[ WEEKEND ]
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Nenen Ines, left, and Dodie Ines, right, members of the Aklan Cultural Society of Hawaii showed off their elaborate and colorful costumes.
Filipino fiesta Colorful and exotic costumes, wooden noise-making devices and the mesmerizing beat of a drum will set the stage for Ati-Atihan performers as they dance in celebrating Pasko! at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.
celebrates legend
Parols light Filipino Christmas tradition
Nancy Arcayna
narcayna@starbulletin.comFilipino fiesta foods, arts and crafts, music and an Escrima martial arts demonstration will also be among the highlights of the annual holiday festival.
"The beat is almost hypnotic. Your whole body goes into a trance," said Johnny Dionisio, president of the Aklan Cultural Society of Hawaii. Dionisio's father started the club 35 years ago with the intention of bringing people from the Aklan province, in the Central Philippines, together.
The Visayan festival of Ati-Atihan calls for dancers to don costumes sporting colorful flumes, feathers, shells and glitter before taking to the streets. At first, Dionisio was not interested in passing the tradition on to his children.
"We did not want to send the message that Filipinos are tribal," he said. "Now, it's a whole different ballgame. We are trying to get the young kids involved. We are asked to dance all over the place."
The club now performs at local festivals and in parades.
"We see the importance of passing on the special traditions," Dionisio said. "They are getting lost, since nobody talks about it."
IN THE PHILIPPINES, the Ati-Atihan festival of Aklan is nicknamed the "Filipino Mardi Gras" because of the large turnout of dancers congregating in the streets. The seven-day festival traditionally begins on the third Sunday in January, dating back to the 13th century when 10 Malay chieftains from Borneo and their subjects fled a tyrannical ruler and found sanctuary in the Aklan River valley populated by a race of small, black-skinned people known as Ati.
To thank the Atis for their hospitality, the Malay leader ordered the people to paint their bodies. Ati-Atihan means "to make like an Ati" and the festival is a celebration of Thanksgiving, friendship and peace.
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Maria Siquig danced at the Philippine Consulate on Pali Highway recently.
"It's all based on legend," said Dionisio.
Maria Siquig, a member of the Aklan club, danced in these festivals as a child.
"When I was in high school, we would dance from morning until midnight and only take a break for lunch. There is so much energy and it's just amazing that people can put up with dancing in the street all day," she said.
"Tourists would come in from all over the world, especially Europe," to experience the celebration, she added.
Siquig is also passing on the tradition, to her 10-year-old daughter Marilyn.
"It's something we both do for fun," she said.
Over time, the dance has seen some African overtones.
"They were probably influenced by movies. And, the movements were easy to do," explained Dionisio.
Religious tones were added because of the Spanish influence, with dancers acknowledging Santa Nino, the Christ child.
"In the Philippines, we darken our skin using charcoal and then add white and silver paint," said Dionisio. "People don't do that here, because it is too hard to get off."
"We used to paint our face and bodies with a mixture of soot from the fireplace and cooking oil," said Siquig. "Here, a lot of people wear black tights, but in the Philippines, the body would have been painted with the soot."
It's bound to add up to a day of merriment. No paint is required to watch.
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COURTESY OF HANA TRINIDAD
Parols remind many Filipino families in Hawaii about their home in the Philippines.
As important as hanging the Christmas lights, Filipino households also make room for parols, or star-shaped Christmas lanterns. Parols light Filipino
Christmas tradition
By Nancy Arcayna
narcayna@starbulletin.comInspired by the guiding star that appeared on the first Christmas, parols serve as decorations and symbols of Christian faith and the desire for peace.
Hana Trinidad has been making parols for more than 20 years. "I started doing it when we had a dance company because we needed to use a lantern during the show."
Traditional parols were handmade from bamboo and lacquered paper. Today, other materials are used including cloth and a variety of embellishment. Trinidad favors cloth because during her dance troupe's travels, "the star would get pukas," she said. "I started to use fabric so we didn't need to handle it with such care."
The unique parols have been a hit ever since. "At first, I made them for myself and for family and friends.
"Families here carry on the Filipino tradition. They want a piece of home," she explained. She's also sent parols to Canada and as far as Brussels.
She makes about 100 parols each year. "Sometimes, I'm up until 3 a.m. Each one is unique."
She starts with pre-cut bamboo from the Philippines, using 10 sticks to make one frame. The stars are then adorned with ornaments reflecting nativity scenes, angels or Santa Claus. Trinidad tries to come up with original ideas each year, mixing American and Filipino traditions. Some of the cloth and ornaments used to make the parol are bought from the Philippines.
What Trinidad seemed to appreciate most is modern technology that gives tradition a boost. "In the Philippines, we would use sticky rice, mash it and use it as a paste. Now, all I need is a glue gun," she said.
Parols by Trinidad and others will be available for purchase at the Honolulu Academy of Arts during the Pasko! celebration. Prices range from $15 to $200.
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