My last stop at Sta. Elena City in Laguna was thru the Balik Bukid last November 2013. I don't know the reason but they had their last one way back in April 2014 which I missed that particular "feel".
Good thing, Acacia Waldorf School had their 2nd Advent Fair last November 25 open to the public. Compared to Balik Bukid venue at Cabuyao, it is a bit nearer in Sta. Rosa (but looks like only a few steps away to Cabuyao if going to south). Based on their Facebook event page from their number of food and arts and crafts - this is a perfect substitute for the said event that I missed in the south for a number of months.
I arrived there at around 10 am. From the nearest subdivision in Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road (that main road going to Sta. Elena) to AWS, I had a Php 50 special trike ride. There's a Php 200 which is not bad that they will be using it for the construction of their facilities.
Food was my main target so I had an organic burger from Down to Earth (which I missed from Balik Bukid) and oh boy! I felt the grass-fed cow that made that almost 200 grams of burger patty. I even saw former senator Kiko Pangilinan with some of his kids on site as they bought some goods there.
Way back from the Facebook event page, I was about to buy some coffee from the high school kids at their building but for some reason, I can't buy coz there are some not enough signs especially for outsiders like who might entice to buy some from them. How I wish those teens were there again next year. Instead, I bought that coffee from the group of grade school kids with that treehouse with barako coffee with carabao's milk and coco sugar. That was a different kind of caffeine experience that I really delighted.
I also participated with the people of Drumstart there but unlike when I had my first experience with them in ATC, I felt bitin. Local world (music) band Kalayo was also there as they allowed some of the Drumstart participants to jam with them.
At the stage, there were some talented faculty staff and students there. OPM legend Richard Merck was also there with his jazzy tunes. No doubt (for me this is a bonus) that the main attraction there was Bamboo who sang around 7 songs with his new band. Hits from Rivermaya were present on his set list as well as his current single "Firepower" from his new sophomore record as a solo artist.
Just a tip: Smart 3G is a lot better at the AWS grounds compared to Globe who only had EDGE signal there. There's a bit of Smart LTE there but it will switch back to 3G. I hope both telcos can improve their signals in Sta. Elena City.
I left there at past 6pm which on my way back home, I saw some rare show of fireflies on those grasses on the side of the road. I am look forward for the 3rd edition of AWS Advent Fair. Thumbs up to all of the organizers.
