Hala Bira Iloilo...

Day 1: Welcome to Iloilo
It was past seven at night when I first stepped on the City of Love (that’s how they called it while other referred as City of Friendship- I can accept it both. Other tag for the city, anyone?). The weather was bit stubborn than the situation I left in Manila hours ago. The heaven had just through pouring the land with generous showers. The scenario along the way as I was in a 30-minute ride in a cab from the airport to the city was totally different from the anticipated incoming events the next days. The lazy rain is guilty in-charge of it. The condition even got worst as soon as I arrived in the hotel where my ever loving half equally excited, patiently waiting. Initial plan that night was to go out for dinner, try the Deco’s Lapaz Batchoy (local food house known for the cuisine), scan the city as streets were already closed in preparation for tomorrow’s big event, meet a chat friend lived in the area and other colleague lodged in nearby hotels who also visited the place for the occasion. But the non-stop rain restrained us in the hotel’s Chinese restaurant and let ourselves indulged in their menu. Foods were great too anyway.

Day 2: An Unexpected Kasadyahan & Antipicated Friends
We were about to visit Miag-ao church, a UNESCO world heritage site in the province, then spend the rest of the afternoon until sundown at the famous beaches of Guimaras- that was supposed to be the errands for that day. But I never anticipated the Kasadyahan festival celebrated on Saturday- right before the big Dinagyang on Sunday. Kasadyahan is a colorful and “theatrical” cultural parade and contest which just started to gain hype, popularity and publicity unlike Dinagyang. This year’s Kasadyahan common presentation imparted the Ilonggo’s rich culture and origin. At the culmination of each presentation, I can compare it equally as interesting and powerful as Dinagyang. I have this great anticipation that in coming years, it can achieve the hype to be as famous as other admiring tourist-destined festivals in the country nowadays.

After lunch was the parade of supporters- schools and universities, hospitals, government offices, private companies, socio organizations and lot more who buoy up their undying braces for the festival. Some groups took advantage the opportunity to display a down-to-earth presentation (mostly in the beat of the festival’s official song), as other simply passed on the viewing public waving their hands with a welcoming smiles.

As the sun set down, I thought the celebration for Kasadyahan ended but for some party species, the celebration had just begun. Evidence was the block-by-block street concerts which became livelier with the aid of building-height units of speakers that almost broke my eardrum every time I passed by and tumbled my heartbeat due to its great intensity.

The garden-inspired bistro was never a good option as venue to first timely meet friends over dinner due to the mixed earsplitting sounds of on-going street-playing bands and raucous cheering of partying crowd. We just indulged ourselves to stay again in the ever relying Chinese restaurant which I thought a better and a quieter venue to convene and talk. A couple of hours having candid conversation with new friends, we decided to search on the city party scene. A ride away from the metropolis, we just find ourselves in a bigger bashing crowds and alluring blocks of bars and bistros. Hardly looking for available seats with all those partying people, we ended up in Nothing but Desserts. Two more hours of good conversations, cracking jokes and sharing the store’s whole flavored and customarily-designed white chocolate cake full-creamed with mouth watery cherry syrup, topped with sweet-bite cherries and hand-melted striped of dark and white chocolates, we left the place still filled with the crowd enjoying the time which seemed fun never ends.

Day 3: The Big Dinagyang
Just before the program started, my other half and I were sited full of anticipation for the first presentation when I noticed somebody seated behind us felt more excited than us. I’m just about to ignore him, but action spoke louder than words. He started reaching my back to capture my attention. Admittedly, I find him too cute to ignore. So, we clung onto reciprocating good sights and kept responding on those nice smiles with kind gestures. Persistent to reach me, I grabbed him and cuddled during the entire program. Ei, I am referring to a smart one-year old boy with her mom watching the festival. We both had bonded times gazing performances. The presentations run on its last two performers when I had the opportunity to talk with the kid’s mom. Right there, I learned that the boy was the governor’s grandson. I then started feeling bit anxious with the thought that people around us might strangely suspected as kidnappers. I still kept to manage my composure. After the program, she introduced us to the rest of the clan who were in the venue for the same purpose. As courtesy call to new friends, we accepted the invitation for a private lunch party with the governor’s family at the provincial capitol. The occasion and the venue allow us to meet the rest of the family including the honorable governor himself and the provincial first lady. Our healthy conversations with the family ended a couple of hours later through taking another invitation for guaranteed VIP seat at the provincial sports complex for the closing program of the festival’s week-long celebration.

Three hours before the program, we decided to leave the capitol and the provincial’s first family to roam around and observe other events in the city. We dropped at Iloilo’s museum where I indulged myself into fascination as I looked around on various remains of the history – antique porcelain jars being traded during barter, various replicas of saints, old canvass, canon, guns and other artifacts remnants of World War II and a lot more.

Major streets remained closed for the festival left us no option but to walk around and observe. There were food and beverage kiosks fully seated with partying people. Vendors of Dinagyang-related paraphernalia and souvenirs were rampant. I enjoyed bringing home few. Body-soothed painted warriors in their colorful costumes were just in the city enjoyed taking snap shots with everybody. The occasion seemed to be a great time for street reunion with friends and families. Despite the sweating heat, people ignored the humid day and enjoyed brisk walking to hop from place to another.

Proceeding on the provincial sports complex for the last program of the festival was the next agenda. A single ride from the city, we were welcomed by the biggest crowd that filled the stadium. As to them, it was first time in the history of Dinagyang to conduct the grandest closing ceremony at the sports arena which held the largest mob by far in the province. Considering the VIP seats provided by the governor’s family, we really enjoyed the comfort to be in the assembly of politicians, businessmen, sponsors and other important guests. I was with my full anticipation on a great show to witness the world-class performance of the acclaimed PAGCOR’s very own – Wanders, when rain started to ruin the whole program before it begun. The unexpected rain brought all of us on dilemma of sitting at the center of an open field where no cover to shield made us too helpless to free from pouring drizzles. All of a sudden, the mood of pride on sitting in front of the stage just turned to be envious on those people a 100 meter-away sitting around on covered part of the stadium. But show must go on- and it went through despite the condition. Minus the rain, it’s been a good night.

Day 4: Last Day
Deprived of sleep as we went back too late due to last night’s program, I had no choice but to push myself on a non-stopped alarming mobile phone. The one-hour flight going back to Manila was scheduled on the first trip of 6:00 in the morning. A 30-minute ride from the city, it’s a must that we have to be at Iloilo’s airport an hour before the flight. So, we were really have to be rushed packing all those baggage. We just came on time.

Back to Manila an hour after was two tired body, restless and can’t afford to proceed on the office to work as planned. Worn-out and drowsy, we just both took the whole morning to sleep and gained enough strength to report at work in the afternoon.

That was one of the best trips, indeed.

Dinagyang 2009...

It was a day of excitement. I knew it will never be ordinary occassion. And I was perfectly right. As the sun began to rise, thrilled people started to pile up along the street to witness the fully anticipated parade of local tribes. Few minutes waiting, I heard the rolling drums, in energizing beats that eventually swung the mood of the crowd to dance. And it was official, the grandest, the most spectacular and the climax of the week-long celebration of the Iloilo’s very onw Dinagyang Festival.

And by that, one-by-one, simultaneous in four judging areas all throughout the city, each competing tribe vied the chance to be immortalized in the festival’s history showed their raving, powerful choreographed dances. All anticipation turned into great amusement as I was hook and totally fell in love into this great artistry. The arena instantly became a canvass with all those bursting colors of indigenous decorative materials that embellished the bodies of the soot-painted “warriors” energetically dancing in the boom and thump of the drums, trying to mimic the Negritos, the aborigines of Panay in their merrymaking in celebration on the coming of the Holy Child Jesus.

I enjoyed every single breath-taking performances, the indulging display of colorful costumes which getting better and better as the presentation came into its culmination. I loved to see how groups of warriors moved in unvarying phases and admired the burning passion at everyone’s heart who joined the street dancing. It is something every Ilonggo must be proud of. I highly appreciate the love they gave into Dinagyang which helps us guests and festive admirers made a year kept worth waiting to witness again how this laid back and peaceful city turned to be the happiest place on earth.

Hala bira, Iloilo!

Heartthrob...

My other half had just left for a week of business trip in Iloilo. (We’ll meet there on weekend for Dinagyang Festival…Yippeee!) On my way home last night, I dropped in the supermarket to buy few stuff to stack in the fridge. I just started plucking items in the fruit and vegetable section when courteous sales crews started greeting me considerately. I thought it was usual part of the SOP but I noticed that such courtesy were too exclusive for me as I observed more civil approached given to other customers. I started to be conscious when I consistently experienced such special treatment as I passed through rack sections. I was in the partition of beverages eying for some L-Carnitine enriched fruit drink when a promo-girl from the other section approached me handing two boxes of 3-in-1 instant coffee. Right before a single word came out to impose her marketing strategy; I took advantage of refusing her politely right away. But the girl managed our conversation as she started to ask me little personal information. I thought the whole thing was part of a survey interview, but I made hesitation when she asked for my phone number. I refused to give mine. I’m about to leave when the girl gave me clue on the puzzle- as to her, somebody in the group is interested in knowing me (blushed). According to her, I was being noticed for months now(weird). After knowing all those facts, I left politely and proceeded on the next section (paranoid). I was on the last rack when another girl approached me secretly handed a mobile number and a name in a small sheet of white paper. The girl giggled and immediately left requesting me to take time sending text on the said number. With was all kind approach and i can say that no -offensive situation happened. Instead, it just made me smile as it gave me recall of those crush and puppy love encounter during high school time. I know I am not getting any younger for this teenage stuff but somehow, in one way or another, it was a flattering experience to be appreciated.

P.S. I get confused on the name. The funny thing is that, I can’t figure out if it’s a boy or a girl. I didn’t bother to know, I am not interested anyway.

Thank you 2008

This article is long overdue. As usual, my schedule was too unkind. I'm actually refraining from posting it, but I'll be too inconsiderate not to return anything for the past good year. As gratitude is the language from the heart, then, let me express mine. It's better to be late than never.

2008 has brought me to lots of realization in my personal and professional life. It’s been a recovery year for me and my other half who had tragic accident in 2007. Everything are turning to be in its best so far. I left my previous mind-daunting job that causes me the biggest headache. I took a long planned career-change made to happen. Completely, I shifted into different job and been part of the best company I had so far. I started to gain quality friends and colleague in and out of the office. I’ve been in series of local travels and enjoyed visiting good places of which Boracay experience was the best thus far (my partner made all these adventures possible). I'm guilty of this stupid thing (blush)- I fell in loved twice this year (hmmn.. somebody will be jealous). This UNTITLED non-stimulating blog was born in the world wide web and I gained inspirations from here (hope to make some improvements). I adopted a native cat from a neighbor who moved next town. The cat kept me fascinated every time I went home. He’s cute and funny.

Of course, not everything went well. I’ve been in trouble in my present office during my starting-stage. Working adjustment in my new career was not that easy. I was consciously and unconsciously criticized by some. My savings didn't improved. Travels were costly. My spending habit been too loose. We missed to acquire the second hand car we eyed to buy- the seller seemed to be undecided up to now. I lost my interest too. My relationship been into test (and I gained it again). During the APE late of 2008 I learned that I have hyperthyroidism and emmetropia OU. Medical terms are threatening sometimes, but believe me, nothing is dreadful about it. It was all stress-related condition which requires minor medication. My mobile phone got sick too before the year ended.

In 2009 some things will about to change. In my book of resolution, top of the list has something to do with finances. I will keep and manage my hard-earned money very well (does it sounds that I have some?…lol) so I can have considerate savings at the end of the year for our family project. Minimize impulse buying. I’ll do better at work and continue impress myself and my company. I want to prove that the decision of changing career was the best choice. I’ll adjust my working time in an early manner so I can have spare time in the afternoon since I have a flexible time. I want to engaged myself into a part-time job (perhaps in the academe again) or get enroll into a short-course program. I’ll keep weekend a family time. I'll be nicer to kids. I will take lots of water instead of soda. Loose weight. I’ll check my garden often.

Christmas Vacation...

It’s been just one of the longest holidays I ever had since I started working for the past eight years now. Minus the stubborn weather it’s been a relaxing and a full-rest non-working vacation for me.

For the third time, I spent Christmas in Isabela with my other family. I had the most comfortable 12-hour travel. The freezing bus was bigger than before and the head-supported seat in the fifth row was better and functional. It's been a long smooth drive despite the weather. The bus passed through different routes since there are bridges and roads that have been destroyed by typhoon that hit the province weeks before we came. Result was extra hours on our travel time. But I never mind since I was slept duringt the whole trip.

Nothing changed in the place. The youngest girl in the family looked bigger and smarter now. We missed her 5th birthday celebration 3 days right before Christmas. And like her elder cousins and the rest of the family, they were all excited for our homecoming. It was my other family I yearned to see.

I missed the freezing cold. Despite the weather, the air was not as chilled as before. There were few occasions when sun gleamed but often it’s hide in the gray clouds. Erratic raid comes once in a while. With that, we all just stayed home doing movie marathons, staying on bed all day long and enjoyed a full-rest vacation.

We had our usual Noche Buena and gift-giving on Christmas Eve. I also sent greetings to friends and colleague. Late in the afternoon, we visited and bonded with local friends. Before going back to Manila, I spent quiet time in my favorite place in town- the Rio Grande de Cagayan. To get there, I have to take a 15-minute walk from home including the 300 meters mud ailed corn field. I wish to take bare feet, but thorns on weeds are just around. Drops of water started to fall when we came. Lucky that there was an improvised shed made of grass and twigs set-up almost near the riverbank. The small shelter were good enough to accommodate the two us until the rain stopped.

In its very common name, the waterway is better known as Cagayan River- the longest and widest stream in the Philippines . It begins its 220-mile (350-kilometer) course in a twisting pattern in the Sierra Madre in northeastern Luzon. It then flows north into a 50-mile- (80-kilometre-) wide fertile valley that is very important for the cultivation of crops within Ilocos Region. In Isabela, the river serves as lifeline of the people as bounty source of fresh water that supplies hundred hectares of surrounded field plantations The fertile ground of the Valley and the irrigation provided by the river bestowed upon it bountiful crops all-year round. Residences enjoyed go fishing here. The place is heaven for buffalos and other beast pastured in the green area. Tranquility reigned the stream and that is what i always love in this place.