Roxas City-is a medium-sized city in the province of Capiz, Phillipines. It is the capital and component city of Capiz. The current city mayor is former provincial governor Vicente Bermejo who was elected during the 2007 election
It is a center of copra and aquaculture production. The surrounding area grows sugarcane, rice,coconut , fruit, hemp, and tobacco. The language spoken in Roxas City is Hiligaynon, otherwise known as Ilonggo.
According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 126,352 people in 25,126 households.
The abundance of marine life makes Roxas City the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines." This environment-friendly city is home to one of the richest fishing grounds in the country. Roxas City's Baybay Beach is 16 miles long, one mile wide and is the 15th largest natural bay in the world. The tallest sea cliffs in Western Visayas can be found on the city's north side. Roxas City has been a three-time recipient of the Regional Cleanest and Greenest Component City in Western Visayas Award of the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Program of the national government.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Captivating Capiz- Roxas City
Roxas City-is a medium-sized city in the province of Capiz, Phillipines. It is the capital and component city of Capiz. The current city mayor is former provincial governor Vicente Bermejo who was elected during the 2007 election
It is a center of copra and aquaculture production. The surrounding area grows sugarcane, rice,coconut , fruit, hemp, and tobacco. The language spoken in Roxas City is Hiligaynon, otherwise known as Ilonggo.
According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 126,352 people in 25,126 households.
The abundance of marine life makes Roxas City the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines." This environment-friendly city is home to one of the richest fishing grounds in the country. Roxas City's Baybay Beach is 16 miles long, one mile wide and is the 15th largest natural bay in the world. The tallest sea cliffs in Western Visayas can be found on the city's north side. Roxas City has been a three-time recipient of the Regional Cleanest and Greenest Component City in Western Visayas Award of the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Program of the national government.
It is a center of copra and aquaculture production. The surrounding area grows sugarcane, rice,coconut , fruit, hemp, and tobacco. The language spoken in Roxas City is Hiligaynon, otherwise known as Ilonggo.
According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 126,352 people in 25,126 households.
The abundance of marine life makes Roxas City the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines." This environment-friendly city is home to one of the richest fishing grounds in the country. Roxas City's Baybay Beach is 16 miles long, one mile wide and is the 15th largest natural bay in the world. The tallest sea cliffs in Western Visayas can be found on the city's north side. Roxas City has been a three-time recipient of the Regional Cleanest and Greenest Component City in Western Visayas Award of the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Program of the national government.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Captivating Capiz- Baybay beach, Roxas City
One of the sites to see in Captivating Capiz, Roxas City - The Seafood Capital of the Philippines - is Baybay Beach. It is just three kilometers away from the city circle. The place is a favorite weekend spot for the local populace and those coming from nearby towns and provinces. Considered a "must not miss" spot in Roxas City, Baybay beach is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. It has a seven-kilometer stretch of sugar-fine, glittery, ebony sand. The water sometimes washes up to the shore a substance known as "margaha" to the locals, which is fine iron particles that an ordinary magnet can pick up and collect.
Captivating Capiz- "The Pilot School in Capiz"
A video from a student of Capiz National High School- the Pilot School in Capiz.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Captivating Capiz- Ivisan, Brief History
Brief History
Famous for the abundance and delicious fish, called “IBIS”, the place was originally called during the Pre- Spanish period as Ibisan. People from the “Ilaya” would go near the bank of the river which they called “Ilawod”, where the Municipal Market site is now located, to barter their crops with “Ibis”.
Due to preference of “V” from “B”, the place was named Ivisan instead of Ibisan during the Spanish era. Through old local leaders and prominent people in the locality called the place “IVISAN” as evidenced by some inscription in old infrastructures. The later generation called it again Ivisan.
Captivating Capiz- Ivisan, Pregnancy and Birth
Ivisanons, like other Filipinos, are basically superstitious. A pregnant would never attempt to see an eclipse for fear that the baby would be deformed. A man should always see to it that his wife wanted to eat during conception should be give even if it is not the season for the bearing of the fruit she liked, otherwise the baby will not come into being. On the other hand, the fruit of the tree she conceived with, will become sour or tree, the tree will die.
Most deliveries were assisted by “hilots”, the unlettered obstetrician. Usually the father assisted the hilot. After the birth, the child was brought and turned around the stove so that he will be free from the ailment. The umbilical chord was cut by a “tagkis”, a thin sharp edged skin of bamboo. Presently, almost all of these hilots were already trained and recognized by the government.
Most deliveries were assisted by “hilots”, the unlettered obstetrician. Usually the father assisted the hilot. After the birth, the child was brought and turned around the stove so that he will be free from the ailment. The umbilical chord was cut by a “tagkis”, a thin sharp edged skin of bamboo. Presently, almost all of these hilots were already trained and recognized by the government.
Captivating Capiz- Ivisan, Mission and Vision
Ivisan Vision Statement
We envision Ivisan as a community of God and peace loving people working in partnership with a competent, dynamic and incorruptible local government in the efficient and effective delivery of basic services as a means of promoting social justice, self- reliance and enhancing the potentials of its human and natural resources without sacrificing its economic, socio- cultural and ecological balance for a healthy and contented citizenry.
Ivisan Mission Statement
Ivisan as a community of God and peace- loving people is committed to strengthen people- government partnership through pooling and harnessing human and natural resources for the efficient and effective delivery of basic services for social, political, economic, cultural, and spiritual development in order to promote people’s interest and capabilities in delivering basic services; ensuring equitable access to opportunities and benefits of development; promoting, enhancing, and protecting environment for a healthy and contented citizenry.
We envision Ivisan as a community of God and peace loving people working in partnership with a competent, dynamic and incorruptible local government in the efficient and effective delivery of basic services as a means of promoting social justice, self- reliance and enhancing the potentials of its human and natural resources without sacrificing its economic, socio- cultural and ecological balance for a healthy and contented citizenry.
Ivisan Mission Statement
Ivisan as a community of God and peace- loving people is committed to strengthen people- government partnership through pooling and harnessing human and natural resources for the efficient and effective delivery of basic services for social, political, economic, cultural, and spiritual development in order to promote people’s interest and capabilities in delivering basic services; ensuring equitable access to opportunities and benefits of development; promoting, enhancing, and protecting environment for a healthy and contented citizenry.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
captivating capiz: Ivisan; The Concept of “Buyloganay”
A Filipino cultural heritage that may never cease to exist for generations is the holding of Annual Town Fiesta, a tradition influenced through the spread of Christianity in the country and more particularly originated by the Catholic hierarchy whereby idolizing a certain saint as a patron. The municipality of Ivisan in this part, celebrate its annual Municipal and Religious Fiesta in the honour of its patron saint, St. Nicholas de Tolentino every September 10. Historical facts however, do not show what activities were undertaken during the first fiesta celebration, but for many years now, the festivity lasts for five days starting September 5 and culminating on its feast days. Unlike the barangay fiesta, the town fiesta celebration is usually associated with a theme be it cultural or current events that denotes significance to the occasion. Each and every year, the themes changes at the turn of events not until 1993 when the members of the fiesta management suggested that there should be a permanent theme for the affair, patterned after the provincial festivals of Halaran, Ati- atihan and Dinagyang which is a one-word theme in the local dialect that will depict the culture of the locality and should express simplicity and uniqueness. A management meeting was called for the matter to be discussed and decided, and among the suggestions raised, Buyloganay, a word typical of an Ivisan culture characterized by the gesture of unity and cooperation, turned out to be the one chosen as the permanent fiesta theme, thus BUYLOGANAY was conceived.
Lately, the fiesta management having been fascinated with the theme, further thought of organizing an association that will take responsibility of all fiesta celebrations of the municipality. Upon agreement of all members in the meeting, the plan was carried out. An association was organized and named BUYLOGANAY ASSOCIATION OF IVISAN (BAI), a non- stock, non- profit association with the objective to promote socio- economic, cultural and training programs that will enhance livelihood development in the municipality. The Buyloganay Association of Ivisan was founded on July 6, 1995 and handled for the first time the fiesta affair which was a big success. With this initial achievement, the BAI looks forward to many more fiesta celebrations to spearhead.
Lately, the fiesta management having been fascinated with the theme, further thought of organizing an association that will take responsibility of all fiesta celebrations of the municipality. Upon agreement of all members in the meeting, the plan was carried out. An association was organized and named BUYLOGANAY ASSOCIATION OF IVISAN (BAI), a non- stock, non- profit association with the objective to promote socio- economic, cultural and training programs that will enhance livelihood development in the municipality. The Buyloganay Association of Ivisan was founded on July 6, 1995 and handled for the first time the fiesta affair which was a big success. With this initial achievement, the BAI looks forward to many more fiesta celebrations to spearhead.
Captivating Capiz- Ivisan, Historical Events
Higlights of Historical Events
1815 - The Pueblo was established. The first Gobernadorcillo was Eugenio Gerardo, appointed by a Spanish friar.
1895 – A new reform in the government called “Reforma Nueva” changed the Gobernadornacillo to Capitan Municipal. Servillano Quiachon was appointed Capitan Municipal.
1901 – Revolutionary Reform changed the Capitan Municipal to Presidente Local. Don Eugenio Villagracia was appointed.
American Government in Ivisan was formally established and run by the American themselves.
1902 – Capitan Hipolito Vidal was responsible for the construction of the Catholic Church Convent.
1911 – Election of the Municipal Presidente. Pedro Advincula was the first Municipal President. In his term, the Gabaldon Building (later used as Ospital sang Ivisan, now Kabuhayan Training Center) was constructed.
1914 – The Road from Capiz was improved and extended to Ivisan. The Panay Autobus started the operation in Iloilo, Capiz and Aklan passing Ivisan.
1920 – Philippine copra was exported. Ivisan developed copra industry. Tice was produced in lowland areas with the use of plow and carabao.
Mayor Catalino Andrada established the Ivisan Elementary School.
1932 – Mayor Felipe Manalo opened the canal to facilitate water transportation to Balaring, Basiao and Cabugao.
April 2, 1942 – The Japanese Imperial Army forces came to Ivisan, occupying the Poblacion and put up their garrison at the foot of the bridge opposite the Roman Catholic Church.
The pattern living in the community abruptly changed. People left their homes and farms uncultivated for fear.
The Japanese exerted efforts to organize a civil government. The pre- war Mayor Manuel Villaruz was inducted into office. Norberto Villarde was appointed Chief of Police. Japanese Officers ordered the teachers to organize classes. The church was used as a classroom. The principal was Martiniano Andrada, aand the teachers were Mrs.basilisa Gustilo, Mrs. Marciana Valcarcel, Mrs. Consolacion Didulo and Mrs. Nancy Yap.
Major Esteban Andrada and Captain Leon Gamboa exerted efforts to organize different army troops who did not surrender to the enemies.
In the latter part of the war, sometime in 1944, a sporadic activity in Ivisan was aided by the Hublag Batallion which succeeded in raiding the Japanese Garrison in Loctugan.
July 4, 1946 – The Third Republic of the Philippines was born. Don Manuel Villaruz served as a mayor from 1935- 1948. In November 1947, Illuminado Villaruz was elected as Mayor. During his term everything returned to normal.
Captivating Capiz- Ivisan, Saint Nicholas of Tolentino
Born 1245 in Saint’ Angelo in Pontano, Italy, his parents are Compañon de Garutti and Amad Gaidiani. Being childless, they went on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Nicholas of Bari, in Napolis. They prayed for a son who would serve God faithfully. He was named after the saint whom he imitated throughout his life. At the early age he took the minor orders. Impressed by a sermon of Fr. Reginald of the Hermits of St. Augustine, he joined the Augustinians. He was ordained priests in 1270 in Gingoli, Italy. Four years later, he was sent to Tolentino, a town for its wickedness. He labored for 30 years, reformed the people by his preaching and example. He died on September 10, 1305 at the age of 60 years old. He was canonized as s Saint on June 5, 1446 by Pope Eugene IV.
St. Nicholas was a man of great asceticism, deep spirituality and acute concern for the social problem of his day. He knew how to welcome guests to the monastery with gracious hospitality and charity just as he was aware to leave to the monastery to help someone in need. He was a Spiritual Director, a moral support for many families, as apostle of the confessional, a generous and sensitive alms giver.
St. Nicholas was a man of interiority concerned with that which is essential and lasting, which forms man from within, conforming to Christ and nourishing him with a deep love of the church.
St. Nicholas was a man of great asceticism, deep spirituality and acute concern for the social problem of his day. He knew how to welcome guests to the monastery with gracious hospitality and charity just as he was aware to leave to the monastery to help someone in need. He was a Spiritual Director, a moral support for many families, as apostle of the confessional, a generous and sensitive alms giver.
St. Nicholas was a man of interiority concerned with that which is essential and lasting, which forms man from within, conforming to Christ and nourishing him with a deep love of the church.
Captivating Capiz- Roxas City Taxi
ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Taxicabs with receipt-issuing meters started plying the streets of this city on Saturday, a first for a city outside Metro Manila.Dubbed as “Capiz Cabs,” the receipt-issuing taxis are the first in the Philippines apart from those operating out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, said lawyer Antonio Ortiz, who chairs the Capiz Transport Multi-purpose Cooperative.
The cooperative, CTMC, which owns the captivating Capiz Cabs, launched the operation of the receipt-issuing taxi units on Friday in a ceremony held in front of Mary Immaculate Conception Cathedral here, following a motorcade that started from the Roxas City Airport.
This was also the first time that taxicabs will operate in Roxas City, where tricycles reigned as the mode of public transport.
The cooperative will initially operate five taxi units but the company plans to acquire more. The taxis will ply around Roxas City, Capiz’s 16 towns and, on special arrangements, to any point on Panay Island, said Ortiz.
Ortiz said five local businessmen, who are also members of the cooperative, put up the investment needed to have taxis in Capiz. They were Jose Nery Ong, Leny Albert Apaitan, Romulo Capunong, William Bantique, and Junith Blancaver.
Blancaver said it was Porfirio Clavel, regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Western Visayas, who made it possible for taxis to operate in Capiz by lifting the moratorium on applications for the issuance of Certificates of Public Convenience.
Under LTFRB’s Memorandum Circular 017 dated September 3, 2008, the taxis should run on liquefied petroleum gas and should be dominantly “sunburst yellow in color including the designs, markings, and logos.”
Aside from being able to issue receipts, the taxis must have two-way radio system and top light.
About 50 units were initially allowed to operate in Capiz under the terms of the LTFRB memorandum.
Uniformed drivers, professionally trained by the Capiz Visitors and Convention Bureau for tourism services, will man the taxicabs, Blancaver added.
The cooperative, CTMC, which owns the captivating Capiz Cabs, launched the operation of the receipt-issuing taxi units on Friday in a ceremony held in front of Mary Immaculate Conception Cathedral here, following a motorcade that started from the Roxas City Airport.
This was also the first time that taxicabs will operate in Roxas City, where tricycles reigned as the mode of public transport.
The cooperative will initially operate five taxi units but the company plans to acquire more. The taxis will ply around Roxas City, Capiz’s 16 towns and, on special arrangements, to any point on Panay Island, said Ortiz.
Ortiz said five local businessmen, who are also members of the cooperative, put up the investment needed to have taxis in Capiz. They were Jose Nery Ong, Leny Albert Apaitan, Romulo Capunong, William Bantique, and Junith Blancaver.
Blancaver said it was Porfirio Clavel, regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Western Visayas, who made it possible for taxis to operate in Capiz by lifting the moratorium on applications for the issuance of Certificates of Public Convenience.
Under LTFRB’s Memorandum Circular 017 dated September 3, 2008, the taxis should run on liquefied petroleum gas and should be dominantly “sunburst yellow in color including the designs, markings, and logos.”
Aside from being able to issue receipts, the taxis must have two-way radio system and top light.
About 50 units were initially allowed to operate in Capiz under the terms of the LTFRB memorandum.
Uniformed drivers, professionally trained by the Capiz Visitors and Convention Bureau for tourism services, will man the taxicabs, Blancaver added.
The following was published in 'The News Today', which serves Panay Island. It was also picked up nationally by GMA-7. To save the questions later, I mentioned holding a mini-aswang festival, and no, I did not say I was a TV host - I guess they just assumed that because of my devilishly handsome looks :P
It came about as I was interviewing two local news correspondents, Joel E. Capundun and Felipe Celino, regarding the Aswang festival being shut-down.
2 days ago I had the pleasure of interviewing acclaimed horror director Peque Gallaga for the new documentary. He has directed films like, 'Shake, Rattle & Roll 1-4', 'Aswang' and 'Sa Piling Ng Aswang'. He has also directed the award winning Filipino cinematic masterpieces 'Oro, Plata, Mata', and 'Scorpio Nights'.
Anyways, more on that later. Here is the article:
Canadian filmmaker to bring Aswang Festival to Canada
BY JOEL E. CAPUNDAN
TNT Capiz correspondent Joel Capundan
with Canadian Film Maker Jordan Clark
of High Banks Entertainment, Ltd,
Victoria, British, Columbia, Canada. Right,
Capundan being interviewed by Clark
regarding the Aswang Festival.
ROXAS CITY – A Canadian filmmaker and international T.V. host wanted to adapt this city's controversial Aswang Festival and hold it in their country.
The project would be for the benefit of Destonia victims and the Save Olotayan project.
Olotayan is an island barangay, about 30 minutes travel from the city, with white sand beaches.
Jordan Clark, 36, told The News Today (TNT) that he also is not a believer of the existence of witches but he wanted to make a documentary on the subject of which this writer was one of his sources.
"I love Roxas City, the cleanest and friendliest place to go. It's now my fifth time to visit here that's why I thought of making a documentary regarding the Aswang forklore," Clark said.
He said, he has also interviewed actress Maricel Soriano who plays a role in Sa Piling Ng Aswang in Filipino movies.
Clark's interview with this writer show that there is no such things as Aswang in Capiz and it's only in the mind of the people and has spread through gossips and stories from other people.
Clark's interview with this writer and colleague Felipe Celino was facilitated by Mrs. Cheche Lastimoso, wife of Board Member Rommel Lastimoso, at their residence in Brgy. Mongpong this city.
It can be recalled that Dugo Capiznon, Inc., a private organization, organized Aswang Festival here for three consecutive years but it stopped after several public officials and religious sectors particularly the Catholic church opposed it in 2006.
Public officials opposed it because they said that holding Aswang Festival has negative effect to the economy of Capiz considering that this province is a Seafood Capital of the Philippines exporting marine products.
Religious sector also said that holding Aswang Festival is an act of adoring the devil spirit which is against the stand of the church.
Indignation rallies were held against the holding of Aswang Festival and when City Mayor Vicente Bermejo assumed office, the controversial festival was scrapped.
Dugo Capiznon Inc, on the other hand, claim that holding Aswang Festival does not mean adoring evil spirits, but to promote tourism in Roxas City and Capiz.
They said that the Aswang Festival intend to manifest that Capiz is not haven of Aswang as branded in Manila and instead, it's only stories and in the mind of the people that never existed. They instead said that Aswang are those people who are corrupt public officials, drug lords and addicts, and other bad elements of the society.
Aswang festival is usually held last week of October before the Halloween celebrations.
It came about as I was interviewing two local news correspondents, Joel E. Capundun and Felipe Celino, regarding the Aswang festival being shut-down.
2 days ago I had the pleasure of interviewing acclaimed horror director Peque Gallaga for the new documentary. He has directed films like, 'Shake, Rattle & Roll 1-4', 'Aswang' and 'Sa Piling Ng Aswang'. He has also directed the award winning Filipino cinematic masterpieces 'Oro, Plata, Mata', and 'Scorpio Nights'.
Anyways, more on that later. Here is the article:
Canadian filmmaker to bring Aswang Festival to Canada
BY JOEL E. CAPUNDAN
TNT Capiz correspondent Joel Capundan
with Canadian Film Maker Jordan Clark
of High Banks Entertainment, Ltd,
Victoria, British, Columbia, Canada. Right,
Capundan being interviewed by Clark
regarding the Aswang Festival.
ROXAS CITY – A Canadian filmmaker and international T.V. host wanted to adapt this city's controversial Aswang Festival and hold it in their country.
The project would be for the benefit of Destonia victims and the Save Olotayan project.
Olotayan is an island barangay, about 30 minutes travel from the city, with white sand beaches.
Jordan Clark, 36, told The News Today (TNT) that he also is not a believer of the existence of witches but he wanted to make a documentary on the subject of which this writer was one of his sources.
"I love Roxas City, the cleanest and friendliest place to go. It's now my fifth time to visit here that's why I thought of making a documentary regarding the Aswang forklore," Clark said.
He said, he has also interviewed actress Maricel Soriano who plays a role in Sa Piling Ng Aswang in Filipino movies.
Clark's interview with this writer show that there is no such things as Aswang in Capiz and it's only in the mind of the people and has spread through gossips and stories from other people.
Clark's interview with this writer and colleague Felipe Celino was facilitated by Mrs. Cheche Lastimoso, wife of Board Member Rommel Lastimoso, at their residence in Brgy. Mongpong this city.
It can be recalled that Dugo Capiznon, Inc., a private organization, organized Aswang Festival here for three consecutive years but it stopped after several public officials and religious sectors particularly the Catholic church opposed it in 2006.
Public officials opposed it because they said that holding Aswang Festival has negative effect to the economy of Capiz considering that this province is a Seafood Capital of the Philippines exporting marine products.
Religious sector also said that holding Aswang Festival is an act of adoring the devil spirit which is against the stand of the church.
Indignation rallies were held against the holding of Aswang Festival and when City Mayor Vicente Bermejo assumed office, the controversial festival was scrapped.
Dugo Capiznon Inc, on the other hand, claim that holding Aswang Festival does not mean adoring evil spirits, but to promote tourism in Roxas City and Capiz.
They said that the Aswang Festival intend to manifest that Capiz is not haven of Aswang as branded in Manila and instead, it's only stories and in the mind of the people that never existed. They instead said that Aswang are those people who are corrupt public officials, drug lords and addicts, and other bad elements of the society.
Aswang festival is usually held last week of October before the Halloween celebrations.
Captivating Capiz- Aswang turned into a movie
By FELIPE V. CELINO
ROXAS City – To raise funds for the poor island of Olotayan here and patients of dystonia parkinsonism in Capiz, a young filmmaker from Canada is doing a documentary on the “aswang” myth.
High Banks Entertainment Ltd. filmmaker Jordan Clark hopes to make his documentary a definitive material on the myth that has put Capiz in a bad light for decades.
Olotayan is 30 minutes by boat from this city. Eighty percent of its 985 inhabitants are poor. Their main source of livelihood is fishing, but the catch has not been good due to years of destructive fishing methods.
On the other hand, dystonia parkinsonism is a progressive movement disorder endemic to Panay Island, particularly in Capiz.
The 36-year-old Clark is now in the thick of his research. This is his fifth visit to Roxas City and Capiz.
“Roxas is the cleanest and safest city in the Philippines. The hospitality of its people is second to none,” Clark said.
No, he said, he does not believe in “aswang.” But he wants to know how the myth started and how it had affected the province’s way of life.
Clark said he had also consulted with acclaimed Filipino director Peque Gallaga of Bacolod City.
Gallaga had directed successful horror flicks such as “Shake, Rattle and Roll” (Part 1-4), “Aswang” and “Sa Piling ng Aswang.”/PN
ROXAS City – To raise funds for the poor island of Olotayan here and patients of dystonia parkinsonism in Capiz, a young filmmaker from Canada is doing a documentary on the “aswang” myth.
High Banks Entertainment Ltd. filmmaker Jordan Clark hopes to make his documentary a definitive material on the myth that has put Capiz in a bad light for decades.
Olotayan is 30 minutes by boat from this city. Eighty percent of its 985 inhabitants are poor. Their main source of livelihood is fishing, but the catch has not been good due to years of destructive fishing methods.
On the other hand, dystonia parkinsonism is a progressive movement disorder endemic to Panay Island, particularly in Capiz.
The 36-year-old Clark is now in the thick of his research. This is his fifth visit to Roxas City and Capiz.
“Roxas is the cleanest and safest city in the Philippines. The hospitality of its people is second to none,” Clark said.
No, he said, he does not believe in “aswang.” But he wants to know how the myth started and how it had affected the province’s way of life.
Clark said he had also consulted with acclaimed Filipino director Peque Gallaga of Bacolod City.
Gallaga had directed successful horror flicks such as “Shake, Rattle and Roll” (Part 1-4), “Aswang” and “Sa Piling ng Aswang.”/PN
Captivating Capiz- Weird Fund Raising
The funds raised for the Olotayan, Philippines generator were instead used to assist with relief efforts after the island was devastated during hurricane Frank. Check www.aswangmovie.blogspot.com for more info. A feature length straight documentary is being edited - regarding the origin of the aswang myth. The current film, 'Aswang: A Journey Into Myth', will be supplementary on the DVD as an artistic exploration of the myth, while the current film will expose the origins and historical events that have perpetuated it. We are hoping to make this documentary the most comprehensive and informative presentation of the word Aswang and the myths surrounding it.
Feel free to visit our online production diary blog at www.aswangmovie.blogspot.com for the latest information.
Aswang: A Journey Into Myth had its debut at the Victoria Film Festival. You can read press articles here.
"There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other."
When do myth and reality meet? Maria Villanueva believes that apparitions are real – so much so, she has devoted her life to writing about them.After being ostracized by the writing community, Maria sets out to complete her follow up to “Apparition of Souls”. This time, she seeks proof and will stop at nothing to document paranormal activity. She comes across a photo of a young Filipina, kidnapped by the Chinese mafia circa 1920 and brutalized through prostitution. Rumours escalate that her spirit lingers.
Maria learns of a mysterious folklore – the girl was possibly a Mangkukulam (a witch who cannot die until she passes on her power) or an Aswang (a Filipino ghoul who is drawn out only to feed). When Daila, Maria’s best friend, is attacked, she soon learns that the line between myth and reality is thinning.Hidden in the Central Islands of the Philippines, Capiz is a province where many believe in, and are thought to be, Aswang. Through a series of interactions with the local people, Maria explores the roots of the Aswang myth, and is privileged to see the rituals of a Babaylan (a modern day Aswang). The more she is drawn into the dark heart of the folklore, the more Maria discovers her own role in the myth that has cast a dark cloud over Capiz.
“Aswang: A Journey into Myth” is an improvised DocuMovie not only about Filipino Folklore, it is also about the artist’s process and how myth is perpetuated through their work. It is about how a creative mind eventually sculpts a new reality. Shot throughout Victoria, British Columbia’s downtown, as well as in the Philippines, the film offers a terrific view of the melding of myth and reality (Part 1 &2 of the film), and how the two, when combined, reveal a greater truth than either can reflect on their own. High Banks Entertainment Ltd. , in association with Dugo Capiznon Inc. presents, a Jordan Clark Film, “Aswang: A Journey Into Myth”. The DocuMovie/ Suspense film stars Janice Santos Valdez (in her screen debut), along with a special appearance from the Diamond of Filipino Cinema, Maricel Soriano (Mano Po, Filipinas).
We have also included, to the left, a few scores from the film - original music was composed by Charlie Armour in London, England.
Principal photography took place in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and in Laguna Province, Quezon City, and Roxas City-Capiz, Philippines.
Captivating Capiz- Aswang as Myth
Folklore is the body of expressive culture, including tales, music, dance, legends, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, customs, and so forth within a particular population comprising the traditions (including oral traditions) of that culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared.
One of the reason why the captivating Capiz Province is well known to the other Filipinos, not for the reason that Capiz is the “Sea Food Capital of the Philippines”, but for also for the word “ASWANG”. What with this Aswang???
Aswang is a ghoul in Filipino Folklore. They are most feared of the supernatural creatures in the Philippines which has some variety of stories and myths. This feared creature is very well known in Western Visayan regions such as the Province of Capiz, Iloilo and Antique. They are sometimes called as Tik-tik or Wak-wak in some places in Capiz.
As I remember when I was still a child, my elders told me that If I will not go home early from outside playing with my friends I will be eaten by Aswangs. As I grow older I realize that Aswang is not really existing at all. Some elders are doing that and telling some Aswang stories in their children to keep them off the streets and keep them home at night.
Whenever some Filipino’s heard that you are from the captivating Province of Capiz. Their first impression is you are an “Aswang”. Some of them are afraid to be accompanied by Capizeño just because they are afraid to be eaten. But actually I been here in the captivating Capiz and I already reached at this age, 19 years old, but still until now I didn’t see Aswang yet.
With this captivating Capiz, this will help to realize some Filipinos that instead keep in their mind that Aswang is existing, why don’t they discover some captivating places in Capiz not only places but also some cultures, events and architecture which we can consider as one of the Pride of the Island of the Philippines.
One of the reason why the captivating Capiz Province is well known to the other Filipinos, not for the reason that Capiz is the “Sea Food Capital of the Philippines”, but for also for the word “ASWANG”. What with this Aswang???
Aswang is a ghoul in Filipino Folklore. They are most feared of the supernatural creatures in the Philippines which has some variety of stories and myths. This feared creature is very well known in Western Visayan regions such as the Province of Capiz, Iloilo and Antique. They are sometimes called as Tik-tik or Wak-wak in some places in Capiz.
As I remember when I was still a child, my elders told me that If I will not go home early from outside playing with my friends I will be eaten by Aswangs. As I grow older I realize that Aswang is not really existing at all. Some elders are doing that and telling some Aswang stories in their children to keep them off the streets and keep them home at night.
Whenever some Filipino’s heard that you are from the captivating Province of Capiz. Their first impression is you are an “Aswang”. Some of them are afraid to be accompanied by Capizeño just because they are afraid to be eaten. But actually I been here in the captivating Capiz and I already reached at this age, 19 years old, but still until now I didn’t see Aswang yet.
With this captivating Capiz, this will help to realize some Filipinos that instead keep in their mind that Aswang is existing, why don’t they discover some captivating places in Capiz not only places but also some cultures, events and architecture which we can consider as one of the Pride of the Island of the Philippines.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
