Makati City Caracol Festival 2008
Posted by on January 21, 2008
Yesterday, Raymund (my officemate), Audrey , her cousin and I went to Makati City, Philippines to witness the Caracol Festival. The first time I heard of these festival was in 2006, but I wasn’t able to witness it because I went to Bacolod then. Last year I also skipped this event for Cebu Sinulog Festival. Now, I no longer have any reasons for skipping this event. It’s actually my first time seeing this parade.
Caracol is derived from a Spanish word meaning “Snail.” As the name implies, the theme of the festival revolves around the preservation of the Mother Earth. Young kids from elementary schools as well as the High School and College students all dressed up in various Mother Nature theme. There were kids dressed as bees, sea horses, jellyfish, birds, tarsiers, flowers and grasshoppers. There we also some dressed as rice planters and illegal wood cutters to complete the whole picture.
The parade started late because of the drizzle. That’s fine. I know the organizers a re keen in protecting the well-being of these students. What really disappointed me is that these so-called “dancers” just walked down the streets of Makati Avenue instead of dancing. They just did their presentation at the judging area near the Park Square 1 building, were only a few people got to witness. The place is so small, and the view is obstructed by several trees and a lamp post. I guess the number of people who watched in the street is far greater than the number of the people cramped in the judging area. That is why they should have added street dance criteria to their judging mechanics.
Another thing that pissed me off is the power fluctuation in the judging area. I did not finish the performances at the judging area, but I have seen at least two power fluctuations which lead to two contingents dancing and performing their routine even without the music.
I see a big potential in this festival. I just hope that the organizers can very well improve it for the next year’s edition. And have a streetdance, please.
View the Caracol Festival Photo Slideshow here
Galing galing! Love your shots here, especially the portraits! ang gaganda!
Onga medyo na disappoint ako dun sa parade nila, wala man lang drums or ibang actions. Nung malapit na saka sila nagsasayaw.
Mas lalo ako disapoointed sa stage and setup nila, daming obstructions sa view.
Hi,
this is the first time i heard of this festival. been working in makati for almost 5 years now and haven’t heard any promotions about it. I agree with you, with the photos you’ve shown here, this has great potential .
Alma
ang ganda talaga ng mahal ko!!!!!!! yung nasa taas unang una I LUV YOU talaga mheann
nice meeting you at the event. yeah, the organizer could’ve started the celebration earlier. the fading light and the uneven artificial lighting almost made it difficult to get good snaps. the way the stage was positioned was kinda weird, too. perhaps, they could’ve designated an area for the photographers with an optimal viewpoint for taking pictures.
hoy..fortes ..!killa mo b yan”????
@bench0929 ang tagal na niot ah . naun ko lang nabasa comment mo . ou bench kilala ko yan . manliligaw nia ko dati . heheh … ikaw ? kilala mo yan ?