Rough Groove

Talisay landing

Last Saturday marked the 60th anniversary of the American forces landing in Talisay during World War II that marked the start of the liberation of the province. I was there during the commemoration to take photos and where speeches upon speeches were given onstage among the crowd of government employees and public school students who were forced to participate (attendance is a must) and some old veterans that are only remembered during this event.

Unfortunately, I was so stupid so as to forget that I haven’t yet transferred my shots to my Archos Gmini 120 (20GB of hard disk space with a CF card slot) that I formatted the card and all data was lost! Went back last Sunday just to take a photo of this marker, as a consolation.

Easter Sunday in Talisay

Easter Sunday in Talisay, my hometown, is usually spent at the beach and a stop to buy lechon.

Children enjoying the beach at Larawan, Poblacion, Talisay City. Reminds me of my childhood when me and my cousins go to this place and just have fun feasting on boiled bananas dipped in ginamos (fermented small species of fish) with chilis, boiled egg and grilled pork or fish.

Talisay lechon (roasted pig) is the best in Cebu. A party or a feast is never complete without this delicious food and everytime I’m home on a Sunday, we always buy a few kilos. However, yesterday, the price was too high that we settled for grilled pork.

Good Friday Rituals

From the original plan of spending my Holy Week at Iloilo because of the beautiful baroque churches there to going to Palo, Leyte for the hooded penitents to Siquijor because I’ve not yet gone to that island and its churches are also beautiful to Boljoon, Cebu. Because of some reasons or another, I was left with no option but to spend it and do some photography work in our place here in Talisay and in the southern municipalities.

So yesterday, at around 1000H, I was in Talisay. After lunch, went to Naga but with my camera and proximity of the church, taking photos of the facade is not just possible without including some distracting elements (another reason to upgrade to a DSLR). I then proceeded to Carcar where one of Cebu province’s beautiful churches is found. Then went to Sibonga. I would have wanted to photograph the procession there but instead, went to Ocana, Carcar, where a small church is located. Took some pictures and proceeded immediately back to Carcar, enough time before the procession started and late afternoon light started to fade.

Photos also posted at FLICKR

Via Crucis (left) and covered crucifix (right)
Poblacion, Talisay City, Cebu

Waiting for the procession to start, Carcar, Cebu (left) and boy reenacting Christ’s passion along a side street, Tabunok, Talisay City, Cebu (right)

Bringing the carroza to the church (left) and Sacristans and the Santo Intierro
Sibonga, Cebu

Davao: Fruits

Eversince I arrived last Monday, eating durian has always been on my mind. That’s why last Tuesday, with Jem and Lou, my coworkers proceeded to the fruitstand along Ponciano Street, a few meters walk from the office and bought and ate two pieces of durian of the Puyat variety. Just delicious. Very delicious.

Durians of the Puyat variety

Pomelo and marangs at the fruitstand

Carts of pomelos line Roxas Ave. near Ateneo de Davao University. These are cheaper than those found at the fruitstands

Davao: Pasalubong

There are lots and lots of products from fruits to sweets to handicrafts that can be had from Davao City.

Other than fruits as frequent pasalubongs , durian candy, yema (sweet delicacy made from sugar and milk) and jams also make it to the top list of gifts for people back home and office. Lola Abons, the original maker of the ubiquitous durian candies that has bred many imitators is still the number one and most reliable to source out these sweets.

Another variation of the durian yema, this time, ube (purple yam) flavored

The famous durian candy

The Lola Abon’s store in Matina.

Aldevinco Shopping Mall, located at the corner of Claveria St. and Roxas Ave. is a handicrafts haven that sells items from Muslim brasswares, furnitures and decors, malongs, batik shirts as well as trade items from Malaysia and Indonesia. You can also change US dollars here.

Outside Aldevinco

The series of shops that comprise the handicrafts haven