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 The undemanding routine has been replaced by rapid foot work and exuberant hand movements and facial expressions.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.