Announcement:

PANAY MUD PIE wishes everyone a happy and meaningful Christmas.

Announcement:

A Call to Help this Holiday Season

Panay Mud Pie encourages everyone to pause and pray for the victims of Typhoon Sendong in Mindanao. 

Photo credit to images.mirror.co.uk

It’s a season of giving, and everyone is called to share something for individuals and families, who became homeless because of the catastrophe.

We invite each and everyone to donate clothes, food, and other reusable items through various government agencies and non-government organizations.

Feature:

Dinagyang on the boom once again!

 By Pepin

Aside from the holiday preparations, the city of Iloilo is busy preparing for the upcoming Dinagyang Festival, which will take place at the last quarter of January next year. Participating tribes are now doubling their effort to create a pleasing and world-class presentation for next year’s edition of the festival.

Cited as the Best Festival in the country, Dinagyang has evolved from a simple religious celebration into a grandiose display of culture. The undemanding routine has been replaced by rapid foot work and exuberant hand movements and facial expressions. 

The theme for the 2012 edition of the festival is "Beyond Awards, a Culture of Excellence"

But the organizers of the event clarify that the religious aspect of the festival will be upheld at all times as the real essence of Dinagyang is always focused at the Holy Child (Senor Sto. Nino). 

All the previous winners of the Dinagyang Ati-ati tribe contest competed at the Aliwan Festival in Manila, and most of them emerged as Champions. Tribu Pan-ay, last year’s winner, went home with the top prize in the Aliwan tribe competition that took place last April.

Feature:

Iloilo: Shinning, Shimmering, Splendid! 

By Pepin 

Iloilo Province shines bright this Christmas season as homes, parks, and public places are decked with bright lights and lanterns. 

Leading the best spot to visit this season is the Municipality of Pototan, which is named as the “Christmas Capital of Western Visayas”. The entire plaza is turned into a wonderland as it is adorned with sparkling lights, huge lanterns, and artistic representations of Christ’s birth in the manger. Aside from the picturesque view, people also enjoy variety shows and signing contest nightly. 

POTOTAN, ILOILO
Photo credits to iloilohangout.tigasweb.com

The Municipality of Guimbal, Oton, and San Joaquin are some of the best places in the southern part of the province to spend the holiday chill. Apart from glittering lights that wrapped the plaza at night, there are also food fests and small trades that people take pleasure in. 

The city center is where Christmas trade happens. Its busy atmosphere is composed of people buying presents and doing some last minute shopping. Easy bargains are often witnessed at small business stalls that sell fruits, toys, clothes, and firecrackers. 

There are also a number of places in the city that are worth to visit every night. These include Angelicum, which is famous for its Sigaboom tradition, and Central Philippine University, which celebrates the Festival of Lights every year. 

Iloilo’s festive atmosphere is being enjoyed by people from all walks of life and creates a positive feeling for the coming year.

Inspiring Anecdote:

The Woman And The Hurt Spice 

Hilda (in white jacket) enjoys her time with her friends abroad.

By Pepin 

As from the words of Erma Bombeck, “There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.” Yes, woman, despite being considered as the most beautiful above all creation, possesses a fragile heart. 

Hilda, a 37-year old Filipino mother and wife to a chef, sees herself as a woman, who has experienced the discomfited effects of hurt and defeat. The predicaments that she has encountered in the past dwindled her self-esteem and brought her at the welcoming edge of recoil. “It is very difficult to raise yourself when you are engulfed with problems. Often times, I just let myself experience defeat so that I can start all over again.” 

Hurting is a natural process, yet people regard it as an awful-tasting medicine for kids. No one would dare to experience it, and many would find an alternative route to avoid it. But reality will not be reality without it, and no absolute escape plan can junk the process. 

After all, life won’t be as delectable as it should be without the “hurt spice”. Even the greatest women of history were all products of abrasions that remain imperishable. 

Defeat is rough, but it leaves marks that reinforce the person. As for Hilda, her positive outlook towards hurt and defeat shaped her to what she considers herself right now – a firm person. “I want women to remember that in every challenge, there is pain; and in every pain, there is a lesson learned. This entire experience will help mould a more mature and positive person,” she added. 

When asked what would possibly hurt her at this point of time, Hilda thought deeply and found a cliché response, “Betrayed by my husband.” She hid her face with an embarrassed laugh, but she admitted that it is one of her greatest fear. 

But despite the leeway, she remained optimistic. After all, her husband considers her as his strength and their love will reign supreme. “I feel blessed because I have him. If ever there will be another major trounce in my life in the future, I already have someone beside me to help me conquer the test.”

Announcement:

November 2: ALL SOUL'S DAY

Today, we remember our dearly departed and pray for the repose of their souls. May God's perpetual light shine upon them.

Feature:

Shaping culture with tales of creeps

By Pepin

Panay Island is known for its flourishing natural resources and warm smiles of its people. But it is also a place surrounded with hair-raising tales of supernatural occurrences that people often talk about during Halloween season. 

These tales were written in the past by the forefathers of Panay who claimed to have a first-hand encounter with supernatural beings. Their personal experiences were passed on from one generation to another with some fine-tuning done by people who talked much about these. 

Tikbalang, kapre, and tayho are only some of the legendary characters in most of these stories that scared children over the years. They lingered in people’s imagination and tamed noisy towns. These gruesome creatures may be part of the legends, but the playful mind of people can free them out of the book.

These stories, although fear-provoking and dreadful for many, were known to shape the region and added more colors to the Panayanon culture. People around the island have interpreted these stories into dances, songs, and poems. Some towns even created festivals to share these narratives in a creative way. 

Today, the present generation continues to speak about these creepy tales at class, at work, and even at bedtime; preserving a rich part of culture that Panay will always have.

Kata-kata: Blab 10

Sin-o mabato sa Barbero nga Ilonggo?

By Pepin

Wala man gyapon may maka pirdi sa barbero nga Ilonggo. Baliskad-baliskadon mo man ang ulo sang tawo, sa guihapon, ang gunting intsakto! Mu na guro nga lawig pirmi ang pilahay sa 3 Brothers Barber Shop ukon sa Twin Brothers Barber Shop kay damu ang gusto mag pagwapo.

Sa tuod-tuod lang, pirdi gid ya ang kano nga barbero, kay ang Ilonggo ya bisan nagakapiyong tadlong ang marka sang gunting kag indi papresyo.  Kag bisan bungi kag bakirason, todo ngirit man gyapon. Daw hari ka lang kung ila ikaw tulukon.

Ang manami pa sa mga ilonggo nga barbero, mahilig sila mag istorya. Halin sa pagkilalahay nila sang iya nobya asta sang nag bulaganay sila sang iya kirida, indi mag mala ang laway ya sa ka tikal kag ka bungisngis. Indi man makaluwas ang mga istorya nga la pulos kag kuris-kuris. Mu na gani nga pasakay ka na lang para indi siya mapahuy-an.

Kag ang pinakanami magpagunti sa Ilonggo nga barbero? Siyempre ang masahe sang ila nga mabaskog nga mga kamot. Daw ka tawhay lang pamatian ang ga lagtok lagtok nga tudlo sa imo likod, kag daw indi mu gusto matapos ang makatuluyo nga hilod sa imu dahi. Hay, sa kanami!

Feature:

Aklan as the pinya-weaving capital 

of the Philippines by 2016 

By Pepin 

Aklan will soon become the Philippine’s Pinya-weaving capital as such industry showed an unstoppable growth in the market for the past years. The demand continues to increase and become more popular that even some well-known producers of Pinya Barong in different parts of the country get their raw materials from this province. 

Government agencies and private sectors work hand in hand to achieve the goal by 2016. One of the strategies that they are taking is to encourage locals, especially the land owners and farmers, to participate in the expansion of the pineapple plantation in the province. 

This multi-million project does not only focus on hailing Aklan as a top producer of pinya cloth and fiber, but also to provide more livelihood programs for the locals and create a better life for many.

Feature:

The end of the rock bands?

Photo by Paolo Tiangha

By Pepin

The new millennium marked a new era of music – the age of mad rock. The young generation became impatient towards strums and drums and vocal pitches turned awesomely insane. It was the time when fashion was predominantly black and the night sky was bursting with screech and screams.

But that time is over – maybe not for all, but for those who have served rock music to barmy audience in the first ten years of the new millennium. Local rock bands aren’t appreciated by many people anymore, even by present-day teenagers, and their music isn’t highly requested as before.

Battles of the bands are becoming out of trend and people dress up to go clubbing instead. They would love to take control of the dance floor and raise their glasses than bang their heads and worship their rock idols. The only rock music that still cling the charts are those produced and performed by foreign rock bands, but even them felt the shockwave that froze the rock music industry. 

Well, for rock bands that made their names in the local market, it’s time to take a bow. Besides the new generation deserves a new otic twist. Let’s just compare this to fashion – the clothes you wore yesterday will soon be in trend in the coming years. It won’t take long and the new generation will soon appreciate rock bands, and this industry will soon hold the fort once again.

Feature:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

MAMA MARY!

Hail Mary, full of grace.

Our Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Kata-kata: Blab 09

Lab da talaba!

By pepin

Sin-o indi mahidlaw sa manamit kag mainit-init nga talaba? Bisan diin ka man nga parti sang kalibutan makaabot, pangitaon mo gid ining paborito nga sumsuman sang kadam-an.

Feature:

Aklanons shine at 
WESVARRDEC 2011

By Pepin

Panay Mud Pie salutes Aklanon researcher who made it to 21st Regional Symposium on Research and Development of the Western Visayas Agriculture Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) held last August 22, 2011 in Central Philippine University, Jaro, Iloilo City.

1st place Poster Category and 3rd place Research Category:

“Inventory and Bioprospecting of Natural Dye-Yielding Plants in the Province of Aklan” by Dr. Lelisa J. Teodosio, Dr. Malco M. Teodosio, Forrester Rogelio L. Felizardo, Prof. Arlene B. dela Cruz, Dr. Anna Mae C. Relingo, Dr. Edito T. Agustin, Dr. Roberto L. Saladar, Dr. Margie Y. Sumanga and Dr. Marilyn E. Romaquin.

2nd place Poster Category:

“Yield and Fruit Quality of Rambutan under Different Timing and Levels of GA3 Application” of Dr. Marilyn E. Romaquin, Prof. Michael T. Ibisate and Prof. Eva R. Orlina.

Congratulations!

Inspiring Anecdotes:

The games I used to play

By Pepin

It’s a pity to see children getting hooked on their laptops and PSP’s playing online games. Kids these days do not get too much of enjoyment as what I have experienced when I was eight years old. They are often seen locked on the four corners of their bed room during weekends, and their after-school schedule on weekdays is mostly dedicated to fantasy games.

Departure time at school was at four thirty in the afternoon when I was in the second grade. By the time I reached home, I usually spent an hour playing tumba patis, tintin-bika, pityaw, sikyo, and other local games that were passed on to us by our elder brothers and sisters. Those were the days that I used to enjoy a lot because playing with other kids defined my childhood years.

However, I have seen tremendous changes nowadays. With the technological advancements getting more advanced and with every software and password-secured sites easily accessible to children ages seven to ten, the native games we want to teach to the younger generation today is slowly losing their mark and their cultural value is fading away as well. Kids do not mind not learning these stuffs because they are being spellbound by the colors and incredible visual effects of online gaming, and they do not have to get sweaty and change their shirt from time to time unlike when they will be running in the street or in a vacant lot.

Playing outdoors gives more benefits for children. From my personal experience, I’ve learned how to interact with other children and I have become unbiased. It also allowed me to use my critical thinking skills, especially in employing strategies to win against the opponent team. In addition, I have developed my leadership skills and I have become more organized in my day-to-day living. It also helped shaped my values and armed me with skills to face everyday challenges.

So what will happen for kids getting too much of the indoors? I believe that they would simply grow up with so much hesitations and insecurities about the world around them. Not to mention, they will have poor interaction skills, and when they will become professionals, they will truly regret of not getting much of the sun and fun during their childhood years.

I hope to see another group of kids aiming for a tiny tin can on a rough ground; running to save their team mates and saving their home base. Tumba patis, tintin-bika, pityaw, and sikyo is more than just a sweaty game, it will make every kid believe that their imagination can actually work in reality.

Feature:

Dumangas sets tourism plans

By Pepin

The local government of Dumangas, Iloilo is eyeing for more progress in the coming years, one of which is to develop a part of their coastline and line it with restaurants and other tourist-friendly amenities.

“There are restaurants here before, but because many people usually come and eat here, the local government decided to expand the place,” a local vendor said. Dumangas is well-known for their mouth-watering oysters and other fresh-water catch.

The initial plans of the government include transferring the infrastructures that line the shoreline to the other part of the road so as not to destroy the mangroves that are flourishing on site, as well as to prevent local restaurant owners from dumping their rubbish and wastewater on the sea. 

It will be more of an advantage for the town if these development plans will push through, since tourist will not only enjoy the local food, but also a comfortable and clean place to relax and unwind.

Feature:

Kinunot

By Pepin

Does “kinunot” ring a bell? Certainly not! Most people would think of it as a local handicraft or some kind of bird, but it is actually a dish from the province of Antique. 

This local specialty is made from either a Dorado fish or Pagui fish, which are abundant in the northern part of the province. It has a sour-spicy blend and it is a perfect side dish. It goes well with pork barbecue and grilled fish. It also drives your appetite, so expect to eat more than your average serving on plate.

Feature:

Supporting Panay Products

By Pepin

Panayanons are creative craftsmen. No doubt about that. They create and sell almost anything – from woven handbags to mango wines. A visitor from England was even surprised to witness how people from Panay can create eye-catching and durable items from indigenous materials.

In the different regions of Panay, local goods are given greater attention by the government. In fact, each town is given an opportunity to promote their own product through the One Town, One Product (OTOP) program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

In this program, the town is required to set up a livelihood and produce goods in which people can identify them with. For example, the town of Dueñas, Iloilo promotes loom weaving. Their products include Hablon gown, throw pillow cases, table runners, shawls, and floor runners. Passi City, on the other hand, is known for their herbal oils and exotic wines, while the Municipality of Ibajay, Aklan is getting famous for being one of the largest producers of virgin coconut oil in the region.

Some other OTOP products from Panay are the following:

Kalibo, Aklan – Pinya (Pineapple) Silk

Hamtic, Antique – Colored Buri Gift Bag

Jordan, Guimaras – Dried Mangoes

Roxas City, Capiz – Cocoshell Accessories

Maasin, Iloilo – Bamboo Furniture

Aside from adopting the DTI project, every Municipal government also funds local craftsmen and organizes programs for small businessmen that provide skills training, product-design development, and capability building.

To top it all, each town established a souvenir shop or better known as “Pasalubong Center”, where they can put up for sale their native goods for the visiting tourists. Oton, Iloilo, for example, started the United Producers Association of Oton, and opened a souvenir shop that exclusively sells “Ogtonganon” products, such as lampshades and accessories.

Panay Products are becoming distinctive nowadays. In no time, these local goods will be known by more and more people, and Panay craftsmen will be distinguished as some of the world’s best.

Feature:

Dr. Jose P. Rizal: 

Bayani ng Bayang Sinilangan

“Kung dugo ang iyong kinakailangan

Sa ikadidilag ng iyong pagsilang,

Dugo ko’y ibubo’t sa isa man lamang

Nang gumigiti mong sinag ay kuminang.”

- Mula sa tulang “Ang Huling Paalam” (Mi Ultimo Adios)

Ang Panay Mud Pie ay nagkakaisa sa buong Sambayanang Pilipinas sa pagunita ng Ika-150 na kaarawan ng Pambansang Bayani ng Pilipinas.

Feature:

A Celebration of Ilonggo Fashion

By Pepin

Glitz and glamour sealed the day as top Ilonggo designers conquered the runway at SM City Iloilo last June 10, 2011 in a fashion show entitled, “Ilongga: A Fashion Show of Filipino Inspired Gowns.”

Prominent women in the society wore elegant gowns by popular Ilonggo designers.

The event was made livelier with the folk music of Ritmo Tambores.