Jenny's Island Adventures: Mabinay...its a heartbeat away

Today marks the Dance on Camera Festival, Budapest Festival Orchestra, Pongal Harvest Festival of India, Saint Dwyndwens Day “Welsh Valentines day” in Wales and the Burns Night (Scotland and Scottish community) Earliest day on which the first day of Carnival of Cádiz can fall, Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul (Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches, which concludes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity),Tatiana Day (Russia),The last day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Christian ecumenism) and National Voters' Day in India.

Here in the Philippines, Vigan gets to celebrate the Binatbat Festival, Cauayan Town in the south celebrates Lubay-Lubay Festival. However for 2011, I got an invite from no less than good friend, school mate, like a brother to me - Mayor Ernie ‘Jango’ Uy of Mabinay to be a judge in the Festival of Caves which is now on its 5^th year as conceptualized by my dear good friend as well in 2007.

Governor Roel Degamo with Myla Avellana, Mayor Jango Uy and Me

Mabinay is the Cave Capital of the Philippines with more than 400 caves lying beneath the mountainous surface. I had the chance to go caving as well years back with Travel Time host Ms. Susan Calo Medina. A natural heritage site , Mabinay caves cater to young and old an experience of a lifetime where adventurous can explore, it’s a place where you get to see stalactites (The term "stalactite" was coined in the 17th century by the Danish Physician Ole Worm^[^{citation needed}^] who created the word from the Greek root stalasso, (σταλάσσω), "to drip".) and stalagmites in their natural color , you can even swim inside crystal water caverns. At times when you move deep down there it would feel like your on a steam bath, and sweat out as you move on , there are also caves where you feel so fresh and cold coz they can be as large as a cathedral down there. But of course, you have to wear the right gear and be with the trained guides the town provides.

LANGUB FESTIVAL

Langub Festival

two crazy buddies

Mabinay Spring

The Langub Festival street dance started at two in the afternoon at the Mabinay Spring- this is also a beautiful place where one should try in this part of the island, they have new cottages, and a kayak for rent for those who would like to see nature at its best.

friendly staff

There were five judging areas, and nine contingents, the whole production crew just did their job right coupled with their charm and grace. Probably the only festival where you see everyone so relax and in order. Kudos to Hon. Ed Solon and Mr. Prodi Sirilan and of course to the Langub Festival Committee with Gary Caceres and the whole tourism staff.

Showdown followed on time at the public market area, with no less than Governor Roel Degamo and Vice Governor Jun Arnaiz leading the officials and guests as they sprinkled ‘guano’ (bats manure ) on the offering as a ‘palihi’ for prosperity , peace and good harvest.

All the groups performed well with their dance steps and movements like the ‘Birig’ an adaptation of courtship or mating action as flying creatures in the caves (reminded me of the Ibaloy courtship dance I did one time in Itogon, Benguet), followed by the ‘Lupad’ to fly like birds, they had the ‘Hapulas’ or to touch, caress in a manner wherein both arms are raised and slowly brought down with palms open, ‘INATA’ is another movement which imitates monkey like walk or strut with knees bent outward , and in every cultural dance there is always what we call the ‘Panayam’ or hunting in a form of dance movements and ends with ‘Pasalamat’ a gesture of thanksgiving with arms raised as the body sways with twist and turns showing a kneeling position ---these added color and jubilation as a celebration as well of the feast of Sto. Nino.

Fiestas in the Philippines will not be complete without the famous roasted pig ‘LECHON’ hmmm yummy, this was a double celebration for the town fiesta of Mabinay and Negros Island’s Senior Tourism Operations Officers birthdays - Myla and Me.

DOT7, Me, Mayor Jango Uy , Myla and the whole SINATO Family

The whole Sidlakang Negros Association of Tourism Officers came with Mr. Rafael Duhaylungsod of St. Pauls University and my festival buddies- festival dance icons Maeng and Rudy with my ever faithful and loving staff Normel and Lemuel…we had fun visiting tourist attractions and of course the Sto. Nino Parish in Mabinay.

a pedicab ride cost P6.00 and it can take you around town

MABINAY IS A GO GREEN AND SMOKE FREE TOWN...WOW!

As a true blooded Negros Islander…Mabinay is just a heartbeat away...it feels good to be one as an island and unified as Negrenses.

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Happy Birthday to my dearest mommy Lourdita, friend Teacher Rex and God Bless the soul of our Past President Corazon Aquino who somewhere somehow celebrates this day with me.