The Philippines Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow
Limbun Kapampángans hold several processions during the Holy Week, with the most well-known ones on Good Friday and Easter. While most people have gone back to the usual after Easter, the people of Betis hold another procession on Easter Monday honoring their district’s chief industry of woodcarving. Video: Limbun by Jonathan Pamintuan on YouTube LIMBUN … Read more
KABA • (kuh-BUH)food offerings or refreshments served in the punî shrine for the Pabásâ (chant reading) readers & visitors during Holy Week PAKAWÁSA • (puh-kuh-WAH-suh)food offerings or refreshments served in the punî shrine for the Pabásâ (chant reading) readers & visitors during Holy Week Etymologypa- “for” + kawása “ceasing”, from Old Javanese kawaśa “subdued, overpowered”, … Read more
Retablo of Juan De Los Santos The “retablo” or main altarpiece, which was made in 1617 by the carver, Juan De Los Santos, for the San Agustin Church, was transferred by the sacristy probably in the 17th and 18th century because the retablo’s Iconic-Corinthian style no longer conformed with the Baroque style renovations in the … Read more
MAL • (muhl)(1) expensive; (2) valuable, precious, dearTagálog (Filipino): mahal EtymologyFrom Sanskrit महार्घ (mahārgha) “expensive; precious, valuable”, via Malay mahal “expensive” Derived word:PÁKAMÁLAN • (PAH-kuh-MAH-luhn)to hold dear/precious; to cherishTagálog (Filipino): minámahal, tinatángì PAKAMAL • (puh-kuh-MUHL)valuing, cherishing, adoration, loveTagálog (Filipino): pagmamahál Verb Conjugation:kumamal, kákamal, kínamal – to become expensive (actor focus)mikamál, mikakamál, míkamal – to become … Read more
The Pabasa or the days-long chanting of the Pasiun that everyone will hear from afar throughout Holy Week is said to have its roots in pre-colonial customs of chanting epic poems during festivals that were eventually supplanted by the Biblical salvation story. This goes to show that precolonial Philippine literature was primarily transmitted through oral … Read more