happy.travis.snapped.shots

Yesterday, I left home with only P306 on my pocket. I went to Manila to watch and shoot photos of the Aliwan Festival. It was cool that i was able to managed all the money i have for the whole day.

I arrived at TM Kalaw, Luneta at around 8Am and as planned, I walked the stretch of Baywalk going to Cultural Center. While walking i was wondering why there were not much poeple in the area because i was expecting a parade. "Diba Aliwan? bat wala masyado tao?" And to my shock and unfortunately, I saw a big tarp and written there that the Aliwan Parade was to start in the afternoon in Quirino Grandstand. "Sana ma-karma yun nagpost sa Internet na 8AM daw magstastart sa Cultural"  So, to kill time, I decided to go to McDonalds Intramuros, ordered Mc Muffin Meal but only ate the free hash brown "Dahil may pande sal akong baon mamaya ko na kakainin ang Mc Muffin" Salamat sa coupon", and read the Newspaper. Yup you read it right. Newspaper. I even saw an ad of the Aliwan but there was no sched posted ( if there are no official announcements in the internet and newspapers, how people--like me, will suppose to know what RIGHT time should they come). Then, I toured Intramuros and Fort Santiago while eating my pan de sal. Didnt bother taking the Kalesa co'z i dont have much money to spend. Entrance Fee in Fort Santiago for students only costs 25 pesos even on Saturdays. Buti nalang my ID ako.  I thought of visiting National Museum but i remembered my promise to Lisette that we will visit the Museum together.

At lunch time, i took an Fx from MAnila Cathedral going back to TM Kalaw. Lucky that i saw a lady licking her spoon of McFlurry and asked her where's the nearest McDo. I have no other choice but McDo bec i have to take advantage of my free Upgrade coupons. I had my sausage egg mcmuffin, and upgraded fries and soda for lunch. Yung burger that go with my lunch meal tinago ko sa bag. Sakto pang-merienda. Haha, any means of budgeting all the money I have, I will. "sana yung starbucks may 50% discount coupons na pinamimigay"

Going to Quirino Grandstand, I saw the National Library but the place was close. I asked the guard how much is the library fee and it was only P50. Pero buti nlang sarado dahil mauubos ang pamasahe ko pauwi kung papasok pa ako. I saw Rizal's Monument. Saw another guard and he greated me good afternoon and asked if Im going to watch the Aliwan by myself. And i said yes. And he answered back, "Ma'am dapat isinama niyo yung boyfriend niyo para may kasama kayo". I just smiled back. Pero sa loob ko, manong kutusan kaya kita. Sa dami pwede sabihin.

Yehey Aliwan na. Quirino Grandstand area was SO SO SO COLORFUL.... I was a bit early for the event so i sat down under a tree next to family who were waiting for the event to start. Aside from the colorful participants getting ready for the competition the place was also flooded with a lot of photographers carrying SLR's. Grabeh todo japorms pa yung iba, with the Hat and vest, and meron pang nakascarf. I think i saw two or three who brought stairs. Some of them were running around with thir tripods and bags. OMG. another guy have two SLR. What the?! two SLR for one person, that's too much. Pwede akin nalang yung isa. Yung pangarap ko na 2 DSLR ngayon 3 na. <evil grin> haha. haha.

I saw this cool dog while i was waiting.

Speaking of Lisette, my shooting buddy,  I invited her to come with me but her kuya borrowed her point and shoot kaya she wasnt able to come.

And almost the rest of the aftertoon was amazing. I ran around taking photos with those who have their own SLRs. Even though mine was just point and shoot I DONT CARE. Im happy enough being able to come to Aliwan and witness the spectacular.  Waaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Around 4PM, it suddenly rained hard. Really hard. Typhoon hard like rain. Next thing I know, I was sharing my payong with a contestant. The other dancers were running too. The body painted Ati atihan Group were suddenly out of my site. May sexy na ati atihan guy dun.  Not so long, I was dripping wet with rain from mid thigh down, my sleeves and my back. My feet which by now is soring from walking got soaked with water. i should have taken a photo of the scenario but Im scared to pull my precious camera from my snapsack kasi baka mabasa.  But still the  place  was in festive mood.  The  drum band  rolled  some Ati atihan music. The best. It was still raining when i decided to finally go home. I felt a bit bad because i wasnt able to take pictures of other costumes and the Floats of each tribal groups which i saw along Roxas Blvd. Sayang. Ok lang din sana kahit hindi nako nakakuha ng pics basta hindi na lang umulan.

Next year uli. Pero sana umaga na.
Money left: P12 (pwedeng pang 1 sundae cone)