Miss Iggy's Davao Days

Schoolgirl Iggy's break from school gave her the chance to attend one of the biggest annual Philippine festivals--the Kadayawan of Davao City. The festival's name derives from the greeting "Madayaw" from the Dabawenyo dayaw which means good and beautiful. :)

The highlights of the festival are the Indak-Indak Streetdance Parade and the Pamulak flower float parade which was held on the weekend. Since Miss Iggy arrived a few days early, she decided to take a look around the city and its neighboring island of Samal.

There were lots of posters and streamers about the festival. Miss Iggy liked the slogan "Ten Tribes, One Vibe" to reflect the unity amidst the different cultural backgrounds of the Dabawenyos.

Miss Iggy found these dolls in a mall exhibit. The dolls had on costumes of the ten tribes--the Ata Manobo, Ubo Manobo, Tagabawa, K'lata, Maguindanao, Matigsalog, Tausug, Sama, Kalagan, and Maranao. It made her more proud to be an Igorota!

A day before the big festival weekend, she took a break from the city and headed to Samal Island, where she found this beach. Miss Iggy had a great time relaxing and preparing herself for the festivities ahead.

On Saturday, it was time for the Indak-Indak streetdancing! It was actually a competition of schools and local government units. Miss Iggy couldn't take her eyes off the colorful costumes of the dancers!

Lots of bananas! Miss Iggy couldn't resist asking one of the 'banana boys' for a photo.

The kids worked really hard to perfect their steps but Miss Iggy felt sorry for them that they had to stay under the hot sun for an extended period. She hoped they had lots of water during the show and lots of rest after!

Look at all those bright colors!

And what are these?

They seem to be some kind of animal.

Ah! Horses! Right?

Fighting warriors ready to defend their kingdom.

And their beautiful princesses. Miss Igorota included, of course!

The following day was another feast for the senses--it was the flower float parade! 

Miss Iggy cozied up to a basket of durian, marang, and rambutan.

She didn't expect to see a helicopter!

Miss Iggy likes men in uniform. Here's a school's model army unit ready to parade!

An eagle with wings of leaves

coconut flowers!

big blossom, and a friendly frog (toad?)

Eeew a big mosquito! 

And the winner is...

This big float of dancers and giant tribespeople!

Miss Iggy was glad to discover that the guys making the giants move had hydration packs strapped to their back.

How many flowers can you see?

There were so many people lined up along the streets where the parade will go through.

It was a grand display, indeed.

This guy moves, the giant moves as well!

After the parade, Miss Iggy saw a fellow explorer!

The festivities wore Miss Iggy out, but she has her memories of the Kadayawan to amuse her while she regains her energy. Until the next trip!

Las Fallas Weekend in Valencia

Que divertido!

Fondly referred to as the place where Paella originated, Valencia is also known for its annual Las Fallas Festival. Miss Iggy partied day and night (and by the sound of mascletas (fireworks) at 2pm and 2am everyday, who wouldn't?  it's literally a whole 24 hour affair), sight seeing and going to the beach during day time and watching parades (and more fireworks) at night.

Cuidad de las artes y las ciencias, by Valencia's native son
 (and world renowed architect/ structural engineer/ sculptor) Santiago de Calatrava.

Miss Iggy inside La Lonja de la Seda, a UNESCO world heritage site

The streets of Valencia were filled by revelers and these bigger than life Ninots (pictured below are the adult category Ninots. there are also smaller Ninots, or Ninot le Petit  under the children's category).  Almost all districts participate in creating these different master pieces that will (wait for it...) have to be collected, displayed in Plaza de Ayuntamiento and burnt at the end of the festival (if it will make you feel better, one ninot from each category will be spared/preserved, to be kept in the Museo de Fallas). The burning process, called La Crema finalises the entire celebration, symbolising the end of winter and a start to a new beginning.

Ninot construction almost done at L'Antigua. 

ishdatyou, lolo? :)

the Falleras, young women and children from the community they represent, were like the 'muses' of the Ninots.
I think we've solved the Princess Leia mystery.

Paella country. 

We were walking around in this area, only to find out that we've chanced upon the Annual MTV Winter Festival. Miss Iggy's baby sister Mari (yes, that small child she's carrying has a name) almost jumped for joy (see picture) upon hearing the artist lineup: Sum 41, My Chemical Romance, Orbital, Groove Armada. Yay, we super love Valencia na. :)

Feeling a bit of Fallas--er mascleta burn out, Miss Iggy thought a little sun at the beach wouldn't hurt.
Especially if it's the Mediterranean.