Dinagyang 2010 fever is starting to heat up. Today is the "Opening Salvo" that officially opens up Iloilo City's biggest festival. Despite the gloomy weather, it fails to dampen the spirit of the Ilonggos who in a week's time will again have a 3-day street party in most parts of Iloilo City. Food, drinks and fun-fun-fun all over the festivities await locals and tourists alike in celebration of Dinagyang 2010Dagoy, the official mascot of the Dinagyang festival shares the limelight with another pride of Iloilo, Mnag Inasal - the fastest growing fastfood chain in the country today. Being one of the partners of the festival Mang Inasal got this ad to appear and will continue to appear in all national broadsheets as the festival nears.
A stones throw away from the plaza of La Villa de Arevalo is an ancestral house where one can find not only good pasalubong items but also a look into the past of the district. Known as the Sinamay House , this well preserved ancestral house is an attraction not only in the outside but also what it houses inside. A collection of what the past like is housed in the two storey edifice which also acts like a museum of sorts. Sinamay is simply known as abaca by most and, here, a variety of products made from this fiber can be found. I remember watching a feature on tv wherein the owner proudly showed a framed letter signed by the late Princess of Wales, Diana, showing her appreciation of the handkerchief she was given as a gift coming from this very shop. But the attraction I am most familiar with are the chewies and crunchies made by Mama's Kitchen. Attractively packed in boxes showing their current flavours and variety, this is among the better...