Philippine Travel Notes

The question was: after watching the butanding in Oslob , where would be a nice new place to visit? We considered a day tour on Sumilon , even called them earlier to check rates. Alas, we were late. Meaning we left Cebu City too late for it to be practical to hit the island-resort after the butanding watch. I also considered the nearby Tumalog waterfalls, but friends were not too keen on that. Also considered backtracking to Simala , but they’re not that religious. Even considered Carcar , but they’ve already enjoyed Vigan . So… Why not go to Dumaguete ?! And we all said yes. It is just a hop away! Bus to Liloan port in Santander, fastcraft to Sibulan, jeep to Dumaguete! Not even an hour to go! Thus, we waited for a bus… but this was what first came hehe! They spent their grand slow time wading, ooops traipsing that highway. Yes, vehicles evaded them! Queen of the road and her princesses - cute lovely ducklings! We reached Liloan jetty port in no time... But awk! No crafts were bei...

Let’s talk town and city names in the Philippines. Yes, many a first-timer can easily get lost without properly checking or asking around where a town or city is. Often though, the getting lost or confusion stage occurs during the planning of a trip. Research and the ever reliable “asking around” do get us to realize exactly which place we are headed to. Did you know there are more than 120 names in this country that are used by two or more towns or cities? That is counting only those places with exactly the same names! There are still others with the “sounds like” or “seems like” status. Here’s a sample conversation: Me : Yo, we just entered the NLEX and should be there in two hours. Friend : Gosh! You don’t have to fly on the road. Me : Oh San Fernando is just near, can we meet at SM or Robinsons? Friend : Ha? There is no SM nor Robinsons here, ano ka ba? Me : Di ba pagka-exit sa tollway ng San Fernando Friend : ‘Tado, that’s San Fernando City in Pampanga, my house is in La Union Me ...