Puppet Masskara: A New Window For Bacolod's Creative Youth

My festival experience became much more colorful after I witnessed the newly conceptualized Puppet Masskara. 

City Officials are flocked by photographers and spectators

As Cathy and I roamed around the tattoo stalls, we met some co-workers that told us about a show going on at the heart of the Public Plaza, sort of like a "Moriones show." 

Of course, after spending like 4 hours at the mall, we felt that at least we'll have an authentic Masskara activity and not just posing with the costume displays. 

It came to a surprise to me that a lot of people were there to witness the event together with the city officials and lots and lots of photographers. I think I was one of those who never really digested the posted schedule of the festival. Nevertheless, thanks to Cathy's P&S, I was able to capture some photos of the Puppet Masskara.

The Corpse Bride (My Personal Fave!)

ARFIEN students eagerly await for their turn to perform

This student gives life and grace to the puppet

Puppets' own rendition of the Masskara Dance

Big thanks to the ARFIEN students of La Consolacion College-Bacolod for sharing their creative juices (and also their resources) in order to contribute to the success of the festival. I just hope that in the years to come, these gifted students won't have to shell out from their own allowance just to give the festival more variety.

Happy Thoughts, Happy Masks

What would become of the Masskara Festival without the smiling masks? The vibrant colors that seem to uplift even the heaviest spirits, the wide smiles that can erase ones worries and the ingenuity of the designs that further boost the Bacolodnon talent are truly worth celebrating.

As much as I would like to show all of you my concept of what a happy Masskara Festival should be, through the help of my C3 phone, the displayed masks for this year's festival will definitely be understated if I take the photographs .

Once again, I am privileged to showcase my husband's gift in photography as he presents the different masks that are commonly seen on the streets of Bacolod.

More photos on Owen's very own photo blog:
http://myshutterlife.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/masskara-festival-street-scenes-002/

Happy Tummy at “Little Corner”

Open Tacos At Its Best

Tintin works magic on the Corn Shake!

For those who don’t know my nickname since birth is Little (please avoid relating it to my size…hehehe) and when I first noticed an eatery in 888 China Town Square called “Little Corner” I had an instant hunch that I will have good experience with this establishment.

It’s a simple stall that offers common treats but with a different twist.

I have two favorites that I could never resist of not having everytime I am on a window-shopping spree. The open tacos, for only P45 offers tasty home-made shells with onions, tomatoes  and their unique sauce which is a mixture of mayo and pineapple juice that gives such a tangy taste to the palate.

Thirst-quenching Halo-Halo

The other one is the powerful corn shake. Ordinarily, it’s just crushed ice and evaporated milk and like two spoons of canned cream of corn. Theirs is jump-packed with corn kernels, cereals making it “yummier’, only for P25.

They also serve the all-time favorite Halo-halo @ P25, abundant in “dulce nga saging” and ube, of course not to mention the cereals on top.

Fried noodles, becoming a potential superstar in the “world of snacking” comes with 2 siomai as toppings at P30 only! The best part, it’s cooked in front of you and served hot! It is such a divine feeling for a hungry lad to feast on at a very reasonable price.

Joy Serves the Fried Noodles With a Smile!

All in all? Thumbs up to Little Corner as it caters to the budget-conscious Negrense with its friendly staff, ready to serve you with a smile.

The Intrigue Behind No Other Woman

I am not fond of watching Tagalog movies but one actually caught my attention because my daughter invited me to watch a movie of Derek Ramsey and Anne Curtis entitled "No Other Woman". Of course I didn't go because  I felt that I really didn't want to see a movie with that kind of that plot.

I was however amazed by the audience' response to the movie because it hit 100M in just five days. I began to wonder, despite the common face-slapping confrontations smothered with a lot of melodrama that filipino movies usually cater, what else would be the crowd-drawer of this film?

For one, my daughter wanted to watch the movie because of peer pressure and besides, let's face it, it's the most recent  "IN" movie to hit the cinemas.

For those men (ages 12 to 70), for sure they want to see the sensual Christine Reyes and the alluring Anne Curtis.

For women, although Derek Ramsey is a cool sight for sore eyes, I think it's the intrigue  of either being a martyr wife or a free-spirited mistress.

Despite of these factors that the movie could offer, it all boils down to one thing. The culture's love for sentimentality. Domestic problems like extra-marital relationships would always be elevated to the next level because emotions are of course involved. Sometimes, though, because of too much emotional hype, our sensibility is over-shadowed. The simplest things become unnecessary complexities.

Here I go again, attempting to shed some light to make things as uncomplicated as possible especially to those who just enjoy the overkill of what if's.

First for husbands:

     * Bored with the same old face that you see every morning? Be honest with your wives and if they value your marriage, they will definitely go for a makeover. Lost the excitement? Work on it with your wife. You married her in the first place so for sure there would be at least an inch of respect that could lead to loving her (especially for victims of "shotgun weddings").

     * Surrounded by temptation and you are supposed to be very vulnerable to it? Look the other way if your marriage is still of value to you. If you really can't stop appreciating beauty (which is by the way the universal excuse of men) please make sure to exert a bit more effort not to be caught. As the popular cliche goes, "If you can't be good, be careful."

     * Don't love you wife anymore but can't leave because of the kids (This goes to the wives too...)? Remember, your kids do grow up and by the time that they will leaving home one by one, you're going to be stuck with the same partner that you despise. The key would be to be honest with your kids about the whole scenario and eventually they would understand the essence of choice.

     * If all else fails, please don't take advantage of your wife's trust. Remember, "You can't always have your cake and eat it too."

For the wives:

     * Don't allow suspicion to escalate. Sometimes, we trust our hunches more than our husbands. If you want to be treated fairly, do the same thing to your partner. It will save time and wrinkles, 100% guaranteed.

     * I came across an anecdote quite some time ago that as a wife, play all parts. A mother, sister, bestfriend,  and most of all a mistress. Don't be complacent that because you are the legal partner and that all income goes to you, everything should be running smooth. It is our job to keep the mystery alive to keep our partners wanting for more.

     * If you have confirmed that your husband is on an ongoing affair, talk to him about it. Lay your rules as is. If he does not give in and still stays with the other woman, that's your cue to leave the relationship. It is useless to waste your time with someone who does not deserve your nurturing nature. Give value to yourself. Don't be afraid to face life alone.  I promise you, it's better to be single than betrayed.

    * Let's not be tied on the fear of being criticized if the marriage failed. You are not answerable to anyone except yourself. Besides, that is so 60's and we are now in the new millenium. Walk with pride because you know for one that you gave it your best shot.

Punchline!

If all efforts were exhausted and it still boils down to a failed marriage, just leave quietly. If you can't be a good spouse at least give your partner some dignity and for sure everything will be well as time would pass by.



Photo Credit:

http://showbiznest.blogspot.com

Imagine My World Without You…

I think my day would forever be a daily routine.

I won’t have a beer buddy.

I won’t have as many pictures.

I won’t enjoy the coffee at Istarbaks.

I won’t have my very own Po.

Nobody’s going to even bother to wake me up every single day and drive me to work.

I would have no one to sensibly talk to.

I won’t have anyone to contradict me even when I’m dead wrong.

I wouldn’t enjoy the benefit of having a confidant.

I won’t have anyone praising my so trying-hard cooking skills.

I would still be without direction.

I would still be afraid to trust and love a man.

Hmm,  I think I can live with it but life is definitely lovelier with you beside me.

To the man who finally made me happy, I am forever grateful that we are sharing our lives with each other. I know I made the right decision to marry you. I love you very much.

Happy Birthday Sweet!

Masskara Na!

October 1, 2011, the Masskara Festival officially opened with a blast! The not so good news was I did not make it to the festivities because I had to be a mom first to my Baby Cassie since she caught the flu. Thanks a million to my husband, photojournalist Owen Segovia Bayog, he brought home video footages as well as delightful photos of the celebration.

Spectators were in awe at the grandeur of the fireworks that greeted this year’s Masskara Festival. At least despite whatever burdens they may have, they took a break from the daily grind to smile and have fun! 

To see more images of the event, just click on the following links:

http://myshutterlife.wordpress.com/2011/10/01/masskara-festival-2011/

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.299370233412569.97419.165973370085590&type=1

The Extra-Ordinary Bibingka at the Plaza

(Written last Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011)

During one of my “street food hunts”, I came across an old vendor of rice cakes, more commonly known as bibingka, in front of the San Sebastian Cathedral. Our first encounter, I courteously asked if I can take pictures of her improvised oven and the product itself. She was very accommodating and generous that she actually gave me more than what I paid for.

Right then and there, I felt obliged to look for her and buy her kakanin. First I just wanted to see how she’s doing considering that she was old and frail. I would be a bit worried if I pass by the cathedral and I won’t see her stall.

Today, right after office, as I board the jeepney, I remembered her and decided to check if she would be selling. 

When I reached her stall, (thankfully, she was there), she was all smiles! It seemed as if she waited for me to come again and do a little shoptalk, a simple thing that could actually lessen the tiredness that she could be feeling as she carefully prepares her rice cakes.

Since it was a bit early, she felt a little embarrassed and worried at the same time that she doesn’t have anything freshly baked to offer but of course I guaranteed her that it was fine for as long as it was baked on the same afternoon. While she was reheating the kakanin, we had the usual shoptalk and there she told me how she got sick the week before, the reason that she did not sell on that particularly busy Sunday.

I finally learned that her name is Cristita Saraga, and I could not believe that she was only 63 years old. The lines on her face seemed to detail the hardships that she has been through in this lifetime yet she never seems to give up, I guess because she knows she does not have the luxury to retire and enjoy the sunset clearly viewed on her home at the Boulevard.

Her helpers were her two grand-daughters, one 14 and the other 8. She mentioned with a sigh that the two girls were left to her by her children to be raised, fed, clothed and even sent to school. Then she said, “Amo na nga maskin kakapuy na guid, indi ko pwede mag-untat trabaho…” (even if it so tiring already I just can’t stop working.)

It was a 15 minute shop talk that I would never forget because it was a clear reminder that no matter how down I would feel, there is always hope brought about by another day. That no matter how exhausted my body can dictate to me, I should still have a million things to be happy about. That I should see my wallet as half-full not the other way around and be contented because what I have is hard-earned.

As with Nanay Cris, I promise to be a loyal patron of her bibingka because no matter how simple her ingredients are, she prepares it with a heart full of hope and perseverance while serving them with a warm smile that not just any peddler could offer.