Aliwan Fiesta 2009 Winners

1st - Buyogan Festival - Abuyog, Leyte



2nd - Tirub Kasag - Kasadyahan Festival - Iloilo



3rd - Tribu Paghidaet - Dinagyang Festival - Iloilo

from http://www.youtube.com/user/reysibayan

20 Hours in Boracay

April 12-13, 2009

Tulad ng nakalagay sa title, may around 20 hours lang ang inilagi namin sa Boracay dahil na rin sa mga delay sa biyahe at sa pasok sa trabaho ng ilang mga kasama. At kahit ganun, marami rin naman kaming nagawa.



More than 10 years ago na ata since the last time I was in Boracay kaya't inaasahan ko na ang napakaraming pagbabago mula nung huli akong makapunta sa Boracay. Ang dating maalikabok na daan sa gitna ng isla ay sementado na at ang dating mga motorbike na dumadaan dito ay napalitan na ng napakaraming tricycle, multicab at mga shuttle vans ng mga malalaking resorts ng isla. Parang isang maliit na lungsod pa ang sumalubong sa akin pagdaan ng tricycle sa "city center" na puno ng mga "small sized version" ng mga business establishments. Talagang tuloy-tuloy na umaasenso ang isla ng Boracay.




To cut the story short, wi-nelcome kami ng relatives ni Jogo sa tutuluyan namin. Talagang inasahan nila ang pagdating namin at kaninang umaga pa nga kami inaantay (kung di lang dahil sa mga delays. hay) Pagdating sa kwarto, wala pang limang minuto ay kumaripas kaagad papunta sa beach front para maabutan ang sunset. Shoot! Naalala ko kung bakit wala pa rin talagang tatalo sa Boracay habang nagmamadaling maglakad sa puti at pinong buhangin.



Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay balik kami sa tinutuluyan namin para makapagpalit at makapag-swimming na kaagad. Wala na lang talaga akong masabi sa pagkamangha sa isla ng Boracay habang lumalangoy sa beach nito.



Balik resort kami at naghanda ang relatives nila Jogo at Pryz ng dinner para sa amin. Nagpakabusog ng konti at tuloy ang gala sa gabi. Naglakad-lakad, naglaro ng basketball shootout, nag-shopping, nag-wall climbing (na first time ko ginawa at nakaakyat ng more than 30ft ata yun), nag-kape at tumambay. Nagpakapagod na para madaling makatulog at maka-gising ng maaga kinabukasan para makapag-swimming kaagad.



Maaga nga kaming nagising para makarami ng swimming. Habang nasa dagat at kapansin-pansin ang ilang isda na walang pakialam na lumalangoy sa paligid ng mga tao. "Dalmatian" version ng isda dahil sa puting kulay at itim na mga tagpi. Masaya rin ang napag-tripan si Ogie. hahaha. Pagbalik ay naghanda ulit ang relatives nila Pryz at Jogo ng pagkain para sa breakfast. Pagkatapos kumain ng around 9am ay naghanda na kami para makaalis at makaabot sa Roro pabalik ng Roxas ng 2pm. Nagpa-tattoo si Jesse at Pryz, namili ng ilang pasalubong sila Kates at Lery at sibat na kami.

Lery, Jogo, Jesse and Kates. not in picture: Pryz, Ogie and me

Goodbye Boracay! Babalik kami at lalagi naman ng more than 20 hours! hehehe

Philippine Airlines: SEAT-ALL-YOU-CAN PROMO

It's back!!!

Hurry!! Limited seats only!!! Avail of our newest promo fares for our domestic destinations!!! There is no better way to see the beautiful and scenic sights of the Philippines.

Book and buy your tickets now!!

Or you may call PAL Reservations at (632) 855-8888 or any Philippine-based sales ticket office or travel agent.

For sales and ticketing from 21 to 30 April 2009. For travel between 01 June - 15 December 2009.

Travel must be completed by 15 December 2009. See table below for the one way fares in PHP.

SECTOR	FARE BASIS	BCC	ALL-IN ONE WAY FARE (PHP)
MANILA - CEBU or VV	WXX	W	488
MANILA - ILOILO or VV	WXX	W	488
MANILA - LAOAG or VV	WXX	W	488
MANILA - LEGASPI or VV	WXX	W	488
MANILA - BACOLOD or VV	WXX	W	788
MANILA - DUMAGUETE or VV	WXX	W	788
MANILA - KALIBO or VV	WXX	W	788
MANILA - PUERTO PRINCESA or VV	WXX	W	788
MANILA - ROXAS or VV	WXX	W	788
MANILA - TACLOBAN or VV	WXX	W	788
MANILA - TAGBILARAN or VV	WXX	W	788
MANILA - BUTUAN or VV	WXX	W	1888
MANILA - CAGAYAN DE ORO or VV	WXX	W	1888
MANILA - COTABATO or VV	WXX	W	1888
MANILA - DAVAO or VV	WXX	W	1888
MANILA - DIPLOG or VV	WXX	W	1888
MANILA - GENERAL SANTOS or VV	WXX	W	1888
MANILA - ZAMBOANGA or VV	WXX	W	1888

Prices above are inclusive of insurance and fuel surcharges and VAT. Exclusive of Airport Security Fee and other fees that will be collected at the airport.

Conditions :

1. APPLICATION

   • Valid for one way and combinable for roundtrip travel on economy class.

   • Restricted for sales and ticketing in the Philippines.

2. RESERVATION/PAYMENT and TICKETING

   • Open-dated tickets and go-show not allowed

   • Non-refundable but upgradeable to a higher fare type. Re-issuance fee waived.

   • Downgrade/re-routing allowed. Re-issuance fee must be collected.

   • Re-issuance is allowed at PHP600 per ticket

   • No-show surcharge is PHP600 per sector

   • Rebooking is allowed at PHP600 per sector

3. TRAVEL VALIDITY

   • Valid for travel from 01 June to 15 December 2009.

4. OTHER DISCOUNTS

   • No other discounts apply except for Senior Citizen and Infant without seat

5. NO MILEAGE ACCRUAL
   

   from: philippineairlines.com

Aliwan Fiesta 2009 Contingents

1. Lakbayaw of Tondo, Manila
2. Pakalog Festival of Santolan, Pasig
3. Panagbenga Festival, Baguio City
4. Pamulenawen - Laoag City
5. Ibon Ebon of Candaba, Pampanga
6. Disposorio Festival of Hagonoy, Bulacan
7. Luyang Dilaw of Marilao Bulacan
8. Boling boling Festival - Catanuan, Quezon
9. Fiesta de Toros of Nasugbu, Batangas
10. Lapay Bantigue Festival of Masbate city
11. Pulang Angui of Polangue Albay
12. Sinulog Festival of Cebu City
13. Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City
14. Kasag Festival of Banate, Iloilo
15. Karatong Festival of Dulag, Leyte
16. Buyugan Festival of Abuyog Leyte
17. Kadayawan Festival - Davao city
18. Tuna Festival of General Santos City
19. Halad Festival of Midsayap, Cotabato
20. Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City
21. Buklod Festival - Parang, Shariff Kabunsuan
22. Kalilintad Festival of Mamasapano

taken from http://www.aliwanfiesta.com/

It is sad that I won't be able to see cute faces of the girls from the Pintaflores Festival of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Aliwan Fiesta 2009 Schedule

I almost forgot that the Aliwan Fiesta 2009 will be this week starting on April23 and ending with the much awaited Grand Parade on April 25. There wasn't much hype for the Aliwan this year unlike the past year. I'll try to invite some friends who are also photography enthusiasts like me. And this year, I'm planning and trying my luck in joining the event's photography contest. hehe

Here is the list of activities for the Aliwan Fiesta 2009 (taken from http://www.aliwanfiesta.com)

April 23

• - Streetdance Forum (CCP Silangan Hall)
• - One Town, One Product Shoppers Bazaar
• - Band Concert and Pasakalye (Aliw Theater outdoor stage - 7:00 p.m.)

April 24

• - One Town, One Product Shoppers Bazaar
• - Aliwan Festival Queen Talent Competition (Star Theater, 1:30 p.m.)
• - Aliwan Festival Queen Pageant Night (Aliw Theater outdoor stage - 7:00 p.m.)

April 25

• - One Town, One Product Shoppers Bazaar
• - Grand Parade (Aliw Theater Complex to Quirino Grandstand - 4:00 p.m.)
• - Awarding Ceremonies (Quirino Grandstand - 9:00 p.m.)

*notice that the Parade Route will start from Aliw Theater and ends at Quirino Grandstand.

Roxas - Caticlan RORO

April 11, 2009 - with Jogo, Pryz, Jesse, Lery, Kates, Ogie and me.



We woke up at around 12:30 am to catch the first ferry trip to Caticlan. Arriving at Roxas Port, we found that the Starlite Ferry which will bring us to Caticlan just left a few minutes ago so we just bought the ticket for the next ship to leave for Caticlan. 2am was the scheduled departure, but it was around 3:45 we left Roxas Port.




After eating, we decided to sleep. I woke up around 5am with an announcement from the Captian saying there were problems with the ship and we will go back to Roxas. I didn't bother to complain for the delay it caused and all I was worried was the ship and the passengers saftery. When we got back to Roxas, the crew said that we will be transferred to another ship. We waited for 2-3 hours before and get left Roxas Port again. We should be in Boracay at that time if not for the delay.





Eat, Sleep and Shoot. After 1 or 2 hours, I woke and got excited to see some familiar islands closing in, Carabao Island and Boracay Island. The white sand beach of Boracay island can be clearly seen from the ship.




One to two hours more before we finally docked att Caticlan Port but still the delay did not end there. With some unknown reason, the ship was just across the Caticlan Port until 1 or 2 hours. And after all the waiting, I set foot again on Panay Island. Boracay is just a few minutes away!

Buktot Beach

April 11, 2009 - Oriental Mindoro

wala pang dalawang oras siguro nang dumating kami ng Roxas, Oriental Mindoro (kila Jogo) lakad kaagad kasama ang mga kaibigan ni Jogo sa Buktot Beach (not sure kung tama). May almost 1 hr na biyahe pero sulit at namiss ko ang simpleng buhay sa probinsya. Hindi ako naligo at nagenjoy lang sa sights at sa food (sawa sa pakwan! hehe). Teaser pa lang ito sa pupuntahan namin the next day.

Batangas City - Calapan RORO

Papunta pa lang ng Batangas, adventure na. Wala ng ibang paraan para makarating ng Batangas Port kundi ang P200 na shuttle van sa tapat ng Jac Liner Terminal sa Kamuning. Buti na lang at dun ako dinala ng taxi, kundi matagal pa ang aantayin ko para makarating kaagad ng Batangas Port.



Nakarating din ng port at nahuli ng isang oras sa huling biyahe ng roro papuntang Calapan kaya antay na lang sa 2am na biyahe. Ito ang unang pagkakataon kong sumakay ng roro. Medyo natakot dahil talagang maliit ito compared sa mga barko ng Superferry at Negros Navigation pero natuwa na rin at ngayon lang ulit nakasakay ng barko. Hindi namin alam na may aircon room/lounge pala itong sinakyan namin. Natuwa at may nakitang empty seats pa subalit na-disappoint din dahil nangati at nagkapantal kami dahil na rin siguro sa dami ng taong naupo sa mga upuang yun. In 2 hours, nakarating din kami ng Calapan. Mindoro Island for the first time! Yeah!

Biyahe na, Pilipinas! - Adventure Tour Festival

Got this from the Travel Factor Multiply site


Get to know more about adventure destinations in the country both on and off the beaten path.
Discounts and freebies to be given to on-site registrants for Travel Factor trips!

Pangasinan - Good Friday '09

April 10, 2009

nagbiro lang kapatid ko na gusto niya pumunta ng Manaoag the night before. And at around 1:30am, naghahanda na kami at wala pang isang oras, nasa Dagupan Bus Station na kami. Walang plano-plano. Kaladkarin. hehe

It has been years since the last time I was here. Yun pa yung namatay ang isang lolo ko sa Rosales.

Iba talaga talaga ang faith ng mga Pinoy. Daming tao. Dami rin naming nasalubong na nag-pepenitensya sa daan while on our way to Manaoag. Then after ng Manaoag, bumisita nga sa mga relatives sa Rosales. May SM na rin sila dito. Cool! At nag photo op din. hehehe.

at nung pauwi na, na-badtrip sa "terminal"

Ilang oras din bago makarating ng Manila, nagtext si Lery at papunta na sila ng Batangas pier na kitaan namin pagpunta ng Mindoro. Gulat ako at akala ko na early morning ng Sat kami magkikita. Kaya ayun, nagmadali na din magayos pagdating ng bahay.

Cagbalete, Philippine Islands

Cagbalete is an island in the town of Mauban Quezon, about three hours east of Metro Manila. It is situated on Lamon Bay together with Balesin, Alabat and Polilio Islands. Its proximity to Manila and its uncrowded beaches is a plus point for Cagbalete Island.

What to see and do?

• Baliscar Island
  
• Bonsai Island
  
• Bird watching
  
• Horseback Riding
  
• Sunrise
  
• Hiking
  
• Camping
  

Where to stay?

From researching online, there are 2 known resorts on the island of Cagbalete. One is Pansacola Resort and the other is Villa Cleofas.

Pansacola Beach Resort

Rommel Pansacola

09285058633, (042)7840158

Villa Cleofas

Tonet/Tess Reyeg

09178140496, (632)7541063

treyeg01@yahoo.com.ph

How to get there?

Complete directions.

Photo by Allan Barredo

sources:

http://cagbalete.com
http://google.com/mapmaker
http://libot.blogspot.com

Philippine Islands

Having around 7,107 islands and being the 2nd largest archipelago, the Philippines is really one top beach destination in the world! While I was browsing the map of the Philippines on Google Earth, I got curious to some of the country's islands that I wasn't aware of. Using most of Google Earth's tools, I got to see some of these islands up close. The country really has a lot to offer aside from Boracay, Mactan and Samal. Because of this, I will be starting a blog series about the Philippines' islands particularly those islands that most people overlook and miss.

photo courtesy of: [google earth/ google maps]