Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Top-load/ABC Wednesday


T is for Top load

The jeepney is one of the Philippines' cultural symbols.  It is found in roads all over the country---in the crowded city streets, sleepy towns, provincial roads and rural back roads.  Jeepneys are symbols of our street life, the workhorse of Philippine transportation.  Through the years, jeepneys have earned a moniker "King of the Road" because jeepney drivers are notorious for doing as they please---unload and pick up passengers whenever and wherever, violate all kinds of traffic laws like stopping at No Stop signs, drive on lanes and streets where they are not allowed, bust people's eardrums with their blaring music.

Jeepneys have made an impression on our visitors.  I haven't met a foreign guest who has not been fascinated by our jeepneys.  Riding a jeepney is definitely one of their must-try when they're in the Philippines, and I bet they have interesting stories of their jeepney rides when they go home.  An American client was fascinated how the driver can manage it all---keeps track of each passenger, makes sure each passenger pays before getting off, receives fares and gives change while snaking through traffic.  Yes, a jeepney driver is great at multi-tasking!  

I enjoy riding jeepneys when I travel to the countryside.  The ride is inexpensive and it allows you to take in as much scenery as you could.  I admit it's not the most comfortable ride, sometimes it feels like you're in a can of sardines.  The fun part is, you get to meet interesting people when you share such small space with them.

Jeepney rides can give you an adrenalin rush especially when you take the top load---that means sitting on the roof of the jeepney.  There are places in far-flung provinces where trips are few and far between, and commuters have to make the best out of these trips, hence the top load sitting arrangement.  Tourists and thrill-seekers love the top load, photographers get the best drive-by shots.

Law enforcers discourage top load as it is dangerous but drivers allow it, and passengers ride the top load at their own risk.  Maybe I should try this one of these days.:p



Linking to ABC Wednesday

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

L/ABC Wednesday


L is for Luneta

This is the Rizal monument at Rizal Park, more popularly known as Luneta Park, or colloquially LunetaLuneta is a historical urban park in the city of Manila, and one of its major tourist attractions. Touted as the "land of heroes", many Filipinos died in Luneta fighting for Philippine independence.  This place was the "killing fields" during the Spanish regime.  The execution of Dr. Jose Rizal in Luneta on December 30, 1896 sparked the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish colonizers.  The park was renamed in Dr. Rizal's honor---his monument serves as the symbolic focal point of the park, an honor guard is on duty here 24 hours a day.  National dedication days are held in front of the Rizal monument.  It is also where foreign leaders attend wreath-laying ceremonies during state visits.  Below is the marker of Dr. Rizal's execution site, and behind it is the diorama.

Aside from Dr. Jose Rizal, Luneta is also home to another Filipino hero, Lapu-Lapu (1491-1542).  His larger-than-life statue is known as "The Sentinel of Freedom".  Lapu-Lapu was a ruler of Mactan (an island in Cebu) who is known as the first native to have resisted the Spanish colonization.  

Luneta is a 54-hectare park with a man-made lake at the center with dancing fountains and giant raised-relief map of the Philippines.  The national library and national museums are located inside the park.  There is also a diorama of Rizal's martyrdom, a Japanese and Chinese gardens, an orchidarium and butterfly pavilion, a planetarium, an oceanarium,  various sculptures and historical markers.
If you're too tired to walk around the park, there are horse-drawn carriages, locally known as kalesa, for hire; there is also a mini-train that goes around the park.  Lots of things happening at Luneta, especially on weekends---from Concert at the Park to cultural shows.  Recently, I've read that there will be free wi-fi access at Luneta this October.

Will be blogging from Luneta soon!:p

Luneta means "eye glass" in Portuguese; "lens", "window" in Spanish. 

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Signs @ Intramuros

"The Crazy Nun"

Old and new store signs I spotted along Plaza San Luis across the San Agustin Church in Intramuros.  

La Monja Loca (The Crazy Nun) is a few years old,  a store "dedicated to the promotion of all things good and all things Filipino, from vintage postcards and traditional handicrafts", according to its website.  They also sell rare books, traditionally-woven fabrics, paintings of local artists and a bunch of quirky things.

Next door is The Papier Tole Shop---one of the oldest shops in Intramuros selling recycled paper products from dolls to 3-D paintings.



Linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

G/ABC Wednesday

@ Fontana Leisure Park

G is for Grotto

In a predominantly Catholic country like the Philippines, a grotto is a pretty common outdoor garden feature in residences, resorts, parks and even caves.  Many Filipinos are Marian devotees and most of the grottoes here have the statue of the Blessed Virgin.

@ Mambucal Hot Spring

A grotto (Italian grotta, French "grotte") is a type of natural or artificial cave that is associated with modern, historic or prehistoric use by humans (Source).  It is often a small cave near the water and often flooded or liable to flood at high tide. 

Many grottoes around the Philippines are believed to be miraculous.  Devotees and the curious travel to visit grottoes especially during Lent.
behind the Salawag Parish Church
True strength lies in submission which permits one to dedicate his life, through devotion, to something beyond himself. ~ Henry Miller


Linking to ABC Wednesday

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

W/ABC Wednesday


W is for Water Buffalo

Popularly known as carabao or kalabaw (Tagalog), Bubalus bubalis carabanesis is a subspecies of the domesticated water buffalo.  It is one of the most important animals in the Philippines, especially in agriculture, being the farm animal of choice for pulling both a plow and the cart used to haul produce to the market.  For a Filipino farmer, a kalabaw is a faithful partner in life.

The water buffalo is indigenous to Southeast Asia.  Silent and docile, it is strong and a hard-worker.  Without sweat glands, it cools itself by lying in a waterhole or mud during the heat of the day.  Both male and female have massive horns, adults weigh 700 to 800 kilograms.

siesta

Until a few years ago, I didn't know there was a white [albino] water buffalo.  The gray/black species is commonly used in farming.  A friend told me that the albino is easily sunburned that they're not used in the fields but as a source of milk.  

It looks like the albino, indeed, has a much easier life.:p

beast of burden
A parade of hundreds of water buffalo in the streets of Pulilan town in Bulacan is held every 14th and 15th of May in honor of the town's patron saint, San Isidro Labrador.  You can see photos here

In the early 90's, the government established the Philippine Carabao Center.  It was created to conserve, propagate and promote the Philippine carabao as a source of draft animal power, meat, milk and hide.  Also to enable small farmers to avail themselves of a good quality carabao; encourage backyard dairy development in rural areas to reduce dependence on imported milk by-products; and increase the annual population growth of Philippine carabaos.

mother and child cooling off

Posted for Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Sign language


@ Fort Santiago
Intramuros, Manila


Linking to Signs, Signs

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Signs: BAYANIJUAN


BAYANIJUAN is a project that leads government, NGOs and the private sector to work together in the spirit of Bayanihan to revitalize the Philippines, one community at a time.   "Walang Iwanan sa Bayan ni Juan" is translated to "We'll stick together in Juan's nation".  Juan de la Cruz is the Filipino symbol of identity representing "the average person" similar to John Smith. "Bayanihan" is a Filipino term taken from the word bayan, referring to a nation, country, town or community.  The whole term bayanihan refers to a spirit of communal unity.

Found this banner at the recently concluded Manila FAME.


Join us at Signs, Signs hosted by Lesley

Monday, August 22, 2011

Mellow Yellow Monday # 33: Golden bamboo

@ mirandablue
A foliage of golden bamboo at the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City.  Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the planet, and has cultural and economic significance not only in the Philippines but in Southeast Asia.  It has a potential to preserve the forests, contribute to the conservation of biodiversity, provide food, livelihood and a versatile raw material. Bamboo also plays an important role in the Philippine creation myth.  Legend tells that the first man, Malakas (strong), and the first woman, Maganda (beautiful), each emerged from split bamboo stems. :p


Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Midweek Blues: The Last Supper

@ mirandablue
As part of the Holy Week tradition, carriages were paraded around town in the late afternoon of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (April 21st and 22nd) to commemorate and enact the Passion of Jesus.  This carriage was carrying carved images of Jesus and his apostles depicting The Last Supper.  This was part of the procession of the Roman Catholics on Good Friday at my mother's hometown of Valladolid in Negros Occidental.


Linked to Midweek Blues

Monday, May 9, 2011

Mellow Yellow Monday #18: Jeepney

@ mirandablue
An air-conditioned jeepney---an evolution of a Philippine icon.