Transportation in the Philippines

Filipino Festivals INTRODUCTION Throughout the year, Filipinos observe many festivals. Their festivals celebrate good fortune and prosperity and also ward off harmful spirits. Many of these festivals continue to be observed by Filipinos who have relocated and have lived for many years away from their homeland. I would like to examine some of these through the experiences of the family of Ramon and Dolores Bocalbo. There are three generations of Bocalbos living all over the world; however, most of them still reside in the Philippines. Ramon emigrated to America in 1976. His wife, Dolores, had come the year before, and he followed bringing their two daughters. They lived in Texas for two years, but the climate proved to be unsuitable for them. They moved to Hawai‘i in 1978. Ramon joined the U.S. Army and received his citizenship one year later. Hawai‘i has been their home ever since.

As stated earlier, in the month of January, there are two festivals which are always celebrated in the Philippines. The Quiapo Fiesta, also known as the Feast of the Black Nazarene, is centered around a life-sized image of the suffering Christ bearing the cross on his shoulder, his face streaked with blood. The mahogany statue was brought from Mexico in the 17th century. The galleon carrying the statue encountered many difficulties on the voyage and the crew came to believe that its prayers to the statue saved them and the ship each time. The crew's belief in the Nazarene's miraculous powers lives on in present-day devotees 300 years later. Celebrated in the second week of January, the festival culminates in the procession of the Black Nazarene followed by thousands of people through the Quiapo district of Manila. Devotees attempt to touch the image with handkerchiefs and towels, which they then rub on their bodies in hopes of a miraculous cure. Ramon and Dolores recall this festival clearly. The Feast of the Black Nazarene was an important event to their parents. Both remember their parents taking them to the festival when they were young children. They remember that the cross was a symbol of hope and of healing, and that they fought the crowds for a chance to be able to touch a small portion of the miracle they believed it to possess. Now that they are both in America, there is no opportunity for their children to see the Black Nazarene. However, Ramon and Dolores honor this day by praying to God in hopes of a year without pain or suffering. The Ati-atihan Festival, literally translated as "making like the ati," is celebrated in Kalibo. Kalibo is the capital of the province of Aklan, one of the four provinces of Panay Island. Its origins can be traced back to the time when ten Malay Datus from Borneo purchased the island from the ati, a short dark-skinned people who were the original inhabitants. This agreement between the two peoples was sealed with a joint feast and a celebration that included songs and dances. Today, the way this festival is observed is similar to the way that people observe Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Groups of young people wear costumes, blacken their skin, and paint designs on their faces. They prance and kick to the music of frenzied rhythms, creating a colorful spectacle that encourages bystanders to join in the merriment. Ramon and Dolores did not attend this festivity as Ati-atihan is celebrated in provinces they did not live in. But the story of the origins of the festival continues to be told in both families. An important sacred time called Lent is observed in the months of February, March and April. Lent is a season for soul-searching, repentance, and reflection upon one's life. Lent originated in the earliest days of the Catholic Church as a preparation for Easter, when the faithful re-dedicate themselves and converts are instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the 40 days of Lent, the individual imitates the Biblical stories of Jesus' withdrawal into the wilderness for 40 days, His return to complete his ministry, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which has been since ancient times a day to fast, pray, repent and show remorse by placing ashes upon the forehead. This custom entered the Catholic Church through Judaism, and it is a most appropriate symbol for the beginning of a period of sober reflection, self-examination, and spiritual re-direction. For Ramon and Dolores, Ash Wednesday is a time to remember that we were created from ashes and that when we die we return to the ground as ashes. Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, is one of the most joyous and festive days celebrated in the Philippines. It is the day that marks Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He was greeted by many onlookers waving palm branches and spreading their cloaks on the road before the donkey that carried him. Ramon and Dolores celebrate Palm Sunday by attending Mass and receiving a palm frond that has been blessed by a priest. The palm frond is then taken home and placed at the family's home altar. The palm is kept until the next arrival of Palm Sunday one year later. Following Palm Sunday is the Holy Week, which begins late in April. This includes Good Friday and ends on Easter Sunday. Good Friday is the day that Jesus was sentenced to death. In the Philippines, the Black Nazarene joins the processional that re-enacts Jesus' march in which he carried the cross upon which he would be crucified. Ramon and Dolores remember the procession and the people who took part in the re-enactment. During this observance, the individuals who volunteer to lead this procession actually flog their backs and crown themselves with thorns which make them bleed. Although this performance is painful and violent, both Ramon and Dolores fondly remember watching it and visualizing Jesus' procession through the streets of Jerusalem. During the period of Lent, the Bocalbos pray and reflect, and on Easter Sunday celebrate his resurrection and ascension, which opened the gates of Purgatory and allowed the lost souls to enter Heaven. Both Ramon and Dolores believe that this was the purpose of his crucifixion and resurrection. Santacruzan is the queen of the May festivals. May is the month when beautiful and abundant flowers appear in the Philippines. Maidens called sagalas dress up in beautiful gowns. The prettiest of them is named the Rayna Elena, and she plays the part of St. Helena. She carries a small cross and has a young boy for an escort who acts the part of a prince. With the other sagalas, the Rayna Elena walks in the procession throughout the town. Ramon remembers this celebration and its parades. Although his children have never seen it, he keeps this festival alive for his family by talking about it and comparing it to the Lei Day observances that take place in Hawai‘i this time of year and other May Day observances in other places. The Penafrancia Fluvial Festival is celebrated on the third Saturday of September. It is held in honor of the Virgin Mary and, during the celebration, her statue leads a procession on water. The barge that carries the statue is surrounded by thousands of devotees gliding alongside in boats. This statue was brought to the Philippines in the 17th century, and she has since reigned over this region of fiery volcanoes. The week long festivities begin with the Traslacion (held on the second Friday of the month) in which the statue is brought from her traditional home at the Penafrancia Shrine on the outskirts of Manilla to the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. On the 9th day (Saturday), the statue is brought to the Penafrancia Basilica Minore via a fluvial procession on the storied Naga River. Ramon and Dolores did not remember watching this festival that takes place on the river, but according to them, it reflects the great love that many Filipinos have for the Virgin Mary, who symbolizes mercy and forgiveness. As in many other countries, Christmas is celebrated in December in the Philippines. The 16th day of December marks the opening of the Christmas season and this season begins with a pre-dawn Mass or misa de gallo. The misa de gallo is a nine day series of pre-dawn masses. In some provinces, Christmas songs from the church fill the air before the ringing of church bells to summon the faithful to mass. Parents, children, and relatives attend Mass together. After Mass, people hurry to tiny stalls to buy and sell regional delicacies. On Christmas Eve, the Festival of Lanterns is held. A home is incomplete without its lantern that symbolizes Christmas. The lanterns, or parols, come in many sizes. The parol is the symbol of the star that guided the Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus. In addition to the Lantern Festival, the family shares noche buena, a dinner either before or after attending Mass, on Christmas Eve. During the celebration of the birth of Jesus, people are expected to forgive the transgressions of others, to love one another, and to exchange gifts. The main difference between the observance of Christmas in the Philippines and among Filipinos in Hawai‘i is the custom of decorating a Christmas tree. Ramon and Dolores do not buy a Christmas tree but, instead, bring a dried branch of foliage to their priest to be blessed and place it upon their altar at home. Says Ramon, "Christmas is not about Christmas trees. All you need is a good heart to celebrate Christmas." On the eve of the New Year (December 31), the Filipino family joins together to set off fireworks to make as much noise as possible in welcoming the New Year. This noise frightens away evil spirits who might bring bad luck and misfortune. In addition, plenty of food is offered, coins placed in everyone's pockets, and candles are lit in hopes of a good prosperous year to come. Ramon and Dolores continue to celebrate New Years as they did when they lived in the Philippines. They both believe that Filipino celebrations have given them good fortune. CONCLUSION I believe that most traditional Filipino festivals continue to be observed by many Filipinos even after they relocate to the United States. As my research with the Bocalbos shows, the observance of these occasions is an important part of their lives. Even the festivals that the Bocalbos did not celebrate when they lived in the Philippines are remembered by them, and their knowledge of these festivals is handed down to their children. These festivals are an important way for them to keep in touch with their Filipino culture and identity. Sinukwan Festival (City of San Fernando; first week of December) The highlight of the week-long festivities of Pampanga’s Foundation Day. Heralds the unique culture and distinct beliefs of Kapampangans through a colorful street parade along the capital town of San Fernando and a province-wide dance competition showcasing indigenous rituals and music.

Baked potato-85 Corn flakes-84 Honey-74 Watermelon-72 White bread/Bagel-70-72 Table sugar-65 Raisins-64 Orange juice-57 White rice-56 Popcorn-55 Corn-55 Brown rice-55 Sweet potato-54 Banana (Ripe)-50 Orange-43 Apple juice-41 Apple-36 Pear-36 Skim milk-32 Green beans-30 Lentils-29 Grapefruit-25 Barley-25