2019 TB Seal Features Philippine Dances

Philippine Tuberculosis Society Incorporated (PTSI) unveiled their 2019 Tuberculosis seal also known as Christmas seal as one of the highlights of the institution anniversary.

2019 Tuberculosis Society Seal or Christmas Seal

2019 TB Seal Launching Program

The program started with a short message from Engineer Romeo C. Ranjo (TB seal committee). followed by an inspirational message from Mr. Manuel D. Baldemor ( chairperson TB seal committee).

Mr. Manuel D. Baldemor ( chairman of the tb seal committee)

Cancellation of the first day covers and TB seal issued by the Philippine Tuberculosis Society. Proceeds of the fund raising campaign goes to the society and funding of indigent patients of the Quezon Institute.

2019 TB seal with signatures

TB seal 2019 is printed in low quantity of 7,500 sheets and only 100 first day cover (FDC) were printed just for the occasion.

tb seal 2019 ceremonial cancellation

tb seal board members

The artists, tb seal committee members who were instrumental for the success of the 2019 TB seal were awarded a certificate of appreciation.

All the artists who contributed their works of art, time and allowing their works to be featured on a pro-bono basis. Some of the artists included Ms. Menchu Arandilla, Mr. Micheal Velasco, Ms. Ronna Manansala, Ms. Rizza Perez, Mr. Al Perez, Mr. Manuel Baldemor.

Mr. Manuel Baldemor

ceremonial autograph signing

Cultural Dance Performances

modern dance number

tinikling

cariñosa

Quezon Institute employees in native attire

The employees and staff of Quezon Institute performed modern dances, tinikiling and cariñosa during the intermission.

Edna Pascual Catering Service

Closing remarks was led by Ms. Victoria B. Punzal. Lunch was serve by Ms. Edna Pascual Catering Service.

Contact :(0906-4109958)

photo booth

There was a photo booth where employees can take groupies and souvenir photo. All smiles for all the employees, tb seal committee members and guests.

Note: The author would like to “Thank” Mr. Rio Alfonso and members of the TB seal committee for the warm invite!

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Dance Festival and Handicrafts Showcase at the 14th Waterlily Festival

Colorful street dancers participated by different school in Las Piñas ,agricultural products and items made from water hyacinth were showcased at the 14th Waterlily festival.

The festival was well-attended by thousands of residents of the city, guests and foreigners. Senator Cynthia Villar, who started the holding of the festivities in 2006, said the festival through the years, has served the purpose of being the show window for the city’s most talented performers and the most beautiful and creative people.

“We are very proud of this festival which we also hold to express our commitment for a lifestyle that is in harmony with nature and the environment, ” Villar said.

14th Water lily ( Water Hyacinth festival)

Unang Hirit of GMA channel 7

Unang Hirit of GMA channel 7 went to cover the festivities and dozens of media correspondents , bloggers and vloggers were present during the event.

different handicrafts made from water hyacinth

The yearly festivity is participated in by more than 2,000 attendees,tourists and spectators coming from nearby areas like Cavite, Parañaque, Metro Manila and as far as Tanay ( Rizal), Bulacan and Laguna provinces.

coin holder, tissue holder for sale

Villar Sipag booth

baskets, bags, plate holder from water hyacinth

Although the water plant is popularly called waterlily . It is known as water hyacinth or ( Eichhornia crassipes ) which was introduced to the country during the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade in the mid-16th century.

slippers, bags made from stalks of water hyacinth

The water hyacinth became naturalized in waterways and tend to clogged the system during rainy season. When floral foam was not yet popular, water hyacinth stalks are also used by florists for their floral wreath.

Prizes

Inter-school street dancing competition was held from 6:00am to past 9:00 am. Groups composed of junior highschool students enrolled in the city competed for the following prizes : Champion :Php 50,000, First runner-up, Php 30,000 and Second runner-up for Php 20,000.

high school students in colorful native costumes made from water hyacinth stalks

Winners of the competition was judged according to their water hyacinth costume, props, choreography and technicality.

Mood was festive and people are anticipating next year’s 15th water lily festival 2020.

Public Declaration of Philippine Post Office Building as Important Cultural Property

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) aims to inspire Filipinos to protect, preserve and promote these exceptional and outstanding cultural properties in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA), concerned public, private and civil society stakeholders.

Manila Central Post office compound  viewed from Jones bridge

Aside from declaring the main post office as important cultural property of the country. The Main post office was designed by well-known Filipino architects Tomas Mapua, Juan Arellano and Ralph Harrington Doane.

It took almost 10 years study before the actual construction began and the building is one of the most iconic neo-classical building built in 1926.

Biography

Ralph Doane graduated from MIT in 1912. In 1916, he was appointed consulting architect to the Philippine government, where he remained until 1918, having designed several public buildings, including the public library in Manila (now the Museum of the Filipino People). He returned to Boston in 1919 and opened his own architect’s office. He remained a sole practitioner until his death.

l-r Postmaster General Joel Otarra , Mr. Dojie Lutera, Mr. Hans Baecker, Mr. Jimmy Ang and Ms. Zenaida Trambulo

The left portion of the side will be converted into postal museum and philatelic resource center.

l-r Mr. Dojie Lutera, Mr. Hans Becker, Mr. Isidro Tan and Mr. Robert Tan with some invited guests ( photo courtesy of : Ms. Zenaida Trambulo )

l-r Ms. Carrie Junio, Ms. Zenaida Trambulo, Mr. Hans Becker, Mrs. Josie T. Cura and Dojie Lutera ( Photo courtesy: Ms. Zenaida Trambulo )

tinikling

“Public Declaration of the Philippine Post Office Building as an Important Cultural Property”, “Unveiling of Museum Ceremonial Groundbreaking Marker” and “Launching of the Year of the Pig Stamps to celebrate the coming 2019” To culminate the 251st Anniversary of the Philippine Postal Service, and National Stamp Collecting Month (NSCM), the iconic Post Office Building shall now possess an “exceptional cultural, artistic and historical significance, officially recognized as an essential part of the patrimony of the Filipino people. 

This will also be the venue for the launching of the Year of the Pig stamp to welcome the coming 2019 as well as an exhibit featuring modern and classical stamps.

Among the special guest of honors included Mr. Rico Pableo Jr., Executive Director, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Mr. Ludovico Badoy, Executive Director, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Dr. Anna Labrador, Assistant Director, National Museum of the Philippines (NM) Postmaster General Joel L. Otarra PHLPost Board Chairman Norman Fulgencio.

group photo

2019 Year of the Pig stamps

Year of the pig stamps are available at Manila Central Post Offices and major post offices in the country.

Participation at the Buling-Buling Street Dance of Pandacan

Buling-Buling is a religious and cultural event celebrated annually in Pandacan , Manila usually held  on the third Saturday of January, in time with the town’s fiesta, to honor its patron saint, Santo Niño.

We decided to visit and explore the historic district by commuting the Philippine National Railway train via España station south bound to Pandacan station. We just paid Php 10.00 fare and took off at the Pandacan station.

Pandacan PNR station

We manage to take few stolen shot at the station before the guard told us that photography was not allowed within the premises for unknown reason . ( Maybe terrorist threat ?)  We just walked a few meters before reaching the church . We manage to arrive past noon time and took some time eating at the local eateries and taking photos of monuments , historical places .

Origin 

This festival comes from the Filipino word “buling-buli” which locally means well-polished , to polish ,  to dress-up , signifying something or somebody to dress in barong with large handkerchief for men , or colorful terno , baro’t saya, balintawak or kimona for ladies.

 

History :

According to the book  “The Child of the Pandan Reeds: The Spiritual Journey of the Santo Niño de Pandacan Parish,” a passage from a narrative by historian Ricardo Mendoza:

“The children were startled and [they] stopped playing, then admiringly gazed at the small and beautiful image. In a moment, they all felt terrified, and some knelt and prayed because it crossed their mind that this may be the image of the Holy Child.”

Santo Niño de Pandacan replica image with pandan leaves 

Etymology

The Santo Niño was discovered on top of a pandanus plant by the residents of the place , hence the name Pandacan originated , Another theory was people and houses from the locality are ” pandak” short  hence ” Pandakan ” word might have originated.

The festival started sometime around early part of the 17th century along with the establishment of the parish . The dance used to be performed only by ladies as an act of devotion to the child jesus .

Aglipayan church few blocks away

Buling-Buling dance and festivities somehow slowly diminished in the 1930’s and eventually ceased by the end of the second world war , due to many factors such as devastation of Pandacan and moving out of the old families which sponsored the annual festivities.

The annual festival would only focused on parade and simple novena mass for several decades .

Aglipay church main altar 

We saw some of the Kapitbahayan sa Kalye Bautsita atbp. volunteers and residents of Pandacan . Mr. Robert Fabro Tomas and Jhone Gorme , they are part of the organizing committee for this year’s festival. We were allowed to get some photos of the main altar of the Aglipay church .

devotees wait outside the church

This year’s theme ” Dekada ng Pagkakaisa ” marked 10 years of the simultaneous parade of child jesus images of the Catholic and Aglipayan church. The wooden image of the child jesus was carved from black wood , like the ones in Antipolo or black nazarene.  The one that the Aglipayan church was made of ivory .

We did some side trip to some historical places in Pandacan and food establishments ( on later post ) .

 original santo nino de Pandacan  at the side altar 

People started their assembly within the church courtyard , saw some local television channels like GMA channel 7 senior reporter Mr. JP Soriano and some photo bloggers. The parade started about past 2:00 pm with a short practice by the participants few minutes at the church courtyard.

santo nino outfits for sale 

It was only during the late 1970’s  when the Samahang Sining at Kalinangan ng Pandacan (SSKP), founded by Ricardo B. Mendoza and some old-time residents of the district initiated the revival of the colorful dance festival.

procession by the Aglipayan members

two images meet 

“ Salubong ” to meet at the side of the main street between the two images . Both images are original .

Aglipayan child jesus and Catholic child jesus 

Highlights of the Festival

One of the most anticipated part of the festival is when both child jesus ( wooden image by the Catholics ) and ivory image by the Alipayan meet and paraded on the street of Pandacan . This was a rare occasion , since both religion were at odds with each other since the 1900’s .

People from both religion witness the meeting of the two icons of the Sto. Niño like two brothers reunited after being estranged for centuries by war , court order and religion.

Santo Niños of Aglipay and Catholic 

Several child jesus are then paraded along the streets of Pandacan and the Buling-buling dance is performed by the crowd.  Some were privately owned . Some of the simple ones are paraded with the help of pedicabs and tricycles prop-up with cloths, flowers , while the more elaborate carriages bear family heirloom Santo Niño .

Santo Niños paraded on the streets of Pandacan

We also participated at the actual dance , it is 3/4 with hand gestures swaying back and forth while walking the street of Pandacan.

staffs of the councilor 

There was also FREE sopas courtesy of councilor Carlos ” Caloy ” Castañeda of the sixth district of Manila. We manage to take a few cups of hot sopas before we went home , riding at the PNR Pandacan station going north.

This time we waited for at least 1 hour before catching -up the train. We would like to come back again next year and try to dance the Buling-buling .

Note : photos are  from the author 

 

 

Flora Filipina 2015 : Exciting Cultural and Flower Display Opening Highlights

Hardin ng mga Bulaklak ( HB Garden ) Quezon Memorial Circle , Quezon City – Philippines

guests of honor ( ribbon cutting ceremony )

The Philippine Orchid Society in partnership with Quezon City government  , Quezon Memorial Circle , Department of Tourism , Department of Agriculture , Del Monte-Philippines, KFC , Allied Botanical Corporation , Ramgo International , Philippine Bonsai Society and major garden clubs in different parts of the country opened the 4th Flora Filipina Exposition 2015 at the Hardin ng mga Bulaklak ( HB Flower Garden ) .

Ms. Charry Valencia and Ms. Candice Chua -Ong ( Ramgo International )

Ramgo International Seeds and Fertilizer Company is one of the key industry players . Aside from quality vegetable and flowering annuals seeds , fertilizers brands like Nutricote , Siam , Hormex . The company also sells quality plastic pots and gardening tools.

Website: http://ramgoseeds.com/

It was past 4:00pm when the special guests of honor arrived at the site.

Mrs. Irma Potenciano , Mrs. Remedios Rodis-Santelices and Mr. Antonio Padilla

Allied Botanical Corporation sales and marketing and Mr. Noel Vincent ” Botchie” Canicula

Ms. Eleonor Lim ,  Dr. Olivia Sanchez , Mr. Reynaldo Lucas

Mr. Reynaldo Lucas is a long time member of the organization. He collects native orchids and was part of the orchid judging committee several years ago

Ms. Evangeline ” Vangie ” Go

Allied Botanical Corporation landscape exhibit

Allied Botanical Corporation or simply called ABC , They are the local distributor of Peter’s fertilizer , vegetable , ornamental flowering seeds producer .

sunflowers, lettuce , marigold, watermelon , herbs, vegetables,  bell peppers , tomatoes , zinnas, sorghum , celosia  among others were incorporated to be a part of the landscape .

fruits and vegetables

A growing trend all over the world is to have edible plants such as vegetables, fruits , herbs and their companion flowering plants ( which drives away pests like insects or attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies  )

They are group together to add more color to the landscape and at the same time serves as food for the community. The predominant color is yellow – The arrival of the summer ( hot season in the Philippines ) is just around the corner.

nipa hut inspired landscape exhibit

Another simple yet reflective of Philippine culture is the ” Bahay Kubo ” or Nipa Hut . Typical scene that capture the rural setting with lots of ornamental flowering plants like bougainvillaeas, orchids , bromeliads  ,  bonsai on display.

completing the accents were pebbles, adobe stones , old jars

Mr. Noel Vincent Canicula

Dr. Olivia Sanchez

Dr. Olivia Sanchez booth had a mix array of flowering orchids, gerberas , ferns, bromeliads, anthuriums, tillandsia and old railroad logs.

Ms. Becky Buenaventura and Architect Bimbo Vergara

Cactus and Succulent Society of the Philippines landscape exhibit which consists of wood panels , native handicrafts, old wooden poles and other accents. Take a peek to the collection of natural stones neatly arranged in a wooden rack.

guests marvel at the bonsai collection of Professor  Juan T. Lim

bonsai collection

The best bonsai of Flora Filipina 2015 was from the collection of Professor Juan Lim

He was again awarded ” BEST Bonsai ” for Flora Filipina 2015

Link to my previous article : https://renz15.wordpress.com/2014/09/05/big-winners-of-the-68th-mid-year-philippine-orchid-societys-landscaping-competition/

He is also quite lucky for choosing the same spot – Just like the mid-year show last year .

Philippine Bonsai Society Incorporated  exhibit

Philippine Bonsai Society , Inc. had  the tallest structure at the Flora Filipina  2015 event. The only downside of the structure is that people who wanted to take photos and see the bonsai on display will have to look -up.

Noel Vincent ” Botchie” Canicula

NVC Garden

crowd

There were about 170 to 200 people representing different garden clubs , organizations , international guests, foreign tourists, government officials during the opening day ceremonies.

Vice Mayor- Maria Josefina Belmonte-Alimurong

Quezon City ‘s – Vice Mayor Maria Josefina Belmote-Alimurong personally welcomed everyone at the event.  Her office never missed any of the events hosted by plant organizations like the Philippine Orchid Society . I must agree with what she said.

aruy/ aray

Filipinized version of the famous Spanish Aragonese dance Jota. The name of the dance was derived from a final exclamation on the song that accompanies this dance.

aruy/ aray dancers

The lyrics of this song is in Chabacano  Ermitense an extinct creole language spoken in Ermita, Malate and extends southwards to Pasay and Cavite area.  This dance is  performed to welcome a distinguished guests and the costume reflect strong Iberian, Mexican and Tropical Carribean colors  . Wooden castanets (  for male)  and tambourine ( for female) were used as part of the dance.

Tausug dance

Binasuan dance

It is a traditional folk dance in which the performer holds full wine or water glasses  in each hand while performing balancing tricks.

Wine may be used to fill the glasses, but other liquids may be substituted. The arms are rotated over and under the shoulder in order to keep the palms facing up so as not to spill the liquid. It is performed by male and female dancers.

balancing glasses on top of the foreheads

The origin of the dance is common in Pangasinan, Ilocos provinces , Central luzon provinces . The dancers were students from Commonwealth High School , Quezon City

usherette in modern filipinana( kimona) attire

catering

guests

invited members and board of directors

Los Baños Horticultural Society members

Mrs. Susan Lee , Mr. Manuel  Lee and members of the Philippine Bonsai Society Inc.

Finally , a late afternoon meal was serve to the special guests and dignitaries at the Hardin ng Bulaklak in a garden like setting.