Are you a guitar lover or loves to hang around together with your guitar friend? Perhaps, the recently concluded guitar concert in the Philippines which was held last January 21-30,2011 on the little theater of Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) was not missed by your guitar itinerary; for the organizers of this 2011 Philippine International Guitar Festival and Competition by the GuitarFriends have sworn that this year’s guitar festival and competition is the biggest and grandest guitar event in the Philippine Guitar History because it features or promises more guitar concerts, competitions, display of world class guitars, guitar orchestra, guitar master classes, guitar workshop and lectures; and guestings of international renowned guitarists like Alex Garrobe of Spain, Tomonori Arai of Japan, Steve Lin of Taiwan and USA, Leon Koudelak of Czech Republic, and many more. Do you? If you do not know such yet loves to play with your guitar friend,perhaps you are not yet a member of “The GuitarFriends”

“The GuitarFriends” is a guitar organization in the Philippines headed by maestro Jose Valdez composing of variety of guitar aficionados and performers on different levels in the Philippines that aims to enrich and reinforce Filipinos love for the guitar music instrument held annual Guitar festival in the Philippines. It is one of a kind organization in the Philippines that centers on the music instrument- guitar.

The Guitar Friends

So if you are a wanna be guitarist, you can join their organization and enrich your guitar knowledge and skills.

The GuitarFriends Logo

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Sinulog, Ati-atihan and other so-called (“Filipino???”) sto.nino festivals, as well as the festivities for the statues of “Virgin Mary” and “Christian Jesus”, are these originally home-grown Filipino religious culture which every Filipino could be proud of and show-off to foreign tourists that visits the Philippines? Tell me the truth; else I will hit your lying lips.

Sinulog Participant

I just really wonder why some Filipinos put great importance and focus on a colonial influenced belief and cultural system and traditions, as well as to colonial products and services and detest and abhor their own set of home-grown belief and cultural system and products and services, is this what the Filipino called “Nationalism” and “Patriotism”?; Nationalism and patriotism to other nation’s beliefs and culture and products and services other then one’s own? Wowowee!; A nation that do not value itself but rather values the other nation’s colonial legacy of its conquerors.

(1) Filipino Colonial Lovers: “I love Christianity; I hate and don’t like Maharlikan-Lemurian belief system”

(2)Filipino Colonial Lovers: “I love Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, etc.; I don’t like MyPhone”

(3)Filipino Colonial Lovers: “I love Korean series; I hate over dramatic and repetitive Pinoy drama and fantasy series”

(4)Filipino Colonial Lovers: “I want to marry rich foreigners; I don’t like poor and lazy Filipinos”

(5)Filipino Colonial Lovers: “I love Waltdisney; I don’t like Filipino-made animations, they are kind of cheap quality”

(6)Filipino Colonial Lovers: “I love Nike, Adidas, Converse, etc.; I don’t like Marikina shoes, they are cheap”

(7)Filipino Colonial Lovers: “I love America, Europe, Canada, etc.; I hate the poor Philippines”

These are just handful of examples of our complains and detestment to our own home-grown country- The Philippines- especially those who aspire and covet other nation’s identity and culture: “Bakit sila ang galling,pero tayo hindi? “

Filipino Sto.Nino Feast

Why is it so that we could not proud of our own but what we exalt more and patronized more and value more is the legacy of our conquerors?

Do we not have our own identity and culture which we could be proud of and show-off to the world, that this is “Us”, aside from Tourist attractions like Boracay?

In religion, in governmental style, in products and services, can we not develop and nurture our own and not culturing and nurturing other nation’s culture and products and services? Why can’t we?

It is because up until now, we still let our nations be subdued with colonial influence or influence of other nations and could not decide and make on our own?

Or is it because we do not Believe Ourselves that is why other nations could dupe our thinking and manipulate our confidence?

When will the Philippines arise on High without the Wings of Colonial Legacy? When?

Honestly, whenever, I saw these Christian-inspired activities and festivities like the sto.Nino festival, feast of the Black Nazarene, feast of the Lady of “Chubakchenez”(ehehe),I felt so ashamed for the Philippines because those Filipinos who participate on such religious colonial legacy festivities, put to shame themselves in the world and especially to those World Intellectuals who watch us and perceived us that the majority of Filipinos are just a mere religious laughingstock and “dupyDucks” nation, that do not have their own identity in terms of Belief and cultural system, but just a mere “brainless slaves” or puppet and robot of feed and controlled by the world organized religion like Christianity and Islam and by the World Elites in terms of commerce and capitalism.

So sad to see these retarding and not progressing state of the Philippines in line of Belief and cultural system.

I declare that The Philippines is NOT YET TOTALLY FREE. It is still slaves of the influence of Spaniards and world’s commercialism.

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Coincide with this May 1 Labor Day demonstration and protests of the workers of the Philippines, is an Aliwan Grand Fiesta celebration being held at CCP Complex at Roxas Boulevard, Manila Philippines celebrating the Philippines’ 16 Regions in all grandest with floats and carnival-style parades, fireworks, and all the pride products of the 16 Regions of the Philippines all in displayed.

Moreover, alongside with this Aliwan Grand Fiesta celebration at Roxas Boulevard Manila Philippines is a similar float parade competition at Davao Oriental Philippines. This May 1 Davao celebration is called “Davao Gulf Regatta”. This celebration features decorated bancas and vintas in celebration of Davao gulfs.

May 1 is also the start of Flores de Mayo or Santacruzan in the whole month of May in the Philippines. All the regions of the Philippines held this kind of parade procession. It is the reenactment of Queen Elena of Constantinople in her search for the holy cross of Jesus. Queen Elena is said to be collecting all the memorabilia of Jesus. Similar with this religious festivity that is also held during May 1 is the Antipolo Pilgrimage which is held at Antipolo Rizal. This religious festivity is a long pilgrimage or like the santacruzan, from Manila Philippines to Antipolo Philippines. It is religious pilgrimage for Our Lady of Good Voyage.

Another solemn festivity during May 1 in the Philippines is the Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts held, of course at Vigan City Philippines, Ilocos Sur Philippines. It is a festival commemorating and reminiscing the history and cultural treasures of Vigan City.

May 1 festivity in the Philippines does not end at Vigan City, it still extends to Calape Bohol Philippines that celebrates Pahinungod Festival, the Pilipinyan Festival at Tagaytay city Philippines, the Balangay Festival at Butuan City Philippines, the 100 Island Festivals at Aliminos Pangasinan Philippines, the Araw ng Santiago at Santiago city Philippines, the Pista ng Produktong Pilipino at Subic, Olongapo City Philippines, the Boa- Boahan “Alinsangan “ Festival at Nabua Camarines Sur Philippines, and the Magayon Festival which celebrates Mt. Mayon at Albay Philippines.

Following the May 1 festivity is Dayaw Dalan Festivity held during May 2 at San Jacinto Ticao Philippines, simultaneous with Holy Cross Festival at Alitagtag and Baun Batangas Philippines. Then on May 3 the Carabao-Carroza Festival is held at Iloilo city Philippines where of course decorated carroza being pulled by carabaos. On May 3 also is the Feast of the Holy Cross held at Sta. Cruz Marinduque Philippines.

Like May 1, May 3 also is full of festivity in the Philippines aside from what I mention above,on May 3 also the Sublian Festival is held at Batangas City Philippines as well as the Garlic Festival at Sinait Ilocos Sur Philippines.

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Another April 1 celebration is the Banana Festival of Negros Occidental at La Castellana where of course showcases different varieties of banana. And the Kesong Puti Festival of Sta. Cruz Laguna Philippines also celebrates this festival beginning April 1, which of course features the Kesong Puti or White Cheese made from the carabao’s milk.

April 1 in the Philippines is not a ‘fool’s Day’ but the start of the April Festivities in the Philippines. But the Festivals which I mentioned above never stop at April 1 only but continue on the succeeding days of celebration.

Following the April 1 revelries is the Agricultural and Industrial festival in Liliw Laguna Philippines which parades floats relating to agriculture and industry. This festival is called Liliw Gat Tayaw Footwear Festival. This festival is held during April 3 which showcases of course Liliw’s agricultural and industrial products.

Another April Festival is the ASEAN Paragames which is held during April 7 -9 at Zamboanga city Philippines,however, it can also change the location of the games. It a Paralethics games of the paralethic of Visayas Philippines and Mindanao Philippines. Along with this Visayas and Mindanao festival is the National Invitational Skimboarding Competition being held at Misamis Oriental.

Of course, April festivities in the Philippines will not be completed without the April’s main event in the Philippines, that is, the Araw ng Kagitingan Day which is held at April 9. I thought this is a National Holiday in the Philippines. It celebrates the defense and bravery of the Filipino soldiers to defend Bataan Philippines, which eventually fall into the hands of the conquering foreigners.

There are still April festivities in the Philippines which we could no longer discuss on this brief article.

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Festivities Held In The Philippines Part 2

February Festivities

1. The Tinagba Festival – this Philippines festival is held during February 11 at Camarines Sur,Iriga city. It is a thanksgiving festival for a bountiful harvest wherein native folk here process variety of foods and vegetables on a carabao cart.
2. The Serenata Festival – held also during February 11 but at Muntilupa Manila Philippines.It is a gathering of all bands in the Philippines holding a load and lyrical music concerts.
3. Suman Festival – the native rice delicacy of the Philippines –suman- is held as god in this celebration at Baler Aurora Philippines where houses were deck with lots of it and parade with different floats is held.This festival is held during February 17-19.
4. Itik-Itik Festival – held at Pasig city Manila Philippines. This festival is held for the “itik-itik” or brown ducks of the Philippines.It is held during February 23.
5. The Babaylan Festival – this festival is held Negros Occidental during February 19 based on the beliefs and traditions of the Babaylans.
6. Pinagbenga Festival or Flower festival – this a Baguio Philippines festival where all kinds of flower is the main cause of celebration and adoration.Thus it is called flower festival.It is being held from February 23 up to March 03.
7. The Kalilangan Festival – this festival celebrates the co-existent of the people of General Santos through merry-making like contests and presentations.This festival I held during February 27 at General Santos City Philippines.
8. International Bamboo Festival – this festival celebrates the usefulness of bamboo exhibiting crafts made in bamboo and some bamboo trade fairs and bamboo music competitions and displaying of the Saint Joseph Parish Church where a large bamboo organ can be found. This festival is held at Las Pinas City, Metro Manila.

March Festivities

1. Guling-Guling Festival – a celebration during Ash Wednesday where people of Paoay Ilocos Norte townsfolk and guest alike dressed in native costumes and dance and sing in the streets.
2. Bangkero Festival – it is a parade of boats at Pagsanjan River,Laguna Philippines.This is held during March 5 -9.
3. Kaamulan Festival – a festival that showcases ethnic and tribal dances,songs,games,crafts and rituals at Malaybalay City ,Buikidnon Philippines.
4. Arya Abra Festival – a festival about bamboo rafting at Calaba River.The natives of Abra calls this “Karerakit”.
5. Sandugo Festival – A festival that commemorates the blood-sealed peace treaty between Rajah Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi which marks the beginning of the Spanish colonization in the Philippines.This festival is held at Tagbilaran City,Bohol Philippines held at March 16.
6. Banana Festival – obviously this festival is about banana abundance; activities ,contest,parade and pageants is held in pertaining to banana.This kind of festival is held at Baco.Mindoro Oriental Philippines,during March 18-19. This Banana Festival is also held during April at the La Castellana, Negros Occidental Philippines during April 1-5.
7. Pasayaw Festival – a catholic thanksgiving dance feastival held at Canlaon City, Negros Oriental Philippines during March 18-19.
8. Rodeo Masbateno Festival - Philippine version of local cowboys pitting their brains against the bovine brawn in a western style rodeo event like bull riding and steer wrestling as well as the local carabao race.This festival is held during March 18-22 at Masbate City Philippines.
9. Alimango Festival – a celebration in honor of Alimango or Crab at Lala, Lanao Del norte held during March 22.

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From the Philippines’ conglomerated culture into its division island per island, the Philippines sprang up a multitude of colorful variety of festivals within the entire archipelago. Each island and places in the Philippines are proud to have their respective colorful festivals they could contribute to Philippines’ culture and tourist’s attractions. Their respective festivals have sprung up in accordance to the culture they have influenced by the conquering foreigners then.

So therefore, if you are planning to discover what festal activities Filipinos are busy of Here are our lists of them that you could reckon.

January Festivities

1. First of All, the Sto.Nino Festival – this festival is held almost nationwide, however it is mostly revel at Cebu Philippines. In Cebu Philippines it is called Sinulog Festival. This festival is held by dressing a two hundred Sto.Nino statue (they called Child Jesus) in many different ways and parades them on the streets or held processions of them.
2. The Bulaklakan Festival – this Philippine festival is held during January 01 at Muntinlupa City Manila Philippines. It is a yearly parade of different flowers.
3. The Feast of the Black Nazarene – this feast is held at Quiapo Manila Philippines during January 09 at Quiapo church wherein a black Nazarene statue is being parade and millions of devotees of it flock into this statue to ask blessing. Believing that this black Nazarene statue have powers to heal and bless them once they touch it.
4. Biniray Festival – this Philippine festival is also called Ati-Atihan Festival. This festival is held every January 09 at Romblon Philippines. This festival is similar with Sto.Nino festival – a feast in honor of Sto.Nino. However, there are also similar festivals like this across the Philippines. That is, Ati-atihan in Aklan, Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo Philippines, Halaran Festival of Capiz Philippines, Binirayan Festival of Antique Philippines, and MassKara Festival of Bacolod Philippines. It seems they copied one another, but anyway it is still in the Philippines.
5. The Lingayen Gulf Landing Anniversary or Commemoration – this activity is held at Lingayen Pangasinan during January 09. This celebrates the return of General Douglas MacArthur at the shore of Lingayen on January 09, 1945.This historical return marks the liberation of Pangasinan Philippines from Japanese occupation.
6. Coconut Festival – this Philippine festival is held at San Pablo Laguna Philippines. It is celebrated in a “mardi-gras celebration” to pay tribute to Laguna Philippines’ main crop – the Coconut.
7. Caracol Festival – held every January 19 at Glorietta Makati city Philippines. This festival invites anyone to come out of their respective shell (Caracol : Spanish term for snail) and make revelry and merrymaking.
8. Chinese New Year – held at January 30 –February 2 at almost nationwide but basically at Binondo Philippines and at Chinese garden at Rizal Park at Manila Philippines.

February Festivities

1. National Arts Month –tribute to Filipino talents and creativity, held at Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila Philippines.
2. Kite Festival – held during February 02 at Dumaguete City Philippines in Mariano Perdices Memorial Coliseum. Every year a kite flying competition held here.
3. Pamulinawen – this festival is held in honor of Saint William the Hermit at Laoag city, Ilocos Norte Philippines during February 2 -11.
4. Chinese Food Festival – in celebration of Chinese New Year held at Makati city during February 03 -05.

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