The Aliwan Fiesta 2012

The festival of all festivals has just been concluded, and with 21 contingents from all over the country competed on this year's Aliwan Fiesta, only one emerged as the grand champion. But before we go into those details, let me share to you first the other stunning and world-class performances that the other participants showcased today.

From Luzon, to Visayas, and down to Mindanao, Aliwan Fiesta 2012 gathered all the best festivals in our country to show to the whole of the Metropolitan Manila, and also to the whole country via the generous coverage of TV5, how our nation is filled with colors, creativity and rich culture.

This is my nth time to see this fiesta, and for the nth time, it never failed to wow me and literally take my breath away with the every amazing contingent that they have here performed. 

On its 10th year anniversary, Aliwan Fiesta just keeps the color flowing and the music getting louder. No wonder, local and international tourists really spend time catching this festivity.

And so, without further here's a glimpse of what happened earlier.

A Memorable Visit at San Pedro de Alcantara Church

Last Holy Week, I was able to visit more than a dozen of churches. From classic to contemporary, one thing that I can't deny, my heart skips a beat every time I see one beautiful Philippine church. And one of those many churches that I visited that really left a mark of good memory in my heart and mind is Pakil, Laguna's San Pedro de Alcantara Church.

This church albeit housing Saint Peter de Alcantara is more popular for its miraculous Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba or Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba.

On my first-ever visit on this church last Good Friday, I was able to walk at every passage of this church and hear its very uplifting and truly mystifying stories. We know how the life in the provinces in our country works, and here in Pakil, there's no exception.

Pakil, Laguna: Small Town with a Larger Than Life Gems

I'm sure a lot of us have heard of Pakil, Laguna but haven't actually set foot on it. Well, this blog is hoping to inspire you to visit this hidden gem of Laguna and see how its treasures shine so bright even on a Good Friday.

Pakil or Paquil in Laguna is one the many Laguna provinces that is laying right beside the famous Laguna de Bay. With San Pedro de Alcantara Church at the heart of this town, Pakil is enriched with wonderful religious and historical stories that I heard right from the very mouth of the people who were born and raised there - an experience I wanna do over and over again.

During Holy Week, I'm one of the many Manilenos who were stuck here in the metropolis. Thankfully, I have some good loving friends who took me with them last Good Friday to experience the Holy Week in this heart-warming Pakil way.

A Humbling Via Crucis Experience

Every year, we, Filipino Roman Catholics has this Via Crucis traditions. It is our simple way to be one with Jesus Christ who offered his life for our salvation. Via Crucis or Station of the Cross is usually done by visiting churches, 14 churches for every station of the cross. It is one my many "panata" during the Lenten Season, and as we celebrate Lent this year, I, and my two aunts, spent our Maundy Thursday visiting churches from the eastern metropolis, specifically Mandaluyong, Pasig and Quezon City.

This is my very first time to do it outside Manila City, and even though I feel bad for not visiting any Manila-base church, I am somehow happy too see other beautiful churches outside of Manila. As a Manileno, I thought we have the best churches in Metro Manila, well, that is until I saw some from this part. And despite of those some being so new and modern, I somehow felt how each of them were made with solid faith and love to God.

And one of those modern praying areas that we've visited that caught my attention is the St. Pio of Pietrelcina Chapel in Libis, Quezon City. It isn't really a church, but according to the staff there, this chapel that is inspired by the Church of Our Lady of Grace in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, it can hold up to 500 church-goers.

Via Crucis: The 14 Churches of Iloilo (Part Two)

Click this to read Part One.


One day ain't enough to see all the mystical gems of Iloilo - Churches - that's why on my second day on this journey, I started a little earlier to make sure that I'll get to visit all 14 churches on my list. As early as 6 in the morning, I'm already on my way to my eight church destination.

There's still one church in the southern Iloilo that I've miss, that's why I went back there to complete the southern churches on my list. 

Eighth Destination - Eighth Station - Sto. Nino de Arevalo Church

Sto. Nino de Arevalo houses what is said to be the third oldest Sto. Nino image here in the Philippines, and despite of its claim of having an old image of Sto. Nino, the structure of this church has this modern simple appeal. With high ceiling, which is very common to most Catholic churches in the country, and walls that are mostly made of steel grills, Sto. Nino de Arevalo appeals to those who prefer a simpler place to pray. 

When I visited the place, I must say that its cleanliness is what attracted me. The white statues of saints that are planted on the side of the church is also an additional attraction here in Sto. Nino de Arevalo, though, it wasn't that really appealing, I know.

Via Crucis: The 14 Churches of Iloilo (Part One)

I had this fascination over the architectural design of churches as early as 10 years old. My aunt who's into Via Crucis asked me one time to join her on Via Crucis, and from then on, it's been my share of sacrifices during Holy Week, and its been a goal of mine to see more churches here in the country and abroad.

Upon learning that Iloilo nests a number of truly mystifying churches, I set foot on this very welcoming province last year. But my journey then wasn't enough to explore all of its gems, so this year, I visited the place again and devoted my whole trip in seeing these architectural gems.

I'm no pro when it comes to architectural designs, so if you find something wrong on this post, please correct me. ^_^

Arriving at Iloilo Airport on a cloudy Thursday morning wasn't part of the plan. I'm planning to see 6 or 7 churches that same day, so the positivism is all over me from our home in Tondo down here in Iloilo.

Btw, Iloilo Airport is like a small NAIA Terminal 3, and I love it!

Reaching my first destination for this Via Crucis trip has two options, but since I'm on a hurry, due to the coming dark clouds, I took the shuttle going to SM Iloilo.

My New Travelling Partner

Saying good bye is really hard, right? May it be with the one we used to love, a family member who already joined our Creator, a pet who can't stand that test of time of may it be a thing, a valuable thing that you are holding on to because of the great memories that it shared with you. I've been through all of those stuff, and yeah, it is hard. But when there's something or someone new that is coming along, letting go is starting to get easy.

I'm not posting this blog to share to you a recent heartbreak with someone I used to love, but instead, I'm sharing this story to say goodbye to my old and tired travelling partner and to say hello too to my new travelling partner!

Guys, I'm talking about my new travelling bag here. Hehe.

You see, I bought this bag back in 2009. It is from Clipper, a novelty store that you can find on some malls before. But it seems that destiny has been good to them and you can see them now in every mall in town! Good job, Clipper!

If I'm not mistaken, Clipper is the sister company of Blade, a store that sells automotive stuff.

The New Face of Camp John Hay

If there's one spot that I barely visit when I'm in Baguio City, that'd be the Camp John Hay. Being one of the most famous tourist destinations in Baguio City, I seldom recommend it to my companion whenever we are in Baguio. For one, there's really nothing to see there and second, it's hard to reach the place if you do not have your own car.

But when the Eurotel Team took us there for the Baguio Bliss 2012, I was surprised to know that a lot of things have changed around the area. The quiet and very peaceful camp before is now the center for some exhilarating activities that you can do now inn Baguio City.

The zipline that you only experience in Tagaytay and Bukidnon is also available now in Baguio City, and you can find it here in Camp John Hay.

Feel at Home in Pagudpud's Sabrina Beach Home

Holy Week is fast approaching, and despite of the church's call to repent on this sacred week, I know that there are still a lot of you out there who prefer repenting in a more relaxing way. Anyway, Philippines is not 100% Roman Catholic anymore, so might as well spent your well-deserve vacation in a serene and peaceful place. And to some, I'm sure serene and peaceful spell P-A-G-U-D-P-U-D, but do you already have a place to stay in this world-renowned place? Try and check out Sabrina Beach Home!

I happened to know Sabrina or Sabrina Beach Home through a friend who's been going in and out of Pagudpud every year. It is one of the latest additions to the line of beautiful places to stay in Saud, Pagudpud. I had a chance to check out the place a few months back and experienced it for two nights. I must say that with their friendly staff, quite an affordable rates and good location, this is a nice option for your upcoming Holy Week vacation.

Finding Sabrina Beach Home is so easy once you've reached the welcoming arch of Pagudpud. It is located right after Saud Beach Resort, which is a known landmark along Saud Beach coastal line.

My Rammmpa at the 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

On my second year to witness this exciting and colorful flying event in the country, let me first say BIG THANK YOU to bloggers Eric of Byahilo.com and Jonel of LetsGoSago.com for the free tickets that they gave to me and my friends to this 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta at Clark, Angeles, Pampangga.

This is "the flying event" that we've been waiting for, and despite of an early call time to catch these beautiful balloons color the space above Clarkfield, Pampangga, there were still thousands of spectators managed to be at this 4-day event and let themselves be amazed with the show that the Philippine Air Force has prepared for everybody.

I was lucky to be with a group of cool blogger-friends that day, and despite of all of us lacking some good sleep, we all had a great time bonding together at the last day of 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.