Fiesta Sa Compostela Cebu

It is May and we are going to Compostela in Cebu to attend a town fiesta!

We are here now. Do not be mislead by the absence of the people on the roads...

Chances are most of them are busy with their food preparations. A fiesta is not complete without the honored presence of the “inasal” (called lechon in Manila and Luzon). The poor pig probably never knew his fate (as he was being fattened up) that he would end up on the dining table. At least he was not alone in dying for the glory of the fiesta, because the poor chickens suffered the same fate too…

But first we have to attend the mass…The “banda” and the “carosa” were patiently waiting outside for the procession that will follow after the mass. Take note that “banderitas”are always present during fiestas or any town activities.

The procession…

If only the pig and the chickens could see the faces of the guests, they would probably sigh and say “at least we have not died in vain…our lives for your happiness”.

And this is everybody’s favorite part (including mine of course!) – eating time! Yeheey!

Olango Island

Olango Island, for those who are not familiar is an island situated off Mactan Island or Lapulapu City in Cebu. It is a wildlife sanctuary, a haven for migratory birds from Siberia, Northern China, and Japan. The sanctuary supports the largest concentration of migratory birds found so far in the Philippines. It is one of the seven best-known flyways in the world for migrating birds. These birds flock to the island seeking refuge from the winter climate of other countries.

From Cebu Hilton, we took one of these boats (or motorized bancas) to ferry us to the island...

Here is a view of the city we just left behind (Lapulapu City)...

And this is the island we shall be visiting. It was high tide and it started to rain that is why the view is dark and lonely.

No birds in sight!

Kawasan Falls

A friend of my sister who is now based in Michigan decided to come home for vacation. Went on a journey retracing life while still here in Cebu. This will chronicle some of the places visited...

Mission Destination: Kawasan Falls

Okay okay, I know everybody has been there at some point in their youth. But let's just take another trek down memory lane... Remember this path?

At this point, the breeze is now a bit cooler and one could already hear lots of chirping birds singing their songs!

Wow! The water here runs cool and soothing on somebody's hot and dusty feet...

This part here one could hear already the sounds of the falls... but could not see it yet... anyway the river looks picture perfect.

Lo and behold! The prize at the end of the trek - the falls...

Unfortunately, look - human invasion ruins the scene for me. Forgive me but I believe that some places should be left raw and pristine, and natural as possible so that the next generations will be able to enjoy them like we do now...

Happy Second Anniversary!

Because of the one thousand things I had to do with each passing day, I didn't notice another year has already gone by and my blog is - would you believe, 2 years old now? Wow! Did you notice the party table above? Here is wishing we could celebrate the milestone together...

To Must Be That Girl! - May you have more years, more readers, and more enjoyable stories to tell. May you continue to gain more friends in the blogging world and be considered as one of the good stuff.

We All Love To Pose!

It seems most of us Filipinos love to pose (for the camera)! Why? Beats me. The feeling transcend beyond regional differences (whether Tagalog, Bisaya, or taga-Mindanao), age groups, and gender.

Example - this group of cute golden girls went malling and from the looks in their faces, they enjoy having their pictures taken...

Even the kids frolicking in the streets took some time out from their play, just to pose for the camera!

Young college students are probably the greatest fans of the camera... wouldn't want to miss any photo session!

Even cute sexy working girls are not spared from the camera bug!

Look at the guys...they come prepared with their smiles too!

Streets of Cebu

Some of you who have left Cebu for more than 10 years now will be a little surprised at how the little provincial city has transformed itself into a miniature Manila in the making. Maybe that is a bit exaggerated but if you pass by these thoroughfares from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. you will be caught in horrendous traffic! Something quite unheard of about 10 to 20 years ago...

Natalio Bacalso Avenue - we were coming from Mambaling going to the junction between Jones and N Bacalso Ave. That new big building at the end part of the street is where the old ABS-CBN office used to stand. Very familiar for those who have studied in USC, UC, SWU and CNU... and who are probably working outside the Philippines now.

Mabolo - This is a road traversing from Cebu Business Park going to Mandaue City. It used to be the address of the affluent before (judging from the beautiful old houses , which are now transformed into restaurants).

This is still part of Mabolo going to Panagdait. Tall grasses used to grow in this area before. They are gone now and replaced with tall buildings. This is basically a new street since it was developed in conjunction with the development of Cebu Business Park.

Panagdait - See that building behind the Jollibee sign? Belongs to Sykes, and I think that it is one of the major catalysts for the construction boom in this area. Just a few years back there was only an open cafe and a karting zone operating here, but now McDonalds and Jollibbe are very visible. There is also a new "inuman" hangout here for the yuppies.

Subangdaku Flyover - used to be the subject of controversy. People at first thought it was just a useless white elephant project of Congresswoman Nerissa Soon. But maybe the sentiment is about to change. We have just left the Panagdait area and entering the city of Mandaue...

Mandaue Flyover - we are now in Mandaue proper. We are now traversing towards the North Road (or the highway going to the north provinces of Cebu).

Thanks for coming with us on our ride home...Glad to tour you around... Maybe next time we shall see other parts of Cebu.

The Abstracts Of Sio (Part II)

A look at Cebu's art scene...

Mga Taghoy Sa Hangin

Sugilanon Ni Paeng

Mga Pasi-aw Ni Dodong

Mga Kagahapon Ni Francisco

Landong Ug Kainit

Artist: Sio Montera

Series: April 2008

"As in all of Sio Montera’s abstractions, his collections are highly artistic configurations of paint masses, expressive force of texture, and color modulations characterized by a careful balance between spontaneous gesture and continual control. The artist now has left the idea to preconceive particular meanings and has regarded the process of painting as an intense,unpremeditated search for the images of his creative experiences..."

The artist is a favorite of mine because not only is he a cousin by some degrees, I am a big fan of his works...

Ode To Ayala Center's (Cebu) Lagoon...

This used to be my favorite part in Ayala Center in Cebu, maybe because of the garden and its lagoon. From here one can walk leisurely under the trees across towards Marriott Hotel. However, all that is going to change now. Construction for building expansion is being currently undertaken and the area is under wraps. So it is possible there will be changes and I may not be seeing it again...

One thing I do like about the design of Ayala Center is that it makes use of natural lighting. In the morning, sunlight passes through the clear glass roofs and illuminates the building, thus conserving the use of electricity. Something which I find very practical and economical especially since we enjoy sunshine most times of the year. That round building over there is the activity center.

A number of times, the mall held entertainment shows in the lagoon area in which local and international artists were being invited. And on Christmas and New Year's eves, there are fireworks displays ...

Whatever changes will be implemented, we trust Ayala management will still keep the improvements environmentally friendly yet pleasing to human senses...

Photo Credits: Google

Mall Rat! (SM City Cebu NorthWing)

Another way to escape the summer heat is to burrow oneself inside a mall. SM City Cebu's North Wing offers a refreshing new "tambayan", maybe because it is basically new and admittedly more elegant than the older wing. However I am not sure if I can afford those boutiques. Maybe I would still sneak out to buy to the other wing which offers perennial sales and discounts. All in all I am quite glad SM has decided to upgrade their store.

Summer 2008... Bohol!

It is the time of the year once more... the skies are clear and blue...and the weather is hoooot! Yeheey, everybody knows it is our favorite time of the year - Summer!!!

And what is the favorite activity for us island people during this time? Island hopping! And trooping to the beautiful beaches...

Took a fast inter-island craft to the nearby island of Bohol...

there it looms ahead of us...

The water is clear... and the sands are so fine and so soft, that they felt like rubber under our feet... To lie there was pure bliss! Aaahhhh!

My brother took this very beautiful picture of the sunrise. He said the scene was quite awesome that it took his breath away...

Photo Credits: Edwin Pepino

Missed Blogging!

Barely about a month and a half after my mother's hospitalization, I tried to open my blogs and tried to write. But although my spirit was willing, alas my body was weak. There were instances where I would find my forehead banging on the monitor, because I have fallen asleep due to sheer exhaustion. Exhaustion and worry also became too stressful, that sometimes my mind would go blank.

These days however, after about 3 months, our routines have begun to stabilized. And little by little I was able to discover some little extra time to get back on the blogging tracks once more. Isn't it great? Alleluyah !!!

The Journey Back: Retracing One's Steps

The second stroke was a bit more devastating than the first. In fact it made our family realized that the first attack was a walk in the park. Life changed for us. And it is difficult to retrace back our lives before the second stroke. The journey back is no longer possible...

While we were given the miracle of life for Nanay (for which we are truly thankful), we came to terms that it will be a different life this time. Even though we prepared ourselves to brace for days that means a lot of caring and loving and understanding, we were not ready for feeling twice the pains that Nanay has to suffer. And for once in our lives, we tried to be as selfless as possible for it is the only way for all of us to survive and find some happiness in our present situation...

And we are thankful that as the days passed, we are brought more closer than ever. Only the routines have changed. And even if life's twists are truly twisted, thank God for some miracles!

My Mind's Blank....

Been trying to write, but my mind is blank right now. Can't think straight... My mom's got admitted again to the hospital for a second attack of stroke. Coming home for a few minutes to get some things, the house is very much empty without her. Missed her so much! The Pain is so much unbearable...gotta go. Can't talk much about it...