History in the Philippines is never far removed from the people’s daily lives. It’s intrinsic in their artworks, reli­gion, cinema, and especially their festivals. It is doubtful that any country in the world puts as many days aside for celebratory events as do the Filipinos. And they do it in grand style, with an energy and passion that can leave the visiting observer literally breathless with excitement and with awe; as I discovered in Iloilo on the central Visayan island of Panay.

This was my second visit to Iloilo. The first time I came to do the city plazas and their churches – grand old Spanish colonial survivors. This time I had one of those festivals in mind – the Dinagyang. Such is its popularity, you have to book well in advance to ensure you get a room, or else do as I did
- come a few days before the main parade.

I arrived to find the town already in a state of total upheaval. Traffic was being diverted from major intersections, on which huge grandstands were under construction – hand-built by an army of enthusiastic workers. One city street was cordoned off, and given over to live entertainment and food. You could try here almost every kind of food that the Philippines has to offer. Iloilo is famous for its “Ilongo” cuisine, and especially its squid. It’s grilled on a skewer and stuffed with a delectable garlic seafood sauce.

Performance rehearsals too were well and truly under way. You could hear them. I quizzed a bystander about the drumming and commotion that was coming from up the street. “It’s the Ilonganon tribe practicing,” he told me.

“Tribe!” My curiosity was aroused.

Ostensibly, the Dinagyang festival is all about religion – a re­enactment of an event in 1967 which saw the coming to Iloilo from Cebu of a replica of an ancient and much venerated stat­ue of the child Jesus, or santo nino. And this to a large extent is what the festival’s all about. But there is more. The main body of celebrants dress themselves as “Ati”, or “Ati-ati”, the dark-skinned indigenous inhabitants of Panay. And like the Ati of old, they divide themselves into “tribes”, each one representing a modern day district or town within the Iloilo province. They blacken their bodies, and contrive extraordinarily flamboyant tribal costumes. These are made from mostly organic materials – feathers, shells, leaves, coconut fronds, coconut husks and bark. The name “Dinagyang” is a reference to the Ilongo lin­guistic term “Dagyang”, or “merrymaking”.

Folklore has it that it was actually some members of an Ati tribe who found the original santo nino image. It was washed up from a shipwreck on a beach in the north of Panay. This was in the 16th century. The nearby town of Kalibo stages its own giant Ati-atihan festival to commemorate this event.

Back still further – 1n 1212, to be exact – the Ati also partici­pated in a very famous barter. As the original custodians of the island, they saw fit to grant large tracts of prime coastal land to newly arrived settlers in exchange for gifts – cloth, jewels, gold trinkets and the like. The newcomers were 10 Datu, or chiefs, and their followers who had come from Borneo to Panay to escape persecution from a tyrannical overlord. The completion of the transaction precipitated a cathartic celebration on the part of the Ati, with wild dancing to the beating of drums. It is this, the so-called Hala Bira, that is en­thusiastically re-enacted at the Dinagyang festival today.

The festival kicks off in late December and culminates in the street parade on the last Sunday of January. Preliminary events include dance, show band and marching competitions, the crowning of “Princess Isabel”, plus a series of religious services at the old Spanish colonial church of San Jose. The focal point of the fiesta is the large and leafy Independence Plaza, directly oppo­site the church. The plaza and surrounds are the scene of all manner of happenings – snacking out in the temporary cafes, im­bibing in the very well patronized tempo­rary bars, buzzing to and from the carnival next door, last minute rehearsals for bands and marching troupe, buying nino images and plastic Ati-ati  masks.

The key religious event is the Fluvial Pro­cession, in which the arrival of the santo nino in the town is re-enacted. According to the program, the procession assembled at the old Spanish-built Fort San Pedro – or at least its scant remains – which stands near the mouth of the Iloilo River. I went there by tricycle, or pedaled trishaw, and got there just in time to see the town digni­taries being escorted onto one of the giant flag-festooned bancas, or outrigger boats, that comprised the ceremonial fleet. It was my first chance to see the real ati-ati cos­tumes. The boats were all manned by the warriors, who looked like they were going off to war.

Another tricycle ride, and a cunning short­cut, gets men quickly back up river and to just behind the plaza, where a huge crowd lines the banks to await the big event. Eve­ryone, it seems has their own santo nino statue to wave. Some are quite impressive works of art – hand-made by the people who own them. The flotilla duly arrives. How many boats? I can’t really count them. For the image has already come ashore, carried by the warriors and surrounded by a thousand devotees. Great ranks of out­rageously costumed and blackened tribes assemble. Marching bands appear from God knows where, along with marshal arts performers, athletics clubs and such, all in splendid costume and meticulously drilled in their routines. To fail to get good pictures here, you’d have to leave your lens cap on, or point your camera to the sky.

The program, by the way, is available at the Iloilo Tourist office, which also sup­plies good maps and info on the city and the province. Without it I would probably have missed some other fabulous events.

The marching girls competition was a mini festival in itself, with the gor­geously costumed groups doing their baton wielding thing before huge crowds in the …. Grandstand. The crowning of Princess Isabel may not be everybody’s favorite kind of show, but the kids steal the show – the escorts for the contestants. They are decked out in courtly red costumes and play naughty tricks on each other as they wait.

Robinson’s Shopping Mall too gets in on the act. I chance upon a fine pho­tographic exhibition on the mezzanine floor, an Ati-ati warrior who you can get to have your picture taken with (I keep mine under wraps), and a weird kind of dance show that would not be out of place in the Sydney Mardi Gras.

I’m now well and truly primed for the really big event. It’s Sunday. Now the Ati-ati really do their thing. Some thirty or so “tribes” participate in the pa­rade, each with upwards of a hundred male and female performers, plus stage hands, prop carriers, water totes and wardrobe attendants. Each tribe is competing for a prize – I never found out what. And each has choreo­graphed a dramatic and highly charged theatrical event. It might be based on an historical event, or maybe just pure myth. It will almost certainly involve the overthrow of evil spirits through the invocation of the nino. And there’s more.

The performers must parade through the streets. But they don’t just walk. It’s pretty much non-stop dancing and performing all the way – despite the broiling sun. The loyal “roadies” trail behind them, wheeling the enormous mobile stage, props and costume accessories. As if this is not enough, they stage their show on four separate occasions before huge crowds assembled in the grandstands. They leap fearlessly from way up on their stage, and maneuver their huge ranks with a flare and precision that might rival Broad­way’s Ziegfeld Follies. For my part, I keep up with the pace for several hours, before it all just gets too much. And I retire totally pooped.

By now I had a new mission. Next day I am back at the good old tourist of­fice. I ask if the Ati people still live on Panay today. I am told that they do, in small isolated communities way off in the hills. There are other more acces­sible ones on the island of Guimaras. It’s the pretty large island that lies just south of Iloilo. I set off to find them.

This became a fun-filled adventure. Guimaras is accessible by ferry. The “pumpboat” there takes no more than thirty minutes. It lands in the small coastal town of Santo Rosario. This is a friendly and intriguing little place. It’s got enclaves everywhere – a lively fishing harbor, a quaint town centre and lots of tranquil little watery retreats. From here I was able to hire a tricy­cle – a three wheel motor bike taxi with canopy – to take me into the interior. Our destination was the barangay (district) of St. Nicolas and the Ati village of Sirum.

The excitement welled up inside me as we wheeled down the dirt track that would take us to the village. “Village”, though, was not quite the right term.

It was more a loose collection of farmhouses dotted here and there among the hills. We approached one of  the houses on  foot. And  the welcome we received was genuinely warm, especially from the children, who seemed imbued with an endearing kind of natural “cool”. The families proudly showed of their attractive little houses, which they themselves had built. Tere were lots of smiles, lots of good feelings shared.

Life in the community was clearly nothing if not frugal, but no more so than elsewhere  in  the  island’s hinterland.  I  lef with a very positive  impression, one  that also confrmed what  I’d already been  told. Te Ati people are by nature very shy. Historically, they have preferred to retire further back into the hills, rather  than embrace  the strange new communities  that  imposed themselves upon them from elsewhere, including the Spanish.

It seems somewhat ironic that the Ati of today do not at all participate in the festival that borrows so much from their culture, and acknowledges the role they have played  in the history of Panay. Those who visit them would understand why. Tey are happy to remain out of the limelight, and enjoy the tranquil beauty of their farmlands and their hills. Who could really blame them?

The Iloilo Fair kicks off on the last week of December.
For more details go to:
www.iloiloviews.com

Published by Traversing The Orient Magazine. You want to make an online travel business? Please go to www.web.com.

The Iloilo Fair

Marco Polo Plaza in Cebu is the only hotel in the city that is nestled on a hilltop. This urban resort hotel has all the amenities for the visitor who wishes to combine business with relaxation.

Elegantly gracing the city’s skyline, Marco Polo Plaza is only 35 minutes away from the Mactan International Airport and a mere 10 minutes away from the city’s business center and  shopping malls.

Rooms
There are 329 guest rooms and suites which reflect a classic yet contemporary style with a touch of local culture. Each room is equipped with spacious bathrooms, a safe, broad­band Internet access, IDD phones with voicemail, cable television and mini bar, and coffee and tea making conven­iences.

For world leaders and dignitaries, the hotel has a well ap­pointed Presidential Suite with all the special touches that would make them feel like royalty.

The Continental Club
Located on the 22nd and 23rd floors, the Continental Club assures privacy and luxury for today’s discerning leisure and business travelers. Private access is via a scenic lift.

Privileges include breakfast, cocktails and all- day refresh­ments served in a roof-top lounge with a 360 degree view.

Meetings and conference facilities
The Grand Ballroom and 12 mul­tifunctional rooms can accommo­date close to 1,500 guests for dining set-up, and provide an ideal venue for meetings, seminars and social events.

The outdoor venue is the Garden Terrace. Set in lush garden sur­roundings, it has a great view of the city. It can accommodate up to 200 guests in a banquet set up.

Recreation
The mango-shape swimming pool against the sound of the waterfall offers easy and invigorating relaxation.

The outdoor whirlpool, with its water jets is an extension of the mango shape swimming pool and is a great relaxant for tired muscles.
Filipino and Chinese dishes, fruit platters, different fruit juices, a noodle bar, Restaurants and bars an omelet bar, a variety of cheeses, a variety of cereals garnished with dried fruits and nuts.  One cannot ask for more.

The Wellness Zone Spa
Melt all the stress away at the Wellness Zone Spa.  Put yourself in the hands
of spa  therapists  trained  to a world class standard and get pampered with
diferent massage styles, oxygen facial, body scrub, sauna and more.

Rtness Gym

Get pumped up and worked out with our easy to use gym  facilities.   New
health programs and workout assistance are also available with our ftness
consultants and nutritionists.

Kids Play

Drop the kids of at Toys@Work for some playground fun. Kids can enjoy
play facilities, puzzles, books and toys of all kinds.

Restaurants and bars Café Marco

A signature outlet, Café Marco can seat 144 guests and has four interactive kitchens, featuring an Asian International buffet and a-la-carte menu. It is open from 6 AM to 11:30 PM. Their breakfast buffet is an array of different kinds of cuisine that can satisfy the most discriminating palate. They include different kinds of bread and delicious Danish pastries, wafes, pancakes, Filipino and Chinese dishes, fruit platters, different fruit juices, a noodle bar, an omelet bar, a variety of cheeses, a variety of cereals garnished with dried fruits and nuts. One cannot ask for more.

Lobby Lounge

Amid  the  backdrop  of  contemporary music  and  elegance,  Lobby  Lounge
guests enjoy a fine selection of coffees and wines, plus traditional teas, tapas,
and a wide selection of desserts and pastries. It can seat 79 guests and is open from  09 AM  to  01 AM.    It  is  the  perfect “chill-out”  place  for  friends  and  business associates unwinding from a busy day.

El Viento Bar, Restaurant and Pool Bar

Naturally  al  fresco,  sip on  a  cool drink or enjoy a dish prepared in mango wood-fried oven at  the Pool Bar.   Enjoy Mediterranean  choices  in  its menu-  salads, appetizers, cocktails and its signature pizza.  With live
acoustic music by the poolside, El Viento is perfect for a laid back evening.  Open from 10: 00 AM to 11:30 PM.

Blu Bar & Grill

Located  at  the  Penthouse  and  ofering  a panoramic view of Cebu City and beyond, BLU Bar and Grill features a variety of  innovative appetizers, grilled meats,  seafood and  international  desserts.  Seats up to 98 guests  from “twilight  to moonlight”. Open from  6PM to 11:PM.

Published by Traversing The Orient Magazine. You want to make an online travel business? Please go to www.web.com.

Business Man’s Haven

At the heart of the city of Pasig in Metro Manila, Philippines, one can find a stone church frequented by devotees from far and wide. This church, founded in 1572, became a very important Augustinian mission under the curatorship of Muy Reverendo Padre Fray Juan de Alva as its first prior. Fr. Juan de Peñalosa stood in as his assistant. The old Spanish Pasig mission was formerly built with wood and was initially accepted under the titular Con­ventus Visitationis Virginis Mariae de Passin in an Augustinian triennial ca­pitular meeting on April 30, 1575 under the District of Tondo. It became the first Marian Parish in the whole of Asia.

Before the Spanish conquistadores, around 1450, Pasig was a peaceful kingdom built around the Bitukang Manok River under the leadership of a beautiful queen, Dayang Calangitan, wife of Gat Lontok, a local Malay royalty. Dayang Calangitan (or Lady from Heaven) was a much loved lead­er who ruled the natives benevolently, making the town very progressive. The area of Pasig is a natural springboard to parts of Lake Laguna. Cascos (trade boats) were moored in this area and would ply the river with farm produce while natives would cast their nets for produce. Through her able stewardship, Pasig eventually grew to become a major sitio (place) for flour­ishing trade during her term. Dayang Calangitan must have been perceived as heaven sent – making it easier for the Pasigueño natives, called Tingues (people of the mountain), to embrace the Spanish brought Blessed Virgin Mary, La Nuestra Señora desde del cielo (Our Lady from Heaven), as its future patroness.

On April 25, 1587, the titular Conventus Visitationis de Mariae was changed to the Immaculate Conception as Patroness of the town of Pasig. In its early Spanish development, the Pasig convent was seen as a flourishing and rich center of faith. Through the years, the parish grew especially devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The different chapels of Pasig adopted an attribute of the Blessed Virgin Mary for further veneration in their respective sites. May­bonga has Nuestra Señora de los Remedios; Sto. Tomas de Villanueva has Virgin del Pilar; Palatiw has Virgen de Salvacion and Pinira (Rosario) has Our Lady of the Rosary. The most significant event which stirred the prayer­ful soul of old Pasig was probably the passage in 1632 of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage who sailed down the central canal, Bitukang Manok, on her way to her permanent home in Antipolo. Pasig and its people were  closely identified with her and  they placed themselves under her protection – albeit unofficially. The town was becoming a very famous Marian town with  the Spanish brought image of the Immaculate Conception taking pride of place at the center of the altar.

In the eighteenth  century, the first significant Marian event was the foundation in 1712 of the Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de la  Consolacion (De la Correa) in the archdiocese under the auspices of the Augustinians as approved by Archbishop Francisco de la Cuesta. We can learn from Muy Reverendo Padre Fray Joaquin Martinez de Zuniga’s book, Estadismo de las Islas Filipinas, published in 1800, that the mission parish was richly ornamented with silver jewels and a convent which is among the best in the country.

Construction  work  on  the church  and  provisions  for the  fiesta  of  the  patroness were  carried  out  by  Muy Reverendo  Padres  Juan Vague  and  Jose  Corugedo. The  church  was  enlarged to  accommodate  the  camarin of  the patroness, altar  tables,  the  sacristy  and the  increasing  number  of prayerful  souls  during fiestas. The altar retablo was  repaired  after being  eaten  by  termites and  silver  andas were purchased  for  procession. More  importantly, it was during this time that  Muy  Reverendo  Padre Fray Juan Vague wrote a letter to the Archbishop of Manila begging him to accommodate the purchase of a beautiful crown  replete with various  stones  for  the patroness,  the  Immaculate Conception at the altar. It is this very crown that was used in the canonical coronation of the Patroness one hundred and forty-one years later in 2008. On December 8th, 1870, a traveling Belgian, J. Le Mann, saw the wealth of Pasig’s fiesta reflected in the wealth of its inhabitants. The main altar of  the church was made of  solid  silver  and  the  intensity of the fiesta  in honor of  its patroness, Nuestra Señora  de  la  Inmaculada  Concepcion, was contagious.

But not all was well in Pasig a year later. Dissatisfaction rose against the administration of the Spaniards. Patriotic Filipinos were agitated with the execution of Jose Rizal, the nation’s hero. The Filipino-Spanish war broke out forcing the Augustinian Spanish friars, headed by Muy Reverendo Padre Fray Julian Diez to vacate the church and convent. Presbitero Don Victor Ramos y Aguillon, a Filipino priest, was left to tend to the flock. When Spain sold the Philippines to the United States, the Filipinos perceived that another conquistador loomed to take over.

But not all was well in Pasig a year later. Dissatisfaction rose against the adminis­tration of the Spaniards. Patriotic Filipi­nos were agitated with the execution of Jose Rizal, the nation’s hero. The Fili­pino-Spanish war broke out forcing the Augustinian Spanish friars, headed by Muy Reverendo Padre Fray Julian Diez to vacate the church and convent. Presbitero Don Victor Ramos y Aguillon, a Filipino priest, was left to tend to the flock. When Spain sold the Philippines to the United States, the Filipinos perceived that another conquistador loomed to take over.

Pasig was no exception. Before the Americans could seize the town and pre­dictably convert the church into a garrison, Padre Victor was faced with the enormous task of how to safeguard the church possessions, including pre­sumably the priceless and venerated image of the Inmaculada Concepcion, its ornaments, holy vessels and vestments and canonical books dating as far back to the seventeenth century. He learned that Dr. Francisco Sta. Ana, one of the first physicians of Pasig, had invited the French consul to stay in his Bahay na Bato (stone house) to invest it with diplomatic immunity. To be sure, the French consul hoisted the French flag in front of the well fortified residence at the Pariancillo. Like many Pasigueños, the acting pastor, Padre Victor, decided to transfer the church properties including his personal be­longings to the doctor’s house.

Lamentably, the Americans violated international law by disregarding the diplomatic arrangement and set the house on fire during the ensuing battle of February 9th, 1899. With no venerated patroness to speak of, it must have been during the American Regime, between the years 1903 and 1904, that the image of the Inmaculada Concepcion de Pasig was acquired. This was achieved either through American war reparation for desecrating church properties or from the coffers of the Archbishop of Manila who saw to it that an image of its Patroness be installed. By the time of the celebration of the Marian Year in 1904 – the 50th anniversary of the declaration on the dogma of the Immaculate Conception – Pasig had recovered enough to be able to participate in the occasion. From the accounts of Don Pedro Tech, the father of the late prominent Pasigueño historian, Prof. Carlos Tech, the image of the patroness arrived in Pasig during the first years of American occupa­tion aboard one of the cascos and disembarked at the dock of Bambang. The Pasigueños, under the administration of a group called Centro Catolico zealously welcomed the image and brought it to the main altar where it was enthroned, proclaimed and venerated to this present time.

Even after the Spanish regime, the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Fathers (the Scheutist) had the passion to take the cudgels for Marian devotion in Pasig.

The Canonical Coronation

The Canonical Coronation of a Marian image is the Church’s way of hon­oring the Blessed Mother. It is a Papal act, duly expressed in a Papal Bull, wherein a Marian image venerated in a certain locality under a specific title is given the highest recognition. The image to be crowned should be his­torically old and acclaimed as a beacon of faith and hope among the people. Through the rites of Canonical Coronation, the sacred image of Mary em­bodies all the faithful within the locality entrusted to Mary’s maternal love and protection. It enjoins all the faithful in affirming and in recognizing the Church’s fervent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the Diocese of Pasig, the celebra­tion of the 150th year of the apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes in France which heavenly proclaimed the Immaculate Conception of our Lady, and the numerous blessings and graces which have continually been manifested through the powerful intercession of Our Lady. His Most Rev. Francisco C. San Diego, D. D., the Bishop of Pasig, wrote to the Holy See, through His Most Rev. Edward Joseph Adams, D.D., the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philip­pines on July 4, 2008, requesting for the Canonical Coronation of La Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Pasig, the Parochial and Diocesan Patroness.

By miracle and within such a short period, the Congregation of the Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments dated July 30, 2008, expressed approval of the petition making La Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Con­cepcion de Pasig the 29th canonically crowned image in the Philippines.

The momentous celebration of Our Lady’s crowning deserved more than a simple feast. Committees and a lot of hard work were put into the his­toric event. Rev. Fr. Roy M. Rosales, the Cathedral rector and concurrent Chancellor of the Diocese created the Executive Commission of the Canoni­cal Coronation comprising the Parish Pastoral Council, the Committee de Festejos, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Hermandad de la Semana Santa de Pasig, to oversee the celebration.

The Halo and Crown

A new crown sourced from the parishioners would have to be made for the patroness. But somehow and by providence, the item on an antique crown owned by the parish came up when a Marian devotee parishioner broached the idea to Rev. Fr. Roy M. Rosales to use the 1867 Rev. Fr. Juan Vague crown, one of the old Pasig treasures. The decision was not easy, for the antique crown was in a sad state of disrepair. It would be good to note that this crown was subjected to pilferage as two of its pillars or imperialis were stolen. One thing is for sure, if the antique crown was to be used it had to be restored. A noted jeweler, known for his superb craftsmanship was called in to provide the expertise.

Three imperialis of the crown were taken to the Vatican by Fr. Roy to be blessed by Pope Benedict XVI.

A Marian coronation cannot be achieved without the traditional halo or au­reola. To complete the Marian crowning, a matching Halo or Aureola was commissioned by the same family from Pasig who undertook the restora­tion of the antique crown.

The halo mimics the crown with the infusion of various stones and golden embellishments. The halo design duplicates the filigree motif of the crown to add to the femininity and fluidity in pattern. Over a thousand stones and 12 medals were purchased from various suppliers in the United States, Thailand and Hong Kong.

Finally, on the seventh design and after three long months came united approval. It just took one day for the artist to finish the final design outside the chancery’s office in the Cathedral. The artist together with the sponsor, after several sketches and adjustments were astonished that the Halo turned out to be a collection of “Peinetas,” (small combs) used by Filipinas to compliment their na­tive dresses such as “Maria Claras,” “Sayas” and “Kimonas”. This design was made before the Filipiniana theme of this historic event was an­nounced. The flower design of “sampaguita” (na­tional flower in Philippines) was incorporated on the Halo as twelve stars cum “sampaguita” repre­senting the twelve tribes of Israel. With the filigree style, the Halo also contains twelve medals of the different attributes of our Blessed Mother such as, Our Lady the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal to name a few. Over a thousand stones were used to adorn the Halo.

The fabrication of the Halo took another three months to finish. To compliment the jeweler’s work, an engineer designed the support and the stabilization of the Halo and its metal holder stand which was executed by an expert in metal craft.

The Altar Restoration

In preparation for the great event of the Canoni­cal Coronation, the main altar and the two side altars of the Cathedral were renovated and re­stored, maintaining its original classic design and further enhanced with gold leafed carvings.

Image Restoration

It was in the morning of September 29, 2008 that the image of the Blessed Virgin was brought down from Her camarin and was brought to the Museo Diocesano de Pasig. There in this muse­um, the image would be prepared for her canoni­cal elevation.

The early 1900s antique image of La Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Pasig was seen with its paint peeling off in some parts. As the image was initially cleaned with purified water, all parts of the image were infused with dust accumulation. But what was strange was that the face area remained miraculously preserved from dust. As the restorers lifted the under part of the base, a strong scent of mixed rose and san­dalwood filled the air. The restorers all looked amazed that over a century on the scent of wood and flowers were miraculously still there.

As the old paint was being chipped off to its base color, the sky blue mantle was actually that of a shade darker than royal blue. The sharp details of the image came out in full view such us the scars on her right and left eye and a scratch on her nose. After all these years, the parishioners saw that the Patrona is fair skinned. What was revealed was that the base color of the face was actually a morenita (darkened red). In fact, the restorers saw that the image had a resemblance to Our Lady of Guadalupe modified to suit her image as the Immaculate Conception. The existing mantle with an inch wide gold leaf turned out to be originally two and a half inches wide. The tunic was not off white in color but actually yellow.

Two strange manifestations occurred inside the museum while the image was being restored. On November 18, 2008 at 2:30 in the morning while the restorers were about to call it a night, sounds like a choir of angels singing heavenly music were heard from the wooden floors of the museum. Also, at around midnight of November 22, final­izing the paint restoration, the restorers were mesmerized upon seeing a cherub flapping its wings as it emerged from behind the Patrona’s back as if guarding the image.

As the paint restoration reached its completion, what un­raveled was a beautiful Madonna worthy of being canoni­cally crowned.

The Lady’s Manto or Mantle

A manto or mantle  is  a piece of  clothing usually of fine linen, similar to a robe but sleeveless and usually open at the  front, worn as an outer covering.  In religious  terms, the linen symbolizes Mary’s mantle; the blue symbolizes compassion, fidelity and the waters of baptism; the white of  purity  and  the  magniifcent  halo-like  embroidered gold crown of Pasig flowers is symbolic of celestial royalty that befits a queen of heaven.

La Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Pasig may not be de vestir  (clothed) but  the manto symbolizes our respect and veneration beftting an image that is canonically crowned. It is also dressed with a cloak to conserve the stability of the wooden image and to protect it from contact with the metal crown.

The mantle consists of four layers:

First, the bottom part  is  the beso manto which is made of  very fine white  lace. By its Spanish name, its purpose is to be kissed. Extended to the back of the camarin, this shall serve as the mantle to be kissed by the faithful. The  second  is a thicker manto of blue Vietnamese silk satin purposely prepared to give body to the overall manto of the virgin.

The most expensive mantle is the third manto which is made of finely handcrafted gilded floral threads accentuated by bouillon threads on piña cloth and silk organza which gives it its royal bearing.

The fourth and last layer is the Tocado or Toca Sobremanto which is a small piece of piña cloth found at the crown portion of the image. This is made to hold  the papal blessed  antique crown of the image.

The design is inspired by Pasig fora frequently  and more  traditionally used during the Spanish period which are: the sampaguita, ilang-ilang, camia, jasmine, rosal, and much-admired leaves of kamuning, and anahaw. The design  follows the pattern of agos – a continuous flow of embroidery without any planned pattern design. The color scheme  is carefully addressed and planned to be simple yet elaborate. Styled not to compete with the really beautiful image and closely patterned with the very feminine areola design.

The carrosa that was used for the canonical crowning and the triumphal procession of the venerated virgin, was prepared by a family from Pasig. It was exclusively made for use in the replica of the Nuestra Senora del Gran Dolor from Spain and  inspired by  the carrosa or paso of Spain’s Malaga  processions  during  Lenten  Season. The exclusive use of the carrosa extends to the venerated La  Inmaculada Concepcion de Pasig. Henceforth,  the  carrosa is now known  as El Gran Carrosa  de Pasig. The carrosa was finished in 2002 and  the palio (canopy) was incorporated in 2004.

The Escalera de Maria (Canonical Stairs)

An interior designer, a son of Pasig, was delegated to come up with the de-
sign of  the staircase  that would be used  for  the actual Canonical Corona-
tion.

The concept of two sets of stairs – the left set to ascend and the right set to
descend. Aesthetics aside, logically and traffic wise it works.

Maybe with  divine  intervention, the actual Canonical Coronation of the well-venerated image, with  the help of the stairs was done in a very suave ceremonial way. Not only the way the designer had been hoping and praying for, but the way that the Lady, the Inmaculada Concepcion de Pasig wanted
it to be.

The Santo Traslado

The celebration for the canonical coronation of the Patrona started on the early morning of December 6th when the Hermandad de la Semana Santa de Pasig conducted the Santo Traslado (the Holy Transfer of the Holy Image from one place to the other). In the conduct of the Santo Traslado, the sacred image was usually covered by a “funda” a fab­ric like pillow case to cover the whole image as a sign of respect and at the same time for its protection as a vener­ated image. This is also done to conceal its transformation after restoration from the parishioners so that at coronation time they will see a beautiful and gran­diose image worthy of veneration.

The veneration given by the Pasigueños to their beloved Patroness was immense. That is why in every movement made during the ritual, permission was always asked from the Blessed Virgin Mary. A silent candle light procession filled the air with mixed emotions. People would experience goose bumps while pray­ing and singing praises to the Queen of heaven. After its temporary enthrone­ment, a twenty four hour vigil was made mainly by the Hermandad de la Semana Santa de Pasig.

The Canonical Coronation Rites

On December 7 at three in the afternoon, the Canonical Coronation Ritesstarted with  the  entrance of  the Diocesan clergy, Guest Bishops  from  the Sufragan Dioceses of the Archdiocese of Manila, His Most Rev. Francisco C. San Diego, D.D., Bishop of Pasig and the main celebrant, the Papal Nuncio His Most Rev. Edward Joseph Adams, D.D. Afer  introduction to the mass, three loud knocks permeated the whole church. As the main molave door opened the ladies and gentlemen, all members of the Hermandad de la
Semana Santa de Pasig, in their colorful Filipiniana costume slowly and with reverence entered the church as it led the beautiful La Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Pasig on  top of  the  resplendent Carrosa. The misty eyed parishioners begun  to  clap  their hands and many waved  their
white handkerchieves as if to say, “Welcome home dear Lady, we missed you!”

The choir sung the glorious Magnificat by John Rutter. The carrosa solemnly stopped at the right side of the transept and the two staircases were joyfully joined to act as the stage for the canonical coronation. After the homily of the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams blessed the antique crown and halo and slowly climbed the staircase leading to the Patrona for the official canonical coronation rites assisted by Bishop San Diego, Fr. Roy and assistants. All were in awe as to the grandiosity of the event. Some were seen crying, some mesmerized but all in all heavenly graces abound­ed at the site of the Patrona being crowned.

At the end of the mass, the canoni­cally crowned image was lead into a procession through major thor­oughfares, the first time the image was able to join for over a hundred years. After Her return to the ca­thedral, the sacred image was in­terred to Her permanent residence, Her camarin to be venerated by the faithful parishioners.

As an epilogue to the whole story, a group of talented and creative Marian devotees was formed and invested last February 11, 2009, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. This group is now known as the Abang Lingkod ni Maria, with the vision to be true servants of Mary as lov­ing Queen and Mother, and tasked with the mission to provide the needs, maintenance, and safekeep­ing of the crowned image.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

ARTICLE courtesy of the Abang Linkod ni Maria
Historical Perspectives, Halo and Crown

Feature:
Antonio S. Miguel, Curator,
Museo Diocesano de Pasig
Wilfrieda R. Legaspi, Camarera Mayor,
Abang Lingkod ni Maria
Susan Roman, Jeweler, daughter of
Ms. Anita G. Roman, owner of Central Jewelry
Altar Renovation Feature:
Joel Vilchez, Past President,
Comite de Festejos 2006

Image Restoration:
Willie Caruncho, Member, Hermandad de la
Semana Santa de Pasig
Canonical Stairs Construction:
Dan de Leon, Member, Hermandad de la
Semana Santa de Pasig

Mantle:
Antonio S. Miguel, Curator,
Museo Diocesano de Pasig
Bobby S.J. Bonifacio, Member, Hermandad de la Semana Santa de Pasig

Santo Traslado:
Willie Caruncho, Member, Hermandad dela Semana Santa de Pasig
Canonical Coronation Rites:
Erick Santos, Member, Hermandad dela
Semana Santa de Pasig

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY:

Rey Mondez
Antonio S. Miguel
Nene Leyva

REYNA CALANGITAN

PHOTO courtesy of the
Pasig City Museum through Dir. Noel Rivera;
Roderick Macutay, Artist

Published by Traversing The Orient Magazine. You want to make an online travel business? Please go to www.web.com.

The Canonical Coronation of Pasig City’s Patroness, the Immaculate Concepcion

Every chef worth his toque dreams of heaving his own restaurant someday. Some are very lucky to realize this dream early in their career, but some chefs prefer to ac­quire as much experience as they can have from top res­taurants of the world before they finally put up their own. The restaurant business represents a very competitive world and a good chef with a lot of experience behind him is better equipped to deal with the competition.

With 24 years of experience behind him, working in restaurants worth their Michelin Stars, Chef Cyrille Soenen has finally attained his dream restau­rant at Hotel Celeste in Metro Manila’s Makati City.

Chef Cyrille Soenen is a graduate of the culinary and pastry school at
the Ecole Hotelier Mederic in Paris, France. After he graduated from this prestigious school, he started his apprenticeship at the world renowned Hotel Ritz – two Michelin Stars, Place Vendome, Paris.

After two years at the Hotel Ritz, he moved on and worked in other restaurants-Duc d’Enghien – two Michelin’s, Le Drouant, one Michelin and L’Intendant du Roy et Au Bon Plaisir du Roy in pastry. His stint in these restaurants further honed his skills in “cuisine gastronomique” and “patisserie.”

He then served in the French Defense and Finance Ministries for his manda­tory Military Service, cooking up dishes to the delight of the French govern­ment. The adventure bug caught up with the young Soenen and he wanted to see more of the world. He traveled from Scandinavia to South America while working in Croisieres Paquets, and Paquebot Mermoz.

Back in Paris, he worked at one star Michelin Restaurant Chez Faucher for a year, then went back to Hotel Ritz, this time as chef de partie, where he was assigned to the hotel’s main restaurant -the two Michelin star Restaurant L’Espadon.

In 1996, he joined the Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) and worked at Le Grand Hotel Intercontinental where he was “seconde” in Café de la Paix, one of the most well known Brasseries in the world and Restaurant Opera
- two Michelins.

After three years, he transferred to Hotel Intercontinental Manila, where he was Executive Chef at the hotel’s Prince Albert Restaurant. Manila society, who patronized Prince Albert only had high praises for Chef Soenen’s gour­met brand of cuisine.

When Crown Plaza Galleria, a sister hotel of the Intercontinental, was about to open, Chef Soenen took up the challenge of opening this brand new ho­tel at the Ortigas area. He became the Executive Chef of this hotel and of Holiday Inn Galleria, making him the only Executive Chef in charge of two hotels in the Philippines. He conceptualized the now popular 7 Corners Res­taurant and set a new standard in banquet operations for the biggest ball­room of Ortigas.

Having armed himself with all these culinary experiences, he took up one bold step: Putting up his own restaurant. He named his restaurant, CICOU, (pronounced see-sue), which is his nickname and which people close to him fondly call him. His restaurant bears dishes that would delight any gourmet. Just like the best chefs in the world, Chef Cyrille Soenen taps his inexhaust­ible talent and creates dishes that are unique. He merges Asian influence with traditional French cuisine, constantly experimenting to the delight of his faithful and new clientele.

His lovely Filipina wife Anna is in charge of welcoming the guests and makes sure that every patron gets the best service. Just like most supportive Fili­pino wives, Anna is not leaving anything to chance. She is on top of every detail to ensure that every client is happy in Cicou. After all, this has been her husband’s dream ever since he was a young student in culinary school, and she will move heaven and earth for him to attain his dream. With Anna by his side, Chef Soenen can fully concentrate on doing what he enjoys the most -creating dishes to delight his patrons, giving each one of them an unforgettable dining experience.

Published by Traversing The Orient Magazine. You want to make an online travel business? Please go to www.web.com.

Chef Cyrille Soenen: When Dreams Come True

Take a long look at the beach, coconut trees swaying, a good breeze blowing, the fine white powder that you stand upon does not burn your feet even though its 12 noon in the middle of sum­mer. Off in the distance, you see a squadron of kites propelling kite-boarders higher and higher into the air…Welcome to Boracay – a sporting paradise.

Years ago, Boracay Island was a well-guard­ed secret, almost possessively so that only a few knew of its existence. It was only in the 70’s when, it is said, a foreign movie crew accidentally “discovered” this island paradise. Others maintain that it was the German traveller, Jens Peters’ book, which included rave reviews of Boracay that changed the island’s pace from that of being a quiet secret to eventually being voted as having the best beach in the world.

Whichever story is true, it was around this time that Boracay Island slowly ceased to be a private travelers hangout and even­tually became a favorite tourist destination in the Philippines. In a span of a mere 10 years, the whole world, it seemed, dis­covered Boracay and the once, nearly deserted stretch of beach became a preferred vacation and leisure spot for upscale tour­ists from all parts of the world.

Boracay golf is home to Fairways & Bluewater Resort Golf & Country Club. If you thought you had seen luxury in golf courses before, then the exquisite location of Fairways & Blue-water will simply take your breath away. How many golf cours­es in the world can you have a round in the morning and watch the sun rise over the turquoise crystal clear water, then in the afternoon have another round of golf and watch the sun set, over the ocean giving off vibrant oranges and reds as the sun dips below the ocean horizon?

Quantum Hotels and Resorts is one of the leading condo­minium hotel and resort property management company in the region and now manages The Residences at Fairways and Bluewater New Coast, Boracay Island. They have just launched the Boracay Beach Golf Vacations Program so that guests can stay and play at Fairways and Bluewater.

Starting from Php 9,880 (approximately USD 220) per room The Boracay Beach Golf Vacations Programme includes:

• Two nights accommodation in the luxurious suites of The Residences at Fairways and Bluewater New Coast, Bo­racay

•A round of golf for two persons at the Fairways and Bluewater 18-Hole Par 72 World-Class designed by Australian Master golfer and designer Graham V. Marsh

• Daily breakfast for two persons

•Exclusive access and use of the private beach and swimming pool

•Complimentary shuttle services (every 30 minutes) to and from the resort and central island station 2

“Hailed as one of the world’s best beaches–with its powder-fine crystal white sand and cool clean waters–this fine piece of Boracay treasure is now evolving into one of the world’s best resort communities for upscale tourists from all parts of the world. It is only at Fairways and Bluewater New Coast that you can enjoy the beach, hillside and golf all at the same time. We offer well-appointed and luxurious accommodations at The Residences at Fair­ways and Bluewater New Coast in an ultimate exclusive and private setting in the island” said John H. Cole, President and CEO, Quantum Hotels and Resorts.

Boracay Island is located approximately 315km (200 miles) south of Manila and on the northwestern tip of Panay, Western Visayas, Philippines. The best of the island is the 4 km. White Beach, touted as the “finest beach in the world.” The water surrounding the island is shallow and the sand is finer and brighter than most beaches in the Philippine archipelago.

The Fairways and Bluewater New Coast Boracay Island offers an 18-Hole Par 72 World-Class Golf Course providing golf players and enthusiasts a stimulating island golf experience. Australian Master golfer and designer Graham V. Marsh himself designed the course. The lush greens and fairways complement the planned cheerful and breathtaking water features created by Living Waters– gurgling creeks, rushing waterfalls, sparkling lakes, and the like. Creating a stunning whole that enhances Boracay’s inherent beauty, the golf course design and lay out by the hills and the beach has been recog­nized as the “Golfing Jewel of the Pacific.”

The village clubhouse sitting on 6,000 square meters of rolling terrain pro­vides full-service amenities for the entire family. The Residences at Fairways and Bluewater New Coast offers luxurious accommodation for the Club’s guests in style and first-class comfort. For the more vigorous, there are avail­able variety of water sports facilities for endless days of jet skiing, scuba diving, water skiing, snorkeling, para-sailing, mini-cruising, fishing, island cruising, wind surfing, among others.

For information, please contact:
Quantum Hotels & Resorts
Melinda Medina Tel: +63 2 706 0055 local 33
melmedina@quantumsuites.com

Amante C. Amante, Jr.
1122 Asia (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Tel: +66 87589 1122
1122publicist@gmail.com

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Boracay An Island Paradise

Designer Jean Margaret Goul­bourn is a household name in Philippine fashion. In the 80’s, she had a pret-a-porter line in the biggest retail chain all over the Philippines, ShoeMart Dept Store. Her fashion was worn by everyone as she had dresses for all occasions and for women of all ages.

Then in the 90s, she decided to put up her own weaving factory because she had a dream of developing a distinct global look for Philippine silk. She still continued to supply ShoeMart with her fashion but put up a new boutique, Silk Cocoon using fabrics from her factory. Three years ago, she decided to focus on Silk Cocoon and expand its operations internationally. Her pret-a­porter line in Shoe Mart had to close.

The textiles woven are made from natural silk often combined with indigenous materials such as abaca, (a type of hemp) and pineap­ple fiber which come from the leaves of the pineapple. She used these fabrics for her haute couture line as well as for the Filipino Barong for men ( a formal shirt that is made from pineapple silk ). The abaca silk are also used for curtains, lamp shades, pillow covers, and bed covers.

Silk Cocoon boutique has a reputation of offering anything from the formal hand­woven gowns of women to the formal Barongs for men. During the APEC and Cocoon dressed up the world leaders in pine­apple silk Barongs. Prince Albert of Monaco also loved wearing Silk Cocoon’s formal Phil­ippine Barongs.

Cocoon dressed up the world leaders in pineapple silk Barongs. Prince Albert of Monaco also loved wearing Silk Cocoon’s formal Philippine Barongs.

The Textile showroom retails textiles for ho­tels and boutiques as well as residential hous­es. On the international scene, the fabrics are primarily exported to Europe and Asia, to distributors, showrooms and renowned architects/ interior designers for both the residential and resort projects, and bou­tiques of fashion designers like Chanel, Christian Lacroix and Nina Ricci.

Goulbourn’s creative energy keeps her imagination and beautiful de­signs in prolific abundance and her exclusive clientele can’t get enough of them.

Silk Cocoon is  located in  Renaissance  Hotel, in front of Green Belt 3, Makati  City.  Ms.  Goulbourn’s  accepts  orders  for cocktail dresses,  long gowns, wedding gowns, men’s shirts both casual and formal Filipino Barong. The gowns on these pages were  shown  on  her last fashion show.

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Silk Cocoon

The hundreds of churches through out the Philippines are a product of the missionary enterprise of the Spanish regime that began in 1521. The pre-Spanish communities were Malays, Chinese and the Tingues, a minor­ity found in the forested mountains of Pasig. Bitukang Manok used to be a part of today’s Pasig River and history books state that Pasig probably became an independent parish on July 2, 1573 under the patronage of the Visitation of Our Lady. As such, it was bestowed the honor and distinction of being the first town and parish in the entire country, and in perhaps in all of Asia, under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

The Catholic religion was introduced in the islands as soon as the Spanish landed in Samar. On March 16, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese-turned-Spanish navigator, reached the island of Homonhon in Samar, the most eastern island in the archipelago. Magellan’s discovery of the archipelago was accidental; he was on a route westward across the Pacific in search of The Spice Islands and the riches of the Indies.

On March 31, 1521, the first mass ever performed in the archipelago was held on the shore of Limasawa. This momentous event was marked by erecting a wooden cross on a hill, overlook­ing the sea. This cross would symbolize the first Christianization attempt of the islands by the Spanish missionaries.

It was 22 years later when the archipelago was rediscovered once more by the Spanish, this time by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos. He claimed the archipelago under the Spanish rule and named it “Philippines” in honor of King Philip of Spain. The arrival of the Spanish General Miguel Lopez de Legaspi in February 1565, 44 years after Magellan’s discovery of the islands, marked the beginning of Spanish influx in the new colony, most of them coming from New Spain or Mexico. This renewed interest in the archipelago was prompted by the orders of Philip II to the Viceroy of New Spain to Chris­tianize the islands as well as to use it as a base for the spice trade in the region.

The cross, along with the sword, ruled the new colony for almost 400 years. Throughout this period, the culture and way of life of the peo­ple in the archipelago took on a path that was dominantly controlled and determined by the Spanish conquistadors and the natives adapted to a Christian way of life.

In 1899, the last of the Spanish fleet left the Philippines for the last time. Behind them, they left, among many irrevocable influences, hundreds of brick and stone churches throughout the archipelago. Colonial church ar­chitecture in the Philippines is distinctly unique because the churches are a mixture and accretion of different architectural styles. Perhaps, the early missionaries were so eager to venture in a new territory that they failed to see the need to bring an architect along with them. As a result, there were no trained architects when it was time to build missionary churches. Faced with the undoubting task of designing and building a church, the missionar­ies had to rely either on their memories of past encounters or illustrations of churches in the west.

The History of Pasig Church

The Spaniards first built a wooden mission church, a visita of Tondo, un­der Muy Reverendo Padre Fray Alonzo de Alvardo in 1572 to propagate Christianity to two thousand tributes, or ten thousand souls, and about two thousand more Tingues in the upland around Pasig district.

In the Augustinian Provincial Charter of March 30, 1575, the Convent of Pasig was formally accepted under the name of Conventus Visitationis Mar­iae de Pasi with visitas San Nicolas, Pinagbuhatan, Polo, Palatia (Palatiw), as far as Bai in Laguna. That same year, Muy Reverendo Padre Fray Alba Maybonga, Sagar, Angono, Bamban, Malinao, Tuxas, Mandava, Botin and transferred the church to its present location and expanded upon it. The me­ter thick walls had to be moved by bare hands, stones cut, post and boards hand-sawn. the church, as it stands today, was completed almost two hun­dred years later in 1762.

The people of the parish had to participate and contribute to the building of this new church. The local artisans were a mixture of people involved in the construction of all churches in this colonial period. The Filipinos were good builders of wood and bamboo, but they were unskilled in building with stone. Hence, Chinese laborers were hired when such a specific skill was required. Muslims were also recruited to render labor. The gathering of artisans with different ethnic backgrounds, plus the fact that Filipinos have a strong Malay heritage, eventually led to the infusion of non-western motifs into the architecture, further creating a distinct style.

The church builders had to learn to build with what was available. In general, the early missionaries had very limited resources, in terms of financing as well as materials. This was further aggravated by the fact that they had to learn to build churches that can survive the onslaught of unfamiliar climates in the new colony. These conditions led to many improvisations on both the friars and the local artisans.

Visitors to Pasig today can capture a good w of the church façade and the tower om Plaza Rizal looking east. Pasig church on an east-west orientation, with the pse on the east end. Worshippers, there-ore, face east with the façade facing west.

The Virgin of Our Lady of the Apocalypse

Entry to the church is through its mas­sive antique door. Once inside, a long narrow nave draws visitors in, lined with beautiful marble slabs. The red marble in the central aisle is reminis­cent of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vati­can, while the sanctuary has granite marble, gleaming in its light gray splendor. From the baptistery chap­el all the way to the church nave, an18th century work of art is truly unique and a deeply cherished artifact of the church: the well preserved, polychromed retablo of the Blessed Virgin Mary surrounded by her attributes.

Called “a glory of Philippine Marian Art” by the late Har­vard graduate Fernando Zobel de Ayala, painter, critic and art professor par excellence, the retablo is often refered to as the Virgin of Our Lady of the Apocalypse. The recently re­stored retablo of Our Lady used to adorn the landing wall on the two-flight, piedra china stairway leading to the convento. Some historians speculate that this retable could very well be the Marian statue in the main altar during the 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Arch of the Blessed Virgin Mary

When churches were rebuilt in the Philippines, they were often reconstructed over existing foundations or walls. As a result, the architectural style is usually a crossbreed of dispa­rate sources. The geographic location, climate, materials and the spontaneous and improvisational attitude of the Filipinos created a kind of architecture that lends a nod to western ideas yet is unique enough to stand on its own. Masterfully designed and crafted churches abound in all parts of the Philippine archipelago.

The church building enterprise of the Spanish missionaries also set significant world records in the evolution of archi­tecture in this part of the world. These edifices of faith have steered the course of the country and the Filipino people to where they are now. At times when the country struggled to unite itself and tried to recover from the devastation left by natural disasters, political instability, and economic misman­agement, the Filipino people, because of their strong religious faith, have managed to pick themselves up time and time again.

From Plaza Rizal in Pasig, a prominent landmark is the Grand Arch of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a tribute of Pasigueños to their beloved Mother, and erected through the leadership and eforts of the Comite de Festejos, the organization tasked to ensure that the annual Feast of the Immaculate Conception is an eventful one. The Arch, large and imposing, echoes the general appearance of the facade.

The Facade

Entering the Arch into the patio with its parking lot and garden on either side highlighted by the statues of San Joaquin and Sta. Ana, Mary’s parents, a full view of the church facade is seen, starkly simple in Neo-Baroque charac­ter. In the center of the pediment is the heart emblem of the Order of Saint Augustine, in Pasig for 326 years from 1572 to 1898. Entry into the church is through the original molave door.

Nuestra Senora de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Pasig

Enthroned in the central niche of honor of this magnificent new retablo, standing in all her glory, is the exquisite statue of the Immaculate Concep­tion in polychrome hardwood, her hands together in an attitude of prayer, her gentle eyes benignly looking at her beloved Pasigueño and other devotees who come from far and wide. A soft, sweet smile radiating majestic kindness and love seems to accept the supplications of her countless devotees.

This Marian statue was reputedly brought over in 1902 – 1903 to replace an equally beautiful venerated image destroyed during the Fil-American war. It is said that this termite-eaten statue was bought by a certain Dr. Bantug, the famous collector, but was destroyed by the fire that gutted his house. This new image was canonically crowned on December 7, 2008 by the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, His Excellency Bishop John Edward Adams.

The Church Bells of Pasig

Inside the patio and church compound are the old bells of Pasig. The biggest bell, popularly called “Bang” by the Pasigueños is named Nuestro Senora dela Consolacion, cast in 1823 by Muy Reverendo Padre Fray Santos Gomes Maranon, OSA, who later became Bishop of Cebu. The second stationary bell, called “Teng” is called San Hilario, cast in 1793 by Muy Reverendo Pa­dre Fray Hilarion Diez, later archbishop of Manila. This is the oldest bell of Pasig. The third and fourth bells are called San Juan Bautista and Sta. Barbara, both esquila bells and were cast the same year in 1864 by Muy Rev­erendo Padre Fray Juan Vague, OSA.

The smallest bell was originally called the Sta. Rita, cast in 1887 by Muy Reverendo Padre Fray Simon Barroso, but it was recast in 1931 and renamed Sta. Teresita by Rev. Fr. Victor de Klerck, CICM. These old bells, which were once found in the church tower, gave way to a 35-piece carillon in 1997 made by Clock-O-Matic-Holsbeck of Belgium.

The Museo Diocesano de Pasig

A side trip up the bell tower through two flights of the Piedra China stairs leads to the convento and choir loft. The first flight ends in the landing area where popular church exhibits are held year round. The second flight of stairs leads to the Museo Diocesano de Pasig, formerly called the Museo del Convento de Pasig under the curacy of Msgr. Manuel G. Gabriel. Newly renovated during the Jubilee Year, the Museo hall was formerly the first classrooms of the parochial school, later renamed Pasig Catholic College. It now houses and permanently exhibits all the artifacts of the Immacu­late Conception Cathedral.

The Bell Tower

The imposing bell tower is large and tall in proportion to the facade, which is a conflict of style but also reflects the vast extent of the original Pasig par­ish, extending then as far north as San Mateo, Rizal and as far south as Bai, Laguna, on the southern shore of the lake.

A modern new clock can be found about three fourths the height of the bell tower, built also by Clock-O-Matic-Holsbeck of Belgium in 1997. The old clock was imported in 1930 from the Netherlands by then parish priest, Rev. Fr, Godofredo Aldenhuysen, CICM, and is now displayed inside the Museo Diocesano de Pasig. The five old bells were replaced by 35 cast bronze bells in fixed suspension, tuned in chromatic order with a musical range of at least four octaves. The carillon was installed under the curacy of Msgr. Manuel
G. Gabriel.

Filipinos have focused their lives around churches since infancy, attend­ing services at least once a week throughout their lifetime and marking all significant milestones – christenings, marriages and funerals – in church. There is a church in practically every Filipino’s recall. Besides their role as bastions of the Catholic faith, they are poised as living monuments and proud standing witness to the Filipino heritage. They are reminders of an era in the country’s colorful history. The Pasig church, a celestial benefactor dwells to breathe life to the faithful each and every day of their pilgrimage to the Lord; the Inmaculada Concepcion de Pasig is a loving Mother, a patron­ess, a nurturer, a provider, and a counsel to the Pasiguenos.

Published by Traversing The Orient Magazine. You want to make an online travel business? Please go to www.web.com.

Pilgrimage to Pasig

When you come from a family that boasts four generations of chefs, one can safely assume that the talent can only be genetic. It’s like being born with green eyes. It’s there in your DNA, waiting to be made tangible.

So it is with chef Rosauro del Rosario – AKA chef Sau. He can safely say that his culinary talent runs in his blood. One of his early influences was his father, one of the few Fili­pinos of his time who studied at the Culinary Institute of America.

Armed with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from the Univer­sity of the Philippines, no less, he got his first job at the Westin Philippine Plaza as a junior chef.

Then he moved on to the newly opened Edsa Shangri-La as a demi-chef. His mentor was chef See Cheong Yan, who to this day follows up on the progress of his career. As Chef de Partie at the New World Hotel, he was again chosen to be in the opening team of the fine dining restaurant of the hotel, Bocarinos. Peninsula Hotel’s renovation gave him another opportunity to climb up higher and this time he became a Senior Chef at the age of 29 under the tute­lage of his bosses chef Jan Gundlach and Daniel Litchensteiger. Chef Gundlach saw the potential in chef Sau and after training him in kitchen management and design, promoted him to Sous Chef, one of only three in the hotel.

However, chef Sau had too much wanderlust in him to stay put in the Philip­pines. He decided to explore new horizons so he traveled to Nice on the south coast of France. Here he worked with Michelin star chef Christian Plumail of L’Univers. After a year in Nice, he went on a discovery tour around the region and studied everything related to French cuisine: Bordeaux wine, cheese making in Normandy, foie gras production in Perigord, and even meeting great chefs like Alain Ducasse in Monaco, Paul Bocuse in Lyon and Alain Reix of the Jules Verne of Tour Eiffel. In Paris, he worked with 3 Star Michelin Chef Jacques Di­vellec of the well known seafood
restaurant- Le Divellec Restaurant.

“Aside from the culinary arts, my Parisian experience gave me a deeper understanding of the culture and lifestyle of the French.” Since then, Paris has become chef Sau’s second home.

Back in the Philippines, he became the Chef of Venezia, the chill out place of Manila’s cosmopolitan crowd. Here his talent as an international chef came to the attention of food critics. Paul Hsu heard about his reputation as an excellent chef on French cuisine and hired him immedi­ately for his Elite Concepts in Hong Kong. He claimed that chef Sau was a French man in a Filipino body. In preparation for the opening of the restaurant, he trained under a Michelin Star chef from London named, Bruno Loubet of Atlantic Restaurant, Isola, Odeon.

Two years later, Europe beckoned once again. This time chef Sau traveled extensively along the Mediterranean coasts. He embraced and discovered new cuisines: Mo­roccan, Basque, Southern Italian and Greek. “Life is dif­ferent in these continents. My senses became alive!”

A year later, he was offered work in Shanghai; this time in a Mediterranean theme restaurant named Luna. It became the watering hole of the glitterati and the literati of Shanghai.

Everyone wanted to savor chef Sau’s well known cuisine.

It was during this stint that he met the people who of­fered him a challenging job at the Raffles Hotels and Re­sorts in Singapore. Chef Sau was responsible for the de­velopment, execution and maintenance of the culinary standards in all the Equinox restaurants namely: Equi­nox, the eponymous restaurant Jean, a unique French-Khmer boutique restaurant, the vibrant and dynamic New Asia Bar and Grill, plus four dining rooms. The overall seating capacity of the complex is 1,200 people.

Next stop; Manila. In November 2004, the Museum Café, fondly called M, opened with chef Sau at the helm. Fresh from his European and Asian stint, chef Sau com­bined cuisines from Europe and Asia and came up with an Asian fusion menu which was a big hit with M Café’s regular clientele.

The menu, aside from the delicious meat, poultry and fish dishes, had a noodle and vegetar­ian section. The evening clientele enjoyed a selection of imaginative cocktails and drinks. M Café is indeed chef Sau’s masterpiece.

Chef Sau revels in challenges and being stagnant in his art is not in his vocabulary.  “I love parallel parking because like cooking and open­ing restaurants, it presents a challenge to me.” What is the next challenge in chef Sau’s career? The road is open to so many possibilities. We can only wait and see what’s cooking in chef Sau’s exciting repertoire.

Published by Traversing The Orient Magazine. You want to make an online travel business? Please go to www.web.com.

It’s In The Genes

Dusit Tani Manila is the ideal choice for them.  The location is perfect for businessmen as it is strategically accessible to Ayala Avenue, Salcedo Village and Legaspi Village where most of the business ofces are located. It is also a walking distance to Glorietta Shopping Mall, Rustan’s Department Store, Shoe Mart Department Store and Greenbelt Mall.

For the burnt out souls who just want to relax and chill out, Dusit Tani Manila has all the amenities for their purpose.

Guest Rooms
With 538 newly renovated and spacious guestrooms and suites, the hotel ofers a calm oasis of international standard facilities with warm Asian hospitality. The Dusit has created the Dusit Club Room and the Dusit Grand Room for the commercial needs of their business travelers. All the rooms are newly renovated with state of the art technology features complemented with modern amenities for comfort and convenience. Every room has high speed internet access, writing desk, LCD TV, pillow menu, bath menu, comfortable and relaxing duvet covered beds, with optional fea­tures like 24-hour butler service and laundry express service among others.

Function Rooms
For corporate and board meetings, press conferences, training workshops, seminars, product launch and social events, the Grand Ballroom, nine board­rooms, and meeting rooms have been fully renovated to meet the needs of corporate clients for conducive large banquet events or intimate social and business gatherings. All boardrooms and meeting rooms are equipped with a coffee and tea station and dining can be prearranged in any of our restau­rants or one can opt for a special and private dining experience specially created for the discerning guests.

Restaurants
To complete the whole renovation project, The Dusit Thani Manila, unveils new world class restaurants.

Benjarong
A Royal Thai Restaurant which offers authentic Thai dishes masterfully prepared by experienced Thai chefs. Located in the Mezzanine, the Benjarong features an elegant setting with Thai elements and accents. Open daily for lunch from 11:30­-2:30 am. Dinner is served from 6 -10 pm.

Basix (All day Dining)
This restaurant is located on the lobby level and features a wide array of international cuisine which offers fresh salads, seafood, cooking stations for home made noodles, delectable carvings and many more.

UMU (Japanese)
One of Manila’s best restaurants which offers authentic dish­es such as Sushi and Sashimi Bar, Robata, Teppanyaki, Bento Box and many more. The restaurant can accommodate small groups at the Western and Japanese Tatami private rooms and the main dining area can accommodate large groups as well.
Lunch is served daily from 11:30 am -2:30 pm and dinner from 6-10 pm.

Tosca (Italian)
Features well loved authentic Italian dishes created to please the palate. Open daily for breakfast from 6 am to 10 am. Lunch is from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and dinner from 6 pm to10 pm.

Fiesta San Miguel (Filipino)

The first and only “resto-Brewery” in a hotel which offers fresh brewed San Miguel beer straight from its own micro brewery which is perfectly paired with all time favorite Fili­pino dishes. Also featured is nightly entertainment with top local talents.
Open from Mondays to Saturdays. Lunch is served from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and dinner is from 6 pm to10 pm. The Bar on the Upper level is open from 5:30 pm to 1 am.

Published by Traversing The Orient Magazine. You want to make an online travel business? Please go to www.web.com.

Dusit Thani Manila: A Calm Oasis

Located in northwest Luzon, Ilocos Sur is one of the most historically important regions of the Philippines. As the nation’s only province to have escaped bomb­ing during WWII, the villages and town’s of Ilocos Sur stand like living muse­ums of a spirited past. Cathedral’s and churches, shrines, heritage museums and ancestral homes spanning the past four centuries still stand strong. Straddling a coastal stretch where a myriad of cultures speak proudly of their past through an adherence to traditions, Ilocos Sur offers the perfect destination for those inter­ested in pursuing a pilgrimage tour.

The eight Churches that define the soul of Ilocos Sur were built during the Spanish era, between the 16th and 19th centuries. The historical and spiritual appeal of these churches has been attracting a growing number of travelers and tourists from all walks of life who descend upon Ilocos Sur for a pilgrimage tour.

As a fist time visitor to this region I have no idea of what to expect as Dante, my guide, drives north, past rice plantations to the east and white sand beaches to the west. Traditional trades such as weaving, stonema­sonry and pottery are still widely practiced in communities where it’s not uncommon to spot people using horse and carts as a mode of transport. Juxtaposed to this are a growing number of small but modern shopping centers packed to the rafters with stalls selling electronic gizmos and punctuated with the yellow logo of Western Union outlets; a testament to the large number of families in this region who rely on distant cousins for an extra source of income.

In Ilocos Sur’s northernmost town Sinait, we pull into the compound of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Parish. The pale pastel exterior stands light against an overcast sky as we enter through cast iron doors into the churches peaceful sanctity. At the far end, some 70 meters away stands a statue of Christ on the cross. According to information garnered from a few scattered documents the statue was discovered in the ocean in the early 17th century.

“The statue was made in Japan but they threw it overboard, it was their loss and our gain,” my guide explains with a wink. Legend has it that the people of a neighboring village found it but couldn’t carry it, so the statue came here. At 18 feet high and carved out of a dark brown hard-wood the statue casts an imposing figure; one can only surmise the 17th century men of Sinait had something in their diet to give them strength.

That little something may well have been garlic. The town is known for its garlic. Stalls in the local market are stacked high and amongst the town’s specialties is garlic ice cream, a strange concept but surprisingly tasty and one sure to keep the Devil at bay from children’s dreams.

Driving on, we pass bamboo villages and rice crops peppered with field workers. At the edge of one field stands a chapel the size of a shed built out of breeze blocks and boasting an ornately carved wooden cross. Further on, as we approach San Guillermo Church, a warm breeze fills the air with the sweet scent of a nearby tobacco plantation.

One of the oldest churches in the region, San Guillermo was constructed by Augustian friars in 1576. Daylight cascades through ceiling high windows to illuminate baroque decorations and a pulpit gilded with gold leaf. Standing behind the pulpit and almost defying gravity stands a 25 me­ter high altar, intricately carved out of wood. “Not one nail has been used in building this pulpit,” Dante explains with an air of pride over his fellow country men’s artistry.

As we leave the church through a back door exit I look up to see the Lord Christ hanging from a cross, his compassionate eyes catching mine through a veil of blood stained tears. Heading south we exit the town under an arch bearing the words, “God Bless.”

Driving towards Ildefonso we stop at a stall selling Basi Revolt wine, a sugar cane wine made famous during the Basi revolt. The sales lady laughs and cautions me to drink a little at a time. I joke about how I’m going to drink the whole bottle after nightfall and imagine myself as a freedom fighter during the Spanish era.

In the small town of San Vincente, we enter a church of the same name. Established canonically in 1795, the church has long been a calling ground for pilgrims seeking miraculous cures. As I enter through the side door my mood immediately lightens. The sweet and gentle sound of bird-song echoes through the building, leaving me with the sensation of a weight being lifted from my shoulders. Glancing towards the altar my eyes fall upon a sculpture of Saint Vincente, looking toward me with innocent eyes and wings on his back.

Noticing my look of surprise Dante explains, “Saint Vincente is the only Patron Saint to have wings, just like a bird.”

Vigan, Ilocos Sur’s capital, is the only preserved Spanish town in the Philippines and since 1999 has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To wander its streets is to step into history. Horse and carts still clatter along the narrow cobbled streets past crumbling ancestral homes set aglow with iron lamps, handicraft shops and street life that seems to pulsate to the rhythms of a time gone by.

Entering into the heart of Vigan we stop for lunch in an 18th century restaurant at the end of Heritage Road. Lap­ping up Spanish influenced cuisine that is unique to this region I glance over my shoulder to spot a taxi driver goading me forward. Looking over his shoulder I notice his taxi is in fact a horse and cart. An hour or two trotting through the historical streets of Vigan seems as civilized a way as any to digest my lunch before paying a visit to the cities Saint Paul’s Cathedral.

Saint Paul’s Cathedral was first built as a wooden struc­ture in 1575 by Juan de Salcedo. Reduced to splinters dur­ing the earthquakes of 1619 and 1627 a second Cathedral was constructed in 1641 before the present baroque style church was erected in the 1800’s. As I enter, the late after­noon sun casts shadows across the creamy white exterior. The rising tones of a choir boy climb skyward to echo off the arch like shapes that define the ceiling. Freshly ar­ranged flowers and newly lit candles flicker wildly as a group of pilgrims imbued with reverence and eager to pray scurry towards the aisles. When a group of school children enter through the large oak side-doors the sound of creaking seems to resonate with the choir boy’s falsetto to the point that I wonder his voice may be prematurely breaking. Once the creaking doors are closed order is restored and the whole building comes to life with a moving rendition of Bach’s Jesus, Joy of Man’s Desiring.

It must be for a good two hours that I sit listening to the music and studying a series of paintings portraying the Lord Christ’s terrible assent to crucifix­ion. As I exit the sinking sun bleeds a rusty hue across the rooftops of Vigan, creating an eerie ambience where shadows seem to move like ghosts across the cobbled streets.

The following morning I awake to the sound of rain bouncing off the streets and a gale force wind threatening to rip the arms off the trees. By the time I’ve finished breakfast order is restored and the sun is breaking through. As if on cue Dante appears at the door, his SUV keys jangling in his hand.

Driving towards our next port of call, Santa Maria, we stop to buy some sticky rice and mango fruit from some kids perched at the edge of a rocky outcrop. Fishermen stand at the ocean edge, waiting patiently for something to bite while fifty meters out to sea an altar of the Virgin Mary perched on a rock stands strong against the choppy waters.

The sticky rice proves to be the fuel needed to power us up the 82 step stair­way to the Nuestra Senora de la Asuncian church in Santa Maria. Built in 1765 the church was used as a fortress during the Philippine revolution in 1896. Today Ilocos Sur is at peace; a group of school kids fly their kites above the belfry which leans precariously against a strong wind that attempts to steal the kites from their small hands. A fine example of a baroque architec­ture this church was named a UNESCO world heritage site on December 11th, 1993.

Driving on through the province we stop by at a white sand bay where young and old are involved in a basketball tournament. A loan surfer rides high upon the waves while a group of kids bury their unfortu­nate friend under a mole hill of sand. One of the kids asks me if I want to be buried, declining the offer I take a snap shop and move on to the next stop.

Built around 400 hundred years ago, Santa Lucia church in Santa Lucia is most noticeable for its high dome rooftop. Known for its Renaissance style architecture the interior of this church has been beauti­fully maintained. To the west wing of the altar a couple of teenage boys armed with electric guitars are practicing their hits for this Sunday’s mass. Their songs, celebrating the Lord are attracting, a new wave of young worshippers. They call themselves The Miracle Band. Their songs speak of optimism and hope; encapsulating the message of the Lord, keeping alive old traditions through a new medium; sounding forth a welcome from the churches of Ilocos Sur to a whole new generation of pilgrims.

Published by Traversing The Orient Magazine. You want to make an online travel business? Please go to www.web.com.

Ilocos Sur: A Pilgrimage