even bad for 3rd, 4th or 5th place.

[kyle@1008]

the category is open,.. even san carlos and dumaguete compete .... and those cities are here in negros...