Bacolod, The “City of Smiles” & Merriment

Masskara, one of the most colorful and upbeat festival in the Philippines. Celebrated on the 19^th of  October, during the charter day of Bacolod City . “Mass” meaning crowd and “cara” for face, originally coined by painter Ely Santiago. Masskara Festival was initially created to uplift the spirit of  the people during the tragic times in the 1980’s. Since then it became one of the most highly anticipated festival of the year because of it's  month long celebration.

The highlight of the festival is the street dancing competition and parade. Each team that represents a dance group wears a mask and costume originally designed for their specific dance moves.

A beaming face with a smile and laughing gesture is a must in every mask worn by performers as well as colorful and exquisite costume. 

I was lucky enough to be invited to witness the festival up close. Armed with our cameras and gears, we followed, danced and took photos of the happiest festival. We dance and groove to the beat and the electrifying energy of Masskara.

It was an amazing experience to witness the highly energetic moves in the midst of heat and heavy headgear they wore and not to mention the highly embellished and grand costume that takes us somehow to a fantasy world . It’s so lively, upbeat and at the same time a feast to your eyes. Kudos to the designers for they really are world class designs! Some of the highlights are Masskara Invasion @ Lacson Street, Lacson Street Night Party, Masskara Queen Coronation night, Dansskara, Electric Masskara, Masskara Fashion Week, Trade Fair, Boodle Fight at thePlaza, Masskara Street Dance Competition,  and countdown to Bacolod Charter Anniversary at the Municipal Hall.

  Absolutely one of the best party that everyone must attend!

 

By Jenni DunganThis Article was published in HKNews October 2014 Issue For more photos visit this linkshttps://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.362375577174009&type=1https://www.facebook.com/groups/we.are.funtastic.philippines/

The Feast of Sto. Nino

The religious population in the Philippines is one of the most unique in Asia, as the country is predominantly Christian. A majority of them are Roman Catholics, whose beliefs range not only from simple prayers and worship, but also devotion to different icons including the saints, the church and it’s leaders.
This month the whole of the Philippines celebrates the feast of Santo Niño, which celebrates a Christ child-like statue. The statue of the Christ Child image started in the 17^th Century in Prague, where it was presented as a wedding gift to a Spanish woman who wedded a Czech nobleman in the 17th century. The statue was handed down to the Carmelite sisters and from there the statue was associated with miraculous healings and protection of the Church during wars.

Among the places where Santo Niño festivals being celebrated around the country are Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan, Binanog Festival in Lambunao, Iloilo, Sinulog Festival in Kabankalan City, NegrosOccidental, Makato Sto. Nino Festival in Makato, Aklan, Kinaradto Festival, Buenavista, Guimaras, Batan Ati-Ati MalakaraFestivalin Batan, Aklan, Atlavas Sto. NinoFestivalin Atlavas, Aklan, Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City, Ibajay Ati-Ati Municipaland Devotional Festival in Ibajay, Aklan, Dinagsa Ati-AtihanFestivalin Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, Hinirugyaw Festivalin Calinog, Iloilo, Sto. Nino de LakbayawFestivalinTondo, Manila, Buling Buling Festivalin Pandacan, Manila,Pajotan de Sto. Nino Festival in CaloocanCity, Biniray Festival in Romblon, Romblon, Bambino Festival in Pasig City.photos by Nelson Gonzales, Earla Arnibal, Raymond Avergonzado, Roberto Labaniego
article featured in HK LIFE Newspaper for February 2014 issue

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THE STAR OF HOPE, Pampanga Giant Lantern Festival

The season of Christmas begins early in the Philippines. As soon as the first day of September commences, you can already hear yuletide songs being played on many radio stations. People also begin to decorate their houses with elaborate Christmas ornaments. Shopping malls display a wide array of different Christmas decorations. Colorful Christmas lights light up the streets all over. Christmas carolers, the Noche Buena (the dinner taken by the whole family on the eve of Christmas) and lanterns hanging on most of the houses. These make the Philippines the home of many Christmas traditions.

But above all these traditions, there is one thing that many people from all walks of life wait for during this yuletide season, the famous Giant Lantern Festival, also known locally as “Ligligan Parul” of San Fernando, in the province of Pampanga. It is a celebration showcasing the popular Christmas product of Pampanga – the parol, or lighted star, that symbolizes the star of Bethlehem that led the Wise men to the baby Jesus. It originated from a classic five-pointed star that resembles the star of Bethlehem. Several others made their own parol creating it with innovative designs according to their liking.

The tradition only began as a simple lantern festival held by the people of San Fernando honoring the then President of the Philippines, Manuel L. Quezon. The primitive lanterns were made of bamboos and were only about two feet in diameter. They were held in procession during a nine-day celebration leading up to Christmas, and brought to the town church before midnight mass on Christmas Eve. This religious activity was known as “lubenas.”

Nowadays, everything has changed. A more elaborate competition is being held. Parols have evolved from simple bamboos to giant lanterns measuring up to 40 feet in diameter; from simple lighted candles to magnificent blinking lights and from star-shaped to different floral pattern designs. At the start of the year, artists begin the designing for the parol. When everything is ready, artisans start creating the parol. The best parol-makers are hired to guarantee that the best parol would be made. The work itself is very taxing. Making one would mean several hours spent just to create a magnificent work of art. Add to that the cost which can rise to several thousands of dollars. Then on December, few days before Christmas, these Giant Lanterns will be displayed before a large crowd, lighting up the dark night, all vying to emerge as the best among the best parols. And winning is not only about bagging the trophy, but more than that, it’s a matter of pride for the winning barangay and reputation for the parol-makers.

The Giant Lantern Festival is truly a remarkable tradition. But beyond the beauty of the parols is the message of hope that these parols bring. Just like the hpe that the star of Bethlehem brought when the savior was born. That amid the trials and struggles that the people are experiencing, beyond the problems and difficulties, there is still hope.
That’s the Lantern of Pampanga – the star of hope.
article written by Allan D. Miranda, Highschool teacher of Colegio de San Lorenzo in Pampanga and a hobbyist photographer
photos by Nelson Gonzales
article featured in HK LIFE Newspaper for December 2013 issue

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HKLIFE News December 2013 Issue 
The Star of Hope
Written by: Allan D. Miranda 
Photos by: Nelson Gonzales 

PHILIPPINE FESTIVAL

The Philippines, with it's dot-like shape on th map, is an island of great and rich culture. The flag's 8 sunrays and the three stars represent the noble deeds of the country's people and the bright culture it holds. The changes that happened in the land are not just the results from years of invasion but also the drive of it's people to make the Filipinos rise above all. The skills and talents that the natives have acquired are prerogatives, but there's one distinctive mark that the land is known for, th celebration of festivals at it's very best.

     
   People all over the 7,107 islands of the Philippines celebrates festivals all year round. Religious feast are often celebrated in honor of a saint; while cultural festivals focus more on the unique aspect of the place or historical events; and a seasonal festival is a mere celebration of a bountiful harvest. Each festival is highly anticipated by the locals and tourist alike, as they look forward to watching great scenes along the streets, to move as dancers enliven one’s spirit through the beat of the drums, to gaze upon the product of man’s creative minds and hands through the costumes, display of masks or the creation of the giants, to be entertained by the synchronize movements of the colourful costumes worn by the street dancers, to be amazed by the parades of giant colourful flowers as they give pleasure to one’s eye. The crowds also await and pave the way for the parade of Philippine animals dressed like humans as they perform in the streets.

 

 

           Festivals are part of our culture, it uplifts the spirit of every Filipino and it is a great manifestation of unique talents. Filipinos love to celebrate even life’s simplicity. They laugh in the midst of a calamity thus there’s no reason for them not to celebrate life’s goodness. For them almost everything calls for a celebration and festival is a tool for unity and togetherness, a cultural aspect that is being passed on from generation to generation.
Article written by Nelson Gonzales, a high school teacher at Colegio de San Lorenzo in Pampanga, a hobbyist photographer of landscape, street photography and festivals, and is one of the Administrator of  We are FUNtastic Philippines

WAFP FUNLakwatsa group recently experienced the dazzling display of costumes in Pahiyas Quezon, the most energetic performance of Dinagyang Iloilo, the colorful parade of Ibon-Ebon Pampanga, the excitement of Hot Air Balloon, the exquisite cuisine and most especially the hospitality and merriment that these festival offers. Other festivals worth experiencing are Sinulog in Cebu, , Maskara Festival in Bacolod, Morions in Marinduque, Pintados in Tacloban, Panagbenga in Baguio, Higantes in Angono Rizal, Kadayawan in Davao and more! For more information on Philippine Festivals, join us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/we.are.funtastic.philippines/

Article published on Sept 2013 for HKLife Newspaper in Hong Kong Filipino Community

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