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Friday, April 21, 2006
Serna: Observant eyes
By Roger Serna
Sounds and images
Belated Happy Easter to all! Hopefully, you had a wonderful, meaningful, fruitful and successful observance of the Holy Week.
Yours truly had one of the most solemn celebrations in years because of my last-minute decision to stay away from places where fun-related activities abound and spend the remaining days of the week in the quiet of my hometown in Oslob.
The heat was almost unbearable and thus led me to just stay in the house and limit my actions to just lying down idly while watching religious and musical films on DVD, casting physical and material worries and woes aside.
Surprisingly, this made me feel lighter even for just a day or two. Not bad, I should say.
The spiritual side of the celebration was also taken care of. The very early morning trek towards the hills last Good Friday for the Way of the Cross, that covered more or less three kilometers, was exhilarating.
The fresh air that caressed our bodies once we were already up the hill and finished with the 14 stations was quite a relief. Now I understand why some friends who had to stay in the city by force of circumstance envy those who had places to go to at this time of the year.
Life in the suburbs and the country sides may not be ‘heaven’ for most of those who have become accustomed to city life, but still it is where one gets to have those weary muscles and taut nerves recharged and reenergized.
During those days, while we with shielded ourselves from the invasive sunrays, it also paid to just stay away from the scorching heat and instead kept ourselves comfortable under the shade of tropical trees. Refreshing, just the same.
***
For a change, instead of an art exhibit (last year featured the first ladies of the city), organizers of the Mantawi Festival opted for a fashion show that still depict the rich cultural heritage that helped mold Mandaue city to what it is today last Apr. 5 in time with the opening of what was dubbed as the Merchants’ Paradise.
Stalls selling various types of merchandise from food items to garments, decors and others lined up in front of the city hall.
A ramp was purposely constructed for the fashion show. Designs of Dexter Alazas, Dino Lloren and Philip Rodriguez were worn by shapely and statuesque ladies as well as hunks with toned bods.
Dexter’s collection was Hindu-inspired. Dino’s was Spanish-inspired while Philip’s bridal collection was generally Asian-inspired. Appreciations came in forms of applauses, wolf whistles, shrieks and the like.
Some keenly observant eyes also had noticed some flaws (minor they may be) just like male underwear outlined beneath a pair of pants made from flimsy materials that had diamond-shaped prints on it. Disapproval was in hushed murmurs and giggles.
Was it intentional? Couldn’t tell. It, however, succeeded in drawing attention to the design (and the wearer too). The affair, which was graced by Gov. Gwen Garcia herself, was very successful just the same. Kudos to the organizers.
***
Speaking of fashion, in the ground breaking rites for the Cebu International Convention Center held the next day, Apr. 6, that is, the same keenly observant pairs of eyes (and more additional ones) noticed some kind of confusion in the costumes worn by the dancers and other characters in the dance drama segment showing the history of Mandaue.
While the other characters wore ethnic-inspired costumes, some were already wearing some clothes which were believed to be inspired by the Spanish conquestadores’ fashion sense. Another flaw, if we may call it as such, was the high-heeled sandals worn by the lady portraying the role of Datu Lambuzan’s wife.
Was she just too fashionably-advanced for her time? Again, was it intentional or just an oversight? Your guess is as good as mine.
***
This weekend, the second (?) outing of the Haladaya Festival takes off in Daanbantayan. Yours truly personally witnessed and lauded last year’s colorful edition.
This year’s festival is expected to outshine last year’s in terms of festiveness, color, gaiety and everything.
On Monday, the southern town of Santander puts its best foot forward for the launching of its own Tostado Festival, giving recognition to the delicious home made cookies in the town’s bid for exposure, tourism-wise.
One contingent will showcase the procedures of tostado-making in dance. Costumes were carefully designed to highlight the indigenous materials that abound in the place.
Three or four towns which already established their own festivals are invited to join the activity and lend variety and color. Let’s wish Santander good luck and more power!
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 21, 2006 issue)
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