Lakwatsarah

Dinagyang Festival dancer January 24, 2014, after spending exactly a week in Cebu with Sinulog Festival being the trip's highlight, I flew next to Iloilo for yet another of Philippine's largest festivity, the Dinagyang Festival. It's one of my much anticipated Philippine Festival plus it's also my first Iloilo visit. My parents said that our ancestors originally are from this side of Western Visayas thus I was happy to explore.

So okay, this is way long overdue post. 3 years late to be exact. Sorry na, may energy gap lang... Seriously, I miss blogging. Sharing my travel adventures back in the Philippines (UAE-based na po ako ). I was so busy being an  adult, that's why. This trip happened 3 years ago so here's me hoping to make this post as helpful and good read as possible. The Sinulog Grand Street Parade (Day 2) The first day of Sinulog Festival is celebrated through the Solemn Foot Procession where devotees dance in honor of Sto. Niño. I had a fair glimpse of how many people will be going to the streets come the grand street parade set to happen the next day. After taking our breakfast, we hurriedly strolled Osmeña street as some participants were already there. Cebu's Sinulog Grand Street Parade must probably be the country's longest parade time, it starts in the morning and ends at night! Despite the sweet smiles, I can imagine the exhaustion of the performe...

Despite the occasional drizzles, I appreciate the cool Cebu Amihan breeze as I began walking along Osmena Blvd with ate Yan that afternoon of January 18. The Philippines for the past few days has been experiencing a lot cooler temperature than normal, and we Filipinos just gladly embrace it, after all, it's a weekend to celebrate. It’s the day the Solemn Foot Procession is happening and I can’t wait to experience this much-loved parade.  the crowd during the Solemn Foot Procession as seen from Robinsons Fuente kids wearing Sto Nino outfits From the streets, I can see locals with their families, patiently waiting for the arrival of the black image of Sto Nino. People wearing hats, cute kids donning their Sto. Nino costumes and tourists flaunting their ‘I Love Cebu’ shirts, all while chanting Viva Pit Senyor. There are cameras everywhere, helicopters flying above for like every 10 minutes. Surely, this is Philippine's grandest fiesta celebration.

Derived from the word “Talakudong”, an Ilonggo term that refers to a hat or any head cover, Tacurong is situated at the crossroads of Central Mindanao. The city, which became a component city of the province of Sultan Kudarat on September 18, 2000 serves as the gateway to the 4 major cities of Mindanao: General Santos, Cotabato, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. Although it’s considered as the smallest province in Sultan Kudarat, it’s the most populated with Roman Catholics making up 83.6 of the total population. 2012 last year, Tacurong was declared as regional winner for city category in the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi, an award given to the local government units that showed exemplary performance in the local governance. Tacurong also elevated itself to the Top 5 Best Performing Cities of the Philippines in the same year.  WELCOME TO THE CITY OF GOODWILL Photos from top to bottom: Tacurong City Hall by night, Inugyunay Festival, Farm road, Tacurong City Hall by day, City Hall grou...

My first ever T’nalak Festival experience happened in 2008 . Unfortunately, it was just a (half) day short as I booked my return trip to Manila the day the festivity started. Little did I know I would be missing on a lot of fun street festivity. I was able to do a quick tour though of the bahay kubo exhibit, the agri-trade fair and did last few minute pasalubong shopping inside the Protech Center. It was a very short introduction to T'nalak Festival but it sure did ignite my interest to watch the much talked about parade on my next visit.  In 2010, I made sure to catch the Street Dancing Parade . I was on the streets of Alunan by 6am before the street dancing started with the tribal music pumping the festival vibe, I was extremely excited as it was my first ever festival parade experience. But rain poured, hard. Despite that, I was totally blown away to see student performers, still in full spirits, merilly dancing in the rain draped with t'nalak costumes. I wasn’t abl...

View Larger Map More than 12 hours on the road - this has been by far, my longest road trip experience... It's 11pm already when I received an sms stating that my uncle and his family is about to leave their house in Novaliches, Quezon city. I'm waiting for them from my house in Laguna, my backpack is already set for our 3 day stay. I'm excited for my first ever road trip to the Bicol region! last taping - us at CWC in 2008 It was in 2008 when I had the chance to visit Naga for our last taping for our farewell episode in Star Magic Presents Astigs . It was memorable for it was my last field production work with ABS-CBN after deciding to leave the company and pursue into business and blogging.  This 2012, the Bicol trip came as a surprise after my uncle invited me to go with them to Legazpi, Albay, aunt Lily's hometown for a relative's wedding plus hoping to have a side trip in a private island in Sorsogon. I was smiling from ear to ear when i ...

Truly, experience is the best teacher. And having experienced the thrill of Panagbenga myself, I would like to share a few things I learned during our 3 day stay. For those who are planning to go to Baguio for upcoming Panagbenga Festivals, read these reminders/tips below. 1. Reserve your bus ticket at least 2 weeks before your scheduled trip. I was able to book our plane tickets from Laoag to Manila for our return flight four months before the festival but failed to book our bus ticket to Baguio. Huge mistake! We waited 6 grueling hours at the Victory Liner Bus Terminal in Cubao before finally making it to the bus. Nothing can be more scary than after all the preparations you did, you'll end up missing your trip.

February 27, 2011. An estimated half a million people flocked the streets of Baguio to watch the yearly anticipated event of Baguio city’s 16th  Panagbenga Grand Float Parade 2011 . The Festival theme this year : “The Environment and Community in Harmony.” This Flower Festival has surely brought in a great amount of revenue to the local government – good news to Baguio’s tourism industry, horrific to many travelers! (check out my upcoming posts to find out why)

February is an exciting month for me and my dear friends as we embark on our first ever Panagbenga experience. For all the excited Baguio travelers out there, here's something we should take note before rushing into the country's summer capital. unveiling of the 16th Flower Festival's official logo Here’s the Baguio Flower Festival schedule of activities for 2011 : November 16, 2010 – Launch of Panagbenga 2011 February 1, 2011 – Grand Opening Parade February 1 – Mar 6, 2011 – Market Encounter February 12, 2011– Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom February 13, 2011 – Pre-Valentine Event and Fluvial Float Parade February 26, 2011 – Grand Panagbenga Street Parade February 27, 2011 – Grand Float Parade February 28 – March 6, 2011 – Session Road in Bloom March 2, 2011 – Pony Boys Day March 3, 2011 – Central North Luzon Tourism Fair March 6, 2011 – Grand Closing Ceremony & Grand Fireworks Display (Flowers in the Sky) WHERE TO STAY IN BAGUIO image source:  htt...