King of Comedy died at 83

Comedy King Rodolfo “Dolphy” Vera Quizon died on July 10, 2012 after a four year battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He died at the age of 83. A statement from Makati Medical Center revealed the exact cause of his death. “We would like to inform the public that Mr. Rodolfo ‘Dolphy’ Quizon passed away today at 8:43 pm due to multiple organ failure, secondary to complications brought about by severe pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute renal failure”.

Following Dolphy’s death, fans and friends of the actor flooded the internet with condolence messages. President Benigno Aquino III also declared July 13, 2012 as “National Day of Remembrance” in honor of Dolphy’s contributions to the Philippine showbiz industry.

UAAP Season 75

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines or UAAP was established in 1938. It is composed of eight universities in the Philippines. Each year, teams from these member schools play in 15 different sports which include basketball, women’s volleyball, baseball, football, swimming, track and field, relays, tennis and soccer.

            The member universities are the University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, National University, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Adamson University and University of the East.

Sandugo Festival

re-enactment of blood compact between
Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi

The Sandugo Festival also known as the Blood Compact Commemoration is a month long celebration every July in the city of Bohol to commemorate the Sandugo or the signing of a treaty of friendship between a local Philippine leader Datu Sikatuna with the Spanish king conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. The Sandugo treaty is called a blood compact because the participants each drink a small amount of the other’s blood. This was a traditional way to formalize treaties of friendship in the country. It was the first international treaty of friendship and comity between the Filipinos and the Spaniards.

Many tourists from around the country gather for this special event which involves colorful costumes, loud drum beats, street parades, church services, fireworks, beauty pageants, cockfighting and sport tournaments. The most awaited part of the whole festival is the reenactment of the blood compact which features actors, singers and dancers. This is done to make people remember the origin of the cause of their celebration.

This Day in History: Gloria Diaz conquered the Universe

The United States of America conquered the moon when Neil Armstrong took its first human step on it but the Philippines conquered the Universe when Ms. Gloria Diaz bagged the Miss Universe title on July 21, 1969 in Miami Beach Florida, USA. She was the first Filipina to win the title and third Asian to do so. With her natural charm and wit, she confidently answered the final question on how to entertain the first man from the moon if he landed in her hometown. Her immediate response was, “Oh! Uh, just the same I do.  I think if he has been in the moon for so long, I think when he comes over he wants to change, I guess”

Sambali Festival and Our Lady of Piat

Our Lady of Piat

The Sambali Festival is being held every July 1 and 2 annually in Piat, Cagayan. The said festival is a religious and cultural revival to commemorate the Christianization of the Itawis region of Cagayan. During the 16^th century when the Spaniards set foot in Cagayan, they found out that the Itawis town, particularly Piat was inhabited by an aggressive Kalong sub-ethnic group that originated from the mountains of Kalinga Apayao. The Spaniards tried to convert them to the Catholic faith, but they failed and it led to war. However, the Spaniards did not give up. In 1604, the image of Our Lady of Piat, which was originally known as “Nuestra Senora del Santissimo Rosario” was brought to Cagayan from Macau and made numerous miracles. Because of this, the people of Piat were gradually converted to Christianity.