Festivities in the Philippines: Tanda Festival 2011

Tanda Festival is celebrated during the feast of St. Isidore the Worker during the month of May.

When I was wandering in Tubigon, Bohol way back 2011, I got the chance to experience the festival. The mardi gras started early that I was able to witness only the showdown competition which was held spot on the street. Yes, it was on the street and not on a cultural center or a big sport center. It was absolutely free, all you need to do is look for a better and comfortable place to watch the streetdance showdown competition.

It was held infront of Tubigon Commercial and Market Center, so, they have to close the entire place for buses not to come and go.

A lot of viewers were there to have fun and cheer for their dancers. The contingents were from different barangays of the said town.

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Unfortunately, I had limited time that I didn’t wait for the result of the streetdance showdown. It was also hot and very congested with too much audiences onsite. Instead, I went to my aunt’s house, took a nap, ate, and had chit-chats with relatives and friends.

Browsing Bohol III: Tubigon

I  just recovered from a week home confinement due to flu and here I am writing another post of my travels. I am not really a writer but I love to write about things that I am passionate about cause it gives me relief from stress and provides me a whole new world away from reality.

Few weeks ago, I wrote an article about my childhood town, Calape. Right next to it is the town of Tubigon and I always visit this town since one of my aunts live here. I only took less photos cause I was thinking that I can always come back whenever I wanted to but now that I’m out of Bohol, I felt sad when I reminisce the past and no pictures to glance to when you feel homesickness.

At times when I was still in Bohol, I thought that Tubigon will be the next city in the province for it is also a busy town since it has its own port. Ships come and go every hour from and to Cebu City from fast crafts to ordinary sea vessels. Fast crafts such as SeaJet, Starcraft, and Lite Express travel from/ to Cebu every hour or two in interval and take about 45mins to an hour trip while ordinary sea vessels like Jadestar and Lite Shipping takes two or more hours ride.

Traveling from Cebu City to Bohol via Tubigon is more economical compared to a boat trip directly to Tagbilaran City. You can get a ride for PhP200 rather than getting the CEB-TAG for PhP800 if you are not taking advantage of the boat’s travel package.

Tubigon is also different from other town, it’s like a gateway from neighboring islands. The church is also amazing to look at. Tubigon might not be attached to any tourist destinations in the province but the name of the town is famous if you wanna see Bohol in a tight budget. People prefer to get the CEB-TUB route for it’s affordable and they can also see a quarter of Bohol if they wanna go to the city.

UDPATE:

Due to the earthquake which struck Bohol last October 15, 2013, the church of Tubigon was destroyed and lost its façade and other structures in the church complex. It is still waiting for reconstruction under the aid of National Cultural Heritage Act.

Related Links:

Browsing Bohol Articles include Loboc, Calape, Tagbilaran City, Dauis, Baclayon, Sierra Bullones,  and Panglao.

What Am I Gonna Do At Home

With this current weather condition and the middle of winter season, it is not unusual to have common colds, fever, cough, sore throat and flu. I also got these due to cold weather. Nowadays, viruses spread easily and are more potent than before. As my upper respiratory tract infection progresses, I tend to rest more at home with nothing to do. Then,  I just started thinking what am I gonna do at home since I cannot travel with this type of condition I have. I am weak, feverish and my bloody runny nose makes me more uncomfortable. So, I ended up lockdown at home til I’m good to go. With this week confinement, I haven’t done anything productive. I finished writing this post and most of the days of my week, watched a lot of television series. My eyes are glued with Korean TV series now, with just 5 days I was able to watch 4 TV series and those were:

Rooftop Prince

My first Korean TV series and I ended up with sleepless nights. The story was great, the plot, the scene, it was definitely addictive. I think I have watched this within 2 days only, my eyes were literally on the screen without a blink watching this. There were no dull moments and as the story goes, it became more interesting that the viewers will look forward on what’s going to happen next, out of curiosity. It was indeed one of the best Korean series I’ve seen so far. Not to mention the soundtrack, songs were topnotch. I placed those songs on my iPod and played it like countless times in a day. Songs were performed by Baek Ji Young titled After a Long Time, Happy Ending by Jay Park and Ali’s Hurt.

Next was, The Moon that Embraces the Sun

For me, it lacks impact to the viewers. Storyline was not that complicated. At first I have doubts of watching this series but due to high viewer rating when it was aired in South Korea so, I watched this out of curiosity as well. The first half or first 10 episodes were great with humour, and the chemistry between two main child characters was amazing. Yet as the story goes deeper, it lacked spice and became bland in my opinion but still gave it one thumb up for everything.

Considering that I love Fantasy-Period-Romantic genre, third on my list was,Arang and the Magistrate

It was an action packed, one of the best TV shows I’ve seen also. Everything was perfect, first 5 episodes might be tiresome but it has a purpose since they were building up the plot as it goes to the next episodes. It was brilliant  with minor glitch at the end since the ending was too unexpected. I may think they did a hasty pack up for this TV show with that kind of ending, kinda disappointed though. But still I gave it two thumbs up as an overall experience watching this series. I also like the soundtrack with Baek Ji Young’s Love and Love and K Will’s You are Love.

After my Joseun Era TV shows, I shifted back to current time and viewed,I Do, I Do

It depicts love between career and motherhood. Romantic comedy it is. It was nice. All 16 episodes were amazing and I can’t stop watching them. I have no negative feedback to say about this TV show cause it was flawless. The story was good not so provocative and I just finished watching this not a long time ago.

Now, I’m currently watching Sungkyunkwan Scandal.Let me see what this show has to offer for a sick viewer like me.

Enjoy your day, guys. Make sure to take care of your health and always be fit, take vitamins, fruits, vegetables and drink a lot of water <a simple reminder from a sick *sniff sniff* homebound blogger>. =)

Festivities in the Philippines: Sinulog 2011

Each year, we always make sure not to skip one Sinulog festival and to always visit the Holy Child in Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

Sinulog is held every third Sunday of January to celebrate and honor Sr. Sto. Niño. It is held in different provinces in the Philippines but I always witnessed the festivities only here in Cebu City.During Sinulog, a lot of activities, programmes, contests, parades, prayer vigils, novenas, etc has been arranged.Streets were filled with devotees and tourists, locals and foreigners alike. For us devotees of Sr. Sto. Niño, it will not be a complete experience if we won’t be able to see and kiss Him. That’s why there is always a long queue during this time.

Streets were also blocked due to street parties and parades. Malls were opened til midnight. Bars were jam packed. Everyone in Cebu City is alive during nighttime.

But, even though they have these activities, the main reason that I and my mom visit every Sinulog is to pray to the Holy Child.

I may not have been able to witness and visit Sr. Sto. Niño last 2012 and this year but I always pray to Him for guidance and thank Him for all the blessings I and my family received.

Not to worry, few more months and I’ll be seeing you in a while, Sr. Sto. Niño. I promise!

Browsing Bohol II: Calape

Since I had enough of Cebu Province and its time for me to retrace of what I’ve been doing in Bohol and how I’ve been spending almost my entire life living in this awesome land. I’ve thought of visiting different locations that I’ve visited in Bohol for me to be able to move forward. I need to look on the past and reminisce the great memories this land has provided me.

I already posted my visit in Loboc and it is the right time to see if there are any improvements in the town where I grew up from 2 to 10 which is Calape. It is approximately an hour and a half trip from Tagbilaran City and it is way more fun during land trip wherein you can see different views of different towns on your way there.

Calape has this great church facade and known for its gothic like appearance. First, I went to this church, it is still painted blue and really looked so distinct compared to other churches in Bohol.

Then, I went to the Miraculous Birhen Sa Kalooy Chapel and prayed. I usually visit this place if I asked something from Her or to give thanks for all the blessings She has given to me and my family. I really love this place since I grew up in this town.

Nearby Calape market is a small road leading to an island called, Panggangan Island. In this island, we also have a chapel and a lot of beach resorts. These resorts may not be famous as compared to Panglao Island but at least we have a place to dip in once we feel that we want to go to the beach.

Treasure Island Beach Resort

Related Links:

Browsing Bohol Articles include Loboc, Tubigon, Tagbilaran City, Dauis, Baclayon, Sierra Bullones,  and Panglao.

My Bucket List for the Year of the Water Snake, 2013

bucket list photo courtesy of lucyinnovation’s blog

This is the first time I’ll be writing my bucket list because for the last year’s list, it was just written on my head and whenever something popped out, I just added it and made revisions on my list. Thus, I’ll be putting it in a post to make sure that I’ll be able to complete it.

I have been inspired of doing this from other bloggers who were done writing their bucket list. My bucket list is good for a year only. Some people made list of things to do before they die but I made mine to be more productive, give directions and purpose, make new adventures and experiences or simply to ENJOY LIFE while I still have the time to have fun with it for this new year. This is definitely the genesis of the new life for the year of the Water Snake.

I have only 10 on my mind when I made this up and this is my 2013 Bucket List:

– Gain weight <currently, I’m at 55 kg>

– Visit another country.

– Visit a UNESCO world heritage site.

– Make renovations on our home.

– Attend reunions, feast celebration and gatherings with family.

– Undergo Lasik eye surgery.

– Go to gym at least three times a week.

– Always wear a smile by making friends and be more patient.

– Double my site stats <as of 01/04/13, it is at 255 views>.

– Save for the future!

People may say my list is too simple. Yes, it is. I made it simple for me to always keep on track  and to meet them without a sweat.

The simpler, the better, the easier to meet my goals.