SINULOG 2012!

January 13-15 - It's my very first time to attend a Festival in the Philippines...so it's also my first time in Sinulog!:) All I know about Sinulog is that it's crazy haha! A lot of my friends have been there and they have been telling me the same stories.

At first, I was hesitant to go because I wasn't able to book early so flights were really expensive. But 3 days before the Sinulog weekend, I realized that a lot of my friends were going there and so I found myself booking a Php5000+ worth of Round Trip flight via Air Philippines. Actually there's also a connecting flight via Bacolod so I went Manila to Bacolod and Bacolod to Cebu.

I took half day at work 'coz my flight was at 3:40pm. Since I had to rush a lot of work in the office, I was only able to leave Quezon City at 2pm and I found myself rushing to the airport. I arrived at 3pm, 10 mins earlier than boarding time, but I had to go through a lot of stops before getting to the boarding gate. It was another Amazing race moment for me! The worst part...flight was delayed! Due to runway traffic, we're an hour delayed. Around 40 minutes of that was spent inside the plane waiting for our plane's turn for take off. Good thing I saw a friend there who chatted with me while waiting to board the plane.

We landed in Bacolod at past 6pm so I didn't wait that long for our connecting flight to Cebu at 7:20pm. The plane from Bacolod to Cebu was so small, even smaller than a bus. No aircon at first, but it was turned on as the cabin doors were closed. It was so funny 'cause 15 mins after our take off, the pilot announced that were already on our initial approach for landing; so we were only inside the plane for 30 minutes haha! When I got to the Mactan, Cebu Airport, I waited for my bestfriend who flew in from Manila the same time I left Bacolod. However, since all flights from Manila were delayed, i waited for her for 1.5 hours. When she arrived, we took a regular meter cab to our hotel, The Hotel Elizabeth. 

 instant room! haha

While checking in at the reception, there were performers at the lobby, doing the Sinulog dance. They were entertaining. We proceeded to our room, which was actually sponsored by PLDT. It's an executive room originally good for two since it only had 1 queen-sized bed but we converted the sala into another room for two by adding two single beds. It was so cool! haha! Got 2 flat screen TVs, 2 T&Bs, an office desk, and a dining area. After resting for a bit, we had dinner at the restobar across the hotel and went back to the hotel to prep up for the party. At 12:30, we went to Vudu for the PLDT WiFi Zone launch. Yes, Vudu is offically a PLDT WiFi Zone now!:)  We got a table somewhere at the corner but the club was too crowded and smoky so after a bottle of Vodka, my bestfriend and I went ahead and proceeded to Penthouse to meet our friends and arrived there past 3am. The event was hosted by Styles Entertainment, with DJs Ace and Scratchmark, sponsored by Smart Netphone and Vans Philippines. After partying for a bit at the DJ's booth, we left before 5am and had pizza and pasta at Mamma Mia's. And finally at 5:30am, we're reunited with our beds! The best feeling ever!:)

 Vudu

 Penthouse

Unfortunately, I had to do a bit of work while I was there; though it wasn't actually required. I was just OC for my upcoming event in Cebu on February. haha! So I had a meeting there around 11-11:30am then we went to Casa Verde (the original) where they serve the best steak in Cebu.

After lunch, all roads were already closed for the solemn procession along Fuente Osmena Ave.; so we had no choice but to walk. Along the way, we bought hats and accessories, took photos, and kept laughing haha! When we got to Basilica de Sto. Nino, people were not allowed to enter. So, we just had lighted candles outside the church. Then we decided to see the Magellan's Cross. It took us more than an hour to get there since there were lots of people and lots of closed roads. Plus we took a 30-minute rest at a food stall where we just played iPhone games haha! After a minute of taking photos at the cross, we're off to SM to watch the fireworks. It was so hard to find a cab, even a jeepney! So we had to walk again, trusting the directions that we see on Google maps haha! Then after more than 30mins of walking, we finally found a cab! However, on our way to SM, my friends realized that they have an event/meeting so we just dropped by another accessories store and went back to the hotel; and that involves a lot of traffic in between!

 pat bought a hat, watta rhyme!:))

 scary masks haha

 black Sto. Nino

 what can you say to their "coldiest" beer haha

 wow!

 praying...

 Basilica de Sto. Nino

Magellan's Cross

After dinner at Chikaan, where the meeting happened, we went to The Terraces in Ayala. Our friend from Smart, Abbie, treated us to dessert in Casa Verde. I love their 'Death by Chocolate' ice cream cake! After a fun girl bonding, our friends from Vans picked us up then we proceeded to Vudu again for another PLDT Wifi Zone night! This time, super VIP! We had the biggest table with lots of couches and of course, sponsored drinks!:) So cool that Gerald Anderson and some PBA friends like James Yap were also there. So I got back at the hotel at 5:30am and went planking on the bed haha dead tired!:))

Death by Chocolate

Thanks Abbie!:)

 Vudu VIPs

 Gerald Anderson and Young JV

 James Yap

I woke up at 9:30am 'coz I didn't want to be late for my 12:15 flight. After fixing up, we had breakfast buffet at the hotel and I left for the airport at 10:30am. Good thing there's no traffic and the way to the airport was on the opposite  side of the Sinulog parade. I love arriving at the airport early 'coz it gives me time to relax. That time, I had a "ME" time in Bo's Coffee haha! Flight was delayed for 15-mins but it's okay. I finally landed in manila at 1:30pm and immediately headed home to sleep!

I just wished that I have stayed 'til  Sunday night so not to miss the parade. However, I had no choice but to work on a Monday. But at least, I was able to experience the festival even just a few days; plus I got to bond with my friends too. Next year, I'm SOOO gonna plan an ultimate Sinulog (Cebu)-Dinagyang (Iloilo) trip! haha!:))))

VIVA PIT SENYOR!!!!!:)