The next few weeks will be every funseeker’s dream - lots of festivals to attend! Just to name a few - Diyandi Festival in Iligan, Kagay-an Festival in CDO, Kada- yawan Festival in Davao, Bonok- BonokMaradjaoKaradjao Fes- tival in Surigao, Tuna Festival in General Santos, Talacudong Festival in Tacurong, Kaamulan Festival in Bukidnon (moved to October this year) and even Lanzones Festival in Camiguin! Aah, is your heart beating fast yet because mine is! If you’re planning to attend any of these festivals, don’t forget to arm yourself ready! While I’mall for being spontaneous, it always pays to plan and prepare. Trust me, as a frequent festival goer, there can be a number of sticky situations (literally and literarily speaking) along the way. Here’s my simple, practical checklist. Most of the tips and items here are results of lessons learned. Hopefully this will help you, too!
  1. Bring essentials
Travel tickets (hotel, bus, plane), appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes (chances are, you’ll do lots of walking), IDs, enough cash and/or cards, keys, sunglasses, headgear, gadgets, toiletries in travel sizes, insect re- pellent, hand sanitizer, toilet bowl covers or sanitizing spray (very handy especially at public restrooms or portalets), sleeping bags or tents, medication, small flashlight and a small first aid kit. I use Eagle Creek Pack-it to easily segregate my stuff. The cube set is available at The Travel Club. For gadgets, keep them in ziplock bags or waterproof cases. For your bags or backpacks, don’t forget to keep the zippers sealed with padlocks. Travel light. You’ll be likely on the go most of the timeso keep your things to a minimum. You would also want to have space in your luggage for all the shopping finds and pasalubongs!
  1. Avoid using plastic bags.
Bring recyclable bags like what the PagBAG-O Project of Xavier Ecoville makes (www.tabangsen- dong.xu.edu.ph). Not only are these nice statement bags of good quality, they also provide the women-survivors of Typhoon Sendong livelihood. Plus they’re great gifts for the new friends you’ll meet at the festivals.
  1. Watching a street dan- cing competition or attending an outdoor party? I sug- gest you wear light clothing.
Also wear a waterproof sling bag around your neck and bring nothing else. You can keep your phone, some cash and an ID in there. Less stuff to bring, less chances of you losing or forgetting something.
  1. Monitor your expenses.
Want to stick to a budget? Chances are, there can be lots of sale offerings during the festivals so think twice before you buy.
  1. Keep yourself hydra- ted at all times.
You can easily feel exhausted and drained during festivals so drink lots of fluids as much as you can.
  1. Mind your alcohol and your smoking habits, please.
Unless you want to wake up with a terrible hangover the next day or get arrested in Davao, keep your alcohol intake in check and do yourhuffin’ and puffin’ away from crowds.
  1. Take photos that tell sto- ries and support local enterprise.
Here’s a challenge for you - take photos that have human interest angles to them. That way, you can help pro- mote not only the festival but the local vibe as well. Also, do befriend locals and patronize local businesses. Anything missing? Please feel free to let me know if you have other tips. That’s it for this week! For more travel and lifestyle stories, please visit my blog Mindanaoan.com Til next ish! Safe travels, everybody! Kadayawan1