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Greetings from the City of Banners and Streamers - Marawi

From Iligan to Marawi, it usually takes an hour by van or FX (Asian utility vehicle). Passing by the towns of Balo-i, Pantar and Saguiran, you can’t help but notice banners everywhere. Politicians for early campaigning? Nope. Mostly congratulatory coming from the families of the achievers. Yes folks, banners and steamers are not an election campaign exclusive in Marawi and the rest of Lanao del Sur. It’s an everyday part of life, just like urbanites in Manila see the billboards at SLEX and EDSA. Manila-based outdoor and billboard advertisers may think of setting up a branch here, market demand here is high!

“Alhamdulillah (It’s the Arab equivalent of “Hallelujah!”) and Congratulations!” everywhere—from board passers, bar passers, Hajj delegates, weddings, birthdays, and even to coronation of the sultans–you name it and Marawi has a multitude of these banners and streamers. Before the advent of those giant billboards at EDSA, Marawi has all of these fill up Iligan-Marawi Road and most especially every nook within the city. They may even compete with Guinness Record as “The city with most number of congratulatory streamers and banners per square kilometer!” Unlike EDSA though, they are not monstrous in size, but the number of banners can easily overwhelm people who are not used to these.

Greetings can be almost anywhere in Marawi

All throughout my travels in the Bangsamoro homeland in mainland Mindanao, Marawi and Lanao del Sur are the only ones that display such culture of advertising—yet not commercial, but mostly personal greetings that emphasizes its tightly-knitted clannish culture.

Dayawan Torogan and Greetings!

Our Maranao guide explained that it is their way to exalt a status of a person or proclaim throughout the rest of the public about the person and their family or clan’s achievement. It is also noticeable that the name doesn’t stop at just the father’s family name too, but also it goes a long line of its near and distant relatives. It somehow seals their position and status in the Maranao society—something that is important or part of their culture.

For the Maranaos, expressing such way of greetings is part of their culture—a practice that has been going on, since the times of the Fourteen Sultanates of Lanao. Their penchant for art has even made it to mainstream outdoor advertising.

Greetings and Bolos Kano Lanao del Sur!

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Marawi City from Agus River

I have been curious about Marawi City in Mindanao. I’ve been hearing a lot of stories about it. Wild, violent and seemingly dangerous place—these were my perceptions of the capital of Lanao Del Sur Province in Mindanao Island. A lot of people told me not to go there or don’t even bother to think about it or else you might get killed, robbed or kidnapped. And yet curiosity has fueled me to go there—and I got a chance.

Against the wishes of my mother (who went ballistic when she knew my plan and I was already in Cagayan de Oro), I went to Marawi City, which is just about three to four hours away from Cagayan de Oro City.

The rolling hills of Marawi

Marawi City is located in the northernmost shore of Lake Lanao and on the mouth of the mighty Agus River.. Nestled among the hills, it is the bustling center of the Maranao world–different from the rest of the country because approximately 90% of its almost 200,000 residents are Muslims. Indeed, its official name is even called “Islamic City of Marawi,” since locals believe that it may attract funding from Middle East countries. The city synchronizes its beat with the daily rituals of Islam. All throughout the day, the hypnotizing call for prayer dominates the sound of Marawi.

Mindanao State Universirty - Main Campus (Marawi)

Marawi is also the host city of one of the largest state universities in the Philippines, Mindanao State University.

Welcome to Marawi!

Downtown Dansalan (Marawi) from Afar

Marawi City was once called Dansalan, already a settlement during the Spanish times. While Visayan towns were marauded by Moros, Marawi was conquered several times by the Spanish colonial forces in order to subjugate the Maranaos and have them converted to Christianity—yet failed. It was only in the American colonial era that it was successfully integrated within the Philippine borders—a move that would later result to the sporadic rebellion that marred the rest of Mindanao for decades.

Mindanao's Kilometer Zero is in Marawi City - This is the Original Reference Point of all Mindanao Roads, much like Luneta is for Luzon

Mindanao Islamic Center dominates the downtown skyline

Dansalan got its charter in 1940 and then later it became Marawi City in June 1956 which was authored by then Senator Domocao Alonto. Today, it is the commercial, educational and political center of the vastly Muslim Maranao world..

Marawi City Hall

Lanao del Sur Provincial Capitol

For the next few days, along with my other Mindanao and Visayas blogposts, we’ll explore this vibrant city that was called Dansalan and would have to seemingly rival Baguio as “Summer Capital.” It’s going beyond the borders, going beyond the stereotypes and into the colorful world of Sarimanok and the Maranao people.

Saduc Masjid in Marawi City

Dayawan Torogan (Royal House) in Marawi City

Bolos Kano Marawi City and Lanao del Sur! Welcome to Marawi City and Lanao del Sur!

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Ipil Rotunda Zamboanga Sibugay

It was an unplanned trip and my first time visiting this side of Zamboanga Peninsula (Zampen). It was my first time to step in Asia’s Latin City, Zamboanga City. However, I wasn’t also expecting that I’ll be going all the way northeast of the city with my dad, to the new province of Zamboanga Sibuguey, where he is working right now—and to its capital town that became a national headlines more than 15 years ago—Ipil.

Downtown Ipil as seen from Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Capitol

Ipil Rotunda: Crossroads of Four Zamboangas

Southwoods Resto -- Nice Hanging Out and Dinner Spot at Ipil!

The town of Ipil is situated in the middle of Zamboanga Peninsula. A crossroad town between three major cities of the region: Ciudad Zamboanga to the west, Pagadian City of Zamboanga del Sur to the east, Dipolog City of Zamboanga del Norte to its north, Ipil has more than 60,000 residents and is the capital of the new province of Zamboanga Sibugay. Majority of the residents here are of Christian-Catholic groups and Bisaya is the spoken language. The town center is nestled in rolling hills, a few kilometers away from the shores of Moro Gulf. Now one of the most progressive towns in the Zamboanga Peninsula region, the bustling town with its streets full of tricycles and buses passing by has risen from the ashes—literally. In its progressive image that it is projecting now, I couldn’t believe that Ipil was razed to the ground and was almost erased from the maps. I can still remember the town when it made news on national TV. My mom, being a Zamboangueña herself, was horrified by the turn of the events.

Manila Standard Newspaper Clip of Ipil Massacre in 1995

Commercial District of Ipil--this street witnessed the horror that summer of 1995. Now it has fully recovered and moving on

To downtown Ipil

Ipil Town Hall

A New York Times article reported the said incident:

Witnesses said the attack began about noon when more than 200 Muslim rebels in military-style uniforms arrived by boat and bus and raided four of the city’s seven banks simultaneously. They also looted at least one department store before setting buildings on fire, apparently in hopes that the smoke would blind the arriving squadrons of soldiers.

The Public Market of Ipil--This site was burned to the ground more than 15 years ago by the bandits that raided Ipil

Ipil Bus Terminal--The Passengers and the Vendors of today

The following days after that tragic incident, the Philippine government made out an all out pursuit and shoot-to-kill order for the bandits who ransacked and spilled blood in Ipil. The whole nation was shocked by the degree of savagery by the Abu Sayyaff, but the pain was worse felt by the Ipileños themselves. It was said to be more devastating than the Burning of Jolo during the Civil War years of the 1970s. The town was desolated and dark. There was sorrow, but there was more anger.

Community at stilts, fishermen and Badjaos live here

Ipil Port: Fishermen busy repairing their net

Eversince the incident, the sea coast of Ipil has been guarded by the Philippine Navy

More than 15 years later, the town has recovered from the tragic event. The public market was rebuilt, banks reopened, security was beefed up and infrastructure projects and new investors came in pouring in. In 2000, when the province of Zamboanga Sibugay was established and separated from its mother province Zamboanga Del Sur, Ipil was chosen to be its capital because of its strategic location and infrastructures that can support provincial bureaucracy. The once laid-back and seemingly desolate town was moving on full gear.

Poised to be a landmark in Ipil, the unfiished capitol of Zamboanga Sibugay sits on top of the hill, overlooking Ipil and the rest of Zamboanga Sibugay

Moro and Neo-Classical inspired Capitol

Ipil has indeed recovered and moved on. A testimony of the Filipino’s will to survive and the will to be progressive, the Ipileños have survived the ordeal and thus destined into greatness.

Ipil Welcomes You!

More photos of Ipil Zamboanga Sibugay here.

Here is Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay province, Philippines:

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To go where no man has gone before...

Traveling has become one of the increasing hobbies of every Filipino nowadays, thanks to cheaper airfare and greater accessibility. Of course, one seeks the adventure, exploring new horizons, cultures, environment and experiencing fun at the same time.

In traveling, there are risks. Read the signs before venturing out into the unknown

For most young viajeros and viajeras, fun and adventure is always entailed with every new destination they get through. And for some people, “fun and adventure” may also mean leisurely “making love to their partners,” or straightly speaking—“have sexual intercourse with someone.” That’s thrill and adrenaline rush rolled into one. Of course, it might get involved with having to “play all the night with that ‘unknown’ someone.” Making love in Boracay or Puerto Galera or anywhere with an unknown partner may just bring you somewhere in the dark, rolling in the deep, and probably would end up as a nightmare instead.

Of course, travelling is also entailed with some risks. In case of emergencies like accidents or getting a disease in a far-away land, you might need some blood coming from blood banks, in order to save your life. However be weary, this might just add up to your agony if not careful.

Make your family safe against the wrath of HIV by being aware of its causes and how to prevent the spread of the virus. Make the future of our kids safer.

The Philippines’ number of HIV infections has grown more than 25% according to a UNAIDS report, mostly within the 20-29 year old range as of 2010. Most of the risk came from unprotected sexual intercourse and still there might be a lot of undocumented cases due to lack of education regarding this disease and even the social stigma that it is associated with. Before we know it, “making love” with your beloved partner may not be such a good idea after all or even travelling isn’t safe as it is–even to those who are innocent. Ignorance has never been this dreadful.

It has to stop! Blow the Red Whistle!

Facing an alarming situation of the spreading epidemic, The Red Whistle campaign aims to educate the people regarding HIV through raising awareness and encouraging communities to act, deliver the message of safe sex, and facilitating ease of access to HIV testing, treatment and support services. The Red Whistle campaign started recently last 18 August 2011 at the BlackBird restaurant in Kamagong Street in Makati City, spearheaded by photographer Niccolo Cosme’s advocacy, together with StarWorld, Take the Test, the bloggers, and other representatives that support the cause.

For us viajeros and viajeras, if we like to enjoy our travels, like as what people say, “Stay safe always!” Take precautions rather than risking it. If making love to a partner or to someone, always use latex (condom yan!); Avoid prohibited drugs and even sharing syringes; And in case that you need blood due to medical reasons, have the donated blood double checked before it can be transfused to your body. Also, it is better to have you or your partner be tested. It is better safe than sorry, right? Finally, educate. Share your knowledge about this, even if you are an HIV negative. These simple ways may just stop the rising epidemic and thus the fun and enjoyment never stops. Simple steps that make the Philippines safer for us travelers to enjoy with.

Read the signs and always be informed!

Let’s travel around the country, let’s travel around the world! Enjoy life and have an adventure, but always make sure to be safe always, whether on traveling or enjoying life itself. This way, we make our country safe not only for our young generation, but for our families, our communities and the whole society as well. Blow the whistle, blow harder! Let’s make the Philippines safer and healthier.

If you would like to be tested, you may call Take the Test Online at 0917-5844878 and 09233780800 or visit them at http://www.facebook.com/takethetest. Information about your test would remain confidential.

For more information about Red Whistle, simply visit its Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TheRedWhistle

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The kids and the flowers

Morning approaches in the highlands of the T’boli people. The lake was placid and the air was cool. The fog hugs the ground and the water surface and the canoes make ripple of the lake’s serenity. Hay paradise…Psst Marc, bugtaw na! Lakat pa ta sa lotus pads sa Pag-asa! (Marc, wake up! We’ll be going to the lotus pads in Pag-asa). We jump started our morning right in Lake Sebu, as Marc of Explore Iloilo and I had a mission that morning—to seek the fabled lotus gardens of Lake Sebu, the flower mostly associated with the T’boli people, other than the t’nalak cloth and the brass bling-blings they have.

The lake and the clouds

The warm touch of sol against the tender earth's curves...

After seeing numerous photos of T’bolis sailing with their canoes over lotus pads, I was wondering where exactly among the three lakes would we see fields of lotus pads? The day before, Miss Sarah Laduha of the local tourism office referred us to this placed called Barangay Pag-asa, about two kilometers from the town center, at the southwestern coast of the lake. We’ll find our lotus fields there indeed—but it only blooms early in the morning, from sunrise to about 10 or 11 in the morning on a good weather.

Alarms set and cameras charged. We’re ready!

We weren’t sure if the lotus pads were there. I heard some people said that the government removed these in order not to restrict water flow and suffocate the lake. There was a level of uncertainty yet we were determined to push through. Luckily though, we had our own habal-habal driver and a local guide that would lead us to Pag-asa.

Distant Matutum says good morning!

As we went up on a tower in another resort, we saw how blissfully the sun’s rays touch the high mountains of South Cotabato, gently caressing the virgin forest slowly and warmly. The placid Lake Sebu with her tilapia pens, floating houses and occasional canoes dot the calm surface. And as the rays touch the navel of the lake, Marc and I found what seems to be one of the best sights that beautiful morning. From afar, there was an explosion of pink dots at a corner of the lake. We found the lotus fields! As if it was like magic, they started to open up their bosom to the sky. We headed immediately to Pag-asa. It was just near but the colors of morning make it magical.

And they started to bloom...

Our first challenge was, the lotus fields were several meters away from the shore. Taking photos from afar sucks. You couldn’t appreciate the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees and the sky up above without getting there, right? And so, our local guide, half-T’boli, half-kasimanwa (as we Ilonggos call our own kababayan), borrowed a canoe—and like any other provincial towns, he knows the owners themselves. Buena mano!

The canoes of Lake Sebu - I doubt it stays afloat with my weight

Our guide and the canoe

Marc was the first one to ride the canoe since he is obviously lighter than this overweight writer. As I wait for my turn, I took some photos of that placid morning. Ducks crossing, people sailing and enjoying the cool lake water with my feet. The silence and the tranquility overwhelmed me—rejuvenating and a therapy from urban blight.

Marc's turn

the field of lotuses

BZ bee on final approach for nectar!

Lotus: Up and close

All right it was my turn, and it didn’t go easy. We had to borrow a canoe with outriggers because the canoe couldn’t just bear my weight and has risks of falling on the water (I can swim, but my camera can’t!). When I was there, I have to be calm and balanced—I was a bit nervous! However, the anxiety quickly dissipates as I approached the lotus gardens. Looks like it was a bee rush hour when I went there since a lot of them were collecting nectar from the flowers. The pink flowers bloomed with full force as the morning sun touches them. I was becalmed. I was happy.

Quack!

It was just difficult to balance here

It was already an hour and a half when we left our accommodation. It was time to head back. Walking back with my feet bear on the surface of the earth, I found myself longing for that calm that I guess every city-dweller has been seeking. As we leave Pag-asa, with mission completed for the moment, the flowers still salute nature with all its might until mid-day. Nature has bestowed the T’bolis all the blessings they can get, and I hope that in the near future, I’ll still see a hundred lotus blooms when the morning sun touches the lake.

The main mode of water transportation around the lake

Tey Tilob Be’Sebu!

See? I guess I need to trim down my weight! Haha! (Photo Courtesy of Marcos Catatao of ExploreIloilo.com)

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Google Mapmaker

Ever since I was a kid, I held fascination over maps. I buy maps—err; I let my parents buy me some maps. From the cheapest school maps to book atlases perhaps. Geography is my favourite subject in school. This is where you get to memorize the provinces of the Philippines and its capitals, per region, their culture and history. I sleep with the old Manila book maps back in the 1990s. I bring them at school. Maps have been my obsession–seeing places, imagining places and even memorizing the way how to get there. In other words, GPS has been programmed already since the 1990s, hehe!

Maps have given me comfort. It is one way to see the world—for me. Atlases at least gave me some glimpse. Yet it’s not enough. Postcard perfect photos, very shallow write-up, outdated facts and not so detailed maps were the limitations of these. Internet back then was still very limited and expensive—and was turtle slow if we compare it on today’s standards. So, I just go to the library and browse every atlas or any other books relating to culture, history and geography of the places. I’m not also that rich to go to Disneyland or Paris or NY…these were my humble flying carpets.

Gensan--One of my first computer-aided maps, using Photoshop

Yes, I am a nerd—a geek of maps and atlases. I am a disciple of Masters Eratosthenes, Ptolemy and Alexander von Humboldt. Yet I chickened out when I found out that BS Geography has intensive math on it. I went to history instead—but never lost sight of the maps. I guess Herodotus has found a way to incorporate geography with history and society. Therefore, my life goes on.

During high school and college, I started making maps: from MS Paint, from my own bare hands, from Adobe Photoshop. My first “survey” was with my old subdivision at Imus in Cavite Province wherein my map I created became “the official map” of the community for several years. Armed with the bicycle, a notebook, a pen and memory, I went around the community till I came up with my very own map. Later I would found out that this method would be so important in future cartography and map-making—both Open Street and Google.

My collection of maps and travel brochures

College came in. I took some brochures with maps on it and practiced making my own version. Our campus in Iloilo was big; therefore I made some for the campus on my scratch book. When Mindanao saga came, mapmaking went into a whole new level. Drawing areas of cities in which I tend only to memorize. Doodle it then that’s just it. Then when the thesis days came, Photoshop, overlaying and mapping skills came handy.

Then I graduated. I still do doodles on any notebook or paper that I see. Just doodles but I want I like it as specific as possible. I didn’t have GPS devices or any tech stuff that would aid in a more specific mapping.

My old tickets--my keys of exploration

Then came Google Mapmaker. With high resolution imagery, local knowledge and some leftover maps that I used when I was at college, I was able to map several places in the Philippines—most particularly Iloilo and Cotabato areas. Now, I’m on my 2^nd year, I still work to refine and make my community visible to the world. I know that in process, this is my great contribution for my locality and for the Philippines. For businesses and for those who need help.

The rest, I’ll tell you on this video by Inquirer.net

For me, mapping is one of my life missions. Maybe in the near future, I can now map too using GPS data thru KML. Whatever mapmaking platform I may contribute—even just doodling, I don’t brag it as an achievement, but it is a service that I render back to the people who’ve paid for my education and to whom I would serve—even if this is just voluntary work.

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Most of the Philippine travel blogs are written in English, and some in Filipino and other vernacular languages of the republic. Understandable enough since these are the main modes of communication here in the country and the rest of the world. However, I ought to think of something different. Something that is “not normal.” How about writing your travel experiences in Spanish?

Hence, ViajeroFilipino.com came into my mind–the Spanish sister of HabagatCentral.com.

I have another Spanish blog too, although more personal–¡Yo Soy Don Bernardo! (http://yosoyberniemack.blogspot.com)

ViajeroFilipino.com would be my practice pad for writing in Spanish. I’m not yet an expert of the language, thus my initiative. For those who are fluent, por favor tengan paciencia conmigo en mis errores gramáticas en mi blog. This way, I can practice and develop my skills in writing, speaking and understanding more of Spanish, beyond my classes at Instituto Cervantes.

As of the moment, the blog is undergoing site improvements.

Think of me as something weird but hey, this is one of the best options that I can think of in practicing my Spanish writing skills. Weird, since only a few (and yes, the elite mostly) are well conversant in Spanish. A lot of Filipinos still loathe about it, thinking that Spanish is only for the rich, the alta-sociodad and the hilaw-mestizos (social climbers). I don’t.

Just tell me if I’ll be the quintessential twin of Dora the Explorer, hehe!

¡Vale! ¡Vamos a viajar en este país maravelloso! Filipinas y más en lengua de Cervantes. Viaja conmigo en 7107 islas. As Dora the Explorer said, “Come on, ¡vamonos!”

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The official yet may not be the final logo of Pilipinas Tara Na

At first glance, I thought it was some sort of a Grade 1 to 4 textbook cartoons. Second, it does look like Batibot or some sticker from the 1980s. But look closely, its Department of Tourism’s “Pilipinas, Tara Na” (en. Philippines, let’s go! | es. ¡Vamos Filipinas!) official logo! Lo and behold, after the failed “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” fiasco, it seems that we have another logo going down the drain!

“Pilipinas Tara Na” is a campaign by the Philippine Department of Tourism which aims to encourage Filipinos to travel within our country. In other words, boosting up the local tourism industry. It’s a good initiative and the name of the campaign is good enough for the market it targets – which I guess even non-Tagalogs might understand as well.

However, upon the release of the logo, it was swiftly criticized as “work of a grade 1 student,” “childish,” “mediocre,” “cluttered,” and all other negative comments about it. Indeed, the caricatures does look like somewhere from the elementary student’s textbooks. Tour guide Carlos Celdran said that “it looks like it’s from a milk commercial in the 1980s.” I would even suggest that the logo should be given to the Department of Education (DepEd) instead since it doesn’t look very appropriate for an image branding ministry like DOT. Pwede syang pang July 2011 Nutrition Month logo for DepEd. Ayun, aprub pa ako! I’m not a graphic artist but the logo really looks like something that can be picked up at Recto and go. The “Pilipinas Tara Na” logo was designed by Smart Communications and Perceptions Inc. to complement DOT’s campaign for domestic tourism.

Because of the discontentment and the seemingly mediocre logo, social media once again acted up against it. The initiative of Team Manila though stands out—as they designed several and more creative Pilipinas Tara Na logos for the sake of better image branding for the country. Likewise, they are doing that for free for DOT! It goes to show that we Filipinos have the talent to do more! Not just, “ay tama na yan, local lang naman eh!” mindset. I just hope that the upper echelons of the ministry would listen to the voices of the creative Filipino youth with their creative ideas. I know we got a lot of talented folks here!

One of Pilipinas Tara Na logo of Team Manila. Click the Photo to View More

We couldn’t avoid criticizing the Department of Tourism or perhaps the ones who were behind the creation of the logo for the mediocrity that it has shown. However, as a Filipino and as a taxpayer, we have every chance to help the ministry improve or even the image branding of our country. In that way, bayanihan still lives on!

The Pilipinas Tara Na campaign is not yet complete as of the moment. We still have to wait for the official launch itself sometime this year. I’ve read a post over Twitter that Regine Velazques and her husband Ogie Alcasid are doing some music video for the said campaign.

For now, Pilipinas, tara na’t magtulungan tayo!

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Sendai Airport CCTV capturing the tsunami engulfing its tarmac (video courtesy of Russia Today)

On March 11, 2011, the world was shocked and awed again with nature’s raw awesome power as Japan’s Tohoku region was rattled by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake, and after that–the sea gobbled up cities, towns, farms and people — seven meter tsunami has changed the Japanese psyche and landscape forever. The aftermath was devastation and death. Japan’s worst crisis since the end of World War II.

Iloilo Airport was brought by the cooperation between the Japanese and the Filipinos

What I couldn’t believe was that even Sendai Airport was like a sitting duck in nature’s fury as its runway was submerged in sea water of debris and destruction. Come to think of it, the airport is already located more than a kilometer away from the coast (the tsunami was reported to have reached as far as 10 kilometers inland!) In a way, Sendai Airport reminds me of Iloilo Airport…however its far from the coast line and was constructed with Japanese backing and aid.

Sendai Airport engulfed in muck, water and debris (Photo Courtesy of AllVoices.com and NHK)

Sendai Airport (仙台空港) was born out of war as a training airstrip during World War II. After the war, it was captured by the US and the Allies then it was surrendered to the Japanese authorities in the 1950s. It has experienced several expansions in its era and became one of the primary airports for the Tohoku region, with the airport expanded in the late 1990s.

On the other hand, Iloilo Airport sits on what was once a Japanese Imperial force air strip for its Zeros, now located somewhere between three barangays in Cabatuan town in Iloilo, some 20 kilometers north of the city. After the war, it disappeared…only to the old people who recounted the time remembers. Then in the 1990s, there was a motion to move the old airport out of the city due to safety and expansion reasons. Local politicians found their funding–and its from the Japanese…the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). From that point on, the Japanese and the Filipinos cooperated and constructed what is now one of the most beautiful airports to serve the fourth busiest in terms of passenger traffic in the Philippines.

Iloilo Airport

From what was once an instrument of war, atrocity, and hatred, both people mend and helped each other to build an airport that would serve more than a million passengers as of 2009–an instrument of peace, cooperation and development. If it wasn’t for the Japanese, the airport could still be a dream.

Sendai Airport pre-departure area (photo courtesy of Airports Worldwide.com)

Iloilo Airport's pre-departure area

As I saw Sendai’s terminal quite similar to that of the Iloilo’s in terms of execution of architecture and design, I couldn’t deny the fact that Iloilo Airport’s influence may have drawn its inspiration from the Japanese airports. And it was saddening to see  Sendai airport to be submerged and engulfed by the Pacific Ocean, leaving around 2,000 stranded, navaids unusable and now probably 10,000 people dead all over Tohoku region.

I am one with the rest of humanity praying or hoping for the fast recovery of the Japanese people from the worst crisis their nation has faced since the end of World War II. 平和を見つける死んだ人の魂があります。(may the souls of those who died find peace.) From Iloílo to Sendai with compassion. Let the Land of the Rising Sun rise and shine again!

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Few days before Sinulog, I was scrambling to get a way to Iloilo for the Dinagyang Festival. For the moment, I thought I wouldn’t be pushing through with my las celebraciones grandes de enero—a feat which I last made in 2007 when I celebrated both grand festivals in a year. Then I was informed, something beyond what I was expecting…the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation asked me to become one of the judges for street dancing competition! I was speechless and to be honest, it is beyond what I have been expecting for. My original plan was just to cover Dinagyang the way I cover it for the past few years. Yes, I took the offer as an honor for my service for my beloved banwa (hometown). I was placed on a different perspective…from appreciation to decision-making. This Dinagyang season changed the way I see Iloilo’s grandest fiesta.

The good news is, after weeks of rain in the Visayas, Haring Araw was there to say hello all over the weekend!

Morning Has Broken in Iloilo...like the first moooorning...

Iloilo Airport: A thing of beauty this early

Day 1: 21 January 2011

I immediately rushed to NAIA Terminal 3 for an early morning flight to Iloilo, after taking a half-day leave from the office. By the time I reached NAIA, the lines were already packed. People for the first flight of the day were lining up at the check-in lobby of this controversial terminal (wait till we see its full operation—mukhang puno na kaagad ang T3). I took the first flight out via AirPhil Express, and boy oh boy, the pre-departure area is already jam-packed with tourists!

Teh, grabe na yan camwhoring...Hehe!

Iloilo Airport Control Tower

Oist Taralets na!

Around 6AM, I arrived at the airport. Ahh, the fresh air from the rice fields…walang ganyan sa Maynila! For the moment I thought I went home to relax, but it was the start of my working weekend as one of the judges in this festival. So, I went on to the city through a shuttle van and headed straight to the city. 7AM—the city proper’s streets were already closed! The jeepneys were already rerouted towards Robinsons. My hotel is in the heart of the action—some kilometer and a half away from the drop off point! Oh well, exercise! Anyway, I have always loved to walk in Iloilo’s charming downtown—even on ordinary days…and nights!

The Traffic Starts Here at General Luna Street...Mahaba-habang lakaran to!

One of the reasons why I love walking in downtown Iloilo City--heritage streetscape

The old downtown Iloilo City is closed to vehicular traffic during Dinagyang weekends

There was a parade at Calle Real—of kids and some grown-ups from different schools of the city. I guess this is the Turumba, Banda show wherein the kids would dance in tune of the marching band. Looks like everyone is warming up for the big celebration this coming weekend! So of I went to the hotel, ate my breakfast and slept a few hours.

The naughty side of Calle Real...hehe!

More Calle Real in the morning

And that's my favorite Calle Real building

That afternoon, I was introduced to my fellow judges. Most of them are de calibre judges indeed! Coming from CCP, NCCA, different choreographers, artists, tourism officers, designers, and instructors—all of them has this inclination on cultural dance and performance. They are from Manila, Pampanga, Bulacan, even from people behind MassKara and Panaad in Negros and Sinulog of Cebu! At first, I was shy talking with them…nahuya ko abi kay dalagku sila nga mga tawu. But I overcame my fear and eventually acquainted with them. For almost three days that we were together, I was introduced on a whole new perspective on how to appreciate Dinagyang and the festivals that our country take pride of. Sadya man sa ila kaupod! Daw nahidlaw na ko sa ila ba!

The folks at Street Dancing - Dinagyang street dance judges and me

The judges at performance area in Dinagyang 2011

The judges of Dinagyang with CCP Board of Trustees Adviser Nestor Jardin, and NCCA vice chair for dance Miss Shiela Halili

Later in the afternoon, after meeting Eric Dee of Byahilo and Marc of Explore Iloilo for processing the media passes (which earlier came into a controversial issue amongst local media and local photographers due to drastic changes implemented), I went on for my first task—deciding which of the tribes has the best costume. Too bad I missed the fluvial and foot procession! I could’ve seen the tribes wearing their costumes, which I think would be better to appreciate rather than just in a mannequin or stand.

As night fell and have already finished my first task, I went to Plazuela de Iloilo to meet Marc and Eric. But whoahoho!!! I have to walk from Central Market all the way to Jalandoni Flyover and the crowd by that time was thick! Whew! Go urban explorer!

Kalbaryo man sa tingin pero exercise pa rin! Haha! It was a long walk from the hotel towards the nearest jeepney loading area. Traffic wasn’t that bad but it was the last day of the annual Luces in the Sky or Dinagyang’s fireworks competition. As always, Diversion and the open spaces were full of people—but they moved it on a weekday! I wish they have just placed it on weekends, like the way it used to.

Oy kagahod, may gatulog di!!! LOL!

Meeting Marc and Eric, we were at the second floor of Plazuela de Iloilo, a new strip mall just beside SM City Iloilo.

Fireworks were so-so…ho-hum. The announcer was far and the crowd was noisy. It looks like a disappointing year for the fireworks until one surprised us with a bang! We thought it was the Singaporean guests, but nooo—they were from Santa Maria, Bulacan! The Singaporean guests were…well, lame at first but booming by the end—but they couldn’t take away the grasp that the crowd gave to the Bulacan contingent.

The night falls at Calle Real

It was a done deal. We head towards Smallville and have some booze. I have to return early, because it’s the first real day for my job. Kasadyahan is nearing…and I have to prepare. Thank goodness to San Miguel and Don José Cuervo, I went to lalaland easily that night.

To be continued…