Pasinaya 2018: Love for the Philippine Arts

As Filipinos, we must always uphold loyalty and patriotism to our country. When we were conquered by foreign invaders, we adopted their ways; language, arts, music, culture, and tradition. For centuries, we have had these influences on our lifestyle and way of living. We have embraced colonialism and slowly neglected our original identity of being Filipino. Although we are considered to be of mixed races by blood, our identity will still be the soul of our nation, and as One Filipino, we will take pride in our culture wherever we are and in whatever we do.

However, today, we must preserve our culture through the arts. The latest generation of Filipinos must appreciate the richness of Philippine culture and pass it on to the next generation. Culture and tradition should never stop; they must continue to exist and evolve, but not obliterate. Hence, we can genuinely preserve it in literal form and in our minds and hearts. 

To appreciate and preserve our culture through the arts, the Cultural Center of the Philippines has been celebrating its annual Pasinaya Festival, which means to 'inaugurate' or 'opening' something grand and festive. The Pasinaya festival, in its 14th year, is gaining much-deserved attention from those who love arts and culture. It is a 2-day festival dubbed "Palihan at Palabas" where art lovers can enjoy workshops on various arts like dancing, singing, acting, writing, and theatrical performances. This is followed by a great showcase of artistic talents and renditions before thousands of viewers who appreciate and love art. 

This is my 4th year experiencing the Pasinaya Festival, which never fails to amuse and entertain. Being Filipino, seeing performers from different art genres from other parts of the country is a great feeling. The viewers continue to grow yearly and are joyful with the presentations they may not have seen before. Ancient Filipinos' elegance, graciousness, and glamour only show some refinement in their way of living. So today, in our time, we glimpse how modern Filipinos can take us back to the early days when life seemed simple.

The CCP Resident companies are always in the spotlight. The classical pieces of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the modern parts of the UST Philharmonic Orchestra,  the gracefulness of Ballet Philippines and Tanghalang Pilipino, the Bayanihan Folk Dance Company, and other performing groups have shared their timeless pieces that are indeed a product of class and elegance.

Last year's Pasinaya 2017: Arts for Peace was a great experience, and the viewers were moved by the year's theme of Filipinos united through the arts despite the unending conflicts. Skills for peace will be significant in years to come as we battle to achieve everlasting peace and harmony. This year, 2018, is a calling to show our deepest love for the arts and revive our pure sense of patriotism.

Cultural preservation and fascination through arts will go a long way if we are united and show more profound love and loyalty to our national identity. The Pasinaya Festival will be one of the greatest gifts we could offer future generations as they reflect deeply on who they are and what they can show and contribute to the world. This is just the beginning of igniting our artistic abilities to prove ourselves and show the world that we are Filipinos with a soulful desire and the greatest love for our nation through cultural appreciation and rendition. 

© 2018 Del Cusay

                                                                     

The Power of Now: Being Aware and Present

Living in a fast-paced world like ours is like a marathon, a race with an uncertain outcome. People are always in a hurry but arrive late at their destination. Along the way, we bump into each other to get ahead. No matter how hard it seems, there's a lot of shouting, screaming, or even crying. Still, a determined soul can conquer obstacles and overcome defeat. There's no way to quit but to continue the race toward the peak.

Unhurried life isn't a thing nowadays, even in a rural village. We are all connected by the power of technology and get the latest information in real-time, at a particular moment, and as needed. Through an upgrade in transportation and communication, everything is quick and instant, as fast as teleportation if it's real. Yet, amidst this speed, there is a journey we can embark on, a journey towards mindfulness. Getting to a destination excites us, and the journey becomes a cherished expedition. 

Years ago, life wasn't that complicated, and people enjoyed it much in the present moment. Compared to now, most people live in their past when they can't leave their worries behind. Others may live in an uncertain future and become anxious about what lies ahead. That's life! Truly complicated.  Whatever comes into our heads are unfiltered noises, like the constant buzz of social media, the pressure of work deadlines, or our self-doubt. These distractions prevent us from fully experiencing the present moment.

Living in the past and in the future is inevitable. When the mind wanders, it means a lack of focus and awareness of the present; not truly conscious -- not being aware. A complicated life of being not present at the moment has its consequences. However, we are not powerless. We have the power to be more focused and productive. Our worries, fears, and uncertainties are enemies of productivity and consciousness. Though it is a result of previous traumatic experiences, we are still in control and have the power to return to a normal state of being; we enjoy the present moment and truly live. 

As we progress to the next level of spiritual existence, we learn to ignore or filter out noises that do not benefit us. We become more alert and focused on our actions, and the result is fascinating —stress-free living.

Being present and aware at the same time is a gift to ourselves or to someone dear to us. When we are aware and conscious of someone's presence, they feel accepted and loved by us. However, when we ignore their presence, they will feel neglected, abandoned, and uncared for; that's miserable and unacceptable. Being present is a gift to ourselves and a way to show others they are valued and essential in our lives. 

But in today's world, there's another side of the story; we often focus on our own, our personal intentions, and our goals to achieve. We go on our own without validation from others. That's consciousness from the individual level. It's about self-awareness, understanding our needs and desires, and taking steps to fulfill them. We go for healing when our soul finds its peace and being.

The power of now is so mighty that we experience and practice mindfulness. We do not allow our minds to wander but focus our intentions on our present reality. We choose to be peaceful and live stress-free lives, leading to our health and well-being. The power of now is a spiritual gift to the people surrounding us. When we are at peace with ourselves, we are present in dealing with people no matter what happens, and we deal with life peacefully. That's the power of presence and awareness — the power of now and the key to a fulfilling and joyful life!

© 2018 Del Cusay

Celebrating the Feast of Sto. Niño 2018

Devotion to the Holy Child Jesus, popularly known as Sto. Niño is celebrated in the Philippine archipelago yearly, particularly in January. This is not just a tradition among the faithful but a meaningful celebration of being a youthful and cheerful servant or believer of the Holy Child. The image brought by the Spaniards was the reason for our celebration. Since then, Christianity has spread in the Philippine Islands, and our ancestors have embraced Christ, our Lord and Savior. 

Generations have come and gone, yet the allure of the Holy Infant remains as strong as ever. In the Philippines, numerous parishes pay homage to Sto. Niño. The recipient of the first Holy image, Cebu City celebrates the Sinulog festival on the third Sunday of January. In Iloilo City, the Dinagyang festival is celebrated the same week as the Sinulog. These two festivals have transcended time to become some of the most significant religious events in the country, drawing thousands of followers who bear witness to the grandeur of this festivity.

On January 21, I was again immersed in the devotion to Sto. Niño. From the old commercial district of Pajo in Caloocan, passing along the Parish of San Roque, I was among the thousands of devotees, including children, who displayed their faith through a long procession of the Holy image. The creativity and vibrancy of the devotees in showcasing their images were genuinely inspiring. Parents carried their children on their shoulders, dancing to the beat of the drums, a sight that filled the air with joy and faith. 

Indeed, the significance of this celebration is the innocence of the child, who is full of wonders and gives a sense of happiness and joy to the parents and everyone. It was in 2013 that I witnessed one of the biggest celebrations of Sto. Niño in Luzon. Celebrating The Feast of Sto. Niño de Tondo gave meaning to personal devotion, a reflection of one's faith in the Divine. 

Celebrating the Feast of Sto. Nino 2016 was another chance to witness and glimpse this celebration. Two years later, it became more upbeat and alive. Unlike other religious procession, this is not the solemn type since they would carry the image and have it move or dance. This, however, is a personal devotion and belief. In the end, it is our faith that matters.

Like the Holy Child Jesus, we are called to embody innocence. But our faith, like a river, must not stagnate; it must keep flowing and growing. We must continually expand our faith, reaching out to those who continue to believe and have faith in God, no matter their challenges. 

© 2018 Del Cusay