Kalilangan 2010 Street Dancing in General Santos City

Kalilangan Festival in General Santos City Day 4

Wearing our Kalilangan shirts and our best mainit sa labas outfits, we headed to Marasa Grill for a sumptuous Filipino lunch. I had a hearty hearty hearty lunch as I ate kinilaw, ensaladang talong, grilled tuna, and mango float. :) Many thanks to Ms. Kring Macion for that wonderful lunch! And oh, we met some new friends... the Manila travel bloggers Dong Ho, Norman, Chidmark, and another one whose name escapes me right now. Sorry na po. We agreed to meet up in Davao after the Kalilangan. Ate Jinky, Kyaw, and Sheng also ate lunch with us. Siyempre, fab sisters Orman and Avel with Marz were there. After we headed to Pioneer Street to witness the Kadsagayan and Open Category Street Dancing Competition. I was deeply overwhelmed. The celebration of the rich culture of Mindanao was really, really fun to watch. And I admire the hardwork and determination of all the participants. And under the piercing heat of the sun, too. BRAVO! But wait... we proceeded to the Oval for the Street Dancing Showdown and Closing Ceremonies. And oh my goodness... what I saw amazed me even more. The contingents really gave all their best. Not just in performing, but…

Queen of Mindanao Festivals 2010 Candidates

Kalilangan Festival in General Santos City Day 3

We started the day early as Chattee, Dulce, and I were planning to eat early lunch at PiYESta! so we could be on time for our judging chores. Alas! Orman picked us up from the hotel to have a sumptuous Filipino lunch with Avel, Marz, Dino, and Sir Johnny Abad at Jams in Mt. Sabrina, Tambler Hills. The view was breath-taking. And even when the sun was working extra hard to make us feel its heat, the air lent a cool breeze which made our al fresco lunch very much enjoyable. And the food... well, how can you go wrong with Nilagang Baka, Grilled Tuna Belly, Grilled Tuna Jaw, and Steamed Pompano? Everything was yummy! After lunch, we headed to Donna Congson's Envy Me Salon to have our hair, make up, and nails done. I was initially hesitant to have my make up done since I have sensitive skin and I easily get allergies with heavy make up. But the guy who did my make up did it so well. It was light and very much complimented my sexy black and red look. Dulce, Chattee, Donna, Romarie Ivy Cunanan, and I were tasked to judge that day's pageant: the Queen…

Curacha in Olive Oil and Garlic

Kalilangan Festival in General Santos City Day 2

I didn't really do anything Gen San yesterday, February 25, 2010, except enjoy its food and the company of its people. I started the day early with a cup of coffee and some online work at Coffee Club 101 at Robinson's Place with Angel and Chattee. Then, I had very delicious lunch at Grab a Crab with my cousin, Nina and her husband Abe. We had Baked Scallops, Hototay Soup, Veggies, and Deep Fried Crabs. SUPER YUMMY!!! My favorite was the Baked Scallops it was so delicious! The crabs were also meaty, tasty, and not dry or overcooked. Then, I met up with a friend at Blu Gre and we had a fantastic guy conversation. The rest of the Davao Bloggers group followed and we ended by camwhoring and working online while waiting for the Manansala sisters. I was also able to buy a new headband and a top for belly-dancing at the Lonely Planet store. And we tried out the really yummy Bacon Melt Sandwich at Ice Crops. I love bacon and cheese. <3 And the bread was super soft and tasty! I heard the bread was bought from Giacomino's Pizza. Then we headed to O-ohlang Fishing Village Grill…

10 for 2010

In solidarity with my colleagues at Avatar Media, here's my list of ten things I want to accomplish in 2010: Wear a tankini. Which implies I must lose weight and stay fit and healthy. I hope to accomplish this by May 2, 2010, the date of a planned island tour. Buy a netbook. Save money. Budget efficiently. Do not create a new blog. I already have too many blogs on my own and I have several others that I am maintaining. I need to focus more in maintaining the ones I currently have. Read 5 books. Last year, I spent most of the year just re-reading books I have already read. Must read more. Attend dance classes. Last year, I made a goal of attending culinary classes and I would like to think that was a major success. This year, I want to re-kindle my love for dancing, learn new skills, and stay fit. Travel around Mindanao. Must visit at least 3 places. I want to travel but don't have much budget. Plus, I think Mindanao is a really great place to explore. Organize at least 4 events. The Davao Bloggers and the Avatar Media Team both have a lot…

Tri-people Artwork on display at Museo Dabawenyo in Davao City Mindanao Philippines

This is Mindanao

During a visit to Museo Dabawenyo last year, this piece of art caught my attention. It's a multimedia work by a local artist portraying the three major groups living in Davao City, also representative of the people of Mindanao: the Muslims, the Christians, and the lumads or indigenous peoples. The artwork highlights the differences in beliefs, culture, and lifestyle of the three groups. It is the aspiration of every DavaeoƱo, every Mindanaoan that these three groups will live in peace together, cooperating to uplift and develop our land of promise... Mindanao. This is Mindanao, a melting pot of cultures, of peoples from different places, of different beliefs, of various lifestyles. It is our hope that we will, together, fulfill the promise, enrich our people, uplift the lives of our fellow Mindanaoans, and cultivate our islands riches. With each other's strengths, respecting and accepting our differences and living with each other harmoniously, we will live the dream, fulfill the promise. Padayon Mindanao! #Mindanao :)