Philippine Shrines

The clergy was out in full force last night, 31 May, 2010 as a sign of devotion and reverence to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Makati. Festivities started early in the day as the entire community took pride in the fact that after only eight years, the church in honor of our Lady was declared a National Shrine. Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales led the ceremonies in the proclamation together with VP apparent Jejomar Binay ( who represented the local government sector) together with his son Mayor JunJun Binay of Makati City



Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe is arguably the oldest Marian image brought to the Philippines by the Spanish conquistadores. Dr. Jaime Laya reports that upon the arrival of the Spanish ships, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi made a treaty with the Rajah of Panay under a penant of our Lady. This was how she came to the Philippines to be venerated as the patroness of the archipelago.



The image of Nstra Senora de Guadalupe traces its origin to a hilly area in Mexico when She appeared to an Indian peasant Juan Diego. Juan was in awe of her and at the same time scared at her apparition. He listened to her instructions and yet was wary that noone would believe her. He actually avoided her a couple of times but her gentle voice drew him to where she was; and being the chosen one, he was powerless to resist. Upon her insistence Juan Diego went to see Bishop Zumarraga to deliver her message. Everyone was doubtful and yet they gave him a chance to prove his assertions.


Juan Diego came to our Lady on her next apparition and relayed how he was being asked for proof of her appearance to him. She instructed him to pick the flowers on the hillside and place them in his tilma (cloak). He did as he was told and when he came back to the Bishop to reveal his proof everyone was stunned! Not only were there roses of all sorts at the height of winter in Mexico, the Lady also revealed herself as a pregnant woman cloaked by the stars and arrayed in all her celestial glory. The image has survived the ravages of time and is in the new Bassilica right beside the old convento on Teppeyac Hill in Mexico City.



This is another addition to one of our numerous shrines where faith and religion are very evident in the Filipino way of life. Not far from Manila is the Emilio Aguinaldo shrine. It features an altogether different flavor: it's historical in nature. It features the home of one of our national heroes whose contribution to our history led to our democracy. Granted that he's a controversial figure, he is revered nonetheless for his bravery and open defiance of colonial rulers.



All it takes is around a half-hour's drive to get to Imus, Cavite from Manila via the coastal road. Leave early to avoid traffic jams along Roxas Boulevard. Adjacent to the Aguinaldo Shrine is the Mary Magdalene Church. The shrine is deidcated to the woman who was Jesus' close companion prior to His passion and death. It is rumored to have underlying tunnels that led from the Aguinaldo Mansion to the church to provide the rebel foces refuge when the Spanish troops were on the siege. Made of red brick, the church of Mary Magdalene exhibits Philippine baroque architecture with buttresses to protect it from earthquakes. The nave has a high ceiling of dark wood. The transcept has minor retablos in goldleaf on each side of the altar. The main altar has a retablo in gold leaf and featuring St. Mary of Magdala at its center niche. She is also displayed at the main pediment at the front of the church which is named after her.



It doesn't take a whole lot of time or distance to see interesting vignettes of our history. All it really needs is a short drive and a willingness to open one's eyes to the possibility that you can discover an intersting site just outside city limits.

Temperatures Rising

Yesterday was another scorching day with the mercury registering at 38 degrees Celsius. On days like this, I just want to lie down and do nothing. The heat is draining the life out of me, I feel. And when the mind is not occupied naturally, it wanders...

Could this be the reason why the Pinoy psyche is so attached to the mundane and the mediocre? We have absolutely nothing to do but lie around and engage in our national predilection for - Chismis!

Thankfully, the country has been elevated to the status of industrialized nation. However, the powers that be in Philippine politics are not spared of local connections to the world of Showbiz. Those that rule the Senate are borne out of dynasties both in politics and the entertainment industry. Our current president apparent has a sister that's touted as the queen of all media, thanks to her tactlessness, multi-million endorsements and penchant for drama. The rest of us, common tao just send the rest of our summer days fanning ourselves talking of the latest loveteam that just broke up or the current cougar who's shacked up with the young wannabe, or the actor who's been outed as he was seen leaving a hotel room of another actor.



We bask in Chismis!!! Sometimes, it even goes beyond the boundaries of our archipelago. We like hearing that Oprah and David Foster are Charice's ninong and ninang. We like hearing that David Archuleta seen at a gay club in NY was only there to hear Charice perform. And we like to hear that Perez Hilton is raving about Charice's version of a song to the chagrin of Bieber fans the world over. Not that we can actually do anything about it, we just have nothing deeper to talk about.

Why talk about the economy, or society, or politics?... It's just too draining to have a lengthy discussion that eventually escalates into a word war... On the other hand we delight in the fact that DJ Mo Twister had a screaming match with a Kapuso exec. We are relieved when Willie Revillame sucks up his larger than life ego and apologizes to ABS CBN bigwigs. We are disappointed when we hear that Kris Aquino won't leave the country after her brother is proclaimed President...

After a while there's just too much to digest... so let's all simmer down while we make paypay with our abanicos... relax with a glass of halo-halo from the kanto...and make ligo by making buhos with the tabo to cool ourselves from this infernal weather that europeans so love basking in...



Anggg inneeetttt!!! Smile! You're in the Philippines!!!!

The Merry Month of May

Perhaps the biggest May festival would be the Pahiyas in Lucban, Quezon. It's the most colorful and the most highly publicized event in the country at this time of the year.



With nary a week to end the month, other festivals are jostling to hog the limelight and get some exposure, to say the least. Next month the school season starts and many a community would be aching to find a reason to hang on to the last vestiges of summer.



Since May is also the month of flowers beauty pageants are aplenty. Each and every barangay has their own version of a Santacruzan and/or a Flores de Mayo. Each one often being confused for the other. I was asked this question during my tour to Lucban with the ambassadors. Both being a religious tradition the Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo are not the same event.



The Flores de Mayo is a religious celebration for our Nstra. Sra de los Flores in which little girls and sometimes boys offer flowers to our Lady as a sign of love and respect for her whilst praying the rosary. It is an homage to the Lady of the Flowers at a time when the flowers are in bloom and it is fitting to honor her with the best pick of the season.



The Santacruzan on the other hand, is a religious procession that recalls the search by Queen Helen and her son Constantine for the Holy Cross of Christ during the Inquisition. It retraces the progression of the story of Christ in the Bible through the women who are either noted for their strength of character, beauty or contribution to the story of redemption. Thus, each and every participant to a Santacruzan is given a name or character to portray. Matusalem, Reina Banderada, Justicia, Infanta Judith are just some of the names in the long line of beauties who protray them. The high point of the procession is Reina Elena... or Queen Helen, who tegether with her son Constantine supposedly wrenched ownership of the Cross from the Ottoman turks and brought it back to Europe to venerate it.

Back then the Reina Elena and the other participants were handpicked by a committee led by an Hermana Mayor from the prettiest daughters (hijas de familias buenas) of wealthy/ prominent families. It was a big social event where the daughters were decked in their finery and presented to society as some sort of coming of age. This aside from their 18th birthday celebration where they are given a rigodon de honor. This is similar to Mexico's quinceaniera where a lass is given prominence on her 15th birthday.

The Santacruzan has come a long way since then. I doubt that many know the religious significance of the procession as they are held today. Lately it has become a money pageant. The honor of being crowned Reina Elena goes to the candidate who is able to sell the most number of tickets. The ticket buyers win some grand prize in a lottery at the end of the event while the rest of the funds gathered goes to charity. Along the line, someone thought of raising funds for charity to benefit some chapel or other. And the beneficiaries are varied and as colorful as the participants.

In some areas of Pasig, Tondo and Marikina, Santacruzans are held by the gay community. Transgenders, cross-dressers and transvestites take on the roles of the Santacruzan women in outlandish fashion. Each one trying to out-do the other in terms of garishness and shock-value. The consorts are usually paid for their ...er, "escort service." This, naturally, is frowned upon by the Catholic Church. It is neither sanctioned nor approved by the prelates of the church. But you can't really stop them from trying... someone commented that in this case they should call it the Gay month of May...

Pahiyas Festival Tour

Date of Tour : May 15, 2010
Booking Agency : Department of Tourism, Office of Director Louella Jurilla
Mabuhay Guide : Dennis Geronimo Red Maristany
Guests : 11 PAX,
Type of Tour : Site , Vehicle and Walking Tours
Itinerary
Planned

7:00 a.m. Assemble at the residence of European Union Ambassador
7:30 a.m. Leave for Lucban, Quezon

Route: South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) – Exit Calamba City – Sto. Tomas, Batangas – Alaminos – San Pablo City, Laguna – Tiaong – Candelaria – Sariaya – Tayabas – Lucban, Quezon

9:00 a.m. Note: (Director Louella Jurilla of Department of Tourism – Region IV will join the convoy in San Pablo City or Tiaong, Quezon)

10:30 a.m. Arrive Southern Luzon State University (SLSU)
Brgy. Colapi, Lucban, Quezon

 The dignitaries will be welcomed by Dr. Cecilia Gascon, President of Southern Luzon State University

 Vehicles will park at the SLSU grounds

 Transfer to Vans for Shuttle to Lucban Town Proper

Proceed to Dealo Koffee Klatch Restaurant
Doña Ana Bldg., Quezon Avenue, Barangay 8
Lucban, Quezon

Activities:

 Welcome courtesies by local government executives

 Walking tours of Pahiyas decorated homes

 Visit of Saint Louis of Toulouse Parish Church


12:00 nn Lunch at Dealo Koffee Klatch Restaurant

1:00 p.m. Shop for local delicacies, handicrafts and forest blooms at the
Lucban Trade Fair located around the town square

2:00 p.m. Watch the Grand Parade at the designated area near the church

3:00 p.m. Back to Koffee Klatch Restaurant

3:30 p.m. Merienda Cena or light refreshments

4:30 p.m. Leave for Manila

Route: Lucban – Tayabas – Sariaya – Candelaria – Tiaong, Quezon – San Pablo City – Alaminos, Laguna – Sto. Tomas, Batangas – SLEX

7:30 p.m. Arrive at the residence of European Union Ambassador
-end of visit of Lucban, Quezon-

Actual

7:00 a.m. Assemble at the residence of European Union Ambassador
#6 Pili Street, South Forbes Park, Makati City

7:30 a.m. Leave for Lucban, Quezon

Route: South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) – Exit Calamba City – Sto. Tomas, Batangas – Alaminos – San Pablo City, Laguna – Tiaong – Candelaria – Sariaya – Tayabas – Lucban, Quezon

9:00 a.m. Note: (Director Louella Jurilla of Department of Tourism – Region IV will join the convoy in San Pablo City or Tiaong, Quezon)

1:30 a.m. Arrive Southern Luzon State University (SLSU)
Brgy. Colapi, Lucban, Quezon

Proceed to Dealo Koffee Klatch Restaurant
Doña Ana Bldg., Quezon Avenue, Barangay 8
Lucban, Quezon

2:00 pm Lunch at Dealo Koffee Klatch Restaurant

2:30 p.m. Activities:
• Welcome courtesies by local government executives
• Walking tours of Pahiyas decorated homes
• Visit of Saint Louis of Toulouse Parish Church
• Shop for local delicacies, handicrafts and forest blooms at the
• Lucban Trade Fair located around the town square
3:30 p.m. Watch the Grand Parade at the designated area near the church

4:00 p.m. Back to Koffee Klatch Restaurant
Merienda Cena or light refreshments

4:30 p.m. Leave for Manila

Route: Lucban – Tayabas – Sariaya – Candelaria – Tiaong, Quezon – San Pablo City – Alaminos, Laguna – Sto. Tomas, Batangas – SLEX

9:30 p.m. Arrive at the residence of European Union Ambassador
#6 Pili Street, South Forbes Park, Makati City



-end of visit of Lucban, Quezon-


Time of Tour :
Planned 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Actual 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM
TOUR DETAILS
Highlights of the Tour:
• I was informed of the tour assignment by Ms. Goya and she asked me to do initial coordination with Ms Gladys Quesea. I spoke to Ms Quesea and she gave me initial information on the tour, the guests, and she emailed me the original itinerary which underwent final revision.

• The tour date was set on the 15th of May, 2010. The guests were S.H.O.M. LADIES (wives of ambassadors ) who reside in Manila, their ambassador husbands and some of their children, Department of Tourism officials and staff headed by Director Louella Jurilla, Department of Foreign Affairs protocol officers, security and drivers.

• Prior to the tour I was requested to meet with Director Jurilla on Friday, 14 May, 2010. I was asked to do an impromptu commentary on the tour. I was surprised as Director Jurilla was requesting for a commentary of the tour. (Note to self: Always be ready for an improvised commentary). I had not completed my research and most of my commentary would have been based on stock knowledge and from experience of the Pahiyas celebrations I had been to in the past. Thankfully, Director Jurilla had to meet with the DFA protocol officers.

• I stayed around and waited until I was called back to the office to meet the DFA representatives. I had met Ms Jazz of DFA protocol during the meetings for SNAMM. So we exchanged pleasantries to the surprise of Director Jurilla. So I asked a few pertinent questions.

• I felt our presence in the Pahiyas tour would have been eased immensely as we would not have to deal with security issues. The DOT and DFA were obviously equipped to deal with the situation at hand. Our involvement would be the information dissemination on the visuals and the positive commentaries along the way.

• For most of the guests it was their first time to experience the revelry of Pahiyas.

• I was at the appointed rendezvous at 6:00 a.m. The trip schedule was for 7:30 a.m.

• The guests were middle-aged to senior citizens . All of them were fluent in English and I was relieved. .

• The guests assigned to me were: H.E. Wilhelm Donko and Mme. Donko (Austria), H.E. Iktiar Mohmim Chowdurry, Mme. Chowdurry and son Aloyya Chowdurry (Bangladesh), H.E. Andrew Graeme Matheson and Mme. Sue Cotton (New Zealand), Mme. Soledad Lavina Arias (Spain), H.E. Alistair Bell MacDonald and Mme. Brigitte Revol MacDonald (European Union) and two protocol officers from DFA. The rest of the guests were in Candie Cobiao’s coaster.

• We had a couple of police escorts to guide us along the way. Total number of vehicles in the convoy were 5: 1 van for DOT representatives, 2 Coasters for the guests, 1 coaster for back-up, 1 patrol car which joined us from the Silangan exit of SLEX, plus 2 escorts on motorbikes.

• Interestingly enough, all the guests were in a jovial mood when we left the European Union residence at Forbes Park. They were excited to be in Lucban for Pahiyas as they’ve heard so much about the event. But the traffic slowed down starting at the toll gate of the Skyway and degenerated from there. We ran into so many traffic jams and we were running out of commentaries almost until some guests would pop interesting questions regarding the event.

• I talked lengthily on the SLEX as we were spending a third of the trip while cruising along the highway. Unfortunately the traffic jams made us spent half the day there. From the Sucat junction, a view of the Laguna de Bay was visible so I talked about the lake, its significance and its effects on the lifestyle and livelihood on the people who live along the edge of the lake.

• Sometimes the H.E. MacDonald would ask me to read the days paper and ask me to comment on what Alejandro Roces wrote about re. Pahiyas. I would sometimes add to the information by adding vignettes on Philippine rural life. The DFA officers were at the back of the coaster and they would sometimes send questions via SMS from Mme. Macdonald who was at the back of the bus.


• We were momentarily stopped at the Toll exit as the barrier closed on the bus as we were exiting. The DFA protocol officers were fuming at the traffic enforcer. DFA impressed upon him that these were DFA ambassadors and had diplomatic immunity. His efforts at making a fast buck were shattered to pieces what with three women screaming at him.

• Mt Makiling was visible from the toll exit. A lengthy commentary on Calamba and its environs kept them occupied at this point.

• They were met like VIPS which was a total surprise for them. Apparently, they’re people too. We had to take a rest stop in the Petron Station once we reached Calamba en route to Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Thank God for the Police escorts, otherwise we would have been stuck in the SLEX all day. The escorts at least, kept us moving.

• Once we reached Tiaong, I gave commentaries on each municipality that we were passing through, what the municipality was known for, rough estimate on the population and number of households, religious festivities, etc. The same thing was done for Candelaria, Sariaya, Tayabas and Lucban.

• Mt Banahaw was visible from the municipality of Sariaya. Mme Mac Donald asked about the mountain. I gave a commentary on Mt. Banahaw as well as St Michael Minor Bassilica as we were entering Tayabas and Kamay ni Hesus Shrine in Lucban.


• There was some confusion at the SLSU. No one met the party there as we arrived late. We proceeded to the town of Lucban with the coasters and were escorted and allowed to go in within the town limits.

• I explained that since the roads were teeny tiny, all vehicles bigger than an SUV were left at the parking areas on the outskirts of town and that vans would ferry special guests to the town square. Some of the guests were getting impatient.


• Lunch was served at the Dealo Koffe Klatch. They were given a warm welcome by the owner of the restaurant and the other DOT officials headed by Director Jurilla.

• After the guests had eaten, they were eager to see the town and the famed homes adorned with Kiping (which I discussed ahead of time while we were in SLEX as an orientation to what they were about to see.)

• There were locals who were assigned to guide us through the streets of Lucban, aside from the map that was provided. The guests were divided in to four groups of seven persons each, plus one Mabuhay Guide and/or one DFA protocol officer.

• Among my group were HE and Mme. MacDonald, HE Ikthiar Mohmim Chowdurry and Mme. Chowdurry and their son Aloyya, Mme, Soledad Lavina Arias, Ms Jazz of DFA, local guide and myself.

• We were also given 2 local security officers to help us along the streets. The din of the revelry was ear splitting so it was difficult to give commentaries on the decorations. But I answered all the questions Mme MacDonald had in mind to the best of my ability.

• We went all over the fiesta area. It was rather slow as HE Mac Donald is a camera bug and he whipped out his mean-looking professional DSLR with a zoom lens. He must have taken hundreds of photos. We had to look back and look for him at times as he was lagging behind in the walk.

• Mme. MacDonald had her own point and shoot digicam as well and they were having a hey-day taking photos with Mme. Chowdurry and the Singapore representative as well. What made the process even slower was when they started making purchases for souvenirs… and we hadn’t even reached the trade fair area…

• We also went to the point of origin of the parade and we stayed in the spot where the parade began. HE MacDonald went trigger happy with his camera shutter, that is.


• We then proceeded to the church courtyard and admired the architecture. St Louis de Toulousse was massive and we were admiring the architechture inside and out as we were heading out HE MacDonald went to the side chapels and nearly entered the cloisters of the church.

• I received two calls on my cell phone from Mabuhay Guide Candie Cobiao. Apparnetly we were the last group to go back to Dealo Koffee Klatch. The party had a light merienda cena before we left at 4:30 pm for Manila.

• The ride back was a lot faster especially when we left the boundaries of Lucban and Tayabas. Thanks to the efforts of the police escorts. We had to make rest stops along the way, though, which slowed the return trip.

• Best efforts to avoid the traffic jams were greatly appreciated by the guests. But they had gotten used to the traffic jams so that they eventually learned to relax and some slept in the coaster.

• We arrived back in Makati by 9:00 pm and I gave my Thank you spiel to the guests as we exited SLEX. Some guests disembarked at the Sanctuario de San Antonio while some guests got off at the European Union residence at South Forbes Park. By then it was half past nine in the evening.

• Mme MacDonald was profuse in her thanks for the commentaries of the Mabuhay Guides saying that she appreciated the experience more and thanked us personally for assisting her and her husband around the streets of Lucban.

• Nothing follows.