MY HOLY WEEK IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY, PHILIPPINES

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD
 

(Photo courtesy of joycarol.com)

When I was young!

My childhood memory is still very sharp, I can even recall what happened in our street during the Holy Week. We lived in a residential compound before, where most of my Father's siblings and their families were there too. The street is also a mini-compound as most of the homeowners are 'Kapampangans '.

Kapampangans or Pampangenos are the sixth largest Filipino Ethnolinguistic group that occupy the Central Luzon region in the Philippines. The province of Pampanga is their traditional homeland. They are devout Roman Catholic that display unique religious festivals. One of the most dramatic festivals that accompany an indigenous flavour is during  'Mal ay Aldo', which is the Kapampangan expression for the Holy Week.

(Photo courtesy of Google Image)

As we were given a few days break from school, that was prior to the festival. The street was temporarily closed for a week and a few days to all commercial vehicles as part of the preparation. Our elders built their plans for the event. These include the Shrine/Chapel, where the story of Christ is chanted in archaic Kapampangan.

I can still remember the highlight of the procession. A few men covered in blood due to self- flagellation. Their faces were covered with a piece of cloth and worn a wreath on their heads that was made of thorns. And, as this was a re-enactment of Christ' suffering, I saw a bare-footed man, who led the men covered in blood going to the Shrine. He carried on his shoulder a crucifix that was almost as twice as his height and weighs heavier than him.

(Photo courtesy of Google Image)

They stopped for awhile in front of the Shrine before they continued walking and suddenly, the gate of our compound was opened wide. Our elders welcomed the weary men and helped them in washing their bodies. The compound's parking ground was silhouetted in blood!

A car was parked outside, waiting for these men to get inside the car. Our elders guided them to the car as their faces were still covered with a cloth. A few of the elders, who owned motorcycles convoyed the car going to a clandestine place. A place where they revealed their true selves and their profiles remained very private.

It is not just the re-enactment that I can only store in my memory!

The joy of eating 'halo-halo' with my friends and relatives before noon time was a pleasurable memoir. This is a combination of crashed ice, cooked fruits, fruit jam, evaporated milk and sugar. Aside from that there was a special desert for a special occasion called 'Bibingka'. This dessert was prepared by my Aunt and she started baking it when the sun sets and sold to hungry visitors and bystanders. Her collapsible booth was just in front of our compound.

This dramatic event was passed onto my elders and is still happening every year in the Philippines. It is a traditional procession that allows people to witness and feel the 'pasion' (Christ' suffering).

YEAR 2009 AND 2015: THE KIDS IN MY HOMETOWN

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

 

(Year 2009 pictures)

 (Year 2015 pictures)

Their happy faces and bubbly personalities give joy to their parents and so to me. They are my nephews, nieces and my grandchildren in my beloved Philippines.

I have two places in my country, one is in Metro Manila where my sister & her family live and in General Santos City where most of my family members live and where I grew up. When I flew back to the Philippines after visiting England in 2008, I spent a vacation that was more than a month in one of the cities on the island of Mindanao, General Santos City. In addition to this, I also visited them last year but only stayed for a few days. Sadly! Honestly speaking, I was very reluctant to fly over to my hometown last year but glad I pursued it. It made my journey back to England last year very light-hearted even though I was with them and my fragile mother for only a short stay.

(Year 2015 pictures)

My hometown is a lovely place where I was with my parents' warm hands in year 2009. However, last year it was quite heartbreaking as I was only with my fragile mother but I was relived being her Junjun, again.

 (Year 2009 pictures)

(Year 2015 pictures)

Children, kids or babies, they are like energizer that will make you feel better and give you a reason to smile. As I loved them so much, in 2009 I organised a party before I went back to Metro Manila to process my visa application. As I always do! I enjoyed looking at them especially when a tub of ice cream was opened, they formed a line and waited for their turn. A few candid photos were taken, showing their happy, innocent faces and the poignant part was the, 'Thank You' from their mouth. It is our special way of showing to them that they will always be in our hearts and will never forget them.

 

(Year 2009 pictures)

I come from a big family, enough to count on the fingers of your hands. To be the youngest, it is not any more a surprise nor a question to ask, why we have lots of kids in the house? I will turn 32 this year and I am thankful that I have these kids in my life. Same as my Baby Nicole and Baby Kate in Metro Manila, these kids in my hometown relieve my sadness and cheer me up to boot, every time I fly over to my beloved Philippines. They are blessings that always show a reason for us to smile and look at life with optimisms.

(Year 2009 and 2015 pictures)

Generally  speaking, I had priceless memories in both years because of the happy faces of my eldest siblings and their playful grown-up kids who visited me from time to time just to show me what they've got.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, PHILIPPINES

by:  MisS VictoriA DaviD

GO GENSAN GO!

I spent 67% of my life in the Southern part of the Philippines on the island of Mindanao- General Santos City (GenSan). It is a city where I attained my educational degree and offered opportunities that sharpened me as an individual before entering the world of professionalism.

There are recorded 7,107 islands in the Republic of the Philippines. General Santos City (GenSan) is bounded by three municipalities of Sarangani Province, namely Alabel, South Cotabato and Davao del Sur; 2 municipalities of South Cotabato, Koronadal City and Sultan Kudarat and is subdivided into 25 barangays (local councils). The closest neighbour of GenSan is Davao, one of the most extensive cities in the world and known as " The Durian Capital of the Philippines", as it is a large grower of the Durian fruit. And, Cebu city, the capital of the island Cebu and known as “The Queen city of the south” due to its importance and role in trade, shipping and tourism in the country. They are both popular destinations in the Southern Philippines.

The city is recognised by the world as the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines” as it supplies a large quantity of fish, particularly in Asia. The fish industries have cultured a variety of fish to be used in the processing and making of canned goods for consumers and for exports to the rest of world.

The developing cities in the Philippines are keen competitors and as a mark of their success they love to celebrate. General Santos City has its own two major celebrations each year; the Kalilangan and the Tuna Festival.

 The Kalilangan is derived from the Maguinadao word “Kalilang” which means celebration. It projects a positive and dynamic meaning of rich cultural heritage that has endured from generation to generation. It is a week-long event each year from February 16-27 to commemorate and give due respect to the city’s founder, General Paulino Santos, and to the first settlers from Luzon, who lived on the shores of Sarangani Bay. A colourful fireworks display treats the children which brings joy & excitement to their faces. Amongst other activites, a street-dancing competition is held to cheer-up the crowd.

The other major event is the fertile Tuna festival, celebrated every year and falls on the month of September. It celebrates the Tuna industries of the city that contributes as much as 60% to the economy. The event’s highlight is the extravagant Tuna float parade on the street that is attended by the local officials. A Street-dancing competition is held for all different school levels (elementary and secondary) showcasing unique performances. Each school competes keenly for that year’s trophy and a cash prize. This is presented on stage in the form of a giant cheque. There is also a big and colourful fireworks display on the opening night which starts the festivities and is a sign of thanksgiving.

Moreover, the two major celebrations are also considered as a bazaar. Souvenirs, tokens, and refreshment are sold. And local products are promoted and sold to the locals. The tourists find these items especially interesting. At nightfall, different kinds of fairground-rides brighten the city’s milieu for family and friends to enjoy and more importantly, for the kids to experience the giant toys. On the ultimate night of the celebrations there is a pageant called Beauty to Brain. The selected gorgeous candidates will compete and vie for a crown that uplifts their ego as it represents not just a beautiful face and a sexy body, but more importantly, intelligence.

Furthermore, the city’s growth depends on the developing and improving infrastructures. Of particular importance to GenSan is the new (Robinson) and the existing (Gaisano, KCC, Fitmart) state of the art shopping malls, which are exclusive pedestrian streets that allow shoppers to walk around and buy the things they need and want. Also, beach resorts are important and ideal places to relax the mind and body in the water. There are also hotels and inns, for holiday makers and business use offering varied accommodation.

Generally, the city is not just admirable for the promotion of its festivals and for supplying tuna fish to the world. It is also, in fact, one of the least expensive cities in the Philippines, perhaps in the world, that will blissfully delight you and won’t cost you a king’s ransom.

*Photos courtesy of Jo- Paul Arthur Tan