Sinulog is Philippines Best Festival

I couldn't remember how the Sinulog started, but I remember very well when I was a kid, we always look forward to the Festival every January.  When I was a kid, I didn't know the exact date but I always make a note that it falls in January every year.  Later on when I was old enough to go with friends I knew then that it would fall every 3rd Sunday of January.

I remember back then we would camp overnight at an Uncles office building the night before the festival to ensure we will not get into traffic on the day and we will be able to set up our viewing platform within the festival route and get the best view of the participants and presentations.  Back then our parents would not allow us to get on the street, as there were a lot of people and kids easily would get lost in the crowd.  There was also a tradition that Sinulog dancers and participants would paint themselves black all over their body that you can only make out their eyes and teeth and then they would wipe other people on the street with their hands, specially those wearing white t-shirts and it would be very difficult to remove the black stains from clothing and even the black stains wiped in the faces would take days to remove completely.  Some people would go to school or work with black stains on their faces the following day.

As a child we were just contented to watch the festival from the roof top of the building, we were so afraid to get near those mascots parading on the streets, we locals call "Higante".  My parents would tell us that if we are bad kids the "Higante" will eat us.  From a distance we would be in awe of those kids dancing on the street carrying the image of the Sto. Nino (the child Jesus).  The well decorated floats parading the streets with some beautiful ladies in their glittering gowns waving and holding the image of the Sto. Nino.  It was a dream for every child to do it one day.

As the years went by, Sinulog has grown bigger, the costumes of the participants, the contingents were getting bigger, neighboring islands and cities started participating and spending a lot of money for a once in a year participation.  The street dancing were getting longer, before the street dancing is done by 6pm.  But now it could go on until midnight to even the wee hours.  The prices of the winning entries are becoming bigger.  More and more people come visit the festival every year.

I am a proud Cebuano who is also proud to say that Sinulog is the country's Best Festival.  Sinulog Festival falls every 3rd Sunday of January, it is part of the celebration of the Feast of the Child Jesus - our Beloved Sto. Nino.

     

Kawasan Falls, Badian Cebu

One of my good  friend Stephanie and I decided to get out of town, so we went to visit my Grannies place in Badian (southern town in Cebu, Philippines) where Kawasan Falls is located, even thought I was there 3 times in summer this year, it never grow old on me.  I always love going there. The waterfalls always makes me feel like I am in paradise.  Stefi, who was extending her stay in Philippines volunteered to drive us.  So, we packed camping tents, pillows and blankets, we really didnt know where we will stay for the night, but it doesnt matter.  I just want to get out of the city.  We were on the road for 3 hours until we reached the town of Badian.  This town is really close to my heart - this is were my mom was born and raised. 

first level waterfalls

We stopped by at the Badian Public Market to gather some food supplies, at least we know we have something in case we cant find a place for dinner.  Stefi brought her 2 year old kid - Crista with us, so we prefer to be safe than sorry.  The market was a typical town market, with live stocks and mostly home made produce, the good thing is there were a lot of fresh fruits and they were cheaper compared to the ones we get in the City and a much better quality.  When we got to Matutinao (the actual place of the waterfalls), it was almost 5pm, so we decided to find a place near the waterfalls and head to the falls early in the morning.  It would be difficult for us to go up to the waterfalls with a kid when its about to get dark, the road can be slippery and dangerous. It wouldn't be fun.  

second level waterfalls

We woke up very early the following morning, perhaps it was the excitement but I was thinking it was the growing noise of the waves splashing on the rocks just outside our beach front cottage.  But whether it was excitement or not, believe I was itching to go the moment I stood up from the bed.  So, we head to the waterfalls right away, we skirted our way following the source of the river.  Crista was getting excited too, she kept asking if we were there yet.  I could sense her excitement as well as irritation every time we passed on something that resembles a waterfalls in a piled up rocks in the river and she thinks we are there but then gets disappointed that we still have to walk further more.

Little Crista

We walked for about 20 minutes and we arrived to the first level waterfalls, it is beautiful and high, higher than the waterfalls from the other levels.  When we got there, there were already people who reserved cottages and some already started swimming.  We were thinking we will be the first to arrive there and get the best spot - it would feel like we outsmart everyone else, but we were late.  Anyway, we went up further to the second level waterfalls. It was a steep climb and luckily we had Alan with us to carry Crista when it gets really steep.  Although, we were already panting with our tongue out when we reached the second level, we were very happy that we were the first to get there.  I guess people only stay on the first level to avoid the climb.  

Alan and Crista

We swam a bit on the second waterfalls and then decided to go up to the third level.  It was a steeper climb, at some point we had to stop to gather our energy and then walk again.  When we got to the third level, I was about to die.  I didn't know if it was the heat of the sun or my trembling knees that felt like I just climbed Mt. Fuji.  But after a dip in the water, I felt refreshed and energized again.  The water was so cool and the swimming area is much better compared to the other levels. The day went by like a flash and we really enjoyed out time at Kawasan Falls.  And even if I been there many times before I could still go there with excitement many times over, again and again.  The only thing is that there are a lot of mosquitos in the area, so you either keep moving or stay in the water.  Also, there are people local people following you all the time.  It's get very intimidating that it feels like someone is watching your every move and then they keep asking you to try the bemboo raft and then tell you to pay for it, some of them will keep following you and then assume that they are your tour guide and ask you a certain fee.  So be clear that you dont want their assistance in the beginning.  Don't be fooled!

The Kawasan Falls just recently voted as the Best Waterfalls in the Philippines 2016.