Cemetery Tour: El Cementerio de Cabatuan Iloilo

31 October, 2008 Bernardo Arellano III Leave a comment

We left the southern coastal towns towards the inland towns. Several kilometers away from Iloilo’s new airport is the town of Cabatuan (well actually the airport itself is in Cabatuan). Another landmark of Iloilo’s ecclesiastical prowess is the massive brick Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino. With this massive church comes a very massive cemetery located just several kilometers south of the town proper.

In fact I think for a Spanish colonial era Roman Catholic cemetery like this in Iloilo, this is already massive. Believed to be about 2 hecatres, the cemetery is guarded by stone and wrought iron fences and three portals with faded inscriptions in the native tongue and cross bones on relief. (more…)

Cemetery Tour: Miag-ao Iloilo Camposanto

30 October, 2008 Bernardo Arellano III Leave a comment

Miagao Camposanto

Actually, this is already becoming a heritage trail trip nowadays. Mostly tourists bypass these landmarks simply because its not interesting nor it will only give you the creeps! Hindi nga nakasulat sa Lonely Planet so why bother pass by it when you have a UNESCO World Heritage Site Church sitting prominently at the top of a hill, looking like a giant yellow sentinel guarding the town of Miag-ao, some 40 kilometers away from Iloilo City.

What am I referring to? Actually amateur heritage buff would miss this jewel hidden within the place of the dead. The Camposanto of Miag-ao. Yes, Miag-ao has one of those Spanish colonial era cemetery chapels like the one in San Joaquin. But the difference is, its not that quite imposing, but it is made up of red bricks. Interesting fact here is that it has the only red-brick dome in Western Visayas that is still intact…well almost. (more…)

Terror Paranoia Over Camera in Metro Manila

24 October, 2008 Bernardo Arellano III Leave a comment

“Sir bawal pong magpapiktyur dito. Bawal piktyuran ang Malacanang.” (Sir, picture taking is not allowed. Taking a picture of Malacanang is not allowed.) This is what the man in uniform told us when we were riding the Pasig River Ferry last month as we were attempting to take a picture of the palace by the river which symbolizes the country’s power. I just couldn’t get the logic of why people are not allowed to take the picture of this palace that has been displayed in the twenty peso bill? And guess what, Malacanang is just one of them here in Metro Manila.

After September 11 attacks in the United States and the Rizal Day Bombings, the Western world was shrouded with paranoia that a terrorist attack may occur any time and anywhere. Well, we are living in a “world of terror” as Dubya Bush said, so we need some protection. Security was beefed up in several places especially in public transport terminals, light rail train stations, shopping malls, airports and the likes. The power of security guards with their so-called “Magic Stick” upon entering an establishment became a norm and opening up your carry-on bag is a must. As what they say “refusal for inspection denies entry and subject for investigation.” (more…)

Lighting up the Fuse to Freedom: Cry of Jelucon of Iloilo

23 October, 2008 Bernardo Arellano III Leave a comment

Cry of Jelucuon

The Cry that started a revolution in this side of the country…a simple cry that sparked a rebellion against Don Quixote’s colonial forces. Manila got its Pugad Lawin (or Balintawak) and Iloilo has its own Jelucuon in the town of New Lucena in the Panay island province of Iloilo in Central Philippines.

Come every last weekend of October, the people of New Lucena celebrate freedom from the colonial oppressors as they celebrate the Cry of Jelucuon Festival, its a new and still a hardly-known festival.

Like Pugad Lawin and Balintawak, until today this event is still debatable on who’s first to declare war, Jelucuon or Santa Barbara? But either way, they both celebrate the struggle and the revolution of the Ilonggos towards freedom against the colonizers.

With colourful costumes of the 19th Century Ilonggos, bamboo poles and interpretative highly-choreographed drama, it tells the story on how the event started with the search for two carabaos (water buffalos) that lead to the uprising.

(more…)

Kaisa sa Pag-sugpo ng Kahirapan ni Juan de la Cruz! - Blog Action Day 2008

15 October, 2008 Bernardo Arellano III 1 Comment

Ito na marahil ang kauna-unahan kong post na nakasalin sa wikang Pilipino sa blog na ito. Ito’y bahagi sa aking taus-pusong pagsuporta sa kilos na ito laban sa kahirapan o kasadlakan.

Sinasabing karamihan ng mga Pilipino ngayon ay nasasadlak sa kahirapan dahil na rin sa nangyayaring krisis ekonomiya ng mundo. Dahil na rin sa pangungurakot ng iilan, tila naipagkakait sa kanila ang kagandahan ng buhay at ang pag-asa ng pag-asenso. Marami sa ating mga Pilipino ang hindi nakakakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw dahil na rin sa mahal na presyo ng bilihin at pati na rin sa pang-gatong o gas.

Ang kahirapan ay isang malalim na konteksto. Hindi lang ito kasalatan sa materyal na bagay, kundi pati na rin sa kakulangan sa pagbibigay halaga sa karapatang pantao na halos nilalabag sa ating bansa araw araw. Kung ipinagkait mo na rin ito, para na rin itong pagpapabusabos sa mga taong nangangailangan ng wastong pamumuhay.

Ang kahirapan ay hindi ganoon kadaling sugpuin. Dahil ito mismo ay nakaugat na sa atin, sa ating kamalayan, sa ating lipunan. Ang pagsugpo sa kahirapan ay hindi lang sa pamimigay ng salapi sa mga namumulubi, kundi bigyan sila ng masaganang pamumuhay sa pisikal, materyal, ispiritwal at natatamasa ang karapatang pantao. Ang isang lipunan ay nawawala sa mga kadena ng kahirapan kung ito’y ating babaguhin mula sa ating sarili at silyaban muli ang diwa ng bayanihan sa isa’t isa.

Magkaisa tayo laban sa kahirapan. Tulad ng isang komyuter na kailangang bagtasin ang peligrosong daan, kailangan natin itong harapin upang makamtan na natin ang totoong kaunlaran na gustong matamasa ng bawat Pilipino.

Citylights Shine Like Diamonds: The Tops of Cebu

11 October, 2008 Bernardo Arellano III Leave a comment

View from the Tops

“Parked car, this night sky makes city lights shine like diamonds”

-”First of Summer” by UrbanDub

Ever wonder where Gabby Alipe of Urbandub got this inspiration? Actually, this is the “lover’s nest” of Cebu. Well, most of those who are dating go here. With its cool mountain breeze and a vista unequaled in the metro, seeing all the way to Bohol and even Leyte.

The Tops would be the ultimate choice of the romantics and those who just want to cool off from the busy life down at the city. I remember going there first time. It was daylight. The vista of Metro Cebu and Mactan Island was awesome. Just wait till night comes.

The Tops sits on the 2,000 foot ridge overviewing Metro Cebu, Mactan Island and beyond. Its quite far and isolated for local Cebuano standards because of its inaccessibility to public transportation despite good roads. By night time, city lights do shine like diamonds. During Christmas, New Year and Sinulog season, fireworks abound the city, creating that fantasy world for the lovers and for the whole family. (more…)

How to Get In or Out of Mactan-Cebu International Airport

7 October, 20084 July, 2014 Bernardo Arellano III 12 Comments

Mactan International Airport

The commuter’s guide to airports is back, and now on into Visayas’ main hub, Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

Considered as the second international gateway by most Filipinos and travelers alike, Mactan-Cebu International Airport is located some more or less 20 kilometers away from downtown Cebu City, but sits in metropolitan urban sprawl of today’s Queen City of the South. Cebu is noted for its increase in tourism arrivals, beaches, fiestas and the so-called urban-rural tropical island living that has been attracting thousands of visitors.

Mactan Airport was opened sometime during the Marcos era, when the old Lahug Airport in mainland Cebu (now Asiatown IT Park) couldn’t be expanded anymore. The American military forces constructed the said airport as a secondary hub for Clark Air Base, after its utilization it was used by the public.

(more…)