Dinagyang

 We missed the traditional Dinagyang festival as we were in Tacloban for most of it. We did see a few performances scattered here and there, plus lots of preparations. It is a festival to celebrate the national or aboriginal culture.

These are some of the traditional dress, men on left and women on right. The skirts remind me a bit of the Tahaitian grass skirts if you added an extra hoop to them.

A painting we saw of the men in the traditional gear.

A random display on a country road in Aklan.

Me trying on a traditional skirt. It is one long loop. You step into the middle, pull the sides tight then tuck them into the middle and roll the waist down. I would hope there is some sort of string that secures it, but not for the demonstration.

While out touring houses, we filmed a traditional water dance where the dancers balance a glass of water on their head and two in their hands. They end up rolling around on the ground. It is very impressive. Here's the link to watch it:

Traditional water glass dance

We also saw another dance with them in the first traditional wear. They then changed into priest robes and Spanish dresses. You can see how much the Spanish influenced them.

Us in festival t-shirts a couple of members gave us. Neatest t-shirts.