Cebu City - Part 5

Fetal Guitars - Cebu Part 4

In Lapu-Lapu You Can Have Cocowater Straight From The Coconut - Cebu Part 3

People were having naps in all corners of the shaded pavillons.

Lapu-Lapu himself. The sun was shining so bright I feel like seeing the statue for the first time.

A sneeky peek into an alleyway.

The watermelons are in bowl that was formerly a fan. 

 If in Lapu-Lapu please go to Papakits Marina and Fishing Lagoon:

My first fish!

Makki catching the last rays of sun.

Zip-lining into the sunset.

The only time I went to the beach (Maribagu Blue Water Resort) in my six weeks of Philippines. Thank you so much Aunty Les.

Game of Bamboo Thrones - Cebu Part 2

My Uncle Elmer knows everyone on Lapu-Lapu Island. If it weren't for his connections and ingenuity, I wouldn't have been able to have an unobstructed view of the reenactment as well as police escort. All I needed to do was to claim to be a writer.
There was an insane mass of people watching the show. The reason being that that the three main characters were played by celebrities.

Lapu-Lapu - the Magellan-Slayer, played by a half-Japanese and half-Brazilian gorgeous male model
Bulakna - the wife of Lapu-Lapu, played by the equally gorgeous Venus Raj (the only name I can remember)
Magellan -  played by a man that is totally wiped from my mind

Before the show started mayors and government officials held terrible speeches, with no regard to the people attending the festivities. They were exceedingly long, boring and repetitive.

Acting capabilities where not displayed by the celebs in sizzling noon sun. But getting large sunburns on the right part of my body was worthwhile because the dancing was exquisite. Unfortunately overshadowed by the presence of the stars who in my eyes could have acknowledged the dancers doing the actual work. But no matter, I took plenty of pictures and of my entire trip they are my favorites.

If you want to read up:  The Battle of Mactan.

Palo in Pampanga

Palo means spanking, and spank the Christ reenactors did.
We arrived at night where we saw the first men carrying crosses and stopping once in a while to get hit with sticks by mostly boys aged six to 14. The night was spent at my cousin Vince's girlfriend, the gorgeous Karen.

As opposed to the tame night, the next day was bloody. Cigarette smoke and the scent of iron mingled as we stood in the heat, standing in careful distance so our clothes wouldn't be soiled by the splashing blood. I didn't see any nailing as I was exhausted from the plus 40 C degree heat and I ran out of battery. It's funny how my interest deteriorates in accordance to the battery of my camera.

Pabasa ng Pasyon

It is Filipino tradition to chant the entire Passion of Christ. This takes two days and the performers take turns as they take breaks. The singers know the melody as it was passed on from generations. Pabasa means pledge, the pledge being to pass on this tradition from generation to generation. I was lucky enough to witness Pabasa.

The poor quality of this video (not mine) doesn't do justice to the pleasant singing of the performers.