HINILAWOD- Our Intangible Heritage

     The Philippines boasts of four World Heritage Sites, many natural wonders and terrific scenic spots which are gaining proponents of preservation for our progeny. What we have yet to work on is preserving those that are intangible.

     HINILAWOD is an epic narrative that is chanted on special occasions. The story unfolds over a period of three days straight given sleep and meal breaks. Three weeks tops when chanted only in the evenings after dinner. Hinilawod is one of the longest epics known having 28,155 lines in verses making it even longer than the ILIAD which only has 15,700 lines. What's so special about it is that it is chanted from memory. None of it is written down so it is passed on orally from one babaylan to his ward.

     The story revolves around HUMADAPNON who searches for a beautiful lass, NAGMALITONG YAWA who lives  near the Halawod River. He sees her in his dream through the help of his spirit friends Taghuy and Duwindi. As he searches for this beautiful woman, he is lured by enchantresses led by Lubay Halawod who imprisons him in their lair, the cave of Tarangban for seven years... doesn't it sound familiar?

     The discovery of  HINILAWOD was  borne out of a sense of frustration and a challenge to then budding writer and archeologist F. LANDA JOCANO whose literature professor told him to search for FILIPINO literature in the mountains and hinterlands. He did! He went to Panay where he came across a babaylan chanting HINILAWOD to his grandson while Jocano  was out shopping for provisions for his trip to the mountains. He lived with the SULOD imbibing their culture and norms. It was during his immersion with the Sulod that HUGAN-AN, the go-between spirit and material worlds gave him permission to record the HINILAWOD for future generations. With a borrowed magnetic tape from the University of the Philippines Jocano recorded the epic tale chanted in native Kinaray-a language.

     Thank goodness Jocano recorded the HINILAWOD out of a sense of  FILIPINO nationalism and pride for our culture and heritage. Otherwise, our heritage would have again been pillaged by other nations who have the resources and technology. Some of the recordings of our chanted epics can be found in the best libraries of France and Spain. Very few complete ones may be found in our archives. Some theater groups have managed to present it in theater form but then when that's done there is something lost in translation... the authenticity is somewhat lost...

     What can we do about that? I wonder... I guess we need more people like Jocano.

Philippine Dragon Warriors Win More Gold

     They may not have the squeaky-clean, matinee idol looks like the AZKALS or the VOLCANOES do. They're not handsome Filipino mixed-race, half-breeds. Their training isn't watched by squealing teen-age girl fans. But the Dragon Warriors (yes, that's what they're called now) know that bringing home the medal is really what it's all about.

     They still have no sponsorship from government. According to some of their family members there's no support because dragon boat rowing is not part of the military plantilla for approved sport programs. No wonder they've been doing their thing on their own. They're dogged determination has ultimately paid off as they have in total garnered 5 GOLD MEDALS and 2 SILVER:

1000m Premier Open Men's Event

500m Premier Open Men's Event

500m Premier Open Mixed Event

200m Premier Open Men's Event

200m Premier Open Mixed Event

2 Silver Medals in the AC All Comers Event

     These hunky paddlers have stuck to their training day in day out. Some have been eking out a living by collecting the floating plastic bottles in Manila Bay after their daily practice just to make ends meet. But the prestige they have brought to the country through winning their medals are unparalleled.

     Okay, earlier on in my other blog someone asked me if, upon their return, the Dragon Warriors will get the Bench exposure the way the football and rugby teams got. My answer to that would be: Sorry, racy billboards have already been banned. 'Nuff said!

     

Pinoy Paddlers Win Gold

     Just when the Philippine military has been getting negative feedback for getting involved in anomalies in government, a ray of brilliant sunshine comes through when the country's dragon boat contingent won the gold medal in the short boat category in Tampa, Florida on 4 August, 2011.

    

   The traditional dragon boat is composed of 22 rowers plus a steersman and pacer. The shortboat is composed of only 10 paddlers plus the usual steersman and captain. What's unusual is that the team that snagged the gold medal is made up mostly of military men: seven from the Philippine Army, one from the Air Force, one from the Navy, three from the Coast Guard. The steersman is Chief Ruperto Sabijon a retired PCG personnel and boat captain is Sgt. Usman Anterola of the Army. Team manager is Army Maj. Harold Cabunoc.

     During the first round, the Philippine Dragon Boat team rowed almost unchallenged, setting a time of 4:59.79 with team Australia sailing behind. They needed a second win to seal getting the top spot. On their second heat, they were determined to get the gold medal and setting a new record in the process by clocking at 4:57.13. The Australian team put up a good fight to no avail as the our team was dead set on winning top spot.

     The win is much deserved as the Dragon  boat team has been getting no support from government. But love for the sport and passion saw them through as they trained day in and day out in Manila Bay through all types of weather. Their winning the gold medal should come as no surprise. In this country of 7,107 islands, we're completely surrounded by water, we have a strong maritime history, and we belong to a race that has been connected by seas. Government should, at the very least, provide some form of viable support for a sport the nation can be naturally brilliant in.

*As of this writing, the team won its second gold medal in Tampa, Florida. 

Delicadeza Is Alive - Still?

     Juan Miguel Zubiri has just resigned as Senator of the Philippines. This is in line with accusations hurled against him by criminals (Ampatuan and Bedol) who've been arrested for mass murder and for election fraud.  I wonder why it has gotten mixed reactions? 

     Sixto Brillantes feels it is tantamount to an admission of guilt. Senator Juan Ponce Enrile feels that the resignation should be subjected to a caucus by the senate. Senator Jinggoy Estrada feels that he has resigned his post to the people who elected him into office. Sec. Leila de Lima says his resignation does not give him the license to take the post vacated by the Sen. Zubiri unless the Commission on Elections declares close rival Coco Pimentel as rightful senator elect.

     At his live interview over the news, Sen. Zubiri declares his conscience is clear over alleged election fraud and that he does not wish to carry on his position knowing that he was the direct beneficiary of cheating during the 2007 elections. Socialite Vicky Zubiri was seen wiping away tears as her son delivered his resignation speech. So were Sen. Zubiri's staff. The poor employees were in tears more so because they now face an uncertain tenure since they now have no one to work for.

     In other countries such as Japan and the United States, elected officials resign at the first whiff of a scandal. So why is it such a big deal then that we're all agog at Sen. Zubiri's resignation... well, they say the first time is always something one never forgets... finally, someone had the chutzpah to start an honorable trend...

     Let's just hope this thing doesn't fizzle out...

   

Pinoys Dance to Fame

     I have been a dancer for many years. I can't say I was the strongest dancer there was but I was pretty good. I've been on the CCP stage for many seasons with Ballet Philippines and dancing with the best of both national and international ballet stars.

      Today, so many opportunities are open to dancers. It is particularly interesting since reality/dance shows have become quite popular globally. The Jabbawockeez on the US side made abreaak on the show America's best Dance Crew. The group is composed of Filipino-Americans based in California.

     

     Locally, the Philippine All Stars is a rag-tag group of hip-hop dancers who have had no formal training in dance but have managed to win top spots in international competitions in both the US and in Europe. 

     Lately two Filipinos have distinguished themselves in the field of dance by edging out the competition in the  show So You Think You Can Dance. Hosted by Kat Deeley, the reality dance show also features panelists Nigel Lithgoe and Mary Murphy and a guest judge who comes in every few shows. Tadd Gadduang and Marko Germar have distinguished themselves by landing in the top six of the show's finalists.

     Originally from Guam, Marko Germar couldn't afford dance classes. So he worked in the dance studio by cleaning desks in exchange for dance training. he worked it to such a degree learning jazz, ballet, hip-hop, ballroom and gymnastics. His move to the US proved auspicious as he eventually landed a job dancing in Disneyland in the Aladdin The Musical Spectacular. He's been a victim of robbery and was shot but survived . A bullet is still lodged in his arm as a result. He then auditioned for the show and was taken in and is currently in the final six.

     Tadd Gadduang, on the other hand, is a Psychology student who took up dancing at 15 years of age and he hasn't stopped since. He's now 25 and loving his "urban dancing' style. Unlike Germar, Gadduang was born and raised in California and still embraces his Filipino roots. Both men have inadvertently become rivals as they are the only to men who are still left out of the six. Let's hope that both of them land in the final four and either of them get hailed as America's Best Dancer.

Fashion and Floods

     I don't know why it is but we Filipinos, though living in a country where monsoon rains prevail on certain months still don't know how to dress appropriately for the rains...

 

     It's common knowledge we are flood country. So why on earth do we brave the floods on barefoot or flip flops? It would have been okay if we were living during the Spanish colonial times. Word has it that back in the day, the mighty Pasig river would overflow at the height of the monsoon season and the old city of Intramuros would get flooded turning Manila into a virtual Venice of the east. The rich would frolic in the flooded streets in all sorts of floating canoes and small boats.

     But these days, widespread pollution and the threat of water-borne bacteria which can cause anything from skin irritations at best, to leptospyrosis at worst, I would dread wading in Manila's floods. My best solution would be to wear Wellies. The term Wellies is a diminutive term for Wellingtons. These lightweight rubber boots are perhaps the most practical solution for these rain-drenched days. 

     Nowadays, they don't just come in black... I've found plaid, faux croc, polka dots and camouflage patterns. wellington boots don't come plain anymore which is good news for fashionistas. Even brand name Tretorn has come up with lively colored versions that have become a fashion statement. There doesn't seem to be a limit to the designs and the imagination of these boots which were considered a lowly type of footwear. Now, wellies have become a must have fashion accessory...

     Some fashion houses are cashing in on the item. In the US, wellies are usually on sale during the spring season or fall and winter. It might be too hot and humid to be wearing them here, but on monsoon season and during tropical depressions, I would certainly recommend having a pair or two around ( I actually have four pairs, and I'm a guy.) Goodness knows what type of disease you could contract walking through Manila's flooded streets. So you'd better put these on when the waters start to rise...

      Okay, so what if you're a guy? There are patterns for men too... and these boots na pambaha have come a long way, mister... J Crew, Tretorn, Gabriella Rocha, Sperry Topsider, Gucci, Dickies, Dunlop have come up with their own versions. You don't have to look like you're going to milk a cow when you put them on... Men in London wear them regularly specially on cold, wet, muddy days. Time to bring the wellies here

         However, in some of Manila's low-lying areas flood waters rise to waist or neck deep in murky water... so if you live in Malabon or Navotas... I would recommend an inflatable boat... =)

AZKALS Take Their Final Bow

     By now, I'm sure you've heard that the Philippine Azkals lost to Kuwait in their second game on home turf last night at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. The open air stadium was filled to the rafter despite heavy rains with some celebrities showing up to lend their support to the rag-tag football team composed of twenty something hunks.

     For whatever it was worth, the Azkals had an amazing run in the qualifying games only to succumb to two straight losses to the superior and more experienced team Kuwait. For whatever it was worth, it was a gallant last stand with the Philippine squad scoring a goal. Final score: 2-0. Alas, the Philippines needed a  4-0  to beat Kuwait in the standings and end up in the World Cup. Too bad we didn't win, but hey, it was all about the fight.

     Steffan Schrock, who wasn't allowed to play in Kuwait on their first of two games due to a yellow card penalty, was the lone scorer of last night's game. Well... he more than made up for his absence the first time around... I would say... I would have liked to have seen Yannick Tuason play too, though...

     This isn't the end of the road for all of them... some have to finish their studies while those who've completed higher education have been spotted by talents scouts to play in other teams. Others have been lured to the lucrative world of endorsements. And why shouldn't they? They have the nubile bodies and the looks to boot (pardon the pun).

     Still and all, the Azkals played football like the gentlemen that they are... and they played well... KUDOS to the AZKALS for popularizing football and for placing the Philippines on the world football map...