TIPS joins Ati-atihan celebration

Ati-atihan Festival is an annual celebration in Kalibo in the province of Aklan. It is called the mother of all festivals in the Philippines since it started a long time ago. It is now 799 years. This festivity is in honor of the Sto. Nino.

The celebration fascinated some members of The Ilocandia Photographic Society so they went to shoot the dancing groups and individuals in the Ati-atihan. TIPS members who went to Kalibo were Dr. Joy Lazaro, Lorna Tolentino-Macatulad, Bryan Rapadas, Dr. Edwin Antonio and Ronald Macatulad. They all enjoyed the revelry. They even met the members of the Aklan Photographic Society.

TIPS holds Baro a Rubuatan Exhibit

The Ilocandia Photographic Society (TIPS) held its photography exhibit entitled Baro a Rubuatan at the Museo Iloco in Laoag City. This was held in time for the opening of the Museo’s art gallery designed by Architect Rex Hofilena. The photo exhibit ran from December 29, 2010 up to January 19, 2011.

Governor Imee Marcos invited the group to showcase their best photographs of the beautiful sights and scenes from the province of Ilocos Norte. It included the culture and tradition of the Ilocanos. Featured members were Alaric Yanos, Dr. Jose Orosa III, Mark Louie Chan, Joseph Reginaldo, Dr. Robert Luzod, Lorna Tolentino-Macatulad, Dr. Edwin Antonio, Ronald Macatulad, Andie Joseph Lamug and Bryan Rapadas.

This was the very first time that the group exhibited with canvass prints. Guests at the opening of the exhibit were impressed with the featured photographs and all of the 17 featured photos were sold out. This exhibit was held back to back with a painting show of Dr. Jovencio Cuanang from his art collections from various artists.

A Christmas Celebration

As a sign of thanksgiving for the fruitful year that passed and to celebrate Christmas, The Ilocandia Photographic Society (TIPS) held a Christmas Party at the residence of Dr. Robert Luzod in Batac, Ilocos Norte. It was held on December 19, 2010.

Several activities were conducted such as parlor games where the group was divided into two teams and played relay games, pinoy henyo game where members have to identify a word, kris kringle where members have exchanged gifts, inspiration speech by president Dr. Jose Orosa, presentation of hilarious distorted photographs of each member, dancing, singing, eating and drinking sprees.

Everybody enjoyed the party. This was a great moment for the group’s bonding. The group hopes to have another wonderful year to come.

TIPS holds Kadaanan Photo Exhibit

The Ilocandia Photographic Society (TIPS) in cooperation with the Nakem International Philippines recently held its photo exhibit on December 16-18, 2010 at the Heritage Resort of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur. It was entitled KADAANAN: A Photography Exhibit on Ilocandia’s Old World Charm. This was a showcase of the vintage Ilocos. It featured photographs of the world heritage monuments, the old colonial fashion and other ancient practices of the Ilocanos.

This was held for the 5th Nakem International Conference with the theme Adal ken Sirib: Education to Cultural Diversity and Linguistic Democracy. It is a conference on the Ilocano culture and literature. It was attended by delegates from Hawaii, US mainland, Manila, Laguna, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and other places.

The exhibit was opened by Caoayan Mayor Germelina Singson Goulart and MMSU president Dr. Miriam Pascua.

TIPS covers 7th Sunrise Festival

The 7th Sunrise Festival spearheaded by the Maharlika Artists and Writers Federation (MAWF) was held on November 24-28, 2010 in the province of Ilocos Norte with the theme Ylocosining: Hidden Treasures of the North. Several activities were held in the different towns of Ilocos Norte and The Ilocandia Photographic Society covered these events.

The event had a launching ceremony at the town of Badoc and interaction with local students at the town of Batac where tipsters Alaric Yanos and Dr Edwin Antonio covered the said events. The delegation is composed of artists from different places such as Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Zambales, Iloilo, Cebu, India, France, Italy, Australia and Bolivia.A poem and literature night was held later at the Mariano Marcos State University in Laoag.

On its second day, an Ephemeral Art exhibit on the Festival of Lights was conducted in the wee hours of the morning at the Padsan River in Laoag with tipsters Alaric Yanos, Dr. Edwin Antonio and Bryan Rapadas covering this event. Later, an opening ceremony of the Saringit Visual Arts Exhibit organized by artists .Florence Cinco and Guijo Duenas was held at the Laoag City Auditorium. Tipsters Dr June Orosa, Dr Edwin Antonio and Andie Lamug were present to showcase the group’s photos at the event. A rock concert was held later at night in Batac with tipsters Bryan Rapadas, Ronald Macatulad, Alaric Yanos and Lorna Tolentino-Macatulad covering the event. They, with Dr Edwin Antonio and Archi Joseph Reginaldo, also covered the the folk and acoustic music concert on the third day held at the old plaza of the town of San Nicolas. There were performances from the PETA group, HydroSepalus, Emil Sanglay, Alex Amador of Bolivia and many others.

The fourth day was the Bunubun Children Street Art which was covered by Alaric Yanos, Dr. Edwin Antonio and Bryan Rapadas. There were 2,000 students of the province participated in this chalk art event. Singising cultural night was later held at the Capitol in Laoag with performances from Pangasinan, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur Chavit Singson Dancers, Glasspoint, HydroSepalus and many others.

On its last day, a workshop on castle making, djembe, creative and fire dance was held and Alaric Yanos covered this event.

TIPS holds Saringit Photo Exhibit

The Ilocandia Photographic Society recently held a photography exhibit entitled Saringit at the Laoag City Hall Auditorium. This was a photo exhibit showcasing the Ilocano traditions and practices that was held on November 24-28, 2010.

This exhibit also featured the painting and other artworks of artists from various places of the country in celebration of the 7th Sunrise Festival with the theme Ylocosining: Hidden Treasures of the North. It was spearheaded by the Maharlika Artists and Writers Federation.

The photo exhibit had a successful opening program where Vice Mayor Domingo and City Administrator Martinez ceremonially cut the ribbon and guests followed to view the artworks. There were also foreign guests from India, Australia, France and Bolivia. There was musical performances by the delegates of the Sunrise Festival. Saringit photo exhibit was attended by tipsters Dr. June Orosa, Andie Lamug and Dr. Edwin Antonio.

TIPS members serve as judges in Tumba

Tumba is a unique halloween tradition of the town of Paoay, Ilocos Norte. Each village prepares its own tumba consisting of an altar with food offerings, candles and they chant prayers for the dead. The municipality holds an annual competition which aims to select the authentic tumba which uses indigenous materials.

This year, two of the members of the The Ilocandia Photographic Society (TIPS), Dr. Edwin Antonio and Engr. Neil Ratuita were invited to become members of the board of judges with Dr. Joven Cuanang, an art patron, as the chairman. Dr. Robert Luzod, also a member of TIPS, was there to document the said event.