FLOWER CENTER
What grand scenery! The whole length and width of the Church’s Plaza is beautifully landscaped by the collective efforts of the different Cut Flower Farms doing business in Alfonso. They coordinated their own versions of a Garden Show for the month of May, and why not? After all Alfonso is the Flower Center of Cavite and May is month of Flowers.
Not only that… all the vehicles from the smallest tricycle to the biggest bus are decorated with simple flower arrangement. All the establishments including the small carts of the ambulant vendors are bedecked with flowers of all scents and colors. Private houses are even more sophisticated in appearance.
Come procession time with the parade of the beautiful “sagalas” and their handsome escorts is extraordinarily presented in a very dignified way to honor the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Mayflowers who is superbly decorated with rare orchids, roses and flowers of all scents and colors.
She is surrounded by the “Damas de la Virgen” consisting of twelve pretty maidens uniquely crowned with intricate floral crowns sponsored by the different cut flower farms.
This is the first time a thing like this happened in our town. Everyone is extremely exhilarated. Thanks to the cooperative participation of the different Cut Flower Farms. We deserved to remain the Flower Center of our province. The Church and the Municipal officials through the initiative of the Youth Leaders specifically that of the May Flower Organization all joined together to make this Festival possible.
Suddenly I hear the festive tolling of the melodious Church Bells. I am awakened from an amazingly pleasant dream.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
POST FIESTA LAMENTATIONS
POST FIESTA LAMENTATIONS
Suddenly, for a moment, the whole town is so quiet. Everybody seems to be extremely tired as indeed it is true. Some are shouting invectives address “To Whom it May Concern” about mountains of garbage and mounds of trash at many corners complete with the accompanying smell of rotting things. Women, mostly tired housewives talk with hoarse voices and staggering walk showing signs of tiredness after many busy days.
Most kitchens are yet poorly attended and still showing remnants of the day that was. Cabinets are mostly teaming with unsorted left over being heated and reheated for the “altares”, whatever it really means.
Sad sighs about the incurred expenses and debts to be paid while thinking of the coming school opening. Finger-pointing about problems and misunderstanding during the rush in attending to the fiesta revelry.
There are lamentations here and there in deep emotions but that is not the end of it as new problems and new challenges are sprouting left and right even before the coming of the rains and the typhoons.
It is good to look forward to the colorful Mayflower festival coming soon with all its grandeur full of fresh flowers and beautiful ladies parading with their handsome escorts all intended to honor Our Lady of the Mayflowers.
Let us look at the fiesta lamentations as just a prelude to another interesting festival during this merry, merry month of May.
Suddenly, for a moment, the whole town is so quiet. Everybody seems to be extremely tired as indeed it is true. Some are shouting invectives address “To Whom it May Concern” about mountains of garbage and mounds of trash at many corners complete with the accompanying smell of rotting things. Women, mostly tired housewives talk with hoarse voices and staggering walk showing signs of tiredness after many busy days.
Most kitchens are yet poorly attended and still showing remnants of the day that was. Cabinets are mostly teaming with unsorted left over being heated and reheated for the “altares”, whatever it really means.
Sad sighs about the incurred expenses and debts to be paid while thinking of the coming school opening. Finger-pointing about problems and misunderstanding during the rush in attending to the fiesta revelry.
There are lamentations here and there in deep emotions but that is not the end of it as new problems and new challenges are sprouting left and right even before the coming of the rains and the typhoons.
It is good to look forward to the colorful Mayflower festival coming soon with all its grandeur full of fresh flowers and beautiful ladies parading with their handsome escorts all intended to honor Our Lady of the Mayflowers.
Let us look at the fiesta lamentations as just a prelude to another interesting festival during this merry, merry month of May.
Friday, May 13, 2011
F-I-E-S-T-A
F-I-E-S-T-A
It is the Spanish term for festivals honoring the Patron Saint of a certain town. Here in our town it is celebrated every May 16th, rain or shine, during War and in Peace. It is supposedly the date of the Martyrdom of St. John Nepomucene.
Fiesta used to be celebrated lavishly with dozens of brass bands parading back and forth through streets while other varied presentations are going on. Sumptuous foods are offered at every house while visitors enjoy meeting their friends and relatives.
The night before (Eve of the Fiesta) contest between participating brass bands is held during a ‘serenata’. At night on Fiesta Day a long processions of the different Saints of the different Baranggays together with the Patron Saint of the town and that of the Virgin Mary is held followed by fireworks display and then Ballroom Dancing.
There is a lingering belief that changing the date of the Fiesta festival brings about calamities and other problems as what happened when the Chairman of the Fiesta Committee one time change the date of the fiesta to make it fall on a Sunday. A tragic incident happened to one member of the family.
It has been experienced that many untoward incidents are happening during Fiesta revelries in many communities and as an offshoot of this, one politician suggested that the practice be stopped to improved the country’s economy. It turned out to be the end of his political career.
Considering that fiesta is just a motivational gimmick of the Spaniards while Christianizing the Philippines it is deeply imbedded in the psyche of the Filipinos that now the so called Filipino mentality is a great factor in maintaining the sanity of most Filipinos during trying moments. Fiesta will always be with us come hell or high water.
According to Alejandro Roces, “the Filipinos has such a strong feeling for the Fiesta because it tells him where he came from and who he is. The Filipinos love the Fiesta and would therefore, rally in its name”.
Lately, St. John Nepomucene manifests himself as a blue light that suddenly appears when one is praying for his intercession.
It is the Spanish term for festivals honoring the Patron Saint of a certain town. Here in our town it is celebrated every May 16th, rain or shine, during War and in Peace. It is supposedly the date of the Martyrdom of St. John Nepomucene.
Fiesta used to be celebrated lavishly with dozens of brass bands parading back and forth through streets while other varied presentations are going on. Sumptuous foods are offered at every house while visitors enjoy meeting their friends and relatives.
The night before (Eve of the Fiesta) contest between participating brass bands is held during a ‘serenata’. At night on Fiesta Day a long processions of the different Saints of the different Baranggays together with the Patron Saint of the town and that of the Virgin Mary is held followed by fireworks display and then Ballroom Dancing.
There is a lingering belief that changing the date of the Fiesta festival brings about calamities and other problems as what happened when the Chairman of the Fiesta Committee one time change the date of the fiesta to make it fall on a Sunday. A tragic incident happened to one member of the family.
It has been experienced that many untoward incidents are happening during Fiesta revelries in many communities and as an offshoot of this, one politician suggested that the practice be stopped to improved the country’s economy. It turned out to be the end of his political career.
Considering that fiesta is just a motivational gimmick of the Spaniards while Christianizing the Philippines it is deeply imbedded in the psyche of the Filipinos that now the so called Filipino mentality is a great factor in maintaining the sanity of most Filipinos during trying moments. Fiesta will always be with us come hell or high water.
According to Alejandro Roces, “the Filipinos has such a strong feeling for the Fiesta because it tells him where he came from and who he is. The Filipinos love the Fiesta and would therefore, rally in its name”.
Lately, St. John Nepomucene manifests himself as a blue light that suddenly appears when one is praying for his intercession.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
MY CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH POPE JOHN-PAUL II
MY CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH POPE JOHN-PAUL II
(Excerpts from my Pilgrimage Diary: Oct.1-26, 1995)
Rome, in spite of the Arab pickpockets and the Gypsy snatchers was also home of the Pope and an audience with the Pope was a most romantically Divine encounter.
October 25, 1995: We arrived at the St. Peter’s Square at 8:30 a.m. but allowed only to enter after another half hour. There was a very big crowd and to keep everything in order needed a lot of security people – the Swiss guards in their colorful uniform.
We were assigned on the twenty second row in front of the canopy where the Pope was going to sit. Disabled persons were placed on the right side of the canopy. We were surrounded by pilgrims coming from all corners of the world: British, Portuguese, Indonesians, Guatemalans, Polish, American Indians and many others waving their own banners.
With all those pilgrims coming from everywhere, all bringing love and expressing it in a hundred different ways, the Vicar of Christ must be romantically overwhelmed. He moved around riding on His Pope mobile.
Our small group, fourteen in all, expressed our love by shouting at the top of our voices: “John-Paul Two, we love you… John-Paul Two, we love you…Philippines!”At the same time each of us was waving a tiny Filipino flag. I saw the Pope looked at us for a short while but that short while was full of heavenly bliss that culminated our Holy Pilgrimage.
(Excerpts from my Pilgrimage Diary: Oct.1-26, 1995)
Rome, in spite of the Arab pickpockets and the Gypsy snatchers was also home of the Pope and an audience with the Pope was a most romantically Divine encounter.
October 25, 1995: We arrived at the St. Peter’s Square at 8:30 a.m. but allowed only to enter after another half hour. There was a very big crowd and to keep everything in order needed a lot of security people – the Swiss guards in their colorful uniform.
We were assigned on the twenty second row in front of the canopy where the Pope was going to sit. Disabled persons were placed on the right side of the canopy. We were surrounded by pilgrims coming from all corners of the world: British, Portuguese, Indonesians, Guatemalans, Polish, American Indians and many others waving their own banners.
With all those pilgrims coming from everywhere, all bringing love and expressing it in a hundred different ways, the Vicar of Christ must be romantically overwhelmed. He moved around riding on His Pope mobile.
Our small group, fourteen in all, expressed our love by shouting at the top of our voices: “John-Paul Two, we love you… John-Paul Two, we love you…Philippines!”At the same time each of us was waving a tiny Filipino flag. I saw the Pope looked at us for a short while but that short while was full of heavenly bliss that culminated our Holy Pilgrimage.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
SUMMER BONDING TIME
SUMMER BONDING TIME
It is summer time again. Four of my grandchildren came to visit their “Lolo”. Three girls and a boy who is only two months old, was considered as their “bodyguard”.
I bonded with them through plays and storytelling and by doing other interesting things from origami to magic. This morning, to animate breakfast time I asked: “Who can define Love?” The six grader quickly replied: “I don’t know much about that”, while the fourth grader answered: “I am too young for Love”.
I explained that by love it can mean love of God, love of parents, love of friends, love of pets and many other things and not necessarily the love that was in their minds. This was followed by enlightened laughter. Then I looked at the two year old girl and jokingly asked what she could say about love. She childishly answered; “I love catfish”. More laughter ensued.
During dinner time I announced that our dinner topic was Honesty, and then asked “What comes to your mind? The six grader quickly said “Real”, to which the fourth grader immediately said “I agree”. I elaborated that they were both correct since honesty means truthfulness and if one is true; one is not a fake or plastic. Turning again to the two year old I asked: “How about you pretty girl, what is honesty?” She yawned “soup; horse”. I explained that she was honestly enjoying her soup while wishing to go horse-riding afterwards.
Since it was the period of lent I ventured to introduce Prayer as our next topic. The sixth grader quickly mentioned “Church” and the fourth grader replied “ God”. I explained that while prayers are commonly done inside the Church it could be done anywhere as prayer means talking to God and God is everywhere. Turning again to the two year old we all eagerly waited for her reaction. She carefully look to the left and to the right as if groping for the answer then she furrowed her forehead as if in deep thought before smiling at everyone and continued eating. Yes, I said, prayer could be done quietly as she very well demonstrated to all of us. A very lively discussion followed for quite a time.
I found this kind of bonding very effective as it stimulated the children to think and learn playfully. It also gave them a chance to actively participate. I was very careful not to allow anyone to feel guilty or totally wrong. Afterwards they were suggesting topics to discuss and so it turned out to be a continuing school while on summer vacation.
It is summer time again. Four of my grandchildren came to visit their “Lolo”. Three girls and a boy who is only two months old, was considered as their “bodyguard”.
I bonded with them through plays and storytelling and by doing other interesting things from origami to magic. This morning, to animate breakfast time I asked: “Who can define Love?” The six grader quickly replied: “I don’t know much about that”, while the fourth grader answered: “I am too young for Love”.
I explained that by love it can mean love of God, love of parents, love of friends, love of pets and many other things and not necessarily the love that was in their minds. This was followed by enlightened laughter. Then I looked at the two year old girl and jokingly asked what she could say about love. She childishly answered; “I love catfish”. More laughter ensued.
During dinner time I announced that our dinner topic was Honesty, and then asked “What comes to your mind? The six grader quickly said “Real”, to which the fourth grader immediately said “I agree”. I elaborated that they were both correct since honesty means truthfulness and if one is true; one is not a fake or plastic. Turning again to the two year old I asked: “How about you pretty girl, what is honesty?” She yawned “soup; horse”. I explained that she was honestly enjoying her soup while wishing to go horse-riding afterwards.
Since it was the period of lent I ventured to introduce Prayer as our next topic. The sixth grader quickly mentioned “Church” and the fourth grader replied “ God”. I explained that while prayers are commonly done inside the Church it could be done anywhere as prayer means talking to God and God is everywhere. Turning again to the two year old we all eagerly waited for her reaction. She carefully look to the left and to the right as if groping for the answer then she furrowed her forehead as if in deep thought before smiling at everyone and continued eating. Yes, I said, prayer could be done quietly as she very well demonstrated to all of us. A very lively discussion followed for quite a time.
I found this kind of bonding very effective as it stimulated the children to think and learn playfully. It also gave them a chance to actively participate. I was very careful not to allow anyone to feel guilty or totally wrong. Afterwards they were suggesting topics to discuss and so it turned out to be a continuing school while on summer vacation.
Monday, April 4, 2011
GONE ARE THE WELCOMING STAIRS
GONE ARE THE WELCOMING STAIRS
It gave me a bit of heartache when I saw the bulldozed stairs that used to be at the northern side of the Town Plaza.. It was built, if I remember right, during the time of Mayor Adelardo Rosanes. That time the building of the stairs was praised and applauded by the community since it was the building of those stairs that closed the southern portion of Rizal Street to become a part of the Municipal Park that beautifully expanded the Plaza.
Where the covered court now stands used to be a rugged portion of the town. When the stairs were built the town Plaza was flattened and was decorated with several colorful circular concrete tables covered with umbrella shaped roofing. There was also a Spanish well that used to supply water to the Casa Real and to the community.
The stairs were so welcoming that the seat of the government suddenly look so “kind and accommodating” to its people. I consider it as the legacy of Mayor Adelardo Rosanes. It is too bad that it was not properly maintained.
Now, it is gone. I don’t know what they are planning to do with it but for sure the vacated portion shall be turned into a parking area of undisciplined parkers. I am afraid the area will turn to be a public eye sore and if the Plaza shall be fenced it will psychologically separate itself from the people. It may look physically beautiful but emotionally segregated from the community that it is supposed to serve.
I hope and pray personally that a good architectural design shall be as welcoming as the discarded stairs.
It gave me a bit of heartache when I saw the bulldozed stairs that used to be at the northern side of the Town Plaza.. It was built, if I remember right, during the time of Mayor Adelardo Rosanes. That time the building of the stairs was praised and applauded by the community since it was the building of those stairs that closed the southern portion of Rizal Street to become a part of the Municipal Park that beautifully expanded the Plaza.
Where the covered court now stands used to be a rugged portion of the town. When the stairs were built the town Plaza was flattened and was decorated with several colorful circular concrete tables covered with umbrella shaped roofing. There was also a Spanish well that used to supply water to the Casa Real and to the community.
The stairs were so welcoming that the seat of the government suddenly look so “kind and accommodating” to its people. I consider it as the legacy of Mayor Adelardo Rosanes. It is too bad that it was not properly maintained.
Now, it is gone. I don’t know what they are planning to do with it but for sure the vacated portion shall be turned into a parking area of undisciplined parkers. I am afraid the area will turn to be a public eye sore and if the Plaza shall be fenced it will psychologically separate itself from the people. It may look physically beautiful but emotionally segregated from the community that it is supposed to serve.
I hope and pray personally that a good architectural design shall be as welcoming as the discarded stairs.
Friday, February 25, 2011
FEBRUARY 25, 2011 - 4:30 p.m.
February 25, 2011 4:30 pm
Tears were flowing freely down my cheeks. I was watching the historical reenactment of the “Salubungan” during the height of the People Power Revolution at EDSA 25 years ago. It was difficult to describe how I felt.
I was there at EDSA with my fifteen year old son and some other members of the Altinig Choir. We were actually far from where the “Salubngan” occurred because we were not able to come near due to the bigness of the crowd. As we move around we sang songs of our choir.
I recalled how my son and I went there each with a bag for wet towel in plastic for the tear gas just in case, candies and water should we get hungry or thirsty and flashlight in case of blackout. Our bags were tied to our waists to prevent them from getting lost. I asked my son what he would do should we get away from each other due to commotions. He said he would look for a car with Ayala Alabang Sticker so he could be back where we then resided.
The atmosphere then was festive even if one had to pay P1.00 to be able to spit and step over the pictures of the conjugal dictators. We were there when the Marcoses fled to Hawaii. The nation was jubilant. We expected great changes but nothing much happened.
Now, 25 years later we were still hoping to feel the change that we all expected. My 15 year old son who was with me then was now an Australian citizen as well as my youngest son, the EDSA boy of the new generation.
My tears continued flowing down my cheeks as important symbols of EDSA were being handed down to the youth in front of the People Power Monument, for them to continue the spirit and the tangible reality of the EDSA People Power Revolution. My other youthful daughter was now a Canadian citizen.
To dramatize the need for Unity, Ateneo and La Salle choirs joined to sing “Magkaisa” together. Artists from competing channels 2, 5 and 7 also jointly gave their presentations. So many young people attended the 25th Anniversary celebration giving hope to every Filipino that Unity was still possible and attainable.
With tears now drying from my cheeks, in time with the historic speech of President Noy Aquino. I was praying that I live long enough to be able to finally experience the reality of EDSA’s dream. With all my children abroad holding dual citizenship I believe that they will still have the chance to be back to their country feeling safe and at peace with themselves and their own families.
I was aware that my Patriotism was greatly wanting…even corny. But my patriotism was congenitally imbedded in the center of my heart.
Tears were flowing freely down my cheeks. I was watching the historical reenactment of the “Salubungan” during the height of the People Power Revolution at EDSA 25 years ago. It was difficult to describe how I felt.
I was there at EDSA with my fifteen year old son and some other members of the Altinig Choir. We were actually far from where the “Salubngan” occurred because we were not able to come near due to the bigness of the crowd. As we move around we sang songs of our choir.
I recalled how my son and I went there each with a bag for wet towel in plastic for the tear gas just in case, candies and water should we get hungry or thirsty and flashlight in case of blackout. Our bags were tied to our waists to prevent them from getting lost. I asked my son what he would do should we get away from each other due to commotions. He said he would look for a car with Ayala Alabang Sticker so he could be back where we then resided.
The atmosphere then was festive even if one had to pay P1.00 to be able to spit and step over the pictures of the conjugal dictators. We were there when the Marcoses fled to Hawaii. The nation was jubilant. We expected great changes but nothing much happened.
Now, 25 years later we were still hoping to feel the change that we all expected. My 15 year old son who was with me then was now an Australian citizen as well as my youngest son, the EDSA boy of the new generation.
My tears continued flowing down my cheeks as important symbols of EDSA were being handed down to the youth in front of the People Power Monument, for them to continue the spirit and the tangible reality of the EDSA People Power Revolution. My other youthful daughter was now a Canadian citizen.
To dramatize the need for Unity, Ateneo and La Salle choirs joined to sing “Magkaisa” together. Artists from competing channels 2, 5 and 7 also jointly gave their presentations. So many young people attended the 25th Anniversary celebration giving hope to every Filipino that Unity was still possible and attainable.
With tears now drying from my cheeks, in time with the historic speech of President Noy Aquino. I was praying that I live long enough to be able to finally experience the reality of EDSA’s dream. With all my children abroad holding dual citizenship I believe that they will still have the chance to be back to their country feeling safe and at peace with themselves and their own families.
I was aware that my Patriotism was greatly wanting…even corny. But my patriotism was congenitally imbedded in the center of my heart.
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