Friday, December 29, 2006

LOST IN THE FRENZY



How's everyone? As we write, thousands of our countrymen in the Philippines and abroad are rushing through grocery stores and fruit markets in preparation for the New Year. Oddly, the New Year is welcomed with so much frenzy here instead of Christmas. Christmas has this special, quiet quality about it that makes its celebration different. Or is because Christmas really isn't in the heart? Just a thought to ponder on.

For New Year, I leave you with a photo of a busy area - the newly refurbished fountain at Sta. Cruz, Manila. Also seen in the photo are the gates of Chinatown and the building of the former Monte de Piedad Savings Bank, now GE Money Bank. Manigong Bagong Taon sa inyong lahat!

Monday, December 25, 2006

MALIGAYANG PASKO PO SA INYONG LAHAT!


Malate Church, Manila

Merry Christmas to my readers in the Philippines and from the world over!!! I pray for peace, happiness and wisdom for all of you. Maligayang Pasko! Mayap a pasku pu keko ngan!

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

ANG PAMBANSANG TSHIRT

Here's a peek at the newest designs from the Ang Pambansang Tshirt (The National Shirt) from the same cool guys who brought you the wildly popular Team Manila shirts. For updates, visit them here. The good news is, these shirts are now available in Kultura shops of major SM Malls. Grab one now!

ARTIST FEATURE: BRIAN VALLESTEROS



I first saw Brian Vallesteros' works during a visit at Marikina Shoe Expo's Vintage Pop, owned by artist / director Bong Salaveria. There is a certain strangeness to his drawings that appeals to the avant garde in you. The illustrations are fun and would add character to your walls. Do visit Vintage Pop or better yet, visit his Deviantart site here or at the Ilustrador ng Kabataan website.

27TH INTRAMUROS MARIAN PROCESSION (SERIES 1 - THE PROCESSION PROPER)

Article pending. I'm still writing it.

I intially thought this "image" looked odd. It turned out to be a kid dressed as Mary!

The star cometh. Photographers rush to take shots of a richly-dressed image.

Festivities of local flavor have always been part of Marian processions in the Philippines.

My friend, Albert Domingo, and his family. They own the image of the Rosa Mystica. Like his family, many others have started joining the annual procession apart from the usual suspects and elite members of the Confradia. This is a good sign of growing devotion - as well as wealth.

Confradia members on the steps of the Cathedral.

Knights of Columbus guide an image.

The other ladies of the night. Majorettes!

A rather surreal show of inexplicable violence presage an image. I wonder what it was for. Maybe the Confradia or the Archdiocese should look into in this. It may be symbolic but it isn't humane.

Baila, baila! I suddenly had a vision of Noli's Doña Victorina when I wrote that. *shudders*

Torches announced the coming of the image of our Lady of Carmel, the one delegation that was the longest among the lot. She really has lots of devotees under this ancient title.

The image of the La Virgen del Carmen from the National Shrine in Quezon City.
Another tasteless show. I know the Aetas were converted to Christianity sooner or later but really, must we shame them in this manner? The story goes that the Aetas (stop addressing them as "the natives"; we all are natives) discovered a statue of the Inang Poong Bato half submerged in lahar after the Mount Pinatubo eruption. Since then, they have honored her this way: they lie on the ground as the image is carried above them. No problem with that but they looked rather choreographed by this one woman you see in this photo. I seriously doubt the authenticity of this practice unless someone has visual proof they actually do this in Zambales. We have to stop dehumanizing the members of our indigenous peoples and allow them to stand as equals as the rest of us. 'Nuff said.

27TH INTRAMUROS MARIAN PROCESSION (SERIES 2 - DETAILS)


Silver plated candle holders.
The bountiful flowers on this carozza seem to run counter to the image's dolorous countenance.
This image has got to be the most adorned among all images in the procession. Totally breathtaking. She is surrounded by symbols from the revelation (moon at her feet, stars om her head).
The height of glory. Every ray from the virgin's body is adorned with the head of a cherub.
Flowers made of copper or brass adorn this image's bottom portion.
Detail. Antique glass cover.
As tradition dicates, only the very best vestments for the Lady.
Most antique carozzas in the Philippines are still adorned with beaten silver panels like this.
The canopied carozza of the Confradia founder, Imelda Cojuangco. The canopy is embroidered with the Holy Spirit, a reference to the Virgin's exalted status as Mother of God the moment she said yes to the angel of the Annunciation.

27TH INTRAMUROS MARIAN PROCESSION (SERIES 3 - THE VIRGIN'S MANY FACES)

The Virgin as a child...

...until her death. Her life can be gleaned from the images seen in this procession.

The Virgin as the Rosa Mystica (Mystical Rose), one of the many titles given her in the Litany of Saints.




The only black Madonna among the statues presented here today.


27TH INTRAMUROS MARIAN PROCESSION (SERIES 4 - THE AFTERMATH)



"Do you think we look Spanish enough?"
"I'm trying, really. Look snooty now, shall we?"

"Whew! I can't wait to get out of this hot dress!"
"Oh, never mind, dear. At least you got to be on the parade!"

Ladies in blue (no, not those Blue Ladies) talk about how much flowers they've been able to pilfer from the carozas. Tradition has it that these flowers are blessed and are thus brought home to be placed on the altars.

The many images of the Virgin lined after they've been presented.

The Cathedral at night. It looks very busy.

An image is being rushed away from the area so it can be prepared to be brought home.

Pretty girls with floral archs swaying to the music of drums and trumpets.

Dancers moved forward into the darkness.

27TH INTRAMUROS MARIAN PROCESSION (SERIES 5 - BEHIND THE SCENES)


The belfry of the Cathedral.

The Cathedral as seen from the ruins of a nearby building.

People walk past the future home of the National Archives.
Perils of the trade. A lady photographer finds her perfect spot...

...while spectators find theirs.
The official photographers against the lighted facade of the Cathderal.

All's well that ends well. Thank you, Blessed Lady, for this rare chance to see the festival.