Holiday Thought from Hollywood Greats

Woman Today Vol. 15 No. 39, January 13, 1999

On the cover: Jon Santos, Mitch Valdes and Nanette Inventor

Just some collected quotes - "Holiday Thoughts from Hollywood Greats."

“..... We must always aim at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another.” – Paul’s Letter to the Romans 14:19, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.

What the Bible Say About Homosexuality

Woman Today, February-March 2017
On the cover: Representative Geraldine Roman of  the First District of Bataan

 

My first article published in 2017, in Woman Today, February-March issue. Originally titled "Biblical Abomination." It was written after eight-division world boxing champ Manny Pacquiao's "encounter" with the LGBT community last year, when he supposedly compared members of the so-called "third-sex" to animals. In this article, I expound where Pacquiao (now senator) missed to cite in his arguments. That is, what the "Holy Bible (really) says..." about homosexuality (pp. 60-61).

 

 

 

In Solomon’s wisdom: “People who listen when they are corrected will live, but those who will not admit that they are wrong are lost.” (Proverbs 10:17).

 

December 9



DECEMBER 9

Entertainment Weekly December 9, 2011

On the Cover: Steven Speilberg and 15 of his blockbuster films

 

FIRST ISSUE

The front cover of the “maiden” issue of

Ms. Clavel (December 2008 – January 2009)

featured the bosom of model Cristina Esposito

Conspicuously and conveniently concealed

by Nike “Tiffany Dunk” sneakers.

The unique magazine Ms. Clavel was released into circulation on December 2008. It was dabbed “The Official Sneaker Jump-Off Mag(azine) in the Philippine.” The foremost theme of the magazine is about and anything and everything about “sneakers,” most especially the high-end rubber shoes manufactured by Adidas, New Balance, Nike, Puma, Reebok, etc. People with retifism o shoe fetish would find this magazine to their liking. Its editor-in-chief is Edouard Canlas.

Aside from the collections of handsome sneakers, the magazine also features sexy pictures of women holding or using as props, what else, sneakers. On its first issue, models Che-an Kubota and Cristina Esposito graced the inside pages. The magazine also features fashion accessories and events.

Disyembre 9 sa Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas

          Noong Disyembre 9, 1811, humarap sa Cortes sa Espanya si Ventura de los Reyes bilang kauna-unahang kinatawang Filipino.

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          Nagsimula ang pananakop ng puwersang Hapones nang dumaong sila sa hilagang dalampasigan ng Luzon noong Disyembre 9, 1941.

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Personalities and celebrities born on December 9:

1900 – Jose Garvida Flores, poet and playwright – in Bangui, Ilocos Norte (d. August 12, 1944).

1934 – Ruben Edera Ecleo, founder of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association – in Cabilan Island, Dinagat, Surigao del Norte (d. December 20, 1987).

1975 – Ina Raymundo (full name Rina Marie Padilla Raymundo), actress, commercial model and singer, in Manila.

Ina Raymundo
on the covers of Celebrity World (November 6, 1995),
Sexy Movie Star komiks magazine (September 2, 1997), and Liwayway (October 19, 1998)

 

1976 – Danilo “Danny” Ildefonso – basketball player known as the “Demolition Man” and PBA-MVP (2000 and 2001) – in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.

2002 – Timothy Chan, actor and model – in Caloocan City.

 

Supermodel Cindy Crawford on the cover of
Woman Today (December 9, 1998)

Larawang Tribiya

          Alam niyo ba na noong 1998 lumabas sa isang cameo role ang supermodel na si Cindy Crawford? Ito ay sa pelikulang 54 na pinagbidahan nina Ryan Phillippe, Salma Hayek at Neve Campbell. Gumanap siya bilang isang VIP patron. Taong 1998 din nang lumabas siya sa documentary na Beautopia, isang pagsasalarawan ng mundo ng pagmomodelo.

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November 6



NOVEMBER 6

MOD Filipina Vol. 20 No. 845, November 6, 1987
On the Cover: Agie Ilustre 

Nobyembre 6 sa Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas

          Noong Nobyembre 6, 1999, ang Knowledge Channel, ang kauna-unahang educational cable channel sa Pilipinas ay inilunsad at nagsimulang magsahimpapawid.

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GLIMPSE FROM THE PAST

American actor at radio-TV personality Warren Hull (1903-1974),
on the cover of TV Guide (November 6-12, 1953).

 

Personalities and celebrities born on November 6:

1915 – Nicanor Espina Yniguez, lawmaker and Speaker of Batasang Pambansa (July 23, 1984 – March 25, 1986) – in Maasin Leyte (d. April 13, 2007)

1939 – Leonardo A. Quisumbing, law professor and jurist – in Masbate City.


1978 – Jolina Magdangal-Escueta (birth name Maria Jolina Perez Magdangal), singer and actress – in Hagonoy, Bulacan.

Jolina Magdangal (with her mom Paulita)
on the cover of Mr. & Ms. (August 8, 2000).

1979 – Marc Abaya (full name Ramon Marcelino Diaz Abaya), musician, television, video jockey and actor.

1983 – Janette Heather McBride, Australian-Filipino actress – in Queensland, Australia.

Janette McBride (with Onemig Bondoc)

on the cover of Mr. & Ms. (February 15, 2000)

 

1989 – Shaina Magdayao (full name Shaina Garcia Magdayao), actress, dancer, singer and model – in Quezon City.  

Shaina Magdayao
on the covers of Cosmopolitan Philippines (November 2007), Seventeen  (January-February 2009),
and Woman Today (March 1-15, 2010).



A naked Madonna hitchicking
and covered only by a “question mark”
on the cover of Entertainment Weekly
(November 6, 1992).

Picture Trivia

          In 1992, Madonna played the role of a baseball player name Mae Mordabito in the film A League of Their Own. She also sang the theme song of the film, “This Used to Be My Playground,” which reached the Number 1 spot on the “Hot 100” list. It was also in 1992 when Madonna established her entertainment company, Maverick.           A joint venture was made between Maverick and Time Warner, which gave her an advance payment of 60 million dollars. The joint venture first released Madonna’s book titled Sex. It contained nude and sexually provocative pictures of Madonna taken by photographer Steven Meisel. It was criticized by the media, but the book (tagged at 50 dollars) sold more than 1.5 million copies in just a few days.
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September 9



SEPTEMBER 9

Sexy (Movie) Stars Komiks Magazine Taon 1 Blg. 4, September 9, 1997
On the Cover: Rita Magdalena

 

Setyembre 9 sa Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas

          Noong Setyembre 9, 1968, ang Bais (sa lalawigan ng Negros Oriental) ay idineklarang isang lungsod sa pamamagitan ng Republic Act No. 5444.

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Personalities and celebrities born on September 9:

1878 – Sergio Suico Osmeña Sr, Speaker of the first Philippine Assembly (1907-1922), founder of the Nacionalista Party, and second president of the Philippine Commonwealth – in Cebu City (d. October 19, 1961).

1884 – Quintin Babila Paredes, lawyer, statesman, Speaker of the House of Representatives (1933-1935), Senate President (March 5, 1952 – April 17, 1952) – in Bangued, Abra (d. January 30, 1973).

1977 – Janelle So, Filipino-Chinese journalist and sportscaster – in Manila.

Janelle So (with Paolo Trillo)
on the cover of Mr. & Ms. (May 1, 2001).

1983 – Kristine Hermosa (full name Anne Kirsten Hermosa Orille), actress – in Quezon City.



Kristine Hermosa on the covers of Cosmopolitan Philippines (June 2009),
Speed (May 2010, 7th Anniversary issue), and Woman Today (July 1-15, 2010)

1988 – JM de Guzman (full name Juan Miguel de Guzman), actor.

1992 – Frencheska Farr (full name Marie Frencheska Tobias Farr), singer, actress and model – in Las Piñas City.

 

Ang Grandparents Day


Isang pagbati ng “Happy Grandparents Day”
(Iginuhit ni Dennis G. Dayao) ang itinampok
sa taklob-pahina ng Philippine Panorama
(September 12, 2010).

          Alam niyo ba na bukod sa karaniwang Mothers Day at Fathers Day ay mayroon ding Grandparents Day? Ito ay nagsimula noong 1978, nang ipoklama ni U.S. Presdient Jimmy Carter ang ikalawang araw ng Linggo ng buwan ng Setyembre bilang “Grandparents Day.” Ang pag-aalaala sa mga lolo at lola ay mula sa pagsisikap ng isang maybahay sa Fayette County, sa West Virginia, na nagngangalang Marian McQuade, na naglaan ng kaniyang panahon para sa kapakanan ng mga matatanda sa mga nursing homes.

          Sa taong 2012, ang Grandparents Day ay pumatak sa araw ng Setyembre 9.

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Picture Trivia

Oprah Winfrey on the covers of Entertainment Weekly (September 9, 1994)
and People weekly (September 9, 1996).

          Oprah Winfrey is considered as one of the most influential women in the world. Her biography is full of “sad” experiences, though it is one of the most extraordinary “rag-to-riches” stories. Noteworthy are her contribution in the field of broadcast media and her being a philanthropist. Her opinions are highly valued by her viewers and because of this any products she endorsed are well-received by the viewing consumers. Any products she mentioned in her show that she likes do well in the market. Any person she introduced in her show as “extraordinary” eventually becomes well-known and successful. Even books that are virtually unknown become bestsellers once she picked it to be part of her “Book Club.” This has been termed as the “Oprah Effect.”

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April 6

 

April 6

Pilipino Komiks Blg. 257, Abril 6, 1957
Tampok sa taklob-pahina ang obrang “Pulot-Gata”
na isinulat at iginuhit ni Francisco V. Coching.

1828 – The King of Spain, Ferdinand VII, issued a decree establishing a public bank in the Philippines to meet the requirements of increasing commerce and trade in the archipelago. It was originally called El Banco Español Filipino de Isabel II (Named after the king’s daughter) It was the first bank establsihed in the Philippines and Southeast and the ancestor of the present day Bank of the Philippine Islands.

Sample of the banknote issued by El Banco Español Filipino de Isabel II

with a value of “Cinco Peso Fuertes.”

1924 – The first Balagtasan (Tagalog poetic debate) was held in Manila between Jose Corazon de Jesus and Florentino Collantes. Though it was orated in a scripted debate, it was such a success that a second one was held on October 18, 1925, this time the protagonists argued on a controversial topic without a prepared script.

Personalities and celebrities born on April 6:

1960 – Pol Medina Jr (full name Apolonio Medina Jr), cartoonist.

1986 – Mark Jason Melligen, professional boxer – in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

1988 – Melai (real name Melisa Cantiveros), actress-comedienne – General Santos City.

Melai (Cantiveros)
on the cover of Woman Today (November 1-15, 2010).

 

1994 – Jasmine Curtis-Smith (full name Jasmine Casandra Ojales Curtis-Smith), actress and model – in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Jasmine Curtis-Smith
on the covers of Chalk (February 2011), Meg  (February 2012),

and Bannawag (March 19, 2012).




Real-life husband and wife, Desi Arnaz, Lucille Ball,
and their children Lucy Desiree and Desi IV (“TV’s First Family”),
on the cover of Life (April 6, 1953).

Picture Trivia

          American actress-comedienne Lucille Ball (1911-1989) and Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz (197-1986) met and eloped in 1940. After eleven years together, at the age of 40, Ball gave birth to their first child, Lucie Desiree Arnaz on July 17, 1951. One and a half years later, she conceived their second child, Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV.
          It was also in 1951 that the hit television show I Love Lucy started, where Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball played the role of husband and wife Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. They were called “TV First Family.” The show lasted 180 episodes until 1957. Then after the show was lengthened, more characters were added, the storyline changed, and was given a new title, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour. The new show lasted only 13 episodes. On May 4, 1960 Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball divorced.

 

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January 13

   
 

JANUARY 13



Woman Today Vol. 15 No. 39, January 13, 1999
On the Cover: Jon Santos, Mitch Valdes and Nanette Inventor





Enero 13 sa Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas

          Noong Enero 13, 1865, ang General Treasury ng Pilipinas ay itinatag ng pamahalaang Kastila.

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          Ipinasa ng Kongreso ng Philippine Commonwealth ang Hare-Hawes-Cutting Independence Act noong Enero 13, 1933, na nagbibigay sa bansa ng 10-year transition period bago kilalanin ng America ang kalayaan ng Pilipinas.

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          Nagpalabas ng kautusan ang Japanese occupational government noong ika-13 ng Enero, 1942, na nagpapataw ng parusang kamatayan sa sinomang lalabag sa pinairal nilang batas mula sa sedition hanggang rumor mongering.

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          Pitong magsasaka na pinaghihinalang mga kasapi ng Huk ang pinagbabaril ng mga militar sa Culatingan, Concepcion, Tarlac noong ika-13 ng Enero, 1966. Ito ay binansagang Culatingan Massacre.

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Pinoy personalities and celebrities born on January 13:

1940 – Corazon Rivas (a.k.a. Sweet Williams), Filipino-American actress – in Tubigon, Bohol.

1983 – Joselito “Jojo” Duncil, pro-basketball playet – San Pablo, Laguna.

Walang Batayang Agham ang Astrology

          Alam niyo ba kung paano nagsimula ang paniniwalang ang buhay ng tao ay may kaugnayan sa paggalaw ng mga bituin? Tatlo ang posibleng pinagmulan ng paniniwalang ito: Sa Hellenistic Egypt (200-100 B.C.), sa Babylonia (600-500 B.C.) at sa Ancient Hindu Vedic religion (c. 2000 B.C.). Nang mga panahong wala pang malinaw na agham na umiiral at namamahala sa impluensiya ng mga bagay sa kalawakan dito sa daigdig, bulag na pinaniniwalaan ng mga sinaunang tao na ang paggalaw ng mga tala sa langit ay gumagabay sa kanilang buhay at kinabukasan.

                                                         o     O     o

          Ang salitang “astrology” ay mula sa salitang Griyego na astron (“bituin”) at logia (“pag-aaral”). Nagkaroon lamang ng batayang-agham ang pag-aaral sa mga bituin – sa impluensiya nito sa ating daigdig – noong panahon nina Tycho Brahe (1546-1601), Francis Bacon (1561-1626), Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) at Isaac Newton (1642-1727). Subalit ang kanilang mga pag-aaral ay nagpatunay lamang sa pisikal na impluensiya at hindi sa metapisikal. Pinatunayan din sa kanilang pag-aaral na walang kinalaman ang mga bituin sa kapalaran ng tao.

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          Sa ngayon, ang astrology ay itinuturing na isang pseudoscience o balig-agham. Ayon sa mga psychologists, marami ang napapaniwala ng panghuhula gamit ang astrology dahil sa dalawang factors: Ang “Positive Perception Imprinting” at ang tinatawag na Forer Effect. Mas tumatatak sa isip ng tao ang mga predictions na nangyari kaysa sa mga hindi nangyari. Madali ring naiuugnay ang mga generalized predictions sa isang tao kaya nabibigyan ito ng “hiwatig” ng katotohanan, bagama’t kung susuriing mabuti mapapatunayang ang mga katangian ng “hula” ay napaka-common sa maraming tao.

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Pagkakaiba ng Astrology at Astronomy

          Alam niyo ba na ang astrology at astronomy ay nagkakapareho ng nilalayon? Sa simula ang astrology ay agham na nag-aaral sa galaw ng mga bagay sa langit at pagsisiyasat sa anomang impluensiya nito sa daigdig, samantalang ang astronomy ay ang pagsasaliksik at pagbubuo ng mga batas na gumagabay sa paggalaw ng mga bagay sa kalawakan.

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          Nang lumaon ang astrology ay nahaluan na ng superstition at iniugnay na sa buhay at kapalaran ng tao. Ginamit na ito sa panghuhula at iba pang rituwal na walang kaugnayan sa agham.

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          Nagsimulang maghiwalay ang panuntunan ng astrology at astronomy noong panahon ng “Scientific Revolution” (c.1600-c. 1700). Dito kasi napatunayan ng mga siyentista na walang batayan ang pag-uugnay sa paggalaw ng mga bituin sa kapalaran ng mga tao.

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          Ayon sa Cosmotheoros, na sinulat ng Dutch scientist na si Christian Huygens (1629-1695): “Ang Judicial astrology, na nagkukunwang naglalahad ng mga bagay na mangyayari, ay isang katawa-tawa at kadalasang balakyot na panlilinlang, na hindi ko inaakalang karapat-dapat tawagin sa ganitong pangalan.”

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          Ang astrology sa kasalukuyan, bagama’t gumagamit ng mga mathematical calculation sa astronomy upang matukoy ang paggalaw ng mga planeta at bituin, ay hindi itinuturing na isang tunay na agham dahil ang sinusunod nitong konsepto ay walang batayan sa agham.

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Suwerte ang Numero 13

          Sinasabing malas daw ang numero 13. At ang mga taong takot dito ay mayroong triskaidekaphobia. Pero alam niyo ba na ang Great Seal ng America ay puno ng numero 13? Kung kayo ay mayroong one-dollar bill, tignan niyo ang Great Seal ng America, makikita niyo rito ang 13 stars, 13 stripes, 13 arrows (sa kuko ng agila), 13 feathers (sa bawat pakpak at sa buntot ng agila), 13 clouds of glory, 13 laurel leaves, 13 rows sa pyramid, 13 rays sa mata sa itaas ng pyramid, 13 letra sa dalawang national motto: E pluribus unum (“Nag-iisa sa marami”) at Annuit coeptis (“Sang-ayon sa mga gawa”).

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          Para naman sa Colgate University, ang numero 13 ay isang masuwerteng numero. Ang pamantasan ay itinatag noong 1819 ng 13 tao na may 13 dollars, 13 prayers at 13 articles. Ang campus address ng pamantasan ay 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, New York. Ang pangalan ng all-men a cappella group nila ay Colgate 13.

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          Ang numero 13 ay ang pang-anim na prime number at pinakamababang emirp number (isang prime number – 13 – na kapag binaligtad ang numero – 31 – ay isa ring prime).

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          Isang tradisyon na mayroong 13 hakbang sa hagdanan paakyat sa bibitayan (gallows). Subalit sa kaugaliang pagtutugma ng “Oro, plata, mata,” sa bilang ng hakbang sa hagdan, ang pang-13 ay papatak sa oro o ginto na sinasabing masuwerte. Sa Feng Shui, masuwerte rin ang hagdanang may 13 hakbang dahil sa pagtutugmaang “gold-silver-copper-iron,” papatak ang ika-13 hakbang sa gold.

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D.C. Comics Swamp Thing No. 13
(December 1974).
Cover illustrated by Nestor Redondo
(Notice his initials “N.R.”
at bottom left of the cover page)



 
         Ang legendary Filipino illustrator na si Nestor Redondo (1928-1995) ay gumuhit ng 13 sa 24 na issues ng original comics series na Swamp Thing (1972-1976). Si Len Wein naman ang sumulat ng unang 13 issues bago siya sinundan ni David Michelinie at pagkatapos ay ni Garry Conway. Si Bernie Wrightson ang gumuhit ng unang 10 issues, sumunod ay si Nestor Redondo na gumuhit ng mula pang-11 hanggang pang-23 na issues. Ang ika-24 na issue ay iginuhit ng isa pang Filipino illustrator, si Fred Carillo (1926-2005).
  

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Full inside spread illustration ng Swamp Thing episode na “The Tomorrow Children”
na sinulat ni David Michelinie at iginuhit ni Nestor Redondo. Si Joe Orlando na
instrumental sa pagpunta ni Redondo sa America ang editor ng episode na ito.

Unang pahina ng unang labas ng “Tsismosang Pipi,”

nobelang pang-komiks na isinulat ni Antonio S. Velasquez

at iginuhit ni Alfredo P. Alcala para sa Hiwaga Komiks
Blg. 134, Nobyembre 16, 1955.

           Ang nobelang pang-komiks na isinulat ni Antonio "Tony" S. Velasquez (1910-1997) na “Tsismosang Pipi” ay mayroong 13 pangunahing tauhan: Dalena, Alfredo, Clemente, Lolita, Dr. Paquito Fonebre, Aling Sidra, Mang Kulas, Aling Paula, Mang Amboy, Dulce Talakitok, Baloy at Torkuwata. Iginuhit ito ni Alfredo P. Alcala (1925-2000) para sa Hiwaga Komiks at unang lumabas noong Nobyembre 16, 1955.

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Movie ads for Mars Ravelo’s Darna at ang Babaing Tuod,

shown in theaters from April 14-23, 1964.

          Para sa ika-13 anibersaryo ng People’s Picture, ipinalabas nila ang Darna at ang Babaing Tuod (April 14, 1964) na halaw sa nobelang pang-komiks ni Mars Ravelo na na-serialized sa Liwayway Magazine. Ito ang kauna-unahang pelikulang Darna na kinunan sa pamamagitan ng Eastman Color. Gumanap bilang Darna si Eva Montes, ang itinuturing na pinaka-athletic sa lahat ng mga gumanap na Darna. Si Gina Alonso naman ang gumanap na Lucila, ang Babaing Tuod. Si Ruben Rustia ang gumawa ng Screenplay at si Cirio H. Santiago ang director.

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Paraskavedekatriaphobia

          Ang matinding takot o kilabot (phobia) sa araw ng Biyernes na tumapat sa ika-13 araw ng buwan (Friday the 13th) ay tinatawag sa terminong paraskavedekatriaphobia.

Ang “Sinulog” (the Dance of Life)
tampok sa takob-pahina ng
Mabuhay (January 1984)

Larawang Tribiya

          Ang Sinulog Festival ay isang pista na puno ng kulay at sayawan na ginaganap sa Cebu mula Enero 13 hanggang Enero 15 ng bawat taon. Ito ay isang tradisyon kung saan pinagsama ang Katolisismo at paganismo. Kasabay ito ng pagdiriwang ng Ati-Atihan na ginaganap naman sa Kalibo, Aklan. Ang katawagang “Sinulog” ay mula sa salitang-ugat na sulog, na tumutukoy sa “agos ng ilog.” Dito rin ibinabatay ang galaw ng pagsayaw ng mga nagdiriwang, na tila baga sumasabay sa agos ng tubig sa ilog, habang buhat nila at inililigid sa mga lansangan ang rebulto ng kanilang patrong Santo Niño. Nagsimula itong gawin noong Abril 28, 1566. Makalipas ang 155 taon, sa pamamagitan ng decree ni Pope Innocent XIII, inilipat ang pagdiriwang nito sa ikalawang linggo ng Enero. Noong 1980s, ginawa itong isang tourism program, manapa’y kahalintulad ng Mardi Gras sa New Orlean na sa buwan ng Enero rin ginaganap.

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