tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46623549109840667732024-03-05T15:07:06.891-08:00Middle Island CebuCebu, the island in the middle of it all... Metro Cebu and neighboring island adventures (and misadventures, the interesting part) in food, nightlife, beaches, events and festivals, hideaways, destinations, great finds, and local anecdotes that make Cebu linger in one’s mind.Gregg D'Bullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12606906426844828735noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4662354910984066773.post-67304435781401512392012-02-12T13:47:00.000-08:002012-02-12T13:50:16.490-08:00Film Fest Closes Sinulog 2012<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygg0XNA7OqCy_jBDqhUfgFjxc0xvH2suin7K2KcMF0iVFQe8oeacuMVvERss9GNYmwdFhnRMElysdMJt812IBpRQ7H_sctPlUhGutO6JtyHI3-Z4iY-6S_xxCy_xa2XO5qia4ADcL1DU4/s1600/Sinulog+2012+short+Film+festival.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygg0XNA7OqCy_jBDqhUfgFjxc0xvH2suin7K2KcMF0iVFQe8oeacuMVvERss9GNYmwdFhnRMElysdMJt812IBpRQ7H_sctPlUhGutO6JtyHI3-Z4iY-6S_xxCy_xa2XO5qia4ADcL1DU4/s320/Sinulog+2012+short+Film+festival.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Sinulog’s month long festivity closes with a delicious spectacle that is Sinulog Short and Documentary Film Festival. This accolade, I must say, does not apply to last year’s where the entries were quite so-so, current entries I have yet to see as they were not included in the screening, and the previous years’ entries I have not witnessed. Yes, this year’s entries included in the public screening are nothing short of being superb and excellent as they showcased what Cebuano film makers have gained from the proliferation of film schools in the region (e.g. The International Academy of Film and Television in Mactan, University of San Carlos’ BFA Cinema Program), a bevy of local indie film showings (almost monthly!) and not to mention the inspiration gained from Cebuano filmmakers winning awards and honors here and abroad led by Remton Siega Zuasolam. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><a href="http://www.greggthebully.com/site/Middle_Island_Cebu/Entries/2012/1/30_Film_Fest_Closes_Sinulog_2012.html">Read more...</a></span></div>Gregg D'Bullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12606906426844828735noreply@blogger.com0Cebu City, Philippines10.3156992 123.885436610.1907237 123.72750810000001 10.440674699999999 124.0433651tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4662354910984066773.post-13695602974624632412012-01-10T03:36:00.000-08:002012-01-10T03:36:29.999-08:00Sinulog Is having More Fun In The Philippines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMphX1uxZza5c7S841B-l4VmwEPttdA4nYCrS8iNzMncHSrb7hJRJoCaJK3Uog4AJRJXvsIiu8EHUHDA6yitCqN8gybxjPakyzaplz1Hjl46bLHfGI6Y7dGQQ7br2fk1MZjJQo37fWgk1n/s1600/hautecouturefuninthephilippines.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMphX1uxZza5c7S841B-l4VmwEPttdA4nYCrS8iNzMncHSrb7hJRJoCaJK3Uog4AJRJXvsIiu8EHUHDA6yitCqN8gybxjPakyzaplz1Hjl46bLHfGI6Y7dGQQ7br2fk1MZjJQo37fWgk1n/s320/hautecouturefuninthephilippines.001.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">The month of Sinulog descends upon Cebu and the Philippines is more fun than ever!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.greggthebully.com/site/Middle_Island_Cebu/Entries/2012/1/10_Sinulog_Is_Having_More_Fun_in_the_Philippines.html">Read more...</a>Gregg D'Bullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12606906426844828735noreply@blogger.com0V. Rama Ave, Cebu City, Philippines10.3156992 123.885436610.1907237 123.72750810000001 10.440674699999999 124.0433651tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4662354910984066773.post-38842653517853020392012-01-08T08:57:00.000-08:002012-01-08T18:07:45.175-08:00Sinulog 2012 Schedule of Activities<br />
<div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: black; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicygRcCfquQp4Z7Eha5fwykwKbnfbiRIQOXv_Y0T7MH4-KaCHLSl8Sn7SvzNOlAPQGBp8omZkqa9nIBFWeH2XS3qfYcu6pVF4cGFNhTQZsF54OvzDAZcbQ7SIkV4xeBLVN9lhcysz_JCTc/s1600/shapeimage_3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicygRcCfquQp4Z7Eha5fwykwKbnfbiRIQOXv_Y0T7MH4-KaCHLSl8Sn7SvzNOlAPQGBp8omZkqa9nIBFWeH2XS3qfYcu6pVF4cGFNhTQZsF54OvzDAZcbQ7SIkV4xeBLVN9lhcysz_JCTc/s320/shapeimage_3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: black; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: black; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">(Fuente Osmena, January 2-31, 2012)</span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-BoldItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Dec 01 – Jan 31, 2012<span class="style_1" style="font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Sinulog Street Fair, Osmeña Blvd.</span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-BoldItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">December 11, 2011<span class="style_1" style="font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">2nd Sinulog Cup Baseball Tournament c/o Cebu City Sports Commission</span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-BoldItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">December 12, 2011<span class="style_1" style="font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Sinulog on the Spot Painting Contest @ Fort San Pedro</span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-BoldItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">December 16, 2011<span class="style_1" style="font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Launching and Sinulog Photo Exhibits @SM City</span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-BoldItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">December 17, 2011<span class="style_1" style="font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Sinulog Poster Making Contest @ Emall</span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-BoldItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">December 30, 2011<span class="style_1" style="font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Sinulog 2012 Fun Run</span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-BoldItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">December 30, 2011<span class="style_1" style="font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Sinulog Best Dance Crew Elimination</span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-BoldItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">December 30, 2011<span class="style_1" style="font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Sinulog Musicfest Elimination</span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: black; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: black; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<a href="http://www.greggthebully.com/site/Middle_Island_Cebu/Entries/2012/1/8_Sinulog_Schedule_2012.html">Read more...</a></div>Gregg D'Bullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12606906426844828735noreply@blogger.com0University of the Philippines Visayas - Cebu College, Cebu City 6000, Philippines10.3222192 123.897978810.3065977 123.87823780000001 10.3378407 123.9177198tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4662354910984066773.post-75847970052233316752011-11-21T12:31:00.001-08:002011-11-21T12:33:06.310-08:00When It Rains... It's Oysters!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRpkoK_aGSt9G1is7vs0eWNqRdGmwFwx0yhPMzgE__mqtJr4w8yZku97KqQMcr8E-46tnluPTGXYtTA8h-bSYHMh0NHGOVTmPx-tLNwiyfsaxsKQmdsMapShbTrVxZXzfav66FKONwf86/s1600/Cebu_Oysters.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRpkoK_aGSt9G1is7vs0eWNqRdGmwFwx0yhPMzgE__mqtJr4w8yZku97KqQMcr8E-46tnluPTGXYtTA8h-bSYHMh0NHGOVTmPx-tLNwiyfsaxsKQmdsMapShbTrVxZXzfav66FKONwf86/s320/Cebu_Oysters.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="paragraph_style" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 53px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
This happened two months ago... two days from now. But I’ve just gotta post something mouthwatering as I recuperate from a stubborn bowel condition. What bowel condition, let’s not ruin your lunch.</div>
<div class="paragraph_style" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 53px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="paragraph_style" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 53px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
One of the many perks I’m so enjoying in moving to Cebu is the cheap food. So cheap one can have buffet every week, as many times as you can in each week. And what better way to celebrate such privilege but by gulping down some of the pricy fares in Manila. Oysters!</div>
<div class="paragraph_style" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 53px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="paragraph_style" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 53px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<a href="http://www.greggthebully.com/site/Middle_Island_Cebu/Entries/2011/11/14_When_It_Rains..._It%E2%80%99s_Oysters!.html">Read More...</a></div>Gregg D'Bullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12606906426844828735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4662354910984066773.post-40193801752654806302011-09-05T00:21:00.000-07:002011-09-05T00:21:22.477-07:00Misbehaving in Cebu Taoist Temple<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">Another place worth conquering in Cebu is the Taoist Temple. It has enough respite to magnify the sound of a dropping pin. Throw in some harmony of colors, revered oriental architectural classicism, ornate murals, immovable Taoist figures, magnificent sculptures... I’m running out of adjectives... and spectacular view of the Queen City of the South (now there’s the cliche)...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://www.greggthebully.com/site/Middle_Island_Cebu/Entries/2011/9/2_Misbehaving_in_Cebu_Taoist_Temple.html">Read more...</a></span></span>Gregg D'Bullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12606906426844828735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4662354910984066773.post-72338166311231836042011-09-01T11:39:00.000-07:002011-09-01T11:40:14.834-07:00Cebu and Indie Film<br />
<div class="Body" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: black; font-family: Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
Some of the many luck I earned in Cebu is having a cake and eat it, too. More specifically, watch a movie and eat in it too. That’s pleasure after pleasure.</div>
<div class="Body" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: black; font-family: Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: black; font-family: Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
Ok, so I’m being base. This is suppose to be a review on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brillante_Mendoza" style="color: #584d4d; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brillante_Mendoza">Brillante Mindoza</a>’s film <span class="style_1" style="font-family: Baskerville-Italic, Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; line-height: 24px;">Lola</span>, yet I opened up with food. Sorry, I can’t help it...</div>
<div class="Body" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: black; font-family: Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: black; font-family: Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">
<a href="http://www.greggthebully.com/site/Middle_Island_Cebu/Entries/2011/8/22_Indie_Films_in_Cebu.html">Read more...</a></div>
Gregg D'Bullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12606906426844828735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4662354910984066773.post-54971974581000695202011-07-19T21:19:00.000-07:002011-07-21T12:03:43.878-07:00To Pungko or Not to PungkoWhat's the word? Famished.<br />
<br />
Yes, it's that human condition where one could say "I could eat a cow!" In my case, if I could grab one, I'd kill it in one sweeping decapitation, quarter the carcass with my bear hands, and smear my face with blood and gore at every bite on bovine flesh. I was in this barbaric state when, thankfully, Cebu City's idiosyncrasy came to the rescue. Not my rescue, mind you, but every living creature's within two feet radius.<br />
<br />
This happened a month ago and I was with a friend when I was figuring out where and which of Cebu's food venues I was to stage my metaphysical resolve to give in to my animal cravings. My friend suggested we head to <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=ayala+center+cebu&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivnscm&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=7lkmTouRF8WHmQXd56D0CQ&ved=0CEcQsAQ&biw=1203&bih=682">Ayala Center</a> as we were just around the corner. I violently refused as I was all-out vandal with my unabashed table manners. The friend, noticeably worried that I was about to gobble him up, was quick to suggest a wonderland for my fantasies.<br />
<br />
Thus, went the following conversation...<br />
<br />
Me: So saan? Saan ako magpapakawala ng naghihimagsik na gutom? (So, where? Where shall I let my raging hunger run amok?)<br />
<br />
Him: Kumakain ka ba sa carinderia? (Do you eat at food stalls?)<br />
<br />
Me: Oo naman. Minsan akong naging mahirap... hanggang ngayon. Pero carinderia? Daming carinderia. Gusto ko maiba. (Of course. I was once in penury... now in relative poverty only. But there's always a food stall anywhere. I want some place with a twist.)<br />
<br />
Him: Mabuti. Meron akong alam kung saan ang mga pagkain lahat nasa lamesa. Kainin mo lahat ng gusto mo. Sobrang mura. (Great! There's this place where everything once alive is laid out on the table. Just pick anything. Cheap thrills.)<br />
<br />
Me: Pwede ang bastusang kain? Pwede ako magkalat? Pwede ko bang ipakita ang natatago kong talento sa pagnguya at pagsalita nang sabay? Pwede ako manigarilyo? (Can I eat obscenely? Can I drop my trash anywhere? Can I show off my talent in chewing and chanting the Bhagavad Gita all at the same time? Can I smoke?)<br />
<br />
Him: Lahat! Mas maganda pa nga bayaran mo lang kinain mo pag puno na tiyan mo. Sabihin mo lang sa tindera. (All of the above checked! Better yet, you only pay for the ones you ate until your stomach is about to burst. Just tell the caterer. Smoking is the last of your unhealthy concerns.)<br />
<br />
Me: Ha? Pano nya malaman kung ilan nga kinain ko? (Really? How would she determine I'm giving the correct number of items I ate?)<br />
<br />
Him: Honesty system. (Your guess is as good as hers.)<br />
<br />
Me: Anong pangalan ng lugar? Sabik na ko. (Identify the prey. I am out for the kill.)<br />
<br />
Him: <i>Pungko-pungko</i>. (No English equivalence. Sit-sit?)<br />
<br />
SFX: Crescendo from <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtoNHnR_WhE&feature=fvwrel">Handel's The Messiah</a></i> rendered by the <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtqrlppCfUU">San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus</a></i> in an impossible concert with <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uslytyVrWFw">The Mormon Tabernacle Choir</a></i>.<br />
<br />
According to Friend, there's a proliferation of such places across Cebu. We headed to the one beside JY Square in Lahug. There nestled in one corner is a dirt-floor eatery with tents and tables laden with everything delectable. Water containers, cooking arrays, and tools of the trade strewn everywhere. They serve as fascinating pieces of decors. This place is not for the faint-hearted (read faint-stomached). In segue, a place for adventure but reservations on fear of gastric infection as precaution, otherwise, <i><a href="http://www.mims.com/Philippines/drug/info/Diatabs/Diatabs%20cap">Diatabs</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.rxlist.com/lomotil-drug.htm">Lomotil</a></i> may not be enough to fix a raging vowel. But for a cheap thrill, this is what I was talking about!<br />
<br />
There's <i>puso</i> (quintessential Cebu rice in coconut fronds) for three pesos, <i>bulad</i> (dried fish) for eight pesos, and <i>ngohiong</i> (Chinese style lumpia)/chorizo/fried egg for five pesos each. Now, the <i>piece de resistance</i> of this meal of an adventure is <i>ginubot</i> (chicharon bulaklak, crispy intestine) for ten pesos.<br />
<br />
Pardon me hyperventilating, but ten pesos?! Ten pesos! Correct me if I'm wrong but a serving of <a href="http://www.atasteofasia.eu/shop/frozen-foods/other-en/chicharon-bulaklak.html">chicharon bulaklak in Manila can be had at an average price of Php200.00++</a>!<br />
<br />
This was a months ago and I did not have my ever-reliable documenter, <i><a href="http://www.exilim.com/">Casio Exilim</a> </i>I lovingly call D'Bull's Eye because I'm the Bully, right? So last Sunday I went back with two other friends, <a href="http://www.swagbuckstricks.com/">Brylle</a> and <a href="http://galleca.blogspot.com/">Aika</a>, who were equally excited to grab a feast of everything fried, therefore high-fat, and low-cost. (supply <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD3VsesSBsw&feature=grec_index">Carl Orff's Carmina Burana</a></i> here)<br />
<br />
So here are some visual documentations. This entry makes me hungry. Famished. Not to mention that I am in the throws of dementia trying to configure the algebra involved in a ten-pesos chicharon bulaklak.<br />
<br />
Grab a tissue!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDw-Rz-zsKPCJK8dbpMAmA6PTfGuXplwPsfkGNUCMlYkHc5iObtkwe9sXgKt0uUEgPiHRgyQJSCSNh4tWpMUwzMVxIzkrRwahwb1vy3OtYs2uG0vhp2vfYgVVo4mW3VvJxCwcbHPkvCcQp/s1600/CIMG0937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDw-Rz-zsKPCJK8dbpMAmA6PTfGuXplwPsfkGNUCMlYkHc5iObtkwe9sXgKt0uUEgPiHRgyQJSCSNh4tWpMUwzMVxIzkrRwahwb1vy3OtYs2uG0vhp2vfYgVVo4mW3VvJxCwcbHPkvCcQp/s400/CIMG0937.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Pork chop or chicharon bulaklak? Choose the greater evil. It's worth it.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOxZSLHu2DvxRoVUgy1qqhbR8GMn4qDDLq0mFT-aFLAkNRDcK5eOAOyeTqMFBd0hvJcWiG__1gyr5bhejE2L3pLUkfW8ocuRuBfDtBTJoV7PNDVYZMEn_yEPJcEmhzNkXEOO6pUJx8BEw/s1600/CIMG0938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOxZSLHu2DvxRoVUgy1qqhbR8GMn4qDDLq0mFT-aFLAkNRDcK5eOAOyeTqMFBd0hvJcWiG__1gyr5bhejE2L3pLUkfW8ocuRuBfDtBTJoV7PNDVYZMEn_yEPJcEmhzNkXEOO6pUJx8BEw/s400/CIMG0938.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>This ten-pesos chicharon bulaklak should be declared the 8th wonder of the world.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6raz57Q4N6mvTWwC_7FpNK5tX7o_2nhkYLt9KQUlELswzL637omUYnGumueACvTVWdiCW1tlMLRWQbK-t09EmJkdJ23CavQJl8Oc4bzRzhIoyONKgw-erjhVlxFiWa-9MjZlDEYuQY-f/s1600/CIMG0939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6raz57Q4N6mvTWwC_7FpNK5tX7o_2nhkYLt9KQUlELswzL637omUYnGumueACvTVWdiCW1tlMLRWQbK-t09EmJkdJ23CavQJl8Oc4bzRzhIoyONKgw-erjhVlxFiWa-9MjZlDEYuQY-f/s400/CIMG0939.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Look, Ma, everything's within reach! Especially the price!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFBW2kQU0bzDZrdv_rth-uHzft-z_AXHq7E-9Tb59yrrIVXfXZaVzki4ZgX4faihcsi92-0MZTCn8img6NwQEBup_Lx9S1vebebYl6SHU9qYVwlXl3mRTxvDdeIIsggu72u6BY0bVVBRg/s1600/CIMG0940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFBW2kQU0bzDZrdv_rth-uHzft-z_AXHq7E-9Tb59yrrIVXfXZaVzki4ZgX4faihcsi92-0MZTCn8img6NwQEBup_Lx9S1vebebYl6SHU9qYVwlXl3mRTxvDdeIIsggu72u6BY0bVVBRg/s400/CIMG0940.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Eating at <i>pungko-pungko</i> is the practical application of <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_War">Sun Tzu's The Art of War</a></i>.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpibjUaTBr5Cqt3gbkuf5fqUhdmMA46pwsbtTUbkFTCC2zN6KuGnuyIdzcVUXIDu7a1saLk9_y1VHlQ7cTrwrH_CjgUsLYDhbE-cIR4I6lX1cu85UojN_B9ip8uSvKtc269zJOG8AZ_HX/s1600/CIMG0943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpibjUaTBr5Cqt3gbkuf5fqUhdmMA46pwsbtTUbkFTCC2zN6KuGnuyIdzcVUXIDu7a1saLk9_y1VHlQ7cTrwrH_CjgUsLYDhbE-cIR4I6lX1cu85UojN_B9ip8uSvKtc269zJOG8AZ_HX/s400/CIMG0943.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>For all three of us, the bill came to an unbelievable Php174.00. Don't ask me. Your guess is as good as mine.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhqlMXgQKdxRiWoRMtzFsfwCvpfZy2p0CJFVecfcUWtCw6-mRl0Di81Mao5eb_GTxdeeTy4ytcs0jHh5soDhw5OvkLSM1_b7qqD5EBP4qSFHhhFDsPQ73PO4IRv3-N2RAqJU7LhOR6eCU/s1600/CIMG0942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhqlMXgQKdxRiWoRMtzFsfwCvpfZy2p0CJFVecfcUWtCw6-mRl0Di81Mao5eb_GTxdeeTy4ytcs0jHh5soDhw5OvkLSM1_b7qqD5EBP4qSFHhhFDsPQ73PO4IRv3-N2RAqJU7LhOR6eCU/s400/CIMG0942.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Choose your poison.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXcJxrrhQlanm5ZKMooVNWwSJ6A1vam-AqM_oBpG4nJIpXHVS-oYOWDl8uNl64JbdxUzH03H8Bfc2fZ5JzMRINNl0V24DsO0VNEgCcsGRDcVAYpZu81xeIOgBpmeO6mqNtdNB8amLzMut/s1600/CIMG0947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXcJxrrhQlanm5ZKMooVNWwSJ6A1vam-AqM_oBpG4nJIpXHVS-oYOWDl8uNl64JbdxUzH03H8Bfc2fZ5JzMRINNl0V24DsO0VNEgCcsGRDcVAYpZu81xeIOgBpmeO6mqNtdNB8amLzMut/s400/CIMG0947.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Another marvel of <i>pungko-pungko</i> is how it brings everyone into a harmonious community. There should be a lot of this all over the world to promote world peace.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div>By the way, I heard JY Square hides another food destination to goggle over. All-you-can-eat dimsum for less than Php200.00. But that would be another story.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
</div>Gregg D'Bullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12606906426844828735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4662354910984066773.post-44366930543044549052011-06-26T11:47:00.000-07:002011-06-26T19:51:24.540-07:00Cebu Beckons to Dare Colon<div>First, a disclaimer:</div><div><br />
</div><div>This blog is suppose to promote Cebu as a travel destination. Well, this blog still is. But as one may read in this entry, I would have to be honest with what I could say about our latest subject, Colon. It's filthy. It's crowded. It's extremely pedestrian and reeks with pirated merchandise, not to mention street urchins, pimps and their wares. Hooligans and thugs are just some of the likely attractions. Ok, locals refer to it as a dangerous place, not so less at night. Colon, despite its historical significance, is hardly a tourist destination such as Shangri-La Mactan but, hey, I believe that there is always a market for anything and everything including obese ladies prancing in a peep show. No, they don't have that there. Wait... I will check.</div><div><br />
</div>Going to Colon is a feat. Some local friends here have warned me of the many risks that could be had on a trip to Cebu's version of Escolta, and the Philippine's oldest street. One local told me that anyone could be knifed in the streets for a measly ten pesos; suffice for me to contemplate distributing twenty pesos to every thugs there and become Colon's kingpin. But my friend alleged that there is a long line for that job. Another local told me that she is afraid to venture in the area blamed on snatchers and their minions. I must agree. One time, after a shoot at Fort San Pedro, we were having a post production refreshment at AA's Barbecue fronting Plaza Independencia. Suddenly, a passing Korean tourist had her cellphone snatched. People simply looked and, as if an endemic bird has just flew by, continued with their business. The tourist and her companion quietly walked away. I had the impression that, in Colon, a haggling scene between a customer and a Muslim vendor is more interesting than the one we've just witnessed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJNHHmHIoiJJWE4c4xJFUheg76NeNgwFBfXdDM3ebg7ir5q-rO9Y7B9njoDSM2nhfP8wno1aMprntVCrbuXiysggIxaRIPqmKRB9oSNBvPbdJzGucVDPrT7YU9OouvcFDZTgSfdXSxZXU/s1600/CIMG0779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJNHHmHIoiJJWE4c4xJFUheg76NeNgwFBfXdDM3ebg7ir5q-rO9Y7B9njoDSM2nhfP8wno1aMprntVCrbuXiysggIxaRIPqmKRB9oSNBvPbdJzGucVDPrT7YU9OouvcFDZTgSfdXSxZXU/s320/CIMG0779.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haggle or get snatched? Whichever comes first, pick your attraction.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div>Every time a photographer/friend/lawyer/college classmate comes to Cebu for a hearing, he invites me to stay with him in his hotel so I could help art direct his photo shoot. Yes, he always stay in a hotel right at the heart of Colon. At night, the street lights were off save for the hotel's front, grizzly shadows lurk the side walks, taxis were afraid to stop... get the picture. I would not be surprised to see tires burn incessantly in the middle of the street and homeless people warming their palms by a fire from a trash can. Robocop patrolling.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iWqDusTD-Ywq-yQSvf5RGvJiRqadaL4iYWhfgySy5PwGFY0LNuCPXH2rxlGtmTI9qbfn0VSafiuc8Kkx2cM3vGxsUv2c1JPVIdbCpRbIfnyLlXzYs0ShWGIHN35BlN2k4znW6mHwkQib/s1600/CIMG0780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iWqDusTD-Ywq-yQSvf5RGvJiRqadaL4iYWhfgySy5PwGFY0LNuCPXH2rxlGtmTI9qbfn0VSafiuc8Kkx2cM3vGxsUv2c1JPVIdbCpRbIfnyLlXzYs0ShWGIHN35BlN2k4znW6mHwkQib/s320/CIMG0780.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Seriously, one may ask, "Why the damp?" Urban ecologists and theorists would be out of job if I have the answer.</b></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><br />
</div><div>So why go to Colon? Again, for a culture vulture (the sociologist kind, not the pretentious snobs frequenting Republique in Pasay and what-used-to-be Embassy in The Fort), Colon is a melting pot of so many curiosities, though not for the squeamish. First, one cannot claim to have toured Cebu without a visit to the Sto. Nino Shrine, and this Cebuano's most sacred of places is smacked right at Colon's periphery. Then there's, of course, the gamut of cheap merchandises you'd be happy pirates exist in this world. While looking for prepaid load for my cellphone, I ended up in an electronics shop. There I found some fancy speakers that's worth Php6,500 at a local Mac store. These are sold for only around Php1,500 and still could be haggled with. But I dared not buy a second hand. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQzll-nWohdHTH-b0xqaYssV3h6gNdUVGJ_h_xBz8_UYMkc4wlvPpZlnqwfulEZ9QJYdyWEYkI-eBklCgL6qwgnEv4Ul1NgEysM5xG56EFewHsfBBMVaBRO4W1Gm68M1b0MIwCAUIJFuY/s1600/CIMG0785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQzll-nWohdHTH-b0xqaYssV3h6gNdUVGJ_h_xBz8_UYMkc4wlvPpZlnqwfulEZ9QJYdyWEYkI-eBklCgL6qwgnEv4Ul1NgEysM5xG56EFewHsfBBMVaBRO4W1Gm68M1b0MIwCAUIJFuY/s320/CIMG0785.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Rich countries spent billions to find life in outer space. Aren't we glad we have such thriving organisms in Colon that other planets lack?</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div></div><div><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Lately, I have developed a new vice - HD DVD in cute tin can packaging! Hehehhehe... And in one of my trips to Colon to satisfy my craving for fancy HD DVD packaging (not for the movies they contain), I noticed the facades of some of Colon's edifices, particularly one where I buy my DVD (again, I insist, for the packaging). Man, Carlos Celdran should put up in Colon a branch of his city archi-tours! </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here is a treasure trove of architectural interests that could only be considered a blast from Cebu's glorious past, rivaled only by Manila. Other than historical landmark Sto. Nino Shrine, here is Colon's offering of urban edifices that should keep a conservationist nervous. For tomorrow threatens this particular past.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Behold why I dare Colon in spite of the threats:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQqPGG-SdWbTjJCPgKyj2RjDqOIFDbh5Xg9qogS1G3ZbHhcb0imLdAnHecFANeqCzATdPbm8e0-DZz5kQTWE0VPwZlCjh49YiPiN1MJlzSBBAZYD0klRskT47xCdpMigaZnTfUqkKN0DH/s1600/CIMG0794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQqPGG-SdWbTjJCPgKyj2RjDqOIFDbh5Xg9qogS1G3ZbHhcb0imLdAnHecFANeqCzATdPbm8e0-DZz5kQTWE0VPwZlCjh49YiPiN1MJlzSBBAZYD0klRskT47xCdpMigaZnTfUqkKN0DH/s320/CIMG0794.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Just one of the third-run theaters that jot this side of Colon. I know, this is so Recto Ave. in Manila reminiscent of my college days when entering Eastern Theatre is like a trip to Disneyland. Sorry, inside joke.<br />
<br />
</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5stvHUIH-AwtDTJ5RvlabGeXlAl3UwoPedukAzzMLm3NPegpNqiKT_QG5xCp2F1JH0N59du3WZNJdfTQVQqyo2KURcPg9HpFSYTzFmTFQ0fhQ7lPz88jAt0-2OZdK9EeDufMC-lIJ1uw/s1600/CIMG0792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5stvHUIH-AwtDTJ5RvlabGeXlAl3UwoPedukAzzMLm3NPegpNqiKT_QG5xCp2F1JH0N59du3WZNJdfTQVQqyo2KURcPg9HpFSYTzFmTFQ0fhQ7lPz88jAt0-2OZdK9EeDufMC-lIJ1uw/s320/CIMG0792.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Art</b> <b>deco innovation: a finely lined edifice with columns that punctuate its facade, lending it a classic feature on an otherwise flat geometric surface. </b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErXCls26YXpAcflKZbVLFPhiRsgkgdu7DY49M6TUENOFld7nV1n2m42qDAMMsl84_aTtOvfQICz15DkAMg9JJkgbV3xbxCgvlIpyEbNWuMXsEmL4k029lbQnX71tUCG-2K0O1etrhJz0v/s1600/CIMG0798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErXCls26YXpAcflKZbVLFPhiRsgkgdu7DY49M6TUENOFld7nV1n2m42qDAMMsl84_aTtOvfQICz15DkAMg9JJkgbV3xbxCgvlIpyEbNWuMXsEmL4k029lbQnX71tUCG-2K0O1etrhJz0v/s320/CIMG0798.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>One sorry state for Colon's historical buildings. Another art deco edifice being sacrificed in the name of change. I love the signage of the mall. Reminiscent of American 50's burger joints.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUciUfwvAN9u32I-h99EmPvuh7B16o9kCffxLXwCYAqVb4ZVM8q1fcjsgp6caPvVNr2HJ9BGJKB3mMnhCfZYxLLwoX66iyiz-bRpwKMGqlfvN2p_Or7mQC2-28t9RRDjz2lZTQxxGzABG/s1600/CIMG0784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUciUfwvAN9u32I-h99EmPvuh7B16o9kCffxLXwCYAqVb4ZVM8q1fcjsgp6caPvVNr2HJ9BGJKB3mMnhCfZYxLLwoX66iyiz-bRpwKMGqlfvN2p_Or7mQC2-28t9RRDjz2lZTQxxGzABG/s320/CIMG0784.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>This is definitely not Collegio de San Sebastian. Influenced by the contemporary architectural style of the era when it was built, the definitive design was obscured by masonic emblems that's quite gothic and a broken arch that's quite baroque. At any rate, still a safe mix. As one character in Disney's <i>Beauty and the Beast</i> suggested, "If it ain't b'roque, why fix it?"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"></span></b></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjow5bIUqHB9jGdOmvjJJ0qMhSKN2N8aOZX-NZeRethM29SlLJUiN0EYUCIwhp9sKnWx_STwvgloeRGXUYXB5-hr2bHHxpXIWEi093aAo_FKUVB4_57bsqNqUuPyYsVDdWo-9D02uucgfEN/s1600/CIMG0797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjow5bIUqHB9jGdOmvjJJ0qMhSKN2N8aOZX-NZeRethM29SlLJUiN0EYUCIwhp9sKnWx_STwvgloeRGXUYXB5-hr2bHHxpXIWEi093aAo_FKUVB4_57bsqNqUuPyYsVDdWo-9D02uucgfEN/s320/CIMG0797.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>This modernist design must have been inspired by Zaragoza's Meralco headquarters in Ortigas.</b><br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfgo9oKqQLn4QvBEhgTH_uJf7UJ7ttjRvIubYYE4o8QaawtzUPzXDDbFsscw1n0itjZ2S25HvHL5yk1WmLFdohhajxECQFGV5iprcFGkWPqzlHbp7MFq6I5Etrv7IYhFuFAL5OjsdqPyN/s1600/CIMG0793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfgo9oKqQLn4QvBEhgTH_uJf7UJ7ttjRvIubYYE4o8QaawtzUPzXDDbFsscw1n0itjZ2S25HvHL5yk1WmLFdohhajxECQFGV5iprcFGkWPqzlHbp7MFq6I5Etrv7IYhFuFAL5OjsdqPyN/s320/CIMG0793.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Architecture such as this makes me teary-eyed and prompts me to genuflect. That's because I am a fanatic of everything camp and art deco facades are always campy.</b><br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLYjidCPUoBtARo3zPX6OoCcNf11Vo6b8ZE45DKR7Lvv_MdfhR7zU-BB0poG2vacWiZaOcewuGDsvDxGyvaw2f2X2xsLBYVGbnbjLx2VXR3K4AHsFYbjBaugGChyphenhyphenWKyed-xOgpoNaoBPm/s1600/CIMG0791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLYjidCPUoBtARo3zPX6OoCcNf11Vo6b8ZE45DKR7Lvv_MdfhR7zU-BB0poG2vacWiZaOcewuGDsvDxGyvaw2f2X2xsLBYVGbnbjLx2VXR3K4AHsFYbjBaugGChyphenhyphenWKyed-xOgpoNaoBPm/s320/CIMG0791.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The crown jewel of Colon's architectural curiosities. Though an untrained eye might fail to recognize its being ersatz, I give credit to the Italian designer for coming up with a fine imitation of Italian classicism.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_wm3SaBpk7z2i9HSENWwdO-jXoXH_3sXaxblRwKpF-oQUdCdCBA2bTVz58U7Wsz3hQWHwcITU-lTq6OksMgfHMEBcVnhTe0uQhmPT3kcJFpZFuT2gTKxu_L7RKrBldM_3IN1-2IESDV9/s1600/CIMG0790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_wm3SaBpk7z2i9HSENWwdO-jXoXH_3sXaxblRwKpF-oQUdCdCBA2bTVz58U7Wsz3hQWHwcITU-lTq6OksMgfHMEBcVnhTe0uQhmPT3kcJFpZFuT2gTKxu_L7RKrBldM_3IN1-2IESDV9/s320/CIMG0790.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>By the entrance of what-used-to-be a theater turned pirated DVD mall is a historical marker being eaten by grime. A dramatic juxtaposition of ironies: a rundown theater turned pirated DVD mall exalted in sooty historical marker.</b></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcD9MICjd5ejUyIQn533pNoHW-_DHdCFXMFaLo-eF8nsnAxAhn_3AhTNlA1RQ0TdYTZOyjBOaNhhXLOU-rWx-6Dt7RFWtLOQ2GV7WWeyNjGz-hWdNj_glYD2WVYFh3jEczjlbeZFoSvBZz/s1600/CIMG0800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcD9MICjd5ejUyIQn533pNoHW-_DHdCFXMFaLo-eF8nsnAxAhn_3AhTNlA1RQ0TdYTZOyjBOaNhhXLOU-rWx-6Dt7RFWtLOQ2GV7WWeyNjGz-hWdNj_glYD2WVYFh3jEczjlbeZFoSvBZz/s320/CIMG0800.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>"THE VISION THEATRE"</b> <br />
<div style="font: 13.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><b>(BLOCK 35)</b></div><div style="font: 13.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><b>Still a significant landmark in Colon which featured a grandiose classical design and nude sculptures by the Italian Architect Dante Giudetti, it was inaugurated in the 1930's by the owners Agustin and Beatriz Jereza.</b></div><div style="font: 13.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 16.0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 13.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><b>The Vision Theatre should be declared a historical landmark not only because of the strength of its foundation (sometime in the mid 1940's, many people tried to chip off the concrete wall in order to get the steel rods but they were not able to get through) and also for the grandeur of its design.</b><br />
<b></b><b></b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b><div style="display: inline !important; text-align: justify;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><b></b><br />
<b><div style="display: inline !important; text-align: justify;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>In 1953, a Cebuano film <i>Kapintas sa Kinabuhi</i>, written and directed by scriptwriter Eugenio "Gen" C. Labella was shown there. His wife Estrelina Colina was its leading lady and Bert Nombrado was the lead actor.</b></span></div></div></div></div></b></div></div></b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b><div style="display: inline !important; text-align: justify;"><div style="display: inline !important;"></div></div></b></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><div style="font: 13.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 13.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Before I end, I must admit that my architectural appreciation of Colon has been both enkindled and blurred by my interest in HD DVD cute packagings. In fact, it is the ultimate reason. Suffice to say that the penultimate is still about architectures and facades, particularly one that follows:</span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 13.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBxVeDdBNyilklg2URsR8j0P3QkCFX8dNop4W7xLr_QhuXksLOSxjK1qRz5gPlPXbSDdDWXeZCmsDrkuvwwsrXPPuuRbqQPhpEEnCtgCmAAOoK5BMFcTWO8uY8lWnd5gWJB8KBydefiO8/s1600/CIMG0786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBxVeDdBNyilklg2URsR8j0P3QkCFX8dNop4W7xLr_QhuXksLOSxjK1qRz5gPlPXbSDdDWXeZCmsDrkuvwwsrXPPuuRbqQPhpEEnCtgCmAAOoK5BMFcTWO8uY8lWnd5gWJB8KBydefiO8/s400/CIMG0786.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Built in the glorious era of ABS-CBN's Talent Center, Gaisano's facade is emblazoned with Michaelangelo's quintessential idea of a perfect human form. In obscure architecture, this feature is simply called "My Baby." </b></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div><br />
</div><div>Please, don't be gullible. I beg you.<br />
<div><br />
</div></div>Gregg D'Bullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12606906426844828735noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4662354910984066773.post-77214379254167195072011-05-25T02:52:00.000-07:002011-05-25T03:15:12.730-07:00On Ends and Symbiosis in Bantayan Island<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0cm;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style> My fanaticism for Cebu can be compacted in one following micro-statement: <i>Dito na ako mamamatay</i> <i>(Cebu shall be my final resting place)!</i> But ever since I discovered Bantayan Island, I would have to clarify which of my deaths is going to find its finality in Cebu; obviously, there is now an established competition for the possessor of my terminal remnants. As such, I grant Cebu my physical remains - where my morally abused once-sumptuous body shall lay rest; my potent <i>psyche</i> (imagination, thoughts, intellectual being, fantasies) to Manila; my regrets to Los Angeles, CA. And my impervious soul, ladies and gentlemen, shall claim its peace at Bantayan Island.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2BQF8EWXIjz5Mc3Tp7fkmdNlYUvNGIQs3U2MxSSIB85ZAh0glsKBQA2WqRW30-lrKtj3g6FtFw80weHomLzqJyyjPsHj75tnCG-Tlgrq5N_vMM5wCg_PfefXyo0dQej1_ixhVEk8RQ5I/s1600/230687_10150164749684506_558769505_6940150_4634096_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2BQF8EWXIjz5Mc3Tp7fkmdNlYUvNGIQs3U2MxSSIB85ZAh0glsKBQA2WqRW30-lrKtj3g6FtFw80weHomLzqJyyjPsHj75tnCG-Tlgrq5N_vMM5wCg_PfefXyo0dQej1_ixhVEk8RQ5I/s320/230687_10150164749684506_558769505_6940150_4634096_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Spot the X where my grave shall be.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Ok, I'm exaggerating. Know that I am such a sucker for beaches and, as of this writing, Bantayan Island has simply charmed my sun-sand-and-sea fancy. <a href="http://middleislandcebu.blogspot.com/2011/05/crazy-birthday-at-bantayan-island.html">Go see my video previous to this post as I displayed unabashed shamelessness</a>. Nonetheless, knowing my unfaithfulness, I reserve the right to change my judgment on Bantayan when I get to Amanpulo and Shang-Boracay (aside from elevators, I lately fantasized on fornicating in one of those outdoor balconies perched on cliffs atop emerald sea levels).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCUBypvR7bUvQr5yTbA44E2fCHqgWl8S1mCs_WyLpOilddEmm4iVb5Uw929V6KWm0nz9W0T3op6tKIVnkT1kcAA8_Trdx6ZfJD_UNJ3C7flMk1EXuOU2AdEk18wlDVNw2vcKEkOPJHQFV/s1600/217315_10150164750604506_558769505_6940179_2272766_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCUBypvR7bUvQr5yTbA44E2fCHqgWl8S1mCs_WyLpOilddEmm4iVb5Uw929V6KWm0nz9W0T3op6tKIVnkT1kcAA8_Trdx6ZfJD_UNJ3C7flMk1EXuOU2AdEk18wlDVNw2vcKEkOPJHQFV/s320/217315_10150164750604506_558769505_6940179_2272766_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Excuse me, Sir, is there a balcony here somewhere on top of a cliff or the likes? How about symbiosis?</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
There were so much to write about my first trip to Bantayan Island. It has only been a little over a month but the details are starting to fade out owing to the many events that since marked my so-called life. Yet some memories clamored to be configured in words and in blog. <br />
<br />
<b>Bantayan the Overstated</b><br />
<br />
I may overstate this but my curiosity of the island went awry when I heard that the island is the south's Puerto Galera during Holy Week. That is, Cebu City's population is in virtual collapse resulting from the exodus of inhabitants - from The Island - to the island. Compared to Puerto Galera though, where the attraction is at the level of <i>Sodom and Gamorrah</i>, Bantayan has the religious offering of a celebrated procession featuring life-size Passion scenes. In fact, I read that Bantayan is the only place in the country granted dispensation by the church from fasting and abstinence on Good Friday. The rest of the adventure is left to a vacationer's inclination, whether good or evil, between benign and profane. But don't quote me on that. Besides, I also heard that the local government has made efforts to curve the partying in the island during the country's holiest of seasons. So, harlots, beware!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLikzi05C6eDXJHzOgOsX-0YmJidmyHbW5r8rc0DlLTxz3rt_g2g2rzsoZpoF99p4tRMr6EH7Kpb4bdMeVzheYXRW2AzUzlm-qFM_XJ1bFa8vUf3VScxK3dqGz6NKGe25UwLQS4bI6UU0M/s1600/215457_10150164750124506_558769505_6940166_4669038_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLikzi05C6eDXJHzOgOsX-0YmJidmyHbW5r8rc0DlLTxz3rt_g2g2rzsoZpoF99p4tRMr6EH7Kpb4bdMeVzheYXRW2AzUzlm-qFM_XJ1bFa8vUf3VScxK3dqGz6NKGe25UwLQS4bI6UU0M/s320/215457_10150164750124506_558769505_6940166_4669038_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Ahm... well... really... honest... we didn't party. You have no evidence! </b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bantayan the Understated</b><br />
<br />
Compared to Boracay, Bantayan is still magically blessed with respite and calm. That's because in Boracay, only the water is calm; there's so much partying in the evenings and the carousing is inebriating; the emerald shores is faked by green algae. Ok, the sand in Boracay is powdery but I can still afford talcum. In my last visit, I went snorkeling to see bombed corals at the bottom of the sea. In Bantayan, one needs goggles to avoid stepping on sea urchins. That's just part of the adventure and awe. Hop in a <i>banca</i> and take to the neighboring Virgin Island. Aside from reminding you what you don't have in terms of morality, you will find this island at par with those you can visit in Honda Bay, Palawan. And compared to Honda Bay, you can play with the wilds at Virgin Island. Put a little simply, you can pick anything edible and throw them in the fire for eating. Otherwise, just throw them in the fire and revel like the deranged kids in <i>Lord of the Flies</i>. Joke.<br />
<br />
Though one is free to eat what they can pick in Bantayan and neighboring islands, I admonish my readers to observe concern for the environment. Or you can wait for fishermen to pass by and buy anything loaded in their <i>banca</i> to eat.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHI2Yn6RynXprXPQ5Nu2kVzFYveLoFvKrpCuyUBrCkw2IrMBKfSbffoHGu3nggluOGmpsJQdC8NaK0Rvji2VudrZ_IbhnaDho3g-MdsGf-MJtRvywFZKs0aWIS-v4rEl-gBTNmk81qcaAZ/s1600/227706_10150164751564506_558769505_6940210_2578470_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHI2Yn6RynXprXPQ5Nu2kVzFYveLoFvKrpCuyUBrCkw2IrMBKfSbffoHGu3nggluOGmpsJQdC8NaK0Rvji2VudrZ_IbhnaDho3g-MdsGf-MJtRvywFZKs0aWIS-v4rEl-gBTNmk81qcaAZ/s320/227706_10150164751564506_558769505_6940210_2578470_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>You can't do this in Honda Bay and Boracay. But don't abuse.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-J2ZLGeodu1mTjhk1nt7RPFjZb0qwFsp3Bt3occIqbaLGApnJfU_cIfA_jk49GDS6oIWpWinTHC-5DQzy8SOvo4PktwChyphenhyphenhIlcgC_qMrpyOCBDDjfpv57dTjeIVELiUT_SdGOeGJ9sg9/s1600/223218_10150164751359506_558769505_6940203_3527983_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-J2ZLGeodu1mTjhk1nt7RPFjZb0qwFsp3Bt3occIqbaLGApnJfU_cIfA_jk49GDS6oIWpWinTHC-5DQzy8SOvo4PktwChyphenhyphenhIlcgC_qMrpyOCBDDjfpv57dTjeIVELiUT_SdGOeGJ9sg9/s320/223218_10150164751359506_558769505_6940203_3527983_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>At Virgin Island sleeping like a virgin... as if!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
While we were in Virgin Island, my friend Prof bought a variety of shellfishes from the fishermen. We had them grilled and discovered that some variety comes with a kind of crustacean living in them. I amused myself by discussing with Prof the principle of symbiosis. The shellfish grants the other creature a home and protection while the crustacean does the housekeeping. Not to be outdone by my knowledge, Prof expressed romantically how symbiosis could also be detrimental to the survival of each as both wills to die with the other such as exemplified by those that we were eating.<br />
<br />
I must agree. I have never seen such commitment among humans.<br />
<br />
But Prof went further by raising a legitimate question. Is it still symbiotic when a shellfish allows another crustacean to take over the housekeeping from the first?<br />
<br />
Hmmmm... That’s not symbiotic. That's rather opportunistic. And I have only observed such commitment among humans. <br />
<br />
And so I digress.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7q5X0pnKebFaI030HdajAIUbhPuXoO8VoSZGjJEHvzRuUH74fzrTFuB6gpWZCuMqBPlslTgBDgyOgnUVqQOgSeiv5a8Vm6-KyBov8zR6hpOqZz5logxiAHp8LPh2k7TA2v3So1AJvW5M/s1600/CIMG0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7q5X0pnKebFaI030HdajAIUbhPuXoO8VoSZGjJEHvzRuUH74fzrTFuB6gpWZCuMqBPlslTgBDgyOgnUVqQOgSeiv5a8Vm6-KyBov8zR6hpOqZz5logxiAHp8LPh2k7TA2v3So1AJvW5M/s320/CIMG0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>And so both shellfish and crustacean die... in our guts.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I could continue on and on as to the highlights of my Bantayan adventure but I now relegate such to future tales of anecdotes. Suffice to say that I have already planned year ahead to be there next year (redundant?) to witness the procession. And, yes, practice symbiosis with the locals.<br />
<br />
I suspect malevolent questions forming in my readers’ minds. My answer is “Secret…”Gregg D'Bullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12606906426844828735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4662354910984066773.post-67074145183446215222011-05-05T10:38:00.000-07:002011-05-24T23:26:33.767-07:00Crazy Birthday at Bantayan IslandBefore I write about what transpired in Bantayan Island on my birthday last week, let me simply post a video that could sum up what tops a summer at 42.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f6fYiO7nkqI?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f6fYiO7nkqI?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div>Gregg D'Bullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12606906426844828735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4662354910984066773.post-68139100530659571342011-04-09T13:58:00.000-07:002011-04-10T11:43:34.179-07:00How To Chicken a Larsian. Vice Versa.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My love for chicken can be summed up by one elementary correlation: I worship sushi, but chicken makes me mad. It's a bird. It's a foul. It's a domesticated pheasant. Every part of a chicken is a travelogue on its own. Like, the wing is Tibet, the neck is Nepal, the legs is France, the butt... uuhhh... the butt is all American! Isaw (intestine) is undoubtedly Filipino. But it's just me. A chicken fan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Coming to Cebu is a gastronomic adventure similar to a trip to Disneyland. There are chicken barbecues everywhere. When I say everywhere, it's like every five-meter radius. Not to mention that a whole roasted chicken can be feasted on for only Php99.00; Php130.00 max. Hey, that's only in Cebu. So read again before you attack the roasted-chicken vendor at the corner of E. Rodriguez, Quezon City for selling you Php250.00 a whole chicken. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So imagine now when I discovered Larsian. It's one place near Fuente Circle right next to a hospital, where everything chicken is skewered, bathed in all sort of sweet, sour, soy sauces and laid on flaming coal. Paired, of course, with ubiquitous <i>puso</i> and more soy sauce (or vinegar) with lemon juice and chili to dunk it in before having the delectable morsel disappear in your mouth. Then you convulse. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But Larsian is more than just about roasted chicken. If I wanted chicken, I told you they're all over Cebu. Larsian is a fascination in food, culture, and... ahm... food. And culture. It's all about the manner of eating and the food you eat. That's because Larsian is not your typical eating place. It's devoid of air conditioning (what exhaust fan?), ambient lighting (they're trying), fine tables and silverware (not even plastic). It's not a place to bring a date, unless you're dating Angelina Jolie who's always on the lookout for an Asian orphan to adopt. You eat with your hands. You can choose to have your hands gloved in plastcc or wash from a jug of water. I prefer the former as washing means having to endure the water splattering on my feet and having it flow on the crude cement floor towards somebody else's table. The plates are made of coconut fronds or some native materials that are not suppose to be washed. Which explains why they're all covered with plastic. Say, do the dishes... waterless. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some of the best eating experiences I had were done in hotels, classy Japanese, character Italian with all the finery of high table manners. But a great eating experience I would rather have is where one could simply slack at manners. Larsian has such feel. Go put your other feet on top of your seat. Chew and speak at the same time, and discover a newfound talent. Go grab anything from across the table. Avoid asking somebody to hand you something. It's rude to interrupt somebody in a feeding frenzy. You can smoke all you want. It can't be worse than the smoke coming from all the grills all over the place. You can drop your leftovers on the floor and nobody will give a hoot. Reminds me of a friend who drops his leftovers on the floor instead of putting them on the side of his plate. He'd love Larsian.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One can also feel like a celebrity upon entering Larsian. The marketing scheme among consignors involved having customers almost wrestled to their tables although they're all selling the same lovely cuisine (one of my BFF's describe cuisine as food prepared artistically): barbecued pork, blue marlin (at Php60.00?! a piece), squid, siomai (to die for), liempo, chorizo, chicken innards, butt, wings, breast, legs, nothing human. For rice, there is always Cebu's national cuisine (really artfully done) <i>puso</i>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Segue: to eat <i>puso, </i>one simply has to break it open from where the wrappings have been slit by a knife. Then take the compacted sticky rice by hand to mouth. If it's too big, just take a bite. You will know somebody from Manila or outside Cebu when they spread the rice on their plates. Wrong! That's like having dinner with a spoon in Canada.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Upon finishing everything served, you can wipe your mouth of all the grease from all the chicken skin you ate and the sauces dripping from your mouth. Have a glass or two of soda from a large bottle of Coke. Then pay. Kaching!! all for Php350 (even less) for three or you can stomach-space-is-the-limit for Php500.00. Where you even? (<i>Sa'n ka pa?</i>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>For those who do not read, here's a pictograph on how to eat at Larsian.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>STEP 1</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Go find Larsian. It's at the opposite side of Fuente Circle coming from Mango Avenue. It's next to a Chinese-sounding hospital. Go ask. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHCQveOXVNDEw7DfH63ooFUsNaCEQjba5sIOeXtAzEhE_79N7y_XJ5v__F7P_yoJvdXmMgYYZwr5H08-DYpYLC6MtIGjfEvKJkPHvAqPCHPol4QK4nI1Vaz0qPn6zsZlq2xB0oVpCL-6W/s1600/207370_1864542366407_1026441693_2150540_3463859_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHCQveOXVNDEw7DfH63ooFUsNaCEQjba5sIOeXtAzEhE_79N7y_XJ5v__F7P_yoJvdXmMgYYZwr5H08-DYpYLC6MtIGjfEvKJkPHvAqPCHPol4QK4nI1Vaz0qPn6zsZlq2xB0oVpCL-6W/s320/207370_1864542366407_1026441693_2150540_3463859_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>STEP 2<br />
Enter the hollowed grounds and look for a vantage seat. The place can be an interesting venue to people watch. Don't listen to waitresses calling you to pick their table. Don't be gullible. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgC9AHFcvFaxTXJ56WM43pz6NTIhP6wOm4LOar5LFndiHDzCyBtn4h-EemlqYEftMr1CKjFHDOADpPWKhr-fGcXq_SQtn31zGEqeuyV7ej_f33YdSgxj7BK68zk50jOznD1pl1GwJcj2m7/s1600/184318_10150113854978450_755383449_6626695_2123310_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgC9AHFcvFaxTXJ56WM43pz6NTIhP6wOm4LOar5LFndiHDzCyBtn4h-EemlqYEftMr1CKjFHDOADpPWKhr-fGcXq_SQtn31zGEqeuyV7ej_f33YdSgxj7BK68zk50jOznD1pl1GwJcj2m7/s320/184318_10150113854978450_755383449_6626695_2123310_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Step 3</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Choose a vendor. Oh, this one has kinilaw, tinola, siomai and hot soup. Ahm, this is the only picture I have of a vendor so I am not necessarily endorsing this one. Your choice is as good as mine.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHgE9k9H_xb-Pg8mDuX_TfeiJlmhBAwn6XBL1IMyJfd0MdJVoU4MdTkv5XD7PISpEfbJZm40xqSd09hXsiGBkuEirTyTO_mvKE_yuKEv_fAmIk6Z-ykQonQt35b8tTwXb2qC3NK4mhxjV/s1600/197474_10150113854908450_755383449_6626693_1104890_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHgE9k9H_xb-Pg8mDuX_TfeiJlmhBAwn6XBL1IMyJfd0MdJVoU4MdTkv5XD7PISpEfbJZm40xqSd09hXsiGBkuEirTyTO_mvKE_yuKEv_fAmIk6Z-ykQonQt35b8tTwXb2qC3NK4mhxjV/s320/197474_10150113854908450_755383449_6626693_1104890_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>STEP 4</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pick and choose your poison. The fun starts here.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhW-zjV9b0A0KiI4FMXQzOLH1wIUUGmU_e36KE-LdjmUbxCgxSpzJwKSANoyyA9prHNAr0P1fltZtKY4P1QC01oviTQhH6QoTOREdaAUiLA6ouxqgpB1r3BzlUs02OnGR_dMdbHH-UKI0v/s1600/208102_1864547246529_1026441693_2150550_3165469_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhW-zjV9b0A0KiI4FMXQzOLH1wIUUGmU_e36KE-LdjmUbxCgxSpzJwKSANoyyA9prHNAr0P1fltZtKY4P1QC01oviTQhH6QoTOREdaAUiLA6ouxqgpB1r3BzlUs02OnGR_dMdbHH-UKI0v/s320/208102_1864547246529_1026441693_2150550_3165469_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>STEP 5</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>No! You don't eat it right away. Ask an attendant to have it cooked.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTMNF12NjxNJdUMSWpul6IsIK_c23E1A3arFykbJaJxt6Uj8J_D2a0R9rEhb06o0ir6X-VyqtsXJwz7iwO3vh1xBG1_TLvrgHsjV-Wsl46ZiA-RnVu7ER5gcGvyrMMHkr7JUg7g0DnX_O/s1600/215341_1864545806493_1026441693_2150547_7936961_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTMNF12NjxNJdUMSWpul6IsIK_c23E1A3arFykbJaJxt6Uj8J_D2a0R9rEhb06o0ir6X-VyqtsXJwz7iwO3vh1xBG1_TLvrgHsjV-Wsl46ZiA-RnVu7ER5gcGvyrMMHkr7JUg7g0DnX_O/s320/215341_1864545806493_1026441693_2150547_7936961_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>No. This is not the attendant. This is the bouncer in the guise of me. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMjxI6srHeM5594W3hIwpxM0oLot4nViRU02rXJNnYcIbE2xjUWyd2p7dnHoax0vZoqO3mI_UTtFPl9nmWf4uQGWpW3KTTIvqlZ9So76YgrOoHMb4C-fZ_vxgtmp1xnOuyiXpbd6BkVLs/s1600/CIMG9236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMjxI6srHeM5594W3hIwpxM0oLot4nViRU02rXJNnYcIbE2xjUWyd2p7dnHoax0vZoqO3mI_UTtFPl9nmWf4uQGWpW3KTTIvqlZ9So76YgrOoHMb4C-fZ_vxgtmp1xnOuyiXpbd6BkVLs/s320/CIMG9236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>STEP 6</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>While your chicken parts are being cooked, go back to your seat with your plate of<i> puso</i>. You might be handed a bunch but you don't have to finish all of them. Return the excess as long as they are not opened.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_U1V2BD27BXFgz26e1SSRhvp9sCUv0jrYoUPWZMdfh0N7QhUuo_rbAWOYr1bzHCrPAOQQpOcqx9c_1jT_RkQgYk3HdM7-ua4kDqidlaNnbMDJTQd3dMnuIbGhJ2lmF7pKVEU4XEkLoNCK/s1600/185664_10150113855073450_755383449_6626699_6004306_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_U1V2BD27BXFgz26e1SSRhvp9sCUv0jrYoUPWZMdfh0N7QhUuo_rbAWOYr1bzHCrPAOQQpOcqx9c_1jT_RkQgYk3HdM7-ua4kDqidlaNnbMDJTQd3dMnuIbGhJ2lmF7pKVEU4XEkLoNCK/s320/185664_10150113855073450_755383449_6626699_6004306_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b> STEP 7</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Eat! Swallow! Munch! Gorge! Devour! Gobble! Bon a poulet!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9TI9Fn_P8OJb3sOUMxEg80uLtJeKmv_M8WS6CXxsGjgjZ20R0V1d5R9jzreFCYljcgCuE3sHPRuXg1BJBSWJXojWQxIPCyvBrgUNDvJSptJe1szZdthmaZE-cjNoRGlwyxH9xG5feZGb/s1600/206897_1864552086650_1026441693_2150559_3328928_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9TI9Fn_P8OJb3sOUMxEg80uLtJeKmv_M8WS6CXxsGjgjZ20R0V1d5R9jzreFCYljcgCuE3sHPRuXg1BJBSWJXojWQxIPCyvBrgUNDvJSptJe1szZdthmaZE-cjNoRGlwyxH9xG5feZGb/s320/206897_1864552086650_1026441693_2150559_3328928_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>STEP 8</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Don't forget to document. Click! Click! Click!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4ClLA_OWj0DvG6LrtLQT-ow6RBdN0O5inhcR0cSZzo4iaMTGsEPdnOkmiAt1RM3Pf0YnZEpkQysylGPPZ272OPz0Y1q5i1wLiujmMdMOqJpFfOtFLmPMiJ52R74sMZRdaMTZvkr8fSwj/s1600/CIMG9237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4ClLA_OWj0DvG6LrtLQT-ow6RBdN0O5inhcR0cSZzo4iaMTGsEPdnOkmiAt1RM3Pf0YnZEpkQysylGPPZ272OPz0Y1q5i1wLiujmMdMOqJpFfOtFLmPMiJ52R74sMZRdaMTZvkr8fSwj/s320/CIMG9237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnA9xgzK4CWSVkZfmbyB38w5D4_XTHFDW8-mPzucvw_fFf32Alk3_JTQ6BjFpVvvT7eNnrp8H7boCvQqSj-lW0GL2GS8Q9Jd9Ot783nLLFoPkAemQ6LbvIELdA2BaYjtKf7aW6HZc-DNm/s1600/205175_1864534846219_1026441693_2150527_6070136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><b></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br />
STEP 9</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>After the feast, go back outside and play "Name That Building."</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnA9xgzK4CWSVkZfmbyB38w5D4_XTHFDW8-mPzucvw_fFf32Alk3_JTQ6BjFpVvvT7eNnrp8H7boCvQqSj-lW0GL2GS8Q9Jd9Ot783nLLFoPkAemQ6LbvIELdA2BaYjtKf7aW6HZc-DNm/s1600/205175_1864534846219_1026441693_2150527_6070136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnA9xgzK4CWSVkZfmbyB38w5D4_XTHFDW8-mPzucvw_fFf32Alk3_JTQ6BjFpVvvT7eNnrp8H7boCvQqSj-lW0GL2GS8Q9Jd9Ot783nLLFoPkAemQ6LbvIELdA2BaYjtKf7aW6HZc-DNm/s320/205175_1864534846219_1026441693_2150527_6070136_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnA9xgzK4CWSVkZfmbyB38w5D4_XTHFDW8-mPzucvw_fFf32Alk3_JTQ6BjFpVvvT7eNnrp8H7boCvQqSj-lW0GL2GS8Q9Jd9Ot783nLLFoPkAemQ6LbvIELdA2BaYjtKf7aW6HZc-DNm/s1600/205175_1864534846219_1026441693_2150527_6070136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next stop: <i>Pungko-Pungko</i></div>Gregg D'Bullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12606906426844828735noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4662354910984066773.post-17004380048687456152011-04-02T19:25:00.000-07:002011-04-03T04:10:24.329-07:00Homeless on Sinulog... AlmostMore like my first and a half Sinulog. In one of those business trips I had in Cebu way back late nineties, I was sent to again organize an event for Islacom. I thought it was just one of those events they usually do in SM City. I noticed though that people were always in a frenzy. And the buzz around town was about a festival called Sinulog. I didnt know Sinulog was a big thing in Cebu then until I went back to Cebu Midtown Town Hotel, amidst horrendous traffic and an ever-dancing-to-a-beat-I-don't-know-where-it's-coming crowd, only to be told by the receptionist that I have to vacate my room since it has been reserved and extending my stay, as requested by Islacom, means I have to seek accomodation elsewhere. The next scene was characterized by sentences ending in exclamation points. I was hurling fire and brimstone while there were celebrities at the lobby. Maurice Arcache was there, <em>palangga.</em> <p>Cut to: Me settling back to my hotel room amidst the drumbeats outside. But then, I only had half the fun. Mostly from making a scene at the hotel lobby.</p> <p>Last January, I get to see what Sinulog is really all about. For lack of words, it took the wits out of me. I could have used words like awesome, spectacular, great, and nice but you'd rather find that in Philippine tourism sites. It is indeed the mother of all Philippine festivals with neighboring islands participating in the events. It was a whole month celebration that featured, aside from a mardigras and religious processions that usually characterize Philippine fiestas, singing contests (Cebu Pop Music Festival and Cebu Idol), street parties, band concerts, art exhibits, photo contests, a short film festival... the list goes on. Of course, road traffic stands still on procession and mardigras days and walking is the best option. Or get a h<em></em>otel near the parade routes. I will publish detailed info on event schedules and parade/procession routes here next year. Maybe I'd throw in some names in cheap accommodations as well just to make that smile grow a little wider.</p> <p>Luckily, I have enough visuals to sum up what I can say about Sinulog. Otherwise, this entry would have been riddled by words such as awesome, spectacular, great and nice.<em></em></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwaLzyY18GG3eKwAITTm66qsUzef0-NsyJCjhyURFfc40A2gVnYsfFXKOxoNWY0DSa9S-267nKp9gNESfO_kWF97ulsoYXpyS82Ssh7N7CpcggS6VAqQVYxbQ9p242jqtr3PWSu56Eui6/s1600/171232_1719844949559_1041354974_31979256_6064351_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwaLzyY18GG3eKwAITTm66qsUzef0-NsyJCjhyURFfc40A2gVnYsfFXKOxoNWY0DSa9S-267nKp9gNESfO_kWF97ulsoYXpyS82Ssh7N7CpcggS6VAqQVYxbQ9p242jqtr3PWSu56Eui6/s320/171232_1719844949559_1041354974_31979256_6064351_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591283774922097618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwaLzyY18GG3eKwAITTm66qsUzef0-NsyJCjhyURFfc40A2gVnYsfFXKOxoNWY0DSa9S-267nKp9gNESfO_kWF97ulsoYXpyS82Ssh7N7CpcggS6VAqQVYxbQ9p242jqtr3PWSu56Eui6/s1600/171232_1719844949559_1041354974_31979256_6064351_o.jpg"><em></em></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD7z5J_yszKHaIupved73Zjk0sRLwMSWFlIf8Usd2YrkTFmRKZHwgoqfdvRWOVIsW80Kpcsc7OXjbkkSxiDGl45VrWSKb3_vSJtvlYKm9M87cmIo8ZlO7dLnhkruk5l1v6tyLKnIBl95T/s1600/171749_1720866415095_1041354974_31980698_7895274_o.jpg"><em></em><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD7z5J_yszKHaIupved73Zjk0sRLwMSWFlIf8Usd2YrkTFmRKZHwgoqfdvRWOVIsW80Kpcsc7OXjbkkSxiDGl45VrWSKb3_vSJtvlYKm9M87cmIo8ZlO7dLnhkruk5l1v6tyLKnIBl95T/s320/171749_1720866415095_1041354974_31980698_7895274_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591283782023395506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwaLzyY18GG3eKwAITTm66qsUzef0-NsyJCjhyURFfc40A2gVnYsfFXKOxoNWY0DSa9S-267nKp9gNESfO_kWF97ulsoYXpyS82Ssh7N7CpcggS6VAqQVYxbQ9p242jqtr3PWSu56Eui6/s1600/171232_1719844949559_1041354974_31979256_6064351_o.jpg"><em></em></a><em></em><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4I-lZdE9mH5QBjiTuCuxRdgadXMKIHRStbFNuESKVxXqWglVqOxsd4BvB05lklbrSFW1F-ETK5ueRyGR4zKyWhUlLaHReSdoUaOSspir4t0V4QBuHRLI9uuKKTuXFEOpmdtjNiosPJ96e/s1600/172568_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4I-lZdE9mH5QBjiTuCuxRdgadXMKIHRStbFNuESKVxXqWglVqOxsd4BvB05lklbrSFW1F-ETK5ueRyGR4zKyWhUlLaHReSdoUaOSspir4t0V4QBuHRLI9uuKKTuXFEOpmdtjNiosPJ96e/s320/172568_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591283758819473266" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4I-lZdE9mH5QBjiTuCuxRdgadXMKIHRStbFNuESKVxXqWglVqOxsd4BvB05lklbrSFW1F-ETK5ueRyGR4zKyWhUlLaHReSdoUaOSspir4t0V4QBuHRLI9uuKKTuXFEOpmdtjNiosPJ96e/s1600/172568_o.jpg"><em></em></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD7z5J_yszKHaIupved73Zjk0sRLwMSWFlIf8Usd2YrkTFmRKZHwgoqfdvRWOVIsW80Kpcsc7OXjbkkSxiDGl45VrWSKb3_vSJtvlYKm9M87cmIo8ZlO7dLnhkruk5l1v6tyLKnIBl95T/s1600/171749_1720866415095_1041354974_31980698_7895274_o.jpg"><em></em></a><em></em><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhey92LLUsKCM9_bIlyFwKMA5WzGqlYLdwCs2ySZOOXX5rrY_n8hbu6uYM_bkDpQSP5KbCtvUf5_fzmRTkyJkJYaN3gKfE8iTJyh7q2qKzfFnxwtL_1Rb-OqCxPUYZTsMqWFPe1dMUwS9-F/s1600/407733_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhey92LLUsKCM9_bIlyFwKMA5WzGqlYLdwCs2ySZOOXX5rrY_n8hbu6uYM_bkDpQSP5KbCtvUf5_fzmRTkyJkJYaN3gKfE8iTJyh7q2qKzfFnxwtL_1Rb-OqCxPUYZTsMqWFPe1dMUwS9-F/s320/407733_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591283768440112962" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhey92LLUsKCM9_bIlyFwKMA5WzGqlYLdwCs2ySZOOXX5rrY_n8hbu6uYM_bkDpQSP5KbCtvUf5_fzmRTkyJkJYaN3gKfE8iTJyh7q2qKzfFnxwtL_1Rb-OqCxPUYZTsMqWFPe1dMUwS9-F/s1600/407733_o.jpg"><em></em></a></p> <p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2-XParLPqRCPMLiTIjon-nUKUai3LUA3_LG6VHN6gNxf8maPCmyC0JzltU9lNK1FBtM4PQ8hqjwsx3XdlXGifnLiYiBFbVdAPpCG9WXuksta0Yx1ZQuze06f8gzSpdGByXaYlvkZ6cuh/s1600/171170_1719381697978_1041354974_31978275_5501999_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2-XParLPqRCPMLiTIjon-nUKUai3LUA3_LG6VHN6gNxf8maPCmyC0JzltU9lNK1FBtM4PQ8hqjwsx3XdlXGifnLiYiBFbVdAPpCG9WXuksta0Yx1ZQuze06f8gzSpdGByXaYlvkZ6cuh/s320/171170_1719381697978_1041354974_31978275_5501999_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591283761694563282" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4I-lZdE9mH5QBjiTuCuxRdgadXMKIHRStbFNuESKVxXqWglVqOxsd4BvB05lklbrSFW1F-ETK5ueRyGR4zKyWhUlLaHReSdoUaOSspir4t0V4QBuHRLI9uuKKTuXFEOpmdtjNiosPJ96e/s1600/172568_o.jpg"><em></em></a><em></em></p> <p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Fluvial Parade at dawn taken from Mactan-Mandaue Bridge</strong>.</p> <p> Photos above courtesy <a href="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/blog/www.monfedere.shutterfly.com" target="_blank" title="The Eye of a Physician">of Doc Mon Federe</a>.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rrNzXOZcQ_44NqDwFxlAI9B4f_woRsCbmbsGVY8clJKHPFlxCKBzWfyhUWZRelfpOWxcRXCmr7pQxxKiAQHVGNOHyaiwo2FtG-zwSDwv4FNVVQqNULAeJ_lZ8KJVbxBUVnLsVJtkc775/s1600/171141_493300654505_558769505_6292838_4697635_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rrNzXOZcQ_44NqDwFxlAI9B4f_woRsCbmbsGVY8clJKHPFlxCKBzWfyhUWZRelfpOWxcRXCmr7pQxxKiAQHVGNOHyaiwo2FtG-zwSDwv4FNVVQqNULAeJ_lZ8KJVbxBUVnLsVJtkc775/s320/171141_493300654505_558769505_6292838_4697635_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591299844439995266" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Grand Price Winner of this years Sinulog Photo Contest</span><br /></p> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhey92LLUsKCM9_bIlyFwKMA5WzGqlYLdwCs2ySZOOXX5rrY_n8hbu6uYM_bkDpQSP5KbCtvUf5_fzmRTkyJkJYaN3gKfE8iTJyh7q2qKzfFnxwtL_1Rb-OqCxPUYZTsMqWFPe1dMUwS9-F/s1600/407733_o.jpg"><em></em></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvsm9IoZ8d_u4b-pAJEolIUSPwsff6MRY0IajHMLjv5XK3X7AJtmWApWAdePte9SUtUSvp_W6MKPjrykXKhdUmkue5lj98JH4R8mPalBA58aUz3o70d7UkLhRAbhslTCT5BF4iTVuMyn7/s1600/170784_493305089505_558769505_6292915_5657030_o.jpg"><em></em></a><em><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7T5HcbFalD0gS9toxSgyxnRLw2o_CpHfYVfGD_XgIHfWElvU-DmawA5w9Gfk2bcuv2qwMYFIQB0DjEx_uWn4noRmM8oJ8HKRW3QTWD2Rv7DZRpyn9U6IL5keVGAuzvhD-DX4SLXUsAzyq/s1600/171344_493298089505_558769505_6292777_3144097_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7T5HcbFalD0gS9toxSgyxnRLw2o_CpHfYVfGD_XgIHfWElvU-DmawA5w9Gfk2bcuv2qwMYFIQB0DjEx_uWn4noRmM8oJ8HKRW3QTWD2Rv7DZRpyn9U6IL5keVGAuzvhD-DX4SLXUsAzyq/s320/171344_493298089505_558769505_6292777_3144097_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591299836544263602" border="0" /></a></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sinulog 2011 Short Film Festival, SM City Cebu</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatIzjTiyqU7fda_YjA6Dz7xh5tYU6IL2U6LnKlcol2Ng0zy0VDXhgfAbc934isckFA8BmHjKisXNFaEuWX_P6KQEkuwJZAugOchZ-bcxO-Uh6OTv0FUHdXeapH7CEOzCSxS7QTPwQjTZT/s1600/172000_493301714505_558769505_6292864_8150527_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatIzjTiyqU7fda_YjA6Dz7xh5tYU6IL2U6LnKlcol2Ng0zy0VDXhgfAbc934isckFA8BmHjKisXNFaEuWX_P6KQEkuwJZAugOchZ-bcxO-Uh6OTv0FUHdXeapH7CEOzCSxS7QTPwQjTZT/s320/172000_493301714505_558769505_6292864_8150527_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591299841337475218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sinulog 2011 Short Film Festival opening number</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvsm9IoZ8d_u4b-pAJEolIUSPwsff6MRY0IajHMLjv5XK3X7AJtmWApWAdePte9SUtUSvp_W6MKPjrykXKhdUmkue5lj98JH4R8mPalBA58aUz3o70d7UkLhRAbhslTCT5BF4iTVuMyn7/s1600/170784_493305089505_558769505_6292915_5657030_o.jpg"><em></em></a></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvsm9IoZ8d_u4b-pAJEolIUSPwsff6MRY0IajHMLjv5XK3X7AJtmWApWAdePte9SUtUSvp_W6MKPjrykXKhdUmkue5lj98JH4R8mPalBA58aUz3o70d7UkLhRAbhslTCT5BF4iTVuMyn7/s1600/170784_493305089505_558769505_6292915_5657030_o.jpg"><em></em></a><em><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvsm9IoZ8d_u4b-pAJEolIUSPwsff6MRY0IajHMLjv5XK3X7AJtmWApWAdePte9SUtUSvp_W6MKPjrykXKhdUmkue5lj98JH4R8mPalBA58aUz3o70d7UkLhRAbhslTCT5BF4iTVuMyn7/s1600/170784_493305089505_558769505_6292915_5657030_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvsm9IoZ8d_u4b-pAJEolIUSPwsff6MRY0IajHMLjv5XK3X7AJtmWApWAdePte9SUtUSvp_W6MKPjrykXKhdUmkue5lj98JH4R8mPalBA58aUz3o70d7UkLhRAbhslTCT5BF4iTVuMyn7/s320/170784_493305089505_558769505_6292915_5657030_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591299830328466738" border="0" /></a></em><strong></strong></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me goofing with trophies at Sinulog 2011 Short Film Fextival</span><br /></div><p><strong></strong></p><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/.a/6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e872978d7970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="CIMG8964" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e872978d7970d" src="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/.a/6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e872978d7970d-800wi" title="CIMG8964" border="0" /></a></strong><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Sinulog crowd at Mango Square composed of locals and tourists from all over the Philippines... and a dash of international colors, too.</strong></p> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong> <a href="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/.a/6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e87298447970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="CIMG8972" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e87298447970d" src="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/.a/6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e87298447970d-800wi" title="CIMG8972" border="0" /></a></strong><br /><strong></strong></div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>I just have to document myself in the crowd. Otherwise, what's the point of these photos?!<br /></strong></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong> <a href="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/.a/6a014e86f0b9b2970d0147e3a9b722970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="CIMG8940" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a014e86f0b9b2970d0147e3a9b722970b" src="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/.a/6a014e86f0b9b2970d0147e3a9b722970b-800wi" title="CIMG8940" border="0" /></a><br />Local singing goddess, Dulce, at the Cebu Pop Music Festival.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong> <a href="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/.a/6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e87298281970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="CIMG8955" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e87298281970d" src="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/.a/6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e87298281970d-800wi" title="CIMG8955" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, I'm serious when I said walking is the order of day on Sinulog days. Here with my good friend Prof. Arelio Vibar of UP and the skinhead guy is my, ahm... no, I dont know him.</strong></p><p><strong>And, yes, I made the video below. <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Music produced by Sony Columbia, Ode to Joy by Beethoven. Credits music by Yani, Flower Duet.</span></span></strong></p><p> </p><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwkYnep62ToXYxv4cQyVQdyEVSAYtn9M5A-wnBUlcbl-vsQnlbCtFjp55iAFN_-DUurC8LI_pQg5X68APLxGw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Gregg D'Bullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12606906426844828735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4662354910984066773.post-89351009211760451232011-04-02T19:22:00.000-07:002011-06-28T12:31:43.340-07:00Smitten by CebuCebu. I first came here way back half of the nineties at the height of my advertising career. I was handling what used to be Isla Communications Company, a.k.a Islacom. During those times, I think, there were no advertising agencies in Cebu that companies based here would have to hire agencies from Manila. Those were weekend trips from Manila to Cebu to supervise events and sales blitz at SM City Cebu for Islacom. But every time I drop my bags in my room whenever I arrive back in Manila, I have that strange feeling that I somewhat left my heart somewhere else. Then there's the after-taste of barbecued chicken butt and the image of rice wrapped in woven coconut fronds. I crave to hear the intonation of a dialect that verges between singing and begging (second only to Bacolod's). Makes me smile remembering food servers, cashiers, and sales ladies who take their time meeting requests as if tomorrow is just another day or that you have the whole week to sit and wait. In spite of the annoyance, I appreciated that life doesn’t have to be in a hurry. And that street bounded by a circle at one end and a capitol at the other started to beckon, so does a bar beneath a hotel located up the hills. Towards my fifth trip, I came to resolve that some day, I would find work and live in that place that kept whirling in my thoughts. <br />
<br />
Pass a decade, I now find myself working at Bigfoot Studios and live in Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan Island right across Cebu. It would be complicated to explicate why not live in Cebu City considering that I am “already there but not yet.” Let’s just say I want to continue admiring Cebu at a distance and would, from time to time, run to it and steal it a kiss or two. Besides, Mactan is still within Metro Cebu.<br />
<br />
So much has changed since. Changes made in the awesome way. The Terraces, Ayala Centre is mini Greenbelt. SM Cebu has done much renovation with IMAX, quaint cafes and al fresca lounge area. Multicabs, Manila’s jeepney counterpart, are coded as to their routes and destinations. Traffic is next to Manila’s which makes it second only to worst. Skyscrapers mushroom here and there. The nightlife rages. Restaurant in all tastes and styles jotting across the city. Yet one eatery in Cebu that will always make my day is Larsian – domain of all barbecued chicken parts! But that would be another story.<br />
And! Only now did I know that one can be catapulted from Cebu to Malapascua and Bantayan Islands; Bohol, Negros and Camiguin by simply being shot there from a canon.<br />
<br />
For now, let this page be a preamble to what life could be had in Cebu, the island in the middle of it all. In this blog too one may read Metro Cebu and neighboring island adventures (and misadventures, the interesting part) in food, nightlife, beaches, events and festivals, hideaways, destinations, great finds, and local anecdotes that make Cebu linger in one’s mind.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/.a/6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e871c70aa970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="198006_10150113854868450_755383449_6626691_2984452_n" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e871c70aa970d image-full" height="214" src="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/.a/6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e871c70aa970d-800wi" title="198006_10150113854868450_755383449_6626691_2984452_n" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Larsian always make my day!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/.a/6a014e86f0b9b2970d0147e39cd253970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="CIMG9678" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a014e86f0b9b2970d0147e39cd253970b image-full" height="213" src="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/.a/6a014e86f0b9b2970d0147e39cd253970b-800wi" title="CIMG9678" width="320" /></a><br />
<b>A college classmate, Atty. Constantin Agustin, tries out arts and craft... and food. In short,<i> puso</i> -- sticky rice wrapped in woven coconut fronds.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/.a/6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e871c7f09970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="CIMG9658" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e871c7f09970d image-full" height="213" src="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/.a/6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e871c7f09970d-800wi" title="CIMG9658" width="320" /></a><br />
<b>Ride a multicab. But beauties like these not always included.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/.a/6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e6041b389970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="170612_1718021623977_1041354974_31975834_2619747_o" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e6041b389970c image-full" height="212" src="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/.a/6a014e86f0b9b2970d014e6041b389970c-800wi" title="170612_1718021623977_1041354974_31975834_2619747_o" width="320" /></a><br />
<b>New additions to Cebu skyline, Crown Regency, behind my home during Islacom days, Cebu Midtown Hotel</b></div><i>Some photos by<a href="http://middleislandcebu.typepad.com/blog/www.monfedere.shutterfly.com" target="_blank"> Doc Mon Federe </a>and Mochie Cuyco</i>Gregg D'Bullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12606906426844828735noreply@blogger.com0