My Views: A Day at the Royal House

My Views: A Day at the Royal House: A simple life at peace When the first breaking news of the Sabah stand-off flashed on the internet, my sympathy  is for the family of ...

Lenten Destinations

Great Mountains

Mountains are always preferred destinations by nature lovers and adventurers during Lenten season. To some, it became their annual penance in observing Holy Week. for non catholics, they took advantage of the red dates to schedule their trips and do it for fun.

In the Phlippines, Mt. Apo in Cotabato and Mt. Pulag in Benguet are the famous Lenten destinations.Thousand climbers flock at camp sites. Foot traffic along narrow trails that will stop ones walking momentum that delays arrival time. Colorful backpacks in rows.
Trekking by the hundreds, with different thoughts of sincerity, eagerness, and devotion.

Mt. Apo, the "Sacred Ground" for the tribal settlers while "Playground of the Gods" for Mt. Pulag natives. For every climbers, what? Only individual climbers can tell.

For me, It is Gods' perfect place to commune with Him.

Cancelled Twice

Trip to TawiTawi March 14 - 18 2013, Cancelled
Trip to Aklan March 19- 23, Cancelled.

The first cancelled trip is more frustrating than the second one.

If I did pursue my Tawi-Tawi trip, I can cover the" repatriation" of our fellow Filipinos from Sabah. If I did, it could be historical for me.The trip was cancelled in the mercy of my travel agent,  they don't want me to pursue my tour trip in Tawi- Tawi. Anyhow, I got my second booking on October  this year.

The second cancellation , I have to decide. My son is graduating in elementary. It will be a family occasion.

I got a lot of opportunity today after all these cancellation.

But another opportunity I will be missing for the second time, my Mt. Matutum climb.
A friend mountaineer set his wedding at the peak of  Mt. Matutum, it was supposedly  historical for me as a wedding coordinator. I failed, and attended a funeral wake instead. After Aklan cancellation, I submitted  my intent to join the annual tree plating but an invitation for a course in iridology is set on the same day. Another conflict in schedule.

Well for a well planned trip, cancellation is  unexceptional.

Closed Doors

My Road Trip to Ilocos

It was another long travel from Mindanao that marked my aging feet. My trip to Ilocos Sur and Norte.

Since I landed  Manila late in the evening and the trip is 7 hours long, it was an expected  arrival that everything will be early for business.

My destination, at the tip of the Map. 
My goal, to set my foot on the last bridge of Ilocos .

When I arrived Loag City, the only open is the church having its early morning mass. Museums were still closed. I hired a trycicle and ask if he could turn me around downtown area were tourist used to drop by. He pointed to me famous landmarks such as the Bell Tower, the Provincial Capitol, and some business establishments advertised in tv.

 Should I regret that I travelled so far only to catch all the doors closed?

Why should I? If my purpose  to take photos of each doors be closed,  my  being there were just perfetly in time. 

But who will regret to see the perfect hue of blue in this tip of the map? And setting your feet on its ground of  only few dared to try.

The Patapat Viaduct, known as the  4th longest bridge in the country.

Kalilangan 2013

Colors of Mindanao
 Kalilangan 2013
 @ General Santos City

When Street Dancing Competitions in any locality in Mindanao and the rest of the country became the highlight of cultural celebrations, it became a contributing factor in promoting its tourism potential. That is why local efforts including the business sectors and educational institutions play an important role in realizing its eco- tourism impact as seen in Davao City's Kadayawan celebrations.

In General Santos City's Kalilangan 2013, the street dancing competition may not be as festive as other cities in the island. I have observed few groups participated the competition. 

As a witness to the recent Kalilangan 2013 celebration, it is not on how few or more contingent participated in the street dancing  that will measure its success but the faces of each dancers who made the celebration filled the streets with viewers.

I am not fond of  watching street dancing parade. But when I was invited to judge in a same culmination activity in Kalibungan of  1998 in Cotabato, it was when I appreciated the diverse cultural heritage of Mindanao. I  intentionally joined the crowd of  Kadayawan 2012 and I warmly felt the impact of  street dancing competion on tourism promotion.

My personal applause to our photjournalists and travel bloggers who take part in awakening the enthusiasm of our fellow Filipinos in supporting the showcase of our cultural heritage through street dancing parades.