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In the Middle of Summer – My Caluya Adventure

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It was the middle of summer and it had been raining for a week already. I was spending most my time inside my room, staring at the computer all day because the weather outside wasn’t the most inviting. I was feeling bored all week … itching to go out of the house and do something more exciting. My phone’s ringing woke me up one morning and my friend (on the other line) mentioned that he was going to Caluya on that very day for a photoshoot/news coverage. I quickly screamed my excitement and jealousy at him and, consequently, he “invited” me. Well sort of … I dropped a lot of hints that I wanted to join him so he asked me to go with him as a polite gesture. I took his offer seriously … it’s not everyday that I get the opportunity to go to Caluya, one of the places I’ve been dying to visit.

In the Middle of Summer – My Caluya Adventure

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Guisi and Alubihod

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Guisi and Alubihod

I’m at Guisi Point in Brgy. Dolores, Guimaras again! It’s weird why I get to visit this place ever so often, even too often for my liking. The last time I was in Guisi, I was with my college friends. Now, I’m with a different set of people I’ve known over the internet (mainly because of skyscrapercity.com).

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Guimaras Mangoes at the Alibhon Market

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Finally, after reading and hearing so much about the world famous Mangoes of Guimaras, I got to eat and savor its sinful sweetness. Our first stop in Guimaras was in a market called “Alibhon” in Nueva Valencia town in Guimaras.

Guimaras Mangoes at the Alibhon Market
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Silay City Heritage Tour | April 2008

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During the late 1800s to early 1900s, the booming sugar industry in Iloilo paved the way for the migration of affluent families to Negros. These families turned vast idle lands in Negros into Sugar Cane Plantations and Haciendas. Eventually, an international port was opened in Silay City, which became the center of commerce in Negros.

To date, many old buildings still remain intact including a grand church, several commercial, and residential buildings.

Silay City Heritage Tour | April 2008
El Ideal Bakeshop
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Calea | Panaad 2008 | April 2008

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It has been barely a month and I’m back in Bacolod, I just can’t get enough of the place. This time, I was with Enrico D. of Byahilo.com, Kyle and Ph_Man from Skyscrapercity.com, and Edsil, a friend of Eric. We went to Bacolod primarily for the Panaad 2008 but our plans were a bit modified due to some unfortunate events. After a few hours of our arrival, we had lunch in a Chinese restaurant beside L’ Fisher Hotel and had dessert in Calea.

Calea | Panaad 2008 | April 2008

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West-central Negros Road Trip – First time in Kabankalan | April 2008

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Just after my Bucari trip, a few hours actually, I’m out on another trip and this time my destination is Bacolod City. My family and other relatives at my father’s side had a reunion and we stayed at my Lola’s house in Bata.

Last time I was in Negros was on September 2007 for an organizational study of Riverside Hospital with side-trip to Patag in Silay. I knew of some new developments in Bacolod and had the chance to see them myself.

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Bucari, Leon – My first taste of Linagpang

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Bucari, located in the mountains of Leon, is a summer paradise 3 hours away from Iloilo City. Bucari greatly resembles destinations in Northern Philippines like Baguio and Banaue because of its cool climate and highland attractions such as springs, waterfalls, pine trees, rice terraces, wild flowers, high-value crops, and a breathtaking view of the verdant mountains.

Bucari, Leon – My first taste of Linagpang
Mt. Agua Colognia and the rice terraces seen in Bucari, Leon
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Two nights in Concepcion Iloilo

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The first time I’m been to the northerneastern part of Iloilo was less than two years ago. Ever since, couldn’t stop going back to explore more of its beautiful spots and to get a feel of life in the islands. Four days after our graduation, I went back to Concepcion with my friends, one of which had a graduation dinner at their house.

Two nights in Concepcion Iloilo
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Dinagyang Festival 2008 Photos

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Spending hours under the heat of the midday sun was worth it after I was able to take these pictures of the Dinagyang Festival 2008 held during the 26th and 27th of January. While the other photographers who had SLR cameras and their long zoom lenses were able to take their stunning photographs standing in the shade (or in one location), I had to move around a bit (because of the limitations of a point a shoot with 6X zoom) so that I’d be able to take decent shots.

The photos I’ll post here are only some of the photos I uploaded, the rest can be found in the Dinagyang 2008 photo set in my flickr account. Here are my best shots:

Dinagyang Festival 2008 Photos
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Ati-atihan Festival 2008 – The Mother of Visayan Festivals

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This January 2008, I visited Kalibo’s ati-atihan for the second time. I enjoyed myself a lot during my first visit last year and made it a point to visit it again this year. As always, ati-atihan was fun and still left relatively apathetic to commercialism. I wish I can write more about my experience but I have too little time right now so I’ll just post the pictures I took during my overnight stay in Kalibo.

Ati atihan Festival 2008 – The Mother of Visayan Festivals
Retablo of the Kalibo Cathedral

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