Hir na Me! Wer na u?

A few days ago, I went to the B’laan village in Sitio Lamlifew, Brgy. Malungon in Sarangani Province. It was my first time to visit the place, and I really loved how the B’laans try to preserve their culture. The old B’laan women would normally teach young girls how to weave. While the men would normally go out in the field to plant rice and corn. Check out my post about the Blaan Village in Where in the Philippines to give you a hint on how far it is from a city. Watch out my detailed post about this place in BYAHILO soon!

Hir na Me sa General Santos City! GenSan, as it is fondly called by the locals is also known as the Tuna Caiptal of the Philippines. Aside from GenSan, other exciting destinations will also be explored like Gumasa, in Glan Sarangani and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato. This is my first time to set foot in SOCCSKSARGEN region and really happy to have the province of Sarangani as the 42nd province I have been to.

And what a better way to start the SOCCSKSARGEN Tour than have a photo op at the Office of the City Mayor. Too bad, I wasn’t able to meet GenSan’s new Mayor, Darlene Antonino-Custodio. What out for my SOCCSKSARGEN series in BYAHILO soon!

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The main reason why I traveled to Tacloban City last week of June was to cover the Pintados Festival. Leyte has recently rose into prominence as home to soe of the best festivals in the country after Buyogan Festival of Abuyog Leyte won the top prize of Sinulog Festival 2009 and the Aliwan Fiesta 2009. Other notable festivals from the province that landed on the top 10 of Aliwan Fiesta and/or landed on the top 5 of Cebu Sinulog Festival are the Karatong Festival of Dulag, Pasaka Festival of Tanauan, and the Alikaraw Festival of Hilongos, Leyte.

It was my first time to actually cover the Pintados Kasadyaan, and I am totally amazed at the performances of every group. Each contingent is just bursting with all the colors, the music of the drums is very danceable, and the choreography is superbly amazing! I’d definitle go back in Tacloban next year!

Jump shots are popular nowadays. Syempre pati ako nag jumpshot din sa San Juanico Bridge! The San Juanico Bridge is one of the most popular sites in Tacloban. You should never miss visiting this bridge when visiting the gateway to Eastern Visayas, and experience the thrill of doing a jumpshot here with the strong winds and the vibrating bridge! (Yes, the bridge has springs at the bottom that’s why it vibrates every time a car passes by)

Two years ago, I went to Tacloban City, but due to very very tight schedule (I stayed in Tacloban for less than 24 hours), I was only able to check out the facade of the Santo Nino Shrine.

This time, during my recent trip, I really had to make sure to check out the interiors of the mansion. Grabe! I was totally blown away sa lahat ng nakita ko sa loob! Ang bongga talaga! Just watch out for my detailed post about the Santo Nino shrine soon in BYAHILO

Hir na Me sa Santo Nino Church! This is where the miraculous image of the Santo Nino is Enshrined. Santo Nino is the patron saint of the entire province of Leytewhose feast day falls on June 30th. The Chuch is also known as the Church of Liberation. A must-visit place when in Tacloban.

One of the must-visit buildings in Tacloban is the CAP Building formerly known as the Price Mansion. It was originally built by the American Walter Scott Price. The mansion was once used as a temporary seat of government. it also served as the headquarters of General Douglas Mc Arthur.

Today the room where Mc Arthur stayed was made into a museum, housing some memorabilias, like letters, flags, uniforms, badges, medals and a lot more.