Karansa: Danao Festival 2009

I have mentioned before in my previous post entitled Danao Mountains that one of my closest friends lives in Danao and every so often during our college days we always hang out in their place and have “sleep-overs” and stuff. When I reminisce over the funny (and of course, happy) memories during our reunion last December 2008, I just can’t believe that it was already almost a year since we’ve last seen each other.

This year, we went back to Danao, not just for another reunion but also to be a part of Danao’s 2009 Festival. And of course, one of the highlights of any festival here in the Philippines is the street dancing In Danao, they name it “Karansa”, which means to dance, be merry, and celebrate! It’s lucky for us that our friend’s place is just by the main road so it was just easy for us to see the Karansa ;)

Nevertheless, I wasn’t able to take many good pictures as I found it very difficult, what with all the “extra” people loitering around, LOL. I managed to take a few good ones though; fortunately it wasn’t too crowded, unlike that of Sinulog ;)

Here's one contingent with a very colorful costume.


And another one with a some kind of a "seashell" theme :)



I like the costume of this group. It's like in "Ati-atihan".


Here's another colorful theme. And if you notice, they are carrying coconuts on their backs. So cute! :)


Yup, another colorful theme, lol! Wait till you see their "Festival Queen"! ;)


And right here you can see another contingent with, um yeah, a colorful costume :P


Here's a contingent with an ancient Filipino costume, adapted during the Spanish colonization.


Here's one thirsty dancer ;)


Okay! So, why don't we take a look at their "Festival Queens".
This one walked so fast! I wasn't able to take a pic of her colorful front.


This is one of my favorites. I like the peacock concept of her head dress :)

A closer look. Never mind the water tank guys, lol!


I didn't take a closer pic of this one. I wanted to emphasize her beautiful background.


Here's a unique one. A silver queen ;)



This one's so cute as well, with some hanging rice (puso) in her wagon (or as what we cebuanos call "karomata").


And here's my most favorite. I think she's the prettiest of them all :) That's why I placed her close-up pic at the beginning of the post ;)


And here are photos of one of my favorites in any street dancing - the props!






Okay, here are some blooper pics, LOL! Told ya it was difficult to take a good shot :D

This would have been picture-perfect, if it weren't for that towel-covered head! LOL!


This guy's forehead almost took up the entire photo! ROFL!


Oh well, this wouldn't be a good picture anyway coz it's kind of like off-balanced but still, the nature-spring-and-tampico-juice-bottles-with-peanuts tray ruined the whole artistry of the picture... :) Hehehe, well, can't blame it though, nor the guy bringing it :)


That's it guys! Till next Karansa!