Philippine Travel Notes

This signage is prominently posted by the elevator door of a hotel I stayed at, in Pusok, Lapulapu City, Mactan Island. This wasn't first time I stayed with them. They are a convenient accommodation place when I am transiting at "unholy hours" via MCIA, and when Waterfront Airport Hotel is out of rooms! But this was the only time I dared taka picture of that signage (hindi na mapigilan, hehehe)! What is "free smoke"? Therefore what is a "free smoke zone"? hahaha libre yosi? ganun?! Well, anyone not philosophizing can tell, that the owner, or whoever posted that sign, meant "this is a SMOKE-FREE zone". But look at the red-colored letters. Now that's not acceptable. What does 'strickly' mean anyway! Ah, Tagalog nalang kasi, or maypa Bisaya-a lang gud! Don't English me, I'm not school! True. It's more fun in the Philippines! Don't me! Disclaimer: This blogger is not an English Language Expert. In fact, yo...

I arrived in Iloilo via an air-conditioned bus from San Jose De Buenavista in Antique, hailed a GrabCar and voila, I was in my overnight accommodation, SEDA Atria Iloilo . Taken from the middle of a roundabout (Pison Monument) I loved this morning shot of the hotel. I'd want to call it my version of the two-point-perspective drawing effect! Did I like this hotel? Oh yes, I did. Was this planned? No! Aw ah, as I always say in my stories, let's start from the very beginning ... I was in San Jose . The plan was to stay overnight there, then take the early morning bus to Iloilo, in time to catch my 1120H flight to Cebu, so I could transit to Tacloban. As advised by my contacts in San Jose, I should choose a hotel online then just ask them for comments - turo ko sa kanila yan in the first place - locals do not stay at their local hotels since they have their own homes, thus they don't know much about rooms! I had a choice, it was approved by my contacts, so I cal...

It's a beach resort in San Jose De Buenavista, Antique. But I had no idea where the beach resorts in this town are. Well, we went to a beach then, but that was more than 2 decades ago. My priorities in those crazily-fun years were different. I didn't care where I was, I was busy enjoying activities with the pack! So, when I and my contacts agreed to meet, I said I wish we could gather at a resort with a nice cozy terrace or balcony, overlooking good views of a beach and the sea. It wasn't too random. I based that on the town's name: de buena vista which means of or with good views . I said, let this be a meeting of great people amid good views! They said that's easy as all their beach resorts are like that! One suggested we meet at this popular resort that just spruced-up its balcony with an already fantastic view. So, I went to find it, and this is it... Vista Veranda Beach Resort ! That is the veranda of one building, made like, and with the amb...