This short film is created by Ferdinand Dimadura. It won the Most Popular Short Film at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival.
After watching the film, please take this chance to help feed the hungry worldwide by clicking on the SocialVibe ad (on the bar to the right of this post) for UN’s World Food Programme. Thank you for your support.
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I love the Philippines! I was born here, and here is where I will breathe my last. There are so many reasons to love my country. One of them is that it is indeed fun to be here, not just because of the sights, but because of the people you meet.
Last year, I had the chance to visit three of the most visited provinces in the country: Aklan, Bacolod, and Palawan. What made my visits even more fun is that I didn’t have to go there for work. After each trip, I went home carrying loads of photos, memories, and new friends that no amount of material pasalubong (take-home gift) can beat.
Kalibo, Aklan
The people of Kalibo, Aklan are the most fun-loving I have ever met. No amount of rain shower could dampen their spirits for street partying and revelry. You would think that they would be tired of all the annual Ati-atihan festival rituals by now, but no!
They danced, sang, and paraded with local and foreign tourists like they’re tourists themselves. Forget your inhibtions — dance in the middle of the streets with strangers. Chill — bring your beer with you throughout the festivities. The most most important thing about it is that the locals never forget that the Ati-atihan is a celebration of bountiful harvest and thanksgiving for the Holy Child.
Puerto Princesa and El Nido, Palawan
Palawan took my breath away. My heart still beats like a lover’s until now whenever I talk about it. I need only to close my eyes, and I’m back where the majestic limestone walls of El Nido‘s hidden beach momentarily detoxified my city-worn sensitivities. When I look back at the photos I’ve taken inside Puerto Princesa’s Underground River and the dolphins by the bay, the urge to go back overwhelms me.
The residents talk about their native Palawan with so much love and pride. I learned that they have organized themselves in such a way that they are able to police themselves and the tourists against destroying Palawan’s natural resources. Then there’s Mang Edwin, the extremely funny and witty guide who took us through our Underground River tour. People like him are the kind you just need to meet in your lifetime so you can be reminded that our life may be short, but it’s a darn great one if we know how to enjoy it.
Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Saccharine sweet smiles — that’s what you’ll get from the people of Bacolod City. Their hospitality and generosity will melt your heart. And the food! If you want to die happy with the most delicious food in the planet in your belly, go to Bacolod City. Whether you go to a local restaurant (the authentic chicken inasal is to die for) or eat at a native Bacolodian’s home, you’ll wonder if they were born holding pots and pans.
What amuses me is how crazy driving in Bacolod can get. You have to be a really good driver and brave enough to be able to weave through traffic, intersections, and turns. If you don’t have the courage to cross the street, you’re better off taking a tricycle to get to the other side. I was told that the crime rate is low in Bacolod — it’s road accidents that are high. But hey, this road adventure is nothing compared with the kind of food trip you’ll get.
It’s more fun in the Philippines indeed!
I don’t like this new DOT slogan, but I have to agree with the truth it imparts. I have to admit I have only been to three other countries (Japan, Norway, UK), but there still is nothing like the Philippines. Our beaches, our mountains, our heritage, and most importantly, our people’s hospitality — these are just some of the reasons why it’s really more fun here.
“Wag kang lilingon,” biglang sabi ng lalaking katabi ko. Natakot ako, syempre, kaya hindi nga ako lumingon. Pero tatakbo na dapat ako, kaso sinundan agad nya ng: “Pakinggan mo lang kwento ko, okay lang? Ayokong kumausap ng kakilala ko e.”
Tumango ako, hindi dahil gusto ko, kundi dahil nakaka-relate ako sa nararamdaman nya. Minsan, may ganun din akong moments — yung ayaw mong kumausap sa taong kilala mo kasi siguradong bibigyan ka nila ng unsolicited advice...kasi gusto mo lang ilabas yung nasa loob mo, e. Para lang hindi ka magmukhang tanga habang nagsasalita kang mag-isa.
Pero syempre, niyakap ko nang mahigpit ang bag ko. Baka mamaya magnanakaw pala itong mamang ito.
“Tangina, di ko na sya matiis. Gusto ko na syang balikan. Alam ko tatanggapin nya ko, kaya lang may malaki pa kong kasalanan sa kanya e. Pag inamin ko naman yun sa kanya, siguradong magagalit na naman sya. Baka hindi na nya ako ulit bigyan ng chance na makabawi pa.
Naiinis ako kasi sinaktan nya ko e. Ang masama pa nito, di ko alam kung alam nyang nasaktan ako. Kaya ayun, nagalit ako. Nasigawan ko sya. Di ko naman sya napagbuhatan ng kamay. Pero sobrang galit talaga ako nun. Nakita ko nga, natakot sya e.
Siguro nga, di na kami dapat magbalikan kasi lagi lang kaming nag-aaway. Pero pag naiisip ko yung mga panahong okay kami, alam mo yun, sobrang ramdam ko na mahal na mahal nya ko kahit hindi nya sabihin. Pero dapat mo ding madinig yun kahit minsan, di ba? Masarap kaya pakinggan…”
Gusto ko syang tingnan kasi agree ako sa huli nyang sinabi. Pero may momentum na si kuya kaya hinayaan ko na. At saka baka maiyak, curious lang ako…
“Naguguluhan na talaga ako. Gusto ko syang balikan, pero mag-aaway na naman kami pag sinabi ko sa kanya yung kasalanan ko. Gusto kong sabihin para mag-umpisa kami ulit. Lagi naman kasi akong honest sa kanya kaya nga nya ako pinagkatiwalaan sa umpisa pa lang e.” Dito, ang lalim ng buntung-hiningang pinakawalan ni kuya. Parang sumasakit ang batok ko sa kakapigil lumingon.
“Shit. Sabi ng mga kaibigan namin, pareho kaming may mali. Pero hindi na nga daw kami dapat magbalikan dahil sa love-hate relationship namin. Some friends, huh?”
Uy, maganda mag-English si kuya, ha. Tapos nun…long, awkward silence. Parang wala na syang balak magsalita. Ano gagawin ko? Pwedeng gumalaw? Cricket…cricket…
Sumandal ako. Baka sakaling makita ko ang mukha nya kahit konti lang. Nakapatong ang mga braso nya sa tuhod, nakasara ang mga kamay na parang nagdadasal, nakatingin sa mga dumadaan. Hmmm, malinis ang batok. Mukha namang disente sa pananamit. Hindi kasi maluwag at lawlaw ang salawal. Di rin naka-tuck in. Simpleng t-shirt na tama lang ang laki. Jeans. Loafers. Ano kaya kasalanan nito?
“Salamat sa pakikinig. Kung gusto mong umalis na, okay lang. Don’t worry, I’m not thinking of suicide. You just seemed nice.”
Uuuuy, may ganun. Tengks, gusto kong sabihin sa kanya. Parang feel ko syang patawanin kaya lang, ewan. Di ko maramadaman yung moment. Di na lang ako nagsalita. Pero di rin ako umalis. Para naman hindi nya isiping iniwan na naman sya. Or whatever. Dito lang ako hanggang maging comfortable kami pareho at makalimutan naming may naganap na kaunting drama.
Gumalaw! Akala ko lilingunin ako, pero hindeeeee!
“Thank you. I have to keep going. May trabaho pa ko. God bless, miss,” sabi nya, sabay alis nang wala man lang isang sulyap.
Hooooy, bumalik ka dito! I feel so used. Napangiti ako nang slight. Move on, kuya. Minsan may mga bagay lang talagang hindi para sa atin; pero hindi nangangahulugang wala itong narating. Pareho kayong may natutunan sa mga nangyari. Sana nadinig nya yon. Ang ganda pakinggan e.
I had no expectations of Bacolod when we landed. I was just glad I had some of my favourite people with me on the trip. From the airport, we went straight to a restaurant called Imay’s for dinner with our host family. I wasn’t that hungry, but the food was glorious — from the scallops melting in my mouth to the crispy pata flirting in every crunch. From that dinner alone, I couldn’t stop myself from saying “grabe, lahat masarap”, over and over.
After dinner, we got to the apartment which, unfortunately, hadn’t been used for about six months. Hence, the murky water and unkempt toilet and bath. Not one of us was able to take a shower that night. Pao and I stayed up until 5 in the morning to work on some articles left undone from Manila. Ramon (bless him) went out at dawn and found a hotel for us to transfer in.
The following day, we transferred to East View hotel and took our first Bacolod shower there. I was still a little light headed from lack of sleep, but the shower helped perk me up. We then proceeded to see the MassKara street parade.
The parade was entertaining with all the dancing and colourful, smiling masks. Sadly, the people along the sides couldn’t join in and dance, unlike what I experienced in Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan in January where anyone and everyone can jump in the middle of the parade and join in the revelry. Then again, we can’t really join the dancing in this one since there was great choreography by the participating groups. We certainly don’t want to ruin that. Which is why my heart goes to the participants. I imagined they must have been practicing their moves for weeks, months even. Then there they are, dancing under the extreme heat of the sun. A couple of dancers collapsed in front of us – there’s probably more from the entire stretch of the parade. So even if we were really feeling the scorching heat, parched, sweaty, sticky and all, we really can’t complain, can we? What we were going through was nothing compared to what those street dancers had been experiencing since their practice days.
Carbin Reef
We went to Carbin Reef in Sagay, Negros Occidental the following day. It was a long stretch of sandbar within the Sagay marine sanctuary, open for public swimming only from 10AM to 3PM. There was only our group and another family when we got to the reef. The water was cool, not cold, which made it all the more enticing for sun-drenched tourists like us. The water was crystal clear and the sand, though not powdery soft, was clean. There are no facilities in the reef except for two bamboo shelters and two concrete ones, which I think were not for public use. Those who plan on going there must do all their toilet needs at the port before proceeding to the reef.
some like it hot
edge of the sandbar
you're isolated from the rest of the world, so do what you want
Despite its lack of conveniences, Carbin Reef is definitely one for the bucket list.
That same night, we met a local councillor who turned out to be in charge of the reef. I was only paying half attention to him, but I believe I heard him say that there are sharks (!) and lots of crustaceans in that marine sanctuary. No wonder they don’t offer overnight stays and limit visiting hours. Still, I would love to go back there. Seriously. It was that breathtaking.
We spent the next day just going around malls. We went to the local perya that evening, where we successfully convinced our dear Ilongga friend/host/birthday girl to take one of the scariest rides there, the Sea Dragon (Pao and I conceded that the similar rides in Cubao and EK’s Anchors A-weigh looked lame compared with this one). Thea was such a good sport for riding with us, although she swears she almost “died” and that she would never do it again (love you truly, girl!).
facade of The Ruins, Talisay City. Photo by Ramon Ruiz
We also went to The Ruins, which is the other reason why I wanted to visit Bacolod. It was as picturesque as I first saw it on Thea’s photo album on FB a year back. We took photos of the place and horsed around a little bit, trying not to get pissed with the group of maritime students who were shooting videos inside the edifice.
the right side. Photo by Carmen Dulguime
dark clouds haunt The Ruins. I heard it was great for photo shoots at night, but we didn't stay long to do that
Someone told me that Bacolod is a good place to have a food trip in – and I only learned about it a few meals into it! I must say, I agree 100%. In fact, I came up with my own tagline for Bacolod along the way: walang hindi masarap sa Bacolod! Everything – whether it’s home-cooked or prepared from a local restaurant – was absolutely delectable! I always thought chicken is chicken wherever they are, but Bacolod proved to me that this place is indeed the home of chicken inasal. Even the cakes at Calea were sinfully delicious.
sinful desserts of Calea -- to die for!
pork chop with Bicol express at 21 Restaurant
There were still a lot of places to visit (and come back to) in Bacolod, but the four days and five nights we spent there simply weren’t enough. The people of Bacolod are truly the most malambing (sweetest) people I’ve met. Their smiles are infectious, which is the reason why someone some time ago thought of baptizing this wonderful place as the “City of Smiles”. I will definitely come back to Bacolod – that is, after I’ve seen Cebu’s Sinulog, Iloilo’s Dinagyang, Marinduque’s Moriones, Quezon’s Pahiyas, Baguio’s Panagbenga….wow, the Philippines is truly a wonder paradise to be in!
For now, it’s Bacolod’s moment for me, and it would stay with me until my next adventure.
Almost everyone I know is exuberant about the fact that the “-ber” months are here. All of them associate this with Christmas. In fact, some of them already started raising the obvious as early as the third week of August.
You read, see and hear it everywhere. I would have shared the excitement, except that I don’t see anyone expressing the real reason why we celebrate Christmas.
Meanwhile, the media is lapping up the hype. Sponsorships and segment buys have become more prolific than sensible information, news and entertainment.
I’m beginning to sound like Ebenezer Scrooge, I know, but really? Don’t we all get it? We are all being conditioned to think that Christmas is all about carols, gifts, food, new clothes, bazaars, bargains, and all other commercial and marketing activities you could possibly conjure! You’ll see more plastic pine trees, artificial snow, and plaster figures of the bearded fat man in red than images of the actual celebrator. Heck, I don’t even think that most people know who St. Nicholas is.
Go through the status/shoutouts of your contacts on Facebook, Twitter, or what-have-you regarding the “-ber” months. How many do you see who are ecstatic about the fact that Jesus’ birthday is coming up?
I don’t know about you guys, but I just don’t want to encourage the commercialization of Christmas. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not dissing the joyous feeling of the season. I’ll still go shopping and give gifts to loved ones. I’ll just join the rush by November.
For around half the listed price, my friends and I were able to experience Paradizoo and Residence Inn, Mendez, Tagaytay, Cavite. All those discount coupons online are great deals, after all.
We were quite disappointed with Paradizoo, though. Perhaps it was also because we got there at around lunch time, and there was nothing but adobong baboy on the menu at the Paradizoo Café. We took the short tour around the place, nevertheless. After taking a few photos, we decided we have to have our lunch before our small intestines begin to devour our large intestines out of hunger.
Personally, I’d like to go back there. We weren’t able to go inside the small butterfly shelter, which would have been great for picture taking. Advice to those who want to enjoy a good time in Paradizoo: either go there early, full, or bring your own food to eat.
We had a hearty late lunch at Bulalo Point somewhere along Aguinaldo Highway. We ordered three pots of bulalo, two servings of crispy pata, two plates of grilled pusit, and loads of rice. It was all worth the hunger!
The good lunch recharged all 11 of us (plus a two-year old girl), especially because of the zip line. I’ve always wanted to try any zip line in Tagaytay, and this one in Residence Inn proved to be worth all the wait.
There are more animal varieties here than in Paradizoo, which is a bit confusing because of their names, right? But nobody seemed to care. We were all brimming with excitement despite the slight but short drizzle.
The fog was thick as clouds, coming and going throughout. When it was finally our turn at the zip line, I took one deep breath as the spectacular view slowly revealed itself along the way. We cut through the fog, which quickly disappeared just as fast as it covered the view below and around us. I turned my head all around me to catch everything in my mind’s camera halfway through the line. I could do it all day!
That was truly one awesome experience. My mind is now traveling to other places around the Philippines, all waiting to be discovered and revisited. I hope I would be able to visit as much as I can, for as long as I still can.
