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Here are photos of the Sto. Nino fiesta as celebrated in Balubaran, Malinta, Valenzuela. The Feast of the Sto.Nino (child Jesus) is held every 3rd Sunday and is celebrated in different parts of the country, the more popular celebrations are at
- Tondo in Manila
- Cebu (Sinulog)
- Kalibo, Aklan with their Ati-atihan dance which is also performed and mimicked throughout the country.

Excel V. Dyquiangco

Come May, the Santacruzan is too familiar a sight to behold – debonair gentlemen and elegant ladies strutting their wares on the streets, robes of seemingly expensive garments worn by sexy ladies with a crown attached to their heads and suave princes holding a rainbow of arcs over their heads, and a mere soulful music invading homes as they pass by.

But beneath the array of colorful designs and matched-up beauties lie a bit of an old tale that is far too different from the Santacruzan one watches today. More than the pageantry, this event cast a religious secret.

More on the Santacruzan Philippine Festival

by Valerie Tort

A gruesome Good Friday made me realize how important life was and how people do unusual acts just to prove they were worthy of God’s grace. Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga was our destination towards an enlightenment of our hearts and a purification of our minds last Lenten season. I’m ready to face what I am about to see, but still a bit nervous on how frightening and horrific it would be — a real-life cricifixion.

Victor showed no fear while he was smoking a cigarette, and waiting in line for his turn on the cross. He just happily chatted with some of the townsmen in his Kapampangan dialect. When asked by Pilipinas.ph regarding what he felt before being crucified, he said that he felt an ordinary day will just pass.

More on Good Friday Crucifixions in the Philippines

A Pilipinas.ph staff was present during the recent Panagbenga Baguio Flower Festival in the City of Pines. And what’s a trip to Baguio City without a visit to the famous La Trinidad Strawberry Farm, which, incidentally will celebrate the 6th Strawberry Festival this month of March.

La Trinidad is a must see destination in Benguet, about 15 -20 minutes jeepney or taxi drive from the city proper. This destination hosts the yearly Strawberry Festival where the world record breaking “Biggest Strawberry Shortcake” can be found.

More La Trinidad Strawberry Farm Benguet photos

Baguio city is one of the most popular vacation spots in the middle of the summer heat.

And apparently, Baguio city just got better with the presence of two hot rides showcasing the powerful American muscle.

Yep, it was American muscle all around in Baguio city as a vintage Chevrolet Impala showed her sweet behind, bringing along a classic Black Buick.

And if you dig vintage rides, it doesn’t get any better than that.

More Vintage Cars in Baguio City

By Valerie Tort

Buddha beads , birthstones, and bracelets— typical accents used by people who believe in luck more than what a man’s free will can do. Charms and Crystals by Joy Lim brought the awareness to Filipinos that charms are for everyone and not just for the superstitious Chinese and the Chinese New Year tradition.

The innate power of these crystals is hardly recognized because most of us consider it an ordinary object incapable of doing anything. From Downtown Manila to Ayala Malls, semi-precious beads and ready-made accessories flood every corner. Joy Lim jumped in the phenomena of semi-precious beads and crystals and established Charms and Crystals.

Read more about the Feng Shui Chinese Charms

One of the most celebrated religious icons in the Philippines is the Sto. Nino, or the image of the baby Jesus. And the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City dedicated to the image is undoubtedly one of the most famous Philippine festivals flocked by local and foreign tourists.

The main festival is held every year on the third Sunday of January, the child Jesus used to be the patron saint of the whole province of Cebu (since in the Catholic faith Jesus is not a saint, but God). The highlight is the street dance ritual, which remembers the Filipino people’s pagan past and their acceptance of Christianity.

Continue reading The Sto. Nino Sinulog Festival of Cebu City