I've been to Panagbenga Festival thrice already, the first one in 2003 with college friends in an unplanned trip where we literally have no bus tickets and ready accommodations, we just went there; second in 2010 with my office office friends and the third one just recently (Chinese New Year Long Weekend)

Baguio becomes too crowded on the weekend of the Grand Float Parade, here are some tips to survive the Panagbenga crowds (and just about any long weekend in Baguio when people from the lowlands travel up there)

SM's giant tiger float highlighting the year of the Metal Tiger in 2003, Espect a dog this year to signify YEar of the Dog


1. If taking public transportation i.e. bus, get your tickets as early as possible. Expect very long lines and lots of chance passengers at bus stations. Secure your return ticket as early as possible too

2. Book room accommodations as early as possible. Choose one on Session Road for the view or within walking distance from Session Road, SM Baguio and Burnham Park for you are never going to be able to park your car, ride a jeepney or take a taxi back as roads are closed, heavy traffic and no taxis in sight

3. Use comfortable shoes as you're gonna do some serious walking

4. On the day of the Grand Float Parade, you can position yourself along Session Road as early as 7am, bring a plastic chair then don't let go of your position. Drink water to the minimum to avoid frequent trips to the toilet. Expect toilets to be crowded and long lines especially for ladies


5. To avoid scenario 4, you can actually catch the parade on Burnham Park where all the floats gather before going on the parade along Session Road. The parade route is just Burnham Park, Session Road and Harrison Road (parade route map upcoming)

6. Exercise caution at all times. Baguio is relatively safe but there are lots of pickpockets trying to take your hard-earned money. put your bag in front of you, and your wallet and valuables in your front pockets and be on your guard always.

7. To avoid heavy traffic going back to Manila, drive a bit late or better leave the following Monday

In 2003, I swore I'll never go back to Baguio during Panagbenga but it was broken in 2010.

The Grand Float Parade is spectacular to watch live but the challenges to watch it live is great too

For now, enjoy the festival! :)

Labels: Baguio City, Cordillera Administrative Region, Festivals

The 2016 edition of Paete's Paet Taka Festival was recently released, recommended are the ice-carving competition on September 24 and the Grand Parade on September 25, Sunday afternoon



Click HERE for more pictures of Paet Taka Festival

Paete Taka Festival Schedule 2016


Notes:

As much as I want to see even the Street Dancing Competition, it's usually not possible due to the late schedule at 7pm that usually does not start on time thus they also finish late. No idea if there are no classes the following day too as the students are the performers. I commented some time ago that the schedule is better on Saturday night or Sunday morning to catch the best sunlight (for photography and to be spread on the Internet social media) and not too hot for student performers

The night schedule of street dancing competition makes it hard for photographers and videographers to get decent pictures/videos. The event also can't be covered/seen by visitors who have to rush back to Manila or nearby areas

In this case, the organizers need to learn to consider visitors/tourists in scheduling unless their only targets are Paetenians themselves and not for industry/tourism improvement purposes.

Labels: Festivals

Paet Taka Festival is an annual festival in Paete, Laguna in the month of September showcasing the town's products, arts and crafts.

herewith is the schedule of activities for 2015 edition


Paet, from whom Paete got its name, is a straight edge chisel used by carvers while taka is paper mache, two of the town's signature products

Should you need more information about Tutubi's hometown, just leave a comment, post on Facebook, or just email :)

Paet Taka Festival 2013 pictures:
Paet Taka Festival

Labels: Festivals

The Paet Taka Festival is a reincarnation of the defunct Ukit Taka Festival a few years ago showcasing the art of carving of Paete in various media from the traditional wood to the present ice, vegetable, fruits, chocolate , butter and others. The date of festival celebration is reckoned from the birthday of Mariano Madrinan, a local town hero of the arts.

The street dancing pictures were taken on September 28 during the festival parade where floats from Paete's nine barangay participated.

Pictures from the Street Dance competition Paet Taka Festival, Paete, Laguna:


Next: the gigantes (giant paper mache), floats and beauty queens


Related Paete posts:
How to Get to Paete, Laguna
Tatlong Krus
Map of Paete, Laguna,
Paete Wood Carving
Salibanda

Labels: Calabarzon, Festivals, Laguna, Paete

The annual festival of Paete, Laguna showcasing its traditional arts of ukit (carving) and taka (papier mache) that is scheduled near the birthday of Mariano Madrinan who was awarded a gold medal by the Spanish king for his Mater Dolorosa wood carving masterpiece displayed at the International Colonial and Export Exhibition in Amsterdam in 1883.


Ukit- Taka Festival Schedule of Activities:

September 23 - 26
8am Dekreta
Visual Arts Exhibit
Trade Booth Fair
Bulilit Exhibition

There will be a Higante making contest on September 26 where giants made of taka (papier mache) will be paraded around town

Sept 27
Brass Band Exhibition
Pasungaw/Bulilit Exhibit

1pm Ukit Bulilit (soap carving competition)
Woodcarving
Ice Carving

7pm Performing Arts Variety Show
Dance Contest

September 28, 2013 (Saturday)
6am Mariano Madrinan honor ceremony
1pm Mutya Taka
Taka Rosa
Pakulo (street dancing)

September 29, 2013 (Sunday)
10am Ice Carving Exhibition
Fruit and Vegetable Carving
Garnishing Demo

1pm Drum and Lyre Exhibition/Competition
6pm Awarding Ceremony
7pm Mr and Ms Paete (Beauty Contest)

Notes:

Venue will most probably be at the Paete Town Plaza, though not explicitly indicated.

Have to warn you on this, per experience and observation, the events there don't start on time, one or two hours late.
This bad habit should be changed by Paetenians if they really want to make the event famous.

The activities are typical of what you see in other festivals like the beauty contests, dance contests and street dancing (a good photo opportunity) though the demostration of ice carving, wood carving and garnishing are unique to Paete so far

In order for this festival to be famous, marketing should be improved by word of mouth, social media to make up for the perennial lack of funds.

The International Colonial and Export Exhibition in Amsterdam 1883 was a display of colonialism of imperial Europe where even locals of Java were on display in a human zoo.

Related Paete posts:
How to Get to Paete, Laguna
Tatlong Krus
Map of Paete, Laguna,
Paete Wood Carving
Salibanda

Labels: Festivals

Celebrated annually in the town of Balayan, Batangas on June 24th, the feast day of John the Baptist, Parada ng Lechon fiesta has the unique combination of roasted pigs paraded around town on colorful carrozas and makeshift vehicles while people and spectators splash water on one another, some sort of emulation of St. John baptising Jesus before the start in the river Jordan.

Pictures of Parada ng Lechon, Balayan, Batangas
(a bit hazy, taken with an iPhone 4S wrapped in ziplock to protect it from water)

Parade participants and spectators splash water on one another

the float of MacDonalds with yellow and orange baloons

a nice roasted pig with shades hat and wig costume

roast pig pharaoh of Ancient Egypt

Parada ng Lechon:
Schedule of Parade (start): June 24 around 9am (probably after the mass at Balayan Church (Parish of St. John the Baptist (San Juan Bautista)

Travel Tips:

1. If you have your own vehicle, be there early as you will just get stuck in heavy traffic and won't enjoy the celebration.
2. Bring extra clothes as you will get wet, unless you will just witness the parade from afar or inside your car
3. Protect your gadgets with plastic bags or ziplock
4. Recommend a waterproof camera if you have or just use plastic cover/case for your camera
5. Don't get angry when you get wet, you went there so you at least expect to get wet
6. Close your car window, even of the highway, you may be surprised some kids and people splash water on passing vehicles

How to Get to Balayan, Batangas:

If you intend to commute to Balayan, there are buses on EDSA, Cubao or taft Avenue corner Buendia to take you directly to Balayan. There are vans/fx/shuttle service to Balayan on Zamora St at the back of Kabayan Hotel near Metropoint Mall at the corner of EDSA and Taft Avenue in Pasay (fare: PhP180.00) with travel time of about 3 hours via Tagaytay.

Driving directions to Balayan, from Makati, take SLEx then exit at Sta. Rosa, pass by Tagaytay, turn right at the end of Tagaytay - Sta. Rosa road, drive all the way until you reach the junction of the road the either go to nasugbu or Balayan. Turn left to get to Balayan then turn right to Balayan main road.

Other Water Festivals in the Philippines:
Basaan San Juan Water Festival
Salibanda Festival of Paete, Laguna

Note:
pictures taken during parada ng lechon 2012, almost a year of backlog of Tutubi

Labels: Batangas, Calabarzon, Festivals, Fiestas

Formerly the ANILAG Festival but the re-naming is usually political due to change of governors thus there's no continuity and awareness of the brand.
click the picture to see enlarge the schedule of activities of La Laguna Festival 2013

activities from March 8, 2013 to March 17, 2013
fun run, street dancing, beauty contests, boat race on sta. cruz river, trade shows, typical festival activities

How to Get to Laguna Provincial Capitol:

ride buses to Sta. Cruz, Laguna, alight in Sta. Cruz then ride a jeepney back to Sta. Cruz public Market or tricycle and request the driver to drop you off in front of Laguna Provincial Capitol

Sta. Cruz laguna also celebrates the kesong puti festival

Labels: Festivals, Laguna

The Salibanda is a centuries old devotion in Paete, Laguna where an image of the Sto. Niño is paraded around town beginning at Paete Church (on the third and last Sundays of January at 12nn), westward towards Wawa Park and Laguna de Bay lakeshore for a short fluvial parade then winds around town for a "wet and wild" water festival. The parade culminates at Paete Town Plaza where the whole town square full of people gets really wet even with the participation of Paete Fire Station "bumbero."

These pictures of Salibanda were taken using a Nikon D80 with 18-200 VR lens covered with plastic waterproof case to protect it from water. You may notice haze and water on the photos due to this setup

Read this article on Salibanda History for more information and narratives:

The traditional color worn by revelers is red, the use of this yellow color may have been due to the club

a spray of water greets the "party people" en route to Wawa Park





Salibanda actually means "sali sa banda" (join the band)


Dare to join Paete Salibanda next year or in the future?

Salibanda Schedule:
third and last Sunday of January (it coincides with the Sinulog, Ati-atihan)
om January 18, 2015 then with the Dinagyang on January 25, 2015

Related Posts:

Salibanda History Sto. Niño
January Festival Schedule Sto. Niño
Legend of Ati-atihanStar Toll

Labels: Calabarzon, Festivals, Fiestas, Laguna, Paete, Southern Tagalog

It's a marriage between the raucous Ati-atihan Festival of Kalibo, Aklan and the St John the Baptist themed Basaan Fiesta of San Juan and the Parada ng Lechon of Balayan, Batangas where the people of Paete, Laguna, for more than a century, parade on the streets with the Sto. Niño (child Jesus), while spectators and revelers alike splash water on one another.

Photo Credits and Special thanks to Sidney of My Sari-sari Store for letting Tutubi use his Salibanda images. Tutubi invited Sidney in 2010 but was not able to come home

The fiesta, called Salibanda, shortened from Sali sa Banda (english: join the band), is held on the third and the last Sundays of January (usually coinciding with the schedules of Cebu's Sinulog Festival and Kalibo's Ati-atihan Festival and Iloilo's Dinagyang festival but not with Dinagyang if January has 5 Sundays)

Fiesta Salibanda 2015 Schedule:

January 18, 2015
Official Catholic and Rampants Club

January 25, 2015
Sto. Nino de Palaboy and S Fly
12nn Paete Church for the holy mass then parade around Paete for the "basaan" part
the Aglipayan (Aglipay or Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI))parade starts from Wawa (Laguna Lake shore) fluvial parade


These days, you can now see the same festival celebrated in neighboring towns of Pakil, Pangil, Kalayaan, Lumban and Pagsanjan but the original is always Paete, the first to have the unique Sto. Niño fiesta in the Philippines.

Origin and History of Salibanda Fiesta:

When did the Salibanda start? Who started it? Did it begin as an animist/pagan practice and converted into a Catholic tradition similar to the Ati-atihan Festival?

No one definitely knows for sure when or when the "wet and wild" devotion to the Sto Niño began and originated. Local lore and legends are also hard to believe. No scholarly study has been done to trace and document this. There's only documentation that the practice was present in the late 19th century and the original Sto. Niño image was transferred from the Catholic Church to the Aglipayan in 1902 when the original owners of the image switched religion.

in history there's a saying: "no document, no history" the mystery behind this tradition still exists waiting for a scholar to dig deeper or someone to stumble upon an ancient document (a 19th century or earlier blogger perhaps?) detailing it's origins and original intent.

Salibanda tips:

wear red if you want to participate (but not a guarantee that you will not get wet)
bring extra change clothes
protect your camera or bring a waterproof camera
If you have a car, park it on the highway, not inside the town as you will be requested to move it so as not to impede the parade and avoid scratches

Related posts:
Map of Paete, Laguna
Ati-atihan Festival
Basaan Fiesta of San Juan

Labels: Calabarzon, Festivals, Fiestas, Laguna, Paete, Southern Tagalog

For people who can't fly out of Manila to witness Cebu's Sinulog festival, Kalibo's Ati-atihan Festival or Iloilo's Dinagyang Festival (4th sunday of January), herewith are your alternatives that's easier to reach and lighter on your pocket:

January 9 (Sunday): Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila

Feast Day of the Sto. Nino (Child Jesus)

On the third Sunday of January (January 16, 2011), here are festivities that coincide with the Sinulog and Ati-atihan with the all too familiar street dancing in colorful costumes, some patterned after the hugely popular Mardi Gras of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Caracol Festival in Makati City. "Parade" route starts at the Gabriela Silang Parking at the corner of Makati Avenue and Ayala Avenue (Opposite Makati Shangri-la Hotel and the Peninsula Manila) and the performing
stage built at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas (Good vantage points from Ninoy Aquino Monument, The Enterprise Center, Insular Life Building and BPI Building). (Warning: This doesn't start on time though as experienced by Tutubi last year, so much for the premier city of the Philippines but with lousy organizers. Festival dance contest lasts deep into the night with mostly students from Makati's
schools as performers)

Caracol festival participant still smiling despite the heat of the searing sun

Buling-Buling festival in Pandacan, Manila (Pandacan Church area)

Lakbayaw festivity in Tondo, Manila (Sto. Niño de Tondo Church)

Pajotan de Sto. Niño in Maypajo, Caloocan City

Bambino Festival in Pasig City

Feast of the Sto. Niño at Sto. Niño Parish, Bago Bantay, Quezon City
(area behind SM City North EDSA)

Recommend also the Salibanda of Paete, Laguna (Tutubi's hometown) where water splashing is done to festivity fun hunters and devotees. It's just a 2 hour drive away from Trinoma Mall in Quezon City via the scenic Antipolo, Baras, Tanay, Teresa Rizal route. Salibanda parade starts at 12nn from Paete Church, goes around town then proceeds to Wawa Park on the lake shore of Laguna de Bay in the afternoon for a fluvial parade of the Sto. Niño.

Should you know of the actual festival schedules and street dancing festival parade route (map desired), please hit the comment along with the proper attribution)

Labels: Festivals, Metro Manila

While in Hong Kong a few years back, Tutubi tried to board the Duk Ling, an authentic Chinese Junk in Victoria Harbour that made him wish there's alsoan authentic galleon anchored in Manila Bay that can be boarded someday.

That day came true when news of the coming of the replica of the galeon Andalucia, a 17th century Spanish galleon, visited Manila for a few days and will be staying at Pier 13 in Manila's South Harbor. Herewith is the schedule and other information for those interested in seeing and actually boarding a galeon in order to get a feel of how it was like in those days.

THE GALEON ANDALUCIA (OCTOBER 6-9)

WHERE: PIER 13, SOUTH HARBOR, MANILA (Next to Manila Hotel)
ADMISSION: FREE
DATES
October 6 1:00 pm - 4:00pm
October 7 9:00am – 12:00 noon, 1:00 pm - 4:00pm
October 8 8:00am – 12:00 noon, 1:00 pm - 4:00pm
October 9 8:00am-12:00pm

DAILY SCHEDULE (except october 6,9)
9:00am-12:00pm – LARGE GROUPS
9:00am-4:00pm PUBLIC

For Groups of 30 or more, email your information and desired time between 9:00am-12:00pm.

INDIVIDUAL GUESTS
There is no need for reservation for individuals and groups with less than 30 people

AGE LIMIT
Children under eight years old are not allowed due to safety reasons. Children under twelve need to be chaperoned

PARKING
There is no ample parking at the pier, however there will be some at Quirino Grandstand.

FOR RESERVATIONS

E-mail Abi Portillo at diadelgaleon@yahoo.com with your information including: day, time, number of guests, contact information.

The Galeon Andalucia is a replica of the 17th century Galleon. Guest can hop on-board and jump into history!"

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How to get to Pier 13, Manila South Harbor:

from Quiapo, you can board jeepneys with signboard Pier, alight near Manila Hotel then walk towards the Pier.

Labels: Festivals

For the simple reason that Tutubi's warning some people intending to travel to the fourth district of Laguna of the expected heavy traffic on the highway of Los Banos.

Bañamos festival celebrates the hot spring baths of Los Baños (means The Baths) coinciding with the founding anniversary of the town of Los Banos featuring science discovery exhibit, beauty pageant, street dancing competition and Makiling Quest Adventure Race.

HIGHLIGHTS AND SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES:

September 17: BAILAMOS (dance contest)

September 18 - Civic Parade, Mosikohan and Paper Mache flaots at the Freedom Park in UPLB

September 19 - Padyak ELBI biking the Los Baños Terrain

Tutubi's going home to Paete tomorrow but intends to commute to Paete via the scenic Rizal route: EDSA Crossing - Tanay, Tanay - Siniloan, and Siniloan to Paete jeepney routes that he has not taken for years now just to avoid traffic in Calamba and Los Banos.

Labels: Festivals

Anilag festival, contracted from Ani ng Laguna, a week long celebration in Sta. Cruz, the capital town of Laguna beckons tourists and photographers for 7 day calendar of activities for 2010

Anilag Festival Schedule of Activities 2010

March 7, 2010 (Sunday) - Soft Opening

3:00pm Carnival Queen Mardi Gras Party
4:00pm Santacruzan
7:00pm Comedy Show

March 8, 2010 (Monday)

8:00am Grand Opening ANILAG FESTIVAL 2010
Opening: Trade Fair Exhibit / Competition
10:00am Animal Farm (whole week)
1:00pm Choral Group Competition (Senior Citizens)
2:00pm Landscaping Competition
5:00pm Street Dance Competition
11:00pm Fireworks display

March 9, 2010 (Tuesday)

9:00am Palarong Pinoy (elementary)
10:00am Artisan's Village
1:00pm Amateur Singing Contest (Elementary Division)
2:00pm Artisan's Village
3:00pm Artisan's Village
4:00pm Santacruzan sa Anilag / Body Building / Henna Tattoo
5:00pm Amazing Lagunenos (Mga Kakaibang Laguneno)
7:00pm Gawad Sining (Cultural Center)
9:00pm Laguna Star Quest
10:00pm Fusion Painting (All artist - Mural)


March 10, 2010 (Wednesday)

7:00am Drum and Lyre Competition
9:00am Palarong Pinoy (college/sk)
10:00am Artisan's Village
1:00pm Amateur Singing Contest (Open Category)
2:00pm Artisan's Village
4:00pm Santacruzan sa Anilag / Airbrush
5:00pm Amazing Lagunenos (Mga Kakaibang Laguneno)
7:00pm Little Mister Laguna 2010
10:00pm Dance Showdown

March 11, 2010 (Thursday)

9:00am Palarong Pinoy (high school)
10:00am Artisan's Village
1:00pm Amateur Singing Contest (high school)
2:00pm Artisan's Village
3:00pm Artisan's Village
4:00pm Santacruzan sa Anilag
5:00pm Amazing Lagunenos (Mga Kakaibang Laguneno)
6:00pm Gawad Youth (Cultural Center)
7:00pm Little Miss Laguna 2010
10:00pm Fashion Show

March 12, 2010 (Friday)

5:00am mass Calisthenics
7:00am Biggest Cassava CAke
8:00am teacher's Dance Contest
9:00am Palarong Pinoy (Government employees)
10:00am Artisan's Village
2:00pm Artisan's Village
4:00pm Santacruzan sa Anilag
5:00pm Amazing lagunenos (Mga Kakaibang Laguneno)
6:00pm Best Tourism Establishments - Awarding
7:00pm Air Brush Painting Demo and T-shirt Painting Demo
8:00pm Governor's night

March 13, 2010 (Saturday)

5:00am Fun Bike
8:00am Float Parade Competition
2:00pm Cooking Contest
3:00pm 2nd Anilag Motor Show
4:00pm Santacruzan sa Anilag
5:00pm Amazing Lagunenos (Mga Kakaibang Laguneno)
7:00pm Digital/Graphic ARt Exhibit
8:00pm Ginoong Laguna 2010

March 14, 2010 (Sunday)

8:00am Sayaw at Misa ng Pasasalamat
2:00pm Dog Show Competition
4:00pm Santacruzan sa Anilag
5:00pm Amazing Lagunenos (Mga Kakaibang Laguneno)
7:00pm Body Painting Fashion Show
8:00pm Binibining Laguna 2010
11:00pm Fireworks Display

Anilag Festival Calendar of Activities 2010

When: March 7 - 14, 2010 Time and schedule may change without prior notice.
Where: Festival venue: Laguna Capitol grounds, Sta. Cruz, Laguna

Labels: Festivals

On its fifteenth year of staging colorful festivals, Baguio Panagbenga Festival, patterned after the New Years Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, is a festival of flower-covered floats and marching bands showcasing the colorful flowers of the Cordilleras.

Panagbenga Festival 2010 Photos (taken on Session Road cor. Perfecto St):

the colorful float of Baguio City local government
SM's giant tiger float highlighting the year of the Metal Tiger

Samsung audio-video themed float
Megalopolis, perhaps a property developer

Coca Cola float with their commercial models

Panagbenga 2010 Stargazing:

Various showbiz personalities hied off to Baguio to ride on the flower-bedecked floats like Valerie Concepcion, Karylle, Pauleen Luna et al (it so happens Tutubi is not fond of showbiz that's why he can't identify the stars he saw that day)

GMA 7 Kapuso Stars with Camelot-themed float.

GMA Kapuso stars (Pocholo?). No float from rival ABS-CBN that day
Pauleen Luna on the San Miguel beer float

All in all, there were 24 floats showcased for Panagbenga 2010 (Tutubi can't remember how many were there in 2003, the first time he witnessed the event).

The float parade started at around 8:20am and finished shortly before 10am.

Tutubi's tip: try to be along the Panagbenga Festival parade route as early as 6am to get a "front row" seat on Session Road and other streets along the way. There are temporary stages/benches where you can seat but those get reserved very early. There really are too many people seeing the festival up close. If only festival organizers can lengthen the parade route to allow spectators to spread out instead of concentration on jam-packed Session Road (na di mahulugan ng karayom). If you're a photographer, try to secure special passes so you can walk in the middle of the road and get the best vantage points, instead of just trying your luck on the sidewalk.

Lastly, book your bus trips and Baguio accommodations early particularly those near the Panagbenga parade route (maps available online if you want) so that you can easily walk or view the parade outside your hotel window.

---
Tutubi has seen Panagbenga in an unplanned trip in 2003, this time however is not much different except he got free accommodations from an officemate and early bus tickets from Victory Liner.

Personally, Tutubi prefers the "audience participation" style of Ati-atihan festival (Kalibo, Aklan), the authentic father of all Philippine festivals. It seems Panagbenga festival is only about the flowers and showcasing less and less of genuine culture of the Cordilleras making the festival less authentic. When Tutubi was there in 2003 it was Ricky Martin's "Living La Vida Loca" played by the marching band instead of authentic music of the Cordillera people. The 2010 edition featured knights, princes and princesses that's so un-Cordillera, not even Filipino-- no wonder Philippine tourism is not that well-known due to misplaced preferences.

The commendation goes for the festival organizers for not allowing slimy politicians to parade their own floats though. (there were the Bongbong Marcos, and Gilbert Remulla, Manny Villar et al)

Labels: Baguio City, Cordillera, Cordillera Administrative Region, Festivals

As blogged on an earlier post, Tutubi went to Binondo particularly on Ongpin St. in Manila Chinatown on Chinese New Year (also Valentines day). He didn't bring his car to Binondo just to avoid heavy traffic and parking woes typical in Binondo area.

Some photos of Lunar New Year celebration in Manila Chinatown:

the welcome arch of Manila Chinatown on Ongpin St
the hanging of the ang pao, red envelopes, given on Lunar New Year and other festivities on the door of business establishments. this one's Hong Kong Chinese Drug House on Ongpin St.
here comes the dragon
after dancing in front and inside the chinese drug store, the dragons will get the ang pao hung on the door, all to the beat of drums and noise of firecrackers


People wear red, the color of Valentines Day...err...lucky color for the Chinese/Tsinoys

even nearby Carvajal Street, a narrow alley where you can buy exotic fruits have lots of ang pao hanging overhead

prosperity cake and lucky charms are there for the taking where even Pinoys patronize to have good luck for the year of the metal tiger

It took Tutubi only less than two hours on Ongpin to take a few pictures then hurried to New Po Heng Lumpia House on Quintin Paredes St (Rosario) where he again partook of, what else, but the house specialty-- lumpia.

The day was capped with a visit to nearby Divisoria for a few things then hurried home to celebrate valentines day.

---
Notes:

Ang Pao, in Hokkien Chinese means red package or envelope.

Tutubi, stricken again with "dysfunctional motor system syndrome" didn't use Nikki, his bulky D80 DLSR and just contented himself with Ixie, his trusty old Canon Ixus 30 point and shoot camera.

Few surprises of the trip were accidentally catching Old Manila Walks conducting the famous Big Binondo Food Wok at New Po Heng Lumpia House and also a group of bloggers led by Dong Ho including Chyng who's a new blog friend of Tutubi.

Nice meeting you both though it's a very brief encounter. Wouldn't have known if not for Ivan noticing the presence of Tutubi.

Labels: Binondo, Festivals, Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region

Just this morning Tutubi went to Makati to cover Caracol 2010 (Caracol 2010 Schedule posted earlier) and got to take pictures of parade participants in colorful costumes and was also able to meet, albeit for such a few seconds, the blogger behind Traveler on Foot who texted him a few hours earlier to inquire about Caracol Schedule.

Herewith are some photos of Makati Caracol 2010:


a participant eating her snack encumbered by her long-nailed costume.
aren't they cute and colorful in their flower costume?

three kawaii girls resting while waiting at the Gabriela Silang carpark assembly area at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Makati Avenue in front of The Peninsula Manila
kids in black spider costumes praying in group huddle a few minutes before the parade started. On the background is the Makati Shangri-la Hotel, 6750 Ayala building

a dancer in colorful festival costume with all smiles despite the heat of the afternoon sun

Comments: Caracol Festival 2010 didn't start on time, just like earlier reported editions of the festival that always jibe with Cebu's Sinulog festival, Kalibo's Ati-atihan, or Iloilo's Dinagyang Festival. The advertised time of activities was 2pm but the actual parade started around 4pm. It was, however, a photographer's day as many shutterbugs (even a bunch of lomography enthusiasts) trooped to the deserted Ayala Avenue for colorful photo-op to the extent of blocking and interrupting the actual parade to capture the perfect shot.

Sa Makati, hindi tama sa oras. 'Wag naman sana ganyan din lagi sa buong bayan!

Labels: Festivals, Makati, Metro Manila, National Capital Region

It's time again for Makati's Mardi Gras-style fiesta called Caracol Festival with street dancing festivities similar to Cebu's Sinulog Festival, Iloilo's Dinagyang, Kalibo's Ati-atihan and Bacolod's Masskara Festival.

(Please click here for Pictures of Makati Caracol 2010)


Makati Caracol 2010 Schedule and parade route (image from Ayala Land)

January 24, 2010 at 2pm
Parade assembly area is at Gabriela Silang Carpark at the corner of Makati Avenue and Ayala Avenue (front of Peninsula Manila and beside Nielson Tower/Filipinas Heritage Library in the area called Ayala triangle)

Activity area is at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas (where the Ninoy Aquino Monument stands with corner buildings of BPI, Insular Life, The Enterprise Center and Ayala Tower One (near Makati Stock Exchange)

Map of Makati's Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas where Caracol will be held:



Traffic advisory: Note that Ayala Avenue will be closed to traffic from Makati Avenue up to Salcedo St and Dela Costa while Paseo de Roxas closed from Sedeno st to Dela Rosa St.

Should you happen to go there, you might catch the flightless Tutubi taking pictures for his trip to Dinagyang didn't push through as usual.

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How to get to Ayala Avenue, Makati:

How to commute to Ayala Avenue? It's easy via MRT Buendia Station where you can take a bus with signboard Ayala/LRT going to Baclaran or via LRT Sen. Gil Puyat Station (Buendia) where buses with signboard Ayala/Rustan's directly pass by the busy avenue (note the separate loading and unloading area designation is strictly enforced)

Street parking on Ayala Avenue is non-existent. You can park, however, on side-streets as Makati Parking Authority (MAPA) does not tow parked vehicles on weekends and holidays.

Labels: Festivals, Makati, Metro Manila, National Capital Region

Unknown to most Filipinos, pre-hispanic Filipinos, particularly in the Visayas, already practice the custom of tattooing their bodies to express a person's role and achievement in society. Men of that day have full-body tattoos while women on select parts of the body.

To celebrate the art of tattoos and freedom of expression, there will be the 2009 edition of Dutdutan Tattoo Festival to be held at A-venue Mall on Makati Avenue on September 18-19, 2009.



Date: September 18-19, 2009

Venue: Avenue Events Hall, 7829
Makati Ave. Makati City

Time: 11:00am - 12:00am

Dutdutan 2009 Ticket Price: P250.00

Dutdutan 2009 Schedule of Activities include Tattoo exhibition, bikini open, and a concert (Philippine Tattoo Export)

How to get to A.venue Mall, Makati:

Commute to A.venue from MRT Guadalupe station is via jeepneys with signboard Ayala-Guadalupe Ibabaw with terminal near Loyola Memorial Chapel on EDSA.

Alternatively, from LRT Taft Avenue Pedro Gil station, you can board jeepnesy going to Guadalupe (Ilalim), drop off at the corner of Makati Avenue and J.P.Rizal then transfer to the Ayala-bound jeepneys.

The Zapote - Ayala jeepneys at the corner of Zapote and J.P. Rizal also pass by the place but you need to do some walking back on Makati Avenue corner Kalayaan where A.Venue Mall is just about 50 meters away.

Directions to A.Venue

From eastbound Ayala Avenue or Buendia, turn left on Makati Avenue, drive past Kalayaan then turn right to enter A.venue Mall's parking lot.

From Manadaluyong, it's best to pass Makati Mandaluyong Bridge where the mall is less than a kilometer away.

From EDSA, Quezon City, take EDSA going to Makati, turn right to the access road after passing Gaudalupe bridge, left on J.P. Rizal St,. then left on Makati Avenue where A-Venue Mall is located.

Labels: Events, Festivals