Philippine Travel Notes

Along with many fantastic products, I saw this thing displayed at SM Cebu’s North Wing. This IS real, even if at first I thought it was some humungous jewelry box, or a stylish sofa, or fancy cabinet hehe! The descriptions says: “ Una is the first car in the world manufactured using indigenous materials exclusive to Cebu, patterned from a 1959 Porsche 356. Designed and manufactured by Clayton Tugonon, the exterior is purely made from coconut flower’s stalk and rattan strips. The dashboard comes from a blend of two-toned shells while the steering wheel and shift knob are made from Shargeen. It was one of the highlights at the 2011 FAME Exhibit in Manila to showcase what Cebu can do ”. Here is the rear portion of the same car... Hmm, I now start wondering what’s next. An airplane with the body made of coconut leaves like they do it in the ubiquitous “puso”?! Pwede ra oi! Why not, coconut?! Oh well, the beautiful signs of our times!

It was in the late 80s that I first got to this place. And my goodness, instead of dilapidating or deteriorating. Its just getting lovelier! I probably was lucky I went this time that it looks like the whole place has been spruced up. Though there is probably nothing in the next decade or two that will break the serene beauty of the whole cove. Am not saying that as a final word hehe. Who knows the owners of this big area might suddenly sell parts of the cove so that it will become another Boracay, Alona, Saud or Galera where resorts and many that are ‘trying to be resorts’ are almost literally on top of each other. Who knows, right?! But as of this last visit, Dakak Park and Beach Resort is still as fantastically remote as it had been, but with all the comforts and amenities one would need. That’s why I like it still! The little man, oh yes the little guy! He is just about the height of my waistline or a little above that, but he is an employee of the resort. He looks like a child b...

There I was having my late breakfast at 10AM with a nice al fresco view of the beach and the sea beyond, amidst trees and the clean white sand. I’ve been here twice before, but I did not notice it is such a good place when there are no other guests – well, not so many, I think. This time, I got a grasp of how calm and serene this place is, since there was no one to busy my talkative mouth with hehe! Oops, did I speak (think that way) too soon?! Maybe I did… “Hellooo Mr. PinoyTraveler! How are you? Welcome to Dakak Park & Beach Resort” so came an enthusiastic greeting from a jolly dear lady who looks like a Donya! Yes, Doña or Dña, howsoever you want to write it hehe. I smiled (that’s all I could do) because she came running with a lot of questions, pronouncements and information that all I could do was prolong my smile listening to her as I postponed my next spoonful of rice and corned beef hehe. I knew it, but she still introduced herself. I stood to shake her hand, though I was...

7:37AM, I was all packed, checked-out and waiting for my 8AM free transpo to Dakak Park and Beach Resort – which I arranged while still in Manila. Alas, at about that time, I received a call from said resort advising the vehicle would be late but should be at Hotel Camila 2 on or before 9AM. One hour delay, bummer I thought! So I went back to my room, switching between BBC, CNN and Bloomberg just to keep tabs with the world. Eh, before you raise your eyebrows, let me clarify that there is nothing worth my while from local (Philippine) television networks at such time on a weekend, okay?! Fine! Then, at 8:44AM Hotel Camila’s front staff called to tell me Dakak’s driver was at the lobby looking for me. Goody! And when I reached the lobby, I saw Hotel Camila’s guard putting my backpack inside the van. Hmm, very efficient! Van? Yes, a green Nissan Urvan (picture above)just like the many that you get for a commute ride from Makati to Paranaque, Megamall to Pasig or Cubao to Fairview. Even...

Lanao Del Norte came and the crowds did not disperse ever since Karatong passed by. We thought they were good, though I think better last year! But as always, many spectators like the cheerful disposition of this group! Then came Placer, Masbate! Argh! The street was suddenly jammed with humanity I couldn’t even imagine where everybody came from. Well yes, their big banners also had 4 faces of their politicians, but at least those were smaller than the Sto Nino! And people were busier watching out for the group’s dance performance as they were last year’s champions. And no one was disappointed. I heard a younger guy say to his girlfriend “simple movements but very well executed… they will win again”. In my mind I said I agree! This Masbate troop actually came in two separate contending groups but they paraded next to each other. That one above was “Culturang Placereno with Masbate Dance Company” while this next group is the famous “Tribu Himag-ulaw”, last year’s winner and what...

Let’s get on with the rest of the troops! As I said in the previous post, Abellana National School was following Lumad Basakanon. Alas, when we moved on to watch them, they were not anywhere near to performing. Fair enough since the parade was not moving anyway. Although other groups we’ve seen were already dancing albeit stationary. I got curious though at such an effort it was for this group to having their muse ‘installed’ in that “caruaje”. Yeah, it took quite a time and even the dancers themselves had a fun time watching this “activity”! So we happily returned to watch Basakanon for more and that is why I had quite a story in the previous post. After that, we walked past Abellana again – we were already at P. Del Rosario St.,! 1053AM, we were already just about the vicinity of University of San Carlos and the parade was not yet pushing. Caught sight of the Zamboanga Sibugay contingent which of course was not dancing. I asked around and spectators say the group already did th...

After quite a time bantering with the Lingganay group, we moved on to stumble upon the famous “Lumad Basakanon”. Though they have not been grabbing topmost honors in the Sinulog lately, they’re still a ‘group to watch’ for most Cebuanos and visitors alike. They’re “just” the only hall-of-famer over at the Aliwan fiesta anyway, right? And they usually land a place in the Sinulog’s top 5 anyway, right? Plus their representative just won top prize a few days ago as the Sinulog 2012 Festival Queen. Well yes, they’re mostly remembered for having pioneered some interesting moves and formations both in the parade and at the stage presentation that other groups all over this country have copied. We stayed with this group for a while to watch them perform and even as they rest, banter make some adjustments or roam around. Yes, I have observed in the past many years that this is the most “laagan” group! When they’re not dancing, you could see the members going everywhere – from the sari-sari s...

Let’s move on to the next group that I saw… That’s her back, and that’s her front! Yep, the Dumaguete festival queen, as has been awarded days before, the photographers’ choice, though she landed 3rd runner up. Here is another proof that most Filipinos (photographers, at least hehe) have a leaning for the mestiza. They (photographers) chose her, while the judges chose the ‘other kind’! And here we caught the Dumaguete lass beautiful and fresh as the morning, before sweating it out in the grand parade. Of course she always got mobbed by most photographers real and not! Good we saw her early on. Still wondering why I chose Imus road? Go ponder more! 8:59AM, here are the dancers of Dumaguete’s Sandurot Festival. Why not, right? Tiring rehearsals last night and the go signal was not yet up, so many of them made the most of the idle time – rest! And this is the Karatong Festival of Dulag Leyte. Their festival queen is seated btw! These groups have an ingenuous way of making them rest...