The best dancers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao came to celebrate cultural diversity in the heart of Manila at Aliwan 2012, a showdown of Philippine festivals, over the weekend.
Now on its 10th year, the Aliwan Festival features a cultural street dance competition, a parade of floats, and the Reyna ng Aliwan (Queen of Aliwan) pageant.
The grand parade that traversed Roxas Boulevard from Quirino Grandstand to the Aliw Theater at the CCP Complex saw the best Philippine festivals—composed of dancers and floats from different areas—compete.
Tribu Pan-ay of Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo was adjudged Aliwan Festival's Grand Champion, a grand slam win having won the title for the third straight year. Second place went to Buyogan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte, while the Pintados Kasadyaan Festival of Tacloban City, Leyte won third place.
The Pamulinawen Festival from Laoag City won the best float, with Lingganay Festival from Alang-alang, Leyte placing second and the Sagayan Festival from Parang, Maguindanao named third.
BEING at Fred’s Revolucion is like going back to a time when the cold war was raging and revolutions were the in thing. It calls to mind a scene from the 1970s movie “M.A.S.H.” whose battle-weary soldiers guzzled up after a hectic day on the war front.
Only this time, the arena is the concrete jungle, and Fred’s customers are modern-day warriors who battle stressful workdays and maddening traffic, among other problems.
Fred’s Revolucion is owned by photojournalist Jose “Derek” Soriano who has covered his fair share of wars, activist Red Constantino who waged wars of his own, and their friend, business news editor Gina Abuyuan. Coincidentally, all three happen to have a grandfather named Fred, hence the restaurant’s name.
When the owners are behind the counter, a friendly Labrador named Gizzard welcomes customers and hangs out with them.
Fred’s chef is Soriano, who finds cooking more satisfying and rewarding than engaging in the current local political and media scene, and whose style of cooking is influenced by his numerous travels on assignment in different parts of the world.
Describing Fred’s cuisine, Abuyuan said, “Our food is cooked more for the taste, rather than the health.”
At Fred’s, customers chill and enjoy brews and food that don’t burn a hole in the pocket. Crowd favorites include dishes like the Split Banger and Mash, sausage that is sliced and served on top of mashed potatoes and gravy. Fred’s has its version of Fish and Chips—fish fillet and fries infused with crispy dilis. Bagnet Blachan is deep fried pork served with spicy bagoong dressing.
Fred’s also has weekly specials like the Chicken Chop on Mash, Chili Garlic Ribs, Smoked Boar and Salsa, Ho Chi Wings and the delicious but sinful Tres Amigos that could put the weak-hearted on the emergency room list.
Opened in August of 2011, Fred’s is one of the more popular establishments at Cubao X, the arcade that used to house the Marikina Shoe Expo. Fred’s has become a favorite hangout of artists, photographers, writers and other wacky characters this part of town.
“I like the crowd, the laid back atmosphere with the right amount of ambiance,”
said Wing, one Fred’s habitués.
Customers who have grown fond of the place have started pinning memorabilia on the wall such as old photos, currencies from around the world, posters, flags, hats, shirts, and the like.
Fred’s has also played host to the works of the country’s best photographers like Geric Cruz, Rick Rocamora, Gil Nartea and Soriano himself.
Fred’s Revolucion is located at Shop 66 in Cubao X at the Araneta Center in Quezon City. The area is quiet during the day with only several galleries and old memorabilia shops open.
It starts to come alive around sunset and could get jam-packed during weekends. For those who want to be pampered, Fred’s on weekends won’t be your cup of tea—it’s for the city-weary who don’t mind not being waited on, and simply seek a respite from the urban war zone.
Veteran Photojournalist enjoying a cold brew at Fred's (L-R) Melvyn Kalderon, Rick Rocamora, Pat Roque, Ray Panaligan, Luis Liwanag and Gil Nartea
THE village called Kapitangan in the town of Paombong in Bulacan is a known pilgrimage site that teems with devotees during Holy Week, particularly on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
It is where Catholic devotees engage in self-flagellation, with a few going to the extreme of having themselves crucified as an act of repentance and sharing in the suffering of Jesus Christ.
This year, five men and a woman were crucified, among them 51-year-old Sonny Bautista, a person with disability. Bautista hails from Hagonoy town, has been mute since childhood and has been crucified for 14 years now.
After his crucifixion, Baustista explained why he goes through the painful the ordeal every year. He simply wrote on the wall with his finger, "Para sa kasalanan ng tao (For the sins of man)."
The Catholic Church looks upon crucifixion or flagellation as part of popular religiosity practiced by people who pray for a particular need or who believe they sanctify themselves resorting to such practices. The Catholic hierarchy discourages such acts, yet its call against what it describes as "popular religiosity" goes unheeded.
The Church allows Holy Week activities that are consistent with the teachings on the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Church leaders say it is enough to remember the life and death of Christ during Holy Week through fasting and abstinence, prayer, the giving of alms, reflection, and repentance.
The yearly event at Kapitangan has attracted thousands of spectators, including foreign tourists, curious to see firsthand people who endure pain in the belief doing so cleanses them of sin.
But while penitents believe their souls are cleansed, the Department of Health (DOH) warned them their bodies are magnets for infection that could give them more than a Holy Week agony.
"Due to the unclean process being practiced, crucifixion and self-flagellation may cause infection or worse, tetanus, to the penitent. Tetanus, we have to remember, could result to death," noted DOH—Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases Program manager Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy
Another attraction this year at Kapitangan was Precy Valencia, a faith healer and the only female to be crucified. Asked for an interview after being brought down from the cross, she said that she was no longer "Precy" but had turned into the incarnation of the Child Jesus or Santo Niño.
Marikina City, Philippines_ The annual observance of the International World Water Day on March 22 since 1993 was declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). On this day the UN and its member nations promote concrete activities to focus the public’s attention on critical water issues affecting their everyday lives. This year is highlighted by the theme “Water and Food Security” that aims to advocate the importance of freshwater and sustainable management of freshwater resources.
In the observance of World Water Day, Greenpeace launched its campaign highlighting the importance of protecting our freshwater tributaries from toxic substances and revealed in the Greenpeace report called, Dirty Laundry: Reloaded. Launched today at the banks of the Marikina River with volunteer activist demonstrating how toxic chemicals in laundry water leach from consumer garments producers a day ahead of World Water Day.
The Greenpeace study measures for the first time the percentage of the hazardous chemicals nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) washed out during simulated standard domestic laundering conditions. The results show that consumer brands, such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, are unknowingly polluting the public water supplies in regions and countries around the world, including those where there are restrictions or bans on the use of these chemicals.
“While other countries try to improve measures protecting their citizens from hazardous chemicals, the Philippines is even steps behind in terms of regulations on hazardous chemicals. Nonylphenols, for example, are banned in Europe for their endocrine-disrupting properties, and yet it is not even included in the Priority Chemicals List in the Philippines,” said Beau Baconguis, Greenpeace Southeast Asia’s Toxics Campaigner.
“Filipinos are, thus, doubly vulnerable to toxic discharges, both from manufacturing processes and from consumer end-products. This is the reason why we are calling for the institution of a mechanism respecting the public right-to-know about toxic discharges, such as a Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR), and for the textile industry to lead the move to safe alternatives to toxic chemicals,” Baconguis added.
WTF are they doing? Are the prosecution so confident that they will win that they don't even anticipate how the senator judges will react to their style of presenting evidence in court? Just baffled by their style inthe proceeding. I just love how former Justice Cuevas just looks and smiles at the prosecution... Senator Merriam blowing her top at the prosecution, giving lectures on courtroom 101.. Is that the best they could do to present their impeachment case? http://ph.news.yahoo.com/blogs/the-inbox/gone-fishing-131747532.html
It is really weird for somebody to be so obsessed with something... while fighting corruption is good, one should still be aware of what is the real situation around him and not rely on a bunch of incompetent people surrounding a good leader with all their supposed accomplishments. There must be a line between friendship and public service, give the order and let them do their job, if their performance is bad replace them immediately for this is not the time to do a trial and error scenario and there are a lot of issues that really needs more attention than a couple of fat crocs refusing to leave their position.
On Feb 14, 2012, farmers from different plantations sneak into the Malacanang complex in Manila to get a chance to air their grievances to President Benigno Aquino on the dismal performance of the Department of Agrarian Reform in its duties to implement land reform. These farmers marched for several days through scorching sun and chilling rain, saving what little they had just to come to Manila so that they could be heard of the real situation they are facing from what the administration said was "on track and ahead of its target in land distribution to farm beneficiaries" within 15 minute of their arrival at the complex, they were bodily manhandled by security personnel and pack into a police van like sardines and brought to the Manila Police Headquarters.
The Aeta Cultural regeneration held recently at Manabayukan Village at Capas, Tarlac brought together several Aeta communities from several villages to strengthen their bond and preserve their identities and indigenous way of life.
Spearheaded by the Holy Spirit Aeta Mission which aims to empower the indigenous communities with their cultural identities and help them secure their ancestral domain.
Editorial illustration by Vincent Go for Vera Files
As the second day of the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice was closely followed by viewer, only one thing was sure, prosecutor came out confident but with its rambling of what the people had expected because of what they call as "media exposure" only showed that they were unprepared and disappointing everybody closely monitoring the event. After seeing former Justice Cuevas give off a smile after the decession of Senate Court President Enrile to adjourn the hearing. He knew right there and then, that they scored against the prosecution team.
January really started out with a BANG! After all the celebrations and festivities now comes the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, something that will be a sure hit among Filipino teleserye followers to keep them glued to the tube. The first day started out with the Chief Justice himself attending the proceedings and represented by legal luminaries such as former Justice Serafin Cuevas and law school dean Eduardo delos Angeles for the defense, while the prosecution was headed by Iloilo congressman Neil Tupaz.
Every third Sunday of January, Tondo, one of Manila's most densely populated district, celebrates the Feast of Sto. Nino (Holy Child in Spanish) which is one of the oldest religious relics brought by Fernando Magellan to the archipelago in 1521.
2012 entered with lots of activities and festivities in the year of the water dragon. More than a week from now, the Chinese community here in Manila will be celebrating what is considered as the most important day in Chinese culture, the "Lunar New Year" which falls on the 23rd of January. It is also the time when all family members gather to have a family reunion dinner and share "nian gao" or what is locally known as "tikoy" which represents sweetness and togetherness of the family. Chinatown in Manila will surely have a festive atmosphere with abundant oriental delicacies, firecrackers, drummers and of course the lion dance.
Here, I would like to share some images from last year's event of what to anticipate a week from now.
It was the longest procession yet in the history of the of the Black Nazarene, started the day around 4 am to fallow devotees in their journey to strengthen their faith. The annual event draws millions of Filipinos to participate in the procession in the predominately catholic country.
One question always linger in my mind with so many devotees that participate in the procession during the yearly event, does each and everyone really know that essence of what they are doing. Does sacrificing life and limb going through a frenzied crowd to touch the religious icon really bring the miracle that each and every devotee pray for? With a steady number of growing participants yearly, is this a sign that there is a growing number of desperation among the population? One thing that left an impression on my mind was the call of Manila Archbishop Luis Tagle during the early mass which I saw fell onto deft ears at the end of the day.
This year's event lasted for almost 22 hours, leaving the Quirino Grandstand on Monday morning and was able to enter the Quiapo Church at dawn on Tuesday.
The feast of the Black Nazarene kicked off with the parade of Replicas this afternoon, it was a preview of the biggest show of devotion of what is to come two days from now, where millions of devotees to the Black Nazarene is expected to participate. Thousands of devotees with their replicas participated this afternoon, some were there since morning. The volume of trash produced in such a gathering can be a surprising amount. I was taking a break at the side door of the parish when a man quietly walked by and picked up a broom and started to walk towards the foot of Quezon Bridge and started to sweep the street to the surprise of his aides and security personnel. By then they were scampering to look for brooms themselves to help clean the trash left on the street by the revelers, The man was Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio, Rector and Parish Priest of Quiapo Church.
Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio at Quezon Blvd. after the replica parade.
The Department of Tourism today launched their new slogan for the country's campaign to sell the Philippines as a destination point to foreign and local tourist. But hours after unavailing the new campaign, social media was already a buzz about the slogan used for being identical to that of a 1951 tourist slogan used by Switzerland for its campaign back in '51.
After what happened last year they ought to have been more careful and thorough before presenting the new slogan. There is a thing called Google you know...and surely this was not a one man task. Is this crab mentality or just plain neglect and coincidence.Could not help but think of how much time and effort that went into this and how much did it cost the taxpayers again...
A few days from now organized chaos will once rule the streets of Manila, is this devotion or desperation?
It is a day when millions of Filipinos will show their faith, when they would push, shove, fight and even trample on other devotees just to touch the symbol of their faith.
Feast of the Black Nazarene January 9, 2011, Manila.
A firecracker victim with facial injuries sustained by a wayward rocket.
Two weeks after the devastation of Sendong that hit Northern Mindanao, we ushered in 2012.
I thought that after what had happened down south, we would end the year a bit more solemn and peaceful due to the numerous call of various organizations to donate and help our countrymen instead of spending hundreds or thousands of pesos for polluting the air with toxic particles and finger cutting fireworks.
Despite calls and warnings to stay away from firecrackers and not to discharge their firearms indiscriminately. This was what transpired that night at the JRMMC emergency room which shows how hard headed some people really are.
Not to mention those who are so intoxicated to the point of not knowing what happened and where they are, involved in vehicular accidents, brawls and even to the point of shooting and killing somebody right infront of the hospital where media was covering the injured coming in after the revelry.
They say it is way to drive away the bad luck, but with about 800 or so reported injuries this is sheer madness and stupidity. Are we vying for an award or record of some sort for having the most people injured or killed for ushering in the new year?
An intoxicated shooting victim during a drinking spree.
A young girl holding her left hand hit with a stray bullet.
Vehicular accident, intoxicated.
Intoxicated, involved in a brawl on new year's eve.
