Coca Cola Tree Lighting Ceremony Cancelled

I've been covering this event every year and its been the only place where the brightest stars from ABSCBN and GMA perform together to celebrate the Christmas season. Now more than ever, the people in Leyte need our help. They are now going to use funds from this event to help victims of typhoon Yolanda... An even better and worthy cause. Here's a statement from Coca Cola Philippines:

 

Thanks Coca Cola! I wish you all the best in helping the needy victims of typhoon Haiyan.

Kumagcow.com

Pampanga: San Fernando City Calesa Tour

We've been wondering how to go about around town and cities of Pampanga but I really didn't expect this to be part of it. Calesa, the national vehicle of the Philippines was just at the venue that afternoon and it was the perfect way to show us what San Fernando had to offer. We started at the town's HEROES HALL where most of the events of the city are held.

This hall houses some local government offices, conference rooms and a full sized auditorium that can probably fit around 500 peeps in one event. 

They also got some pretty impressive artwork on display which you should definitely check out.

Then our ride arrived. It was time to go around town on these contraptions. It was surprisingly comfortable. Even Az slept a bit because he found it relaxing.

We met the City Tourism Director and her staff. They briefed us a little about what we were going to see during the calesa tour. I was hoping the kutsero/coach drivers would be able to tell us while on site but maybe they'll train them later on. Then off we go!

Though it felt like a little like you were in a fishbowl and everyone was looking at you, you'll feel OK after a few minutes. The path has a bit of traffic in between so it is a bit adventurous. Old structures, previous government buildings and historical landmarks were a plenty. Didn't get to shoot some of them so you can check it out when you plan to visit San Fernando. 

I thought this was an abandoned building but the kutsero said it is still operational but harvest won't start til the wnd of November hence it's not busy. This is their sugar mill. Sugar cane from Pampanga and nearby provinces are all processed here.

You'll also pass by the provincial capitol where the Governor presides. This also includes the other government offices under her jurisdiction.

This was the old train station of San Fernando.

This place is part of our dark past where the Japanese lead American and Filipino Soldiers on a literal Death March. The sick and almost dead were put in a train coach by the hundreds. Almost everyone died of suffocation or perished with their own wounds during world war II. You'll also see Rizal's statue because he went down and recruited a couple writers here for a leftist publication. This place had walls that can speak, you should visit this place.

The tour ended at this church where previous Parol festivities were held. I think this was also named Immaculate Conception if I'm not mistaken. Most government seats were in this same area before they were transfered elsewhere.

Don't forget to drop by NATHANIEL's which houses the best and softest Puto Pao, some of the tastiest Siomai, native Mochi and the best Buco Pandan drink in all of Pampanga! Thanks to the Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators of Pampanga (ATAP) for hooking us up on this tour! We really enjoyed the first day with you guys! :)

More of Pampanga soon!

Kumagcow.com

Pampanga: San Guillermo Parish Church

Also known as Bacolor church or Sunken Church, the San Guillermo Church has been the go to place for the religious people in Bacolor, Pampanga. Why Sunken? It has been one of the few places in Pampanga that has been ravaged by lahar and it has gotten almost 3/4 of the church buried. It was disheartening for them to see this happen on their most precious landmark. 

Tours on this place can be assisted with the Church historian. She'll tell you what happened and how the mega dike saved this structure bringing hope to thousands of citizens in this town.

You might feel you have seen this church before, because it's the same one where they filmed "May Bukas Pa" a popular ABSCBN series. The entrance before was a huge door but it got buried so they use the three display windows that was previously for patron saints. They fixed it and the whole level a couple of years ago.

The front entrance was closed at the time we got there so we went to the right side which was previously a school. 

The right side of the structure now houses the church's archives. It has paintings, sculptures, photos of the original structure and a multitude of statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Seen also above is one of the entrances of the room which also sank during the 90's eruption of Mount Pinatubo. 

The church as you can see only had a few feet left so they opened up the ceiling so they can still utilize the structure.

The altar almost reached the ceiling which means they probably raised this part.

The columns which was previously a few feet up can now be reached. Physically impossible before so you can just imagine how high this was.

They had a few more structures on both sides of the altar which displays more of their patron saints. It was off limits as they probably were protecting it from physical damage.

It was 3PM and their bells rang quite beautifully for the angeluz if I'm not mistaken. It reminded us to pray that exact hour, it was heard across town.

This was part of the church structure at the back. As you can see they were really lucky that they got to still use it after that calamity. They are truly blessed.

We also saw some black pigs in the church grounds which they probably allow to roam freely. Quite cute.

You really should visit this place and see how lucky you are if you live elsewhere. Even tough they experienced this I really feel they were blessed to have been able to get their structure saved during that time. Thanks to the kind people at this church who welcomed us and showed us around. It was a very humbling experience!

SMART Launched Best Offers for the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C

The great people at SMART just launched their best offers for the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C units this November 14th at the Top Shelf of Fully Booked in BGC. People from the telecommunications agencies, media, bloggers, celebrities and Manila's influencers gathered to celebrate what seems to be very promising handsets and plans that will be available starting November 15th for Filipino consumers.

With all the good reasons why you should get this offer, why are you even thinking of getting it from other seevice providers when they are giving you MORE!

The first batch of phones will be released on November 15 too. For those who had their applications approved and registered online during the signup period may be able to choose their handsets and color (upon availability) at the Eastwood Mall open park, JUMP Experience Center in SM City Cebu plus SM Lanang Premier in Davao City. 

SMART has definitely made it easier for all their subscribers to claim their phones on the venue of their choice. This will be also done simultaneously nationwide! Now we'll get the latest handsets, the fastest network with LTE service and the widest selection of plans in the country. Just so you know, the iPhone 5s 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and iPhone5c 16GB, 32 GB are all available in Smart Postpaid's Freedom Plan, All in Plans 500, 800, 1,200, 1,800 and 2,500. You can also opt for the iPhone plans 900 or plan 2499. There's also Unlidata plans 1500, 2000 and 3000. For richer people lol you can get the Smart Infinty Plans 3500, 5000 or 8000 and get the perks that comes with that. Every plan they offer, was well thought of. It would fit your lifestyle and budget. I'm already thinking of ditching my plan with the OTHER NETWORK actually and am waiting for the contract to expire. Oh yes I do! :P

Oh and before I forget, they have iPhone upgrade for loyal subscribers through their Wipeout Program, checkout http://www.smart.com.ph/wipeout for more details!