Philippine Travel Notes

What is it? Just a boat ride. On a boat with no outriggers (katig). With a "faster-than-usual" engine. On a river still pristine. In a jungle - one of the remaining rain-forests of this country. Is it really an adventure? By the dictionary definition of "adventure" yes it is! Mainly due to river portions taking various forms like shallows, rapids, cascades, narrow passages, etc. Where is it?? The jump-off area is at Brgy Tenani, Paranas, (Western) Samar. The river where this ride takes place is called Ulot River, sometimes also spelled Olot. Ulot and Olot, btw, means monkey! Yes nga ulot ka! The ride is just within a short portion of this 90km-long river. How and Why?! You just sit on the boat as it zooms through the river, then, OMG! It is uniquely one of the best nature tours in this country. But at the same time, a crazy adrenaline pumping ride, you won't believe you did it - until you see your videos after the ride. That's why! This goes downstr...

I once saw on TV a young man who was hounded (a.k.a. harassed) by his barangay captain for having taken a photo and shared to the world the sordid state of the Philippine Flag at their barangay hall. Of course I thought that woman (barangay captain) was wicked, even stupida to the nth degree. Kababaeng tao eh di marunung tumingin kung ano ang maganda sa kanyang kapaligiran! Nagalit pa :( How much is one flag anyway? Is it expensive? Can a barangay not afford one? I suspect they all can. Even at one new flag every 6 months, right? Well, if indeed that barangay is soooo dirt poor they can't afford to purchase a respectable looking flag for their barangay hall, here is one rural place where they probably can beg for one hahaha. This is somewhere in Samar, along the Maharlika Highway, by the side of a forest, also on the side of a town called Paranas. Passed by this place many times in many years, and those flags lining the portion of the highway are always crisp colored and beau...