EDMARATION #TownExplorer

September 2012

🇵🇭 VIGAN • Glass Mosaic and Boklan Arts, and Some Revelations About Me

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Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Saturday, September 22, 2012 7

Stories of town explorations.

"Yes I know, I am not perfect and I can never be the best example you might be looking for but I just feel the need to do my part and to start it."

Arts are part of culture, beliefs of people and principles (but beware because the dark side of the planet has been using arts and signs to bring violence, slavery, immorality and mind-control or mind-programming schemes to you that you're not even aware you're already following a deed that comes from the 'dark', so be vigilant and stick to God). In the city of Vigan during the Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts, the Bigueño artistry is very much alive. Don't worry because this art festival has a good intention. It is to unleash the talents of the youth that comes from God using glass, seeds and grains with good advocacies of their own.

The Boklan Art [above] which is made up of seeds and grains wants to bring a message, and that is to stop black sand mining along Ilocos' coastal communities and beaches wherein this industry is for sure benefiting big capitalists and businessmen leaving the livelihood and living of the common people affected.

Affected in the sense that their beaches are eroded, the natural habitat of marine resources are destroyed, and it even has an effect to tourism.

Boklan comes from the word bukel meaning seed. I understand the young artists used different colors of seeds to bring contrasts and emphasis to their craft as well as in shadowing.

Ahhh. Some 'may' have used synthetic coloring materials (which I am not really sure) but I bet the main essence of this Boklan Art is to make use of the natural seed colors to create a meaningful, vibrant and natural art which I also did when I joined this very first art fest in Vigan - and we all used seeds, we did not ever apply any artificial coloring material other than the natural colors of seeds and grains that blend together in harmony and passion.

Seeing those pieces of artful works made me fall own on my knees amazed with God because He has just given us resources and amazing talents to express ourselves - I reiterate, for the better, for the 'light.'

Aside from exercising these talents, in a way or another, it also promotes tourism in the city. This activity has been a crowd-drawer from different parts of the world. Yeah, I saw white people joining, witnessing this art fest.

The boards were placed just at the street called Nueva Segovia. So for this time, no vehicles were allowed to enter it.

And there was a parade, so let's take a peek on what happened with the parade. Too bad, I only got few photos.

I am not yet done, because there is still the Glass Mosaic Art on which the only difference is that, they [the artists] use glass to express their thoughts in a piece of board.

Personal Revelations: Thank you so much for having a time reading this blog. The existence of this blog won't be possible without you the readers, and my God who gives me strength and skills. I hope I can influence the nice way. << Rewind: I am not influential I know, but I am not closing my doors to be influential given the chance. Right now, I just realized to become a channel of blessing and of the Salvation from Christ and be a good model through blogging. I am not saying that I was a bad boy from the past (yeah, I could have been a bad boy in blogging, am I?) but what I mean is to make a difference. Uh, please don't get me wrong. Yes this is still me, do I sound strange now?

If you notice I have not been active in blogging these past few days (could be weeks) because I was at the middle of self-reflection if the things I am doing is just for self-gratification. It just bumped out in my mind that I want to inspire people by becoming a good example to others and to let every reader feel inspired before they close this blog.

Yes I know, I am not perfect and I can never be the best example you might be looking for but I just feel the need to do my part and to start it. You can still see flaws in me, mistakes and all that maybe now or in the future but upon my self-reflection, I have learned that there are better things in this world other than wordly pleasure, money or fame.

Yes, I confess, I wanted to stand out before, earn many fans, followers, advertisers and money. Nah! It was all for me, for myself and for my own gratification. I forgot I have been spending a lot of time working for myself diverting my attention from God. I realized I was just too selfish.

Right now, I am not saying that I don't want the fortune and all that. I realized that money, fame and status is more of a responsibility like, are you influencing your followers for good? Or questions in my head like am I doing the right way? I mean, this world is already too inflitrated by immorality, sin and things close to that so I am just feeling right now the need to reverse that in my own little way. Once again, I am not telling I am perfect, I am also sinful like anyone of us but I think I may not contribute in making people get closer to God if I will just stay silent.

So what do I want to tell now? Well edmaration.com will still run, the same travel blog with the same concept. The only difference now is that the blogger behind this blog is now unashamed enough to talk about God. For the negative forces, they will never win I know. I can not be moved because Jesus Christ is with me always to protect me and to keep His Words spreading like a wild fire. To God be the Glory and I know I made the right decision.

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This is the Part 4 of our Viva Vigan Arts Series

Go to: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.

All ARTS Eccentric Posts Ilocos (Region 1) Ilocos Sur Luzon Philippines VIGAN

🇵🇭 VIGAN • Abel Iloko Fabric as Decoration to Vigan Ancestral Houses

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Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Tuesday, September 11, 2012 2

Stories of town explorations.

"It is exposed to sun, air, rain and other elements but I tell you, Abel Iloko fabric is very durable."

The city jam-packed with things to see, to discover and experience turns a city full of artistry and culture once a year (although it is full of culture and heritage everyday). The valued ancestral houses of this heritage city that people all over the world can not afford to lose become dressed with Abel Iloko, or inabel, a local fabric woven by the locals through a process called pinagabel.

Can't see the Abel Iloko fabric? Just continue reading and you will find out that they are really there.

In a regular day, the old houses that line the old streets of Vigan (not necessarily along Calle Crisologo because there are several old streets here lined with equally valuable ancestral houses) aren't full of color. It doesn't mean they are boring on a regular day but of course we have to maintain the harmony of the houses without exaggeratedly painting them with rainbow colors or from pink to purple to light red, dark blue or slightly dark green and super slightly light yellow.

At a certain part of the year (1st week of May, don't mark your calendar, memorize it rather), these ancestral houses unleash a power that will make your eyes bulge in awe.

The houses turn to be a subject of art and the inviting decoration of each house can be seen even if you are wearing a dark-tinted eyeglasses (blind men wearing that shade don't qualify with that ruling).

This semi-colorful orange ancestral house became more colorful when a set of red-orange abel Iloko fabric was placed as decoration at its huge door.

The abel-weaving industry has been thriving in this small heritage city and its use can be traced as early as the start of Spanish occupation in the Philippines.

This old-age local industry of Vigan leveled-up. Aside form being a highlight of many fashion shows locally and abroad and even in some international beauty pageants like Ms. Earth, Abel Iloko has evolved to be a flexible fabric that can be used as blanket, cell phone casing, heirloom, long gown, clothes (possibly underwear) and lately as a house facade decoration.

A big cut of this fabric has been placed at the facade of this ancestral house and it stays there for about 1 week (or more, possibly up to two weeks).

It is exposed to sun, air, rain and other elements but I tell you, Abel Iloko fabric is very durable. Sad to say, the traditional threads made from cottons are now imported from China. So Abel Iloko nowadays can be considered as partially "Made in ______" (Fill in the blanks... I don't wanna talk about it :p).

Above: Street Dancers of the Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival are wearing this traditional fabric made from cotton and they are portraying how this Abel Iloko fabric is made through performing arts.

Notice the ancestral house at the back. That is the ancestral home of the Crisologo Family. If you are familiar about SSS (Social Security System and definitely not your Skin so Soft), Crisologo is the legislator behind that thing.

The Crisologo house-turned-museum was also decorated with Abel Iloko.

Ok it is definitely more fun in Vigan. That house where this "It's More Fun in Vigan" was written is an ancestral house-turned-hotel - now the Vigan Plaza Hotel. The fabric there is made up of Abel Iloko.

For the last photo, never mind the 3 hats. They just look cute but they are not the focus of this post. Look at the back rather. Those decorations are mainly made up of Abel Iloko.

I'm not yet done. If the Abel Iloko Fabric turns as decoration, the seeds, grains and glasses (as in bubog) also have a part of the Viva Vigan Art fest. To be continued....

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This is the Part 3 of our Viva Vigan Arts Series

Go to: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.

ARTS CULTURE Eccentric Posts Ilocos (Region 1) Ilocos Sur Luzon Philippines VIGAN

🇵🇭 VIGAN • Calle Crisologo and the Calesa Parade

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Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Monday, September 03, 2012 10

Stories of town explorations.

"It was as breathtaking as seeing a natural wonder. They come in different colors, design and X-Factor..."

It is not the usual way. Yes it is not. Vigan, being one of the few remaining old towns in the Philippines where calesas are still present in the streets, seeing a calesa with the traditional Abel Iloko fabric, some vegetables and farm products, fruits, the Vigan Longanisa and the Vigan Bagnet hanging as decorations is a thing you should not miss. Sadly (not really sad), it only happens once a year.

Unknown to many, calesas in Vigan are also used for commuting but usually, tourists use it as a way to experience and enjoy Vigan.

There happened a Calesa Parade and what a nice experience to see this parade at the Calle Crisologo itself.

It was as breathtaking as seeing a natural wonder. They come in different colors, design and X-Factor on which Pilita Corrales would love I bet, and Gary V would have his concert while riding a calesa in an imaginary way.

But of course if there is such a thing as beautiful, there is also a thing called more beautiful but definitely there can be beautifuler if I want to use that, by the way I coined the name edmaration, don't I (blah blah)?

Her horse is beautiful, but she is more beautiful even there's nuisance at the back :p

Lola, the muse of this calesa above, was smiling sweetly. She was so confident to pose before the lens. I love lola! She has this potential, I mean... yes! A potential to be a muse if ever I am making sense out of here.

Until that "man" came, served as nuisance to the smile of Lola who believes that this picture is a solo picture of her. By the way, I am not related to this grandmuse (as in grandma + muse), I just love describing her :p

And then this calesa came with a "dome" labeled with Calesa No. 78. A large burnay is also placed prominently. There is also a muse inside but it was camuse (camera shy + muse).

And suddenly, the parade began. A series of calesas have been coming with identical X-Factor and some don't have muse inside but surely people are still amused. But there are PasaMuse (Passengers acting as if like a muse) and Kutse-not-muse (Kutsero without a muse).

Kutse-Not-Muse

PasaMuse

And more calesas came with different versions of their muse.

So that's it! Note: Max's Restaurant did not sponsor this post just so you know :p

I have included a map, just in case you're not familiar with a place called Vigan although your diet is Vegan on which it has a slight variation in terms of the usage of vowel.

Maybe I still have a fair share of the copyright of that map? It is owned by Wikipedia but I arranged it. :p

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This is the Part 2 of my VIVA Vigan Arts Series and I am expecting you to see the next post because it is more epic where "clothes" as in traditional clothes are placed at the facade of almost all houses you have to see within Vigan's Heritage District this time. That is the Abel Iloko fabric. To be continued...

Go to: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.

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THE TOWN EXPLORER

Born and Raised in Vigan, Philippines. Travel blogging since 2010. Hardcore Ilocano-Cordilleran.

I created this travel blog as a platform for my long-form storytelling.

My goal is to explore all the towns in the Philippines. I don't think I could explore them all in my lifetime, but it is still a goal regardless of the result. I will write my town exploration stories in this blog.

For blogging collab, PR partnership, or invitation to visit your town, you may send your proposal to admin@edmaration.com.

To check the towns I've explored, follow this link: Where Have I Been?