Bantog Backpackers

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

When going to Anawangin Cove or Nagsasa Cove, it will be so worth it if you will have a sidetrip to Camara and Capones Island. The usual rate offered by boatmen going to Anawangin Cove is Php200 per head up to 12 persons per boat and you just have to add Php50/head for the sidetrip.

at the jump-off, Pundaquit

going to Capones


the lighthouse

it is difficult to dock at the island, the water's a little bit rough and it is harder to cross because of the big and slippery rocks

hiking going to the lighthouse

going up

ang mga gwapings

Capones Island Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located in Capones Grande Island off the coast of Brgy. Pundaquit, San Antonio, in the province of Zambales, in the Philippines. The light guide international vessels coming from the north to northwest towards Subic Bay or to Corregidor Island Lighthouse at the entrance of Manila Bay. It has first-order lenses when it was first lit on August 1, 1890.

The original lamp and lantern were replaced with modern solar-powered lighthouse light as part of the Maritime Safety Improvement of the Philippine Coast Guard. Only the tower though was renovated and the keeper's house and the other buildings in the station were left deteriorating.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capones_Island_Lighthouse

view from above

so lucky to meet these super accommodating and friendly girls at the lighthouse

view from the ground, hehe =)

kuya Kim you left your hat here...

Read my Anawangin Cove blog for additional details regarding boat rental, who to contact and how to get here.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

It was in 2005 when we last witnessed the Panagbenga Festival. I also want my children to experience this... Though I already knew that it will be difficult for us to commute during these times, we still proceeded going to Baguio.

Burnham Park during Panagbenga Festival... ang hirap gumalaw...

tiangge at Burnham Park

The usual, I invited my friends and officemates, but... they all have more important things to do... and of course I understand them...but still we are complete and that's the more important thing.

footlong with lettuce... only in Baguio and it is only Php35

Mines View Park with plenty of people....rather plenty of people with Mines View Park, haha =)

having this shot needs a lot of patience, with thousands of people flocking in Baguio during this festival... it was actually a miracle photo, haha =)

amazing! nasolo namin ang view...but in just seconds... and you also have to wait for those people passing though you are already smiling for the camera for two minutes....patience, hahaha =)

with Che Che, ang kaisa isang sumama sa amin sa dami ng nagplanong sumama, hahaha =)

Smile Che kahit ang hirap pumunta dito ng ganitong panahon...

Dad and JP

haha =) no comment... rather, no caption

si Hornesto pag nagsisinungaling humahaba ang ...

nice work of art =)

a carinderia serving bulalo and sinanglaw near Mines View Park

pine trees

eatery at Mines View Park

surprisingly we bumped into JP's ninong who has a 13 years debt to his inaanak, tago ka ng tago dito ka lang pala namin makikita sa Baguio, hahaha =)

13 years yun!!! ice cream lang ang kapalit at mukhang masama pa ang loob mo ha... joke!

yummy!!!

ang pambansang gwapong asawa <3 Mwah!

Panagbenga Festival (English: Flower Festival) is a month-long annual flower festival occurring inBaguio, the summer capital of the Philippines. The term is of Malayo-Polynesian origin, meaning "season of blooming". The festival, held during the month of February, was created as a tribute to the city's flowers and as a way to rise up from the devastation of the 1990 Luzon earthquake. The festival includes floats that are decorated with flowers not unlike those used in Pasadena's Rose Parade. The festival also includes street dancing, presented by dancers clad in flower-inspired costumes, that is inspired by the Bendian, an Ibaloi dance of celebration that came from the Cordillera Region.

Aside from economic boosts from tourism, the festival also helped the younger generation of indigenous people to rediscover their culture's old traditions. The indigenous people was first wary with government-led tourism because of the threat that they will interfere or change their communities' rituals.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panagbenga_Festival

The annual schedule of activities

Opening Parade
Date : February 1
Venue : Session Road and Melvin Jones Grounds

The parade signals the start of the Panagbenga. This will be participated by a representative contingent of volunteers. The parade will be followed by a short opening program, together with competitions between drum and lyre including street dancing contingent among elementary students.

Trade Fair and Bazaar
Date : First Saturday of February until first Sunday of March
Venue : Burnham Park

Parade and Street Dancing Competition
Date : Fourth Saturday of February
Venue : Session Road up to Melvin Jones Grounds

Float and Marching Band Competitions

Date : Fourth Sunday of February

Venue : Session Road up to Melvin Jones Grounds

The parade opens with a shower of petals along Session Road while marching bands lively dance numbers come next followed by cleverly carfted, vibrant and multicolored floats made entirely from flowers of every kind.

Session Road in Bloom

Date : Fourth Monday of February until first Sunday of March

Venue : Session Road

Flower and related stalls together with side walk cafes and food outlets shall be set up along Session Road that will be closed to vehicles during the occasions. Street and musical entertainers shall be performing in selected areas in Session Road. This activity shall be organized and managed by the tourism sector of the city.

Closing Ceremonies
Date : First Sunday of March
Venue : Athletic Bowl
Field demonstrations and other exhibitions shall be featured. A fitting and appropriate closing ceremony program will formally end the festival followed by a fireworks display in the evening.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panagbenga_Festival)