Trip Ko Lang

Welcome to Aliwan Fiesta 2011!

Aliwan Fiesta is a yearly event held in Manila, where different provinces are invited to showcase their culture/festivals through dance, street and float parade as well as to compete for the title of Aliwan Festival Queen. 

Kumpit sa Kutawato from Cotabato City float

Aliwan Fiesta offers different activities like photo and costume exhibit, shoppers bazaar, pasakalye concert, Festival Queen Pageant Night, and the main highlight is the Grand Parade.

Kumpit sa Kutawato from Cotabato City float

This year, the Grand Parade happened on 16 April 2011, started at 4pm from Quirino Grandstand to Aliw Theater in CCP Complex. It was my first time to be in this event and I would like to share my experience and photos.

Kumpit sa Kutawato from Cotabato City float

Singkaban Fiesta (Bulacan)

We arrived in Quirino Grandstand few minutes before 4pm and I think we were late! There were already a lot of people waiting for the event to start and front area of the stage was already packed with so many photographers. We didn’t find any good spot to take our pictures and so we just stayed on the side part where all performers/floats will pass as they start on their parade going to CCP Complex.

Singkaban Fiesta (Bulacan) float

Our spot was the exit of all performers/floats and was the wild spot for photographers, why? If you are staying here, you must at all times be aware of your surroundings, watch out for the performers and floats coming out, they won’t mind you so you have to move fast if you don’t want to be crushed! Another thing to watch out is the other photographers with you; you don’t want to be bumped with those big lenses and SLRs… And of course, mind your own space that you don’t pushed anyone…

Singkaban Fiesta (Bulacan) dancers

So with this kind of shooting scenario, we were lucky to get a few good photos… Hehe!  It was also a very sunny afternoon; imagine the heat and staying under the sun!

Ibon Ebon Festival of Candaba, Pampanga

But still we had fun and we were happy to be present in this year’s Aliwan Fiesta. It was another travel experience; we were able to see different festivals in one afternoon event! Aliwan Fiesta is a great event for people who can’t leave Manila, who doesn’t love traveling to provinces, but would want to experience and see different provinces’ festivals. This is also an event for photographers, to shoot colorful people, costumes and floats as well as to participate in Aliwan Fiesta’s yearly photo contest! Good luck to fellow photographers present during this event!

Sorsogon Festival of Sorsogon City

Sorsogon Festival of Sorsogon City

Aliwan Fiesta Grand Parade lasted until the evening, too bad we didn’t have the energy to finish the whole parade…

Kapamagayon Festival of Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao

Kapamagayon Festival of Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao

For more photos, you may visit this album Aliwan Fiesta 2011.

Calacatchara Festival of Calaca, Batangas

Calacatchara Festival of Calaca, Batangas

Iloilo Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City

Iloilo Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City

See you next year in the Aliwan Fiesta 2012!

Manila Ocean Park started operations since March 2008 but it was just recently that I went to visit this place. Before I thought, Manila Ocean Park was just for kids, but after my visit, I guess I was wrong because I really enjoyed my trip.

The Oceanarium at Manila Ocean Park

This summer 2010, visiting Manila Ocean Park is more favorable because they have their latest attraction which is the Acquatica Show. We availed their newest promo package – Moonlight Adventure at 500php per head. Ticket includes the Oceanarium (originally priced @ 400php) and Acquatica Show (I think priced @ 300php).

Manila Ocean Park's Acquatica Show

The Oceanarium is a showcase of different sea creatures; you can find the usual fishes like clown fish, sting ray, sharks as well as the extraordinary ones like garden eel, stone fish, lipstick fish, bloated fish and many more. Main attraction in Oceanarium is the open aquarium wherein you can see  the fishes swim above you or on your sides. This creates a feeling of being underwater and swimming with the fishes without you being wet and killed by sharks. Haha.

Maiden of the Sea

But what amazed and entertained me most is the Acquatica Show entitled Maiden of the Sea. This is a show of lights, sounds, and fireworks coordination with added live performers on stage. The first time I saw this kind of show was in Singapore and it was entitled Songs of the Sea. Good thing we have this now here in Manila Ocean Park, there’s no need to go to Singapore to get this kind of entertainment.

Maiden of the Sea 2

Here are few shots of some highlights of the show. I really loved it! For first timers, you will really be awed and just say WOW! This Acquatica show has a story, which I must admit not able to fully understand it because I was so mesmerized and focused on the effects of the water, lights, and sound.  Hehehe.

Maiden of the Sea 3

By the way, show starts at 6.30pm and upon entrance disposable raincoats are distributed for water protection. But you won’t really get totally wet while watching the show. Visit now Manila Ocean Park and get entertained in spectacular water, lights, and sound Acquatica Show. See You!

Maiden of the Sea 4