Mactan, situated in the heart of Lapu-Lapu city, is undeniably one of the most progressive barangays in the area. In 2016, I had the chance to work in Mactan, particularly in Mactan Newtown, home of some of the biggest business process outsourcing companies all over the world. Ever since then, Mactan has held a special place in my heart. I still keep in touch with one of my former colleagues from work until now, and we have maintained a steadfast friendship. Recently, we were invited to a dinner celebration in Mactan, Lapu Lapu City, and I would love to share the fun experiences we had at the Fiesta celebration.
MACTAN CARNIVAL
Whenever there are town fiestas, my partner is a big fan of going to carnivals and we get to enjoy them together. Initially, I wasn't a fan, but I learned to love carnivals since we always have places we want to go to and have fun together, like the Mactan carnival.
On our recent visit to Mactan Fiesta Carnival, the first thing that caught our attention was a stall selling mangoes with shrimp and shrimp paste. Although I sometimes get hyper attacks after eating shrimp, I love pairing it with mangoes. However, we didn't buy anything this time around; we just stopped by to see the mangoes. The mangoes were being sold for 50 pesos per cup, which is a fair price given the current market rates. Alternatively, one can also buy mangoes individually as per their preference.
Childhood memories are never complete without the experience of being gifted cotton candies by parents or enjoying them during town fiestas. Back in the days, these sweet treats were sold for just five pesos each, and every child would be filled with immeasurable joy upon being gifted one. Even today, with the price of each candy at 20 pesos, children still relish the sugary delight. I recall my own childhood days, when I was not allowed to eat everything I wanted to. Thus, whenever I did get a chance to devour cotton candy, it felt like one of the happiest moments of my life.
The Mactan Fiesta Carnival has a variety of stalls that offer different products, from children's toys and paper clips to headbands and other accessories. It's no surprise that many people, especially children, are drawn to these stalls. The best part is that the products are affordable and won't break the bank for carnival goers. As someone who wasn't allowed to attend many carnivals as a child, I now enjoy the freedom to go wherever I please. The carnival is a fun and enjoyable place that I highly recommend.
The carnival attracts a lot of children and young adults, so it's no surprise that there are plenty of toy stalls around. The toys are often displayed in a way that catches the eye, with many hanging from the stalls. Among the most popular toys are battery-powered light-up items, as well as fake cell phones and guns, which are top sellers among children.
At the carnival, I noticed people enjoying karaoke, which is no surprise as singing is a beloved pastime for Filipinos, regardless of their singing abilities. It's always a fun activity to do during spare time or events, and at carnivals, you can enjoy karaoke sessions for just five pesos each while enjoying your favorite alcoholic beverages with family and friends.
The carnival also has a stall that offers a wide range of affordable children's clothes, slippers, and footwear. These products are popular among the carnival crowd, especially children, and are sold at low prices.
Although we didn't make any purchases, we stopped by this place on our way to the carnival. The carnival offered a plethora of stalls and games for everyone to enjoy, and we were excited to try them out. Carnival games are quite popular in the Philippines, and there are numerous options to choose from. Most of the games require money to play. Below are a few of the games we played.
In this game, one player will toss three tennis balls onto a numbered board, and the numbers where the balls fall will determine the winning number for bets of up to 1000 pesos. Any amount put in will be doubled, and winnings will depend on where the balls land. For example, if I were to bet on the queen and put in 100 pesos , and the balls fall on the queen, I would win 300 pesos. If the balls fall on the wall or just two balls land, the winnings would be 200 pesos for one ball. This game is ideal for those who enjoy taking risks with their money.
We also played a spin-the-wheel game where the arrow landed on different artists and characters, each with a corresponding amount of money as a prize.
One of the game's highlights is the jackpot and bonus features. Hitting the jackpot with a 10-peso bet can win you 600 pesos, while hitting the bonus can win you 400 pesos. Many people place bets and try their luck to win big. It's exciting to imagine earning 10 pesos and potentially winning up to 600 pesos, but it's important to remember that winning is dependent on luck. So, while it's a great deal if you win, you could end up spending more than you bargained for while waiting for that big payout.
We had a blast playing at the carnival! Afterwards, we were invited to a close friend's house for a fiesta dinner to cap off the night. It was a double celebration, as we were not only celebrating the fiesta , but also the birthday of our friend's boyfriend. It was great to celebrate together and everyone had a wonderful time.
As busy adults with different work schedules, it's hard to find time to catch up with friends. However, I always make it a priority to attend meetings and gatherings whenever my friends invite me. It's a great way to reconnect and hang out with friends that I haven't seen in a while. Despite our busy lives, I cherish these moments and love to reunite with friends whenever possible.
Happy Fiesta Mactan! We had so much fun! Til next year! Ciao!☺︎♡
