Mudpack Festival is an annual celebration held every third weekend of June. It is said to be a unique event as it centers on environment conservation or the harmony of man and nature. Artists all over Negros gathered together to join the festival and to exhibit their creativity through ethnic dance, music and crafts. This year, the Mudpack Festival theme was “Clean Water for a Healthy World.” And it features the Mambukal distinct clay.

Six groups of painted and coated (with Mambukal’s Clay) dancers joined the tribal dance competition. It was very unique dance competition for it was centered on environmental conservation, especially clean water, for a better and healthy place to live in.

Well, it has been years since I last visited Mambukal for the Mudpack Festival and I could say that it has improved but still needs a lot of improvement especially when it comes to promotions & advertising and a little organizing (competition sequence). But all-in-all it was a fun-filled day for everyone.

Anyways, here’s the 14th Mudpack Festival Winners held in Mambukal last June 19 – 20, 2010.

Champion: Tribu Poseidon
2nd placer: Tribu Wais
Third Placer: Tribu Bagong Silang

Pasalamat Drumbeaters at the 14th Mudpack Festival

More photos coming…

The festival kicked off last May 2 at the Intramuros and will culminate in Palawan where there will be a tour and a food festival that will feature local delicacies. Various activities are lined up for the said festival and one of the activities was the Ifugao epic Hudhud Chant and Dance held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) last May 21 and 22,2010.

Below is the Press Release for the said activity.

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Press Release
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“Chanted Journeys: Rediscovering the Ifugao Hudhud and the Kalinga Ulalim”

In a continuing effort to preserve and transmit the Ifugao heritage, a cultural presentation chanting the epic “Hudhud”  held last May 21 and 22, 2010 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, featuring the Tungngod Elementary School Hudhud chanters and the Haggiyo Traditional Ensemble Group.

“Chanted Journeys: Rediscovering the Ifugao Hudhud and the Kalinga Ulalim,” forms part of the Filipino Heritage Festival celebrated annually in May. “Hudhud” was declared by UNESCO to be a masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity because of its literary significance. The epic reflects the creativity and the wealth of Ifugao traditions which make them a worthy contribution to the nation’s rich culture.

Consisting of over 200 episodes, “Hudhud” narrates the heroic feats and deeds of their mythological ancestors Bugan and Aliguyon.  It is chanted during the rice harvest season to ease the monotony and back-breaking task of harvesting.  Also, during the wake of a family member,  or during the vigil of exhumed bones of a family member by villagers who gather nightly for the ceremony, help them to pass the time.

Based in Lagawe, Ifugao province, the award-winning Tungngod Elementary School Hudhud Chanters were organized in 2004, when they were chosen to represent the district in the provincial “Hudhud” competition. They have received numerous citations and are often invited to perform in cultural presentations.

Established in 2007, the Haggiyo Traditional Ensemble Group was formed to stem the diminishing practice of the Ifugao culture. Composed of 12 members who are mostly former and current Department of Education officials, they act as resource speakers, trainers and consultants on the Ifugao heritage. The group has also been invited to showcase Ifugao songs, dances, and sports in local and international events, such as the Taiwan Festival held recently.

The Filipino Heritage Festival is supported by National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Department of Tourism, Security Bank  and Cultural Center of the Philippines. For more information, call 8925865 or log on to www.heritagemonth.ph.

Pasalamat Festival is a thanksgiving celebration for a bountiful harvest held every last Sunday of April nearest to the month of May. The City takes on a festive atmosphere during the weeklong celebration. And there are various activities lined up for a week, which highlights with a Mardi Gras – dancers in colorful costumes made of indigenous materials dancing to the Pasalamat Samba Beat, float parade and the Arena Dance Competition.

It was my first time to witness the Pasalamat Festival and I really enjoyed it. There were a lot of local and foreign tourists that flocked the main street of La Carlota and traffic was really bad for all the major roads were closed to give way to the street dance, but nobody’s complaining.

Well, all-in-all Pasalamat Festival Rocks! We had a great time and went home with smiles on our faces. Not only that, we also went home with kilos, kilos and more kilos of very cheap and delicious fruits.

Plants vs Zombies invaded Pasalamat Festival 2010

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Pasalamat Festival 2010 Schedule
La Carlota City
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April 20-24,2010
- 2010 5-cock Derby, La Carlota City Coliseum

April 24,2010, Saturday
- Rollo Y Pinta (Scroll Painting Contest), Festival Park

April 25, 2010, Sunday
2:30PM – Opening Pasalamat Agro-Trade Fair 2010, Our Lady of Peace Ground

April 26, 2010, Monday
8:00AM – Cuadro Y Pinta (On-the-spot Painting Contesr) , at the back of SP building
8:30AM- – Basketball Exhibition Game (Philippine Police vs Philippine Army), OLP Nasketball Court
5:00 PM – Holy Mass, Festival Park
6:00 PM – 31st Pasalamat Festival Opening Ceremony, Festival Park
7:30PM – Party at the Prk Featuring “Coke Night” w/ Undertow, 3rd Spin & Sagay Cahoneros, Festival Park

April 27,2010, Tuesday
5:00AM – Pasalamat Marathon, Starting Festival Grounds/Plaza
8:00AM Agro-Trade Fair, OLP Grounds
Palarong Panlahi, Our Lady of Peace Parish Ground
3:30PM – P A W A S A K, Plaza
7:00 PM – SMB Night at the Streets, Yunque St. (in front of Plaza)

April 28,2010, Wednesday
7:30AM – Pasalamat Trisikad Race, Starting:Festival Park-City Streets
8:00AM – 2nd Pasalamat Jobs Fair, La Carlota City College Grounds
8:30AM – Agro-Trade Fair/Palarong Panlahi, OLP Ground
Chess Tournament, Covered Court DHSBNHS
Motard (Underbone) Motorcycle Race, Barangay Ayungon
9:00AM – 4th District Billiard’s Tournament (Year VIII), D’Place Billiard’s Hall
7:00PM – Pre-Pageant Night, La Carlota City Gymnasium
Auto Lab Sound-off, Festival Park

April 29,2010, Thursday
8:00AM – Chess Tournament, Covered Court DHSBNHS
Agro-Tradae Fair/Palarong Panlahi, OLP Grounds
9:00AM – 4th District Billiards Tournament (year VIII), D’Place Billiards Hall
7:30PM – 2010 Awit-Sayaw Grand Ginals (Season VII), Festival Park

April 30,2010, Friday
8:00AM – Agro-Trade Fair/Palarong Panlahi, OLP Grounds
Moto-Cross Competition, Barngay Ayungon
1:00PM 0 Karatedo Competition, OLP Basketball Court
2:00PM – Pasalamat Boxing Tournament, OLP Grounds
6:00PM Pasalamat 2010 Rhythm Competition, Festival Park

May 1,2010, Saturday
7:30AM – Mountain Bike Challenge (Cross Country Competition), Festival Ground/Plaze
8:00AM -Agro-Trade Fair/Palarong Panlahi, OLP Grounds
Pasalamat Dog SHow Competition, OLP Basketball Court
2:00PM – Pasalamat Boxing Tournament, OLP Grounds
7:00PM – Search for Pasalamat Festival Queen 2010, Festival Park

May 2,2010, Sunday
2:00PM – 2010 Festival Dance, Float Parade and Arena Dance Competition, Hall of Justice, Gurrea St. to Festival Park
12:00M.N – Fireworks Display, Festival Park

Baraan revealed that Governor Amado Espino Jr. has designated Provincial Assessor Nestor Quiambao as this year’s Pista’y Dayat executive chairman.

Quaimbao, in a news conference with Baraan, said Pista’y Dayat will kick off on April 23 with the opening of the Tourism and Trade Expo.

The activity, he said, will showcase Pangasinan’s prime tourist destinations, tourism services, best local products from towns with one town-one product (OTOP) packages and small and medium enterprises.

A youth camp dubbed “Doypuay Kalangweran” to promote the joy and adventure of camping while exposing the youth to environmental preservation and care will start on April 29.

The Grand Orchestra Showdown, a certified crowd-drawer, will be re-staged on April 23. This will include ballroom dancing.

Meanwhile, a river cruise of decorated bancas called “Banca Parada” along the Agno River will also be held on April 30.

This will be highlighted by the giving of Pakar Awards to the cleanest rivers and riverbanks and a boodle fight (eating with the use of bare hands on food spread atop banana leaves) will follow, to be participated in by local officials.

The afternoon of April 30 is reserved for “Takayan na Dayew,” a presentation of talents of Pangasinenses via vocal solo presentation, and the holding of zarzuela to revive the pastime of the theatrical past of old folks.

On May 1, the Provincial Government will offer a thanksgiving mass for a year of bountiful harvest from the sea.

Another crowd drawer, the “Sayawan ed Aplaya” or street dancing by the beach, will be participated in by street dancers from various towns and cities.

The selection of “Limgas na Pangasinan,” a beauty and talent search will be held in the evening, followed by a spectacular fireworks display called “Manlangalang ya Aplaya.”

Provincial Information Officer Butch Velasco said ever since Governor Espino assumed office, the Pista’y Dayat celebration has become an advocacy for environmental preservation and protection.

He announced that the Provincial Government will tap this year’s Limgas na Dayat’s top five finalists to become the province’s ambassadors of peace, health care, agriculture, education, and tourism and investments, which the Espino Administration’s top five development thrusts.

Sponsored events by media networks will also be held during the Pista’y Dayat Celebration. (PNA)

Surfing is one of the world’s most popular sport which is being promoted by DOT Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano who himself is an avid sportsman.

Also supporting are the Sport Climbing Association of the Philippines, Sunken Pleasure Ultimate Frisbee Club, Progressive Volleyball Center and Power Up Climbing Gyms.

The top three winners in climbing, volleyball and frisbee will represent the country in the next Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

“This is also in line with the DOT’s attracting tourists in still undiscovered places all over the Philippines. It will give the locals to do promotional activities and sustain their activities the whole year round for economic activities,” said Leni I. Pajarillo, tourism operations officer of the OPRD.

At least 400 participants are expected to register for P500 for the clinic and competition, excluding other charges for individual clients.

Professional surfers from the Philippine Surf Academy will be around to teach local and foreign participants who are taking up surfing for the first time.

Surf instructors from the local surfers of Bagasbas beach which has a very good safety management are eager to help out.

Other activities such as sport climbing, beach ultimate frisbee and, beach volleyball will also be offered to the registrants.

What’s more, lifeguards and instructors who have undergone accreditation with the Australian Surfing Institute are eager to welcome surfers with plenty of surfboards, courtesy of OPRD and DOT Region 5.

Aside from that, entertainment of reggae music and ska will be offered to outdoor enthusiasts.

For help on directions on places to stay at the beach or in town, the Camarines Tourism Council could be contacted at 054-7213087 or Provincial Tourism Officer Edgardo Reyes at 09165783096.

Further details for the six-hour trip from Manila and transportation information can also be obtained by calling up Paolo at cell phone no. 091758278 or the DOT office at Kalaw Street, just beside Rizal Park. (PNA)

Panaad is a Hiligaynon word meaning a “vow” or “promise”. It is a thanksgiving celebration and a fulfillment of a promise and vow to the Divine Providence in exchange for all the blessings (bountiful catch & abundant harvest).

Panaad Festival is the biggest festival in Negros and it is the gathering of 13 Cities and 19 towns in Negros Occidental that showcased their colorful and beautiful festivals, as well as their history, culture, trade, agriculture, tourism and everything that their cities and towns has to offer.

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Panaad Sa Negros Festival 2010
Panaad Staduim, Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City

Masskara Festival
every third weekend of October nearest October 19 (Bacolod City)

Hinulawan Festival
12th day of June (Toledo Cebu)

Palawod Festival
Last week of June (Bantayan, Bantayan Island)

Babaylan Festival
19th of February (Bago City, Negros Occ)

Bonga Festival
9th of August (Sibonga, Cebu)

Kanyon Festival
5th of November (Bago City, Negros Occ)

Tribu Paghida-et of Iloilo Dinagyang Festival

“One Visayas we will be, One Visayas we can be,
Always proud of our History, together strong and FREE”

Karansa Festival of Danao, Cebu

Mantawi Festival, Cebu

Pahinis de Laua-an of Antique