We are invited to have adventure in Sumatra Island particularly in Bagansiapiapi. Departure time will be tomorrow at 11 am.
I have researched the place and I’ve been looking forward to experience the traditional celebration of Chinese New Year.
For pictures, it will be uploaded here later. See u guys..I’ll be out of jakarta for 3 days.
Mark your calendar because Fiesta Of Poonbato is held every January 23 – 24. Traditionally, Catholic and Aglipayan people visit the place to ask for blessing or luck for their life, family and other wishes. Devoted people sacrificed to visit to place and stay overnight even sleeping on the grasses. This is to show to Ina Poonbato or Nuestra Senora de le Paz bien Viaje their seriousness in begging assistance from heaven.
The place is crowded which occupied by baratilyos ( vendors of clothes, kitchen utensils, cd, ice cream, halo-halo and many others). There’s no place like Poonbato even the people have low standard condition in life but everyone has concern to each other. Friends from different areas in the Philippines or abroad often come to the houses of their relatives to eat traditional food, sometime house hopping, transferring from one house to another houses. I love this very much.
Fiesta was originated from the Spanish after the colonization in the Philippines and continually celebrated to commemorate the contribution of the saints. On January 24 after bisperas, the patron saint toured around the place usually carried on the decorated float by devoted residents.
To all who wanted to see and experience Fiesta, it’s better to visit Philippines for this kind of festival. Mabuhay
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Ina Poonbato
The remote regions of the Zambales mountains in Bolotan, Zambales, Philippines were once the tribal lands of the aboriginal hunters, the Negritos. Djadig their leader, was a special man revered for his unmatched skills in hunting with bow and arrow. No one in all the tribes could run as fast as he, and it was known that even without arrows Djadig could capture the fleetest deer. Among the Negrito people he was the acknowledged leader of leaders.
It was during a hunting expedition with his three sons that he first experienced a miracle. The hunting party had stopped to rest at the bank of the Pastac River when an ethereal voice filled the air, commanding, “Get up, Djadig. Look for me. Come and take me home with you.”
The voice had come from the top of a towering rock where Djadig, alone, saw a beautiful lady shining like the sun and dressed in shimmering gold. Her hair was like the sunlight, her eyes dark and filled with compassion. He was drawn to the spot instinctively, like metal to a magnet, all the time his eyes entranced by the vision. As he drew closer his vision dematerialized and the beautiful Lady remained only an image carved on shining gold wood.
“Take me home with you,” the ethereal voice commanded again, and Djadig instinctively obeyed.
When he reached home, his wife was unwilling to believe his mysterious tale. Angry that he had neglected his duties as a hunter, she seized the wooden image and cast it indignantly into their fire pit. Flames shot up instantly, burning the walls and ceiling, and before help could arrive, Djadig’s hut was reduced to ashes. “Wait Look!” exclaimed the children, who were poking the glowing embers with a bamboo pole, “The shinning image is not burned.” It was true. The image was intact and still shining like gold. With due honors, the Negritos reverently enshrined the image on the selfsame rock where Djadig had discovered it.
Many years later the first Europeans landed on Philippine soil. As they colonized the islands, the culture which preceded them was vanquished. Christianity was introduced to the new civilization, and when an image of the Virgin Mary was presented to the Negrito people, they were delighted to see that it was a replica of their own patroness, “Ina Poonbato”.
When the shining image discovered by Djadig was revealed to the Spanish missionaries they were forced to believe that their own Reverend Mother had preceded them. The Negritos explained that “Ina Poonbato” was the source of many miracles to them. She was their patroness and the bringer of rains, filling the mountains with deer and an abundance of food.
Ina Poonbato has long been recognized in the Philippines for the many miracles accredited to her, but only as recently as 1985 was she carried to Rome and officially sanctioned by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II.
The country’s pride and international singing sensation Charice is currently flying to Washington D.C. to perform at US President-elect Barack Obama’s inaugural on January 20, 2008.
At the pre-inaugural party on January 18, Charice is going to perform two songs – “God Bless America” and Whitney Houston’s Olympic hymn “One Moment in Time.” Charice said the songs were chosen by Obama’s staff.
It’s not yet confirmed though, if Charice will also sing at the actual inaugural party on January 20, but nevertheless, she feels honored to sing for Obama.
“Siyemre iba na po ito kasi po dati kumanta ako kay President Arroyo, ngayon kay president Obama naman. iba po ‘yong feeling na isa na namang Filipina ang makakapag-perform internationally,” she said.
When asked what she’s going to say if she get the chance to speak with US president, Charice replied: “Just wanna say thank you for making this dream come true. This is not only an honor for me, but also for the Philippines. Thank you.”
Charice is currently working on her very first international album to be produced by renowned star maker David Foster. According to reports, Charice’s manager is none other than Oprah Winfrey.
Season 8 of American Idol is back in full swing with the 2009 auditions leading off the new episodes. Having breezed through Phoenix, AZ and Kansas City, MO, Simon, Randy, Paula, and the brand new Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi, the panel of judges are ready to for the remaining cities: East Rutherford, NJ, Jacksonville, FL, Louisville, KY, Salt Lake City, UT, San Francisco, CA and San Juan, PR.
After the auditions phase, the 2009 Idol season schedule will be:
* Top 36 Semi-Finalists Revealed Wednesday, February 11.
* Voting Begins Tuesday, February 17.
* Top 12 Singers Revealed After Judges’ Wild Card Round Thursday, March 5.
* Top 12 Finalists Perform for First Time Tuesday, March 10.
As what I have promised to everyone, I would like to share the pictures taken in Baquilan Resettlement Area, Loob-Bunga Resettlement Area and San Juan Botolan…
I love the lahar view very much.
Just take a look to the other photos taken in Taman Mini this month of January 2009.
Memories could be reminisced by staring to some photos taken during unforgettable moments. Like these pictures of mine in Taman Mini.
Pictures, pictures anywhere…
I enjoyed my 3-day holiday in Bandung and Ciwedy ( I forgot the name of the place)
We went to the strawberry farms, strolling, sight-seeing, food hunting and many other activities.
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