Philippine Travel Notes

Still the "vesper" day of the Iloilo Paraw Regatta, and my walk continued (from the previous story ). As planned, we would have exited the beach area and go to the road for rides to our respective hotels. But some things even beyond this corner also beckoned. So we went forth to check those things out! First were these two boats that were securely fenced-off - and that made me wonder why... I was thinking, those two boats were not as if dogs or pigs that could go running astray and romping around the sandy beach like crazy! Bakit kelangan ikulong?! A man told us "its for safety and security"! Ha? Really? He intimated that that is to ensure the boats are 'intact' prior to the race proper. Well, yes I understood what he meant without him further elaborating. In many contests, competitors just do not anymore know how to play fair. Thus, I understand the precaution. A very sad reality of being human :( Anyway, a bit onwards, we stumbled upon a kiosk that

Let's continue my Villa Beach stories on the day before the Paraw Regatta... After the beach volleyball tournament , friends and I walked by the beach. Shhh, I pretended I haven't done so yet, even if I have been walking the length of this beach as early as even before sunrise. Yes, before 6AM kanina. Remember ? But I wasn't complaining. New things to see were up every moment! Like this kid who rose up to the occasion by playing with (floating) his mini-sailboat! It is just a toy yes, but it sails on the water fast enough for him to have a hard time chasing it hehe! Here's an opportune moment. I luckily saw how they launched this boat unto the water until it sailed! It's not everyday that we see something like this. A real-hard muscle-work to launch that boat to sea! Look! Boat will be pushed to slide on bamboo poles (red arrows) towards the water (yellow arrow) Until it reaches the water's edge where the rudder (right edge of pic) is attached... Th

As said in the previous story , I strayed away from the beach volleyball tournament because there were already many things on the beach that were invitingly worth my attention! My soles itched to wander! Like these "model boats" at a nearby stall mismo on the beach! I really wanted to buy one, but... The smallest model boats, even if sails are removed or flattened (yes they're detachable), are still too bulky to fit in my weekend pack, thus cumbersome to hand-carry but too fragile to check-in on a flight. Still in the same stall of the same manong, there are also animal figurines like this horse... It is a wood carving but painted bronze. Good workmanship, but, even bulkier than the model boats. :( Just curious and looking at the many things on sale, I saw things like these... Talaba on the road! Am not really an oyster fan, but I do eat a piece or two from time to time. So, piktyur-piktyur lang hehe! I was amazed that all of a sudden there were so many stalls sel

Not really the penultimate date, this is just a "besperas" (or is it "bisperas")? Ah basta, the day prior to the main event of the Iloilo Paraw Regatta 2016. We know how festivals are celebrated in this country right? A plethora of activities / contests held in a succession of days leading to, and until fiesta date. Of course I am up to watch and witness tomorrow's paraw regatta contests, but for today, I agreed to meet with two friends who are seriously intently watching the on-going beach volleyball tournament. Not that I am an avid fan of that sport, but these two have been trying to convince me that I become like them - "unofficial" spotters (scouts) of athletes for this and that university or institution. Sige go! What else, yes ano pa nga ba, eh di... I watched the games hehe! Even took pictures like these: From morning until afternoon yan. Games in succession for both men's and women's teams. Shh, ayg saba... of course I s