Sunday Quote and Photograph: When Disposable Plastic Cups Took My Breath Away

As I step in Café Cesario at the Cebu-Mactan International Airport to have a quick breakfast before our flight back after a weekend trip, something caught my attention.

This!



In spite of my hunger, sleepy/heavy head caused by trying to catch an early morning flight, I can’t help but pause from my quick breakfast, stood up from my table and examine this piece that is hanging above the central ceiling of the café.

Obviously it's a Christmas decoration but what caught my attention is how and what material it is made of.  It is made from disposable plastic cups and its craftsmanship really took my breath away. 

My camera did not even give justice to this awesome piece but just the same I want to share it with you and so do with this quotation that I chanced upon…

“And when we give each other Christmas gifts in His name, let us remember that He has given us the sun and the moon and the stars, and the earth with its forests and mountains and oceans—and all that lives and move upon them.  He has given us all green things and everything that blossoms and bears fruit and all that we quarrel about and all that we have misused – and to save us from our foolishness, from all our sins, He came down to earth and gave us Himself”. ~Sigrid Undset~

Sunday Prose and Photographs: Bridges

There are bridges that are meant to be crossed,

to find the joyful world waiting at the other end.

There are bridges that people are afraid to cross

unsure of the unfamiliar world waiting at the other end.

There are bridges that are forbidden

but people still crossed in spite of the forbidden sign.

There are bridges that are meant to be crossed twice

to figure out what had gone wrong during the first try.

There are bridges that are worth looking back

to smile at the memories left at the other end 

There are bridges that are meant to be burned

so there will be just one path to take and that is to go forward.

What bridge are you crossing right now?

@2013 By: Balut Manila

Leaving Mandaue City - approaching the arch 

"look back shot" after crossing the arch

The photographs of  "Marcelo Fernan Bridge" were taken while aboard a speeding taxi heading to the airport.  The first photo is taken while approaching the bridge's arch after leaving Mandaue City.  The second photo is a “look back” shot after crossing the arch from Mandaue City.

This bridge brings a lot of happy memories in my short but colorful stay in Cebu.  This is the kind of bridge that I won’t mind crossing over and over.

Fats about the Marcelo Fernan Bridge:
The Marcelo Fernan Bridge is an extra-dosed cable-stayed bridge located in Metro Cebu, Philippines.   It spans across Mactan Channel connecting Cebu Island to Mactan Island.   It is opened in August 1999, has a total length of 1237 meters (4058.40 feet) with a enter span of 185 meters (606.96 feet).  This is one of the widest and longest bridge spans in the Philippines.  It carries 4 lanes of vehicular traffic and pedestrian sidewalks.  It was named after Senator Marcelo Fernan, a political figure from Cebu City.
(Source:  Wikipedia)

When in Cebu: During the Climactic Weekend of Sinulog

Let’s skip first the two night party where we had a blast and get on with the climactic Sunday’s grand parade. 

Since I already shared the excitement and photos of my Sinulog experience, what I will be sharing to you right now is what you should expect, could and could not do during the climactic weekend or the grand parade day.   My previous post is a bit summarized because I was a “blogger on the run” during those days.  I am actually amazed how I managed to post entries during those times.  So here are some important things that you should take note of if you are in Cebu during the climactic weekend of the Sinulog Festival.

Traffic.
You can’t go to the places that you wish to go.  The farthest place that you will reach is to where the grand parade is passing through.  The parade usually starts from Cebu Sports Complex and will pass through major streets and avenues.   We took a cab and told the driver to bring us anywhere near the parade and he gladly said yes.  He drove  for five minutes, took a curb and drop us off in a corner which I surmise is that we can walk in fifteen to twenty minutes from the place where we hail him (LOL smart cabby).   We were dropped off near Mango avenue and we walk our way to the center of the parade.



Be ready to walk.
You need to walk under the blazing January sun. The good thing is that you will be able to explore the streets by foot.

What to wear and what to bring.
Wear comfortable street clothes and shoes. Bring camera and video – you will miss one half of your life if you don’t have one.

WHAT YOU EXPECT TO SEE

Everything that you will see in a provincial feast day only that this one is bigger and grander.  There are people everywhere. If you’re not a mixed people person and not ready to be deglamorized, don’t try going out from where you are BUT hey you will miss one half of your life!

Spectacularly designed floats with muses and the most graceful Sinulog dancers.



Banderitas (Flaglets),    Buri hats, masks.




You will be an out cast if you don’t wear face paint and tattoo .

Tourist and Professional Photographers.
Some tourist are there just to enjoy the experience, some are really documenting the event. I was amazed how some photographers follow the swaying Sinulog dancers and catch every move and even take some close up photos.  There’s an annual Sinulog photography contest and the winners are being displayed in galleries.



Sinulog muses and celebrities! (Whoops!)

We are not allowed to get inside the parade rope, but you can not stop these two (feeling) celebrities.

(“Ang kulet ko ayaw paawat sa loob ng parade ha ha ha!”)  I’m persistent that my photo be taken inside the security rope.  After these photos I was escorted out LOL!

The real Sinulog muses and celebrities. 


What you can eat and drink.
Cebu is known for its famous lechon and danggit but while you’re in the street during the parade, you will forget about them and the food around you are all tempting.  Fast food restaurants are the best solutions if you are hungry.  But if you are experimental in trying Cebu’s street food, they are everywhere.  Sipping soft drinks in a plastic (only in the Philippines) is one of my most hated thing to do but I did not have a choice when I was real thirsty ha ha.  No drinks in can was available and we need to catch up and take photos of each performing tribe.

Disappointments
You will not be able to explore the places that you would want to visit during the grand parade. You will be trapped somewhere with the parade somehow.  The parade is really LOOOONG and they have particular places where each tribe is performing the Sinulog Dance.  We wanted to go to the Basilica de Sto. Niṅo de Cebu but no taxi wanted to drive us there until the parade is over (and it will not be over soon).  We look for nearby church where we can celebrate the Sunday mass and we are lucky that the National Shrine of St. Joseph is nearby.  Finding places by chance added to the delight of this unplanned trip.



You may want to read some facts about Cebu’s Sinulog  here.

When in Cebu: The ParkMall and Dimsum for Lunch

My Cebu trip was not ideal when it comes to planning and preparation.  It was spontaneous and out of plan but absolutely enjoyable – just like the rest of my best adventures.  All I can remember was that I was hopping from one airport to another and before I knew it I was in Cebu (lol but true).  I hope I can squeeze in from this series a post about the time when I spent a lot of waiting time and frustrations in Philippine airports.

So I was in Iloilo assisting a relative to do some legal documentations and property purchase (I’m not a lawyer but I do have have ample knowledge when it comes to legal matters wink*) when out of the blue the Cebu trip idea came in.  I was hesitant because it was supposed to be a three day Manila-Iloilo round trip.  It didn’t happen that way.  What happened was that I was just carrying an overnight bag to Iloilo and I ended up pulling quite a larger luggage back home to Manila after two weeks! Yep the three day didn’t happen.  What happened was TWO WEEKS!

Since this week is about Cebu and Sinulog, let’s talk about Cebu first.  And besides I think I will be making a regular post with the category “When in Iloilo” so I'll have a lot of time posting about Iloilo City.

I read a comment from my previous post about not finding a promotional air fares in going to Cebu and that almost everything is expensive during the Sinulog Festival.  It is absolutely true not only in Cebu but anywhere where there's an ongoing festival.  It is called the “season” rate where air fare is expensive and everything is expensive.

Miraculously (or just pure ability), I was able to get a ticket to Cebu for me and my relative just four days before the weekend of the grand parade.  Some of my relatives flew ahead of us – they are the reason why we decided to go on that trip and they are also responsible for our accommodations.  We stayed in a private property in Mandaue City.  You may find a list of Cebu hotels from here. 

Touch down Cebu airport, we were greeted by the festive mood.  “Pit Senyor” is the only song that you will hear all over the city.



We were picked up from the airport by our relatives who flew ahead of us.  Our first stop from the airport is ParkMall located at Mandaue City also.  I was travelling with a shopaholic by the way so it’s no wonder why our first stop is in a mall (lol).  Just like in Manila, any celebration is always reflected in the mall’s decoration.  The ParkMall caters to all kinds of shoppers.  They basically has everything that  you will be looking for in a mall including popular coffee shops and restaurants.

It was lunch time when we arrived in Cebu so we ate at the first fast food restaurant that we found and it so happens that it was Dimsum Break located in the same mall.  I really enjoyed the dimsum and I will  definitely  eat at this place again if I happen to be back in Cebu.

We explored the mall and of course ended into a shopping spree – I don’t want to bore you with the details because there’s a lot more exciting to share than shopping so watch out!  Meanwhile we settled for the day to re-charge our energy because a bombastic Sinulog shindig was waiting for us that night!

Sunday Song and Photograph: Pit Senyor and Sinulog Festival

Sugod na sa Sinulog

Kitang Tanan mag Pit Senyor

Sugod na sa Sinulog

Kitang Tanan mag Pit Senyor

To visit the key cities and islands in the Philippines is one great experience. But being able to be there during its famous and grandest festival is a far more greatER experience.

I posted this festival song in my Sinulog Post of 2012 and I'm posting it here once again inspired by the ongoing Sinulog 2013 in Cebu City Philippines.  As I've mentioned in my last year's post when you're in Cebu during the Sinulog Festival, you can't help but chant this song and it will be your LSS.

"Pit Senyor" or "Viva Pit Senyor" (:Long Live the Holy Child") is the traditional chant in honor of the patron of the Sinulog feast - Seňor Sto. Niňo (The Holy Child).

The photo is taken from a photo booth at MO2 Bar and Restaurant on the Saturday night before the climactic Sunday grand parade.

This year’s celebration is from January 10 and will culminate to a grand parade on January 20, 2013.  I am planning to publish a series of post here regarding my experience in Cebu and the Sinulog Festival. I will categorize the series as “When in Cebu”.