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Rational Insanity
Aswang Festival in retrospect
The recently concluded Aswang Festival in Roxas City, Capiz drew various opinions from different sectors of society. Some say it was a flop, and some say it was a whopping success. For me, I learned so many things from the said festival and many things also came to the surface. For one, I saw how broadcast media can be very faulty in their reports. I also realized how judgmental some people can be.
Just to clarify some minor things - it was reported by a certain unprofessional local reporter that the reason why the festival plaza party spanned only two nights was that because the festival was a flop, so it had to be shortened. On the other hand, I got hold of the festival schedule and read from there that the plaza party was actually scheduled only for two nights; there was no plaza party scheduled for the 30th. It just so happened that the media entity I am talking about is a self-proclaimed festival 'anti' and so never bothered to look at the schedule. By the way, people in the press should not openly take sides because this destroys the integrity of a profession that thrives on issues. Issues are not meant to be one-sided. All issues should be viewed from both sides. Well, I guess the reporter I am talking about has had no professional training in broadcast communication hence the ignorance of proper media ethics. Moving on, I have had people from Manila text me that there was a shooting incident during the festival which resulted in the festival's being shortened. Goodness gracious! Now I really believe in how twisted facts become when passed on from one person to another. I was at the plaza during the two nights of the festival and I could personally say that the festival was even more peaceful than the other festivals here in the city!
Anyway, if I were to evaluate the festival from what I SAW, I would say that it was considerably (very) successful. The organizers even told me that with the festival's success this year, they are planning to hold the plaza party for a full three nights next year! Hmmm, let's see how the festival grew - last year, the food fest was only for a night, this year, it was two nights, and next year, it's gonna be three wonderful nights! Wow! Way to go DCI!
Regarding the activities, the organizers promise to come up with more innovative and exciting activities for next year (as if the ones this year were not as innovative and exciting?). The tribal competition was really one of a kind with the TIKBALANG tribe garnering the championship. I also watched the children's fancy dress ball and it was packed to the hilt! The crowd during the food festival was definitely tops. It was so packed that if you looked at the crowd from a distance, you would even think that they were not moving anymore because there was no room left for them to really dance themselves to the max. The wonderful thing about this festival was its effective achievement of the objective that people should not be afraid or ashamed of the aswang because it is merely a subject of myth and an inevitable element of Capiznon History. Well, as if this was not yet too obvious, every time the band played the Pinoy Big Brother theme, the crowd would sing along in such manner, 'Aswang ako, aswang! Ipakita sa mundo! Huwag kang matatakot!'. Bongga, di ba? Oh, and to add to this, food was already scarce as early as eleven thirty in the evening - I guess the people really worked up an aswang appetite.
With regards to the other activities like the symposia, many academics attended and listened to the speakers who were really experts in their respective fields. The organizers believe that a post festival IEC campaign should be done based on the data and facts acquired during the symposia to educate people of the true standing of the aswang in Capiznon myth and history so as to dispel any fear and wrong misconceptions about the myth. I also believe this is a very noble effort (just make sure you guys get access to schools ran by narrow-minded administrators such as the ones ran by priests and nuns). Since I mentioned it, I would like to write also about how vindictive these groups can be. I have received word from some students that some schools have ordered their teachers to keep watch of students who attended the festivities and to report these students. The students were then to be sanctioned or incidental reports are to be filed against them. Wow! This is so un-democratic! Where did the right to self-expression go? And besides, once the students are out of the gates of their schools, they are no longer the school's responsibility. My suggestion to you dear students - report your schools to the CHED if ever they sanction you for joining any festival or public gathering for that matter. As far as the festival is concerned, despite these underhanded and undignified pathetic efforts at putting the festival down, it was still a whopping success. To those who are caught in between the lines of fire - I would not encourage that you totally abstain from coming to the festival, because you would be missing so much, if you really can't come because of your convictions, why don't you wear a mask? After all, this is the Capiz version of Halloween! See you in Aswang Festival 2006!
Be rational; be insane...every once in a while! TTFN! Ari na imu gweetings wambok ha, hehe, mwah! Hello to my dearest readers, to Dot, Verona, James, Sheen, Hellpen, Anne, Mary Dale, Chan,Michelle, Zarthus, Jonald, Mr. Bobot, Vic, Vincent, and Rex, Alex, Arvin, Corz, Jim, Kiara, Malikh, Audrae, Franz, Hendrick, Janice, Jay, Jim, Jonathan, Mark, Marz, Mel, Pres, Nhonoy, Niel, Piper, Rheavil, Joey, Alma, Rodolfo, Ecker, Ryan, Roni, Ian, Narle, Sunny and to Anuj of CMC, I love you all! Byers! Salamat gid sa mga walang-hintong text and reactions nyo! Catch Rational Insanity in TNT's online edition, check us out at www.thenewstoday.info, text me at (0920)9254269, or email me at prague@eudoramail.com. Byers! Mmmmmmmwah!