Adivay 2012, Celebrating Benguet's 112th Foundation Day

Another month long cultural and community event is scheduled this November in LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, in celebration of the Province's 112th Foundation Day dubbed as Adivay Festival.

Adivay is an Ibaloi term meaning coming together. This year's theme “Accelerating Response to Social Challenges,” kicked off on November 8 through an ecumenical service and a press conference at the Ben Palispis Hall of the provincial capitol.

Governor Fongwan highlighted the events that are to follow at the press conference which was followed by media presentation of the Miss Benguet candidates where journalists voted for the darling of the press.

The main event will be on November 23, the foundation day itself, which was declared a special non-working holiday in the province by virtue of Proclamation No. 485. There will be a cañao, an indigenous thanksgiving rites and other activities such as civic parade, a day for Overseas Filipino Workers and “I-Benguet ay nan abroad” (migrants abroad) who are welcome to join the activity, battle of the bands, and fireworks.

Here's a complete list of the month-long activities.

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

DATE	ACTIVITIES	VENUE
Nov. 8 (Thur)	v Ecumenical Service   v “Kapihan Sa Benguet”	Ben Palispis Hall Ben Palispis Hall
Nov. 9 (Fri)	v Environment Forum v Pre-Pageant: Search for Mr. & Miss Benguet	Halsema Highway and Benguet-Vizcaya Road Ben Palispis Hall
Nov. 11 (Sun)	v Mr. & Miss Benguet: Ethnic Wear Competition and Fashion Show at SM City	Outdoor Stage SM City, Baguio City
Nov. 13 (Tue)	v Trade Fair (Opening) v Mass Wedding @ San Jose Parish Church	Benguet Sports Center La Trinidad
Nov. 14 (Wed)	v Trade Fair v Jobs Fair v Mass Wedding @ St. Joseph Parish Church	Benguet Sports Center Ben Palispis Hall Mankayan
Nov. 15 (Thur)	v Trade Fair v Jobs Fair v Medical / Surgical Outreach	Benguet Sports Center Ben Palispis Hall KMCH
Nov. 16 (Fri)	v Trade Fair v Medical / Surgical Outreach v Mass Wedding @ Conversion of St. Paul Parish Church v Benguet CARP Congress ·         Ø Photo Exhibit	Benguet Sports Center KMCH Tuba NIA Compound Benguet Sports Center
Nov. 17 (Sat)	v Trade Fair v Agro-Industrial Fair ·         Ø Opening ·         Ø Ribbon Cutting of Exhibit Booth ·         Ø Judging of:   Best Booth Presentation Landscaping v Animalandia Show ·         Ø Dog Show ·         Ø Best Kinuday / Kiniing Making Contest ·         Ø Kinuday / Kiniing Cooking Contest v Souvenir Making Contest v Benguet Dance-Drama Cultural Performance v Pageant Proper: Search for Mr. & Miss Benguet v Film Viewing (c/o SMART)	Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center     Benguet Sports Center   Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center BSU Gym Benguet Sports Center
Nov. 18 (Sun)	v Trade Fair v Agro-Industrial Fair ·         Ø Judging of Best Booth Presentation ·         Ø Skills Competition (c/o TESDA & CTEC) ü Automotive Servicing ü Commercial Cooking ü Bartending ü Maniped & Haircutting Contest v Film Viewing (c/o SMART)	Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center       Benguet Sports Center
Nov. 19 (Mon)	v Trade Fair v Agro-Industrial Fair ·         Ø Judging of Best Booth Presentation ·         Ø Agri-Photo Contest ·         Ø Indigenous Dish Preparation / Presentation Contest ·         Ø Indigenous Beverage Preparation / Presentation Contest v Awit Para Sa Kalikasan (Environmental-Cultural Song Competition) v Benguet Photo Exhibit v Film Viewing (c/o SMART)	Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center       Benguet Sports Center Capitol Lobby Benguet Sports Center
Nov. 20 (Tue)	v Trade Fair v Agro-Industrial Fair ·         Ø Judging of Best Booth Presentation ·         Ø Nutri-Snack (Rice-based) Competition ·         Ø Nutri-Snack (Rootcrop-based) Competition ·         Ø Organic Fertilizer Demo / Competition v Benguet Photo Exhibit v Phil. Vegetable Industry Development Board Meeting v IEC on Climate Change Adaptation v Film Viewing (c/o SMART)	Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center   Capitol Lobby Gloriosa Hall, Wangal Ben Palispis Hall Benguet Sports Center
Nov. 21 (Wed)	v Ecumenical Mass Wedding v Trade Fair v Agro-Industrial Fair ·         Ø Judging of Best Booth Presentation ·         Ø Flower Arrangement Competition ·         Ø Vegetable & Fruit Sculpture Contest ·         Ø Basket Making (“tiklis”) v Health Fair v “Salamat Paalam 2012 Retirees” v A Day For Former Officials and Employees v Benguet Photo Exhibit v Film Viewing (c/o SMART)	Ben Palispis Hall Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center   Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center Capitol Lobby Benguet Sports Center
Nov. 22 (Thur)	v Trade Fair v Agro-Industrial Fair ·         Ø Judging of Best Booth Presentation ·         Ø Tapuey Tasting & Packaging Contest v Street Dancing, Drum & Lyre and Marching Band Competition v Awards & Recognition Day v Diskwento Caravan (c/o DTI) v Benguet Photo Exhibit v Regional Development Council (RDC) Meeting v Film Viewing (c/o SMART)	Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center   Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center Capitol Lobby Ben Palispis Hall Benguet Sports Center
Nov. 23 (Fri)	Benguet Foundation Day v Trade Fair v Agro-Industrial Fair v Civic Parade v Cañao v A Day for OFWs and “I-Benguet ay nan abroad” v SMART Day v Diskwento Caravan (c/o DTI) v Battle of the Bands v Benguet Photo Exhibit v Fireworks	Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center Capitol Lobby Capitol Grounds
Nov. 24 (Sat)	v “Sepnak” / “Sapnak” v Horses & Cowboys’ Parade v Acrobatic and Magic Show v Silent Drill (Philippine Military Academy) v Dongba Ni Kavajo v Agro-Industrial Fair ·         Ø Fruit Juice Drinking Contest ·         Ø Awarding & Closing of Agro-Industrial Fair v Trade Fair (Closing) v Benguet Photo Exhibit	Benguet Sports Center Km. 3 -  Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center Benguet Sports Center Capitol Lobby
Nov. 25 (Sun)	v Dongba Ni Kavajo v Evangelical Choral Festival v Small Scale Mining Activity	Benguet Sports Center BSU Gym Benguet Sports Center
Nov. 26 (Mon)	v Library Orientation	Capitol Gym
Nov. 28 (Wed.)	v Presentation of Provincial Disaster Communication Protocol (WFP)	Ben Palispis Hall
Nov. 29 (Thu)	v Employees’ Day	Ben Palispis Hall

 

SPORTS TOURNAMENT
Sept. 13 – Nov. 15	v Volleyball	Capitol Gym
Sept. 14 – Nov. 16	v Basketball	Capitol Gym
Oct. 19	v Basketball – Invitational Tournament	Capitol Gym
Oct. 20	v Volleyball – Invitational Tournament	Capitol Gym
Oct. 25 – Oct. 26	v Darts v Chess v Table Tennis v Scrabble	Ben Palispis Hall Capitol Gym Ben Palispis Hall Capitol Gym
Nov. 3	v Slow Pitch	Benguet Sports Center
Nov. 7 – Nov. 8	v Badminton	BSU Gym
Nov. 16	v Mr. Benguet (Bodybuilding Competition)	Ben Palispis Hall
Nov. 16	v Inter-LGU (Awarding & Closing Program)	Benguet Sports Center
Nov. 16 – Nov. 18	v Shoot Fest	Camp Dangwa
Nov. 17 – Nov. 18	v Football Kasibulan v Air soft Competition	Benguet Sports Center
Nov. 18	v ADIVAY Fun Run	Benguet Sports Center
Nov. 30 – Dec. 1	v Badminton – Invitational Tournament	COA-CAR Gym
Dec. 1	v 4 X 4 Off-Road	Pico, La Trinidad

 

Ensalidummaay, Nov. 5, 2012 issue

This was the article of our October 27, 2012 Ensalidummaay celebration.

Third Ensalidummaay Grand Convention

A gathering of several facebook groups attended by about 15 organizations kicked off last Saturday (October 27, 2012) in a solidarity program of fun and discussions of issues and outreach activities they can accomplish together.

Hosted by Luzon 14 circle of friends, this is the third time these groups gathered each presenting its own projects and programs that other groups could help out. Also sponsored Rob Ocampo, Pabs Anector who shared in the foods, decorations and other needs.

With a theme to unite goals despite the differences in the groups’ predisposition, the different groups were successful in helping each other in different outreach programs ranging from concerts for causes, book drives, tree planting and other similar activities.

During the program, the following projects were introduced and/or launched.

• The “Libro Mo, Inspirasyon Ko” Part 2, a book drive to help develop libraries in isolated schools in the Cordilleras

• RSDI’s Health Assistance Project to help a child patient

• A School Building Repair in Sablan

• The launching of the Smile Movement

Salidummay is a common song that every Cordilleran has probably heard. Using it as a title of the event, the organizers hope that despite the differences, this will help build a better online community that can be useful in building a better Baguio and better Cordillera.

Ensalidummaay is a quarterly event that started on April 2012 as a unifying movement.

Libro Mo, Inspirasyon Ko Part 1

A Multi-organization Book drive benefiting the new Natubleng, Buguias Highschool and Camilo Lucaben Elementary School in Kibungan, Benguet.

The Blocks

October 19, 2012 Sunstar Issue

Photography: Professionals, Hobbyists and Amateurs

Reading the endless debate about the definition of professional and hobbyist photographer, I want to write my own opinion on the issue.

Many say that the only difference between professionals and hobbyists is that the former receives money for the job he does and the latter doesn’t. I partly disagree. Professionalism also involves the quality of work. Before you even ask for money for your work, you have to know the rules and should have developed the art in photography.

I’m not saying that hobbyists are no better than professionals. There are some who takes photos that can blow your mind. Some hobbyists have innate art of seeing that the rest has yet to develop.

The problem is the term hobbyist is always associated with amateurs, although many of them are. Hobby is what you do when you are not doing anything else. So professionals can also be hobbyists if that’s what they do when they are not shooting for money. When professionals are not shooting for the profit, they are doing it for the love of it, just like the rest of the hobbyists.

But professionals should have already developed the craft by learning the trade first hand constantly improving their art. That means they have started as amateur photographers learning from pros. That includes spending much just to get better correcting a lot of mistakes before they even decide that they can already be branded as pros themselves. Bringing out good pictures is not what professional is all about. For instance, in wedding photography, you should know where to shoot the best angle and you should already know what follows in the program so that you should know where to position yourself. Even in photojournalism, you can differentiate the amateurs from the pros by just looking at where they are positioned.

But there are amateurs charging people for their work. Some of them think that having a better camera will make them better photographers. Quoting Barry Hayes, a photographer in Vermont, “while technology may produce a camera that can make a technically perfect exposure, it cannot yet produce an artistically satisfying image or revealing portrait without the eye and mind of a skilled professional.” These posers are not professionals at all. Like any other endeavors, there are the knock offs. The following video is a classic example of amateurs posing as professionals.



I believe my short article has helped clear the issues between the differences of professionals, hobbyists and amateurs. But I’d like to end it by confusing you further with this quote from Alfred Stieglitz in 1899. It’s up to you to end the story. (‘ ‘,)

"Let me here call attention to one of the most universally popular mistakes that have to do with photography - that of classing supposedly excellent work as professional, and using the term amateur to convey the idea of immature productions and to excuse atrociously poor photographs. As a matter of fact nearly all the greatest work is being, and has always been done, by those who are following photography for the love of it, and not merely for financial reasons. As the name implies, an amateur is one who works for love; and viewed in this light the incorrectness of the popular classification is readily apparent."

Forgotten

October 9, 2012 Sunstar issue.