Balik Cebu: Sinulog 2012

Cebu is now preparing for one of the biggest festivals in the country, the Sinulog festival. The mardi gras is an invitation to everyone from various parts of the archipelago, and even across the globe to come and visit Cebu, the gateway to the fiesta islands.

After a decade of partnership, Ayala Center Cebu and Cebu Holdings Inc. once again join Cebu City Tourism Commission for the 11^th year of Balik Cebu Program. The Balik Cebu Program aims to offer tourists an unparalleled Cebu experience.

Pyrofest 2011: Dumaguete is the Brightest

Whenever grand celebrations hit our calendars, fireworks never lose track in topping the lists of what people expect to see. It is because coloring the sky requires potent skill and it is also a unique kind of entertainment.

In line with the celebration of the Sinulog Festival in Cebu, Pyroworks International hosted the third wave of Pyrofest. Eight entries competed to win the grand prize last January 15, 2011 outside The Northwing of SM City Cebu.

Participants of Pyrofest 2011

• Delumpa Fireworks of Iloilo City
• National Fireworks of Santo Niño Baliwag, Bulacan
• Digi Spec Fireworks of Oroquieta City
• DSS Fireworks of Dumaguete City, Misamis Occidental
• Sky Glitters of Manila
• Anisan Fireworks of Sibulan, Negros Occidental
• St. Michael of Santa Maria Bulacan
• Pyro Haven of Bocaue, Bulacan.

Each entries from the different parts of the country was given a chance to show-off what they got within five minutes. All of them were appraised by well-known critics with the following points:

Criteria for Judging
25% - Beauty
25% - Style
25% - Timing

25% - Audience Impact

The DSS Fireworks of Dumaguete City is adjudged as this year's Grand Champion among all competitors of Pyrofest 2011. Its team brought home a whopping Php125,000.00 cash. The second placer, Sky Glitters of Manila won Php100,000.00 while third placer St. Michael of Santa Maria Bulacan won Php80,000.00.

Treat your eyes with these shots of mine.

Galaxy

Squid

 Spikes

Happiness

confetti

perplex

flame

shower

Big Bang

vegetables

magic

flower

electricity

abstract

universe

flowers in a vase

stars

celebration

the Sun's sisters

Party partey!

Captivating colors blasted out in the dark, silent sky of Cebu. Expressions like "Ohhs" and "Aaahhsss" were voiced-out by the spectators during the event as big explosions, in-tune with music, dramatically painted light in the dark. The event was closed with a fireworks demonstration conducted by Pyroworks International that astounded the crowd.

If you wish to view all my shots in this event, click here.

Cebu Festival 2010

A jam-packed celebration is nearing its way this coming month of May in the Queen City of the South. For the first time ever, on this year 2010, Cebu Festival will be observed. Get ready for a big wave of Cebu round-the-clock entertainment. Beginning May 1 to end on May 8, expect amusing activities and over a dozen sports to be held at the SRP (South Road Properties).

With Cebu Festival's aim in drawing domestic and foreign tourism, it hosts sports events known internationally. Gear up for Motocross, Kart race, Cock Derby, Drag Race, Flag Football, Softball, Baseball, Soccer, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Touch Rugby, Ultimate Frisbee and a sundown marathon. Cebu Festival will surely draw a crowd of spectators and contenders.

Moreover, Cebu Festival will host a series of social activities such as concerts, night bazaars, nightly variety shows, auto shows, agricultural fair and so much more- perfect for the whole family.

To top it all, witness Brian Lim as he attempts to break the world record in coloring the night sky with the most number of firework rockets displayed in one time at the SRP.

Cebu Festival will be an eight-day massive show to everyone. It will showcase Cebu's creativity, skillfulness and oneness to the world. It will expose numerous talents that Cebuanos are hopeful for that will open to a line of investors and opportunities to make it more progressive.

1st Philippine International Pyromusical Competition

What could you ask for more on February 14 2010, Valentines Day crossing Chinese New Year but to witness nothing less but the 1st Philippine International Pyromusical Competition?! Yes! A new event! Perfect for people of all ages - lovers, neighbors, family and friends! A first in the Philippines with eight world renowned fireworks expert nations.

Enthrall yourself every Sunday beginning February 14 to March 17, 2010 with award-winning fireworks display at seafront, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

Expect a more or less eighteen consecutive minutes of glazing the dark skies for each participating nation to paint the Manila Bay Skies with the best Pyromusical displays!

As host country, the Philippines won't be participating in the competition but will of course show off a spectacular fireworks display that will serve as the opening and closing presentation of the first and last day of the shows.

Explosion of colors are done by the following:

Australia -      Howard and Sons -February 14 - 8 pm United Kingdom -      Jubilee Fireworks - February 21 - 7 pm China -             Liuyang Jinsheng Fireworks Company -February 21 - 8 pm France - Brezac Artifices - February 28 - 7 pm Japan - Tamaya- Kitahara Fireworks Co., Ltd. - February 28 - 8 pm Malaysia -     Pyro Splendour Services - March 7 - 8 pm Singapore -  RedHub Entertainment - March 7 - 7 pm U.S.A -             PyroFire Display - March 14 - 7 pm

Ticket prices and corresponding seat locations are as follows:

VIP (with dinner) ------ Php 1500.00

Patron ------------------- Php 500.00

Gold ---------------------- Php 300.00

Silver -------------------- Php 150.00

General Admission ---- Ph100.00

Let the burst of colors in the open air begin!

Music and the Sky

FROM A SHORT SLEEP in my Lola's house a while ago that began 1:00 dawn until around 7:00 in the morning, I went off to Talisay to fix myself. I bought a newspaper on the way*Yippeee* (I really love having a copy of the day's newspaper but I rarely have one in a month)

After two hours of preparing myself for the day's event, I commuted to SM City Cebu. I wasn't in a hurry so I took the jeepney. Shockingly, on my second ride on the way to the mall, at the oldest street in the Philippines- Colon, CITOMs (City Traffic Operations and Management- the guys who center themselves at the streets and roads of Cebu to control the flow of the transportation) prohibited all the vehicles to pass the road. *Woot?!!* All passengers of all the vehicles were strictly required to walk their selves to the next and next road to have their ride back. I am no exemption to such rule of course so I did. Majority of the people who were having the 'WALKathon' with me were murmuring *lol* I actually enjoyed it for the fact that the people were forced to walk. We all had no choice but to 'exercise' and give Mother Nature a break from inhaling carbon dioxide. *Yay!*

Moving on, I finally got my second ride from the streets near UV Main down to SM. *Yay!* I enjoyed the walking very much although I was panting inside the jeepney *laugh* I arrived at SM at a time almost 2:00 in the afternoon and directly headed to my school, Informatics. Surprisingly, a good friend of mine- let's keep his identity confidential under the name Ralph Victor Varon- gave me a Complimentary VIP Pass of Passionata, a live performance of The Asian Troubadours, Cebu Chamber Singers and Mandaue Children's Choirto be held at SM Cinema 1.

I was very glad because of the pass! *LOL* I thanked him and asked what time will the live show begin and he told me the word 'now' *laugh* I thanked him again and I hurriedly made my way from the lower ground floor of SM to the top -heading to Cinema 1.

I was 2-5 minutes late from the beginning of the program but still I saw the introduction performance of the artists and took a picture of them.

These children have amazing voices!

A closer look of the talented kids

The Cebu Chamber Singers (CCS) bringing the house down

A song from The Lion King Musical entitled 'Circle of Life' is performed by the CCS

Uttering words of gratitude three songs before the end of the show

Asian Troubadour Members!

All the performers!

They sang in the last part the three most famous songs in the world (I forgot the title XD)

After watching the show, I headed to the Northwing to meet the Cebu Bloggers Society (CBS) members. I am no member of the group but I've been participating same events the group does. Many people ask me how come I'm still not a member of the group.. well- the reason is, I'm 17 years of age and one of the requirements for one to be a member of the group is in line with age :P One should be 18 or above to be able to join the group. That's it. *laugh*


I first met Sinjin followed by the other 30 registered members out of 80 to watch the Pyrofest Fireworks Display. I was the only non-member of the group who came along with them. Bwhahaha! After having a head count of the members who were present which was above 80 percent, we made our way outside the Northwing and settle ourselves at the VIP section/area.

Waiting for the others to arrive

Before the show began at the front of SM Northwing, the CBS members and I were given free dinner courtesy of Jonie's Flavored Chicken. *Yummy!* I took so many pictures as if I was a professional photographer XD *LOL*

Big thanks to SM Jonie's Flavored Chicken :)

A while later, the Pyrofest began which was pretty funny and uber enjoying! I took videos and a lot of pictures!

The Pyrofest went well. It ended around 9:00 pm. Some of the CBS members went home after the event while Sinjin, Atty. Ethelbert, Xerxes and I went inside SM to settle the guy's businesses about their shirt printing and stuff. They met Kuya Jade and two of their other friends. Here are some pictures after the event..

While the guys had their short conversation with Kuya Jhade, I took my camera and made a few shots of the interesting stuff just around Coffee Dream where we meet Kuya Jhade.

Kuya Jhade and two of his friends conversing with Xerxes (the star of the nigh)

After the gang finished their talk with Kuya Jhade and two other persons, Sinjin, Atty. Ethelbert, Xerxes and Pao decided to have a second round of dinner at Asia Town I.T Park so we commuted ourselves in going to the place. After a little chit-chat with the guys, they all went home while I had to go to Loft to meet my friends Sam, Jen and Shan to jam with them. Sad to say, I felt very tired so I told them that I can't come. I then went home to Lola's house and made my second round of dinner. I slept around 12:00 midnight.


For more pictures of the Pyrofest happenings, click here


You can check out the videos I took in my youtube channel! View Now Na!