dodong flores Turns Digital

From Tuguegarao to Duenas: The Duenas Visit 2007 (Day 1)

Oct 4, '07 5:28 AM
for everyone

(second of six parts)

Duenas Tour and the Sidetrip to Passi City

It was Friday in the morning, September 28. We made a short round by the town proper after which we proceed to Passi City located just a few kilometers from Duenas. I was very happy I got my network signal with Sun Cellular upon exiting the municipality. To my dismay, I can't contact my girlfriend. She too must have lost her signal in Kidapawan.

We passed by Jose Mari Chan's asucarera before we reached the city proper. While I only knew Jose Mari Chan as a popular singer and composer who originated from Iloilo, I didn't know he's got a lot of properties in the province. The second asucarera we passed was just recently bought by Gokongwei, the owner of Robinson's Land, Robinson's malls, my airline of choice, my preferred cellular carrier, and many more.

The convenience of roaming around in a luxurious car is overwhelming. I had been driving a lot of VIPs for years but it was my first time being treated as VIP. I just realized it feels good to be VIP. Together with me inside the car is Nong Junne who drove for us, Kuya Bebot seated at the back and his two lovely grand kids, Denden and Abby.

In Passi, Kuya Bebot visited a few relatives to invite them to come to Duenas for the fiesta. During introduction, Kuya Bebot introduced me to his relatives and friends as his friend who is a photography expert. I was flattered, of course, but didn't show any sign of it.

From Passi, we proceed to Iloilo City. We went to Viosils Arcade in Molo for an important personal business to finish. From there, we proceed to Tatoy's Manukan in Villa.

Tatoy's Manukan

Sony Ericsson K750i / F-stop: f/2.8 / ISO Setting: 100 / flash: off / mount: handheld

The last time I was here was during a Paraw Regatta event in 2002 and since I didn't have money at that time, I roamed around the place with empty stomach. The first time I visited here was in 2001 during a Bikini Open competition. It was also the first time that I had tasted their seafoods and the lechon native manok. All the foods at Tatoy's were simply excellent.

Abby and Denden on camera in the photo below. These two lovely kids were a total relief for the travel experience. They behave very well but even if they would become makulit, it wouldn't bother me and I still would prefer to be having them around (And who wouldn't like them? They are pure Ilonggo children and are typically malambing). I started to like children since I wished I could have mine. I always value any moment where I can have the opportunity of being around with children. If my girlfriend was with me, I know she'll feel the same.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 200 / focal length: 55mm /flash: fired / mount: handheld

Kuya Bebot posed with grandkids for a souvenir photo.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/8 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 200 / focal length: 47mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

The photo below shows the cottages at Tatoy's Manukan. A few years back, I and a few companions (i.e. Jun Pios, Roselle, and Desiree) would eat here enjoying the breeze from the sea. But this time, we chose the air-conditioned place. I was the first "VIP" to arrive the place. Close second was a real VIP, a Manila-based high-ranking government official. Iloilo at that time is declared under the state of calamity due to typhoon Hanna. That was probably the reason a top government official was in the province.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec / F-stop: f/5.0 / ISO Setting: 200 / focal length: 18mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/6 sec / F-stop: f/4.5 / ISO Setting: 200 / focal length: 34mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

Talaba, lechon native manok, sinugbang blue marlin, sinabaw na tangigue, squid, and atsara. That was our order. Talaba was my own choice.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/6 sec / F-stop: f/3.5 / ISO Setting: 200 / focal length: 18mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

After Tatoy's, we dropped by SM City Iloilo to buy something. When it was getting late, we headed back to Duenas. We needed to prepare for the Balikbayan Night.

The Balikbayan Night

The Balikbayan Night was spearheaded by Duenas Worldwide Association, Inc. (DWAI),
an association of Duenasanon (that's how people from Duenas call themselves) composed of members from both local and across the globe. It is important to note that while Duenas can be mistaken to be a sleepy town, it produces a lot of sons and daughters who for the past few decades are working from across the miles especially in the USA. And these loyal sons and daughters of Duenas would visit their mother homeland during fiesta and gather together as one big family. Not only that, these balikbayans shared away their fortunes and blessings in life by sponsoring poor but deserving students by granting scholarships through the association. Students who enjoy such privileges are called DWAI scholars. DWAI had also established a library situated at the second floor of the municipal social hall. While I had personally observed that Duenas residents originally just rooted out from more or less four big families that composed Duenas, I can see they maintain that close family ties with each other regardless of the time span they're away from each other.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/15 sec / F-stop: f/5.0 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 37mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/3.5 / ISO Setting: 800 / focal length: 18mm /flash: fired / mount: handheld

That's Kuya Bebot (in royal Moslem outfit) with all the invited family members in our balikbayan table during the Balikbayan Night.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/4.5 / ISO Setting: 800 / focal length: 31mm /flash: fired / mount: handheld

The photo below shows the Duenas Central Elementary School Children's Choir perform the Doxology.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/20 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

The Philippine National Anthem was being rendered by the Duenas Teacher's Choir.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/25 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

The theme of the event is Filipiniana and the presentations that followed were all cultural shows.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/25 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/40 sec / F-stop: f/5.0 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 33mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 52mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

For the Balikbayan presentation, Kuya Bebot, a Texas-based himself, waved around the Texas state flag while the Texas state song was played in the background.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/15 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

After the Texas state flag, the US flag was presented next while the song God Bless America is being played in the background. One of the attendees, the beautiful Ninpha Carumba-de la Cruz, another balikbayan who is later awarded the Star of the Night, can't help it but stand and made her round of applause (she's the woman standing second from the right - see photo below). The presentation is a mark of respect to all Filipino who are working abroad most especially those who are based in the USA.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/5.0 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 41mm /flash: fired / mount: handheld