2015 Candle Festival in Candelaria, Quezon

 After two years of missing this annual Candelaria event, we were finally able to witness this Quezon town’s Candle Festival. This recently established religion-grounded fest focuses mainly on the devotion to the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria which usually runs from the last day of January to February 2. This designated high day of the festival (in anticipation of the feast of Saint Blaise on February 3) is highlighted by the street parade, dance competition and the usual street stalls containing different wares for sale that lined the wide patio grounds of the San Pedro Bautista church on the town proper.

The grand parade for this year was held in the afternoon but the main event, the dance competition started early in the evening. Certain awards were given out first to notable citizens and groups of the town. Afterwards the contest started with the hundreds of eager audience obviously looking towards the presentations.


The eleven presenters of the night were:

- Masin Elementary School
- Manuel Luis Quezon Elementary School
- Malabanban Norte Elementary School (and?) Alumni
- a group from the parish
- Kiwanis Club of Candelaria
- Couples for Christ
- Candelatia West District(?)
- Tayabas Western Academy
- Manuel Macasaet National High School
- Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation Candelaria, Inc.
- Lady Mediatrix Institute

For a first timer it seemed to me that the last presentation proved to be a highlight presentation with its elaborate costumes and props that really wowed the crowd towards the end of the program.

The Festival did not end on that night for the town was also looking to celebrate the town fiesta on the 5th of February, dedicated to San Pedro Bautista to whom the parish church was named.

What to look for in next year’s Candle Festival?
Most likely cover the entirety of the grand parade and hunt for local delicacies that possibly get the attention during these festive times.
  

San Pablo Cathedral Makeover Commences

The long-awaited makeover of San Pablo Cathedral has now begun! And in its initial renovation we see here that beauty lies within. Who would have thought that the cathedral is much like the church in Liliw? The story of its overhaul is worthy to be followed.
 

A Souvenir from Rafael ‘Ka Paeng’ Pacheco

* a brochure of Rafael ‘Ka Paeng’ Pacheco given to us;

on the cover: Jubilee Cross (2000) and Lakeshore Madonna (1996)

While rummaging through my stuff and storing them away from vermins, I pulled an old brochure of a Filipino artist we met many years ago. He’s name is Rafael Pacheco, more often called ‘Ka Paeng’ or ‘Paeng’.

To refresh my mind I went back to my records and found that he visited San Pablo City, Laguna way back in September 2001 and had a short talk and show of talent at the now defunct Carlito’s Restaurant and Art Gallery. We were kids back then, able to draw, sketch, and paint and so were invited to meet the artist (many thanks to our high school officials back then who allowed us many things to explore).

It is widely known that he is self-taught and went to pursue a painting technique that would soon be attached to his name: the finger painting technique. I remember Ka Paeng as a big man with big arms and how he made a finger painting on a large canvas with music to accompany him. I vaguely recall that it was an integral part of his creations.

Searching on the internet, I am glad to learn that he is still around, albeit old, and already has an art gallery named after him. It is my hope that we could go to his place Morong, Rizal to visit him and see his artworks.

Another Morong Artist

As I went through the notes and praises on the brochure, I was more than surprised to learn that Pacheco and another artist, whom I personally knew and who figured greatly in my life, are town mates. He’s none other than McLarry San Antonio. And though his life was cut short because of an illness, he left an inspired family and a body of artworks that are only waiting to be seen by the Filipinos. I shall soon write about this other Morong artist.
          

Old Philippine Banknotes to be Demonetized this 2015

The ‘old’ Philippine banknotes issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas or BSP is set to be demonetized this year 2015. Labeled as the New Design Series or NDS, these old bills (such as the ones you see in the photo above) will be replaced completely by the New Generation Currency or NGC at the start of 2016. This NGC series is the latest of the set of paper money released which we are using already.

This move by the BSP is in accordance with the provisions of the so-called New Central Bank Act and aims “to preserve the integrity of Philippine currency.” The replacement will use improved security features for our bills.

For additional information regarding the replacement, demonetization, among others, you can visit the Media Releases section of the BSP website here.
 

Afternoon Stroll in Perez Park, Lucena City, Quezon

 * the man behind the park: Filemon Perez

A longish vacation gives one relative freedom and ease to move or act at his or her own pace. Particularly on travel. And so while almost all of the free TV channels are covering the visit of Pope Francis, an unplanned trip to Lucena was done. Target? that big park in the city proper that I have seen in my mother’s photos when she was young: Perez Park.

* posing opportunity

Perez Park lies on the wide grounds right in front of the Quezon Province Capitol. The land was donated by the family of Filemon Perez, a celebrated governor and public servant in his time but more importantly, a native of Lucena. 

 

  * park views

* a special space for President Quezon in Perez Park

This big park is divided into what I will call sections. The first section (on the extreme left if you are facing the provincial capitol) contains amenities for children and young people: swings, seesaws, climbing bars, and a small circular space for skateboarders. (That last one is unfortunately absent in San Pablo.) The second and third sections generally contain what you will find in a park such as wide grounds for children to run and stone benches. The last section has a big fountain (which I suppose would be impressive when turned on owing to its size) and a monument for the late President Manuel Quezon, himself a native of the province. Behind his larger than life statue is a reconstruction of one of his famous messages. Entitled “Message To My People”, it speaks to the Filipinos of the Philippines and its meaning and value for them. This was probably penned during the wartime.

 

* the imposing Tayabas, now Quezon Province Capitol Building

Quezon Provincial Capitol

Standing imposingly nearby is the Quezon Provincial Capitol, on the grounds donated too by Atty. Filemon Perez. It used to be called Tayabas Capitol. It was concretized based on the plans and designs by the architect consultant provided by Public Act No. 1637. By 1930, it was refurbished and enlarged at the same time during the time of Governor Leon G. Guinto. The renovation was finished in 1935 during the term of Governor Maximo Rodriguez. It was destroyed during World War II but was fortunately restored through the U.S. Philippines Rehabilitation Act of 1946. When Republic Act No. 14 was enacted that changed the name of the province to Quezon it was finally named Quezon Provincial Capitol.
  

* sunset view in Perez Park

For someone in need of a breather in the south, then Perez Park is for you.

[How to go to Perez Park, Lucena City, Quezon: If coming from Metro Manila, you need to board a bus bound for Lucena. You can drop off at Brgy. Gulang-Gulang or what people call Diversion. From there, you need to board a jeep bound for ‘Bayan.’ This jeep will pass by Perez Park and you simply have to ask the driver to drop you off near the place.]