Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma! - The Kalibo Experience 2013

It has been my long time dream to visit Kalibo for the Ati-Atihan Festival but it was only this year that I made this dream a reality.

I didn't made any research or any plans regarding this trip and just rely on my friend's (Grace) mercy hehehe. Grace is a former co-employee and a dear friend who happens to live in Kalibo. We've been planning to go to her place some four years ago but it was always cancelled. It was only in October when finally I have booked a ticket to Kalibo.

We arrived early at the airport for fear of being late and be left by our plane since it is  peak season for Kalibo. We had a delayed flight but it doesn't make us less excited about the trip. After we're settled in Grace's house, we head on to town for the street party.


The Street Party

kinilaw na sugpo

Enjoying the sounds with some beer and foodie

"Baby you're a fireworks"

All sweat dancing "Kalibo Style"

You didn't experience the "real Kalibo" Street Party unless you danced the SNAKE DANCE

We left the party at 3am. Tired but super happy. I have seen people of all ages, of all walks of life, even foreigners and local tourists celebrate with the locals. Everyone is smiling, laughing, dancing, drinking, and partying. It was a happy occasion and I never heard of any untoward incident or disturbance during the party. It was a happy and peaceful event and for that I give a big CLAP to all the organizers. :D

The Main Event

AtiAtihan Festival is an event held every third Sunday of January in honor of Sto. Nino in Kalibo, Aklan. It comes from the word "ati" a local name for aetas which were the first settlers of the place.  

Atiatihan means to be like aetas/ati or make believe aetas. The dancers of various tribes blackened their skins.
 
The festival is a week long celebration, a week of street dancing and various programs hence the famous "Hala Bira, Pwera Pasma" phrase/song was made.

I asked Grace,  a local of Kalibo "Bakit Hala Bira, Pwera Pasma? Ano ibig sabihin nun?" (Why the word Hala Bira, Pwera Pasma? What does it mean?") She said the people during Atiatihan Festival dances for hours, for days without tiredness and they believe that Sto Nino will not let them get sick. "Hala Bira" = Go Dance "Pwera Pasma" = Without "Pasma"

I visited the church and offered a little prayer . I also happen to experienced the "Palapak" (a local dialect which mean massage), an image of Sto Nino is use to massage your whole body, wherein it was believe that all body pains and sickness will be healed.

It was really a super fun and enjoyable experience. Truly the Mother of All Festivals in the Philippines. I super duper enjoy the street dancing, everyone is in their festive moods, but of course don't forget the real meaning of the festival. I will definitely be back Kalibo. Hala Bira!!! Pwera Pasma!!! VIVA STO NINO!

Some pics courtesy of my friend Grace. Thanks girl

Bantayan Island, Cebu

i long for the smell of the ocean, the crashing sound of the waves, the feel of the sand on my feet, the chillin' morning breeze... 

ohhh how i wish to be in your arms again...your water washes all my fears...I could swim all my worries away... With you i feel so alive...i promise i'll be back, one of these days...i'm gonna leave the city to meet you again. - Bantayan Island, Cebu City

Laid-Back Bohol Travel Adventure (Cebu-Bohol Part 2)

Bohol is part of the Central Visayas Region and just an hour ferry ride away from Cebu City. :) When we booked our ticket to Cebu City, we have already agreed to explore Bohol as well.

We booked a roundtrip ferry ride to Tagbilaran one week before our travel date, so as to avail the return trip promo. We got our ticket for only Php 830 round-trip. We chose to travel early in the morning, so as not to be shocked with the big waves (its our first time to ride a ferry). We already had our contact in Tagbilaran port, Mang Pedring who will be our service driver/guide in Tagbilaran. We rented the van for Php 3,500 for 1 1/2 day.

We only have limited time, so we started to explore the usual tourist destination of Bohol.

Blood Compact Site in Bool, Tagbilaran City

The site was made in honor of the historical event "Sandugo" between  Miguel Lopez de Legazpi of Spain and Rajah Sikatuna of Bohol.

Baclayon Church

Baclayon Church or the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is one of the oldest church in th Philippines. The church is made of coral stones.

Note: If you're wearing short shorts/skirt and sleeveless blouse upon entering the church, do not be shocked if somebody approached you and put a shawl to cover your legs and arms. They're conservative with the attire.

 Tarsier Encounter

 Tarsier is the world's smallest primate which was always mistaken as a specie of monkey. These little creatures are nocturnal and is part of Bohol's trademark.

Note: when taking a picture of tarsier, turn-off your flash. Tarsiers are suicidal creatures when they're stressed-out/pressured/afraid. Camera flash aggrevates the stress on these creatures.

Bohol Man-made Forest

Bohol man-made forest are mostly composed of mahogany trees which stretches about 2kms. It was a project of Boy Scout of the Philippines in Bohol (that's according to our driver Mang Pedring).

Bohol Man-made Forest is on the main road going to Bohol's famous Chocolate Hills. Tourists stop at the area to took pictures. Be careful with approaching vehicles when taking pictures in the middle of the road, like what we did in this picture :)

The Butterfly Garden

Heart Pumping Cebu City Adventure

A Heart Pumping Cebu City Adventure

is part of my June 2010  Cebu-Bohol Travel Adventure with my two officemates cum travel teammates. We've got the airline tickets for only P1,235 each Manila-Cebu-Manila.

Our Cebu Adventure focused mainly in the city. We only have limited time so we make the most out of it.

We arrive at Cebu International Airport 15 minutes pass ten in the morning. We immediately headed off to Cebu Business Hotel since according to my researches, it offers nice accommodation at a reasonable price. Well, I'm not disappointed. Cebu Business Hotel is indeed a good choice for travellers with limited budget. They offer discounts during weekend stays. We paid only 800+ for a De luxe room which is quite big for the three of us. The regular rate is 1700+ but we're discounted 50% off. Nice  :)

After settling our payments and putting our bags in our room, we get ready on our first destination. We do not have planned itinerary, we just want to experience Cebu City, the normal and chillax way :)

First Stop : Taoist Temple

The Taoist Temple is quite far from the city. We hired a taxi to bring us there but the place was not accessible from the main road. We asked the driver to wait for us while the taxi meter is on instead of hiring the taxi on a fixed amount of 400-500 pesos.

The temple is located in Beverly Hills Subdivision in Cebu City which offer a scenic view of the downtown.

The entrance to the temple is a replica of the famous "Great Wall of China". Too bad, I don't have a picture :(

After wandering in every corner of the temple, we headed off to Larsian in Fuente Osmeña. It is a place to go when you want to pig out on BBQ's or anything grilled. From the usual pork and chicken BBQ to every internal parts of pig and chicken, to grilled fish, squid, and my favorite Cebu Longganisa. There's many eatery inside the LARSIAN, you could chose any eatery you want to eat, anyway, they offer the same kind of food...GRILLED.

My friend Glenda can't help but order extra extra extra rice...7 rice...FOR THE WIN!

The special rice of larsian called "PUSO"

Our trip in Cebu will not be complete without a trip to famous landmarks and sights like the Sto Nino church and the famous MagellansCross.

The highlights of our Cebu Travel is the heart pumping Crowne Regency Adventure. The Edge Coaster and the Skywalk.

Cebu is a nice place for food, gimik, thrill and adventure.