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BYAHILO visiting Davao, for the very first time
I t was my first time to visit Davao City Philippines. This city in southern Philippines is known to be the largest in terms of land area. Davao City is so vast that the term large is actually an understatement.
Malagos Garden Resort
It may be my first time in Davao City, but definitely I know some stuff about this city. For one, it is the home of the country’s highest peak, Mt. Apo, the Philippine’s National Bird, the Philippine Eagle (Phitecophaga Jefferyi), the queen of all the orchids, Waling-waling, and the of course the king of all the tropical fruits, Durian.
Philippine Eagle
It is through these Davao Icons where the original name Kadayawan Festival came from. The festival was then called Apo Duwaling a contraction of Mt. Apo, Durian, and Waling Waling. It was then renamed to Kadayawan a Bagobo term for thanksgiving.
I must admit, I felt intimidated when I was in Davao. The scary thought of getting lost in the sea of people during a festival in a large city mingles in my mind all the time. I have never experienced this kind of feeling when I visited other cities for the first time. But many thanks to some local friends who made me feel safe and secure while there.
Waling-waling, the queen of Philippine Orchids
Davao is clean. Despite the fact that it was festival season when I went there, litters are kept to a minimum. The locals are very warm and friendly. The police is very helpful and accommodating. The food is great.
And just like what St. Ambrose once said “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” that’s what I exactly did in Davao. Enjoy the festival like a local, eat like a local, and speak like local.
Durian, the king of tropical fruits
For two straight days I have been eating fresh durian like there’s now tomorrow. It’s so delicious. The melt in your mouth texture is just perfect. I also tried the durian cheesecake in one of the best kept dining secrets of Davao. And since Davao is just a few hours away from the Saranggani Bay, Tuna is sold dirt cheap. It is always tagged at a price that is much much cheaper than the frozen ones on Manila. Shopping is definitely a must in Davao. The Aldevinco Shopping center is full of all the ethnic goodies you can bring home. From the T’nalak coin purses, to the Yakan pillow cases or the Dagmay Table runners, everything’s is there.
Tuna from General Santos City
And so as to polish my conversational skill in Cebuano (main dialect in Davao), I tried my best to speak to the locals in their native tongue. I can actually understand more, than speak the dialect. Good thing, the locals were able to understand when I blabber some Cebuano phrases!
Magallanes Elementary School, Indak Indak 1st runner up
Exploring Davao for 3 days and 2 nights is not enough. So many things to do with so little time. I have barely scratched the earth. Definitely I will be back here. Hopefully before the year ends.
Tampakan, South Cotabato. Kadayawan Festival 2008 Winner
Many thanks to my Skyscrapercity Forum friends! You guys rock! To the Davao bloggers, Ria, Andrew and Winston. Kitakits next week! And to Richard, many many many thanks to you. I very happy we met last weekend.
Kadayawan Festival 2008 Video
Here’s a slideshow featuring the scenes from the Indak Indal sa Kadalanan contest during the recently concluded Kadayawan sa Davao Festival 2008.
The Tampakan High School from the Municipality of Tampakan South Cotabato emerged as the Grand Champion in the Kadayawan Streetdance Contest. Runner-up is Magallanes Elementary School of Davao City.
Kadayawan Festival 2008 Winners
I’m back in Manila!
The Kadayawan Festival is awesome. Truly, a feast for the eyes. Thirty contingents from various schools in Davao, together with the ten ethnic tribes of Davao and from festivals of other parts of Mindanao all competed during the Saturday’s Indak Indak sa Kaddalanan.
Tampakan, Kadayawan Festival 2008 Winner
Huge crowd both local and tourists turned up at the streets of Davao to witness Mindanaos biggest festival.
It was my first time in Davao City and obviously I am very excited to witness this grand event. Immediately after landing at the Davao International Airport, I then hailed a cab and told the driver to bring me to the assembly area if the Kadayawan Streetdance contest.
I can speak few Cebuano phrases but can understand it well. Thus I have no problems communicating with the driver. Though most of the people in Davao are well-versed in Filipino and English. But I was just conversing with the driver in Cebuano so that I could also practice my Cebuano-speaking skills.
Magallanes Elementary School, 1st runner up, Kadayawan Festival 2008
Saturday was a hot and humid day. I heard from some people that it was raining cats and dogs here in Manila at that time.
I arrived at the venue a bit early so I had more time to shoot the dancers when they were not yet performing. The streetdance competition promptly started at 8:30AM.
By that time I was already in front of the stage taking photos of each and every group and tribe performing. The streetdance constest ended at around 11AM and the grand finale performance was set to begin at 2PM and will end at 10PM.
After the whole day of chanting and dancing, the Kadayawan Festival 2008 winners were declared:
2nd runner up: Contingent from Suralla, South Cotabato
1st runner up: Contingent from Magallanes Elementary School Davao City
Kadayawan Festival 2008 Grand Champion: Contingent from Tampakan, South Cotabato
Kadayawan Festival 2008 Champion
To all the participants, congratulations! You are all winners in your own right. You made the Kadayawan Festival 2008 colorful and very memorable to each and everyone of us.
BYAHILO at the Davao Kadayawan 2008!
Madayaw Dabaw! It’s my first time this year to explore a Mindanao City. By the time you read this post, I have already landed in the land of durian and waling-waling.
Davao city is celebrating its annual Kadayawan Festival 2008. It is going to be my first time in Davao City and I am very excited.
I just can’t wait to see hundreds of dancers in their most colourful costumes perform at the Indak Indak sa Kadalanan tomorrow. The ten ethnic tribes of Davao will be showcasing the beauty of their tribes, the Davao city contingents will be performing their thanksgiving performances and some Mindanao festivals will be showcasing the pride of their cities and provinces.
I will also be meeting several Davao members of the Skyscrapercity forum and davao-based bloggers.
I will update my blog once I get back in Manila.
Bye!
BYAHILO visits the Cebu Taoist Temple
When Melo, Nina, and I started to plan for our itinerary, I immediately suggested to go to the Taoist Temple in Cebu. It has been ages since I last visited this place. When I went to Cebu to cover the Sinulog 2007, I didn’t have the luxury of time to go to this place.
The Cebu Taoist Temple is a sprawling complex at the posh Beverly Hills Village. Reaching the site is quite a challenge too. There is no direct public transport plying the route of Cebu City center to the Taoist Temple.
So what we did was took a cab from a fastfood joint near the Fuente Osmeña then asked the driver to bring us to the Taoist Temple in Beverly Hills.
The Taoist Temple in Cebu is beautiful. But is always full of tourists. We went there early in the morning but several Korean, Japanese and Chinese tourists were already there milling around the place.
The Cebu Temple offers a breathtaking view of Mactan Island as well as the nearby province of Bohol. Photography is allowed in every areas except inside the prayer area. It is also prohibited to take photos of the images at the altar. To reach the temple’s peak one needs to climb approximately 99 steps of well-paved stairs.
The Cebu Taoist Temple is just one proof that the Chinese influence is very strong in the city. Aside from Binondo and Iloilo, Cebu is one of the places in the Philippines with an established Chinese community more popularly known to many as Chinatown.
Cebu Danggit, Pusit, Dried Fish, and a whole lot more at the Tabo-an Market
Another food that is synonymous to Cebu is Danggit. Also known as rabbit fish in English, The Cebu Danggit is perfect when sun dried before frying. The dried danggit is one of Cebu’s most popular pasalubong aside from the otap, rosquillos and dried mangoes.
And can one get the best Danggit in Cebu but in Tabo-an Market. Some locals say that there are also danggit in other markets but the Cebu Tabo-an Market has a more varied selections. From the famous Danggit, there are also other dried foodstuffs like dried posit (squids), dried shrimps, fish tocino, fish tapa, and dried fish bones, yes fish bones taste good.
And these odoriferous danggit cebu and other dried goodies aren’t just displayed at the Tabo-an Market in boxes like apples or oranges. Crates upon crates of dried fishes for you to feast upon.
The scene is a feast for the eyes. The varied colors of the fishes is picture perfect. The red-tinted fish tocino blends well with the whitish fish bones, the ornage colored dried shimps side-by-side with the brown danggit.
I am not a big fan of Dried Danggit or any dried fish for that matter, but visiting the Tabo-an Market in Cebu was a worthwhile experience for me. I really enjoyed being there seeing all those mounds of dried fishes, while my companions are busy buying their danggit for pasalubong.
Cebu Danggit, Pusit, Dried Fish, and a whole lot more at the Tabo-an Market
BYAHILO discovers the Cebu Mactan Guitars
Since time immemorial, Mactan has been synonymous to high-quality locally-made guitars. And it is an undeniable fact that people would oftentimes go to Mactan in Cebu to buy the best Mactan Guitar.
When we recently went to Cebu, we made sure not to miss visiting the shops that sells the Best Cebu Guitars. So off we go to Mactan to check out the Guitar showrooms and factories.
We checked out Guitar Master along Quezon National Highway in Mactan. Its store manager Mr. Ronie Pangatunan showed to us his several guitar masterpieces many of them uses ivory in some of its parts. When he tried to strum the guitar’s strings it was really a music to the ears. Their guitar sounds good.
I am not an expert in music but yeah, their guitar sounds good. He even showed to us some unfinished pieces that were custom made for foreign clients.
Mr. Pangatunan laments that with the mass production of guitars that are made in China, sales of Mactan Guitars dropped. Guitars that were made in China costs much cheaper but pales in comparison to its sound quality. they can’t also export that much because their major competitors (China) sells their instruments at an almost dime-a-dozen.
He hopes that one day, Filipinos would once again rediscover the music of the Cebu Guitars and will hopefully the sales would also increase to help the local industry.
Guitar Master
Quezon National Highway
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Philippines
Phone: +6332-495-2412
Mobile: +63920-224-3767
Contact: Ronie Pangatunan
CNT: The Best Cebu Lechon
Feasting on the famed Cebu Lechon has already been included in my itinerary the very moment I got hold of my plane ticket. Many would say visiting Cebu will never be complete without visiting the Magellan’s Cross. But I must say your Cebu dining experience will never be complete without tasting the Cebuano Lechon. And where else to get the best lechon in Cebu but in CNT.
For many, CNT Restaurant is synonymous to Lechon. And since time immemorial Cebu has been known to produce the best and the tastiest Lechon. We had our cravings satisfied at the CNT Cebu Lechon Restaurant in front of SM City Cebu. I am not sure if this is their flagship store but I swear, their lechon is so good. It has exceeded my expectations. And to say that CNT Lechon is delicious is simply an understatement.
To lessen the greasy afterfeel when eating lechon, we ordered a small serving of ampalaya cooked with eggs. I don’t like the ampalaya because it still has the bitter aftertaste.
And true to the Cebuano tradition, CNT Restaurant in Cebu offers puso^ aside from the usual boiled rice. Puso^ is rice wrapped in coconut leaved then boiled in water. Puso has a different aroma compared to the regularly cooked rice because of the banana leaves.
Normally, lechon is only served during fiesta or special events because it is expensive to order a whole pit roasted pork. A kilogram of pork lechon in Manila normally costs between 500 to 600 Pesos. But you be surprised to learn that a kilo of Cebu Lechon only costs 400 pesos!
Nina Melo and I ordered three quarters of a kilo of CNT Lechon and a serving of ampalaya and three colas. Our total bill didn’t even hit 400 Pesos. Quite cheap for a superb lunch. I heard that for those who don’t want to cross the higway, there’s also a CNT Lechon branch at the SM City Cebu Foodcourt.
Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2009 Schedule
Get ready. Be prepared. The Dinagyang 2009 is set to unfold soon! Voted twice as the Philippines’’ top tourism event, the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City continues to draw thousands of tourists for a unique visual treat.
The Dinagyang Festival 2009 promises to be bigger than the previous edition. Witness how the Ilonggo men paint themselves in dark brown dress in colourful costumes dance to the loud non-stop beating of the drums while chanting “Viva Señor Santo Niño!”
The Iloilo Dinagyang Festival is an annual event held in thanksgiving to the Infant Jesus more popularly called as Santo Niño. Various events are lined up from December up until the 4th week of January when the Kasadyahan Festival and the Dinagyang Ati-ati contest is held.
The highlights of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2009 are the following:
November 6, 2008 - LOCAL LAUNCH, SM City Iloilo Activity Center
December 7, 2008 - NATIONAL LAUNCH, SM Mall of Asia ,Metro Manila
January 16, 2009 - OPENING SALVO, Plaza Libertad to main streets in
the City
January 23, 2009 - FLUVIAL PROCESSION
January 24, 2009 - KASADYAHAN Competition
January 25, 2009 - DINAGYANG CONTEST
Download the full Dinagyang 2009 schedule
Cebu Sinulog Festival 2009 Schedule
Viva Señor Santo Niño! Viva Pit Señor!
This is the usual chant that you get to hear during the annual Cebu Sinulog Festival. And this early the Cebu Sinulog organizers have already released the Official Schedule of the 2009 Sinulog Festival in Cebu. Expect thousands of dancers garbed in their most colorful costumes carrying the image of the Santo Niño. Thousands of tourists also flock during the Cebu City Fiesta period. The highlight of Sinulog 2009 will be on January 18, 2009. Check the full schedule below:
Lumad Basakanon, Sinulog 2008cFree Interpretation Category Campion
January 09, 2009 (Friday) Sinulog 2008 Kick Off
Sinulog Photo Exhibits through the years @SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, MCIAA
2:00PM Solemn Mass (Basilica del Sto. Niño)
3:00 PM Launching Parade (Basilica del Sto. Niño to Cebu City Sports Center)
7:00 PM Opening and Launching Program, Fuente Osmeña featuring Mandaue City Children’s Choir, Dancesports Team Cebu and Dance Troupes from Cebu’s schools and universities
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January 10, 2009 (Saturday) Sinulog sa Kabataan – Lalawigan
1:00 PM Parade of Participants, Capitol Site to Cebu City Sports Center
2:00 PM Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, Cebu City Sports Center
4:30 PM Awarding of Winners
7:00 PM Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) DepEd, Cebu Province
9:30 PM Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands
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January 11, 2009 (Sunday) Sinulog sa Kabataan- Dakbayan
1:00 PM Parade of Participants, Plaza Independencia to Cebu City Sports Center
2:00 PM Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, Cebu City Sports Center
4:30 PM Awarding of Winners
7:00 PM Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña)>
9:00 PM Concert @ the Fuente O, Street Party Bands
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January 12, 2009 (Monday)
7:30 PM Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña)
9:00 PM Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands
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January 13, 3009 (Tuesday)
7:30 PM Cultural show (Fuente Osmeña)
9:00 PM Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands
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January 14, 2009 (Wednesday)
9:00 AM Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)
7:30 PM Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña)
9:00 PM Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands
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January 15, 2009 (Thursday)
9:00 AM Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)
7:00 P.M Ms. Cebu ’08 , Coronation Night @ Cebu Waterfront Hotel
7:30 PM Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña)
9:00 PM Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands
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January 16, 2009 (Friday) Visual Merchandising Contest
(Dept. Stores and Malls)
7:30 PM Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña)
DepEd, Cebu City
7:30 P.M Handumanan “The Concert” @SM City Cebu
8:00 PM Balik Cebu, Welcome Party @ Ayala Center Cebu
9:00 PM Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands
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January 17, 2009 (Saturday)
6:00 AM Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño
9:00 AM Re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon Basilica del Sto. Niño
2:00 PM Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño
6:30 PM Sinulog Festival Queen 2009, Cebu City Sports Center
7:00 PM Street party @ Fuente Osmeña and Plaza Independencia
8:00 PM Kasadya Nite Mardi Gras @ Ayala Center Cebu
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January 18, 2009 (Sunday) SINULOG GRAND PARADE
9:00 AM Sinulog Grand Parade Carousel Kick Off
7:00 PM Grand Fireworks, Cebu City Sports Center
7:30 PM Street Party Bands, Fuente Osmeña
8:00 PM Grand Fireworks Display @ Ayala Football Grounds
Sponsored by Mitsumi Group of Companies
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January 19, 2009 (Monday)
1:00 PM Awarding Ceremonies, Cebu City Sports Center
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January 31, 2009 (Saturday)
1:00 P.M Awarding Ceremonies Photo Contest and Video Documentary Contest
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February 1-10, 2009
Photo Exhibits “Winning Photos Sinulog ‘09” @SM City Cebu
While it is still early, book your hotel rooms now as it is very very hard to find a room to stay durig the Sinulog Festival in Cebu. Click here to search for Hotels in Cebu for Sinulog 2009
BYAHILO Visiting the Magellan’s Cross in Cebu
Probably one of the most famous tourist spots of Cebu City is the Magellan’s Cross. The Magellan’s Cross stands mightily inside a small chapel jut beside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.
It is said that on April 21, 1512 Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan ordered his men to plant a wooden cross, a sign of his mission to Christianize the island of Cebu.
A sign at the foot of the wooden cross states that the original cross planted by Magellan has been encased to protect it from people chipping parts of it as a souvenir.
When we went there, several ladies sell candles. The common practice is you buy 1 candle for every petition that you make. These old ladies will then perform the tradiotional Sinulog prayer dance ritual in front of the cross. After performing the unique ritual they will then give the candle for you to light at the foot of the cross.
Candles are lighted after performing the Sinulog prayer dance ritual
Hundreds or even thousands of tourists visit the Magellan’s Cross in Cebu daily. There were several batches of Koreans in field trip when we went there.
BYAHILO experiences the NAIA Terminal 3!
When news came out that the giant mothballed-project NAIA Terminal 3 will finally open, I was so ecstatic. I was so overjoyed, because finally, Manila will get a world-class airport to replace the old Manila Domestic Airport.
According to new, the NAIA 3 terminal was supposed to be opened sometime last 2002 or 2003 but due to the legal challenges, the opening date has been delayed.
So finally, Last August 9, I flew out of Manila via NAIA T3. My first reaction upon getting inside is that, it so cold. Much colder than the A/C of the Manila Domestic Airport Terminal or the Centennial Airport. The guards are courteous.
The terminal itself is so big. The check in counter area has this feel of very spacious because of high ceiling. The beams supporting the ceiling was built with artistic touch.
There’s just more than enough check in counters for every flight leaving Metro Manila. Enough signs are placed all over the place to guide passengers where to go next.
A lot of food outlets can also be found inside the new Manila Airport Terminal. There are a few scattered around the check in counter are, and there are some located right after the final security check area.
There are large signs pointing passengers to their assigned departure gates. The pre-departure area is big. A walkalator is also provided. A smoking room is also provided for those who need a quick fix, with a good view of Makati skyscrapers
But with all the goodness of the new Manila NAIA Terminal 3, there are some downsides too. One noticeable downside is that, the airbridge or the tube is not being utilized. This means that passengers have go walk through the tarmac and climb up the airline stairs. This happened to me when I left for Cebu and arrive in Manila.
Another booboo I have encountered happened when I left Manila for Cebu. Though I point my blaming fingers to the airline company and not to the Airport Authorities. There were two passengers who were supposed to travel to Bacolod was able to get into our aircraft. The two were asked to leave the aircraft since we are bound for Cebu and not for Bacolod. Now how in the hell, did those passengers able to sneak in to our flight?
Another thumbs down for the NAIA Terminal 3 happened when I arrived in Manila Monday morning. Since I have been travelling frequently, I am already familiar with all the security measures being implemented in airports. Normally, when you check in a bag a sticker containing a serial number is attached to it. The other half of the sticker which also contains the same serial number is stapled to the Boarding Pass. That will serve as your claim stub when getting the bag prior to leaving the airports, right?
Not in my case. I was able to get my checked in baggage from the conveyor belt and leave the airport without being checked. What if I left NAIA 3 bringing bags that are not mine?
Now the NAIA Terminal 3 security personnel should beef up their measures to prevent baggage loss.
Abuhan Pochero: Cebu’s Finest Pochero Restaurant
Even before we left Manila for Cebu City, Nina and I are already craving for the Cebu Pochero. And where else to get it? Cebu’s best Pochero House: Abuhan.
Pochero is a Filipino dish patterned after the Spanish food Cocido. Pochero version varies from one city or island to another. The Tagalog Pochero is made of pork, plantains, cabbage, potatoes, and tomato sauce. It has a thick rich red sauce.
The Bacolod version on the other hand is somewhat similar to the Tagalog version except that, it does not contain tomato sauce and has a clear, lighter soup. The Bacolod pochero can either be done with pork or chicken. We normally use chicken when we cook at home.
The Cebu version is also different. Though different, it has also its own unique characteristics that make it delicious and a must-try. Arguably, the best Pochero in Cebu is in Abuhan. Abuhan is a restaurant that offers Filipino cuisine at F. Ramos Street Cebu City.
We had our taste of the famed Abuhan Pochero at the Abuhan Dos. The restaurant’s second branch which is also along the F. Ramos street, just beside the Robinsons Mall.
The Cebu Pochero is very different from the Tagalog and Bacolod Pochero that I am very familiar with. I can compare the Cebu Pochero to the Bulalo which is very common in Luzon.
The Abuhan Pochero uses beef. It has been slow cooked to perfection that its meat is literally falling off from the bone. Each serving of Pochero has large bones which contains a generous amount of marrow. The very requirement for a good Bulalo. And just like bulalo, Abuhan Pochero also contains corns. The sweetness of the corn blends well in its soup.
Aside from the classic Pochero soup, we also tried the sizzling Pochero. It’s the meat from the Pochero soup cooked in cream sauce served in hot plate. Tastes so good. But I must warn you, these satisfying delights are loaded with deadly cholesterol.
All in all the Abuhan experience is more than satisfying. The price is ok too. Very reasonable, I guess the bill for the three of us didn’t hit the 600 Peso mark. Not bad for a very heavy breakfast.
Abuhan Dos
176 F. Ramos Street, Cebu City (beside Robinsons Mall)
Phone : (032) 253 5774
Open 24 Hours
Abuhan Tres
i2 PIPC tower, Asiatown IT Park, Lahug, Cebu
Phone : (032) 253 1151/1881/5774
Open 24 Hours
BYAHILO meets the Cebu Bloggers
Last Saturday, Nina Melo and I were scheduled to meet the Cebu-based bloggers. I am very excited to meet them but at the same time quite anxious on how to introduce my self, and what to say.
There were thirteen (yes, it’s lucky number 13) bloggers who welcomed us to the Queen City of the South.
L-R Winston, Nina, Kevin, Aileen
Nina Melo and I were actually in Cebu to cover the recently-concluded Pasigarbo sa Sugbo. The meet was scheduled at 5PM, Bo’s Coffee Shop Ayala Center.
We arrived just in time. I really don’t know what to say. It really was an awkward moment. But later on everything seems fine. We got to introduce ourselves then have some chit chat.
I am really really glad to finally meet Sinjin and Arnold, who I have previously known at the Skyscrapercity Forum. It was my first time to meet them in the flesh.
Nina and Kevin Ray Chua
I was also glad to meet online buddies I have known at Plurk like Kevin Ray Chua, and Winston.
After that seemingly endless chitchat at the café, we asked where we can have out dinner. Something that is delicious and definitely not heavy on the pocket. So we left the locals to decide. They then agreed to have our dinner at the Harbour City. The food is great. And is very affordable too! I love their Shao Mai and the rice toppings that I ordered.
L-R Sinjin, Arnold, Empress, Jorich
Anyways, I would like to thank the Cebu Blogging Society for warmly welcoming us in Cebu. The meet definitely added spice to your vacation.And now for the link love….
- Sinjin Sinjin’s House, CebuDaily.com, Progress Philippines and Cebu Pacific Blog
- Aileen of Quest for the True North
- Arnold of Cebu Heritage
- Empress of Empress of Drac’s Other Side
- Jorich of Webslave
- Kevin of Mar Roxas for President in 2010
- Maibe of The Real Me
- Mark of Get a Life!
- McBilly of McBilly dot com
- Rodel of Lagahit
- Wilhelmina of Miss Wilhelmina
- Winston of Batang Yagit
- Xerxes of Obnoxious Queer
See you in Sinulog Festival 2009!
Pasigarbo Festival from an outsider’s perspective
When I first learned about this event i got really excited. Just another reason for me to explore Cebu. Imagine this, over thirty festivals would perform in one day for a whopping 1 Million pesos pot money. definitely each and every town of Cebu would do their best to grab the top prize and be declared as the province’s best festival. The prize is much bigger than the Sinulog festival. An annual event hosted by Cebu city every third Sunday of January.
Weeks before the event date, I had a hard time scouring for more information about the pasigarbo Festival over the Internet. There was no other online blog or news site that carried the story.
so I took it upon myself to call the Office of the governor of Cebu and asked for details about the event and how can I get the media ID which is a must when covering events. Fortunately the Governor’s Office is kind enough to provide me with all the needs like event info, media ID, list of contingents, prizes, etc. Everything looks perfect until i arrived in Mandaue city hall which was marked as the assembly area of the Pasigarbo streetdance.
I was surprised when the organizers used a taped music for their 1.5 kilometer streetdance. i don’t have any issues with taped music. Masskara is using this format for the last 29 years. the music is just so bad. It is so monotonous that you wont hardly notice the beginning or the end of the song. It was even stitched so that the pasigarbo music would seamlessly loop infinitely.
I was expecting a live drum beat music. because I believe that the contingents joining the Pasigarbo is also using live drum beats as its music.
The pacing of the first five contingents coming from the assembly area is just so fast. for less than one minute they’ve already moved out of your sight.
Another problem that I saw was that while the street dance started promptly at 2PM, the final performance started late at past 7PM.
The scorching heat of the sun is just so unbearable. i have gulped down several liters of cold water just to keep me alive. but yeah, I was hit by a leg cramp due to extreme heat, and water/potassium imbalance.
The final performance was worse than the streetdance. The music is horrible. it simply does not match with their costumes and choreography. Though I must salute several groups for putting up a great show despite the horrible music.
Overall, the Pasigarbo sa sugbo festival is not a total waste of time and effort. I could rate it a 6 out of 10. Not bad for a new festival. There’s still so much room for improvements. I wouldn’t be surprised if 5 or 10 years later pasigarbo would get bigger and bigger and more tourists and journalists would come to Cebu to cover this event.
Pasigarbo sa sugbo is a good mid-year tourism event for Cebu every august while January will always be booked for the Sinulog festival.
Manila International Book Fair goes to SMX
The 29th Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), the biggest and longest-running book fair in the Philippines gets even bigger as it moves to the SMX Convention Center, the country’s newest and largest exhibition and convention center.
Major players in the publishing industry will gather once again for MIBF set on Sept. 12-16, at the SMX Convention Center, Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.
The move is in line with MIBF’s preparation for its 30th anniversary next year, giving all booklovers a glimpse of what is to come. Through national economic ups and downs, the MIBF has continuously contributed to the reading awareness of the Filipino people and has become a venue for members of the book industry to address market demands, launch new titles, and promote books and reading advocacies. With the theme “Words without Borders,” the MIBF celebrates the power of literature to cross the boundaries of time, place, and culture.
With over 300 exhibitors, the MIBF showcases the largest and most varied collection of literature, textbooks, educational supplements, general references, religious and inspirational titles, self-help books, management books, Filipiniana, coffee table books, popular novels, children’s books, art books, graphic novels, rare and hard-to-find titles, magazines, audio and e-books, multimedia, teaching supplies and services, publishers’ technology, and travel materials.
Showcasing a huge number of books and learning materials are A-Z Direct Marketing, Abe Craft & Toys, Academic Book Sales, Adarna House, Adbox Book Distributors, Alexan Commercial, Alhoda International Publication & Distribution, Anvil Publishing, Asia/Pacific Circulation Exponents, Asian Books (A Different Bookstore), Asiatype Distribution, Ateneo de Manila University Press, Belview Co., Inc., British Council, C & E Publishing, Catholic Book Center, CD Books International, Cengage Learning, Central Books Supply, Christian Literature Crusade, Church Strengthening Ministry, Claretian Communications Foundation, Cogent Consulting & Technologies, Cosmos Bazaar, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Cyclophil Educational Promotion, Diwa Learning Systems, EDCA Publishing & Distributing, Edcrisch Internationa, Elsevier (Singapore) PTE Ltd, Emerald Headway Distributors, Eternal Publication, F & J de Jesus, Fastbooks Educational Supply, Felta Multi-Media, Filway Marketing, Forefront Book Co., and Fujian Publishing Industry Trading.
Also present at the fair are Gentle Star Trading, Gilbert Emerson Marketing, Global Learning Media / Verve Multimedia, Goethe-Institut Manila, Golden Books Services, Goodwill Bookstore, Gunnar Lie & Associates Ltd., High Access Line Philippines, IBC Book Consolidators / IBC Infotec, Ibon Foundation, Ilaw ng Tahanan Publishing, Info-Ed Marketing, Instituto Cervantes-Manila, Isa-Jecho Publishing, Jesuit Communications, Jing Si Books and Café, John Wiley & Sons (Asia), Katha Publising, Lighthouse Educational Corp., Lighthouse Inspirational Books & Gifts, Linar Educational Materials, Logos Publications, McGraw-Hill Education, Megatexts Phil., Mind Mover Publishing House, National Bookstore, National Historical Institute, Network Magazine Subscription Services, Inc., New Century Books & Gen. Merchandise, New Day Publishers, OMF Literature, Pahina, Inc. / Book Wagon, Paulines Publishing House, Pearson Education, Philippine Bible Society, Philmont Academic Solutions, Phoenix Educational Systems, Powerbooks, Precious Pages, and PSIcom Publishing.
The 29th Manila International Book Fair is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with Asian Communicators, Inc., Book Development Association of the Philippines, Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc., and Publishers Representatives Organization of the Philippines. For details, call 890-0661 or 896-0682, log on to www.manilabookfair.com, or e-mail bookfair@primetradeasia.com.
Pasigarbo sa Sugbo photos
Here are some of the photos from Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival 2008. The coastal town of Bantayan with their Palawod Festival grabbed the top prize of 1 Million Pesos. Palawod is a Cebuano term meaning to go out to the sea.
Palawod Festival
The equally colourful performance of Haladayan Festival of Daanbatayan landed to the second spot making them 800,000 Pesos richer. Siloy Festival of Alcoy, Ani-anihan Festival of Tabuelan, and Banig Festival of Badian is the 3rd, 4th and 5th placers respectively.
Sinulog Festival head Ricky Ballesteros mentioned that the top 5 winners in the recently-concluded contest will be supported by the province of Cebu to join in Sinulog Festival 2009.
Alcoy Siloy Festival
Click to access the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Photos
Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2008 List of Winners
The Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Streetdance Festival is finally over. The winners were alreadydeclared last Saturday night and was capped by fireworks display. There was not much crowd along the parade route.
Bantayan Island’s Palawod Festival
I was even expecting that the contingents will be using drums or other forms of live music, but to my dismay they used a taped music ala Masskara Festival in Bacolod. More about this soon. Here’s ths list of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo winners:
/>CHAMPION Palawod Festival of Bantayan island - Php 1,000,000.00
2. Haladaya Festival of Daanbantayan - Php 800,000.00
3. Siloy Festival of Alcoy Php 700,000.00
4. Ani-anihan Festival of Tabuelan - Php 600,000.00
5. Banig Festival of Badian - Php 500,000.00
6. Tostado Festival of Santander - Php 400,000.00
7.Carmen Sinamay Festival - Php 300,000.00
8. San Francisco, Camotes Island - Soli-Soli Festival - Php 200,000.00
Pasigarbo Best in Costume - Banig Festival of Badian - Php 500,000.00
Best in Street Dancing - Daanbantayan Haladaya Festival –
Each and every town also gets PHP100,000 subsidy.
Byahilo currently in captivating Cebu!
Yup, you heard it right. I am currently here in the island known for its guitars, dried mangoes, rosquillos, otap and lechon.
BYAHILO is once again here in the Queen City of the South, Cebu City to cover the 2nd Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals Streetdance Competition.
Earlier today, thirty four (34) festivals have have performed to the delight of the crowd. The street dancing routine they performed is different from the routine they had at the final judging area at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).
Tomorrow we will be touring the sights and attractions of Cebu City. And of course, food is important. We ate where the Cebuanos ate. We had breakfast at one of Cebu’s famous restos, and early this evening we had barbecue dinner, Cebuano-style.
More about this advenure when I get back in Manila.
BYAHILO’s White Hat Italian Frozen Yogurt Experience
I hate sour foods. Period. Being born in the sugar capital of the Philippines give me more than enough excuses to prefer sweet delights rather than the sour-y foods. That is why I was a bit reluctant to join Nina when she invited me to join her for a Frozen Yogurt (FroYo) tasting at the White Hat in Mall of Asia.
Since time immemorial, I always perceive yorgurt as a sour food. I don’t question its nutritional value, because I know it’s healty. But the bottom line here is it’s sour. And I hate sour foods.
But I was surprised that the White Hat yogurt is not very sour the way I imagined it to be. White Hat’s pride tastes so good. Even without the toppings is a good snack already.
But top with fresh fruits or cereal and that would be a winner. There’s no definite kind of toppings at White Hat. Everything’s just laid out in front of you and you get to select what you want. After two taste tests, my favorite is the mango granola combination. The sweetness of the mango compliments the texture of the granola. And yes, It is healthy too.
Thre’s just so many toppings to choose from. Over twenty in fact. Hundreds of possible combinations to create. From mangoes, to strawberries, granola, almonds, walnutes, everything’s there.
White Hat Frozen Yogurt is 98% fat-free and is always guaranteed fresh. They have even got the services of a testing company to certify that their frozen yogurt really contains live microorganisms that is good for our stomach. And as a good alternative to all those who has lactose intolerance, yogurts are safe for intake.
White Hat Frozen Yogurt is a delicious snack not just for the kids but is perfect for the whole family.
White Hat Frozen Yogurt is located at the second floor Entertainment Mall, Mall of Asia Pasay City Philippines.
Get 1 topping FREE when you buy a White Hat Italian Frozen Yogurt! Print the coupon below, and present it at the White Hat counter upon ordering. Enjoy your all natural, 98% fat-free authentic Italian frozen yogurt! Offer expires on August 17, 2008
Photos by Nina Fuentes
