Watch Out for a Big Bang!

 Though it is too risky, selling of firecrackers is one of the lucrative small business to venture with, according to one of the vendors I happened to talk two days before New Year's revelry.

As a tradition, Filipinos used to have a "big bang" to "drive away evil spirits" and happily welcome the following year with enthusiasm and excitement as a properous and a happy one.

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When I was a kid, what I knew that "firing" a reventador (a tiny firecracker) is just for fun. The more "paputok" (several sets of fireworks) you "burned", the more you're idolized by others as a "sikat" (celebrity).

I got a traumatic experience when I was eight years old then. I noticed some of my friends dared to hold a piece of tiny firecracker with their two fingers and let it fire without hurting or damaging their fingers. I was curious and did it secretly for myself. "Bang!" the "explosive" burst on my finger before I knew it. My fingers hurt, but luckily they're not cut off! That's the first and the last firecracker I ever dared to hold!

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This new year I spent it watching our neighbors enjoying their fireworks and eating our midnight snacks with my children, grandchildren, and with my beloved wife, who is the best chef cook of all time. We pray together and implore our Divine Providence to grant us more blessings and happiness as we faithfully follow His commandments and help our brothers and sisters who have less in life.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Memorable Tour To 'The Ruins' Before 2011 Ends!

The "ruiners" from La Carlota City led by by this blogger, Gil Camporazo paid a half-day morning tour to the ruins of mansion of Italianate architecture of the sugar baron, Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson (1865-1948) in Talisay City today, December 31, 2011 before the year ends.

Ricalyn Camporazo (blogger's granddaughter) and Glenn Salas, the newly wed couple; Nidabel with her daughter Ara, Marzon Oceña, Bebing (blogger's nephew), Gingging (blogger's 2nd eldest daughter), and Grace Nicor eagerly, curiously, ocularly inspected the historical remnant of the building which was considered as the Taj Mahal of the Philippines in Negros Occidental.

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The mansion was built in 1911 after the death of Don Mariano's wife, Maria Braga, Portuguese from Macau as his loving memory of their enduring love affair.

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In 1942, during the World Ward II, the guerilla fighters burned the mansion. The fire gutted the said mansion, that lasted for 3 days. Now what had left was the architectural structure of the building as a reminder of Don Mariano's glorious past of his love for his beloved wife, Maria.


It was told that the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East), then guerilla fighters in the Philippines, that burnt the mansion to prevent the Japanese forces from utilizing it as their headquarters. It took days of inferno to bring down the roof and the two-inch wooden floors. As of this writing, the 903-square-meter structure still stands tall amidst sugar plantation and amazes both local and foreign tourists. for her magnificent view especially at sunset and nighttime when all lights are on...

115th Jose Rizal's Martyrdom Observed

As the whole Philippine nation celebrated the 115th martyrdom of Jose Rizal, the La Carlota government had its own program to celebrate this momentous and heroic event.

The theme for this year's celebration was "Rizal: Haligi ng Bayan."

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Honorable Karen L. Aguirre, chairman, committee on education, Sangguniang Panlunsod of La Carlota was the invited speaker. She talked on "building bridges to freedom".

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The celebration was reverred by the floral offering of different local government units, schools, civic organizations and commercial establishments here in La Carlota.



Patriotic songs were offered by pupils and students of La Carlota City Elementary School 1 and 2, North Elementary School, and Special Education.

Kababaihang Rizalista, La Carlota and the city government of La Carlota sponsored the event.