Ang Payag ni MamaGirl

As you may have noticed, I haven't updated this blog since last year. I am currently out of the country, in far away African land. Yes, difficult as it is, I left my family and my little boy to be based in Mombasa, Kenya, working as a VSO Volunteer. I help strengthen the capacities of not only the Kenyan fruit-growers but also build the capacity of the fruit-growers cooperative so that they will become a highly-functioning institution. I am also fundraising for the cooperative, as well as linking them to relevant government ministries/agencies and non-government institutions.

So please, if you'd like to follow my adventures in Kenya, head over to my blog Farah in Africa. See you there!

Ati-atihan Festival is held in Kalibo, Aklan in the western part of the Visayas every 2nd Sunday of January. It is one of the most popular, most fun and wildest celebrations in the Philippines. Hundreds and thousands of local and foreign visitors gather at the main streets of Kalibo to see the most colorful parade of the ati (natives), dancing and prancing around the plaza. Notice how colorful and unique the costumes are. Most of it were made from indigenous materials found in Aklan. Onlookers can't help but join in the fun and revelry, painting themselves with soot and dancing like there's no tomorrow.

The Ati-atihan is a feast honoring Sr. Santo Niño.

My husband and son dancing in the streets of Kalibo


Of course, MamaGirl also wanted to have a souvenir photo

I had been to Angkor Wat 3 or 4 years ago, and still, I am in awe of the temples. There is some kind of mystery enveloping the whole complex. Too bad that despite efforts of the Cambodian government to restore this world treasure, still there are many people who steal these precious artifacts, and, in effect, destroying it. The photo above shows the extent destruction and also shows how far the Cambodian government needs to go to fully protect its national heritage.