Valentines Day is fast approaching and so is the season of displaying love from the simplest way to the most sophisticated. Yet, are you far from your loved ones? Do you like to send them something sweet and thoughtful? Is it something that would they really appreciate and think that you care? Do you like to give them a piece of your love and passion as if you are just nearby? Well, worry no more. Island Rose keeps relationships alive by giving service to the people who would like to deliver flowers to their ones they love anywhere in the Philippines! Continued…
Posted in Uncategorized.
Tagged with Deliver Flowers to the Philippines, Island Rose, Philippine flowers.
By Berniemack Arellano
– February 7, 2010
Tribu Kasag of Banate in Kasadyahan 2010
Magsinadya kita! That’s what we do during Dinagyang. Sadya is a Hiligaynon term meaning “happy, joy or fun.” The Dinagyang Festival street dancing starts not on the Ati-Ati competition but with the Kasadyahan Festival. Held on a Saturday before the Ati-Atihan highlight of Dinagyang, it is a cultural dance parade, contest and showcase of Iloilo’s kabanwahanan or towns and several institutions within the city and the province (and I heard it is also open to all towns in Panay Island as well!) You don’t get to see soot-covered Ati warriors dancing during Kasadyahan like what most of us know about Dinagyang though. By the beat of the music and interpretative dance, the contingents showcase a myriad of cultural topics that is incorporated in every Ilonggo, from history to current events.
Continued…
Posted in Festivals, Iloilo, Visayas.
Tagged with 2010, Dinagyang, festival, Iloilo, Iloilo City, Kasadyahan, Philippines.
By Berniemack Arellano
– February 1, 2010
Bacolod-Silay Airport Lobby
It was 7PM of the 22nd of January when I arrived at Bacolod’s new airport (which is in Silay City, some 20 kilometers away from Bacolod’s downtown). As usual, I opt to go the cheapest way to get out of the airport. Shuttle vans are about P100 and taxis are more expensive. I wrote not so long ago on how to get in or out of the Bacolod-Silay Airport when you’re a tightwad and budget-stricken traveler like moi. But here’s an update on that… Continued…
Posted in Airports, Bacolod/Negros Occidental, Visayas.
Tagged with airport, Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines, Silay, Transportation.
By Berniemack Arellano
– January 28, 2010
Fort Santiago Gate
After lunch, we head back to Intramuros and went to our ultimate destination: Fort Santiago. Why ultimate? Because it is where Jose Rizal was incarcerated for the last days of his life. Before he was shot in Luneta (err…Bagumbayan), he was imprisoned here by the Spanish authorities due to accusations of instigating mass revolts that are erupting all over Luzon and some parts of the country.
What is it about Fort Santiago? Except that it is popular as a fieldtrip destination of kids and tourists, it is one focal point of authority during the Spanish colonial era…a manifestation of foreign grip in the Philippines. It is located at the northernmost part of the walled city, like a sentinel guarding the mouth of Pasig River and the walled city itself. Its location is as strategic as it is important to the Spanish crown colony, as most of the military power emanates from this fuerza real. Continued…
Posted in Heritage Sites, Heritage/History, Historical Site, Luzon, MetroManila, Travel Reflections.
Tagged with Fort Santiago, Historical Site, Intramuros, Manila, Philippine heritage, Philippines.
By Berniemack Arellano
– January 19, 2010
An earthquake rocked the Philippine capital of Manila and its surrounding metropolitan area and provinces in Tuesday, January 12, 2008. According to USGS, the epicenter is located 50 kilometers west of Manila, pertaining directly to Bataan and was measured magnitude 5 on the Richter scale. So far, no damages have been reported.
For more technical information, please refer below: (Source USGS)
Location of the earthquake:
| Magnitude |
5.0 |
| Date-Time |
|
| Location |
14.668°N, 120.506°E |
| Depth |
112.4 km (69.8 miles) |
| Region |
LUZON, PHILIPPINES |
| Distances |
30 km (20 miles) SE of Olongapo, Luzon, Philippines
50 km (30 miles) W of MANILA, Philippines
55 km (35 miles) S of Angeles, Luzon, Philippines
105 km (65 miles) SSW of Cabanatuan, Luzon, Philippines |
| Location Uncertainty |
horizontal +/- 14.2 km (8.8 miles); depth +/- 19.4 km (12.1 miles) |
Posted in News.
Tagged with disasters, Earthquake, Manila, News, Philippines.
By Berniemack Arellano
– January 12, 2010
Image of the Black Nazarene
Thousands of faithful will gather again this Saturday, January 9 for the annual feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo district, Manila. As old as tradition, Manila’s streets will be jam-packed with thousands of devotees flocking the Quiapo Church, Plaza Miranda and the streets of downtown Manila. The Manila Police District, in cooperation with the Quiapo Parish, released the 2010 procession route of the image of the Black Nazarene. It would still start at Quirino Grandstand and will pass by Lawton towards the streets of Quiapo, just like last year. However, the Quiapo area of the procession has been changed back to its traditional route because nakasanayan na ng mga deboto ang ruta na ito to prevent another untoward incident like that of last year. The reason is to accommodate the growing number of devotees to have contact with the image. And along with that would be the closure of some streets right at the heart of downtown Manila.
Continued…
Posted in Festivals, Land Transportation, MetroManila, News, Transportation.
Tagged with Black Nazarene, Manila, Manila Police District, Pista Nazareno, Plaza Miranda, Procession Route, Quiapo, Quiapo Church, Traffic Advisory.
By Berniemack Arellano
– January 5, 2010
The Legacy of Flying Budget
By Stanley Palisada
Cebu Pacific Air Airbus A320-200
In the 2003 Gwyneth Paltrow starrer “View from the Top”, Candice Bergen who played accomplished Flight Attendant Sally Weston said “Gone are the days when people traveled in style”.
In the era of budget airlines, people take a plane as though it was just a bus. Flying today is like riding a pedicab or a PUJ where comfort or service does not matter as long as the airline delivers its promise to “get you there”– and in one piece (literally, as you’re dead broke per additional baggage). Continued…
Posted in Commentaries, Transportation, Travel Reflections.
Tagged with accommodation, air philippines, airline industry, airliners, Asia, budget carriers, cebu pacific air, legacy carriers, philippine airlines, Philippines, zest air.
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By Berniemack Arellano – January 22, 2010