2010METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL

                     

The 36th Metro Manila Film Festival-Philippines (MMFF) is the annual film festival in Manila that was held from December 25, 2010 until January 7, 2011. The Awards Night (known as "Gabi ng Parangal") was held on December 26, 2010. During the festival, no foreign films are shown in Philippine theaters in order to showcase locally produced films.

The November 28, 2010 Entertainment Column in Manila Bulletin by Crispina Martinez-Belen, announced changes for the 2010 film festival:^{[citation needed]}
The commercial viability criterion (box-office performance of the entries) was removed. As of 2010, the criteria for the selection of Best Picture(s) are: artistry; creativity and technical excellence; innovation; and thematic value. Entries are also judged for global appeal (70 percent) and Filipino cultural and/or historical value (30 percent).
Another change in the 2010 festival format was a tribute to independent films with the screening of five indie films during the week preceding the festival. These films were: Senior Year by Jerrold Tarog; Nasaan si Hefte by Jonnah Lim; Presa by Adolf Alix, Jr., Slow Fade by Rommel Sales; and Rindido by Noriel Jarito.
The established board of jurors was expanded to include housewives, drivers, students, teachers, etc.
The festival logo was also changed to feature a map of the Metropolis of Manila, based on the old seal of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority with seventeen stars on it symbolizing the 17 cities and municipality of Metro Manila. The logo for the first 35 festivals featured a torch.

References

1.      Jump up ^ "2010 MMFF entries' total earnings skyrocket to P530-M | Manila Bulletin Newspaper | Find Articles at BNET". Findarticles.com. 2011-01-10. Retrieved 2011-01-16.

2.      Jump up ^ "'Agimat' is top grosser in filmfest | The Philippine Star >> News >> Headlines". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2011-01-16.

3.      Jump up ^ "MMFF 2010 Top Grossers (3rd Day)". Mukamo.com. 2010-12-29. Archived from the original on 28 December 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-16.

                                                                                                                   Welnar Sucatre

Pabirik Festival

Who would have not known Camarines? With their famous beaches and extremely fun outdoor activities and yes, let's include their superb delicacies, that I guess no one would dare turn their back with this beautiful province.

Camarines is geographically divided into two. We have Norte and Sur. Sur have come to soar up with their boastful white beaches and breath taking landscapes. Yet, we have really not discovered fully the beauty of Norte.

Pabirik Festival, certainly amazing and mind twisting, is Paracale's very own and grande celebration. Paracale is one biggest town of Camarines Norte. "Pabirik" is an essential tool used by miners. Gold is one of the major industries of the town aside from fishing and agriculture. Thus, Paracale is also known as the Gold Town. Amazing right? Pabirik Festival is both celebration of the industry and religious faith. The festival is celebrated every month of January to honor Senora de Candelaria, Paracale's patron saint.

The existence of gold mines in the town is said to be the main reason why Spaniards colonized and Christianized the area. Their church was founded by Franciscan missionaries in 1581. Wow! Paracale is like a living proof of why there were a lot of colonizers of our country. Indeed very rich in history.

Pabirik Festival, just like other town festival, has their boastful parade and street dancing, with costumes that showcase glittering gold and performers depicting gold miners, which of course makes the event unique from the others. Aside from the aforesaid, there are variety of stalls and bazaars, outside their church. The vendors of which, sell out jewelleries, foods and even live animals, like bird, chicken and goat. Funny, but this is really how rural festival is celebrated.

Admit it, the more we go and check our different festivals, the more we are mesmerized of what we have. Love our country!

By: KRVeloso

Source: www.traveling-up.com

PAHIYAS FESTIVAL

                                         THE PAHIYAS FESTIVAL


                          The fiesta color of summer come alive again as  lucban celebrates the SAN ISIDRO PAHIYAS  FESTIVAL - reffered  to  by many as a fiesta to end all.Every  year  thousands of tourists  and holiday  makers flocks  to his historic town  commended  as one  of the cleanest and most   peaceful community in the country .Its con , fresh and invigorating  climate earns her the singular distinction  of  being called  the summer capital  of QUEZON province . The  towns  natural  scenic  spots  and colorful  lifestyle add to charm that entices  both foreign  and local  tourists  to visit  the place. The SAN ISIDRO PAHIYAS FESTIVAL  held every May 15 has become  one of the  country tourist attractions  prompting  the department of tourist  to list down  lucban  as a  tourists  town and a  cultural heritage  site.During the SAN ISIDRO PAHIYAS  FESTIVAL each  household  tries  to  out do  each other  in friendly  competition as they  vie for honor  or recognizing  their creativity....    







JENIELIZA L. GUA-AN

THE DINAGYANG FESTIVAL

                                     THE PHILIPPINE FESTIVAL


           The highlights of the Ilo-ilo Dinagyang festival  are scheduled on the fourth weekend on January  in addition to many exciting activities  happening  all throughout the month.        

            This 2013 the main  events as the Dinagyang  festival will be held  on January 25 to 27 2013. The  religious  highlights  of the Dinagyang  is  fluvial  procesion along ilo-ilo  river , while the cultural  include  the Kasadyahan  and the DInagyang ati parades and competitions.

             The ilo-ilo  dinagyang   festival 2013 is  one of the Philippines most  spectacular  cultural festivals, a showcase  of the rich heritage , colorful history , passionate devotion and loving spirit of  Ilongos .The  festival traces  it roots as a  religious  thanksgiving  celebration  in honor  of  Senyor Santo Nino   the child  JESUS.During  Dinagyang  festival held every fourth  weekend  of January,city  street  of ilo-ilo Philippines  are filled  with tens of thousand  of tourists  and local revelers.The search for schedule of activities places to stay , excellent  places to eat and  beautiful places to visit  in ilo-ilo is always at its peak during the Dinagyang reason.                












JENIELIZA L. GUA-AN

    

KAAMULAN FESTIVAL

    Kaamulan Festival

“Kaamulan” is from the Binukid word “amul” which means “to gather”. It is a gathering of Bukidnon tribespeople for a purpose. It can mean a datuship ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these put together.

Showcasing the unique indigenous culture of Bukidnon, the Kaamulan is held annually in the province, particularly in Malaybalay City, the provincial capital, from the second half of February to March 10, which latter date marks the anniversary of the creation of Bukidnon as a province in 1917.

As an ethnic festival, the Kaamulan celebrates the customs and traditions of the seven tribal groups that originally inhabited the Bukidnon region, namely, the Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon. Several tribal folks representing these seven hill tribes of Bukidnon gather in unity with the local dwellers in town, wearing their intricately woven costumes studded with trinkets, anklets, earrings, necklaces, leglets, headdresses and amulets. They dance together, chant, perform ancient rituals, and compete in indigenous sports.

Graced by cultural groups whose ways have remained unchanged throughout the centuries, the Kaamulan is characterized by the authentic rituals with real indigenous peoples. There is the Pangampo (general worship), the Tagulambong hu Datu (ritual for the installation of a Chieftain), the Panumanod (a spiriting ceremony), the Panlisig (rite to drive away evil spirits), and the Pamalas (sin atonement ritual) among others.

Each activity is a meaningful ceremony that reflects the richness and diversity of the Bukidnon culture. Integrated into the festival are activities designed to fuse the different sectors in the provincial community as a whole. The events which have been institutionalized over the years of celebrating the Kaamulan include the Civic Parade; the much-awaited Street-dancing Competition with contingents coming from the respective municipalities and cities of the province; the Laga Ta Bukidnon where beautiful ladies from within the province vie for the title; programs reminiscent of the historic beginnings of Bukidnon and its tribal oral traditions; and, the Ethnic Dance Clinic.

Furthermore, the present Kaamulan has evolved throughout the years and does not only highlight Bukidnon’s ethnic groups but also the products and local establishments that abound in the province. These are displayed in the Garden Show, Food Fest, Kaamulan Bazaar, Agri-fair, and Livestock Show. Crowd-drawing events such as the Motocross, Off-road Competition, Rodeo, Amateur Boxing, Invitational Basketball Tournament, Adventure Races, concerts, and several others are also roped into the festivity.

To the hill tribes, Kaamulan heralds the symbolic breakthrough of their long quest for meaning and identity. And to the new generation, the old local folks and even visiting foreigners, the Kaamulan has become an avenue for the recognition and appreciation of Bukidnon’s unraveled cultural legacy carefully preserved by the traditional population. Truly, the Kaamulan is an interesting ground for the unification of the people of Bukidnon… one that converges the past and the present, celebrates its rich culture and inspires its people.

Kaamulan started as a festival on May 15, 1974 during the fiesta celebration of the munipality of Malaybalay. A town official thought of inviting some indigenous people and made them perform a few dance steps at Plaza Rizal to the fiesta celebation. The celebration however proved very popular and together with the national coverage the kaamulan festival has become regional festival of Northern Mindanao, as declared by Regional Development Council of Region 10 September 16, 1977.  Kaamulan was formerly held on the first week of September but in 1996, it was transffered to the present date to synchronize it with tha foundation celebration of the province.

Bukidnon heritage kept alive 2002 03 18

Kaamulan festival, Malaybalay City.

Kaamulan Festival highlights Bukidnons 91st Foundation Day.2008 02 29.

by: Welnar Sucatre

Longganisa Festival

Longganisa probably is one of the most favourite morning foods to us Filipinos. Personally, i can't get enough with this tasty sausage. But do you guys know that there is a festival solely for this food? I bet not all of us.

Vigan City in the Ilocos Sur province is known to be the city of rich heritage. But not just that. Our very own Longganisa Festival is held in this prestigious city every month of January. What makes the Vigan longganisa different from others? Typically is the top question of our curious minds. The Biguenos or the locals of Vigan, revealed that what makes their native sausage different and classical, is the influence of the Mexican salami. It is distinct from other Philippine sausages because of its use of the local sugar cane vinegar and Vigan-grown garlic, which are major products of the city.  Their native sausage is small and is good for about two to three bites and has a yellowish color. It is best dipped in Ilocos vinegar with plenty of chilli, garlic and onions.

Vigan, for almost a decade, hosted the Longganisa Festival which is witnessed by thousands of local and foreign visitors. Of course, street dancing and other activities that have Vigan Longganisa theme are some of the highlights. The Biguenos also choose the festival for launching of projects that help promote the native Vigan sausage not only here in the Philippines, but abroad as well.

Vigan launches this festival for both economic and ethnic belief. But for whatever reason they may have, this unique festival outstands other countries and it’s celebrated only here in the Philippines. Be proud.

By: KRVeloso

Reference:

            www.vigan.ph