Apr
06
2011
Most of the Philippine travel blogs are written in English, and some in Filipino and other vernacular languages of the republic. Understandable enough since these are the main modes of communication here in the country and the rest of the world. However, I ought to think of something different. Something that is “not normal.” How about writing your travel experiences in Spanish?
Hence, ViajeroFilipino.com came into my mind–the Spanish sister of HabagatCentral.com.
Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2011/04/06/a-filipino-travel-blog-in-spanish/
Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2011/03/18/give-that-pilipinas-tara-na-logo-to-deped-instead/
Mar
14
2011
Sendai Airport CCTV capturing the tsunami engulfing its tarmac (video courtesy of Russia Today)
On March 11, 2011, the world was shocked and awed again with nature’s raw awesome power as Japan’s Tohoku region was rattled by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake, and after that–the sea gobbled up cities, towns, farms and people — seven meter tsunami has changed the Japanese psyche and landscape forever. The aftermath was devastation and death. Japan’s worst crisis since the end of World War II.
Iloilo Airport was brought by the cooperation between the Japanese and the Filipinos
What I couldn’t believe was that even Sendai Airport was like a sitting duck in nature’s fury as its runway was submerged in sea water of debris and destruction. Come to think of it, the airport is already located more than a kilometer away from the coast (the tsunami was reported to have reached as far as 10 kilometers inland!) In a way, Sendai Airport reminds me of Iloilo Airport…however its far from the coast line and was constructed with Japanese backing and aid.
Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2011/03/14/from-iloilo-to-sendai-with-compassion/
Mar
10
2011
Few days before Sinulog, I was scrambling to get a way to Iloilo for the Dinagyang Festival. For the moment, I thought I wouldn’t be pushing through with my las celebraciones grandes de enero—a feat which I last made in 2007 when I celebrated both grand festivals in a year. Then I was informed, something beyond what I was expecting…the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation asked me to become one of the judges for street dancing competition! I was speechless and to be honest, it is beyond what I have been expecting for. My original plan was just to cover Dinagyang the way I cover it for the past few years. Yes, I took the offer as an honor for my service for my beloved banwa (hometown). I was placed on a different perspective…from appreciation to decision-making. This Dinagyang season changed the way I see Iloilo’s grandest fiesta.
The good news is, after weeks of rain in the Visayas, Haring Araw was there to say hello all over the weekend!
Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2011/03/10/first-day-on-a-new-perspective-my-dinagyang-experience/
Jan
29
2011
All throughout the week before Sinulog in Cebu, I was already checking the weather forecast. It has been raining in Cebu for the past few days and I was worried that it’ll rain come Sunday Sinulog. 16th of January came, I lost my wallet in the cab at Makati while I’m on my way to the airport (good thing I have friends who helped me at this desperate time) and I am sleepless too. Nevertheless, it has been several years since I last went to Cebu to celebrate this annual celebration for the Visayas’ most well-loved Catholic icon, the Santo Niño de Cebú and the grandest festival in all of República Filipinas, the Sinulog Festival of Cebú.
Sleepless and haggard, I took the first flight of Philippine Airlines bound for Cebu. Upon approach, I was aghast with the sky…gray, hints of lightning…urgh! Rainy!!! Then shifted to a more positive tone, it’s a great blessing from the Creator. Reverse psychology did worked!
Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2011/01/29/dancing-in-the-rain-my-personal-sinulog-experience-part-1/
Nov
17
2010
My family and I went back to Lobó in Batangas province to have a break from the urban jungle and my dad’s inspection on the project site at one of the mountain barangays of the town. We went on to one of the most isolated towns in this part of Southern Tagalog region. Protected by rugged mountains and bordered by the Verde Island Passage, it seems that the town has been encapsulated in time by nature herself! When before, I had a brief visit to Malabrigo Lighthouse, this time I went off the beaten track and return to the placed I was enamored when I was in Grade 6 and a realization of an uphill countryside struggle for survival.
Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2010/11/17/simple-living-has-its-price-an-ode-to-nagtaluntong-of-lobo-batangas/
Oct
16
2010
Manila: Past and Rough
Its been a while since I last walked the old Manila. Somehow, I have this fascination over urban exploration, despite that I prefer living in the suburbs or even at the provinces. I am provoked for some adventure without going far or bleeding my wallet to death. Good thing though, my friend Gibb from Cebú was here. The tour wasn’t planned nor choreographed. We just like to see Manila in its real heartbeat. So off we walked from San Agustin Church in Intramuros to Quiapo Church which is in–of course Quiapo!
Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2010/10/16/walking-at-steamy-manila-noon/
Mar
18
2011
Give that Pilipinas Tara Na logo to DepEd Instead!
by Berniemack Arellano
March 18, 2011
The official yet may not be the final logo of Pilipinas Tara Na
At first glance, I thought it was some sort of a Grade 1 to 4 textbook cartoons. Second, it does look like Batibot or some sticker from the 1980s. But look closely, its Department of Tourism’s “Pilipinas, Tara Na” (en. Philippines, let’s go! | es. ¡Vamos Filipinas!) official logo! Lo and behold, after the failed “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” fiasco, it seems that we have another logo going down the drain!
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Tags: Asia, campaign, Department of Tourism, domestic, Philippines, Pilipinas Tara Na, tourism