Sunday, March 18, 2018

Heart of Compassion

                                                                      
Heart of Compassion
Written and edited by: Monique Pahayag and Johannah Diane Pedida
Photos by: Johannah Diane Pedida
Layout by: Monique Pahayag

 “It is not about making sale when I create art pieces, like my art exhibition because it is my compassion; it’s my way of reaching out.” -Yasmin Almonte



Yasmin Almonte
Courtesy image from Google


Yasmin Almonte is an Associate Professor at University of the Philippines Diliman. She started teaching on 1991 and has been doing exhibits since 1987. Her recent art exhibit entitled “Thoughts and Intentions” held last January 14 to February 7, 2018 at the Ali Mall Cubao, Quezon City. Almonte described the exhibit as an extreme consciousness and it means that her artworks have lots of abstracts which helped her to cover her true feelings; figures and flowers. Her artworks were made through his experiences in life and through the thoughts that came to her mind.


Collage of artwork paintings of Yasmin Almonte in Sining Kamalig at Ali Mall Cubao, Quezon City

There are different kinds of art; it can be singing, dancing, and cooking but nowadays painting can be the best way to show people the artist’s untold stories and their unheard voices. It is somehow helps every artists to ease their burden. People can’t easily judge the artist through their artwork because in every artwork they made, there’s a deeper meaning on it. 

Not all people can understand the way artists will make their artwork because there are different styles that will be needed to expose the distinct quality of each artwork.One of the example of that is the artwork of Yasmin Almonte's Flowers for Hers. In this painting it show a woman where her nude body was exposing, a normal artwork but the mind of the people will be starting to think if what does the painting all about? Is it part of the artist life story? Or Is this a painting where can motivate the others?

Flowers for Her by Yasmin Almonte 24x24 inches
Oil+Oil Pastel on Canvas

"Flowers for me symbolize different stages of life it becomes a beautiful bud then it goes to foodling and eventually it dies and before it dies there are so much activity going on; it withers, it ends.” -Yasmin Almonte.


This kind of painting only shows how creative the artist is; how she used her talent as an inspiration and motivation to go through her life; to strongly faced the struggles along her way. The materials on this art work was hard work with more of passion and courage to help others and motivate them to go on to their lives.

Flowers for Her is a kind of artwork that described the struggles in life. The painting has showed that whatever struggles people may encounter,  there still hope, they only need to fight for whatever problems they're encountering.  Problems were only part of the people's lives yet they need to remember that along with their problems were the solutions that may help them go through their lives. That people should be optimistic enough in facing every challenges even if they're experiencing. Because living in a world is one of the biggest blessings that God has given to His children.  Always remember that God will not give challenges to His children they cannot go through. 















Love Your Own Derivation



Love Your Own Derivation
Written and Edited By Shaira Royo


Photo By Shaira Royo
(The National Museum of Anthropology, formerly known as the Museum of the Filipino People) 
Inside the national museum we will see the different uses or pride of our fellow Filipinos. Every
country has its own tradition and history and even the belief of the people. They had to fight in order to live and to have freedom. One of the things they used in the war is what they called “lantaka” Lantaka is a small swivel gun or cannon used as one of the weapons of Filipinos before and during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. But nevertheless Filipino has so many things to be proud of.

Photo By: Shaira Royo
(Lantaka (rentaka in Malay, also known as Kanyon in Tagalog) were a type of bronze swivel gun mounted on merchat vessels travelling the waterways of Malay Archipelago)

Filipinos can do a lot of things that could help their family earn money and survive. Many of it was handicrafts. And they are good at weaving's. Like for example “Kimona and Pandiling” made of cotton threads and synthetic dyes, “T’nalak” made of abaca (musa textilis L) fibers and natural dyes. Kimona and Pandiling are made of one of the “Manlilikha ng Bayan” which is Magdalena Gamayo from Pinili, Ilocos Norte. 

Magdalena Gamayo
(Manghahabing Ilocano/Ilocano Textile Weaver)


“Kimona and Pandiling”
(Blouse and skirt)


“T’nalak”
(Woven abaca cloth)
(Photo by Mia Garcia)



Filipinos before were so great and persevered for they only depend on their own capabilities using their own bare hands for their work. No machines and modern technology to help them and even to their illness, they had rather go to a faith healer than to a physician. They are also proud of when it comes to music or instrument rather. We asked some people who were also at the national museum at that time, if what they can say about the exhibit inside of the National Museum of Anthropology. “I learned a lot here. I realized that Philippines have numerous treasures, and it makes me think that our ancestors are proudly brave and they are really survivors kasi alam mo na, they survive with a simple kind of living.” Michelle Niebreja said. “Arts, paintings, scriptures and fossils are everywhere, so happy po ako and overwhelmed to be here kasi it makes me feel comfortable of what really happened during the past in Philippines.” Kevin Loma said.“It feels very great. Filipino is really amazing at sobrang nakakahanga ang history ng mga pilipino, at nakakahanga rin ang mga obra nila. Ang galing sobra. So sa tingin ko, this is not the last time na pupunta ako rito. Ang sarap lang balik-balikan” Hannah Duque said. We are also amazed at the creativity and experience of our fellow Filipinos. I can say that we should be proud of the work and courage of our ancestors. They are proud of what talent they have in so many things and how brave they are. So what we should imitate and inherit from our ancestors is to continue pursuing our talents, to show how good the Filipinos are. 

Bambanti Festival 2018



ISABELA KONG MAHAL
(Isabela, My Beloved Land)
WRITTEN AND EDITED BY:  Mia Garcia



Photo By; Mia Garcia
BAMBANTI FESTIVAL 2018/Jan.25, 2018:
Infront of Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Isabela Capitol, People flocked together celebrates the festival. Behind is the Ilagan Sports Complex and the Bambanti Village.

Bambabambababambanti! ! the sound that created an entertaining ambiance, started the festival. Celebration of The Bambanti Festival 2018 excitedly began. Isabeliños celebrated their Bambanti Festival at Ilagan City, January 25, until January 27,2018. Bambanti is an iconic symbol of Ilocano’s farming, it also an emblematic ties of the farmers, they have used it to drive away  birds on their crops farms.

Isabela is the second largest province in the Philippines and also called as Queen Province of the North. It is the Corn Capital of the Philippines and other agricultural goods; like rice, monggo, tobacco, coffee, banana, and mango.



Photo By: Mia Garcia
Framed certificate award of municipality of Luna, Isabela for Good Local Governance 2017


Photo By: Mia Garcia
BAMBANTI FESTIVAL 2018/Jan.25-27, 2018:
Bambanti, giant corn installation.

Mary Ann Dy,wife of Gov.Dy III quoted "Street-dance parade is the main feature of Bambanti Festival which promotes agri-ecotourism of the municipalities of Isabela." 


Photo By: Mia Garcia
The Colorful contingent of 20 municipalities and 2 cities of Isabela are downstairs of the Isabela Sports Complex,performing the Bambanti dance festival at Iligan City Isabela.
Bambanti Festival/January 26,2018


Every Bambanti festival they always  used the scarecrow as the center of  attractions of their province. Infact, Isabela won to the Aliw Awards for the 3rd time because of their festivals, last 2015 to 2017 they recieve the title for Best Festival Practices and Performances.

However, the festival highlighted by the Bambanti( scarecrow) creations and villages, it is a giant mascot made with crops and by different municipalities of Isabela.It symbolized as spirituality of isabeleño and resembles beloved Jesus Christ.(Chief of Staff,Cocoy Ventura)


Photo By: Mia Garcia
BAMBANTI FESTIVAL 2018/Jan.25-27, 2018:
THE FINALIST OF BEST GIANT BAMBANTI INSTALLIATION."CORDON", REPRESENT AS LADY BAMBANTI FARMER (made of corn kernel, coconut shells, husk and buyboy and paper. DURING THE BAMBANTI FESTIVAL 2018 AT ILAGAN CITY IN ISABELA.


Annually, province of Isabela celebrates their Bambanti festival, It is the "Mother of all festivals in Isabela" According to Isabeleños the festival is a thanks giving occasion for the sustaining dominance in agricultural production agro-industrial economy of the province that is why it was highlighted by a grand showcase of Bambanti Creations, cultural dances, pusic’s, parades, fireworks display, talent tilts and trade exhibits.

The Bambanti Festival is a third festival celebrations of Isabela ,started last January 22 to 27,2018. It is a tribute for all the blessings from God, farmers resiliency and hard works in Isabela.

In the first place,Isabela was founded in 1856 through a royal decree and it was named after Queen Isabela III of Spain. Also, it is a land with rolling hills, sprawling fertile valley, longest mountain range, like Sierra Madre, Forested Mountains and Philippine longest and largest rivers (505-kilometer Cagayan River or Rio Grande de Cagayan, which travel across the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya.

Furthermore, It has a total population of 1,593,566(PSA 2015) and a total land area of 1,066,456 hectares that is why, it is the second largest province in the Philippines with a 3.1% of the Philippine Territory, next to Davao City.

It has three (3) cities (Ilagan, Cauyan and Santiago City), and almost thirty four (34) municipalities and one thousand fifthy five barangays.
The 2018 festival had a theme of "Isabela kong Mahal"(Isabela,My Beloved Land). Focused on Isabeleños loved for their land by means of  expressing their performances,arts,food,exhibits and competitions.

Bambanti Festival 2018 Events as follows:
  • Agri-Ecorourism Exhibit and Sale
  • Makan Ken Mainum:Masre Kusinero Cookfest
  • Pre-Judging:Agri-Ecotourism Booth and Giant Bambanti Showcase Competition
  • Street-Dance Parade Competition with Judging of Festival Kings and Queens
  • Grand Opening:Isabela Kong Mahal"
  • Grand Fireworks Display
  • Festival Dance Showdown Competition with Judging of Festival Kings and Queens
  • Final Judging:Agri-Ecotourism Booth and Giant Bambanti Installation
  • Grand Finals:Isabela Choral Competition
  • Closing and Awarding Ceremonies
  • Isabela Grand Concert Party
  • Grand Fireworks Display
Photo By: Mia Garcia
Colorful bags,Summer hots,Fans made by Isabeleño for Bambanti Exhibit 


Photo By: Mia Garcia
 Bambanti Installation  in the Bambanti Village in Ilagan Isabela


Photo By: Mia Garcia
 Dried flowers made in Corn Leaves 


Photo By: Mia Garcia
 Different sizes of colorful summer hots trade in Bambanti Village


Photo By: Mia Garcia
 Delicacies in the village.( Wines,fermented eggs,nuts and pork chicharons)


 Bambanti Village


Each municipalities of Isabela competively participated to all activities inasmuch as for their warm love to their beloved land.

People of Isabela ungrudgingly participated to all activities that is why yearly their festival was always high spirited and additionally, Isabela's provincial government together with Governor Faustino Dy III, have always impressed their guests and its people by their successful and blissful Bambanti Festival.


Author of ISABELA KONG MAHAL(Isabela, My Beloved Land)



Heart of Compassion

                                                                       Heart of Compassion Written and edited by: Monique Pahayag and ...