Philippine Travel Notes

Putangina TUNA! I was shouting with all the cursing words in all languages that I know, as we cruised along the road south of (but still in) San Joaquin, Iloilo! Sh*t ang dami! The story goes like this... After visiting the town center of San Joaquin, on my "Southern Iloilo Road Trip", I asked my guide if we can go further south, at least to the end of the province, at its boundary with Antique (pronounced "an-ti-ke"). He said yes. Even informed me that this "day tour" that the Injap folks got for me was for 12 hours - meaning I had until 11PM to be back at Injap since we started at about 11AM this morning! Hah, ganun pala ang "day tour" nila! So off we went. I did not even know what more there is to see south of the poblacion, since I haven't read anything that might be worth a peep for inquisitive roamers like me. Well, there is the marine sanctuary (Kuliatan?) but it was already way too late. So I knew, wherever else we went, zooming

I did not at first realize this was a municipal hall. Why? Because the building is not your usual box type; the frontage has a lot of greens; it does not have a very wide space between the building and the kalsada; plus, it is called "San Joaquin People's Center". But indeed it is the munisipyo said my tour guide! It looks appealing to me. It is not the usual high-rise, and those hallways at second level makes it look very welcoming. Oh, it also has 2 flagpoles in front! Plus, the statue of Rizal (mini-garden at right) and some ceremonial "encounter" (between a native and a Spaniard?) on the left. Not sure about the blue umbrella. Maybe there's a coffee shop?! I took that picture above, from across the road, which is their municipal gymnasium... And this is what is not appealing to me hehe. It is named "Garinasium 1". Ano daw? So KSP! Talagang ipinag-siksikan ang apelyedo nila. Okay yung GarinFarm dahil inyo yan. Not the PUBLIC's Municipa

This church was declared "pambansang palantandaang makasaysayan" by the national government in 1977. I think that means national historical reminder? or treasure? I got that from a very old bronze marker circa 1979 on the outside wall. This edifice was already closed for the day. But a side door was not locked! I slowly pushed it open, and my tour guide followed! This time ako ang naging guide - to break into a closed facility! Isa na akong kriminal with a licensed tour guide as accomplice! Well, desperate situations require desperate moves. I was already on the last stop of my southern Iloilo tour and the sun was dusking on me. Sayang oras ko, if I cannot see this beautiful church just because it was already 430PM! So, I had to "break-in" of sorts hehe! I went to the closed main door and took this pic... visible pa rin... Actually I tinkered with this photo to make it at least brighter :) I like the bare walls. Immaculate clean, very much similar to that one

Past 4PM and I was finally entering the town of San Joaquin, Iloilo - the southernmost town of the province. Yes, sundown was fast catching up so I had to hurry. Awrgh! Exactly 4:20PM and I was gazing at that eerie-looking gate of a cemetery. Yes Campo Santo - meaning cemetery. My guide said "let's go inside, sir". Ayiyiyiiiiie, I hesitated! So I said " toto basi strolling time na sang mga kalag subong ", and he laughed countering with " 8PM pa ila schedule sir ay ". Haay lintiak, I was debating in my lowly brain, why did I have to, and why do I have to do this. At least I did not hear a dog howling (yet) hehe! As if my guide read my questioning thoughts, he continued telling me that this is a rare historic place, not so many old Spanish-era cemeteries are still intact, that the national government is even going to declare this as a heritage *something* place, and so on. So I followed. Good there is no CCTV in this 'campo santo', for ot

Approaching my next destination, Campo Santo De San Joaquin, I saw this signage... An advertisement, telling everyone who read it, that GarinFarm is just a kilometre away from this place. Who won't read it, eh at this point, if you were visiting the campo santo (just ahead, see the red dome?) your vehicle will naturally have to start decelerating. Bright and clever. Marunong. Mahusay! THAT is how to position an ad - yung walang mintis mababasa ng tao! Because at this point, especially that its coming from a road bend, people wanting to see, or stop by the campo santo, will naturally start to slow down. Therefore get a glimpse of the ad! Yeah, take me as an example. I was on the lookout as to where the cemetery was. When I saw the red dome, I said that's it! But I had no choice but see that GarinFarm signage. Just telling you about it, but "no can do" for me. Before I started on this trip, I already agreed with my tour guide that we were skipping the GarinFarm