Philippine Travel Notes

Well well well… who does not know Baguio?! The summer capital of the country, the place that let a thousand flowers bloom every February, the place where your mom and grandma would go for an AUV-full of vegetables so you end up eating ceasar salad from morning till night – in three consecutive weeks! Any more memories?! Yes, the ukay-ukay capital of the country – definitely with more choices than you have in all of Cubao and Aurora Boulevard, right? I cannot disagree. But for me, there are a lot of other (good or bad) things Baguio worth remembering! For now, let’s talk about the various ways on how we go up to this summer capital. Getting there Easiest is to take to the air and land at Loakan Airport, 4251 feet above sea level – which is actually still “below” the city of Baguio. Flights from Manila take less than an hour but you will need land transportation from said airport about 20 or so minutes to the city proper. Don’t worry, there are jeeps and cabs! For the commuters, most co...

This topic started with this article Naguilian Road going to Baguio? That is what comes to mind, right? Naguilian town in La Union Province (Region 1 – Ilocos) is the source of that famous name “Naguilian Road” which is one of the alternative routes going to the summer capital. If you do choose to roam around this town and its environs, you will of course have your fill of cool mountain treks down to rolling plains and valleys. Oh fishing in this town is possible! Why? Because, there are two big rivers and their tributaries that criss-cross the area. The townsfolk have an admirable knack for wood, bamboo and even metal crafts, the products of which are mostly brought up to the Baguio commercial centers which is just about 40 plus plus kilometers away. Now, don’t get confused. On the other side of the Codilleras is the other Naguilian. It’s a town in the heart of the province of Isablea (Region 2 – Cagayan Valley). This is the lesser known of the two Naguilian’s. Interestingly, this tow...

Do airlines just assign the numbers they feel like using to identify a flight? Yes and No! Part of the “yes” is that the airline’s wise guys can decide to put a policy that their flight numbers should be this or that. Part of the “no” is that there are a lot of international rules/conventions/agreements that flight numbers should be this or that. Let us titillate your curiosity on this topic! They’re not all numbers As you would have noticed, flight numbers – at least for commercial flights – are actually not just numbers literally. There also are letters – usually two letters – before the digits. Or didn’t you notice that? While the numbers may have been choices of the airlines, the letters may not, can not and should not be changed, even by the airlines themselves! Examples would be PR300, JL742, QF019, SQ071, EK333 (international flights from Manila) and PR847, 5J577, 2P022, 6K919, DG011 (domestic flights from Manila). Aren’t you curious what those letters are? Airline Codes Well, t...

This topic started with this article Naga, everywhere I go in these islands supposedly is the local term for the 'Narra' tree. There are three local governments named Naga! So you thought it is just the City in Bicol, right? Aside from Naga City, there is also Naga town – now also a city – in the province of Cebu and another Naga town in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay (Region 9 – Western Mindanao). Let’s skip the city as we all know it’s the frontier city of the Bicolandia and there is the Camsur Watersports Complex and this city is the jump-off point to the Caramoan Peninsula and the pili nut is addictive and the Penafrancia is mind boggling! And there are a whole lot of literature about Naga City everywhere. Ayan, we skipped Naga City hehe! The town of Naga in Cebu province is actually still a suburb of the metropolis where you find many of its working class and college students do a daily commute to and from the city center of just about twenty or so kilometers. I even wo...

This topic started with this article Take note there’s a letter G at the end of the word, you Morong hehe! But the towns' name is pronounced in a fast manner with the stress on the second syllable – quite much like in the speed and stress when pronouncing “berate” or “amass”. Clear? Okay now... The first town is that famous place in the province of Bataan (Region 3) facing the south china sea. And yes, this is that town just by the border with Subic – the ex-Naval Base. And yes, if coming from Subic you pass through the “Morong Gate”. The sunset sights up on the highway is spectacular. Don’t miss it. Of course we all know this is a beach town and there are resorts. But if you can social-climb your way (like I did) to Anvaya Cove, grab the opportunity! Having experienced nature in the luxurious comforts and amenities at that exclusive resort estate was really grand. But I don’t dream of buying a property there. I just don’t think it’s worth it as a long term spend! OMG, social-climb...

Hoo hummm! Why do you (family and friends – my avid readers) keep asking me about Boracay? As if any of you or your 1-year olds have not been there yet! Anyway, I feel I am subservient today, so I will oblige. Here goes my “Boracay Pages” as many of you want me to call it. Gosh! I first sat foot on this now famous island in 1985. And yes of course, those days when Mom and Dad and “Grampa” would worry where I was, who I was with, and what were I/we doing at 6PM of any day cuz “abuela” won’t cease nagging them (even during angelus) as to where her grandest grandson was, who I was with, and what I was doing, and if I have already partaken of my supper, and if I have washed and changed into my pajamas, and if I already said my evening prayers. Ahh! So, my dear cousin 3.5, are you happy am starting to reveal my life to the world? Am sure you are, hayup ka! Come to think of it, I suddenly felt a bit nostalgically moved after saying that paragraph(above). What with all of them “my heroes” gon...

This topic started with this article Two towns too are named Mercedes. The first one is in the province of Camarines Norte (Region 5 – Bicol) and it is on the easternmost fringes directly facing the Pacific Ocean. This fishing village is touted to be the origin of those “whispered fish-bidding” process that you commonly encounter at the Navotas fishport. Quite a way to buy and sell fish hehe, very noise friendly! Springs, cave, islands and beaches are of course the tourist targets in this area although it is not much trodden by tourists. The other Mercedes also hugs the Pacific Ocean, this time on that peninsular tip of the province of Eastern Samar (Region 8). This is that little fishing town before you reach Guiuan on your way to Calicoan or Homonhon. Like the towns of Salcedo (to the north) and Guiuan (to the South), Mercedes interestingly lies between two bodies of water – the Pacific Ocean on the east and Leyte Gulf on the west – so there is a lot for the adventurer!