MAGAYON FESTIVAL 2017 COMES TO A BIG CLOSE

Enjoy the beauty and majesty of Region V as Albay culminates its yearly month-long celebration of the Magayon Festival.  Founded by Governor Al Francis C. Bichara, this month-long celebration aims to not only emphasize the beauty of the province but also the majesty of one declared wonder of the world, the Mayon Volcano.

The Magayon Festival started last 1999 from its original festivity Karangahan Festival in 1997.  This was a move by the governor not only to highlight the majestic volcano but also the legend behind it; the Legend of Daragang Magayon – a story that is so beautiful to read and heart touching to all romantic in nature.

Daragang or Daraga means young girl or maiden and Magayon means beautiful.  It is a story of a young maiden, child of a datu, whose beauty is beyond compare.  She has a lot of suitors but none was able to catch her eye or fancy until a young man named Ulap from a far land came into her life.  They fell in love and her father gave his blessing.  A wedding was prepared but was thwarted when another suitor, Pagtuga of Iraga, kidnapped Magayon’s father. To save her father’s life, she agreed to wed him instead of Ulap.  Ulap went home to his land and prepared an army to defend his love.  On the wedding day of Magayon, a war took place as the army of Ulap and Pagtuga met.  Pagtuga was killed and it was supposedly a happy ending when an arrow hit Magayon at the back.  In the arms of her love, she died and Ulap was stabbed by a spear by a guardsman of Pagtugo.  They were then laid together, Magayon and Ulap, and on their ground it slowly rose to great heights showing the love between the maiden and the warrior.  It was said that whenever the volcano is hidden by clouds, it is the lover kissing one another.

This year, the culmination will happen on May 29 to the 31^st of May with various activities covering beauty, sports, talent and thanksgiving.  On the 29^th of May, the 57^th Sikaran National Tournament will take place on 9:00AM at the Ayala Mall with a singing contest (Grand Finals) on 6:00pm at the Penaranda Park. The search for Mutyang Magayon will happen the next day on 7:00PM at the Albay Astrodome. The last day, May 31, will be a day of Summer Dance Camp from 8:00AM till 5:00PM. Intersecting is a street competition at 2:00PM.  Closing the event will be a Firework display and a street party at the Penaranda Park.  A musical treat is also set in the Astrodome at 7:00PM, simultaneously happening with the street party.

True to his vision, Gov. Al Francis C. Bichara aims to make Albay a true tourist destination place in Southern Luzon.  This month long celebration is but a taste of what Albay has to offer in terms of sights, sounds and hospitality, something that the governor has visualized and only a true Bicolano will understand and see the vision he has drawn for the province.  With the fanfare from far North to Quezon Province during their festivities, Albay is never far behind in showcasing why it is a must place to be.  Let Albay enchant you with its beauty, story and culture.

**All images used were taken from the web and from Albay.gov.ph site

Cherry Burwell, Outstanding Woman of the Year 2017

Last April 22 (my birthday also), Woman’s Journal held their yearly recognition of women who has made a mark in their field of expertise or service.  Held at Teatrino Promenade Greenhills, the awarding featured women of various fields and their contribution to the society.

With women in the field of politics, business, philanthropy, medicine and such, one stands out as she was the only one recognized by the organization in the field of Public Relations.  This is no other than Ms. Cherry Burwell of the Big Difference Communications.

A licensed interior designer also, Cherry, as she is commonly called in and out of the industry of PR (don’t ask for her full name – trust me), has been doing PR works for some years now.  Her greatest PR challenge was when she aided a group in their promotions and when she handled two political themed campaigns last 2016 national elections.  She has handled the social media campaign of former Congressman Roman Romulo and Melchora – a political group aimed for women’s advancement; and is currently managing the social media of Ozamis City in Misamis Occidental.  She also handled several campaigns of some companies/groups such as Tinapayan Festival, Ducati Philippines, Hattendo, Samwon, to name a few.  A mother of two teen aged boys, Cherry manages to balance her life and work demands by giving time to her family and herself.  A workaholic by nature, she also manages to play at the right time and place.

Recognized as one of the female movers of 2017 along with Megan Young, Josephine Canonizado, Patricia Javier, Vice Mayor Ina Alegre and the likes, Cherry Burwel was amply recognized for all the things she has done in her field of expertise – PR control and marketing.  Please note that she is the only PR practitioner recognized this year by Woman's Journal deciding party headed by Mr. Richard Hinola.

The event also featured various designers. You have to see the designs of Jhong Sudlon, they were beautiful and functional also!

With this recognition as one of the 45 Outstanding Women of the Year, Cherry truly showed people that she knows what she is doing! Congratulations Cherry Burwell!