out with the old

The challenge of the holidays lies between enjoying the season's celebrations while caring and sharing. Often around more than we are generally used to. 

Being able to disengage from our ordinary grind, to unwind in the loving cocoon of family, friends, feasting and maybe even some stillness. 

NYC Bloomberg Tower Christmas Tree 2024

For some of the busiest bodies they can abuse this freed time by adding more and more to their to-do lists. Forgetting the preciousness of being present, in their drive to bring the year to a close and prepare for the next one. 

Holiday sparkle

The holiday season in London has become a festival of lights. The Christmas lights in Regent Street and Piccadilly are special tourist attractions, with their Spirit of Christmas theme.

Regent Street's Spirit of Christmas

holiday rituals

Sunday, December 15 was the third Sunday of Advent this holiday season. It also marked the beginning of the dawn masses nine days before Christmas. In our barrios back home this is a big family tradition for many of its practitioners. 

Simbang Gabi, Misa de Aguinaldo, and Misa de Gallo are commonly interchanged to refer to these nine masses. Even when history shows that this was not originally so. 

Day 1 of Misa de Aguinaldo Novena, San Sbastian Cathedral, Bacolod City
- image by Andrew Altarejos

The novena masses held at dawn from December 15 to 24 are properly called Misas de Aguinaldo. They originated in Spain where “Aguinaldo” means a gift given during the Christmas season. 

Misa de Aguinaldo should not be confused with Misa de Gallo (Rooster’s Mass) which in Spain referred to Mass on Christmas Eve.

cozy indoor drawing

wonder | wander | women spent the weekend hunkered down as Storm Darragh rampaged through the UK, bringing driving rain and wind speeds of up to 50kph. It brought back memories of bagyo (typhoons) back home...at least we didn't lose power here, so we spent the weekend playing cosily at home instead of our usual walks and errands.

there goes the sun...

farm food fest 2024

The 17th Negros Island Organic Festival and 2nd Terra Madre Visayas was held on Nov 19 to 23, 2024 at North Capitol Road in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. Booths and stalls lined the closed off streets beside the lagoon and around the capitol drive entrance. Talks and workshops were held daily at the Negros Residences - all within walking range of the participants and event visitors. 

view of event venue at North Capitol Road - BCD PIO

We were treated to an extraordinary community of farmers and producers in and around Negros province. Participating delegates who have implemented tangible projects in their communities came to share and collaborate in this five-day fest.  Government support and representation was fully supportive, in recognition of their valuable contribution to our food systems, travel tourism and local entertainment. 

now on it's 17th year - growing & expanding

The festival aimed to promote the Visayan region as an active Slow Food central hub in Asia and the Pacific - exhibiting Philippine cuisine, culture, and arts. Daily turnout and event earnings attest to its resounding success.