Philippine Travel Notes

I am a fan, I don’t care what others have to say. Are there really harpists in Cebu anyway? Certainly. And there are many of them. But they are not your usual concert artists at such ‘alta sociedad’ venues as CICC or 5-star hotel lobbies and lounges. Some do not even know what those concert venues are or are for. But they certainly have something in common. Music and musicality in their blood. Yes, am referring to those ambulant beggars making the rounds of Cebu’s residential areas lugging their bulky instruments, to play in front of your gates to receive – if lucky enough – a coin or two. The many decades I’ve been living in Metro Manila, I think I may have encountered something similar at least once. And am not even sure of that. Perhaps my memory is just muddled, as usual hehe! But in the Cebu home, for more than two years now, a week would be too long if I don’t hear, see or meet at least one of them. There are many during the Christmas Season. A permanent fixture that I love liste...

I saw this manong shortly before 8AM today, Independence Day - while Cebu's 'Road Revolution' was in progress. He is a/the newspaper vendor selling all those dailies. But his reading that page caught my interest. That's a full-page call center ad seeking Customer Service Representatives. Could he be considering a career shift?! Oh well, the intriguing signs of our times...

What place comes to mind when you hear the phrase "Pink Sisters"? Hmm, yes, Baguio, then Tagaytay - in that order, right?! But did you know there is also such a monastery in Cebu? Ah, well, not really Cebu City since it is already a few steps away from the boundary. It is in Mandaue City. Yep, that is the 'Adoration Convent of Divine Peace' - a monastery for nuns clad in pink habit, reason why its called 'pink-sisters' and I think you know all about that part, right?! Anyway, this convent (and chapel of course - that's my topic in the first place) sits in an urban neighborhood that is by the boundary of two barangays both named Banilad. Yep, Barangay Banilad, Cebu City and Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City! And that is along AS Fortuna Ave., - the famed strip where many notable restaurants and branches of virtually every bank in this country are located with or without ATMs! Oh yes, as of this writing, AS Fortuna has four hotels, two of them new - and am only...