Archive for June, 2009

Sandugo Festival

Monday, June 29th, 2009

The Sandugo Festival is an annual celebration in the province of Bohol. It commemorates the blood compact between Datu Sikatuna, a local chieftain and Captain Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, Spanish explorer and colonizer. The Sandugo or Blood Compact which occured on March 16, 1565, symbolizes and seals their friendship and peace treaty.

The festivities start in March while the tribal street dance competitions begins in July to coincide with the
“Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan” (The People of Bohol) festival. It includes the re-anactment of the
blood compact, religious mass and street parade and dancing and search for the Miss Bohol.

The street dance competition which is the highlight of the festival is held in Tagbilaran City. Each group
creates its own dance with special colorful costumes and lively choreography.

Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival is a merry-making event in Tacloban City, Leyte. It starts on June 29, the feast day of Senor Santo Nino, and lasts for a whole month.

Pintados is the name of native warriors who were tattooed as marks of courage, either from fighting or from surviving its arduous process. While Kasadyaan means merriment and jollity in Visaya.

The higlights of the festival are Leyte Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals, Pintados Festival Ritual Dance Presentation and the “Pagrayha” Grand Parade. The festive dancers fill the streets of Tacloban City. They are painted from head to toe with designs that look like armor to resemble the tattooed warriors of old.

The festival showcases the rich and colorful cultural heritage and history of Leyte and Samar.

Happy Father’s Day!

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

Father’s Day is a day of celebration of Dad. It is a day to not only honor your father, but all men who have acted as a father figure in your life - whether as Uncles, Grandfathers, or “Big Brothers.” In the Philippines, it is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.

Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd of Washington thought of the holiday in 1909 while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon. She was the first to solicit the idea of having an official Father’s Day observance to honor all fathers.

Father’s Day is usually celebrated by treating Dad to a tasty meal together with the family. It can be at home or at your father’s favorite restaurant. Express your love, appreciation and gratitude.