We headed to Iloilo for the Dinagyang after an initial disappointment that we couldn’t head to this year’s Sinulog. But it turned out to be everything but a compromise because of how FANTASTIC the experience was. It also proved to be a GREAT start to the year, paving the way for several more trips, including seeing three other big festivals out of town.

The road to and from Banaue was three hours shy of 24 hours, that’s why it’s one of those trips you only take once in your life. But on a more positive note, Banaue’s authentic provincial feel and laidback charm all beguile the senses, making it one of the must-see destinations in the country.

One of the most remarkable experiences I have had in the eight days I was in Malaysia was waking up for the sunrise while in one of its most beautiful beaches, Redang Island. This made me realize I was living a lackluster life before that. It was a renewal of passion I didn’t know I needed. It wasn’t bad either that I had seen a smaller Malaysian version of Brazil’s Carnival, the ultimate festival in my books.

It was my first time to set foot in Mindanao, and it left quite an impression on me. Davao City made my encounter with humongous crabs possible, and it was also Davao which gave me my shortest 2 hours and longest five minutes. It also decided it would not allow me to simply stay there overnight, thus a flight delayed for 24 hours.

There–finally–the Boracay mystery dispelled. But it was far from ideal, because I was sent there for work and I felt pressured and stressed half the time. I was half loathing it in fact, because it struck me as too noisy and too crowded (and it was July!). The beach looked far from ideal, if my numbered souvenir photos are any indication. I resolved never to return to this over-hyped place again, but now that I come to think about it, I haven’t seen its famed sunset yet (yes, major FAIL), so maybe I’ll be back quicker than I thought.

Doing the traditional Visita Iglesia during Holy Week had never struck me as a great opportunity for taking photos, but this year it had been exactly that. I had had a very light feeling about shooting from the very beginning, so maybe that was the trick that did it.

Finally seeing the Masskara was one of those you strike off your Bucket List, only that it wasn’t included in mine to begin with. But I had a great time, even after missing our flight and spending an arm and a leg for the next available one to bring us to our destination. And it didn’t hurt either that unexpected things like this happen.

Coming to think about it, I don’t know which between MassKara and Bacolod City is the better travel destination. Bacolod, the home of the MassKara Festival, is brimming with artistic pieces from its buildings to its museums to the perfect taste of its ube piaya.

Saying goodbye to loved ones is never easy, but then these events have their way of sending us lessons like nothing else can.

The streets are brimming with life–movement, light, and people all coming together for that unique moment we truly live for. And 2011 has been like this too–waiting for those moments and living–and LOVING–every minute of them.