Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2015

Dubbed as the Asia’s Latin City, we are here once again in the colorful city of Zamboanga, it’s time to practice our Spanish accent. (hehe) Little did we know that the dates we’ve selected for this trip matches with the city’s festivity, I know we’re the lucky ones. If someone believed in travelling with a purpose and everything happens for a reason, I am one of them. Luckily we met one good soul, a local from the place who’s willing to show us around.
Every October the scenic city celebrates its grand annual Zamboanga Hermosa Festival or the popularly knows as Fiesta Pilar.  The city welcomes thousands to the region's best and most extravagant celebration of the year.  The people of Zamaboanga passionately believe that the lady served as their unifying cultural and historical symbol. 
In tribute to her feast day, the city displays enthusiasm through live music and performances, street parades and wonderful regatta with of their famous vintas. 'Hermosa', which means beautiful, is an appropriate term for this visually dazzling event.

We just settle our stuff at Zamboanga Town Homes and then started our walking tour. There are some spots I missed during our first visit and since we still have the entire afternoon to roam around, might as well take advantage of it.
Took us 30 minutes to reach our first destination, Yakan Village. A 15-20 minutes jeepney ride from the city proper, you will be able to find the Yakan tribe vibrance through its tapestry. This tribe is another  Mindanao tribe that originally dwell in Basilan.  I can see the art of this tribe is different from ones I saw in Tawi Tawi through its patterns  and color combination.  It’s dominated by bright red, blue and yellow. Did I just say BLUE? Oh well, I got a wallet of course.

Just watching a weaver do her thing  intrigued me, I tried looking at how intricate the designs and of course how they actually do it. I don’t wanna mess up what she’s doing so I just pose like a pro. It’s very complicated just seeing how each of the thread needs to be weaved based on the pattern below.

The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival 2013 Experience

The most awaited event has finally come. I travelled miles to reach and witness this spectacular weekend of everything that fly. :) No regrets, i just had an awesome time seeing the colorful Balloons inflating and eventually flying up in the air. What I liked and loved about this fest is that I have learned so much about the Hot Air Balloon. The festival just doesn't allow their spectators to just assume and presume things as there is someone narrating while an exhibition is ongoing so will better understand what's going on during the show. Saturday, February 23, 2013, I woke up early in the morning took a jeepney ride to the Festival Site. From the main gate, i walked 15 minutes to get to the entrance gate of the Omni Aviation Field.  Note to self, to buy ticket ahead of time so I will have hassle free entry.  After 20 minutes of waiting, I was able to grab a ticket and went my way inside the Aviation Field. Ticket is sold for Php250.00 for a day pass.

While waiting for the first activity, there is an “UNOFFICIAL WELCOME” from the field director, they started flying remote controlled gadget in the air, its called UFO. LOL

 

 

 

When the sun starts to shine, the balloons were coming in one by one carried by the Angeles 4x4 Riders club, according to the host, each balloon is assigned to one 4x4 vehicle. When the balloon starts to fly, the vehicle will chase it until it landed. Kudos to the drivers for being so patient chasing a hot air balloon that doesn't know where to go. It goes wherever the wind will blow.  Aside from that,I learned some interesting facts about Hot Air. The ideal flying time should be sunrise and sunset. You may wonder why? According to the host, the Balloon is being filled with Hot Air to make if fly and the air outside the balloon should be cool enough to lift it higher. If the air from the inside and the outside is HOT, the balloon will not fly because the hot air from the outside will pull it back to ground. :)

 

 

 

There were 15 contenders for this competition, the Saturday Hot Air Balloon Flying competition is called the hare and hounds event. The first balloon to inflate and fly will be the rabbit and the remaining balloons will be the hounds. The rabbit will move as fast as it can to any direction it wants and the hounds balloons will chase it. The balloon that will land closest to the rabbit balloon will win the competition. This will be very exciting because the hounds balloons may be blown by the wind in a direction that’s really far or opposite to the hare balloon. This is a more challenging quest.  The event started with sky divers carrying the Philippine Flag, these are from coast guard, air force and Philippine Army.

 

 

 

This Balloon to the right is one of my favorites, the Tulip Balloon from the US, its just so Colorful.    The Pink Elephant Balloon is from Brussels Belgium.  The fire truck Balloon is from Germany.  The very colorful Balloon from the left is from Korea and the Heart Balloon is from Zurich Switzerland.   The Sunny Boy Balloon is from The Philippine Department of Tourism, it didn't fly though. Its inflated for continuous picture taking. LOL I wasn't able to fully take down each countries contenders.  Here are some snapshots of the Hot Air Balloon starting to fly.

 

 

The Yellow Balloon on the left is from the Philippines, the Space Shuttle Balloon was inflated but was not able to fly. After the Balloons took off, a series of paragliding exhibition followed. They came from Malaysia, Switzerland and other parts of the world.

After the Paragliding exhibit, the event was followed by Meynard Halili’s Aerobatic Show in his Bellanca super decathlon.  It’s just so amazing to witness a fabric light aircraft swinging to and fro and at the same time flying all the way up to the sky and will drop itself as fast as it can. Also, what amused me is when the aircraft starts to fly upside down.

 

After the show, the most awaited event followed. The Breitling Jet Team Aerobatic Exhibition. It’s just so beautiful, so precise and its simply breath taking.

After several hours of standing and sunbathing, I decided to roam around. On the other side of the field i saw kite flyers, life-size transformer images great cars for displayed for racing.

 

Though tired and sweating, I went home with a smile. I had one superb experience gazing this event.  I will go back for more and this time I need to be inside the field and will also try paragliding. =)

It’s Time for us to Fly: Pinoy Festivals: Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2013

It’s another year of colorful flying as this gigantic creatures filled the sky. Are you ready?  The 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta will be held on February 21-24, 2013 at Omni Aviation Complex, Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga.

Schedule of Events for the Philippines Hot Air Balloon Festival 2013:
21 February 2013 - First Fiesta Day
6:20-6:30 AM - Philippine Flag jump
6:30-8:00 AM - Hot Air Balloon flight
7:30-8:00 AM - RP / Malaysian / Spain / Australia Paragliding Exhibition
8:00-8:30 AM - Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
8:30-9:00 AM - Breitling Jet Team Aerobatic Exhibition
9:00-9:15 AM - Radio-controlled model aircraft demonstration
9:15-9:45 AM - PT13 Stearman
9:45-10:30 AM - PNP Sky Diving Exhibition
10:30-11:30 AM - AOPA-P Light aircraft balloon bursting competition
11:30-12:00 PM - Breitling Jet Team Aerobatic Exhibition
12:00-12:30 PM - German aerobatic glider flight
12:30-1:00 PM - KAP / KTP Kite Flying Exhibition
1:00-1:45 PM - Airlink / WCC / Omni / Airlink / Alpha flyby
1:45-2:30 PM - AOPA-P Light aircraft balloon bursting competition
2:30-2:45 PM - FEATI/PHILSCA Rocketry/RC Demonstration
2:45-3:15 PM - Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Demo
3:15-4:00 PM - ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights and Flour Bombing
4:00-4:30 - PM RP /U.S./ Malaysian / Spain/Australia Paragliding exhibition
4:30-5:00 - PM Skydiving and Tandem jumping Exhibition
5:00-5:30 - PM Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
5:30-6:00 - PM Hot Air Balloon Fly-In, RC Nightflyers

22 February 2013 - Second Fiesta Day
6:20-6:30 AM - Philippine Flag jump
6:30-8:00 AM - Hot Air Balloon Flights
7:30-8:00 AM - RP / Malaysian / Spain / Australia Paragliding Exhibition
8:00-8:30 AM - Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
8:30-8:45 AM - PT13 Stearman
8:45-9:30 AM - Sky diving exhibition
9:30-10:30 AM - AOPA- P Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition
10:30-11:00 AM - ACFC Ultralight/Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights and Flour Bombing
11:00-11:15 AM - FEATI / PHILSCA Rocketry /RC Demonstration
11:15-11:45 AM - Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration
11:45-12:15 PM - Para-Gliding Tow Exhibition
12:15-12:30 PM - KAP / KTP Kite flying exhibition
12:30-1:15 PM - WCC / Omni / Airlink / Alpha / Leading Edge flyby
1:15-1:45 PM - German aerobatic glider flight
1:45-2:15 PM - Car Drifting Display
2:15-2:45 PM - Radio-controlled Jet Turbine Model Aircraft Demonstration
2:45-3:15 PM - ACFC Ultralight/Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights
3:15-3:45 PM - AOPA- P Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition
3:45-4:15 PM - Sky diving exhibition
4:15-4:45 PM - Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
4:45-5:15 PM - RP / Malaysian / Spain/Australia Paragliding/Towing Exhibition
5:30-6:00 PM - Hot Air Balloon Fly-In, RC Nightflyers

23 February 2013 - Third Fiesta Day
6:20-6:30 AM - Philippine Flag jump
6:30-8:00 AM - Hot Air Balloon Flights
7:30-8:00 AM - RP / Malaysian / Spain/Australia Paragliding Exhibition
8:00-8:30 AM - Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
8:30-9:00 AM - Breitling Jet Team Aerobatic Exhibition
9:00-9:45 AM - AOPA-P Light aircraft balloon bursting competition
9:45-10:30 AM - Tandem Sky diving exhibition
10:30-11:00 AM - ACFC Ultralight/Microlight aircraft formation flights and flour bombing
11:00-11:30 AM - Turbine RC flying display
11:30-12:00 PM - Helicopter flight display
12:00-12:30 PM - Philippine Coast Guard Rescue Demonstration
12:30-1:00 PM - PT13 Stearman / AOPA-P Flyby
1:00-1:30 PM - WCC / Omni / PPA / CIA / Orient / Airlink flyby
1:30-2:00 PM - Winch-launched German aerobatic glider flight
2:00-2:30 PM - KAP / KTP Kite Flying Demonstration
2:30-3:00 PM - Paragliding Tow Exhibition
3:00-3:30 PM - Radio-controlled Jet Turbine Model Aircraft Demonstration
3:30-4:00 PM - ACFC Ultralight / Microlight aircraft formation flights
4:00-4:30 PM - Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
4:30-5:00 PM - Skydiving Exhibition
5:00-5:30 PM - RP/Malaysian/Spain/ Australia Paragliding Exhibition
5:30-6:00 PM - Hot Air Balloon Night Glow, RC Nightflyers

24 February 2013 - Fourth Fiesta Day
6:20-6:30 AM - Philippine Flag jump
6:30-8:00 AM - Hot Air Balloon Flight
7:30-8:00 AM - RP / Malaysian / Spain/ Australia Paragliding Exhibition
8:00-8:30 AM - Meynard Halili / Aerobatic Show
8:30-9:00 AM - Breitling Jet Team Aerobatic Exhibition
9:00-9:45 AM - Wings Over Asia / AOPA – P Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition
9:45-10:30 AM - Tandem Skydiving Exhibition
10:30-11:00 AM - Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration
11:00-11:30 AM - ACFC Ultralight / Microlight aircraft formation flights and flour bombing
11:30-12:00 PM - Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Demo
12:00-12:30 PM - Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration
12:30-1:00 PM - German aerobatic glider flight
1:00-1:30 PM - Car Drifting demonstration
1:30-2:00 PM - PT13/ WCC / Airlink / Omni / Leading Edge/ Airlink flyby
2:00-2:30 PM - KAP / KTP Flying Exhibition
2:30-2:45 PM - FEATI/PHILSCA Rocketry/RC Demonstration
2:45-3:15 PM - ACFC Ultralight / Microlight aircraft formation flights
3:15-3:30 PM - PT13 Stearman fly by
3:30-4:00 PM - Sky diving exhibition
4:00-4:30 PM - Meynard Halili aerobatic Show
4:30-5:30 PM - RP / Malaysian / Spain/Australian Paragliding Exhibition
5:30-6:00 PM - Hot Air Balloon Night Glow, RC Nightflyers, Fireworks
I have been waiting for this event and will make sure that I will witness it myself this time :)
Photo Courtesy: thirst4life.wordpress.com

Starting the Year with A Blast - Sinulog Festival in Kabankalan

CELEBRATING LIFE AND ITS BOUNTY!!

WELCOMING 2012  with a BLAST! Kabankalan Sinulog Festival 2012

Sinulog, the Kabankalan City version of the world famous “Ati-Atihan” indulged in by our ancestors, is celebrated on the third week of Janauary that honours the child Jesus, known as the Santo Niño (Holy Child). It is a dance ritual that commemorates the people's pagan origin, and their acceptance of Christianity.
More than the noise of drums, the festival has a laudable origin. It dates back when Kabankalan was just a barangay of Ilog, the once capital of Negros Island and Siquijor. Since Ilog was navigable, it was the center of commerce and had been very progressive, to the envy of Muslim pirates who were about to conquer the place but with people gathering in Church and praying, a small Child with the shining sword atop the Church’s roof drove the pirates away. People believed that it was Sto. Niῆo, and to honor him, dances were offered first by the sacadas but because it was attractive to tourists, it has later become a festival.

Until this day, the same tradition has been carried and passed on from generations to generations. This festivity is not just for fun and merry making but most of all a way of Kabankalanon's to say "THANK YOU" for all the blessing received and to pray for a more bountiful harvest in the days, months and years to come.

The best thing about this celebration is the never ending street party and "bulinganay" where natives and tourists get the feel of the mardigras by means of painting themselves with charcoal in resemblance to the original Aetas.  Merry making surrounded the city as each tribe competes for the rituals and at the same time for the drum beating. 
 

Another Colorful Way to Celebrate Life - Dinagsa Festival in Cadiz City

 

THE GRAND CELEBRATION OF A COLORFUL LIFE

DINAGSA FESTIVAL OF CADIZ CITY

<<-- BEFORE AND AFTER –>>

 

 

 

The Dinagsa Festival of Cadiz City is celebrated yearly on the 4th Sunday of January. This is similar to the Sinulog Festival of Cebu - a celebration in honor of the Santo Nino.

This festival is one of the most awaited fiestas in the province because of the fun-filled activities like the Dinagsa Queen, Ati-Atihan competition, and the Lamhitanay Festival.

The highlight of the festival is the colorful and radiant Ati-Atihan competition to be held  at the PNU to City Park to the Public Plaza.  This competition is considered as one of the most entertaining to watch.

One of the most unique activities in the festival is the Lamhitanay Festival  where people roaming around the streets smother and wipes paint among each other. This is not something you experience often. The Lamhitanay Festival adds more color to the festival and the people.

My team and I went to Cadiz and experience this fun festival, we ate, joined the merry making and street party and of course also blend with the locals in spreading colors all over the town. We enjoyed it although the sun is really scourging hot.

Cadiz City invites the residents and tourists to experience the colorful and vibrant Dinagsa Festival.This is one festival you should not miss.

A Celebration of Life - Dinagyang Festival

 

DINAGYANG FESTIVAL

One of the most celebrated event in Iloilo City is the Dinagyang Festival. This is a religious and cultural festival held every fourth Sunday of January. It is held to honor the Sto Nino and to celebrate the arrival on Panay of Malay Settlers and the Subsequent selling of the island to them by the Atis.

This is my first time to be in Iloilo to celebrate Dinagyang as I have been hearing a lot of stories about this and wanted to experience how to they celebrate and have fun myself.

I went there with a friend and will stay with my cousin as he has been working in Iloilo for quiet sometime. Not only the festival made this experience memorable but also the way we got to Iloilo departing Bacolod. Out of curiousity and adventure seeking spirit, Zie and I decided to take a "Ro-Ro" from Bacolod port to Dumangas. The travel is quite boring because the vessel is really moving very slow, but this is a nice trip if you wanted to go on sight seeing :) I am a person who wants things done faster and since I seek for adventure this what I got. Nevertheless, lets not spoil this trip by feeling bad about the wrong decision. Upon arriving at Dumangas Port we had to ride for about 45 minutes to go to the PUV terminal bound for Iloilo City. Waaah the dust and the bumpy ride, more regrets coming in.

Time to regain our senses when we reach SM City; tired, exhausted and hungry, we feasted for a Pizza and Pasta at Sbarro Restaurant. Weeh, this is going to be a great celebration!! While waiting for my cousin to arrive, after that great and belly bustling lunch, we roam around to find my "First Dinagyang Souvenir Shirt." My travel plan is not complete and satisfying if I will not be able to take home one.

Dinagyang is indeed really Fun. Prior to the highlight of this event which i the street dancing competition and tribal parade, we had a night of party all over the city. Prior to the intensifying night, I had the chance to watch my favorite Side A band. Weeeeh, reminiscing the past, the song "Forevermore". After the concert we headed to Iloilo's famous party place. "Smallville" and of course party people all over the place meeting everywhere, we also met a couple of friends from Bacolod and CVG. That was a hell out of fun night, party till dawn. 

The second day, marks the highlight of the said festivity, the entire Iloilo city main not everything though was closed to traffic. So prepare yourselves for an early way to the cross of walking and walking under the scourging heat of the Sun. Of course, you will not enjoy this festival if you will not watch it live :) Seeing the tribes in action, dancing to the drum beats is just nothing but awesome.

Dinagyang is truly one great festival that Ilonggos' nees to take pride of and for those who were not able to see this one, better check and mark your calendars and fly your way to Iloilo City and have fun!