Blessed & Prosperous 2015

My 40th birthday

Does really life begins at 40? Well I guess for me living life with a more mature perspective can be a good start of a new and promising life and age doesn't matter. Maybe it just coincided in my 40th birthday that I have been through many troubles of life in the past, even in relationship, that I could say this birthday of mine marks a new life and start of a new beginning for me.

A new life and a start of a new beginning with lessons learned of the past in mind, with a more open and understanding mind and heart, a more mature mother and wife and a stronger faith in God. 

I thank God for the things that had happened, the good and the bad, the happy and sad ones because it made me mature as a person. I thank you for the people around me who loves and truly care for me. I thank you for giving 2 angels in my life that serves as my sources of strength, inspiration and courage. I thank you for giving me my husband. Apart from the flowers and cake he gave me on my birthday, I thanked him for everything that had happened between us. A relationship we always managed to stand up for amidst any troubles and issues. A love that survived, continue to mature and keeps stronger than ever because of the past. The happy moments he showered me and the sad ones he tried to avoid on happening again. Those special moments and heart-to-heart talk of assurance that it's only me and the kids that matters him most. The seen and unseen make ups for his shortcomings. For his understanding and support to me.

I thank you Lord for everything and may you continue to shower me with your blessings and guidance. Make me worth the life I borrowed from thee.

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. 

Father's Day @ Splash Island

Coming Sunday is Father’s Day. Splash Island wants to give honor and treat to all fathers out there with a special treat with just few simple steps using your Facebook.

 Check out Splash Island Facebook Fan Page for more info.

 

114th Philippine Independence Day

The Philippine Independence Day (Araw ng Kalayaan or Kasarinlan) is an annual national holiday observed every June 12 commemorating the declaration of independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. The United States intentionally chosen the date July 4 because it corresponds to its Independence Day. It was being observed in the Philippines as Independence Day until 1962. It was on May 12, 1962 when then President Diosdado Macapagal issued a Presidential Proclamation No. 28 declaring June 12 as a special public holiday throughout the Philippines. It is in commemoration of the Filipino’s declaration of their inherent and inalienable right to freedom and independence. Then on August 4, 1964, Republic Act No. 4166 renamed July 4 holiday as “Philippine Republic Day, proclaimed June 12 as “Philippine Independence Day.” Prior to 1964, June 12 had been observed as Flag Day which was moved to May 28, the date the Philippine Flag was first flown in battle.

MALIGAYANG ARAW NG KASARINLAN!!!

 

Quotes: Happy Easter!!!

The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances. ~Robert Flatt

Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there. ~Clarence W. Hall

It is the hour to rend thy chains,

The blossom time of souls. ~Katherine Lee Bates

The joyful news that He is risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us lie work, discipline, sacrifice. But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice. ~Henry Knox Sherrill

Sagay's Sinigayan Festival

The SINIGAYAN FESTIVAL in Sagay City, Negros Occidental is held every 19th day of March. This festival is the City's way of preserving the heritage of her people. The gentle, joyful and hardworking Sagaynon whose name God chose to be symbolized by this humble spherical shell which dances as it allows the roaring waves to toss it to shore and pulls it back to the sea in ritual merrymaking.

Historically, Sagay derived her name from a semi-spherical shell, "Sigay" which abounds in many islets and shores of the City. The abundant marine resources continue to provide to this day sustainable economic benefits to her people.

Tabaco Albay's Tabak Festival

Begun in 2002, the year after the creation of the City of Tabaco by virtue of Republic Act 9020, the TABAK FESTIVAL, is an annual celebration of everything Tabaknon every March. Through its Tabak Festival street dancing, the prestigious Mutya ng Tabak and Tabakla pageants, cultural performances by various social sectors, Padyak and Sibidan races, trade fair and exhibit, Karawat Bicolnon, and Baile de Amor, this two week-long celebration captures the insatiable festive spirit of Tabaqueños as it attracts tourists and investors to the City of Love.

Bongabong's Sulyog Festival

The "SULYOG FESTIVAL" is a combination of the Mangyan term “suli” meaning banana and the Tagalog word “niyog” for coconut. Said products are the main agricultural crops of the municipality Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro. Presented in a street dance, Sulyog is a culmination of thanksgiving rites in honor of the town patron saint St. Joseph. The performers portray theSulyog Festival harvesting of bananas and coconut, extracting coconut from shell and dried for copra, and the assorting of bananas for sale, and offering of these products to Saint Joseph.

Baco's Banana Festival

BANANA FESTIVAL is being held every March 18 to 19 in Baco, Oriental Mindoro. It is a celebration for 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.

Sibunag, Guimaras Balsahan Festival

BALSAHAN FESTIVAL  is being celebrated every 20th day of February by the municipality of Sibunag in Guimaras. It is Sibunag’s way of immortalizing the mystical Sibunag River which makes its way thru most of the town’s barangays. It is a major geographical feature of the town’s barangays. The river holds many interesting myths and legends that are sure to tickle one’s imagination, and whet one’s appetite to unravel its secrets. Use of the Balsa in your trek for some satisfying discoveries you will pleasantly rewarded.

Babaylan Festival @ Bago, Negros Occidental

BABAYLAN FESTIVAL is a newly conceptualized activity by the City of Bago, Negros Occidental. It is being celebrated during the Charter Anniversary every 19th of February. The festival is based on the rituals performed by the Babaylans, like rituals on marriage, baptism, healing, harvest and others. Babaylans get their healing powers from the unseen spirits. Dancing, singing, and drumming to these spirits are standard, as the people are adorned in intricate and beautiful costumes.

Baler, Aurora's Suman Festival

The “SUMAN FESTIVAL” is the biggest and grandest of all feasts in Baler, Aurora with a weeklong celebration from February 14 – 19. It features parade of floats uniquely designed, main streets and homes are decked with suman (a native delicacy), trade exhibits, fairs and competitions, and capped by the Search for Ms. Aurora.

Suman is the Filipino steamed rice cake. It comes in as many different forms as there are provinces, but the basic recipes is waxy (sweet) rice wrapped in leaves, then cooked. Suman is the ritual gift of HAGISAN. It is cooked with great enthusiasm by Tayabenses because Hagisan is an opportunity to share their prosperity. Bundles of suman are gaily tied in the pabitin, which is made out of a special kind of bamboo called bagakay.

Parañaque's Sambalilo Festival

City of Parañaque celebrates “SAMBALILO FESTIVAL” every February 13. The term “sambalilo” originated from the Spanish word “sombrero,” which means hat. It signifies the costume of hardworking Parañaqueños during the era of salt-making, when they would done large hats to shield them from the sun as they worked on the salt beds.

According to former Mayor Joey Marquez, “It is also one way of promoting Parañaqueñas of the National Capital Region and the city as a Philippine tourist destination.”

Pabalhas sa Tablas Festival of Candoni

“PABALHAS SA TABLAS” is an annual festival of Candoni, Negros Occidental being celebrated on February 11. The concept originated from the actual history of Candoni where a group of settlers (composed of Isabeleños, Hinigaranon, Ilonggo, etc.) decided to look for a land in which they can call their own.

It features Tribal Street Dancing and Arena Presentation depicting the struggles and triumph of the forefathers who braved and trailblazed the wilds of southern Negros and set up a new settlement called Tablas. Tablas is now called the Municipality of Candoni.

Miagao, Iloilo's Salakayan Festival

Salakayan, coined from a Hiligaynon term “salakay” or “to attack,” is a street dance-drama that merges arts, lore and customs of the town. It tells of personal power and daily activities of the people. The main theme depicts the victorious battle waged by the locals against Muslim marauders sometime in 1754. An important historical occasion for the people of Miag-ao, this annual festivity attracts guests to its weeklong activity of Food Fair, Agro-industrial and Trade Fair, Fluvial Parade, Higante contest, Literary Musical contest, Evening Socials and the hablon and patadyong Fashion show.

Celebrated during the first week of February, SALAKAYAN FESTIVAL is held at the historical municipality of Miagao in Iloilo province. For travelers from Manila City and Cebu City who like to observe this special festival, they can reach Miagao by two ways. First, they can go to the airports of the cities and take flights to the airport of Iloilo province. Some of the airlines in the airports that have flights to the place are Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. Second, individuals can ride in vessels at the seaports of the cities that are bound to Iloilo. Form Iloilo airport and seaport, there are jeepneys and taxis that can transport people to Miagao.

Have a blessed & prosperous 2012...

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“Another fresh new year is here . . .

Another year to live!

To banish worry, doubt, and fear,

To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me

To live each day with zest . . .

To daily grow and try to be

My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity

Once more to right some wrongs,

To pray for peace, to plant a tree,

And sing more joyful songs!”

~~ William Arthur Ward

Pamugu-an Festival of Mansalay

Locals of Mansalay, Mindoro Oriental celebrates every October 17-23 the "PAMUGU-AN FESTIVAL." It is a festive reunion of different “Mangyan” tribes. There are sports events (Palaro ng Lahi), cultural presentations, product demonstrations and “Barakalan” or “baratillo” of native products.

Sagingan Festival of Tubod

SAGINGAN FESTIVAL is a feast in honor of San Isidro Labrador held every 17th of October at Tubod, Lanao del Norte. This festival is a thanksgiving celebration for rich harvest of the fruit. Participants in this event wears costumes made of Banana.

The festivals are highlighted with Street dancing Competition, Best Decorated Caromata, Booth Contest, Search for Ms. gan Festival which use of 75% of Banana materials, banana Festival and Agro-industrial Trade Fair. Folk Dance Competition and Sports Competition were incorporated to add and grandeur to the celebration. Hon. Romana dela Cruz-Neri is known as the Grandmother of the Sagingan Festival.

Oroquieta's Inug-og Festival

INUG-OG FESTIVAL is an ethnic festival of the Suban-on culture that is celebrated on the 14th of October, in conjunction with the weeklong Fiesta celebration. This festival showcases tribal performance of street dancing in tribute to Oroquieta City’s patron saint, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Performers are dressed up in ethnic costumes while performing rituals in the street and dancing to the rhythm of the parade.