Expo Mom: The Motherhood Journey in Cagayan de Oro

(Press Release)

As the ultimate mommy event of the season takes a second trip to Mindanao, expect to be inspired by the different faces of mommyhood on October 15, 2016 at Centrio Mall, from 10AM to 9PM. Whether you’re an expectant mom, a new mom, or a mom of three or four, you’re going to find something to love at Expo Mom Cagayan de Oro.

Expo Mom: The Motherhood Journey features a fun and fulfilling all-day program. In the morning The Modern Nanays of Mindanao, a community of moms who promote breastfeeding, babywearing, and cloth diapering, lead the celebration of motherhood with a Mamba session—a Zumba class made especially for moms with slings! Dr. Raissa Paje Bayawa, founder of Happy Heart Kids Yoga, takes the stage next to enlighten moms about the benefits of prenatal yoga and to share some helpful moves as well.

Two sessions delve deep into the amazing journey that all moms share. The first one focuses on pregnancy and breastfeeding & finding that right balance between home life & career. Guests are Nadine Casino, founder of Modern Nanays of Mindanao; & Ruby Caberte, a popular blogger who is also a mom.

The second session touches on baby care, with discussions on the right way to wear baby and age-appropriate toys to help with a child’s development . Guests for this segment will be an early childhood educator and a few mommies.

Other exciting activities scheduled include a bento-making session specifically devoted to picky eaters, by the pioneering Bento Mommas, who have actually been with us all over the country this year. You can sign up to participate at http://bit.ly/2e1eGMe for Php900, inclusive of basic bento tool kit, bento box and food ingredients for the workshop plus freebies from sponsors, all of which you can take home afterward.

A makeup on-the-go demonstration for busy mothers by Paola Paladio- Ching follows in the afternoon, in addition to a craft workshop with a homegrown moms and kids crafts group. In between, many prizes will be given away care of our generous exhibitors and sponsors Caltrate and Belo Baby.

Topping the motherhood celebration is a fashion show devoted to babywearing, showing one and all that it is possible to look positively trendy with a baby in tow.

A year from its 10th anniversary, Expo Mom continues to be a source of information and inspiration among modern parents and a wellspring of modern products and services for the whole family.

Expo Mom 2016: The Motherhood Journey is co-presented by Caltrate Plus and Belo Baby, with Centrio Mall and Ayala Malls as its venue partner, supported by Modern Nanays of Mindanao, Carmel Kho Ricarte and Moms Radio; with Professional Organizers Unlimited, Inc. and Creative Juice Communications as logistics partners.

Entrance to Expo Mom is free.

For more information, visit http://www.mommymundo.com/expomom2016

 

Collaborative Show on Sinaunang Baybayin to be Staged at Rodelsa Hall

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in partnership with Liceo de Cagayan University and Pasundayag Community Arts, is implementing the project “Pagpasundayag sa Sinaunang Baybayin”. This is a series of activities from a workshop facilitated by Emil Yap, an expert on Sinaunang Baybayin, the ancient Filipino writing famously known as Alibata.

(BaiBayin or Baybayi, from the root word “Baybay” or BaiBai”, which means spelling or tracing, is a system or way of writing of our Filipino ancestors. Sinaunang Baybayin, however, is not based on the Doctrina Christiana that was spread by our colonizers.)

The show entitled “Baybayin” (Shore in English) is a mélange of multi-art disciplines based on the research on Sinaunang Baybayin. It is a collaboration of work by local Kagay-anon artists: CdeO Arts Guild’s Michael Bacol; Next Moves’ Arnie Jumao-as and Feliz Ugalde, with their choreographer Roger Odron; Dulaang Atenista current members JC Salon, Angelo Dabbay, Franz Lacson, and Dan David Tan; Dulaang Atenista alumni Alvin Adaza, Ethyl Malachico, and Dr. Reynards A. Tan. The show also features Denise “Honey” Mordeno Aguilar, who conceptualized the project. Aguilar is the current artistic director of Pasundayag Community Arts, which was founded by Mozart A.T. Pastrano in 1997. The production’s soundscape design is by veteran Kagay-anon musician Drue Dahongpalay. Stage manager is Ritche Riveral of Race Entertainment.

With the theme “Exploring the Past Through Sinaunang Baybayin and Creating a Future Using It for Performance”, the show will be staged on Oct 7, 2016 at Liceo de Cagayan University’s Rodelsa Hall. Show times are 3pm (matinee) and 8pm (gala).

Denise “Honey” Aguilar (standing on shoulders) conceptualized the Baybayib series.

 

Performances to watch out for include the group’s version of the Creation Story; the introduction of the two major Sinaunang Baybayin scripts expressed in an ensemble performance; the individual identities of the artists involved and their body articulation of the Baybayin; the theatrical utterance of the games, contrasting difference between the children before, and the generation of children today. “Baybayin” is not only a show, but a learning experience for the audience as well.

In addition to the show, there will also be an ongoing exhibit based on Sinaunang Baybayin by the Liceo Tripod Art Group and Kagay-anon visual artists. The exhibit will be held at Liceo U’s Capricho Art Café.

Those who are interested to witness and become a part of this momentous cultural event may reserve their tickets by calling 63977-402 0050, 63917-774 1749, or 63916-785 2804. Tickets are very affordable at Php100.00. For more information, check out the “Pagpasundayag sa Sinaunang Baybayin” event page on Facebook.

See you at Rodelsa Hall!

(Info from press release provided by organizers.)

Staging My Mom’s Palanca-Winning Play

Since 2013, I have been staging (with the help of some loyal friends) benefit productions of Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues”. Last year, I spread my wings a little and co-directed the first HIV Monologues for CDO. “Lima” was staged in December last year at the IFI (Iglesia Filipina Independiente) Diocesan Cathedral along Pabayo and Pacana streets. The play featured monologues based on interviews with Kagay-anons caught in the HIV and AIDS confusion.

This year, I will embark on another journey; a more challenging one. A month from now (hopefully), I will be staging my mom Ma. Soledad “Chic” Nery-Fortich’s Palanca-winning full-length play “Reyna Elena”. It will be the first time since 2005 that I am directing (and staging) a straight play. The last one that I did was back when I was still a teacher at Philippine Southfield School, where we staged our interpretation of Artistophanes’ “Lysistrata”.

“Reyna Elena” won 2nd place in the 1983 Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. I was in 3rd year high school at that time. I can still recall mommy’s excitement when she learned about her win. She went to Manila for the awarding ceremonies and although I wanted to join her, I couldn’t because the school year has just started.

Anyway, “Reyna Elena” was a project for a playwriting workshop that my mom attended. It was facilitated by director and writer Nestor U. Torre. I remember mommy telling me that tito Nestor encouraged her to finish the script. And so, against all odds, she did.

Chic Fortich

Mommy in Paris.

Ma. Soledad Reyes Nery-Fortich was the youngest of six. Her father, Vicente Nery (Papa Titing) was a musician. He died at a young age, so I did not get to meet him. Mommy got her musical genes from Papa Titing.

My matriarchal grandmother, Soledad Reyes Nery or Mama Chata, was well-loved by everyone. She told a lot of stories and taught us how to recite “Mi Ultimo Adios” and pray the Our Father in Spanish. Mommy got her never-say-die attitude from Mama Chata.

My mom suffered from two eye diseases: Retinitis Pigmentosa and Optic Atrophy. RP is a genetic disease, which caused mommy to slowly lose her eyesight. When she died in 2006, ny mom was already 98% blind.

But this didn’t stop her from doing what she wanted.

Circa late 70s-early 80s

After resigning from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) under the Disability Act, mommy opened a boutique – two shops, actually – Chic Chat and Chic Chat Jr. It was also around this time that she wrote “Reyna Elena” and joined the Jaycees.

We moved to Metro Manila in 1986 and there, she restarted her writing career. She did crossword puzzles for ISYU Opinion Paper and was later on given a column. Eventually, she began writing for the Lifestyle section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. She interviewed local personalities for her articles and I accompanied her most of the time.

My high school graduation.

Later on, she was given a column at PDI. Outtasight! featured every day stories about her experiences as a blind person. She was able to create a solid following with the articles she wrote.

My mom also wrote Tagalog and English novels. She wrote under different pseudonyms; the only one I can remember is Sol Reyes.

Even when she was already 95% blind, mommy successfully produced (and acted in) a musical play at the Dalubdulaan of the Manila Metropolitan Theater. “Ay Kasing Kasing Ko” featured songs composed by Papa Titing, as well as original compositions by mommy. It was staged here at the XU Little Theater sometime in the summer of 1989.

Here are some of mommy’s other achievements:

-2^nd Place, Palanca Awards for Literature, 1983, Reyna Elena, Full-length Play

-Co-organized the Bai Lawanen Play Festival (Interschool) in 1983

-Writer, lyricist, and director of the original Binisaya musical “Ay Kasing Kasing Ko”, staged at the Manila Metropolitan Theater Dalubdulaan in 1987; also staged at the XU Little Theater in 1989

-Wrote several episodes for Loren Legarda’s PEP Talk and The Inside Story on ABS-CBN

-Officer of the Philippine Blind Union and represented the Philippines in several World Blind Union conferences; also conducted seminars and trainings for PBU

-Writer for the Philippine Daily Inquirer Lifestyle section, where she featured personalities and celebrities like Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Basil Valdez, Pops Fernandez, and many others

-Columnist for the Philippine Daily Inquirer; column title: Outtasight, where she shared stories (funny ones!) about her experiences as a blind person

-Columnist for Isyu opinion paper

-Short story writer for Mr. & Ms. Magazine

-Writer for San Miguel Corporation’s Centennial Year Celebration show

-writer and director for “Salangsang”, which was staged at SM City CDO in the early 2000s

-co-writer for “Labaw sa Bulawan: A Musical Tribute to Visayan Songs and Songwriters”, a musical variety show staged at the City Tourism Hall and Grand Caprice back in the early 1990s; it was directed by Nestor U. Torre

-wrote for Sun Star CDO

Published Works:

-Escape! Charito Planas: Her Story

-A Cagayan de Oro Ethnohistory Reader: Prehistory to 1950 by Antonio J. Montalvan II (as EDITOR)

-one of the featured authors of a book about menstruation (I cannot recall the title as I can’t find my copy of the book)

-Various Tagalog novels (under different publishing companies), some titles:

* Ano Ang Kulay ng Pag-Ibig, 1993

* Lukso ng Puso, 1993

* Ang Nagagawa ng Pag-Ibig, 1994

* Ang Himala ni Dickey, 1993

* Babaguhin ko ang Kapalaran, 1993

* Sa Susunod na Pagkakataon…Aaminin ko Na!, 1992

* Turuan Mo Akong Umibig, 1992

* Ano Ang Kulay ng Pag-Ibig?, 1993

* Kahit ang Kamatayan: Isang Kwento ng Walang Kamatayang Pag-Ibig, 1992

* Ang Nagagawa ng Pag-Ibig, 1994

-Various articles for the Philippine Daily Inquirer

-Various short stories for Mr. & Ms. Magazine

-Various articles for Sun Star CDO

I consider mommy as my mentor in writing and theater arts. She was the one who encouraged me to do what I want. She was also my biggest critic. She knew my strongest and weakest points.

But the reason why I admired/admire my mom is because she didn’t let her disability stop her from fulfilling her goals. She kept writing even when she couldn’t see the typewriter or the keyboard anymore. She always found a way to make things work. She was quite aggressive, but this only helped her do her tasks better.

The staging of “Reyna Elena” is my tribute to mommy. It is my way of thanking her for everything she taught my sister and I. It is the best way to acknowledge the person that she was; not only to me, my sister, my husband, my niece, and my dad; but to the many others who she helped in one way or another as well.

About”Reyna Elena”

The story of “Reyna Elena” is something that anyone can relate with. It may have been written in the early 80s, but the themes it tackles are still very much in the spotlight nowadays. Allow me to give you a brief description of the story.

Elenita is a 30-something single mom who works as a manager’s assistant in a small company. Her best friend Karen is the executive secretary. The two of them are the only ones who know about Elenita’s relationship with their married boss, Teodoro. As the story progresses, Elenita’s delicate condition is revealed and this is where the problems begin.

At some point in the story, Elenita goes away to weigh things and recover from a traumatic incident. When she goes back to the office, she becomes a totally new person. That’s when she transforms into Elena and starts a new chapter in her life.

More than extramarital affairs and single parenthood, “Reyna Elena” talks about the importance of relationships. Relationships with the family, with friends, with colleagues, and with members of the community. It also tackles decades old issues like graft and corruption.

It is also the story of a woman struggling to survive against all the challenges she faces.

PlayFestival

Playfestival Awards Night at MPSC (USTSP) Gym. Circa 1985-1986.

After mommy won the Palanca, she devoted more time to writing and theater arts. She was then a member of the Bai Lawanen Jaycees and one of the projects she did was the interschool playfestival.

I remember the playfestival because it formally introduced me to theater arts. I was in 3rd year high school when it was established. Our school, Liceo de Cagayan, was one of the participants in the playfest. We competed against other high schools in CDO in all the categories of the event. Our lead actress, Happy Ballesteros-Raagas was named best actress.

The following year, we joined the playfest again and staged a Binisaya adaptation of “New Yorker in Tondo”. It was a fun, fun, fun experience that I will never forget!

I was in 1st year college at Xavier University when the last playfestival was held. Our organization, Xavier Theater Association, staged an original play. We won several awards including best actress (Deborah Jones Roa-Uy).

This playfestival is one of the reasons why I am staging “Reyna Elena”. I am hoping that it will inspire local theater groups to stage more original plays. I believe that CDO is overflowing with talents; in fact, I know some of them. All that we need is someone or something to start the ball rolling. My hope is that “Reyna Elena” will be able to do that.

Where We Are Right Now

We have just started rehearsals for “Reyna Elena”. We’re not even 50% into the script yet, but we know we can do it. I, we, have great faith in the material. Even when we do not have a venue yet; even when we still need to look for sponsors, I am pushing through with this. I know mommy will want me to. I know she’s rooting for me and the team. Because that’s just the kind of person she is; always believing in the people she loves.

Thank you for everything, mommy. I hope I’ll do justice to “Reyna Elena”. This one is for you. I love you!

PLDT Home, Smart ink milestone partnership with ABS-CBN for iWant TV

(Press Release)

[27 September 2016] – In a groundbreaking partnership, the country’s leading digital services providers PLDT Home and Smart Communications have teamed up with multimedia conglomerate ABS-CBN for iWant TV,  the network’s streaming service for TV shows, movies and other exclusive digital content.

PLDT and Smart Chair Manny V. Pangilinan and ABS-CBN Chair Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III lead the signing of the milestone partnership of PLDT Home and Smart Communications with ABS-CBN for iWant TV. Joining them (from left) are Ray Espinosa, PLDT Regulatory Head; Ariel P. Fermin, EVP and Head of Consumer Business for PLDT and Smart; Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN President & CEO; and Rolando Valdueza, ABS-CBN Group CFO.

Under the partnership, PLDT Home and Smart subscribers will soon be able to use their prepaid load or postpaid account to binge-watch and catch up on their favorite ABS-CBN shows, blockbuster films and other top-rated content on http://www.iwantv.com.ph on their computers or Smart TVs, or on the iWant TV app on their mobile phones and tablets.

Both PLDT Home and Smart will also soon roll out exciting offers to let millions of subscribers enjoy iWant TV content at their fingertips.

Using iWant TV, subscribers may stream the past and current ABS-CBN shows like On the Wings of Love, Dolce Amore, Ang Probinsiyano and Til I Met You, as well as News and Current Affairs shows, among many others – anytime and anywhere.

Pangilinan and Lopez III sign the milestone partnership of PLDT Home and Smart Communications with ABS-CBN for iWant TV.

This latest deal is set to further expand the widest breadth of digital content available to PLDT Home and Smart subscribers, as well as bolster the group’s thrust to deliver converged services that offer an unrivaled digital experience for Filipinos.

To get started with iWant TV, users can register for an account via www.iwantv.com.ph or download the iWant TV app on their Android and iOS devices.

 

Lopez III and Pangilinan share thoughts after sealing their milestone partnership to bring exciting iWant TV content within reach by more Filipinos via PLDT Home and Smart.

 

 

 

 

XU Students Organize Franchising Event

Thinking of franchising a business? If your answer is yes, I’m sure you’ll be glad to know that a big event happening on Friday, September 30, was organized specifically for people like you.

The CDO Franchising and Business Expo 2016 intends to be a venue where franchisors, entrepreneurs, franchisees, and customers can meet and open opportunities for learning and growth. Likewise, the event aims to put the spotlight on franchising, which, many say, is the next big thing in business. Among the topics to be covered in the event are:

-information about franchising and business opportunities in CDO

-tips on how to successfully put up a franchise

Some of the schools participating in the event are Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Liceo de Cagayan University, and Southern Philippines College, among others. Expected exhibitors include Loreto’s Grill and Restaurant, La Favorita Homemade Ice Cream, Dear Manok, Nummies Sweet Shop, Sweet Leaf, Pop Rock Cafe, Touch ‘N Heal Spa, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Bigby’s, and Security Bank. There will also be around 10 food carts at the exhibit.

Organized by the students of Business Administration 40: Franchising Class Sections A & B of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, the CDO Franchising and Business Expo 2016 will be held at the Centrio Mall Activity Center from 10:30am to 9pm on September 30.

The first CDO Franchising and Business Expo is made possible with the assistance of event partners Centrio Mall and Magnum Express. Media partners are Magnum 99.9 FM, ABS-CBN Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao Daily News, and Business Week.

So start laying out your franchising plans and see you at Centrio on Friday!

Another Joe Bacus Masterpiece is On the Way

One of Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao’s premier filmmakers, Joe Bacus, is brewing a new visual masterpiece. Markado: Bakunawa sa Duha ka-Managlahing Takna is a story that tackles events happening after the rage of Sendong (Tropical Storm Washi). It is Bacus’ first full-length film.

Bacus is a well-respected and awarded filmmaker. His films are raw, with stories that reflect the realities of life. The End of War, the first Bacus film that I saw, won the Golden Durian Prize for Best Mindanao Short Film at the 2nd SalaMindanaw International Film Festival last 2014. The film focused on a family caught in the middle of a war between the military and some rebels. It was short but crisp and accurate. It was also full of emotions; unmasked, unchoreographed, raw emotions. No wonder the short film also won the Best Director and Best Sound awards at the 10th Mindanao Film Festival.

Perhaps the biggest recognition that Bacus received The End of War was the 38th Gawad Urian nomination for Best Short Film (Pinakamahusay na Maikling Pelikula). Towards the end of 2015, Bacus was invited to Germany forthe ExGround Film Festival. Happy Fiesta tackles the controversial issue of international organ trading syndicates.

Filming Markado

For his first full-length film, Bacus is tackling a topic close to his heart. Tropical Storm Sendong devastated thousands of homes and lives in Cagayan de Oro in December 2011. Marakado: Bakunawa sa Duha ka-Managlahing Takna is about a legendary man who goes by the moniker “Bakunawa”. After being away for years, he goes back to his hometown after Sendong because he had a feeling that his family was in danger due to the crime wave that surged after the storm.

Although the film’s teaser has been released, shooting is yet to be completed. The production plans to shoot from October 15 to 19 with cinematographer Coicoi Narciso and actor Sir Perry Dizon. At the moment, the group is looking for funding, one of the reasons why they decided to post the trailer. Whatever help they can get will be used for shooting expenses, particularly for the accomodation, transportation, and food expenses of the cast.

For those who are interested to help out, or if you know somebody who might be willing to offer assistance to Bacus and company, check out this indiegogo page created for the film.

Meanwhile, check out the teaser for Markado, and you’ll realize why Bacus deserves all the support he can get – financial or otherwise. It’s high time a genuinely talented Mindanaoan filmmaker takes the spotlight.

The trailer for Markadao: Bakunawa sa Duha ka_Managlahing Takna features the music of industrial rock.electronica bands Switch and Supercharger, and S3x (Smile Three Times, a rap metal band).

Bacus and his production group, Imoortals Productions, dedicates the film to the victims and survivors of Tropical Storm Sendong, as well as to the all the dedicated artists of Cagayan de Oro.

Let’s help Bacus and Markado reach the big screen. Tell someone about the film now!

 

 

Special Offers at S&R Members’ Treat

A week ago, S&R Cagayan de Oro announced a Members’ Treat happening from September 30 to October 2. Aside from big savings and 50% discounts, there will also be buy one, take one offers. One of the treats that will be on sale is the 16oz SS Blueberries. All the blueberry goodness you want will be yours twice, for the price of one.

Don’t worry, you can have all the blueberries you want because they have low calorie content and are considered a superfood. Also, they are rich in nutrients (vitamins C and K, Fiber, and  Manganese). Blueberries are also known to be antioxidants, which means they can protect your body from harmful elements like free radicals. Here are the other benefits of eating blueberries:

-can lower blood pressure

-may reduce bad cholesterol (or LDL) oxidation

-lowers heart disease risk

-can help prevent urinary tract infection

So, yes, it’s all right to buy all the SS Blueberries you want from S&R! Just be sure to leave some room for your other favorite shopping items, okay? After all, you have the whole day to shop (and eat!) since the S&R Members’ Treat will be from 8am to 9pm. It’s better to start early, though, so you’ll have more time to explore and shop.

If you are not yet an S&R member, don’t fret. It’s easy to get a membership card. Just visit S&R CDO along  Zone 5, Kauswagan Highway. Get your card now and prepare to shop till you drop next week!

Happy shopping, Kagay-anons!

 

 

Source:

https://authoritynutrition.com/10-proven-benefits-of-blueberries/

Blueberries photo: Free-to-Download – https://pixabay.com/en/blueberries-fruit-food-berries-690072/

 

S&R CDO Members to Get Special Treats

After it opened its doors to Kagay-anons last July, S&R CDO is inviting all its members to take part in a special 3-day event.

From September 30 to October 2, S&R will have a Members’ Treat. All cardholders will get to enjoy shopping with BIG savings.

There will be Buy One, Take One offers, as well as discounts of up to 50% for some favorite items such as health & beauty products, imported grocery items, imported snacks, frozen products, fresh produce, home products, bakery goods, and ice cream.

So, mark you calendars red, check (and save) your budget, and get ready to shop till you drop at S&R!

If you are not an S&R member yet, you can still apply for a card. Simply go to S&R in Kauswagan, ask for the application form, fill it up and submit along with your one-year membership fee. You’ll get your membership long before the fun Members’ Treat event is scheduled.

Get ready to shop at S&R! See you there!!!

 

(If you want to know more about what S&R CDO has to offer, please click THIS LINK.)

CDO Poetry Night for August: “Sil-ip, Siplat”

NAGMAC (Nagkahiusang Magsusulat sa Cagayan de Oro) is gearing up for this month’s CDO Poetry Night. “Sil-ip, Siplat” will happen on Saturday, August 27, at the SkyHi Cinema along Rizal and Borja Streets.

This is the first time that the Poetry Night will be held in a venue as big as SkyHi Cinema. For those who were already around in the 80s, the cinema was one of the favorite weekend hangouts in CDO. In the latter part of the 90s, it specialized in showing experimental films and much later, was turned into a venue for various events by a Christian group.

On Saturday, SkyHi Cinema will be filled with Kagay-anons who have found the perfect way to bond on a weekend: by listening to poetry, essays, and stories read by the city’s most talented writers. The theme for this month’s Poetry Night is “Sil-ip, Siplat”, which focuses on various glimpses, glances, and gazes.

As is the usual, after NAGMAC members share their stories, there will be an Open Mic to accommodate non-members who also want to read their poems, essays, and other literary works. Talented local musicians will likewise fill the evening with music.

In lieu of tickets or an entrance fee, NAGMAC will be collecting donations for one of their projects. Your Php50 will help fund the group’s upcoming projects, including a spoken word album featuring the best Poetry Night pieces from 2014 to 2016.

To get an idea of the kind of pieces that will be read during the event, check out the “Sil-ip, Siplat” event page here.

See you at SkyHi Cinema on August 27. The show starts at 6pm. Don’t forget to bring your friends or your special someone. This is the perfect way to celebrate the bisperas (eve) of the CDO Higalaay fiesta!

 

Poster painting: Adeva Jane Hojas Esparrago

Poster calligraphy: Celj Filmund Gamay

 

 

 

Experience Higalaay 2016 at The Pacifico Boutique Hotel

Ah, fiestas! I love the sounds, the colors, and all the festivities that happen during the fiesta season. Seeing people with smiles on their faces, knowing that everyone is in a celebratory mood; this somehow lifts up my days.

And, of course, if it’s fiesta you’re talking about and you’re in the Philippines, there has to be parades. Whether it’s a carnival parade, a religious parade, or a parade of icons, it’s always interesting to go out in the streets and witness such a colorful event.I find it intriguing because I know that each parade has a story to tell.

I remember participating in the city fiesta parade back in the early 80s, when I was still in high school. We walked and walked the whole morning, wearing our majorette’s boots. It was fun! But by the time the parade ended, we were drenced in sweat as our costumes were a bit hot.

We were lucky, though, because the owners of our school used to have a hotel and after every city fiesta parade, we stayed there to change and relax. Because we were able to cool down comfortablty, we enjoyed the rest of the day’s festivities.

Higalaay 2016 Parades at The Pacifico Boutique Hotel

Each year, as soon as August sets in, Cagayan de Oro is dressed in colorful festival decorations. Activities happen one after the other. This is in celebration of the Higalaay Festival, which commemorates the Feast of St. Augustine on August 28. The festival celebrates friendship (higalaay is from the word higala, which means “friend, pal, or chum”).

Today, our fiesta celebration has not just one or two, but three parades. The first one, the Higalaay Carnival Parade, took place last weekend. The Higalaay Festival Parade of  Floats and Icons, meanwhile, will happen on Saturday, August 27. On  August 28, the annual religious procession commemorating the Feast of St. Augustine will take place.

The Pacifico Boutique Hotel, one of the city’s most modern accomodations, is right in the middle of these interesting and colorful parades.Located along Fernandez and Velez Streets, the hotel is just several steps away from the starting point of the parade and the procession.

So, if you want to witness the festivities in the most comfortable and pampered way possible, book a room at the hotel. This is the best time to do so because the hotel just launched a mega discounted promo rate for their standard and deluxe rooms.

For a minimum 2-night stay, you can enjoy The Pacifico Boutique Hotel’s highly equipped, modern, and spacious rooms for only Php1499 (book and buy basis). Each room comes with a FREE breakfast for two (2), plus luxurious and comfortable 12-inch thick mattresses with bamboo silk sheets. You’ll also love the 40-inch wide screen cable TV, the large bathroom with hot and cold water running through showerheads, and the fast (1ooMbps) wireless Internet.

You can watch the parade in the comfort of your room as it offers a floor-to-ceiling view of the city. Or, you can choose to join other guests witness the colorful parade at the air conditioned mezzanine.

Later in the day, when all the parade and procession festivities are done, you can walk around a bit and enjoy the city’s tourist spots. You can check out the mighty and majestic San Agustin Cathedral, the City Museum, Gaston Park, Duaw Park, and the center of activity in CDO, Divisoria.

In the evening, you can relax and enjoy some music and drinks while watching the urban sunset at the E-Bar, CDO’s only rooftop bar. Refresh yourself with the best cocktail and wine varities while savoring some hors d’oeuvres.

It’s going to be a totally fun, entertaining, and relaxing Higalaay 2016 experience at The Pacifico Boutique Hotel. So, go and book a room now. Call 0917-864 4099 or 0998-549 3629 to avail of the promo rate. Visit the hotel’s Facebook page to get more updates.

Happy Higalaay, everyone!

 

(Photos provided by The Pacifico Boutique Hotel)