my FIRST live football experience

been a sports fanatic since young... i used to watch PBA (samboy lim/caidic era)

BUT eversince that 2002 World Cup, i started to appreciate the game of football. it amazes me the footwork, the length of play, the size of the pitch, the coach, the rules and most of all, the way players & fans celebrate a goal.

i am cheering for Brazil for the national (of course, next to Philippines & Spain hehehe)... Real Madrid (La Liga), Chelsea (EPL), Global (UFL). my cousins also love the game, we watch almost every match specially when Real Madrid plays

one of the games we watched that broke our hearts :(

oddly, Philippines is a basketball-crazy nation. Very seldom would Philippine TV features football matches until recently with the cinderella story of our very own Philippine National Football Team better known as the AZKALS. I really imagine myself inside the stadium.

when i learnt about Azkals' upcoming friendly match versus Singapore Lions and will be held in Cebu, i eagerly searched for available tickets. AND i got some!!!

woooot wooooot!!! i'm on top of my lungs... never would i miss this! cheering for my very own PILIPINAS in flesh, not on tv... bring it on!!! i kept myself posted on everything via twitter, azkaleros announced that Philippine team shall be in their blue kit thus, advised the fans to wear blue. i don't have blue-azkal-shirt, i wore my chelsea jersey instead...

November 15... excited to knock-off from work, i constantly kept in-touch with my cousins sol, jenn, irish and my brother loren. All roads leading to Abellana (Cebu City Sports Complex) was in chaos. we even took-off from the cab way far from the entrance and decided to just walk. i saw people walking towards the gate in face paints, wigs, vuvuzelas etc. i really regret i wasn't able to have my face painted.

the fans were UNBELIEVABLY crazy!!! even before kick-off, everyone was so in high energy and started their cheer... OLE OLE OLE

the pitch was (is and hopefully will still be) B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L... at first glance, it looked like it's an artificial turf!!! the complex is packed and i believed many were not able to get tickets, it's been sold out days before the match.

kick-off... this is it!!! 

the game began. everyone started to scream & cheer. the match was so breathtaking specially during the first few minutes where Singapore held more possessions than the azkals. Although the Philippines had chances... still the Lions dominate the first half until one of the Azkals was caught tackling a Lion player inside the box and the referee awarded a penalty kick! everyone was so anxious and probably praying that it'll be either: GK saves it or striker misses it.

the penalty that was saved!!! BIG save!!! the rebound was even saved AGAIN! whoah super ed!!!

AND everyone's prayer had been heard... SAVED!!! SAVED!!! watta save by Philippine goalkeeper Ed Sacapano!!!! everyone (including the bench players & staff) are screaming, jumping, dancing in celebration as if Philippines got a goal. we're celebrating for Singapore's miss! whoah

end of first half... we took the chance of taking pictures!

my bro Loren, me, sol & irish
Nader was also with us holding the camera
Jen & Noel were on the other side (yellow seats)

second half underway... people started to scream as the guy in No.7 jersey entered the pitch. yessss, JAMES YOUNGHUSBAND is coming in!!! and few moments later, the scream even became louder as the jersey No.10 guy entered... yeehhooo PHIL YOUNGHUSBAND it is!!!!

the whistle went off... the fans went wilder, crazier and louder at every single position of the Philippines. this time, the Philippine team held more possessions with the ball. in a matter of 10 minutes, the ball hits the back of the net... GOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL!!! for the Philippines! the crowd went wild dancing and singing.

looya sa akong paypay hahaha

the Lions became more aggressive, threatening and obviously wanted to get that goal deficit back. the Azkal defenders did their job very well in denying the Lions' attempts to bring the ball near the goal. BUT amazingly, hats-off to Philippines' goalkeeper -ED SACAPANO- for consistently saving the ball from hitting the back of the net not just once, not twice BUT countless times!!!

that's super ED!!! man of the match... hailed by everyone

I was about to faint in heart attack when a Lion striker made a goal... oh noh! thankfully the goal was disallowed by the referee due to a foul. still its 1-0 for Philippines yehey! during added time, Philippines (Araneta) made it again... GOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!! the crowd were clapping, dancing, jumping in celebration but only to find out that the officials ruled it offside... sayang! 

And the final whistle went off... YES!!! it's final, we won! FT:1-0

----fireworks----fireworks----fireworks----

the crowd didn't vacate the complex right away... waiting for the players' ceremonial walk. we can't be satisfied by just looking at them from the bench, so we found ourselves out and went to the pitch!!! we were like kids running and dancing along with other fans! 

re-united with jenn & noel after the game!
AND we went crazy... running & jumping hahaha

what a festive-happy night!!! football is so alive in the Philippines, particularly in Cebu! GO Azkals!!!

the VIGAN experience!!!

my ultimate wish: to own a horse and to travel

i don't know if the first one is still achievable but still hoping... AND

...slowly fulfilling the latter. Although this is long due, still i wanna share it with you; my VIGAN experience! 

--->brief background: Vigan City is the capital of Ilocos Sur, Philippines located 335km north of Manila. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Old Spanish architectural remnants can widely be seen throughout the entire city. Once you are in this city, you would probably forget that you're still in Philippine soil, instead somewhere in Europe.

Initially, it was only me, tayang & ogis were going but on the last minute, oskie (tayang's ex-bf) joined us. 'twas hell fun  suroy-suroy.

taking there via air was a bad choice (i think)
... it could've been more fun if we travel by land
...taking plane is such a time consuming - going to airport 2hrs before the flight
 only to learn that our flight is delayed aaaarrrrrrgh  

nevertheless, 3hr bus ride from Laoag City to Vigan was also fun

---->arrived Vigan City little past 5pm, rushing ourselves to settle in the hotel room so we can catch up sunset walk along the well preserved Calles (streets)... VIGAN has so much Spanish influence architecturally. they preserved all these spanish-inspired buildings which were built centuries ago wew!

AND we wanted to experience that old era thing, so we took kalesa
in wandering around (as recommended)

--->we were a bit unlucky, it's been raining almost our entire 2nd day stay...

visited VIGAN city hall

Plaza Salcedo: take one!

Ilocos Sur Provincial Capitol

Baluarte ZOO owned by Gov Chavit

where animals can freely roam around in this huge area
except for tigers, snakes etc of course haha

***NEXT STOP***

the Hidden Garden

was amazingly beautiful. Looking from outside, it was just an ordinary residence

but once inside, it's incredibly awesome!

 ---->we had our dinner across Plaza Burgos where (that particular weekend) they had their street food party... in Cebu it was similar to Larsian but in an open park. our bad, we forgot to bring camera aaaargh! we also dropped by at an open bar (i don't know what its name) where there was live band and we had our brief drink of the local liquor, Basi. 


--->third day was the shopping day! entire Calle Crisologo is the shopping district. the street is restricted from cars, trucks etc... except for kalesa to preserve the cobblestones on it!!! woohooo lumang-luma ang peg!

this entire street is full of boutiques selling different things
for 'pasalubong' or souvenir like antique items,
woven bags & wallets, bling-bling, shirts etc

also note that this entire Calle Crisologo is made of cobblestones
and restricted from cars

enjoying our walk in a rainy day along Calle Crisologo

..... more

Archbishop's Palace

St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral

at PLAZA BURGOS

....lingaw kau mi. Generally, everything in VIGAN was wonderful... the food, the stay, the place itself and most specially the people. Personally, i think the best treasure Vigan could be very proud of... is the genuine kindness of the locals. DIOS TI AGNGINA, VIGAN!!!   'til next time :-)

♥♥♥ thank you ♥♥♥

admittedly, i'm not a good blogger. i write blogs for my own record/story to read in the future (say 10 or 20 years from now) or for me to share  to my future kids... at the same time, i can follow some best bloggers that would somehow inspire me.

as i explore the settings and features, i found out that you can actually check your view statistics; i am truly humbled and overwhelmed to learn that my posts have actually been viewed worldwide..... 

charrrrroot haha

from the bottom of my heart, i say "THANK YOU" ...to all who spend time in reading and those who just run through my blogs. I know no one from Russia but surprisingly, my 2nd most readers/viewers are from Russia. This is so WOW!!! Thank You ♥

also, to everyone from USA, UK, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore, Canada and of course Philippines... SALAMAT!!!

I will try my best to post more in the coming days... including those of my previous trips :-)

Again, THANK YOU!!!     I ♥ LOVE ♥ YOU

Pit Señor, Cebu! Pit Señor, world!!!

Cebu has probably the longest Christmas Season in the world. It doesn't end on New Year neither on 3 Kings' Day. yes, you guess it right! SINULOG it is!!!!... SINULOG came first into my mind when DOT (Dept. of Tourism) released their recent slogan:  "it's more fun in the Philippines,"

AND the kid in me is back. i'm super excited na naman. Never had i missed to join sinulog (except 2009 for our company outing in Bohol and 2010 in Corrigedor)... excited for the activities i used to join: daily novena mass, mañanita, bonggang fireworks, colorful floats and of course the grand mardegras parade. If not all, most of the major streets in Cebu City is full of banderitas, the super alive street market in Colon St. and Osmeña Blvd, street parties (all streets literally in party mode)... don't ever forget the street food yay!

mañanita mass (Sunday - 4am)

street foods (right-left-down): banana Q - tempura, taho, BBQ -sweet corn

street market since December

fireworks

"banderitas" are all over city streets

...AND here we go!!! getting ready for the neverending walk, Grand Parade baby!

colorful floats, unfortunately we're at a not so good "pwesto" to take photos
tsk tsk tsk sayang

temporary tattoo: henna tattoo :-)

our faces from a mini stampede... naipit but "keri" lang :-)

what got me more excited this year... the fluvial parade!!!! yes!!! i'm so happy. it's my first time... parade will start 7am but as early as 4am, i was up and ready (obviously dili kaayo ko excited noh haha). Thanks to the Villa Family who invited us to join and offer free tickets to get on-board vessel Mv Euro Tres...

bisan duka; keri lang ghapon (kusog pa jud ulan)

my first time to attend mass on-board (sa dagat)

the dancers
the entire mactan channel is very festive

andah!!!

my Sto.Niño is very happy!
His 1st time to go out from the house - nakalaag na jud sya yehey

party on-board

the Reggae Band made the activity more alegre... in  fairness, they play almost all my fav: party rock!!!

i'm such a happy kid hehe

party party

these photos remind me of the movie TROY

thank you... salamat... xièxiè!!! GOD bless! ayyy before i miss mentioning... they provide us unlimited food as in super salamat :-)

It's definitely more fun in the Philippines! more fun in Cebu!!! Pit Señor!
.... next year ulit :-)