BRYANRREALGO

ILOCOS SUR – In Vigan City they are considered as the “King of the Road”. As calesa (horse carriage) plays a vital role in the tourism industry of the city serving as a tourist attraction. During the month of May they are recognized for their contributions.  They are given a day-off from being rented by locals and tourists. Instead, the over one hundred calesa are decorated themed on Vigan culture and tradition such as landmarks, food and products and were exhibited along the streets of the City proper. “Nakakatuwa na makita ang mga tao na lumalapit at nagpa-picture sa aming mga kalesa” a kutsero (Ronald Bare) said.  The exhibit amazed many locals and foreign tourists. “Very beautiful, it is special” Markus Hildebrand said.    “Napakaganda na makita ang iba’t ibang dekorasyon sa mga kalesa” Crisilyn Rabang said.  The activity is part of Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the arts that showcases t...

ILOCOS SUR – The San Nicolas De Tolentino Parish in the town of Sinait in this province is a favorite pilgrim site among locals and devotees. It enshrines the miraculous 400-year-old image of Sto. Cristo Milagroso or Apo Lakay.     The miraculous image traces its origin to an event in 1620, when some fishermen in boundary of Sinait, Ilocos Sur and Badoc, Ilocos Norte found a large wooden crate floating. They hauled it ashore and when they opened the crate, they saw the life-sized image of the crucified Christ with dark features made of hard wood. The cross stands 254 centimeters high. Along with this image is a smaller image of Our Lady holding the infant Jesus. The said image is now in Badoc, Ilocos Norte as according to the story this is the one the people of Badoc were able to carry, while the image of Sto Cristo was carried easily by the people of Sinait. It is believed that the crate containing the precious items are from Japan, at that time 161...

ILOCOS SUR – The few remaining “pasyon” readers in this province are alarmed that the tradition they inherit from older generations would no longer be heard during Lenten season.  Vicky Lucero, 59 and Agapita Llanes, 80 are two of the few remaining “pasyon” readers in the province. They are tandem in performing the leccio (term use by locals instead of pasyon), Vicky is the first voice and Agapita is the second voice.  They both learned performing the “pasyon” during their younger years. Now, they fear that they will not be able to pass on to the younger generation the tradition that became part of their devotion as well as too many Ilokano listeners.  “Sana may matuto na din talaga at seryosohin dahil matatanda na kame, ako ay 80 years old na, mahirap lalo’t hindi naman natin alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa buhay. Gusto ko din sana na bago man lang ako mawala may papalit na din sa akin para sa mga susunod na taon na kahit maging moderno naroro...

WATCH: Provincial Board Members in Ilocos Sur uses Ilokano in their Regular Session ILOCOS SUR – Every Tuesday afternoon is a regular session for the provincial board members in this province, but their session on one Tuesday in the month of February was extra ordinary. Instead of using the English language on their deliberation and reporting they used Ilokano. In 2013, a resolution was passed encouraging the use of Ilokano during regular sessions in the month of February while the province is celebrating Kannawidan Ylocos Festival and its founding anniversary. It is also a way of promoting the beauty of the Ilokano language especially to the youth who are now fun of mixing it to other languages such as Filipino and English. “Mas maganda para mas maintindihan ng mas nakararami na nakikinig sa radio at nanunood sa local na telebisyon, at para hindi palaging english ang ginagamit natin maiparinig din natin ang kagandahan na ating salitang Ilokano” Board Member Pabl...