Thursday, July 12, 2012

Badian's Banig Festival

In Cebu, the Badian town celebrates BANIG FESTIVAL every 3rd of July. This festival is intended to celebrate the industry of Banig in the municipality.

Banig are hand-woven mats that are native in the Philippines. They are usually made from buri, anahaw, or pandan leaves. These mats are used in sleeping, especially in provinces. Each mat is meticulously woven from strips of leaves. The banig industry is another significant part of the culture that shows how creative Filipinos are. Art is evidently displayed by the colourful designs and patterns of the mats that make them ideal for modern use. The same industry gives life to Badian. As a major agricultural site, many families earn living from farming. Most of the women on the other hand depend on weaving mats. It is never an easy process because it involves different stages. In Badian, pandan leaves are used to produce mats. They are gathered and cleaned to remove thorns, dyed and then dried. The weaving process also requires craftsmanship in order to produce pleasing designs.

Due to famous and colourful banigs, the Badian province is always proud of their products. The Banig Festival shows the importance of the weaving industry in the town and in the province of Cebu as well. It also features local cuisines, delicacies and native products the Badianos are proud of. But the highlight of the event is the colourful parade of banig and its different uses. Dancers parade all over the town, wearing colourful costumes made from the authentic product. Some also portray the pandan plant as well. The parade also features floats that are prepared by different barangays. Of course, there a whole lot more of activities for everyone to enjoy like sports fest and beauty pageant. Throughout the day, all the visitors and locals enjoy the pride of the town and art of thanksgiving.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Banana Festival of Baco, Negros Occidental & Davao del Norte

The BANANA FESIVAL, held every March 18 to 19 in Baco, Oriental Mindoro, is a celebration of the abundance of bananas. It showcases the different varieties of banana like the Senorita, the Latundan, the Lacatan and the Saba. It also features a banana cookfest and a "saba"-inspired street dancing competition and beauty pageant. Festivities coincide with the town fiesta held in honor of the patron, St. Joseph.

The province of Negros Occidental celebrates the banana festival every first week of April particularly in the municipality of La Castellana. A harvest festival opens on the first day of April.

Davao del Norte on the other hand celebrates this event every first week of July in time for the founding anniversary of the province. The festival pays tribute to the largest economic contributor and the province’s number one export - bananas.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Sagayan Festival of Tubod, Lanao del Norte

SAGAYAN FESTIVAL is a Provincial Cultural Dance of Lanao del Norte. A cultural event using as its base a Maranao dance performed during the Araw ng Lanao del Norte Celebration participated by all the municipalities of the province every 4th of July. Sagayan depicts a war dance among the Maranaos. Datu Bantugan is the legendary hero of the Darangen, Maranao epic. His name connotes Brilliance, Fame, and Honor one who makes history, the pride of Bumbaran, Maramanay and Simban are among the several names attributed to Bantugan,which means “ Crown of the Ayonan”. The kingdom of Bumbaran was ruled by Ayonan as Bumbaran the elder brother of Paramata Bantogan and their sister Arcata Lawanen. Arcata Lawanen was abducted by Ayonan Dimasangkay , a ruler of Sagorongan- a- Ragat and became captive of that kingdom. Paramata Bantogan searched for his sister and a fairy messenger ( twin sister of Arcata Lawanen ) came to inform him of her location. In disguise, Paramata Bantogan went to Sagorongan-a- Ragat to rescue his sister. News broke about his presence in the kingdom. Paramata Bantogan performs the ritual for battle then the fight ensued. Re-enforcement arrived thereafter. The two warning groups were pacified and reconciled by Bai-A-Labi. She succeeded so peace reigned in the two lands thereafter.

 

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Bohol's Sandugo Festival

The SANDUGO FESTIVAL is also known as the Blood Compact Commemoration and is often tagged as the mother of all festivals. It is a month long celebration every July in the city of Bohol, to commemorate the Sandugo or the signing of a treaty of friendship between Datu Si Katuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

The festival used to be held in March until it was changed to July a few years ago to coincide with the annual Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan, a gathering of Boholanos from all around the world. Boholanos who have migrated to different parts of the world usually come home at this time of the year to take part in this festivity. A province known for its rich culture and tradition, Bohol takes Sandugo Festival seriously. The church has a major participation with its services and solemn ceremonies and fireworks that add up to heighten the entertainment. The streets are filled with colorful parades. Locals and tourists alike may enjoy themselves with different sporting events like basketball competitions as well as cockfighting tournaments. Boholanos boast of the beauty of its people through exciting beauty pageants which showcases not only the most beautiful but also the brightest of Boholanas. At present, the highlight of the Sandugo Festival is a street dancing competition held in Tagbilaran City. Each local high school develops its own dance choreography with special costumes. During the festival itself, these groups of dancers are each followed by a small marching band to provide music.

Another awaited part of the whole festival is the reenactment of the blood compact, which features actors, singers and dancers. This is done to make people recall the origin of the cause of the celebration.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Feast of Our Lady of Piat

The FEAST OF OUR LADY OF PIAT is annually celebrated on the 2nd of July in Tuguegarao, Cagayan, to honor Cagayan's patroness. The highlight of the event is the procession featuring the image of the Virgin Mary, more popularly known in the province as Our of Lady Piat.

Our Lady of Piat is known by several names. She was named "Queen of Heaven and Earth" on 20 June 1954 in a ceremony led by Papal Delegate Egidio Vagnozzi. She is also called "Yena Tam Ngamin" (Mother of us all) by the Ibanag and "Apo Baket" (Grand Matriarch) by the native Ilocanos of Piat, Cagayan.

HISTORY

The image of Our Lady of Piat is one of the oldest Marian images in the Philippines. In his book Historia de Cagayan, Father Julian Malumbres claims that the image was made by a Portuguese sculptor in Macau, China in 1600. Dominican priests brought the image to Manila in 1604. From Manila, the image traveled hundreds of kilometers to Piat before it was transported to Tuguegarao. It was returned to Piat years later.

Our Lady of Piat now rests at the Basilica Minore de Piat in Piat, Cagayan (about 45 minutes away from Tuguegarao City). It was declared a shrine on 22 June 1999 by the Vatican. Thousands of Marian devotees flock to the Basilica each year hoping to witness a miracle or become a receiver of it. Some of the miracles attributed to the image are:

  • A native/Indio was crossing a river near Ermita when a crocodile caught him. He recited the prayer for the Lady of Piat and the crocodile let him loose. He proceeded to the church afterwards and thanked the Lady of Piat for saving him. 
  • Between 1716 and 1733, a great draught dried up the esteros of Malaueg. The people asked the Lady of Piat for rain and she gave it to them. Devotees said that this kind of miracle has happened not only once but several times. 
  • A little boy became insane after he fell from the roof of their house. His mother brought him to the Lady of Piat, lighted candles, and heard mass for him. He soon recovered his sanity. 

Monday, July 2, 2012

Senator Chiz & Heart together???

When I learned from the news that Senator Chiz Escudero’s marriage was annulled, I was really surprised. Well I just can’t help but sadden about the annulment on the point of view of a wife. But is it true that there is something romantic going on between Senator Chiz and actress/model Heart Evangelista??? According to Senator Chiz they saw each other twice in a “meeting” but Heart said they went out twice. Hmmmmmm!!!


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