lenscapades

Got published at DBP Western Highway Traveler

2010-06-17T22:54:00.001+08:00

The first time I got to visit Iloilo and Guimaras Island was way back in 2008. I got enthralled with both places then, and had been itching to set foot again. Two years came by, after so many plans to go back, nothing materialized.

Early this morning I received a package from the publisher. The copies I have been eager to get hold of. Three glossy magazines the size of a notebook. I immediately skimmed to where my photos at, reminiscing the places I've been to as I flipped page after page.

I got to taste local cuisine, visit churches and cemeteries, got access to private museums, the usual tourist traps like malls, parks and beaches, met new friends, etc. In short, I had a blast!

Thanks to Bernie Arellano for showing me around.

Scenes from Rev. Fr. Jan Thomas Limchua's Cantamisa

2010-06-11T13:46:00.000+08:00

Let me share some few photos taken from the cantamisa attended by his family, fellow priests, relatives, friends and parishioners. I seldom get invited to these events, a rare opportunity that I didn't wanna miss. Sacred Heart church was almost full to the brim that day.

The Great Houses of Carcar get NHI markers

2010-06-05T08:58:00.001+08:00

A feat shared by no other town in Cebu, the city of Carcar remains to be the destination of choice for those who want to learn both history and culture. The houses for one, built in the 19^th century, have been maintained and their distinct styles endure amidst the ravages of natural and man-made undoing.

Four of these houses have already been included in the list for protection in 4 September, 2009 though unveiled only last 30 May, 2010 by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines NHCP (formerly the National Historical Institute), headed by Chairman Ambeth Ocampo. Indeed, it is a notable achievement for the owners of Balay nga Tisa (Sarmiento-Osmeña House), Dakong Balay (Florencio Noel House), Silva Ancestral House, and the Mercado Mansion as their hard work and patience finally paid off.

A walk along the heritage trail of Carcar

As early as eight in the morning members of the Carcar Heritage Conservation Society (CHCS) arrived and were ushered to the azotea, where a hearty breakfast of Filipino fare was served. The Balay nga Tisa, as it is fondly called, has hosted numerous gatherings since Don Roman Sarmiento and Doña Ana Canarias built it in 1859. Today it is co-owned by cousins Manuel Valencia Castro and Marc Valencia Vanzwoll, whom have zealously kept the tradition.

Santa Catalina Street is dotted with numerous houses from various periods. On one side of the street, coral stone houses are lined up, while on another side are the richly-decorated American period homes.

From Balay nga Tisa everyone walked to the Dakong Balay, which originally belonged to Don Florencio Mercado Noel. Present owner and CHCS Public Relations Officer, Jerry Martin Noel Alfafara, left Chicago and resettled in Carcar just to take care of the house.

A road-widening project in 2002 would have wiped out several houses along J. Rizal Street. The Silva Ancestral House and the Mercado Mansion would no longer be in existence today had the project realized.

The paintings inside the Silva Ancestral house, designed by Benito Silva and Rev. Fr. Anastacio del Corro in 1883, is reminiscent of the ones found inside St. Catherine of Alexandria church and convent. At present it is under the care of Zarah Silva Castro, also of CHCS.

Across the Silva Ancestral House is the Mercado Mansion, home of Don Mariano Mercado who is remembered for initiating other well-know Carcar landmarks such as the Rotunda, the Dispensary and the Rizal Monument. The house is maintained by Catalina Lucero together with her daughters Luz Lucero and Elsa Yared.

Heightened awareness

Manuel V. Castro in his acceptance speech said, “These markers symbolize the trust the NHCP accorded us, and also our commitment to our fellow Carcaranons and the Filipino people, to continuously protect and preserve our heritage... Let this also be the beginning of heightened awareness for the preservation of ancestral houses, public buildings, monuments, century-old Acacia trees, that will make us proud of Carcar as a heritage site.”

These houses are the first privately-owned houses in Cebu to be recognized by NHCP as National Historical Landmarks. The first marker unveiled in Carcar was at the Pantaleon “Leon Kilat” Villegas’ Monument middle of 2009.

The turn-over of four markers set another challenge to Carcaranons to protect and preserve their tangible heritage. More than 40 heritage structures in Carcar remain and need to be safeguarded.

NHI to turn-over markers to four Carcar Houses

2010-05-28T09:15:00.005+08:00

Owners of four houses and all Carcaranons will finally get to see National Historical Institute markers that weigh an average of 40 kilos, bolted in on walls made of coral stone.

I got the chance to document workers attaching the cast iron markers yesterday at Balay nga Tisa (Sarmiento-Osmena House), Ang Dakong Balay (Don Florencio Noel House), Silva House and Mercado Mansion.

On Saturday, 29 May 2010 at 9:00 in the morning these markers will be available for the public to see. Joining the VIP list are Honorable Ambeth R. Ocampo, Chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), and Director Ludouico D. Badoy, also of NHCP. Local officials, members of the Carcar Heritage Conservation Society, friends and relatives of the owners, and Cebu City heritage advocates will also grace the event.

Jerry Martin Alfafara, present owner of the Florencio Noel House mentioned that it took him about ten years to have the markers put realized but worth the wait. These houses will now be protected by law.

The first NHI Marker unveiled in Carcar was at the Leon Kilat Monument in 2009.

Sinulog @ 30

2010-01-09T02:56:00.001+08:00

The grandest Sinulog now on it's 30th year.

Funny Signs

2009-09-22T23:24:00.020+08:00

Pinoy humor at its best. Sometimes we do get "lost in translation." Trying to get the message across can have amusing results.

Both for the humans and goats to read. All entrances to this cemetery in Argao bear these very large signs.

Whatever's being grilled here, the male specie should beware. I wonder what happened here in the past. Was there a man castrated and his testicles seared in open flame? Who knows.

Oh yes we understand it completely... the first two lines but what does it have to do with the elections?

Okay, sinners can start moving out now.

Get Lost Magazine

2009-09-19T00:57:00.013+08:00

I have been ecstatic the whole day today learning my photo of Lambug beach finally got published. It is now read at Quantas Club lounges and in many other locations in the land down under.

Get Lost! is an independent quarterly magazine based in Australia and is read far and wide, beyond Aussie borders, even reaching Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States and the Philippines.

Here's the original file I uploaded on flickr last year and made a blog about my adventure in Badian being a top beach destination in Cebu.

Here's the accompanying text I submitted for the cover:

Desperate and so bored as I was that day, a beach bum like me does not hesitate. A trip to where the sun, sea and sand is like therapy to the wanting soul.

I left my car, and boarded the earliest bus to the south, some 97 kilometers from the bustling city of Cebu to the town of Badian, a place where the waters of its three-tiered crystal clear waterfalls kiss the warm waters of the sea.

The secluded beach of Lambug greets you with its powdery-white sand, turquoise waters, endless sun, lesser crowds, and friendly locals who would gamely pose to your camera’s delight!

The rugged old tire makes a springboard for this willing and enthusiastic lad as his friends and a few more cheer behind the camera.

As I wait for my copies to arrive by mail I anticipate another beach escapade.

getlostmag.com

Estero at Binondo

2009-08-27T23:05:00.042+08:00

The busy streets of Binondo is such a delight. The sights and sounds are by far the most enticing to the senses. Every corner has a surprise for anyone who's willing that sometimes it is not for the faint of heart.

Food is one thing that's always in my priority list when visiting a place, and for Binondo, it's my never-ending love affair with the ever-so-yummy hopia from Eng Bee Tin. Without much forethought I decided to end my relationship with the bean filled pastry just this one time. I let myself drool at the smorgasbord display of all flavors of hopia as I walked past the store along Ongpin street. I never looked back.

A friend who acted as tour guide is no stranger to Binondo. In fact he almost is a resident to the place, knowing every corner to turn to and every place to be in.

He took us to a string of eateries on the side of a small river. Estero, as it is called, was one place I never imagined going. We all know how polluted Manila's rivers are, I am amazed that eateries here thrive and remains a hit amongst the locals.

Think any Chinese dish and they'll cook it for you carenderia style. Spicy frog legs was on everyones minds. We had it fried in batter.

I felt like I was Anthony Bourdain that day. Consuming exotic and daring ethnic dishes. An unmatched experience that I'm looking forward to do more.

No reservations!

Balaanong Bahandi exhibit until August 3, 2009

2009-07-14T01:36:00.007+08:00

50 select images are now on display at the Cathedral Museum. 1,000 images more will appear in the book aptly called "BALAANONG BAHANDI: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu."

Reserve yourself a copy of this much-awaited book at a discounted price of only P1, 500. Discount will be given until August 30, 2009.

Balaanong Bahandi soon to be launched

2009-06-24T02:35:00.006+08:00

To mark the Diamond Jubilee of the Archdiocese of Cebu, the Cathedral Museum of Cebu and the Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church will soon launch the book Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

Published in collaboration with University of San Carlos Press, Balaanong Bahandi continues the pioneering work of Fr. Felipe Redondo who first chronicled the history of the Catholic Faith in Cebu through the book entitled “Breve reseña de lo que fue y de lo que es la Diócesis de Cebú en las Islas Filipinas” published in 1886.

With excerpts from a translation of Redondo’s magnum opus, over 1,000 full color photographs interspersed with vintage pictures in 58 chapters bring together the Church’s treasured heritage: houses of faith that have not only withstood the vagaries of time and the elements but spawned new parishes.

Balaanong Bahandi is the ultimate guide to the Archdiocese’s architectural heritage, showcasing all the churches in Cebu from the earliest missions to contemporary parishes, including all of the outstanding artistry they contain: bas reliefs expressed in coral stone, carved images in ivory and wood, ceiling paintings by the famed Canuto Avila and Raymundo Francia, handwritten pages in canonical books, bronze bells, and many other tangible manifestations of over 400 years of Christianity in Cebu.

To help raise funds for the book, a month-long exhibition of 50 of the hundreds of select photographs in the book will be held at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu to be opened on July 3, 2009. The exhibit opening will also coincide with pre-selling of the upcoming book at discounted rates.

By purchasing copies in advance, buyers not only get a 20 percent discount on the 300-page full color book, they will also share in the noble task of promoting and ensuring the protection and preservation of Cebu’s heritage churches as proceeds from sales will go to the Cathedral Museum of Cebu Trust Fund and the heritage conservation programs of the Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church.

Jojo R. Bersales

Editor/Project Coordinator

A-One tinola ug sinugba

2009-06-01T23:21:00.031+08:00

Eating with hands has always been synonymous to the Filipino. Who needs cutlery anyway when grilled food is best eaten with hands? Finger-lickin' good as what KFC slogan says, seafood from the tropical Philippine waters should be enjoyed warm, with a dipping sauce made of vinegar and soy sauce mixture. Sprinkled with a generous amount of chopped onions and red hot chili for that added zest.

Tucked in one small spot across SM Cebu is one of Cebu's best kept secret. A-One Tinola ug Sinugba offers the simplest dishes from sea. Tinola (a fish broth) or sinugba (grilled seafood or pork) might just be a few of the options here but it's what keeps everyone coming.

Panga in its most delectable state. At Php250, it's good enough for three people to enjoy. A bowl or two of hot broth is free.

As always, the aftermath washed down with ice-cold soda. Burp burp.

My early visita iglesia

2009-03-31T22:51:00.020+08:00

The visita iglesia or church visit is a tradition in the Philippines usually done on Maundy Thursday. Together with 2 friends we decided to do the pilgrimage 2 weeks early, away from the maddening crowd of Holy Week. The churches down south of Cebu have retained much of what it was in the past. Coral stone blocks, painted ceilings and antique bells have pretty much survived the ravages of time. Learning interesting tidbits of these churches make your pilgrimage a memorable experience.

1. St. Michael the Archangel Church, Argao (the golden retablo is a must-see, the area surrounding the church is a typical Spanish Plaza, it's like walking back in time)

2. Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church, Talaga, Argao (this blue and towering structure couldn't be missed)

3. Sta. Monica Parish Church, Cawayan, Dalaguete (reminds me of the onion-shaped belfries of Carcar. Four female figures greet you on the stairs, I am not sure though what they represent. Perhaps the 4 virtues.)

4. San Guillermo de Aquitania Parish Church, Dalaguete (I just love the facade of these church, details are commonly found in Augustinian churches dotting the island)

5. Sta. Rosa de Lima Parish Church (hard to see from the highway, the tall trees around the church make the air so cool)

6. Patrocinio de Maria Parish Church, Boljoon (see the Archaeological diggings around the church grounds and chance upon burials with celadon wares, golden jewelry and other traditional implements)

7. Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragosa Church, Sibonga (no one will ever miss this imposing structure, the main door of the church reach as high as 3 floors)

These photos have been taken from 2007-2009.

CDO's impressive stained glass windows

2009-03-18T00:24:00.019+08:00

Not much is known how these stained glass windows, made by master craftsmen of Birmingham, England, reached the shores of Cagayan de Oro city. One interesting fact though, these priceless works of art were taken from the chapel of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart in New York and were installed in 1946 after the present cathedral was rebuilt after the war.

St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral
Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines

University of San Carlos Exhibit

2009-03-10T23:46:00.003+08:00

These photos were taken between 2008 & February 2009. Part of the History and SoAn Days 2009 carrying the theme Heritage Awareness for the Young Generation. Exhibit runs until the 14th of March 2009.

2 sets I submitted. The Colonial Churches of Cebu and published photos at the Heritage section of Cebu Daily News.

Dangwa flower market at night

2009-02-05T01:59:00.027+08:00

Colors everywhere! It was the first thought that popped inside my mind. Sights, scents and sounds greeted me as I stepped for the first time into the district known as Bulaklakan ng Maynila. Dangwa Flower Market comes alive at the strike of midnight as blooms from flower-growing regions in Baguio, Laguna and Tagaytay arrive.

The area, located along Dos Castillas and Laong-Laan Streets in Sampaloc, was once a bus terminal. From a bagsakan or drop-off point of flowers from Baguio, it has become what we know of Dangwa today. A central night market where even Manila's most notable florists shop.

Whatever flower it is that you fancy, liliums, sweetpeas or lisianthuses, everything's all here but save your shopping for the night.

The Benedictine Monastery of the Transfiguration

2009-01-30T23:48:00.019+08:00

Leandro V. Locsin's last legacy before his death in 1994. A National Artist for Architecture, his other well know works include the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Philippine International Convention Center and the Istana Nurul Iman palace of the Sultan of Brunei.

The pyramidic structure is perched on a hill located just a few kilometers from the city center. This is Malaybalay city's most visited modern landmark. Part of the complex the Benedictines call home because of the cool mountain breeze that constantly drift the several hectares of land dedicated to agriculture.

Scenes at the Malolos Sto. Niño Fiesta 2009

2009-01-29T00:30:00.042+08:00

Beautifully decorated carrozas getting ready for dapit, a term derived from pagdapit or invitation. The carroza of the Sto. Niño de Malolos, together with a band, goes around the streets inviting other carrozas along the way. These carrozas in turn follow in a long sequence to the chapel where a translacion mass is held. Dapit is the first of three processions during the fiesta weekend, the other two happens on Sunday, one in the morning and the grand procession in the afternoon.

The biggest Sto. Niño festival in Luzon, it drew more than 130 carrozas bearing different images of the Holy Child in a grand procession on the last Sunday of January. The number of carrozas "filled to the brim" the grounds of the Malolos Cathedral.

Devotees flock inside the beautiful chapel. The antique image of the Sto. Niño de Malolos is said to very miraculous.

One of the images of the Holy Child exhibited at the Ecclesiastical Museum in Barasoain Church. Most of the images displayed in this museum are also used in the procession.

Keeper of the Sinulog

2009-01-22T02:30:00.000+08:00

We Cebuanos know by heart the "two-steps forward and the one-step backward" movement of the Sinulog. That it is the grand annual festival held every third Sunday of January. That it is celebrated in honor of the Santo Niño.

One person though treasures more the sound and the movement like how her father, Buenaventura Diola taught her as a child. Estelita Diola or better known as Nang Titang faithfully kept the Sinulog in its truest form. Her undying passion resonates, reaching the deepest emotions of those who hear the steady rhythm of her drum.

Now at 80 years she continues to pass on the veritable legacy to the new generation.

Sto. Niño fluvial parade

2009-01-20T01:25:00.031+08:00

The grand spectacle on the Mactan channel drew more pilgrims in spite of the weather disturbance we've experienced for many weeks now. In fact, the coast guard barred small vessels and even small children from joining the fluvial parade. Undaunted, many of them still took part.

The sea was surprisingly calm that early morning. Many attribute it to one of Sto. Niño's doing. The other, an appearance of a rainbow which failed to show because there was no trace of rain which preludes the phenomena.

My third time to join the fluvial procession. Really worth waking up very early.

Scenes at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño on the 2nd day of the novena

2009-01-12T02:01:00.000+08:00

The midday sun did not hinder the gathering of more devotees on the second day of the novena. A sea of colorful umbrellas filled the pilgrim center as each mass progressed. All unmindful of the heat, so long as they pay homage to the Holy Child.

Sto. Niño images of all sizes and colors are blessed at the end of each mass. Almost all homes even in the farthest islands in the Philippines have their own version of the Niño.

The Gozos: Bato balani sa Gugma or magnet of love is a prayer-song that fills all churchgoers with emotions when sung. They raise their hands in praise of the Holy Child.

Quick visit to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño

2009-01-03T21:27:00.031+08:00

A few days before the novenario starts I made a quick visit to the Basilica early this morning to see how things are going in preparation for the annual fiesta. While today everything was in order, expect that it will turn the other way around as more people will be trooping as days near the fiesta every third Sunday of January. Buntings are now up and security measures are a bit more stringent than before.

I consider Saturdays as normal days for the Basilica as compared to Fridays where it is very crowded early morning up to the last novena mass in the evening. Majority of those visitors on Saturdays are tourists and of all them Koreans number the most. Often they come in groups, noisy and loud, disrupting the sacred place. I read recently in the papers that the administrators of the Basilica are enforcing a stricter rule on those going inside: no wearing of sleeveless shirts and shorts.

Tourism has also its downsides.

Ushering in Year 2009

2008-12-31T19:00:00.002+08:00

Five hours more and still everyone's tied up to the usual preparations for the New Year. This highly anticipated holiday in the Philippines is celebrated mainly with food, to symbolize abundance in the coming year. People are very busy now doing rounds around the kitchen to stock the table with anything that mimicks the shape of money. There's the usual 12 round fruits, each representing a month in a year and the ever-present pancit or any noodle dish to bring in luck of a longer life.

Late afternoon today when I also did my rounds in Carcar's market, I could say that the rains couldn't stop the swarm of people doing last minute shopping along the narrow alleys. Turned muddy by the unusual weather the past few days. Of course don't forget the fact that Filipinos are very fond of doing things at the last minute so every corner, anywhere you turn you'll see people buying bread, fruits and everything they need because you are not supposed to spend on the first day of the year. Superstition dictates that if you spend nothing you'll have plenty of money to spend the rest of the year.

The Filipinos penchant for grand celebrations, not only limited to the New Year celebrations, are influences from the Chinese. And before all fireworks (another great Chinese invention) are lit up later tonight let's think how we can make 2009 a better year for us.

Happy New Year all!

Revisiting Argao church

2008-12-22T11:27:00.015+08:00

No doubt, the town of Argao has one of the best churches in Cebu. I have always wanted to see the church all over again without the Sunday church-going crowd. The weather hasn't been good the past few days as a slight drizzle early that morning made me think twice about going there. There's no begging off after all, I commited to do a wedding engagement shoot for my aunt's colleague a day earlier. I am no wedding photographer and weddings are not my specialty but sometimes you just cannot refuse those kinds of requests.

The present church of St. Michael the Archangel recently hugged the limelight after a priest decided to paint the main altar gold without even consulting the right people to do such. An undertaking frowned upon be heritage conservation advocates.

Cebu Heritage Advocates Night

2008-12-16T11:49:00.007+08:00

For the first time, heritage advocacy groups of Cebu came in full force for a night of great food, music and simply the love for heritage. The Cathedral Museum of Cebu and the Yap-Sandiego House were the perfect venues for the casual affair. Though some came garbed in their best Filipiniana, the rest were in their most comfortable wear but nevertheless, the moonlit Sunday night turned out to be one of the most memorable for us this year as another milestone came into fruition.

A Federation of Cebu Heritage Advocates will soon be created from the groups that came last night. Taytayan, the Carcar Heritage Conservation Society, SkyScrapercity.com-Cebu, Hambin, the Cathedral Museum of Cebu, Cofradia de San Juan Bautista & the Casa Gorordo Museum will each have their representation in the said federation.

Good luck to all of us!

Happy people

2008-12-08T09:35:00.024+08:00

I mentioned how chaotic Philippines fiestas are in my previous post. And how these kind of events become opportunities for many.

Carcar celebrates the feast of its patroness St. Catherine on November 25. Two days prior to that the Kabkaban festival and the Festival of Lights were held around the town's major streets. Both events held ahead to lure more crowd as this year's fiesta fell on a weekday which is also workday for most. I already had it in mind not to invite friends on the day of the fiesta because there's really not much to see. I also reasoned out that the traffic situation is also getting worse, a major turn-off for those coming from Cebu city.

And so the day was all for me. An opportunity to do what I love to do.

The following set is all about the happy nature of Filipinos, in a study a year ago by Axa Asia Life and research company Taylor Nelson Sofres where the Philippines came second to India.

The Nomads of Cebu

2008-11-29T01:31:00.014+08:00

Philippine fiestas are chaotic yet vibrant in a way. These occasions are huge crowd drawers. And where the throng gathers business thrives. Like pilgrims who have come to venerate the saint they too have come but in pursuit of other desires.

The candle vendors are the wanderers of the modern times. They have no known permanent abode. Often coming in large groups wandering from town to town, where fiesta celebrations are.

The Festival of Lights of Carcar

2008-11-28T01:08:00.003+08:00

Yet again the fiesta in Carcar came to a close with another emphasis on the life of its patroness St. Catherine of Alexandria. The Festival of Lights is not just a mere spectacle of colorful gaiety but more importantly a way to revive the long forgotten devotion to the virgin-martyr. Four carrozas depicting major events in her life, her journey to sainthood, were paraded down passing through a street aptly named after her.

At the first sound of the drum people started to gather at the Balay na Tisa where the processional image of the saint dating back to the Spanish times is kept. The ceremony is reminiscent of dapit which I witness in my trip to Malolos, Bulacan for the Sto. Niño festival early this year. In dapit, different images of the Holy Child borne on carrozas decorated or not, are brought to the church late in the afternoon for a short procession around the town. The procession is first of the three, the remaining two happens the following day, always falling on the fourth Sunday of January. One in the morning and the grand procession in the evening.

The Festival of Lights is never complete without the Kabkaban dance. Fresh from their win from the previous days Kabkaban Festival, the Carcar Central Highschool dancers lent their talent by igniting the jovial mood of the people gathered around as the procession makes its way to the church for the mass.

A sonorous sound echoes this time coming from the church belfry signaled the end of the mass. Then festal music is played by the band as the carrozas went down the hill. The dancers now have changed to their hats mounted with lamps, from a distance one would see them meander through the narrow streets of the plaza.

It takes almost two hours for the reach back the church grounds through the traditional route of narrow streets around town. At the moment St. Catherines carroza nears the Balay na Tisa it makes a quick stop. Photos are taken with the house as background but more importantly the men also have their quick break from pushing the antique carriage. Water is served attentively them by the helpers of the house

The last stretch of the procession is a few hundred meters from the house. And then the last set of sounds from the belfry can be heard from a distance. The carroza finally reached its destination. A few minutes more it started its descent together with the untiring dancers accompanied the the joyous Kabkaban beat. They make their final dance before everyone.

Until the next fiesta!

Balay na Tisa Collection

2008-11-27T18:22:00.013+08:00

A token to add to the Balay na Tisa collection of Sta. Catalina images now on temporary display at the Carcar City Museum.

Copy of a painting by Spanish Renaissance painter Fernando Yáñez de la Almedina at the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Embroidery by Raffy Lopez in stylized Kabkad fern commonly found in Carcar. Nakar shells done by James Yee.

Carcar, Cebu, Philippines

St. Catherine of Alexandria

2008-11-22T01:41:00.026+08:00

The church in Carcar dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria is among the few that exists in the Philippines. The other known church established in her honor is the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral in Dumaguete City.

Often depicted holding a sword, a palm and a spiked broken wheel, devotion to St. Catherine is pervasive throughout the town.

On November 24, the 2nd Festival of Lights depicting her life through tableaus and the solemn procession along Sta. Catalina street will cap the annual festivities.

Note: Image above of the saint is owned by the Noel family and can be viewed at the church until the festivities are over.

Die in style

2008-11-11T22:26:00.012+08:00

Mortuary services are getting the buzz these days after the e-burol or online wake viewing is becoming the practical option for the departed's relatives abroad. Technology really has it's way.

Also getting enough attention are the artsy custom designed caskets handpainted to suit your style. Make a statement with these. Angels and any other religious themes are the popular designs sought.

The dead come here for their final pampering but the furnitures fashioned like caskets are hauling tourists in. Luckily, I was the sole visitor that day as everybody else got so busy in the cemeteries.

Carcar, Cebu

Kalag-kalag 2008 Sidelights

2008-11-03T22:17:00.011+08:00

Here are some rather amusing and bizarre scenes from the cemetery in Carcar. Filipinos have their peculiar ways of celebrating Kalag-kalag.

Condominium type of dwellings for the dead. Reaching up to five layers these are common in cemeteries where vacant spaces are hard to find. Getting coffins inside the penthouse units is a spectacle one should see.

When you don't have the means to buy a lapida (stone tablet), just carve out the name of the dead on the still wet cement. Just don't push so hard, the seal might open. The young girls in the photo are removing the weeds before lighting the candle.

Fresh flowers have doubled in cost. To save on money, make flowers of your own. Colored papers are so cheap. Fashion it out to the desired blooms. Tie it with copper wires and put it on an empty sardine can. Fill with pebbles to stabilize. Your worry now is the rain to ruin your obra maestra.

Lastly, before you head home don't forget to get yourself smoked. A pile of dried leaves or weeds will do. Add some bits of candle for a desirable aroma. Palina is a pagan ritual practiced in faraway towns and provinces. The smoke is said to ward off bad spirits that might decide to go home with you. Just in case you forget this ritual rubbing your body with fresh lemonsito leaves will do.

Business as usual

2008-11-02T18:43:00.010+08:00

While many are enjoying the comforts of airconditioned malls in the city. Cemeteries are also getting their fair share of the consumer traffic. It is business as usual even on the last day of the Kalag-kalag celebrations. Enterprising people young and old are taking advantage of this once-a-year occasion.

Just in case you forgot your prayers, everything is available here. Amulets, herbs, various concoctions, love potions or what have you, these are popular among visitors.

Candles are the most sought-after commodity. This young boy tends to their makeshift store near the entrace at the public cemetery in Minglanilla town.

This young woman takes an early lunch amidst the hustle and bustle of the narrow street leading to the cemetery. A much needed break indeed. Most vendors have been here a day before Kalag-kalag. Flowers grown from nearby towns are the cheaper alternative and will get more cheaper once the festivities are nearly ending.

Masses are held by the hour. The church has the monopoly of this business. Aside from the pamisa, they also exercise control over the lighting of tombs charging a hefty amount for only two days of use.

At the last minute

2008-11-01T18:01:00.019+08:00

The great mass exodus as what Estan in his blog described the large throng of people trooping at the last minute just to get home to their hometowns for the Kalag-kalag celebrations. It was totally expected, as this is just one of the three occasions where massive migration of people out of the city and into the provinces. (Holy Week, Kalag-kalag & the Christmas Holidays) The holiday fell on a weekend and as what most would have wanted there came no prior announcement of a free day last October 31.

I decided to see for myself the phenomenon at the South Bus Terminal. Cebu being a small island, the only way to get around is by land transpo. And there is no other way to go down south but thru this hub.

It was already 9 am and the place was unusually noisy and hot. A slight drizzle earlier in the morning made the dust settle down but as soon as the sun took its place clouds and clouds of dust started to spread out. The main building is undergoing renovation and there is no space to move around. There was just this unimaginable long line of people meandering through each corner of the building. And as each bus arrived people started pushing themselves inside the narrow bus entrances, unmindful of the kind torture they are in.

I did not want to experience this kind of agony. I took the unpopular route instead.

Where all roads lead

2008-10-30T00:16:00.029+08:00

A week before cemeteries, like this one in Argao, would be crammed. Graves would then have been cleaned and repainted. The living would stream with candle and flower offerings to the departed.

For a large Catholic country like the Philippines, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day for that matter, is one of the most celebrated occasions of the year. Aside from the usual trip to the cemeteries to offer prayers and all, it is also a time to meet and catch up with relatives and friends who have come for the occasion.

[Note: The photos above show what remains now of the colonial cemetery in Argao built in the 1900s. In the cemetery complex is a small lake. Behind the cemetery is a beach, the level of the water on the artificial lake varies throughout the day. When I visited the place the capilla was under repairs.]

Simbahan: Cebu heritage churches in watercolor

2008-10-16T00:59:00.014+08:00

St. Catherine of Alexandria in watercolor, originally uploaded by GIBBster.

Cebu churches were once again the highlight in a painting exhibit by known Carcaranon painter Tony Alcoseba. The exhibit dubbed “Simbahan: Cebu heritage churches in watercolor” was one of the big events in conjunction with the celebration of the commemoration of the founding of the Parian district of Cebu City.

The Carcar Heritage Conservation Society and the newly-formed Taytayan heritage conservation group spearheaded the exhibit at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu last October 11 and runs until October 30, 2008.

Art enthusiasts and heritage conservation advocates alike were joined by no less than Ace Durano, the Secretary of the Department of Tourism of the Philippines and the Archbishop of Cebu, Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal. Both ended up buying the church paintings of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva church of Danao City and the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral respectively.

Each painting costs Php65,000 but part of the proceeds go to support heritage conservation.

Cebu's Top 12 Beach Destinations

2008-09-05T02:18:00.012+08:00

Badian, Cebu

It is unusual for a Cebuano not to love the beach. Whether he admits it or not he always has subconscious desire that takes him to the beach or any kind of body of water for that matter. After all the island of Cebu is surrounded by water. And wherever you go in the island there is always one that is inviting you.

I always make it a point that after a long workweek to take a trip to seclusion where it's just me and the sea. Whether it be a bike to the nearby shore or to a day immersed in the crystalline waters of a hidden beach. It's therapy!

I have been to most of the places around the island and the surrounding islands of Cebu yet there are more things to see, more things to discover.

Here is my list of the best beach destinations of Cebu waiting for you. What I've written down are random and are based solely on the lasting impressions I have of these places. Accessibility is never a consideration and I travel always on a budget, so trust me, these are the places to be in if you are the spartan type of person.

1. Malapascua Island
2. Bantayan Island
3. Carnaza Island
4. Moalboal
5. Badian
6. Olango
7. Sumilon Island
8. San Remigio
9. Tabuelan
10. Santander
11. Alcoy
12. Camotes Island

Pasigarbo sa SUGBO 2008

2008-08-11T11:11:00.028+08:00

It's getting bigger and bigger every year. Gathering more than thirty contingents from various cities and towns of Cebu, the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo now becomes one of the highly anticipated events in Cebu. The festival which is one of the highlights of the celebration of the 439th anniversary of Cebu as a province.

Spectators lined up the streets of Mandaue city as contingents danced to the Pasigarbo rhythm. All roads led to the Cebu International Convention Center for the second time to host the grand showdown of the best festivals of the island.

Food, products and traditions were a common theme for all. The contingent from Badian won the best in costume award and in turn the 5th place by showcasing their most notable product, the banig. As expected, the entry from Alcoy town showcased the endemic black bird in their dance while the grand champion from Bantayan island captured the judges' hearts by presenting life at sea.

The List of Winners:

Palawod Festival - Bantayan Island

Haladaya Festival - Daanbantayan

Siloy Festival - Alcoy

Ani-anihan Festival - Tabuelan

Banig Festival - Badian

Tostado Festival - Santander

Sinamay Festival - Carmen

Soli-Soli Festival - San Francisco, Camotes Island

The Carcar City Museum: a museum we can truly call our own

2008-07-16T23:11:00.023+08:00

The Carcar Dispensary building breathes new life as the first museum in Cebu south by a local government unit. The First Charter Day celebrations centered on the opening of the repository of artifacts loaned by locals. The Governor of Cebu herself a heritage conservation advocate led the launch along with the local government officials, teachers and guests from nearby towns.

Heritage advocates from Carcar have long lobbied for the conversion of this historical landmark into something the Carcaranons can be proud of.

One of the most distinctive buildings in Cebu and perhaps in the whole country. It is also one of the legacies left by Don Mariano Mercado, the proponent of the beautification of Carcar. During his term as Mayor he inaugurated some of the most beautiful landmarks in Cebu, among those is the municipal pool behind the Dispensary building, the Carcar Rotunda and the Rizal Monument.

Indeed a historic and victorious feat.

Museum opens everyday from 8:00AM-12NN and 1:00PM-5:00PM.

Hilton Cebu Resort & Spa

2008-06-14T04:55:00.011+08:00

Expansive sea view and endless sun in the Art Deco-style "Pink Icon" in Mactan Island in Cebu.

Paris Hilton would surely love it here, it's pink everywhere!

Punta Engano, Mactan Island, Cebu, 6015, Philippines

Telephone: 00 63 32 492 7777

Fax: 00 63 32 492 7707

Email: cebu@hilton.com

18th Annual Martino A. Abellana Painting Competition Winners Proclaimed

2008-06-02T23:44:00.025+08:00

Another edition of the 18th Annual Martino A. Abellana On-the-Spot Painting Competition came to a close, adding another highlight to National Heritage Month celebrations in Cebu.

The annual painting competition attracted one hundred artists from various regions in the Visayas and Mindanao. The contest which was recently organized by the Carcar Heritage Conservation Society with the support from the City of Carcar proved to be the training ground for budding painters and the stage for the established artists to showcase their talent.

The year's challenge was to to come up with an artwork that truly depicts the grandeur of the ancestral homes of Carcar.

A select group of judges who are masters in their own field included the 2005 William F. Draper Grand Prize winner, Mr. Romulo "Molong" Galicano, Mr. Jose "Kimsoy" Yap, Jr., Fr. Domingo Besares, OSA and Mr. Bunny Pages.

A unanimous decision was made and the Grand Prize winner to a Carcaranon based in Cebu City. The entry is a watercolor painting of the Galicano ancestral house in Luan-luan.

Professional Category

1st Place (Grand Prize), Tony Alcoseba for Entry #7
2nd Place, Marlowe T. Villagonzalo for Entry # 48
3rd Place, Jun Impas for Entry #39

Finalists

Edgar "Gary" Carabio for Entry # 56
Christopher Java for Entry #14
Fred Galan for Entry #51
Sofronio de la Cerna for Entry #12
Jose Mari Picornell for Entry # 33

Amateur Category

1st Place (Grand Prize), Walter Vestil for Entry #2
2nd Place, Kenny Abigail Badana for Entry #22
3rd Place, Rosauro J. Ugang for Entry #28

Finalists

Jay Rommel Labra for Entry #37
Warlen Rodriguez for Entry #3
Darby Vicent Alcoseba for Entry #6
Randy Nocos for Entry #34
Gil F. Balbuena, Jr. for Entry #35

18th Annual Martino A. Abellana On-the-Spot Painting Competition

2008-05-26T10:23:00.012+08:00

18th Annual Martino Abellana On-the-Spot Painting Competition showcases Carcar's Heritage Houses to cap May's National Heritage Month.

For the first time a local NGO organizes Cebu's most prestigious art competition and biggest yearly art event bringing together Professional and Amateur Artists.

CARCAR CITY, CEBU May 22, 2008 -- The 18th Annual Martino Abellana On-the-Spot Painting Competition for professional and amateur artists will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2008 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in Carcar.

The competition is open to all professional and amateur artists with prizes for the top three Professional and Amateur winners plus five finalists in the biggest and most prestigious on-the-spot painting competition held yearly in Cebu in honor of the late dean of Cebuano artists Martino Abellana. This year's subject is Carcar's heritage houses.

Registration is free and starts at 8:00 am to 9:00 am on the Top Floor (Conference Hall) of Carcar City Hall. After the end of the formal competition, judging and awarding will follow.

For 2008, previous Grand Prize Winners in the Professional and Amateur categories can again join this year's competition.

International award-winning artists Romulo Galicano will chair the panel of five judges composed of two artists, one businessperson and art collector and one photographer.

Galicano won the Draper Prize, a prestigious international art competition held in Washington, D.C. in 2005. He was the first Filipino since Juan Luna in the 1880s to win a grand prize in an international art competition.

The Carcar Heritage Conservation Society (CHCS), a local NGO, is the organizer of this year's Abellana On-the-Spot Painting Competition. The competition draws artists from Cebu, the Visayas, and Mindano for this one-day competition in Carcar.

The CHCS and competition organizers chose to focus on Carcar's heritage to culminate their activities for the Philippine's National Heritage Month and International Museum Month of May.

The CHCS is organizing this year's Abellana On-the-Spot painting competition in memory of the dean of Cebuano painters Martino Abellana. Abellana was Carcar's most famous painter, teacher, and mentor to some of Cebu and Manila's most prominent artists today.

The Carcar Heritage Conservation Society, Inc. (CHCS) is a Carcar City-based NGO composed of heritage house owners and concerned Carcaranons dedicated to preserving Carcar's rich architectural and cultural heritage.

For more information contact:
Jerry Martin Noel Alfafara
Public Relations Officer
Carcar Heritage Conservation Society (CHCS)
mobile: 0915.915.6376
e-mail: jmnalfafara@gmail.com

For inquiries, please contact:

Gabriel Abellana, tel. no. 032/254-6933
mobile 0906/367-4005

Val Sandiego, tel. no. 032/513-8000

National Heritage Month

2008-05-20T22:57:00.010+08:00

A vast collection of artifacts ranging from Spanish Colonial heritage to various species of Philippine animals and insects is housed in the University of San Carlos Museum.

The most notable display is the Manunggul jar which dates back to the late Neolithic Period. Other burial urns and covers are also on display at the Archaeological Gallery.

May was declared by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2003 as the National Heritage Month. Various activities are already lined up in conjunction with this annual celebration. The Gabii sa Kabilin on May 30 is one of the highlights of the celebration in Cebu. One ticket will allow a visitor entrance to four museums namely: the Casa Gorordo, Cathedral Museum, Santo Niño Museum and Fort San Pedro – National Museum. All four musems open 'til midnight on that day.

Food tripping Iloilo: La Paz Batchoy, Molo Bibingka & Talaba

2008-05-13T22:52:00.002+08:00

Deco's Batchoy. Satisfying comfort food. Match this with prewar pandesal and Coke Zero for a complete meal. 55 pesos for the supersize of steaming broth on noodle and topped with chopped meat and entrails, chicharon, toasted garlic and spring onions.

Unlike the usual bibinka that we are used to. Thin and young coconut strips make it soft in the inside. Sold warm within the Molo church grounds at 20 pesos a pack.

I thought I'd never eat talaba again but this one made my mouth salivate. Dipped in hot water to open the shells. Order hot rice and spicy calamansi-soy mixture and you're good to go. Safe and clean but most of all so cheap at 30 pesos per bowl.

Guimaras bounces back

2008-05-10T04:41:00.001+08:00

Mention Guimaras and instantly what comes to mind is the sweet and delectable golden fruit that’s touted to be “the sweetest mango in the world.”

Slowly rising from the ashes of the devastating oil spill in August 11, 2006 the island of Guimaras is now spreading its wings and ready to reclaim the glory it once had. A mecca for the weary Ilonggos and foreigners alike, the island is more alive than ever with tourist flocking the island on weekends to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

A short 15-minute ride will take you to enchanting Guimaras in the town of Jordan which is the gateway to the island’s hotspots. The local tourism office maintains a booth within the vicinity to assist you in your journey in the island. A minimal fee is charged for the transportation to take you to anywhere in the island. Don’t forget to stop by Jordan’s market to grab some mangoes to take along.

The scenic journey around the island takes you around large mango plantations and many secluded coves and beaches. Islets also dot around the island of Guimaras. The beaches are one of the island's attractions enticing beach goers with its fine white sand that would rival that of the more popular beaches of Boracay.

Life is laidback. Time is easily forgotten. All good memories indeed but lest we forget the tragedy that haunted this enchanting island in the past. Let's be responsible tourists and keep the beauty of Guimaras this way.

The Coffee Break Experience

2008-05-03T05:04:00.001+08:00

Seattle, Cebu and Iloilo. What do these cities have in common? The coffee experience of course.

While Seattle, Washington has Starbucks and Seattle's Best, and Cebu the origin of Bo's and Coffee Dream, Iloilo on the other hand is the birthplace Coffee Break.

The cheaper alternative to the well-known brands today. They offer a menu that's suprisingly affordable. While others cost a hundred for a medium sized cup theirs cost only 65 pesos for a single size serving of Coffee Crumble. No upsizes here so you never get confused what to order.

Need a coffee fix? There might just be a Coffee Break nearby.

Outlets:
Gen. Luna
Atrium
University of San Agustin
Robinson's Place
Plaza Jaro
Smallville
Mary Mart
New Iloilo Airport
- ICVB( Iloilo Convention Visitors Bureau) Lounge
- 3rd floor pre-departure area

For additional information visit their website: coffeebreak.com.ph

Pilgrimage to the 4 Baroque Churches in the Philippines

2008-05-01T23:15:00.003+08:00

There are only four World Heritage churches in the Philippines declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Baroque architecture in a true sense but with a touch of Filipino, these churches were built in the 16th century. Three of these can be found in Manila, Santa Maria, Paoay in Luzon and one in the Visayas in Miag-ao town.

Philippine colonial churches have always fascinated me even as a child. I often wondered how these colossal stone structures stood the test of time.

I had the chance to travel many parts of Luzon on September 2007. The first stop on the three-day journey was Santa Maria church. We arrived very early then as our bus left Manila at around 10:00pm the previous night. Also known as the Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion church, this massive structure stands on a hill overlooking the mountains of Ilocos Sur. Built in 1765 by the Augustinians but only earned the UNESCO enscription in 1993.

Our last stop on the second day was another imposing structure, the second Baroque church bearing the UNESCO enscription, the Sur San Agustin or the Paoay church in Ilocos Norte. The 24 massive buttresses is the first thing you will notice, these help the structure stand against the strong force of an earthquake. Like the Sta. Maria church the belfry is also detached from the church. The Augustinian friars had this constructed in 1694 but was only completed in 1704. It was later re-dedicated in 1894.

Within the historic walled city of Intramuros is the San Agustin church. Completed in 1607 this is considered to be the oldest standing church in the Philippines. A notable feature of this church is its intricately carved door and the granite sculptures of lions, which had been gifted by Chinese converts to Catholicism. My visit here was a brief one and a first in the walled city. There were so many things to see.

My so called pilgrimage ended in the church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva in Miag-ao. The scenic journey took about an hour from the city of Iloilo.

The imposing stucture whose construction commenced in 1786 and was completed in 1797. Made entirely of sandstone sourced from the nearby towns, this church boast of a facade so ornate it is likened to a retablo. Oval windows adorn each side of the facade along with some uniquely Filipino embellishments copying the papaya, coconut and guava trees on the design.

The Baroque churches are must-see churches to learn our architectectural wonders. Even if my pilgimage is complete there are still many things to see in our country.