MALATARLAK FESTIVAL:IBA KA!

                            MALATARLAK FESTIVAL:IBA KA!

    Mayap a Abak kekayungan!(Magandang umaga!)

       Philippines is a country that contains different cultures and influences. Most of these influences are results of previous colonization and derived mainly from the cultures of Spain and the United States. Despite the visual Hispanic and Western influences, the older Asian aspects of Filipino culture are seen through the way of life, beliefs and customs of the people.
    

One of the feature of Filipino culture that we still practice is the strong connection of family in marriage and building another set of collective individuals.

  Despite of modernization and globalization,we still have sets of practices and beliefs that we can look upon.Philippines do not only have beautiful Filipina to compete in international pageants.Our country do not only have consistent competitors in sports or other various competitions.Our archipelago do not only have white sand beaches or prolonging destinations.Try also to get yourself busy doing some snapchats or selfies during festivals (seriously),festivals we can proud of.

   Here in Tarlac there are dozens of festivities and local events like Belenismo Festival and Aeta Food Forest Festival to name some, that embody our cultures and traditions including our products that we can show to the local and foreign tourist.Festivals also engage on how we celebrate the good harvest and how we convey our very own sacred religious rituals.

     We all know that Tarlac was dubbed as Melting Pot of Central Luzon and also the Sugar Capital of Luzon as it produces tons of sugarcanes annually.It is also home to different ethno-linguistic groups coming from it's nearby provinces.A home for Pangasinese and Ilocanos in northern part,Pampango and Aetas in southern part and Tagalogs in both parts.

   Wikipedia said that Tarlac is the most multi-cultural province in the region.A natural home for about 1.5 M farmers,fishermans,professionals and ethnic individuals,

The province is a truly great place for celebrating cultures,traditions,lifestyles and a perfect destination for food-trekking,night-outs and product-economic trip.Come in Tarlac and feel the presence of  rich and unique Filipino Culture and capture your most enjoyable experience through your cameras  and post it in your Instagram account as you are not included in 'Dayuhan sa sariling Bayan group'.Be nationalistic and feel to be great as a born-Filipino.Also,foreigners are well-welcomed in Tarlac!

A costumed dancer graciously figure out Tarlac Aetas culture and lifestyle trough  street dance during 6th Malatarlak Festival.

                    MALATARLAK FESTIVAL 

    Planning a trip? Those who love to travel know the essence of all travel is about you and your enjoyment. Travelers know that the destination is a major part in planning a trip, experiencing and delving deeper into an unfamiliar places, people and culture is paramount.

    Expand your horizons and set your sight to the Philippines, an off the beaten path travel site! An undiscovered paradise made of thousands of islands and white sand beaches all around! A tiny dot in the map of the world, and yet a haven for travelers, backpackers, retirees and even passersby.

It offers awesome tourist attractions, magnificent beaches, hot spring resorts, colorful festivals, hundreds of scenic spots and world-class hotels and facilities. Not to mention the tropical climate, the affordable prices as well as the friendly and hospitable, English-speaking people! You will be glad you came, and we’re sure, you WILL come back for more FUN in the Philippines(of course including local tourist)!

      Children dancers posed as they convey to the audiences the unique lifestyle of  Aetas.

  Tarlac's name is a Hispanized derivation from a talahib weed called "Malatarlak".

 The Malatarlak Festival, celebrated every January in Tarlac City, is one of the most remarkable festivals in the province. In 2011, the City Mayor then changed the name of the festival to Melting Pot Festival, but it is still remembered by its former name. The festival is a commemoration to the first people who built civilization in the province, the Aetas.

  The Malatarlak Festival takes its name from the a variety of grass that is native to the Luzon area. The plant is celebrated with sumptuous pageantry that’s characterized by schoolchildren dressed in grass-inspired costumes, who dance to the beat of traditional music. The Rice Cake Festival falls on the same day. Tarlac City’s annual Malatarlak Festival takes over the city during this fun and lively celebration that has a packed program of events and activities for visitors of all ages.

           Street dancers posed with a smile during a local event as they finished a Malatarlak Festival dance.

The week-long event begins with an opening ceremony, trade fair, food and drink stalls and live musical and dance entertainment. Additional events include numerous sport competitions, cooking demonstrations, markets, dance competitions and other live entertainment shows. The final day is concluded with a grand procession and a fireworks display.

                    Also,the event includes float parades that showcase Tarlaqueno's artistry and the floats also designed with products that can be found in local farms like flowers,rice,corn and sugarcane.In a flowers-themed float,there is Aljur Abrenica,a well-known drama actor in the country together with the winner of Ms.Tarlac.

             AETAS:as the center of the Crowd

     

             Street dancers costumed as Aetas in for their steet dance which mainly focus in Aetas lifestyle,a known-ethnic group in the province.Their smiles obviously encourage everyone to come and witness the amazing background of the Tarlac's indigenous individuals!

The Aetas are skillful in weaving and plaiting.

Women exclusively weave winnows and mats. Only men make armlets. They also produce raincoats made of palm leaves whose bases surround the neck of the wearer, and whose topmost part spreads like a fan all around the body.

Aetas are truly rich in terms of culture and practices.Aetas perspective in God faith are highly highlighted.

   There are different views on the dominant character of the Aeta religion. Those who believe they are monotheistic argue that various Aeta tribes believe in a supreme being who rules over lesser spirits or deities, with the Aeta of Mt. Pinatubo worshipping "Apo Na". The Aetas are alsoanimists. For example, the Pinatubo Aeta believe in environmental spirits such as anito and kamana. They believe that good and evil spirits inhabit the environment, such as the spirits of the river, sea, sky, mountain, hill, valley and other places.

No special occasion is needed for the Aeta to pray, although there is a clear link between prayer and economic activities. The Aeta dance before and after a pig hunt. The night before Aeta women gather shellfish, they perform a dance which is partly an apology to the fish and partly a charm to ensure the catch. Similarly, the men hold a bee dance before and after the expeditions for honey.

Aetas serve as the heart of the festival as the province commemorates the first settlers in the land who magnificiently nourish the place with their unique skills and beliefs.

MALATARLAK a.k.a Talahib:TARLAC'S ORIGIN

A common misnomer first cited by a local historian – Marcos Tañedo and popularized by a historical group (Tarlac Historical Society) in the late 1950s and unfortunately adopted by a recent Tarlac City festival devoid of a historical basis was the derivation of Tarlac from a talahib-like weed called ‘Malatarlac’ by the aboriginal Aetas. An old Spanish-Tagalog dictionary by Pedro Serrano Laktaw in late 1800s already referred to ‘Tarlac’, without the prefix – ‘mala’, as a native sugar cane. Early documents were actually referring to the place as a marshland rather than a plant, which is more feasible as it had its application in other parts of the Philippines. The Tarlac toponym or place-name was first mentioned in written history (1593) as a praesidio or military port that pointed to the need of defending early communities from the frequent lowland raids by Negritos not subjected to reduccion.

     Talahib or Malatarlak is the original origin of the name of the province.Reminiscent of indigenous origin of Tarlac ,most of it's towns and villages are aboriginally named based on faunal,floral and geographical nature as Tarlac itself named through the process.

Malatarlak Festival is such a world-class event due to it's magnificient way of showcasing the trademark of Tarlac and the culture of Filipino as well.

We are graciously welcomed you to witness our very own Malatarlak Festival which serve as an evidence that we Tarlaquenos are hardworking people towards the progress of the whole province.

The festival will show different ways in giving the tourist a glimpse of unique characteristics of the land and amazing cultures within the place.

Delicacies like kakanin,puto,tarlac-longanisa,foods made up of sugarcanes,corns and mangos and products made up of tubo,kawayan and talahib can be seen within the festivity.

It's so really nice to know that Tarlac are filled with many events which all Filipinos can show to the world.We mean,that as a local individual we are searching for an evidences that our land is rich in Cultures and Trademarks.We can show this evidences whenever we are ready to become globally-competent encouraging the world to visit the Philippines and especially Tarlac.

If you are not busy and planning for a trip,we encourage you to set schedule in visiting Tarlac and view it's significant beauty.It's January,so kakatapos lang ng bakasyon,but if you are not satisfied to your vacation in your place,come in Tarlac and see with smile the Malatarlak Festival.

Before you get to work and engage in hectic schedule,go for an adventure and local event hiking.Tarlaquenos will gladly present it's vast culture!:D

IT'S MORE FUN IN TARLAC,A FRIENDLY PLACE IN THE PHILIPPINES!!!

MALATARLAK:A GREAT MASTERPIECE FOR ALL ADVENTURER AND TOURIST!!!

Special Feature:

If you are getting involved in a local event,you should atleast know the basic greetings in local language:D

Kapampangan:

Magandang Umaga- Mayap a Abak

Magandang Gabi- Mayap a Bengi

Maayos ako- Ayus kumu

Maraming Salamat- Dakal Salamat

Maganda ka- Malagu ka

Bago Kitang kaibigan- Bayu dakang kaibigan

Maganda pala Dito sa Inyong Lugar- Masanting pala keni kekayu

Halika kayo- Mekeni

Masarap ang Pagkain- Manyaman ya ing pamangan

Babalik ako sa susunod na araw- Magbalik ku keng susunod na aldo

Oo- Wa

Hindi- Ali

Ilocano:

Magandang Umaga- Naimbag nga Bigat

Magandang Tanghali- Naimbag nga Aldaw

Magandang Gabi- Naimbag nga Rabii

Maraming Salamat- Agyamanak unay

Maayos Ako- Syak kit Magat

Maganda ka- Napintas ka

Bago Kitang kaibigan/kakilala- Baru Daka nga Kaibigan/Kaamammo

Halika Kayo- Dakayo

Masarap ang Pagkain- Naimas ti Pangan

Babalik ako sa susunod na araw- Agsubli ak iti sumarunu nga aldaw

Oo- Wen

Hindi- Madi

So,dont try to confuse if you hear different words because you are in native land .Local languages is such an amazing culture feature!

                            Mabuhay Pilipino!!! Lahi ng Kultura!!! :D

Now,you can leave your comments and do come visit Tarlac!January is Malatarlak Festival Month!!! See you there!