Manggahan 2015 Agri - Trade & Tourism Fair at San Miguel Capitol Grounds Jordan Guimaras

Photo Credit to Sir Nonoy Taclino for the picture

It has been my dream to go even for a half day experiencing and knowing what Manggahan Festival in Guimaras is all about. Yes it's true, in my whole life this is actually the first time. My friends and relatives always invited me to join them going here few years back, but I always said no. 

Going here is not planned at all, it was just a quick "Ok let's go" while I was having coffee with my fellow blogger of Iloilo Today at Bo's Cafe inside SM City Iloilo. He said that we are just gonna go there and buy some sweet yellow mangoes. Since I wanted to so the talking is done. 

As a first timer in this kind of festival, I insist myself to really enjoy everything, every moment that was happening and learn how to buy the good mangoes.

Along the Entrance this wonderful welcome post welcomed us showing the many mango fruit stands and other Guimaras products inside.

Before entering the gate, I was so excited from outside going in you can smell the fresh scent of all the mangoes.

Panorama View of a small portion of what's inside the capitol ground

Indeed Guimaras Manggahan Festival is a great feast a half day trip that I will always remember. One of my favorite part is buying a mango shake and two kilos of ripe yellow mangoes which I am going to make my mom a mango float that day because it was her birthday. 

More photos from Manggahan 2015 Agri - Trade & Tourism Fair.

Sweetest Guimaras Mangoes

Mango Mascots

Me trying to learn how to sell some sweet mangoes

Picking up Star Apples at Brgy. Ayaman Cabatuan Iloilo

Me holding a branch of star apples

I grew up knowing what star apples look like, but for my entire 21 years of existence I never tried to eat one star apple. My mom loves to eat this fruits, she would always force me to eat even just a little bite but I won't. Not until February 21, 2015 when my classmate wants me to join them go the house of our school librarian at Brgy. Ayaman Cabatuan Iloilo. 

It was my first time going to Cabatuan and the first time I went out with my classmates. They told me they are going to pick fresh star apples directly from the three. Star Apple Tree bears much fruits during February and March. Out of curiosity on what star apples taste like, this time I am going to eat one for a change.

So there we go we picked almost bucket full of sweet rounded violet star apples comes with different sizes. It was an afternoon of fun talking and eating this wonderful fruit. 

I always told myself that there is always a first time for everything and Indeed it is so true. 

Cabatuan also offers their one best food known as "tinuom" best served in seazers talabahan and leah's tinuom. I'll be writing a separate story for this so keep in touch with me.

How to go to Cabatuan? 

If you're living or staying in Iloilo  City proper you need to ride an Ungka CPU Jeepney going to Ungka Terminal then transfer to a jeepney going to Cabatuan. Or you can ride a taxi.

More photos of Cabatuan Iloilo.

Cabatuan Church also known as San Nicolas De Tolentino Parish Church

Rural Landscape a view facing front from Brgy Ayaman Cabatuan Iloilo

I Support Tri-Sikad Driver in Iloilo | Doing Everything to Live

Tri-Sikad Driver | A stolen shot of a driver going to Ortiz Street
This picture was taken by Reynan Lim and on the streets of Iloilo City.

I always notice them, every corner street around the city, they are called tri-sikad drivers. One time I was asking myself on how much money could they earn in that kind of living? Do they have a family to feed, and so on. I am always curious. 

I grew up going to school and back riding this vehicles "tri-sikad" I don't know what is tri-sikad in English but it is obvious at the picture. 

I tried to ask one of these drivers on how much can they earn everyday, 150 - 200 pesos and more. Now everyday I would always ride a tri-sikad going to school and giving them at least 20 to 25 pesos per ride. 

I admire these kind of people, working hard for them to live in a city like this. They are able to feed their family, enrolled their children to college and have time to be a father to their family. 

How about you do you support them? for me I am supporting them and I am proud to say that they are also part of my inspiration to continue, never give up because one day everything will be just fine.

How I celebrated my summer 2015 | By the beach at San Joaquin Iloilo

Summer is the hottest season in the Philippines, people would usually go out to the beach or go somewhere else cold to escape the heat of the sun. For example Bucari Leon also known as the little baguio of Panay, Malalison Island in Antique known as the little Batanes, Nogas Island and more.

Every time I go online with my social media accounts I always see photos of my friends enjoying the summer vacation but not for us graduating class we are under deadlines and deadlines of research to prepare our way to become future professionals in the society. to cut the story short ..... 

We found out that there is an holiday coming, this means no classes and time to rest. We took this opportunity together with some of my classmates and one staff of our school to have a summer getaway even for just a day. and we did. 

We went to San Joaquin we decided to bought raw foods and just cook it later in the beach, we had fun. I brought my 2 person dome tent in case the girls will change into their swim ware. San Joaquin has one of the most clean waters here in Panay, it has also a lot of marine sanctuary where we can witness different kinds of sea life creatures. We can also do scuba diving and snorkel.

More photos from San Joaquin

The Historic San Joaquin Church

Campo Santo De San Joaquin

HALO-HALO at 5G's Halo Halo Lapaz Iloilo City

Summer is about to end I hope cause it's so hot outside when I go out and do the things I have to do for the whole day. The sun kills my skin makes me little by little darker. Later that day I went to my favorite halo-halo store in the city located at Lapaz Market "5G's Halo Halo."

What is halo-halo?

Halo halo is a popular food here in the Philippines, it comes with many sizes depending on how they serve it. It is mixed with crushed ice, mango, water melon, zagu, kidney beans, jellatine, banana and more. It is indeed a perfect food to eat during hot days like this; and not just during hot but also rainy days well it depends.

I like to eat here at 5G's because in a small amount of money worth only 35 pesos you can enjoy the sweetness of the fruits plus the coldness refreshing your day.

How to go to 5G's Halo Halo?

If you are living in the city proper downtown here are the following jeepneys you can ride.

• Lapaz
• Jaro Liko NFA
• Jaro Like Tagbac Terminal
• Jaro CPU
• Ungka CPU

For directions on google maps click "me"

Guimbal Celebrates 13th Bantayan Festival | Schedule of Activities

Photo Credit to:  Gian Tamayo | Simply Iloilo

13th Bantayan Festival Guimbal Iloilo Schedule of activities from April 7 - 11, 2015

April 7 (Tuesday) - Foundation Day

• 2.00 P.M.  -  Liturgical Services  - Catholic Church (Venue)
• 3.00 P.M.  -  Grand Parade / Floats and Street Dancing Competition - Poblacion (venue)
• 7.00 P.M.  -  Opening Program and Drum Beat Competition - Amphitheater (venue)

April 8 (Wednesday)

• 8.00 P.M.  -  Search for Anyag Kang Bantayan - Amphitheater (venue)

April 9 (Thursday)

• 8.00 A.M.  -  Boat Racing / Porma Balas - Bantayan Beach Resort (venue)
• 11.00 A.M  -  Pinta Lawas - Bantayan Beach Resort (venue)
• 2:30 P.M.  -  Re-Enactment of the Moro Raids "by Tribu Igsibad, Champion Bantayan Festival                      2014 Tribal Dance Drama Competition" - Bantayan Beach Resort (venue)
• 8:00 P.M.  -  11th Bantayan Film Festival - Amphitheater (venue)

April  10 (Friday)

• 8:00 A.M.  -  Motorcross and 4x4 Off-Road Competition - Guimbal River (venue)
• 8:00 A.M.  -  Musical Concert with Artists featuring Akiko Solon and Tee Jay Marquez -                                 Amphitheater (venue)

April 11 (Saturday)

• 3.00 P.M.  -  Tribal Dance Drama Competition - Poblacion (venue)
• 5.00 P.M.  -  Merry-Making - Rizal Street (venue)
• 8:30 P.M.  -  Awards Night and Fireworks Competition - Amphitheater (venue)

and from April 7 - 11 Food Festival and Agro Fair -- Public Plaza (venue)

video by Simply Iloilo | Talakata

See you in Guimbal 13th Bantayan Festival. 

Military Simulation Game of Airsoft in Iloilo City : (LAT) Lapaz Airsoft Team | A game of Honesty

Iloilo City is now rising from its feet, road projects and developments, rehabilitation of heritage sites and buildings along Calle Real are non stop. Business is visible in Iloilo and Iloilo means business so more foreign investors invest in the city. Just a few days ago Grab Taxi a launch their Mobile Booking App to Ilonggos to have convenient access in booking a taxi through mobile technology, same with the I AM Iloilo App which is now available in the Android App Store. The City is trying and moving at its best to provide safety to all and make the city a livable, walkable and bikable city in the Philippines as we speak.

Aside from all these road projects and developments. Here is a group of people or enthusiast who spends their Sunday afternoon playing a game called Air Soft. They said that Sunday is only our time to play this game because of work in our offices and many other activities during their weekdays.

Air Soft is a Military Simulation (MILSIM) game that uses full scaled replicas of real guns, except these guns are motorize or gas operated and uses 6mm round BBs  made of hard plastic. refer to the image below. It also develops honesty by shouting HIT when the opponent or a friendly fire hits you.

Automatic Air Soft Gun of M4A1 - Full Scale Replica

I also plays air soft before, and I can say-I miss all the feeling, excitement, the adrenaline rush on playing the game. The game is simple: there must be at least two separate team that will try to accomplish their missions or objective, a death match game or a speed ball.

I was invited by my friend who's also my church-mate, he is a trainee of one of Philippines' trusted media. I joined him because we both like it and played air soft together 2 or 3 years ago. He actually influenced me on play air soft the first place. 

There are many air soft teams around Iloilo, and we came up to meet one of them. The Lapaz Air Soft Team, one of the kindest team that welcomed us both the time we stepped down our Taxi. Their game site is located along Lapaz Ticud near Iloilo Gun Club Inc. 

Lapaz Air Soft Team

We were welcomed by their Leader or "Tatay-tatay" or the head of command of the team. He also invited us to come play with them every Sunday just for fun. He introduced us to the rest of the team and showed us their team picture. 

The team is also planning to host an international Air Soft tournament inviting foreign air soft enthusiast to play here in Iloilo City maybe this December year 2015-this is not sure yet. and also inviting other who wants to join and play, you are much welcome to join us every Sunday He added. after the first game we went ahead to ride a Jeepney back to the City.

With those few moment of time, I had a feeling of missing the thrill of playing air soft, and maybe one Sunday me and my friend can join them into their Military Simulation Game of Air soft.

Lapaz Air Soft Team Lead Command - Roberto Provido - Facilitator, one of the Pioneers of this group
He is also the Founder of the War Site.

Other Pictures

War Site

Cafe Panay by Panay Tours Specialists Inc. Iloilo City

Cafe Panay by Panay Tours Specialists Inc, located at Quezon Corner Rizal Street Iloilo City celebrated their 1st year anniversary last January 12, 2015 at their store inviting some bloggers and friends from the print to join them in their celebration and of course to offer us a taste of what Cafe Panay can give. 

 Cheddar Cheese with Mushroom Pandesal ni paa sandwich, 

Chorizo recado de ilonggo pandesal ni paa sandwich,

Spanish Sardines pandesal ni paa sandwich.

 Tinapa Roll with Spicy Suka Tuba Dip

Fried Ibos with Mango Compote, tablea dip and muscuvado sugar

Tabagak Ilongga Pasta

Empanaditas de Molo

Red Tahi Ice Tea

Cafe Panay By Panay Tour Specialists Inc. Facade

Panay Tours

Cafe Panay by Panay Tours Specialists Inc. also offers the following services and Consultancy.

Services:

• Tour Guiding
• Tour Coordinating/Managing
• Training
• Customer Service
• Event Management
• Marketing Management
• Resort Management
• Food Handling in Restaurant Management
• Destination Marketing
• Organization and Employee Development
• Leadership
• Coaching and Feedback
• Business English

Consultancy:

• Tourism Development Program
• Marketing Development Program
• Destination Development Program