At a
very young age little did I know that I want to do different things and
exploring is one. To explore is someone related to having fun, it is where you
could do anything and everything under the sun or sometimes even when there is
a cloudy sky. I remember the first time
I stumble and fall when I was so curious about skating, by that time I cried
but with the frustration of learning and having fun I just enjoy and at the end
skating become my new sport.
Taking
chance in everything is a must because you’ll never know how absolutely perfect
something could turn out to be, so now take a chance to explore with me. Let’s
get lost and explore how young people like me enjoy everything in life has to
offer.
Now I would like to share with you how i explore my own country, how my footsteps lead me to see how beautiful and fun it is here in the PHILIPPINES!
Some would know something about my beloved country, but still let me share to you some facts and information about it.
* It
is in Southeast Asia where the Philippine Archipelago lies that has led to its
becoming a cultural crossroads.
* A place where Malays, Hindus, Arabs, Chinese, Spaniards, Americans, and others have interacted to forge a unique cultural and racial blend.
*It is made up of 7,107 islands. Some have grown into cities. Some are the epitome of tropical dreams. Some are just long enough to lay down on and get a tan.
In today's generation young people are very particular in everything that they do and they want to do this on their own ability to prove themselves, the young generation like me believes in wanting more, that it is not enough to just go to one place and the other without experiencing the best it has to offer. Here in the Philippines you will learn how to be more fun in every single thing you explore... Let me take you to different places where I know will give you a FUN UNDER THE SUN experience.
Our BEACHES are the perfect escape from those cold, icy, extra-long winters. See as many as you can in a day. Rent a kayak to paddle around the islands with, or get a guided boat tour, which usually includes a perfectly grilled lunch. Soon, you'll be basking in your own tanned glow, enjoying a therapeutic massage by the sea shore.
Prefer to choose just one? Try Boracay. It's rated by Travel + Leisure magazine as the "World's Best Island." The nightlife will get you partying hard with the crowds, while more secluded beaches bring you to more tranquil shores.
I went
to one of the beaches in Oriental Mindoro, it is called "Buktot
Island" and I was amazed by its cloudy white sand, that not as white as
Boracay but you can hear the breeze of the air and the peacefulness of the
place. It is not yet been discovered by many, so you can enjoy the sunset
seeking. The water is crystal blue that you can see the sand underneath.
Surely, you would enjoy having a vacation there.
( The above photo is taken at Buktot Beach, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro)
If you would ask where to have a good start, I would answer a good start would be on your own province or your own town. It is really nice to see what's hidden in your surroundings. But i would also like to go to different beaches here in the Philippines, like the famous Coron in Palawan, Panglao Island in Bohol, Pagudpud in Ilocos, and White Island in Camiguin.
Other than exploring the body of waters in the Philippines, it is also a new experience to try some fun activities that we can do.
When we were in Boracay, me and my family go island hoping and stay in the middle of the sea to snorkel, I enjoyed a lot, it is a great experience to see the wonders of the sea.
My sister shared a picture of their Cagayan de Oro White Water rafting experience, even it was her first time to do it, she's very brave and to her it was very satisfying, My sister is a type of person who wants to experience everything life has to offer, She has been to different places here in the Philippines and i idolize her for that.
Here in the Philippines we are family oriented and we love festivals, every single celebration is important.
SO... 
let me show you the top 10 famous and favorite festival here in my country...
DINAGYANG FESTIVAL
It is celebrated every 4th week of January, it is a very colorful parade coupled with a dramatization in order of the patron Saint - Sto. Niño. The object of dramatized offering and prayers a midst the cracking of drums and shouts of "Viva Senior Sto. Niño" and the thundering of "Hala Bira" by the tribe members makes the celebration a lively one.
HIGANTES FESTIVAL
The town of Angono in Rizal celebrates the Higantes Festival which is characterized by huge paper mache effigies or "Higantes". The fiesta is held in honor of San Clemente.
KADAYAWAN FESTIVAL
Kadayawan festival is a celebration of good harvest. This globally famous festival is a week long celebration and thanksgiving fo nature's bountiful harvest. It is being celebrated every 3rd week of August.
ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL
It is the wildest among the Philippine fiestas and considered as the Mother of All Philippine festival. Celebrants paint their faces with black soot and wear bright, outlandish costumes as they dance in revelry during the last three days of this two week long festival. Catholics and non-Catholics alike observe this special day with processions, parades, dancing, and merrymaking. It's celebrated annually every third week of January to honor the feast of the Holy Infant Jesus.
MASKARA FESTIVAL
Bacolod's most popular fiesta, celebrated on the third week of October. Festivities kick off with food fais, mask-making contests, brass band competitions, beauty pageants, windsurfing regatta, drinking and eating contests, trade fairs and exhibits.
PAHIYAS FESTIVAL
It is a colorful feast in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron Saints of farmers, as a thanksgiving for a beautiful harvest. House along the old streets of Lucban are artistically decorated with agricultural harvest, and of very unique highlight of the festival, the "kiping". It is wafer made up of rice that comes in different colors. May is the season for festivals in the Philippines. One of the most extravagant festivals celebrated in the country is the Pahiyas Festival. Province of Quezon hosts this festival every 15th of May. The celebration of the Pahiyas Festival has been going on since the 16th century. It is a way for the local folk to give thanks to a bountiful harvest.
PANAGBENGA FESTIVAL
This festival showcases the many floral floats and native dances. At this time of the year, the City of Pines is almost surely flower fury over Panagbenga festival.
PINTADOS-KASADYAAN FESTIVAL
Highlights of the festival includes the Leyte Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals, the Pintados Festival Ritual Dance Presentation and the "Pagrayhak" Grand Parade. The Leyteños celebrate a religious festival in a unique and colorful way. Since the Visayans are experienced in the art of body tattooing, men and women are fond of tattooing themselves.
SINULOG FESTIVAL
The major festival is held each year on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City to honor the Santo Niño, or the child Jesus. It is fundamentally a dance ritual which remembers the Filipino people's pagan past and their recognition of Christianity.
MORIONES FESTIVAL
Last to the list is the Festival which we also celebrate in our province in Mindoro. Originally it is celebrated in Marinduque. Morion means "mask" or "visor", a part of the medieval Roman armor which covers the face. The Moriones in our town have a colorful Roman costumes with different colors of vest and armor. Moriones room the streets in our town scaring kids, or engaging an antics or surprises to draw attention. The moriones join the procession during Holy Thursday and Good Friday. They act as policemen who maintain the orderliness of the line in the procession. If you will experience to go in Mindoro, your surely would have fun to take up pictures with them.
During Good Friday in our town, I experienced to saw me inflict themselves by whipping their backs, carrying wooden cross, this act is a form of atonement for their sins During the evening procession, these penitents drop at the street. On Easter Sunday, the Moriones will capture Longinus a Roman centurion who was blind in one eye; he will be caught and beheaded.
SANTACRUZAN
I include Santacruzan as one of my favorite and a popular religious festival held in may towns and cities throughout the Philippines. It is also known as "Flores de Mayo" refers to whole Flower Festival celebrated in the month of May in honor of the Virgin Mary. The festivity commemorates the search of Holy Cross by Queen Helena (Reina Elena) and her son, the newly converted emperor Constantine. After the Holy Cross was found in Jerusalem and brought back to Rome, there was a joyful celebration for thanksgiving. Nine days prayer (a novena) in honor of the Holy Cross precedes the Flores de Mayo or Santacruzan.
I experience a Santacruzan in Valenzuela, the hometown of my mother. My cousin Ynah, participated in the Santacruzan last summer as sagala. She was the Reina Elena, she looked regal in her dress. We accompany her in the procession. My cousin Joshua was her escort who looks handsome also.
(Above is the photo of my cousins when they participate in the Santacruzan in Valenzuela)
This proves that it's MORE FUN in the PHILIPPINES because of the beautiful sceneries like beaches, mountains, valleys. Also people can experience different activities that they will enjoy with their family such as scuba diving, boat trips, and other water activities. People can also experience wall climbing, camping, biking, and other nature activities. People could go to malls to go for shopping.
Dspite of different religions of Filipinos, we still unite ourselves with our cultures through music and dance-fiestas, through art and though varieties of good food. Young people today use to change their minds and seek for a new kind of fun. The best way to overcome with it is to EXPLORE and SPREAD that IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES.
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