Fete De La Musique in Maestranza Plaza, Intramuros

Last Saturday, June 21, 2014, was the 20th Anniversary of Fete De La Musique in Manila. Fete De La Musique or World Music Day is an annual music festival that originated in and was popularized by France and embraced by many countries around the world including the Philippines.

This is the Intramuros Main Stage in Maestranza Plaza, Magallanes Drive within Intramuros (near the Bureau of Immigration; Getting there: Ride a jeep going to Pier and tell the driver to drop you off right at the entrance of the Maeztranza Plaza, just beside Jollibee Intramuros). The two other main stages were in A. Avenue Mall along Makati Avenue and in Greenbelt 3 Park. A lot of bands participated in the event and practically rocked the venue. 

Barbie Almabis (above) was on stage when we arrived at the venue around 9:00 p.m. The event started late in the afternoon and so we missed the performances of other bands like Imago, Chocolate Grass, Similar Objects, Peryodiko, etc. We heard the Banda Kawayan also performed during the opening part but we were not able to catch it. 

I particularly enjoyed Humanfolk's performance (Para sa Tao). I just couldn't upload my video but I must say the song was great. I didn't know this band until that night. Of course we also enjoyed the performances of Wilderness, Coco Jam, Ea Torrado, Mr. Bones and the Boneyard, etc. But "fuckin shit" this man practically brought the house down!

He did rock on! Kjwan's Marc Abaya was the most popular performer of the night. He sang some of his hits and the crowd just went wild! I think that was the crowd favorite performance even though it was a little obvious that Abaya was under alcohol. We went home before the final set so we didn't get to watch performances by Curbside, Taken by Cars, etc.         

On the side, we also enjoyed the different art installations and street performances by different Filipino and foreign artists. We spotted Carlos Celdran, the celebrity Intramuros tour guide, boozing the night away.  

   

Sili, Laing and Bicol Express

When you hear the word Bicol, one of the first things that probably comes to mind is "sili" or red hot chili pepper. It's easily associated with Bicol or the Bicolanos/Bicolanas. So when you're from Bicol, people expect you to "eat", or at least like, chili pepper or dishes peppered with with red hot chili. In Bicol though, chili is not only for dishes. It's also for refreshments! Sili shake, anyone?           

Yes, some like it hot! But it's not actually pure "sili" shake. It's a buko shake with "sili". So it tastes sweet and a little hot. It's buko with red hot chili!     

Aside from "sili", another popular Bicol trademark is "laing". I don't know what it's called in other countries but it's basically a spicy vegetable dish cooked in coconut oil. Main ingredients are "gabi" leaves, coconut milk and, yes, sili. This one is a combo meal menu in a local fast food in Bicol. Rice + pok barbecue + laing + drink at P84.00.  

Another favorite Bicolano dish is Bicol express. It's a pork cooked in coconut oil with chili or "chilies" to emphasize the hotness. It's a pork dish in coconut gravy. This one is also a combo meal menu of rice + lechon kawali + Bicol express + drink at P135.00.   

These are just some of popular Bicol brands. Whenever you're whisked away to Bicol region, don't forget get a taste of its traditional food and culture!   

Pacquio Vs. Bradley in Nagtahan

I'm not really a die-hard boxing fanatic but I enjoy watching boxing bouts especially when it's the best fighter of all time who's inside the boxing ring. And I'm referring to no one else but the great Manny Pacquiao. While I may not like him as a lawmaker, he has all my respect, and probably all the Filipinos, as a professional boxer. He is a great peacemaker as well. Every time he has a fight, streets in Metro Manila practically become peaceful and zero crime. 

This, if at all, is understandable. Every time Manny is on that prestigious boxing ring, all criminals...and potential victims...are glued to their TV sets or to makeshift screens set up in public places for public viewing of the fight. It happened in Nagtahan in Manila where I passed by on that hot Sunday noon. But here is not saying that people in that area are all delinquents. It just so happened that the places nearby Nagtahan are known as hideouts of snatchers, hold-uppers and other mean-spirited individuals. So during that day they might be busy cheering for Pacquaio, especially when he'd be raining punches on Bradley. 

It was my first time to watch Manny's fight along with other public viewers. Usually I would just stay in the house and watch the delayed telecast over GMA-7. But that was quite an experience. I squeezed myself into a large wild crowd just to get myself near the screen. And so there I was able to watch the fight up close together with die-hard Pacquiao followers. I was so carried away by the intense heat of the fight that I joined the crowd screaming for Pacquiao. 

What's good about watching the fight with a large crowd is that you hear so many ramblings. Everyone would instantly become a boxing analyst with just anything and everything to say about the punches, the moves, the legwork, etc. Some viewers have even ended up debating as to who really is the better fighter. In the end, Pacquiao was declared the best fighter! He was able to regain his WBO welterweight champion from Bradley in a unanimous 12-round decision!              

  

    

                   

Palo Cathedral Church for Holy Week 2014

Next week is Holy Week (Semana Santa). It's a time when most of us Catholics take time off from our busy life and make time finding ourselves and the Almighty God in our hearts (Although I think we should be doing this everyday in our life!). And what easily comes to mind every time Holy Week nearly comes? Retreat or Visita Iglesia. 

I haven't tried joining a retreat but i always make sure visiting a church during Holy Week. Now I'm thinking of where to go this coming Semana Santa 2014. If given a choice, I'd like to go back to Leyte and visit the Palo Cathedal church in Palo, Leyte.

This was taken last December 2014, barely a month after Supertyphoon Yolanda (International Name: Haiyan) struck Central Visayas, claimed thousands of lives and left many places devastated. Up until now, survivors have not yet completely recovered and are still struggling to reclaim their stolen lives. Typhoon-hit areas are still in the process of rehabilitation. And we're hearing less updates on any developments in the area including Palo where that church is situated.           

If you have noticed, this is the very same Church that greeted us on our television sets hours after the land fall of supertyphoon Yolanda. Yes, this is where Love Anover and the rest of the GMA news crew hid at a time when Yolanda was unleashing her fury. TV footage of this church are still vivid in everyone's memory. Not to mention Love Anover's breaking down to tears while reporting live on cam.         

This church served as temporary shelter for most of the survivors. It provided them temporary roof when they were left roofless. It provided them hope at a time when they needed it most. I may not be one of the survivors who sought refuge in this church but I will never forget this church. This will forever live in my memory. By the way, the church ground also serves as the eternal resting place of some of the victims as it was converted into a mass grave site.  

Fiesta in the Philippines

Photo courtesy of bisdakplanet.net

Almost all Filipinos love fiesta because it characterizes the diverse culture and tradition of the Philippines. It has become part and parcel of the Filipino culture even way way back the Spanish colonization. In fact, with much fanfare and activities, almost every baranggay, municipal, city or province celebrates fiesta as a way of showcasing the diversity and richness of Filipino culture and heritage.

Most of the time, fiesta celebrations serve as a venue for reunions, family gatherings and other social activities....the reason why Filipinos abroad always look forward returning to their hometowns.

Aside from being a cultural celebration, fiesta is also considered as a popular religious activity in different parts of the country, showing how pious the Filipino people are. Well it's an opportunity for Filipinos to celebrate the blessings of the Almighty.