Philippine Travel Notes

I was at the mall this afternoon for some errands, and I saw many things posters saying some kind of recognition to all those who helped, and are still helping Tacloban. I just realized, today is their fiesta! These are just three of those that I was able to take a pic of, out of sooo many. But the strongest message seemed to dwell on "salamat". I like the poster at left - I overheard somebody saying she can't find her company's logo! I hope she was not serious. Otherwise, Hala ka Mayor hahaha! I also like the "did you know" thing. Informative! Maupay nga patron ngayan! I thought it was yesterday <awod ako>!

This is a new eating place in Sagkahan Tacloban that I've been passing by lately. So sinubukan! It happened that 3 other friends have also been wanting to check this place out. So we trooped there! We went for dinner. And aba, sa labas pa lang, from outside the window, the place looked impressive! Even the interiors looked interesting... And the buffet table looked inviting... PERIOD! How's that? Well, this is a good place if you just want to take pictures! For a buffet, this is a lame one. Not worth coming back to. All they had was adobo, fried fish fillet, whatever gulay, fried chicken. Then there's banana and pakwan. That's it! So what are you coming back to the buffet table for? Nothing! No variety, and it's the same price as at Stephanie's?! Wheh, eh di Staphanie's na lang!

A Saturday ended with nothing much to do. I asked around if there was any nearby place I could hie off to, for the rest of the gloomy afternoon even until evening. Somebody mentioned Pasqualino's, so I looked for it! Not really a nearby place if you were in Tacloban, but, this is more than worth the effort! This is in the town of Sta. Rita (Samar), 1.5km after you cross the San Juanico Bridge from Tacloban. No this is not a roadside joint. As you can see on the pic, this is on top of a hill with a nice view of the bridge itself (and other equally breathtaking sights)! Unfortunately, there is no commute to this place. You can rent a car or jeep or the Lhuiller Taxi in the city. A tricycle won't probably be able to negotiate the ascent. But if you can hire a "singgol" (single) motorbike a-la habal-habal, that would be fine. Only issue is, there are really no habal-habal commuter rides in Tacloban. But no harm in asking motorists! Let me tell you how I approached ...

I was returning to Tacloban from Palompon after a visit of Kalanggaman Island, and here are some interesting views that invited the curiosity of my camera along the way... First up, while wading our way out of Palompon... Red arrow points to an uncommon (rare actually) pedicab with a driver's backrest! I have seen many pedicabs since yesterday, but, only this one sports that 'luxurious' backrest. Why and when needed? I can't imagine! Driver needs to rest while on a "long drive"?! Blue arrow points to a motorbike loaded with a big fish container. Well, at least this one is a common sight in this country, but just the same, it amazes me that such a wobbly unstable mode of transport can carry that heavy a load. What if it topples? Fish spread! Here's another one. Ah, blue arrow is the same dude as above... But red arrow points to another rider carrying a lighter load (I guess). However, those are TWO styropore boxes, one on top of the other, AND not at ...