Philippine Travel Notes

Am not sure there would be that big an effect to our oceans, BUT, this surely is an eyesore and tasteless way of dumping your trash. Those are bus tickets - 'condoctor's copies' thrown into the waters by an idiot of a bus conductor over at the BALWHARTECO - the port in Balicuatro, Allen Northern Samar where buses ride the RORO to Matnog, in Sorsogon. Not from my bus conductor, at least! Well, the uneducated workers of our times...

This topic started with this article Oh Magdalena! Actually there is just one town officially named Santa Magdalena. However, another town is named just “Magdalena”. So they still become part of our same name towns. Santa Magdalena is the name of one town in the province of Sorsogon (Region 5). Almost at the tip of Luzon, this town is the southeasterly, thus partly facing the Pacific Ocean. A beach town therefore! Now up in the heart of the province of Laguna (Region 4A), just by the foot of Mt. Banahaw is a town called Magdalena. The name was derived from its patron saint Santa Maria Magdalena that makes it the same as above, right? I like calling this lace an “epic town” in that it somewhat has a conscious effort to be so. The centuries old church and the equally “ancient look” of the town hall are a favorite location for filmmakers wanting to have a ’rustic old town away from Manila’ scene. Let’s go to Santa Maria next?!

This topic started with this article There are 4 towns. First is the town of Sta. Fe in the province of Nueva Vizcaya (Region 2). This town at the southwestern border of the province with Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija just at the end of that dizzying zigzag road called Dalton Pass. Then there is the town of Sta. Fe on the southern tip of the province of Romblon (Region 4B). There are beaches and islets plus the trail up that mountain called Calatong. The third Sta. Fe is a town on Bantayan Island, Cebu (Region 7). Yes this is where boats, fast crafts and ROROs arrive from mainland Cebu. Like the two other towns on the island (Madridejos and Bantayan), Sta. Fe is a beach town and gets to full capacity during Holy Week. Lastly, there is also a town named Sta. Fe in the province of Leyte (Region 8). This Sta. Fe is a landlocked farming community adjacent to Tacloban, Palo. I do like afternoon runs to Ormoc from Tacloban where passing by this town always has great sunsets by the rice fields. ...

Back from my half day tour of the CWC, first ting I needed to find was lunch. Did not want it at CWC since the pocket was already a bit shallow. Aw c’mon, this was Day 9 since I left Manila for Tacloban, then Samar, and now hopping along the land trail going home. Did not also want to eat at Villa Caceres Hotel as I already took my breakfast there. I needed to be at some place else, if only to see more of Naga. So I asked the Villa Caceres crews where might be a good place to have lunch. After explaining my “requirements”, hotel crews were unanimous in telling me to go find Geewan and have my lunch there. Good I asked about the restaurant’s name and signage as I really thought they meant G1. Clarifying I said, “so I will just look for a G and the number 1”. The front desk lady said “no sir, its spelled GEEWAN”! So I found it easy. And signage alone, I knew I was in for a good sampling of the local food. It says “The Home of Bicolano Dishes”! Yey! Surprisingly though, this place is not ...

Done with the boarding, I opted to roam the facility. Just so I can see whatever is there and tell friends and family (that’s you) about CWC or CamSur Watersports Complex. The “CamSur” stands for Camarines Sur province, of course, in case you are still wondering. So here goes what I think is worth remembering… Space? Ample! This is one big complex converted from what seem to have been rice fields in the past. Trees? Not so many (yet). Thus, the place, though always windy, feels summery (a.k.a. hot humid) especially during Philippine summers. At least it is obvious they have not felled big trees to give way for the complex as common with most urban constructions. Its more on the other way around – meaning they are growing trees here and there instead of what may have been vast fields of rice paddies and grass. Front Office? Nice clubhouse-like set-up. The building is good, the crews are giggly cheerful, the locker rooms and shower areas clean with modern amenities and there are even dis...

Alright folks, I did it! I went wakeboarding and I consider that mighty brave of me myself and I, having gone to CWC alone, and tried the boards… alone! Pathetic you might say, but I did it just the same! Keber hehe! Here's the story… How did I go there? By instruction of the very helpful CWC staff when I called, I took a jeep to some corner where I transferred to a tricycle, and voila, there I was! While it is very near the Naga city center, CWC is actually already part of Pili, Camarines Sur. Same with their provincial capitol. You wont even know you are already actually outside of Naga! There are no cabs (yet) in the area btw, in case you were thinking about that. Purpose I told them outright I just wanted to see the place and get a feel of what is this CWC hullabaloo all about. But I said I would be much happier if there was at least someone who can show me around. They obliged but told me to come early at opening time as they wont be that busy yet. And that is the reas...

This topic started with this article There are 6 and all are towns. Whew! Still in the province of Ilocos Sur (you probably have noticed, almost all towns in this province are named after saints) is the town of Santa Cruz. A farming fishing community with a long coastline, this town does have a waterfall frequented by tourists and residents. Next there is the town of Sta. Cruz in the province of Zambales (Region 3), and like above, also faces the south china sea not to be outdone in terms of beaches. There are even the Hermana Mayor and Hermana Menor Islands each having its own airstrip! This town has a cave, a cold spring and a fish sanctuary while they remain in the Guinness book of records as having the sweetest mango in the world. Hmm. Then there is the big town of Sta. Cruz in the province of Laguna (Region 4A) by the southeastern edge of the Laguna lake. Being the provincial capital, this town is more of a commercial center where folks get supplies going to the various tourism so...

This topic started with this article There are “officially” just two towns in this country named such. One is in the province of Ilocos Sur (Region 1) and the other is in the province of Negros Oriental (Region 7). But… The town of Santa in Ilocos Sur was formerly called Santa Catalina in honor of Santa Catalina de Alexandria. So, that technically gives us three towns named Santa Catalina, albeit historically, right? In time, probably because people found it inconvenient pronouncing the long whole name, they kept referring to their town as just Santa. Until they altogether decided to drop the “Catalina” and the “de Alexandria”. As you would have known from the previous entry , Santa is just to the north of Vigan, the province’s capital. Now now… the first “official” Santa Catalina is alas also some kind of suburb of the same city, Vigan. Just about a town in between them to the south by the way. Remember that long bridge connecting two mountains by the mouth of a big river? That one is...

This topic started with this article Care to start with a town having an official name of just “Santa”? Well, its not named after the western colloquial meaning of that word. In fact, St. Nick is not nicknamed “santa” anywhere in the Philippines. He always takes the full name of “Santa Claus”. This town of ‘Santa’ in Ilocos Sur had an original name that is also of a saint. It just got shortened through the years hehe. That, we shall learn more of, a little later… Meanwhile, let’s go to “Santa Ana”. Some write that as “Sta. Ana”. There are two towns in this country. First is the beautiful ‘and controversial’ town of Santa Ana in the province of Cagayan (Region 2). Yep, this is that northeastern tip of the country that should be running big as a town soon – but I wonder why not now hehe. Did you know there is even a special economic zone in this town since the late 1990s? Yeah yeah, it is not just supposed to be a Freeport but also a tourism haven. But economic zone or not, I suggest you...

This topic started with this article Yes this is the baby Jesus and that name is actually spelled as Niño w/ the “ñ” but I opted to write this with the normal letter “n” as some web browsers on earth are still crudely configured not to recognize such a letter. Just remember, it is pronounced as “nin-yo” and not “ni-no”. Ah there are also 3 towns in this country that sport that name. And what a cute co-incidence, these towns are located one in each of the main island groups – meaning Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Cute eh? Two are officially identified as using the completely spelled “Santo” while one officially uses the abbreviated “Sto.” First off, we have the town of Santo Nino in the midst of the province of Cagayan (Region 2). This is a farming community and actually still holds its previous name of Faire, still used by quite a lot of local people to refer to it. Then there is the town of Sto. Nino in the province of Samar (yes, Western Samar, Region 8). This town is comosed of two l...

This topic started with this article St. Thomas of whatever… and there are 6 towns named exactly Sto. Tomas! Gosh! One is in the province of La Union (Region 1 - Ilocos). This is the northernmost Sto. Tomas and is well known for having pioneered in controlled / scientific production of the bounty from the sea. Thus you see a lot of dried fish on sale along the highway. There’s an interesting story about their patron saint – no, its not Sto. Tomas. And I like the municipal hall perched up on a hill. Another Sto. Tomas is in La Union’s neighboring province of Pangasinan (still in Region 1). This little town is down by the big river across Villasis and is at the province’s border with San Manuel, Tarlac. Ah yep, this is the town that purportedly just bagged a Guinness record for the longest barbecue – they grilled mainly corn. Further westwards is another town named Sto. Tomas in the province of Isabela (Region 2). This is the northernmost town named Sto. Tomas and it sits by the northwes...

This is just an account of my latest trip to Catbalogan with a lot of notable things as far as my lowly mind is concerned! Every time I pass this way it’s always different but I really never bothered to take notes. One of you asked me to observe details, and so I did. Am not sure if this “taking stock of the details” made me real happy but I learned a whole lot! Here we go… Availing of the lowest airfare there was/is from Manila to Tacloban, I took off one morning via Cebu Pacific’s earliest flight of the day – ETD 0455H. Had no sleep the night before as I was home late from the office and had to be at the domestic airport by 0255H. Gosh! Let’s not anymore dwell at how I got to the airport as it was a breeze with no traffic along EDSA! Check-in . This was one rare occasion where I had all of 95 kilograms for checked luggage – 5 boxes and a big bag. Oftentimes I do not even have a checked bag when flying around this country! At the airport I called on a porter and asked for his assistan...

This topic started with this article There are three of these towns. However, two are officially ‘tagged’ with the abbreviated “Sto.” while one takes its name with the full “Santo” Domingo. Santo Domingo is a resort town in the province of Albay (Region 5) located at the southeastern foot of Mayon Volcano. Thus, the volcanic black sand on its beaches along the Albay Gulf. There is another town named Sto. Domingo located up north in the province of Ilocos Sur (Region 1) just below the town of Magsingal where both lie along the national highway if you were going north from Vigan. Amusing story about how this town got its name! The other Sto. Domingo is a town in the heart of the province of Nueva Ecija (Region 3). Like most of the province, this Sto. Domingo is a farming community. There we have them, while all 3 towns named Santo Domingo are in Luzon, 2 are north of the metropolis and 1 is south. Careful not to get lost! Lets go to Sto. Tomas next!

This topic started with this article Oh St. Vincent! There are 5 towns in this country that are all named San Vicente! Our first San Vicente is a small town in Ilocos Sur (Region 1). Its town center is inland veering northwestwards from Vigan but part of it is by the shores facing South China Sea. Like Sta Catalina, Bantay and San Ildefonso, San Vicente is more of a suburb of Vigan. Its farming community that is supposedly a good source of Basi. But I haven’t tasted that yet hehe. Their church is purportedly worth a peep, so I hear. The next San Vicente is probably the most popular to tourists. This one is more commonly mentioned as “Port Barton” which is just actually a Barangay of the town on the northwestern shores of Palawan (Region 4B, MIMAROPA). They have pristine white beaches both at mainland and the various islands and islets in its territories. There is even a waterfall and the wild fauna is reportedly still quite a sight. Yeah yeah, the controversial Boayan Island is also pa...

This topic started with this article There are also two towns in the Philippines that are named San Remigio, one in Western Visayas, the other in Central Visayas. San Remigio in Antique (Region 6) is at the heart of the province. It is in the mid portion by the border with Iloilo province, landlocked and mountainous. Thus, expect a lot of caves and waterfalls. This is a cool town – even called “little baguo” by most of its residents. I envy a friend who says it is up in the mountains of this town that they went to see the biggest flower in the world. Yep, Rafflesia, that odorous thing that looks like a ‘lazy susan’ called a flower hehe! The other San Remigio is a town in the northwestern side of Cebu province (Region 7). This town boasts of having the longest shoreline in all of Cebu. That’s just it though, just the longest, not necessarily the cleanest nor the grandest hehe! Hey the San Remigio Beach Club is luxuriously good but there is really no sandy beach! The public beach is fun ...

This topic started with this article Also two towns, one in central Luzon, the other in Western Visayas. Oh the first town, San Rafael in Bulacan is where the Angel Festival takes place every September. This town is even made more famous by Northwoods (Golf) and 8-waves, places where metro manila folks troop to during breaks or vacations. There are many inland resorts and even orchid farms in this San Rafael. Then there is another San Rafael in the province of Iloilo. It is north of the province and in the border with the province of Capiz. There is nothing much in the town for the tourist but its gaining some kind of interest from youngsters. The roads around this town have finally started to be concreted – and, remote as it is there are not so many vehicles passing anyway. Thus, skateboarders frequent those roads. If you are looking for your kid who is into that sport, you’ll likely find him there hehe!

This topic started with this article There are two towns too and both are in the north! The first San Quintin is a mountain in the province of Pangasinan Region 1 – Ilocos). It is at the eastern edge of the province on the border with Nueva Vizcaya. High up in the Caraballos, of course this is a farming town but there is a resort with three swimming pools! Moving northwards, on the lower and western edge of Abra province by its border with Ilocos Sur is another town named San Quintin. There is the “footprint of Adam” and people believe it really is the footprint of a giant. The cool rivers and mountain views are still fantastic.

This topic started with this article There are only two in this country but if you are in Metro Manila, both are south bound! One San Pascual is in the province of Batangas (Region 4A) which, being next to the city is aptly a suburb dominated by Chevron and First Gas! But while the town may seem commercial and industrial, try checking out La Hacienda. It’s a different kind of weekend high, a cool place to relax and learn about farming especially the fun part – harvest! Down in Masbate, our second San Pascual is the upper half of Burias island. It is made more famous by a little island to its north called Sumbrero. The turtle sanctuary is quite a paradise!

There are four vehicles, right? Two motorcycles, one passenger jeep and one owner-type jeep. Now who is the violator? But which way is that sign facing?! Ah, your guess is as good as mine! Or you can go back to this place in Naga City, Camarines Sur, and check which is the correct way. I know, but am not telling hehe! Well, the disregarded signs of our times!

Took this pic as I waited for my bus from Calbayog City to Naga City. That trike was moving very slowly. I could see the reason why. I just thought, you must have powerful legs to last in that kind of job. Then he stopped. And started hauling 3 of those sacks to a restaurant at my bus station... scroll down for the next picture Well, if the legs are exercised by the hardy pedal, the arms are not left out. It shows in his body anyway, right? Who said you need to enroll at Gold's Gym or Fitness First eh?! Oh well, the 'stronger' signs of our times!

This topic started with this article San Pablo. There are 2 towns and 1 city i this country that are named San Pablo. First town is up in the province of Isabela (Region 2, Cagayan Valley). This town faces the pacific ocean at the boundary with Cagayan province. Oh yes, this is that little town with a big big church made famous by Dan Rivers when he chanced upon it after losing track of a storm. When I was standing in the middle of the grounds (what used to be the inside of the church, I could sense that it must have the biggest and longest in this country. San Pablo City? This is an old historic city that you can easily check on the net. I do not however call this city landlocked… its "mountain locked" hehe! Hey, I have seen them many times (during flight arrivals to Manila) but I have never been to all the seven lakes of that city (yet)! Jumping far south to Zamboanga Del Sur is another town San Pablo just about 30 kilometers or so southwest of the capital Dipolog. This San...