The Summer We Never Had: Hinugtan Beach in Buruanga, Aklan

I thought this year is going to be a year full of luck but unfortunately not; at least for me. It all started in January 2020, with the eruption of Taal Volcano which displaced thousands of families in the surrounding towns of the volcano. It even caused work, school and flight disruptions in Metro Manila – Philippines’ central urban area. Unknowingly, there’s still more of surprising misfortunes in the succeeding months; one of it is the Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma!: Ati-Atihan 2013

                In honor of the Santo Niño (Infant Jesus) every 3^rd week of January, Ati-atihan is celebrated in Kalibo, Aklan.  It is said to be a week long celebration and on the last three days of the week, which is the highlight of the festivities, you will find activities which will differentiate it from all other festivals in the country.  Here, you can see the locals in their painted faces and bodies dance to the rhythm of drumbeats known as “sadsad". While doing the sadsad people would be yelling “Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma!” an invocation which  seeks God's blessings to free the merrymakers from getting sick (or pasmado) despite their exposure to the heat of the sun and/or after being drizzled by the rain.