Subic Bay Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is all about fun, fashion, food and parade.
The world-famous event is annually held in New Orleans in the US, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean, among other places.
It is being held a week before Lent and also goes by the name Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day.
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) version is no exception despite the drizzle during the three-day affair at the SBMA Board Walk last Aug. 18-20.
Like the events in US and Europe, bands and gay performers abound during the first ever Mardi Gras event at the Subic Bay Freeport.
Ladlad, a gay group, joined the event and its members from Olongapo, Bataan, and Zambales chapters were among the participants along with gay groups from Manila.
A motorcade in Olongapo signaled the start of the event while a gay parade along Waterfront Road was held early Friday evening for the Subic Bay Pride Carnival.
Most of the participants appeared in costumes inspired by Darna, a Filipino heroine; butterflies; octopus; beauty queens and ethnic groups while others paraded in 80's-inspired sexy outfits.
Street parties lasted until Sunday night and crowds continue to pour in despite the rain, which makes the Subic event different from those abroad since the latter are held before Lent during a hot weather.
SBMA Deputy Administrator for Administration Ferdinand Hernandez said the Subic version of Mardi Gras aims to encourage more people to visit the Freeport even during the lean season or the rainy months.
He said the event is now among SBMA's tourism attractions.
"We'll be doing annually for the people to have more things to do while staying here. All we want for them is to come out, check the scene and have fun despite the rain," he said.
The volume of people was equaled by the number of stalls along the road selling foods like barbeque and roasted sea foods, among others and trinkets.
Hernandez said the event exceeded their expectations although he declined to give figures on the event's income.
Restaurants along the Board Walk are always filled-up and even the tiangge are being patronized, he said.
"It's nice to note that the restaurants are doing a brisk business, hotels are fully occupied and other businesses are doing the same," he said.
He said this year's event was a good one and they hope to replicate it and even outshine it next year. (PNAFeature)
The world-famous event is annually held in New Orleans in the US, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean, among other places.
It is being held a week before Lent and also goes by the name Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day.
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) version is no exception despite the drizzle during the three-day affair at the SBMA Board Walk last Aug. 18-20.
Like the events in US and Europe, bands and gay performers abound during the first ever Mardi Gras event at the Subic Bay Freeport.
Ladlad, a gay group, joined the event and its members from Olongapo, Bataan, and Zambales chapters were among the participants along with gay groups from Manila.
A motorcade in Olongapo signaled the start of the event while a gay parade along Waterfront Road was held early Friday evening for the Subic Bay Pride Carnival.
Most of the participants appeared in costumes inspired by Darna, a Filipino heroine; butterflies; octopus; beauty queens and ethnic groups while others paraded in 80's-inspired sexy outfits.
Street parties lasted until Sunday night and crowds continue to pour in despite the rain, which makes the Subic event different from those abroad since the latter are held before Lent during a hot weather.
SBMA Deputy Administrator for Administration Ferdinand Hernandez said the Subic version of Mardi Gras aims to encourage more people to visit the Freeport even during the lean season or the rainy months.
He said the event is now among SBMA's tourism attractions.
"We'll be doing annually for the people to have more things to do while staying here. All we want for them is to come out, check the scene and have fun despite the rain," he said.
The volume of people was equaled by the number of stalls along the road selling foods like barbeque and roasted sea foods, among others and trinkets.
Hernandez said the event exceeded their expectations although he declined to give figures on the event's income.
Restaurants along the Board Walk are always filled-up and even the tiangge are being patronized, he said.
"It's nice to note that the restaurants are doing a brisk business, hotels are fully occupied and other businesses are doing the same," he said.
He said this year's event was a good one and they hope to replicate it and even outshine it next year. (PNAFeature)
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
6:48 AM
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