Philippine Travel Notes

It was "goodbye Oras" for me, I was going back to Borongan for more meetings. But a friend told me, even if out of the way, I could still go to Binogawan Beach just for me to look and see how it is today. So I breezed through northwards - it is just about 9 kilometers from Oras (I think)! I was awed at the length of their "pader" (concrete fence). This is probably just half of its entirety! And I purposely took the shot from this angle so I would remember those numbers - in case I need to reserve a room or ask about anything in the (very near) future. Yep, an interesting hideaway, I suspect! This is what you see as you enter the resort's gate. Hmm.., interesting.., I suspect hahaha! C'mon, this town is already in the middle of nowhere, or should I say almost at the end of everywhere? Herearounds, everything is the simple rural life. Thus I got surprisingly excited seeing a resort like this! Standing at the resort.., looking left.., this was the view!

Oras is a pacific-facing town up the northern portion of Eastern Samar. This town's name is not pronounced like the Tagalog word for time. No, not like that! It is [o'ras] where the stress is in the second syllable. The speed and tone is like how you say the English words "alight", "chorale", "amass" or "awash". Okay, that's good enough, I know you got it! Uu da, oke na da it! Asya it! Yesterday, I was in the area checking on some work-related matters. Stayed overnight in this town as I haven't yet heard if accommodation facilities are available in San Policarpo or Arteche (these are the 3 northern-most towns of Eastern Samar). This morning, I was on my way to other nearby places, but.. I got trapped (happily) by a parade! That long white bridge behind them is the only way out south... A youngish set of town officials, I must say. Oh, the girl in the middle is not a muse. She is THE Mayor! But by the looks of it, she migh