Halaman Festival: Guiguinto’s Portraiture of Transcending Heritage

It all started in 1999.

Then newly-elected Mayor of Guiguinto Ambrocio Boy Cruz Jr. made possible a dream of every Guiguintenos back then to show the world how the municipality can be a pride of every Filipinos. It was the year the town gave birth to the now famous and one of the much awaited festivals in Bulacan, the Halamanan Festival.

The festival is an annual celebration for Guiguinteños corresponding with the town's foundation day and the Feast of its Patron San Ildefonso. It is a week-long merriment featuring Street Dancing Competition, Float Parade, the Mayor's Ulat sa Bayan and Landscaping Contests culminating on January 23 which is the town's fiesta.

At present times where modernity is engulfing history, an event like this is like a little fire of hope to remind every youth of their roots and to always go back to where they came from. And for the new generation of Guiguintenos, it is really helping them remember and at the same time, a good opportunity for them to show their talents in terms of performing arts and aesthetic; a two bird in one stone kind of festival.

“Masarap sa pakiramdam lalo na kapag nababanggit nila yung halamanan festival dahil dun ako nanggaling. Kasabay ng makulay na pagdiriwang, pagtanaw ito sa kagalingan at kasipagan ng mga Guiguintenyo.” said Rupert Roniel Laxamana, a known youth representative in Guiguinto who spearheaded activities in town involving the youth, and former editor of the town’s newsletter ‘Ang Guinto’.

According to him, the festival should be treated as one of the pride of every Bulakenyo, a great way to promote the agriculture industry of the town.

Regular youth from Guiguinto are also proud of the unique festival their hometown has.

“Nagsimula ako personally magkaroon ng awareness sa festival no’ng high school ako, kasi kasali ako do’n sa Indakan sa Kalye, ‘yong street dancing contest, tapos ayon taon taon ko na s’ya inaabangan kahit hindi na ako kasali. Nakikita ko sikat na s’ya ngayon kaya sobrang proud ako,” said Jane Tricia Cruz a native from Tuktukan.

Furthermore, Cruz thinks that every year the festival is getting grander and for her that’s a positive improvement from how the festival is celebrated from the past years.

Not only Guiguintenos are proud of the said event, even the youth from other parts of Bulacan.

“Aware ako do’n at para sa’kin napakagandang activity s’ya ng Guiguinto kasi bibihira ‘yong mga festival na gano’n. Kadalasan kasi ‘di ba ‘yong history ang prinopromote nila, pero ang Halamanan [Festival] kasi, it’s also a promotion of the industry. Hindi lang s’ya pagbabalik tanaw pero nakakatulong din s’ya sa present generation,” said Florence Vila from Malolos.

Definitely, Halamanan Festival’s impact didn’t only stop in 1999. It still goes on up to the present, giving every Guiguinteno a reason for pride and living.

Journey to Pugad: A Sunburn Worthy Trip

I was never a fan of travelling; I’d rather stay home and read than experience the hassle of going somewhere. For me, it’s time-consuming and a total waste of energy, but I can’t believe that a mere trip for a journalism class will turn things around. Please, don’t laugh, but the place I’ve been referring to is within my province only.


I went to Hagonoy, Bulacan and I never was the same again after.


You might raise your eyebrows knowing where I went. I know it is not as extravagant or as exciting as going to Boracay, or to Bohol. There was no beach party to anticipate, no grand hotel to stay in, no selfie-worthy background to snap upon to. It was almost boring. I admit I was half-hearted while preparing myself that morning. I can’t imagine how much regret I will feel if I decided to stay home that day.




Brgy. Pugad, Hagonoy Bulacan is not a paradise. The councilor even warned us before the trip that we have to expect the worst; dirty water, garbage, clogged drainage, and every face of poverty. I felt uncertain, not knowing what to expect. When I went into the boat, all I was praying is to be back as soon as possible.


The moment the motor started, I closed my eyes and felt the breeze of the air. I smelled the sea. I smelled the coming adventure, still, I’m uncertain. When we got to the barangay, we were welcomed by old dilapidated houses, and children eyeing us in questioning looks. It was not a good first impression for me. We walked under the scorching heat of the sun, with dried fishes at the sidewalks and children following us. Half-day of not -so-good events and all I want to do is go back home.


Everything started to turn upside down when I got the chance to interview and interact with the people.


There was a lot of stories of loyalty, like how Manang Isabelita told me her childhood days and why she stayed in Pugad despite the promises and opportunities the urbanized parts of Bulacan offered. It is because of the memories that no amount of money can replace.


Stories of survival were also in every corner. How people managed to survive typhoons and floods with gigantic waves from Manila Bay hitting their barangay. How they managed to survive poverty with fishing as one of their main options to live. Accounts of red tide and the impact of climate change to their only source of living.


There was a unique story of camaraderie, how Manang Mercedes is the official burial coordinator of the barangay. Pugad is an island which is the main reason why death is more difficult to bear with no cemetery around. They have to transport the body from Pugad to Hagonoy proper by 1-hour boat ride. Manang Mercedes is well-known by rendering her service to arrange everything from death to burial process, sometimes when the family is really in need, for free.


There was Teacher Josefina who also grew up there. She witnessed how difficult it is to get education in their barangay with only elementary school for the youth; she witnessed how politicians made promise every elections to give progress in the education system, and how those promises were broken everytime. But she is a living proof that anyone can be successful as long as he dream and work enough to achieve it. She graduated and became a professional teacher, and she chose to go back to her roots and teach in Pugad.


There was a tale of faith, how the numerous personal struggles and disasters a counselor in Pugad experienced restored his beliefs in God. From a drunkard man then, he’s now a public servant serving his barangay and teaching them how to believe when life is giving you many reasons not to.


And what really struck me, is the children. Those questioning eyes I met when we got there were in reality, eyes of the young ones who were excited to tell stories to new people, eyes of the young ones who yearns for attention from us. I told them stories, but they also told them theirs. Their dreams, like finishing their education and go back in Pugad as successful individuals. Their dreams for their hometown, their wishful thinking that one day, their barangay will be more suitable to live at, one day they will not rely to those politicians anymore as their hope, that they will be the hope their town has been waiting for so long. Their hopes that someday,people will not be afraid to go there and listen to their stories, people will visit their barangay not because of requirement but because they want to witness its beauty amidst poverty.


I was ashamed of how I judge Pugad by how it looks like when I first stepped my foot on it, how I judged the people the first time I saw them. I was humbled, how I constantly complains about the number of school works I have to do when there are youth like me who wanted to learn but didn’t had the opportunity to do so. I was very proud, of how Bulakenyos even in far-flung areas showed heroism in their own ways, like how our hometown heroes did in the history.


I came home that day with so many thoughts in my head. I came home exactly just like how I left it that morning; with few clothes, a notebook, a camera and some money, but I felt I brought home many more. I came home with lessons, experiences, stories to tell and a renewed perspective in life.


Funny how when I got into the boat that morning, all I want to do is go back home already, but when I got into the boat the second time around to leave, all I want to do that time is to plan when I will go back to Pugad again.

Bulacan Heritage Houses

So our group decided to head our way to San Miguel Bulacan, also known as the Vigan of Bulacan because of its numerous old houses that until now can be seen by the present generation.

Our first stop is one of the oldest houses in town, owned by elite family headed by its patriarch Catalino Sevilla.

Our second stop over is a simple old house by a simple family from San Miguel.

We also visited de Leon's ancestral house, which is one of the oldest in the town. The original owner was a gobernadorcillo during the Spanish time, and his wife is a socialite owning part of a famous film outfit.

And lastly, before heading home, we also visited the famous Bahay na Pula at San Ildefonso, Bulacan

Kwento ng Ginto mula sa Maraming Pagkabigo

Balingkinitan, may mahiyaing ngiti, ngunit mababakas mo ang tatag ng loob. Ito ang larawan ng babaeng gumulat sa unibersidad nang pamunuan n’ya ang delegasyon ng mga kampeon sa taong ito.

Matapos ang tatlong taon ng sunod sunod na pagkabigong bawiin ang korona mula Bataan Peninsula State University sa Regional Higher Education Press Conference(RHEPC), isang malaking pagsubok ang hinarap ni Jasmin Lorraine Tan nang ibigay sa kan’ya ang pinakamalaking responsibilidad na maging Punong Patnugot ng Pacesetter, ang opisyal na pahayagan ng Bulacan State University.

Pero pinatunayan n'ya sa lahat na kaya n'yang ibalik ang korona sa unibersidad nang tanghaling Over-all Champion sa 13th RHEPC ang Pacesetter sa paligsahan ngayong taon.

Ngunit hindi lang simpleng tagumpay ang kan’yang naabot, naging maugong din ang kan’yang pangalan nang bukod sa kampeonato ay nakamit din n’ya ang parangal na Individual Highest Pointer ng nasabing kompetisyon nang angkinin n’ya ang tatlong unang parangal sa mga laban na kan’yang sinalihan; Sports Writing, Developmental Communications Writing at Opinion Writing.

Ngunit hindi minina ang mga ginto mula sa kawalan. Lingid sa kaalaman ng karamihan, malubak na daan ang tinahak ng nasabing dalaga bago pa man n’ya maabot ang nasabing estado.

‘Mga Dagok’

Lumaki sa di-mabilang na mga pagkabigo sa mga laban, magpasa-hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin s’ya makapaniwala na napagtagumpayan n’ya ang nasabing hamon.

“Tatlong beses akong nag-try sumali sa school publication namin no’ng high school, pero hindi ako natanggap,” pag-aalala nito sa nakaraan na tinuturing n’yang pinakamalaki n’yang pagkabigo. Inamin din n’ya sa napaaraming mga patimpalak na sinalihan n’ya noon ay lagi s’yang talo. Maging noong nakaraang RHEPC ay umuwi rin s’yang luhaan nang matalo sa Poetry Writing at makuntento sa 9th Place sa Sports Writing.

Pero hindi n’ya itinuring na dahilan para sumuko ang mga pangyayari sa nakaraan. Itinuring n’ya itong dahilan para mas pagbutihan pa.

“Biggest motivation ng tao ang failure from the past,” anito.

‘Pagbangon’

Nang magkaroon ng inspirasyon mula sa isang guro no’ng high school, pinili n’yang kunin ang kursong Journalism at sumali sa campus paper ng BulSU.

“Sabi ko talaga no’n sa sarili ko, ‘di pwedeng hindi ako sumali [Pacesetter],” aniya.
Doon din n’ya nadiskubre ang kan’yang talent sa Sports Writing at di maglaon ay nakahiligan na n’yang isulat ang mga ito.

“Masarap kasi isulat ang sports, maaksyon, pwede mong paglaruan ‘yong istorya,” wika pa ni Jasmin.

Sa kabila ng unti-unti n’yang pagbangon sa sarili, nang maging Editor-in-Chief ng nasabing publikasyon, ‘di mabilang na mga pagsubok pa rin ang kan’yang kinaharap.

“Nabansagan kaming weakest batch ng editorial board, may mga ‘di napagkasunduan, “ pag-amin nito.

Pero itinuturing n’yang malaking bagay ang mga tao sa paligid n’ya upang s’ya naman ang tumalo sa mga nasabing problema. Sa paggabay ng kan’yang pamilya, mga kaibigan, kaklase, at mga propesor, isa na s’ya ngayong inspirasyon hindi lang para sa mga kapwa Journalism-major ngunit para sa lahat ng mga nakaranas din ng mga pagkatalo sa buhay.

“Super galing naman talaga ni Jasmin, ayaw lang niyang maniwala sa sarili niya. Kayang kaya naman niyang maging on top pero grounded pa rin siya. Saka super proud kami sa kanya di lang dahil sa nanalo siya sa RHEPC, kasi napakabait niyan. mas inuuna pa niya yung iba kesa sa kasiyahan niya kaya deserve n'ya lahat ng nakukuha n'ya," ani Jesson Lagman, Associate Editor ng Pacesetter.

‘Mas Matatag na Pagharap sa Mundo’

“Dati, sobrang iyakin ako, pero ngayon, iyakin nalang ako,” natatawa n’yang wika nang kapanayamin s’ya ng aming klase. “Pero mas stronger na ako ngayon, masasabi kong mas matatag na ako,” anito.

Sa ngayon, patuloy pa rin n’yang ginagampanan ang tungkulin bilang EIC ng Pacesetter, kasabay ng pagbuno n’ya sa kan’yang thesis, at pagiging Associate Producer ng isa sa mga pelikula sa Sine Bulacan, isang patimpalak sa College of Arts and Letters ng BulSU.

At bilang isang inspirasyon, nag-iwan s’ya ng mensahe sa mga susunod na henerasyon ng mga estudyante sa unibersidad.

“’Wag kang mag-stay sa course mo kung hindi mo talaga gusto. Kasi ako, gusto ko talaga magsulat, mag-cover, mag-interview, kaya kahit mahirap nakakaya ko kasi gusto ko,” aniya.

Sa kan’yang nalalapit na pagtatapos sa unibersidad, napakalaki ng pangarap n’ya hindi lang para sa sarili kundi para sa pamilya. Maging writer sa isang sports magazine o isang broadsheet ang kan’yang plano sa mga susunod na panahon.

“5 years from now, hindi na ko umaasa sa family ko. Hopefully, makabawi sa lahat ng binigay sakin ng family ko.” pagtatapos nito.

[FEATURE] A Peek to the Past Through Ciudad Clemente

In the present world where people are busy living in the present, Joe Clemente, a fashion designer and art enthusiast from Paombong Bulacan is busy collecting pieces from the past for the sake of the future generation.

Giving a warm welcome to Journalism majors of Bulacan State University, Clemente allowed the students to roam around the resort and museum, shoot photos, and eventually gave chance to everyone to throw a question or two about him and the place.

According to him, the then-ancestral place was converted into museum as he started to collect art pieces from well-known, award-winning artists in Bulacan. The 75-year old structure is now housing a thousand pieces of collections. 

"Ang mga kahoy n'yan, original knick knacks from other ancestral houses, kaya ang kahoy n'yan mahogany, molave, narra, mga old wood. Kaya yung mga architects na pumupunta dito, alam na hindi s'ya nagagawa ng overnight. Alam na planned, yong materials," said Clemente.

Although Clemente admitted that demolition of old houses are currently existing, some are making money out of it, he already declined offers of buying the house due to his personal dreams for the place.

"I want this to be a repository of art and culture," he said.

He also said that unlike the modern times where people's aesthetics are constantly changing, art in the past are constant and timeless. Furthermore, he thinks that if every Bulakenyo will take a peek inside Ciudad Clemente, everyone will have something to be proud of.

Likewise, he also believes that people should always find time in looking back at the past and knowing his heritage.

"May kasabihan tayo na 'Ang di lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makakarating sa paroroonan,' kaya mahalaga s'ya." he said.

The owner also disclosed about his plans of opening the museum for the public, that is after finishing the catalogs of the art pieces and arranging the place for convenience of the visitors. He's also envisioning the place to be the Visual Art Museum of Bulacan, the biggest in Central Luzon. 

Clemente is also working on a book about his collection.

[NEWS]BAJ 3 goes to a ‘rare’ trip at Angat, Bustos Dam

Feeding their mind and also their eyes, 50 junior students of Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Bulacan State University took the rare chance of visiting Angat Dam, October 1.

With the supervision of the professors Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Bulacan correspondent Carmela Reyes-Estrope and Philippine Star’s Dino Balabo, everyone met in front of the Provincial Capitol and started their itineraries.

At 8 ‘o clock, the group is already heading to their first and main stop, Angat Dam. Arriving at the site, the class was given a lecture by Engineer Saturnino Espiritu of Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant. The lecture was composed of series of videos showing how the power plant is working. After the lecture, everyone is given a chance to ask inquiries.

After the lecture, the class took a break and ate lunch at the View Deck, giving them a clear view of the dam as they feast on their lunch. The students also enjoyed taking pictures of the great view.

Next stop is visiting the Dumagats who are residing right beside the dam itself. The class took another half an hour trip to the heart of Angat Dam. They also brought gifts and donations to the ethnic group.

At around 3 ‘o clock in the afternoon, the class left Angat Dam and headed to their last stop, Bustos Dam. But some lucky students were given a chance to stop at Ipo Dam to take a view. At Bustos Dam they witnessed how the ‘Asia’s Longest Rubber Dam’ work and also given a lecture by Engr. Precioso Donato Punzalan.

“This is a lucky batch; they can be the last batch to visit Angat Dam, dahil nga sa pagpasok ng mga Koreans. Ngayon pa lang, ang dami nang mga requirements dahil sa transition na ginagawa,” said Balabo.





This is the third time Journalism majors took a trip to visit Bulacan dams.

[NEWS]Amidst illegal logging activities in Sierra Madre… Dumagats continues to live harmoniously with nature

Months after authorities trooped to Norzagaray to cop illegal timber poachers, a class of Journalism students visited the Dumagats and discover their lifestyle in times of environmental destruction.

Last July, a task force made by provincial government under Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office(BENRO) consists of National Power Corporation(NAPOCOR), Angat Watershed Area Team(AWAT), Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society, the army and Philippine National Police headed to Sitio Ipo Brgy. to arrest timber poachers in the area.

The team successfully retrieved 3,857 tablon, but failed to arrest anyone.

But inspite of illegal activities at Sierra Madre, the Dumagats are still living within the area and refuse to live in more urban part of Bulacan.

“Matagal na kami dito, kaya ayaw na naming umalis. Mas sanay kaming mabuhay dito,” said a Dumagat.

Food other necessities were sometimes donated by visitors, but most of the time, they have to go in towns to buy their needs.

“May kinabubuhay naman kami dito, nagtataga kami ng mga kahoy tapos binebenta naming sa patag,” the Dumagat woman furthered.

While Dumagat’s livelihood came from legal way, timber poaching activities are still uncontrollable in Sierra Madre.

“Yong kasing batas natin ngayon masyadong mahina, masyadong mababa ang parusa, kaya kami sinusulong naming sa kongreso ‘yong tinatawag na FRB, o Forest Recovery Bill, hopefuly maraming congressman ang sumoporta,” Bro.Francisco said.

The bill strengthens the parameters of what is legal logging and what is illegal. More prime species will be protected by the bill and the task force is hoping the national government will support it.






It took days before the operation was made due to careful planning and avoidance of leakage. Still, the suspects managed to escape leaving prime species of woods behind.





“Ang illegal activity do’n talagang nando’n dahil sa presence ng illegal occupants, dito ang ginagawa nila, nagnanakaw sila ng kahoy, pero sa batas, illegal logging ‘yong ginagawa nila,” said Mendel Garcia of AWAT.


Garcia also said he is promoting to strengthen laws against illegal logging.


“Yong kasing batas natin ngayon masyadong mahina, masyadong mababa ang parusa, kaya kami sinusulong naming sa kongreso ‘yong tinatawag na FRB, o Forest Recovery Bill, hopefuly maraming congressman ang sumoporta,” Bro. Martin Francisco of AWAT said.





The bill strengthens the parameters of what is legal logging and what is illegal. More prime species will be protected by the bill and the task force is hoping the national government will support it.