Hello hivers.... I am very excited to share a glimpse of the exciting events before the Kaamulan Festival.
It was a sunny afternoon in mid-March, a week before the Kaamulan Festival month-long celebration began. My children and I decided to explore the Kamulan grounds. Our curiosity continued, transforming into a delightful journey through a series of interconnected kubos (nipa hut).
Each kubo held unique treasures and experiences, waiting to be discovered. We leisurely walked around the area to check each one, savoring the unique offerings of every participating vendor. The ambiance was a variety of astonishing traditional houses and cloth, with their intricate designs and vibrant colors, to handcrafted bags, bracelets, anklets, and necklaces showcasing local tribes artisans' skill and creativity.
The air was filled with the tantalizing aromas of freshly prepared food from native cuisine to dishes from other parts of the world. My kids were completely mesmerized by the strawberry tanghulu – those gorgeous, candy-coated strawberries looked good enough to eat! We bought a stick, full of anticipation. The reality, however, was a bit of a letdown (for my kids). Our local strawberries, bless their hearts, just aren’t as sweet as the imported ones. So, while the outside was pure sugary bliss, the inside had a bit of a sour kick. Haha, sometimes, looks can be deceiving.
The glistening tanghulu strawberries were our first stop, followed by a search for cheesy delights. A particularly memorable sight along the way was a large pot, possibly for stews or soups, situated beneath a carabao's head complete with horns attached to a carved wood and was hung on the wall. It was a striking and unusual decoration!
Later, we grabbed fruit shakes and settled into a cozy "kubo" (a type of cafe) for a more substantial meal before continuing our exploration of the bahay kubo. We enjoyed a delicious meal of burgers and shakes. The burger was cheesy, which really satisfied my craving for cheesy food. It was also juicy and flavorful, crafted from local ingredients. The shakes were creamy, providing the perfect fresh fruit treat to cool us down.
Because we were energized, we continued our journey roaming around the Kaamulan Park and Kaamulan ground.
When we were finally tired, we began our walk back, choosing a different route this time, eager to discover new sights along the way.
As we were leaving the main festival area, we passed a welcoming sign for Kamulan Park. It wasn't a formal entrance or exit. The flow of people moved freely in and out. This sign marked a transition from the bustling festival atmosphere to the more relaxed setting of the park. It felt like stepping into a different world, one where nature reigned and the sounds of laughter faded into the rustling leaves.
Because we hadn't had a chance to fully explore the Kaamulan grounds, we returned, this time focusing on the vibrant displays of flowers and fruit-bearing trees. Each step revealed more beauty, and we spent a delightful time taking pictures, admiring the beauty and diversity of nature.
(Pictures were edited using Canva).