January festivals you should see in the Visayas

Categories Portfolio

There are so many festivals in the Philippines and almost all provinces, cities or even municipalities have their own depending on the traditions, religious devotions or products that they want to feature. But for January? There are only four must-go-to festivals and all these are focused on the devotion to the Sto. Nino, or the Holy Child. While the central devotion is in Cebu City, the island of Panay, specifically the provinces of Iloilo and Aklan have their own and are based from the pre-hispanic,…Continue Reading “January festivals you should see in the Visayas” →

A fluvial procession in Puerto Galera

Categories Places

Puerto Galera in Mindoro Oriental is known especially for its wonderful white sand beaches and world class dive sites. But if you’re in the area or plan to be there around the second week of May, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima is celebrated with a fluvial procession! It’s a break from the usual festivals as, after the morning mass at the church, colorfully decorated boats of different sizes dock at the Muelle port and await the image of the Our Lady of Fatima….Continue Reading “A fluvial procession in Puerto Galera” →

After 21 years, the Pagoda sa Bocaue sails again

Categories Places

The massive three tier colorful structure built atop three boats started its engine and slowly, it sailed around the Bocaue River as the townspeople looked on, cheered and paid their devotion to the Mahal na Poon sa Krus sa Wawa. After 21 years since a tragedy happened in 1993, the Pagoda sa Bocaue sailed again. July 6 found me in Bocaue, leaving Makati before the break of dawn and meeting with a Facebook friend, Bryan, who invited me. I’ve long heard about the Pagoda, back…Continue Reading “After 21 years, the Pagoda sa Bocaue sails again” →

The Dinagyang religious Sadsad for the Sto. Nino

Categories Places, Video

The drum and bugle corp was playing a familiar tune, that of the Sinulog beat in Cebu as Sto. Niño devotees massed, waved their hands and danced while chanting Viva Pit Señor! But I wasn’t in my home province. Far from it. I was infront of the San Jose Church of Iloilo City for the Dinagyang religious sadsad. Sadsad is a form of religious devotion, a prayer dancing in honor of the Sto. Niño where devotees pray and offer their intentions. It can go on…Continue Reading “The Dinagyang religious Sadsad for the Sto. Nino” →

My eyewitness account of the Black Nazarene traslacion

Categories Places

I arrived a little past 1000H and already, the streets around Quiapo were closed and teeming with people from all walks of life: – male devotees wearing maroon shirts printed with the image of the Christ and, some, their Black Nazarene chapter where they belong, walking barefoot – families and other devotees with replicas and statuettes of the famous icon, angels, the Blessed Virgin, placed atop pedicabs, tricycles, jeeps, trucks to elaborate carrozas were already lining up the streets and people touching or wiping these…Continue Reading “My eyewitness account of the Black Nazarene traslacion” →