Philippine Travel Notes

This topic started with this article There are two towns! First, there is the town of Sison in the province of Pangsinan (Region 1). Yeah yeah, you always pass by this town on your way to the summer capital. Its that northern tip of the province in its boundary with La Union and Benguet. Aside from this being an agricultural town, watchout for the woodcraft and wood carvings on sale here and there. There is also a waterfalls! Then there is the town of Sison in the province of Surigao Del Norte (Region 13 – Caraga). This is that town just below and thus now a suburb of Surigao City. Like its namesake, this Sison also has its share of waterfalls and mountain attractions. Have you heard about the “Kuradang”? Its dance that is supposed to be of the Warays. But in this town, they have a “Kuradang Festival”. I gather that this is because many of the early settlers in this town actually came from Leyte. Hey, these two towns maybe both named Sison. But they commemorate two separate pers...

This topic started with this article There are two such towns! The first Sta. Barbara is a town in the province of Pangasinan (Region 1). It is generally a farming community but more of a suburb since its just next to Urdaneta City. Housing villages have started to mushroom in this picturesque town where you approach it amidst big trees lining both sides of the road. The second Sta. Barbara is a town in the province of Iloilo (Region 6) and you will probably think of the new airport. Yes it is and yes it will be! But this town is supposed to be historic. Just take a look at their olden church and you’ll know this must have been a big town even in the pre-hispanic era. I think I saw something declaring that this is the town where the Philippine flag was first raised outside of Manila. Its probably at the municipal building or the museum. don’t miss that ultra big flag in front of the municipal building too!

This topic started with this article Santa Maria Santissima! Hehehe there are 7 towns. Moreover, there is also a town named just “Maria” and even another town named just “Santa” – which we better add at the end part of this article. Our first Santa Maria is a town in Ilocos Sur. This is just a town apart (that’s Narvacan in between them) south of that other locality named just “Santa”. So take note of that. If you are coming from Manila, you should first reach Santa Maria, then Narvacan, then Santa. Gosh! Oh while there are beaches and waterfalls in Santa Maria Ilocos Sur, this town is best remembered for its church that has been listed in the United Nation’s World Heritage List. Don’t ya ever miss the views out to the south china sea (West Philippine Sea) from that church named Asunta Parish! Second in our list is the town of Santa Maria, far down in another “sur” (Davao Del Sur province, Region 11) just some four or five towns south of Digos City. Ah the beaches in this town beckon. ...

This topic started with this article St. Thomas of whatever… and there are 6 towns named exactly Sto. Tomas! Gosh! One is in the province of La Union (Region 1 - Ilocos). This is the northernmost Sto. Tomas and is well known for having pioneered in controlled / scientific production of the bounty from the sea. Thus you see a lot of dried fish on sale along the highway. There’s an interesting story about their patron saint – no, its not Sto. Tomas. And I like the municipal hall perched up on a hill. Another Sto. Tomas is in La Union’s neighboring province of Pangasinan (still in Region 1). This little town is down by the big river across Villasis and is at the province’s border with San Manuel, Tarlac. Ah yep, this is the town that purportedly just bagged a Guinness record for the longest barbecue – they grilled mainly corn. Further westwards is another town named Sto. Tomas in the province of Isabela (Region 2). This is the northernmost town named Sto. Tomas and it sits by the northwes...

This topic started with this article There are two towns too and both are in the north! The first San Quintin is a mountain in the province of Pangasinan Region 1 – Ilocos). It is at the eastern edge of the province on the border with Nueva Vizcaya. High up in the Caraballos, of course this is a farming town but there is a resort with three swimming pools! Moving northwards, on the lower and western edge of Abra province by its border with Ilocos Sur is another town named San Quintin. There is the “footprint of Adam” and people believe it really is the footprint of a giant. The cool rivers and mountain views are still fantastic.

This topic started with this article This is St. Nick, right?! Ah there are three in this country! Our first town named San Nicolas is way up in Ilocos Norte. I call that town a “suburb at a crossroad” and I wonder why it is not a city yet. It soon will be, I predict! A very progressive town, every time I pass by it, something new seems to have sprung open! Going down to the southern province of Ilocos is another town named San Nicolas, in the province of Pangasinan. It is a town of waterfalls and soldier history as it is in a mountainous area leading up to the Caraballos and that big dam over at San Roque. Lastly, there is another town named San Nicolas down in the province of Batangas. Ah this town is divided in two – one part is on mainland, just below Tagaytay, while the other part is actually the southwestern half of Taal Volcano! Simply, this town is the least known way to cross and go up the crater ridge or crater lake of Taal Volcano. Everyone passes via Talisay but from here, ...

This topic started with this article There are three San Manuels and be careful with going to these towns. Make sure you identify where you are headed since they are all northbound destinations from the Metropolis. Let’s start from the left. San Manuel is the northernmost town of the province of Tarlac (Region 3 – Central Luzon). This is an agricultural town that boasts of ampalaya (bitter melon or momordica charantia) and all its derivative products. However, just three towns in between is another San Manuel, this time in the northwestern tip of the province of Pangasinan. Yep, this is that town where you find the big San Roque Dam. And who does not know about Butao Spring Resort hehe! This San Manuel is the rice granary of the province! Yet further up northeast and beyond the Caraballo and the Cordillera mountains is another town of the same name, San Manuel in the province of Isabela (Region 2). This town formerly called Callang was named San Manuel in 1952. Being relatively flatlan...

This topic started with this article There are only two. Just the same they could still confuse the unfamiliar. The first San Jacinto is a town in the province of Pangasinan (Region 1 – Ilocos) and fares well in the Philippine-American War. If you are trying to read on General Lloyd Wheaton, well, this town was one of his successes. This tobacco growing municipality has nothing much for the tourist aside from the history on Wheaton. Ironically, this place precedes its neighboring towns that are now more progressive. The other San Jacinto is a town in the province of Masbate (Region 5 – Bicol) in the island of Ticao. Well, this place has the sea on either side. Don’t ever miss the Catandayagan Falls that flows directly unto the sea! Quite unique!

This topic started with this article There are two cities. Yes, two cities! The first San Carlos is a progressive city in the province of Pangasinan (Region 1 – Ilocos). This is one of the four cities in the province and right in the heart of the province. Ironic for a city to sport a rural kind of product but aside from the usual Bangus (as in most of Pangasinan), this city is actually the source of many things bamboo! You can find many stores or businesses that offer products made out of bamboo – from your little table wares to furniture and even bamboo houses all on sale! Oh yes, mangoes are still aplenty in this city and they claim they have the most delectable of mangoes. Who does not? hehe Now the other San “Carlos City” is a city on the northeastern region of the province of Negros Occidental (Region 6 – Western Visayas). Ah yes, looking at the map of the island, it is an “oriental” but for some reason (whatever) the city belongs to the “occidental” province. Note though that li...

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 There are also two towns. One is in Quezon Province (Region 4A – CALABARZON) along the pacific seaboard and facing the Polillo Islands. Nice secluded beaches here, and off the beaten tourist tracks. Of course this place is part of the "Lambanog Capital". But the long stretch of coastline is most prominent in my memory. Ah the winds from the sea are quite a treat! There are modest resort in this blissfully rural coastal town. The other Infanta is in the western portion of the province of Pangasinan (Region 1 – Ilocos) kissing the south china sea and where you’ll find the Balaki Islands. This town is along the now-getting-famous scenic route of the western seaboard from Zambales to Bolinao. Oh both towns got their names in honor of “Infanta Queen Isabel of Spain”. See?! Even these two towns are related to the places named Isabel and/or Isabela!

This topic started with this article We’re just still in the same-name towns and cities that start with the letter “B”! As promised in my previous post, let us now try Burgos. The name traces back to a hero, Father Jose Apolonio Burgos who is the “BUR” in famous acronym GOMBURZA. Father Burgos was born in Vigan as an “insulares” having had a mestiza mother. Anyway, Burgos town in Ilocos Norte’s northwest edge is famous to travelers as it is there where we catch the majestic Burgos Lighthouse also named Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. Its one of the tallest, oldest and actually still in use! The other Burgos town is in Ilocos Sur (still Region 1). Well, rightfully I think since this is the province of the dear martyr. But for the visitor, this town is nothing much than an agricultural place that is landlocked and borders the province with Abra. The 3rd Burgos is in the province of La Union (still Region 1) by its border with the province of Benguet. This town is nearer to Baguio than its capi...

This topic started with this article There are just too many of them same name towns and cities, so let’s continue… Anda is another such name. It is an island very near to the hundred islands in Pangasinan. And it connects to Bolinao town via a bridge. It is the only island town in the whole province of Pangasinan. Farming and fishing is the main event in this town. But of course, the town teems with cooperatives and socio-civic organizations aimed at preserving the great marine life that it has in its surroundings. They even got the support of the University of the Philippines in maintaining a fine ecosystem for giant clams (Taclobo) to thrive! So where is the other Anda?! Ahh it’s a little town on the eastern-most tip of the island province of Bohol. While it is a tranquil beach town, you’d have to go there fast! Resorts are springing up and you might just be late to savor the tranquil splendour on its fine white sand beaches. Like in its Pangasinan namesake, Anda in Bohol also has a...

More for the nature lover than anyone else, this group of islands is a sight to behold. More appropriately, I can say that this group of 124 islands is sure to offer you at least one sight to behold! Yes, you can easily find a group of another 124 islands (or more) anywhere on the globe, even right here in the Philippines. But the allure of the 'Hundred Islands' is like no other. For one, the islands are relatively close to each other that roaming around (and in them) is truly exhilarating. Not that the place is great like Boracay or Coron, but the beauty of these group of islands is perhaps what is not in Boracay or Palawan… “solitary confinement”! Yes, you can wallow in an island of your choice alone. Where are they? From many a website, we learned that this place is up on the north-western part of Pangasinan province. It is just a few kilometres (by boat) across from the city of Alaminos. And there are two main approaches to Alaminos – one being the usual route from Man...

This is "Ilocandia" which many believe is home of the most industrious Filipinos! Region 1 (sometimes the roman Numeral is used, ie., REGION I) or the Ilocos Region in the big island of Luzon is composed of four provinces or about 116 towns and 9 cities that make up the north-western portion of the country. I consider this region to be one of the areas in the Philippines that forever has too many things for the visitor both young and old. Culture, history, industries, festivals, unique foods, politics, beaches, sports activities, islands, caves, mountains and vistas abound in virtually every one of the four provinces. I cannot even point to a favourite place as each locale is uniquely a fine place to visit even repeatedly. While I love being in the Vigan and Laoag areas, I also like going to Pagudpud or roaming around the beaches and surf of La Union coastal towns plus of course I cannot miss the bangus of Dagupan, the dried fish of Sual and the tupeg from Mangatarem! While t...