It is sparkling musical Christmas in Albay as it holds the fifth Karangahan Green Christmas Festival.
The presence of The Voice Philippines 2014 winner Daryl Ong spiced up the night.
The prized singer, also a TV animator, wowed the crowd with his hits and all-time Yuletide tunes. He joined the local government officials in the lighting of the native “green Christmas tree”.
Ong also sampled the native delicacies at the Culinaria Albay grounds at the Peñaranda Park in Legazpi City where the province’s well-known local restaurants have set up booths in the food plaza that will run for a month.
Also spicing up the launch was the pageant of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges, which held its convention in the city.
Karangahan, which literally means merry-making, started in 2010 with Albay Gov. Joey Salceda initiating it to be the yearend festivity of the province to mark its environmental advocacy and disaster preparedness.
This year’s Christmas tree is made of karagumoy, a native plant from the coastal communities of Bacacay, Sto. Domingo and San Miguel Island in Tabaco City. Some 937,500 leaves of the plant were used in the 36-foot high tree.
For the past five years, Albay’s green Christmas tree has been made of earth-friendly and recyclable materials such as empty oil drums, pili nut seedlings, coconut husks and camote (sweet potatoes).
“Even as we keep it modest, the festival showcases the superlative skills of our creative community and the generosity of our patrons: The artists who create our Christmas tree and make our surroundings beautiful. The artisans who craft our products, beautify our homes and surroundings,” Salceda said.
The weeklong fest features the Pastores Bikol, a century-old Christmas tradition, which depicts the shepherds’ jubilation with the birth of the Christ Child. Spearheaded by the Department of Tourism regional office, musical groups interpret “Pastores A Belen” (Shepherds to Bethlehem), a Spanish song composed by national hero Dr. Jose Rizal while on exile in Dapitan.
Introduced by Spanish priests in the late 1800s, Pastores is a practice across Bicolandia and a regular part of the Yuletide season in the region. Gaily-dressed young boys and girls in colorfully decorated hats and arches, and accompanied by musicians dance around towns and are welcomed to the homes for snacks of native rice cakes.
Albay, one of Bicolandia’s important centers of history and culture, has become the home of the Pastores because it is popularly practiced here.
The late National Artist Ramon Obusan, founder of the famed Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group and a native of Camarines Norte, put choreography to the song to represent the Bicol folk’s jovial nature.
In the 70s, Legazpi City-based radio station People’s Broadcasting Network (PBN- DZGB) revived the tradition by launching a contest among Bicol’s students and youths. Its role has become pivotal because it revived a dying tradition and the song has been turned into household tune once more what with airwaves saturated with the Christmas melody.
Other events in the Karangahan Festival include cooking demos and competitions, entertainment shows, sporting tournaments, pageants and celebrity appearances.
Janella’s dream to be Disney princess comes true
Janella Salvador might have burst onto the music entertainment scene as an actress, but she has quickly gained recognition for her sweet and exceptional singing voice.
After breaking into the music industry as Star Music’s OPM Pop Sweetheart, she is now officially a Disney princess after being chosen by Hong Kong Disneyland to represent the Philippines and sing its 10th anniversary theme song “Happily Ever After.”
Both the English and Taglish versions of the song, which Janella performed live for the first time in It’s Showtime last week, is included in the limited edition of her self-titled album under Star Music.
“I remember celebrating my seventh birthday in Hong Kong Disneyland 10 years ago when it just opened. I’m so honored, this time, to represent our country and sing its 10th anniversary theme song. Dreams do come true, and Disney never fails to prove that,” she said.
Janella’s solo self-titled album also features nine pop and inspirational songs. Included in the album is her carrier single “Ganyan Talaga,” composed by inspirational diva Jamie Rivera.
The making of the album was very special for Janella as her mother, singer-actress Jenine Desiderio, served as its vocal supervisor.
Janella’s album tracks also include her own versions of Sharon Cuneta’s “Dear Heart” and Donna Cruz’s “I Can.”
Fans of her love team with Marlo Mortel, a member of boy group Harana, will surely enjoy their duet in “Kapag Tumibok ang Puso.”
Completing the track list are “Harana Na Na Na Na,” “Tick Tock Love,” “Teka Muna Pag-ibig…,” and Himig Handog P-Pop Love Song “Mahal Kita Pero,” as well as the minus-one versions of the album’s nine songs.
The limited edition of Janella Salvador is available at all record bars nationwide for only P199. Digital tracks can also be downloaded via leading record stores across the nation and online music stores iTunes, Mymusicstore.com.ph, and Starmusic.ph.
For more information, visit Starmusic.ph or follow Star Music’s official social media accounts at Facebook.com/starrecordsphil, Twitter.com/starrecordsph and Instagram.com/Starmusicph.