A Mother’s Stuff

2010 New Attractions @ Splash Island

Visitors of SPLASH ISLAND (located at Southwood Exit, Biñan, Laguna) now operated by GLOBAL GUTZ PARK PHILIPPINES owned by businessman Sonny Torres offers the FLOATING PLAYGROUND (Splash Trax), FLOATING WALL CLIMBING and the FLOATING VOLLEYBALL FIELD for the summer of 2010.

From the original innovator of the swimming pool with waves (Agos Grandes) offers these new features again first and only at SPLASH ISLAND. Currently, a 30 foot structure is being constructed in front of Agos Grandes for the SLIDE FOR LIFE “ZIP LINE” wherein guest will be attached to a safety harness and plunges to the giant floating wall placed at the middle of the waving pool.

All these added attractions, aside from the 12 water slides, will be spread within the 7 hectare property with a maximum capacity of 15,000 people and will be available to the public as SPLASH ISLAND will opens daily starting February 27.

For inquiries visit their website at www.splashisland.net or call MR. SONNY TORRES @ 09189129177 or MR. RAOUL ESPERAS, Head PR & Events @ 09278570493.

Allacapan, Cagayan Province

Allacapan is situated in the northwestern periphery of Cagayan, boarding lower Kalinga-Apayao. It has its beginning as a small village in the jungle vastness, inhabited by Negritos. Daring Ilocanos, mainly from Ilocos Sur, discovered it in quest for greener pasture, and eventually dominated the place.

It was founded as a municipal district of Tawit, Mountain Province in 1926 and ceded to Cagayan in 1928, and finally became a regular municipality in 1945 by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 590 authored by Congressman Miguel Pio.

The history of Allacapan has a series of existing episodes and transitions. During the Japanese occupation, the Japanese forces established a garrison in the heart of the community from where echoed moars of torture inflicted upon prisoners of war, most often, innocent civilians. Later on, the Japanese burned the municipal hall, including the school building in the old site of Daan-Ili. The incident aggravated the fear of the civilians and they fled to the mountains.

After liberation, some disgruntled ex-Army men who were not satisfied with their backpay checks took to the hills with their rifles and joined the underground movement. Allacapan then became a hotbed of the Huks (HUKBALAHAP or Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon). Their atrocities resulted in the kidnapping of then Mayor Agustin Gorospe in September 1951, the burning of the newly constructed town hall, and the looting of the local treasury.

Destiny shaped its own course for Allacapan. The construction of the highway from Magapit, Lallo to Bangag, Aparri traversing Allacapan and the opening of the Magapit Bridge to traffic, facilitated mobility of trade and commerce. Allacapan suddenly became a local point. It is now very accessible from all points and is fast becoming an urban community.

How Allacapan got its name? In his continuing saga, the curiosity of Francisco Umengan, an ex-municipal president from Aparri, was aroused to the point of annoyance by the skittering of dried leaves heaped within the vicinity. On his inquiry about the significance of the noise, his Negrito guide told him “alla-appan” meaning “trap.” Umengan then named the place “Allacapan” and the name struck to the present.

Allacapan is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 29,821 people in 5,260 households.

Alcala, Cagayan Province

Alcala is an old town situated in the middle of Cagayan some 38 kilometers north of Tuguegarao. It was originally called “Fulay“, an Ybanag word for red, because of the distinct reddish color of the soil. When the Diocese of Nueva Segovia (at Lallo) was established in August, 1595, Fulay fell under its jurisdiction and it was not until July 20, 1789 that it was officially proclaimed a township. It was renamed “Alcala” in honor of Don Francisco Paulo de Alcala sometime in 1843.

It is noteworthy to mention that the brick church built by Fray Casimiro Gonzales proved to be the biggest church within the Diocese of Nueva Segovia (30 meters in width and 90 meters in length) and it was in this church shortly before the fall of the Spanish regime to the Americans in the late 1800s that Bishop Gregorio Aglipay, then a Catholic priest and then later founder of the Philippine Independent Church, was proclaimed Ecclesiastical Governor of Cagayan.

With the establishment of American Military Government in the Philippines at the turn of the century, the people of Alcala geared themselves in adjusting to a new ideology under democracy.

Alcala has 25 barangays and has a total land area of 18,720 hectares. It is located on a plateau overlooking the winding Cagayan River. Its original Ibanag inhabitants were from Cabagan, Isabela, Tuguegarao and Tuao. One of good places to visit is the Saint Philomene Church, regarded as the widest church in the Cagayan Valley. Alcala Milk Candy is a famous product of this municipality.

Alcala is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 35,694 people in 7,025 households.

There are 25 barangays that comprises the municipality of Alcala namely:

Abbeg / Afusing Bato / Afusing Daga / Agani / Baculod / Baybayog / Cabuluan / Calantac / Carallangan / Centro Norte (Pob.) / Centro Sur (Pob.) / Dalaoig / Damurog / Jurisdiction / Malalatan / Maraburab / Masin / Pagbangkeruan / Pared / Piggatan / Pinopoc / Pussian / San Esteban / Tamban / Tupang

Abulug municipality in Cagayan Province

Abulug is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 28,769 people in 5,297 households.

The municipality of Abulug lies between the municipalities of Ballesteros and Pamplona on the Northwestern part of Cagayan along the China Sea. Tulug, the original name of Abulug had been a flourishing fishing village long before Don Juan Salcedo sailed to the mouth of Abulug River in 1572. In 1629, the name “tulug” was changed into Abulug, including two barangays of Totol and Capitana.

It is a typical Ybanag town. The immigrating Ilocanos had contributed to large extent to the progress of the town.

Silk weaving at one time flourished in Abulug but with the abdication of Spanish rule and the absence of Spanish friars who introduced the industry, silk culture, has been totally forgotten.

Its important agricultural products are rice, vegetable and industrial products are lumber and fish. Its native craft, cottage and trade are mat-weaving, pottery, nipa shingle and native winemaking.

Favored with many attractions, the majestic bend of its namesake river, immensely fertile agricultural areas, unspoiled back-country scenes and friendly people. A trip down the river to the sea in the late afternoon, the magnificent sunset in all its splendor can be viewed and you can listen to the eternal sea-wishing you would be as close to nature to Abulugueños.

The 20 barangays of Abulug are:

Piat Sambali Festival of Cagayan Province

The “Piat Sambali Festival” of Cagayan province held on June 23-30 features a reenactment of the “sambali,” a war dance of tribes that were united and converted to Christianity through the intersection of the Lady of Piat (known also as the Black Mary). Said festival is followed by the “Feast Day of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Piat” on July 1-2 with activities centered at Piat Basilica Minore which houses the Image of Mary.

Aggao Nac Cagayan Festival

Every June 23-29, Cagayan province celebrates a province-wide festival called “Aggao Nac Cagayan” which commemorates the establishment of the civil government in Cagayan on June 29, 1583.

Lallo Cabibi “Clam” Festival

Cabibi (clam) Festival is being held in Lallo every August which depicts the “cabibi” as an enduring major source of livelihood for those living along the banks of Cagayan River.

Buguey’s Crab Festival

In Cagayan province, it is the municipality of Buguey that holds a Crab Festival every May 14-20 to celebrate its more modern achievement in crab aquaculture.

Lasam, Cagayan’s Aringay Festival

The Aringay Festival is an annual celebration in Lasam held every May 15-21 that depicts farming as the municipality’s major livelihood since old times. There was even a competition held among several provinces to make it to the Guinness Book of World Records for preparing the longest “tupig” (a variety of rice cake). For the people of the northern provinces of Luzon island cooking and selling “tupig” is rooted in their way of life, is a source of livelihood, and a regular fare during festivals and the Christmas celebrations.

Rumang-ay Festival @ Gonzaga, Cagayan

Gonzaga municipality celebrates the annual Rumang-ay Festival every May 5-10 to commemorates the historical establishment of Gonzaga.

Bangkarera (Boat Race) Festival @ Cagayan Province

Bangkarera Festival or Boat Race Festival is a rare event that sees local fisher folks racing around a pre-designated course using their trusty bancas. Thousands bear the mid-day heat to witness this adrenaline-filled event. Participants from the neighboring municipalities like Pola and Bongabong make sure that they have entries in this competition.

Every April 21st there is a Bangkarera Festival being held in the clear waters of Pinacanuan River within the Callao Caves Tourist Zone. In the municipality of Aparri they hold the same festival every May 10th participated by up to a hundred of boats of different sizes and shapes as thanksgiving to their patron saint, St. Peter Thelmo.

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Cagayan province’s cultural tourism

Visit the various “horno” (kiln) sites in Tuguegarao, Piat, Camalaniugan, and Rizal, which were used to manufacture bricks for construction of churches around the province (the religious and social focal points during the Spanish era). Today they are no longer used, but the old churches still standing today bear witness to the materials quality as well as to architectural traditions.

You may still come across an old Ibanag custom where some local living masters chant the verso, an oral literary tradition, accompanied by the kuribao, a native bamboo musical instrument.

In summer or after harvest time, you may witness lively ceremonies during Ibanag weddings, such as the maskota, a fun-filled community dance where the bride, groom, relatives and guests dance as a way to pitch in their gifts.

Your experience will not be complete without tasting the local “pansit” (fried noodles) with your choice of toppings. There are many pansiterias (noodle houses or counters) which serve pansit with many combinations of toppings, such as ground pork, corned beef, shrimp, quail eggs, and so on. Try the special bali-patong, Cabagan or Tumauini noodles, with egg soup.

Take a leisurely joy ride around Tuguegarao city on a “calesa” (horse-drawn vehicle) which seats 6 to 10 people (and which uses actual mag-wheel tires!).

For a glimpse of craftsmanship from olden times, see the blacksmithing work still being done in Larion Bajo, Tuguegarao where the sounds of hammers on metal can be heard from early morning. Or visit the pottery makers in Iguig who work on the clay pieces with their hands.

To see where it all began, drop by the Provincial Museum at the Capitol of Tuguegarao or other local museums to see artifacts of ancient stone tools, ornaments and pottery which show that pre-historic people who lived in the Cagayan area had already a settled way of life.

Calvary Hills in Iguig

A more modern devotional site is Calvary Hills, located in Iguig, about 16 km. from the capital city, is on an 11-hectare site of rolling hills. It features larger-than-life concrete statues in tableau settings of the 14 Stations of the Cross, depicting Jesus Christ’s suffering and death on Mount Calvary .

St. Hyacinth Church

St. Hyacinth Church (or San Jacinto Chapel) is an elevated church whose construction dates back from 1604, or more than 100 years older than St. Peter’s Cathedral. Used as American headquarters in the Filipino-American war of 1899, it was reconstructed afterward by the Americans.