Discovering our Asian roots

The popularization of the BacoLaodiat Festival is just a mirror of the Pinoy’s having imbibed the Chinese culture. It’s not just the number of attendants in the festival, but important is how many, in terms of food and other practices as the round fruits that won over Pinoys that counts.

It seems that Pinoys are rediscovering their Asian roots and have subtly and gradually shed off our pro-Western or American mindset. Of course there are still a lot abreast in the United States and the UK as well as Canada who are largely influenced by Western culture.

But, subtly, we are rediscovering our ancestral roots and our past.

Not only is it easier for Pinoys to embrace part of Chinese culture, they have subtly and quietly become more Asian-conscious.

Pancit and a lot of Chinese food already form part of our fare. Tikoy, for example is not alien to our palate. Most of us are familiar with it. So with siomai and a lot of other Chinese food. Some had been bastardized, but by and large, they have retained their ancestral origins.

Couple this with the Tsinoy taipans of giant corporations who have shown their love for the Pinoy by their continuing service outreach to the victims of natural calamities. Plus the continuing educational reach out by the Confederation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industries in virtually all parts of the country, and we can immediately appreciate the growing Tsinoy influence in our thinking and our culture.

The Japanese had tried to sell us the Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere. But their heavy-headed attempt to convince Pinoys to alter their views about the United States and Westerners failed to take root among Pinoys. These Chinese, however, have a lot more in their favor. The Tsinoys in our midst have been very graceful in sharing with us in their culture and their belief. Thus, they have succeeded in winning over Pinoys to their side. In short, as my brother Oscar pointed out – they have easily integrated with the population. Nothing forced. Just simple interaction.

So, we can expect more Bacolodiats in Bacolod to draw more Pinoys to our shores and our city.

City Mayor Evelio Leonardia is correct in predicting that it can also help promote tourism.

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Bacolod will stage in the Our Lady of Candles Parish the celebration of the Candelaria. But there is a distinction between it and the Jaro observance of the Feast of Our Lady of Candles.

In Jaro, it is an extravaganza. Candelaria is the time when the affluence display their family heirlooms and their best gowns and clothes in the Spanish cultural format.

The glitter and pomp of Jaro’s Candelaria is dazzling and elicits awes and “ahs” from the crowd of the holi poloi who mostly gape at the proceeding with suppressed hopes that they may eventually reach the same status as the elite.

But Candalaria in Capitol Heights is more Christian in its approach. There is none of the pomp and pageantry of Jaro. Instead, the nine-day novena in honor of Lady of the Candles consists mostly of reach-out to the poor and depressed families of the area. And a medical-mission as well as a Share-A-Meal for the poor by affluent residents.

There is also the Kasadyaan Sa Candelaria. But it lacks the glitter and extravaganza of Jaro’s festival, pointed out Fr. Danilo Cenal, the parish priest.

The climax of the Fiesta is on Feb. 2. The concelebrated Misa Pasalamat will be presided by Bacolod bishop Vicente Navarra. The sponsors of the Mass are the family of late Governor Alfredo Montelibano, Jr., Governor Alfredo Maranon, Jr., Congressman and Mrs. Anthony Golez, City Mayor and Mrs. Evelio Leonardia, Brgy. Captain Andrei Victor Las Pinas the parish pastoral council, Finance Committee, Fiesta Candalaria 2012 working committee.

The presiding minister of the first day of the Novena Mass as On Tuesday will be Rev. Fr. Roseto Villarosa with Rev. Fr. Ruel Jundos on the second day Wednesday.

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Saturday, the Negros Press Club held a riotous election. But the term does not mean that it was full of wrangling, but rather that there were a lot of laughs and boisterous exchanges.

Negros Daily Bulletin’s Editor Armand Toga virtually ran unopposed. Actually, he is a long-time bet for the presidency.

But the surprise was the emergence of Edgar Lucasan as the vice president, besting pre-balloting bet Nonoy Lampinez, the incumbent vice prexy.

The secretary was Clarence Locsin, with Boy Ciocon as treasurer. Chrysee Samillano of the Daily STAR was unopposed for auditor.

The board of directors was topped by Henceboy Centina, with 56 votes. The others included Adrian Nemes of the Daily STAR, Ranie Azue, Melinda Pedrosa, and Butch Boacaoco.

Aladdin Salas boosted the election when he tossed his hat into the ring with virtually no preparation. But he pointed out that it was just to keep the tradition that there is no election when there is no contest for the position. That’s is why every time there was a vote in his favor, Salas elicited applause from his peers.

Arman Toga, who was appointed by the board as acting treasurer, came out with a detailed report on the club finances which left the incoming board more than P100,000 in cash. And he stressed that a priority concern is to have an accountant undertake an inventory of the assets and equipment of the club, a thing which had never been done before.*

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