Masskara! (...maskin sa plaza ra! haha..)

15 October 2011

Just in time with the end of class is the Maskara Festival in Bacolod City. Since Bacolod is just relatively near and since I missed the celebration last year, I am going to Bacolod this time around to hit the streets and experience Masskara first hand.

According to the information available online, a school-level street dancing competition will be held on the afternoon of 15 Oct. So, RC and I left Miag-ao early that morning to catch the activities in Bacolod. We arrived at Bacolod early afternoon and had enough time to roam around SM. 

Then we headed to the Bacolod City Plaza around 2PM to watch the Arena Dance Competition which was scheduled at 3PM. 

Bacolod City Plaza, the venue for the Masskara Arena Dance Competetion.

We did not watch the street dancing because we wanted to get a better seat at the Arena. But Bacolod City Plaza is relatively small. 

By the time we arrived at the plaza, the bleachers that the organizers prepared were already fully packed. Since there were no tickets, admission is free. First-come-first-seats is the name of the game. Unfortunately for us, we got none. We had to contend ourselves on standing on any elevated platform. Others were climbing trees just to get a view.

The venue is just too small and the bleachers were just to limited. Despite all my efforts to get a good shot at the performances, it was just too difficult. Much could be done with regards to the organization of the activity - venue, crowd control, etc. It was not only me who was a bit disappointed. The locals were also a bit frustrated. The schedule indicated that the performances at the Arena was to start at 3PM. However it did not start until past 4PM after all those lengthy openining remarks and after it started to drizzle. Well, no hard fellings. Haha!. That's just a minor set back. Hoping for a more organized program.

I gave up on the performance at the Arena and decided to head the streets instead. Perhaps, we could catch the street dancing. But there was already no street dancing. The participants were already lining up in the streets to prepare for their turns at the arena. There were 11 participating groups for the school competition. The barangay competition will be held tomorrow.

Masskara is very colorful. Since costume designs are not limited to a particular theme, imagination is the limit.

You can borrow a mask from the performers for some picture-taking. Or you can buy one for yourself.

We catch some of the performers inside the church. Filling in some guts before their performances. :)

When we thought that we've already seen all the participants, we decided that we will now head back to Iloilo. 

We went to SM to buy some tickets. Unfortunately, it was already late for a trip back to Iloilo. At around 6PM, there were already no trips available heading for Iloilo. We looked it up online and went to the port just to make it sure, it was clear that we will be staying in Bacolod for the night.

Weighing it out, we decided that it was not practical to get an accommodation. Hahaha. 

To rest for a while and to charge our phones, we stayed at SM Travelers Lounge. We stayed there until it closed at 9PM. When the Traveler's Lounge closed, we begin hitting the streets. Hahaha. We walked every corner of the streets.  There was a strobe light visible in the sky. Like how the 3 Magi followed the star to Bethlehem, we followed the light. For wherever it leads, there sure is a party. Hahaha. After walking a few blocks, we reached Chinatown Square. The light came from its rooftop.

We catch a fire dance performance and some Reggae music, but it was already the finale. So we headed back to the plaza after that. We have not yet eaten and decided to find a place to eat.

What is so nice with Masskara and the same with Dinagyang is that food stalls line the streets - everywhere.  There's plenty of drinking at the streets, which is a NoNo in Sinulog. We had lechon and chicken inasal. Bacold does inasal better (or shall I say best) than lechon. Hehe..

After having our fill, it was already around midnight! But the night is just getting started. Hahaha.

We headed next to the Carnival. Hahaha.

Admission to the carnival will only cost you Php10. 

It had things you would expect from a karnabal.

While RC was on a Ferris Wheel, I kept myself busy tossing one-peso coins. Hahaha. Ferris wheel weakens my knees. Hahaha. The last time I ride one was when I was in high school and I swore not to ride one again. Hahaha.

With some luck on my side, I won a drinking glass. Hahaha. I told the game master that if I can exchange the glass with money instead since I don't want to go around with a glass. Hahaha. But the business is strict. No return-no exchange policy in effect. Hahaha. What you win is what you get. Hahaha.

With the Ferris wheel too boring, RC wanted to ride the ala-Anchors Away ride that we saw from afar. It turned out that there were two carnivals. The one where we were first at was just a smaller carnival. 

At the other corner of the street was a bigger carnival. Admission was at Php30. And it had more rides to choose from.

Bump Cars

I don't know what thi's called.

Octopus and Cable Rides

A mini coaster

And the Anchors Away thing.

To get into the ride, you only have to pay Php50. Though Ferris Wheel scares me off, I was convinced to try this one. Hahaha. This should be easy. Well, I was damn wrong. Hahaha. See here how it went. Hahaha.

I could have loose my senses there. Hahaha. Seated at the very end, it's as if you could fall off. Waahh. Got my knees shaking with that. But it was nerve-scary-fun. Hahaha. And that was an accomplishment for me.

RC wanted a second try, but it was more than enough for me.

We passed the time playing Bingo. And never won. Haha.

Those 3 people on the right where with us at the Anchor's Away. It's their lucky night. The first time they joined Bingo, they won. And to top that, the won the final "Block Out" game with Php3000 prize. Waahh! I should have seated where they sat. Hahaha.

And the Carnival had to close. It was already past 2PM. Hahaha.e

Where nowhere to sleep, we headed back to the plaza and decided to spend the night there. Fortunately, it was not only us who had the idea. We've got company, a lot of company in fact. Hahaha.

We sat at the plaza 'till dawn. 

Then we catch the first ship to Iloilo at 6AM.

Wohoo!.. Zombie!

'till next time.

You Got Me Tipsy

I went home last 28 August 2011 since school was on break.

Every time there is a opportunity, my classmates in high school arrange meet ups. We also did have a sort of get-together the same time last year.

Since the invitation was rushed and the others were busy with work, only six made it to the meet-up (haha). Despite that, the show must go on. 

We met up at the Park Mall here in Mandaue and waited for a few more people to come.

The Park Mall, Mandaue (Sorry for the hazy pic.. hehe)

When it all appears that its only gonna be the six of us, we decided to find a place to eat. Well, we never looked far. We went to The Manila Foodshoppe.

The Manila Foodshoppe at Park Mall Mandaue

The food was good and the servings were huge that we had a hard time finishing them off.

We finished off around 9pm. The group thought that the time was still early and young to call it a night. So they (I just go with their decisions... hehe) decided to have some drinks or karaoke perhaps. MO2 was an option, but we opted for somewhere near and new. So we headed to YOU.

You at the Park Mall Mandaue.

 There were not so many people at You this time. And there is no entrance fee.

You at the Park Mall, Mandaue.

It was fun inside You. People were decent and well behaved. And the live band was great which got some people hitting the dancefloor. Check these out.

Wasn't that fun?

We had 2 sets of drinks. We had RH since T-Ice was out. (We billed out at around a thousand including some food and chips)

Well, this is my first time to drinking. Hmm, I came to realize that being able to handle drinking appears to be some desired people-skills. But since then, I promised my self that if ever I have to get drunk, it should first be in front of my parents. I tried doing that during Christmas, but I just won't get drunk.  I think I will be crossing the gray line for that rule this time.

Now, two sets were enough to make me tipsy. Though my head was feeling light, I can say that I was still sober and reasonable - no English, no drama, no misdemeanor. Good thing. Hahaha.. As an advice from a novice, don't drink to get drunk. Drink moderately and responsively. Enjoy the company of your friends. :)

I went home on a taxi.

:)

My Pahara Park Detour

Hi!

I've been out for a very long while. Had a few misadventures that I would like to write about but I just can't get it started. Hehe...

Well, I would start it with my random misadventure earlier today.

I decided to go to the Pacific Mall here in Mandaue (which used to be the Super Metro Gaisano - Mandaue) to refill my cash and see if there are things that I can afford to buy. (hahaha..) On my way, I noticed that there were also a lot of people heading the same way, only to find out that Kim Chiu, Xian Lim and Mateo Guidicelli (from the series Binondo Girl) were coming over at around 5pm.

To avoid the crowd, I decided to spend and pass my time in Pahara Park and come back just in time when all the chaos has subsided. And that was what I did.

Pahara Park is a space, dedicated as a park, underneath the approach of the Marcelo Fernan Bridge or popularly known as the 2nd Mactan Bridge. From the Mall, Pahara is a walking distance, to me at least which I doubt if you would agree.

The distance would be around 3 to 4 kilometers. But that is not much of a burden because the sidewalk is nice. It could be just a walk in the park. It would also be nicer if you can walk with friends (unfortunately for me, i am going solo on this) or you can ride a bike (very unfortunate for me). Hahaha..

The side walk as you approach Marcelo Fernan Bridge from Mandaue City

The sidewalk is spacious enough for bikes, motorcycles and even trisikads.

Oh! There's a German Flag. Well, flags of different nations can be seen along the center island after all, this street is officially known as the UN Avenue.

Wouldn't you wish that all our streets and sidewalks would be like this? Well, trisikad and tricycle drivers would probably be driven out of business.

Before reaching the main bridge, there is a road that cuts the sidewalk to the side, and this will lead you to the Park underneath the bridge - Pahara.

At this point, buses and jeepneys heading northern Cebu takes a U-turn. (Pahara Park, Mandaue City)

Pahara Park had not been easily accessible to the public unleiss you dare the long walk or specially hire a trisikad or tricycle. Not until recently, when public jeepneys and even provincial buses heading northern Cebu were routed to Pahara, that it had become as accessible as SM. Pahara Park serve s as a U-turn slot for jeepneys and buses heading north to decongest the intersection at the Butuanon Bridge. Though the jeepneys and buses needed to burn extra fuel just to do that, but it is still a sound move.

I can only count with the fingers in just one hand the number of times that I have been to Pahara not because it is far but because it is inconvenient.. The last time was way back in high school (a long time ago.. haha..) So, I really don't know what happened to the place since then.

Going into the park is a playground for the kids. I don't recall if it was there the last time I was here.

Kid's Playground at the Pahara Park, Mandaue City

Playground for the grown ups and those who have not grown up... hehe..

Going in, you can see some Oldies playing an unusual ball game. The game comes out like a bit of golf,  billiards, polo and soccer. Haha.. I saw a similar game in a Korean series being played by royalties. I asked and they told me that the game is called Gate Ball. Well, the oldies today no longer limit themselves to ballroom dancing... haha.

See, the balls are numbered like in billiards.

And you hit them like in golf using a stick like in polo. Btw, thats my shadow... hehe..

And you shot the ball through a goal that reminds me of soccer. haha..

But if Gate Ball is too complicated for you, you can instead join the hippies and try some fancy skateboard tricks. Haha.. (I'll remind myself that I can't do a bike. Haha)

The one structure seen on the upper right is a marker which gives you some infos about the bridge.

Yow! Ain't that cool? hehe..

But you can do badminton (you just have to deal with the wind), jog, practice your taekwando kicks, or just sit around listen to some music and watch the others do their thing.
 

Or you can sit by the the breakwater

To be clear, having a partner to sit beside with is not a requirement but its nice to have one though... hahaha

Or if you brought in some extra clothes, you can decide joining the others int the waters.

Of course, you also have to be cautious.  This is Mactan Channel and the current could be quite strong. (That's why my mother kept forbidding me from swimming in this waters on my own since then.) Also, ships frequently pass here and they can create huge waves that could carry you away or push you to the stones if you are not careful. And if you have a very sensitive skin, then you might reconsider. Although this is just a few distance from Mactan where posh resorts abound, this portion here is way different.

Just enjoy the place. And if you have a DSLR, can you give that to me? Hahaha... Take pictures. Here are some of what I got (using my LG Optimus One phone):

No graffiti please.

I saw people in uniform in the area, so you could worry less about security. Although there are around 3 small sari-sari stores where you can buy a few stuffs from. But as a personal advice, I discourage buying from them. If you can bring your provisions, that would be best. These sari-sari store structure (which are most likely illegally setup... i don't know) to me are eye sores. I have no problems with stores so long as they are regulated and nicely put up (while they are not, I won't patronize them just yet). This is a suggestion that I would like to throw to any government arm supervising the park.

Here's the public toilet

There is also a public toilet. Unfortunately it is locked up. I don't know why.

Since it is already getting dark and I still have other business, then I headed home just before it gets dark.

Since I came on foot, I am leaving on foot.

And would you believe, I made a side trip to the Cansaga Bay Bridge? waaahh! And this was my first time in this part of the city. Hahaha! That is about another 3, 4 or more kilometers of walk. And I made it to halfway of the bridge. And before I cross the bridge and make my way to the next town of Consolacion, I decided to head back. I can come back some other time.

And its already getting dark.

It was already dark when I reached Pacific Mall. And Kim Chui and the rest were still about to arrive. So people were screaming. But it was not that much chaos after all. I did catch a glimpse of them, unfortunately.

But I did pick up a jeans which was on sale. :)

'Till then!

Pahara Park, Mandaue City
29 October 2011