Philippines in the picture!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
in Filipino National Language and Dialects (2017-2018)
Thumbs up to the fabulous linguistic and cultural diversity of the Philippines which has one national language and hundreds of regional and tribal dialects. Here are some of these wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
FILIPINO NATIONAL LANGUAGE
FILIPINO NATIONAL LANGUAGE
- Filipino (Mainly based on Tagalog language) – Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon
- Aklanon – Malipayon nga Paskwa ag Mahigugmaon nga Bag-ong Dag-on
- Bicolano – Maugmang Capascuhan asin Masaganang Ba-gong Taon!
- Bol anon – Malipajong Pasko ug Bulahang Bag-ong Tuig!
- Cebuano – Malipayong Pasko ug Bulahang Bag-ong Tuig!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Merry Christmas 2015:
City Christmas Lights and Devotional Simbang Gabi Masses
in the Philippines
Christmas in the Philippines is always a joyous occasion for great celebration. The photo below right shows one of the many Christmas light displays in metro Manila.
The photo at the bottom is of the famous Quiapo Catholic Church - one of the most visited Basilicas in the Philippines and home of the Black Nazarene - where a large overflowing crowd attends a Simbang Gabi (Night Mass) which is a devotional nine day series of masses from 16th to 24th December. Simbang Gabi Masses occur just before sunrise.
The Simbang Gabi originated during Spanish rule in the Philippines. It was held in the early hours of the morning for the benefit of Filipino farmers who started their work before sunrise so as to avoid working too much under the hot tropical oriental sun.
The Simbang Gabi became a distinct part of Filipino culture as compared to the rest of the Hispanic world where it was more common to hold evening novenas. The last day of the Simbang Gabi, which is Christmas Eve, is called Misa de Gallo (Spanish for "Rooster's Mass").
The photo at the bottom is of the famous Quiapo Catholic Church - one of the most visited Basilicas in the Philippines and home of the Black Nazarene - where a large overflowing crowd attends a Simbang Gabi (Night Mass) which is a devotional nine day series of masses from 16th to 24th December. Simbang Gabi Masses occur just before sunrise.
The Simbang Gabi originated during Spanish rule in the Philippines. It was held in the early hours of the morning for the benefit of Filipino farmers who started their work before sunrise so as to avoid working too much under the hot tropical oriental sun.
The Simbang Gabi became a distinct part of Filipino culture as compared to the rest of the Hispanic world where it was more common to hold evening novenas. The last day of the Simbang Gabi, which is Christmas Eve, is called Misa de Gallo (Spanish for "Rooster's Mass").
-------------------------------------------------------------
Easter Holy Week Blessings 2015
Kamay ni Hesus (Hand of Jesus) Shrine,
Tinamnam Village, Lucban Town, Quezon Province, Philippines
The Kamay ni Hesus Shrine in Quezon Province on the main Philippine island of Luzon, south-east of Manila, is considered one of the popular places in the Philippines to celebrate Easter Holy Week. Filipinos flock to the magnificent Kamay ni Hesus Shrine throughout the year and it becomes even more popular as a religious pilgrimage site during Easter. It is near Mt Banahaw which is considered holy ground. On the grounds is a beautiful church founded by Fr Joey Faller who is known as the healing priest. The climb up the hill to the giant Kamay ni Hesus statue starts at the Garden of Eden.
|
There are many life size statues along the climb to the top that depict biblical events. A person will see statues of Abraham, Moses and other famous biblical personalities. One will also encounter numerous life size statues of the 14 Stations of the Cross.
There is also a replica of Noah's Ark for the weary souls. The Ark has 25 air-conditioned rooms for people to rent. Around the Ark are figures of animals which were saved from the great biblical flood. Please note, if there is another great flood the sea worthiness of this replica has not yet been determined, however the rooms are waterproof from the rains.
|
-------------------------------------------------------------
Manila FAME 2015
International Design and Lifestyle Event
SMX Convention Centre, Mall of Asia, Metro Manila
13th to 16th March 2015
Manila FAME is a design and lifestyle event which is one of the longest-running trade shows in the Asia-Pacific. It features Philippine-made creations from artisans and manufacturers, as well as the latest in Philippine fashion design.
"Manila FAME returns in 2015 with an innovative range of products, crafted with the passion and soul of local craftsmen!" [Manila FAME website: http://www.manilafame.com/en/index.php ] It will be held at the SMX Convention Centre. This is strategically located in the heart of the famous Mall of Asia, Pasay City, within the greater metro Manila area. The Mall of Asia is one of the world's largest and busiest shopping centre complexes. The photo on the left is of the beautiful Ms Len Cabili of Filip+Inna who is one of the rising designers for Manila FAME showcasing and putting the spotlight on some of the hottest and most stylish 'Manila Wear'! |
There's More Style in the Philippines! See it for yourself...
-------------------------------------------------------------
Over 5.5 million join one of the world's biggest annual events,
the procession of the Black Nazarene, 9th January 2015,
6 days ahead of Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines
Photo above: Part of the gigantic crowd at Rizal Park (Luneta) in the heart of Manila city.
The GMA news network in the Philippines quoted Red Cross Philippines on the 9th January, that the crowd which witnessed the procession of a sacred centuries old icon of Jesus Christ, referred to as the Black Nazarene statue from the famous Quiapo Church, was approximately 5.5 million people. The Vice Mayor of Manila, Isko Moreno, also estimated the mammoth crowd at over 5 million. The Black Nazarene is believed by many to have magical healing powers in a country of 100 million people where 81% are Catholic.
Metro Manila is one of the largest mega cities in the world, and the crowds which turn out to watch and participate in this yearly procession easily constitutes one of the world's largest gatherings for a single event.
Metro Manila is one of the largest mega cities in the world, and the crowds which turn out to watch and participate in this yearly procession easily constitutes one of the world's largest gatherings for a single event.
Photo above: The Black Nazarene procession, circled, making its ways through a sea of humanity on the Jones bridge in Manila.
Below: A close up of the Black Nazerene statue holding the cross.
Below: A close up of the Black Nazerene statue holding the cross.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Firework celebrations in Rizal Park Manila, and the importance of Rizal Park to the Philippine nation
Rizal Park, also known as Luneta Park, or colloquially Luneta is the Philippines' most famous urban park in the centre of Manila city. It is adjacent to the historical Spanish walled city called Intramuros and the magnificent 5 star Manila Hotel which has its own cruise ship super terminal. [Photo below: Love is in the air at Rizal Park].
Rizal Park is named after the Philippine national hero Jose Rizal, who was a great intellectual and who advocated independence from the Spanish colonial power in the late 19th century, through peaceful means. Mahatma Gandhi, India's national hero - who was born in the 1860s along with Rizal and who was western educated like Rizal - also advocated for similar peaceful independence from British authority in India in the early to mid 20th century.
During Christmas and New Year Rizal park is a hub of national celebrations. For people visiting Manila at any time during the year, but particularly during the Christmas and New Year period, Rizal Park is a must see destination which holds a special and important part in the Philippine national soul and consciousness.
In addition to Christmas and New Year celebrations, the 30th December every year is a national holiday in the Philippines called Rizal Day, which celebrates the life and works of Rizal, as well as mourning his martyrdom at the hands of a Spanish colonial controlled execution squad on the same day in 1896 in Rizal Park, which was then called Bagumbayan.
During Christmas and New Year Rizal park is a hub of national celebrations. For people visiting Manila at any time during the year, but particularly during the Christmas and New Year period, Rizal Park is a must see destination which holds a special and important part in the Philippine national soul and consciousness.
In addition to Christmas and New Year celebrations, the 30th December every year is a national holiday in the Philippines called Rizal Day, which celebrates the life and works of Rizal, as well as mourning his martyrdom at the hands of a Spanish colonial controlled execution squad on the same day in 1896 in Rizal Park, which was then called Bagumbayan.
Rizal's execution at Rizal Park became a symbol for the Philippine national revolution which fanned the flames of rebellion against the Spanish. The Spanish were overthrown approximately one and a half years later by Filipino nationalist freedom fighters who declared independence on June 12, 1898 - as proclaimed by the first Philippine President, General Emilio Aguinaldo.
Spain at the time was also embroiled in the Spanish-American war which began in Cuba at approximately the same time in 1898. The USA defeated Spain and quickly moved to take control of the Philippines. On July 4th, 1946, one year after the defeat of the Japanese imperial empire in World War II, the Philippines declared its independence from the American occupation, even though the Philippines still regards the declaration on June 12, 1898 by General Emilio Aguinaldo as its official national independence day. Later Rizal Park became a focus for people power anti-government rallies which helped overthrow the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.
Spain at the time was also embroiled in the Spanish-American war which began in Cuba at approximately the same time in 1898. The USA defeated Spain and quickly moved to take control of the Philippines. On July 4th, 1946, one year after the defeat of the Japanese imperial empire in World War II, the Philippines declared its independence from the American occupation, even though the Philippines still regards the declaration on June 12, 1898 by General Emilio Aguinaldo as its official national independence day. Later Rizal Park became a focus for people power anti-government rallies which helped overthrow the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.
-------------------------------------------------------------
One of the New7 Wonders of the Natural World,
Puerto Princesa Underground River, Palawan, Philippines
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the western coast of Palawan island in the West Philippine Sea. It was officially confirmed as one of the New7 wonders of the natural world on the 28th January 2012. Malcanang Palace expressed delight at this announcement. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda is quoted as saying: "Confirmation that the Puerto Princesa Underground River is one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature is welcome news indeed. Throughout the competition, Filipinos from all walks of life have given time, energy, and resources to this campaign". Therefore, the famous tourist slogan, "It's More Fun in the Philippines" is very apt when a person can visit such a magnificent natural wonder
of the world. The Philippines truly is a place full of wonders and pleasant surprises for both local and global tourists.
of the world. The Philippines truly is a place full of wonders and pleasant surprises for both local and global tourists.
------------------------------------------------------
Vigan City, Illocos Sur Province: Candidate for one of the
New7 Wonder Cities of the World -
VOTE ONLINE NOW AND FURTHER PROMOTE FILIPINO
TOURISM WORLDWIDE!
|
|
The Philippine Embassy of Australia recently announced in an official communique to Filipino Community Leaders and media around Australia that Vigan City, in the Province of Illocos Sur, is a candidate for one of the new 7 wonder cities of the world. They invite Filipino Australians and friends to vote for this wonderful city. Please refer to the embassy letter file above for your official invitation to vote online.
Vigan, is a World Heritage site. It's one of the few Hispanic cities left in the Philippines with cobblestone streets, and where Philippine and Oriental building designs are uniquely infused with European Colonial architecture.
The history of this intriguing city goes back much further than when the Spanish colonialists arrived in Vigan, 12 June 1572. In pre-colonial times it was originally settled by Chinese traders from Fujian who married local indigenous Filipinos and started new bloodlines. The Chinese traders spoke Hokkien and named the city "Bee Gan", which means "beautiful shore". Since the Castillian and Basque Spanish Conquistadors interchanged the letters "V" and "B" to refer to the "B" sound, they spelled the Hokien "Bee Gan" as "Vigan". The Mestizo river is one of Vigan's most prominent. Mestizo, is a Spanish word that refers to a person of mixed heritage, which is fitting for a city with such a rich Filipino indigenous, Chinese and Spanish heritage.
VIVA VIGAN! (Long live Vigan!)
HELP VIGAN WIN - VOTE NOW!
Information for online voting: www.new7wonders.com/en/cities
To Logon/Register and Vote: www.n7w.com/en/cities
Vigan, is a World Heritage site. It's one of the few Hispanic cities left in the Philippines with cobblestone streets, and where Philippine and Oriental building designs are uniquely infused with European Colonial architecture.
The history of this intriguing city goes back much further than when the Spanish colonialists arrived in Vigan, 12 June 1572. In pre-colonial times it was originally settled by Chinese traders from Fujian who married local indigenous Filipinos and started new bloodlines. The Chinese traders spoke Hokkien and named the city "Bee Gan", which means "beautiful shore". Since the Castillian and Basque Spanish Conquistadors interchanged the letters "V" and "B" to refer to the "B" sound, they spelled the Hokien "Bee Gan" as "Vigan". The Mestizo river is one of Vigan's most prominent. Mestizo, is a Spanish word that refers to a person of mixed heritage, which is fitting for a city with such a rich Filipino indigenous, Chinese and Spanish heritage.
VIVA VIGAN! (Long live Vigan!)
HELP VIGAN WIN - VOTE NOW!
Information for online voting: www.new7wonders.com/en/cities
To Logon/Register and Vote: www.n7w.com/en/cities
------------------------------------------------------
Australian RSL Sub Branch in Angeles City, Pampanga
Maj. Rosenzweig kindly forwarded to RFCA the link to the newsletter for the Australian Returned Services League (RSL) sub branch in Angeles City, Philippines. In this newsletter you will find an article he wrote about Private William Ga, who was born in the Philippines, lived in Darwin and who served in the Australian military in WWI. [Click RSL photo link above]
|
Angeles City - Brief Facts
Until 1991, Angeles City in Pampanga province was the location for the largest United States of America military facility outside of the continental United States. In that year, nearby Mount Pinatubo produced the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century after the 1912 eruption of Novarupta in the Alaska Peninsula. This buried the US Clark Air Force Base. Since this time, Angeles is once again a bustling international city north of Manila. It is served by the Clark International Airport in Clark Freeport Zone. Today, Angeles and Clark form the hub for business, industry, aviation, and tourism in the Philippines as well as a leisure, fitness, entertainment and gaming center of Central Luzon. Pampanga is well known as the culinary center of the Philippines. |
------------------------------------------------------
Mall of Asia - Ice Rink - Manila
(Story: June 2013)
The SM Mall of Asia was recently the biggest mall in Asia and the world. Just last year it was ranked as the third largest in the world. There is another mall in Manila which is now bigger; the SM City North EDSA. SM is the largest chain of malls in the Philippines. However, the Mall of Asia in Manila is definitely a pearl in the crown of the mighty 'SM Mega Mall Empire' and is a tourist attraction in its own right with foot traffic estimated at 200,000 people per day.
The Philippines has 4 of the largest malls in the global top 20, measured by Gross Leasable Area (GLA). The USA in comparison has only two and they are ranked 19 and 20. An important socio-economic reason for this is the price of construction and land, as well as the interesting fact that Filipinos are probably the most eager, modern and flamboyant consumers in Asia, if not the world, as a percentage of its huge 100 million population. The jolly gregarious nature of Filipinos would be conducive to this assumption on consumerism. The world's largest mall is in China, but it's currently reported as being 99% empty, whilst others in the top 10 are also largely empty. If the Chinese were more consumer orientated like their Filipino neighbours to the near south of Hong Kong, then the world economy would be experiencing a massive middle class led economic boom. Therefore, the Mall of Asia in Manila still most likely maintains the trophy for the highest foot traffic of any shopping mall in the world. It also has a recently opened arena with a 20,000 seat capacity [statistical source Wikipedia].
Refer to the beautiful pictures above and below of the magnificent world class ice skating rink in the Mall of Asia. The Philippines is a world leader in the activity of 'malling' [walking around shopping malls]. An axiomatic measurement of this success was the Filipino ability to creatively and comically turn this common noun into a verb. If malling was an Olympic sport then the Philippines would win gold at every event, easily 'mauling' [trouncing] the competition. The national tourist slogan, "It's more fun in the Philippines", is definitely the case when it comes to the important Filipino national pastime of malling. Another aphorism can also be used for malling such as "Nobody [or no country] does it better!". The malls are not just cheap facades. They are very sophisticated, fully tenanted and have great prices. For Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike If you are visiting the Philippines then you should visit the SM Mall of Asia. "It's More Fun Malling!", so when in the Philippines have a "Mall of a Time!" Also, check out RFC's previous "Philippines in the Picture" stories by clicking the link in this sentence or selecting it from the side navigation panel.
The Philippines has 4 of the largest malls in the global top 20, measured by Gross Leasable Area (GLA). The USA in comparison has only two and they are ranked 19 and 20. An important socio-economic reason for this is the price of construction and land, as well as the interesting fact that Filipinos are probably the most eager, modern and flamboyant consumers in Asia, if not the world, as a percentage of its huge 100 million population. The jolly gregarious nature of Filipinos would be conducive to this assumption on consumerism. The world's largest mall is in China, but it's currently reported as being 99% empty, whilst others in the top 10 are also largely empty. If the Chinese were more consumer orientated like their Filipino neighbours to the near south of Hong Kong, then the world economy would be experiencing a massive middle class led economic boom. Therefore, the Mall of Asia in Manila still most likely maintains the trophy for the highest foot traffic of any shopping mall in the world. It also has a recently opened arena with a 20,000 seat capacity [statistical source Wikipedia].
Refer to the beautiful pictures above and below of the magnificent world class ice skating rink in the Mall of Asia. The Philippines is a world leader in the activity of 'malling' [walking around shopping malls]. An axiomatic measurement of this success was the Filipino ability to creatively and comically turn this common noun into a verb. If malling was an Olympic sport then the Philippines would win gold at every event, easily 'mauling' [trouncing] the competition. The national tourist slogan, "It's more fun in the Philippines", is definitely the case when it comes to the important Filipino national pastime of malling. Another aphorism can also be used for malling such as "Nobody [or no country] does it better!". The malls are not just cheap facades. They are very sophisticated, fully tenanted and have great prices. For Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike If you are visiting the Philippines then you should visit the SM Mall of Asia. "It's More Fun Malling!", so when in the Philippines have a "Mall of a Time!" Also, check out RFC's previous "Philippines in the Picture" stories by clicking the link in this sentence or selecting it from the side navigation panel.
--------------------------------------
Modern Makati, Metro ManilaMakati, in the Metro Manila region, is truly a modern luxurious world class city to be proud of. It is great for residents, business people, politicians and tourists alike as it oozes with sophistication.
It is the business capital of the Philippines. It also has great shopping malls. The Philippines has some of the best shopping malls in Asia, without doubt. One of the national pastimes in the Philippines is 'Malling' (walking around shopping malls). (Story: April 2013) |
Mount Mayon, Legazpi City Mount Mayon, which towers over Legazpi City, is renowned around the world as a perfect cone shaped volcano. Magayon, from which the word Mayon derives, means beautiful in the local Bicol language. It is located at the southern end of the main island of Luzon. This is the original and naturally authentic 'Hot Rock and Roll Heaven", with great scenery, 'Siyempre'! (refer to administrative map of the Philippines at the bottom of this Homepage and the RFC "Education Central" page to locate Legazpi City in Albay Province, Bicol region)
Story: (May 2013) |