Philippine Travel Notes

I have been to this place like centuries ago and all I can remember is there was an elephant, a lion, a tiger, some snakes and crocodiles horses and monkeys and birds. But the most that lingered in my lowly memory is that it was a yucky place I did not even want to sit anywhere – and I was young then supposedly unconcerned of the dirt, grime or smell wherever I was. Lately, a friend told me he saw some personality mention the Manila Zoo on TV; that it was kind of refurbished and now fine to visit. In short it was either being advertised or endorsed or both (as if those words differ on TV!). So the kaladkarin in me ticked again and lo… we went there just this afternoon! That’s right, just still a few hours ago – meaning I was there this very day! Purpose: to check if it was really what was being described on TV as seen and heard by my friend so that we could have something to tell friends and family if it was okay to herd the children to this almost forgotten urban getaway… The Manila Z...

This topic started with this article Before we jump to and get dizzy with the litany of saints, let us start off with an interesting name called Sagay. There is a city and there is a town. The city of Sagay (Negros Occidental, Region 6) is actually almost already an oriental since it is at the northeastern tip of the island of Negros and very near to the boundary with Negros Oriental. There are islets and good beaches here. Residents call this place the “Garden City of the North” (of Negros Island that is) or the “Home of the Sinigayan Festival”. I would like to call it a ruined marine paradise slowly nearing rebirth! Why? Go talk to the people, even the lowliest of fishermen know and understand things about biodiversity, our future and our children’s future! If managed well, this place will be another tourist destination in the future. It just has everything from marine wildlife to islands and islets and beaches. Diving and snorkeling around here is great – ngayon pa lang! Then there ...

This topic started with this article There are 7 localities in this country named after the late president Manuel Roxas. First is the town of Roxas in the province of Isabela (Region 2). This Roxas is on the eastern part of the province in its border with Mountain Province is a farming community. The next Roxas is that little town on the eastern portion of Mindoro (Region 4B) which has come to the awareness of many a Filipino by its being one of the ports in the “nautical hiway” – esp a jump-off point to Boracay via the ROROs. The 3rd Roxas is a big town on the northeastern portion of the island-province of Palawan. Though not on the most popular strips of the island, this is also a resort town and a jump-off point to “exotic island” and the tabon bird sanctuary. 4th is a town called “President Roxas” and it is in the province of Capiz (Region 6). This town is in the eastern section of the province and like most of its neighboring towns, thrives in the fish and aquatic resources indust...

Just for a change of scenery, family agreed to once again revisit and do our “Sunday shopping” at the Sunday Market on the grounds of the Lung Center and I was happily surprised it seems to have grown with a lot more stalls. Some years back we would frequent this place for our “master of the kitchen” to buy her desired eats that were hard to find fresh in groceries and supermarkets. And oh boy, we were happy to realize those can still be had from there! Actually, I triggered the family to this idea of once again checking out the Lung Center bazaar since some Sundays ago, a friend called to ecstatically tell me that she was at that same Sunday market and was overwhelmed at the variety and prices of the produce being sold – in the middle of the city amidst parks, the city hall and hospitals! For those who have not been there yet, here we go… The bazaar is on the very grounds of the hospital immediately to the right of the parking area along Quezon Avenue. Approaching the Quezon Memorial ...