paranas

Paranas is a .....

P lace of peace-loving and God-fearing people who share common dreams and visions, with a profound and zealous

Ambition for economic, social, moral and spiritual

Reforms and redirection towards development and progress, through the ever

Active and dynamic efforts of noble and magnanimous civic and religious leaders,

Notwithstanding difficulties, trials and misfortunes, but who relentlessly aspire together as one collaborative body, leaning upon the grace of the

Almighty and the protective intercession of its patrons, Sts. Peter and Paul, the Apostles, in the

Spirit of Christian love and Fraternal Service, to one and all, rich and poor alike.

_______________________

WARAY2X songs

People, Culture and the Arts

Samar is the home of the Warays, a lively and resilient people whose dialect appears to be related to Bicolano but with a strong overlay of Cebuano. Most Samare�os are fishers and farmers who live off the bounty of the sea and the land . Samar�s seas are among the most productive fishing grounds and the island is famous for the huge amount of dried fish and marine products that go to the markets of Cebu and Manila. Calbayog City is particularly noted for tinapa or smoked fish. The farms of the province, with very little effort, produce all of the needs of the people. This has produced a perception that the Warays are among the most contented of the Visayans.

When one speaks of Samar, it is difficult not to think about the beautiful mats woven in Basey. The women weave a variety of intricately designed mats from sedge grass locally known as tikog (Fimbristylis milliacea). This tradition has been handed down from generation to generation and has made Samar mats among the most esteemed traditional craft in the Philippines. They also produce embroidered mats with flowers, birds, fishes, mermaids and scenes from folktales and legends.

The Warays are very fond of celebrations and during these events, singing is a natural social activity. The balitaw, a Visayan traditional courting song was a widely popular artform in the province. It features verses set in rhyme and sung by a pair or pairs of young men and women. The men would reveal their feelings of the women, who, in turn sing of their doubts. The balitaw varied in length, depending on how well each singer could �joust� with the opposite sex but it required quick wit and a good command of language and was a highly esteemed art form. This form of singing survives among the more mature Samare�os but no longer forms part of the courtship practices of the younger generations of Warays.

___________________________________________________

MESS WITH THE BEST

DIE LIKE THE REST