Unjoannable's Blog

 F ilipino Traditional Wedding: Experience from my Sister's Wedding By Joanna Vidal The bride walking down the aisle with our parents during the church ceremony In my previous blog post, I shared about the traditional Arab Muslim wedding. This time, I want to take you into something much closer to my heart—the beauty and complexity of a traditional Filipino Roman Catholic wedding. As someone who grew up with these customs, I’ve seen how modern life has started to reshape our traditions. Many couples today choose more practical or modern approaches due to financial constraints. Honestly, it makes me a little sad—because there’s something magical about the old ways. But I also understand. Life isn’t easy, and sometimes simplicity is the smarter choice. So instead of talking about tradition in theory, let me share something real and personal—my sister’s wedding in 2024. It was a beautiful blend of tradition and modern convenience, a hybrid celebration that honored our culture while ad...

By Joanna Vidal A photo of me at the National Mall where the Festival was held. My Experience at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival: Representing UAE Heritage The Smithsonian Folklife Festival, established in 1967, is one of the largest cultural events in the world. It takes place annually on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and typically runs from June 22nd through the 4th of July, overlapping with U.S. Independence Day. After a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival returned in 2022 with renewed energy—and I was honored to be part of it. That year’s theme was “UAE: Living Landscape | Living Memory,” with the United Arab Emirates as the featured country. The event highlighted the UAE’s rich history, heritage, culture, and traditions. It was sponsored by several governmental organizations, most notably the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth, and supported by the UAE Embassy to the USA. As someone who has worked in the heritage field for nearly eight years at this...