Filipina Soul

Good Friday is perhaps the most somber holiday in the Philippines. Somber in that it observes the passion of the Christ Jesus. Boring, it is not.
In fact, Good Friday processions draw as many crowds as the more festive holidays. The passion of Christ is dramatized and recited in different towns.
In a practice called ‘penitencia’ (penance), public self-flagellations are seen the whole day. Penitent ’sinners’ would walk the town streets drenched in blood and sweat as they scourge their backs with sticks, wooden slats and even chains.

In some places like Pampanga, there are even re-enactments and mock …read more

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“Ang Pagtaltal Sa Jordan, Guimaras” is perhaps the Philippines’ most famous Lenten presentation. Attended by people all over the world, it re-enacts the trials, sufferings, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.  The play is scheduled every Good Friday in the town proper of Jordan.
 
The idea of staging the drama began 32 years ago as a pantomime. Through the years, the play grew into a major production until in 1980, the whole town participated in the religious event. In fact, the play has become so grand that Guimaras was known in the international community even before it became a …read more

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The dream continues. Filipino-American Ramiele Malubay makes it to the top 10 of American Idol after results were revealed tonight. Here is her rendition of the Beatles “I Should Have Known Better“.

And this is what we’re talking about! Finally, she’s starting to work the crowd like a good performer would.
Technorati Tags: ramiele malubay,american idol,top 10,season 7,filipino-american,performance

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7,100 islands. 136 cities. 81 provinces. 17 regions.
It’s always been difficult for me to remember the different regions. Especially now that they have changed a little since I was in school. The current divisions are in the table below.
Each region has a name, a number/designation and a government center. Gone is the Southern Tagalog Region, which has been divided into the CALABARZON and MIMAROPA regions. The names are much easier to remember, because they reflect divisions based on geography and language. The numbers and designations need more intellectual exercise, except for CAR, NCR and ARMM, …read more

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Happy Slip’s Christine Gambito shares with her fans this video of her “life-changing trip” to the Philippines. Christine was invited to the Philippines by the Department of Tourism to be their ambassador. Experience the Philippines anew:

Technorati Tags: Happy Slip,Christine Gambito,Philippine tourism,Philippines

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We call it “Palaspas“, for the woven palm leaves that are made into crosses and other symbols of this week’s celebration. Today will be the last time that joy and happiness will be expressed, for a whole week. 

Today, Palm Sunday begins in the Philippines, and in many other parts of the Christian world. It is the first of a week-long observance of Christ’s passion – his entry into Jerusalem, amidst waving palms and cloths spread by the Jews who greeted him. And Filipinos take this week to heart.
Holy Week is the most revered and solemn of all …read more

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What a fight! 12 rounds of boxing between the Philippines’ Manny Pacquiao and Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas tonight. And it ends with Manny wresting the WBC super featherweight world title from Marquez.
Manny won by a slim margin, by virtue of his knocking down Marquez in the third round.
The win also gives Manny the brand new Ring Magazine super featherweight belt. After he endured punishing blows from his worthy opponent, Manny shed tears of joy and disbelief at his win.
Filipinos the world over will once again rejoice at this victory. A hero’s …read more

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BAZURA BAGS is the fashion trend these days. It’s as green as green can be. It’s the ultimate in recycling.
Take a closer look, the bags are made directly from “pre-consumer” juice packs.
The Bazura messenger bag     The Bazura’s trendy woven women’s bag
  
These bags are made utilizing ‘Pre-Consumer’ waste packaging gathered from juice container manufacturers in and around Manila. This waste material is normally deposited into landfills.
What’s even more special about these bags is they are made by a women’s co-op in the Philippines that set up a Livelihood Project assisted by the local village council. With almost no capital, …read more

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Loco Over Coco? The Filipinos are!
Last month we wrote several articles on The Tree of Life – the coconut, with its variety of uses – from food to building materials to containers and stuff.
Kai at Bucaio (which is made from sweetened coconut) appropriately rounded up the posts. (update – Maricar did post about this today as well…)
Food recipes using coconut were the main thing, but what caught my eyes was the drink – “lambanog with guava juice“.
“Lambanog” is fermented coconut flower sap. It’s a potent alcoholic drink (95% proof), mind you. Though I’m too scared to …read more

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Here are some promotions from Philippine Airlines and Asian Spirit:
* Philippine Airlines:
88 pesos for a one-way trip to all local destinations on Holy Week. Sales run from March 15-24 2008, good for travel from March 21-24 flying from Manila and March 19-22 for flights to Manila.
For more info and to make reservations call PAL at (02)855-8888 in Manila, (032) 340-0191 in Cebu, and (082) 222-0366 in Davao.
* Asian Spirit:
99 pesos for a one-way trip to local destinations. Offer is good from March 3-31, for travel until April 30, 2008. This is only available online.
via Wanderous here and here
Technorati Tags: Philippine …read more

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