CeBu CeBoom CeBlog

The Spanish introduced us this stringed instrument during the colonial period. But the Spaniards were not the inventors of the instrument although they were the first Europeans to get hold of the stringed instrument when Moors brought it into the Iberian peninsula after the 10th century A.D.

The word guitar itself is not considered of Spanish origin but of Arabic. In Arabic language, qitara (not gitara) is a name used for various members of lute family that preceded the Western guitar that we know today.

Though guitars were already manufactured in Cebu during the Spanish period, guitar-making has become a serious industry only after the WWII when the government helped promote the industry, maybe a part of economic reconstruction.

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This strange-sounding martial art is making its debut today, starting at 9:00 a.m. until 12 p.m. with the men’s tanding elimination round at the Cebu Coliseum.

The women’s competition is held in the afternoon starting with the tanding event at 2 p.m. and tunggal event later at 7:30 in the evening. Both competitions are elimination rounds.

The men’s regu event is scheduled at 7:30 in the evening along with the women’s tunggal event.

Pencak Silat is a form of martial art whose origin is uncertain but it is widely known across the Southeast Asian region or the Malay world, most notably in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore. It has not gained widespread popularity in Thailand and the Philippines though. It made its debut as a competitive sport in the SEA Games in the game’s 22nd edition in Vietnam in 2003.

Located in the historic town of Carcar, some 40 kilometers down south of Cebu City, lies an idyllic place called Dancing Sun Subdivision.

The place was once the site of the rare mystical yet controversial phenomenon that drew tens of thousands of religious fanatics and devotees over a decade ago. There occured an inexplicable solar phenomenon where the sun seemed to ‘dance’ above the sky. At some point in time, the place became a pilgrim area.

The place has retained its natural charm of verdant undulating knolls blanketed with shrubberies and grasses that seem to invite you over for a luxurious country living amidst the chirping of birds, lowing of cows in pasture-lands, the rustlings of leaves of the trees as the wind blows, and the smell of fresh air all over.

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His demise was pre-eminent in the last 30 seconds in the regulation play against the tough Vietnamese opponent NV Toan in karatedo men’s individual +65 kg kumite. The score 1-4, to his horror. Then he heard the thunderous applause of the crowd with a wild cheer . How could they be so cruel seeing their compatriot in the threshhold of losing his game. Or so he thought.

He was wrong. The crowd’s attention was on the very important person making her grand entrance into the Mandaue City Cultural & Sports Complex complete with full force of entourage of local officials. Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has dropped by the venue to cheer on her fellow countrymen fighting it out for glory, together with Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, and Mandaue City Mayor Thadeus Ouano.

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Quite frankly, I never heard of such sport before until a few months ago when Cebuano SEAG organizers revealed to the public that Cebu will get to host six sports events during the 23rd edition of the biennial games. And what are those sports? Soccer? Boxing? Volleyball? Swimming? Wrestling? Unfortunately, none of the above.

Okay then, what sports events are to be played in Cebu? Mountain Biking, Judo, Karatedo, Dancesports, Sepak Takraw, and Pencak Silat. And…what? My memory wasn’t able to register its name correctly in a snap. It had to be repeated more than twice or even more to completely etch its name in my mind. Or maybe I’m just too slow-witted. I hope not.

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Filipino karatekas have a lot to work out today as they will face tough opponents on the third day of action in this medal-rich event at the Mandaue City Cultural & Sports Complex.

Gretchen Malalad pocketed her first gold in the event yesterday by outsmarting Jamalliah BT. Jamalludin of Malaysia in the women’s individual kumite in the +60 kgs division. Today she hopes to snare another gold in the individual kumite open weight final.

Other Filipino bets seeing action in today’s games are Mae Eso in women’s individual kumite -48 kg final; Ireneo Toribio in men’s individual kumite -60 kg final; Nelson Pacalso in men’s individual kumite -65 kg final; Bernardo Chu in men’s individual kumite open weight final.

Good luck to our athletes! Go Team Philippines!

Just before the main event could start and even before the mammoth crowd composed mostly of local fans could see them strut their stuff on the dance floor, the tandem of Michael Mendoza and Belinda Adora – and the rest of the Philippine team were predicted to sweep all the golds at stake for the said event.

And they were right. The huge crowd inside the cavernous Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel exploded in ecstatic roar as the gold winners were announced.

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Colorful performances (see photos above) highlight the opening of the 23rd SEA Games last November 25 @ the Cebu City Sports Center

Cebuanos were treated to an extravagant spectacle during the opening ceremony of Cebu’s hosting to the 23rd Southeast Asian Games last Friday, November 25, 2005. The grand event was also attended by local and national dignitaries who came to witness the ceremony which was a prelude to the official opening of the biennial games in Manila two days later.

The mesmerizing display of the rich cultural heritage of Cebu in the form of dance and music sent goosebumps to spectators who claimed it was the grandest they ever saw in years. A 10-minute grand display of fireworks capped off the event. True to their promise, the local SEAG organizers made an extraordinary effort to make the event successful and surprised everyone in attendance including most of the sports officials from Manila.

For more of the SEA Games Pictures click here.

The past decade saw a generous supply of indie and alternative bands from Cebu that have made it big in the national music scene. In recent years, the Philippine airwaves have been saturated with Cebuano talents, from solo artists to rock groups.

The dawn of the 21st century can safely be called the Renaissance of Cebuano Music. Cebuano talents have agressively made inroads into the national music scene where provincial talents are mostly under-rated or worse, ignored and discriminated against. These musical heroes armed with enormous talents and grits are not afraid of the possible adverse reactions they could get from big radio networks in the country which usually don’t budge when it comes to untested talents, a hindrance to every aspiring talent to scoop a brief yet memorable airtime of his piece.

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When the 18th century was coming to a close in the Philippines, the longest office tenure of Spanish Governor-General Rafael Marie de Aguilar was bowing out. The same situation existed in Cebu, “The Cradle of Christianity” in the country. The long tenure of Msgr. Ignacio de Salamanca of the bishopic of Cebu was also winding up.

To Sibonga, however, the rolling in of the 19th century, emrged for her dawn of a higherecclesiastical status, from auxiliary to full-fledged parish. The diocesan authorities of Cebu had long taken notice of the zealous Catholicism of populous Sibonga, situated between the tandem of the long-established parishes of Carcar and Argao.

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All systems go for the 23rd Seag which Cebu co-hosts for the first time starting tomorrow, November 25, 2005, when the opening ceremonies unfold. The Cebu opening rite though does not officially open the game until Sunday in Manila, which is the main host.

A parade of nation along Osmeña Blvd at 4 p.m. will usher in the opening ceremony which will be staged in Cebu City Sports Center. Ten dance troupes from ten different schools in Cebu City wearing the national costumes of the ten countries comprising the country delegates will accompany each of the ten national athletes from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. It is not known, however, what school will accompany the athletes from the host country.

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The Gokongwei-owned airline, Cebu Pacific, is set to cut fare on all its international flights starting next year by introducing a low fare scheme similar to ‘Go Fares’ promo launched in mid-November for its domestic flights that resulted to 90% increase in booking sales in less than a month.

Cebu Pacific currently flies to Hong Kong and Seoul, South Korea for its international network.

Although no specific date as to when the promo for its international flights would start, airline officials are optimistic that it is going to be a success just like its domestic version.

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