Showing posts with label Culture. Show all posts

Meeting an Art Maestro in Sagay City | Negros Occidental

Marky Ramone Go February 22, 2023

Through the years, I've hung out with a handful of artistic souls, most of whom were around my age or were even younger. Although one time, I’ve caught a glimpse of Kidlat Tahimik at his enchanting Ili Likha Artist Village, which is where gastronomy intertwines with awe-inspiring art installations in Baguio City, as he sat at a neighboring table.

Maestro Nune seems pleased in seeing us visit him

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5 Cultural Spots near Metro Manila

Marky Ramone Go February 05, 2018

Contrary to initial belief, the Philippines is a country teeming with culture and heritage often overlooked in favor of our South East Asian neighbors. Thanks to the resurgence of conservation groups and the various programs of the Department of Tourism, culture trips are quickly gaining the attention of travelers. Near Metro Manila alone, one can list down a selection of landmarks and destinations preserving our rich set of culture and traditions. For those looking to bring their balikbayan relatives and friends to a place that best epitomizes the Philippines’ character, check out this partial list of must-see cultural laden places near Metro Manila.

Pretty Old Houses in Taal Town, Batangas

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Agal-Agal Festival: A Vibrant Celebration of Tawi-Tawi’s Culture

Marky Ramone Go December 17, 2017

As I stood on the deck of BRP Capones—a spanking new Japanese-made Parola-class patrol vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)—where we hitched a ride going to Tawi-Tawi to cover the Agal-Agal Festival, I quickly surveyed my surroundings. I saw the sacred mountain of Bud Bongao lording it over a picturesque landscape and covered by the morning mist. Yet, I was able to spot the silhouette of the town’s Mosque and the outlines of a modest village with fishing boats and passenger ferries that are starting to stir the day’s activities. And then it dawned on me, I finally reached the southernmost province of the country. Tawi-Tawi, I have arrived!

a woman participates in the agal agal festival

Agal-Agal Festival also celebrates the seaweed cultivation practice in the region

Tawi-Tawi Read more

Discovering a Trove of Cultural and Historical Relics at Villa Escudero

Marky Ramone Go December 07, 2017

“There’s only one country I haven’t been to. Nepal. I don’t know why – I just haven’t had the chance” – Don Ado told us after he overheard me asking my friend Karla “Can you guess how many countries he had traveled to?.” It wasn’t a question concocted out of the blue. I wondered about it after surveying through the massive art, historic, religious and souvenir collection housed inside Don Ado’s private mansion.

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Boogey-ing to the Raucous Beat of the Ati-Atihan Festival

Marky Ramone Go March 21, 2016

I awoke at the first instance of sunlight on a Saturday morning, keen to witness the colorful street parade of the contingents, whose snaring drums already started to reverberate across the town of Kalibo. Joining some friends from Air Asia and fellow media members, we marched to the rendezvous point of the participants and I was quickly greeted by a snowballing euphoria. All around us were men, women, and children adorned in colorful costumes and face paint, all eager to put on a show. Even a day away from the highlight, I already felt the Ati-Atihan reaching fever pitch. “This is going to be a rocking weekend,” I told myself.