Movie Ads: "Hulihin: Probinsyanong Mandurukot" (1993)

Hulihin: Probinsyanong Mandurukot, a comedy film starring Rene Requiestas, Ruffa Gutierrez, and Miguel Rodriguez was shown in theaters on February 3, 1993. Requiestas played the role of a pickpocket who had his share of funny misadventures in the city.

Now that people are busy shopping for Christmas gifts, it is advisable to take extra caution against pickpockets.

Under the direction of Efren Jarlego, this Regal Films presentation also features Aiza Seguerra, Efren Reyes, Paquito Diaz, and Nova Villa. Following is a newspaper advertisement for the film:

Track Listing for "Christmas in Our Hearts"

Christmas in Our Hearts, the best-selling Christmas album in the history of Philippine music, also contains songs that are also popular during the season. Here is a track listing of the album:

1. A Wish On Christmas Night
Lyrics by: Jose Mari Chan, Pinky Valdez
Music by: Jose Mari Chan

2. Do You Hear What I Hear ?
Lyrics by: N. Regney, G. Shayne

3. Mary's Boy Child
Lyrics and music by: Jester Hairston

4. Christmas In Our Hearts
Performed by: Jose Mari Chan and Liza Chan
Lyrics by: Jose Mari Chan, Rina Cañiza,
Music by Jose Mari Chan

5. A Christmas Carol
Lyrics and music by: Leslie Bricusse

6. A Perfect Christmas
Lyrics and music by: Jose Mari Chan

7. Give Me Your Heart For Christmas

8. This Beautiful Day
Performed by: Jaymie Magtoto
Lyrics and music by: Leslie Bricusse

9. The Sound of Life
Lyrics by: Pinky Valdez
Music by: Jose Mari Chan

10. Christmas Children
Lyrics and music by: Jose Mari Chan

11. Little Christmas Tree

12. When A Child Is Born
Lyrics by: Zacar-Jay

13. It is The Lord!
Lyrics and music by: Jose Mari Chan

14. The Lord's Prayer

15. Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)

16. May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You
Lyrics and music by: Meredith Willson

Christmas Countdown: "Christmas in Our Hearts"

It's four days to go before Christmas. As I thought of something to post I heard on the radio a song that is said to usher the season in the Philippines. The four-word title, Christmas in Our Hearts, is the carrier single of the best-selling Christmas album in the history of Philippine music.

Comprising of tracks created by renowned singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan, the album was released twelve years ago. A few weeks after its November 1990 release, the album reached "triple platinum record" status. As of 2010, it has achieved the "double diamond record" milestone, or sales of 800,000 copies. With this, Chan surpassed his own achievement for the 1989 love song compilation Constant Change.
 

Front cover of the album (SOURCE: CD Universe)

STORY BEHIND THE SONG
Jose Mari Chan said in a 2003 interview with The Philippine Star that the original title of the carrier single of the album was Ang Tubig Ay Buhay ("Water Is Life"), based on a poem by Chari Cruz-Zarate. Chan added music to the words with the intention of composing a jubilee song for Assumption High School Class ‘63.

Chan during the launch of his 2012 album Going Home to Christmas (SOURCE: ABS-CBNNews)

Christmas Countdown: "Parol"

It's five days before Christmas and '5' reminds me of the common number of tips the parol has. The parol is a star-shaped lantern used as a decoration in homes, buildings, electric posts, trees, and other high structures in the Philippines during the Christmas season.

A stylized picture of a parol parade somewhere in Bulacan

The parol represents the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Wise Men to the birthplace of Jesus Christ. A wide array of materials is used in making the parol, ranging from bamboo and Japanese paper to capiz shells. As time went by, the parol evolved to giant electronic lanterns, for which the City of San Fernando in the Philippine province of Pampanga became famous.

Another picture of the aforementioned parade

Movie Ads: "Lumaban Ka … Itay" (1993)

On February 24, 1993, an action-drama movie based on Salvador Royales' radio serial on DZRH was shown in theaters. Under the direction of Francis "Jun" Posadas, Lumaban Ka … Itay features Jestoni Alarcon in the title role. A newspaper advertisement for this Seiko Films production follows:

The Tagalog blurb reads, "Isang Lipunang Nilamon Na Ng Krimen. Isang Pulis Na Buo ang Prinsipyo't Kaluluwa. Isang Babaing Walang Pakundangang Nilagutan ng Buhay. Isang Musmos Na Sumisigaw ng Katarungan!"

TRANSLATION:
A society already swallowed by crime; A policeman with intact principles and soul; A woman whose life was recklessly ended; A child crying for justice!  

Christmas Countdown: "Pangangaroling"

It's six days before Christmas, and we delve into the tradition of pangangaroling. Groups of children visit houses in the neighborhood singing Christmas carols using makeshift instruments such as drums made of biscuit cans and tambourines made of aluminum bottle caps.

The children wait for the homeowners to reward them with coins and other treats. Homeowners may opt not to give anything, telling the children, "Patatawarin!"


The children's closing line typically comes in two forms:

"Thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo (you are so generous), thank you!"

"Thank you, thank you, ang babarat ninyo (you are so stingy), thank you!"


Formal carollers perform pangangaroling to raise funds for various causes. They may also inform the homeowners ahead about the carolling. Most of the time, they rehearsed for the performance and prepared suitable apparel and instruments.

Christmas Countdown: "Queso de Bola"

With seven days remaining before Christmas, another food item that reminds me of the season is the queso de bola or cheese ball. Queso de bola is  believed to bring prosperity to those who eat it during the Noche Buena (Christmas Eve dinner).

Queso de bola is typically made of Edam cheese formed into a sphere and wrapped in red paraffin wax. Aside from served with ham and pan de sal bread, queso de bola may also be enjoyed with wine.