CEBU: BARANGAY SAN NICOLAS MARKS FIRST 'KAPLAG-BUWAD'
FEST
[PHOTO AT LEFT - Fried dried squid and “puso” provide a tempting treat in yesterday’s first Kaplag-Buwad Festival commemorating the discovery of the image of the Santo Niño among the ruins of the village that was later to become San Nicolas. Photo by CYRIL CAMPOREDONDO]
CEBU CITY, APRIL 27, 2008 (STAR) At least five dancing contingents and 50 calesa or tartanilla drivers joined the festive activities during the second day of the First Buwad Festival at the San Nicolas Parish yesterday.
The celebration started with a fluvial parade of the image of the Sto. Niño along the Pasil fish port. This was followed by a re-enactment of the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan and the discovery of the image by Legazpi’s soldiers at the height of a fire that engulfed the entire community.
In the afternoon, the crowd were treated to the calesa parade and street dancing of contingents, including the San Diego Dance Group and the Lumad Basakanon, the Sinulog champion.
The 3-day Buwad Festival actually started Friday when the image of the Sto. Niño arrived at the parish. It will be returned to the Basilica today, the culmination of the festival.
“This festival is a thanksgiving primarily for the discovery of the holy image and at the same time for the blessings we now enjoy, most especially the buwad,” said Father Trinidad Silva, parish priest of San Nicolas.
Throughout the festival duration, vendors at the Tabo-an Market are selling their buwad (or dried fish products) at 20 percent discount while offering locals and tourists a free taste of all kinds of buwad.
Nang Aying, a buwad vendor for 10 years, said the festival would help bring in more buyers of buwad at Tabo-an.
Silva also clarified some questions over the celebration of “Kaplag”, involving the insistence that the exact site of the discovery of the Sto. Niño image was the Basilica Minore de Sto. Nino.
“The San Nicolas Parish historically extends from the Basilica to the City of Carcar, so we have the reason to hold the celebration,” he said. — Trex Eden Ignacio and Anthony Teo, UP-MassComm intern/RAE
At Rizal Park : Gwen leads Lapu-Lapu victory rites Sunday, April 27, 2008
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will lead the commemoration of Lapu-Lapu’s victory over Ferdinand Magellan during the Battle of Mactan today at the Lapu-Lapu Monument in Rizal Park, Manila.
Senator Richard Gordon, who was then the secretary of the Department of Tourism, invited the governor in honoring the first Filipino hero and paying tribute to Lapu-Lapu’s bravery.
The 30-foot bronze statue of Lapu-Lapu, which was a brainchild of Gordon, was unveiled in February 2004 despite the opposition of the National Historical Institute which said only statues of heroes of the Philippine Revolution should stand in Rizal Park.
Despite the objection, the monument of Lapu-Lapu was unveiled after President Gloria Arroyo gave Gordon the clearance.
The monument which is also called “The Statue of the Sentinel of Freedom” is a gift of the Korea Freedom League to the Filipinos. The monument was conceptualized to give recognition to the first Asian who fought against foreign invasion.
The monument, located a short distance behind the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal, depicts Lapu-Lapu not in battle but standing guard, holding his kampilan which is concealed in its scabbard and firmly planted on the ground.
Lapu-Lapu is known in world history as the leader of a native tribe in Cebu who slew Magellan during the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521.
Meanwhile, thousands of residents in Lapu-Lapu City including foreign visitors and balikbayans are expected to witness today’s reenactment of the Battle of Mactan between Lapu-Lapu and Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan.
Boxing champion Manny Paquiao will play the role of Lapu-Lapu while movie actor Dennis Trillo will be Magellan. Pacquiao’s wife Jinky will play the role of Bulakna, Lapu-Lapu’s wife.
Before the reenactment set for 9 a.m. Mass will be celebrated by Msgr. Cristobal Garcia at 6:45 a.m. in the Liberty Shrine.
Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Damian Gomez, chairman of the City Tourism Commission said that they expect a big crowd in today’s re-enactment.
The Lapu-Lapu police have also assured that peace and order will be maintained. More than 100 barangay tanods will augment the city police force. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Jose P. Sollano/BRP