Fiesta De Los Toros 2011 Schedule of Activities

Nov. 30, 2011 (Wednesday)
        11:00 AM - Pinangat Festival (Plaza De Roxas)
        7:00 PM - Harana (Plaza De Roxas outdoor stage)

Dec. 01, 2011 (Thursday)

        7:00 AM - Mini Band Competition (Plaza De Roxas open grounds)

         Participating Schools

• Adelaido A. Bayot Memorial School
• Balaytigue Elementary School
• Bilaran Elementary School
• Bulihan Elementary School
• Calayo Elementary School
• Catandaan Elementary School
• Looc Elementary School
• Mataas na Pulo Elementary School
• Nasugbu Christian Faith Academy
• Nasugbu East Central School
• Nasugbu West Central School
• Natipuan Elementary School
• Nicolites Montessori School
• Pantalan Elementary School
• Papaya Elementary School

        7:00 PM - Sing-Galing Barangay Official (Plaza De Roxas)

Dec. 02, 2011 (Friday)
        7:00 AM - Bailar ala Toro (Street Dancing and 5-minute Dance presentation) (Plaza De Roxas open grounds)

         Participating Schools (Elementary)

• Balaytigue Elementary School
• Bucana Elementary School
• Bulihan Elementary School
• Bunducan Elementary School
• Cogonan Elementary School
• Nasugbu West Central School
• Papaya Elementary School
• Wawa Elementary School

         Participating Schools (Secondary)

• Batangas State University - ARASOF
• Dr. Crisogono B. Ermita Sr. National High School
• Dr. Francisco L. Calingasan Memorial Colleges Foundation, Inc.
• Nasugbu Institute

        2:00 PM - Band Exhibition and showdown  (Plaza De Roxas open grounds)
        6:00 PM - Concelebrated Mass (St. Francis Xavier Parish Church)
        7:00 PM - Nasugbu Got Talent (Season 2) (Plaza De Roxas outdoor stage)

Dec. 03, 2011 (Saturday)
        5:30 AM - 1st Mass (St. Francis Xavier Parish Church)
        6:15 AM - 2nd Mass (St. Francis Xavier Parish Church)
        7:30 AM - 3rd Mass (St. Francis Xavier Parish Church)
        7:30 AM - Grand Parade of Marching Bands (Poblacion, Nasugbu)
        9:00 AM - Concelebrated Mass (St. Francis Xavier Parish Church)
        11:30 AM - Mass Christening (St. Francis Xavier Parish Church)
        2:00 PM - Amateur Boxing Tournament (Plaza De Roxas basketball court)
        5:30 PM - Anticipated Mass (St. Francis Xavier Parish Church)
        8:00 PM - Fireworks Display (Plaza De Roxas)
        8:30 PM onwards - Live Band (Plaza De Roxas outdoor stage)

The Nasugbu Fiesta that was last year!

It’s this time again of the year that everyone here in town are busy preparing, decorating and of course practicing not for Christmas but for the annual Nasugbu Fiesta aka Fiesta De Los Toros. The first Fiesta de los Toros, highlighting bull runs was conceptualized to pay tribute to our town’s patron, St. Francis Xavier, a native of Navarre, Spain.  Started last 2006 and celebrated during the 2^nd and 3^rd of December, some of its activities are the Parada de los Torros which features cows and carromatas in a colorful parade, each with distinct theme representing Filipino creativity; Blessing of the cows, through the intercession of St. Francis Xavier  the community prays that the male and female cows will be blessed by God and that good quality Batangas beef may be produced in the future; the Bailar ala Toro, a dance competition participated by various schools in Nasugbu; the Suwagan ng Toros, where paper mache cows ran after spectators of the parade and the Fireworks Display, which is the festival’s last official act.

Here are some of the highlights of last year’s Nasugbu Fiesta De Los Toros:

Students portraying Nuestra Senora Virgen de la Escalera (feast day Dec. 02) and St. Francis Xavier  (feast day Dec.03)

Students from Balaytigue Elementary School dancing on the street

Participants from BSU-ARASOF

Students of Panuca Elementary School during the 5 minute presentation

Spectators at the Old CADP locomotive at Plaza De Roxas

The drums and bugle of Calayo Elementary School 

Opening salvo of Brgy. Papaya Elementary School Mini Band

Lyre exhibition of Brgy. Pantalan elementary School Mini Band

Natipuan Elementary School Mini Band getting ready to perform

Street Dancer of I.B. Calingasan Memorial Institution

This year the Nasugbu Fiesta De Los Toros will start on Dec. 01 (Thursday) until Dec. 03 (Saturday). Almost the same program as last year but i'm still looking forward to it. Hopefully you could visit our town next week and enjoy the beach, the sun and a free festival!

“Nag-driving ka na ba sa mga bayan sa baybay..?” part 3

This is the last part of the series Nag-driving... If you missed the first two parts here are the links: Part 1 and Part 2

Composed by: Mike Villegas and Rico Blanco; Words by: Rene Nieva; Arranged by: Angelo Villegas

The artists and bands who performed the 3 "Pilipinas, Tara Na!" songs are: 6 Cycle Mind, Aiza Seguerra, Barbie Almalbis, Bayang Barrios, Billy Crawford, Bituin Escalante, Boboy Garovillo, Christian Bautista, Cookie Chua, Dolphy, Ebe Dancel, Gabby Alipe, Gail Blanco, Gloc 9, Itchyworms, Janno Gibbs, Jaya, Jay-R, Jed Madela, Jett Pangan, Jim Paredes, John Lesaca, Jong Cuenco, Karylle, Kevin Roy, Kitchie Nadal, Kris Lawrence, Kyla, Manny Pacquiao, Martin Nievera, Nikki Gil, Noel Cabangon, Ogie Alcasid, Pepe Smith, Raimund Marasigan, Regine Velasquez, Rico J. Puno, Rivermaya, Sam Concepcion, Spongecola, Yeng Constantino, Zsa Zsa Padilla.

 Just like the Pilipinas, Tara Na! FB Fan page says "everyone is encourage to do their own share in promoting the Philippines. Travel the country, talk about it and tell everyone you know. Write about your adventures, post photos, videos and updates on Facebook, Twitter, tumblr, Google+, Multiply, Blogs, etc., and let everyone see how beautiful the Philippines truly is."

Pilipinas, Tara Na!!! 

Pic of the Week!

            Title: Cave Mouth
     Location: St. Paul Subterranean River National Park, Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Photo Taken: About 1 year ago

The Story: First time to visit Palawan and first time to enter a cave riding a banca. The world's  longest underground river until 2007. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since December 04, 1999. One of the most important forest in Asia. And I think this is the most recognizable place in Palawan. But the most important, it's a finalist at the New 7 Wonders of Nature. It's a little over a month left to vote. You can vote through SMS (Philippines only), just type PPUR and send to 2861 for Globe, Smart and Sun Cell subscribers. You can also vote online, just visit the New 7 Wonders website. VOTE NOW!!!

This is the Philippines

                Everytime I see foreigners around (mostly walking), I always felt delightful. Especially when they’re enjoying everything they see here in our country. Sometimes trying to speak a little Filipino, even joking around with someone they just met for the first time. But those are usually the backpackers. They just came here for a limited time, hopping around trying to go as much places as possible. They leave with their Philippine Experience, and we just hope they come back for more.

                But there are also those that don’t just leave with their experiences, they share it with the world. Here’s a video from a Foreign Exchange Student who studied here for 4 months. The Philippines as he saw it: