I’m currently home for a short vacation and it’s amazing how much we did the past few days. That goes to say how much we were going around. From Laguna to Davao (it’s good to be back after my 2003-2004 visits) to Surigao to Butuan to Manila-Laguna. We attended a wedding of a very good friend held in South of the Philippines and it follows that we did a little sidetrip to nearby places. All in all it was a mixture of urban and rural experiences. That made me realize how important it is to be genuinely flexible. We had a lot of fun, especially that we had new discoveries about the hidden beauty of the Philippines… our country is full of surprises.
While I’m still sorting photos, I’m afraid that I won’t have enough time to blog (soon) once I’m back to Abu Dhabi. Hence, here’s a peek to the fun-filled past days that zoomed like a blast:
We stayed in one of the stilt houses in Pearl Farm Resort. It was very nurturing to wake up (in each glance, in fact) with an environment like this.
We also got a chance to cross over to the few minutes away (by boat) Malipano Island, which is under the same management of Pearl Farm Resort. It is more private than Samal Island. More details on a separate post. One of my best experiences there was my endeavour (naks!) to climb a coconut tree!
It was Kadayawan fest during our visit. However, we left for Surigao before the big parade.
The wedding was held in Hinatuan, a town in Surigao del Sur. It was an interesting coincidence that the town’s fiesta was a day before the wedding. Hence, all the more that the arena became so festive and jovial.
The majorettes, the bands, perya, all the colorful bits and pieces of a fiesta — we came in just in time. And of course, taking photos became more fun since I was with fellow enthusiasts. It so happened that some of the guests are professional photographers since the groom is one of the most respected photography mentors in the Philippines.
It was also a rare opportunity to have spent time with the ambassadress to the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi since she was one of the ninangs. We have always known her to be very humble, but she has proven that she really has no arte as we got to know her more when she joined us for the pre-wedding outing dedicated for guests (yes, there’s such a thing; didn’t mind if we got more tan). She chatted with little J (one of the flower girls) and had known her as the brave girl who volunteered to zipline ahead of all the adults.
And I’m delighted to share the wonderful discovery of the cleanest river I’ve experienced so far, Hinatuan’s Enchanted River.
On the other hand, the entire next week is a holiday in the UAE due to Eid celebrations. That’s a happy news for everyone as well as the other countries observing the Eid, including the Philippines.
I hope you’re all having fun wherever you are. 🙂
0 thoughts on “A wedding and a lot of fun”
onyxx
wow. great pictures. Hinatuan Enchanted River looks awesome. i wish i could go there 🙂
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witsandnuts
The river is not too commercialized yet. In its most pure look.
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kayni
i would love to see that Enchanted River. i’ve been missing Philippines lately. my mom went home for two months. di kasi ako puwede sumakay ng eroplano for now due to health risks.
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witsandnuts
You would like the river as well. I hope you will feel better in time and visit Philippines again.
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Dyanie
Ohmigosh Jo! Almost the same tayo ng mga pictures! That is because we stayed in Pearl Farm too haha! Sayang di tayo nagkita pero nagtext naman ako sayo dba? 🙂
Meron din akong shot na ganyan – ang pagakyat sa puno haha! Post the speedboat pics dahil alam ko meron ka din nun kasi meron ako nun haha! 😀
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witsandnuts
I replied to your SMS. Sayang nga hindi na namin na extend stay namin.
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Lauren
That planking photo op is funny 🙂
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witsandnuts
He also posed like that on top of a jeepney. Heehee.
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lawstude
i am sure you had a great time back home. great preview of things to come in your blog. 🙂
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upto6only
saya naman. hehehe i like your pic with the coconut trees. 🙂 and the Hinatuan River grabe ang ganda ang linaw ng tubig.
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Grace
sayang di kayo nagkita ni dyanie! 🙂
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Mumsified
I am from Surigao del Sur =)
Unfortunately, I have never been to Enchanted River. I think it just gained popularity this year. I see a lot of my people from my town have just been on an excursion there (seen thru their fb pics). It’s enchanting indeed.
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Daphne
IT is always a pleasant experience to discover new attractions in our beloved country. Glad to read that you had a fun albeit hectic week for some R & R!
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kritikong kiko
kaya pala ang tagal mong nawala nag bakasyon ka pala ms jo, nice post and welcome back
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Yellow Bells
Ms. Jho what an adventure, kamiss na naman ang pinas. naku mukang mapapadive ako sa riven sobrang linaw ng water. keep it coming, Philippines is such a beauty.
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docgelo
beautiful pearl farm! lucky you! 🙂
cleanest river? wow, it must have been enchanted! haha!
happy eid holiday to you! it’s called hari raya here in penang. we’re on a break from aug 27th to sept 4th..smells like a great vacation!
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Event Lover
grabe ang ganda ng Hinatuan River .. sana ma-experience ko din ang linaw ng tubig dyan 🙂
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Photo Cache
ay umuwi ka pala kaya awol ka dito sa blogosphere.
kakainggit kalaga ang bakasyon sa pi.
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sheng
Sayang di na kayo nagpang abot ni Dyanie. Next time, mag side trip sa Gensan!
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Gremlin
Ang ganda ng Pilipinas na sa blogs ko mas nababasa ang mga personal experiences ( kinda I developed a notion to give provision to my expectations over commercially advertised places). Sana malibot din namin 🙂
Enjoy your vacation Wits. Happy Eid 🙂
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dong ho
kakatuwa yung planking pose. sa isang resort ko din gusto ang wedding namin
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reena
ang ganda! i underestimated butuan.
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Kero
oooh the sight of a pig and pig pen..i miss home.
and the enchanted river looks so inviting!
enjoy your vacation, Wits.
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eds
wow! kakatuwa naman. umuwi pala kayo ng pinas. i love the pics especially yong nasa puno ka ng niyog. hehehe
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mordsith
hi wits! i missed reading your posts. you went home pala (or are you still here?).
I’d like to see that “enchanted” river. 🙂
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bw
beautiful photos. I like the 2nd one. It’s so pretty 🙂
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PM
i hope you enjoy your vacation jo 🙂 i hope i can see you sometime.
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lagalog
It seems you had a blast going around the country 😀 Enjoy your vacation 🙂
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jeanny
Great Photos Wits.
I love attending weddings too lalo na pag sa relatives kasi nagiging instant reunioun cya for us.
enjoy your vacation Wits.
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Gracey
Beautiful photos! Awww now I miss Davao even more! Glad to know you’re having a blast though! 🙂
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