Philippine Travel Notes

After an 8-minute drive from poblacion Rosario, we entered the town proper of San Jose. Driver asked me what were we going to see in town. And I laughingly said "just like Rosario, I did not even know there is this town named San Jose in Northern Samar" So he drove forth to the municipal hall, while also telling me that there is a big seaport here. Interesting. Their municipal hall is in some kind of a secluded elevated compound! All other office buildings are also here, surrounding the plaza. And look, there is a gate! Whoa! The building is new! Maybe this is also a 'fairly new' location. Why do I say so? Because this is far from the catholic church and nearer the INC (Iglesia Ni Cristo) church. I do not mean to say this cannot and should not happen. Why not anyway, right?! But the usual - because of historical circumstances - is that the (catholic) church and munisipyo are near each other. Unless, local government transferred offices to a new (bigger) space.

On the road again, on a lovely bright morning! Yehey! This time I was on an easy run from Catarman for an 8AM meeting at Allen - the north-western edge of Samar Island. We knew it takes about an hour (50kms?) but we left early at 6AM, so we'd have enough time for the morning traffic (kids going to school) as many schools are by the highway. Then, still ample time for a hot 'tinola' breakfast at Allen, and be cool until the meeting! We opted to pass by the (fairly) new road at the end of the runway, instead of the usual (a street that crosses it), as we knew the PAL flight to Manila departs at about a few minutes before 7AM - where that street would be temporarily closed to land vehicles. Nice plan. All set. And here we go! Let's start with this corner going out of Catarman towards the west.. Going straight is back to where we came from yesterday - Lope De vega, and onwards to Calbayog if you like. While my route today goes rightwards to the end of runway 22 (or