#fiestaph

[jhayvee46]

happy fiesta, brgy. dalahican. thanks jen for inviting us. #palosebo #fiestaph

[jbtabuzo]

[jbtabuzo]

[jbtabuzo]

/Penafrancia// Que Pasa?/

In naga, alone for Penafrancia - without acommodation! All I have was myself, my credit card, a couple of clothes and my phone! Going here for work, but since I wasn’t able to fix my itinerary in advance, all the hotels were booked :( I had no choice so I need to do what I do best - attack the unknown.

After meetings with the local team, I went around  the city and walked the streets of Naga. Eventually, I found myself in the city center that friday afternoon. 

A few blocks from the rotunda, I stopped by the Basilica where our Lady of Penafrancia resides. Stopped and prayed for a good amount of time and attended mass. It has been a long time since I had that prayer break.

This place is packed with Devotees. I was very amazed.

Now, right across this basilica, you won’t miss this haven for artists - Que Pasa.

Owned by a very good looking, hip couple, Que pasa is an instagrammer’s anthill - where food, art, and foodies literally meet. 

Nice right? This is my favorite wall from all the artsy walls in the resto :)

Ordered Aswangita after a long day! The bartneder said it’s their bestseller. Aswangita is a local flavored cocktail - with sili. You’ll feel the heat by middle of your drink. Tip: Try to avoid sipping the sili and don’t order more than 3 glasses, or else.. you’ll become the drink!

Que Pasa also has a nook where some artists sell their works. Wanted to buy this piece tho. I promise to get this one when I come back.

Sauce station!

Restroom for the QUEribels! haha

Got a chance encounter with Patti, a college friend. And ofcourse met with Dino, my college barkada who took care of me there, thankful he let me crash his place and drive around the city. Gracias Mi Amigo!

I cannot get over how nice Que pasa is! I can stay here the whole weekend.. lol

Forgot to tell you their food is customizable. Totally legit stuff for food bloggers. Zomato time!

Ended my Penafrancia experience with this beauty. I actually booked for the same fiesta last 2014, but the flight got cancelled because of a typhoon.Very thankful for the chance to visit the fiesta this year. A very brief but meaningful trip for me.

 Sharing some quick tips if you plan to visit Penafrancia next year:

1. BOOK accommodations and flights 4 - 6 months in advance. Unless you have a friend in Naga, I suggest you plan your trip well.

2. KNOW the routes. Traffic can become as crazy as manila, so plan where you will pass by. If possible, it’s best to travel by foot especially during fluvial procession and translacion.

3. WEAR light clothes. It’s going to be hot and the crowd can get as intimate as the black nazarene procession in manila. So keep cool.

4. EAT. When you get the chance, try all the local food. You’ll instantly distinguish local flavors of regular dishes from as compared to those found in Manila.

5. PRAY. It’s the best time to pray, hear mass and also confess. There’s so much priests there. Besides, everyone is in Penafrancia for the same purpose. Time to write them down and offer it up.