Philippine Travel Notes

This topic started with this article Santa Maria Santissima! Hehehe there are 7 towns. Moreover, there is also a town named just “Maria” and even another town named just “Santa” – which we better add at the end part of this article. Our first Santa Maria is a town in Ilocos Sur. This is just a town apart (that’s Narvacan in between them) south of that other locality named just “Santa”. So take note of that. If you are coming from Manila, you should first reach Santa Maria, then Narvacan, then Santa. Gosh! Oh while there are beaches and waterfalls in Santa Maria Ilocos Sur, this town is best remembered for its church that has been listed in the United Nation’s World Heritage List. Don’t ya ever miss the views out to the south china sea (West Philippine Sea) from that church named Asunta Parish! Second in our list is the town of Santa Maria, far down in another “sur” (Davao Del Sur province, Region 11) just some four or five towns south of Digos City. Ah the beaches in this town beckon. ...

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 San Miguel. Yes, that is St. Michael and there are 7 towns named so! Yes Miggy my friend, unlike you, none of them was named after the beer! BUT who knows what was in the minds of those who named these towns to be so hehe! Let’s start off with San Miguel in the province of Bulacan (Region 3). You should know that this town is interesting both for its past and its present. Past: this is the place of “Biak Na Bato” prominently a big part of the country’s history. Present: this is a suburban town where many a metro manila worker could be coming from. Past-and-present: go driving around town to see some old houses still preserved to this day – that’s why many call this town “the Vigan of Bulacan”; the Sibul Springs – good then, still a bit good now; Madlum River and the caves, still a bit worth it; stone craft – this place got famous for the limestone that people had to quarry the benefits from dear earth, and now the residents are clamoring that it be ...

This topic started with this article San Jose! We all know of course that San Jose is the Spanish name of St. Joseph. And, be very specific if your destination in the Philippines is San Jose. This is the mostest in terms of same-name towns and cities. There are twelve! Ready? Well, there are just 9 towns all named literally San Jose, but plus, there is a town named San Jose De Buan, there is the city of San Jose in Nueva Ecija and there is the city of San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan. For whatever its significance maybe, seven of these are in Luzon, four are in the Visayas and only one is in Mindanao – the northern part that is, and still very near to Visayas! Let us start with the city of San Jose in Nueva Ecija as it is the northernmost San Jose. This city is not the capital of the province but is in the heart of the rice granary of the country with vast plains! Like the rest of the province, rice of course is the main produce in this area. However, they have recently risen to be the nu...

This topic started with this article There are two towns named San Ildefonso. The first town is in Ilocos Sur (Region 1) and is probably the tiniest! Landlocked, most of their farmers are sugarcane growers and the highest elevation at this town is just 23 meters above sea level. Well, there is only one thing that they’re proud of at this time – and that is what they call the “Garden Café”. Gosh! The other San Ildefonso is another landlocked town but definitely bigger than the former. This one is a town in the province of Bulacan by its borders with Pampanga. This is an industry town with factories ranging from feedmills to pyrotechnics! Well, this town fares well in the tourist map by what is known as “bahay na pula” which was a Japanese Garrison where comfort women were housed and abused during the Japanese occupation.

This topic started with this article I never thought there would be more than one, but in fact, there are three towns that use Plaridel for a name! The most familiar is Plaridel town in Bulacan province (Region 3) which is just very near the metropolis. We all know there are a lot of bag factories, toy factories, even feed mills and embroidery shops. And they have a famous marker about the Fil-American War. The old church is worth a marvel and do watch out for the Festival of Horses! A tiny little town in the heart of Quezon province facing the Lamon Bay is our 2nd town named Plaridel. It is a fishing village.Though not something to shout about, this Plaridel does have its share of resorts along the scenic beach front. And an afternoon drive along the coast from Atimonan, even all the way to Gumaca is fantastic enough! Ah, here is another secret revealed: it is only in this place where I got to experience a ride I have been wanting to do - that is those make-shift carts that speed thro...

This topic started with this article There are two! One is a town in the nearby province of Bulacan (Region 3 – Central Luzon) and is a bustling fishing and farming town owing to its proximity to Metro Manila and being strategically located on the shores of Manila Bay. It is also one of Bulacan’s border towns with the province of Pampanga. Well, it is part of the historic province, so it has its own share. Start with the church of St. Anne, then there are old era houses dotting the town some are labeled with the names of heroes who previously owned them. There is even a beach - but that's the waters of Manila Bay hehe! The other Hagonoy is far south in the province of Davao Del Sur (Region 11 – Southern Mindanao) and is also a coastal fishing town but facing the Davao Gulf instead of the murky Manila Bay! You can go bananas in this place as like its neighboring towns, banana plantations are vast. Oh there's a new inland resort called seagull! Am not sure if it was from Hagonoy ...

This is the EVERYTHING Region of the Philippines! Region 3 also mostly indicated as REGION III or Central Luzon has everything for everyone, from kids to serious businessmen. This region is one of the best for outdoor fanatics to history and culture enthusiasts! It has everything from rural seaside towns to exclusive members-only resorts and everything from the illegal gambling operations to glittering modern casinos hahaha! To be able to completely roam and absorb everything that this region has to offer, a month or two may not even be enough! Composed of 7 provinces (12 cities and 118 municipalities), Central Luzon is one of only two regions in the country that spans it shore-to-shore from east to west. I even call this vast place as the region from A to Z! That is A = Aurora (the eastern-most province, kissing sunrise and the Pacific Ocean) and Z = Zambales (the western-most province, hugging sunset and the West Philippine Sea (formerly the South China Sea). This area of the co...