Philippine Travel Notes

This was recommended by the manong trike driver as a good place for us to have lunch. For lack of any other information, we heeded as we didn’t have any option anyway. And he brought as right to the gate of this resort – which is nothing but a simple unassuming place by a real sandy beach. Yes, there is a “beach” hehe, unlike the previous places we have been to. The whole place in fact is devoid of the rocky areas that seem to dominate the southern part of Pangangan Island where we just came from. The “resort” is a wide expanse of beachfront lot with day-use native cottages and umbrella type huts amidst coconuts and other trees. These cottages vary in size from good-for-four to good for a busload. They do have other amenities such as sound systems or videoke for those who might need them. And monobloc chairs are readily available for those who come by the platoon! And folks can play or hanker around the grounds as there is ample space in the middle of the property (cottages are lined o...

Okay, now… we were out of Isla Hayahay then what?! Am not that easy to give up when on an island, so I suggested we move on and continue touring the island in clockwise direction to have a look at what else we might find worth a peep. I asked the tsismosa of a lola by the roadside what was next to see on that road. After saying “nothing”, she recovered saying there are other resorts onwards. So we decided to go for them. The nearest was one called Dream Island. We asked if it was far, she said just a little bit onwards. We asked if we could walk to it, she hesitated but said yes. So we walked… Dream Island Beach Resort. This resort has very big billboard by the roadside. Then you walk a bit from said road to the resort premises itself. Hmm, what a contrast. While there is big signage by the road, the resort is kinda ‘whatever’ and seemed desolate. Their cottages are the kind of open type native huts with bamboo tables and benches that are very commonly rented along public beaches. We t...

After the “picnic area”, the causeway continues amidst mangroves where we could see some wild birds and lizards. Ah, like them, fish would surely be happily procreating somewhere down there, as this mangrove area is still lush. I do hope they’ll keep it that way for a long time because, really, as we forded in the newly-made road, somewhere in me was saying “here we go again, encroaching on what otherwise is/was a place for earth’s other creatures”. Anyway, we arrived at the island where an arc ceremoniously welcomes every visitor. Welcome to Pangangan Island… now what hehe. Well, we asked the manong driver to bring us to the first and nearest resort along the way. He gladly obliged and told us that the road going there is better. Isla Hayahay. This is a resort. Yes, in Pangangan Island, Calape, Bohol. The first one of a number of resorts we saw in our clockwise roam. First impression? Well, I was impressed! This tiny resort is orderly, clean and very obviously well maintained. I liked...

They pronounce this as “Pang-ga-ngan’’. Its an island just off the shores of Calape and a fine enough respite for locals and visitors alike. Nope, it cannot boast of ultra luxurious things nor almost-fantasy kinds of beaches as you would on islands heavily beaten by the tourist feet. But Pangangan has its own little rustic charm that I like. Although I might say, its slowly being erased by modernistic developments. So you decide if you wanna go enjoy the island now or later. As for me, here was another island that I never even knew of, yet, I promised myself, I should be back for more. Yeah, promise! Longest causeway. If you don’t have your own or a chartered boat, and if you cannot wait for the next little boat that takes passengers to the island, the next best thing is “land trip”. Its not far, really. Just about 5 or 6 kilometers of a trike ride from the town’s public market via the causeway. What’s with this causeway that the manong driver kept proudly harping about? Well, when we ...

Another unexpected wow! My tour of Calape town continues… and after the church , we just naturally flowed taking our time roaming the well manicured park / gardens… that led us to a wonderful looking municipal hall. Its not big, but its grand. If the church looked like it was some castle, the Calape Municipal Building looks like a miniaturized Provincial Capitol. Yes, simple, elegant, and really stoic-looking without much of the modernistic touches or blingblings. In short, it’s a small thing that has a big commanding presence. I like this one, and I have not even heard of any Bol’anon who takes pride that they have this. I insist, they should. Aside from its era-like look, the spacious greens in front that looks like a continuation of the churchyard gardens is equally wonderful. Simple and not even modernistic but truly beautiful. Foremost probably is that it is clean from rubbish that people would just carelessly throw around. All that we saw littering the place were newly fallen lea...

Walking excitedly southwards from the public market, we mused that Calape’s church seemed to be unusually big (tall) than most I have seen in little provincial towns. And as we walked, I thought it even looked more attractive than Tubigon’s. When we reached the church yard, all we could say was… wow! It sits on a curving part of the highway that makes it a bit awkward to find a good frontal view. Nonetheless, viewed at different angles, this church looks like it were part of a fantasyland with Castilian fortresses! There is a small park in front, which probably became smaller due to that curving highway. In any case, viewed from the park and at the sides, this church really looks fantastic. What I noticed as we viewed this church from various nearby vantages is the absence of crisscrossing black spaghetti (yes, the power, CATV and telephone lines) that ruins the view to many fine architectural landmarks in this country. That’s not to say that the church does not have electricity hehe. ...

Happily settled at The Monina’s in Tubigon, we just dumped our bags on our beds and set out to start roaming the area. But let me delay my stories on Tubigon until the last part of this series, so I can lump everything in just one story as we stayed there for 3 days. This time we went to a town named Calape. I guessed it right, this town got its name from that delectable rattan fruit called ‘calape’ in most of central and eastern Visayas. Nothing that I considered a must-see in this town, at least from the little that I have surfed on the web. I just wanted to see the place. Though, as I always say, throw me anywhere and I will surely stumble upon something worth my while. Calape is one such surprising example. I knew there are a few and ugly bus rides on the island of Bohol with erratic schedules, such that when we saw the first available V-Hire calling out for passengers, we asked if it was on the way to Calape. Conductor said yes, so we jumped in. Oh yes, most V-Hires in Bohol have ...