PREVIEW OF THE NIYOGYUGAN FESTIVAL 2015: TWO WEEKS BEFORE

Barely 2 weeks before the NIYOGYUGAN FESTIVAL, I visited the usual venue, the QUEZON PROVINCIAL CAPITOL compound, of the most-awaited and well-anticipated festivity for the whole QUEZON Province. The visit was purposely to check the development because I am really excited to once again witness the festival. I was able to witness the festival once, only in 2013. It was not held in 2014 due to the devastation brought about by various calamities. 

The preview in what I have seen of the ongoing transformation of the CAPITOL building brings more excitement. Within the compound, I am expecting for superbly creative booths to be built by the participating cities and municipalities of the province.

The NIYOGYUGAN FESTIVAL is supposedly an annual event happening every month of August as part of the honor and recognition being rendered to MANUEL L. QUEZON. The festival is also aimed to promote TOURISM INDUSTRY and AGRICULTURE especially the COCONUT PRODUCTS. 

For the year 2015, the activities will be from August 10 to 19. The main venue of the festivity will be the CAPITOL COMPOUND where the creative and colorful booths will be displayed and open to the public. Various products from the 2 cities and 39 municipalities will be sold at the said booths. Aside from the booths, the festival will also be highlighted by street parade with dancing and colorful costumes. A beauty pageant and other events will also add to the festival.

The NIYOGYUGAN  comes from the words NIYOG (COCONUT) and YUGYUG (TO MOVE TO A BEAT). 

QUEZON PROVINCE is the main producer of COCONUT products in the country. COCONUT is aptly called the "TREE OF LIFE" because almost everything from coconut is useful.

The alluring view of the QUEZON PROVINCIAL CAPITOL building at present...

The capitol building is undergoing beautiful transformation...

The full front view of the QUEZON PROVINCE capitol building...

The capitol building as viewed from right 45 degree angle...

The capitol building as viewed from the left 45 degree angle ....

The left side of the capitol building...

The marker infront of the building describing its evolution

Infront of the QUEZON PROVINCIAL CAPITOL compound is the towering building of the IGLESIA NI CRISTO church...

inside the QUEZON PROVINCIAL CAPITOL compound is this structure, man-made "cave"

The ceiling of the made-made "cave"

Lucena City is just 128 kilometers away from Metro Manila. The land travel time of 3 to 4 hours can be more than compensated by witnessing the NIYOGYUGAN FESTIVAL alone especially the creative booths. Aside from that, there are numerous exciting, alluring and beautiful destinations within LUCENA CITY and other parts of Quezon Province such as the KAMAY NI HESUS SHRINE and HEALING CHURCH in LUCBAN, the KAMAYAN SA PALAISDAAN FLOATING BAMBOO RAFTS RESTAURANT in TAYABAS CITY, the SILANGANG NAYON PARK and RESTAURANT in PAGBILAO, the CAGBALETE ISLAND in MAUBAN, the BORAWAN ISLAND in PADRE BURGOS, among others.

Let us promote TOURISM in the PHILIPPINES to help our countrymen...

TRANSACTIONAL VS. TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADESRHIP

Leadership and management can be classified into two; TRANSACTIONAL and TRANSFORMATIONAL.

TRANSACTIONAL mainly focused on accomplishing the mission or function or complying to directive or guidance. It is more on reactive or being passive. From the root word TRANSACTION, the action or reaction is per transaction or by activity.

TRANSFORMATIONAL is something different. Every activity or event is related to one another. It is making continuous improvement by changing the behavior and mindset of the people from complacency into passionate one. From the root word TRANSFORMATION, the action or reaction is not only directed to the accomplishment of a certain task or activity but to transform the organization to become more effective, highly effective and totally responsive. 

How do you lead or manage your organization?

4 Dimensions of Contented Life

According to STEPHEN COVEY, there are 4 dimensions in our existence that should be equitably satisfied to have a happy and successful existence.

These 4 dimensions are PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL and SPIRITUAL.

PHYSICAL DIMENSION deals with how we take care of our HEALTH. We should have adequate sleep and rest, eat balanced diet, conduct physical exercises and manage stress.

MENTAL DIMENSION is about our mental activities and development. We should continue to read, write, study and other activities that will keep our mind working to avoid deterioration.

EMOTIONAL DIMENSION is about our feelings and relationships with our loved ones and other people. This is also called SOCIAL DIMENSION.

SPIRITUAL DIMENSION deals with our relationship with the Almighty and defines our values.

Are you living in BALANCE equitably satisfying the 4 dimensions of human existence?

APOLINARIO MABINI DAY

Apolinario Mabini was born on July 23, 1864 at Barangay Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas.

His mother wanted him to become a priest, but his desire to defend the poor made him decide to take up law.

He was a Filipino Revolutionary Leader, an educator, a lawyer and statesman.

He was considered the "BRAIN OF THE REVOLUTION" (Utak ng Katipunan). He was the most profound thinker and political philosopher during his time. He authored many decrees and proclamations. 

He was also called "SUBLIME PARALYTIC". Although he was paralyzed by polio and eventually lost his lower limbs, his brain was a great treasure to EMILIO AGUINALDO. His ideas were brilliant. 

He became the first prime Minister of the Philippines both for the FIRST REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT and under the FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC.

He died of CHOLERA at the age of 38 on May 13, 1903.

President Ferdinand Marcos Proclamation 2367, which was signed in 1984, made JULY 23 as a SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY in the whole province of BATANGAS!

HERMANO PULE

APOLINARIO DE LA CRUZ, popularly known as "HERMANO PULE or PULI" (BROTHER PULE), was on born on July 22, 1814 at Barrio Pandac, Lucban in Tayabas (now QUEZON PROVINCE). 

He led a major revolt against SPANISH RULE in the PHILIPPINES.

At the age of 15, he decided to become a priest.

In 1832, he founded the COFRADIA DE SAN JOSE (COFRADIA OF ST. JOSEPH) composed of native Filipinos or INDIOS. The Filipino brotherhood fostered a practice of Christian values. The Cofradias prohibited Spaniards and Meztizos from joining without De La Cruz' permission.

Authorities ordered the dissolution of the Corfradia De San Jose. But despite the prohibition, the brotherhood's continued to grow.

Feeling attack on their religious freedom by the Catholic authorities, De La Cruz rallied 4,000 followers at Barrio Isabang on the slope of Mount Banahaw and was able to resist an attack by Alcarde-Mayor Joaquin Ortega and his 300 men. Ortega was killed.

In response, the Government annihilated the Cofradia and massacred hundreds of old men, women and children who joined Hermano Pule.

Hermano Pule fled but later captured. At the age of 27, he was executed by firing squad at the town of Tayabas. His head was cut off to give stern warning to those who would be doing the same. Hermano Pule may have influenced secular priest JOSE BURGOS who was executed in 1872 - to demand for racial equality in the clergy.

Today, the birthday (JULY 22) of Hermano Pule is declared as HOLIDAY in QUEZON PROVINCE.

Villa Javierto: Ambiance of the Past

It was just only my second time at this place despite having been deployed, visited, and stayed in LUCENA CITY for almost 2 decades already. 

It was during my unending search for interesting places to go that I discovered that there is a place within LUCENA CITY that will not only satisfy food cravings but will also completely fulfill longing for refreshing ambiance and bring back the memories of experiences in rural areas and with old houses.

This is a proof that you don't need to travel far to discover amazing places. There is just a need to extensively explore, roam around, and be keen observant to rediscover places within reach.

Enjoy the pictures of another worthwhile journey...a glimpse of the past at VILLA JAVIERTO...

My first visit at CATALINO'S  RESTAURANT was just purposely to eat brunch (breakfast-lunch) with limited exploration and few pictures. But this second visit is aimed at extensive discovery of the serene place.

CATALINO'S RESTAURANT is just one of the interesting destinations inside VILLA JAVIERTO...

This is the main gate of the compound...

the gateway to a PARADISE in LUCENA CITY, the CAPITAL of QUEZON PROVINCE...

The towering trees, captivating plants, beautiful flowers, the fresh air, creative structures and old houses will completely transport you to the enchanting feel of the past...

VILLA JAVIERTO is an amazing venue for food, relaxation and going down memory lane...

This is infront of the ANTIQUE GALLERY within the compound...there is another gate infront of this facade...

inside the ANTIQUE GALLERY...furniture and other items are for sale...

still inside the ANTIQUE GALLERY...there are also available paintings...

The gateway to the CATALINO'S RESTAURANT within VILLA JAVIERTO...

At the CATALINO'S RESTAURANT...situated at the ravine of the ALITAOO RIVER...

The old materials used to build the restaurant are captivating!!!

The full view of the ALITAOO RIVER beside and below the CATALINO'S RESTAURANT...

During this visit, I just ordered special HALO-HALO with ICE CREAM for 90 pesos since I was not able to try it during my first visit...it was another break from the usual HALO-HALO and ICE CREAM.....

REFRESHINGLY DELICIOUS! 

SATISFACTION FULLY GUARANTEED! 

After consuming the HALO-HALO with ICE CREAM, I continued to explore the compound to savor more the exhilarating aura of the place...

There is a creatively designed mini fish pond at this area of the compound...

Various species of plants and trees are available for sale...
as shown in the following pictures...

The mixture of creative man-made structures and various plants reinforced the authenticity of the compound...

Different structures are crafted with passion and overflowing commitment to make the place worthwhile to visit...

Pictures of old houses inside the compound which are well-preserved for the guests to enjoy...

Extreme creativity and effort to preserve and present the place to visitors...

Pictures of rural areas extracting different emotions from visitors...

As I took more pictures, I was engulfed by tranquility of the environment and attained complete peaceful mind and joyful spirit even for few hours...

Creative signage near the entrance of the restaurant...

Old chairs are also available to be occupied by tired visitors after the exploration and taking pictures within the compound...

You can occupy this area if you are dining-in alone...

artistically designed pathways surrounded by towering trees...

Handwashing area near the RESTAURANT...

BIBLE VERSES are also abundantly posted within the compound...

Interestingly, the name of the place which is VILLA JAVIERTO was not just invented out of nothing. It is actually coined from the surnames in honor of a couple, the husband's name is CATALINO JAVIERTO while the wife's name is DIONESIA VILLA...

This signage is visible along the highway if you are coming from TAYABAS CITY going to the DIVERSION ROAD...

VILLA JAVIERTO is just one kilometer away from the busy main intersection in DIVERSION ROAD in LUCENA CITY...just ride a JEEPNEY with signage GULANG-GULANG and tell the driver to bring you to VILLA JAVIERTO or CATALINO'S...

the main intersection at DIVERSION ROAD in LUCENA CITY...

HOW TO REACH VILLA JAVIERTO and CATALINO'S RESTAURANT from METRO MANILA?

PUBLIC TRANSPORT 

1. Ride a BUS bound for LUCENA CITY, (220 pesos fare for air-conditioned bus from CUBAO). There are also buses (JAC liner, JAM liner, LUCENA lines, DLTB, among others) at the different parts of METRO MANILA bound for LUCENA CITY. Travel time is about 3 to 4 hours depending on the traffic flow. The best time to leave Manila is at dawn. 

2. Alight at LUCENA CITY DIVERSION ROAD (main intersection). LANDMARK - JOLLIBEE, CHOWKING, and DUNKIN' DONUTS. 

3. From DIVERSION ROAD, ride a JEEPNEY bound for GULANG GULANG infront of the JOLLIBEE, tell the driver that you will be going to VILLA JAVIERTO or CATALINO'S RETAURANT. The travel time is about 5 minutes or less for 8 pesos fare. The distance between the main intersection road to VILLA JAVIERTO is about 1 kilometer only.

4. You will find an old gate which is always open. The signage is clearly visible along the highway. CATALINO'S RESTAURANT and VILLA JAVIERTO. The restaurant is open from 9am to 9pm serving breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner.

5. To travel back to MANILA, ride a JEEPNEY infront of the CATALINO'S RESTAURANT/VILLA JAVIERTO bound for BAYAN (LUCENA CITY) and alight at the DIVERSION ROAD. At the DIVERSION ROAD, infront of DUNKIN DONUTS, wait for the bus with signage CUBAO or LRT BUENDIA.

PRIVATE CAR/VEHICLE:

1. Just follow the SLEX road, then exit at STO. TOMAS (BATANGAS).

2. Then upon reaching the intersection road near LIANA'S STO TOMAS, turn left towards the direction going to SAN PABLO CITY. The trip will be passing thru ALAMINOS and SAN PABLO CITY (LAGUNA) then TIAONG, CANDELARIA and SARIAYA (municipalities of QUEZON PROVINCE). 

3. After passing the town proper of SARIAYA, there is a T road at CALUMPANG (part of TAYABAS CITY). Turn left going to the direction of LUCENA CITY. 

4. After several minutes, there is a FORK ROAD. Take the road at the left going to the DIVERSION ROAD of LUCENA CITY. 

5. At the main intersection at DIVERSION ROAD (LANDMARKS are JOLLIBEE and CHOWKING), turn left towards the direction of TAYABAS CITY proper and LUCBAN. After one kilometer, the signage CATALINO'S RESTAURANT (in yellow background signage) can be seen at the left side of the road. There are available parking spaces infront of the place.

*Travel time is about 3 to 4 hours. LUCENA CITY is about 128 kilometers away from METRO MANILA.

Take a break from your busy life...discover interesting places within your town, city or province...you will be amazed that there is something like VILLA JAVIERTO or CATALINO'S RESTAURANT within your reach...

for priceless HAPPINESS at LIMITED COST...