The Ana Kalang Festival and the Kalang-Kalang Exhibit @ SM Sta. Rosa

The Ana Kalang Festival Exhibit at SM Sta. Rosa

Nurul Nadia Mohd Roslan and I went malling last Sunday, June 27, 2010 at SM Sta. Rosa after her SPMY staffhouse visits. While still in the car, we passed by the mall entrance before going to the parking lot and I noticed beautiful and stunning giant statues made of native materials. It has called my attention and I decided to go to the area where I saw it and checked it out.

The giant statues of Ana Kalang Festival popularly known as Kalang-Kalang by Nagcarlenos

It was a beautiful exhibit on Ana Kalang Festival of Nagcarlan, Laguna. It was my first time hearing this so I read the information that was on the stand. The Festival is a 5-day celebration beginning on the first Wednesday of October every year. It commemorates the town's abundant harvest from their agro-industrial products.

Elvie Mesiona & Nurul Nadia Mohd Roslan in front of the Ana Kalang Festival Exhibit

The name of the Festival originated from the name of the woman “Ana Kalang” who according to myth was known for her tremendous wealth, kindness, piety, and generosity. During her time, she was always around to help her town mates whenever in trouble. She was also popular among Spaniards. One day a Spaniard visited her house and saw from the window branches of lanzones fruit hitting each other. He asked Ana what was happening and Ana Kalang replied “Nagkakalang sila”. The Spaniards mispronounced the phrase until it became “NAGCARLAN”. So that’s how Nagcarlan, Laguna got its town’s name.

Elvie Mesiona & Nurul Nadia Mohd Roslan

The Kalang-Kalang were artistically designed and made by talented Filipinos

The Festival started in 1987 under the leadership of a culture and artistically inclined Mayor Demetrio Comendador and the Nagcarlan Community Development Council. From then on, this became part of Nagcarlan’s distinct culture.

The statues "Kalang-Kalang" are made of fruits, vegetables and other indigenous materials carefully handcrafted by Filipinos. 

The Ana Kalang Festival highlights a unique folk art whose motif is the giant statue which Nagcarlenos call “Kalang-Kalang”. The statue is made of fruits, vegetables and other indigenous materials which are carefully and beautifully designed by schools, barangays, organizations, individuals who are participating in the Kalang-Kalang Contest. The statues are displayed in the Festival site during the 5-day celebration and paraded around the town during the closing of the Festivities.

Street Dancers at the Ana Kalang Festival, Nagcarlan, Laguna

Agro-industrial products at the Ana Kalang Festival

The main attraction of the festival is the grand parade and the street dancing contest. Dancers wear amazing native costumes and dance in the street with the giant Kalang-Kalang. Other attractions includes agro-industrial trade fairs, cultural shows, town’s historical and scenic tours, cooking contest, antique exhibit, garden show and beauty pagent.

It's great to learn about these facts and I am proud to say I am Filipino. The Philippines is rich in culture and many are gifted with artistic talents ! PINOY AKO ! :o)
 

A Stone with Beautiful Messages

A Stone Wall Decor from Ida and Aisha

Aisha & Ida

Last June 23, 2010, I received a gift, a remembrance from two sweet ladies from Malaysia, Tuan Maslida Tuan Mamat “Ida” and Aishah Musa “Aisha” who finished their training at SPML and returned to Malaysia over the weekend. It was handed to me by Mr. Mohd Hanafiah Abd Rauf “Hanafiah”, the Technical Training Manager from SPMY (Fab 3). It was a stone wall decor with beautiful messages engraved on it :



BE KIND

I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again. ~ William Penn


BE TRUE

The only way to tell the truth is to speak with kindness. Only the words of a loving man can be heard. ~ Henry David Thoreau

“Honesty is the best policy”

SEEK PEACE

Set peace of mind as your highest goal, and organize your life around it. ~ Brian Tracy

A SMILE is the beginning of peace !


KEEP FAITH

Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe ~ Gail Devers


BE A FRIEND

A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.


SING and DANCE

Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth. ~ Mark Twain

Man must speak, then sing, then dance. The speaking is the brain, the thinking man. The singing is the emotion. The dancing is an expression.


BE IN LOVE

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

~ Corinthians


TREASURE FAMILY

The love of a family is life's greatest blessing.

In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together and the music that brings harmony. ~ Eva Burrows


CHERISH LAUGHTER

The best blush to use is laughter: It puts roses in your cheeks and in your soul. ~ Linda Knight

Ida, Aisha, Aza, Me-Elvie Mesiona and Ana

My gift from Ida and Aisha

The Stone decor with beautiful messages

Ida & Aisha's message for me

A Meaningful Butterfly from Nur Azariah Abu Bakar “AZA”

A beautiful and cute butterfly hanging decor from

Aza

Last June 17, 2010, a lady named Nur Azariah Abu Bakar or simply “AZA” from SPMY (Fab 3) came to Administration and handed me a cute and meaningful gift … A Butterfly !!! It was so sweet of her to give me something to cherish. All the things that my friends gave me whether it be big or small are things I treasure in my life. It tells me one thing…they value the friendship and that counts the most. For me, I show my appreciation by writing something for my friend because it is in writing that I can pour my heart out and show them how valuable they are and they are worth keeping in my memories.

A Photo with Nur Azariah Abu Bakar and Siti Raihana Ramzali (ladies wearing tudong)

Aza, thank you for the lovely butterfly hanging decor. It syncs with the flowers around me in my cubicle. Butterflies are flowers with wings . Do you know that a butterfly signifies many things :

A butterfly has many meanings and symbolism

1. Butterflies are carriers of our secret wish

From a native American legend, they say that if you have a secret wish, capture a butterfly and whispher your wish to it. Your secret is forever safe in butterflies as they do not speak. Release the butterfly and it will carry your secret to the Great Spirit who knows the thoughts of the butterfly. The act of setting the butterfly free restores the balance of nature and the Great Spirit will grant your wish. Well, I hope my SECRET WISH WILL COME TRUE !… :o)

2. Butterflies symbolize color and joy

The beautiful captivating colors and patterns on the wings of the butterflies are undeniably beautiful. It is beauty and grace.

Butterflies are link to fairy folklore. When they fly they appear to be dancing and sending a reminder not to take things seriously. They have a sense of lightness and joy. It is a reminder for us to get up and move. If you can move, you can dance and dancing brings joy to our hearts. I LOVE TO DANCE AND SING AS WELL ! :o)

3. Butterflies are symbols of transformation

A butterfly goes through a process of metamorphosis. It goes through different stages. From egg to larva (caterpillar) to pupae (cocoon) and emerges into a beautiful butterfly. Spiritually, it is a rebirth into a better more beautiful life. This reminds us that we must make some changes when opportunity knocks in our lives and make ourselves a better person…. Beautiful like the butterflies ! BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT ! :o)

4. Butterflies are associated with human soul

In Greek myth, Psyche (which literally translates to mean “soul”) is represented in the form of a butterfly. Befittingly, Psyche is forever linked with love as she and Eros (the Greek god of love,also known in Roman myth as Cupid) shared an endlessly passionate bond together – both hopelessly in love with the other. Isn’t it GREAT TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE RIGHT PERSON ! :o)

According to the Greek culture, a butterfly symbolizes the journey of a soul. The soul takes birth, travels through the journey of life, dies and is reborn. It was even believed that the butterfly takes the human soul from earth to the heaven. Thus, every butterfly around, carries a human soul with it.

In connection with soul, we are all on a long journey of our soul. On this journey we encounter endless turns, shifts, and conditions that cause us to morph into ever-finer beings. At our soul-journey’s end we are inevitably changed – not at all the same as when we started on the path.

5. Butterflies mean freedom

Many people believe that as the butterfly freely soars in the sky, it signifies freedom and independence. We all desire to fly with the freedom and beauty of the butterfly.

6. To see a butterfly among flowers and green grasses indicates prosperity and fair attainments.

Butterflies can also represent abundance. The Hopi, Zumi, Navaho, Pomo, Piute, Apache, tribes in Mexico and even prehistoric tribes used butterflies to represent the harvest of summer. The Hopi Butterfly Clan allegedly conducted a ceremonial dance called "Bulitikibi," Butterfly Dance, as a plea to the gods for a good harvest. A PROSPEROUS LIFE is what everyone is longing for !

7. Butterflies represent male and female sensuality and femininity

Displaying classic qualities of beauty and grace, the butterfly represents male and female sensuality and femininity. Artists sometimes include butterflies to add a feminine touch to artwork. I LOVE BEAUTY IN NATURE AND ARTS !

8. Butterflies are symbol of love

In Chinese culture two butterflies flying together are a symbol of LOVE

To see them flying denotes a happy love culminating in a life union for a woman. LOVE IS GOD !

9. Butterflies are good luck

Some people say that when a butterfly lands on you, it means good luck. They say the big blue butterflies are too much lucky. MAY WE HAVE GOOD LUCK IN OUR LIVES ! :o)

Live healthy… Make Herbalife a part of your life

Last May, 2010, a colleague of mine named Ricky Perez invited me to become a licensed distributor of Herbalife products. Herbalife was founded in 1980 and with headquarter in Los Angeles, U.S.A. It has been in the health and wellness / nutrition industry for 30 years. Since it has been existing for many years, it means one thing – Herbalife products are great and proven effective and I like to mention it is listed in the New York Stocks Exchange.  Great Products ! Great Company !

I have been using the products as well for health maintenance before Ricky made the invitation. I have replaced my vitamins with this brand. I was taking the Herbalife vitamins and minerals maybe for about three months already and I feel great ! Rene Mendoza, also from the same company I am connected with actually introduced it to me and I found out later that Ricky is part of his team. I believed in the products so I registered as a distributor. I got my International Business Pack and my Herbalife I.D. and the registration fee is only Php 2,100.00. I am doing this part time only to earn extra ! :o) Not bad isn’t it ?

I started my career with Herbalife by attending the Herbalife Orientation Meeting and the Success Training Seminar at Dusit Hotel in Makati last May 22, 2010. It was a full pack event and there were a number of attendees. I was not expecting a large audience so I was really surprised. Most of the speakers were users of the products themselves who found the products effective whether it be for weight gain, weight loss or for health maintenance. The speakers were all inspiring and incredible !

Last June 12, 2010, Herbalife started it first STS at Ryuma Restaurant, Paseo 4, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. As I am still in the process of learning about the products and its Marketing plan, I attended this training as well which focused on retailing, recruiting and marketing plan. They invited the head of the President’s Team, Hayden Sison who shared his experiences with Herbalife. I still have to learn many things so I plan to attend the STS that are being offered regularly. After the long hours of training, we got to taste the food at Ryuma Restaurant which offers Japanese cuisines. Hmmm, food was great ! I enjoyed our sumptuous dinner !

If you are wondering where Ryuma Ramen and Restaurant is located, here is the information :

Ryuma Ramen

2nd Floor

Paseo de Sta. Rosa

Com. Ctr. 4, Greenfield City

Brgy. Don Jose, Sta. Rosa City

Laguna

Tel: +(63)49-502-8401/02

Dinner with Friends at Poquito Mas

Poquito Mas, a restaurant in Paseo de Sta. Rosa offering sumptuous "Splatino"Cuisines.  Splatino means Spanish, Latin and Filipino.

After a very tiring day, last Wednesday, June 09, 2010, I had a sumptous dinner with my Malaysian friends namely Abdul Hadi Abdul Jalil, Nurul Nadia Mohd Roslan and Pragash Sopromanen. We dined at Poquito Mas, one of the restaurants located at Paseo de Sta. Rosa. Poquito Mas offers "Splatino" (Spanish, Latin, and Filipino) cuisines. I like the food ! It was great. I had a sizzling squid, Nadia had a grilled tanigue with ala pobre sauce and lemon sauce, Pragash had grilled lamb and Hadi had a salmon. We shared what we had ordered so everyone got the chance to taste it. The food were all yummilicious ! Plus we had free halo-halo. That's wonderful ! I love the food and it is so nice to spend sometime bonding with friends and talk about anything we can think of.

A Cute Little “Janggu”

Last Wednesday, June 2, 2010, my good friend who I now called the “Toy Hunter” (He is a kid at heart… A kid trapped in a man’s body…he, he, he) gave me a “Pasalubong” from Korea plus my long lost hanky (Great ! I got it back ‘coz I have been missing it for quite sometime now !!!). Since I love collecting souvenirs, I was glad to have it. It's cute and I love it ! It’s an addition to all the cute little things hanging on my cubicle's wall. It’s kinda surprising because I find him “Kuripot”. But he can spend so much on toys and forget about himself (Don’t forget about your health, eat !). Take note he buys not the ordinary toys but the expensive collectible ones… He is Hadi-Yo, the “Toy Hunter”. For sure, he is down at Greenhills hunting for the toys in the picture he recently printed out. I love the Wonder Woman ‘coz I’m a fan of this super hero when I was a child.

What is “Pasalubong” and its cultural significance for Filipinos ? The root of the word is the word “salubong” which means “ to welcome” and the prefix “pa” is the shortening of “pang”. “Pasalubong” is transliterated as “something meant for you when you welcome me back”. It could also mean “Homecoming Gift.” The term can describe any gift one gives upon a return from any journey, no matter how short or how long. Pasalubong is very popular among Filipinos as it keeps the bond with friends, family, relatives or someone who does have close relationship with you. The gesture of handing out "pasalubong" conveys that loved ones are being remembered while away. Pasalubong can range from food items such as fruits, imported confectionery goods and other sweets. It can also be other items such as clothing, accessories, novelty items and toys among others. Pasalubongs are often not wrapped and given to someone as it is.

The Pasalubong that Hadi-Yo gave me was a drum and I wonder what kind of drum was it and does it have a cultural significance in Korea ??? I wanted to find out the details so I made some research about it and this is what I found-out. The specific name of the drum is Janggu. "The janggu (or janggo; also spelled changgo) or sometimes called seyogo (slim waist drum) is the most widely used drum used in the traditional music of Korea. It is available in most kinds, and consists of an hourglass-shaped body with two heads made from animal skin. The two heads produce sounds of different pitch and timbre, which when played together are believed to represent the harmony of man and woman." Interesting fact isn’t it ?

Well, Hadi-Yo.. Thanks for the cute little “Janggu” !!! You are such a thoughtful person ! :o)