I roamed the streets last February 20, enjoying the delightful sights and the rhythmic sounds of the Iloilo Samba de Regatta torch parade. Lots of sexy girls out there, guys, as well as some freakishly-gorgeous ladyboys, if you are into that sort of thing.

The Samba de Regatta is being developed into another tourism spectacle in Iloilo City, as a special add-on to the Iloilo Paraw Regatta festival. It's very much like the mardi gras in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

If I may say so, the Samba de Regatta is even more entertaining to watch than the Paraw Regatta itself. Why don't they make it into a major event in itself, eh?

I would like to share some pictures that took during the torch parade.

If you would like to see the complete gallery, please visit my blog!

wo days ago, the streets of Iloilo City were agog with people from all walks of life, straining their necks to catch even a glimpse of their favorite tribal group and cultural ensembles strutting their wares and moves enroute to each of the reviewing stands where each of them exhibited the full scope of choreography all in honor of the Sto. Niño.

Several years back, the original staging of Dinagyang was done sparsely at the San Jose Church at Calasanz Street with a handful of people mostly Augustinian priests and members of the Cofradia. I should know since I was once a student of the late Father Sulpicio Enderes, OSA who was one of the priests who brought the statue of the Holy Infant from Cebu to Iloilo City way back in 1968.

The evolution of what was once a simple veneration became a mammoth event that not only the locals anticipated but a much sought event to be and enjoyed. Through the years Dinagyang developed from a simple procession of devotees to a grand parade of unfettered revelry.

It was an event that was in search of a name. Several tags were proposed but the entry of the late radio personality Pacifico Sudario won and the tag, Dinagyang sticked and is still faithful to the original meaning of the Ilonggo term, unfettered fun.

The two-day mega event started with a high mass at San Jose church. Afterwards competing cultural groups started presentation beginning at the Freedom Grandstand and culminating at the last reviewing stand located in the so-called Iloilo City Central Market. The second and final day is showcased by the interpretative dancing and chanting of besooted youngsters depicting the traditional Atis of Panay.

To some it is a hodgepodge of themes, color, costumes, and motifs borrowed from the Mardi Gras, samba parade of Brazil and Ati-atihan of Kalibo, they may be correct, they may have educated guesses. Whichever it is, it doesn't detract from the color, measured elegance and artistic restraint of the Dinagyang.

Of course heaven nor salvation cannot be bought but most likely, a shortcut exists and the trek to everlasting life and bliss is promised by these Pinoy televangelists using the ubiquitous electronic mediums of television, radio and, your guess is a good as mine, the web.

Lest this piece be misconstrued by zealots belonging to any of the business ventures I will mention later, I'm not criticizing any pastor, kapatid, ingkong, appointed son, nor kurikong. I am unfit even to pass judgment on the veracity of their claims that they converse with God through a direct line either pre- or post-paid much less laugh derisively at the curse given by the appointed son of god, PACQ (we, Ilonggos tend to read this aloud as "PACK YOU") on Bro. Eli to the generous effect that the latter has only six months to live this "dutang luhaan".

Instead, I wish to solicit the opinions of upright thinking persons on how they perceive the organizational savvy and managerial competencies of the likes of Apollo Quiboloy, self-styled appointed son of god and presumably head honcho of the Kingdom Nation based in Davao, Eraño Manalo of the Iglesia ni Manalo eheste, Kristo, Eddie Villanueva, erstwhile presidential bet but continuing head of JIL, Eli Soriano, unique source of biblical interpretation of the Ang Dating Daan with the kilometric name registered with the SEC and the head of the El Shaddai whose name escapes me.

Should you have the luxury of time and inclined to share your opinion, you may find these query points useful:

1. If they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, can they be engaged in exchange of goods and services, consultancy, or trading of securities and assets?

2. What are their strategies and tactics to support their phenomenal growth from buying block time several hours removed from prime time to cornering prime time slots to owning several television and radio stations nationwide?

3. Lastly, if ever their managerial and organizational skills are catalogued and intelligently translated to do-able skills, can these be taught or transferred to Filipino students in the secondary or tertiary level?

The Philippine Catholic Church says women shouldn't wear tank tops, spaghetti straps, skimpy shorts, sleeveless shirts or blouses with plunging necklines. Baseball caps, sports jerseys, undershirts and shorts are no-nos for men.

Why make it merely a guideline and not a rule? Fear of halving mass attendees?

I guess the church should realize that the clothes they listed have become normal everyday wear and have become acceptable. Making the above list as a rule and refuse entry violators will force people to buy clothes just for the mass. But they don't want that, do they?

Going to mass on Sundays, I can say that people who wear clothes violating the guidelines are rather few.

Even under piles of work we still manage to check out the latest additions to Iloilo City's growing number of great places to eat. Bad habits die hard, eh.

First off, Bigby's Cafe in Smallville complex. I can't find anything negative about them. Everything was well thought of. The interiors, the food, and everything. They all go together to give a distinctive environment and ambiance to the place. Bigby's Cafe has an explorer/traveller inspired theme. And so are their food. Their ribs (Rack a bye baby) is something to long for. True. I've been back 4 times. Eating at Bigby's is definitely worth the price.

Next we've tried Esca's Garden Restaurant in Aurora Subdivision on the second week after their opening. Esca's is a spinoff of the popular local pizza and pasta house, Afrique's. Esca's lived to their name as a garden restaurant. More greens than anything else, mostly geared towards events such as wedding receptions. There's a lot to be desired about the quality of the food and the waiters, though, given that Afrique's on my list as the best places to eat in Iloilo City last year. That's understandable because the 2nd week is almost always considered as a soft opening. I might try them again soon and I hope the food improves.

Floyd's is at the second floor of Atrium Mall. This one's a bbq/grill restaurant. Their slogan? World Famous BBQ. I wonder how famous since I haven't heard of them before but to their credit their BBQ actually taste good. If my wife and daughter's taste buds are any indication, Floyd's serves a decent BBQ in town. Just how many ways can you grill a chicken or pork? Trust me, Floyd's taste differently good.

The people of Guimbal invites everyone to witness their one of a kind festival, the Bantayan Festival. Bantayan Festival tells a story by re-enacting how the Christian settlers of Guimbal fought against the pirates.

The municipality of Guimbal headed by their dynamic municipal mayor, Hon. Richard S. Garin is inviting everyone to celebrate with them the 2007 BANTAYAN Festival starting on March 27 with their Drum, Float, Street Dancing Competitions and the Search for Miss Bantayan Festival; the Porma Balas, Pinta Lawas, Fluvial Parade, the Re-enactment of the Moro Raid and the Bantayan Video Festival takes the limelight on March 29; and the colorful Bantayan Tribal Dance Drama Competition on March 31, 2007.

There is no better way to get to know the people of Guimbal than through their BANTAYAN Festival. It is the moment when the community strives to put on a splendid cultural presentation, not only for themselves but also for those who come from afar to admire and enjoy. Its dramatic presentation and excitement, with greater preparations and more spectacular props each year is an attempt to save its historic event in danger of extinction---the origin is the battle between the natives of Guimbal and the Muslim pirates. The format of the presentation is the theatrical enactment of attacks a battle enactment with skirmishes and dances, the victory of the people in the community against the Muslim pirates, and finally homage to the patron saint. Prominent in the presentation is the use of the prop guimba, believed to where the name of the town was derived from, it was ancient instrument of the Spanish Panayanons that resembled a drum and is beaten by hand, serving as a warning to the community for an incoming raid. The festival is the celebration of the people and it never fails to draw visitors throughout the province and the other side of the region.
Via iloilo.gov.ph

Passi City is holding their 9th Foundation Anniversary and is inviting everyone to their Pintados de Pasi Festival that started last monday, March 11, 2007. Highlight will be on Sunday March 18.

With the theme “Passinhon nga Kultura, Sakdagon Ta” on its 9th Foundation Anniversary, the people of Passi City led by their municipal mayor, Hon. ELYZER C. CHAVEZ is inviting everyone to come and witness their many other special events enjoyed during the week-long celebration, including Garden Show and Food Festival on March 11, its opening day; the Karosa Parada and Carabao-Painting Contest with the Grand Coronation Night of the Search for Bb. Pintados on March 16; Sinadya sa Suba and the Pinta Lawas Contest of March 17; and the much awaited Tribe Competition on March 18. With this wealth of unique cultural and recreational events, Pintados de Pasi is surely one of the country’s top tourism festivals.

The Pintados de Pasi Festival, in Passi City, central of Iloilo province, is perhaps one of the best known and established festivals of the Visayan region that have evolved through the years. It has played a big part in the lives of most Passinhons. It is the most popular spectator cultural event and the most popular for the community that has a large following. Theatrical-like street dancing performances are a celebrated part of the Pintados festivity that is characterized by heavy and aggressive body movements. Here, performers adorned in traditional body tattoo with elaborate geometrical designs in their body, including their arms, legs and torso dramatizes stories in which the towns’ ancestral beings laid down every feature of the area, especially, their way of life. Source: Iloilo.gov.ph

It's valentine's day in 3 days. Do you have a date? I sure do. One of the perks of being married is that you'll definitely have a date. Whether we like it or not, human nature dictates that we seek out a life partner. Although, not everybody will agree.

Would you agree that valentine's day is one those times when most people find a big hole in their pocket the next day? There are only two days in a year that demand for flowers are at their all time high. You have to pay the top money to buy them in order to impress a date. Flowers are cliche and cute; but works most of the time.

That's the class example of valentine's day dating. People have already found other ways to express love besides giving flowers. Scented candles have worked it's way up the ladder. And tell me if I'm wrong but women nowadays love sexy underwear. Of course, if you can afford it, give her jewelry. Aren't diamonds a girl's bestfriend?

Valentine's day does not stop at valentine's gift. It's all about spending time together. Romantic dinner for two always pops up first. You have 3 more days to book a reservation to your favorite cozy restaurant or suffer the same fate of a close friend, who after a long night of searching, can't find a table in any decent restaurants that he and his date ended up dining at McDonalds.

Still with me? You must be a valentine's day sucker to reach this far reading the crap I just wrote. OK. Here's the deal. Just be real. You don't want to overdo it. Your date can smell a trying hard a mile away. Just go out there and have fun. That way, you'll probably hear from him/her again the next day. And speaking of fun, I just saw two major concert ads. The Company will be playing at the Centennial Hotel Resort and Convention Center in Alta Tierra Village. There's also the Williams and Lambert concert on February 13, 2007 at Rose Memorial Auditorium in Central Philippine University campus. Haven't heard much of them (unless they wear leather jackets) but I heard they're good songwriters. Ticket price is a little stiff, though.

Happy valentine's everybody.

I had the head unit of our car stereo upgraded two days ago. I had it changed to the one that can play MP3s and added an extra 12-Disc CD changer. There's no point in having a CD changer when it already is capable of playing a CD with tons of music in MP3 format. It's there with a purpose - quality. Raw CD tracks, as opposed to MP3 tracks, still has better quality (at least the original ones). I bought it from a friend who's getting a touchscreen head unit.

RYL Electronics did the setup. You can find them in Quezon Street, Iloilo City - on the same block with Ground EFX and a stone throw away from Speedzone. They were referred by my brother who's a car setup buff. The service fee was half that of Ground EFX.

The old unit is totally working fine. It can play cassette tapes but I don't buy them anymore. For now, I placed it inside a box and will have it reinstalled when I finally decide to sell the car in the future.

One compelling reason why we decided to change the head unit is that we're tired of what the local FM radio stations are playing and driving out of town render the stereo useless in entertaining. OK, that's two.

We were thinking of getting an iPod that can be hooked wireless to the car. We could've gotten one except for reviews I read about it not having good sound quality. Other than that, the iPod would've been a nice toy to have. When it comes to music, nothing feels better than a loudspeaker thumping. I tend to listen to music intended to be played loud. Doing so with an earphone can be devastating to the eardrums.

Tribu Tultugan of Maasin and Tribu Kahilwayan of Sta. Barbara are the two most consistent crowd favorites according to Aksyon Radyo's survey of audiences in each judging area. However, these are not conclusive of the final official results that will be announced tomorrow - Sunday - night in Freedom Grandstand. The survey is a sort of an exit interview.

Tribu Tultugan and Tribu Kahilwayan showed very good performances in front of judges and audiences in 5 judging areas it's really hard to tell who will win. For now, it's anybody's game. Though, it looks like Tultugan has a bit of lead over Kahilwayan. I'm leaning towards Tribu Kahilwayan due to their refreshing use of drum and bugle band for their musical score.

The other two tribes who are also taking a crack at the top spot are Tribu Mandurriaonon and Tribu Pahinis. Tribu Pahinis came all the way from the province of Antique.