Bandilyo Abaknon

We were at the University of the Philippines Vargas Museum last Saturday, Sept. 22, for the culminating activity of the “Capul, Palingnga Kaw?” photoethnographic exhibit. As a final note to the exhibit, the organizers scheduled a forum on the development initiatives in Capul, and as ably steered by Dr. Kiko Datar, issues were indeed discussed. The topics ranged from cultivating pride on our being Capuleños, to livelihood projects and even improving the quality of education for Capuleño children. We of course hope that the forum was able to jumpstart further discussions on matters that concern our hometown and that we will in the end be united by the common bind that ties us – our being Abaknons. On attendance that afternoon were Ex-Mayor Veronica Castillo, Mr. Porfirio “Poping” Flores, Judge Freddie Ampuan, SB Member Marlon Mente, Ms. Josephine Leong, Mrs. Maring Ramirez, Mr. Edwin Montopar, Mana Forlu and many others.

Folks, it’s again time to dust off some photos. These were taken during the Mayflower Festival, the type that we used to know. This means the summers when all kids go to catechism classes, the young men engaged in basketball tournaments and the ladies go parading in the Santacruzan. At the end of May, there is always a highly anticipated dance and at times, there also were amateur singing contests. That was before. I understand there’s nothing of that sort anymore. That’s why we need to take a good look at those beautiful years and relish the memories. And to spice our recollection, how about some guessing game? Kas say ngani to si mga pictures to? (photos courtesy of Kay Frazier)

She went to Spain in the late 70’s (1979?). Armed with nothing but sheer talent and determination, she braved the challenges of a foreign land. And luckily (or by the grace of God, she’d claim), she was able to make her mark and survived. She’s been in Madrid since then and is currently teaching English at the Spanish Royal Airforce Academy. That’s our Dada Wenia or Tita Eugene for the others.

Don’t these images remind you of a wonderful past? Look at the little girls in the parade. New dresses, huh? Didn’t we all got new uniforms for the fiesta parade. Plus those we use for the field demonstration, of course. Padadayawon may kitam gayud siray si mga uniform ta. Then these band majorettes. These had always been coveted spots. Only the long-legged beauties get to strut their stuff. The boys of course can’t help but ogle.

Wilma Cabacang sent me some of the pictures taken during their high school batch fiesta get-together cum irinum (he he). Of course, as the pictures revealed, some dropped dead drunk early in the day, but as always, everybody turns out alive again for the “sarayaw”.

Below is the schedule of the other activities for the “Capul, Palingnga Kaw” photoethnographic exhibit at the UP Vargas Museum. These include a series of lectures, talks, discussion and fora on Capul's ethnography, history and language to be be held on the following dates: 2pm, 21 August 2007 (Tuesday) DOING FIELDWORK Prof. Francisco A. Datar, PhD (UP Anthropology Department) 2pm, 23 August 2007 (Thursday)TIME, COSMOLOGY, FOLK MEDICINE, PAIN & MIGRATION: SELECTED PAPERS ON CAPUL ETHNOGRAPHY U.P. Anthropology Field School 2006 2pm, 29 August 2007 (Wednesday) THE ANTHROPOLOGICAL LINGUISTICS OF INABAKNON Prof. Ricardo Nolasco, PhD (UP Linguistics Department / Chair, Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino) Prof. Francisco A. Datar, PhD (UP Anthropology Department) 1:30pm, 8 September 2007 (Saturday)LECTURE-WORKSHOP ON CAPUL DANCES 2pm, 12 September 2007 (Wednesday)CAPUL HISTORY &/DURING THE GALLEON TRADE 2pm, 22 September 2007 (Saturday)AN OPEN DISCUSSION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ...