Once a year, the province of Palawan, the Philippines’ last ecological frontier, celebrates its biggest festival, Baragatan sa Palawan, from June 1 to 30, 2010. Baragatan which is derived from the Cuyonon word, bagat, which means “to meet,” is a gathering of people, culture, traditions and resources celebrating the beauty and bounty of the province. It is a grand celebration where one can experience Palawan under one roof, so to speak.

It is a festival of Palawan’s natural and cultural heritage showcasing the beauty and bounty of the province in its people, agricultural crops, arts and crafts, tourism destinations, and environment. People from all walks of life including expatriates who have made Palawan their home, tourists and visitors are part of the Baragatan sa Palawan.

According to the Baragatan Executive Committee headed by Ferdinand S. Dilig as Chairman, the festivities will begin on June 1 with a soft opening of month-long fairs such as the Garden Show, featuring Palawan’s greenery, blooms and other exotic plants, collectors’ items; Caraenan sa Baragatan is a food fair offering delicious and delectable meals, and for those searching for native souvenir items there’s the Technology Livelihood and Development Center Trade Fair featuring food products, arts and crafts of local manufacturers.

The grand opening of the festival is on June 21 featuring the colorful Float Parade, Pantiguan sa Baragatan, a dance parade participated in by local officials of different municipalities, showcasing the festival in their respective localities and the officials. Also expected to add color to the grand opening is the streetdancing presentation participated in by officials and employees of the Provincial Government of Palawan.

Cuyonon, the predominant culture in Palawan, will be highlighted on June 22 and 23 with the Cuyonon Day and Cuyono Rock respectively. The Cuyonon Day will feature Cuyono music, songs, poetry, dances and delicacies while Cuyonon Rock will showcase modern versions of Cuyono songs and Cuyonon translations of Pinoy Rock. As Gov. Joel T. Reyes once said, “We have to continue promoting and preserving Cuyono culture because this is our identity and our heritage and our way of manifesting our patriotism and love for Palawan.”

The festival also coincides with the 108th founding anniversary of the establishment of the civil government of Palawan on June 23. The anniversary will be highlighted with a Eucharistic celebration, the Governor’s Award, an award-giving body recognizing outstanding groups, institutions and individuals who have contributed significantly to the development and progress of the province, and The Best of the Best of Palawan Talents.

Baragatan sa Palawan will culminate with the much-awaited Saraotan sa Dalan or streetdancing competition, tribute to former Provincial Government of Palawan officials and employees on June 27 and the Search for Mutya ng Palawan with the talent night on June 28 and the coronation night on June 30.

These are all exciting and colorful events that Palaweños want to share to the country and the rest of the world. So come and visit Palawan and be part of the Baragatan sa Palawan festival.

Baragatan sa Palawan 2010 which will start on June 1, 2010 will be highlighted by the streetdancing competition known in the Cuyonon as Saraotan sa Dalan. This year’s participants will once again regale spectators with the colorful streetdancing competition. Shown in photo is the contingent from the municipality of Coron, 2nd prizewinners in the 2009 Baragatan Saraotan sa Dalan. In full blue bodypaint, the dancers wore costumes made out of native mats and coco shells and carried clay pots whose equivalent term in the native tongue is the origin of the name of the municipality.

Narra, a municipality in southern Palawan considered as the province’s rice granary won the grand prize in the 2009 Baragatan Float Parade. The float is a replica of the rice-field showcasing the agricultural abundance of the place.

Shown in photo is the float of the municipality of Taytay, second prize winner in the Baragatan Float Parade competition in 2009.

One of the highlights of the yearly Baragatan sa Palawan Festival is the employees and officials streetdancing performance. Photo shows Palawan Governor Joel T. Reyes (left) and Vice Governor David Ponce de Leon with Kokkoy Pikoy, the official Baragatan mascot, in last year’s Baragatan employees streetdancing.

Photo shows the contingent of El Nido, the grand prize winner of the 2009 Saraotan sa Dalan, depicting the balinsasayaw or swiftlets that produce the noted egg nest or nido, known for its medicinal and culinary value.

If you’re planning to spend time with your friends or families at Enchanted Kingdom this month, you couldn’t come at a better time. Enchanted Kingdom celebrates its 14th year anniversary this October which is loaded with a whole lot of exciting events.

To start off, the Regular Day Pass is now priced at P320 for weekdays and P380 during weekends for the whole month of October to commemorate the original ticket price when Enchanted Kingdom opened in 1995.

Grand Wizardry Competition

A fireworks competition will be held for the whole month of October and every weekend starting Oct. 10, you will see a triple dose of fireworks as pyrotechnicians all over the country will be showcasing their expertise.

Then on October 24, 6 finalists will be vying for the grand prize so expect a whole lot more of spectacular display of lights.

Otaku Kingdom

The 2nd annual cosplaying event for Enchanted Kingdom will take place on October 18. “Otaku Kingdom” will gather animé, manga enthusiasts, movie & toy hobbyists and cosplayers and there will be toy & manga exhibits, film showings, drawing & gaming contests, animé bands and Woodstock, the much-awaited grand cosplay contest and parade in the afternoon.

Guests wearing a full otaku costume can enter the park for FREE. They can also upgrade their tickets into a Regular Day Pass for only P250. Just head to the registration area at the front of the park from 10AM to 5PM.

Student Sembreak Anniversary Blowout

From October 1 to November 15, students get to avail the Regular Day Pass at a discount. It will be P275 during weekdays and only P335 on weekends. This is exclusive to students who must present a valid ID or certificate of registration/enrollment.

Only two tickets can be purchased per ID so that’s enough to bring the whole barkada to Enchanted Kingdom.

Enchanted Kingdom’s Princess 2009

The Grand Coronation Night for the Search for Enchanted Kingdom’s Princess 2009 will take place on October 25. Girls 6 to 10 years will be competing for the title of EK Princess 2009 and will get a chance to win cash, EK Privilege Cards and other fabulous prizes.

Mardi Gras Halo-ween

On October 31 to November 2, a haloween costume party will take place at the park. Kids and teens ages 0-19 are welcome to join the Mardi Gras Halo-ween and can enter the park for free if they come in their Mardi Gras costume.

Park Schedule

From now until December 18, Enchanted Kingdom is open Thursdays to Fridays from 12NN to 7PM and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 11AM to 9PM with Fireworks Display at 8PM.

For more info, visit www.enchantedkingdom.com.ph.

One of Vigan’s newer attractions is the Baluarte Zoo which is owned by then Ilocos Sur Governor, Chavit Singson. The zoo houses a wide array of animals like pythons, tigers, snakes, birds, ponies and a whole lot more. Kids and kids at heart will surely love this place!

Contnure reading about the Vigan Baluarte Zoo here.

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An off-the-beaten-track destination, San Joaquin is probably one of the hidden jewels of Iloilo that has yet to be discovered. And what’s so special about San Joaquin? Well, it is the only church in the Philippines that has a militaristic-themed facade.

Read more about the San Joaquin Church in Iloilo here.

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Probably one of the grandest churches in the Philippines. The Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva in Miag-ao Iloilo is truly a sight to behold!

Continue reading about the Miag-ao Church here

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Batanes will never be complete without the freshest seafoods. The province is known to be a good source of various seafoods, some of tem are even flown to as far as Manila. Lobsters, Coconut Crabs and and a wide assortment of fishes are readily available at the wet market.

Continue Reading here in Travel Batanes

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The country’s biggest festival is set to take the center stage once again. The Cebu Sinulog Festival features scores of contingents coming from within and outside Cebu. Sinulog is prayer dance ritual characterized by the movement of two steps forward and one step backward imitating the rush of the river, hence, its name.

The grand parade of Sinulog Festival of Cebu is usually held on the third Sunday of January, but other activites are held prior to the grand highlight light the fluvial parade, search of the Sinulog Festival queen, the Sinulog sa Baranggay, Sinulog sa Lalawigan, the nine-day novena and a whole lot more.

Many dance troupes have actually started their dance rehearsals as early as now. Last year’s Sinulog Festival Free Interpretation Category Champion, Lumad Basakanon have actually confirmed that they are now rehearsing their dance routine for the Sinulog Festival 2009

Check the Sinulog 2009 Schedule for details

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The Civil Aeronautics Board ranked Cebu Pacific Air as the Number 1 domestic airline. To celebrate this honor, Cebu Pacific is offering 50,000 tickets for free. Yes, you read that right — absolutely FREE.

This promo is only available online. Those who signed up for the Seat Sale Alerts get to know about this promo ahead of the rest.

Fly for absolutely free — as in Php 0.00 (all-in) without any check-in bags (Go Lite) . If you do decide to bring check-in bags, you just pay Php200 (all-in).

The seat sale starts today until September 21, 2008 and is valid for travel from October 16 to December 17, 2008.

Barangay Villamonte of Bacolod City is set to make a grand comeback this year as once again, they will join the Bacolod Masskara Festival Street Dance Contest.

Continue Bacolod Masskara Festival 2008 here.

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At least 34 festivals will be joining the upcoming Pasigarbo sa Sugbo street dance competition to be held this August 9 in Mandaue City Cebu Philippines.

Continue Pasigarbo sa Sugbo here.

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