I must admit that I had some very serious reservations about the move from Lampton Park to this new venue, but they were dispelled soon after arrival by the sheer size of the place and the better than usual organization. I could notice, however, that it did make a good business move, if not only for car parking charges, among other things. £10 may sound a bit stiff, and it definitively is, but once one takes into account the overheads for staging such an event, then it makes some kind of sense. Unfortunately for them, although I drove in, they had to do without my contribution.... Wnen we arrived early in the morning, the weather was a bit dull and cloudy, but by 12.30 the sun came out with a vengeance and it really started getting hot. The crowds were still coming in even as we were leaving at about 5 pm and by then there was just about standing room only, and believe you me, the field was much larger than Lampton Park. The entertainment wasn't up to the usual standard, in my eyes and eardrums, but the ladies in my life were enjoying it and sapping it all up, so I put my inbred grumpyness to sleep for the rest of the day, and concentrated on observing the proceedings... A few walks around did bring in some small surprises, although the theme is basically the same. The cooked food stalls, although slightly dearer than last year, had a wider choice of foods on display, and the Place with the 2 lechon baboys on the portable spits must have done a roaring trade... They must have been cooking the things overnight on the spot... dedication or greed...??? The drinks were cheaper......... Incredible, I know, but I wasn't arguing why, just in case.......... The annoying thing really, is the usual gripe of every year... No respect for other people efforts to arrive early to get a proper field of vision... Every body and his wife, just plonk themselves in front of you, regardless of asking nicely to move a bit sideways, here or there... Clearly the security didn't read this bit, because tents and gazebos were everywhere and couldn't walk without trampling on one... Oh, and another thing........... They seem to get the sponsors to advertise on stage....... Unending queues of people selling their condos, Balikbayan boxes and whathaveyou..... bit boring that bit.... but never mind... Still ain't buying tho... On the whole it was a decent trip marred only by them indoors wanting to go to Kent and visit anf uncle living there.... Didn't get back home until 4.30am... Absolutely knackered..
Yeah just a few tents but I am not sure security had enough people left as most were at the gate turning people in cars away. The Wife and her mates said quite a few people were complaining of how complicated it was to get there for them. Plenty of people had long treks Along roads with cars almost blocking the foot path. Also saw a lot of cabs ordered by fiesta goers which I have never seen at Hounslow. The wife got all her foods but noticed a few stalls were charging a lot for quite small portions :O
Well, I went to this. first time and probably the last. Was that a fiesta? Seriously? Seemed like a trade fair to me. Not the slightest hint of a Fiesta from where I was standing! I'm sure this is great for people who want to meet up with friends around the country. Sure, it gives a good focal point for that and many people who used it for that probably came away having had a great time. But, quite frankly, the event itself was a load of old ****. When we arrived it was ok for a while. There were people on the stage singing and there seemed scope for a decent day's entertainment. But once the TV company took over, that was it. Just one group of people after another trying to get you to buy something from them. If I wanted a condo in Manila then I'd get one, thank you very much. Not only that, but I'd probably take the option of buying one that had already been built. The food was crap too. Just mass prduced sludge. Sure, you probably should expect that in a massive outdoor event like this, but as it seemed to be the biggest selling point of the day from the comments I read before hand then it wasn't great. And the people constantly thrusting flyers in my hand from the moment we entered until the time we left brought to mind the scene in Airplane where the guy goes through the airport and starts beating up hawkers. Why not have games and stuff for kids? Just a giant picnic really, the whole thing. Such a shame. I guess it's better than nothing for Filipinos here, but it was just lazy. Apart from that it was great though!
That was probably hosted by ABS-CBN's Vice Ganda. She's easy to recognize being as she's 6' tall, short hair and invariably wears very tight leggings and 5 inch heels. Not a bad set of legs either - for a bloke which in fact is her birth gender. As well as promoting condos - which she does here too - she hosts an embarrasing chat show - embarrasing for her guests as well as anyone who has more than a solitary braincell.
Gotta say not always my cup of tea but the sales and marketing pay for the event. The wife and her friends are happy with the foods it's not perfect but brings a smile to their faces. Yes it's expensive but the stalls have to pay two thousand pounds a day and have all their other costs I know of several pinoy food services and shops who balk at the cost. For the wife when she first went it just under a year of being in the uk it was so nice for her to be immersed in a weird miniature pinas and we all love the fact it feels so safe at the event. Being such a female dominated event the atmosphere feels very non threatening and we always joke the police must fight to be on duty there. It's not perfect but however complicated., hot or raining and traffic jam ridden the roads are for the missus and her friends they will attend because just for a few hours they feel as if they are at home. They have had organised events for the kids or had sports competitions i noticed in the past but it seems many phill families just like to be all siting and walking together. Often some groups sit out on the sides of the park bring their own foods and watch the phill world go by.
my family and i loves coming to this event every year. But this year's was horrible. We came on both days because my kids are big fans of Kim Chui and my both me and my wife want to see Vice Ganda. We rented a family room at Travelodge FELTHAM because its just 17minutes drive from the venue. Mind you! it took us 3 hours and 30 minutes to get in to the venue. Getting out of the car park is a lot worst! a horrible 2 and a half hours for a few meters drive!!! I am just lucky to have my a/c serviced before coming to the event. We didn't bring any tent because it was told in their website that it wasnt allowed to put up a tent. When we came on saturday tents were everywhere! I cant blame them because no one can withstand excruciating heat of the sun. Since we are coming back the following day i bought a pop up tent since we are to stay the whole day sunday. The food: quite expensive! The cost of a stick of BBQ on saturday is a pound but came sunday it's 3 for £5. A beauty product bought by my wife cost 85p on saturday became 95p on sunday! What a rip!! My fav halo-halo is £4. I don't mind if it is £4 but each cup of halo-halo has just a teaspoon not so full of every bit ingredients with 3-4teaspoons full of sugar and just enough milk to compensate for the lack of sahog which makes it quite pricey for £4. We used to buy some grocery stuffs during barrio fiesta but not anymore. All we want is to enjoy the weekend, have fun, enjoy some foods we longed to eat plus have a little bit of entertainment. But went home full of disappointment and disgusted! I dont usually make any comments or review but this is an exemption. Unless they change the venue or invite Angel Locsin i will not be persuaded to come back in this money making event i once loved.
