Loboc, Bohol to Alona Beach, Panglao  The Philippines 

I stayed until checkout in my nice room- the fan worked well enough to keep me cool for a good sleep and for relaxing.  It took me about 2.5 hours to get to my hotel but I couldn’t check in until 2 pm-

Along the way-

Santa Monica Church in Bohol was started in 1885 but not completed until the 1930s.  

Another church along the way called the Baclyon Church and bell tower was completed in 1727 but partially destroyed by an earthquake in 2013.  It was founded in 1596 and is the oldest church in the Philippines.  Unfortunately both were closed-

Crossing the Loboc where it enters into the sea-

Riding along I saw a white tourist van stopped but facing me in my lane.  There had been an accident.  There was a smashed scooter on the side of the road and a pair of glasses in the middle of the road.  It made me shudder but I didn’t see anyone injured.  

My hotel is in a good spot, away from the main drag so it’s very quiet.  I parked my bike and walked to Jollibee.  I asked for the burger with cooked pickles but the cashier said they didn’t use pickles.  Hmmm.  I ordered the biggest burger they offer and it had the same taste.  The pickles fell out and turned into a ring of pineapple!  I’m going to try that at home!  

I walked a block to the beach-

and wished I had my swim suit as it was smoking hot.  I had a couple beer in a beach side bar and visited with a couple dive instructors from Scotland and Ireland as well with a holidaying couple from Sweden.  There are over 100 dive shops at this small beach!  

I returned to my room-

and am enjoying the AC!  Finally!

I went out to see what I might find for supper and had a bowl of lomi soup.  It’s got a spaghetti base and the broth is thicker than normal.  Unfortunately I asked for it to be spicy so that deterred from the flavour but it was one of the better things I’ve had.  They added a couple of small dumplings-

Tomorrow will be a beach day, then after 30 minutes when I get too hot I might go for a ride on my scooter.  Only one more night in the Philippines!

 Cebu City - Sinulog, The Philippines 

As usual, I was awake very early and out walking by 7:30.  Before I left the hotel, I had them print my ferry ticket and while waiting a man came to check in.  He had an Irish accent and I always ask the Irish if they’re from Galway because the Kennedys are from neighbouring Taum.  He said yes he lived close to there so I said Taum?  He stared at me and said yes.  I told him my family was from there and my name was Kennedy. He kept  staring at me and said he was a Kennedy too.  He said of course we would be related but we might have to go a long way back.  I may be imagining it but his eyes remind me of my cousin John-

It was a beautiful day and Main Street, about half a block from my hotel, was already crowded.  A policeman said people were preparing for the parade which started at 9.  So I sat down and watched the crowds continue to grow-

Then, about 50 Harleys roared by-

followed by a few BMWs, then about 50 Vespas-

Each brand has a club in Cebu City and Thursday I hope to buy a t-shirt at the HD store in Manila during my 7 hour layover.

There was A LOT of security, all for crowd control-

Time passed and no parade.  Neither woman beside me could speak English but eventually I found out it didn’t start until 10!  That was a long wait but once it started, it was great.  Three groups danced right in front of me and their costumes were beautiful but sooo hot-

Each dancing group has its own musicians and all groups play the same song-

There were also floats--

Each dancing group has a “Queen” hugging baby Jesus-

It’s a strange parade because the dancing groups are required to dance in front of the judges and so while they are doing that nothing moves and it isn’t like they are set up in a way that they all dance at the same time then move on.  It was very slow and sort of painful sitting on the curb waiting and waiting.  Then, the group that was waiting to move on in front of us just sat down-

Apparently they stop for an hour to eat and rest in the hot sun!  I took pictures of a couple performers who were milling about-

As hot as it was, I only saw one girl being carried away by a medic.

I was interviewed by a tv station but have no idea if I made the news or not.

I don’t think anymore people could have fit on the street-

Finally, I decided to leave because I still had a ticket for the stadium to watch the “formal” parade and really how much parading can a person handle in a day?

I had some horrible fresh rolls-

Then went to the hotel to cool off.  The 1075 Dormitel could not have been in a better location.  It was expensive but definitely worth it-

My room was kind of weird as it had 4 bunkbeds but it was very clean, had hot water in the shower and the AC was excellent.  The only problem was I could hear every word my neighbours said-

It was a scorching hot day but luckily there was a nice breeze and light cloud cover.  Not sure which is worse-

I decided to go to the stadium at 2 pm.  The crowds continued-

Right at the stadium corner the sidewalk was blocked off.  The policeman told me I had to go back from where I’d come but after pleading, he let me through.  Apparently I needed a wristband to get in but I just kept showing my ticket and everyone just let me through.  

The first thing you see when entering the stadium is a beautiful pool-

Once inside, I found a place to sit on the steps.  Of course everywhere was packed but I was glad I paid extra to be in the green section because I was right in front of the stage but a little high up.  This event had started at 8 am and would supposedly finish at 8 pm.

There are 49 groups or schools that perform.  Each has its own band that pounds out the same tune-

The groups prepare on the left side of the stage then when the green flag goes up, they run on to the stage to set up-

Some were so amazing.  They carry placards that they flip around to reveal different colours and images.  Each dance ends with the entrance of Santo Niño - Jesus-

After each performance the stage is swept because lots of schools use confetti-

There are also floats that go by but they were all kind of shitty-

Except one entering when I was leaving-

This school’s theme was using technology to enhance one’s faith.  They entered the stage-

Another school used the vices of people as their theme-

Coco Martin-

a famous Filipino singer (in orange)  performed and everyone went nuts.  I found it interesting thinking about our social constructs.  He meant nothing to me because I don’t live here or know who he is.  I wondered about how much attention people pay to celebrities and in the big picture, why do we care?  Seeing Coco was not a thrill for me yet thousands screamed.  An Instagram influencer and a YouTuber brought the same adoration in the morning parade.  People worship funny gods.

Not only were there big dance groups but there was another category for single statues. This one had to be yelled at to leave the stage.  I guess she was enjoying her time in the limelight-

As it got dark, the groups used neon to light up their placards but pictures do not do the displays justice.  It was truly a wonderful event and I’m glad I went even though it was a very long day.  I left before it was over.  I can’t imagine the time it would have taken to get out of there once it was finished.  Weirdly, I walked out amongst the waiting performers and floats.

I wanted a beer so tried to find the same 7-11 I visited last night.  People were everywhere-

and streets were blocked off in such a way so people could only walk one direction.  That really helped move us along.  Unfortunately there was an alcohol ban on until 10 pm so I walked back to the hotel amongst the garbage-

You couldn’t blame the people because any garbage can was full to overflowing.

I catch the 7 am ferry to Bohol tomorrow.