Sambuokan 2009 : Clash Dance Grand Finals

And the crowd goes wild...

The Hosts

Showdown

I believe I can Fly

Sambuokan 2009 : Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan

Sights from the recently concluded Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan

Sambuokan 2009: Practice Makes Perfect

Students rigorously practicing their routine for the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan during the Sambuokan Festival 2009

San Nicholas de Tolentino

San Nicholas de Tolentino
Patrol Saint of the Mati Parish

Born at Sant' Angelo, near Fermo, in the March of Ancona, about 1246; d. 10 September, 1306. He is depicted in the black habit of the Hermits of St. Augustine — a star above him or on his breast, a lily, or a crucifix garlanded with lilies, in his hand. Sometimes, instead of the lily, he holds a vial filled with money or bread. His parents, said to have been called Compagnonus de Guarutti and Amata de Guidiani (these surnames may merely indicate their birth-places), were pious folk, perhaps gentle born, living content with a small substance. Nicholas was born in response to prayers, his mother a model of holiness. He excelled so much in his studies that even before they were over he was made a canon of St. Saviour's church; but hearing a sermon by a hermit of St. Augustine upon the text: "Nolite diligere mundum, nec ea quae sunt in mundo, quia mundus transit et concupiscentia ejus", he felt a call to embrace the religious life. He besought the hermit for admittance into his order. His parents gave a joyful consent. Even before his ordination he was sent to different monasteries of his order, at Recanati, Macerata etc., as a model of generous striving after perfection. He made his profession before he was nineteen. After his ordination he preached with wonderful success, notably at Tolentino, where he spent his last thirty years and gave a discourse nearly every day. Towards the end diseases tried his patience, but he kept up his mortifications almost to the hour of death. He possessed an angelic meekness, a guileless simplicity, and a tender love of virginity, which he never stained, guarding it by prayer and extraordinary mortifications. He was canonized by Eugene IV in 1446; his feast is celebrated on 10 September. His tomb, at Tolentino, is held in veneration by the faithful.

Source: Catholic Encyclopedia

R.I.P. : Edith Merced Nakpil-Rabat

MERCED Edith Nakpil-Rabat, the grand dame of Mati, Davao Oriental, passed away Wednesday afternoon after fighting with cancer for the past years.

Edith Rabat, or Madam Edith to many of her constituents, died at 4:10 p.m. at the Cardinal Santos Hospital in Manila, she was 74.

Crowned Miss Philippines in 1955, Edith married the erstwhile Rajah of Rebound in basketball, Francisco Garcia Rabat, who later on became the governor of the province of Davao Oriental in the 70's to 80's.

Edith herself was into politics as she was member of the Second Batasang Pambansa in 1984 until it was abolished by President Corazon Aquino when she came to power in 1986. She was one of the closest friends of then First Lady Imelda Marcos.

She was also head of the International Child Development Foundation which aims to prevent child exploitation and drug addiction back in 1987 and was mentioned in two books -- Gender and Power in Affluent Asia (New Rich in Asia) by Krishna Sen, and Women, Power, and Kinship Politics by Mina Roces. The said books talk about the most powerful women in Asia and the Philippines.

She was the daughter of Anita Noble, Miss Philippines of 1926, and Juan Nakpil, National Artist for architecture. Her grandfather was Julio Nakpil, composer of the National Anthem, who was married to Andres Bonifacio's widow, Gregoria de Jesus.

Edith's sister, Anita, is meanwhile married to Renato Tañada, the son of former Senator Lorenzo Tañada.

Flags in Mati are at half mast. She is mourned by the great majority of Matinians who look up to her as an exemplar of service. Her steadfast love for Mati and its people endeared her to everyone. She leaves a lasting contribution to Mati -- to its people, to its culture and arts, to its progress and development.

Edith is survived by children Louie, Jay, Miko, Michelle and Erick.

She was cremated after her death and her remains now lie in state at the Sanctuario de San Jose in Greenhills. On August 31, she will be brought to her residence in Dahican, Mati. Burial date was not yet confirmed as of Thursday. < (BOT)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on August 28, 2009.