Miyerkules, Agosto 28, 2013

ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL

The Ati-Atihan Festival is a feast held annually in January in honor of the Santo Niño (Infant Jesus), concluding on the third Sunday, in the island and town ofKalibo, Aklan in the Philippines. The name "Ati-Atihan" means "to be like Aetas" or "make believe Ati's." Aetas were the primary settlers in the islands according to history books. They too are the earliest settlers of Panay Island where the province of Aklan is situated.[1]
The festival consists of tribal dance, music, accompanied by indigenous costumes and weapons, and parade along the street. Christians, and non-Christians observe this day with religious processions. It has inspired many other Philippine Festivals including the Sinulog Festival of Cebu and Dinagyang of Iloilo, both adaptations of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival.
HistoryA 13th century (c.1200 A.D.) event explains the origins of the festival. A group of 10 Malay chieftains called Datus, fleeing from the island of Borneo settled in the Philippines, and were granted settlement by the Ati people, the tribes of Panay Island. Datu Puti, Makatunaw's chief minister made a trade with the natives and bought the plains for a golden salakot, brass basins and bales of cloth. For the wife of the Ati chieftain, they gave a very long necklace. Feasting and festivities followed soon after.[2]
Events
The Mobonians2007a.jpg
  • Biniray Festival of Romblon, Romblon.
  • Several nearby towns and villages of Aklan, Antique and Capiz also hold the Ati-Atihan Festival.

Some time later, the Ati people were struggling with famine as the result of a bad harvest. They were forced to descend from their mountain village into the settlement below, to seek the generosity of the people who now lived there. The Datus obliged and gave them food. In return, the Ati danced and sang for them, grateful for the gifts they had been given. [3]
The misoln was originally a pagan festival from this tribe practicing Animism, and their worshiping their anito god. Spanish missionaries gradually added a Christian meaning. Today, the Ati-Atihan is celebrated as a religious festival.
The people attend masses for the Santo Niño, and benefit dances sponsored by government organizations. The formal opening mass emphasizes the festival’s religious event. The procession begins with a rhythmic drumbeats, and dances parading along the street. The second day begins at dawn with a rosary procession, which ends with a community mass, and procession. The phrase "Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma!" is originally associated with the Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Festival as the revelers and devotees keep on going with the festivities all over the town from morning to the wee hours of the next morning, rain or shine, for one week or even more. They believe that the miraculous Child Jesus will protect them from harm and illness. The highlight of the festival occurs on the last day, the third Sunday of January, when groups representing different tribes compete for tourists' attention and prizes. The festival ends with a procession of thousands of people carrying torches and different kinds of images of the Santo Niño. The contest winners are announced at a masquerade ball which officially ends the festival.
Other festivals held in the region include.

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MASSKARA FESTIVAL

The term Masskara is coined from two words: mass, meaning crowd, and the Spanish word cara, for face; thus the double meaning for "mask"  and "many faces". The Masskara festival was first conceived in 1980 to add color and gaiety to the Bcolod City's celebration of its Charter Day anniversary, on 19 October. The symbol of the festival - a smiling mask - was adopted by the organizers to dramatize the Negrenses happy spirit, despite periodic economic downturns in the sugar industry.
Throughout the week, people from all over the Visayas, flock to the town plaza. They join Bacoleños in the non-stop round of festivities. Even if you don't feel like dancing and singing, the pig catching and pole climbing competitions are musts. Some are also trying their luck and testing their skills in mask-making contests, disco king and queen competitions, coconut-milk drinking to name a few.
Masks are the order of the day at the Masskara parade, as brightly-costumed men and women dance and prance in the streets. Their beaming faces are be-dimpled, grinning and laughing in molded clay or papier-mache. Every group is represented: civic associations, commercial establishments, schools, even private and government organizations. They march out in enthusiastic throngs wearing their painted masks and elaborate costumes, all vying for prizes in judging that will be held in the afternoon.  
The festival also benefits Bacolod tourism not only because tourists flock the city during this time to join the merrymaking but also to buy the orchids and ornate handicrafts on sale.
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PINTADOS FESTIVAL


On the eve of Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival 2013, heavy rainfall enveloped Tacloban city. An uninvited guest, that goes by the name "Gorio" just arrived and the city was placed under typhoon signal number 1. On the following day, we woke up on a gloomy morning with heavy rainfall and strong winds. Tacloban City and the rest of the province of Leyte is now under typhoon signal number 2. We received messages that the street dancing competition was cancelled by the organizers. 



It was unfortunate that I won't be able to witness one of the festival's highlights. With high hopes, we waited for the weather to improve. The organizers had announced that the "Ritual Showdown" at the grandstand will push through if the weather permits. 



The grace of the Senyor Sto. Niño heard the prayers of the Leyteños. Before lunch time, the weather improved. So, as they say, the show must go on. At around 1:00 PM, we went to the Leyte Sports Development Center to witness the Pintados-Kasadyaan Ritual Showdown.


The Pintados Festival is now on its 27th year celebration while Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals is now on its 18th year. It is one of the most popular festival in the province of Leyte in honor of Senyor Sto. Niño, the patron saint of Tacloban and the Province of Leyte.


Nine tribes coming from various schools and villages of Tacloban competed for thePintados Festival. They are Kasaragyaw, Manarobo, Mangarahoy, Manangguite, Mangarawayan, Kasiruman, Manlarawod, Baybayon and Bungkaras.


Tribu Kasaragyaw


Tribu Manarobo


Tribu Mangarahoy


Tribu Manangguite


Tribu Mangarawayan


Tribu Kasiruman


Tribu Manlarawod


Tribu Baybayon


Tribu Bungkaras

Defending champion, Tribu Bungkaras of San Roque, Tolosa, Leyte went home again this year as the grand champion.

For the Kasadyaan Festival, 6 festivals from the different towns of Leyte competed. They are Pasaka Festival (of Tanauan, Leyte), Buyogan Festival (of Abuyog, Leyte), Tulo-Usa Festival (of Tolosa, Leyte), Viajedores Festival (of La Paz, Leyte), Indang Festival (of Hindang, Leyte), and Lingganay Festival (of Alang-Alang, Leyte). 


Pasaka Festival


Buyogan Festival


Tulo-Usa Festival


Viajedores Festival


Indang Festival


Lingganay Festival

KASADYAAN FESTIVAL WINNERS 

5th Runner-Up: Pasaka Festival of Tanauan, Leyte
4th Runner-Up: Tulo-Usa Festival of Tolosa, Leyte
3rd Runner-Up: Indang Festival of Hindang, Leyte
2nd Runner-Up: Viajedores Festival of La Paz, Leyte
1st Runner-Up: Lingganay Festival of Alang-Alang, Leyte

GRAND CHAMPION: Buyogan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte (also won Special Awards: Best in Festival Music and Best in Festival Costume)


Buyogan Festival's win gives them the chance to compete for Sinulog and Aliwan Festivals next year. Good Luck! I know you will make your fellow Leyteños proud!


Despite the typhoon passing by the province of Leyte on the day of the Festival lastJune 29, 2013, I am still glad to witness Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival 2013. Witnessing such great performances of the contingents, I must say, it's one festival that shouldn't be missed. Congratulations to all the winners!

Thank you to all our friends who hosted us in Tacloban City. Ma'am Karen Tiopes of the Department of Tourism Region 8, Sir Gerry and Ms. Ludette Ruiz of Leyte Gulf Travel and Tours and Calle Z Cafe, Bar-Ko Restaurant at Leyte Park for hosting our lunch and to The Oriental Hotel Leyte for our dinner during the festival day. Thank you for accommodating us and for the warm hospitality.

Thank you also to TigerAir Philippines for flying me to Tacloban City and for letting me experience the grandest festival in Eastern Visayas! Viva Senyor Sto. Niño!
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Lunes, Agosto 26, 2013

SINULOG FEASTIVAL


Procession
Fluvial Procession
The Sinulog is an annual festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City, Maasin City, Southern Leyte, and Balingasag, Misamis Oriental in Philippines[1] The festival commemorates the Filipino people's pagan origin, and their acceptance of Roman Catholicism.
The main feature is a street parade with participants in bright coloured costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets and native gongs. Smaller versions of the festival are held in various parts of the province, also to celebrate and honor the Santo Niño. There is also a "Sinulog sa Kabataan" performed by the youths of Cebu a week before the parade. Recently, the festival has been promoted as a tourist attraction, with a contest featuring contingents from various parts of the country. The Sinulog Contest is usually held in the Cebu City Sports Complex.

The Sinulog celebration lasts for nine days, culminating on the final day with the Sinulog Grand Parade. The day before the parade, the Fluvial Procession is held at dawn with a statue of the Santo Niño carried on a pump boat from Mandaue City to Cebu City, decked with hundreds of flowers and candles. The procession ends at the Basilica where a re-enactment of the Christianizing (that is, the acceptance of Roman Catholicism) of Cebu is performed. In the afternoon, a more solemn procession takes place along the major streets of the city, which last for hours due to large crowd participating in the event.

The word Sinulog comes from the Cebuano adverb sulog which roughly means "like water current movement;" it describes the forward-backward movement of the Sinulog dance. The dance consists of two steps forward and one step backward, done to the sound of drums. The dance is categorized into Sinulog-base, Free-Interpretation. Candle vendors at the Basilica continue to perform the traditional version of the dance when lighting a candle for the customer, usually accompanied by songs in the native language.
The Sinulog dance steps are believed to originate from Rajah Humabon's adviser, Baladhay. It was during Humabon's grief when Baladhay was driven sick. Humabon ordered his native tribe to bring Baladhay into a room where the Santo Niño was enthroned, along with the other pagan gods of the native Cebuanos. After a few days passed, Baladhay was heard shouting and was found dancing with utmost alertness. Baladhay was questioned as to why was he awake and shouting. Pointing to the image of the Santo Niño, Baladhay explained that he had found on top of him a small child trying to wake him and tickling him with the midrib of the coconut. Greatly astonished, he scared the child away by shouting. The little child got up and started making fun of Baladhay. In turn, Baladhay danced with the little child and explained that he was dancing the movements of the river. To this day, the two-steps forward, one-step backward movement is still used by Santo Niño devotees who believe that it was the Santo Niño's choice to have Baladhay dance.

On April 15, 1521, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived and planted the cross on the shores of Cebu, claiming the territory for Spain. He presented the image of the child Jesus, the Santo Niño, as baptismal gift to Hara Amihan, wife of Rajah Humabon. Hara Amihan was later named, Queen Juana in honor of Juana, mother of Carlos I. Along with the rulers of the island, some 800 natives were also baptized to the Roman Catholic Church. At the moment of receiving the holy image, it was said that Queen Juana danced with joy bearing this image of the child Jesus. With the other natives following her example, this moment was regarded as the first Sinulog.
This event is frequently used as basis for most Sinulog dances, which dramatize the coming of the Spaniards and the presentation of the Santo Niño to the Queen. A popular theme among Sinulog dances is Queen Juana holding the Santo Niño in her arms and using it to bless her people who are often afflicted by sickness caused by demons and other evil spirits.

Arrival of López de Legazpi


After Magellan died on April 27, 1521 on the shores of Mactan, the remnants of his men returned to Spain. The Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi arrived in Cebu on April 28, 1565 and occupied the villages ruled by Rajah Tupas. In one of the huts of the burning village, one of López de Legazpi's soldiers named Juan Camus found a wooden box containing the statue of the Santo Niño lying amongst several other native idols. Historians later said that during the 44 years between the arrival of Magellan and López de Legazpi, the natives of Cebu continued to dance the Sinulog but no longer to worship their anitos (god) but to show their reverence to the Santo Niño.
The Augustinian friars that accompanied López de Legazpi in his expedition proclaimed the statue performed miracles and built a church on the site where it was found. The church was called San Agustin Church, later renamed to Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

Letter to the King of Spain

"Your Excellency should know that on that day when we entered this village (Cebu City), one of the soldiers went into a large and well-built house of an indio where he found an image of the Child Jesus (whose most holy name I pray may be universally worshipped). This was kept in its cradle, all gilded, just as if it were brought from Spain: and only the little cross, which is generally placed upon the globe in his hands, was lacking. The image was well kept in that house, and many flowers were found before it, and no one knows for what object or purpose. The soldier bowed down before it with all reverence and wonder, and brought the image to the place where the other soldiers were. I pray to the Holy Name of his image, which we found here, to help us and to grant us victory, in order that these lost people who are ignorant of the precious and rich treasure, which was in their possession, may come to knowledge to him"After Juan Camus found the Santo Niño in the burning village, López de Legazpi was said to have included the incident in his report, entitled "Relation of Voyage to the Philippine Islands":


Since 1521, devotion to the Santo Niño has grown and has taken root in Philippine popular piety, particularly in the Visayas; pilgrims from different parts of Cebu and the rest of the Philippines make their yearly journey to the church to take part in the procession and festival. Starting in 1980, the Cebu City government organized the Sinulog Festival and eventually gave incentives to tribal dance groups. The first Sinulog parade was held in 1980, organized by Dávid Odilao, then Regional Director of the Ministry of Sports, and Youth Development. The parade was composed of students dressed in Moro costumes, dancing the Sinulog to the beating of drums.

The idea caught and thus, under the direction of the Cebu City Mayor Florentino Solon with the help of several influential Cebuanos, Odilao turned over the Sinulog project to the Cebu City Historical Committee under Kagawad Jesus Garcia. It was the task of the Committee to conceptualize the Sinulog festival and make it into a yearly event from then on.
In 1981 the following year, the concept of the Sinulog Parade was actualized involving not just Cebu but also representatives from other provinces in the Philippines . Marking its difference from another popular festival, the Ati-Atihan in Aklan, the Sinulog focuses not on the ritual itself but on the historical aspects of the dance, which, as it has been said, represents the link the country's embrace of Christian faith.

Sinulog coat of arms



The Cebu City Historical Committee, which was responsible for the conceptualization of the Sinulog as a provincial event, decided to adopt a logo for the Sinulog to identify it as an institutionalized yearly event. They turned to the coat of arms of the Santo Niño which consisted of a two-headed hawk that was the mark of the ruling House of Habsburg in Europe. The emblem represented the twin purpose of the Habsburg dynasty as "Champion of Catholicism and Defender of the Faith." At the time when Spain sent expeditions to the Philippines, they were under the Habsburg dynasty.
The Sinulog committee then incorporated the two-headed eagle to a native warrior's shield. The native shield is supposed to symbolize the Philippines resistance to colonization while the Santo Niño's coat of arms printed on its face represented the country's acceptance of Roman Catholicism.

Instrumentation

Percussion Instruments Lists
Wind Instruments
Stringed Instruments
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