Philippine Festivals

The festival of festivals returns

Posted on August 15th, 2007 by mvg.
Categories: Uncategorized.

Grace L. Plata

From being a festival of thanksgiving for Davao’s harvest and culture to becoming a gigantic, “commercial” celebration and now back to its indigenous roots, one can say that the Kadayawan Festival has truly come full circle.

Standing the test of time and tumultuous circumstances, the celebration that in the recent years has been called the “Festival of Festivals”, managed to survive and emerge renewed.(more)

0 comments.

Oro fiesta gets new name, new mng’t

Posted on June 25th, 2007 by mvg.
Categories: Festivals, News, Uncategorized.

Danilo V. Adorador III

GOODBYE Tsada Cagayan! Hello Kagay-an Festival.

Cagayan de Oro City’s fiesta in honor of St. Augustine has a brand new–and hopefully–permanent name, and under new management.(more)

0 comments.

Businesses at Panaad

Posted on April 19th, 2007 by mvg.
Categories: Uncategorized.

Furniture made from tamarind tree in Kabankalan City

THE Kabankalan City’s theme booth features varied arrays of pandan displays like coasters, mats, placemats and bags. Beaded slippers, necklaces with different styles bejeweled beads and dolls dressed in different and impressive styles of tailored gowns added glitters to the display rack.

Delicacies lined the next display rack where one is treated to best selling peanut rolls, peanut balls, peanut bars, bandi, choconut mallows and peanut brittle. Then the classic sweets like yema, pinasugbo and unique bangkiling jam followed the onlookers delight.

Appetizers like pickled ampalaya and ginamos sautéed shrimp paste rounded up the tastes’ tour.

Equally impressive among the displays are home furnishings and furnitures made on tamarind “sambag” wood.

Herbal medicines in Calatrava

MEDICINAL capsules made of lagundi, pangawas, kumintang, tagalaway, dulaw and other herbs are among the highlights  of the Calatrava booth together with exportable pandan weaves like mats, trays and bags.

Wooden “retasos” gathered from balayon were creatively transformed into various home furnishings and furniture.

Some local artists made use of balayon “retasos” to curve certain symbols.

Barquillos, bandi, biscocho, banana pastells, merengue, pork chicharon, uraro are among the delicacies display galore.

0 comments.

Lin-ay beauties II

Posted on April 19th, 2007 by mvg.
Categories: Uncategorized.

Aiza S. Corbete
Lin-ay sang Talisay
Loves drawing 

This Talisay beauty is quite confident given pieces of papers to draw for poster making.

She has some experiences in campus sports team as muse but to place her on stage where hundreds or more than a thousand were watching, is extremely new to Aiza S. Corbete.

She’ll do what it takes to share her talents, though, despite very limited exposure.

She took up Information Technology at Carlos Hilado Memorial State College and her parents, Jiovanni and Shirley are quite happy with this.

Elan Jane Ong Esteban
Lin-ay sang Victorias
A studious girl

A typical science high school student spends not less than three hours studying and accomplishing home assignments, daily.

This is the student life of Elan Jane Ong Esteban.  Other than the respite, her parents Edward and Cristina should know better being educators themselves.

She expects that the pageant can offer a holistic perspective for her as teenager.  The rigors of the scientific paradigm can now be extended to include Elan’s esteem development.

0 comments.

Let’s unite, guv urges Negrenses

Posted on April 16th, 2007 by mvg.
Categories: Uncategorized.

Nicolas C. Delfin

UNITY and cooperation. These were the calls of Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon to all Negrenses despite political differences between opposing candidates for this May 14, 2007 elections.

This he said during the opening of the 14th Panaad Festival at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Saturday afternoon.

“Our success through the celebration of the annual Panaad Festival manifests our cooperation and unity among our local government under our leadership in the province, which I hope to continue for years to come,” Marañon said.

“This fruitful endeavor as we can see through every changes of colorful displays we had each year can bring more success to our province for as long as we continue to unite  in bringing our best despite our political and social differences,” he added.

18 mayors absent

During the opening, every number performed by the different towns and cities wowed the almost 10,000 people watching the event. Of the 13 cities and 19 municipalites, however, only 12 mayors came while the 20 others  sent their representatives to witness the event.

Among the 18 mayors absent during the opening were town mayors Caroll Guanco - Hinigaran, Enrico Elumba - La Castellana, Emmanuel Aranda - Binalbagan, Renato Malabor - Isabela, Jose Garcia - Moises Padilla, Francisco Bilbao - Hinobaan, Oscar Montilla-Sipalay City, John Paul Alvarez-Ilog, Alfonso Gamboa - E. B. Magalona, Manuel Escalante III-Manapla, Samuel Fabroz - Calatrava, Evello Valencia - Toboso, Santiago Barcelona - Escalante City, Salvador Escalante – Cadiz City, Severo Palanca - Victorias City, Eric Saratan - Talisay City, Carlo Gamban - Silay City and Carminia Bascon - Himamaylan City.

According to Governor Marañon, “most of our local mayors were not available mostly because of personal reasons especially that the event was in tuned with the election campaign period.”

“They might have been busy for their `house to house’ and `room to room’ visits, nevertheless, they have been supportive by sending some of their talents through their respective representative,” the governor said.

He added that they were doubtful at first whether to continue with the event or not since it was high time for the election campaign period.

“With all the positive feedbacks and cooperation of all, however, we decided to push through and we were very happy with the results especially with the efforts of our organizers for this event,” he said.
“I hope that with everybody’s cooperation, the next Panaad Festival will be more and more progressive and exciting for more years to come for all Negrenses to enjoy and celebrate,” he added.

0 comments.

Lin-ay beauties

Posted on April 16th, 2007 by mvg.
Categories: Uncategorized.

Lin-ay sang Himamaylan
Vanessa D. Isok
A future educator 

“People should know that my town, now a city was once the capital of Negros in 1795″,  says Vanessa Dingcong Isok in such a gentle but persuasive remark.  Indeed, an educator by heart and her words are immersed in scholarship.

She understood what her hometown Himamaylan symbolized since time immemorial for she intends to teach and learn stuff including body movements essential to become an effective educator.

Taking up Teacher Education major in Physical Science at Carlos Hilado Memorial State College in Binalbagan, Vanessa is proud of her parents Liberato and Janeth and of course her guardian whom she intimately calls Tita Maricar.

The reigning Miss Riverside stands, values and loves health education more than anything else.  Asked why? This beauty from Hinobaan said, ‘I saw my fellow Filipinos yield to carelessness in health care and this carried them nowhere.’

Curie N. Evangelista is a beauty who intends to strike a difference by improving herself through this Pageant believing that the nursing profession is not an assembly of prudes but also of fun, outing dancing and the contemplative yoga.

Curie is the daughter of  Jose and Mila and is under the guardianship of her Tita Josephine.

Lin-ay sang Ilog
Gretchen S. Simple
Loves adventure

This teeny bopper beauty Gretchen S. Simple honed within the “Walls of Catholicism” at Cabarrus Catholic College, got an aura of  youth, so restless, so free.

“But I’m not that without direction, it’s just that I love the adventure of searching what lies ahead,” says this “Simple” beauty of mom and dad, Mary Ann and Gideon Simple.

In matters of career path, no final decision yet.  What Gretchen knows is that this pageant will develop the steadfastness in her.

This is what her parents and Catholicism had taught her.  Either through adventure or stillness, Gretchen knows her quest for life.

—

Lin-ay sang Kabankalan
Berlyn Grace T. Tolentino
Wants to be an actress

She graduated salutatorian and likes to be an actress. She obtained spiritual nurture from the “Baptist Kingdom,” so it won’t be a surprise to many if her mind is immersed in the messages of Godly Hymns.

Berlyn Grace T. Tolentino admits being neophyte to beauty competition but not a rookie to sports.

She does not mind the sudden shift because the stage and klieg lights are among her dreams.

The same lights will beam her if a career in sports opens the pathway for her.

She owes all courage and confidence to the proud parents, Bernie and Lynly, where she got her name’s combinations.

0 comments.

250-strong security force to guard Panaad

Posted on April 15th, 2007 by mvg.
Categories: Uncategorized.

THE heat is on!

Despite the scorching heat of summer at 35 degrees Celsius, the forthcoming national elections and the threat of insurgency, the 14th Panaad sa Negros Festival opens Saturday at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City with the same fervor it has always been known for. (more)

0 comments.

Panaad Festival in Negros Occidental

Posted on April 15th, 2007 by mvg.
Categories: Uncategorized.

Panaad sa Negros was conceptualized in 1993 by the Provincial Government and representatives of the private sector to showcase the festivals of each of the then six (6) cities and 26 municipalities of Negros Occidental - their history, cultural heritage, commerce and industry and tourism potential.

This was to be a yearly summer event for Negrenses, both here and abroad, to look forward to and come home for.

The first Panaad sa Negros Festival was a three-day affair in 1993 that started April 30.  April 30 is significant as it was on this day in 1901 when Negros Occidental became a separate and distinct province from Negros Oriental. The separation and incorporation of both Negros provinces was to take effect on May 1, 1901.

The festival was held at the Provincial Park and Lagoon fronting the Provincial Capitol for the first four years.  As the festival grows each year, it became necessary to look for a bigger venue.  In 1997, the festival was held at the reclaimed area near where the Bredco Port is located now.

The construction of the Panaad stadium and swimming complex in Mansilingan, Bacolod City for the Palarong Pambansa in 1998 paved the way for the establishment of the Panaad Park as the permanent home of the festival. The park hosts the theme booths of the now 19 municipalities and 13 cities of Negros Occidental, including the highly urbanized provincial capital, Bacolod City.

The football field is the battleground for the determination of the “Best of the Festival Dances,” and the Drum and Bugle competitions, among other events.

The stadium, which can accommodate around 25,000 spectators in its main grandstand and open bleachers, is the main venue for the cultural presentations, LGU competitions, concerts, and the festival highlight, the search for the “Lin-ay sang Negros”, the lady who epitomizes the ideal Negrense woman.

When it started, the Negros Occidental Cultural and Sports Foundation had helped finance the festival. Starting 2002 to-date, it receives financial support from the Pag-ugyon Negros Foundation.  Due to its magnitude and the large crowds it generates, the festival currently enjoys the support of corporate sponsors.

The Panaad Logo

The rainbow signifies firm, solid and absolute promise of God as the source of everything, as the rising sun symbolizes the brightness of hope for the people of Negros Occidental, represented by the boot-shaped cloud.

Panaad Festival

The Festival of Festivals.  Discover Negros Occidental’s bountiful land… charming people.  Savor its legendary cuisine of delectable dishes and sugar-based delicacies…  Experience its lifestyle that is a sweet blend of the cosmopolitan and the rustic:  enjoy the amenities of a modern metropolis without its hassles.

Capture the essence of Negros Occidental in the annual celebration of Panaad sa Negros Festival in Bacolod City, scheduled every April.

Dubbed the “Festival of Festivals”, Panaad (Hiligaynon for a vow and its fulfillment) is a colorful and jubilant presentation of individual festivals of the 13 cities and 19 municipalities of Negros Occidental. It brings together the 32 LGUs in an array of theme booths that showcase their history, arts and culture, tourism, commerce, trade and industry, in the 25-hectare eucalyptus trees-lined Panaad Park and Sports Complex.

Panaad is also a time for renewing bonds or initiating friendships. The festival attracts most of the 2.6 million-strong Negrenses, their balikbayan relatives and friends, who get a glimpse of the best offerings of the towns and cities in a tour of the uniquely designed booths, as well as in cultural presentations and friendly competitions for beauty, talent, skills, and in sports.

Free shows or concerts by popular Manila-based artists add fun and excitement to the festivities. The fun continues in the food and drinks alley that offer the famous chicken inasal, grilled fish and seafood, including various shellfish, oysters, and scallops. Local bands perform nightly till way past midnight in the food and drinks alley.

Panaad also features the gains the province has achieved in its diversification efforts and its priority agenda, particularly in Food Sufficiency and Agricultural Productivity. It is seriously developing its rice and corn industries and positioning livestock as its second major industry, next to sugar.

With the Negrenses’ pioneering spirit, Negros is no longer just sugar; it is also cut-flowers & ornamentals, high value fruits & organically-grown vegetables, prawns and seafood, champion fighting cocks, exquisite handcrafted gift items and house ware, world-class furniture and garments, and many more.
Panaad is a thanksgiving celebration and an exhibition of the best of Negros Occidental… now, “Sugar…and more!”

0 comments.

‘If others can, why can’t I?’

Posted on April 15th, 2007 by mvg.
Categories: Uncategorized.

Erwin Ambo S. Delilan

OF the 23 candidates vying for this year’s Lin-ay sang Negros crown, Frebejean Bartolo of Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB) town, the youngest town in Negros Occidental, is one among the first-timers with no experience at all in joining beauty contest.

But she said, “If others can, why I can’t I?” Coming from a mountainous town in central Negros, Frebejean, a graduate of Seafaring/Catering and Stewarding course from VMA Global College, is unfazed by the trending that Lin-ay pageant is largely for the veteran beauty contestants or for bets coming from progressive towns and cities.

In yesterday’s press presentation held at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol, she said, “I know how to walk and probably that’s my asset. Although, I feel nervous joining this pageant, yet I know that I still have something being kept right and this will be my asset during the pageant night.

In the 13-year history of the Pageant, none from DSB has been crowned Lin-ay sang Negros yet.

Lin-ay queens include Beatrice Lopez (Himamaylan City), Mita Enteria (Hinigaran), Jennifer Legaspi (Sagay City), Jerene Vinco (Hinoba-an), Wilva Ann Cadianza (La Castellana), Ma. Victoria Durana (Victorias City), Liezle Belonio (Silay City), Ritchie Mediavilla (San Enrique), Sharon Mallorca (Murcia), Mig Urmeneta (Sagay City), Riza Liz Catalan (Sagay City) and Jan Nicole Puentevella (Bacolod City).

Asked what encouraged her to join the pageant, Frebejean simply replied: “The people in our community at Spur 16, Barangay Bunga, my best friend, among others where I get my strength right now.”

Criminology student

Another first timer is Aprille Paz Felicisimo of Hinigaran town.

A tall, dark and beautiful lady, Aprille Paz is currently studying B.S. Criminology at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R).

“Joining this contest is a challenge for me being a Criminology student. This kind of challenge will help me  grow and become a true woman,” she emphasized.

Veteran

Bacolod’s bet Crister Mari Taclobos, on the other hand, doesn’t consider herself a veteran in beauty contest, although, she had been into several contests and was crowed Miss Freshmen and Miss UNO-R Bacolod in 2005, Mutya ng NOPSSCEA also in 2005 and a runner-up in the Masskara Queen pageant last year.

“Yes, I’ve already joined several beauty contests, but I don’t consider myself a veteran for this particular event.  Until now, I am still scared up stage, especially during the question and answer portion.

However, having joined several beauty pageants and won several crowns, I would say that I have a small edge over 22 other candidates,” Taclobos said.

Nonetheless, she stressed, “I’ll do my best to win in this Lin-ay pageant.”

Mother’s dream

Katherine Rosal of Binalbagan town, on the other hand, said joining Lin-ay search is a way of fulfilling the dream of her late mother Lea Rosal.

“It’s  my mom’s dream to see me on stage but unfortunately she passed away.  I need to pursue what her dream for me, though,” Katherine told the press people.

She’s currently studying BS Nursing at the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City.

Pre-marital sex

Ilog’s Gretchen Simple encouraged her fellow youth especially the girls to refrain from submitting themselves to pre-marital sex.

“It’s against the law of God and men. We should avoid it,” she said.

The same contention was echoed by Berlyn Grace Tolentino of Kabankalan City.

Dance Sports lover

Lin-ay sang Bago Madel Magbanua loves dance sports.

A senior high school student of Ramon Torres National High School, Madel is the daughter of  Mr. and Mrs. Romel Magbanua.

Being the youngest among the 23 candidates, Madel said,  “Joining Lin-ay is to develop my self-confidence and skills on dealing with other people and to prove to myself and to others that anyone could achieve if they put their minds to it.”

Taekwondo enthusiast

Xyza Aburido Magbulogtong of Calatrava town is a taekwondo enthusiast.

A daughter of Mr. and Mrs.Edilberto  Magbulogtong, Xyza is currently an Information Technology student of St. Joseph Computer Learning Center in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

She also confesses her love in dancing and acting.

“I joined Lin-ay because I want to develop my self-confidence and expose my talent,’ she adds.

Meanwhile, Lin-ay pageant director Rene Hinojales said this year’s Lin-ay sang Negros will recieve P100,000 cash prize, a one year scholarship grant from the province in any private or public college or university in the province, with a monthly stipend and uniform allowance, or a one year job contract at the Provincial Government, if she is already a college graduate.

The first runner-up will receive P60,000 and P30,000 for second runner-up.

This year’s pageant will highlight Negros as more than a sugar province and while the evening gown competition will be inspired by lace collections, added Hinojales.

While actor TJ Trinidad will host the pageant with a lot of celebrities and beauty titlists from Manila are coming to grace the coronation night on April 20 at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium in Mansilingan, Bacolod.

0 comments.

5 more Benguet towns producing strawberries

Posted on March 25th, 2007 by mvg.
Categories: Uncategorized.

WITH the promising income it gives to farmers, the town of La Trinidad is not the only one cultivating strawberries nowadays.

Dr. Silverstre Kudan of the Benguet State University (BSU) College of Agriculture said strawberry growing is now expanding to other municipalities in the province.(more)

0 comments.

Older »