Lazy, Hazy Summer @ Bagac Beach

It is now one of my favorite time of the year - SUMMER. And when you think of beach getaways, Bagac may not be the first place that comes to mind. Err, you've probably never heard of Bagac in the first place.

Mount Samat : The Cross, the Views and the Stained Glass

Tourist go to Mount Samat mainly for two reasons. First is to honor our forefathers who waged their lives for our country during the war. Second is to enjoy the fascinating view of Bataan through one of its highest peak.

Panagbenga 2009 : Just Walk On By

With all its allusions to colors, costumes and flowers collectively congested in one beautiful presentation for everyone to see - participants of the Panagbenga Festival really deserve all the praises they can get for their well deserved performances.

Panagbenga 2009 : Flower Floats

There were twenty-three entries that particiapted in this year's Float Parade. Some of them, including my favorites, were already featured in my previous posts. And to wind-up with the Panagbenga Float Parade, here are eight more eye-catching entries of floats substantially made from flowers:

Purefoods Float : Kids Can Tell

Panagbenga 2009 : Jeers, Cheers and Beers

Three of the floats who made their mark in this year's Panagbenga Float Parade where from Abanao Square, Jollibee and San Miguel Beer.

Abanao Square is a local mall in Baguio City and a consistent participant in the parade. This year, the theme of their float is a clown and their float was accompanied by clowns who do tricks before the crowd.

Panagbenga 2009 : Moriones Came To Town

Rarely would you see two famous Philippine festivals in one. So when Moriones Festival of Marinduque showed-up in this year's Baguio Panagbenga Festival, the spectators got a double treat. Moriones presence in the Summer Capital is aimed to promote Marinduque as the Lenten Capital of the Philippines.

Panagbenga 2009 : Celebrities

From singers to models, from actors to bombshells. This year's celebration of Panagbenga showcased some of today's hottest celebrities from love teams Kim Chu and Gerard Anderson, to comedians Oggie Alcasid and Epi Quizon. From legitimate covergirl Valerie Concepcion to loads of sexy starlets Alissa Alano and some nameless others. Here are some of the shots I have taken from these celebrities who joined the float parade:

Panagbenga 2009 : Egyptians Joined The Parade

Cleopatra's story is one of the most famous stories ever. Not only because of her great love, but because she was deeply in love with Egypt and she is classified by historians to be the last Pharoah of Egypt. She is by far one of the most ever famous queens of all times in ancient Egypt. Her story of love and death is very famous and she ruled Egypt and made it quite powerful at the time. Her story is so famous that it isn't surprising that the theme found it's way in one of the floats in this year's Panagbenga Festival.

Panagbenga 2009 : To the Beat of Drums, Lyre and More...

Panagbenga is a celebration of sounds and music. Indigenous instruments are mixed with modern drums and wind instruments that produce sound that is authentically Baguio. Although, participants play and dance to different tunes, one constant tune is the Panagbenga Theme composed by Prof. Macario Fronda of the St. Louis University. The rhythm and movements of the Bendian dance, an Ibaloi dance of celebration was adapted. The circular movements of the dance speak of unity and harmony among the members of the tribe. Here are some photos of the participants playing instrument in this year's Panagbenga Festival:

Panagbenga 2009 : Police

Security services are essential in the proper staging of festivals such as the Panagbenga Festival of Baguio City. With them around, the spectators feel more secure and we can be assured of proper order in the festivities.

Panagbenga 2009 : Battle of Donuts

One might wonder why join a contest such as Panagbenga Float Parade where the cost of building a competitive float made substantially with fresh flowers far outweigh the prize to be won. I gather that you need to at least have a hundred thousand budget to make a float and the prize to be won if ever your in first place is only half of that.

But then again, for some participants, it isn't about the prize money but the exposure that your product will have just by joining the parade. Some sort of advertising where your products will be viewed not only by hundred of consumers who watched the parade live but also by those consumers who will hear about the parade on tv, radio, print and specially on the net.

And if you are competitors like Dunkin Donut and Mister Donut, you certainly do not want to be left out and in fact, you really want to out do each other. And for the spectators of Panagbenga 2009, that is certainly a good thing because these two participants certainly delivered and have become crowd favorites specially for the children during the festivities.

DUNKIN DONUT


Dunkin Donut Float Front

Panagbenga 2009 : Street Dancing

Every festival is not complete without Street Dancing. In fact, it has become a festival essential and highlights every event from the Sinulog of Cebu and the Ati-atihan of Aklan in the Visayas to the Kadayawan of Davao and Kasadya of Iligan in Mindanao.

Panagbenga 2009 : COLOURS

It is the time of the year when people from all walks of life and from different places flock to Baguio City to watch and join the Panagbenga Festival. Now on its 15th staging, this year's festivities co-incide with Baguio Centennial Celebration so everybody is expecting that this will be the grandest parade the City will undertake. The Grand Parade was held on Saturday (February 28) and the Float Parade was on Sunday (March 1), and I must say that this year proved to be one of the biggest crowds of spectators I have ever seen in years. So without further ado, let me share you the pictures I have taken in this year's parades.

The Warmth of Camiguin

The Camiguenos promote their place by saying that "Camiguin is an island borne on fire". I believe them for so many reasons.

Literally, the place is surrounded and composed of seven volcanoes, one of which is still active. Some of the places I have visited here were witness to the horrific volcanic eruption that transpired more than two hundred years ago.

But more than its literal meaning, I believe that the "fire" in their saying is all about warmth. There is a warmth feeling of visiting white island and other grandiose natural places of the island. And more importantly, the warmth smile of the people there that will make you feel that you are instantly welcome to their place.

Like Boats on a Glass

The Resort View @ Night

Pergola

Mini-Falls of the Pool

Colorful Flags of the Island

The Resort on a Mount Hibuk-hibuk Background

Kids Selling Buri Hats

With this post, I end my brief Camiguin series and I do promise that I will be back in this beautiful island to explore more of its wonders. THANK YOU TO THE WARM PEOPLE OF CAMIGUIN!!!

This post is my contribution to the weekly meme My World. To see other beautiful parts of the world please click here.