Philippine Travel Notes

From the Guinpandayan View Deck , I went straight to poblacion Mapanas, skipping the Pinusilan Rocks as I've been there last year. I realized I was running out of time! First I saw was the municipal hall, since it's just along the highway. And this was it? My scooter driver said matter of factly that that is really it. Honga naman ano? Ayan nakasulat na eh! Yet based on my roaming experiences, it can't be the real frontage. I told him to stay where he was, and I went around via the street at right. O eto... That is their municipal hall compound. And the building at left edge of that photo, is what faces the highway. Well, the compound is still or 'already small' for a town hall. Aw, Mapanas is a small town, even by today's standards. Maybe what they have still properly fits all their municipal employees! They only have 13 barangays now, which grew from the original 7 barrios during creation in 1966 - a fairly young municipality. I stood in front of the...

Let's continue roaming . I was done with the church . What else was worth my while? A lot! That's too typical when we go to places (even if for the n th time) 'no? Like this: People's Center . What is that? Ah, that's just how Palapag calls their Municipal Hall. Like many in our country, it's growing bigger & wider, to cater to a growing populace. That's why you'll notice, both flanks of the building are also buildings-in-the-making. As constructions and repairs were obviously on-going here and there, I didn't bother to go near, much less enter the building. I didn't want to be an extra burden to them. Municipal Park Behind me as I took that 'munisipyo picture' was their municipal park (town plaza). There still is a Bandstand I saw a bandstand and it was hard for me to tell in which direction it really is facing! I forgot to take a photo of the area, but thanks to googlemaps (where I grabbed that screenshot), it becomes ...

Arrived ! And, I stealthily made my way out of that airport, while everyone was still busy with the arrival ceremonies. I knew where I was going, Bantayan. No no, not the island in Cebu heheh! Just a main (longest) thoroughfare of San Jose De Buenavista (SJDB). The arrangement was: to drop my bags at a hotel (I choose not to name it for now), because I was still very early, then come back at 12NN for check-in (overnight stay). Tricycles Fares Are Prominently Displayed It was even this hotel that taught me how to commute from the airport, via tricycle. I like cities that have transparent transportation fares, and that are strictly enforced. They're cities that seriously embrace honesty and fairness, that travelers love . Bawal ang nanlalamang na driver. That, is a mark of mature and progressive communities. There are not many of them in this country. I can even only remember Cauayan and Puerto Princesa. Now let's add San Jose De Buenavista, Antique. Worth emulating ...

Let's continue my walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City, aka Saigon. Immediately after lunch, we strolled to cross the road from Quan Ngon 138 (Ngon 138 Restaurant) to the Independence Palace (Dinh Độc Lập). For a location reference, you can look back at the lower left quadrant of the map in my previous post . This is an interesting place, not just the building and/or its physical surroundings but also the history of how it came to be and how it ceased to be. I was grateful I visited with a knowledgeable tour guide. You will notice, sa simula at sa ending ng story nila eh, aba me eksina ang Pilipinas! So keep reading! Like all that I saw earlier on this walking tour, this palace is a 'must see' for Saigon's visitors. This is it: K-pop ang bagets na yan. Natawa kami ng aking tour guide bakit ganyan ang tayo niya. Mahirap yan a! FYI, I didn't click to take his pic. Nainip na lang ako, antagal nya nakatayo, eh agawan mag-pose dyan! Ayos din di ba? Unique ang Gra...