Having spent many years in the provinces here in the Philippines, I grew up with the way of life of the probinsyanos. I’m particular in the Visayas and Mindanao areas, where my family came. Of course, cable TV and internet are available only in towns or in major urban areas, however, radio is still the number one form of communication and entertainment in the rural areas. Of course, when it comes to marketing, local AM and FM radio stations are the main medium of advertising.

However, sometime in the mid-2000′s, there seemed to be a “boom” of herbal products and alternative medicines over the air. All of a sudden, the usual farming fertilizers and poultry feeds were replaced by alternative herbal products and related stuff. Of course when it comes to marketing the product, they were insisting that your health is guaranteed to improve–to the point that even the most serious of the conditions may be healed by the alternative medicine. Of course given the lack of access to health facilities and the rural masa cannot afford to buy expensive medicines, they’ll surely be attracted with the ads and buy those!

Then came in later, the testimonials are airing. For most of the morning all the way to the evening, testimonials coming from different people…from different interviews of different people with different ailments…some serious. Most of the interviews emphasize on the masa, those who cannot afford prescribed drugs. They’ll at first give a sense of hopelessness from their ailments, that even the doctor couldn’t cure them…then came the alternative drug which became a “cure all.” The respondents were pleased and were thanking the product. Somehow, the interviews are convincing…and it was playing over and over again…not just on AM radio, but also on FM!

But there was something missing on that part…with the proliferation of the alternative medicine, is it really effective? Looks like the consumers in the barrios may have assumed that it is indeed the elixir of life! There was no disclaimer of such. Di uso yan dun. Then came in DOH Secretary Esperanza Cabral mandating all in the food supplement industry to bluntly say that, “There are no approved therapeutic claims” to the supplements. A disclaimer that may save the ass of both the drug company, the health officials and the consumers themselves.

Of course, the drug companies said that it was a suicide. It may affect their business because of the disclaimer. However, as reported by Gretchen Malalad on ABS-CBN, the public seems to be completely unaware of the term! Pampapayat or no-prescription drug, as what the say…looks like the masa hasn’t understand the essence of it! Cabral took one step further–translate it in Tagalog or Filipino–so that the people may know. In my opinion, I doubt that it’ll be suicidal since most of the people are still misinformed!

Anyway, Adelle Chua of the Manila Standard said that, “Bad judgment has only one cure—information.” Indeed! Its one critical fact that the consumers should be protected.

However, going back to the barrios, some herbal products still advertise WITHOUT the said disclaimer. Are they doing this intentionally because they are far from the eyes of the national government in Manila? Maybe its time that the people in the countryside should be educated with the right information…perhaps, much better if the message is in vernacular.

For now, testimonials still linger in the mind of some of the rural folk…or maybe because its about time that the government should reach out further to isolated areas and expand the health insurance coverage, especially those who are the needy. Health is one precious resource than any human wouldn’t dare to lose.

For someone special, you wouldn’t like to feel that you are away from him or her. You’ll be wanting to talk more, and be with you more. However, the distance, the time, and even the expense of getting yourself in touch with your loved ones, is keeping you from expressing your appreciation fully. I for one, would like to keep in touch with my special someones at the lowest price possible. Given the times we have, it pays to have an effective way in communication. Good thing though, mas abot mo ang mundo, pati na ang iyong mga minamahal sa buhay as Globe unveiled its newest perk–Globe Super One.

Now, you can communicate with your special someone better and be with them longer, with unlimited calls and texts to one favourite Globe number of your special someone–for the whole month, starting at PhP150.00 for postpaid and My Fully Loaded plan subscribers, to PhP175.00 for My Super plan subscribers. It is one way of making your special someone, THE super one!

To try, for Globe postpaid and My Fully Loaded plan, just text SUPERONE <the Globe or TM number of your “special someone,” a friend, family or colleague”> ON and send it to 8888. For Globe’s SuperPlan subscribers, text MY SUPERONE <the Globe or TM number> ON and send it also to 8888.

Also at the same time, for making Globe the super preferred choice, they’ll be giving away a brand-new a brand-new Samsung Galaxy S Android phone! for one lucky blogger for the Super One Blog Contest. How to get that savvy phone? Just make a blog post on your blog with the topic “Who is your SUPER ONE and why?” Post it, together with a video or a photo of your Super One and link it to Globe’s Super One site. After creating a blog post, leave your blogpost’s URL at the Super One Blogger’s Contest site to have it validated. Deadline is on August 8, 2010 at 1 in the afternoon, Philippine Standard Time.

So, think beyond just being special, think SUPER!

Waiting Commuters at Talaba, Bacoor, Cavite -- ang tagal dyan kahit bukana na ng Maynila!

The first is, have you tried combat commuting? I think if you live in Manila, it is essential to know combat commuting. Its a war waged every single weekday in the Philippine capital. The climax of the war at Hell’s Gate? Rush hour madness. Everyday, people try to cram themselves in buses, jeepneys and metros. Well, asi es la vida en Manila! Can’t deal with it? Might as well leave for the provincias.

Now, for a Cavite resident like me, traveling from home to work is a fact of life. Manila has become crowded and the urban expansion reached the doorsteps of its neighboring provinces, one of which is Cavite. There may be 12 million residents in Metro Manila but including the Greater Manila Area (encompassing Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan), we may even be comparable with the population of that of Mexico City, Tokyo or Mumbai! Cavite has the largest share of GMA residents–3 million people, tw0-thirds of it lives in towns near Metro Manila and along Aguinaldo Highway–the sole main artery of the province. Three million, the most populous province in the country–and with real estate blooming like lumot in the pond, its like a heart chocked with cholesterol! After all, Cavite IS a bedroom of Metro Manila.

Counterflow or locally known as "Buhos" at Aguinaldo Hghway, Panapaan, Bacoor, Cavite

How does it feel to be a Caviteño commuter? Well, either your still in school or working, you SUFFER the same fate as the rest of Cavite’s commuters, most especially rush hour. How so? Try to imagine yourself, waking up while the sun isn’t yet shining. Took a bath, get dressed and rushed your way to Aguinaldo Highway. Reaching the bus stop, you’ll be with lots of people waiting for the bus to stop for them to ride. Yet, the buses by-pass the said loading and unloading area. You wait, the sun is up, the buses still pass by you, and more people are coming to wait for the bus to ride on. Lawton, Pasay, Buendia, Cubao, Baclaran, Ayala, Ortigas–San Agustin, Jasper Jean, Solid Star, Erjohn and Almark and a lot more bus companies, just–don’t mind you guys at the bus stop at all. Weird no? Why? Because these buses are already full to the brim! Malapit nang magsuka ang mga bus sa sobrang puno, di na nagpapasakay ang mga tsuper ng bus!

Traffic Congestion near SM Bacoor

Then luckily, you rode a bus…but damn! It’s butt-cramped! You can kiss the windshield or make manyak to the person beside you. The only thing that separates us from sardine cans would be the sauce! You have to be an expert in yoga to perform such positions far too uncomfortable for a morning ride! As we went by, we’ve passed by several bus stops along the way…pity, the commuters have been waiting and will be waiting for a bus to ride on. Punong-puno ang sidewalks ng mga mag-kokomyut.

Ooops…its not the end. Then, you came near Bacoor Rotonda–that’s in SM Bacoor, the traffic halted and you’ve waited…and waited…and waited…and waited…until the bus driver went down to puff some cigarettes while…waiting. 20 to 30 minutes later, you’re still waiting…until…swoosh!!! BUHOS TAYM!!! The Manila-bound cars and vehicles head for a mad dash towards Coastal Road…to escape the agony of waiting and the hell called Aguinaldo Highway! You’re lucky if you caught the first hour counter-flow…because it runs all the way to Coastal Road. By around 7AM, its good luck to you! Hephep! Kala ko bawal na ang counterflow sabi ni President Noy? Hehe!

As we reached Coastal Road, as if it was reaching nirvana! Usually, Coastal Road during early mornings is a paradise to motorists. Except for the toll plaza of course. If Aguinaldo Highway was hell, Coastal Road was salvation!

Caviteños have lived for this kind of life for more than a decade already. I can still clearly remember that rush hour traffic was only up to the Revilla residence in Bacoor. But now, it goes as far as Anabu in Imus! That’s umm, almost 10 kilometers of traffic congestion…of hell on earth! No traffic travel time from Anabu to Longos Junction in Coastal Road, less than 30 minutes. Travel time during rush hours, a lovely 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the “mood.”

Approaching Longos Junction in Bacoor Cavite, nearing Coastal Road -- the Gates of Heaven and Hell!

For now, we have to deal with it. Finding innovative ways so that we wouldn’t be scolded by our professors and bosses. But we pray for so long, sana naman may magawa naman para sa mga komyuter ng Cavite!

The morbid fact: CAVITE LACKS URBAN PLANNING OR IS THERE?! It’s a mess! And the residential areas are still growing while the infrastructure for roads and public transport is snail-paced! What the?! Haven’t they forgotten that eating too much pork is dangerous to Cavite’s health?! The incoming flux of migrants, residential and industrial developments of this province is clogging the arteries…and I have no idea if the body of the province, the local officials, are doing any drastic measure to change Cavite’s lifestyle…pero parang di masyadong maramdaman! Daang Hari and Molino Boulevard may be there but it’s not enough for the three million souls to move along! Regarding public transport, LRT South Extension project has been shelved–I heard about that crap since I was GRADE 5! For those who want the Coastal Road Extension to be stopped–kayo lang ba ang babara sa ugat namin dahil sa mga tahong at talaba? May mga ibang trabaho din naman po sa paligid, kumilos naman po tayo at huwag masyadong umasa palagi sa gobyerno! Pigilan nyo ang extension project at 2 milyong katao ang mas maapektuhan!

Coastal Road in Parañaque City -- Its mostly light to moderate traffic on early mornings except the toll plaza and Mia Road junction

It is something that the new leader, Jonvic Remulla, and the rest of the Cavite’s politicos should think and act about swiftly and wisely. There will come a time when the present “Buhos” system wouldn’t work anymore! What’s with being the most urbanized if we don’t have the proper infrastructure? As early as now, the province is already showing urban decay–this early! With the new president installed, I hope they should start acting up…before its too late. Cavite is already heading for a cardiac arrest!

Now, how does it feel being a commuter from Cavite? Ask me, that’s me on the photo.

I say, mabuhay ang mga bagong bayani ng Kabite! Mabuhay ang mga dakilang komyuter ng Kabite!

I was a bit irked earlier this morning when a media person interviewed a NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) official regarding the flight diversion that happened yesterday, after strong thunderstorms lashed Manila that led to zero visibility around the airport. Of course, I know the fact that ordinary people doesn’t understand the technicalities of airport operations…and so do I. I may not be an official or an expert in aircraft navigation nor a pilot myself, but somehow, I understand the consequences that NAIA faced yesterday. What irked me though was a seemingly sarcastic tone of “mauulit nanaman yan muli?” (“Will it ever repeat again?”). Of course it will! That is about mother nature and life and death! Its the standard operating procedure whenever Mother Nature has gone nuts! Safety over convenience!

The Filipino travelers and commuters alike already knew about the problem that NAIA has encountered in the past recent days. The VOR or VHF omnidirectional radio range is a navigational aid for the pilots for them to land the aircraft safely, especially during poor weather conditions, had broken down. I don’t like to sound techie here but this is one main goal of the said instrument. Of course, it is a critical instrument since landing, in my opinion (and based on my flight simulator experiences) has been one of the most risky, tricky and even dangerous phase in a flight of an aircraft. A lot of plane crashes in the past were due to pilot error or weather disturbance, and a big percentage of it was during approach. With this instrument, at least it would provide help for a safe landing.

Of course, given the bureaucracy that we have in this country, the facility has to endure the long periods of time…napaglulumaan na kumbaga. Given also the appropriations and the conspiracy of corruption, the multi-million dollar instrument, broke down. Of course, being a critical instrument in airport operations, it has to be replaced. But lo and behold the politics. Don’t tell me, we’re gonna get some another spanking from foreign aviation organisations?

Anyway, its a good thing they made a “first-aid” treatment by transferring the unused instrument from Subic Bay to Manila…but that too needs to be changed as soon as possible. And I hope Noynoy wouldn’t dilly-dally on this issue or its another blow in our “Philippine pride.” Worse, lives are at stake!

All right, to cut the story short, kahit anong moderno ng airport at kumpleto ang facilities at top of the class na mga air traffic controllers at piloto, kung Inang Kalikasan na ang nagbibigay ng kanyang banta’t galit, walang magagawa ang VOR-DME, ILS o kahit ano pa mang navigational aids sa airport! When the visibility is down to zero and the thunderstorm is great, there is a greater chance of having a fatal aircraft approach crash or crash landing. The possibility of microbursts or daluyong/squall is imminent and are avoided by aircraft worldwide. Ang daming bumagsak na eroplano nang dahil sa mabagsik na mukha ng isang thunderstorm na yan. Isa pa, kelangan din ng piloto kahit papaano ang tulong ng visual aids tulad ng ilaw…at dapat ding malinaw ito. Sa nasabi ko kanina, mahirap talaga ang landing, because it takes careful planning and estimating on how to safely land a plane safely. Its about the throttles, the flaps, the wind direction, the visual reference, the ailerons, the pilot, the flight attendants and most especially the lives of the passengers.

Yes, we all know about some dismal and anomalous things going on at the Philippines’ premiere gateway, but the situation yesterday was very different.

For those who felt inconvenience because of the diversion and was irked about it, I say…try to understand please. Buhay mo o ginhawa lamang? The pilot and the air traffic controller’s top priority has always been safety. Whatever technology that we have, we still cannot beat the fury of Mother Nature. The inconvenience of flight diversion and delay is a small price to pay for the safety of the passengers. Better live or have your lives being dramaticised on National Geographic’s “Air Crash Investigation.”

For some people who still view it as incompetence of NAIA–think again! Even the best airports in the world face shut down when the weather is awfully bad. Alam naman natin yun di ba? Its not about incompetence, politics or Category 2 rating of the Imperialist Yankees. Its about standard operating procedure for the safety of hundreds of lives flying over the air. So, even before the sarcasm, lets have a second look first. This time, please understand NAIA.

NAIA Terminal 3

A century and 12 years later, the Republic of the Philippines celebrated its freedom from the Spanish Empire with a float, performance and parade gala at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, Manila. Since this is the last year of the outgoing president Gloria Arroyo, the government allotted PhP10 million for the whole programme. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (Yes, another name change. It was National Historical Institute) was the main organizer of the programme “Kalayaan 2010″ (Freedom 2010). I wasn’t able to see the traditional flag raising at Aguinaldo’s House at Kawit (its too early! Good luck at baka trapik sa Binakayan galing dito sa Imus!) so I went to Luneta that afternoon for the civic and military parade.

Dinagyang of Iloilo performing at Independence Day rites

As usual, Quirino Grandstand has been the venue of such parades in history. Americans did it here. Luneta is one big park comparable to Washington DC’s “The Mall.” In any case, Roxas Boulevard was full of “MIUs” or Men In Uniform (police, military, pulis oyster) and looks like the military parade has been finished. Oh well, there is something left to watch anyway.

Finalé

To my surprise, Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival and Candaba Pampanga’s Ibun-Ebun Festival performers were there. However, there is something that lacks on their performance…or maybe there is something about in numbers. For the former alone, they didn’t sent the whole battalion that I used to see in their performances–that’s about near 200.

MIUs...Men In Uniform

Anyway, “Kalayaan 2010″ was said to be controversial…a way to glorify Gloria’s legacy. However, the organizers defended that it is about overcoming challenges and the legacy that the outgoing administration left for the progress of the Philippines. Whether politicised or not, its obvious that it presents the accomplishments of the Arroyo administration in almost a decade rule in the Philippines. Its like watching May Day parade minus the fanfare and uhm…crowd cheering for the greatness of the nation…or in their words, “Beat the Odds.”

Rizal Monument

However, I still can’t stop wondering, why are Filipinos at Quirino Grandstand (those ordinary ones) are just…don’t care. It’s like just another ho-hum programme. Although I love the performances and even the theme song, its just that there is something lacking in the hearts and minds of the Filipinos there. Are we taking Independence Day for granted?

Even the date itself is also mired with controversy. Even though if we freed ourselves from Spain as declared in Kawit on June 12, 1898, it wasn’t however recognized by any nation in the world–and bitterly, we were colonized once more, by the “benevolent Yankees.”

Sorbetes anyone?

The program itself really is to celebrate our liberation from oppression yet how come there is more spirit to town fiestas and big city fiestas than this sacred national holiday? I ask myself, could it be because of history or confused identity?

Anyway, after Gloria was “glorified,” we went strolling at Luneta until the time that the fireworks lit up the twilight sky. In a way, I celebrate the day of our liberty. However I am to ask, are we really free?

More photos here:

Rizal Park is located:

View Luneta in a larger map

With the sun setting for Arroyo’s administration, its a high time on how we could analyze and evaluate the nine years of management of the state. The book “Beating the Odds” by Renato Velasco and Ricardo Saludo, analyzes the policy-implementation of the Arroyo administration in managing the archipelago nation for almost a decade. Leaving the fiasco of a’la telenovela political drama, the book turns into the policies in political, fiscal and social sectors that served as a guide throughout the rest of the administration, which in turn, may be used as a reference for the future administrations to come.

The Republic of the Philippines has long endured political and social trials, since the time of the colonial era, all the way to the contemporary period. Despite all of these challenges that Filipinos encounter on day to day basis, they still find themselves resilient and go forth with their heads up high. In 2001, the country fell into significant change of tides as Gloria Arroyo, daughter of a former Philippine president, was installed in power by a bloodless revolt. In 2004, she was then again elected as the chief of state. With her nine years closing, managing a country that is so divided in poverty, corruption, sleeping with the enemy and the threat of our national coffers running kaput, how did she and her administration managed to “beat the odds” of a seemingly fragile republic?

The book discusses six issues that mired the republic. Six things that was dealt with within this administration. However, the most significant were that of peace and order process in Mindanao and of budget management.

Mindanao has been a long standing issue in terms of peace and development of the republic. A leader that would be able to pacify the restlessness in this region could provide development alongside tracking down of terrorists that plagued the island for the long time. Two chapters of the book dealt with confronting terrorism and how the administration was able to maintain its pacifist stand for development of Minadnao while tracking down terrorists.

On the other hand, the Arroyo administration claims that its best legacy was the effective budget and fiscal management of the republic. We all do know that we were swamped with foreign debt and an unstable economy that harbours poverty within the state, however, it was within this nine years that the gross domestic product rose with consistency, increasing jobs and made the country a better place for investment. A chapter analyzes the socio-economic impact of the policies that was implemented by the administration.

As the dawn of a new administration unfolds, the Filipinos would look onto future with a clear and better vision, together with hope. However, it wouldn’t be complete if the Filipinos somehow would not look into the past. There is an old Filipino maxim, “ang di marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan, ay di makakarating sa parorooan.” Despite the “primetime political drama” that was, it is high time for the Pinoys to study the policies that the outgoing administration left in order to secure the progressive future for the future. Reading “Beating the Odds” is one way to start.

These days, when prices of commodities jack up, our wallets feel the pain. For motorists, they think of innovative ways to make up the most of the limited resources. Gasoline nowadays is a precious commodity and Filipinos can be creative in how to save fuel consumption.

In my personal experience as a motorist, fuel consumption has always been essential wherever I drive. At most, checking the engine, tyre pressure and turning off the car instead of running it on idle are just some of the things that I do to save gas. Also, I limit my speed to as much as 80 to 100 kilometers an hour. Beyond that, the engine would exert effort and would increase consumption. Another thing, if you are driving on manual transmission, avoid reaching the maximum rpm for a single gear. When you think the car has somehow reached near maximum, go changing gears.

With these such tips and ingenuity, Shell recognizes the Filipino motoristas by inviting them to share their ideas on how to make the most out of your gasoline consumption, and get a chance to join Team Philippines in Shell’s Eco-Marathon Asia.

Joining it is easy. Just have a valid driver’s license, shoot a video demonstrating ways to save gasoline and end up the video with “Ang Pinoy na matipid sa gasolina, _______.” Then, your fuel saving tips can be uploaded at www.topgear.com.ph/shellsmartestdrivers. Deadline of submission is on June 20, 2010.

All who have joined will have Shell premium items. The lucky ten finalists will receive P10,000 worth of Shell fuel vouchers and join the fuel saver’s camp on June 26. The best among the rest would be declared as “Philippines’ Smartest Drivers” and would join Team Philippines in the first Shell Eco-Marathon Asia in Malaysia on July 8th to 11th. The event would make the best out of Asian drivers and get a chance to win a fuel-efficient car!

So, have your knowledge shared to the rest of the Filipinos on how to save gas on driving and get a chance to be the Philippines’ Smartest Driver!

For more information, click on the image below:

The armada of floating rafts ashore Matabungkay Beach

Vivid memories of summer of my childhood. Floating rafts at the sea while watching the sunset over the western horizon. This is how I remember the ever famous beach of Matabungkay in Batangas Province. Tagal na pala nun! The last way I went here, it was during my childhood days. I remember eating our merienda to dinner in the middle of the sea…err, just a few meters off shore actually. Together with my family, I was reunited with the pigment of my past.

Matabungkay Beach is situated at the town of Lian (nope, its not Nasugbu which is north of the town), more than a hundred kilometers south of busy Manila. Passing through the panoramic Tagaytay and down into the foothills of  Batulao and Pico de Loro, Matabungkay was 0nce one of the most popular recreational sites near the big city. Because of its easy accessibility from the capital and the rest  of the Region Tagala, it became a tourist fave. Kaya pag-weekend, dagsa ang mga tao dito, mula noon hanggang ngayon!

The floating cottage raft of Matabungkay

What made Matabungkay distinct from other beach destinations in the country? Well, we all know that beaches here in the Philippines have cottages at the beach coast right? Matabungkay offers something different–floating cottage rafts a few meters of the coast. Yes mi cmpadres y compadrinas! Tama narinig nyo. Cottages are floating at the sea! You get to experience eating at the sea. Roast your barbecue, seafood and have your picnic offshore and just swim just beside your cottage! No need to endure running the sandy shores just to get your refreshment under the sun and salt water! Andyan lang ang tubig sa tabi ng cottage mo!

Nope, hindi sya na-Ondoy. He's just selling ice cream to customers at the floating cottage rafts

Banana Boat anyone?

Don’t panic! The shores are shallow enough for a grown-up man to stand. Of course, safety first. Have a life vest or salbabida–pero wag naman yung built-in na sa katawan mo ah!

Like any popular beaches in the islands, it has its own share of water and dry activities. You can rent a jetski (I don’t know the price) or your own pedal-powered boat for P200 per hour per person. What I took though was that banana boat experience for umm, P200 for 15-minute ride-to-experience-thrill-falling-at-the-sea activity. If those doesn’t sound interesting, try singing your hearts out at the nearest videoke–basta walang ‘My Way’ at “Skyline Pigeon.”

Cottages crowding at Matabungkay Beach's shore

This is Matabungkay Beach Today

However, over the years, the beach became overcrowded. Due to its over-popularity, urban growth has somehow became uncontrolled. The view of the sea from the coastal road that runs through Matabungkay is no more. The coastline is full of structures of concrete and makeshift houses. And the once tranquil and relaxing beach is now like Boracay or Copacabana–crowded. Even the floating cottages crowd the shores now–therefore its difficult to maneuver your floating raft at sea!

Summer Girls at Matabungkay

I even saw a discarded floating diaper while swimming. For crying out loud, can you just practice being a responsible and mature citizen of this republic! Kung kanino man yun, nanay naman huwag ka namang burara! Di lang kalikasan ang napapahamak! Pano kung ikaw ang nasampal ng diaper sa mukha no? Anong pakiramdam ‘nay?!

Talk about dating far from the crowd!

Despite its shortcomings, I still would go back to this beach. I just hope that Ate Vi, the local government and/or the Tourism Department to execute proper  urban planning in this place in order to promote sustainable growth of tourism and environment–wag na po sanang humantong sa isa nanamang sakit ng ulo tulad ng Boracay.

Fortune Island looming over the horizon. Beneath the sea lies the shipwreck of the Spanish galleon San Diego

Too bad, we need to leave before sunset. We have to rush to Taal to visit the Sanctuario de Virgen de Caysasay to fulfill the Sunday obligation. As the sun sets over South China Sea, that vivid memory of orange and pink gave me a flashback of my childhood memories. As we leave the beach and headed inland, the escort of hundreds of fire trees gave a fiery and breathtaking colour of the afternoon. Indeed, Matabungkay still lives in my memory…and its nice to be back once more.

P.S. There is something with the official barangay emblem…hehe!

The barangay seal of Matabungkay, Lian, Batangas...something peculiar, hehe!

More photos of Matabungkay Beach and Western Batangas here:

The kiping at Pahiyas Festival

Now, for the main dish. The number one reason why I went to Lucban last May 15th was because of Pahiyas Festival. Yup, that’s right. The fiesta of splashing colours, food, alcohol, revelry, religiosity and the invasion of the paparazzi. Pahiyas Festival has been known all over the Philippines as the fiesta with colurful buntings decorated in the town’s houses called kiping. Seen at post cards, text books and even foreign TV shows, Quezon Province’s most famous festival brings thousands of people to the rustic yet cool town in the foothills of Mount Banahaw, Lucban.

For the record, perstaym ko po pumunta dito! Nope, di lang Pahiyas, pati na rin pagpunta sa Lucban! Yes, nakarating na ako sa bayan ng Pahiyas, longanisa, pansit habhab at ang sagot sa vodka ng mga Tagalog, ang lambanog!

The fiesta of a thousand colourful kipings is a celebration and thanksgiving to the bountiful harvests to the farmer’s patron saint San Isidro Labrador (Saint Isidore the Worker), held every 15th day of May. One thing’s interesting though, Lucban’s patron saint is not San Isidro Labrador, but San Luis Obispo and the town’s patronal fiesta is held every August. But nonetheless, an agricultural-based town offers its best to the saint of its workers.

It starts from here. No jeeps were allowed to enter Lucban town proper

The Centuries-old Church of San Luis Obispo and The Religious Procession

We reached there at around 7AM. Wow, no traffic yet! Jeepneys weren’t allowed to get inside, so we took the tricycle all the way to the centuries-old San Luis Obispo Church (Lucban Church). The procession of the saints has just started with the images of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and San Isidro Labrador leading the faithful through the streets of Lucban.

Lucban Town Plaza

Mount Banahaw looming over Lucban--The main reason why its cool around here

The cool crisp mountain air sure is refreshing. You ain’t going tired that easily even if the sun is up 12 noon! Iba talaga kung naglalakad ka sa arawan na may preskong malamig na hangin.

Panorama of Lucban from Kamay ni Hesus

That morning, since there are no activities yet, we decided to climb Lucban’s tourist and religious site, “Kamay ni Hesus” (Hand of Jesus) [I'll post an article later this week about it] and went back to the town centre for some lunch.

One of Lucban's Old Houses restored

After lunch, then came the people. Peculiar since most festivals I’ve been through, its in  the morning where its most crowded. People here start to trickle in after lunch! Simulan na ang mahabang paglalakad para makita ang kagandahan ng piyestang Pahiyas!

Unlike most fiestas that I’ve covered, the main attraction here is not street dancing, but the houses decorated with colourful buntings. They vary, from the simplest to the most ostentatious (o masasabi nating huling araw na ng kiping). Kiping are colourful leaf-shaped buntings that are hanged or plastered at the facade of the houses. Take note, its edible–made from rice with some food colouring on it. Kids actually munch on it after the feast! Green activists rejoice! It’s not plastic! Its totally biodegradable!

For San Isidro Labrador

Other than kiping, fruits, vegetables, fabric and other decor make the houses unique. (And a lot of old bahay na bato here too! Me like it!) At most, the decors display the lifestyle and the bounty of Lucban, its people and its industry. Vegetables abound the decorations, and so are the tourists. It was already 2PM and cameras has start shooting Lucban’s celebrities! Ang daming turista, may it be local or foreign. Overnight, Lucban was turned into Disneyland! A lot of photo booths with decors await the tourists…daming camwhore, dami ring jejemon!

Whew! The road was long, we managed to get back to the town’s main plaza for another Pahiyas’s highlight: The procession. Dandararan, this is the beginning of the infamous May 15 Traffic Jams of Quezon Province.

Pancit Habhab mobile trolley

The escort and the muse

The procession started with some local officials and bands with their “tunog-lata” marching ensemble.

The decorated carozza

The carabao and the farmer -- the celebrants of today's feast

Healthy living starts here

San Isidro Labrador and kipings

From decorated pansit habhab mobile stores (mga nagpapadyak ng pansit habhab), to the procession of escorts and muses in their costumes that are surely 100% Pinoy, to the decorated carabao carts (with kids) and to floats with some celebrities on it. The procession was full of spectators and brought the festive mode a notch higher. Love the atmosphere!

The procession goes on!

The crowd at Lucban's main road

As the day ends, the whole town itself is in fiesta mode. Traffic was halted into a standstill. The roads leading to and from Lucban were parking lots! Still, the people goes up with the revelry. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see the lighting of the kiping decors or pailaw. I saw some photos of it and it was darn beautiful! Nevertheless, I’ve enjoyed the feast much.

And traffic was halt to a standstill

Splashes of colour and revelry filled up the streets of Lucban. The creativity, hard work and love for life mirrors Pahiyas. Ingenuity, celebration and faith at its best the farmers and the Lucban residents could offer to the Almighty. For tourists and culture afficionados, its a feast of awe-inspiring creativity. For the photographers, a paradise. For the jejemon, it is somewhere to make porma!

The farmer--the "bida" for this revelry

I’ll come back to this town next time, with or without Pahiyas. Lucban would be on my list.

For more photos of Lucban and Pahiyas:

Arroyo Fountain, the logo for Panubli-on

After several years of dormancy, Panubli-on: The Iloilo Heritage Blog, will come back. To bring Iloilo’s rich cultural heritage and history into the cyberspace. Sharing the legacy of Iloilo’s glorious past and for a brighter future. Soon, we’ll be adding up articles, activities and a whole lot more. For now, a bit of tweaking in the blog is needed.