Panagbenga, the Rose Parade of the Philippines

Filipino’s way of life is truly and naturally incomparable especially when it comes to the passionate celebrating fiestas and festivals. Townspeople, balikbayans, local and international tourists as well, cross various highways, waterways, and airways across our country just to observe the innumerable collection of presentations accenting culture, tradition, and social heritage of ours. Some of which are the Baguio City’s Panagbenga, Kalibo’s Ati-atihan, Iloilo’s Dinagyang, Cebu City’s Sinulog, Bacolod’s MassKara, and many more. Despite of the unmoved sea of people, still we can see the huge smiles on every individual’s appearance.

The celebration of the Panagbenga gives the spectators the feeling of beyond compare, as they bear to witness the illustration of fully-bloom place, Baguio City. This was started in 1995, which is being claimed by the organizers, showcasing the rich history, traditions and culture of the Baguio people and the Cordillera region. Here presents the every participant’s ideas in line with the theme and was made from different flowers of different hues. 

The highlights of the said event:

Feb. 1 to March 4: “Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom”

Feb. 8: Handog ng Panagbenga sa Baguio and Fluvial Parade at Burnham Park

Feb. 12: Grand Street Dancing Parade

Feb. 25: Grand Float Parade

Feb. 26: Pony Boys Day

March 2 to 3: Session Road in Bloom for business booths

BFFFI co-chairman and Baguio Country Club General Manager Anthony de Leon, appeals to all Baguio people to welcome all guests and to ensure their handiness with the theme ‘Community Convergence for a Sustainable Tourism Growth’, he said a million visitors is expected during the month long celebrations. 

Days before the float parade, the scene in other parts of Baguio. 

Camera was the prime onlooker at all sides of the area. Many campers were keyed up to catch the much-awaited event. In fact, Vice Ganda, Ryan Bangs and Jugs, artists from ABS-CBN’s noon time show renamed “It’s Showtime” were present; and from GMA’s float, Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. 

Photos courtesy of Glynnis Aquino

NO Longer a Girl

“Mom, can I have a boyfriend now?” 


This seems to be an always-uttered words coming from a tongue-tied ladies shyly asking permission to their mothers as they already meet the age of 18. 




Here in the Philippines, mostly girls are crying to grab the day being an eighteen. Every corner of their eyes wanted to experience the feeling like a princess, asked to dance by his prince charming at the middle of the garden full of red roses, even just for a night. Oh! What a damn blissful feeling. 


I was once asked what’s with being an eighteen; I just answered “well, I don’t know”. 


A young lady who has reached this age is finally introduced to the society that she is now an adult, ready to face any circumstances by herself and preparing to entertain suitors. 


The Grand Cotillion Dance is the highlight of the night, wherein the debutante together with the escort shares a waltz dance and followed by the composed nine boys and nine girls dressed in elegant clothes. 

The 18 Roses Dance is one of the memorable lists in which the debutante dances with 18 gorgeous men offering each one of them a red rose along with the chosen songs of  the debutante. Typically, the father is the first one who can dance the debutante, often called The Father and Daughter Dance, and until it ends up to the 17th guy. The 18th is merely said that he is the debutante’s pick. 

Next in line is The 18 Candles Presentation, wherein 18 lovely ladies will light the 18 candles that serves as the guidance to the debutante as she turns into a full grown lady. Oftentimes, the debutante’s mother is the last of the 18 candles participants. Each participant will state their wish, note or message to the debutante. 


At present, as the generation becomes more creative, they included these 18 Symbolic Treasures. These things could be a perfect and significant present coming from important people. The offer stuffs can be forever treasure to the debutante. 


The last of the tradition is A Word From The Debutante, where the debutante shares her feelings regarding this very special occasion of her life.  



The following is the typical Debutante’s Ball Agenda


Introduction of the cotillion court, the family, escort, and the debutante
Toast in Honor of the Debutante
Welcome Remarks by the Parents
Opening Prayer
Dinner Time
Video presentation
The Father and Daughter Dance
Grand Cotillion Waltz Dance
Cotillion Court Special Dances
18 Roses Dance
18 Candles Presentation
Singing of the traditional birthday song
Blowing of the Candles
Slicing of the cake
18 Treasures Presentation
A Word from the Debutante
Dance Time


Read more: http://www.pacificsoundsdj.com/tradition/

Best 5 Digital Cameras for 2012

By: CNET Reviews


Click here. Click there. Post here. Post there.


          As the name implies, here's where you find the best of the best, our top digital cameras across the board. To make it here, a camera really has to blow our socks off. That doesn't happen very often. If it did, our notion of "best" wouldn't mean much, would it? So check back periodically to see if any new models have left us barefoot and speechless.


#1 NIKON D7000

The good: Excellent performance for its class; great viewfinder; control locations and operations streamlined over previous Nikon dSLRs; double SDXC-compatible card slots.


The bad: No 1080/30p video.


The bottom line: An excellent dSLR for experienced shooters or Nikon professionals looking for a relatively cheap option, the Nikon D7000 delivers on almost all counts, including the company's best shooting design to date.





 #2 Canon EOS Rebel

The good: The Canon EOS Rebel T3i delivers excellent video capabilities and image and video quality.

The bad: If you shoot both still and video, the T3i's controls can be frustrating to operate, and it's not terribly fast for burst shooting sports, kids, or pets.


The bottom line: For the money, the Canon EOS Rebel T3i is a great choice for dSLR videographers--though the cheaper T2i can still suffice if you don't need the articulated LCD--and it's a solid choice for creative still shooters. But though the image quality and general shooting performance are top-notch, if you're upgrading to capture sports, kids, or pets, the T3i may not be able to keep up.

         If you didn't think the 60D was overpriced when it shipped, you will now. The Canon EOS Rebel T3i (aka the EOS 600D), the 60D's younger and cheaper sibling, offers the same basic camera with some corners cut--most notably a slightly less well-constructed body and a (purposely?) stunted burst shooting speed. You can also think of it as a slightly more expensive T2i, with the addition of an articulated LCD and a few features for the auto-always crowd. Either way, the T3i remains a solid if unexciting follow-up to its predecessor, although one that seems to cater more to videophiles than still shooters.






#3 Cyber Powershot S95

The good: Attractive and well-designed; capable of producing very nice photos; complete set of manual controls; solid 720p video.


The bad: On the slow side, with subpar battery life; no low-compression JPEG option.
The bottom line: Though we'd like it to perform better, dSLR shooters looking for a sidekick camera will find the Canon PowerShot S95's top-flight photos and a full manual feature set worth the tradeoff of its compact size.

Read more: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-s95/4505-6501_7-34154931.html#ixzz1nK774BD8

#4 Olympus PEN E-PL3

The good: With a broad feature set aimed at enthusiasts, tilting LCD, nicely implemented filters, good performance, and excellent raw photo quality, plus a price that's less burdensome than the E-P3's, there's a lot to appreciate about the Olympus PEN E-PL3.


The bad: The PEN E-PL3's video disappoints, and the camera's lack of a grip may prove annoying for some shooters.


The bottom line: While it's not the best in any particular aspect, and you probably don't want to use it for video, the Olympus PEN E-PL3 offers an excellent balance of size, features, performance, and photo quality for the money.

Olympus PEN E-PL3 photo samples

In many ways--pretty much everything on the inside--the Olympus PEN E-PL3 is the same camera as its more expensive sibling, the E-P3. As a result, a lot of the trade-offs I dislike in the E-P3, I'm more willing to forgive in its less expensive little brother. In part that's because I expect people considering the E-PL3 to be slightly less picky about the noise reduction quality of the JPEGs. Plus, if you're paying less you're probably less likely to be resentful about needing to tweak settings.

Read more: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/olympus-pen-e-pl3/4505-6501_7-34853488.html#ixzz1nK8SM8ni

 #5 Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX9V

The good: With a broad feature set aimed at enthusiasts, tilting LCD, nicely implemented filters, good performance, and excellent raw photo quality, plus a price that's less burdensome than the E-P3's, there's a lot to appreciate about the Olympus PEN E-PL3.


The bad: The PEN E-PL3's video disappoints, and the camera's lack of a grip may prove annoying for some shooters.


The bottom line: While it's not the best in any particular aspect, and you probably don't want to use it for video, the Olympus PEN E-PL3 offers an excellent balance of size, features, performance, and photo quality for the money.

Olympus PEN E-PL3 photo samples

In many ways--pretty much everything on the inside--the Olympus PEN E-PL3 is the same camera as its more expensive sibling, the E-P3. As a result, a lot of the trade-offs I dislike in the E-P3, I'm more willing to forgive in its less expensive little brother. In part that's because I expect people considering the E-PL3 to be slightly less picky about the noise reduction quality of the JPEGs. Plus, if you're paying less you're probably less likely to be resentful about needing to tweak settings.

Read more: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/olympus-pen-e-pl3/4505-6501_7-34853488.html#ixzz1nK8SM8ni

Filipinos Value-Laden Word

Innovations are merely the chances which Filipinos get through with, from simple things up to finest words. Don’t you know that the word ‘monthsary’ is only invented by Filipinos? That is because we value love more than anything in this world.

Monthsary is a celebration of couples which their relationship is finally lasted a month. Some says that this is one of the happiest stories couple could ever done for the reason that they more get to fall in love with their partners, however others think that it is only nothing, no significant in a relationship at all.

Couples take pleasure through monthsaries. They make to have just a simple candle-lit dinner, engaging presents, soggy lines, and impeccable kisses — without actually having to trudge through a whole year. It’s romance in bite-size pieces.

It gets nearer in short bursts of passion and heartache that consume the two camps in love. Love, because of its unpredictable nature, should even be a distinctive over and over again.

Isn’t it flattering and worth remembering that in every single activity couples have done together with their dearest within those rolling days of relationship? The rolling months highlight that your relationship is growing. It would also be so satisfying if your partner would be able to remember the date when you committed yourself to one another; this is particular with the girls. They like to be remembered always. That is, if possible, the guy should think about nothing other than the girl. In short, girls are selfish. Selfish in a way that, they want to be the center of attraction of their guy in every single second that passes by. And in connection to this, girls would feel so sweet if her guy would remember their monthsary. It’s not necessary to buy any stuff, a simple but meaningful greetings will do.


photo courtesy of:
google.com

Fill the Air with Love

Valentine’s..  Valentime’s.. No matter how you pronounced and spelled it, everyone would really get noticed what you really mean to say because the love month has finally arrived. And in myth, the ultimate match maker Cupid was just around helping elusive lovers find each other. People used to threw their love around as there were bunch of poured out flowers here and there: it could be a bouquet, a three-piece signified the thing I-Love-You, or just a single piece stating that the girl is the ‘only one’ in that guy’s heart.

Until 1969, we strongly commemorate Valentine's Day, because it was one of the many Saint's Days observed by the Catholic Church. It was dedicated to the patron saint of romantic causes St. Valentine.

The St. Valentine the day is named for was, most likely, a priest in the 3rd century who performed secret marriages when the Roman Emperor Claudius II thought single soldiers were more likely to join up in the army. That St. Valentine was imprisoned and executed on February 4, 270. It is believed he was responsible for giving the jailer's blind daughter backed her eyesight, and before his execution, he sent hers a note saying, "From your Valentine." The phrase is still widely used on valentines today.

For couples, they made sure that the chosen place was a perfect setting to enjoy the moment with their partners. Romantically speaking, others preferred to go on a date where the ambience was passionate; the light source that was only came from candles, and matched with their much loved songs as their music. Likewise, the guy personally carried himself before the girl and bestowed a beat like serenade just like the way he courted his girl the first time instead of hiring a band to perform. After that such great effort, the lovers started to bring back those old exultant days.

Kids also were not left behind as they prepared heart-sized cardboard or coupon with a red color in its edges, flaunt off decorations, and a Happy Valentine’s Day greetings and hugs and kisses embossed inside for their lucky parents.

For those people who only happened to be single, and unquestionably I was one of them, we likely hanged out with friends and solemnly looking at lovers with a slightly taste of bitterness and envy.

However, at the end of the day, I really couldn’t feel why this occasion, particularly this day, got so big deal to others, when in fact, we can share our affection with our loved ones everyday and every minute and not expressing it just for one day because every one of us deserves to be loved.

photos:

google.com

I Now Pronounce You, Husband and Husband; Wife and Wife

Same sex marriage, also known as gay marriage or gender-neutral marriage, is a marriage between two individuals of the same biological sex or social gender; for those in favor of the legal recognition of this union refer to it as marriage equality.

Despite the outright disapproval of the Catholic community (Pope Benedict  XVI remarked that same-sex marriages “threaten the future of humanity”) , several countries have begun allowing same-sex marriages nationwide since 2001: Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa and Sweden.




Many arguments have been laid by the opposing parties (the pro and anti same-sex marriage). For those who pursues the legality of this union argues that same-sex marriage is based on a universal human rights issue, physical and mental health concerns equality before the law, and said that singling out gay men and women as ineligible for marriage promotes public discrimination and inequality. As for those against it, argues that this kind of marriage brings on direct and indirect consequences of same-sex marriages, parenting problems, crossing religious grounds and tradition. 

Locally, in an interview conducted by the GMA News with Archbishop Oscar Cruz, he said that even he has no problems with the lesbian, gay, transgender or all of them members of the third sex, he stressed that he didn’t see any chance of a same-sex couples being in a “union” due to their inability to procreate. His statement was: What is there to come from it? Nothing! They are two. They remain two. They die two.” 



Some have misinterpreted the Archbishop’s statement, saying that marriage is not all about procreation, just like in the cases of couples who cannot have any children yet still are happy in with their marriage.  

Gays, lesbians, and others who are members of the third sex are more acceptable nowadays than before—yet it can be said that they are not fully accepted by other sectors of the community, although others are willing to adjust due to the good potentials and achievements from them.

But still it is not fully accepted that another factor to accept and adjust to will just make it a bitter pill to swallow, especially if they are turning from a religion’s important and holy sacrament.


Yes, same-sex couples may fall deeply in love with each other that they desire for the blessing of marriage upon their relationship—or a civil union—but it is a fact that they can live with each other without that blessing. Although it is relevant for any relationship, love is still the most necessary factor to bind them. Knowing that that kind of union is unpermitted (especially if they live in a Catholic country), the couple may just learn to accept and compensate… anyway there is no law that would separate them.

photos courtesy of google.com

What makes in the Philippines more fun? Find out more.

Despite of the negative and ridicule feedbacks, stating that we were copycats, those stuffs posted on the internet regarding the issue of campaign slogan-copying from that of Switzerland’s, some were just tolerate it. Moreover, several were likely to admit that this slogan was really ours, because of our outlook being witty in the first place, the way we talk and handle all situations.

Truly, words in the slogan cannot bagged the invocation have by the tourists. It’s how they found our place, our culture, the cuisine, and many more.

Searching for the right place to hang on and to give you a tireless day? An impudent one never like to hook up his life in just Internet surfing and imagine himself into that place, instead he would find an open ticket to anywhere, and definitely that’s Philippines.

PAGUDPUD BEACH

Located in Ilocos Norte, in Region 1, the Pagudpud Beach showcasing its white sand comparable with the one in Boracay, and its crystal-blue water that creates a haven for tourists. Pagudpud offers other activities like trekking and other ecological land adventures.

UNDERGROUND RIVER

Who will not get fascinated by the beauty and grandeur creates by this startling underground river?

Palawan Subterranean Underground River’s breezy water gives leeway for a wonderful bangka trip down to the underground river.

The awe-inspiring views on religious-like images of stalactites and stalagmites, cove residing faunas, are some of the evidences which affirm why the Underground River is included in the Seven Wonders of the World.

SNAKE ISLAND

This island was called Snake Island not because it has man-eating snakes rather because of a long sand bar that appears like a snake from afar. This narrow sand spit is clearly visible only when the tide is low which connects two islands on both ends. Whenever wind blows, it changes its shape which gives extra wow admiration to the island. On both sides of the sand bar are shallow swimming areas.

 The opposing currents bring a myriad of interesting rocks, stones, bits of coral, and shells to both sides of the sand bridge. This is located near El Nido, Palawan. 

HUNDRED ISLANDS

Looking for summer get away? Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan, which became the first national park of the Philippines, is another answer for that. You can explore over 100 islands and islets which surely give superb feeling.

The islands alleged to be about two million years old.   A trip to Alaminos is a great diversion from urban hustle. Freeways, rice paddies, and unsophisticated ambience are to be beholden. A big stretch of the blue sea significance one is in Sual, Pangasinan and has a road bordering on to that of Kennon Road in Baguio City.

 

AND OF COURSE…

Adobo

Cebu litson

Pinakbet

Barbecue

Sinigang na bangus

Not only sheltered places that give fun here in the Philippines but also those local foods that Filipinos serve and the traditional way of eating.

kamayan

Photos courtesy of:

filipino-food-lovers.com

trekearth.com

google.com

FramelessWorld.com