Philippine Travel Notes

For wartime history, and American era fortifications, this island is a must-tour for both the Filipino and the foreign visitor. It played a significant role in the liberation of this country from Japanese occupation. So, worth the visit, if only for a closer look at the realities of yesteryears. Yes, even also worth a visit あなたは日本国民であっても。 There are many available references about this island and how it has been used since the 1500s where it fared historical prominence in various attempts to seize control of the country by Spanish, Dutch, British, American and Japanese colonizers. But most historic was yes, the final Japanese-American war of 1945. Everything about these are however better heard as you tour around the island – and this place has one of the best tour guides the country has ever produced! Anyway… How to go there? There is only one “real” operator that does this tour, Sun Cruises. I mean they are the company that owns the fastcraft and the Corregidor Inn, but as it is ...

I have been to this place some ages ago, and I think that was a school field trip or something like that. Also passed by this place a couple of times on the way to or avoiding heavy traffic going somewhere! This time, I went to Kawit on purpose – for lack of anything else to see or do at Cavite City when I popped in there with no plans whatsoever! The purpose… what really is there anyway! How did I know about Kawit? Which Filipino won’t have heard about this town if they have at least finished their primary school? And living in this country you always watch, hear or read about news that a so and so politician went there to attend the flag ceremony in commemoration of the country’s independence every June 12, right? So Kawit is fairly on the Filipino’s mind. But my ageing brain can’t recall any more details than the above. So, knowing I was already in Cavite City, I asked around if Kawit was still far. The old lady said just about 30 minutes or so by mini bus. Going there Along P. Burg...

Wakas means “The End”. Am not sure what “wakas” is in this context. Maybe the name of the Barangay, or the district or the area, whatever. I was passing by, so I can tell you it was not ‘the end’ hehe. Oh well, the mind-boggling names of our times…

Another accidental find? Probably so! I was just wont on riding that new Metrostar Ferry from the MOA to Cavite City and here I am slowly discovering an interesting province! I have to use numerics in my article titles (Discovering Cavite 01, 02, 03 etc) for I have decided I will definitely return to see and experience more! Here is my story… How did I know about this place? Well, most everyone residing in Metro Manila would know or have heard Cavite (the province) which is just a suburb of the metropolis anyway! So I am one of those who think this way! Of course I have been many times to parts of this province but really just to do specific affairs and not necessarily to learn more about it. How is that? A birthday party of a friend who lives in one of the Cavite towns, a Caylabne or Tagaytay excursion, a tour of Corregidor, a “tripping” c/o a realty company to visit their “new village”, and so on. All those visits were not meant to understand, discern more or admire the beauty about ...