Philippine Travel Notes

This topic started with this article There are four towns and those are in regions 1, 4, 7 and 11! In the western part of Pangasinan, Mabini is a landlocked town. It takes the backseat from virtually all of its neighbors which are coastal towns from the South China Sea to the Lingayen Gulf. At least there is a cave system! In the southwestern part of Batangas, Mabini is interestingly at the tip of a peninsula that divides two interesting bays – the Batangas and Balayan Bays. This town’s name is easily remembered by the word “Anilao” – the most famous and readily accessible dive site in the country. This resort town has a very long list of dive/picnic/private resorts! Down south in Bohol, Mabini is a sleepy town east of the island and has its share of caves, beaches and islets. This is part of the island that is yet off the beaten tourist tracks though I suspect not for long. Just take my case, I hopped into this Mabini coming from Leyte! Further south in Compostela Valley is our last t...

This topic started with this article Compostela. Yes we know it is a province in Region 11 – Southern Mindanao, and a new one at that. This is that province straddling between the two Davao Provinces and it is commonly referred to by locals as “ComVal”. But within this province named Compostela, there is a town also named Compostela! So you’d think its normal as in the Tarlac, Tarlac or Iloilo, Iloilo or Masbate, Masbate thing! But alas, unlike the others, this town is not the capital of the province – its another town called Nabunturan! So Compostela town is just another town in Compostela Valley. Nevertheless, this town is worth a visit for nature lovers. Waterfalls and mountain treks are the main events here. So we have two Compostelas, one is a province and the other is a town within that province. That’s not all! There is another town named Compostela and it is further up in the island province of Cebu (Region 7 – Central Visayas). Ah this town is still or already a part of Metro ...