Ang Payag ni MamaGirl

These scenes greeted me when I returned to Roxas City after a three-day Strategic Planning seminar in Iloilo City. We were all speechless when we saw how mother nature created havoc in this sleepy farming town.

On the national highway, buses, cars and other vehicles were unable to pass through because of the high water level. The crops were all ready for harvesting if not for the heavy rainfall. My heart went out to the poor farmers whose crops were totally wiped out by the water. The farmers did not lose only crops, but also lost their properties (cattle and farming equipments) and destroyed their houses. In fact, many have been feared missing or, worse, dead. Also, many farmers fear how they would survive this year now that the crops that they had hope to bring them income is gone?

Local authorities are collecting information as to how many families were affected in the municipalities of Sigma, Dao, Cuartero and Mambusao - all of which the provincial government have declared as areas in state of calamity. Up to this point, the government has not determined how much was the damage in these municipalities in terms of crops and properties.

Most of the population were evacuated in evacuation centers and are receiving relief support from the government. Our organization is also readying for a rehab project. To those who want to donate some clothes, canned food and others, please direct them to the Office of the Provincial Governor of Capiz, or through Katibyugan, Inc., the non-profit organization where I am working. Leave me a message here or send me email. Any form of help is very much welcome and appreciated.

I am not surprised anymore (and I am angry) that news like this about Capiz did not or do not merit any attentional from the national media. To media companies, Gretchen's bitchiness is far more important than thousands of farmers devastated by floods and therefore gains a place in the headlines. The only time that Capiz is given attention to by the media is when the subject points at Capiz being the haven of aswangs (flesh-eaters and other supernatural beings). That, we Capizenos are not too happy about, and I am only being polite when I say that. How this affects every Capizeno is worth another post.

These are photos of the historic At-atihan festival. My husband and I never fail to join in the merry-making and celebration. This year, we even brought along our little boy. We want him to be able to see the outside world, to experience the richness of our culture and traditionse so that whe he grows up he'll learn to treasure all of this; just like what our parents did to us when we were a lot younger.

For more of Ati-atihan, click here for the story. For other Wordless photos, please visit Wordless Wednesday HQ.

Hala, bira! Pwera pasma!

Ati-atihan Festival is held in Kalibo, Aklan in the western part of the Visayas every 2nd Sunday of January. It is one of the most popular, most fun and wildest celebrations in the Philippines. Hundreds and thousands of local and foreign visitors gather at the main streets of Kalibo to see the most colorful parade of the ati (natives), dancing and prancing around the plaza. Notice how colorful and unique the costumes are. Most of it were made from indigenous materials found in Aklan. Onlookers can't help but join in the fun and revelry, painting themselves with soot and dancing like there's no tomorrow.

The Ati-atihan is a feast honoring Sr. Santo Niño.

My husband and son dancing in the streets of Kalibo


Of course, MamaGirl also wanted to have a souvenir photo

Hey there! Visit other Wordless Wednesday participants at the Wordless Wednesday HQ.