The Alluring Province of Antique

I always imagine Antique as a place of pristine beauty. I've been there only twice and I never get to explore the province until I got invited to a media familiarization tour last Tuesday, thanks to Katahum Tours operator, Flord Nicson J. Calawag.

It was supposed to be a 5-day tour of Antique but since I had a Humanities 1 fieldtrip in Negros last weekend and a class on Monday, I was forced to travel only on Tuesday with a colleague, Prof. Marie Joy Rosal.

We were able to catch up with the group in Mararison (Malalison ) Island and the rest was history.

Antique is now one of my favorite travel destinations. It must be the rivers, the calm, mystical head spring and the crystal clear waters of Bugang river, the tall trees, the cavernous Maanghit cave, the sunset at Pucio Point, fresh seafoods and  more.

Rafting at the Malumpati Health Spring, Pandan Antique. The resort is clean with cottages. I took a short dip here before doing the river rafting and the experience was all worth it!

The fabled Bugang river head spring. It is said that its depth hasn't been fathomed, yet.

The Bluish head spring of the Bugang river. No photoshop tricks here!

Klelia, an Italian blogger, takes a bite of the sweet star apple.

Hanging Bridge, heading back to the Malumpati Health Spring.

Klelia thought the bridge was a temple. :D

Bamboo rafting along the Bugang river. Look at the water. It's so, freakin' clear!

The mouth of Maanghit cave, Libertad Antique. View from the inside.

Sunset at Pucio Point, Libertad, Antique. And that sexy silhouette belongs to Flord Nicson J. Calawag. :)

Nanay Ason

This is Nanay Ason. She is more than 80 years old and she is losing her sense of hearing. Despite her age and disability, she continues selling vegetable at the Iloilo City Central market everyday. She has been selling vegetables all her life and she has nowhere else to go. She has no family. She lives with a good Samaritan who is kind enough to give her a place to stay during cold nights. In the market, her fellow vendors help her with her wares and even in dealing with her customers.

Iloilo Fire Volunteers

On the eve of Dinagyang 2014, a huge fire broke out along Iznart street, Iloilo city, claiming several commercial establishments. These brave fire fighters fought the heat and quenched the deadly fire but not until the next day.

Iloilo Fire Volunteers, a set on Flickr.

Dinagyang Nightscape 2014

Barbecue during the Dinagyang festival. The streets of downtown Iloilo were filled with the sweet aroma of chicken and pork roasted on smoking hot charcoal fire.
Nightscape 2014, a set on Flickr.

My Afghan Girl

This is not the crispiest, technically-perfect photo i took that Dinagyang night. But I consider this shot my own 'Afghan girl' photo. This little girl reminded me of my very own daughter and her eyes told me everything. She was sad, confused, tired and hungry.

Amidst that bachanalian festivity, this little girl, around 7 years old, roamed the streets of Iloilo city together with her older brother selling peanuts and chicharon to Dinagyang Revelers surely just to help feed her impoverished family.

I don't know where her parents were and no, I am not going to blame them for sending her into that crowded street. Perhaps, they were busy, too, peddling wares for this opportunity rarely happened -- a time when they can earn more than they usually had and sleep tired but with their bellies a little bit full.