Gabii Sa Kabilin

Near Cebu City Cathedral

In the midst of the summer solstice, the vintage days shall embark upon a date. Under the days of May, Cebu shall open its door to the past of its time. Reaching the peak of our history shall be the embodiment of an event. Beneath the rains, Gabii Sa Kabilin shall heat the night.

The yearly “Gabii Sa Kabilin”(GSK) or “Heritage Night,” is an event which features different Cebu’s heritages and museums. This event is organized by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.(RAFI) in collaboration with the Natioanl Commision of Culture and Arts.

This event is influenced after Germany’s “Lange Nacht der Museen” or “Long Night of the Museums”. Held on the 30th day of the month of may, Gabii sa Kabilin is on the downtown area which is fenced off to vehicles to make the road accessable to the public which they can walk from various museum to museum. Even this event is starts at 6pm until midnight, the streets will still be crowded by curious civilians.

If you ever venture yourself in this prestigious event, you will surely appreciate and learn the things from our history. From food to clothings and other aspects of lifestlye of the vintage days, Gabii Sa Kabilin will express these things

through special exhibits, cultural shows, food fairs, children’s activities, and other joy-filled activities.

This year, which is 2014, the 4 cities of Cebu is in motion to create this year’s event more prestigious. Heritages and museums across the land of Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Talisay will take part. Each city will showcase their own museums and heritages to the public.

An event like this will develop the legacy of our past. Throwing away this asset is a huge mistake! Visiting from place to place would be exciting and meeting you there would be more marvelous!

Moriones Festival

Moriones Festival

Known as one of the most colorful festivals in the Philippines is Moriones Festival. The word Morion means “visor” or “mask,” used to protect the face. Moriones, on the other part, concerns toward the masked and costumed penitents who stride around the town for seven days long searching for Longinus, Roman centurion who was blind in one eye.

According to some myths, Longinus is the one who pierced the side of the crucified Jesus Christ. Christ’s blood spurted and touched Longinus blind eye and fully restored his sight. By means of this occurence, Longinus converted himself to Christianity and earned the anger of the fellow centurions. The re-enactment attained its climax when Longinus was beheaded.

Even under the intense heat, Moriones Festival is held annually during Holy Week. This event is held on Marinduque, marked as the Philippine heart of geography.

This traditional event form part of the Lenten celebrations of Marinduque. Various towns hold their own unique traditions of recitation of Christ’s passsion in verse or “pabasa”. Via Crucis were also re-enacted and antipos, which is flagellants, delivered pain upon themselves as a form of penitence. On Good Friday, 3 o’clock in the afternoon, the Santo Sepulcro is watched. Verses which is based on the Bible were exchanged by old women as they stand in wake of the dead Christ

Other festivals in the country are celebrated cultural promotion and good garvest, Moriones Festival concerns on the greatest signifance ofeach angle of Filipino lives – their faith on God. Within a country who is dominated by Catholics, Moriones festival shows the inseparability of God and the Filipinos.

This festival shows Roman costumes, painted masks, helmets, and brightly-colored tunics. As the event is about to happen, the towns of Gasan, Boac, Santa Cruz, Buenivista and Mogpog becomes one gigantic stage during the festival.

Philippine Independence Day

Philippine Independence Day Celebration

At a sunny after afternoon of June 12, 1898, General Emilio F. Aguinaldo formally declared the authority and independence of the Republic of the Philippines at the balcony of his ancestral house on Calle Real in Kawit, Cavite. While the people applaused vigorously and shouted “Mabuhay ang Kalayaan ng Pilipinas”, Aguinaldo waved back and forth the Philippine Flag with the tune of the National Anthem played by the San Francisco de Malab band. The flag was sewn by Doña Marcela M. Agoncillo at Hong Kong. This historical event were captivated by military personnels and civilian visitors with horse-carriages.

This declaration of Philippine Independence from the exploitation rule of the Spaniards was concluded the Philippine Revolution. Even with the immense declaration, United States or Spain did not recognize the decree. However, the spanish government ceded later the Philippine archipelago to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris. With this, in the Treaty of Manila., the United States granted independence to the Philippine Republic on July 4, 1946.

On August 1 1898, the gathering of local officials in Bacoor, Cavite, adopted the Declaration of Independence which the Malolos Congress formally ratified on September 29,1898. On August 6, 1898, the Revolutionary Government sent tactful nots to foreign nations in accordance to the resolution that was adopted calling on the President to create measures in securing the recognition of the Philippine Independence from foreign powers. These diplomatic notes requests to accord recognition to the Philippines as and independent nation. Three years later, a civilian colonial government in Manila was established on July 4. Following that year, on July 4, President Theodore B. Roosevelt declared the end of the Philippine-American War. In 1934, the Tydings-McDuffie Law fulfilled the proclamation of American law of independence. On July 4, 1946, the Philippine Independence ceremonies in front of the Legislative building was recognized by USA.

Until in 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Presedential proclamation No. 28. This proclamation issues June 12, 1962 a special holiday within the Philippines. On August 4, 1964, July 4 holiday was renamed by Act No. 4166 as “Philippine Republic Day.” This provided that the June 12 is “Philippine Independence Day.

Every Filipinos rejoices yearly their rights to liberty, self-determination, and independence with this declaration.

It was our past who fought for dignity and freedom. Prevaling our rights is a good exercise to honor their achievement.

Philconstruct Visayas

Philconstruct registration area

Within the past environmental calamities, Central Visayas undergone to some important reconstruction. The Region itself faced a lot of devastating challenges which needs a lot of assessment to cover up. From infrastructure, heritage sites, commercial establishments, and homes, every aspect of architecture suffered a lot which affected the tourism sector and different businesses. This loss slowed down the ascension of Cebu’s economy. Regardless of the situation, the region is turning this catastrophe into opportunity.

Throughout finding the answer to this situation, opportunities are rising high for equipment and materials to be used on aiding the need to rehabilitate. This is the reason why Philconstruct Events, Exhibitions and Conferences Corp. with the Cebu Contractors Association and the Philippines Constructors Association, seek to once again provide the platform for this market. This event shall provide the access to the latest products and the best services which can be offered.

Annually held for the past 20+ years, Philconstruct vowed to surpass each previous shows with much grandeur and bigger merits. Philconstruct is anchored to provide the catalyst of supplying the need of businesses and construction industry which is the very goal of this event.

This event is where companies build their businesses. For this coming Philconstruct Visayas 2014, which will happen this June 5 to 8, the profitable market is ready to enter which will set some important businesses.

This event shall conclude that our world is definitely not huge enough for something as global as this. Philconstruct will certainly be the country’s biggest show,” Madarasto(PCA’s Executive Director) said.

 

Amazon Festival Run

Color Party

Want to try something new this summer?

Enjoying parties with some fitness development and help the need can be done this summer.

Amazon Festival Run offers this get-together for everyone. The running event’s goal is
to raise funds for ICanserve Foundation Inc. who aid cancer awareness. 1000 fitness practicioners
are assumed to join in the first ever ‘Amazon Festival Run’ that is about to happen this coming
May 1, 2014, Labor Day, at Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu.

“We are aiming 1,200 or more. This color run event will be more merry than the other color run
event. This race will be fun with some competition.” said Kathleen Ramos, one of the organizers.

With the theme of “Be powered! Get powdered!”, this fund raising event will feature festive color
party. The event will also feature DJs and dancers that will make the party festive before and after the race.

The racing event has 6-kilomter, 12K and 21K categories. About P30,000+ cash
prizes is about to be given for each category. A specially-designed finisher’s medal
will be given to all 21K finishers.

Kathleen Ramos, one of the organizers, said that serious runners will join including Kenyans

Runners will also have the chance to have exciting prizes in the raffle draw after the race.

To make the event more special, Marc Nelson, host/commercial model, with fitness enthusiast and media personality Dyan
Castillejo will be available as guests of honor.

An entry fee will be fixed as P750 for 21K, P650 for 12K, and P550 for 6K inclusive of the singlet,
race bib, sunglasses and certificates. Interested participant may register at RUNNRS at Ayala Center Cebu and A Runner’s Circle at Raintree.

So what are you waiting for? Invite some friends or join with your family to create a bond that will make it more exciting!

 

 

Holy Week

Why Holy Week is holy?

In the first century, the past Christians celebrated every Sunday in remembrance of the rebirth of Jesus. They institute a particular day for the celebration of the resurrection. When the fourth century started, it became compulsory for people to make pilgrimages to Jerusalem. This included Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. Over time, the practice of celebrating Holy Week scattered throughout the Christian world, with prayers, re-enactments and special liturgies.

Lent is now about to end and we begin Holy Week with joyous procession of Palm Sunday. Within the Christian calendar, Holy Week is held on 3rd week of April. Throughout this week Christians are bid to reflect on the meaning of Jesus death on the cross, a happening that nearly two millenia ago. The place which it happen still exist and this place becomes the base of Christianity.

When Christ entered Jerusalem, the people laid their palms on the path before him. Five days after, on Good Friday, few of those same people were likely among who shouted, “Crucify Him!”

There are a lot of things we can learn from this attitude. According to Mark 14:38, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Even the lent is about to end, we realize that, like those people who called for Christ’s Crucifixion, we often slip and fall into sin. During these days, especially during Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, we should redouble our efforts with fasting and prayer; so that we may be deserving to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday.

As Saint Paul recommend us not to give up hope yet continue to fight, we should be relentless of our faith. According to John Piper, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Through this, our faith is what makes this week holy.

Kadaugan Sa Mactan

Natives fighting spaniards

As the sun shone over the gloomy beach, a fight between rivals occured. Both of them never showed a face of fear inspite the risk to lost their lives. Armed with kampilan(traditional large sword), Lapu-Lapu(Tribal Chieftain) clashed over Magellan(Spanish Expedition Captain) to resist over the spanish colonization. Even the Spaniards are armored, the natives were able to defeat them through strategies and by outnumbering them. With a sad defeat, the spaniards fled back to their country after the fight.

This fight is presently been known through the history as “The Battle of Mactan”. In the present time, this fight is re-enacted annually on the 27th of April to mesmerize this historical event. This event is celebrated at Cebu, Philippines known locally as “Kadaugan Sa Mactan”. The exact time for the event of the festival mostly depends on tidal conditions.

Lapu-Lapu

Every year, different popular celebrities or actors holds the role of Lapu-Lapu, his wife, and Magellan. Recently, Manny Pacquiao took the role of Lapu-Lapu.

Aside from the re-enactment, band concerts, food fairs, and bazaars are also actively held through the days. From different places, different businessess all over the country presents their products on the festival and sells them for a cheaper price. When the sun falls down, from evening to morning endless party discos in every corner of the street occurs. Mactan within this day is really crowded.

This event attracts tourists and locals in the city and draws a lot of crowd. With this, Mactan, Cebu becomes more known as they aim to improve the event every year.

The festival grants the people a good oppurunity to re-captivate the days of Mactan Battle between Magellan and Lapu-Lapu and also to know and celebrate their history and events. One shouldn’t miss out this celebration in order to have a clear picture about Cebuano history and culture.

Pantat Festival

Zarraga City Hall

If you took a visit on Iloilo, you would probably be there for island hopping, and visit old churches and heritage sites. Your trip won’t be complete if you miss one thing, “Pantat Festival”. With some music, cool breeze and a mess of fish fryer — that would be a great way to spend an afternoon in Zarraga, Iloilo.

This fish is locally known as ‘hito’ in Tagalog and Bicol, ‘paltat’ in Ilocos, ‘ito’ in Pampanga, and ‘pantat’ in Pangasinan, Cebu, and Iloilo. This delicious fish is greatly cultured in the Philippines. Iloilo is known as the pantat capital of the region. As the agro-industry of the province goes bigger, the province celebrates “Pantat Festival”. The biggest festival in Zarraga, Iloilo which aims to promote pantat production in the municipality.

Pantat Festival Dance

This event is held every 3rd week of December. This event highlights participating tribes in clad wearing traditional fishermen’s outfit or wrapped in black cloth symbolizing pantat dances with formations and movement to the beat of the drums. Pantat Cooking Contest is also one the highlights of this 5-day celebration. The festival has band performances, and disco derby.

Pantat Festival started way back 2003 when a few number of individuals talked about the possibility of establishing a local event to promote their local produce, pantat. Zarraga is ever thankful to its pantat industry playing a dominant role in the town’s economy. In some matter of time, economic accension depended on their production of pantat.

Pantat Barbecue

 

Small businesses, and local trade within the municipality are highly promoted by the celebration. The municipal government also works within the local communities to promote this local event and its activities in an effort to drive customers to their peaceful town.

Zarraga’s Pantat Festival achieved a lot since it started. It continues to strive the town to be known for its delicacies. It remains true to its roots which reflects the culture of the Ilocanos. Even you are not an Ilocano, no one still resist to the experience which the Pantat Festival gives.