Cebu City Marathon 2010 countdown is on with organizers already distributing race packs to participants at the Ayala Center in Cebu, 6 January

The Cebu City Marathon 2010 is gearing up as days are numbered when this event, touted as the biggest sporting event in Cebu City will open on the 10th of January. Expecting almost 4,000 runners, race organizers are now distributing the race packs to participants at Ayala Center Mall’s Active Zone which started today.

The sharp blade sheathed for the moment before the cockfight begins

The circular arena in San Nicolas, Cebu City was populated with men anxiously waiting for the start of the fight. At the center, bordered with a metal cage and transparent plexiglass with a couple of fluorescent fixtures overhead were a handful of men holding their prized possessions: their fighting cocks. At the announcer’s signal, the blades are unsheathed and the combat begins. Within seconds, its all over and one bird lies bloodied and dead.

Looking at this seeming brutality, I was shooting with my camera. The fierce fighting just becomes a blur, and the men shouting out their lungs until it’s over. And now, reviewing the images taken this afternoon, I see many possibilities and approaches to doing a short photo project.

I should get back tomorrow and the days ahead until this cockfighting event finishes.

My own noche buena for Christmas 2009 which I spent solo

As 25 December came, 0001H, as what millions of Filipinos do around the world at this auspicious time, I had my own noche buena midnight dinner to greet Christmas Day. It’s just a simple preparation of lasagne al forno from Amici (P195), puto bumbong from the neighborhood vendor (native rice cake – P20), jumbo siopao from Kowloon House (steamed pork bun – P49), Red Velvet and sans rival cupcakes from Frostings (P110), Sagada orange from a Divisoria fruit vendor (P20), Cornetto drumstick ice cream from 7-11 (P27) and Coke light from 7-11 (P28). A total of P449 (almost $10).

A man mixing chemicals used in making firecrackers. There are serious lapses in observing personal safety measures like protecting himself from the deadly fumes as well as airborne particles.

During the weekend, I was in Babag 2, Lapulapu City to document the firecracker makers there for a submission to Demotix. Typically, during late November and on to the waning days of the year, people converge at this barangay to make one of the most popular and in-demand items for Christmas and, especially, the New Year’s celebration. Traditionally, there is this belief handed from the Chinese that lighting these will drive away bad luck for the coming year!

Babag 2 has always been the traditional firecracker capital of Cebu and one 57 year old man I interviewed, claimed that he started making these since he was 13. Unfortunately, these people do not observe personal protection from inhalation of the harmful chemicals and dust while making these firecrackers. When I pointed this out, I was just told that they haven’t suffered any side effects!

Other than this, unlicensed makers usually play cat and mouse from inspecting teams of policemen.

I made a multimedia slideshow consisting of 22 images last year and it is posted at my travel blog.

On the eve of All Souls’ Day celebrated 2 November, most Filipinos flock to the cemeteries to honor the departed. In Talisay City, Cebu, the glow of a thousand candles is just spectacular.

At one section of the cemetery where space is so tight.

At the common area, a man lights a candle for a departed.

In another area, this family was praying the rosary

Burial niches stacked on top of one another

“Day of the Dead” slideshow with free PDF