Sangyaw and Pintados, the Battle...

A glance at the title would suggest that the words do not deserve to be in one sentence, at least from this blogger's point of view. This is for a number of reasons foremost of which is that both the Sangyaw and Pintados are celebration of a distinctly religious event, the feast of the Senyor Sto. Nino. Discord has marked this year's festivities and provided a damper in what should have been a unifying occasion for all Waraynons in the region.

A court case has been filed and a TRO (Temporary restraining order) has been issued by a local judge. A visibly irate local chief executive has threatened to hold those responsible for the TRO accountable and from the grapevine, I've heard that certain properties in the city are to be reverted back to the province.

As a backgrounder, the Pintados Kasadyaan is an annual parade in Tacloban held every 27th of June that began sometime in the late 80's and is meant to coincide with the city's annual fiesta. It is spearheeaded by the Pintados Foundation and the province of Leyte and showcases presentations from different towns and cities in region interpreting the pagans' deliverance by the Sto. Nino in the form of dance. When incumbent Mayor Alfred Romualdez became the city's chief, he reintroduced the Sangyaw, to be the main and focal point of the celebration of the city fiesta, the feast of the Senyor Sto. Nino. From that point on, a struggle seems to have emerged as to which of the two parades, the Sangyaw and Pintados Kasadyaan has the rightful claim as to to being the festival that truly represents the city's fiesta.

But 'nuf said, since I was not able to watch both parades I've included a link here where you can watch slide shows from the event. You may also click here for well-taken pictures of both events.

Zumarraga, the land of broken promises

Zumarraga wharf


Old man of the sea, he steered the boat we rode for Zumarraga


Lonely fisherman

Rock formation

Two weeks ago I was asked by my boss to represent him at an event in Zumarraga, Samar. I was quite excited to do this as I have never gone there before and in my research over the Internet I learned that the island-municipality was a naturally beautiful place.

We went via Babatngon, Leyte which is a half hour trip from Tacloban, after which we then rode a motorized boat owned by the family of the mayor which was docked at the Babtngon wharf. The latter's personal secretary welcomed us aboard who proved to be a very able and amiable host. Embarking,I immediately noticed two armed camouflaged men on the boat, perhaps an indication of the bitter political rivalry that is known to exits between the local leaders of Zumarraga and Daram, both island towns that are figuratively a stone's throw from each other.

The trip from Babatngon took almost two hours and along the way we were treated to scenic sights that our host pointed out and named for us. There was the rock stone formations similar to that of Marabut, Samar; white sand beaches that looked deserted except for a few huts, and the ruins of a Spanish garrison meant to deter marauders of the sea.

The waters leading to Zumarraga is a deep emerald green and this could be the reason why the town is sometimes referred to as an emerald of the sea. Yet despite its natural bounty, the municipality has fallen way, way behind in terms of economic progress and the people trapped in a bucolic and yet stale existence. It was once the center of fishing trade in the islands of Samar and Leyte supplying the needs of Tacloban and Catbalogan. But now the fishes are not as abundant as before, the result of enviromental neglect and abuse. Dynamite fishing was said to be rampant and destroyed most of the corals that served as the homes for most of the sea life.

Yet despite the sad tale of the fishes gone elsewhere, the beauty of Zumarraga remain and the smiles on the faces of its people optimistic. Perhaps one day, the promises given would be kept and the waters would teem again with the bounty of the sea.

The Final Encore...Francis M

Mga Kababayan Ko
"Mga kababayan ko, nais ko ng malaman niyo
Bilib ako sa kulay ko
Ako ay Pilipino
Kung may itim at may puti
Mayroon naman kayumanggi
Isipin mo na kaya mo
Abutin ang yong minimithi..."

(Rough translation, as in real rough)
My fellow countrymen, I just wanted you to know
I am proud of my color
I am a Filipino
In a world of white men and black men
The brown race also exists
Just think you can
And your dreams shall be within reach

This song was all the rage then back in my senior year in high school and signalled the start of the rise of Francis Magalona's star in Philipine pop music. With songs like "Mga Kababayan Ko", "Kaleidoscope World" "Man From Manila", "Ito Ang Gusto Ko" all original compositions teeming with patriotic fervor, he established his foothold as the Master Rapper and King of Pinoy rap.

Now, the kingdom is without a king and the Master Rapper is gone.

In the early afternoon of March 6, 2009, the "Man From Manila" lost his battle with leukemia, barely a year after being diagnosed with the terminal illness. He left behind his wife, Pia Arroyo and eight children and memories of a life lived with passion as well as a legacy of Filipino music that shouts, yes, I am a Filipino, and I am proud...