Filipinos are always fond of carnivals even on the onset of foreigners bringing it to the country but as time passes by, this type of business did not flourish that much because new style of fun inside super malls became the replacement that are somewhat comparable to the ones outside and sometimes console and online games are preferred by the youth.
That’s why we only see these vessels of joy mostly on special occasions like fiestas in a certain place or if you’re rich, you could hire them for a day for your carnival themed debut party .
But then, two years ago, I’ve heard this Kasadya at SRP (South Road Properties) which has all these carnival rides making it an overnight hit.
Kasadya in the English language means ‘Fun’ and luckily, I visited this spot on the third of January 2015 since I haven’t had the chance to do so last year because they’re only available starting October or November up to February of next year.
Although this place is far away from where I live; I dedicated my time and effort just to experience again the typical carnival feeling in the Philippines.
And yep, it did not fail me.
This is really what a Filipino carnival looks like: damp and mushy roads, quite rotten feel, and most especially somewhat unsafe and dangerous rides… BUT that’s why these carnivals are frequented by us because of the underlying fear and excitement that are all mixed at the same time.
There is no entrance fee here, but the rides usually are at P50.00 and some for P25.00.
The ride that everyone’s talking about was the Galactic, and upon watching it afar: I already have decided not to try… I mean, that ride was hell crazy! You would step on a platform while standing on one side and holding on to dear life and you’ll rotate 360 degrees for gazillions of times… plus they’ll try to lift the ride vertically.
I remember my cousins doing the experience, while my partner and I were watching everyone screaming at the top of their lungs: we suddenly noticed a guy was vomiting on the ride. Luckily for everyone else, he was holding a plastic bag and kudos to him, he still managed to blurt it out in the bag while being rotated and rotated. I could only imagine if one didn’t bring a bag with them.
Next, we tried a calm and rejuvenating ride: Cable Car. Although it was just short and simple: it was already enough for me since I have fear of heights, and even it’s just like fifty feet from the ground; I still feel like it’s too high… everything’s too high when you’re acrophobic. But here, you can see the beauty of the entire Kasadya, especially at night where flickering lights surround the vicinity just like stars, as well as the economically growing Cebu City from afar.
Also, we got the chance to try the rollercoaster ride that is so unsafe: it adds to the excitement and hype we’re feeling. But in the end, it was still worth the try. I tried using GoPro here, and it’s really nice watching it as a look back while me screaming like a girl. Just make sure you hold on tight to your cameras, guys.
I got bruises on my knee riding their bump cars as our last ride at Kasadya. The rink was small: just like the typical Bump Car rink at SM, but still, it was all fun for three minutes especially when you know how to manipulate the car.
If you’re hungry and needed to pig out with your friends or family; no worries because there are A LOT of food stands from burgers to barbecues as the main foods to try just outside the carnival.
We were a bit apprehensive in the first place to come here and try because we don’t know if there are taxis around since we all know that SRP doesn’t have public jeepneys running around, and only a few taxi’s that are empty that passes by as well. But I was surprised there were a lot of it on that Saturday evening waiting for us just outside. And I also heard there’s a Kaohsiung bus (I don’t know if that’s the right spelling) that is free of charge and will take you from Kasadya to Cebu City Hall.
And of course, GrabTaxi is already there, although the internet sucks around Kasadya.
It’s always good especially when you’re on your Coachella (kuno) outfits plus camera that will turn this sleazy carnival set-up into western style sophistication. All you have to add is a filter.
But the experience of the typical Filipino carnival is always worth it especially when you’re with your friends or loved ones.
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