Dinagyang 2011

It was an annual tradition that all our relatives from our maternal side of the family tree would come visit Iloilo during the Dinagyang Festival. But since family feuds cannot almost always be avoided, so I'm stuck in the house for the mean time.

I can still recall my elementary years. Everyone was happy. We had my two aunties' furniture shops located alongside Ledesma St. as our tambayans during the Dinagyang. And yes, I miss the fresh foul scent of humid urine in the air coming from the portable toilets mainly concentrated in Delgado and Valeria streets. And I would usually roam around the city alone stalking my then puppy crushes or breeze through the crowd and a number of streetside local retailers selling assorted souvenir items.

But here I am, perhaps my first Dinagyang at home--my final verdict as of last night considering that our furniture shops are not open today and my auntie has been hospitalized. So much for the festivity and huge celebration in the city.

On second thought, I planned to watch ASAP Rocks Iloilo--on television (please no more random-touch-my-ass-my-arms-my-almost-every-part-of-the-body crowd). And it was a good decision indeed. Not only did I have a clear view of Cristine Reyes's well-endowed breasts bouncing like there's no tomorrow, I am assured of an STD-free access all in the comforts of my sisters' bedroom.

The show had a good opening, but had failed throughout the entire length of the live event to catch my full attention. There were approximately around more or less 70 stars (although Billy Crawford had mentioned in a previous episode that they're having 103 of their Kapamilya stars this Dinagyang). Familiar faces who performed earlier in Iloilo Sports Complex include Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Enchong Dee, Shaina Magdayao, Rayver Cruz and more. Toni Gonzaga and John Lloyd Cruz were absent (wtf); closet princess Piolo Pascual (played Gabriel of Noah) celebrated his birthday, alongside rising child star Xyriel Manabat (Nica of Noah), who turned seven just today.

My favorite part was seeing Bea Alonzo, Iya Villania, Karylle and Nikki Gil perform a song number (totally forgot what it was, but I'm guessing it's Rude Boy by Rihanna) in headdresses of cheerful vivid colors (see photo, right). Really glad and satisfied that their wardrobe for today's ASAP episode was themed under the festival. On the other hand, what surprised me the most was the huge crowd of approximately 50,000 Ilonggos who attended the live event. When John Prats quickly interviewed one lucky girl from the audience near the VIP section, he was at a near hostile situation where endearing barbaric fans were pulling his shirt like some sort of vortex (or a plausible hungry vaginal opening suffering from a worst case of vaginismus) that sucked everything that comes across its path, fortunately though, he survived.

The top 5 candidates of Miss Dinagyang 2011 were also featured during the last segment of the show, and may I also note that the reigning crowned Ati queen isn't cunningly beautiful as I expected (maybe she won because of her tribu-inspired exotic beauty). She even barely knew how to move her hips during their dance number with Sam Milby--Pokwang could have done a better job. Miss Dinagyang 2011, btw, is just 17 years old and currently studying AB English in our university (WVSU).

7 pm tonight is the awarding for the street dance competition for both the Kasadyahan and Dinagyang. I'm not really interested since I wasn't able to wake up early this morning to watch the live coverage of the 12 competing tribus in the first place. Plus, I have a lot of crap to study about tonight (NUR205 and Nursing Elective midterm examinations tomorrow), which I haven't basically started yet. 

Hope everyone enjoyed their lively and festive weekend! :)