Philippine Travel Notes

This topic started with this article Then we have Candelaria. There are two towns! One is of course the well-known copra town in the province of Quezon near the capital Lucena City (Region 4A – CALABARZON). This Candelaria being at the foot of Mt. Banahaw has a lot for the nature lover. Spring and nature resorts, waterfalls, ancestral houses abound. The other Candelaria is up in the province of Zambales (Region 3 – Central Luzon). This Candelaria also teems with resorts. Not spring or mountain resorts this time but sunny sandy beach resorts facing the South China Sea! But it’s not all coastal paradise here. There is also a lake purported to be the cleanest in the region. Ah, the now getting famous Potipot Island can be accessed from this town. Not a beach bum? Well, look around and feast your tongue with the delectable big Zambales Mangoes! Ahh!

This topic started with this article Calamba has a twin! So we thought that a mention of this town always refers to the birth place of the national hero Jose Rizal and/or the Mt. Makiling and/or the hundreds of hot-spring resorts and pools and/or the “original” buko-pie! Not always so! The other Calamba is far down south in the province of Misamis Occidental (Region 10 – Northern Mindanao). Ironically, this town also boasts of a lot of spring resorts and pools! I wonder... did Rizal go there too while in exile?!!

This was at a fence in front of a residence along the famed Policarpio Street in Mandaluyong. Yes there is no park, just a tindahan hehe! Kuha?! Oh well, the interesting warnings of our times!

This is that famed street in the city of Mandaluyong that has already gained much acclaim locally and even internationally because of the purported fantastic Christmas Lights and decorations of the houses. Finally, and thanks to the incessant requests of too many of you, I went to that little street just this afternoon! The verdict, yes I was amazed but NOT TOO HAPPY! I suspect this is a “sign of the times” and “false entrepreneurship” working hand in hand. How did I know about this place? Well, for years now, this street always makes the headlines on various news media during the Christmas Holidays! Going there Transportation to the area is a bit tricky for the first-timer. So I heeded the advice of friends who have been there – “don’t bring a car” unless you have a driver who can go elsewhere after dropping you off and return to fetch you when you feel like its time to go! There is no place nearby where you can park a car with peace of mind! So you have to do a commute! Don’t worry, ...

Aha! This is a topic exactly a year overdue! For whatever reason/s (there were a whole lot hehehe) I failed to post my 2005 notes on this festival. And the 2006 version just happened last night and I was also there! So, let me aggregate my notes and probably even make comparisons of last year’s versus yesterday’s event! How did/do I know about this event? Though not (yet) very much publicized on various media, this festival is mentioned (at least) on the government’s “Wow Philippines” tourism website. And I have learned by asking around that this festival usually happens on a Saturday and usually the first weekend of the “simbang gabi” series of nights! So last year it was December 17, this year it was yesterday (16th – ok, a few hours ago), and next year it will probably be on December 15 (Saturday) – although simbang gabi starts on the 16th! Going there As with last year, we stood out along EDSA to catch a bus that would be going to, or passing by San Fernando City (Pampanga that is…...

This topic started with this article Bato means stone or rock. Cabatuan means a place with a lot of them stones. Cabatuan, thus, is a name of many places as obviously there are a lot of 'stony' or 'rocky' places in this country. Fortunately for our sake, there are only 2 towns named so. There is one in the province of Isabela and its namesake in the province of Iloilo. The one in Isabela is an agricultural town still high up in the cordilleras but its right beside the City of Cauayan which makes it a bit more populated than other farming communities. Well, its namesake in the province of Iloilo is more well-known to be the town where the new airport is being constructed! Of course it hosts the Hinirugyaw Festival which is a derivative (even a copy) of the Dinagyang and/or Sinulog! Now… now, wouldn’t any Pinoy think that these two towns actually derived their names the way the 3 towns of Bato got theirs?! Rightfully so! And there is even a town in Masbate called Batuan i...

This topic started with this article We’re just still in the same-name towns and cities that start with the letter “B”! As promised in my previous post, let us now try Burgos. The name traces back to a hero, Father Jose Apolonio Burgos who is the “BUR” in famous acronym GOMBURZA. Father Burgos was born in Vigan as an “insulares” having had a mestiza mother. Anyway, Burgos town in Ilocos Norte’s northwest edge is famous to travelers as it is there where we catch the majestic Burgos Lighthouse also named Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. Its one of the tallest, oldest and actually still in use! The other Burgos town is in Ilocos Sur (still Region 1). Well, rightfully I think since this is the province of the dear martyr. But for the visitor, this town is nothing much than an agricultural place that is landlocked and borders the province with Abra. The 3rd Burgos is in the province of La Union (still Region 1) by its border with the province of Benguet. This town is nearer to Baguio than its capi...

This topic started with this article What about Buenavista?! Well, there are FIVE towns in this country that bears that name, so be careful lest you get lost! The name means “goodview” (Buena=good, vista=view). So probably the Spaniards and whoever else named these places saw some grand scenery from these places. First is Buenavista in the province of Quezon (Region 4A – CALABARZON). This town is in the southern part of the province called the Bondoc Peninsula that kisses the Ragay Gulf. This one has a wide land area but nothing much for the erstwhile tourist! The 2nd Buenavista is in the island-province of Marinduque (Region 4B – MIMAROPA). This town is the southwestern end of the island and has hot springs, sulfuric spring resorts and waterfalls. The 3rd Buenavista is the northern tip of the island-province of Guimaras (Region 6 – Western Visayas). This is the entry point to the island from Iloilo City esp when the waters are rough. The wharf on this town was built by Gen Douglas Mc...

This topic started with this article Bontoc. There are two! Just to the west of Bato, Leyte, is a little town called Bontoc! Yes, this is the little known (if not the unknown of the two Bontoc’s) and it is in the province of Southern Leyte. Probably because it sits back-to-back with Bato (in the west), this town also has a waterfall that might be worth a visit. But everywhere else is mostly plains for rice, corn and abaca plantations. Well, the more famous Bontoc, as many would know, is the capital town of Mountain Province high up in the heart of the Cordillera Ranges! Don’t miss their village museum managed by nuns. But of course, there’s no saying it any better, the rice terraces of Maligcong are just fantastic!

This topic started with this article Bato. Oh stone! In Catanduanes is a town called Bato. But there are 2 other towns in this country with exactly the same name! Bato in Catanduanes is a little town to the southwest of this island-province and is just a few kilometers from the capital of Virac. But they have beaches and waterfalls – even a little island. Ironically, the other town of Bato is still in the Bicolandia – in Camarines Sur. This Bato sits just right in the province’s boundary with the province of Albay and hosts the Lake Bato. This town is near Iriga City. Facing the Ragay Gulf, this town also has white sand beaches, waterfalls, springs and caves. The 3rd town in this country also named Bato is farther away in the province of Leyte. There is a fantastic waterfall there called Dunjuban. Nearby is an island with interesting opportunities for diving and snorkeling. The reef seems still lush. Plus, this is where some of the boats and crafts take off going Cebu and Bohol. Ah yes...

This topic started with this article So, how about Baras?! There are two! First is the town of Baras in the province of Rizal – not really that far from the metropolis. It has an ancient church, it kisses part of the Laguna Lake and is well known for being the home of the mighty Arnis and Sikaran martial artists. The other Baras is a town in the southeastern seaboard of the island-province of Catanduanes. It’s about an hour and a half ride from Virac. While still very rural, this town is a future tourist attraction. Beaches abound, the Abaca industry is starting to fuel up, plus artists and artisans have come forward that they extensively use or take advantage of the interesting products from this place! Then again, above all, surfing reigns supreme in this place as the best crowd-drawer!

This topic started with this article Still in the province of Aklan, northwest of Balete and about 9 kms south of Kalibo, there is a town called Banga. It’s just like Balete actually. Nothing to see there except that the main campus of Aklan State University is there. The university has a “stations-of-the-cross” with life-sized statues as you go up a hill called Manduyog. Period! Now its namesake is a town in the province of South Cotabato. Landlocked and situated in the very middle of the province, it is a big town being just next door to Koronadal City. Interestingly enough, most of its residents speak Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, a similar language spoken in Banga, Aklan!

This topic started with this article Have you been to Balete? No not that haunted place with a “white lady” in Quezon City, it’s just a street! There are two towns in this country that are named Balete. One is in the province of Batangas and has a panoramic front seat view of the Taal Volcano. It’s exactly across or the opposite end of Tagaytay so you have the flip view of Lake Taal and Taal Volcano! While your view of Taal Volcano from Tagaytay will be the setting sun illuminating the lake and the island, from Balete, the sun will make a dramatic silhouette of the volcano island. It is such a nice “other view”! Okay, so where is the other town of Balete? It’s farther down to the southwest in the province of Aklan. It’s a big town in terms of land area but it’s not big on the tourist map. It has one bank, one tailor shop, one dress shop, one dental clinic and 2 funeral parlors hehehe! No accommodations for the tourist there whatsoever and nothing to go wild about being there! Duuuu!

This topic started with this article Bacolod? Well, who would not know that it’s the city of smiles in Negros Occidental with an interesting and quite lovely Masskara Festival every October! Yes, indeed. But don’t raise your eyebrows if I told you that Bacolod is in the province of Lanao Del Norte in Mindanao and it kisses the tip of Iligan Bay! For indeed it is. The other town that is hehe! This lesser known Bacolod is a quiet little town but it has some nice little beach resorts and waterfalls that your Bacolod City does not have as its all urbanity. There is also quite a bit of history in this little town that can be reached from the cities of Iligan, Ozamiz or Cagayan De Oro. Now, now… is Bacolod town really in Lanao Del Norte or Lanao Del Sur? Ahh yes, there is also a Bacolod in Lanao Del Sur but its real name is Bacolod-Kalawi and that is the little poor town that kisses the Lanao Lake across from Marawi City. At times this little town is even called Bacolod Grande but I guess th...

Like in Manila, you can’t hail a cab at the arrivals area. Why? Still like in Manila, taxis are not allowed to go there! Why? Ah go ask any of your bright government authorities who are all politicians – meaning “public servants” during the election campaign, but quickly turn into self-appointed monarchs the day after they’re elected! Anyway, here are the options: 1) From the international luggage claim area, you should see a hallway to your right that connects to the domestic arrivals hall. Head there instead of going out to the international arrivals foyer. You will see an elevator on the right and hop in with your baggage cart. You are supposed to take this route if from your international flight you are connecting to a domestic flight that departs from this airport on the same day. Since arrivals is ground level, of course your elevator brings you up to the ‘next and only’ level which is the departure area. Upon emerging from the elevator (you are at departure level) going left is ...

This topic started with this article Now let’s go to Aurora. Yes, the name is of that venerable first “first lady” of this country and wife of then president Manuel L. Quezon. The most prominent “Aurora” is the province (her very own) – which naturally, rightfully and fortunately was named after her. She was from Baler which is one of the 8 towns of the province. This is one of the country’s surfing capitals second only to Siargao. Well, in the province of Aurora, there is a town named Maria Aurora. You’d think the people from that province can’t get enough of immortalizing her! But no, the town is not named after her. That name is after her eldest daughter Maria Aurora who died with her when they were ambushed in Nueva Ecija on their way to inaugurate the Quezon Memorial Hospital in Baler. Who were the culprits? Ironically, it was the HUKBALAHAP (Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon). Gosh! So where are the other Auroras? One is a town in the province of Isabela (Region 2) by its border with...

Find those words for yourself hehe. This big big signage is nailed to a tree over at Isla Del Sta Cruz Grande’s pink-sand beach! Yep, in the city of flowers :)

Here is a cute sample of that mixed Visayan Spanish Malay and Tagalog for a language. I was surprised at myself. I may not be able to literally translate it, but I could understand the reminder well - "Please leave your footwear here, downstairs" or something like that, right?! Yey! This was at that museum inside Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City. Where we were not being allowed to enter, remember? Because they have just cleaned and the tourism boss was coming, remember? Chingga! (I hope I spelled that last word correctly hehe) Oh well, the interesting ‘signs’ of our times!

So, have you been to Zamboanga? Which Zamboanga?! Zamboanga City? Zamboanga Del Norte? Zamboanga Del Sur? Zamboanga Sibugay? Or do you actually know what and where those places are, huh?! Afraid? Why? What are you afraid of anyway? You just heard something on radio or TV and you so quickly decided Zamboanga is a dreadful city? Shame! It’s far from being a war zone, believe me. And save for some eyesores, the place is actually grand! So let me tell you about things Zamboanga the way I have seen or encountered them. To make everything easy for you, let us focus on just one place for starters – Zamboanga City. This city has its own kind of charm that after the first visit, you’d want to be back there by the next available long-weekend. Here we go: How did I know about this place? Honestly, my first visit of Zamboanga was not anything I yearned for. It was an official assignment from my previous employer and I had no choice. But I guess this was one such opportunity that led...