Philippine Travel Notes

After the church , I walked to the municipal hall of Malitbog. This is just a block away from the church , on a tree-lined street flanked by the expansive grassy football field (called plaza) on the left, and an enormous gym with outdoor tennis courts on the right. After that second tree above, you have to turn left on that street. Then, a few meters from that corner, the gate to the municipal grounds would be on your right. I can even see it from this picture (yeah, I already know now, because that's where I walked hehe). On entering the gate, this will be what you see on your left side... I guess that guy on the monument is Jose Rizal in black coat and white pants. He faces the municipal hall (to the right of this picture). Watching their every move? Maybe, hehe! Note though, on the same monument, ever higher than Rizal, atop that pointed pedestal, is a woman in Filipiniana dress. Now I can't figure what symbolism might that be... sorry! Oh, that big white modernistic ...

After being amazed at the sight of many old wooden houses, I was equally awed seeing this church, obviously something that lasted for many years and still proudly standing - the Holy Child Parish Church of Malitbog a.k.a. the Sto. Niño De Malitbog Parish Church. Rain stopped. Whew! So we parked the car for a closer look at this vintage church. Ngitngit! It is dark inside, especially that it was a gloomy day... Well, having been built in the 1850s, there ought to be not many windows, as churches in those days also doubled as refuge of the communities from frequent pirate attacks. But like other old edifices with thick walls, there is that nice cool feel inside this church. This is the altar. I noticed something unique in this setup... Look at the two big entrances on both sides of this altar. They do not lead to the sacristy. Those are still sitting areas that can in themselves serve as separate chapels (I think). If you look closely to the right, where Mama Mary's statue is...

We were going straight, as driver knows the church and municipal hall are somewhere onwards on this same road (national highway). But a few meters on, I told him to STOP! I saw something... oops and OMG! The penchant for big old houses rekindled! Here is one of them... Like a fairy tale house or a movie set. But this one is real! It even has its own name - "Villa Margarita"! How did I know? It's etched on wood under the little red roof at left. I hesitated, but I couldn't help it! I slowly inched on that pathway for a closer look... As if on cue, immediately after I clicked this shot, I realized that little brown lump, left side of the path, is actually a dog. And at about the very same time, my driver shrieked "sir may ayam"! In my mind, I said "I know, I know"... and I walked literally backwards with face angled, pretending to be still looking up the house, but attention on the dog... Suddenly, it looked at me, mouth open, I could see the ...

Another fantastic find! Malitbog! Teka.., if you're a Tagalog or non-Visayan reading this town's name, Malitbog, emphasis on the letter "t" please. You know what I mean, right?! But, listen to this... for the Bisaya speakers, yes, the name of this town actually started from the Cebuano root word "libog". Okay now, all you Tagalog or Bisaya speakers, go find out how it evolved into "Malitbog"! That is just one of the things I learned, on on a fleetingly brief visit to this town! Another interesting proof, that traveling is education, and the world is the travelers' classroom! Let's go..! Still a gloomy morning (since yesterday), although rain has stopped when we entered Malitbog from Tomas Oppus - which - I also learned was previously a part of this town! The sights beckoned... a portion of road (about 5kms before poblacion) has great views of the sea and Liloan in the horizon. Okay, I'll post here a short video clip on that. ...

This topic started with this article There are also two towns in this country named Malitbog.One is in Southern Leyte (Region 8) and another is in Bukidnon (Region 10). The one in Southern Leyte is a coastal town on Sogod Bay where a lot of snorkeling and diving opportunities abound. Oh I heard they have their own version of the Sinulog that is gaining popularity in this province. And this is just a few clicks away by boat ride to Cebu City! Now the other Malitbog in the province of Bukidnon (Region 10) does not see any sea or ocean as it is landlocked. This town is the northernmost part of the province and borders with the town of Claveria in Misamis Oriental. This place is two hours away from the provincial capital of Malaybalay and about the same travel time from Cagayan De Oro. A farming community, people here have an appreciable lust for growing and selling bananas.