Session in Bloom! Panagbenga ends with a BANG!

During the last week of Panagbenga after the float parade, the city of Baguio closes off Session Road where many stores of different kinds are put up to showcase their different products. This even is better known as Session in Bloom.

This year Session road was closed off to vehicles on February 23, after the float parade. During this day, when people pass by Session road they could see the stalls being put up. It is one of the most anticipated events during Panagbenga.

Session in Bloom officially opened during February 24 this year. Many people immediately flooded Session road just to look around for different purchases and things that they would not normally find during a normal Baguio Day.

From February 24 to March 2 Session Road was kept closed for this event. There were many types of stalls such as food stalls (most of  them were Shawarma stalls). merchandise stalls, clothing stalls, trinket stalls and the likes. Most pf these stalls can only be found when it is Session in Bloom.

Session in Bloom according to some people is what they've been waiting for ever since Panagbenga started. There are a lot of stalls to explore, you can go on amazing food trips, shop till you drop and just enjoy hanging around with friends while exploring what Session in Bloom has in store for you.

There were also live bands and talents performing on stage that was located on Upper Session. Universities from all over Baguio also each put up their own booths to showcase the talents their students have.

Session in Bloom along with the whole of Panagbenga was closed on March 2 along with a fireworks display. That is literally ending Panagbenga with a bang!

Panagbenga float parade, streets flooded with tourists

Jollibee's float with their mascots on it. 

Photo by Neyzielle Cadiz

The Panagbenga 2014 reaches its highlight with the float parade. Tourist flood the streets of Baguio to witness this event. Floats decorated with flowers begin parading the streets as early as 8AM in the morning.

This year's float event consisted of 22 floats competing for the best float and street dancers from yesterday's street dancing competition to entertain the many spectators. The float parade begins at Session Road and stops at the Athletic Bowl.

Streets were literally flooded with people to watch the float parade

Photo by Neyzielle Cadiz

People getting desperate, they begin climbing trees to watch the parade

Photo by Neyzielle Cadiz

The float parade attracted as many as 2.2M tourists who began waiting for the floats as early as 6AM in the morning. People pushed around and looked for different ways just to witness the event. Artists from both GMA and ABS-CBN joined the float parade, notable ones were Marian Rivera and Alodia.

Around 9AM in the morning the parade stops because of the surges of people. The Athletic Bowl reaches full capacity and additional security was added for crowd control.

Line of cars at Kisad Road. Sign of the many tourists in Baguio.

Photo by Neyzielle Cadiz

There were so many tourists that parking spaces were lacking and places where parking is usually unavailable were made into pay parking places.

Photo by Neyzielle Cadiz

The float parade happens at the last Sunday of February as a traditional climax for the Panagbenga. 

After the float parade they will close down Session Road and that signals the start of Session in Bloom.

RP basics: Creating the perfect OC

Online roleplaying or simply RP is a growing trend online for those who love watching anime or reading literature. But what is online roleplaying in the first place?

Online roleplaying is where you converse with someone online (usually via chat and thread forums) as another character that you create yourself usually going about another world based on TV shows and literature (Harry Potter, Hobbit, Naruto, etc.).

OC or own character is an important party of online roleplaying. They are the one who create the story and make it flow. Interaction between one OC to another is very important in setting the tone for RP-ing.

I myself have been RP-ing for almost six years. I have already mastered the art of creating an OC that is interesting for other people to interact with.

But how do you create the perfect OC? Here are a few tips for you to get started.

Now are you ready to create your very own unique OC?

Paradise Adventure, Guam!

Tomun Bay - One of the most visited tourist spots in Guam.

There is no vacation like a vacation in Guam!

Guam might not be the first place you'll think of when it comes to having a summer out of town, but it has a lot to offer than what we expect.

This little island that has been colonized by the Spanish, Americans and Japanese. It gives the island a distinct multicultural experience.

You can have a vacation in resorts with a Japanese themed esque - complete with sushi bars, ramen stands and nights out singing karaoke. You also have a choice to roam around the various beaches and hotel resorts Guam has.

There are a lot of things you can do in Guam, from exploring the native culture to relaxing on the beach. Let's check out what Guam has to offer!

Cultural Adventure

As I said earlier Guam can give its visitors a multicultural experience. Being colonized by various colonizers, Guam has mixed its own culture with its previous colonizers.

Entrance to Chamorro Village - a highlight to Guam's cultural experience

The best place to visit to experience the culture of Guam is Chamorro Village. This bustling little town is where you can go in a Guamanian shopping spree. The place offers a variety of goods sold at a discount price.

Another place you can visit is the Latte Stone Park, where you can be acquainted with the 4,000 years of Chamorro history. The Latte Stones are pillars built with limestone that the Chamorro people used for various things such as rituals and storage.

Adventures to the Hidden Beach

Before you can get to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Pacific you have to go through a sewage plant and over a concrete barrier. Hilaan Beach is a secluded beach only known by a few local fishermen. To get there you must go through a few points.

One of the points you have to go through is Two Lovers Point. This place you might wanna stop by because of its interesting history. 

Locks placed by couples at Two Lovers Point, keys are thrown afterwards.

The long travel to Hilaan Beach is worth it though. Besides going through Two Lovers Point you get to see this amazing beach and a secret cove where The Lost Pond is located.

Video of a trip to Hilaan Beach and The Lost Pond

Guam is definitely a sight you don't wanna miss out! You might wanna try booking yourselves for an awesome Guamian adventure!

All photographs and videos belong to their respective owners and are only found online.

Baguio's cold weather INTENSIFIES this January

Baguio City residents wear their warmest clothes against the cold Baguio weather.

(picture from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net)

BAGUIO CITY - The weather this January in Baguio City has gotten even colder than what most would expect. For the longest time in Baguio's history, the residence have not experienced this kind of colder weather that lasted for weeks.

All around Baguio you can see people wearing winter outfits sporting themselves in scarfs, coats and jackets that can easily be found in the local ukay-ukay (thrift shop). The local residence describe the cold as something they have never experienced before.

The cold weather has been running for several weeks since the end of December and it gets colder and colder by the day.

It is even colder in the evening as temperatures can hit as low as 10 degrees Celsius.

During January 19, 2014, Baguio hit 8.1 degrees Celsius which is recorded as the lowest temperature Baguio has experienced for the last 53 years.

It is expected to get colder by the end of January. So residence are advice to stay as warm as possible.