Official blog site of Philippine Information Agency-Negros Oriental Infocen.This is where we posts peeks at what we do in order to create an enlightened citizenry.
Dumaguete City’s Freedom Park and the Negros Oriental Provincial Capitol embrace the Christmas season with the lighting of the Christmas installations around the park held on December 10, 2023. (Photo courtesy of the Provincial Tourism Office)
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Dec. 14 (PIA) — Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria called on Oriental Negrenses to enshrine the values of generosity and understanding this Christmas season.
“The holiday season is a time of togetherness. A time to cherish the bonds that will unite us and to reach out to those in need. Let us kindle the spirit of generosity and understanding fostering an environment where each individual feels valued and respected,” Sagarbarria said in his speech during the ceremonial lighting of Christmas lanterns and other installations at the Capitol and Freedom Park on December 10, 2023.
“As we gaze upon the gentle flicker of each lantern, let us be reminded of the light that resides within each and every one of us. Let us carry this metaphorical flame into our homes, workplace, and community infusing our inter action with kindness, empathy and goodwill,” he added.
Sagarbarria was joined by other provincial government officials, department heads, and Capitol employees during the kick-off activity for the “Pasko sa Sidlakan Negros-Pasko sa Kapitolyo” events.
Spectators and park visitors were treated to a pyro-musical show after the switch-on ceremony.
The Capitol and the Freedom Park were spruced up with vibrant Christmas lights, lanterns, and life-size installations to capture the spirit of Christmas.
Serene but festive Christmas atmosphere at the Negros Oriental Capitol. Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria called on Oriental Negrenses to be beacons of hope this Christmas season and bring the light of Christmas in their homes and workplaces. (Photo courtesy of the Provincial Tourism Office)
The installations resembling peacocks and angels were formed using bamboo sticks and Christmas lights, which glowed in white, yellow, and blue.
A giant Christmas lantern stood along the “Negros Oriental” signage to put a Filipino touch to the provincial government’s celebration.
Negros Oriental Tourism Board Executive Director Woodrow Maquiling Jr. said the lantern was imported from Pampanga, a province in Central Luzon known for producing giant lanterns every Christmas.
Meanwhile, a giant Christmas tree was set up on top of the Freedom Park fountain.
The four-tiered Christmas tree glowed in yellow, green, and red, while little Christmas lanterns surrounded the fountain.
Blue lights illuminated the façade of the Capitol while a huge “Malipayong Pasko” signage was put up on top of the building.
The interior of the Capitol was decorated with red and green garlands while a replica of the Nativity scene was placed on the landing of the main staircase.
The provincial government also welcomed the public with an open house tour inside the Capitol.
Provincial Public Information Officer Juvilin Calago said the open house is part of the transparency initiatives of the Capitol and to make the offices more accessible to the public.
Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel “Chaco” L. Sagarbarria delivers his Christmas message during the ceremonial switch-on of Christmas installations at the Freedom Park, Dumaguete City on Dec. 10, 2023. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)
The Buglasan Festival 2023 Directorate announcing the lineup of activities for this year’s Buglasan Festival during the press conference held September 21, 2023 at the Negros Oriental Convention Center in Dumaguete City. Photo shows festival directorate Executive Director Woodrow “RR” Maquiling Jr. (3rd from left) and Festival Director Glynda Descuatan (2nd from left). (PIA Negros Oriental)
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Sept. 22 (PIA) — The province is preparing for the staging of the Buglasan Festival, one of the Philippines’ most colourful festivals, which will start on October 14, 2023 until October 22, 2023.
The festival directorate led by Glynda Descuatan has lined up various exciting events that will gather champion contingents from the different municipalities and cities in the province to bring local pride through artistic talents, culture, heritage, resources and produce.
Descuatan, in a press launching held September 21, presented some major events that will bring Filipino entertainment and arts and culture to audiences nationwide to celebrate the rich traditions in the province.
The festival will start with an opening salvo on October 14 with hundreds of participating contingents in a civic-military parade to be followed by an ecumenical service, the unveiling of the new Freedom Park, opening of the 24 local government unit (LGU) Booths, and Buglasan fashion show.
The Festival of Festivals showdown, street dance, and Buglasan music street fest on October 20 will serve as the festival’s highlights, said Descuatan.
The showdown and street dance of festivals will bring in the best contingents from the province’s more than 10 established festivals.
The showdown and street dancing represent the local fiestas and heritage in the LGUs.
It will be routed along Dumaguete City’s main thoroughfares, with the presentation per contingent at the Lamberto Macial Sports and Cultural Center.
The expected influx of local, national as well as foreign tourists will bring in cash flow and economic surge during the Buglasan period.
With the expected rise of people during the festival period, security measures have been put in place by the Task Force Octopus of the province as well the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) including the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, and the Dumaguete City Traffic Management Office.
The Buglasan Festival activities also include Miss Negros Oriental on October 15; Gandang NegOrense, October 16; Bulasan 2023 Singing Idol on October 17; Folk Dance Competition and Mr. & Ms. Buglasan Fitness Icon, October 18; and Flavor of Sidlakang Negros, and Multi-Breed Dogshow, Oct. 19.
Some 20 young ladies from the different LGUs will vie for the coveted Miss Negros Oriental 2023 crown this year.
The provincial government expects Malacañang to declare October 20, 2023 as a special non-working holiday province-wide to allow the residents to watch and celebrate the Buglasan.
Other activities set to happen on October 21 are the Inter-High School Streetdance Competition, Grand Float Parade and Competition, and Music Street Fest.
On October 22, the festival will culminate with the presentation of Hari Ng Negros and Awarding of Fireworks Display.
Descuatan said this year’s Buglasan is also co-opted with some event organizers of dullhog-downhill and endure mountain bike competition on October 7-8 in Valencia town; Festival Costume Expo at Robinsons Mall on October 7-22; 700-km endurance moto-tour on October 14-15; underwater photo competition on October 14-22; kamugnaa:art exhibit on October 14-15; and 9-ball billiards competition on October 17-21.
As part of the national event, the dullhog-downhill and endure mountain bike will be participated in by 200 bikers from different parts of the country.
For endurance mototour 700-km challenge, 250 motor riders have registered to join the trip around the province as one way of promoting tourism sites and destinations in Negros Oriental.
National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab lauds Silliman University for successfully conducting its first International Choral Festival from July 31 to Aug. 5, 2023. Cayabyab delivered his message during the culminating concert of the festival held Aug. 5, 2023 at the Lamberto Macias Sports Center, Dumaguete City. (KAT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Aug. 7 (PIA) — The country’s National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab congratulated Silliman University (SU) for successfully conducting its 1st International Choral Festival (SUICF).
The festival was participated in by 15 chorale groups from the Philippines and Taiwan.
“I would like to congratulate Silliman University for actually being very courageous in putting up something like this, hoping that we can start networking into the international choral milieu which is very unique. That is very near,” Cayabyab said during the closing concert of the festival which was held on Aug. 5 at the Lamberto Macias Sports Center, this city.
The closing concert featured song numbers from Koro Serepahim from Bohol, Ayi-yanga Chorale from Taipei, Taiwan, SU Men’s Glee Club, SU Women’s Ensemble, SU Campus Choristers, SONAR Chamber Choir from Taiwan, Loboc Children’s Choir from Bohol, Leyte Normal University from Tacloban City, Cebu Normal University from Cebu City, Central Mindanao University from Maramag, Bukidnon, Padan Traditional Ballad Choir from Kaoihsiung, Taiwan, Western Mindanao State University from Zamboanga City, Jia Yi Primary School Children’s Choir frong Ping-tung, Taiwan, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University Camerata from La Union, Bukidnon National High School Manlilibay Spa Vocals from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, and West City Elementary School Choir from Dumaguete City.
The SU Band also offered musical numbers during the event.
The SU’s 1st International Choral Festival began on July 31 and participating choirs were engaged in intensive voice and choral conducting workshops at the university and tour performances in different towns and cities in the province including Valencia, Siaton, and Bayawan City.
Members of Jia Yi Primary School Children’s Choir from Taiwan deliver a perfomance during the culminating concert of the 1st Silliman University International Choral Festival held Aug. 5, 2023 at the Lamberto Macias Sports Center, Dumaguete City. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)
Serving as resource persons for the workshops were the following: Dean of the SU College of Performing and Visual Arts and an expert in choral conducting and music pedagogy, Dr. Elizabeth Susan Vista-Suarez; the first major professor of the first Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting in Southeast Asia, Dr. Joel Navarro; Choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Mark Anthony Carpio; Timothy Wayne-Right, former member of the Grammy-winning acapella vocal ensemble The King’s Singers and founder of The A Capella Academy; and Katrina Marie Saga, an alumna of the Philippine Madrigal Singers and vocal coach who is a Certified McClosky Voice Technician.
Cayabyab also delivered a lecture on his works Misa 1983, Misa 2000, and Mass for Peace to members of all participating choirs on the festival’s culminating day.
These collections of musical compositions were Cayabyab’s take on the five mass songs in Latin, which are the “Kyrie,” “Gloria,” “Credo,” “Sanctus,” and “Agnus Dei.”
These compositions also demonstrate the chorale dynamics of heretophony and polyphony.
The National Artist also commended the organizing committee for their commitment in this undertaking.
“Putting up a festival such as this is so time-consuming and it takes a lot of patience. That’s why it is very important that the entire community supports something like this kind of movement,” Cayabyab said.
Bannering the theme “Singing in Harmony to Light Up the World,” the weeklong-festival aims to recognize excellence in choral music performance.
Young singers from West City Elementary School in Dumaguete City perform an OPM song number at the closing concert of the 1st Silliman University International Choral Festival held Aug. 5, 2023 at the Lamberto Macias Sports Center, Dumaguete City. (RAL/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
SU’s hosting of the festival is a way to strengthen the university’s music heritage, according to Dr. Diomar Abrio, chairperson of the university’s cultural arm.
“The heritage of music at Silliman University is distinguished by its history of nurturing a culture of appreciation and a culture of application through performance,” he said.
On the other hand, SUICF Artistic Director Dr. Elizabeth Susan Vista-Suarez said the event showcases the music and the performing arts are thriving industry.
“The festival is like a light that illuminates in the darkness of things. Because it is beautiful and bright, people will be drawn to it, and they will realize that choral music can bring many people from different backgrounds together and that the aesthetic expression that has brought them together can foster peace and unity,” said Vista-Suarez.
Festival Director Katrina Saga also thanked the choral groups for participating in the festival, adding that she hopes it will foster connections among the singers that will enable them to work together for the development of music arts.
“We have created an enduring legacy for choral music , nurturing the artists of today and laying the foundation for the Virtuosos of tomorrow,” Saga said.
The 1st SUICF is supported and funded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
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