I was still a child about 7 years old when I first saw a photo of giant balloons flying in the air. It was a poster that my Dad brought home. I was really amaze about it. Then time passed and this amazement was again ignited after the first time I have heard about the Philippines Hot Air Balloon Festival was about 3 years ago (that was the time I first started blogging). I told myself that one day I will witness this giant balloon float in the air with their bright colors and unique designs.

We arrive at Clark around 5AM but was able to got a parking spot (not to far the entrance gate) pass 6:30AM. From the parking lot you can feel the excitement to get in. My son and I was in the search for the good spot to take some photos and enjoy the scene. From our vantage point it was outrageous! It was a dream come true for me and a very exciting experience for my son.

In front of us were 4 Giant balloons were being filled up with hot air in front of us a around 10 on our right. It was truly a sight to be remembered. One-by-one the Hot Air Balloon was getting up from their cold slumber, and just a few minutes after one-by-one it started to float. Now the skies were filled with colorful and vibrant giant balloons that instantly brought smiles to everyone witnessing it the spectacular event.

After the balloons have lifted and floated away the para gliders then conquered the skies with their performance. It was amazing! I’m sure lots of spectators would sure want to experience flying in one of those things.

This is nto the last time I will be seeing those giant balloons. Next time I will have my whole family with me to experience this wonderful event.

The Eid’l Fitr Festival is the mark of the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. This is a symbolic gathering in which both Muslim and non-Muslim celebrate their differences to ignite brotherhood.

The Eid’l Fitr Festival in the Philippines

Sadly the Eid’l Fitr Festival is not very popular in the Philippines. Only a small number of Filipino only knew that a festival exist.

With former Sen. Santanina T Rasul heading the annual celebration of the Internationla Eid’l Fitr Festival for several years starting 1993.

The festival did not only provide the venue where Muslims and non-Muslims celebrate together the joyous occasion but it also served as a vehicle to educate fellow Filipinos on the culture of the Muslims and to create awareness that Muslim Culture is Part of the Filipino Cultural Heritage.

The Eid’l Fitr Festival showcases different art, artifacts, and culture of the five mahor Filipino Muslim groups: the Sama, Tausug, Yakan, Maranaw and Maguindanaon and that of the Muslim Countries.

This coming September 2-4, 2011 at the SM Mall of Asia celebrate with our fellow Filipinos (Muslim and non-Muslim) the Eid’l Fitr Festival.

How could I ever forget the long ride to Baguio from Cubao. Then another 2hrs ride to the DENR office. 30 minutes of those we are on the top load of our chartered jeepney ride.

Funny how riding on the roof of the jeepney can teach you how to appreciate heights a little bit better. It was like a unsecured roller coaster ride.

We arrive at the DENR office for registration and orientation on the things that we should know and not do while on trekking and on the Park.

Then followed by a 1 1/2 hr rough ride (very rough ride) to the Rangers Station (like riding a mechanical bull). I was the one sitting at the end of the jeep and it was like I was being toss around like a little toy.

Tip: don’t sit at the end of the jeep when going to the Rangers Station

A lite lunch at the Rangers Station then a little pass 12PM were off for a 3hrs long trek to the campsite. It was a wonderful and very tiring experience. Lots of wonderful sight to see that you wont see in the city.

The plants and trees are really fascinating.

It was already pass 4PM when I reached the campsite, I was actually the last one to come.

Had a rest then take my time to enjoys the view.

I was actually hoping to get a great sunset shot. But the Sun was a bit shy, it was behind the clouds till it was set.

After a great dinner. Well anything serve to you after climbing for 4hrs will be very good. After a good dinner, I started fixing my sleeping place on our tent. I will need all the rest I can get for the early hike the next day.

It was really hard to sleep when the winds is constantly trying to rip your tent apart. But I did manage to put some ZZZ’s in.

Before 3am, I was already awake but not up. I was still gauging myself if I can manage the 1 1/2 hr hike to the summit and trying to feel the weather outside the tent. But when I heard the alarms on the other tent. I got up and started getting ready.

Got my head lamp ready for it will be a dark road ahead.

It was a very exciting hike. Following a trail that is nearly invisible. It was pitch black everywhere. We were walking on the mountains edge and we can’t even see where we will end up if ever we fall. But we all got to the summit safe.

It was beautiful.

This is why people keep climbing here. All the cold sweat and muscle pain have vanished when your at the summit. Witnessing the beautiful sunrise and the wondrous sea of clouds.

It’s just plain Beautiful.

This is where we spend our night when we had our road trip. its a large place with three pools to enjoy.

They have this giant 3 loop slide on their adult pool that will truly give you an adventure on the pool. Imagine yourself going to those loops before plunging to the water. WOW!

I know you would really have fun on their pool but summer is not complete without dipping on the beach.

Enjoy the sun, sand and the the cool water of Tayabas Bay.

My First Sunrise Shot

Well one thing I got from this trip is this magnificent sunrise shot. This is actually my first sunrise shot.

I’m really proud of it.

We had our break fast at a roadside carinderia. Had our picture taken for souvenir.

Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery

We then make our way to the City San Pablo to visit the Underground Cemetery of Nagcarlan.

Going from one road to the other. Remembering it was not an easy task. But the trip was worth it.

Pagsanjan Stone Arch

We then headed to Pagsanjan for a very famous halo-halo.

This is something you wont see in the city everyday. So we stop and amaze ourselves with the history that stand in front of us.

The Fields of Rizal

After a well deserve halo-halo break to cool us off from the hot sun. We then started our way home. Passing rice fields after rice fields.

It was a beautiful sight to behold. The benefits of living in the province.

The St.Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church is a magnificent structure that has stood the test of time.

The Old Church of Pagbilao was build in 1685 by Franciscan Missionaries.

Building of the present stone church began in 1845 under the administration of Fr.Victorino Peralija; And was completed including the bell tower and two-story convent in 1877 under the administration of Fr.Eugenio Gomez. As an aftermath of World War II, it was destroyed during the Liberation in 1945 when American airplanes dropped bombs with the “intelligence report” that Japanese soldiers were still hiding inside the church. The convent and the church were destroyed. Fortunately the bell tower survived while the facade was heavily damaged. Repairs were done in 1954 under the Administration of Fr. Vicente Urlanda.

Kamay Ni Hesus Shrine

But the shrine is always open all year round.

Arnel was actually surprise to see that there were so many people even after the two specific events. I would say that there are more than 500 individual in the site that day.

The Noah’s Ark Park

I was told that this was a new feature for the shrine.

The Noah’s Ark that serve as a place of prayer and meditation for anyone who are in need of a quite place.

Equipped with 21 air conditioned rooms that are available for pilgrims and retreatants. Each with its own toilet and bath, and  hot  shower .

It also has a function hall that can accommodate large group retreats and other events. It is equipped with state of the art multimedia equipments.

The Noah's Ark

The Noah’s Ark also serves healthy menu, and the popular and well-loved  Lucban foods and delicacies.

I was accompanied by Jeron to climb the summit of the grotto. For the other was already complaining that they wont make it to the top.

It was a 292 steps to the top. On the way up, life-size statues depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross is displayed till you reach the summit and the 50-foot statue of the Ascending Christ —(the third biggest in the world).

WOW! It was a wonderful feeling reaching the top. All the tiredness you felt before climbing will vanish and a cool breeze of wind can be felt.

It was actually very relaxing.

Devoted pilgrims touch the foot of the statue and offer their prayers.

For Private Cars:

1. From South Super Hi-way take Calamba Exit, go straight ahead passing on the national road until you reach the
Church of Pagsanjan, Laguna.
2. Turn right passing on the national road until you reach town of Lusiana, Laguna.
3. Go straight ahead until you reach town of Lucban, Quezon
4. The Healing Church and Grotto is 1 km., away from the town proper.

For Commuters:

1. Take a bus route to Lucena at Kamuning Bus Terminal or LRT Buendia Bus Terminal
2. At Lucena Grand Central Terminal take a passenger jeep route to Lucban
3. Upon reaching Lucban, get off at Grotto

Mt. Banahaw is a magnificent mountain and one of the active volcanoes in the Philippines.

Before entering the town of Lucban, you can already see from a far.

Mt. Banahaw is a traditional pilgrimage for locals and  is considered to be a “holy mountain”. Many healing ceremonies are being conducted within the mountain side all year round, but most particularly on Holy Week were it is believe to be most powerful.

For mountain hikers, Mt. Banahaw is one of the most famous site to climb for the reason it is the closest from Manila with approximately >2000-metre.

I’m sure would want to try and hike it someday.

A road trip is just what the doctor ordered.

It’s a great way to relax and see different places that you can’t possibly go to when travelling the national hi-way.

Last weekend, 4 of my childhood friends along with their wives and kid and I went on a 2D1N road trip to the province of Quezon taking the route from Rizal.

With our trustee motorcycles: my Suzuki Raider, Yamaha Mio and a Honda Wave we ride out to Quezon.

It was a long and adventurous ride.

The Wondrous of Mt. Banahaw

On the way we saw Mt. Banahaw, one of the active volcanos in the Philippines. Located along the boundary of Laguna and Quezon provinces.

Hailed as a sacred mountains by the local residents because of its “holy water”, which allegedly have healing qualities.

Spiritual Kamay ni Hesus Shrine of Lucban, Quezon

Which is why our nest stop is very famous of. The Kamay ni Hesus Shrine which Rev. Fr. Joseph (Joey ) A. Faller does his healing mass on a regular basis.

Also most pilgrims who have climb the mountains claims had been cure from their illness.

One thing I can say is that its a wonderful sight from below and top of the mountain.

A Quick Stop at Pagbilao.

We had a quick stop at the town of Pagbilao, which came from the words Papag and Bilao. With its own unique Spanish ear story on how the place was called.

R ‘n R at Villa Del Prado (Sariaya, Quezon)

We then stop for the night for some R’nR at Villa del Prado beach resort for the night.

It was very funny that everybody was all settled in the cottage that we took. But forgot that we have not yet prepared what we will be having for dinner. So after a moments Allan and I headed out to the nearest talipapa (market) to wrangle some fresh tilapia and coal so we can have grilled tilapia for dinner.

After eating we cleaned up and gotten ready to sleep. Well not everybody got a goodnight sleep. But that’s something to expect when you run out of the road not completely prepared.

To be continued…

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Now he offer a new added feature for his taxi. He just added a Karaoke machine to his taxi to give more fun and entertainment for his patrons.

He services to every part of Singapore for only S$20 flat. Yes this is not a joke it’s only S$20 flat any point of Singapore.

A Friendly Taxi for Filipino for only $20 Flat

Just call him in advance.  Here is Darry’s number +6596506817. Tell him how you got his number for reference.