Kalibo: Ati-Atihan Festival

Ati-Atihan in Kalibo, Aklan is annual celebration in honour of Santo Nino. It is a two-week festival, which the highlight is on the third Sunday of January. During this day, participants of the street dance parade wear colourful and exceptional costumes, paint their faces in different styles and it consists tribal dance and music. 

It is also known as the mother of all festival in the Philippines. Other neighbouring provinces encouraged to have their own version of festivity like Sinulog in Cebu and Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo.

The major street in Aklan fills with locals bringing drums and dancing very lively with their colourful costumes, shouted “Hala! Bira!” The Aetas are the earliest and the primary settler in the Panay Island, the festival named Ati-atihan means “to be like Aetas” or “make believe Ati’s”, that’s why, all participants of this event get darkened with bright color of dress, which attracts tourists.

The best part of the festival happens on the last day, when the groups representing the different tribes to compete and it ends with a procession with thousands of people joined carrying torches and various images of the Santo Nino.

It was my first time to witness the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan and I wanted to visit there again, maybe next year. And, I will recommend this also to my co-travellers and friends. I was there on the last day of the festival after my Boracay adventure –will blog it next time. 

How to get to Kalibo, Aklan?

It can be reached by sea, air and by land. You can book flights via Kalibo Internation Airport with the following airline companies:

• Cebu Pacific
• Philippines Airlines
• Airasia Zest

By sea, it consumed 12 hours from Manila North Harbor going to Aklan –it has three ports; Jetty Port in Caticlan, the port in Dumaguit, and the port of New Washington.

• Moreta Shipping lines (Caticlan, Dumaguit, and Kalibo)
• The Caticlan Jetty port caters Roll-on and Roll-off (RORO) shipping lines like Montenegro Shipping Lines
• MBRS Shipping lines (Caticlan & Dumaguit, Aklan)
• WG&A Super Ferry - Our Lady of Medjugorje (Dumaguit, Aklan)

By land (bus), it takes 12-15 hours from Manila bound to Aklan. The following bus companies are:

• PHILTRANCO Bus (Cubao, Quezon City)
• Bachelor Express
• Dimple Star Transit (Araneta Center, Cubao)

Happy travelling!

Marco

Things to do in Legazpi City, Albay

I thought I can only see the majestic Mt. Mayon in the postcard, photos online taken by some bloggers who visited Albay, or in the news. The time has come that I visit Albay and I was amazed when I saw the Mt. Mayon through my eyes. It was really magnificent! It is a very rare situation that you can do your solo trip, especially for me, to see one of the most beautiful active volcanos. I was like “Wow! Beautiful!”

Right after my work, I immediately went to bus terminal and rode a bus bound to Legazpi City. It was eight o’clock in the evening when my solo trip begins. From Manila to Legazpi City is about ten to eleven hours’ drive. It’s really a long drive, but I can tell you that it was really worth it.

I arrived in the Grand Terminal on the following day, and met my tour guide for that day. He will accompany me for my day 1. However, before heading to our itinerary I check in first in the Inn where I stay and have a rest for minutes. Then, we’re heading for first stop.

First stop is Kawa-kawa Hill – this is a 236 meter land that is located in California Village, Brgy. Tuburan, Ligao City. It was named Kawa-kawa because of its shape which resembling a “kawa” or cauldron and it is also called the hill without a hilltop. From afar, it’s like an ordinary hill, but when you arrived from the summit, you can see its unique feature in its fully glory.  It is one of Albay’s tourist destinations.

from the top of Kawa-kawa hills

Second stop is Cagsawa Church - was built in 1724 and was destroyed during the eruption of Mayon Volcano in 1814. It is located in Brgy. Busay, Cagsawa, Daraga. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area and the ruins of the Cagsawa Church are now the site of the Cagsawa Ruins Park. There are locals selling souvenir items in the area.

Cagsawa Ruins

Our next stop is Daraga Church – also called as the Church of Nuestra Senora de la Porteria (Our Lady of the Gate), is an example of religious architecture in the province of Albay, it is located in the hill above the lively town. And, I went back in the church early in the morning in the following day because I want to see the Mayon Volcano without the clouds around it. And, it looks good without the clouds. Perfect view!

Daraga Church plus clear view of Mt. Mayon

And our final destination is Legazpi Port – I went back in the port early in the morning for the following day and heading to the seawall section where you can jog and you can see the stunning beauty of the Mayon Volcano, where also Embarcadero de Legazpi located. It was the first site of the pre-Hispanic settlement called Sawangan and it is now the city’s main business district.

My time is not enough that’s why I haven’t been in Lignon Hill and the waterfalls. Maybe, next time I will visit the other tourist destination in Albay. My solo trip is a challenging activity because I lost in Penaranda Street, but well, it a part of the journey. I enjoyed it! 

Mt. Kalisungan, 760+ (Dayhike)

After the unforgettable island adventure (see previous post), the group planned for another weekend getaway and settled to climb a mountain. Where we heading? 

There are lots of choices but the group agreed to climb Mt. Kalisungan – is the one of the smaller mountains in the Southern Tagalog region however, it is also one of the mountains that border the Banahaw Trilogy. It is located in Calauan, Laguna.

There are fruit trees all the way to Mt. Kalisungan – from rambutan, kaimito to sunkest, and buko which offer trail food but of course, don’t forget to ask permission before picking up the fruits. 

Also, there are coconut trees, banana plantations, and huge grasslands going to the peak of the mountain.

The view to the North side of the mountain is the Talim Island which Mt. Tagapo has been seen. To the east, the view of the highlands of Caliraya appears. Of course, the seven lakes of San Pablo verge by the two mountains Mt. Cristobal and Mt. Banahaw. To the west of the mountain, Mt. Makiling has been seen.

I met Jepoy and Badong at the HM Transport bus Cubao station and board a bus going to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. We dropped at the Duck Junction but guys make sure that you told Manong Conductor to drop you at the Victoria, Laguna (Duck Junction) so you don’t get lost. From there, we met Roy (our friend) and took a jeep bound to San Pablo and dropped at Brgy. Lamot 2 then, registered at Brgy. Hall and look for Mang Bino or his wife. This time, his wife is our guide (Ate Mercy, I am not sure of the name. I really forgot her name. Sorry!)

There are two locals offered to us a fresh buko while we’re on the trail and yes, we didn’t refuse the offer because we are also craving to it. Then, after few minutes we start trekking again. It’s sunny day during our hike and the heat of the sun burn your skin. We, also, brought plenty of water because as per review there are no water sources along the way and the heat makes you dehydrated.

We’re on the summit of Mt. Kalisungan at exactly 12 o’clock in the afternoon and feeling blessed because the clouds are so clear. We took pictures and make chitchat with the guide. Then, we go back to the downward slope. After the hike, we ate our late lunch at the nearest market.

ITINERARY

5:30AM – Assembly at HM Transport Bus Station, Cubao.

6:00AM – Board HM Transport bus bound to Sta. Cruz, Laguna (117.25php).

8:00AM – Get off at Victoria, Laguna (at the Duck Junction to be exact). You can take breakfast or buy food here. Take a jeep going to San Pablo and get off to Brgy. Lamot 2 (12-15php).

8:30AM – Register at Brgy. Hall, and look for a guide (10php-registration fee and 400php for the guide).

9:00AM – start trekking

12:00NN – SUMMIT

12:30PM – Lunch, Rest, Take photos….

1:30PM – descent

3:00PM – back to Manila

EXPENSES: 700php
How to get there:

•   Take HM Transport bus bound to Sta. Cruz, Laguna, EDSA-Cubao. Ask the Manong Conductor to drop you off at Duck Junction in Victoria, Laguna.
• From Duck Junction, take a jeep bound to San Pablo and drop off at Brgy. Lamot 2. Then, register at the Brgy. Hall and look for a guide. Contact number of Mang Bino is (+63-909-297-1437.

gAnd I officially declared that Mt. Kalisungan is my 8th conquered mountain. Hooray!

HHappy climbing,

Marco

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