The last Tausug National Living Treasure for pis siyabit weaving was Darhata Sawabi who passed away in 2005. 16 years later, it appears that the heir apparent for that distinction has been found. Bu Ayang Amilbangsa who hails from Maimbung, Sulu is a contemporary of the late Darhata Sawabi and is considered by her peers as an exceptional weaver with an extensive knowledge of the various pis siyabit designs and motifs. Though pis siyabit weaving is really rooted in Parang, Sulu, Bu Ayang was forced to flee the municipality because of strife and settled in nearby Maimbung.
Si Tet ng Agusan Marsh
Nakatakdang ikasal si Tet nung kinuha ko ang litrato na ito. Ako'y inanyayahang bumalik sa kanilang baranggay sa Agusan Marsh pagkatapos ng dalawang buwan para tumayong ninong sa kanyang kasal. Mga labing-isang taon na rin ang nakalipas. Malamang may mga anak na siya.
The Marawi Siege
For five months, government troops with the Scout Rangers, Infantry, Light Reaction forces, and the Marines at the forefront, battled violent extremists intent on establishing Marawi as an Isis stronghold in the far East. When it was all over, Marawi was a city in ruins, resembling Raqqa and Mosul.
MNLF Commander Khadaffy Kahal
The Pata (Sulu) massacre happened on February 12, 1981. Over 118 officers and soldiers of the AFP were killed by the locals in what is described as the "largest number of casualties incurred by the AFP in a single incident."
To the local Tausug, it is the massacre of civilians who bore the brunt of the retaliation of the AFP and the transformation of Pata into a "no man's land".
The issues are complex. The narratives are legion, conflicting even.
I travelled to Pata over with Lt. Col. Cabanlet of MBLT1 to conduct interviews and do more research on the very tragic event that severely scarred the psyche of everyone. Among those we spoke to were Mayor Anton Burahan of Poblacion Pata and several former MNLF commanders (CMDRs Rajad Sahibad, Mohajad Saribon and Khadaffy Kahal) at Baranggay Likud.
More research is needed. More validation is needed. But a complete picture needs to be completed. So that genuine healing can take place and everyone can move on. And so that the tragedy will never be repeated.
Pata Commander 02
The Pata (Sulu) massacre happened on February 12, 1981. Over 118 officers and soldiers of the AFP were killed by the locals in what is described as the "largest number of casualties incurred by the AFP in a single incident."
To the local Tausug, it is the massacre of civilians who bore the brunt of the retaliation of the AFP and the transformation of Pata into a "no man's land".
The issues are complex. The narratives are legion, conflicting even.
I travelled to Pata over with Lt. Col. Cabanlet of MBLT1 to conduct interviews and do more research on the very tragic event that severely scarred the psyche of everyone. Among those we spoke to were Mayor Anton Burahan of Poblacion Pata and several former MNLF commanders (CMDRs Rajad Sahibad, Mohajad Saribon and Khadaffy Kahal) at Baranggay Likud.
More research is needed. More validation is needed. But a complete picture needs to be completed. So that genuine healing can take place and everyone can move on. And so that the tragedy will never be repeated.
Rizal Underground
Rizal Underground's popularity in the 90s was enhanced when their tune Sabado Nights was used in a San Miguel beer commercial which featured Ina Raymundo. But the musical ability and creative credibility of the Villegas brothers really manifested in their less commercial work with Bayang Barrios, who is married to guitarist Mike Villegas.
Aris Bagtas
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Obando-native Aris Bagtas draws inspiration from the local culture of Bulacan. His folkloric and ecclesiastical paintings can be found in the walls and ceilings of the famous churches and basilicas of his home province. His son Dale, an artist in his own right, follows in the footsteps of his father, imbibed with the legacy that was passed on to him.
