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| Talaandig Tribe in Kaamulan 2015 |
Kaamulan...a festival about the gathering of the 7 hill tribes in Bukidnon, a picturesque and cool province in Northern Mindanao. Even before I got a midlife hook in Photography, this is the one festival I was dreaming to shoot. Reason: Colorful Costumes and its peculiar dance steps. And so when the Province of Bukidnon announced that they will be holding the Kaamulan on October 24, 2015, I made it a point to clear my schedule on that day.
And so last October 23, 2015, I traveled from Surigao City to Cagayan de Oro to catch the festival the following day. There was no photo contest but that doesn't matter to me. All that I was thinking is that I can finally have this long awaited opportunity completed. After spending the night at my cousin's house in Cagayan de Oro, I woke up early to catch a bus for Malaybalay, the capital city of Bukidnon.
I boarded a Davao City bound bus, the new one complete with a restroom. The fare is at P150.00, which is 60 pesos more than the regular fate of 90 pesos. But its ok. No problem.
It's normally two and a half hour ride which I just doze off. I was awakened when the bus stopped at one of the curves around Mangima Canyon due to an ongoing road repair. The bus stopped twice. I arrived at around 8:00 in the morning when the street dancing was about to begin. I took a very hurried breakfast at a Jolibee at Sayre Highway, the venue for the Street Dancing. Even before I could finish it, the first contingent passed by and I grabbed my gears and head on to the street.
I was shaking in excitement on my first few shots. I was jittery. Then as I found my groove, it was happiness all over.
And so last October 23, 2015, I traveled from Surigao City to Cagayan de Oro to catch the festival the following day. There was no photo contest but that doesn't matter to me. All that I was thinking is that I can finally have this long awaited opportunity completed. After spending the night at my cousin's house in Cagayan de Oro, I woke up early to catch a bus for Malaybalay, the capital city of Bukidnon.
I boarded a Davao City bound bus, the new one complete with a restroom. The fare is at P150.00, which is 60 pesos more than the regular fate of 90 pesos. But its ok. No problem.
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| Bumper to bumper traffic at Mangima Canyon in Manolo Fortich town because of ongoing road repairs |
I was shaking in excitement on my first few shots. I was jittery. Then as I found my groove, it was happiness all over.
