On December 1, 2010 the Xavier University Development Communications Department, the Dev Com Society and the Xavier University Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA) launched the photo exhibit entitled Tubig, Water, Agua, featuring photos by Mr. Evans Yonson. From 1,200 photographs, Mr. Yonson himself picked out 60 pictures for this fundraising exhibit.

The ribbon cutting ceremony in the morning was attended by several special guests, including the XU Center for Culture and the Arts Director Hobart Savior and the College of Agriculture Dean Roel R. Ravanera. The exhibit is at the ground floor of the Old XU Library and will be open for the duration of the Xavier Days celebration, until December 5, 2010.

Photos for a Cause

More than just showcasing the genius of Mr. Yonson in photography, the exhibit is a fundraising effort of the Development Communications Department. The photos on display are for sale and the proceeds will go to the Gahum Scholarship Program of the Dev Com Society, which is a program for the indigenous youth of Kagahuman, Malitbog in Bukidnon (thus the name “Gahum”). Last March 2010, seven of their scholars graduated from high school. The program supports two more undergraduate students studying in Libona.

Water: The Element on Spotlight

Mr. Yonson gave a short speech about the exhibit’s theme during the ribbon cutting ceremony. A lot of people asked him why the theme is water. It was not just because the theme of the Xavier Days this year is centered on the importance of the preservation of the environment. Mr. Yonson has long been inspired by water. The funny thing, though, is that he never learned how to swim until he was 41 years old. Now, however, he is able to communicate to different people by using water as a subject in photography.

“I am one with water,” he said.

The World is a Studio

The pictures were taken during the five years that Mr. Yonson traveled in Europe and around the country. There were pictures taken in Barcelona, Spain; UK; Denmark; Italy; Sweden; the Netherlands and USA; while the others were taken in Bohol, Bukidnon, Initao, Balingasag and Opol.

One mark of how good Mr. Yonson is with a camera is that you can appreciate how beautiful the view of the sea is in Bohol just as much as the rivers of Venice. One photo featured a surfer in Opol. At first glance, one would think it was taken elsewhere in the country or abroad, where surfing is a popular sport. But no, it simply shows Opol in all of its beautiful glory.

Most of the photos also featured kids playing in the water. They seem to be a favorite subject of Mr. Yonson’s. One adorable picture shows a girl caught in a high wave. She had on a very genuine and happy grin. One can’t help but grin as well upon seeing the photo, while likewise admiring how beautifully the moving droplets of water were captured on film.

How to Purchase

Interested buyers may make their purchases at the exhibit or order through the official website, http://www.wix.com/evansyonsonph/agua, where there are more pictures for sale on display. The website will also cater to delivers for buyers abroad.

You can also catch up on Mr. Yonson’s current activities through his official blog, http://evansyonson.wordpress.com.

More of Evans Yonson

Lots of exciting events are in store next year for Mr. Evans Yonson. He will also hold the Tubig, Water, Agua photo exhibit at the Flann O’Brien Irish Pub in Barcelona, Spain on April 1, 2011.

On July 1, 2011, a hardbound coffee table book filled with over 300 of Mr. Yonson’s pictures will be launched.

-Photos and article by Jay Daphne Bual-

Holidays in the Philippines are influenced by the country’s colonial predecessors. It includes important events like the commemoration of national heroes’ days. Republic Act 9492 states that holidays will be moved to the nearest Monday, unless they are modified by law, by order or by proclamation. The only exceptions are holidays dated by religious doctrines. With President NoyNoy Aquino’s administration, however, this practice has been stopped.

National Holidays

It is the President’s prerogative to announce the next working day a holiday, especially if the original holiday falls on a Sunday.

January 1

New Year’s Day

Chinese New Year

Date is based on the Lunar Calendar

February 22

EDSA Revolution Day: in commemoration of People Power 1

April 9

Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), Bataan Day

May 1

Labor Day

June 12

Independence Day

August 21

Ninoy Aquino Day

August 31

Araw ng Mga Bayani (National Heroes Day)

November 1

All Saints’ Day

November 2

All Souls’ Day

November 30

Bonifacio Day

December 25

Christmas Day

December 30

Rizal Day

December 31

New Year’s Eve

Holidays: Religious in Nature

Roman Catholic

Month of April (though the Holy Week sometimes begins in late March)

• Holy Thursday
• Good Friday
• Easter

Iglesia ni Cristo Day/ Church of Christ Day

(Special non-working public holiday –  Anniversary of Iglesia ni Cristo)

July 27

Islam

Based on the Islamic Calendar

• End of Ramadan (Eid ul-Fitr)

Regional Holidays

Regional holidays are usually commemorated in particular regions and cities depending on the day the holiday falls.

Sinulog

Cebu and Tacloban

January 16

Ka Blas Ople Day

Bulacan

February 3

Biñan Liberation Day (Special working holiday)

Laguna

February 5

Mandaluyong Liberation and Cityhood Day (Regular Public Holiday)

Mandaluyong City

February 9

Evelio Javier Day (Regular Public Holiday)

Antique, Capiz, Aklan, and Iloilo

February 11

Parañaque Day (Regular Public Holiday)

Paranaque City

February 13

Valenzuela City Day/Araw ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (Special working holiday)

Valenzuela City

February 14

Cebu City Charter Day (Regular Public Holiday)

Cebu

February 24

Musikahan Festival (Regular Public Holiday)

Tagum City

February 21 to 27

Muntinlupa City Charter Day (Special non-working holiday)

Muntinlupa City

March 1

Founding Day – Araw ng Tagum (Regular Public Holiday)

Tagum City

March 7

Founding Day of Compostela Valley (Special working holiday)

Compostela Valley

March 8

Araw ng Davao (Special non-working public holiday)

Davao City

March 16

Liberation of Panay (Regular Public Holiday)

Iloilo

March 18

San Juan Day/Araw ng San Juan (Special non-working public holiday)

March 27

Cagayan de Oro Charter Day (Special non-working public holiday)

Cagayan de Oro City

June 15

Founding day (Special non-working public holiday)

Benguet

June 18

Naga City Charter Anniversary

Local Holiday

June 17

Surigao del Sur Day – Araw ng Surigao del Sur (Special non-working public holiday)

Surigao del Sur

June 19

Feast of Forest – Pista Y ang Kagueban (Special working holiday)

Palawan

June 19

Laguna Day – Araw ng Laguna (Special non-working holiday)

Laguna (Dr. Jose Rizal’s Birthday)

June 19

Manila Day – Araw ng Maynila (Special non-working public holiday)

Manila

June 24

Tacloban Day/Araw ng Tacloban (Special non-working public holiday)

Tacloban

June 30

Tacloban City Charter Day (Regular public holiday)

Tacloban

June 30

Araw ng Davao (Regular public holiday)

Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur

July 1

Pasig Foundation Day/Araw ng Pasig (Special non-working public holiday)

Pasig City

July 2

Apolinario Mabini Day (Special working holiday)

Tanauan, Batangas

July 23

Provincial Charter Day (Regular public holiday)

Cebu

August 6

Butuan City Charter Day/Adlaw Hong Butuan (Local holiday)

Butuan City

August 1

Ablan Day and Laoag Day (Special non-working holiday)

To celebrate the birthday of former Ilocos Norte Governor Roque Ablan

August 9

Manuel Luis Quezón Day/Kaarawan ni Quezon (Special working holiday)

Quezon Province, Aurora Province, Quezón City

August 19

Kagay-an Festival (Special non-working holiday)

Cagayan de Oro City fiesta

August 28

Baguio Day (Special non-working holiday)

Baguio City

September 1

Osmeña Day (Regular public holiday)

Cebu

September 9

San José del Monte City Day (Regular public holiday)

San Jose del Monte City

September 9

Surigao City Day (Regular city holiday)

Surigao City

September 10

Battle of Pulang Lupa and Marinduque Day (Special non-working public holiday)

Marinduque

September 13

Siquijor Day (Special non-working public holiday)

Siquijor

September 17

Sultan Kudarat Charter Day (Special working holiday)

Sultan Kudarat

September 18

Oroquieta City Day (Special non-working public holiday)

Oroquieta City

October 16

Leyte Landing Day (Regular public holiday)

Tacloban

October 20

Quirino Day (Special non-working holiday)

Province of Ilocos Sur

November 16

Pasay City Day Araw ng Pasay (Special non-working public holiday)

Pasay City

December 2

Pampanga Day (Special non-working holiday)

Province of Pampanga

December 11

Founding Day (Special working holiday)

General Trías, Cavite

December 13

Lopez Jaena Day (Regular Public Holiday)

Iloilo

December 18

-Mark Anthony Daposala-

The CDO Heritage Council was formerly called CDO Historical and Cultural Commission. The name was changed in 2008, during the administration of former Mayor Tinnex Jaraula.

The CDO Heritage Council is concerned with gathering, collecting and preserving historical mentifacts and artifacts related to Cagayan de Oro City. It is the office to run to for questions about the facts, events, persons and places related to Cagayan de Oro’s history.

Visiting the Heritage Council

The office of the Heritage Council has been moved from the City Hall to the City Museum, which is formerly and more popularly known as the city’s Water Tower. It is located across the street from Gaston Park. It has been refurbished and developed to be a museum (since the structure itself is a historical landmark of Cagayan de Oro City) for the city’s historical treasures.

The Heritage Council runs the City Museum. The staff is stationed right next to the doors. They are a friendly and accommodating lot. It was a privilege to talk with Mr. Raymundo Zamora, Ms. Sheila Talledo and Ms. Evelyn Aguiton about the Heritage Council and the museum, their activities and other matters – because of their welcoming and friendly demeanor. It is the perfect attitude for a public museum in a modern society, where such places are immediately associated with intimidating curators and stern keepers.

Responsibilities and Activities

The council is concerned with making known to the people of Cagayan de Oro their history and cultural heritage. They primarily do this by staging exhibits and displays in the most visited public places around the city such as malls, schools, universities and parks. These are often held during special occasions like fiestas and holidays, and during some of the important dates in CDO history.

They also endeavor to have the historical markers in the city accorded with well-deserved recognition and respect. There are six historical markers issued by the NHI, and at least three more that were declared by the Heritage Council. Some of them are in the City Hall, Maternity Hospital, the Balay na Bato in Divisoria, City Central School’s Gabaldon Building, MacArthur’s landing in Macabalan, and Macahambus Cave.

Although there are no upcoming events for the rest of the year that the staff can confirm to us, the council is still due to convene and update a calendar of events for the rest of the year and the next.

Upcoming Developments

The Heritage Council, although it already submitted a change of name, is yet to be proclaimed as an official office in lieu of the Historical & Cultural Commission. They are simply waiting for an ordinance that will declare them as such. This will also signal the transfer of the artifacts gathered from the Huluga Caves here in CDO. At present, they are housed at the National Historical Institute (NHI) in Manila. When they are brought back to the city, the artifacts will be displayed in the City Museum for the public to view freely.

The officers and members of the CDO Heritage Council for 2010:

• Ma. Lourdes Laviña – Chairman
• Thaddaeus A. Bautista – Vice Chairman

Members:

• A. Paulita R. Roa – Curator
• Sandy R. Bass
• Atty. Leon M. GN
• Eileen E. San Juan

Staff:

• Elisito L. Acebes
• Evelyn D. Aguiton
• Danny Paul A. Dablio
• Sheila B. Talledo
• Raymundo M. Zamora

The officers and members of the Heritage Council are co-terminus with the city mayor. The staff members are employees from the City Hall.

-Jay Daphne Bual-