Time for Some Classical Music- Rodrigo's Concerto de Aranjuez

Today, the Jambalos Clan of Northern California is celebrating that all of the Clan have been fully vaccinated.  The get-together is hosted By Charro Jambalos-Levine at her residence in Palo Alto.  I was planning on attending ( Ditas will drive me) but this morning I woke up under the weather( stomach problems, aching back and just lethargic) so I decided to stay home. So today it is time for some classical music as follows: This is a reprint from my blogs a few years ago. 

This is one of my favorite piece of music. It reminded me of the hard years and loneliness I experienced when I was in graduate school alone for over a year so I could attained my goal to get my Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Illinois in Chicago during the early 1960's. 

This is an article I wrote about this concerto in my blogs a couple of years ago.

https://theintellectualmigrant.blogspot.com/search?q=concerto+de+aranjuez

And here's an article of my Interview by Mr Rickarby of BBC, Bristol, UK  

Last July, 2013 Mr Melvin Rickarby of Radio 4, BBC, Bristol, UK interviewed me on how and why Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez touched my heart. The summary of the interview along with other fans of Rodrigo were taped and you could download it in the website as follows:

SoulMusic: Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar, Tuesday, July 09, 2013 4:00 AM

My three minute interview start at 11 minutes and ends at 14 minutes of the 27 minutes tape. I felt weird hearing my own voice with my distinguishable Ilonggo-American accent. However, I am proud to be chosen by BBC as one of the fans of Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez.

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/soulmusic/rss.xml

A brief summary of the recording which was broadcasted live on July 9, 2013 at 4:00AM is as follows:

Written by Joaquin Rodrigo in 1939, the Concierto de Aranjuez is a guitar classic. It was written amid the chaos of the Spanish Civil War, and in circumstances of poverty and personal tragedy. This progamme explores how the piece touches and changes people's lives.

The composer's daughter Cecilia Rodrigo explains how the blind composer was inspired by the fountains and gardens of the palace of Aranjuez. Nelício Faria de Sales recounts an unforgettable performance deep inside one of Brazil's largest caves, while David B Katague remembers how the piece got him through a difficult period of separation from his family in the Philippines.

Guitarist Craig Ogden explains the magic of the piece for a performer, and actor Simon Callow recalls how hearing the piece was a formative experience for him during his schooldays, when it turned rural Berkshire into a piece of Spain.

Producer: Melvin Rickarby

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/soulmusic/rss.xml
Media files: soul music_20130709-1200a.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 12.7 MB)

Here's a rendition of this piece by Hauser ( cello) and Ceku( guitar) that I am sure you will enjoy.

 

Meanwhile enjoy this photo of my crystal animals collection

A horse, two turtle doves, a swan, a dolphin and an Elephant

Have a Safe Memorial Day Weekend!!!

The 2Cellos Reunited and Celebrating their 10th Anniversary This Year

 

Croatia’s world-famous cello duo 2CELLOS are back together ago working on something new last month. 

Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser, who reunited briefly after a two-year-break to celebrate their 10th anniversary as a group with a cover of the Bon Jovi classic “Livin’ on a Prayer”, were in Tuscany on Monday where they were joined by famous Italian opera tenor Andrea Bocelli. 

 

Šulić and Hauser struck up a friendship with Bocelli after performing together a number of times over the last 7 years. 

 

“Wonderful day today with Andrea Bocelli in beautiful Tuscany! Thank you and your family for hospitality,” Šulić said on Instagram after posting a photo of the trio together. 

The duo reached video viral fame on YouTube from their 2011 rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” and went on to amass 1.3 billion YouTube views, 5.5 million YouTube subscribers, 1 billion streams, and sold nearly 1 million tickets. 

The Croatians have sold out shows across the globe at historic venues including New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, London’s Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House. 

The duo has performed alongside musical greats Steven Tyler, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queens of the Stone Age and George Michael, to name a few, and was hand-picked by Sir Elton John to perform both as an opener as well as part of the iconic singer’s live band. 2CELLOS are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. In case you are not familiar with this duo, here's a recent press release on April 1, 2021. 

2CELLOS is the eclectic, international sensation comprised of two classically trained cellists who reached video viral fame on YouTube from their 2011 rendition of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal." The pair, Luka Šulić and Hauser, have since created a name for themselves with their electric and dynamic playing style. Together, 2CELLOS have amassed a staggering 1.3 billion YouTube views, 5.5 million YouTube subscribers, 1 billion streams, and have sold nearly 1 million tickets. 2CELLOS have taken the cello to unimagined heights as their signature style breaks down the boundaries between genres of music, from classical and film music, to pop and rock. Known for their electric live performances, 2CELLOS have sold out shows across the globe at historic venues including New York City's Radio City Music Hall, London's Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House. The duo has performed alongside musical greats Steven Tyler, Andrea Bocelli, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queens of the Stone Age and George Michael, to name a few, and was hand-picked by Sir Elton John to perform both as an opener as well as part of the iconic singer's live band. Here are 4 videos of the famous duo.

 

Presenting Luka Sulic- The Other Half of the 2Cellos Band

 

In my last posting, I featured Stjepan Hauser, world reknown cellist. This posting is about Luka Sulic-his former rival and now his musical partner. Here's a short biography of Sulic from Wikipedia

Luka Šulić (born 25 August 1987) is a Croatian-Slovenian cellist.. He is a member of 2CELLOS, along with Stjepan Hauser.

Šulić was born in Maribor, Slovenia. Šulić's father, Božo (through whom Šulić has Croatian citizenship in addition to Slovenian), is from Dubrovnik, Croatia, and his mother, Alja, is from Izola, Slovenia. His father is also a cellist, and many members of his family are associated with music.

 

Luka Šulić performs throughout the world combining solo classical performances with those with his fellow 2CELLOS partner. He has won a series of top prizes at prestigious international music competitions, including first and special prize at the VII Lutosławski International Cello Competition in Warsaw (2009), first prize at the European Broadcasting Union “New Talent” Competition (2006) and first prize at the Royal Academy of Music Patron’s Award in Wigmore Hall (2011).

He has given a number of solo and chamber music appearances in Europe, South America and Japan in major venues such as Wigmore Hall, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Vienna Musikverein and Konzerthaus. As a soloist he appeared with orchestras such as Deutsche Radio Philharmonie, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Warsaw Philharmonic, Russian Symphony Orchestra and others.

 

His mainstream success began when he decided to join forces with his friend and a former cello rival Stjepan Hauser. In January 2011, they uploaded a cello version of “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson onto YouTube. Within just a few weeks, their video went viral, receiving over 7 million views almost immediately. This led to a record deal with Sony MASTERWORKS and an invitation to join Elton John on his worldwide tour.

The duo has appeared on national TV shows like The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Ellen DeGeneres Show (twice in 6 months), the Bachelor Wedding (Sean and Catherine), Today with Kathy Lee and Hoda and others internationally such as Stefan Raab’s TV total in Germany

In January 2012, they appeared as the special musical guests on Fox’s hit TV series Glee where they performed “Smooth Criminal” in the Michael Jackson tribute episode. This was the first time that an instrumental duo had performed on the show in a guest spot. The 2Cellos’ arrangement of the song, which featured actors Grant Gustin and the late Naya Rivera, debuted at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Digital Songs Chart and landed the 2Cellos album in the Top 100.

 

From 2011 through 2018, as a member of 2CELLOS, Šulić has released 5 albums of assorted musical genres, from pop and rock to classical and movie themes.

 

After the 2CELLOS US tour ending in 2019, Luka Šulić took a break from the duo to work on independent projects. He released an album Vivaldi: The four Seasons which peaked at #1 in November 2019. It was recorded in Rome with the Archi dell’Accademia di Santa Cecilia, conducted by Maestro Luigi Piovano. Luka said, he loved Vivaldi’s Four Seasons since he was a child and heard it on a tape in his parents car. He always wanted to play the piece on the cello. It took him 2 years arranging the pieces for cello, note by note, while he was on tour with 2CELLOS. He chose Rome for recording as Vivaldi was Italian. He hopes the album will bring classical music a brider audience.

2CELLOS are scheduled to reunite in 2021.

Finally A Blessed Pentecost Sunday to All my Relatives and Readers all over the World. 

In case you are not familiar with the word Pentecost:

It is Fifty days after Easter. ( Pentecost literally means “50”) Celebrates: The day the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, causing them to speak in tongues.

 

Presenting Stjepan Hauser-One of My Favorite Cellist

The Piano and Violin have always been my two favorite musical instruments. But after listening to Stjepan Hauser, a Croatian cellist, play the cello I must admit I consider the cello now as my number #1 favorite musical instrument.

Here are two videos by Hauser that moved my heart and soul and transport me to musical ecstasy and delight.

In case you are not familiar of this handsome and talented cellist, here's his short biography:

Stjepan Hauser is a Croatian cellist who has a net worth of $8 million. Stjepan Hauser was born in Pula, Croatia in June 1986. He is a member of the group 2Cellos with Luka Sulic. He has performed in more than 40 countries and has played at the Royal Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall, Southbank Centre, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and more. The YouTube video for his cover of the song "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson performed solely on cello with his friend Luka Sulic became a sensation in 2011 and the two formed 2Cellos which was signed by Sony Music Entertainment. 

That year Hauser released the albums Urban and Hauser with Damir Urban and another album with Oliver Dragojevic. Hauser has toured with Sulic as a part of the Elton John band and released his classical album Brahms, Beethoven & Brunch for Clarinet, Cello & Piano in 2011. In 2011, 2Cellos appeared in the TV series Glee and in 2013 the 2Cellos album In2itiion was released. Their album Celloverse was released in 2015.

Hauser loves to play barefoot and surrounded by water ( waterfalls, ocean tides, running rivers and gentle rain as well as mountains and forests as background). 

 For details on Hauser and Sulic ( 2Cellos) visit:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2Cellos 

If you have time here's one of his well-attended concert.

 

and last but not least is the Duo's Storm by Vivaldi. Watch out for my next posting on Luka Sulic.

All I can say is WOW! WOW! WOW!

Five Filipino Grocery and Restaurants Near Us( Citrus Heights and Fair Oaks Area)

• We have resided in 6 different cities in the US since the 1960's. We always purchased a home that is at least 30 minutes driving or less to a Filipino/Oriental grocery store or restaurant, because we love Filipino cuisine.  
  

  There are 5 places listed in the Internet of Filipino Grocery and Restaurants near us ( Citrus Heights and Fair Oaks area). I have visited and patronized four except for #5, The Grocery Outlet and Bargain Market in Watt Ave ( 34th block).  I also enjoy ordering on line( via Door Dash), Filipino dishes from Teriyaki Station in Folsom. Here's the list for your information.
  

  1. Oriental Market

  $Filipino, International Grocery

  (916) 771-8488

  203 Harding Blvd, Roseville, CA
  

  “you require a mask , this store should provide the mask, they are not giving the mask at all.” . Very Clean and well organized! Food-Fair
  

• 

• 2. Peenoy Grocery

  $$Grocery, Filipino, Fast Food

  (916) 332-5571

  5601 Watt Ave. Sacramento
  

  “This is a cool little spot. I wanted to try cooking a Filipino recipe I had found and needed”. Friendly owner and employees, delicious dishes. Call ahead to reserve.  Food-Excellent
  

• 

3. Teriyaki Station Atbp

$$Japanese, Filipino, Asian Fusion

(916) 608-4567

141 Iron Point Rd, Folsom, CA


Delivery via DoorDash


Outdoor seating

• • Dine-in

  “--the teriyaki plate combo. They definitely gave the vibe that you are eating food at a Filipino party lol” . Excellent lechon Kawali, but Dinuguan not the best.
  

• 

• 4. Que Huong Market

  $Imported Food

  (916) 344-3583

  5510 Watt Ave, Sacramento
  

  “ market nearby is an absolute blessing. Every person in the store knows where every ingredient is located”. Small space!!
  

5. Grocery Outlet Bargain Market

$Grocery, Discount Store

(916) 486-7920

3431 Watt Ave, Sacramento


• • Delivery

  “Cheap prices for the most part. Organized and clean store. The sales person was nice.” Have Not visited the place! 

Note: There is Seafood City in Mack Road, Elkgrove. CA -one of the largest Filipino and Oriental grocery store and restaurant in the Sacramento area. It is South of my residence and at least a 30-minute drive. So it is not listed as Near Me. The grocery has numerous selection, but the restaurant dishes are of poor quality compared to the 4 take out or dine-in restaurants above that I have patronize. The Red Ribbon and Valeria Bakery however are excellent.  

Meanwhile here's a short video of the grilled pompano and sweet and sour sauce I prepared the other day

 

Carenna KT- My Youngest Grand Daughter Turn 18 Today

 

 My youngest grand daughter turn 18 today, Happy Birthday, Pangga!!!

Carenna Biking near Her School in The Netherlands

Carenna and Mom-Ditas_Celebrating Carenna's 17th BD Last Year

My youngest grand daughter Carenna Katague Thompson( CarennaKT)  turn 18 years old today. Carenna is the only daughter of my youngest daughter, Ditas.   

This is another major event in my aging years. How time Flies!!!

For details on Carenna's extracurricular activities( singing, song writing, acting and guitar playing) read  my blogs and also her Google and FB pages as follows:

 https://theintellectualmigrant.blogspot.com/search?q=carenna+kt

 https://www.google.com/search?channel=fs&client=ubuntu&q=carenna+KT

 

Meanwhile enjoy this photo from my backyard

My Cactus Plant in Full Bloom in my Backyard-Signs of Spring

 

Covid-19 Vaccination Hesitancy-Is Herd Immunity Achievable?

According to the latest survey about 1 in 4 of the US population has no intention of being vaccinated with Covid-19 vaccines available or are hesitant for one reasons or another. One of the main reasons is about its safety and the other is its easy access and convenience. However, just a few days ago, easy access to the vaccination sites ( no appointment is needed) is now available in almost every States to anyone who wants the vaccine. I am happy to report that as of today all of my close relatives here in NC are now fully vaccinated.

The following two videos discuss and explained why vaccines is important to bring us to normalcy.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3odScka55A

One of the reasons why I am writing this article was the sadness and shock I received when I heard recently that a very close relative and her husband do not want to be vaccinated because the vaccines currently available are experimental inoculants ( her exact words). The reason why I was shocked was due to the fact that these two relatives are highly college educated and I felt are people that believe in science.  However, I guess their real reasons are either religious or political bias.

The following article addressed the common concerns on the Covid-19 vaccines hesitancy from Beaumont.org

https://www.beaumont.org/health-wellness/blogs/covid-19-vaccine-hesitancy-addressing-common-concerns

Meanwhile, enjoy these photos about my small backyard projects this year.

My Tomato(Early Girl) starting to bloom, my ampalaya( bitter melon) starting to sprout from seeds and my first day lily bloom.

 

Mother's Day, May 9, 2021

Today, I am reprinting an article I wrote three years about my favorite acrostic poem on MOTHER. Here's the reprint.Enjoy! 

Wishing All Mothers of the World-Dead and Alive a very Happy, Happy Day! 

My Favorite Acrostic Poem on Mother's Day

A dozen red roses from Macrine's Care Giver-Letty Constancio. Thank you Letty for your thoughtfulness.

Mothers Day Flowers from Ditas and Carenna and Dimsun for Lunch

"Today is Mother's Day. I am reposting my article 3 years ago, in case of you have not read it. Mother's Day is the second most popular holiday as far as gift giving( flowers and chocolates) here in the US, Christmas being the number one. This day is dedicated to MUMs, MOMs,or MAMAs all over the world. My own mother died 27 years ago, but every year, I dedicate this acrostic poem to her. I also dedicate this poem to all mothers of the World.

There are hundreds of poems in the web about Mothers and Motherhood. But the following acrostic poem is my favorite. I will always remember all the things she had taught me such as being frugal and be responsible for my actions. To all my readers, Happy Mothers' Day and enjoy the following poem".

M - O - T - H - E - R

"M" is for the million things she gave me,
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of purest gold;
"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
"R" means right, and right she'll always be,

Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER,"

A word that means the world to me. Howard Johnson (c. 1915)

For more mother's day poem, visit www.mothersdaycelebration.com

Today, I like also to remember my Mother by revisiting and posting an excerpt from an article Tribute to My Parents, in my autobiography, http://davidbkatague.blogspot.com

"My mother, Paz Barrido Balleza and family are big landowners in Barotac Viejo and the neighboring towns of Banate and Ajuy. The Balleza family were considered rich at that time. She was born on January 14, 1909 and is the youngest of three children, the only girl with two older brothers, Modesto, Jr (lawyer) and Jose who are much older than her. My mother’s parents both died, when she was only in high school. So, she was under the care of her oldest brother, Modesto. At that time, Modesto Balleza family had a big house in Iloilo City, just across the street from St. Paul Hospital and one block from Assumption College-an exclusive and private school for girls.

My mother went to high school at Assumption College until she was a junior. In her senior year, she met my father, fell in love with him, stopped school and got married. My mother with tears in her eyes told me that the reason she married without finishing high school was to get away from the control of her oldest brother. When their parents died, there was no will. Thus, the Balleza properties (rice and corn lands, coconut plantations, fish ponds) were all under the control of her two brothers.

The division of property according to my mother was very unfair. The brothers claimed the best rice lands to themselves. What was left for her to inherit were the properties in the distant barrios, rice land with no irrigation, except for one parcel of rice land (20 hectares) near the town. Of course, she did not receive one-third share of their parents' properties. When she married, control of her properties was given to her. My Dad then helped her manage the rice lands and other properties.

My mother was very frugal. She would not leave a morsel of rice on her plate. I remember her saying, “If you do not finish your food, God will punish you”. So even today, I always have a clean plate after lunch or dinner. My mother had a strict budget and allocated 10% of the farm income into her savings. By the time, I was in college, they had enough savings to purchase a commercial property in Iloilo City. With the back pay that my father received having served as a Dental Officer in the Philippine-American Army from 1941-1945, they were able to build a commercial building at Iznart street, just across the YMCA building, etc...". For the whole article, you are welcome to read my blog dated 12/15/11 as indicated above.
The David Jamili Katague Family, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, Philippines, 1956 My Mother Front Row on the Right. I am in the Back Row, First from the Left.

How about you? Do you have pleasant memories of your Mother? I will be delighted to hear from you!

 

Tomorrow, May 8 Would have Been our 64th Wedding Anniversary

 

During our 50th Wedding Anniversary, Boac, Marinduque, 2007

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 8, 2021 would have been our 64th Wedding Anniversary.

Our Wedding Day, May 8, 1957. Boac, Marinduque, Philippines
 

Tomorrow will also be Dinah's (my oldest daughter) 60th birthday. Dinah our oldest daughter was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 8, 1961. She was our 4th year Anniversary gift.  Happy Birthday Dinah. 

The following article is Chapter 15 of my autobiography, featuring Dinah and her family posted in my blog 7 years ago. 

 https://marinduqueawaitsyou.blogspot.com/2014/06/autobiography-update-chapter-15-golden.html

Macrine (RIP) passed away on August 10, 2020. May She Rest in Peace. Amen 

Photo Above: Dodie, Dinah, David E and Ditas with grandchildren, Ian, Elaine and Carenna, Boac Cathedral, Marinduque, Philippines   

Meanwhile, enjoy these photos from our backyard:  

Cactus in Bloom and a Boat Ride in our Pool

Climate Change and its Effects on the Coral Reefs of the World

Sea Creatures in the Coral Gardens of the Amoingon Coast 

Here's How Carlos Avila described his encounter with the sea Creature above lurking in the Coral Gardens of our backyard at CDM*

"I consider myself to be a pretty tough dude. Rough neighborhoods don’t bother me. But I was snorkeling today and ran into one of these motherfuckers swimming straight towards me and I started flailing around like a wild radioactive chicken, my mouthpiece filled with water, started choking cuz I thought I was drowning, and then swam back to shore like I was running from the cops.
My mom shouted over from sea asking why I wasn’t coming back in and I was like CUZ I’M CHILLIN’ DAMN WHY YOU ALWAYS GOTTA BOTHER ME, SHIT. I’M JUST TIRED CAN’T A FLIP GET SOME REST.

                                                         

Photo: Zee Jambalos

The above two photos from the FB pages of Macrine's nephew and niece respectively reminded me of three articles I wrote a few years ago about the Amoingon Coast of Marinduque, Philippines and the recent Netflix documentary I viewed just recently on how climate change affects the Coral Reefs of the world.

The Amoingon Coast is the backyard of Chateau Du Mer- our second and vacation home in Boac.   This posting is a reprint on my article" Sea Creatures in the Coral Gardens of the Amoingon Coast". 

Here's also the reference on climate change and its effect on the coral reefs from oceanservice. noaa.gov.

 https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coralreef-climate.html

Climate change is the greatest global threat to coral reef ecosystems. Scientific evidence now clearly indicates that the Earth's atmosphere and ocean are warming, and that these changes are primarily due to greenhouse gases derived from human activities.

As temperatures rise, mass coral bleaching events and infectious disease outbreaks are becoming more frequent. Additionally, carbon dioxide absorbed into the ocean from the atmosphere has already begun to reduce calcification rates in reef-building and reef-associated organisms by altering seawater chemistry through decreases in pH. This process is called ocean acidification.

Climate change will affect coral reef ecosystems, through sea level rise, changes to the frequency and intensity of tropical storms, and altered ocean circulation patterns. When combined, all of these impacts dramatically alter ecosystem function, as well as the goods and services coral reef ecosystems provide to people around the globe. Here are the three articles about the Amoingon Coast.

1. Snorkeling in the Amoingon Coast of Marinduque

Son David III after his daily snorkeling with Miko our pet dog at Amoingon Beach- a few meters from the CDM beach house.

Three weeks ago, two prospective clients for Chateau Du Mer from Australia and Virginia, USA asked me if the beach in front of the beach house is excellent for snorkeling. I told them, i really do not know( because I do not snorkle), but last year when my youngest son was vacationing here, he snorkeled almost every day when the waves are calm and the sun is bright. Their questions prompted me to search for old articles about the Amoingon coast. Attached is a posting from Marinduque Rising titled Amoingon Beach Colors written by the prolific writer, Eli Obligacion- a fellow blogger, former neighbor and friend.

marinduque rising: Amoingon beach colors: Just a few meters away from the pebble-strewn beach in the quiet coastal barangay of  Amoingon in Boac are coral gardens still home to a ...

Personally, I like to promote the Amoingon Coast as the snorkeling capital of Marinduque and the Torrijos Coast as the diving capital of the province.

 

2. A Paradise at Amoingon Coast

by Jane Dacumos on June 25, 2012

The western coast of Marinduque, known as the Amoingon Coast, is a coastal area with an abundant marine ecosystem. Just 10 to 15 meters away from the beachfront, the quiet coastal Barangay of Amoingon is home to a variety of tropical fishes, colorful butterfly fishes, bobbing clownfishes, lionfishes, melon-sized seashells, schools of angelfish, seahorses, and marine mollusks.

Amoingon is just over a mile away from the Port of Cawit in Boac. The beach itself is a tourist attraction. It is the home of numerous coral gardens. A railroad vine that help control erosion are allowed to bloom on this beach. These coral gardens welcome every visitor with a good and lovely charm.

Chateau-du-Mer is among the few resorts found in Amoingon with a beach house ideal for short vacations.

 

And Number 3: From Eli Obligacion Blog

http://marinduquegov.blogspot.com/2012/06/amoingon-beach-colors.html?spref=bl 

 

 And here's a video of the Global Reefs Expedition in the Indian Ocean

 

Meanwhile, enjoy this pompano sarciado, we had for our Dinner last night

 https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/

The Month of May in the Philippines

Macrine and I dancing the Rigodon de Honor during the May Flower Ball and Dance culminating the whole Month of May Celebration of Flores de Mayo in the Philippines, 2005.

Today is May 1. It reminded me of an article I wrote 6 years ago on the month of May in the Philippines. I am reposting it case you have not read it!

Today is the start of the May Flowers Festival or the Flores de Mayo Festival in the Philippines. This Festival lasting for the whole month is in honor of Mary, the Virgin Mother. This is celebrated in all the towns in the Roman Catholic parish churches in the Philippines. However, the celebration of this Festival that I will always remember are the celebrations in my hometown in Iloilo when I was growing up and the one in Marinduque a few years ago when my mother-in-law was the Hermana. The Hermana was the over-all chairperson for the whole month of festivities which included a daily offering of flowers to the Virgin Mary along with the recitation of the Rosary. The month is culminated with a Parade and Dance participated by the whole town. During the Gala Dance, the Rigodon de Honor is danced by the prominent officials and matrons of the town.

The Santacruzan refers to the pageant on the last day of Flores de Mayo, held in honor of Reyna Elena and Constantine finding the True Cross in Jerusalem.

The following video reminds me of my childhood years in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo when My late mother was also very active with our local parish church.

 

The Sagala: A Sagala is a religio-historical beauty pageant held in many cities, towns, and even in small communities throughout the Philippines during the month of May. One of the most colorful aspects of this festival, the pageant depicts the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. Many movie and television personalities participate in the events and are featured in major sagala. This festival was introduced by the Spaniards and has since become part of Filipino traditions identified with youth, love, and romance. Prior to the Santacruzan, a novena is held in honor of the Holy Cross.

The procession itself commemorates the search of the Holy Cross by Reyna Elena and her son, the newly-converted emperor Constantine. After the Holy Cross was found in Jerusalem and brought back to Constantinople, there was a joyful celebration for thanksgiving.
Reyna Elena
 

Reyna Eléna (Queen Helena) - the last member of the procession, she represents Helena of Constantinople who found the True Cross; this is alluded to by her attribute, a small cross or crucifix that she carries in her arms. This considerably prestigious role is usually awarded to the most beautiful girl participating in the pageant. In some communities, the identity of the woman who will portray the Reyna Eléna is kept a secret until the day of the procession. Constantíno - the escort of Reyna Eléna; traditionally a young boy representing the Emperor Constantine.

The procession is accompanied by the steady beat of the Rondalla, playing and singing the Hail Mary ("Dios Te Salve"). The devotees walking with the procession hold lighted candles in their hands and sing the prayer as they go along.

After the procession, there is a Pabítin that serves as a culminating activity for all the children to enjoy. A Pabítin is a square trellis to which goodies (candies, fruits, small trinkets, etc.) are tied with strings. This trellis in turn is tied to a rope and is suspended on a strong branch or pole. Children then gather under the trellis as the it is slowly lowered. They then jump as high as they can to try to pick the goodies while someone jerks it up and down repeatedly until all the goodies are gone. It is customary for males attending the Santa Cruzan wear the traditional Barong Tagalog and that the females wear any Filipiniana-inspired dress. Pabitin is similar to the Mexican celebration of the Pinata.

This year celebration may be not as festive due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. However, the month of May celebrations of the past years, I will always remember!! Keep Safe and Healthy! Wear your Mask, Get Vaccinated if you Can and Keep up with the Social Distance Rules, my Kababayan!!