Heritage Month feast to focus on epics
MANILA, Philippines – Tales as old as time—about beauty, truth, freedom, and love—highlight this year’s Heritage Month celebration in May.
The National Heritage Month opens tomorrow in Cagayan de Oro City. Focus of the celebration is the epic.
According to experts, the most authentic Filipino epic is the Darangen ni Bantugen. One of 43 declared “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritages of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), the Darangen commemorates the adventures of mythical heroes and charts the early history of the Maranaos.
“For this year’s festivities, we will re-open a treasure trove of oral traditions that talk of life, death, love, and heroism,” Filipino Heritage Festival director Bambi Harper, also the new head of the Intramuros Administration, said.
“By presenting these epic chants, we will also showcase the traditional beliefs and values systems upon which these literary forms are founded.”
Since the inception of the Heritage Month celebrations five years ago (born out of President Macapagal-Arroyo’s Proclamation No. 439), the FHF has been steadfast in keeping alive Filipinos’ awareness of and pride for their culture, history and heritage.
This year is no different as Harper, along with FHF president Armita Rufino and finance officer Araceli Salas, has organized an array of cultural activities that will bring the Filipino people to a new awareness of their age-old traditions, cultural practices, songs, dances, poetry, and centuries-old architectural wonders.
The celebrations are not limited to Cagayan de Oro as all over the archipelago, the diverse wonders of Filipino heritage will be felt all month long.
At the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Philippine Ballet Theater will perform the Darangen ni Bantugen, as choreographed by Gener Caringal.
Music will be provided by Jesse Lucas while set and costume design are by National Artist Salvador Bernal.
In Last Piñas, excerpts of the epic will be staged.
In Manila, activities include the Patawa exhibit (evoking laughter through poems, jokes, photos, and memorabilia) at the Metropolitan Museum; an exhibit focusing on the Filipinos’ Chinese roots in Binondo; the 4th Government Service and Insurance System (GSIS) painting competition; Flores de Mayo at the Malate Church; and Santacruzan staged by veteran fashion designer Ben Farrales.
At the SM Mall of Asia and SM The Block, Sinauna, a showcase of Filipino home artifacts, will be featured.
There will also be a photographic exhibit of American colonial bridges at Greenbelt 3 as well as a display of the photo collection by Donal Tapan of famous Philippine festivals at the Robinsons Manila.
A poster exhibit of Spanish colonial bridges will be held in Marikina and Laguna.
Meanwhile, a poster exhibit of Spanish colonial lighthouses will tour Manila, Ilocos Norte and Bohol.
An exhibit of Muslim antiques will be hosted by Rustan’s while old Philippine maps will become the focus of an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum.
“Kisame,” a photo display of Bohol’s magnificent painted ceilings, completes the roster of exhibits.
The Intercontinental Manila will feature the best of Bicol cuisine. At the Cafe Jeepney, guest chefs will serve up Bicol delicacies such as laing, pili nut desserts, and sweet pineapples from Daet.
Filipino street food such as the balut, penoy, green mangoes with bagoong, boiled corn on the cob and peanuts and grilled delicacies will be served at the Sol y Sombra poolside restaurant.
The hotel lobby will have floral installations by “floral architect” Rachy Cuna. Titled “BayanCuna: Unity in Philippine Artistry,” the exhibit will feature local materials such as twigs, driftwood, and dried leaves which are tweaked and given new form as only Cuna can.
“Culture is always the greatest emulsifier,” Cuna said. When people are divided in thought and spirit, what brings them closer is culture. Our own culture teaches Filipinos to love one another.”
E-mail the author at dxmatilla@yahoo.com
uhuh?! heheehe… hi dex…