ALIW NA ALIW SA ALIWAN FESTIVAL 2011

Every town or city in this country has its own festivities! And most of them are deeply rooted in religious and farming traditions...

In Manila, city dwellers get a glimpse of these festivities from around the country in the annual ALIWAN FESTIVAL. A number of organizations (from various towns/cities) take part in this colorful and merry spectacle to parade their local traditions, beautiful boys and girls, products, artistry and culture!

The parade starts at the Quirino Grandstand and ends in front of Aliw Theatre at the CCP Complex. It's good to see people braving the mid-afternoon heat just to witness this event. The mood is festive and relaxed.

I waited for the parade (floats, costumes, etc.) at Aliw Theatre. I was hoping to get clear pictures with natural light... Unfortunately, the parade arrived early evening and the lights were not strong enough from our position. Anyway, I had fun and it was a great opportunity to experience this kind of grand festivity even in an urbanized city...

ON MY WITS' END IN CALAUIT!

Palawan never ceases to surprise its visitors! The province (or its group of islands) is never called "the last frontier" for nothing!

On its northwestern side lies the island of Calauit - a game preserve where animals are free to roam and propagate! (to know more about the island, visit http://www.calauitisland.com/ ).

Our tour guide told us that this island turned into a game preserve by then Pres. Marcos as a gift to his son, Bongbong. Animals were imported from Africa. Sadly, the succeeding administration never prioritized its maintenance on their budget allocation, thus the island slowly went into oblivion... Consequently, the welfare of the animals suffered. (Yes, the island needs a budget for veterinarians, maintenance of facilities, etc.)

LUCBAN, QUEZON: Christ is indeed Larger than Life!

Ang Kamay ni Jesus.

Lucban, Quezon.

(You can't miss this... this is just along the National Highway, a few minutes before reaching the town of Lucban, Quezon).

Have a Blessed Holy Week!

As you enter the premises, you will be greeted with a "Noah's Arc", with some statues of animals trying to get inside the "arc".

There are also the statues of of Adam and Eve... and the Angel that led them away from the Paradise...

Then, get ready to climb hundreds of steps to reach this...

(the view above is spectacular... you will see the verdant landscape of Lucban, Quezon).

The giant statue of the Risen Christ, mightily situated on a hilltop.

Reminds me of Christ's Statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Some scenes on The Way of the Cross

DEMYSTIFYING MT. BANAHAW

We have different traditions during Holy Week. Others flock to the beaches for some sun, sea and sand. Some simply stay home and do a DVD marathon. And quite a few still practice the annual pilgrimage to what they consider as a Holy Place.

Mt. Banahaw has been in our books as a mystic mountain, possessing powers that heal. It's waters, which flow from the depths of its springs are said to cure illness and bring good health to those who drink or bathe it.

And for these people who brave the heat and the rough roads just to reach this legendary mountain, every effort is worth it!

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There are many points of entry to Mt. Banahaw. This is from Dolores, Quezon. When I visited the site last year, some areas were closed down (especially the higher grounds) in efforts to restore and revive the ecology. This is the foot of the mountain, where people continue to flock, get some "holy water" and have some bonding moments with families, friends and the gods.

SLOWING DOWN...

Have you stopped and appreciated the beauty of nature lately?

Life in the city can be very busy and crazy! But once in a while, we need to slow down and look at the simplicity and beauty around us...