This Day in History: Philippine National Flag Days

The celebration of Philippine Flag Days starts on May 28 and lasts until June 12. It commemorates the Battle of Alapan on May 28, 1898 when the flag was first carried in an uprising led by General Emilio Aguinaldo in Imus, Cavite. The event culminates on June 12, commemorating the proclamation of Philippine independence in Kawit, Cavite when the flag was first waved.

Flores de Mayo

  Filipinos like to celebrate fiestas. In fact they are commemorated all year round most especially during May. May is the merriest month of the year. It is the season of colorful festivals and Flores de Mayo is one such festival. Flores de Mayo is a catholic festival held during the whole month of May in the Philippines. It is celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The name is derived from the Spanish word “flores” which means flowers. It is believed that Flores de Mayo originated back in 1865 from the town of Malolos in Bulacan. During the last days of May, when rain begins to pour after a long period of dry spell, flowers magically bloom. Because of gratitude for the beneficial rains, the people gather the flowers and decorate the church altar. They would also make novenas and floral offerings to the Virgin Mary.

Jessica Sanchez is our American Idol

    First there were Camille Velasco and Jasmin Trias on Season 3. Then, Ramiele Malubay in Season 7 and Thia Megia in Season 10. And now, another contestant with filipino blood is making the country proud, the 16-year old power belter, Jessica Sanchez.

Magayon Festival

Mayon Volcano

     Magayon Festival is an annual festival during the month of May in Albay that relieves the legend of Mayon Volcano. The festival derived its name from Magayon, a bicolano word which means beautiful. The celebration is also held in honor of Nuestra Senora La Porteria, Daraga’s patron saint. The Legend of Mount Mayon that has been the center of the celebration of the Magayon Festival is about the tragic love story of Daragang Magayon, the most beautiful woman in Bicol and a tagalog warrior, Pangaronon. Their tragic love affair was believed to cause the mounting of Mount Mayon.

Brigada Eskwela

   Brigada Eskwela also known as the Bayanihan sa Paaralan is a nationwide voluntary effort of teachers, parents, students, community members and other organizations to do minor repairs and clean-ups on their school in preparation for the start of the school year. This week long event began in 2003 as part of the Oplan Balik Eskwela Program of the Department of Education. It encourages volunteers to give out their time, effort and even donate construction materials such as paint, cement, lumber and other materials which could be used for minor repairs and building.

Obando's Fertility Dance

procession of  the 3 patron saints with
thousands of spectators and participants

     Obando Fertility Dance is an annual 3-day festival celebrated during the month of May in Obando, Bulacan. The Fertility Dance is a Filipino dance ritual. It was then called “Kasilonawan” it was headed by a “katalonan” or the high priestess. This ancient fertility ritual was very important to the early Filipino women because fertility is equal to her worth.

When the Franciscan missionaries arrived in the Philippines, they introduced the saints Sta Clara, San Pascual and Nuestra Senora de Salambao to substitute their traditional pagan gods.

Pahiyas Festival

     Pahiyas Festival is a colorful feast celebrated every 15^th day of May by the people of Lucban Quezon in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. The festival’s name came from the term hiyas (jewel) and pahiyas (precious offering). The feast is an ancient farmer’s harvest celebration that date backs to the 16^th century. It is their way of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest.    

kiping adorn the house facade

Carabao Festival

     The Carabao Festival is celebrated on the feast day of San Isidro Labrador, the farmer’s patron saint from May 15 to 16 as a tribute to the water buffaloes or carabaos in the farming towns of San Isidro Nueva Ecija, Pulilan Bulacan and Angono Rizal.

Funny Pinoy Business Names

Filipinos are known to be a happy people. Our comical attitude reflects even in the word play of business establishments that are based on western names and personalities. Here are some of the names that are not only funny but also a creative way in naming business establishments.

1. Parlor in San Juan is named "Cut & Face"
2. Wholesaler of balut in Sto.Tomas, Batangas: "Starducks"
3. Fast food eatery in Nueva Ecija: "Violybee"
4. Internet cafe in Tondo named "Cafe Pindot"
5. In Manila , there's a laundry named, "Summa Cum Laundry"
6. Petshop in Ortigas: "Pussies and Bitches".
7. A pet shop in Kamuning: "Pakita Mo Pet Mo"
8. Bakery in Cavite: "Bread Pit".
9. Bank in Alabang: "Alabank".
10. Restaurant in Pampanga named, "Mekeni Rogers"
11. Restaurant in Pasig : "Johnny's Fried Chicken: The 'Fried' of Marikina".
12. A boxing gym in Batangas: "Blow Jab"
13. A tombstone maker in Antipolo: "Lito Lapida"

This Day in History: Araw ng Manggagawa

     Labor Day or Araw ng Manggagawa is a non-working holiday celebrated on May 1 of every year in the Philippines. It was started in the US in 1884. In the Philippines, it was first celebrated in 1903 when the country was still under the American rule. Ten years after, the Congreso Obrero de Filipinos fought for important labor laws that we are enjoying at the present time such as the 8-hour working day,  the abolition of child labor, just labor standards for women and liability of capitalists. Since then, Labor Day in the Philippines has been commemorated not only with parades and celebration but also with rallies and demonstrations of the labor sector.