Ternate: the other side of Cavite

Si no sabe mira donde a vine

No di yega donde quiere inda.

—Ternateño Chabacano Proverb—

And that's why we're back, and this time with the whole Alas caboodle!

The last time we were in Ternate was almost three years ago. But there were only three of us: me, Yeyette, and Krystal. Our main purpose during our first trip to Ternate was to document the town: its parish church, ancestral houses (we saw only one and it didn't even look that ancient), and its Chabacano-speaking populace (there were quite a lot of them!). But last February 16, all of us including our three boys journeyed to Ternate, this time for a beach escapade! It's because Yeyette's cough did not dissipate when we went to Manila Bay a week before. She was hoping that a gulp of fresh sea breeze would clear her lungs. But there was no breeze at all because of the unwanted easterlies. That's why she thought of visiting the sea once more. This time around, we really had to be in a beach somewhere near our home. We checked the map and decided to go to Puerto Azul. Yeyette had really wanted a cool gust of sea air (it has this "placebo effect" on her somehow), so me and the kids had no other choice but to comply. Not that we were complaining, hehehe! Life's a beach, lest you forget! Especially for kids! And to paraphrase Pinay Travel Junkie, it's summer when we say so. =)

We left San Pedro Tunasán very early, before 4 AM, because Yeyette was really after the early morning breeze from the sea. We were supposed to take a much shorter route, via General Mariano Álvarez and Dasmariñas (Caviteño towns that are just beside La Laguna). Unfortunately, there were still no jeepneys plying that route on that hour. So we had to drag our still sleepy selves all the way to Parañaque's Southwest Integrated Provincial Transport Terminal (in Uniwide Coastal Mall) for a bus ride going straight to Ternate.

Welcoming ourselves back to Ternate! The Chabacano message on the arch means "We welcome all of you wholeheartedly".

We arrived just a few minutes past six in the morning, dropping off at the junction of Calle Ventura (which leads to the town proper) and Governor's Drive beside a pasture . It was a freezing morning! The people were wearing sweaters and jackets when we got there. We asked around on how to get to Puerto Azul. We were dismayed to learn from the tricycle drivers stationed there that Puerto Azul's management does not allow them entry (why, Puerto Azul?). We just asked to be brought only to the entrance, and we'll take it from there. But they warned us that it's gonna be a long walk from the entrance to the beach proper. So they offered us another alternative: Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim, popularly known as Marine Base, in faraway Barrio Calumpang.

I'm familiar with the place, the Wikimapia aficionado that I am. Judging from the online satellite imagery, the white sands seemed enticing enough especially for beach lovers like Yeyette. However, I wasn't really sure if people are allowed to come in. But the tricycle drivers reassured us that they've been bringing tourists there all the time. When we finally agreed, they charged the six of us for ₱300, double that for a two-way trip. Yeyette was able to bargain for a ₱50-peso discount. Later on, we realized that the fare was fair: our destination was so far that for a brief moment during the trip, I wondered if we were still in Ternate.

Yeyette and the boys packed the trike's sidecar while me and Krystal were seated behind the driver. The trike ride sliced through a smooth paved road which zigzagged through steep and high ravines and swished through thick forests. We were rewarded with a breathtaking view of Cavite's rural sceneries as well as its last remaining forest cover (the long and winding road we trekked upon was actually at the foot of the Pálay-Pálay National Park where the famous Pico de Loro mountain is situated). The relaxing trip to the marine base was coupled with a chilly morning air that we've been craving for in Manila Bay. But it got too cold it already hurt our feet (me and Krystal were wearing only sandals). I guess we got more than what we've bargained for!

We love roads like this! This lovely  highway leads to the marine base and passes by the entrance to Puerto Azul. It ends at Caylabne Bay Resort (we heard that it's undergoing renovation). We have seen no other road like this even in our adopted home province of La Laguna because there are long stretches of it without any roadside houses nor stalls which are typical nowadays in many provincial roads.

At the entrance to the marine base. My boys are ready for battle... beach battle that is!

The fine white sands of Katungkulan Beach Resort, the formal name given by the marines to their Borácay-like sanctuary (if they consider it as such).

Juanito, Jefe, and Momay enjoying the shallow waters.

After swimming, we visited the newly opened Kaybiang Tunnel, a 300-meter underground tunnel which connects Ternate to Nasugbú, Batangas.

By the way, a brief backgrounder about Ternate and its linguistic heritage: just in case one says that the whole province of Cavite is purely a Tagalog-speaking region, he should rethink this. To the northeast of the province, there’s Ciudad de Cavite with its senior citizens speaking Cavitén (a Chabacano variant). And at the southwesternmost tip of Cavite province lies this quaint fishing town called Ternate. But this is no ordinary town; like Ciudad de Cavite up north, this place is frequented by linguists, polyglots, and Hispanists because of the townsfolk language: Chabacano. But the Chabacano spoken in Ternate is different from its Cavitén counterpart. According to Dr. Evangelino Nigoza, the town’s historian and foremost defender of the language, Ternateños call their native tongue “Bahra”. The linguistic structure of Bahra is “another world” of its own. And in my opinion, it is rather more difficult for a Spanish-speaker to understand because Bahra is somehow influenced by the Portuguese language aside from the fact that Ternateños tend to speak it so fast (they seem to tweedle when they do so).

But why Portuguese? It is because Ternateños are actually the descendants of Malays from Ternate Island in the Moluccas archipelago. These islands were formally possessions of Portugal. The first Ternateños were brought to the Philippines by the Spaniards in 1663. These Malay recruits were called Mardicas or “men of the sea”.

There were two reasons why the Mardicas chose to leave Ternate Island: the island was highly volcanic, and; to help defend Manila from Chinese pirate Koxinga. Fortunately for Governor-General Sabiniano Manrique de Lara (who ruled the Philippines during those panic-stricken times), Koxinga fell ill and died. But the Mardicas never returned to their native land due to the place’s severe volcanic activity. Instead, they were given a spot in Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) in Ermita, Manila.

It is perhaps during their brief stay in Bagumbayan that their language was further developed, for the people surrounding their little barrio, the Ermiteños, spoke Chabacano Ermiteño, Spanish, and Tagalog. However, frequent squabbles with the Ermiteños forced the Spanish authorities to move the Mardicas people to another place. Bahra de Maragondón (now Maragondón) in Cavite was chosen for them since the place was frequently attacked by Moro pirates. Anyway, it was agreed earlier that they were to help fight Koxinga in Manila. But since that never materialized, it was decided that their military services should still be used, but somewhere else.

In Bahra de Maragondón, the Mardicas settled at the mouth of the Maragondón River. But it was a swampy area filled with mangrove trees. These were cleared through the years, prompting them to till the soil. So aside from fishing, the early Mardicas were also farmers. They also intermarried with the natives of neighboring villages. They also built a watchtower which they called Mira — maybe that’s how they call a watchtower because in Spanish, the word "mira" is the present indicative (third person) or present imperative (second person) of the verb mirar meaning “to watch”.

In due time, the spot where they cleared away mangrove trees became the foundation of present-day Ternate. Also, they renamed their new home: from Bahra de Maragondón to Ternate, in memory of their former home in the faraway archipelago of Moluccas.

During the Spanish times, Ternate was just a barrio of Maragondón. Many years later, it became a separate town. In 1904, however, during the American occupation, Ternate was attached to the town of Náic. It became a separate town again in 1914.

Iglesia del Santo Niño de Ternate. It no longer has its original features. Ask World War II why.

Peaceful coexistence. The parish church is just perpendicular to the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI). But I hope that the IFI will soon come home to the Catholic fold because we are no longer at war against Spain. That's the only reason why they separated from the Catholic Church to begin with. So now, there is really no more valid reason why they should remain "independent"... I'm sorry, I almost forgot that this is a travel blog.

Small world! That guy with the cap immediately recognized us upon our arrival. Turns out that he's the same candle vendor in front of Lumbán Church whom we saw last month (find his photo here)! Yeyette asked if the lady beside her is his mom. The lady politely replied that she's the wife! I promptly left after taking this photo.

It is said that Ternate survived various turmoils in the history of Cavite: the Tagalog rebellion of the Katipuneros as well as the invasion of both Yankee and Jap. But it barely survived the American retaking of the Philippines, and that was during the closing days of World War II. Only seven homes survived.

Oddly enough, the original Mardicas families who transferred from Ternate Island, Moluccas, Indonesia to the Philippines were also numbered seven. These families are:

1.) De la Cruz

2.) De León

3.) Estéibar

4.) Nigoza

5.) Niñofranco

6.) Pereira

7.) Ramos

Their descendants still live today. And surprisingly, they all know the history of their ancestors! Glad to know that the people here are history conscious.

Momay and Jefe at the entrance to Barrio San José (right beside the public market) where most Chabacano speakers of Ternate reside. But we did not go here anymore because Yeyette was already tired.

We did not tour the town proper anymore like we did the first time we were there. We just killed time in front of the public market before going home, chatting with some Chabacano ladies (using Spanish) while feasting on halo-haló. This, my friends, is the other side of Cavite. Beautifully strange.

Click here for more photos of our Ternate adventure!

♥L♥A♥F♥A♥M♥I♥L♥I♥A♥V♥I♥A♥J♥E♥R♥A♥

Up next: Ternate's humble beach paradise called "Borácay de Cavite"!

Valentine's Day lunch at KC Filipinas Golf Resort Club

Saint Valentine's Day was spent with the whole family. We just had a simple lunch... I'm not sure if you'd call Korean dishes as simple, but I think it's normal fare for Yeyette who has a Korean palate. What I know that is not simple is the place where we had our Valentine's lunch date: KC Filipinas Golf Resort Club, Inc.

Glassy entrance.

Baby Juanito surveying the immense green that is Hole 1. 

Jefe happily doing a cartwheel on a sloped area.

Formerly known as TAT Filipinas Golf Club, KC Filipinas Golf Resort Club  is reputedly one of the best and most challenging golf courses in the country (Tiger Woods better check this out to verify it). It's under Korean management, so don't be surprised if you see mostly Korean golfers in the place. But hey, they're a friendly bunch. They keep on smiling at you whenever you bump into them — are Koreans really that friendly? Some even conversed with me using their language... duh, do I even look Korean? I could only smile back in response. =)

But me and my family we're not interested in golf. We had other things in mind: the ambiance, the fresh breeze, and of course, this...

Sorry. I forgot the names of each dish. Yeyette did tell me what each is called but I forgot them almost immediately, being too Asian for my ears. Who cares? They all tasted great!

Saint Valentine's Day are for lovers indeed... and who gave you the idea that a couple are the only lovers around? :-)

The golf course is located in San Pedro's elevated parts to the west. During the early days, it was a forested area called "cahuyán" (literally, "woods") which connects to the jungles of old Dasmariñas in Cavite where the legendary outlaw Nardong Putik (Leonardo Manecio) used to prowl. When the golf course was being developed, the original owners must have spared a couple of trees from the old cahuyán because some of the trees I saw there were the ones I usually encounter during mountain hikes (I just don't know what they're called). Well and good.

I'm not exactly a fan of hitting a small and innocent ball with a metal club. But after visiting KC Filipinas, I started to read a lot about golf, and it seemed to be an exciting sport after all. Too bad that it's always associated with the elite. But of course. Most golf players today, at least in the Philippines, belong to the upper strata of society. Businessmen are the usual patrons of this sport. I'm no businessman, and my wallet is almost always on the brink of starvation whenever payday is around the corner, haha So it's a wild guess when I would be able to lay my hands on one of those mean looking irons and hit those balls all the way to China's Presidential Palace (and hopefully explode there). Anyway, as a friend of mine aptly put it, golf is good only for business transactions.

My three boys was able to discover other fun things to do here, such as rolling around the grass!

Lucky Krystal. When I was her age, I never got to do this.

♥ ♥ ♥

By the way, there's no need to worry: although Korean, KC Filipinas is Gangnam-Style free. =)

Click here for more photos of our golfing experience that had nothing to do with golf.

At downtown Malate

After our early morning tootle in Manila Bay, we proceeded to downtown Malate on foot for breakfast. Malate is just beside Ermita and is best traversed via the famous promenade between the calm bay and smooth-flowing Roxas Boulevard, what with all its curious rovers and vagrants doing various activities (fishing, jogging, etc.). The sun was not yet high when we left Ermita, so we decided to walk by the promenade —known to many simply as the Baywalk— towards Malate.

The Baywalk is a two-kilometer promenade lined with coconut trees that stretches from the U.S. Embassy in Ermita all the way to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in Malate. It is a perfect place to experience Manila Bay's famous sunsets.

Malate nowadays is famous for its nightlife attractions such as al fresco cafés, bars and specialty restaurants, and lively street parties. But a long time ago, Malate was bucolic and, should I say, "spiritually salty". As salt is the ingredient used to make food flavorful, it was this saltiness in Filipino religiosity which flavored the spirituality of this old Hispanic arrabal (district) outside the hallowed grounds of the Walled City. Malate church, the heart of the arrabal, was already filled with activity especially on Saturday mornings when the churchyard was crowded with candle, food, and toy vendors (something that is not present anymore). And up to World War II, mothers with ailing children would walk on their knees from the church doors toward the altar to seek help from the church's patroness, Nuestra Señora de los Remedios — Our Lady of Remedies, hence the name Calle Remedios which runs along to the right of the church.

Now, if we are to take this saltiness of religiosity to a more literal level, it should be noted that Malate's former name was Maalat. In the early days, the plaza right in front of the church used to be a beach. Roxas Boulevard runs through what used to be Manila Bay‘s coastline. During breezy moments, the waves coming from the sea lapped the church doors and the lower walls of the façade, and it affected the quality of nearby wells, rendering them salty ("maalat" in Tagalog). Through the years, with the evolution of language and orthography, Maalat became Malate; the last letter, “e”, is a contraction of “eh“, a common but meaningless inflection in Southern Tagalog dialects.

My wife and kids crossing the scenic Roxas Boulevard. Named after former President Manuel Roxas, this boulevard underwent a couple of name changes. It was originally called Cavite Boulevard, then renamed Dewey Boulevard in honor of U.S. Admiral George Dewey (I still hear some elderlies calling it Dewey). During the Japanese Occupation, it was called Heiwa (Japanese for "peace") Boulevard until its final name change sometime in the 1960s.

The Alas kids at Plaza Rajah Sulayman's dancing fountain.

We had our breakfast at The Aristocrat, “The Philippines' Most Popular Restaurant”. Wanna know how this place looked like during  the Spanish times? Then click here!

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, famously known as Malate Church. This baroque church is one of a kind for having trefoil blind arches, an indication of Moorish influence. It was severely damaged during World War II. But thankfully, much of the façade's unique characteristics remained intact.

We were delighted to meet the Most Reverend Philip Wilson here! He had just finished celebrating Mass. He is the Archbishop of Adelaide, Australia and is also the president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. Beside him is Fr. John Leydon, the Irish parish priest of Malate Church.

Behind us is the retablo that holds the ancient image of Our Lady of Remedies. It was brought here by the Augustinians from Spain in 1624.

The very popular Café Adriático, a landmark in Malate. It was named right after the street where it is situated. Calle Adriático in turn was named in honor of Macario Adriático, a parliamentarian from Calapán, Mindoro Oriental (he was the representative of the whole island of Mindoro in the Philippine Assembly of 1907). The street's original name, Dakota, is still widely used by jeepney drivers plying the area.

A monument dedicated to propagandist Marcelo H. del Pilar in the middle of Remedios Circle. Incidentally, his 95-year-old granddaughter lives just nearby (oh yes, she is still alive and keen of mind!).

The area surrounding the church is the heart, the original, Malate. It used to be a summer resort for the Hispanized and wealthy Tagalogs. At the close of the 19th century, wealthy Binondeños built seaside villas along Calle Real (now Marcelo H. del Pilar Street). But it was not fully developed as there were still large tracts of swamplands and ricefields with nipa huts in the area. It was only during the U.S. colonial period when Malate was fully developed. A realtor by the name of Henry Jones started buying lands in both Malate and Pacò, filling and subdividing them into partitioned lots which he offered on installment. It can be said that Jones's Malate was the prototype of modern subdivisions and villages.

Jones named the streets in his Malate subdivision after the states of his country, some of which are still embedded in Filipino memory: California, Carolina, Dakota (does it ring a bell?), Georgia, Kansas, Oregon, etc. All of them are now Filipinized. For example: Tennessee Street is now known as Calle Malvar, named in honor of General Miguel Malvar of Batangas (the last high-ranking Filipino official to have surrendered to the U.S. invaders).

There is still so much to see in this lively district (the CCP, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, etc.). We would have toured much, if not all, of Malate if it not for Yeyette's delicate condition. But I guess that grand Malate tour would have to wait for another day. Besides, Malate is best visited at night. And when you do so, let Malate's popular bars and restaurants enthrall you with their bright lights, unique dishes, and other street party gimmicks.

For my family, the most important thing is that we touched base with Malate's inner core.

Click here for more photos of our downtown Malate tour!

Early morning stroll by the bay

We were already up at the crack of dawn last Sunday, and a few minutes past 4 AM we were already on a bus bound for Manila. Our destination: Manila Bay, one of the world's most beautiful natural harbours.

Yeyette caught a bug a few days ago and was suffering from a hoarse voice and itchy throat. Since she's heavy with child, she cannot take any medication for it might affect our baby. So we had to resort to some old-fashioned natural treatment: the sea breeze from Manila Bay, said to have curative effects as per the older Manileño folks.

We arrived there a few minutes before 6 AM. But there were already many people!



Behind Krystal is the Quirino Grandstand, named after President Elpidio Quirino, the first president who was sworn in there. The place was still lighted as it was still a bit dark when we arrived.

Right beside the grandstand is the entrance to the Manila Ocean Park, the country's first world-class marine theme park, and Hotel H2O, famous for its marine-themed rooms and suites.



The last time me and Yeyette were here (and I can't remember when), Hotel H
2O wasn't around yet. The view of the bay from this spot used to be wide.



We didn't stay here for long because somebody was smoking. We moved to another area.



Unfortunately, the air was still that morning. There was no breeze at all because of the unwanted easterlies, rendering my jacket virtually useless. Nevertheless, we still enjoyed the scenery, and enjoyed looking at the people enjoying the place too.

 

This part of bayside is still within the area of Rizal Park in the district of Ermita. Back in the day, when malls were not yet the center of Filipino social meet-ups, Rizal Park's bay area was the preferred picnic place of many a Manileño family and barcadahán. Even those from within and without Metro Manila flock here to experience the fresh breeze flowing from the bay.

I still remember the cool morning years ago when we brought here my sister Faye who was then about a year old at that time. She was suffering from a lingering cough, and no amount of medication would drive it away. My maternal grandmother who lives in Tondo suggested that we bring her by the bay on a very early morning in order for her lungs to gulp in fresh sea air. And so we did. In just a few days after that, Faye's cough was gone! My mom too also said that during their younger years, she and her siblings were brought here by our grandparents whenever they had respiratory problems.*

Then as now, Manila Bay (or Bahía de Manila to the history-conscious) is still famous for its picturesque sunsets. Today, many people still visit the place to relax and enjoy the bay view, with its anchored ships, and slowly moving yachts, and gentle birds hovering over the waters. However, it is already rare for one to see the genteel type killing time here. It is sad to note that many vagrants thrive in many places. Needless to say, Rizal Park's bayside will forever remain as the ultimate picnic venue and place of relaxation for many Filipinos in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Just keep the place clean before you leave. Please.

Click here to see more photos of our early morning relaxation by the bay!

♥L♥A♥F♥A♥M♥I♥L♥I♥A♥V♥I♥A♥J♥E♥R♥A



*Just a reminder, guys: I never had any training in medicine. Therefore, I cannot and will not guarantee that this set up always works. I just want to share that it did work for my sister, my mom, and her siblings (although subsiding, Yeyette's cough has not yet left her as of this writing). And I heard that it worked for many other people as well. But hey, don't take my word for it and blame me afterwards if your respiratory ailments get worse. The best solution is still to go visit your friendly neighborhood doctor. =)

Sampaguita Festival 2014

THE OFFICIAL SCHEDULE OF THE SAMPAGUITA FESTIVAL 2014

FEBRUARY 15, SATURDAY

4:00 PM, SAN PEDRO CITY HALL GROUNDS
- CITY OF SAN PEDRO INAUGURATION Inaugural program to formally and festively celebrate the new city status of San Pedro. To be highlighted by the installation of the City of San Pedro Charter City Officials.

07:00 PM, SAN PEDRO CITY PLAZA
- CITY NA TAYO CONCERT A street party, concert, and toast all in one place. A stand-alone sponsored event to wrap-up the whole celebration.

FESTIVAL SOFT OPENING

FEBRUARY 16, SUNDAY

7:00 PM, SAN PEDRO CITY PLAZA
- 2ND SAN PEDRO GOT SMART TALENT
- (Sponsored Event)
Showcase of local talents in performing arts from the City’s 20 barangays. Sponsored by Smart Communications, this competition offers wonderful prices to winning contestants.

FEBRUARY 17, MONDAY

8:00 AM, SAN PEDRO CITY HALL TO CITY PLAZA (Via Mabini, Población, Sto.Niño, Rizal, Luna)
DEP-ED PARADE
A colorful parade and street dancing participated in by schools officials, teachers and students from the 20 elementary schools under the Department of Education (Dep-Ed) San Pedro District.

09:00 AM SAN PEDRO CITY HALL LOBBY
“THE ROAD TO CITYHOOD” PHOTO EXHIBIT
A photo essay showing the historical events that led the creation of the City of San Pedro.

09:00 AM, SAN PEDRO CITY HALL LOBBY
TECHNO DEMO: SAMPAGUITA PRODUCTS
Do you know that there are a myriad of products that can be made out of Sampaguita? In this techno demo, you will discover how to utilize the plant to make goods for a living.

07:00 PM, SAN PEDRO CITY PLAZA
DEP-ED NIGHT
One night of various cultural presentations by the local Dep-Ed Community of teachers and students.

FEBRUARY 18, TUESDAY
9:00 AM, SAN PEDRO CITY PLAZA
KERI-KOH-TO: BADING JOLIMPIKS

KEMBOT-KEMBOT: STILLETO FUN RUN
A friendly short distance running competition among Gay participants wearing long gowns, high heeled shoes and full hair and make-up.

10:30 AM, SAN PEDRO CITY PLAZA
BULAGTAAN: BHADING BOXING
Short and friendly boxing bouts which is more of entertainment than real fighting match, held in a real boxing ring, with fighters wearing real boxer’s attire

6:00 PM, SAN PEDRO CITY PLAZA
STREET PARTY NG KABATAANG LUNGSOD WITH RAP-A-LYMPICS AND PASIKLA-BAND: BATTLE OF THE BANDS
The Aktibo Youth Organization of San Pedro (AYOS) hosts a street party for the city’s youth population at the City Plaza, combined with a competition of local bands.

FEBRUARY 19, WEDNESDAY

7:00 PM, SAN PEDRO CITY PLAZA
MR & MS YOUNG SAN PEDRO 2014
Beauty, brains and talent of young men and women from local public and private high- schools in San Pedro are highlighted in this pageant that is full of fun, excitement, and emotions.

FEBRUARY 20, THURSDAY

9:00 AM, SAN PEDRO CITY PLAZA
CHEER DANCING COMPETITION
Cheer Dancing teams from public and private high schools compete for the coveted title of Sampaguita Festival 2014 Cheer Dancing Champion.

FEBRUARY 21, FRIDAY

5:00 AM, SAN PEDRO CITY HALL GROUND
“UMAGANG KAY GANDA” LIVE COVERAGE OF SAMPAGUITA FESTIVAL
UKG, which is ABS-CBN’s top-rating morning show, features Sampaguita Festival 2014 on remote television coverage from the San Pedro City Hall grounds. Televiewers from around the nation and the world get to know the City’s culture and tradition, and its present state-of-affairs.

4:00 PM, SAN PEDRO CITY PLAZA
A VS. A CELEBRITY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
A clash of stars inside the hard court. This event will definitely excite everyone as celebrity basketball athletes invade San Pedro Basketball Court courtesy of Congressman Dan Fernández.

6:00 PM, SAN PEDRO CITY PLAZA
LA TORRE BRASS BAND
WITH DRILL AND MAJORETTE COMPETITION
Multi-awarded brass bands display their musical prowess, with drill and majorette exhibition as added features.

FEBRUARY 22, SATURDAY

6:00 AM, SAINT PETER THE APOSTLE PARISH CHURCH
CONCELEBRATED MASS
To be organized by the Parish Pastoral Council, this will gather all the faithful for a moment of thanksgiving.

10:00 AM, SAN PEDRO TOWN PROPER
MARCHING BANDS PARADE
Make a way as the best marching bands in and around the town parade and set the mood of the festival with the clashing cymbals, blaring horns and beat of the drum.

01:00 PM, PACITA COMPLEX TO SAN PEDRO CITY PLAZA
PASIKATAN SA CITY CIVIC PARADE
Want to see a local Mardi Gras? All smiles, all colors, all cheer will converge as everyone, from various sectors of the city, line-up for the vivid and gleeful grand parade.

03:00 PM (PARADE), GATEWAY PARK STARTING POINT - 06:00 PM (COMPETITION) SAN PEDRO CITY PLAZA
STREET DANCING PARADE & COMPETITION
All festival celebrations are not complete without this. Watch as different groups vie for the championship.

07:00 PM, PACITA COMPLEX TO CITY PLAZA
ELECTRONIC FLOATS PARADE
Be mesmerized by the dancing lights of various electrical floats.

08:00 PM, SAN PEDRO CITY PLAZA
JRV MUSICAL XTRAVAGANZA
The Fiesta Day is never complete without those traditional events of singing, dancing, comedy and novelty acts at the City Plaza.

FEBRUARY 23, SUNDAY

07:00 PM, SAN PEDRO CITY PLAZA
SAMPAGUITA FESTIVAL OFFICIAL CLOSING CEREMONY CONCERT
Sponsored Event
A street party, concert, and toast all in one place. A stand-alone event to wrap-up the whole festival celebration.

¡Ñgayóng buan ng febrero, babahá ng sampaguita sa San Pedro!

❤L❤A❤F❤A❤M❤I❤L❤I❤A❤V❤I❤A❤J❤E❤R❤A❤

¡Gracias! Thank you! ¡Salamat!

We would like to thank our online friends for promoting our young family travel blog. You have no idea how much we appreciate your time and efforts! We are humbled!

Image credit: Tic Tac, Se me pasa el arroz.

Here they are and their encouraging blogposts/reviews/comments about LA FAMILIA VIAJERA (in order of date of publication):

◕ Satcheil Amamangpang of Aco... Si LOLA KERPS — "La Familia VIAJERA!"

◕ Gemma Suguitan San José of LIFELONG LEARNING — "La Familia Viajera: 1st Family Travel Blog in the Philippines?"

◕ León Pañgilinan, Jr. of tadonggeniuskuno — "La Familia Viajera"
◕ Laiza Felise Fernández of Inconsistencies. — "Sup, homies?"
◕ Juanlu García of VIAJAR EN FILIPINAS — "EL BLOG DE LA FAMILIA VIAJERA"
◕ Arnaldo Arnáiz of with one's past... — "The Traveling Bunch. The Alas' as La Familia Viajera"
◕ Rachel Calixtro of STUFF by rhey — "A NOTABLE COLLECTION OF TRAVEL BLOGS"
◕ Joey Dionisio of MANILA LABYRINTH — "Travel Blogging: La Familia Way"
◕ José Miguel García of PATRIA — "Presenting:"

"It is very inspiring to see a family of six discover our heritage together. Meet the Familia Alas. Thank you for allowing us to walk with you in your family outings through La Familia Viajera. ¡Enhorabuena Pepe and Yeyette!"
—Traveler on Foot—

"Great new blog by Pepe Alas and his family: La Familia Viajera. Check out his post on Intramuros. Some great (although somewhat sad) photographs of the Walled City… Great having you and your family on my tour. ¡Hasta luego!"
—Carlos Celdrán—

"Great tips for traveling families here!"
—Pinay Travel Junkie—

We would also like to show our appreciation to multi-awarded writer and veteran blogger Joe Bert Lazarte, computer whiz kid and OurByte creator Ronnel de la Cruz, and renowned travel blogger Journeying James for their valuable contributions in the construction of this blog. Thank you so much for sharing your technical know-how, inputs, and blogging knowledge! You guys have helped us so much to make this blog possible!

Of course there are also our handful of faithful readers (composed mostly of friends and family members). Thank you so much for the continuous support!

Once again, from the bottom of our hearts: thank you, thank you, thank you! =)

—Familia Alas—

❤L❤A❤F❤A❤M❤I❤L❤I❤A❤V❤I❤A❤J❤E❤R❤A❤

Our belated Filipiniana wedding last year at the San Pedro Apóstol Parish Church. Standing behind us from left to right: my cousin Jam Alas of Magic 89.9; her mom Tita Joji Alas (sponsor); Mayor Lourdes Catáquiz of San Pedro, La Laguna (sponsor); my maternal grandmother Norma Soriano; Yeyette’s dad Jaime Perey; my dad Josefino Alas; former San Pedro mayor Calixto Catáquiz, and; Señor Guillermo Gómez of the Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española. Seated: Krystal, Jefe, me, Yeyette, Juanito, and Momay.

¡BIENVENIDA A LA FAMILIA VIAJERA!

Guillermo Gómez Rivera

Pues José Mario Alas y familia

decidieron viajar a la manera 

de turistas por toda Filipinas.

Irán de pueblo en pueblo para ver 

quiénes son las familias prominentes; 

notar sus apellidos y negocios; 

conocer a sus padres y a sus nietos;

averiguar si hablaban español 

y medir la cultura que les queda 

y la visión histórica que tienen...

Y, de paso, saber de su cocina, 

de sus cantos, sus bailes y otras artes, 

si los tienen; y darles las nociones 

de cultura é historia que precisen... 

Pues lo que es de esperar es que lo gringo, 

de la clase más torpe todavía 

nos lo exhiban como su “cultura”.

¡Qué lástima que Pepe no les lleve 

un pequeño librito de la historia

veraz de Filipinas en tagalo 

para que las personas que conozca 

durante su visita, un recuerdo 

grato tengan de él y de su familia! 

Entonces los siguientes intercambios 

por e-mail tendrán su razón de ser. 

La Familia Viajera tiene todas 

las de ganar con creces permanentes. 

¡Adelante con Alas Filipinas!