Archive for December, 2009

Graceful Movements and a Colorful Dance of Binasuan

Written by MichaelZ on December 31, 2009 – 3:45 am -

About Binasuan and it’s dance steps

Philippine dances in the Philippines are known for its creativity, and one such dance in the country that shouts creativity is the Binasuan. This dance is a local dance rooted in the culture of the Pangasinense people- people from the northern Philippine province of Pangasinan. In this province, the term ‘binasuan‘ stands for something. In the local language, this word refers to the use of a drinking glass. With that in mind it can be easy to realize that the dance from this province is performed with the utilization of drinking glasses. To be more definite, this dance has its roots in Bayambang, one of the towns in Pangasinan province.

What this dance demonstrates is elegant movements on the part of the dancer, balance and some amount of expertise. Dancing is done with three glasses that are half-full with water, with the first glass on top of her head and the two other glasses on both palms of the hand. Balance and expertise is revealed when the dancer drills for a turn, sit or roll without slipping the water or dropping any of the three glasses to the floor. The typical arrangement in this dance calls for one girl though there will be times when three or more are called upon to perform.

As with other Filipino dances, this Binasuan dance from Bayambang will call for a costume, the right count and music and the formation of the dancers just before the dance is started.

. Costume. In terms of costume, the dance calls for the Balintawak costume with the tapis and the pañuelo.

. Music. The music used in this dance is composed of two parts and then danced to the tune of Pitoy Oras.

. Count. Measure is essential and in this dance one, two or three to a measure is utilized.

. Formation. The dance begins with the dancer or the dancers enter the hall from one side of the room, stop at the center then face the viewers.

The Binasuan dance will start that way, with the dancers coming at one side of the room and then moving to the center hall and then facing the audience. While they are moving towards the center of the hall, the music A is played for the first time. Dancing this local dance of the north requires some steps that should not be take out of the program otherwise the program will lose its identity.

The following are the general steps on how to dance this local tradition.

. Dancers start with the right foot and she should take eight waltz steps forward to the center of the hall. The glasses should be held in front and the elbows should be close to the waist. The right hand must be moved next to the chest and down the hips alternately as the left hand moves down at the hip level and goes up to the chest level in an alternating method. The alternating movements of the two hands will go on for the next eight measures.

. Music A will then play for the second time and this will be the times when the dancer will dance sideward right and left alternately and doing this for eight times. The right hand will be raised to the head level and the left hand will be held to the waist as the dancer continues to waltz sideward to the right. The dancer will chance position with every measure. Again the movements of the left and the right hand will alternate upward and downward as with previous step.

. Music B of the list will then play and this will be the point when the dancer will begin on her right foot and she will take four waltz steps on a slope to the right. She then raises the right hand obliquely to head level with the left hand down to the hip for four measures. Hands once more shift upward and downward on alternating movements.

These movements are just the first half of the dance and a few more steps are required in order to complete the program. The Binasuan dance of the north will simply utilize the abovementioned steps and repeat these steps on the second half of the dance. At times, some new steps are introduced like the placing of weights at either the right or the left foot of the dancer, all with the intention of dancing gracefully without dropping the glass.

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Masterpieces of the Renowned Filipino Painters

Written by MichaelZ on December 31, 2009 – 3:45 am -

The long list of Filipino Painters and their Masterpieces who showcase a visual representation using a variety of mediums and materials will surely captivate the locals and visitors.

Juan Luna was a distinguished Filipino painter born to Joaquin Luna and Laurena Novicio on October 23, 1857 in Badoc, Ilocos Norte. He studied designing at the Academia de Dibujo Y Pintura at the Ateneo de Manila. He entered Escuella de Bella Artes in Madrid while he was on travel in Spain in 1877. The famous masterpieces that made Juan Luna a renowned painter are The Death of Cleopatra, The Blood Compact and The Spolarium. The Death of Cleopatra made him win the gold medal and was sold for 5000 pesetas in 1881. Other remarkable works included:

* Ang Mestisa
* Ang Labanan sa Lepanto
* Ang Tagumpay ni Lapu-lapu
* Ang Aliping Bulag
* Ang Espanya sa Pilipinas

When he returned to the Philippines he was suspected of being a member of the Katipuneros that is why he was captured and imprisoned at Fort Santiago in 1896. Afterwards he went back to Spain and joined with Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Marcelo H. del Pilar and Jose Rizal. Shortly he died on December 7, 1899 due to sickness.

Filipino painter, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo sprung during the 19th century. He was the third son among the seven children of Eduardo Resurrecccion Hidalgo and Maria Barbara Padilla and was born on February 21, 1853 in Manila. He studied in the University of Santo Tomas and at the same time registered at the Escuella de Dibujo y Pintura. He enrolled at the Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando de Madrid. The following are the masterpieces of Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo:

* Flora de Filipinas (Plants of the Philippines) - awarded second place for best cover design for de Luxe edition.

* La Siesta (Nap in the afternoon) – in 1881, a piece that was constructively reviewed in La Ilustracion Espanola y Americana.

* Las Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho (The Christian virgins to the Populace) – in Madrid in 1884, granted the ninth silver medal award by the Exposicion General de Bells Artes.

* La Barca de Aqueronte (The Boat of Charon) - received a gold medal in the international exposition in Madrid and was bought for 7500 pesetas by the Spanish government.

* Laguna Estigia (The Styx)

* El Violinista - was accorded a gold medal at the Universal Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri.

The first Filipino who was distinguished as the Philippines National Artist in Painting was Fernando Amorsolo in 1972. His paintings were exhibited on January 23, 1969 during the inauguration of the Manila Hilton’s art center and he was named as the “Grand Old Man of Philippine Arts”. Amorsolo’s works covered a variety of subjects but he was especially known for ideal and romantic subjects that portrays the images of life in the countryside of Filipino women such as the Dalagang Bukid or Dalagang Nayon. He also painted historical paintings on pre-colonial and Spanish colonization and events of Filipino customs, fiestas, occupations and cultures.The technique of backlighting and the use of natural light were Amorsolo’s trademarks.

Victorio C. Edades became known as the “Father of Modern Philippine Painting” because of his technique in painting in bold impasto stroke and his advocacy in creative art. The themes demonstrated in Edades’ works featured laborers, simple folk and factory workers and he preferred to utilize dark and sad colors divergent to Amorsolo’s method. He became the Dean of the University of Santo Tomas’ Department of Achitecture in the 1930’s. He was the one who introduced the liberal arts programs as part of the subjects in foreign languages and art history that will lead to a degree of Bachelor in Fine Arts and this made University of Santo Tomas the first Philippine art school. Edades invited Galo B. Ocampo and Carlos “Botong” Francisco to teach in the university as professor artists. The three piloted the growth of mural painting in the Philippines and would collectively be known as the astounding “Triumvirate”. When he retired from teaching he was recognized as an outstanding “visionary, teacher and artist and was conferred honoris causa of Doctor of Fine Arts. Among his works were:

* The artist and the Model
* Portrait of the Professor
* Japanese Girl
* Mother and Daughter
* The Wrestlers
* Poinsettia Girl

The poet of Angono Carlos “Botong” Francisco revived the forgotten art of mural painting. He was linked with the “modernist” artist and also turned the rubbish of the historic past into glowing records of legendary courage of the ancestors. Francisco’s trademark using lush tropical sense of color and faith in folk values made him recognized by the residents of Angono. Major works of Carlos “Botong” Francisco include:

* Portrait of Purita
* The Invasion of Limahong
* Serenade
* Muslim Betrothal
* Blood Compact
* First Mass at Limasawa
* The Martyrdom of Rizal
* Bayanihan
* Magpupukot
* Fiesta
* Bayanihan sa Bukid
* Sandugo

Feast your eyes on the unique and creative works of Filipino painters may it be on abstract, portrait and landscape.

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The Best Packages of Boracay Hotels

Written by MichaelZ on December 31, 2009 – 3:42 am -

Boracay hotels always offer the best travel accommodations. They aimed to offer their guests the best accommodation, first class rooms and facilities with world class services. Nearly all of the visitors know that Boracay is the number one tourist spot in the Philippines.

This bone-shaped island has a tropical weather and situated about 200 kilometers from south of Manila and 2 kilometers on the northwest tip of Panay Island in Western Visayas. This tropical island is considered by so many as paradise and has been enticing to people from all over the world because of its powder fine, white sand beach. The weather is mild enough to offer warmth, tranquility, and opulence to the island visitors. The place offers a great venue for numerous water sports activities, outdoors and even indoors activities as well.

Variety Options of Boracay Hotels

Boracay Island is a little paradise and a home to hotels of any kind. Hotels and resorts available are from class “A” to “Triple A” accommodations.

Boracay hotels and resorts that offer Class “A” accommodation are Alyssa Boracay Resort, Casa Pilar Beach Resort, Dalisay Paradise Resort, Galaxy Beach, Milflores de Boracay, Serina’s Place, Noe’s Place Resort, Nikko’s Beach , Saigon Beach, Starfire Resort, Sentro Group Resort and Tropical Guest House.

The class “Double A” Boracay resorts are the following: 357 Boracay Resort, Alice in Wonderland, Arwana Beach Hotel and Restaurant, Asya Boracay, B and B Beach Resort, Bamboo Bungalows, Bans Beach, Boracay Beach Chalet, Boracay Courtyard Beach, and Boracay Gold Crowne Club.

You can also enjoy the facilities of a class “Double A” Boracay resorts from the following: Boracay Peninsula Resort, Blue Waves Beach House, Blue Lily Villa, Boracay Beach, Casa Asia Resort, Casa Camilla Boracay, Chalet Y Resort, Club Manila East, Club Ten, Crystal Sand, Dave’s Straw Hat Inn, Escondido, and Fat Jimmy’s Resort. Furthermore, Hey Jude Hotel, La Reserve Resort Hotel, La Carmela de Boracay Resort, Punta Rosa Resort and Lion’s Den Resort, has the same class accommodation.

Boracay is a home to resorts and hotels categorized as “Triple A” resorts like as Club Panoly, Boracay Plaza, Boracay Ocean Club, Calypso Diving Resort, Cocomangas Hotel, Discovery Shores, Fairways and Bluewater, Fridays Resort Boracay, Lorenzo, Le Soliel de Boracay Hotel, Nigi Nigi Nu Noos and many others.

Hotel Packages at Their Best

The different Boracay resorts and hotels have different package deals offered to the island guests. Boracay Peninsula is located at Station 2, a beach front hotel with pool and an accommodation rate of Php 4813 for its standard single room and Php 5125 for its superior room.

Las Brisas de Boracay in Station 1 has a superior room with single accommodation for only Php 5268 and single deluxe room for only Php 5695. Hotel Isla Boracay in Station 3 has the single superior room accommodation for Php 13250 and Php 16500 for their single accommodation in premier room respectively. Most of the Boracay packages are inclusive of 3 days and 2 nights accommodation, daily breakfast, welcome drinks and two way trip of land and sea transfers. Of course these prices can change over time.

There are other variations of tour and accommodation packages that can provide tourists several options that will make them experience a wonderful stay at Boracay hotels.

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