MINIATURES

   Introduction The late 19th century until the early years of the American occupation witnessed Pasig's thriving and renowned brass band tradition. However, over time, this vibrant cultural heritage slipped into obscurity, fading from the memory of the Pasigueños.The purpose of this article is to rekindle the narrative of Pasig's brass band tradition, shedding light on its historical, cultural, and musical significance. By examining the tradition's roots in the fusion of Catholicism and Western music, its role in religious and communal contexts, and its eventual decline, we aim to celebrate and re-establish this lost legacy. Harmony of Faith and Music: The Arrival of Western Musical Tradition Pasig's musical journey was intertwined with the arrival of the Catholic faith and Western music in the Philippines. The Catholic Church, a harbinger of both Christian beliefs and Western culture, played a pivotal role in introducing traditional European music to the archipelago. ...

  It is well documented among the great yogis of Varanasi, India, that they possessed this uncommon skill - the ability to control their fart. It is said that before they go to their marathon meditation, they prepare their bodies from the arduous task by controlling first their diet. Lentils and beans are prevented. After that, there will be no more food intake--fasting. Then they will finally go to a trance-like hibernation. Of course, without the inconvenience of releasing air. A story goes about an Austrian professor 's experiment on soul levitation or this out of body experience done among the monks of a Tibetan temple at Lhasa. One particular monk was said to have mastered the ability to use an animal-vehicle (vahana). His soul could enter the body of an animal, acquiring its skills and of course, the instinct plus emotion to see the world around. One day, after another experiment, the monk went back to his earthly body in pain and in anguish. It was later discovered that d...

Leon Kilat Monument at Bacong town plaza   Many have raised their eyebrows upon hearing me label the Katipunan's regimental music, one of which eventually became our national anthem. Currently, we can only definitively identify two such compositions, though I firmly believe there could be more — who knows? The "Marcha Nacional Filipina" (Marcha Magdalo) by Julian Felipe, now known as Lupang Hinirang, distinctly carries the spirit of Caviteños, while "Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan," later transformed into Salve Patria, composed by Julio Nakpil, serves as the anthem of Manileños (or the "Hymn ng mga Manila Boys," as I sometimes jest). However it was largely unheard and unplayed , even though the suppose anthem is identified with the leadership of Bonifacio, whose influence extends further to the Tagalog pueblos bordering Manila and even into the then province of Morong, encompassing present-day Metro Manila and Rizal Province. The Cavite march is inf...

  The first time I heard about Milan Kundera was while catching the S2 train to Au-Waedenswil. The invitation came as an ominous warning: 'Come or you will miss something.' There were only few tickets left for a seat at a theater adaptation of Kundera's work. They promised to treat me to dinner in Niederdorf. Huh! Two classmates asking me out on a date? I was taken aback when one of them quipped, 'So you can take a break from your Hemingway or Akutagawa. Both ceremoniously ended their lives in a meaningless mess.' I retorted, 'People might think I'm your male Asian servant!' One of them replied, 'Aren't you?' The next evening, my two lady companions began recounting stories of Prague. 'It also rains in Prague, you know, especially in July,' one of them told me. The other turned to me and said, 'You were funny when you shared the story of how you discovered Kafka in the professor's area at your university... with an exhibition ...

An official report dated 30 April 1575 of the 2nd Capitulo or provincial chapter held by the Augustinians (The first --May 3, 1572) From Archivo de los Padres Agustinos de Filipinas (APAF) in Valladolid. This was the first time "conventus de Passin" (the convent of Pasig) was mentioned. The signatures belonged to Fray Martin de Rada, Francisco Ortega, Alonso de Alvarado, Diego Mujeca, "definitores" of the province. Assigned as Prior of the convetn was Fray Juan de Alba and assisted by Juan de Penalosa. The patron was the  Virgin of the Visitation. (Courtesy of Prof. Danilo Gerona)   FRAY MARTIN DE RADA I embarked on my own 'studium' to delve into an issue that has been a matter of dispute in Pasig for some time—the date of its foundation. I scoured the available materials in my personal library for information. In my research, I stumbled upon a book I acquired in the late 1980s. While I may have perused it or even read certain chapters, the specifics had fa...

  The tribute to Rizal of "Deutsche Turnblätter" In an article dated January 1897 of "Deutsche Turnblätter," a monthly publication devoted to the propagation of German Gymnastics (exercise and sports), there is a tribute to Dr. Jose Rizal. The article writes: " Der kurz vor Jahresschluss als Hauptanstiffter der Empörung auf den Philippinen von den Spanien standreclich erchossene Arzt Jose Rizal der bedeustende unter den Aufstandischen, war ein warmer Verehrer des deutschen Turnens . Wahrend seines Aufethaltes in Leipzig turnte er im Allgeneinen Turnverein und machte sich unter seinen Riegengenossen durch Eifer und Liebenswurdigkeit schnell beliebt." Translation: "Jose Rizal, the prominent figure among the insurgents who was executed by the Spanish authorities just before the end of the year, was a fervent admirer of German gymnastics. During his stay in Leipzig, he exercised at the gymnastics club and quickly endeared himself to his comrades in the sa...