Philippine Travel Notes

After so many passes, it's time to tell my story about this unique resort... That house is not even part of the resort. Isn't that unique hahaha! That's just where the owner lives. Look to the left, almost to the back of the house.., that is where your experience of this "resort" starts! From this sign board, you can discern how this 'resort' interestingly started... Meo [pronounced "mi-yo"] is the name of the owner. His love of the kitchen led into catering services after returning from various stints abroad, at famed luxury liners. Brisk business evolved into this... A banquet / function hall where folks can celebrate various occassions or hold social events... I was asked by a 'paying public' to come and "say something" at that ongoing seminar-workshop. And that is how I came to know this resort, because I roamed around the facility after I "said something"! See that? This is a big place, and really good for pa...

I left Burauen and moved onwards to La Paz, still using the nice provincial roads. While exiting town center, just two minutes from the church, I passed by this bridge... I was praising how good (and new?) this bridge was, when something made my chinky eyes open wider. The name: Daguitan Bridge. I said to my self "how is that possible"? I thought this might have been mislabeled as I know of another bridge (in Dulag) that is also named Daguitan Bridge. I was sure too, that it is not this one, since, that "other" Daguitan Bridge is longer, and there is something there that fascinates me (story later). Things played in my lowly mind, until I silently calmed my royal self, that both bridges are named "Daguitan Bridge". Well, if towns can have " same names ", so would be bridges! Still on Daguitan Bridge (in Burauen), I looked down and saw some kind of a mini-dam.. Not sure what it is, but it looks like a dam to me, micro size nga lang hehe....

Alright folks, as promised in my earlier story , I am covering Burauen's town center this time. Just passing by - had a quick meeting with some folks and to see some little things! That is the good looking frontage of their municipal hall. Nice and big. I might say one of the biggest I have seen in provincial towns so far. This looks like a capitol building! But two things perplexed me looking at this building: 1) why closed and fenced off? shouldn't a municipal hall be open to the public, daily?! 2) why still use letter "V" instead of the real and actual letter "U"? On Question 1), ano, me rally? First time I saw a closed pamahalaang bayan - the home of the people. Duh! On Question 2), lumang ka-artehan na yan, jusko 2015 na ngayon ano ba? Be realistic and true to the "word". It is not only misleading, it's also BAD V Y! Yak! Oh, they're making an (even bigger?) extension to the left of above picture... A legislative building or ...

I have been to this town before, but only as far as Brgy. Arado , which is still some 4 kms or so to the town center. So, here I was, excited, on my 'mission' riding the 8km stretch from Julita to Burauen. It does not take long, especially if, like me, you cherish looking at beautiful rural landscapes. Just 8 kms but scenery enough that kept my brain a churning! As said in an older story  before Yolanda (I was roaming herearounds), this town's name is pronounced "boo-ruh-wen". Don't fuss with the spelling, you'll just get a big headache! When we were approaching the town's central area (about 2kms?), I saw this... I heard there is something unique about this resort, but, let me just tell about it if and when I am already able to actually visit. This is a popular inland resort near a river. Burauen btw is landlocked. Look, there's a red carpet! Probably a wedding celebration. This one is part of EVSU (Eastern Visayas State University) Burauen ...

I do not mean that title to be about two women. Yes, Julita is a common woman's name in the Philippines, and, there are many people in this country named Leyte (or Lettie), but this story is about the town of Julita in the province of Leyte! I just passed by, actually! Note: "Julita" is a name of Spanish origin, the first syllable is pronounced as "Hoo". Ah, although I was roaming coastal towns, this one is not really by the coast but just near. And it was included in my itinerary, so 'wag na mag-reklamo. Enjoy reading nalang! I went to have a few words with someone at the center of town. So I got to see this... You guessed it. That's their municipal hall as of now. It is under reconstruction - yep, after the wrath of Yolanda. At right edge of photo is a drawing of how it will look when done. I hope they'll keep that unique black marble slab that tells "how Julita got its name"... It is not only informative, it's also a good conve...