Are you ready?!

Finally, after a long hiatus, a new post.

A new blog is in the works.

This blog however will continue as I originally intended it to be. A photo blog.

Coming soon!

Got published at DBP Western Highway Traveler

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

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

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

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

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

Funny Signs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.