Anihan Festival

I was vacationing at Duenas Iloilo and I had the chance to witness the Anihan Festival which coincides with their town's Fiesta. 

Having been to Sinulog, Masskara and Dinagyang ... three of the best festivals in the Philippines ... these festivities welcome thousands of local and foreign tourists ... giving them a chance to savor the "it's more FUN in the Philippines" experience .., and allowing them to discover the rich cultural and religious overtones and nuances that go with the celebration.

Having also seen the best shows in Las Vegas ... or Broadway in New York ... I was exposed to shows that numb my senses or dull my emotions because something shocking has just been shown. Magic that is bewitched and spell-bounding ... music that is bittersweet and haunting ... comedy that elicits laughter and guffaws ... the psychedelic stage props, the retro lighting, and surprises in the stage that pop your eyeballs.

Imagine a ship coming out of the stage? Or a dancer falling off from the rooftop ... Las Vegas is just a challenge to doubting Thomases - or people unwilling to accept and admit that whatever is impossible can be made possible. As they say: Only in Las Vegas.

Having that mindset ..."that nothing can shock me anymore"... I tried to dismount from my ivory tower ... and face the reality that I have to stay away from biases ... isolate my personal experiences abroad ... I conditioned my mind and considered it empty ... devoid of any foreign influences and prejudices.

Wanting to see Anihan at the town plaza ... was not planned but since everyone else in the house wanted to go ... there is nothing I can do but join them. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect ... so I toned down my excitement. I don't want to be a jerk expecting an entertainment bonanza and extravaganza ... a tableau that will mesmerize me when I know pretty well the local organizers are financially bleeding and was really trying hard to give us a decent show when the budget is limited, meager, and tight.

The street dancing in the grand parade was a teaser and the trailer of what to expect ...  if the two or three-minute show in the streets in your estimate was so-so, bland, and insipid ...  don't let your initial observations spoil the fun. One needs to see each of the actual presentations in its entirety for one to appreciate it.

Indeed the whole enchilada turned out better than we thought.  In the contest proper each tribe elbowed each other in rhythmic drumbeats, energetic movements, and colorful and elaborate costumes. The presentation was also a contest in street dancing, costume and production design, theme and concept, music, and choreography. However, the rhythm of the instruments characterized by repetitive, syncopated beats ... top them all ... that alone is a good "come-on."

Based on the crowd that lined up and craned their neck to get a better view of the contest, their enthusiastic applause, and the locals clapping for approval is a testament that Anihan has achieved their goals despite depleted funds, lack of resources, and budget-conscious preparations.

Kudos to the whole town of Duenas, schools, the students, government personnel, and the tribes that participated namely: Tribu Mangarani - the winner of the street dancing competition, Tribu Manuglinas - the first runner up,  Tribu Panurong Sulong - second runner-up, Tribu Mangunguma Tribu Arupiray, Tribu Disig, and Tribu Manuggarab. Any tribe I forget to include ... my sincere apologies.

To sum it up, the incredible dancing and the gyrating feel of drums, gongs, bumbongs, and bamboo xylophones and the cast of thousands were amazing to watch. It was pretty obvious to us that the cast members were equally adept at dancing or doing chants and monologues. They have burned their midnight candles to perfect their cradt and synchronicity - making their movements fluid, graceful flowing, and natural.

We were on the stage level and it was terrific. The only problem is that there is so much going on everywhere you look. You can get too focused on what is going on right in front of you and one false move and you miss everything that is going on the sides.

Anihan has been with us for how many years now?  This is the first time I saw it and I only hope that with the right funding, the right people manning the show, the right directors and choreographers, and the unwavering support of the people, the once sleepy burg that is Duenas can grow and improve and wake up to greater possibilities in the years to come.

The whole event was promising ... and only untiring and determined Duenasanon can provide wings to make the project soar to its greater heights.

BAKIT MAY MGA JUDGEMENTAL? *ANO MERON?* | Fr. Joseph Fidel Roura

VP Sara Duterte, nanganganib ma-impeach?

The winners of Face of Beauty International 2024 from left to right: Waruchana Radomlek -Thailand - Fourth Runner Up, Stephanie Fernandez -Colombia - Second Runner Up, Jeanne Isabelle Belisano -Philippines- Face of Beauty International 2024 - Winner, Anita Wang - Taiwan - First Runner Up, and Sabne Lata Mailei -Tonga - Third Runner Up.  The pageant was held in Taiwan last September 19, 2024. 

Idiom Of The Day

Let's start using idioms or idiomatic expressions when we write. When idioms are used, it add color and texture to language by creating images that convey meanings beyond those of the individual words that make them up. An idiom can be very colorful and make a 'picture' in our minds. It also shows the writer's familiarity with English. When you want to make your writing sound more conversational, including idioms can give your writing a more relaxed tone.

Idioms allow us to say a lot with few words. Idioms amplify your messages in a way that draws your readers in and helps awaken their senses. It adds dynamism and character to otherwise stale writing. They make your writing less monotonous and your readers will think that you are smart and knowledgeable. All the while ... you only clothe your writing with elaborate idioms to create an impact... saying too much with less. 

To perfect your English, you really need to become confident in using idioms and knowing the difference between breaking a leg and pulling someone's leg. So the idiom of the day is:

IDIOM: Head Over Heels

MEANING: Head over heels gained its figurative meaning in 1800. It means to be very much in love with another person. If you are head over heels with someone, you can't let the other person out of your mind.  One local song describe this feeling aptly: "Hindi ako makatulog ... hindi ako makakain. Ganyan liko-liko ang takbo ng utak ko ..."

ORIGIN: In Latin, the term is also known as: per caput pedesque ire. People believe the origin of the idiom had its birth when an American politician David Crockett wrote: " I found myself head over heels in love with this girl ...". 

Head over heels simply means:natatapakan ng paa ang utak ng isang tao ... at hindi ka na makapag-isip ng tama. People felt when they are in love they were turned upside down ... the experience is dizzying as he sees kaleidoscopic and multi-hued objects continually shifting and rapidly changing. Lutang na lutang siya sa kanyang pagmamahal.

USING IT IN A SENTENCE: He can't eat ... he can't sleep ... he was head over heels in love with you.

Idiom In Tagalog

 One of my friends asked:  "Are there idiom equivalents also  in the Tagalog language?" Of course, there are.  Katulad ng idioms sa English, ginagamit ito para tumingkad ang paglalarawan ng mga bagaybagay at para mapaigting  at matalinhaga ang takbo ng usapin o pagsusulat.

And just like in English ... ang kahulugan ng mga "sawikain or idioms" ay magkaiba sa literal meaning ng mga salita. Sa madaling salita ang mga sawikain don't mean exactly what the individual words in it say. Tandaan natin ... ang figurative meaning ng mga sawikain ... is different from its literal meaning.

If your friend say: "Itaga mo sa bato" chill ka lang.  Huwag mong kukunin ang itak ninyo ... at iturok mo sa isang malaking bato. Kapag ginagawa mo yan iho ... you are following the request said of you literally ... at mukhang hindi ka na nagiisip. Hindi mo ba alam na baka maputol lang ang itak ... dahil ang tigas talaga ng bato di ba? Sayang lang.

Itaga mo sa bato means urging another person to believe what he said or promised. In English, he merely says: "Mark my word" ... or simply put "Tandaan mo ito."Pwede ring gamitin ang English derivative nitong: "Read my lips."

Itaga mo sa bato ... makakatapos ako ng studies ko. Mark my word ... makakatapos ako. Tandaan mo ito ... makakatapos ako. Read my lips ... I promise I will finish my studies.

Peks man ... mamatay man ako.

Definition

Why is fast food called fast food?

Fast food was coined in 1950's. From the word fast food, you will get some cues as to why they were called as such. Hindi sila mabilis tumakbo dummy ... o mabilis itakbo ... tinawag silang ganoon dahil mabilis silang i-prepare.

They are mass-produced food intended for commercial resale.  Ang mga pagkaing ito is designed to speed up the service. They are usually frozen, pwedeng i-preheat na lang at pwede ring naglalaman ng mga half-cooked na ingredients and can be served in handy cardboard boxes for take out.

In the fast food business ... meron silang seating areas but they typically have to-go options which is why SPEED is important.