GUIDING FOR NATIONAL HEROES' DAY

 

National Heroes' Day. We honor the people who sacrificed their lives so we can enjoy the benefits of freedom. In their memory, a full day was dedicated to them by the Intramuros Administration, the management and staff of the Intramuros Visitors' Center and the Intramuros Volunteer Guides. Today being a holiday, what better way for families to spend the day on a historical tour of Fort Santiago (and perhaps the Intramuros area) with knowledgeable DOT accredited tour guides!

On my part, I had free time to commit to the event. I re-posted the announcement on my Facebook page in the hope that friends will jump at the chance to get some fresh air, get an urge to join a guided tour as a sort of refresher... Or if not, at least get a handful of "new" people who might be interested in historical commentary. It was a blast!

A few minutes after I arrived at Fort Santiago, I was immediately assigned a group of fifteen people of different backgrounds, different social strata, different interests and age ranges. It brought me back to a time when I was learning to balance crowd interest so my audience doesn't feel left out or bored. As I mentioned to IVC head honcho and avowed "prince of Intramuros" Rancho Arcilla , guiding is a skill!

You can be the most learned, scholarly, erudite individual but if you don't have your group's full, undivided attention and can't control them , then a tour guide, you're not!!

Streams of people started to arrive: families with toddlers, married educator couples, historical enthusiasts, students from Dumaguete who were in Manila for their on-the-job training, visiting Spaniards getting a furlough from the pharmaceutical company that brought them to the country. Just about anybody wanted to experience the tours. And we Intramuros Volunteer Guides, didn't turn anyone away! Despite the assigned groups, there were some ambulant tourists who would join in and listen to our commentaries. From time to time, isolated areas would burst out with rounds of applause as guests express their thanks to the guides for a job well done. Congratulations, JB Jb Hallig Quemado , Vincent Ray Vr Hallig , Reynaldo Cadiz, Salve Aragones, Anthony de Guzman, Elgin Silvestre, Dom's Valencia, Shogun Gaijin , Tabalanza Cedhie, Pau Lagasin, Debbie Abadines Sison , Jerome Relente, Orlando Domingo, Mark Fernandez, Marianito Malacaman. We did ourselves proud!!!

By the time the free tours were concluded at four p.m., headcount of the guests had doubled if not tripled compared to any ordinary day. It only proves to show, one doesn't need to do humungous acts to serve the country. One can be of service doing small things with great passion!

Para sa Bayan!!!

MALATE'S SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

Our Lady of Remedies in Malate has always been especially dear to my heart. For one, I was born and raised in Malate, went to school there and served as a reader/commentator too. So when a message reached me on my Messenger with an invitation to join the social communications committee this Saturday, I could not say "no"! I went to the Remedios Jubilee Center's audio-visual room at nine a.m. to find the seminar had started but relieved that I wasn't too late. Familiar faces greeted me: film director Mel Bacani III , technical and internet wiz Ramz Espina , and former co-commentator and friend Joy Jante - Deanon were the leaders/mentors charged with orienting the volunteers for the seminar.

Basically, the seminar was an introduction into photography, video presentation and live streaming. The parish sees the need to increase the number of volunteers who can man , produce and live stream Masses and other liturgical celebrations and events happening at Malate Church that may be significant for online viewers. Let's not forget that we are still in a pandemic. Until thIt was a simple three camera set-up and audio link with a Master's control booth, WiFi connection design for on-line, real time broadcast.

What differentiates a live stream of MALATE church is that the Eucharistic celebration is given emphasis rather than production value. So we decided it would be in the church's best interest to imbue the streaming with a sharper focus and a more solemn quality with less camera movement and more readable graphics. What is more important to the viewers is the message. That sounds so simple but not easy to achieve. So we decided it would be best to make studies that will make camera movement and angling less jarring and conduct more studies so the volunteers can familiarize themselves with the equipment. By noon, we concluded with the seminar with a promise to conduct further exercises. So much to look forward to but Fr. Leo in his closing remarks concludes with a relevant statement that it's worthwhile training youthful volunteers who use their talent in a skill they're passionate about with a goal of service to the Church.e threat is cleared, parishes must bring the Word into the homes of the flock who must listen from the safety and comfort of their own homes.

I'm not new to Church volunteerism. But this seminar reflects a need for the Catholic Church to step up to the technological advancements of the 21st century. The program was a concise primer on Basic Photography with Andrew Mayang; Basic Videography with Mel Bacani III; Live Streaming with Ramz Espina; and Live Streaming Troubleshooting with Sherwin Layoso as mentors. Emmanuel Añago, Rhea delos Santos, Julia Mancera & Lilli Dela Cruz were on-hand to assist with the OBS training. By mid-morning, all the lectures were accomplished and after a short coffee break, all participants were led to the church where they were given a hands-on experience of actual operations of equipment.

REVISITING LIWASAN'G BONIFACIO

 I had a fun day today! First of all it's not the first time I did a tour of the Liwasan'g Bonifacio area, we covered it before after some colleagues of mine became Mabuhay Guides. What made this tour work for me was the nostalgia. My father was a stamp collector back in the day when I was a schoolboy. As kids growing up, we were encouraged to establish international friendships through penpals. I can't recall the name of the organization we joined as students back then. We submitted our names and in return, we received five names of kids our age with corresponding addresses. So we would write them and the more responses we received, the more names we were given to correspond with. I had sent postcards to Italy, Ireland, the US, etc. And then, eventually the letters stopped... maybe as teenagers, we had all developed other interests, gone to university, fallen in love, had families and responsibilities of our own... This tour of Renacimiento de Manila and Heritage Conservation Society, brought back a ton of memories for me as I recall: expecting presents, waiting for cards on Christmas or Valentine's day with money tacked onto the inner folds of the cards, parcels sent from friends and relatives abroad, the much awaited money order notice to ensure we as recipients received the love offerings fondly sent by ninongs and ninangs who have decided to live abroad.

Time and technology have changed the landscape of communications over a short span of a few decades. There's the ominous presence of email now. There are apps for facilitating the exchange of money. Social media and cellular phones have altered our mode of communication with friends and loved ones. Everything has become faster but not necessarily for the better... I still gush over receiving a well written greeting on Christmas cards. I enjoy receiving packages wrapped in brown paper and sealed in a gazillion feet of duct tape. I would enjoy messages from friends with all the sides of the envelope taped to prevent it from bursting at the folds because of the photos tucked inside with that one photo that has the hundred dollar bill stuck at the back with carbon paper and invisible tape. Time flies. But SJ Go (Stephen Pamorada) and Diego Torres gave me one hell of trip down memory lane. Thank you, Renacimiento de Manila, Heritage Conservation Society and Pilipinas Philately for today!

Biyahe'ng 1081

Trust TURISMO PARA KAY LENI to come up with creative tours!

I was invited to one with popular historian/ content creator/ writer/ researcher/ resource person Professor Xiao  Chua who was conducting a Martial Law tour aptly named like my post's title.  The tour was designed specifically for students and for non-Leni supporters so they can learn the truth about proclamation 1081. The concept was brilliant! Those millenials being targeted as possible sitting duck potential voters for the dictator's son could travel around the city's oft-ignored landmarks learning the real facts as opposed to what has been fed them through apps like TikTok or YouTube which was the real plan of Marcos apologists after all...

Participants to the tour were instructed to meet at the CCPs Harbor Square early on a Tuesday morning.  While waiting for assembly and registration to be completed, we were treated to a breakfast buffet where introductions and backgrounders to the tour were explained. By the time registration was completed, all the participants had been packed in two vans and the organizers took to their vehicles to form a convoy that will weave its way all over town.

Coconut Palace

I was interested because I lived through Martial Law! I wanted to see if there was anything else I needed to strengthen my personal knowledge of what it was like. These millenials know nothing! NOTHING! That's why I'm sad about our educational system. I mourn for our sloppy curriculum. I cringe at our deteriorating educational standing in the international scale. We were the most highly educated nation a few decades back... what happened to our youth? There are still brilliant students out there, undoubtedly.  But now, they are more the exception than the rule.

Tour participants at theCoconut Palace

Since we were already at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, we made a few stops at the Coconut Palace and the Manila Film Center. Bourne out Imelda Marcos'  edifice complex, these two buildings are tangible examples of madam's excessive need to be recognized as the real power behind the presidential seal. Anything she wanted got built! The Coconut Palace was to be the jewel of what state of the art construction and design can become when they meet the Pinoy creative spirit. I was nevertheless, turned down by Pope John Paul II. He opted to stay at thePapal Nuncio during his first visit to the Philippines. It was Brooke Shields, George Hamilton and Libyan strongman Muamar Al Ghaddafi who actually stayed in the Coconut Palace as personal guests of the First Lady. Coconut Palace is now managed by the Government Service Insurance System.

Manila Film Center

Meanwhile, The center of cinematic expression in the country fell into controversy while it was under construction. The Manila Film Center was to be the venue for the very first Manila International Film Festival.  A few days before opening night, the third level of the building collapsed while the quick drying cement started to set. It  entombed workers and some of their families in a blanket of concrete and sludge. Although Imelda tried to hide the fiasco, the international journalists got wind of the disaster and went to press with the story. At least two hundred souls are forever trapped in a massive  tomb inspired by the Parthenon. 

Biyahe'ng 1081 at Manila Film Center

On my part, it was like re-living my youth. I was tapped to perform for some of these events organized by Madam Marcos. I have been a dance scholar of CCP. My adulting took place in her "Tribute to the Filipino Spirit." Fortunately, my education and indoctrination as both blue eagle and "iskolar ng bayan" prepared me for a whole lot of critical thinking. My personal biases aside, I recall how in rallies during the snap elections when  Ballet Philippines would be tapped to take part in the sorties, the dancers would show up in yellow t-shirts. Much to the dismayof Tita King Kasilag. 

Prof. Xiao at EDSA Shrine

The party then moved to the EDSA Shrine where Prof. Xiao regaled the youth with stories of the miracle at EDSA where the masses were able to liberate themselves from the twenty year dictatorship. Too bad, Enrile has now become a turn-coat. What a sell-out! Factual commentaries on the Enrile and Ramos tandem that bluffed their way to victory peppered with Xiao's uncanny mimmicry of President Marcos were so easily relatable. The shrine also is a collaborative effort among artists who supported the People Power Movement. We admired and appreciated all the artwork donated to the EDSA shrine until the noon bells in the carillon chimed and it was time to move to the adjacent EDSA Monument at the corner of Camp Crame. There was motley pro-Duterte group hanging out in the area but we paid no mind to them as we were more focused on the Eduardo Castrillo designed monument celebrating the People Power Movement.

EDSA Monument

Lunch was at the Bantayog ng Mga Bayani. We were welcomed by Ms Susan Macapuag who shared her experiences with us as an original member of University of the Philippines' First Quarter Storm Movement . This was an eye-opening talk as to how the millenials are duped into supporting Marcos Jr.'s move to run for the presidency. The Marcos family could not let go of their hold on political power and their desireto vindicate the Marcos surname sullied by hundreds of cases filed against them world-wide. Sir Clarence Aytona, one of the organizers would interject with his personal experiences coming from a political dynasty now so disillusioned with their Marcos connections in the past. This makes for an interesting commentary. It's FACTUAL, but since it's also a personal experience, it's so close to home that almost sounds like gossip. The Martial Law museum is a heart-rending curated collection of memorabilia that captures the horrors of detention in military camps, or death by torture and triumph in the midst of hopelessness. That makes the Biyahe'ng 1081 unique.

Ms Susan Macapuag of Bantayog ng mga Bayani

Final stop was Palma Hall at UP Diliman. This was where Xiao explained the student protests in the '80s. Students were just so angry at all the injustice happening around the country that prompted them to be critical of government. Walk-outs, marches, oblation runs, and lantern parades became an expression of protest and disdain for a government that people did not deserve. The student leaders were missing, kidnapped, tortured and killed. indignation rallies were the thing! Military personnel and cops were duped and outsmarted by the Iskos and Iskas as they evaded arrest. But people who were hungry for change had started to give way to aggression and anger leading to an end of two decades of tyranny.

Palma Hall

The day was capped with certificates handed out by Xiao and Turismo Para Kay Leni. Merienda was provided by Sen. Risa Hontiveros and the day ended with the van service taking us to Centris so we could all go home with memories re-lived or new knowledge to treasure so we and our youth will never forget!!!

Clarence Aytona, Anne Cusi, Jaison Yang, Prof. Xiao Chua, Dondi Ocampo

TICKLED PINK BY TURISMO PARA KAY LENI

Displaced tour guides who volunteered for the Pink Tour

The election season is in full swing! But for some candidates, campaigning for votes started way way early. I guess it isn't  surprising given that some candidates really have nothing going for them but a political surname, wads of cash, and a lackluster career in government. Given all that, there is but one candidate that stands out as the most qualified from the rest.

The Pink turistas in front of  the Manila Cathedral

This isn't a political endorsement! I don't have millions of followers on my blog and this blog page isn't even monetized. So why am I even writing this? Aside form being the most qualified, she's the only one who even bothered to care about us as displaced workers in the hospitality industry. Most politicos grandstanding at the height of the pandemic would ocassionally mention drivers, laborers, teachers and other occupations deemed "under the radar" (nasa laylayan, in pinoy terms) no one thought of displaced tour guides.

Leni/Kiko campaign give-aways

So, I was mildly surprised when I received an invite to a zoom  consultative meeting on the plight of us non-working tour guides. Some of them were forced to take on other jobs out of a need for survival. I was lucky to have been given some cash assistance by the Department of Tourism and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts. Though grateful for their aid, I wasn't exactly sure if I should use them for basic necessities or save the cash for the rainy days. I had been jobless for two years or longer. We  are always the first to feel the effects of pandemics, coup d'etats, natural calamities or economic crunches.

Participants at San Agustin

Then came TURISMO PARA KAY LENI. JB Halig Quemado, also a displaced guide asked if I would be interested to guide in Intramuros for supporters of VP Leni Robredo. I emphatically said yes without even considering a fee. And so on the appointed afternoon, I showed up at Fort Santiago in a pink shirt to meet the participants. I was surprised to find the event had been organized by tour operators who are reeling from the quarantine. Operations for both inbound  and outbound tours had been stalled since March of 2020. But like me, they believed that only Leni had a concrete, workable solid platform on tourism.

Doing my commentary at Plaza Roma

I was stationed at Plaza Roma to give my commentary on the site. It was a well-attended tour for volunteers and Leni/Kiko supporters. There were Higantes to kick start the long parade of pink-clad supporters, and marching drum and bugle band to boot. The itinerary included Fort Santiago, Plaza Roma, Plazuela de Sta. Isabel, Baluarte de San Diego, San Agustin and ending in Plaza San Luis where light snacks were to be served. By the time the entire group had ended their walk at the San Agustin patio, the individual groups had bonded and made friends with each other.

Barbara's set-up

Barbara's offered a light fare of lugaw, and other Filipino delicacies courtesy of the organizers. But what was extra-ordinary was the assemblage of performers to spice up the merienda-cena. Cultural dancers  were on hand as well as singers whose numbers were meant to ignite love for country and a genuine desire for change!!! People have grown uneasy during the pademic, but what they really couldn't stand was how heavily mismanaged the government response was, not to mention the suffering business ventures and the astounding corruption involved among government agencies.

Kalinangan ensemble

The solution would be to nip corruption at the bud. Vote for a candidate you can rely on. Vote for a candidate who has a proven track record. Vote for a candidate who has no hidden agenda. Vote for a candidate who has managed to shake -up a corrupt system by providing the means to help despite a paltry budget. I needn't even name the person who fits the bill. She's all woman!

What could be more substantial?

STA. ROSA SOIREE

Sta. Rosa de Lima

The  Covid -19 pandemic has taken its toll on everybody. It's a great equalizer. Families whether rich or poor in whatever community it decides to rear its ugly head  in, has suffered from its fatal effects. Others have been more fortunate to have kept their families intact. For those like me, who has suffered the loss of a dear one, we try our best to live through the pain.

Lloyd, Ness, Febe and me at Nuvali

I have refrained from making blog entries for the past year or so having to cope with my misery. I am glad , however, that an invitation to Sta. Rosa, Laguna came through my heritage -loving friends. Naturally, I jumped at the chance to breathe fresh Laguna air and travel at least 40 kilometers or so away from the city center. However, this seemingly simple act was not without its challenges. One of the invitees from our group suffered a stroke three days prior to our planned trip and had to be confined. Thankfully, through help and prayers, she is currently in stable condition and placed under observation for a week.

party of four at Starbucks photo by Lloyd Rafols

That being said, four of us: Ness Sembrero, Febe Sevilla, Lloyd Anthony Nuestro Rafols and myself met near the City Hall of Pasay for an early leisurely drive to Sta. Rosa.  Lloyd at the wheel, we motored to the Sta. Rosa exit through Greenwood city that leads to the Paseo de Sta. Rosa and Nuvali areas. We ended up at Starbucks in Nuvali. Protocols for dining in were strictly observed as we were ordering our coffee and some baked goodies thanks to Ness. I brought home-made sandwiches and we decided to have our coffee al-fresco. Amidst, peals of laughter and sparkling conversation we were taking groufies with Lloyd's  tripod set-up until we were shocked to realized that our stay there extended to nearly lunch time. Surprisingly, there were no huge crowds typically found on a Saturday morning at Nuvali but because of the time constraints there are no photos of us near the Koi pond nor any other scenic spots in the area.

Facade of Sta. Rosade Lima Church

From there, we went straight to the Sta Rosa poblacion and parked at the designated parking area in the church patio. Since it was lunch time, we meandered around the old Sta Rosa town looking for places to dine but settled for the ever-reliable Jollibee. Again, most of the people were ordering take away and so we settled at two tables. The usual fare  was uneventful and we passed our time with our animated banter until it  was evident that we needed to freshen up and change for the get-together. We made our way back to the church passing through the ancestral home where we were to have dinner.

Lloyd in front of the retablo of the church

We saw the  set-up taking place and the choir practicing but we needed to get dressed for our own photo opportunity.  We asked the church volunteers where we could freshen up and they obligingly showed us the rest room area. At around three o'clock, the four of us friends were dressed in our Filipino attire. Need I say we were making heads turn? People thought there was a wedding about to take place after a funeral cortege had left. That was hilarious! One lady asked if I was picked to light up the Advent wreath during Mass. People were starting to arrive in church for the Mass at 4:30.  True to form, the other invitees were arriving in their finery. We were given a designated section of the church for us to hear Mass together. Ness Sembrero, Febe Sevilla, Lloyd Anthony Nuestro Rafols, Faviola Torres Hidalgo, Locel Tumlos, Arlene Arguel, Willy Bas and Nonia Tiongco in her authentic vintage terno and myself were warmly welcomed by the Cura Paroco Fr. Mario P. Rivera before the final blessing. That settled the thought balloons of the parishioners who looked at us quizzically. Me, I was just thankful to have heard Mass and received the Eucharist after the prolonged quarantine lock-downs lasting two years. I had learned to content myself before that with daily on-line Masses and spiritual communions. Grateful to God for that!

Febe in her black and white finery

For purposes of propriety, no photos were allowed inside the heritage house. It is a well- preserved bahay-na-bato that's much lived-in  by the descendants of the previous builder/owner. Let's just say it shows the privileged lifestyle of generations of one of the city's  founding fathers. Walking through the home with its usual sections, we ended up in the azotea descending towards the garden where our dinner was held. Oh, how we were welcomed by the three Pinoy kings, Johnson Bernardo, Maestro Jose Benigno Salvador and Lito Ligon! It was nice to see familiar faces smiling through the face masks and face shields and plenty of fist bumps in lieu of the beso- besos.

Faviola Torres Hidalgo in a modern Terno pant suit

my OOTD (photo by Lloyd Rafols)

Once guests were comfortably seated, the ceremonies began with a live national anthem  sung by the Primo Vocal Chamber accompanied by the Rosenian Quintet Rondalla.  Maestro Jose Benigno Salvador was the host for the evening assisted by Faviola Torres Hidalgo. The evening was kicked off with door-prizes from the other attendees. There were two rounds of prizes from the generous donations of the attendees. I won a book and nothing else... Others were fortunate to go home with original artworks, books, keepsakes and home decor... I won a book - wait, I said that already! I'm not lucky with winning raffles... Maybe, next year!

Ness in a barong terno blouse and pencil pants set

People had come from all-over Luzon, so when it was getting late, some had to take their leave, but not before Marichelle Santos and the irrespresible Bing Tubid made their dramatic entrance. They had come from a previous engagement. The dinner setting in the garden of the Zavalla heritage house was immaculate with white table cloth and blue carnival glass, gilded cuttlery and blue Ming inspired dinner ware to match the mood-lighting for effect. From time to time the rondalla would play Filipino  music and the choir would break out in kundiman. I wish I had met the other members of the choir. I only know Lemuel Santos and Arwin Arca Arceo who rendered solo numbers but other members were quite vocally equipped as well. I was swooning under the starlit evening when Bituin'g Marikit  was sung... then the clouds moved in by time they got to singing Ang Gabi'ng Payapa. By then the nippy evening breeze was making me sleepy.

Primo Vocal Chamber

Rosenian Rondalla Quintet

Primo Vocal Chamber

Amidst the fine food of Bulaqueno heritage cuisine served by Ferdi Talbenito's Bistro Maloleno and the jovial conversations with friends long-missed, the evening had progressed so fast. There was Tinola which I could not try because of my allergy but I feasted on Bulacan Hamon, Lengua, there was Pancit Buko, a seafood medley and Paella. Dessert was cassava cake and pichi-pichi and  Madam Natz Ocampo's delicate pastillas all lovingly wrapped in the heritage paper filligree called pabalat. We were carefully umwrapping the sweet morsels of candied milk and sugar to preserve Ms. Natz' prized papel-de-Hapon wrappers to be made into bookmarks or framed in shadow boxes. Kape'ng Bigas was being offered after dinner which I declined gracefully.  Tita Cora and Tito Bernie Manimbo were present and later on dancing with Lito Ligon. C'mon, she's not a board member of PBT for nothing... you didn't expect that, or you didn't know? 

Maestro Jose Benigno Salvador, Earl Gamboa, and myself

If it had been under normal circumstances, I'm certain there would have been more people signifying their intention to attend. Notwithstanding this wretched pandemic, this soiree  went beyond anybody's expectations. If anything, it reinforced my dwindling Christmas spirit in these dismal times. I'm still truly blessed  to experience this gathering of a truly Pinoy celebration complete with singkaban parols and native dress. That makes my Advent Season truly significant! 

group photo of guests

MALIGAYA'NG PASKO AT MANIGO'NG BAGO'NG TAON SA LAHAT!!!

* group photos of guests, choir and quintet are not mine and credited to their respective owners