How did we end up at a Filipino actress's party - with Filipino folk dancing? We hardly knew it ourselves, but these are the kind of experiences on trips that you never forget.
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Walk on the northern part of Malapascua.
At the beginning of our stay at Malapascua we stayed in the northern, less touristy part of the island. One day we went on a longer walk, to look around in the surroundings. Among other things, we went to the nice North Beach, which is usually mentioned in tourist guides and where there is a beach restaurant.
We also walked past several other smaller beaches. On the way back to the Lighthouse Beach Bar, where we were staying at the time, we passed a large luxurious house that we were told belongs to the famous Filipino actress Pilar Pilapil.
Visit with Filipino actress Pilar Pilapil
As we passed the gate to Pilar's residence, a number of people stood in the doorway asking if we wanted to take a look inside. We weren't sure at first if we were being invited to a private home, but it turned out that Pilar Pilapil was opening a restaurant in the building - she herself lives in another large house nearby.
We grabbed a beer at the restaurant, which hadn't quite opened yet, and went up to the rooftop terrace, which has a great view of the sea and neighbouring beaches. In one direction we could spot the boat Dotche - the one we're going boating with - and in the other direction were a number of other Filipino boats.
So who is Pilar Pilapil? In the Philippines, there is no need to explain - everyone knows - but for a Swede, a little introduction is in order.
Pilar Pilapil started her career as a beauty queen and represented the Philippines in Miss Universe 1967. After this, Pilar became an actress and when you read about her on the internet, you see that she has been in lots of Philippine films and TV series, and that she has received a number of best actress awards.
She is still featured in TV series on Philippine TV today, and our new Filipino friend Hildem (who we got to know through our friends Micke and Julia and who will join us on the boat trip) tells us that his mother love Pilapil as an actress and is usually glued to the TV when the time comes.
Opening party with bands and Filipino folk dancing
When we visited Pilar, she invited us to the restaurant's opening party a few days later. Why not take the opportunity to have an interesting local experience?
Now we had moved to Bounty Beach, on the southern part of the island, and although it's possible to walk, it's a bit too far when you start to get chafed by the flip-flops ... There are no roads or cars on the island, so we paid two moped drivers to take us to Pilar's restaurant, where we sat at a table.
During the evening there was a lot of entertainment. A band played and a singer entertained. But in the Philippines - the promised land of karaoke - everyone wants to sing, so it wasn't just the professional singer who sang. Some of the restaurant staff wanted to get up and sing a song each.
There was also entertainment in the form of Filipino folk dancing. A group of young people came and gave a nice performance.
According to our Filipino friend Hildem, all Filipino children are taught these dances in school.
Finally, it was also time for Pilar Pilapil to take the stage. Although she is primarily an actress, it turned out that she can also sing.
Want to read more about Malapascua and the Philippines?
Being part of the opening party at Pilar Pilapil is one of those travel experiences we won't forget. Fun!
We've been hanging out here on Malapascua in the Philippines for a while now and if you want to read about more experiences on the island you can read about the inauguration of a Filipino boat with whole grilled pigs and if Sinulog festival. Below you will find all our articles on the Philippines.
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Lena - gott för själen says:
So much fun! I can imagine that it was a really cool experience!
Hug Lena
15 February 2023 - 6:53
Maria/emjis.se says:
Wow what a thing!!! So fun that you got to be part of it!!!
15 February 2023 - 10:20
BP says:
Absolutely marvellous! It is precisely such experiences that etch themselves in the memory. You can live long on them:-)
15 February 2023 - 17:58