Philippine Travel Notes

This topic started with this article There are four towns in the Philippines named San Luis. First, the town of San Luis in Pampanga is a historic one. It has a big ancient church and all its 17 barangays are named after saints! The boss of the HUKBALAHAP movement purportedly is from this town and in the early times (actually until now) this is the domain of the Elizalde businesses! Far to the east still in this region is another town of San Luis in the province of Aurora and one of its biggest actually. There are springs, falls, beaches and a beautiful bay. This is the resort town that welcomes you on your way to Baler. Our 3rd San Luis is a town in the province of Batangas and is also a resort town with diving facilities though not very popular on the list of people from the metropolis. Then there is the landlocked town of San Luis far down south in the province of Agusan Del Sur (Region 13 – Caraga). Hop in there for genuine tribal rituals during the planting and harvest seasons. Ra...

This topic started with this article Yes we’re still in the Philippines and we have 5 towns named San Francisco! In the province of Quezon (Region 4A – CALABARZON) is our 1st town bearing that name. And this is the southernmost tip of the province on the shores of Tayabas Bay, almost across the island of Marinduque. Now now… don’t think about the name and associate it with that fine city in the US West Coast. This is a faaar cry. The town has yet to see paved roads from the main city of the province and their folks have yet to be “emancipated” from the control and dictates of wealthy land-owners. Even education (public high school) is a brand new thing here circa 1999! Our 2nd San Francisco is a town in the island-province of Cebu and it is a town off mainland Cebu. This one is an island-town (Pacijan) and is part of the Camotes Islands. While also a poor-man’s town, this San Francisco is surrounded by different kinds of beaches for everyone who seek serenity! This is the beachest area...

This topic started with this article Who or what is Rosario? Whatever that word means, there are 5 towns in the country named Rosario. First is the town in the province of La Union (Region 1). This Rosario is the province’s southernmost town in its border with Pangasinan – thus, many of its residents actually speak both Pangalatok and Ilokano! While like any coastal town in Pangasinan and La Union, you can find a lot of dried fish here, note that export quality wood furniture and furnishings are the best products to find in Rosario. This town lies in one of the approaches to Baguio. The next Rosario is a little town in nearby Cavite Province (Region 4A). This Rosario which is just about 30 kilometres or so from the Metropolis and kissing the Manila Bay is host to an export/economic zone. So it is more of industrial town than anything. Okay, there are resorts there but you’d rather go elsewhere, right?! Then our 3rd Rosario is still inside Region 4A, in the province of Batangas. This on...

This topic started with this article There are also two towns named Loreto and both are in Mindanao. One town is in the province of Agusan Del Sur and the other is in the province of Surigao Del Norte – both in Region 13 – CARAGA! The former is southwest of Agusan Del Sur province and in its border with Bukidnon. I have yet to know what might be good to find in that town, at least for the tourist! Well, the latter Loreto is the northern tip of Surigao Del Norte province in Dinagat island already facing Samar island. And of course, this place teems with white beaches, springs and waterfalls. Go forth to this Loreto before everything is ruined by commercialism!

This topic started with this article Proof that this country is home to peace-loving people? Whatever your view is, there are four towns in the country named La Paz – meaning “peace”. The first La Paz is ironically a town up in the province of Abra (Region 15 – CAR). Politically, this town (and the whole province) is not at all very peaceful compared to most others in the country especially during elections! Oh I even know someone who does not want to go there because the opposing factions in those political quarrels are all his relatives. The second La Paz is in the province of Tarlac (Region 3 – Central Luzon). This agricultural town is along the banks of the Chico River and borders Tarlac with Neuva Ecija. Being an agricultural town, bird-watching is fine here especially on the swampy areas – but alas, not even its own locales know or appreciate this kind of recreation yet! The third La Paz is in the province of Leyte (Region 8 – Eastern Visayas). It is an agricultural and landlocke...

This topic started with this article What about HOPE?! Well, there are 3 towns in the country that bears this name Esperanza – meaning “hope” in Spanish. First is a town in the province of Masbate (Region 5 – BICOL) and it is at the southwestern-most tip just across the northern tip of the island of Leyte. Being a coastal town, this Esperanza also has its share of white sandy beaches. And it also has nice snorkeling and dive sites nearby. But accommodations are best had at the provincial capital. Then note that there is also the town of Esperanza in the province of Sultan Kudarat (Region 12 – Central Mindanao). Ah this town bordering the province of Maguindanao is adjacent to the Sultan Kudarat capital town of Isulan. More of a farming community than anything else, at least you’ll find a hot-spring in this town! Now there is still another Esperanza! And that is this big agricultural town in the northern part of Agusan Del Sur in the border with Agusan Del Norte. Rainforests are still h...