Aliwan Fiesta: the Mother of all Fiestas

Philippine culture is rich in rituals and celebrations of all kinds. And with the varied cultural influences, we are rife with fiestas that are both of pagan and Christian origins, observed all throughout the year. Each fiesta distinct from others, i.e. the rhythm of the Ati-Atihan, the colours of the Panagbenga, the masks of the Moriones, the creativity of the Pahiyas, among others. They are diverse and so spread out in time and geography that it will take years to be able to witness a majority of them.

The Manila Broadcasting Company conceived of a brilliant idea of an annual event gathering the different cultural festivals in the Philippines at the Star Complex in Pasay City. This event is the Aliwan Fiesta, dubbed as the Mother of all Fiestas. Started in 2003, its objectives are two-pronged: to showcase the country’s cultural richness and diversity, and promoting economy and tourism for the respective regions. Initially held as a Christmas extravaganza, it has then evolved as a summer celebration, in the months of April or May.

The Aliwan Fiesta brings together about 5,000 dancers, musicians and artisans who compete for prizes totaling to 3 million pesos. The regional contingents perform in a 4 kilometer stretch along Roxas Boulevard, marked by street dancing and gigantic floats. The participating floats are required to utilize only local textiles, produce, and other products representative of their region. Thousands of people brave the heat and line up the streets to witness this 7 hour spectacle. Major categories for the event are: PasaKalye, the Inter School Dance Competition; Reyna ng Aliwan, the Beauty Pageant for Festival Queens; the Float competition and the Street dancing competition.

Scheduled in 2013 for April 11-13, the 19 featured contingents are: Ang Tipulo festival of
Antipolo; Pamulinawen festival of Laoag, Ilocos Norte; Panagbenga festival of Baguio; Bangus festival of Dagupan, Pangasinan; Mango festival of Zambales; Pandang Gitab festival of Oriental Mindoro; Mahaguyog festival for Batangas’ Ala-eh; Fiesta de Toros of Nasugbu; Unod festival of Castilla, Sorsogon; Lumad Basakanon for the Sinulog of Cebu; Tribu Panayanon for Iloilo Dinagyang; Salakayan of Miag-ao for Iloilo’s Kasadyaan; Kabankalan’s Sinulog for Negros Occidental; Pasaka festival of Tanauan, Leyte; Tuna festival of General Santos; Padang-Padang festival of Parang, Maguindanao; Sagayan festival of Buluan, Maguindanao; Zamboanga Hermosa festival; and Kalivungan festival of Midsayap, North Cotabato.

Previous years’ winners have been: the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City (also the first to be inducted into the Aliwan Hall of Fame); the Sinulog Festival of Cebu; the Sinulog sa Carmen, and Lumad Basakanon, also from Cebu; and Halad Festival of Midsayap, Cotabato.


Other activities, aside from the major categories for the competition, include design and photo exhibits, and a shopping bazaar. These are booths showcasing indigenous handicrafts, garments, jewelries, accessories, delicacies and agricultural products - giving the public a flavor of each participating region. In a single location, one can find: the dreamweavers’ creations from the T’nalak festival in Koronadal, South Cotabato; the Ilokano damili pottery; the Pampanga lanterns; and Marikina footwear, among others.

Few countries can boast of a culture as diverse and as numerous as the Philippines, reflected in the music, the movements, the rituals, the beliefs, and the industry. And the fiestas provide a creative and economic outlet for its peoples.


So if visiting or going back to the Philippines is in your near future bucket list, consider timing your visit around the dates of the Aliwan Fiesta. You not only are treated to a visual cultural spectacle, but you get to witness a gathering and celebration of what the 7,107 islands of the Philippines can offer.

* This article was written for and published in the April 2013 issue of the Pinoy Times.

Cecile Licad: a Pianist's Pianist

She is showered with glowing accolades: a pianistʼs pianist by The New Yorker; her artistry is a blend of daring musical instinct and superb training; and in possession of enormous virtuosity with great potential for poetic imagination. In my days as an artist, then subsequently director at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the whole theater will just buzz with excitement whenever sheʼs in the building, backstage or onstage. Witnessing her performance, would prove a truly unforgettable and touching experience.


Named after the patron saint of music, Cecile Licad started playing the piano at age 3 under her mother Rosario, a professional pianist and teacher. She started reading notes at age 5, performed with the University of the Eastʼs symphony at 6, and at age 7, under the tutelage of Rosario Picazo, made her debut as soloist with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Philippines.


At age 11, Cecile flew to the USA for an audition at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.  It was in this circumstance that Imelda Marcos became the sponsor of her flourishing career. It was then 1972 and the Philippines was under martial law, when her family requested permission to leave for the United States. First Lady Imelda Marcos granted their request and named Cecile First Piano Scholar of the Philippines Young Artists' Foundation, which sponsored her eight years of study at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. In later years, Imelda would gift her with a Steinway grand piano.


At the Curtis Institute, Cecile was mentored by the three of the greatest performers and

pedagogues: Rudolf Serkin, Seymour Lipkin and Mieczyslaw Horszowski. In 1981, she won the prestigious Leventritt award (one of the youngest to do so), and marked her debut with the New York Philharmonic, the following year. The award, which came with a guaranteed 3-year international concert bookings and recordings, was her main ticket to global fame. She remarks, “I was very grateful for it, but it also made my life difficult, because of the pressure... suddenly I was doing 70 concerts a year.”


Cecile has since collaborated with: Buffalo Philharmonic; Tupelo Symphony; Germanyʼs
Wurtemburg Philharmonic, and Freiburg Orchestra; Seattle Symphony; Chicago Symphony;
Boston Symphony; Philadelphia Orchestra; New York Philharmonic; National Symphony;
Cleveland Orchestra; Los Angeles Philharmonic; the London Symphony; London Philharmonic; Bayerisches Rundfunk Orchestra; Orchestre de la Suisse Romande; the Moscow State Academy Symphony; the Hong Kong Philharmonic; New Japan Philharmonic; Tokyoʼs NHK Symphony; among others.


Her list of concert venues and engagements reads like a listing of the most prestigious musical events in the globe: Lincoln Center; Orchestra Hall in Chicago; the Kennedy Center; Apollo Theater in New York; as soloist in the Steinway Piano Sesquicentennial Celebration at Carnegie Hall; the International Music Festival of Seattle; Mostly Mozart Festival (in both New York and Tokyo); the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival; La Jolla Chamber Music ; Eastern Music Festival; the Great Mountains Music Festival in Korea; to name some. Her recordings, on the other hand, span the labels: Music Masters; Naxos; Sony Classical; and Angel/EMI. The release of her Sony Classical Chopinʼs Piano Concerto No. 2 and Saint-Saensʼ Piano Concerto No. 2, with Andre Previn conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque Frederic Chopin.


Known for her extraordinary range of touch, hypersensitivity to dynamics and obsession with perfection, Cecileʼs vast repertoire as an orchestral soloist spans the classical works of Mozart, Beethoven, the romantic pieces of Brahms, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Schumann, Rachmaninoff, and the 20th century compositions of masters Debussy, Ravel, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and Bartok.


Cecile and her performances have been described as: Licadʼs performance was one of the
highlights of the season. Daring, imaginative, and impeccably played, this was quite simply a spectacular performance by a top notch artist. (Arlene Bachanov, Daily Telegram); Licad plays with a character and commitment entirely her own; a far cry from todayʼs more fashionable austerity and circumspection. (The Gramophone)

Undoubtedly, one of the most, if not the most, accomplished musician of our time, she has these to say about her art:

• A piece of music does not say anything. Itʼs just a bunch of notes. But if you look at the score, thereʼs something between those notes that you have to conquer. Otherwise, the music doesnʼt do anything, and it canʼt relate to anybody.
• You canʼt always aim for perfection in a live performance. Sometimes, things donʼt happen according to the plan. You have to go deep into yourself - into the unknown - and be in a place where youʼve never been. If you are well-prepared, you can discover something that enriches you forever.
• A great pianist is someone who has discipline, dedication, and has a unique relationship with the piano which has been developed since his/her training. What sets apart a great artist in this field, however are two things. The first is just an ability to approach the same piece of music over and over again as if learning it for the first time every time. The second is the creativity to have a vision before you even sit down at the piano, and then having the chops to execute that vision.
• I always consider myself a student and I never would see myself as a great master.

Memorable words from an equally memorable artist.

- (some quotes taken from Movimiento)

* This article was written for and published in the March issue of Pinoy Times.

Raise the Filipino Race

There was an article a couple of months ago stating that Tagalog is the fastest growing
language in Canada, the most common immigrant home language in Edmonton, and the
second most common in Calgary. This also reflects a broader immigration pattern showing that the Philippines has been the biggest source country for the past couple of years, surpassing India and China. Furthermore, the Philippines seems to be playing a more vital role in Canadian trade and foreign policy, with Prime Minister Stephen Harperʼs visit to the country last November.

It is difficult to determine whether this piece of immigration news is a positive or negative turn around for our country. On the one hand, it shows the quality of our citizens in its ability to be qualified and readily accepted by a first world country. On the other hand, an increase in Filipino immigrants means a strong desire for the people to leave their mother country and a drive to look elsewhere for something that the native country can no longer provide.


What does this increasing visibility in a foreign country signify and entail? For whatever reasons for our leaving the Philippines, we are inadvertently ambassadors of our country, a reflection of our race and culture, in the adopted country, and are no longer just after our own interests, living lives in our individual ways.

In this new year, it is an appropriate time to reflect on what we show of our culture, in our daily living in foreign shores. In a multi-cultural society as Canada, do we lift up our race? Or do we put it into shame?

In one of my internet browsing moments, I chanced upon a forum discussing the traits of
Filipinos as observed by both Filipinos and by people of other nationalities/race, abroad. A lot of people have remarked about the Filipinosʼ traits: hospitality, respect for elders, generosity. In the same breadth, there were comments about: crab mentality, fatalism, short memories, tactlessness, lack of discipline, racism, colonial mentality. This does not mean though that weʼre the only culture/race who exhibit these traits - only that these are the predominant ones that characterize us.


The discussions on Filipino traits somewhat perplex me, with certain contradictions. Some say weʼre hardworking - others say weʼre lazy, respectful - rude, caring - gossip monger. But in fact, there is an ambivalence with some traits and it is our choice on how to use them. The fatalistic attitude may show true faith and spirituality for some, but at the same time, be an excuse for human weakness. What other people refer as our “short term memory” may be good in the sense that we do not hold grudges, but at the same time we never learn from the errors of the past. The motto of “utang na loob” (indebtedness) is good but may be carried to the extent regardless of moral measures and outcomes. Loyalty, whether to an individual or to a group, is a way of putting otherʼs welfare ahead of ours but can result in turning a blind eye or a deaf ear to their faults and errors.

In the end, how we live and act is a personal choice. Driving around the city, I see bumper stickers and displays of “I am Filipino”, “Proud to be Pinoy” or signs of the Philippine flag and map. As we live our lives and raise our children in foreign shores, will we choose to replicate the negative traits, the very traits that we fled from but inadvertently display in our adopted country? Or do we raise the Filipino race to our ideal? However we define success in our individual lives, we eventually define ourselves by highlighting our values.


Observing our penchant to honor and put in pedestals Filipinos with great achievements like Manny Pacquiao, Lea Salonga, Arnel PIneda, CNN Hero of the Year Efren Penaflorida, among others, it is obvious that we all love a hero. So why not be a Filipino hero in your own individual way?

* This article was written for and published in the January 2013 issue of Pinoy Times.

Miss Saigon: a Filipinos’ Gateway to International Stardom

With the planned revival of the hit musical Miss Saigon in the West End for 2013, and the consequent auditions held in Manila last November, the musical has caused once again quite a stir and renewed interest amongst Filipinos and artists.  

Miss Saigon is a story based on Giacomo Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly”, inspired by a photo of a Vietnamese mother handing over her child to an American soldier who was about to board a plane for the United States.  It premiered in London in 1989 and has gone on to be one of the longest running musicals, performed in 25 countries, 246 cities and translated into 12 languages.

When the creators Cameron Mackintosh, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil were casting for the 1989 premiere, they noticed from auditions in London and in the US that there was a common denominator on the stand outs - Filipino blood.  They then decided to go to the source and found for themselves a mother lode of talents in Manila.  In Manila, they casted the lead roles of Kim (Lea Salonga, Monique Wilson) and Gigi (Isay Alvarez) and an ensemble of 13 actors who eventually performed some of the major characters.  Among them were: Victor Laurel, Robert Seña, Jon Jon Briones, Pinky Amador, Junix Inocian, Michael Williams.

This huge contingent of Filipino artists to West End opened the doors for other Filipinos as well, who were cast in various stagings of the musical.  These included: for Kim, Jamie Rivera and Ima Castro; Leo Valdez, Raul Aranas as the Engineer; Joanna Ampil as Kim in London (1993) and Sydney (2001); Ma-anne Dionisio, a Filipino-Canadian raised in Winnipeg, who portrayed Kim in the 1993 and 2010 Toronto staging, and moved to play the same role in London, Sydney and Pittsburgh; Aura Deva as Kim, Robert Seña as Thuy, and Milanie Sumalinog as Gigi, in Stuttgart (1994); and Laurie Cadevida as Kim in Australia.  

These landmark performances garnered awards for artists, most notable of which was Lea Salonga’s winning of the Best Actress in a Musical category for the Laurence Olivier Award (1989), Tony Award, Theatre World Award and Drama Desk Award (all in 1991).  Laurie Cadevida was also awarded the Helpmann Award for her portrayal of Kim in Australia in 2007.  And Aura Deva was named one of the most influential people in Germany.

Manila holds a vital place in the Miss Saigon saga.  Aside from being a major source of cast members and the only Asian city where auditions were held by the artistic team, it was given the distinction to be the first city to stage the musical in its Asian tour, where it moved on to Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea.  Furthermore, the Manila run was the only Asian production that received immediate coverage from CNN.

Now 24 years after, the same team with additional key production members, has turned to Manila once again for auditions not only for the lead role, but for ensemble cast members as 

well.  It is also rumoured that American roles in the musical were open for casting too.  And although no casting news will be released as yet, the latest word is that six artists have made it to the final round of auditions - Rachelle Ann Go, Frencheska Farr, Mary Joy Solomon, Emerald Bañares, Apple Chiu, Tanya Manalang and Aicelle Santos.  Up for grab will be three possible Kims, with the two as understudies.

For sure, the people who will be part of this revival, will have their lives turned around in ways they would not have imagined.  As the original Kim, Lea Salonga, expressed recently in her Facebook page, “And so it begins again... It was in November 1988 that I auditioned for ‘Miss Saigon.’ Whose life is going to change this November 2012?”

* This article was written for and published in the Pinoy Times December 2012 issue.

Filipino-Canadian Gala 2012

Ida & Jojo Lucila

The 2nd Filipino-Canadian Gala was held last September 15, 2012 at the Northlands Expo Centre. Organized by Gala and Event Management lead by Lixmila Serrano and Ramon Cifra, the Gala is an annual event aimed at bringing together Filipinos and friends for a night of cultural feast and dancing, to celebrate the achievements of the Filipino community and at the same time, to support local charitable institutions. It had, as its beneficiary, iHuman, an organization that supports at-risk youth in Edmonton to rebuild their lives through the arts.  Last yearʼs beneficiary was the Edmonton Food Bank.

Philippine Choral

The Gala was held in a sumptuous hall that seats 800, in tables decked in red, white and blue, with the Philippine flag as the pattern for its layout. A tropical hut served as the dance floorʼs center piece, perfect for photo opportunities. Around the hall were booths of Filipino businesses and Gala sponsors, and display items for the silent auction. An added bonus for the night was the grand raffle prize of a free trip to the Philippines.

Philippine Ambassador Gatan

MP Rona Ambrose

MLA Thomas Lukaszuk

Guests were treated to song and dance performances prior to the official opening of the Gala, which was marked with messages from the three levels of government of Canada and the presence of the Philippine Ambassador to Canada, Leslie Gatan. Guests of honor were: Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works & Government Services, and Minister for Status of Women - Canada; Thomas Lukaszuk, Deputy Premier of Alberta; Stephen Mandel, Mayor of Edmonton; Naresh Bhardwaj, MLA; Richard Andersen, Northlands President; among others. In their speeches, they extolled on how the success of Filipinos all over the world serves as an inspiration and a reminder that much can be achieved through vision and guidance, and the Filipinosʼ reputation to be hardworking, generous and wonderful contributions to society, making Mayor Mandel exclaim

Mayor Stephen Mandel

We need more Filipinos to come to Edmonton! There are currently 330,000 Filipinos in Canada, 70% of which are Philippine-born. And to these people and their Canadian friends, Ambassador Gatan appealed for more Canadian investments in the Philippines, to keep both the cultural and economic ties, and declared that the Philippines is not the sick man of Asia anymore.

After a buffet of Philippine-inspired cuisine, guests were treated with performances by the Philippine Choral and HOJA. This performance of the Philippine Choral marked its transformation from a church choir to a show choir, with a full repertoire suite and choreography. HOJA, on the other hand, is an acapella trio who has performed all over Canada and recorded five cd albums. This followed with everyone dancing the night away, more photo opportunities and revelry. It was good to see the people of Edmonton come together in their evening finery to celebrate Filipino culture and achievements, and support a very deserving local charity. We look forward to the 3rd Filipino-Canadian Gala!

Philippine Choral

HOJA

Post Dinner Dance

Photos courtesy of Kitakits Studio Inc. To view more photos of the event, go to http://

kitakits.smugmug.com.

* This was written and published for the Pinoy Times, October 2012 issue.

Famous Lines from Filipino Movies

If you are a movie fan, it would be easy to identify the origins of these phrases:  Go ahead, make my day [Clint Eastwood, Sudden Impact]; I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her [Julia Roberts, Notting Hill]; Houston, we have a problem [Tom Hanks, Apollo 13]; I’ll be back [Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Terminator]; I see dead people [Sixth Sense]; and the list goes on and on.  But what about lines from the Filipino movies?  Here are some of the most popular ones (note: apologies for not having an English translation.  The emotions and wittiness are sometimes lost in the translation):

Walang himala!  Ang himala ay nasa puso ng tao!  Nasa puso nating lahat!   [Nora Aunor, Himala].  The film centers around a young visionary who has caused a stir in an isolated village, challenging people’s attitude towards their religious faith.  Directed by Ishmael Bernal with story by Ricardo Lee based on a true story, Himala is considered as one of the best acting feats of Nora Aunor.   Premiered in 1982, it went on to win numerous film awards, i.e. CNN Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Bronze Hugo prize at the 1983 Chicago International Film Festival. It was  also exhibited in international film festivals, i.e. Berlin International Film Festival (the first Filipino film to be included in the Competition Section)

You’re nothing but a second-rate, trying hard copycat. [Cherie Gil, Bituing Walang Ningning].  This is the story of a die hard fan rising to fame and becoming the most formidable rival of the star singer.  Released in 1985 and directed by Emmanuel H. Borlaza, it starred Sharon Cuneta, Christopher de Leon, Jay Ilagan, Cherie Gil, Tommy Abuel, Chanda Robero and Joel Torre.  It was a blockbuster hit and this quoted line uttered by Cherie Gil as the star Lavinia Arguelles, to Sharon Cuneta as the fan Dorina Pineda, was the ultimate catfight scene, splattered wine and all.

Ding... ang bato!  [Darna].  Who doesn’t know about the Filipino comics superheroine by writer Mars Ravelo and artist Nestor Redondo?  Created in 1947, Narda, a young girl transforms into Darna, and vice versa by shouting out their respective names,  and by swallowing a white stone, from the planet Marte. This superheroine has been portrayed in both tv and the movies since 1951 with the following actresses and even actors: Rosa del Rosario (1951-52), Liza Moreno (1963), Eva Montes (1965), Gina Pareno (1969), Vilma Santos (1973), Chiquito (1974), Lorna Tolentino (1977), Dolphy (1979), Rio Locsin (1979), Nanette Medved (1991), Anjanette Abayari (1994), Angel Locsin (2005), Marian Rivera (2009).

Trabaho lang ito, walang personalan.  [Rudy Fernandez, Markang Bungo].  This 1991 movie was based on the life story of Baguio City police officer Bobby Ortega.  This line is still widely used - from Manny Pacquiao, to the current President of the Philippines.

Kakabakaba Ka Ba?  This movie with the same title was a 1980 movie by Mike de Leon.  A comedy of misadventures, and of gangsters smuggling an audiocassette tape of opium in the Philippines, it starred Christopher de Leon, Charo Santos, Sandy Andolong and Jay Ilagan.  It was significant in the sense that it managed to be a political satire, escaping censorship during a Martial Law regime.

Isang bala ka lang.  [Fernando Poe Jr., Isang Bala Ka Lang].  A classic action movie starred in and directed by Fernando Poe Jr., the story is of a good cop, convicted and jailed for avenging his wife’s death, turns vigilante in the light of injustices to innocent victims.  Released in 1983, it also stars Maggie dela Riva, Marianne de la Riva, Julie Vega, and Paquito Diaz.

Ginto na ang nasa harap mo, basura pa ang pinili mo.  [Vilma Santos, Sinasamba Kita].  Directed by Eddie Garcia in 1982 with actors Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon, Phillip Salvador and Lorna Tolentino, the movie is about half sisters, with the younger one as the father’s illegitimate daughter.  Maltreated and oppressed, the younger sibling leaves but fate brings them together for a final reckoning.  The theme song of this movie, with the same title and composed by George Canseco, was a popular hit too.  It won film awards for Best Director, Best Original Song and became a tv movie in 2007 with Joel Lamangan as director, starring Sheryl Cruz and Valerie Concepcion.

Mahal mo ba ako, dahil kailangan mo ako o kailangan mo ako kaya mahal mo ako?  [Claudine Barretto, Milan].   A 2004 romance film starring Claudine Barretto and Piolo Pascual, it is a story of two people who are strangely banded together by their own personal quests, fall deeply in love and later called on to make personal sacrifices.  Aside from the beautiful locations in Italy, it garnered acting awards and nominations for the 2 lead actors.  It also featured the singing voice of Piolo Pascual for its theme song, The Gift.

These are just a few of the many highly dramatic, comedic and memorable dialogues in Philippine cinema.  What are your favorites?

* This article was written for and published in the Pinoy Times September 2012 issue.

Aegis: the Edmonton Concert

The Aegis Concert for Edmonton was held last July 29 at the River Cree Resort & Casino, as part of their 2012 US and Canada tour.  This was the band’s 3rd visit/performance in Edmonton.

Aegis was originally formed as AG’s Sound Trippers, with the AG standing for their managers’ last names, Abenoja and Galindo.  They chose the term “aegis” which means “shield” or “protection” - as a metaphor for their kind of music, that of a balm from heartbreak and desolation.  A 6-member band, it is comprised of sisters Juliet, Mercy and Ken Sunot as Vocalists; Stella Pabico in the keyboard; Vilma Goloviogo in drums; Weng Adriano for bass guitar; and the lone male member, Rey Abenoja for lead guitar.

The show opened with two front acts: Vanessa Oller singing “God is Speaking”; and duo Virgie and Delia, who are regular performers at the Edmonton International Airport.  There was also a presentation of a plaque by Hon. Consul Esmeralda Agbulos for producer Dr. Nimrod Montano, for his community service to Filipinos both locally and in the Philippines.  Incidentally, the concert and raffle proceeds served as a fundraiser for a dental mission to the Philippines in 2013.

After about an hour from start time, the main attraction was introduced.  Hyped as a concert to “rock & roll” the city, the opening number was a little bit sedate, for our expectations.  It didn’t take long though for them to impress the audience with their powerful vocals.  This is a concert that definitely does not rely on fancy wardrobe, intricate choreography, and special effects - but simply on the music.  Aside from their hit songs Luha, Halik, Basang Basa sa Ulan, May Bukas Pa, they also did covers of Adele, Journey, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez and requested songs by the audience - covering a vast repertoire of ballads, dance music and rap.  These were eagerly lapped up by the audience who sang, applauded and shrieked on cue.  The vocalists are power belters, hitting notes that get higher and higher, notes that you think can’t be reached but are actually hit.  Juliet Sunot definitely has the strongest lung power among the sisters.  She delivers her songs effortlessly, while hamming it up with the audience and the cameras, and delivering comedic lines as well.  It would be ideal though, in the whole mix of the songs, to have some that will show restraint in vocal delivery, for a greater appreciation of the powerhouse sections.

Talent comes in different packages.  If you do not know the Aegis band members and you see them for the first time offstage, you will not think that they are such musical dynamos.  They are unassuming, grounded and deferential.  And these qualities are probably a major factor in their audience appeal, making them relatable to a lot of people.  At the end of the night, you appreciate these visits by Filipino artists who embody talent and good values and reinforce your notion that there definitely is no dearth of Filipino singers!

* This article was written for and published in the Pinoy Times August 2012 issue.

Filipino Martial Arts

Kali, arnis, eskrima, silat kuntao - these are just some of the terms used to reference Filipino martial arts, where weapon and empty hand skills are used interchangeably, are taught using similar training methods, covering fighting ranges and defending against armed and unarmed attacks with whatever is available - thereby turning ordinary household items into lethal weapons.  The term used for the art, whether kali, arnis, eskrima, etc., normally implies the region of origin or the the time period of development.

It is said that one of the foremost masters of this martial art is the first Filipino hero, Lapu Lapu.  When Ferdinand Magellan and the Spaniards set out to conquer Mactan in 1521, they were met with wooden sticks, spears, Kampilan swords and bolos.  Miguel Lopez de Legaspi noted in 1564 the Filipinos’ skill in stick fighting and swordsmanship, after being entertained by a Kali demonstration by the warriors of Raja Malitik and other succeeding demonstrations in other parts of the country.

With the declaration of bladed weapons as illegal by the Spaniards, the development of skills with hardened wooden sticks rose.  With this came the realization that due to the different handling nature of the stick versus the curved sword, it opened up other lines of attack for blocking, parrying, thrusting, etc.

In 1972, Filipino martial arts was incorporated in the Philippine sports arena, in high school and post secondary physical education curriculum, and has since been mandatory training in the military and police force.  Considered as an advanced practical blade system in the world, it is also a core component in the US Army’s combatives program and used by the Russian Spetsnaz.

Its popularity has also been fueled by Hollywood films which has featured/employed this particular fighting style: Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace; Matt Damon in the Bourne series, The Bourne Identity/Supremacy/Ultimatum; Tom Cruise & Keri Russel in Mission Impossible III; Denzel Washington in The Book of Eli; Wesley Snipes in Blade, Blade II and Blade: Trinity; Tommy Lee Jones & Benicio del Toro in The Hunted; Forest Whitaker & Jude Law in Repo Men; Vin Diesel for Chronicles of Riddick series; Milla Jovovich in Resident Evil: Apocalypse; Dave Batista’s scenes in The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption; Eric Bana and Saoirse Ronan in Hanna; Rob Schneider in Big Stan; Aaron Johnson in Kick-Ass; and movies like Ninja Assassin, Taken, and 300.

Last July 22, the 1st Edmonton Filipino Martial Arts Gathering, a free seminar, was held at the Hawrelak Park, from 1:00-5:00pm.  Organized by the Philippine Warrior Arts Society and the brainchild of founder Guro Oliver Salvador and members Herald Casana and Noah Walt, its objective was to bring cooperation, brotherhood and unity among the different schools/system of Filipino martial arts in Alberta.

Participating groups were the: Paclibar Bicol Arnis headed by Guro Rogelio Paclibar; Arnis de Mano lead by Guro Phil Mar Nadela; Edmonton Kali Combative Arts Group with Guro Carson McDonald; KPC Martial Arts with Randy King; Pekiti Tirsia Kali lead by Herald Casana; Okotoks Eskrimadors/FTSMA Arnis de Cadena with Guro Noah Walt; MK/Lighting Scientific with Mafel Dasilao; and Dog Brothers Martial Arts with David Powelson.

It had an impressive turn out.  Surprisingly, the Filipinos in this gathering were the minority.  Some participants were actually just strolling or hanging out in the park, and joined at the spur of the moment, out of curiosity.  The rest were enticed through word of mouth, social media and friends of Filipino martial arts practitioners.  At the end of the day, everyone felt that this gathering was a long overdue one, bringing together people engaged and interested in this martial art, creating one community.  A Winter Gathering (late 2012 or early 2013) of the same purpose and intent is in the works.  Considering that this is one form that is dependent on its being passed on from one generation to another by a guro/master, its propagation and preservation is vital.  So whatever your motivation - as a serious martial arts practitioner, for self defense or for physical fitness, go and check this out.  In the meantime, congratulations to the organizers and leaders of the Filipino martial arts in Alberta, and we hope to see more practitioners and events of this form.

Workshop Instructors from L to R: Guro Carson McDonald, Ms. Mafel Dasilao, Mr. Randy King, Guro Oliver Salvador, Mr. Herald Casana, Mr. David Powelson, Guro Noah Walt, Guro Phil Mar Nadela, Guro Roger Paclibar

* This was written for and published in the August 2012 issue of Pinoy Times.

In Honor of the City of the River of Gold

Cagayan de Oro has been dominant in our social consciousness lately due to the distressing images of the disaster wrought by Typhoon Sendong.  Fundraising efforts have continued all across the globe.  More recently in Edmonton, Tsada Edmonton (a group of Edmontonians who trace their roots to Cagayan de Oro) organized a drop off event by the 3J Variety Store for donations.  Collected items were sent directly to Cagayan de Oro courtesy of Manila Forwarders , and cash donations were coordinated with the Canadian Red Cross.  On other occasions, free concerts were held at the Millwoods Town Centre and West Edmonton Mall organized by the Pinoy Foundation for the Arts and Pinoy Singing Sensation, with 21 performers and groups involved,  raising $7,195 in cash donations and 37 boxes of relief goods.  

A lot of people, Filipinos and non-Filipinos, have supported these various initiatives. But what exactly are we helping rebuild with our contributions of time, talent and treasure?  Cagayan de Oro is located along the central coast of Northern Mindanao.  It should not be confused with other locations in the Philippines with a Cagayan name - Cagayan province in Northern Luzon and the Cagayan Islands in the Sulu Sea.  This city has ‘de Oro’ appended to its name due to the gold mining activities dating back to the Spanish times.

Known as the City of Golden Friendship, CDO boasts of outstanding scenic places ranging from beaches, mountains, limestone caves, museums, historical landmarks, timeless churches, and rivers.  Among these are: San Agustin Cathedral; Macahambus Hill, Cave and Gorge, site of the famous Battle of Macahambus Hill in June 1900, the first Filipino victory against the Americans; the Huluga Cave, where skeletal fragments were found dating back to 1600 B.C.; the Migtugsok Falls and Palalan Waterfall; the Museo de Oro at Xavier University, and Museum of Three Cultures; the Gardens of Malasag Eco-tourism Village and Mapawa Nature Park; and the Liceo University where most visiting artists from metropolis Manila perform.  Other events and activities are the: Kagay-an Festival, a week long festival honoring the patron Saint Agustin, held every August; arts festivals and heritage celebrations spearheaded by the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts; Kumbira, the anticipated culinary show & exhibit of the region; and for the adventurous spirits - white water rafting in the Cagayan river, kayaking, river tubing and the dual zip line, which is reputed to be the longest in Asia, as of this writing.  The white water rafting experience has twenty-three rapid count ranging from levels I to IV, the ceiling of most manageable whitewater rapids.

After the devastation of tropical storm Sendong, the focus is now on rebuilding, accountability of public officials, and environmental awareness.  In a joint project between the Ateneo Innovation Center and the CDO city government, a temporary resettlement site located in Lumbia is being designed as a cost-effective and disaster-responsive community - with clean water system, solar powering, rain catchment & wastewater management system, plus composting and solid waste management.

Another initiative further boosting the rebuilding’s media exposure is the involvement of Black Eyed Peas’ member apl.de.ap (Allan Pineda, in real life).  When he visited the city immediately after the December flood, he recognized that rebuilding the Balulang Elementary School was imperative.  Leading the groundbreaking for the construction of a two-story building, he delivered the message that the disaster should not prevent the students from fulfilling their dreams of becoming professionals one day.  This project is funded under the “We Can Be Anything” education campaign in coordination with the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF).

With these rebuilding efforts, let us continue to contribute and hope that soon Cagayan de Oro will be remembered not for the devastation, but once again for its golden treasures - the natural beauty, the peaceful environment and the friendly people.

* This article was written for the March 2012 issue of Pinoy Times.

Edmonton Heritage Festival 2011

Edmonton celebrated its 36th Heritage Festival from July 30-August 1 at the Hawrelak Park.  An annual showcase and celebration of Canada’s vibrant multicultural heritage, it boasted of 63 pavilions representing more than 75 cultures.  Inititated in 1974, then Minister of Culture Horst Schmidt declared the first Monday of August an annual holiday to recognise Alberta’s ethnic diversity.  A cultural feast for the senses, it showcased food, entertainment and arts and crafts displays.

Philippine Pavilion

Philippine arts and crafts on display, for sale

the Department of Tourism display with Phil. Pavilion Overall Chairman Wilf Ladores and choreographer/director Jojo Lucila

young boys performing the Maglalatik

dancers of the Karilagan Dance Society

The Heritage Days is one of my favorite festivals in the city.  As you go from one pavilion to another and watch the cultural presentations, you glean the commonalities countries have - traits shared either by geographic proximity or colonization.  It is heartwarming to see people dressed in their national attires, proud to show off their ancestry and earnest in sharing it with others.  And in the true spirit of intercultural collaboration, I saw the Pacific Island Dance Troupe, a Filipino group presenting Philippine folk dances and Hawaiian dances, performing at the Polynesian Pavilion.

The Philippine Pavilion on the otherhand, was overseen by the Council of Edmonton Filipino Associations (CEFA) with Wilf Ladores as Overall Chairman, Josie Pallard as Arts & Craft Chair, Elmina Cochingco as Entertainment Chair and Mandy Servito as Food Chair.  Also present was the Department of Tourism, San Francisco office.  I have observed that the Philippine cultural presentations were mostly done by the Karilagan Dance Society these past years.  They have successfully presented numbers that showed youthful enthusiasm and appeal.  One just only wishes that there were some presentations by other Filipino cultural organizations and performing groups  as well, for a more inclusive event and truly representative of the Edmonton Filipino community.  Kudos, however, to the organizers, participants and volunteers for all their dedication and hard work in the Heritage Festival every year. 

* this article was written for the Pinoy Times, published in the August 2011 issue