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Friday, August 26, 2011

Ilonggo Pride Statue "Lin-ay Sang Iloilo" Unvailed

The bronze-made “Ilonggo Pride Statue” atop the dome of the new Iloilo City Hall building was officially unveiled during the celebration of Iloilo City’s 74th Charter Day on August 25, 2011.

The 19-feet-high statue of a female was designed by Prof. Eduardo Defensor of Mandurriao, Iloilo City who outlined the meaning, symbolism and history of the “Lin-ay Sang Iloilo.”

Defensor said he never hesitated in accepting the project when it was offered to him since he had been dreaming of a statue that would make history as the first of its kind in the country since 15 years ago.


The graceful figure of the ‘lin-ay’ holds on her right hand a bunch of harvested rice. Her left hand holds a scythe (garab) that has long been the traditional harvesting tool in the region.

She is wearing an embroidered blouse, symbolic of one of the popular traditional arts of the city and province. On top of it is a “sablay” of a “hablon,” the textile which contributed to Iloilo’s becoming the second city of the Philippines, next to Manila, at the onset of the 19th century.

Her skirt is a “patadyong,” our native hand-woven wrap-around skirt.

Also, the statue is wearing the traditional bandana usually worn by farm ladies to protect them from the heat of the sun. On her neck she wears an ethnic necklace, symbolic of her ancestry, as she comes from a rich mythic past, from the Maragtas, the “Barter of Panay,” and the long line of heroic datus that peopled the island of Panay.

The figure stands on a field of rice as Iloilo is known as the rice granary of Visayas.

The figure is situated on top of a pedestal that has four sides carved with the major assets of Iloilo. The front shows the rice-farming industry; right, sugarcane; left, fishing industry; and back, education because Iloilo is considered as the educational center of Visayas and Mindanao.

HONOR TO WOMEN
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said this statue will represent honor and respect to women who play a major role in the success of this city. He also mentioned that the initial 10-million worth of statue was donated by an Ilongga philanthropist who truly loves Iloilo but prefers to remain anonymous.

“We would like to extend our warmest thanks to our donor who donated this statue without any strings attached nor political ambition,” he stressed.

Mabilog said the donor never refused him when he asked her to sponsor the statue.

“It took me 10 seconds to convince our donor and I’m very thankful for her kind-heartedness,” he ended.

by Montesa GriƱo-Caoyonan
source: The News Today

Saturday, August 13, 2011

DOT Latest Domestic Travel Campaign: Pilipinas, Tara Na!


A total of fifty-seven artists perform for the latest Department of Tourism's domestic travel campaign, "Pilipinas, Tara Na!" song which will be produce in three versions.

The artists and bands who performed the 3 "Pilipinas, Tara Na!" songs include: 6 Cycle Mind, Aiza Seguerra, Barbie Almalbis, Bayang Barrios, Billy Crawford, Bituin Escalante, Boboy Garovillo, Christian Bautista, Cookie Chua, Dolphy, Ebe Dancel, Gabby Alipe, Gail Blanco, Gloc 9, Itchyworms, Janno Gibbs, Jaya, Jay-R, Jed Madela, Jett Pangan, Jim Paredes, John Lesaca, Jong Cuenco, Karylle, Kevin Roy, Kitchie Nadal, Kris Lawrence, Kyla, Martin Nievera, Nikki Gil, Noel Cabangon, Ogie Alcasid, Pepe Smith, Raimund Marasigan, Regine Velasquez, Rico J. Puno, Rivermaya, Sam Concepcion, Spongecola, Yeng Constantino and Zsa Zsa Padilla.

The music video will highlight the country's different tourist attractions including food, festivals and historic places.

Here's the version one music video of Pilipinas, Tara Na! from Pilipinas, Tara Na facebook page.



Pilipinas, Tara Na! v.1
Words by: Rene Nieva
Composed by: Mike Villegas and Rico Blanco
Arranged by: Angelo Villegas

Ikaw ba'y nalulungkot
Naiinip, nababagot
Ikaw ba'y napapagod
Araw gabi'y puro kayod?

Buhay mo ba'y walang saysay
Walang sigla, walang kulay?
Bawa't araw ba'y pareho
Parang walang pagbabago?

Tara na, biyahe tayo
Kasama ang pamilya
Barkada at buong grupo
Para mag-enjoy ng todo.

Halika, biyahe tayo
Nang ating makita
Ang ganda ng Pilipinas
Ang galing ng Pilipino.

Nag-driving ka na ba
Sa mga bayan sa baybay
Ng buong Laguna de Bay
Tuloy-tuloy sa Tagaytay?

Nalasap mo na ba
Ang Lanzones ng Camiguin
Penoy balot ng Pateros
Ensaymada ng Malolos?

Tara na, biyahe tayo
Upang ating matanto
Tayo man ay iba-iba
Diwa't puso ay iisa

Halika, biyahe tayo
Nang ating makita
Ang ganda ng Pilipinas
Ang galing ng Pilipino.

RAP:
Mga kababayan, ating puntahan,
Dambana ng kadakilaan at kagitingan
Fort Santiago, Kawit, Mactan
Barasoain, Corregidor at Bataan.

Nag-shopping ka na ba
Sa malls ng Metro Manila
Naka-bargain sa Baclaran
Greenhills at Divisoria?

Nakapag-uwi ka na ba
Ng perlas mula Sulu
World-class shoes from Marikina
Abaca bags from Bicolandia?

Tara na, biyahe tayo
Nang makabili
Ng maganda at murang-mura
Gawa ng kapwa-Pilipino.

Halika, biyahe tayo
Nang ating makita
Ang ganda ng Pilipinas
Ang galing ng Pilipino.

Nakisaya ka na ba
Sa Pahiyas at Masskara
Moriones at Ati-atihan
Sinulog at Kadayawan?

Namiesta ka na ba
Sa Penafrancia sa Naga
Umakyat sa Antipolo
Nagsayaw sa Obando?

Tara na, biyahe tayo
Upang ating matamo
Ligaya at pagkakaibigan
Kaunlaran, kapayapaan.

Halika, biyahe tayo
Nang ating makita
Ang ganda ng Pilipinas
Ang galing ng Pilipino.

Tara na, biyahe tayo
Upang ating matamo
Ligaya at pagkakaibigan
Kaunlaran, kapayapaan.

Halika, biyahe tayo
Nang ating makita
Ang ganda ng Pilipinas
Ang galing ng Pilipino.


Thursday, August 4, 2011

Vote Puerto Princesa Underground River


The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is one of the the 28 global finalist of the new seven wonders of nature. It is located about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. It features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The underground river is reputed to be the world's longest. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water's edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave.

The official declaration of the new seven wonders of  nature will be on November 11, 2011 (11.11.11).

Here's a short trailer for Puerto Princesa Underground River with the discovery of the 20 million year old Sirenia fossil.



SUPPORT PPUR TO BE ONE OF THE NEW 7 WONDERS OF NATURE!
Online vote- Visit
http://www.new7wonders.com

For updates, like our fanpage- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Puerto-Princesa-Underground-River/345410776468

SMS vote from Philippines

Text PPUR/ send to 2861 (Smart,Globe and Sun subscribers)

1 vote= text PPUR
7 votes= text PPUR7
15 votes= text PPUR15

Each SMS sent counts as one vote for the PP Underground River in the Official New7Wonders of Nature.

Send PPUR to 2861
Cost per each SMS sent: PHP2.00 (Sun), PHP2.50 (Globe, Smart)