this is cool!

Thanks LD.

Welcome to Miami.

Spent the weekend at the beach 2 sundays ago when a good friend flew here on a "business trip". Like before, it was my first time to visit this part of Iloilo even though I've been here almost 5 months now. It just shows how lazy I am when it comes to travelling. My idea of relaxation is sleeping at home or getting a massage. I took this photo late afternoon, just as we're about to go home. Maybe I'll come back soon and get a morning shot of the place.

Alvin and me at Miami beach, Tigbauan, Iloilo. The place is owned-managed by Takahashi, a Japanese with his Filipina wife. Takahashi spends equal time here and Japan as I think, required by law. The place is ok, with lots of things to do. The beach on the other hand is not as great as in Guimaras but it's ok.

... great place... tacky name.

D-day + 10

I should have posted this a week ago when the excitement of my first Dinagyang experiemce is still fresh, but laziness took the better of me. The anticipation for Dinagyang 2006 was fever pitch during the last week of January, with every establishment announcing their promos and come-ons. ABS-CBN and GMA brought in all their stars with a gazillion show everywhere you go. Manila's rock bands each had their own mini-concerts each night of the fiesta as everyone and their mother was here and for 3 days, Iloilo was party central.

With a week of festivities already finished, I only got to join the hoopla on the last 2 days of Dinagyang. Along with my co-workers, they accompanied me to the Food Festival on the eve of the Ati-Ati competitions. The streets of the city was closed to traffic as there are several arenas or Judging Areas where the tribes will perform. At the city's main street, the local merchants has set up tables for the revelers to eat, drink and enjoy the parade of rock bands, local and then some. Too bad I had to keep my enjoyment short for the bigger event the following day.

D-day. I almost didn't want to go and watch the Ati-ati competitions live til I saw on the TV Katrina Halili, off I went to the Freedom Grandstand and see for myself. Too bad Katrina just left and I had to contend with the mass of other "non-paying" patrons to try and watch 20 tribes perform their own dance.


This is the closest I got to the Main Judging area. There are other Judging areas scattered all throughout the city and all of the 20 tribes must perform on each of them. This takes a lot of dedication and stamina as each set is almost 10-15 minutes long.


One of the favored tribes, Tribu Silak exiting the Freedom Grandstand.

I only had the energy to watch 5 of the tribes as hunger and standing-watching for over an hour will surely get you tired. I did get to catch all the pretty Ilonggas that was out partying, and I still have to catch Katrina for the SOP show somewhere else.