Short Detours

If you’re looking for an alternative destination just after the rainy days in the northern Philippines, there's Adivay in  Benguet Province , one of the major festivals in the Region. Adivay festival coincides with Benguet Province’s Foundation Day which is November 23. The province was created in 1900. This 2014, the main event was scheduled on the 24 th , Monday. The street parade and street performances will happen in the morning to be followed by the Grand Cañao. The Street parade showcases cultural presentations as well as drums and lyre performances of participating schools and government units and departments. The Grand Cañao is a traditional feast that starts with catching of boars by the different municipalities of the provinces followed by simultaneous butchering of the animals that will be prepared for the meals of participating audience. You will need a strong stomach if you want to witness the traditional synchronized butchering which is a thanksgivi...

It happens every three years, an event that is so elusive to me, I wasn't able to attend the last two celebrations that took place since I joined the throng of journalists in Baguio. Finally got my chance this year. The event is not extraordinary. There are other festivals that are better compared to it. But there are activities that are unique only in Banaue. And of course, the event is happening in the famous Rice Terraces, one of the considered 8th wonder of the World. While the greatest attraction of the place is still the landscapes and the terraces - photos of these had been circulating for centuries, the cultural activities are a great addition that visitors can enjoy especially to foreign tourists. The unique scooter race has recently become one of the most viral images of Banaue. Prices are cheaper than the Capital Cities. Accommodations  are affordable, although most of the Inns have common bathrooms and toilets usually designed for 'homestay'. ...

There are no fine dining in Banaue, probably Banaue Hotel has a good dining area, but foods there are not the best you can find. But we do have one Restaurant that can cater to big groups and serve probably the best foods in the area. It was owned by a family of cooks.  I was thankful that I was billeted there during my last visit. Las Vegas Lodge and Restaurant is owned by the Bustamante Family. The owner Leo Bustamante told us about his special adobo and it is indeed special. Even the foreign visitors like it. Guess the Filipino food is not only for the Filipino taste. Depending on the availability of ingredients, all recipes in the menu are not always available. Beef was out of stock when we ordered for it, perhaps because we were there during the Imbayah Festival and food supplies quickly run out. But we were treated with something else, a special rabbit recipe. Mr. Bustamante also likes to sing and sometimes renders song to his patrons. The guitar was p...

    If you go on a working holiday/vacation with your family in Baguio City, you will need a place where your kids can be preoccupied while you work. There aren't that many hotels in Baguio who offer a play place for kids. In fact I have not seen one except Country Club that offers a day care service. But at Azalea, the play place is free. It is a thoughtful addition to vacationing families. :-)   You can do your work at the Tradisyon Restaurant sipping coffee while keeping watch of them play. For a family vacation, I think that is one of the strongest selling point of the hotel.  While most of the deluxe rooms have veranda's, you may be given one without. You should request for it when booking. If you want to maximize your experience, book a room located at the front side of the hotel. It has better views than the back and at the same time you can also watch out for your kids play at the play place should you choose to work in the veranda....

It's Panagbenga once again and blooming flowers dancing with the soft breeze are imitated by the street dancers as they follow the rhythm of the Panagbenga hymn created by Dean Macario Fronda. Graduating from its teens, Baguio's flower festival continue to attract visitors in spite of the issues faced by the organizers and the public officials. When the festival was conceptualize, it was to help Baguio rise up from the devastation of the earthquake. It was to help the tourism, which was one of Baguio's main industry, to rise again. It's likened to a flower that blooms again after slumbering during the winter, or in Baguio's case, the rainy season. It was also aimed to help agriculture most especially the cut flower industry that was the major product of nearby municipalities like La Trinidad. That was one of the reasons also why Adivay was originally scheduled on February so that the province of Benguet will also benefit from the spill over of the...