KAPAMILYA FIESTA 2010

 

Gawd, it's hard to believe this is approaching eleven years ago now.

So much has changed since then.

 It was the early days of my being in the retail Filipino goods industry, and I was still some years away from full disillusionment with that. However, the local community had, by this time, done their best to taint my view of being involved, and I was already trying to remain at arms length.

What a shame that so much has been destroyed by so few.

Registration desk.
Mr Registration Guy has the Lantangan smile.

Twas obviously popular!

Back in the days when balloons were far more fun than those flaming electronic devices that thrill kids nowadays.

Can't recall what this woman's roll was in the whole scheme of things there.

Ms Pasalubong (at the time).

She who I learnt so much off before venturing into my own Filipino grocery store.

From the look on the face of the 'Go Talk' lady, I suspect the asawa has just asked for a 50% discount on their calling cards.

Hmmmmm, never had an awful lot of time for this LBC company. Ongoing dramas saw me stop getting them in the shop a few times.

I shall not go into here as speaking truth is never really popular in the community.

If sending boxes to the Philippines, we always use BM Express.

Alternatively, though a bit more expensive, there is also Forex Cargo who have a great track record of reliability.

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Part of the 2010 'Kapamilya Fiesta' saw stars Derek Ramsey and Angelica Pananiban, from that ghastly ' ABS-CBN / The Filipino Channel ' (who rather block you on Facebook than honestly answer customer questions), entertain the fans.

Derek Ramsey (apparently famous).

Ol mate Bernie.
Not sure where he is nowadays.

The beautiful Angelica Panganiban.

Oh well, that's about it for this rather mediocre posting.

I was a bit too busy to take to many shots and, to be honest, I was pretty bitter on the whole community thing at the time.

Video: Angelica Panganiban At Event.
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My wife is leaving me because, because, because, because, becaaaaaauuuse !!!! She thinks I'm obsessed with the Wizard of Oz.!!!!

ISLAND HOPPING 2007

 

Again, I find myself with a random bunch of old Philippine shots from years ago, with little else to do with them than place them all on here.

This lot all come from my first major island hopping adventure that saw us fly from Manila to Iloilo City, drive to Roxas City, boat to Jintotolo Island, then Lantangan (Masbate). From there we drove to Masbate City, boat to Pilar Bicol), van to Legaspi and bus back to Manila.

Tiring, but well worth it for the experience.

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Jintotolo Island

Jintotolo map: Copyright of Google and used as per their terms and conditions.

Jintotolo image: Copyright of Google and used as per their terms and conditions.

Jintotolo is a small island, one of 32 barangays that make up the 'Municipality of Balud', in the province of Masbate (Philippines).

While I can't speak for it in 2021, I well remember noting how well kept the island was. Well laid out, proper footpaths, clean, all added to the amazing scenery the island has to offer. 

If I had to pick a highlight, it would be a glowing Philippine sunset from the lighthouse. I wish I could locate those shots at the moment. :-(

The waters around Jintotolo Island were crazy clear. You see it in tourist photos, but this was the first time I have seen it in real life.

The local boats 'Bankas' always help to make a photo complete.

Elwin Dinzon, related to the asawa somewhere in the Family Tree, or Family Jungle as I tend to call it :-)

He was our Banka Captain on the day.

The well known Jintotolo lighthouse, a must see if you ever find yourself on the island.

Jintatolo sunsets, even better when they are the stunning bright orange ones the Philippines enjoy.

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Lantangan (Masbate)

Lantangan (Masbate) map: Copyright of Google and used as per their terms and conditions.

Lantangan (Masbate) image: Copyright of Google and used as per their terms and conditions.

These were just a few leftover photographic scraps.
I covered Lantangan in more detail HERE.

Riding the family Carabao was quite the novelty for my son. Can't ride the family pets back home :-) 

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Masbate City

Masbate City map: Copyright of Google and used as per their terms and conditions.

Masbate City image: Copyright of Google and used as per their terms and conditions.

Fourteen years later and I am still a bit filthy about the ridiculously small amount of time I was afforded in Masbate City

Despite promises of a return, and a longer look, nothing has come of it and now Covid has likely wiped out the last chance, following cancelation of the trip last year. 

So, the most I got was a lady doing manicures on the wharf (above), and our hasty departure for Pilar(below).

Pilar - Legaspi (Bicol)

Pilar (Bicol) map: Copyright of Google and used as per their terms and conditions.

Pilar (Bicol) image: Copyright of Google and used as per their terms and conditions.

It was a fast ferry for the journey across to Pilar (Bicol), being a twin hulled Cat if I recall correctly.

The journey time saving was more than lost by having to wait some hours for a van driver who was willing to take us to Legaspi :-(

I am sort of sorry I did not spent those hours taking far more shots of the place. However, I think my mind was all set on seeing the railway station at Legaspi and, of course, the famous Mayon Volcano.

One thing that did grab my attention in Pilar was a big white tent with much activity going on inside.

After asking around, I found out that the game is called Pula Puti (red and white).

Thankfully, their initial shock at seeing me walk into the tent, was shortlived and I was able to watch the goings on.

Pula Puti can be played at legal casinos and is often seen at local barangay fiestas.

More details about Pula Puti, which is considered gambling, can be found HERE!

Thanks to Ginia Riverside of the 'Philippines Facebook Group' for her help identifying the game.

Have taken hundreds of jeepney shots, but none I like more than this.

If ever  was able to recreate the trip, I would spend a couple of hours here trying to get photos. But, given this is the only time I ever saw the volcano clear of cloud, I wouldn't make any bets on being lucky enough next time.

Legazpi City

Legazpi (Bicol) map: Copyright of Google and used as per their terms and conditions.

Legazpi Railway Station (Bicol) image: Copyright of Google and used as per their terms and conditions.

This was another first for me.
I noticed a group of kids playing something on the Legazpi railway station platform. On getting closer, I found them partaking in the popular kids pastime of spider fighting.

While this is not illegal in itself, some areas of the Philippines are trying to stop it as it has been found to affect kids education. 
Then, of course, there have been those that have turned it into gambling. At that point, like cock fighting, it starts to become an illegal activity.

To end this thrilling blog installment, it is a late afternoon view of the Mayon Volcano, taken from the north end of the Legazpi railway yard.
There is a couple of railway tracks amongst that grass, actually the curve to the right was originally the line to Tabaco. However, today only a small section remains for turning trains. 

The line here had reopened since this visit, but last year Typhoon Rolly inflicted some massive damage to it again. It is unknown if, or when, the line will be repaired again.

Youtube: Jintotolo Island Views

Facebook: Jintotolo Island

Facebook: Philippines Group