What is the geography and climate like in the Philippines?

Bisaya

Proud Bisaya Ko

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Barok and Takya Blog | Bisaya Podcast

The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,100 islands situated between the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea in Southeast Asia. The country is roughly divided into three central geographical regions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Luzon is the largest island and home to the capital city of Manila, as well as other major cities such as Quezon City, Caloocan, and San Juan. The Visayas region comprises around 7,107 islands and is known for its beautiful beaches and coral reefs. Mindanao is the southernmost region and home to most of the country's Muslims. The Philippines has a tropical climate characterised by hot weather and high humidity levels. The rainy season typically runs from June to October, while the dry season lasts from November to May. Typhoons are also a common occurrence during the rainy season. Despite these challenges, the Philippines is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture. It is also home to some of the most welcoming and hospitable people in the world. Thanks to its natural beauty, diverse landscape, and friendly locals

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 , the Philippines is a popular tourist destination for travellers from all over the globe.

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Do you think that Filipino culture is unique? Why or why not?

Bisaya

Proud Bisaya Ko

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Barok and Takya Blog | Bisaya Podcast

As someone who was born and raised in the Philippines, I can say with confidence that Filipino culture is indeed unique. Even though other cultures have influenced us, we have managed to retain our own identity. What makes us different from other cultures is our strong sense of family and community

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 . We are always willing to help our extended family and our neighbors. We also have a strong sense of pride in our culture

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 and our history. We are known for our resilience

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 , our ability to persevere in the face of adversity. I believe that these qualities make us uniquely Filipino. And even though we may sometimes be divided by politics or religion, at the end of the day, we are all united by our love for our country and our people.

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https://barokandtakya.com/category/filipino-society-and-culture/

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The Spirit of Being Resilient in Filipino Culture

Advent is a call for conversion and penance

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

THE gospel of the 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year A, celebrated this year on December 4, presents us with these words of St. John the Baptist that have to be taken seriously: “REPENT, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt 3,1)

Conversion and penance are actually what we have to do all the time. It’s quite clear that we need it, given our weakened, wounded and sinful condition in the entirety of our earthly sojourn. But it has its more intense moments, one of which is precisely the period of Advent.

The spirit of conversion and penance is not actually something that is dark, negative, painful, etc. It’s not something we should run away from. In fact, it’s not something that we should just bear and tolerate since we cannot avoid it.

We need to develop and live this spirit of continuing conversion and penance because it is clear that sin continues to dominate us in this life. In fact, it is quite clear that things are getting worse. There are now powerful and well-established structures of sin in our midst before which we are simply an easy prey.

The networks of corruption, pornography, godless and worldly ideologies, etc. are proliferating, taking advantage of the powerful technologies and the easy vulnerability of many people, especially the young ones, who are not yet prepared to properly handle these networks.

We know that the sense of sin itself is largely disappearing. Pope Francis and the previous Popes have pointed that out and are warning us of this condition. They are strongly encouraging us to truly develop the spirit of conversion and penance.

Advent is indeed a time to give special attention to our conscience, if only to clean, polish and fine-tune it, so it can more correctly and punctually hear the voice of God who is the only one to tell us what is truly right and wrong, moral and immoral, etc., in these very confusing times.

This spirit of continuing conversion and penance can only be developed if we truly have the love that comes from God. With this love, we will realize that there is no limit to our need for conversion and penance. Love will continue to make new demands on us, because life itself will also make new challenges and trials on us. Let’s never forget that our life will always be some kind of warfare.

With every conversion we make, we get closer to God, we grow in his divine wisdom and goodness. No doubt, we get to gain a lot more than what we seem to lose every time we make a conversion.

We should put our faith in this personal testimony of St. Paul: “Whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.” (Phil 3,7-8)

The mark of true saints is precisely this hunger and thirst for repentance and conversion. Whatever good they did humbled them instead of leaving them proud. They knew who and what was behind all the accomplishments they made, and were more keenly aware of their inadequacies, their mistakes, faults, infidelities, etc.

It’s not that they led a miserable life of having a dark outlook in life and a negative attitude toward their own selves. They were a happy lot, whose joy sprang from their faithful union with God, their father, but also aware of their total dependence on G.

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Christmas is about love, forgiveness — VP Sara

by Joseph Pedrajas

It is not important if the Christmas celebration is big or fancy because the season is, in fact, about spending time with your loved ones and giving forgiveness, Vice President Sara Duterte said.

At the ceremonial lighting of a 42-foot Christmas tree in Laguna on Thursday night, Duterte also said what is important in celebrating Christmas is that “we, our loved ones and our family are happy and we forgive those who have wronged us.” 

Photo courtesy of VP Sara Duterte

“Yan talaga yung tema ng pasko— pagmamahal, pagpapatawad, pagbibigay, (That’s the theme of Christmas—love, forgiveness, giving) kindness,” she said.

“‘Yan din yung message natin sa ating mga kababayan dahil ang pananawagan natin ay unity kaya meron ding kalakip yon ng pagpapatawad hindi lang sa pulitika but even sa personal lives natin (That’s also my message to my fellow: the call for unity because it also entails forgiveness not only in the area of politics but also in our personal lives)— working together with our neighbors, with our officemates, with our family,” she added in an eventual interview with reporters.

The Vice President then thanked Laguna residents for supporting her and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the elections as well as for supporting her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

As chief of the Department of Education, she also called on the parents to instill the value of education to their children.

Marcos tells ambassadors: Make PH’s position known to the world

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos

As he highlighted the different tasks of ambassadors, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. encouraged the country’s newly appointed and confirmed envoys to make the Philippines’ position on all aspects to the rest of the world, especially amid present challenges.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)

Marcos said this during his meeting with newly appointed and confirmed Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Malacañang on December 1. 

In his speech, the President said the ambassadors are now on a “different kind of mission” as they advance the interest of the Philippines, particularly as the world grapples with multiple challenges, including moving out of the pandemic.

“You no longer are concerned solely with the diplomatic contact and the diplomatic exchanges. We are no longer limited by distance, by geographical and physical positioning,” he said.

“We look to our envoys to be able to achieve to– one, consistently make known to all our friends, all our own partners, the position of the Philippines on all the aspects of the world discussion that we are all part of,” he added.

According to the President, the country’s envoys must continuously talk to people, corporations, and entities and look for opportunities and programs that could benefit the Philippines. 

For instance, Marcos said they have to look for ideas and partnerships with other countries offering assistance on climate change and other things that can be helpful to the Philippines.

“That probably is the newest feature of an envoy’s duties. It is a new world out there; we must adjust,” he said.

“I believe that for the Philippines, for the national interest, that this is the way to adjust,” he added.

The President also pointed out that the country benefits from a government-to-government level of negotiation and mediating with the private sector in terms of investment tie-up with foreign investors.

Marcos said Filipino ambassadors must keep these things in mind so the country can maximize its resources and partnerships to manage the economy effectively. He added that this would help Filipinos have a better life as the nation slowly emerges from all of its present challenges.

 

Giacomo Puccini’s ‘Turandot’ live at the CCP

by Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Live opera returns at the CCP Main Theater with Puccini’s monumental opera, Turandot. This production is part of the celebration of the 60th year of the Philippine-Italian Association (PIA) and the commemoration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between Italy and the Philippines.

Turandot will see Manila audiences watching the pomp and pageantry in ancient China as imagined by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini. Filipino opera fans will once more hear the world’s most famous tenor aria – “Nessun dorma” – complete with amazing stage sets and local choirs.

This staging features soprano Lilla Lee as Princess Turandot; bass Jinsu Lee as Timur, the exiled Tartar King; our very own soprano Rachelle Gerodias as Liu, a young slave; baritone Byeong In Park as Ping, Grand Chancellor; tenor Ivan Nery as Pong, Grand Intendant; tenor Nomher Nival as Emperor Altoum; and baritone Greg De Leon as Mandarino. It will be directed by Italian director Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini. 

Tickets are available at premier.ticketworld.com.ph or you may contact CCP box office at 88323704 or 88321125 loc 1409 for more details.

 

Beauty queen wants to be ‘contravida

Published December 2, 2022, 7:15 AM

by Annalyn S. Jusay

Dr. Riza Oben Dormiendo was crowned Mrs Face of Beauty International 2019

Dr. Riza Oben Dormiendo was the multi-awarded CEO of a top manpower placement firm in the Philippines when she realized that there’s more to life than working nonstop. She then retired and pursued her most-treasured dreams and passions.

The mid-50s might seem like a very old age to most people, but Riza was strong enough to climb the country’s highest peak, Mt. Apo, in four days. Riza also travelled a lot and even joined the National Geographic Marathon, finishing her 21K run in 3.5 hours . She was also proclaimed the grand champion in a competition on Argentine tango organized by the Dance Sport Council of the Philippines.

Judging from her track record, one can see that Riza is trained to excel in everything she does. At the age of 56, she achieved her dream of being a beauty queen by being named Mrs. Face of Beauty International 2019. She likewise married a man younger than her, which shows she is an empowered woman with a mind of her own and determined to enjoy life to the fullest. 

 Dr. Riza was hailed Star of the Night, Female -Fame Awards 2022 led by Atty. Maggie Garduque (left) and designer John Guarnes

The latest feather in Riza’s cap is the Best Actress award she received at the first Manila International Fashion Film Competition for her performance in “The Power Of An Icon” directed by Anthony Brillantes.

“The international board of judges, even those coming from Hollywood and Cannes, were unanimous in choosing Riza as Best Actress. We are now working for the showing of her short film in Cannes Film Festival,” announced Bench Bello of the organizer, Ganap International

The film shows Riza in elegant black outfits designed by Nash Leeho. There are other attention-grabbing details like her shoes, hairstyle and jewelry. But we think what’s most riveting is the way Riza uses her eyes to convey a whole lot of different emotions. They’re very expressive.

Dr Riza Dormiendo with her award

Riza said “The Power of An Icon is really about me.” She pointed out that the film’s tagline, which she utters towards the end, “It takes courage to be me,” is very suited to her life story. 

Riza noted that winning an acting award is a dream come true because “I really wanted to be an actress since I was a little girl.”

She said she treasured the recognition because ” this award is something new and something different from all the other awards I received.”

“I want to be in a movie, kahit extra lang muna. My dream role is to be a contravida. Why? Ang bida namimili ng pelikula pero ang contravida, hindi nawawala sa limelight,” she observed.

Knowing how she means and what she says and strives to attain her goals, it looks like we will be seeing more of Riza more – in films and other projects.

Palanca Awards returns, honors nearly 60 writers

By Alvin I. Dacanay

December 2, 2022 120

WINNING WRITERS (Foreground, from left) The Carlos Palanca Foundation’s Carlos Palanca 4th, Sylvia Palanca-Quirino, Criselda ‘Dang’ Cecilio-Palanca, Carl Anthony Palanca and Nemesia Bermejo pose for photos with the winners of the 70th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (background) in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. PHOTO BY JOHN RYAN BALDEMOR

THE Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature ended its two-year hiatus on Wednesday night with its 70th edition honoring nearly 60 writers, including a broadcast journalist, a prize-winning independent filmmaker and a Bacolod-based poet-lawyer.

On the sidelines of the awarding ceremony in Taguig City, Criselda "Dang" Cecilio-Palanca of awards sponsor Carlos Palanca Foundation told The Manila Times that seeing Filipino writers at the annual literary gathering "happy to be here, to see each other again" was "really heartwarming."

"We were just waiting" for the coronavirus pandemic to end, she said of the foundation's "big decision" to not hold the awards in 2020 and 2021 — when state-mandated quarantines and physical distancing measures were enforced to limit Covid-19's spread — "because we knew that the writers always looked forward to this."

"Thank God that [the awards are] back," she added.

In her speech, Cecilio-Palanca said that out of 1,455 literary works submitted this year, 56 received prizes, and of the 59 writers who won, 28 were first-timers. One of them was television journalist Atom Araullo, who clinched first prize for his essay "Letter from Tawi-Tawi," which was first published on GMA News Online on August 5.

The essay is the text version of a documentary he and his colleagues made earlier this year, about an educator who visits children in their homes to teach them — and by extension, their parents — in a province where illiteracy is high and the residents are prone to manipulation and misinformation.

He told reporters he had almost finished writing the essay — partly out of a worry it would soon lose currency, especially after the May 2022 elections — when the Palanca Awards announced its return this year. He said he submitted it as a "personal challenge," adding that he "never imagined in a hundred years that I would make it to the awards."

Like most new recipients of the prize, Araullo, who counts journalist and novelist Ernest Hemingway as an inspiration, considers his win a "great validation."

Also big winners this year were Khavn and Raymundo T. Pandan Jr., whose "ANTIMARCOS" and "Bittersweetland" nabbed the grand prize in the Novel in Filipino and English categories, respectively.

A previous winner for poetry in 1997 and futuristic fiction in 2001, Khavn scored his third Palanca for a work described in Filipino in a blurb from one category judge, performance poet Victor Emmanuel Carmelo "Vim" Nadera Jr., as "a prolonged cry of opposition to the return of the Marcoses in the Philippine government."

Upon accepting his prize, the maverick director of the Gawad Urian-winning "Balangiga: Howling Wilderness" gave an impromptu, rap-style acceptance speech that paid tribute to Ericson Acosta, the activist-author reportedly killed in a military operation in Negros Occidental province earlier on Wednesday.

Pandan, who earlier won for poetry in 2006 and poetry for children in 2012, dedicated his latest work on an October 31 Facebook post "for Negros, for its people, for the crop which sustains us, and which we must sustain to endure but also to find joy in our bittersweet lives."

The former law dean of University of Saint La Salle in Bacolod said he first began writing the first draft in 1984, completed it the following year and edited it for this year's competition almost at the last minute.

The ceremony's guest of honor was University of the Philippines professor emeritus and scholar Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson, who, in his speech, urged his fellow writers to create works that fearlessly expose wrongdoing and oppose abuse of power.

"Tandaan na ang mga akda na ginagawa natin ay makakatulong para mapalaya ang ating mga kababayan ang kanilang sarili sa bakal na kamay ng mga kawal ng kasinungalingan (Remember that the works we create would help free our countrymen from the iron hand of the forces of falsehood)," Tiongson said.

"At sa kanilang paglaya, unti-unting maglalaho ang buwang ng kamangmangahan na naghahati sa atin at ating mga kapatid, at sama-sama nating mabubuo ang gintong lipunan ng pakikipagkapwa sa tinubuang lupa (And once they're free, the ignorance dividing us from our brethren would gradually vanish and we'll form together that golden society of fellowship in our homeland)," he continued.

Regarded as the country's counterpart of the United States' Pulitzer Prize, the Palanca Awards was named after business and philanthropist Carlos Palanca Sr., and established in 1951. It aims to cultivate Philippine literature by providing incentives for writers and serving as a treasury of their works.

Here is the full list of winners:

KABATAAN DIVISION

KABATAAN SANAYSAY. First prize: Glorious Zavannah Exylin C. Alesna, "Pamimintana." Second prize: Hansly Kendrich C. Saw, "Ang Larong Naipanalo Ko." Third prize: John Clarence D. Espedido, "Mga Bantas ang Nagsilbi kong Guro."

KABATAAN ESSAY. First prize: Glorious Zahara Exylin C. Alesna, "Home is a Bowl of Warm Soup." Second prize: Jenine A. Santos, "Covid-19 is My Alter Ego." Third prize: Gavin Micah T. Herrera, "The Social Pandemic."

FILIPINO DIVISION

MAIKLING KUWENTO. First prize: Charmaine M. Lasar, "Ang Value ng X Kapag Choppy si Mam." Second prize: Abegail E. Pariente, "Barangay Alitaptap." Third prize: Alec Joshua B. Paradeza, "Kung sa Bawat Pagtawag ay Pagtawid sa Dagat."

MAIKLING KUWENTONG PAMBATA. First prize: Mark Norman S. Boquiren, "Si VeRaptor1 Laban kay Trolakuz." Second prize: Wilfredo Farrales Sarangaya, "Balong Batsit, ang Bidang Bulilit at Bayaning Bulinggit." Third prize: Benedick N. Damaso, "Mirasol para kay Lola Sol."

SANAYSAY. First prize: Venice Kayla Dacanay Delica, "Kung Magkapalad Ka't Mangmang." Second prize: Jhon Lester P. Sandigan, "Tatlong Pancit Canton." Third prize: Nathaniel R. Alcantara, "Isang Dekadang Kontrata sa Piling ng mga Mikrobyo."

TULA. First prize: Ralph Lorenz G. Fonte, M.D., "Uyayi ng mga Patay na Buwan." Second prize: Enrique S. Villasis, "Pintula." Third prize: Sonny C. Sendon, "Mga Anino sa Guho at iba pang mga tula."

TULA PARA SA MGA BATA. First prize: Christian R. Vallez, "Tula, Tula, Paano ka Ginawa?" Second prize: Rebecca T. Añonuevo, "Ang Bangbang." Third prize: Ninia H. dela Cruz, "Mga Pahina sa Alaala ng Nanay."

DULANG MAY ISANG YUGTO. First prize: Andrew Bonifacio L. Clete, "Punks Not Dead." Second prize: Layeta P. Bucoy, "Dance of the Foolies." Third prize: Ryan Machado, "Huling Haraya nina Ischia at Emeteria."

DULANG GANAP ANG HABA. First prize: Joshua Lim So, "Mga Silid ng Unos: Tomo Uno." Second prize: Rodolfo C. Vera, "Anak Datu." Third prize: Steven Prince C. Fernandez, "Badung."

DULANG PAMPELIKULA. First prize: Avelino Mark C. Balmes Jr., "Amoy Pulbos." Second prize: Noreen Besmar Capili, "DOS." Third prize: Ehdison M. Dimen, "Ang Pananalangin sa Getsemani."

NOBELA. Grand prize: Khavn, "ANTIMARCOS." Special prize: Edgar Calabia Samar, "Teorya ng Unang Panahon."

REGIONAL DIVISION

SHORT STORY, CEBUANO. First prize: Noel P. Tuazon, "Barang." Second prize: Manu Avenido, "Ikigal." Third prize: Januar E. Yap, "John Wayne ug ang Goldfish kong Inahan."

SHORT STORY, HILIGAYNAN. First prize: Peter Solis Nery, "Ang Macatol Kag Ang 'Queen of Relief.'" Second prize: Early Sol A. Gadong, "Malipayon nga Katapusan." Third prize: Ritchie D. Pagunsan, "Esperanza."

SHORT STORY, ILOKANO. First prize: Oswald Ancheta Valente, "Ti Kimat Ken Ti Silag." Second prize: Remedios S. Tabelisma-Aguillon, "Ti Ubing." Third prize: Rodolfo D. Agatep Jr., "Karton."

ENGLISH DIVISION

SHORT STORY. First prize: Ian Rosales Casocot, "Ceferina in Apartment 2G." Second prize: Exie Abola, "Ardor." Third prize: Hammed Bolotaolo, "The Money Changer."

SHORT STORY FOR CHILDREN. First prize: No winner. Second prize: Elyrah L. Salanga-Torralba, "Cloud Keeper." Third prize: Heather Ann Ferrer Pulido, "My Grandma Who Lives in Half a House."

ESSAY. First prize: Alfonso Tomas P. Araullo, "Letter from Tawi-Tawi." Second prize: Michaela Sarah de Leon, "Filipino Millennial Monomyth." Third prize: Alexandra Francesca A. Bichara, "The Helmsman's Daughter."

POETRY. First prize: Ramil Digal Gulle, "Bol-anon Prodigal." Second prize: Soleil David, "A Few Dawns from now, A Sunfish." Third prize: Lawrence Anthony R. Bernabe, "The Blueline."

POETRY WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN. First prize: Elyrah L. Salanga-Torralba, "An Empty Chair in the Corner." Second prize: Peter Solis Nery, "Picnic, Symphony and other concepts of a 4th Grader needs to know." Third prize: No winner.

ONE-ACT PLAY. First prize: Ronald S. Covar, "The Cave Dwellers." Second prize: Bonifacio P. Ilagan, "Salvaged Eman." Third prize: Maria Kristine B. Roxas-Miller, "Agencia Feliz."

FULL-LENGTH PLAY. First prize: Layeta P. Bucoy, "Orgullo Compound." Second prize: Jay Mariano Crisostomo 4th, "Black Bordello." Third prize: Dustin Edward D. Celestino, "The Lost Filipino Patriots of America."

NOVEL. Grand prize: Raymundo T. Pandan Jr., "Bittersweetland." Special prize: Alvin dela Serna Lopez, "1762.