Recently a group of online game providers Level-up Games organized a 2 day event (November 3-4 2007) for Paradise Philippines Online Gamer Community, Level - Up Live 2007. And it was set to create a record to be the biggest online gaming event in the country.

Level - UP Live 2007 : Logged and Loaded at the World Trade Center Philippines is such a huge success. The crowd was unexpected, the booths were blockbuster, the games and the goodies are making the crowd crazy and alive. And what’s the best in this event is that you can have all the fun for just 50 pesos as a registration fee.

So what are you waiting for you can still join the fun just go to the World Trade Center Philippines… See you there.

Here are the list of events and festivities for this November for us to enjoy.

BANAAG FESTIVAL
November 1 | Anilao, Iloilo
A dance-drama competition using light and all its forms as a medium . This “dance of lights” is the first of its kind in the region.

BELEN SA MAKATI
November 1- December 16 | Makati City
Conceived in 1987, façade of buildings along the City business district particularly Ayala and Buendia Avenue are decorated by creches and complemented by locally made lanterns in celebration of Christmas on the birth of Jesus Christ.

PASKUHAN
November 1- December 24 | Luneta Park, Surigao City and Provincial Gym, Surigao del Norte
A month long Christmas bazaar display and activities which include: Light –up a tree, lanterns/Christmas tree making contest. Lantern parade, display of all winning entries of Lanterns and Chirstmas trees and Rondalla contest. Painit sa Pasko is also held during the Misa de Galleon on the 16th to 24th of dec. Mass goers converge at the park to buy and eat Surigaonon delicacies.

SAN CARLOS CITY FIESTA
November 4 | San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
A three-day religious festivity honoring the patron saint, San Carlos Borromeo, featuring Pintaflores Festival, fluvial parade, processions, sports exhibitions, body painting contest and concerts.

NEGROS DAY
November 5 | Negros Occidental
A historical festival that commemorates the victory of the Negrenses’ bloodless revolt against the Spaniards in 1898.

PINTAFLORES FESTIVAL (HONORING ST. CHARLES BORROMEO)
November 5 | San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
The emerging festival of San Carlos City, highlighs the traditional fiesta celebration in honor of its patron Saint San Carlos Borromeo on the first week of November. It features street dancing by “tribes” dressed in colorful ethnic-inspired costumes, their bodies painted with flower designs reminiscent of the tattoed Visayans of the Pre Spanish Negros

EL CINCO DE NOVIEMBRE / KANSILAY FESTIVAL
November 5 | Bago City, Negros Occidental
November 5, 1898 will be remembered by the Negrenses as a day of bloodless revolts against the Spanish colonizers. This patriotic event is celebrated with an annual cultural festival.

ANGONO ARTS FESTIVAL
November 5- November 25 | Angono, Rizal
The festival aims at creating awareness and appreciation of Philippine Art and Culture; and promoting arts and culture as vital attraction for local and foreign tourists. Rizal has the potential of becoming a tourist destination particularly in the field of arts and crafts. It is known as the home of various national artists, musicians, and other equally creative artists.

VISAYAS-MINDANAO DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS
November 6- November 13 | Mindanao Area / Cagayan de Oro City
Drum and bugle competition from different schools / civic organizations from the Visayas and Mindanao.

HELOBONG FESTIVAL (T’BOLI)
November 9- November 11 | Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
One of the prettiest places in the Philippines becomes even more attractive this month, as its native residents celebrate a week-long cultural fiesta.See the T”Boli culture in its colorful best through the natives” traditional songs, dances and crafts.

TAW-ANAY GUGMA
November 11 | Dumalag, Capiz
A cultural and fiesta celebration.

KAHILWAYAN FESTIVAL/CRY OF STA. BARBARA
November 17 | Sta. Barbara, Iloilo
Anchored upon the Cry of Santa Barbara Celebration, Kahilwayan Festival is a cultural festival in a dance-drama form which is a reenactment of sort of the struggle for freedom by our very own local folks led by the heroic Gen. Martin G. Delgado. Aptly dubbed as Kahilwayan Festival, Kahilwayan being an Ilonggo/Hiligaynon word which means Freedom or Liberty, it highlights the quest of the Ilonggos to attain freedom through their fierce independent spirit.

LA UNION SURFING INVITATIONAL/SURFING FESTIVAL
November 17- November 19 | Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union
An all Filipino managed surfing competition. A community based tourism activity where surfers from around the Philippines are invited to compete and have fun at one of the best surfing destinations in the country

P’YAGSAWITAN FESTIVAL (ECO-TOURISM)
November 18- November 25 | Maragusan, Compostela Valley
The municipality of Maragusan, Compostela Valley celebrates its foundation day with a trip to the outdoors—quite literally—as its residents highlight their hometown’s ecotourism potential..

BAGUIO ARTS FESTIVAL
November 18 | Baguio City
An exhibit of the different artworks and art pieces of the various Cordillera artists in different art media.

URUKAY FESTIVAL
November 18- November 19 | Anini-y, Antique
It is inspired by a local custom whereby a wedding feast is observed no matter how poor or humble the bride and groom are in this celebration, there is much fun and good natured teasing.

INILUSAN
November 20- November 25 | Mambusao, Capiz
A cultural and fiesta celebration

LAPU-LAPU CITY FIESTA
November 21- November 22 | Lapu-lapu City, Cebu
Join in colorful rites to honor the Virgin of the Rule, patron of Lapu-lapu City.

KALIMUDAN FESTIVAL (TRIBAL FIESTA)
November 21 | Isulan, Sultan Kudarat
It is another tribal fiesta down in Mindanao, with just about every major ethnic group joining in the fun. Cultural sharing is the theme here, its message clearly displayed in the timeless songs and dances of these native folks. One need not be a Manobo, Tiruray or T’boli to take part in the fun—all you need are the right clothes, the right moves, and a genuine desire to go totally tribal!

SANDUROT FESTIVAL
November 22 | Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
Is a joyful celebration of the people of Dumaguete, their innate hospitality, friendliness, and their propensity to live harmoniously with people of different race, religion, and cultural beliefs. Through the course of history and to the present time, the people of Dumaguete have always been known to welcome strangers from different shores and countries, and to live with them in complete peace and understanding.

CORDILLERA FESTIVAL
November 22 | Baguio City
A showcase of the various tribal dances, rituals and songs of the Cordilleras.

BENGUET FOUNDATION DAY
November 23 | Benguet
The Ethnic Igorots make their presence felt once again in Benguet as they hold a grand canao (the local word for “party”) at the Benguet provincial capital grounds. Ritual sacrifices are made, followed by a series of chants and prayers made in the native language. Tribal performances come next. No touristy stuff here, just a healthy dose of of traditional Cordillera culture.

HIGANTES FESTIVAL
November 23 | Angono, Rizal
A fiesta of “gigantic” proportions highlighted by a grand procession of 10-feet high papier mache puppets, surrounded by a crowd of drenched, water-fighting revelers.

KABKABAN FESTIVAL
November 24- November 25 | Carcar, Cebu
The festival is not just a religious fanfare in honor of the town’s patroness, St. Catherine of Alexandria, but a cuLtural catalogue of the town’s historical periods and industry like shoemaking, as well as their arts that is showcased through street dancing and parade

BAGUIO TOSSED SALAD FESTIVAL 2005
November 25 27 | Baguio City
A record breaking attempt to showcase the heaviest tossed salad and served to the public

FEAST OF SANTA CATALINA
November 26 | Mansalay, Mindoro, Oriental
Palarong Lahi, an array of games very native to Mindoreños and Filipino, joined in by all games enthusiasts.

PANANGEDAYEW
November 27 | Dagupan City
Panangedayew, Pangasinan word meaning to uplift. Acitvites include garden show beside the Dagupan Astrodome, trade fair of Pangasinan’s pride like Bonuan bngus, bgoong, peanut brittle, quilted products housewares and locally made Christmas decors.

PANANGEDAYEW
November 27 | Dagupan City
Panangedayew, Pangasinan word meaning to uplift. Acitvites
include garden show beside the Dagupan Astrodome, trade fair of Pangasinan’s pride like Bonuan bngus, bgoong, peanut brittle, quilted products housewares and locally made Christmas decors.

QUEEN CITY INTERNATIONAL RUN
November 27 | Cebu
More fun and funky than Olympic in effort. Runners from all
over the world join the 13-kilometer marathon. A $1000 prize awaits the first to cross the finish line.

ANNUAL PINATUBO TREK (A MARCH TO PEACE TRANQUILITY)
November 30 | Brgy. Sta Juliana, Capas Tarlac
A annual event to commemorate the world-famous eruption of Mt. Pinatubo heralded the world over as the biggest and geologic uphearal of the20th century.

Manila by October blends rain and sun. One minute Manila is bright then overcast in the next. Either way, Manila is the place to be in October. Just as rain and sun make rainbows appear, Manila is bound to shine this time of the year as attractive season’s specials at G Hotel Manila brings the city in style to Manila visitors.

Until November 30 Manila visitors get a chance to be in Manila with flair by availing the season’s specials of the G Hotel Manila by the Waterfront. Cut-rate accommodation packages of a G Hotel room start at P3,500 a night, inclusive of a buffet breakfast at the Café Noir, use of the hotel swimming pool, and discounts on laundry and business center services.

The prime Manila hotel of the Waterfront group in the Philippines, the G Hotel Manila is a major boutique hotel in the country. The Waterfront hotel in Manila is located at the city center, on Roxas Boulevard, and virtually in the vicinity of where everyone wants to be in around Manila and other nearby cities. With its chic cafes, spa-scented rooms, and personalized hotel services, the G Hotel Manila by the Waterfront combines substance and elegance of a boutique hotel to stylish effects. For a detailed look on the G Hotel visit their website http://www.paradise-philippines.biz/paradise-philippines/laguna-glimpses-of-calabarzon/ After traveling to Cavite, let’s head on over to where the legendary Maria Makiling takes refuge, and my second home, Laguna.

Lying between the mountainous region of the Sierra Madre and the lake shores of Laguna de Bay, Laguna blossoms with cold and warm springs, coconuts, tropical fruits and exotic flowers. Apart from its burgeoning resort industry, Laguna also has a lively handicraft industry. It is here where you can find beaded velvet shoes, leather bags, fine embroidered fabrics, carved wooden statues and papier mache products. Laguna is also a haven for scholars. There is my alma mater, the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, for the academic performers and the National Center for the Arts for the artistically excellent.

Here are some nice places to visit while in Laguna:

Mt. Makiling. Tall tales surround the mount of Makiling. said to be protected by a lovely goddess, we popularly know as Maria, Mt. Makiling is still a challenge to amateur and professional mountain climbers with its waterfalls, mudsprings and various wildlife.

Lake Caliraya. Lake Caliraya’s calm waters is perfect for fishing, boating, windsurfing and other water sports. Numerous resorts have set up shop along its waters. Nearby is the Japanese Garden, a memorial built by the government of Japan in memory of those who perished in World War II.

Rizal Shrine. Laguna is also the birthplace of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. His ancestral home in Calamba has been restored and converted into a museum/shrine. What really grabbed my attention is the statue of the little boy Rizal with his pet pup near the small nipa hut, located in the garden of the ancestral home.

The Churches. Around 350 years old more or less, the Paete Church is a showcase of the town’s dexterity in carving. It features alter pieces and statues of intricate carvings. Another religious site worth visiting is the Liliw Church with its moss-covered bell tower and the Majayjay Church with its massive blocks of centuries-old adobe.

Botanic Gardens. With its rustic environment, Laguna is a great place for the cultivation of various plants and flowers. And if you are fond of the flora and fauna of Laguna, or would simply want to take a dip in one of the natural springs of the mountain, visit the Botanic Gardens in Mt. Makiling and U.P. Los Baños.

Nagcarlan Underground Cementery. Built by Franciscan missionaries some 150 years ago, the Nagcarlan chapel and cemetery is surrounded by elaborately carved peripheral walls.

Enchanted Kingdom.The country’s largest amusement park, the Enchanted Kingdom in Sta. Rosa, Laguna is fun destination for the whole family. Experience a thousand thrills with its theme rides and adventures.

Images to follow

What better time to plan ahead for the homecoming but today, before September ends! Good thing a lot of our budget Philippine hotels are on a roll in giving out special rates here and there. ‘Maagang pamasko’ for the overseas Filipino and his/her family, indeed.

One top choice for the OFW going here on Christmas is the line of Kabayan Hotels. They have branches in Manila such as the Kabayan Hotel Pasay, Kabayan Hotel Caloocan, and Kabayan Hotel Cubao. The rooms offer incredible space for your luggage and Balikabayan boxes. The room ambiance is carefully set to bring you the warmth and comfort of genuine Filipino hospitality.

Kabayan Hotels proudly offers a range of exceptional service like 24-hour airport transfer / “Meet and Greet”, safety deposit boxes, efficient round-the-clock security (with closed circuit cameras in common areas), coffee Shop with room service, secure luggage room, laundry services, guarded parking, 24-hour hotel car rental, and on-call massage services. The hotel’s official website offers the best rates online.

If you’re more on the old-classic Filipino home comfort, the best choice will always be the renowned Legend line of hotels. Go for the Legend Villas Hotel in Mandaluyong. The hotel really invested in genuine Filipino wood products to adorn the receiving areas, dining, windows, and stairs. You can actually hear traditional Filipino music such as the Kundiman and Cariñosa as you enter the premises. It will bring back memories of your summer vacation in the province, or your good ol’ lola (grandmother) who used to listen to Kundiman. Food is exceptionally Filipino in taste. The hunger for our home grown meals will be quenched after years of eating foreign food in another country. The Legend Villas Dining will simply provide for that.

There are definitely more glorious things to look forward to as the Balikbayan travels back to Pinas. With all the energy to exhaust in the celebrations and traditions required by the Christmas season, there are places where you will be truly accommodated even after September ends.