Image Credits to http://guides.clickthecity.com

Even after the holidays, Cebu continues to celebrate the feast of sights, sounds and colors with the Sinulog Festival. It is held annually on every third Sunday of January. The festival honors the Holy Child Jesus, also known as Santo Niño, the patron of Cebu.

The Sinulog celebration is a known tradition among the Christian devotees of Santo Niño. Those who have petitions are highly recommended to join in the Sinulog dance. Most of the natives believe that their prayers are answered by dancing the Sinulog. So then, people dance on the streets along with other participants gracefully armed with vibrant dispositions and hearts filled with hope and love for the blessed Sto. Niño.

The event features a street parade of people in bright-colored costumes, young and old, dancing to the rhythm of drums, native gongs and trumpet whistles. The streets are lined with bazaars selling colorful goods, bottled drinks and food for the parade watchers. They’re also filled with booths offering variety of services, such as Henna Tattoo, bar drinks and loud sound systems for more entertainment.

Many people coming from different provinces and even tourists from other countries come to Cebu to join in the crowd and be part of the big event. It has also been promoted as a tourist attraction with various contests featuring contingents coming from different parts of the country. Some of the highlights are the Fireworks display competitions and dance productions.

These are only few of the activities that makes Sinulog one of the grandest and most awaited festival in the Philippines. There’s definitely more! So, what are you guys waiting for? Come one, come all! Let’s have fun on the streets today. Pit Senyor! =)

Saturday, Dec 27, 2008 at exactly 1:30PM with Flight Number: 5J 428 CEBU-TACLOBAN, was my very first flight in my 21 years of existence. I did had my “first-time sickness” attack again. I tried to keep myself calm and just went on like its one of the most normal days of my life. But its not. So, here is another story to tell…

I was quite early when I came to the Mactan Airport, carrying two backpacks and one laptop bag. When I checked-in my baggages, I kept on observing other passengers upon how they check in their bags. The two elder people before me, dropped all their bags into the weighing scale for check-in and they left empty-handed. Assuming that I should be doing the same, I placed all my bags in not thinking that my laptop bag was not supposed to be included with the baggages since it’s only a hand-carry item. The lady (was nice) told me repeatedly to put only those I want to check-in. I just gave her the blank stare. She probably noticed that I was not aware of what I was doing so she just personally stood up and handed my bags back. Uh, okay, so no check-in bags for me then. O_o. By then, I thought it was all done. But I still needed to weigh myself. I hopped on to the weighing scale leaving my bags behind thinking that they only needed to know how much weight do I need to lose. Okay, but am i really going to need that? O_o. The lady (was really nice) told me patiently to carry my bags along upon weighing. So, I did. Then, she said “You’ll be charged with an additional 300 pesos for your extra baggage”. Whaaaaatt? Extra baggage? Three hundred? This lady is not that nice after all! That was I talking to myself. In spite of my bitter thoughts, I still managed to smile and said my magic word, “Okay”. So then, I paid my extra charges. I was (quite) ready to get inside the lounging area only to find out that I still need to pay for a terminal fee of 200 pesos. Whaaaatt? Another two hundred?. That was I talking to myself again. Well, I needed to get on that plane so I paid.

Finally, I was on my way inside the terminal’s waiting area. What else can go wrong now? I thought. I had to take off my brand new chuck taylors for the security scan. *lol*. Well, nothing was wrong with that. Nature’s in time to call me, so I needed to go to the washroom. Now, will I have to carry all my bags along with me to the CR? Of course, not. So I needed to use my charm to get someone to look after them while I’m brooding. *lol*. I sat next to a lady reading a book and asked her the favor to look after my bags. She did not hesitate to agree. That was very nice of her. And so I went.

When I came back, I thought all was fine and that I just needed to wait for the last call of my flight. All of a sudden, a pretty girl with a boyfriend approached me and asked, “Do you know where is the waiting area for the flight going to Tacloban?”. Wait, I do not actually know that. Am I in the right room? I went on a slight verge of panic, which makes my mind work faster most of the time. So I looked around quickly and saw the sign. “There”, I said. I pointed my hand towards the door to my right about 6-feet away. And so they went. OMG, what was I doing here? I need to go with them. No, they would know that the person they asked for directions with does not actually know the directions! Of course, I know. It was easy. Just read the damn signboards. Darn it. Who cares? And so I went.

Finally (as in finally), I was at the right room. I saw them there, of course. The girl stared at me and was quite confused I guess. I ignored her. Remember, who cares? Okay, so I waited about one and a half hour before the boarding for my first flight was announced. As usual, I was observing the others while I was pretending to be minding my own. I followed as everyone else were standing up in line. We rode a shuttle bus on our way to the airplane. My seat number was 4A. I was so excited because it was a window seat! I managed to buckle up on my seat without problems. I’m glad that the seat belt was easy. I placed my laptop on my lap, obviously. I didn’t need to put it in the overhead baggage compartment, do I? Anyways, I was unexpectedly calm and comfy during the take off. I thought I’d be scared as hell. Instead, I never felt as fearless as I was with such an out of my norm situation. I just found out that I am not afraid of heights. I love it! So, then for the entire trip, I just kept looking out the window to see the most wonderful sights I’ve ever seen my whole life — the aerial view of the houses, mountains and trees that were slowly fading as we go farther above surrounded by the wide blue oceans. I wished I could reach out my hands and touch the clouds. They’re like big cotton candies. If I was still a little kid, as imaginative as I am, I would probably question myself if it was possible to mix some flavors with the clouds and be eaten like cotton candies or mallows perhaps. *yummy*

The plane arrived in Tacloban about 2:15PM. My mother was already waiting for me at the airport. I just so love my mom. So that was the end of My First Flight. =)

Image credits to skyexperienceadventure.com

Crown Regency Hotel is located right next to the Fuente Osmeña Circle in Cebu. This tower marks a promising tourist destination in the Philippines and the entire Asian Continent. Rising at forty (40) storeys, people say that it is currently the tallest hotel tower in the city and will soon be known for its Sky Experience Adventure rides mounted on top of the building, which was launched last December 11, 2008. You may visit the Sky Experience Adventure website at http://www.skyexperienceadventure.com

image credits: skyexperienceadventure.com

Despite our country’s poverty issue brought about by the said global economic crisis, it is quite lifting that the hotel owner of the Fuente Towers managed to come up with the idea to build a multi-million amusement facility mounted on top of a hotel. If I am not mistaken, it is the first hotel in the world that is incorporated with a themed park concept as part of their accommodations and facilities. I should say, it’s definitely one of the most unique and fascinating ideas a person could come up with.

It is very much suitable for thrill seekers, especially tourists and high-class citizens. I could only wish I’ll be able to afford even just one coaster ride. I can keep dreaming perhaps. *sighs*. Well, the prices are expectedly high but I’m sure it’s worth it as long as you do not fall off and end up in a hospital! Just kidding…

The tower is such a beautiful sight at night. It is surrounded with multi-colored lights and spotlights that illuminates across the entire city. It’s very much a stand-out. This will surely become another famous landmark in Cebu. Another tourist attraction that would help lift up our country from economic crisis. Come now and check it out guys! Be part of history.