when a bLoGeR takes A bReAk!!!

A very different Saturday it was . . . . . got an invite from a friend’s friend who eventually became my friends to join a birthday celebration of their son.  Though my day started earlier than the invitation, most of the day was unexpectedly turned into a day off.

Earlier today I had to visit dad’s tomb at Uhaw cemetery in Gensan and lighted candles for I didn’t have the chance to do it in the time of the all soul’s day.  To my surprise, the exhumation has started that took me a while to find my dad but I was thankful because I know he was there to help me find him.

Right after picking up the things we will be needing for the invite, we ( me and my friend bellybalyena) took a 15 minute ride to Gensan View resort where the Bayani ( Dad & Mom) and Amable (Vince & Micha) family hold the birthday of Gian.

Though swimming is a usual thing to do as weekend get away and in any celebration it was a happy day for I had a chance to unwind while enjoyably taking pictures of the resort’s natural scenery.  But my day didn’t end without plunging into the tempting blue pool and got the chance to see the impressive amenities of the resort.

 

iNauL tHe pRiDe oF cOtAbAtO

 Inaul...the art of weaving

 
Inaul... is the famous Maguindanao handwoven fabric. It is used by the Maguinadanaons as a "malong", a tubular skirt or "sarong" that wraps around the lower part of the body and worn as traditional dress by both men and women.

Inaul, is a treasured cultural tradition as it captures the Maguindanao symbol as distinction and royalty.

A source of pride and a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the people of Cotabato City.

Color Symbolism

Colors of yellow and orange represent royalty while red means bravery. Green signified peace and tranquility. White, the color of purity spoke of sadness and mourning. Black means dignity. At present, the colors and lines are matter of choice. New designs incorporate pastel to dark shades are very commonly used.

Weaving Design

The intricate art of weaving introduced various designs. The most popular is the plain weave such as binaludto (rainbow), makabimban (stripes), or panigabi (taro).A weft weave includes sinodengan, matampuhay-seko, kawang and sinupikan designs. The practice of tie-dying is another rare method locally called binaludan (ikat).

Uses

Inaul is one of the most versatile handwoven textile ever conceived. Women wear it as a malong skirt and as garments for formal or royal events suchs as weddings. Men can wear it as a trouser for formal wear. Wound around man's head it becomes a turban. Folded malongs can be use as a basket, baby cradle or bag. Others use it as blanket, mat, curtain or pillow cases. Nowadays its uses includes gowns and dresses for women and tuxedos or polo barongs for men.

Source: Cotabato City Tourism Council and Inaul Foundation, Inc.

"bArBeCuE cOrNeR a pLacE tO diNe iN cOtAbATo"

 

Travelers and tourists who come or drops by  the city often seen here, the city's barbecue stands where you can enjoy a distinct taste of  affordable meal.  For those who have tight budget I suggest that you take a walk at this stands and feast your eyes with authentic Filipino delicacy prepared by a true blooded Cotabate ño only here at the Barbecue Corner of the City.

 

Enjoy variety of grilled foods like native chicken, hito, chicken liver, gizzard, head and skin paired with puso' a steamed rice wrapped with banana leaves.  The pastil a rice and viand in one wrapped with banana leaves. The famous hot and spicy arroscaldo here fits for a hungry stomach  .

So if you happen to visit Cotabato City and take a glimpse of its beauty at night do not hesitate to drop by along Sinsuat avenue near the city plaza and taste it for yourself.

evERyONe Smiles to the wOnDers of Tawa tAWa

A mother can’t just sit and look at her child suffer from illness.  She will find cure for them in any way she can.  Funny yet true but mothers find alternatives around the corners of the garden, along streets and anywhere only to find the best medicine to cure.

Few months ago almost all of the regions in the country were alarmed about Dengue and Cotabato City is not exempted.  Again the scenario of this incident came back to my mind when rain starts to fall regularly and the vivid pictures came to my mind that mothers flocked at the back of our home to look for a cure.

You may find it funny but this generation still believes in alternative medicines.  One good example of this is herbal medicines.  Many herbal plants are everywhere and some even grew it at home.

Though it has not scientifically proven yet, this special weed that grows anywhere has become a solution to those who suffered from Dengue a disease caused by a virus carried via mosquito bites . . . .  the TAWA TAWA or GATAS GATAS with the scientific name  Euphorbia Hirta.

Tawa tawa is washed thoroughly with clean water to remove the dirt from its leaves down to its roots.  Boil a small quantity just enough for a reasonable amount of water.  It should not be too concentrated to avoid negative effects on the patient.

Just recently, rain constantly visits Cotabato and I had a feeling that sharing this will help us all be aware the even if no scientific studies yet about this weed I am sure many mothers out there would agree that there is cure with TAWA TAWA for Dengue.

Moreover , it is also used for sore eyes.  It is crushed and the juice will be dropped to the infected yes.  My neighbor shared this testimony to me in a short chit chat. I hope that the agency who takes charge of doing studies with medicinal plant will soon find the truth behind Tawa tawa’s capability to cure.

A ShoRT toUR in our PeOpLes PaLaCE

People's Palace. . . .  this is how the new City Hall of Cotabato City was tagged.  This rare structure which has become another landmark in the city came from the taxes paid by Cotabate ños or what they call  peoples money.

The structures design represents the tri-people.  Malay was the inpiration for the roof, it's pillars is of christian's touch while the interior is of moorish design which shows Islamic Art and architecture.

Five of the highest taxpayers of the city were given the honor to cut the ribbon during its opening.  Now, the four year old city government building  is a home of the different departments of the local government.

This post will take you to some parts of this architectural milestone for Cotabateños.  

The grand stairs and the hallways of the City Hall.

The  front view and  facade of Cotabato City Hall

My Home Grown Radio Station

Broadcast Media in Cotabato City took off as early as February 27, 1957 when DXMS AM radio station goes on the air.  And for more than half a decade now it is known as the longest running Catholic radio station in the  city and the whole of Mindanao. Located still along Sinsuat avenue, the station became one of the city’s landmark.

Owned and operated by Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation, it signs on at 4:30am and is on the air until 10:00pm seven days a week.  It is also known as the strongest AM radio station in South Central Mindanao Region.

Later the birth of its FM station DXOL 92.7 FM  came which is also managed by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.  It is one of the entities belonging to the conglomerated Oblate Media center and this includes the Mindanao Cross which is the longest weekly surviving newspaper in Mindanao.

I happen to visit its FM station lately and saw what is inside the station including  one of the DJs. Since everyone goes global, the station can also be accessed through the internet  via the E Radio Portal.  Yes, let not forget the station’s tag line “TAYO PA RIN SYEMPRE”.

 The Hallway of the Station

The DJ's/Announcer's Booth

The Antenna Tower

a vIsIt to Cotabato's Barter Trade Center

A trip to Cotabato City will not be complete without visiting and do some shopping or window shopping at the Barter Trade Center . Cotabateños might not consider this a destination but most tourists who arrives in the city sees it as a shopping haven where you can find variety of items tempting to the eyes.

I happen to approach the owner of Raifa Stall who welcomed me to her shoppe and permitted me to take some photos of the products she sells at the Barter Trade Center.  She gladly showed me and toured me to her stall.

The Cotabato City Barter Trade Center - Here you can find locally produced and imported products like garments, kitchenwares and groceries. Many shops here offer reasonable prices and discounts depending on your approach and quantity of items you buy.  Shops here are owned by both the Christians and Muslims businessmen.  The trading here has been going on for several decades now and it continues to flourish up to this time.

This is the SAREE/SARI - Common garment for Indian woman now sold at the center. It is accentuated with Inaul a locally weaved cloth by moslem weavers of the city.  This dress are also seen in Moslem wedding rites held in the city and all over Maguindanao and the whole of ARMM.

The SARONG -  a head dress for most Moslem women as shown in the photo that is how they wear it and look like.  This is part of their wardrove pass on from one generation to another.  Despite the western influences in the country, they have maintained most of the practices in their cultures and dressing.

Kitchenwares are also found here and this silver bowl is commonly used during big celebrations and gathering as containers of the food prepared for the occassion.

Thank you to Babu the owner of RAIFA STALL.  This post will somehow help you my followers and visitors to dropby Cotabato's Barter Trade Center and see it for yourself.

mY aLL sOULS dAY oBSERVANCE

 

All Souls Day is one holiday for us Filipinos to remember and visit the resting place of our dead family members and friends.  This is also our time to offer prayers for the dead and the opportunity to gather as family.

I got the chance roam around the city that day and was able to see how Cotabateños celebrate the  it this age.  It became a gathering for everyone where most spend their time remembering their dead, eat together, and have some chit chat.

At the Marian Hills Memorial Park, colorful tents and umbrellas served as the shade in the tombs where family members  flock.  Some lit the candles and focused in praying while others are fixing the flowers they brought.

This Filipino tradition shows how families are close and values our dead.  Others might have forgotten this but most of us still join our families and even live with them for with our family we are safe and valued.