SANGHIYANG FESTIVAL
Wellness is the New Alfonso
(My unsolicited review and suggestions)
The Alfonso Eco-Tourism Development Management, Inc. (AETDM) in cooperation with the Municipal Government of Alfonso, Cavite deserves a Grand Salute for valorously introducing a welcome change to a small lethargically slumbering little town by ’spearheading, rebranding and launching of Wellness is the New Alfonso’.
In connection with this a new Festival is born: The Sanghiyang Festival which evolves from a centuries old ritual of Thanksgiving believed to emanate from the thanksgiving ritual performed by the family of Noah after they were saved from the Universal Deluge. This concept of converting Sanghiyang, the thanksgiving ritual, into a state of wellness is a brilliant idea except that it somehow jeopardizes one of Alfonso’s historical heritages.
The original thanksgiving ritual (sanghiyang) is performed during the month of January to acknowledge all the gifts, graces and benefits that God showers the Alfonsinos.To make the Festival historically relevant I suggest, if it is possible, to do it during the month of January and include a Grand Sanghiyang complete with all the trimmings of the original with the symbolic offerings of all the Baranggays and interested families plus the participation of all available “magsasanghiyangs”. It would be a novel idea to juxtapose Food Festival and Grand Sanghiyang for a powerful message of wellness and thanksgiving.
While Caracol and Rigodon are both beautiful and colorful dances they are not part of Alfonso’s culture. Caracol is a seashore festival of the lowlands while Rigodon is a welcome dance of the Aristocrats. They may not be included next time as there are many dances of the tagalog region more appropriate for Alfonso like ‘Maligayang Pagdating’.
I did not have a chance to observe all the presentations but the “Parada ng Kaganapan” was the most relevant as it was a display of Alfonso’s beauties
showing local products together with their handsome counterparts.
Because Alfonso is considered the Flower Center of Cavite I think it would be wise to invite all the cut flower farms in town to put up a garden show for the whole month of January as they also share more participation. It is not too much to require all public vehicles to hang simple flower arrangement during the festival week to be provided by the organizers. Establishments should also be requested to put up floral decorations.
In spite of the noise, the pomp, color and revelry of the running and jumping tribes I cannot see any connection of their dancing either with wellness or thanksgiving. There simply are no tribes in Alfonso. A vegetable and flower-costumed dancers could be more colorful and truly significant to the life of the Alfonsinos.
For the sake of euphony let us call people from Alfonso, Alfonsinos and Alfonsinas. We don’t call people from Batangas Batangenians or from Bulacan Bulacanians.
I believe that the whole activities could be could be compressed to only four days without idle moments instead of one week with many periods of lull.
With all the birth pains incurred by the organizers they all did a great job. CONGRATULATIONS AND MORE POWER. I am posting this now without having watched the culminating ‘Gabi ng Parangal’ tonight. The whole che-bang is an overwhelming success. Let us all offer ‘Sanghiyang’ (Thanksgiving to God) with tremendous hope that Alfonso shall not only be WELL physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually but also socially and politically.
THANK YOU AETDM. Alfonsinos and Allfonsinas are shouting…MORE !!!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
A COMMENTARY
A COMMENTARY
I would like to congratulate the efforts of the Alfonso Eco-Tourism Development Management, Inc. (AETDM), a private organization, for launching WELLNESS IS THE NEW ALFONSO, in cooperation with the Alfonso Municipal Government.
It is enigmatically termed SANGHIYANG FESTIVAL. A bold attempt to modernize, glamorize and even globalize a centuries old Thanksgiving Ritual known as ‘Sanghiyang’, believed to be an offshoot of the Thanksgiving Ritual performed by Noah’s family after they were saved from the Universal Deluge.
It is being introduced as “a state of Wellness attained when the mind, body, emotion and spirit are well and true acts of worship happens”.
I feel good that at last Alfonso has its own Festival that Alfonsinos everywhere could brag around as its own. Although I think massive information dissemination is necessary for all concerned to be aware of the new concept. As it is now even the original ‘magsasanghiyangs’ are confused and unable to comprehend what is going on.
It could be more relevant if the complete original Sanghiyang Ritual is reenacted in a grand scale with symbolic offerings of the different Baranggays at a giant ‘dulang’ with the usual crude ‘altares’ and participated by all the available ‘magsasanghiyangs’.
At any rate considering that this is the first attempt, much could yet be done to improve the Festival and again I thank the AETDM for the inspired effort.
I would like to congratulate the efforts of the Alfonso Eco-Tourism Development Management, Inc. (AETDM), a private organization, for launching WELLNESS IS THE NEW ALFONSO, in cooperation with the Alfonso Municipal Government.
It is enigmatically termed SANGHIYANG FESTIVAL. A bold attempt to modernize, glamorize and even globalize a centuries old Thanksgiving Ritual known as ‘Sanghiyang’, believed to be an offshoot of the Thanksgiving Ritual performed by Noah’s family after they were saved from the Universal Deluge.
It is being introduced as “a state of Wellness attained when the mind, body, emotion and spirit are well and true acts of worship happens”.
I feel good that at last Alfonso has its own Festival that Alfonsinos everywhere could brag around as its own. Although I think massive information dissemination is necessary for all concerned to be aware of the new concept. As it is now even the original ‘magsasanghiyangs’ are confused and unable to comprehend what is going on.
It could be more relevant if the complete original Sanghiyang Ritual is reenacted in a grand scale with symbolic offerings of the different Baranggays at a giant ‘dulang’ with the usual crude ‘altares’ and participated by all the available ‘magsasanghiyangs’.
At any rate considering that this is the first attempt, much could yet be done to improve the Festival and again I thank the AETDM for the inspired effort.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Good Aphogenics 11-11-11
GOOD APHOGENICS 11-11-11
It was a simple skin itch that I enjoyed scratching with my bare hand. As a result a little wound was created that I didn’t even considered treating with anything as wounds like that were usually self healing.
The following day the minute wound began feeling painful then later, projected sharp penetrating pains to different parts of my back, chest and arm. I was scared a bit when the pain projected to my heart area, aware of my long standing myocardial ischemia.
The radiating pain got worse on the third night to the point that little movements in bed could be excruciating. I requested my helper to look at my back wound. He saw a bigger circular wound with little pus with three new pointing areas. I suspected it was carbuncle, a staphylococcal infected that could last for two weeks if uncomplicated.
Because lying on bed somehow always traumatized the wound, it got worse that now I have to do a daily dressing and a regular antibiotic therapy. When it was at its worst I thought the penetrating pain could cause me sudden heart attack which I fatally welcome since I really wanted to die of heart attack to avoid prolong suffering and agony.
True enough I thought I could die that night and was pretty ready about it. I even thought of texting the Parish Priest to invite him to pay me a visit so I could confess, be administered with the Sacrament of the Sick. On second thought I said it was possible I could survive this event and no need to hurry. It was the third week now and the daily cleaning and antibiotic therapy was doing good. The radiating and penetrating pains were gone and there were no new pointings. So I was nt going to die yet and yes, I am very much alive happy as Budoy.
It is now 11-11-11 and I found a new life, new mission, new challeng
It was a simple skin itch that I enjoyed scratching with my bare hand. As a result a little wound was created that I didn’t even considered treating with anything as wounds like that were usually self healing.
The following day the minute wound began feeling painful then later, projected sharp penetrating pains to different parts of my back, chest and arm. I was scared a bit when the pain projected to my heart area, aware of my long standing myocardial ischemia.
The radiating pain got worse on the third night to the point that little movements in bed could be excruciating. I requested my helper to look at my back wound. He saw a bigger circular wound with little pus with three new pointing areas. I suspected it was carbuncle, a staphylococcal infected that could last for two weeks if uncomplicated.
Because lying on bed somehow always traumatized the wound, it got worse that now I have to do a daily dressing and a regular antibiotic therapy. When it was at its worst I thought the penetrating pain could cause me sudden heart attack which I fatally welcome since I really wanted to die of heart attack to avoid prolong suffering and agony.
True enough I thought I could die that night and was pretty ready about it. I even thought of texting the Parish Priest to invite him to pay me a visit so I could confess, be administered with the Sacrament of the Sick. On second thought I said it was possible I could survive this event and no need to hurry. It was the third week now and the daily cleaning and antibiotic therapy was doing good. The radiating and penetrating pains were gone and there were no new pointings. So I was nt going to die yet and yes, I am very much alive happy as Budoy.
It is now 11-11-11 and I found a new life, new mission, new challeng
Monday, November 7, 2011
A VISITING GHOST?
A VISITING GHOST?
This is not a horror story… the reason why I am posting this many days after All Souls’ Day. It all started after my children grandchildren, wife and guests all left in the afternoon of All Saints’ Day. I was again left alone in our old ten bedroom ancestral home. My gardeners stay at their quarter behind the old house.
It was not easy to say I didn’t feel lonely because honestly, somehow, tinge of unexplained loneliness stated creeping all over me and so I quickly introduced my antidote by singing a happy tune.
I slept alone in my room after closing the lights and the doors of the other rooms. I hated being disturb by closing and opening doors caused by the blowing of the wind through the windows.
In the middle of the night I was awakened by the strong urge to urinate. I simply rose from my bed to go to the bathroom which was adjacent to mine. Immediately I was temporarily stunned when I noticed the door of the opposite room was open while the light was brightly opened as if someone was inside. I was frozen for a moment. Who could have opened the room and its light? I presumed my wife returned and I didn’t noticed or felt her coming up… maybe to surprise me or whatever. I was sure any of my gardeners would have the guts to even attempt to play that kind of trip on me.
I honestly believe that ghosts maybe true but they were supposed to be simple entities incapable of opening doors and switching lights. So, not finding any plausible reason for the ghostly event I went directly to my desk to record the details about my feelings and analysis.
Though unconvinced that a ghost was doing tricks on me, I prayed surrounding myself with the white light of Jesus so that nothing could hurt me as I then proceeded to my room to continue my interrupted sleep. It was when I entered my room that I suddenly realized that when I entered my room earlier I felt the colder climate that I decided to change to a thicker blanket which I took from the room that I just found opened and lighted as I forgot putting of the light and closing the door before I wrapped myself in a thick blanket to prevent shivering.
What took place was not an eerie ghostly experience but just a simple, ordinary senior moment of lapses enough to keep doors and lights open.
This is not a horror story… the reason why I am posting this many days after All Souls’ Day. It all started after my children grandchildren, wife and guests all left in the afternoon of All Saints’ Day. I was again left alone in our old ten bedroom ancestral home. My gardeners stay at their quarter behind the old house.
It was not easy to say I didn’t feel lonely because honestly, somehow, tinge of unexplained loneliness stated creeping all over me and so I quickly introduced my antidote by singing a happy tune.
I slept alone in my room after closing the lights and the doors of the other rooms. I hated being disturb by closing and opening doors caused by the blowing of the wind through the windows.
In the middle of the night I was awakened by the strong urge to urinate. I simply rose from my bed to go to the bathroom which was adjacent to mine. Immediately I was temporarily stunned when I noticed the door of the opposite room was open while the light was brightly opened as if someone was inside. I was frozen for a moment. Who could have opened the room and its light? I presumed my wife returned and I didn’t noticed or felt her coming up… maybe to surprise me or whatever. I was sure any of my gardeners would have the guts to even attempt to play that kind of trip on me.
I honestly believe that ghosts maybe true but they were supposed to be simple entities incapable of opening doors and switching lights. So, not finding any plausible reason for the ghostly event I went directly to my desk to record the details about my feelings and analysis.
Though unconvinced that a ghost was doing tricks on me, I prayed surrounding myself with the white light of Jesus so that nothing could hurt me as I then proceeded to my room to continue my interrupted sleep. It was when I entered my room that I suddenly realized that when I entered my room earlier I felt the colder climate that I decided to change to a thicker blanket which I took from the room that I just found opened and lighted as I forgot putting of the light and closing the door before I wrapped myself in a thick blanket to prevent shivering.
What took place was not an eerie ghostly experience but just a simple, ordinary senior moment of lapses enough to keep doors and lights open.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
A TIME TO BE HAPPY
A TIME TO BE HAPPY
It was not an ordinary thunderstorm for it was also raining angry elephants and tigers. Typhoon Pedring was pouring terror and suffering to Northern and Central Luzon.
Sudenly, there was power failure which I suspected must have been purposely done to prevent electrical accidents especially to flooded areas. In moments like this I always try to shield myself from attacks of loneliness and fear by singing a happy song.
“ A time to be happy is now…” But how could be happy when I was fully aware that many were suffering, even dying in affected areas? “ A time to be happy is here…” Yes, it was easier to be happy where I was but I couldn’t imagine the feelings of those caught on rooftops specially the infants and the old folks.
“And the way to be happy is to make others happy…” How can I help make others happy where I was when I was confined solitarily in a darkened house that the wind was trying hard to forcibly destroy?
“ And to build a little heaven down here…” At the moment I was aware of all my heavenly virtues but I was simply trapped in my haven… helpless. So, I fervently prayed: “Powerful Father in heaven, Your Will! Nothing more, nothing less and nothing else”.
Then I went to be and slept peacefully knowing thAt God was in full command.
It was not an ordinary thunderstorm for it was also raining angry elephants and tigers. Typhoon Pedring was pouring terror and suffering to Northern and Central Luzon.
Sudenly, there was power failure which I suspected must have been purposely done to prevent electrical accidents especially to flooded areas. In moments like this I always try to shield myself from attacks of loneliness and fear by singing a happy song.
“ A time to be happy is now…” But how could be happy when I was fully aware that many were suffering, even dying in affected areas? “ A time to be happy is here…” Yes, it was easier to be happy where I was but I couldn’t imagine the feelings of those caught on rooftops specially the infants and the old folks.
“And the way to be happy is to make others happy…” How can I help make others happy where I was when I was confined solitarily in a darkened house that the wind was trying hard to forcibly destroy?
“ And to build a little heaven down here…” At the moment I was aware of all my heavenly virtues but I was simply trapped in my haven… helpless. So, I fervently prayed: “Powerful Father in heaven, Your Will! Nothing more, nothing less and nothing else”.
Then I went to be and slept peacefully knowing thAt God was in full command.
Friday, September 30, 2011
A BABY WAS BORN
A BABY WAS BORN
Our farmer’s wife gave birth to a child, a baby girl. It was not unusual. She was brought to the Municipal Health Center at around 2:00 a.m. She quickly delivered her baby at almost about the coming of the midwife. Again it was not unusual and thanks God, everything happened quickly and smoothly except that at 6:00 a.m. she was already being discharged.
The father was told about ...the Center’s rule not to keep patient more than four hours if there were no complications. Again it was not unusual to follow the rule except that the husband didn’t have money to pay the “package amount” of Php 4,000.00. He didn’t know what to do so he approached my gardener trying to barrow said amount.
My gardener in turn told me the farmer’s predicament and I immediately went to withdraw from my ATM account which happened to be out of order that moment. I went to the Center to request that the woman be allowed to go home while I promised to immediately give the payment once the ATM got on line. My request was granted.
I advised the mother to undergo ligation as they already have three children. It was now very expensive to get pregnant considering all the collateral expenses before and after a child’s birth. Reflecting on my suggestion I wondered allowed “What if our parents underwent ligation after three children during our time?” I was the youngest in the family of ten while my wife was the 10th in a family of thirteen. The Reproductive Health Bill should really be debated intelligently and an intelligent decision must be arrived at.
Our farmer’s wife gave birth to a child, a baby girl. It was not unusual. She was brought to the Municipal Health Center at around 2:00 a.m. She quickly delivered her baby at almost about the coming of the midwife. Again it was not unusual and thanks God, everything happened quickly and smoothly except that at 6:00 a.m. she was already being discharged.
The father was told about ...the Center’s rule not to keep patient more than four hours if there were no complications. Again it was not unusual to follow the rule except that the husband didn’t have money to pay the “package amount” of Php 4,000.00. He didn’t know what to do so he approached my gardener trying to barrow said amount.
My gardener in turn told me the farmer’s predicament and I immediately went to withdraw from my ATM account which happened to be out of order that moment. I went to the Center to request that the woman be allowed to go home while I promised to immediately give the payment once the ATM got on line. My request was granted.
I advised the mother to undergo ligation as they already have three children. It was now very expensive to get pregnant considering all the collateral expenses before and after a child’s birth. Reflecting on my suggestion I wondered allowed “What if our parents underwent ligation after three children during our time?” I was the youngest in the family of ten while my wife was the 10th in a family of thirteen. The Reproductive Health Bill should really be debated intelligently and an intelligent decision must be arrived at.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
A SIMPLE REQUEST
A SIMPLE REQUEST
One day my gardener verbally told to me his long time dream. He wanted to learn how to drive. Realizing his simple ambition I immediately gave him permission to go to the Department of Science and Technology in Tagaytay where, someone told me they were offering driving lesson together with trouble shooting for Php. 300.00 only.
Accompanied by my regular driver the two went to Tagaytay just to discover that the said Php 300.00 was only the “entrance fee” and that at the end of the course he would spend almost Php 4000.00. So, they moved to a regular driving school where he was charged Php 2,900.00 and was told to start the following Monday.
Monday came so, my excited gardener woke up so early with the enthusiasm of a newly enrolled high school student on his first day of school. He went there at 1:00 p.m. for the starting lesson at 3:00 p.m. At 4:00 p.m. he was back unable to begin the driving lesson. Birth certificate and a personal Identification card were required. But since he didn’t have those credentials he requested for his money back to him but no refund was made.
My poor gardener had to call his family in the province for the Birth certificate while I told him to request for a Postal I.D. at the local Post Office. There was a wrong letter in his birth certificate and an affidavit had to be made to correct that. Meantime to get a Postal I.D. he was required to produce a Community Tax Certificate and a Baranggay clearance.
My gardener had already spent another thousand pesos before he could start his driving lesson. That was after requiring him to pay for his student’s permit. But that was not the end of the story as his Birth Certificate with affidavit correcting the wrong letter wouldn’t be accepted for the issuance of a student’s permit. My poor gardener haven’t started his first driving lesson yet.
One day my gardener verbally told to me his long time dream. He wanted to learn how to drive. Realizing his simple ambition I immediately gave him permission to go to the Department of Science and Technology in Tagaytay where, someone told me they were offering driving lesson together with trouble shooting for Php. 300.00 only.
Accompanied by my regular driver the two went to Tagaytay just to discover that the said Php 300.00 was only the “entrance fee” and that at the end of the course he would spend almost Php 4000.00. So, they moved to a regular driving school where he was charged Php 2,900.00 and was told to start the following Monday.
Monday came so, my excited gardener woke up so early with the enthusiasm of a newly enrolled high school student on his first day of school. He went there at 1:00 p.m. for the starting lesson at 3:00 p.m. At 4:00 p.m. he was back unable to begin the driving lesson. Birth certificate and a personal Identification card were required. But since he didn’t have those credentials he requested for his money back to him but no refund was made.
My poor gardener had to call his family in the province for the Birth certificate while I told him to request for a Postal I.D. at the local Post Office. There was a wrong letter in his birth certificate and an affidavit had to be made to correct that. Meantime to get a Postal I.D. he was required to produce a Community Tax Certificate and a Baranggay clearance.
My gardener had already spent another thousand pesos before he could start his driving lesson. That was after requiring him to pay for his student’s permit. But that was not the end of the story as his Birth Certificate with affidavit correcting the wrong letter wouldn’t be accepted for the issuance of a student’s permit. My poor gardener haven’t started his first driving lesson yet.
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