La Loma, QC's Lechon Festival 2012!

Here in the Philippines, fiestas or festivals wouldn't be complete without the famous roasted pig locally known as lechon. Its crispy golden brown skin and juicy, tender meat just make the whole town go crazy once it is served on the table. But here in La Loma, Quezon City, lechon is not just some dining table masterpiece, it is also the star of town's most anticipated parade of the year!

Boys and girls, let's dig in to La Loma's Lechon Festival!

Dubbed as the country's Lechon Capital, La Laoma has been celebrating their town fiesta for years now in honor of their patron saint. And since, we, Filipinos celebrate festivals to give thanks to our God for a bountiful harvest or something, La Loma, Quezon City do this "celebration" thing by parading lots of roasted pigs in a very unique and funny way!

The 2012 Fertility Festival of Obando, Bulacan

Its been years since I last experienced this festival - the song, the dance, the craze - this is indeed one of the Philippines' best festivals that is worth experiencing! And now, as I set foot again on this humble town of Obando, Bulacan, no time has to be wasted and no rhythm has to be missed, because once they started singing the Sta. Clara hymn, you have to sway your hips with your arms in the air - NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE! Hahaha!

Last Friday, I decided to take a leave from work to visit and experience Obando, Bulacan's Fertility Festival once again. Though I know that being getting pregnant is waaaay to impossible, I still went to see the event since I considered this festival as one of the many inspirations in my life why I travel all over the country.

You see, I first experience this festival when my high school teacher who lives here invited me and the rest of my classmates to come to their place. Despite of our knowledge that this festivity is really for husbands and wives who are longing to have children, we swayed along to the dance-y rhythm of their music while singing Sta. Clara's hymn and enjoyed the whole experience. Tiring, really tiring, but I considered this as one of the many best high school memories that I have, really.

A Nurturing Treat for Me and My Mama

When it comes to having vacation, people at my age usually spend their precious out-of-town trips with friends. I'm guilty to such thing, and I won't deny it. First, it is really more fun to be with people who have the same "harot" as yours. You wouldn't get intimidated, and rest assured that whatever you do, naughty stuff included, will be kept really good. But last year, when I have no friend to take with me on this nurturing treat that I won in a contest, I asked the best woman in my life to go with me - MY MOM.

I honestly can't remember when was the last time I took my mom on a real vacation. So, when I asked her to go with me, she was really excited, AS IN! She won't admit it actually, but I can feel that she wanna try Nurture Spa  Village for a very long time, since she's a frequent here in Tagaytay City.

Our itinerary was to spent a night at Nurture Spa, a prime tourist destination here in Tagaytay City, have a taste of their sumptuous and healthy meals, try their signature massage, and when we checked out, attend a mass at the nearby church, buy some pasalubong at Mahogany Market and then see our relatives who live here in Tagaytay.

Ramada Manila Central: The Newbie at the Oldie

Crowded streets, food stalls here and there, lucky charms dangling from every window and rising tall condominiums blocking the sunlight - these are the things that you can see at Ongpin Street in Manila now. Also known as Manila's Chinatown, this one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world has been the heart of Manila for centuries. But with these current developments, is there really a place for the Ramada Manila Central?

Just recently, I was invited to check out this newly opened place in Chinatown. Famous in the Chinese region, Ramada Hotel just opened its Manila Central doors giving a modern twist to the oldie and crowded Manila's Chinatown.

Officially opened its doors last April 27th, Ramada Manila Central is located a stone-throw away from the Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz or more popularly known as Binondo Church. Ramada Manila Central is the latest addition to this historical street, and with their breath-of-fresh-air outlook that aims to give local and international tourists a more pleasing and relaxing place to stay during their visit here in Manila, they are assuring that everyone will enjoy Manila more than they'll ever know.

Aklan: Kalibo Cathedral and the Sto. Niño de Kalibo

Two decades after the devastating earthquake that was felt all over Panay Island, Aklan, specifically Kalibo, stays firm and strong to their devotion to Sto. Niño as they build a modern-style church called Kalibo Cathedral - a proof to the world that they faith won't be shattered by any calamity.

Located at the provincial capital, Kalibo Cathedral can be easily reached by feet or by simply taking a tricycle straight from the Kalibo International Airport.

With Sto. Niño de Kalibo at the center of faith and religion here in Kalibo, just like most of the provinces in Visayas region, Kalibo Cathedral offers a closer interaction with their patron saint and wonderful taste of a once a historical ground for Aklanons.

Aklan: Museo It Akean

More than it's world-class Boracay and scenic Caticlan, Aklan also holds a stunning and very inspiring history that the country should be proud of. And from its tribal roots to its loving people now, Aklan presented its most priced possessions in a small box called Museo It Akean.

A collection of its famous crafts and artifacts, Museo It Akean or the Museum of Aklan tells the story of this province once part of Capiz.

For those who are wondering what does Akean means, according to this museum, the name Akean came from the Aklanon word akean, which means the warbling of the water. And Aklan having this Amazon River like sight called Aklan River, I think we can assume that their old folks got it from the sound of the river during rainy season where the river possesses full powers.

I had a chance to spend some leisure time here during my visit to this humble province, and despite of it being small and modern, I find the place presentable and really informative. This is my second Visayan museum, albeit I don't wanna compare this to the first one I've visited months ago, Museo It Akean gave me a homey feel that made me appreciate the province more.

Aklan: Bakhawan Eco-Park

The sexy summer pictures of SM models are all over the Web nowadays, but have you noticed their background? Have you noticed those thousands or probably millions of mangroves on their background? How about the bamboo bridges? Well, I've been there recently, and as beautiful as it is on those pictures, you can check it out with your own eyes those in Kalibo, Aklan. And they call the place Bakhawan Eco-Park.

Consisted of thousands, probably millions of bakhawan or mangrove trees, this place is one of the protected areas and tourist spots in the peaceful and welcoming province of Aklan. Made by the people of Kalibo, it was then mudflats that serve nothing.

Now, after it is officially opened to the public in April 2008, as a tribute of Aklean to the occasion of World Earth Day, Bakhawan Eco-Park, which can be found New Buswang, has been one of the top destination in this small town and lots of people are being amazed as to how this man-made forest keeping the ecosystem balance at peace. And going here is so easy!

A Dip into Pakil's Turumba Spring Resort

Aside from the majestic and picturesque San Pedro de Alcantara Church, Pakil, Laguna is also a great place for some cooling, relaxing and affordable summer getaway. With their another priced possession - and truly a wonderful gift of nature - Turumba Spring Resort is a great summer destination just around town.

Just a few steps from the town's plaza, one can take a plunge into this amazing treat from this part of the country. Taking its name form their famous Turumba Festival, which is a 9-day festival in recognition to Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba, Turumba Spring Resort is open from morning til night for all the locals and tourists of this small, lovely town.

I had a wonderful chance of visiting this place last Holy Week. And albeit I didn't have a real experience of taking a dip into this natural cooler, I witnessed how the the sweet people of Pakil bond and enjoy a free-spirited summer afternoon of nature's gift. Realizing that they have these two wonderful spots, it was actually nice to know how this - Turumba Spring Resort - and San Pedro de Alcantara Church make the people of Pakil be so close with nature, God and with one another in a very relaxing and easy way.

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.