Teddy's Choice: April 2019

ALIWAN FESTIVAL 2019

UNITY AMID DIVERSITY IN ALIWAN FIESTA 2019

Manila Broadcasting Company, Star City, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in cooperation with the cities of Manila and Pasay, once again celebrate the country’s biggest and most popular festivals the way we Filipinos love it – as a series of grand visual spectacles now known as the Aliwan Fiesta, which opens to the public on April 25-27 at the CCP Complex.

Aiming to show local and foreign audiences the richness and diversity of Filipino culture in a single venue, Aliwan Fiesta harnesses the power of Philippine festivals to showcase how religion, culture, and tradition are woven in the fiber of our existence. Traditional fiestas, which are held annually to commemorate the foundation of a town or province, or honoring its patron saint, are brought together en masse to highlight the Pinoy’s indomitable and ebullient spirit, together with his mien for creativity and innovation.

Gathering together champion streetdance contingents from the different regions, along with a bevy of beauties, and master craftsmen who painstakingly construct floats using the most arresting mechanical and technical ideas, Aliwan Fiesta has invited local government units to bring to the fore local pride through their artistic talents, resources, and produce – all depicting traditional folklore. Fabulous prizes are at stake in this much-awaited event, which features the best of these fiesta islands.

Competing in this year’s festival dance category are the Bodong Festival of Pinukpok, Kalinga (represented by St Teresita High School); Panagbenga festival of Baguio City, Benguet (represented by Baguio City National High School); Halamanan festival of Guiguinto, Bulacan; Niyogyugan festival of Quezon Province (represented by the town of Pagbilao); Antipolo Maytime festival (represented by San Jose National High School); Sambalilo festival of Cavinti, Laguna; Manggahan festival of Guimaras (represented by Hubon Guimarasnon); Buraburon festival of Burauen, Leyte (represented by Tribu Buraburon); Pasaka festival of Tanauan, Leyte (representing the Pintados-Kasadyaan festival); Meguyaya festival of Upi, Maguindanao (represented by Sabaken National High School); Tarakuku festival of Mother Kabuntalan, Maguindanao (represented by Kabuntalan National High School); and the Kapatagan festival of Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur.

Participating floats include YKalinga; the Palakaya of Navotas; Para Aqui from Paranaque; Bangka de Muntinlupa; Dayang Dayang of Pasay City; Singkaban of Bulacan;

Halamanan of Guiguinto; Pamilya from Catanauan, Quezon; Buhay at Kulturas sa Lungsod ng San Pablo; the Tagultol Fishing Festival of Atimonan, Quezon; IPI 60th Year-Sinulog – Cebu; Tacloban Through the Years; Panuluganen from Cotabato City; Siniratan a Laminan from Sultan Kudarat; Meguyaya Festival of Upi, Maguindanao; Kapasiti a Lemba from Mother Kabuntalan, Maguindanao; Kuyog a Kang'lal from Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao;

Sarimanok from Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur; and Palabuni-bunyan from ARMM.

Aliwan Fiesta 2019 opens on April 25 with a three-day shoppers bazaar along Sotto Street at the CCP Complex, and a Pasakalye concert featuring Ben & Ben, Juan Karlos, This Band, and Extreme Lab. 23 lovely young ladies representing the different festivals all over the country then take to the outdoor stage in front of the Aliw Theater on April 26 for the Reyna ng Aliwan Pageant night, with guest performers Christian Bautista and Jason Fernandez. Festivities will culminate with the grand parade and streetdance showdown, which kicks off at Quirino Grandstand at 4 pm on April 27, traversing Roxas Boulevard enroute to the CCP Complex, and capped by the awarding ceremonies at 9 p.m., with musical numbers by Vin Abrenica, 6 Cycle Mind and MBC deejays Tanya Chinita, Ganda Wanda, and Lyka Barista.

This year’s edition of the much-awaited grand festival of champions is supported by Pride Detergent, Unique Toothpaste, White Rose Cojic Whitening Soap, Smart Dishwashing Paste, Star Wax, Tanduay, TM, Dunkin’ Donuts, Symdex D, Asian Institute of Computer Studies, Senokot, GES Led Lights, Whiteflower, and Nature Spring Mineral Water. For details, check out Aliwan Fiesta official Facebook page, or log onto www.aliwanfiesta.com.ph

The search for festival queen heats up this summer’s celebration of the annual Aliwan Fiesta, with 23 young ladies representing various festivals all over the country vying for the title of Festival Queen, or Reyna ng Aliwan 2019. Manila Broadcasting Company, which produces the annual cultural extravaganza in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Cities of Manila and Pasay, has released the list of this year’s candidates.

SUSAN ISORENA-ARCEGA , PR and publicity consultant

PHOTO COMPETITION FOR 2019 ALIWAN FIESTA

The streetdance showdown of the Aliwan Fiesta has become a fierce battleground where color, pomp, and pageantry converge to define the annual festival as grassroots theatre at its very best. With this in mind, Manila Broadcasting Company is mounting the annual photography competition open to both amateur and professional photographers who will cover the grand parade on April 27.

Participants using digital or film-based cameras should submit entries printed in full colour on any brand of photo paper in 8R size (8 inches x 10 inches), together with a self-addressed, stamped Manila envelope and two copies of the registration form, which may be downloaded from the Aliwan Fiesta website or its official facebook page. The name of the contest participant should not appear on the face of the entry, which should not have been published in any other publication. Photos must have been taken during the grand parade.

P50,000 are at stake for the first prize winner, with P25,000 going to second place, and P10,000 for the third prize. All entries become the property of MBC, which will have the right to reproduce, exhibit, or publish the images for promotional purposes.

Deadline for submission of entries is on May 3, 2019 at 3 p.m.

The grand parade of Aliwan Fiesta 2019 will kick off at 4 pm. from the Quirino Grandstand, traversing the length of Roxas Boulevard, and culminating in front of Aliw Theatre at the CCP Complex.

ILOCOS NORTE, THE PHILIPPINES' NORTHERN MOST GATEWAY

Ilocos remains to be one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines, despite the fact that it is located in the northernmost part of Luzon. The province is rich in history, littered with natural beauty, and booming with good food.

PAOAY CHURCH

San Agustin Church, more commonly known as Paoay Church, is at least three centuries old, and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1973. The construction of the church started in 1694, and the church’s baroque architecture has withstood time ever since.

Bangui Wind Farm is a wind farm in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The wind farm uses 20 units of 70-metre (230 ft) high VestasV82 1.65 MW wind turbines, arranged on a single row stretching along a nine-kilometer shoreline off Bangui Bay, facing the West Philippine Sea.

The Cape Borjeqador in Burgos is the highest lighthouse in the Philippines. Standing, on a lonely promontory, the old lighthouse is still pretty much in use, guiding the way of ships starting at six in the evening all the way to dawn the next day.

CLAVERIA BEACH BLVD

If you are staying in a hotel that is within central Laoag, then Museo Ilocos Norte should be the first destination to go to. With just an entrance fee of Php 30, guests can get a glimpse of the museum’s detailed ethnography on Ilocano, Igorot, and Itneg culture.

One of the pride of San Nicolas is Paulina Rangcapan 85-year old woman who lives in Brgy. 8 San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. The oldest damili potter in town.

The town where Nana Paulina lives is known or its pottery making industry called damili. The town’s pottery industry is alive and booming following the local governments thrust in promoting the town’s old-age pottery.

Most people’s typical idea of a beach is a coastal strip of sand with coconut trees and sunshine. But in Ilocos Norte, things are different. La Paz Sand Dunes, which are collectively a protected coastal desert and a beach, attracts tourist because of the countless, non-beach activities that guests can do, such as: road trips.

EMPANADA BATAC

The Ilocos empanada reflects history itself, since it is inspired by the Spanish empanada. Empanada is a typical snack that originated from Spain and its former Latin American colonies. An empanada is made with wheat flour and stuffed with meat, carrots, corn, cheese, and/or peppers.

This bahay na bato, built in 1977, was constructed for former president Ferdinand Marcos’ 60th birthday, and now serves as a tourist destination. Aptly called Malacañang of the North, this two-storey mansion has seven rooms which are each designed to symbolize agriculture, culture, diplomacy, education, family, nation-building, and overseas Filipino workers during Marcos’ reign.

SAUD BEACH RESORTS - THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACH IN ASIA. The jewel in the crown of Pagudpud is Saud Beach, with its renowned wonderful fine white sand. The waters of the South China Sea are a magnificent blue and crystal clear all the time. This is bordered by spectacular multi-colored corals and iridescent fish.

HOLY WEEK in Intramuros

The Intramuros Administration (IA), in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) , the Manila Cathedral and the San Agustin Parish Church with the support of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Knights of Columbus, Colegio de san Juan de Letran , Lyceum of the Philippines University, Mapua University and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila will be staging several activities during the observance of Holy Week in Intramuros from April 14 to 21,2019

SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH

Interior of San Agustin church

chapel at Fr.George J. Willmans SJ memoral bldg. at the back of Knights of Columbus bldg

Chapel inside Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

Interior of chapel inside Pamantasan ng

Lungsod ng Maynila

Chapel of the Franciscan Venerable Third order inside the compound of the MAPUA University

Chapel of the Franciscan Venerable Third Order inside the compound of the MAPUA University

Chapel inside the Lyceum of the Philippines University

Chapel inside Colegio de san Juan de Letran

Interior of the chapel inside Colegio de san Juan de Letan

Chapel inside the Bureau of Internal Revenue building

Facade of the chapel Our Lady Of Guadalupe inside Fort Santiago

Reducto De San Francisco Javier (Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe) inside Fort Santiago

NEMI MIRANDA: VISUAL DIARY IN PURE IMAGINATION

Conrad Manila, in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 1V-A CALABARZON, recently launched the 8th installment of its 'Of rt and Wine' exhibit this time featuring 'Nemi Miranda: Visual Diary in Pure Imagination' at the hote's Gallery C.

Renowned artist Nemi Miranda of Angono, Rizal, dubbed as the 'Father of Imaginative Figurism'

'Of Art and Wine' featuring Nemi Miranda : Visual Diary in Pure Imagination will be on display for sale at Gallery C from April 10 to June 2019

With Miss Marites Castro, Regional Director, Department of Tourism Region IV-A

'Of Art and Wine' featuring Nemi Miranda : Visual Diary in Pure Imagination will be on display for sale at Gallery C from April 10 to June 2019

ARANA'T BALUARTE FESTIVAL ,GUMACA, QUEZON

MORIONES FESTIVAL: A solemn and colorful way to celebrate Lenten season

Geographically located at the center of the Philippine archipelago, Marinduque hosts one of the most inspiring cultural festivals during the Lenten season.

Dubbed as the Moriones Festival, which replicates the garb of the Roman soldiers who searched for Saint Longinus, the Roman centurion who has one blind eye.

While all other festivals in the country are celebrated for good harvest and cultural promotion, the Moriones Festival centers in the most important aspect of the lives of the Filipinos – their faith in God

The convivial spirit of its people and their undeniable sense of kinship add to the festive flavor of the annual festival.

One of the highlights of this festival is the Via Crucis. A re-enactment of the suffering of Christ on his way to the Calvary.

Moriones refers to the masked and costumed penitents who march around the towns in Marinduque for seven days searching for Longinus. Morions roam the streets from Holy Monday to Easter Sunday scaring kids and doing antics that never fail draw public attention.

The festival is characterized by colorful Roman costumes, painted masks and helmets, and brightly-colored tunics. The towns of Boac, Gasan, Santa Cruz, Buenavista and Mogpog in the island of Marinduque become one gigantic stage during the festival.

The weeklong celebration starts on Holy Monday and ends on Easter Sunday

Being a country mostly dominated by Catholics, the festival portrays the inseparability of the Filipinos and God.

Morion means "mask" or "visor," a part of the medieval Roman armor which covers the face. Moriones, on the other hand, refers to the masked and costumed penitents who march around the town for seven days searching for Longinus.

The Moriones Festival is generally a festival held to commemorate and reenact—on the streets—notable Biblical events. Local participants—called the moriones—wear flashy costumes and colorful masks to imitate Roman soldiers and other Biblical characters. But aside from the iconic street parades, the Moriones Festival also involves a lot of events held in each municipality.

The highlight of the celebration is the Via Crucis (way of the cross), a re-enactment of the suffering of Christ on his way to the Calvary.

The weeklong celebration starts on Holy Monday and ends on Easter Sunday

Held on the island-province of Marinduque with participants wearing masks and costumes of Roman soldiers, Moriones tells the story of the legendary Roman soldier, Longinus, who is said to have been blind in one eye. As he pierced the side of the crucified Jesus, a drop of the blood cured his blindness. The first thing he saw with both eyes was Christ's passage to heaven