Friday 24 June 2011

BALAYAN BATANGAS -- PARADA NG LECHON

A FEAST CELEBRATION OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST, this festival literally means FEAST OF ROASTED PIGS.. but not just ordinary parade of roasted pigs it is a "PARADE OF ROASTED PIGS WITH STYLE" :) -- It is celebrated every JUNE 24 at Balayan Batangas.

How to get there:



By bus you can take:

BATMAN STAR EXPRESS CORP or BSC (route: Balayan to Pasay/ Baclaran)

SAN AGUSTIN (route: Balayan to Philtranco, Alibangbang, Araneta Center Bus Terminal)

JAM TRANSIT: going to Tagaytay, Lemery, Balayan, Batangas ; Terminal is at Taft Avenue cor. Sen Gil Puyat Ave. near at LRT station

CROW TRANSIT: going to Nasugbu, Calatagan, Balayan ; Terminal is at cor Taft ave & EDSA below MRT taft ave. station behind Sogo hotel and Mc. Donalds.


ON OUR WAY TO BALAYAN BATANGAS

Our journey starts at Dasmarinas Cavite we pack are things up and head to the bus stop at around 5:15 am


wondering why this is our get up????
SAN JUAN PARADA NG LECHON: IS A WATER FESTIVAL TOO SO EXPECT TO BE WET ! BECAUSE NO ONE IS AN EXCUSE OF GETTING DRY :)

And make sure to bring extra shirts, shorts/ pants, underwear, camera and bag (waterproof)
Also, make sure before you travel you had a heavy or at least a light breakfast.


a cup of hot chocolate or coffee and bread will do !


Instead of a bus ride we had a jeepney ride because it was the only available ride to Batangas. I remember clearly it was the moment that majority of the buses were stuck at Manila due to traffic because of the San Juan Festival at Tondo.


We never thought that riding a jeepney from Dasmarinas Cavite up to Nasugbu Batangas would be fun :) our jeep ride started at 5:44 am ( as pictured) HAHAHA !

After almost 2 hours drive at around 7:35 am our jeepney stopped at Palico and told us to catch up the jeepney gooing to BALAYAN proper.
( landmark of palico: a gasoline station, "ROTONDA",  souvenir stall )


While on our way to Balayan people there would welcome you with a great water fight :)) and we are not excused hahahaha.. were soaking wet before we even arrived at the fiesta proper LOL ! good thing we have spare clothes.


AND WE ARE HERE YEHEY ! ( The Balayan Welcome Arch) CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE STYLISH ROASTED PIGS ^_^


But we need to take a tricycle to go to the place were the festival is held and the fare about a 25 php.


  

SAOKING WET +  RAIN = HAPPY FEAST DAY BALAYAN :) We are still bound to explore and enjoy everything.


WATER FIGHTS & MORE DURING THE FIESTA:



THE FUN STARTS HERE ! Strangers would approach you to make you all wet :p


PARADE OF THE ROASTED PIGS



     




       


Other view while we are there is the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH


* TRIP BREAKDOWN:

Jeep fare from Dasmarinas Cavite to Nasugbu Palico-- 35 php per person
Jeep fare from Palico to Balayan welcome arch-- 25 php per person
Lechon 1/4 kilo: 200 php
Bus fare from Balayan to Dasmarinas Cavite-- 45 php per person

* THIS EVENT CAN BE DONE HALF DAY TO 1 DAY DEPENDS HOW LONG YOU WILL STAY AND ENJOY THE FESTIVAL BUT NO NEED TO STAY ON A HOTEL. SO IT'S MUCH MORE CHEAP !

Sunday 19 June 2011

LUNETA PARK

One of Manila's main attraction is the "LUNETA PARK" -- formerly  it was called Bagumbayan. This very spot entails a very important historical story such as the execution of Rizal.




Last June 19, 2011 people gathered to give honor at Dr. Jose Rizal's 150th Birthday and i was one of those people who gave honor. I was shocked to see that Filipino's really never forget to look back at their past and even bad weather is not a hindrance.




After giving tribute and some ceremonies Rizal's birthday is like a feast :))




THE EVENT SCHEDULE WAS:



MABUHAY KA GAT JOSE RIZAL
HALIGI NG BAYAN !