Philippine Travel Notes

This topic started with this article Who or what is Rosario? Whatever that word means, there are 5 towns in the country named Rosario. First is the town in the province of La Union (Region 1). This Rosario is the province’s southernmost town in its border with Pangasinan – thus, many of its residents actually speak both Pangalatok and Ilokano! While like any coastal town in Pangasinan and La Union, you can find a lot of dried fish here, note that export quality wood furniture and furnishings are the best products to find in Rosario. This town lies in one of the approaches to Baguio. The next Rosario is a little town in nearby Cavite Province (Region 4A). This Rosario which is just about 30 kilometres or so from the Metropolis and kissing the Manila Bay is host to an export/economic zone. So it is more of industrial town than anything. Okay, there are resorts there but you’d rather go elsewhere, right?! Then our 3rd Rosario is still inside Region 4A, in the province of Batangas. This on...

This topic started with this article Jose P. Rizal. Are you ready for this? There are 7 towns and 1 province all named Rizal! That was expected, right? He is the national hero of this country after all! First is the town of Rizal in the province of Cagayan (Region 2). It’s in the southwestern portion and in the border with the province of Apayao. Previously called Malaueg, this is the province’s epic town where a lot of folktales and other historical accounts are told. I was surprised to taste delectable mangoes in this high-altitude town which I thought was only to be visited for remnants of some Spanish colonial settlement! Nearby and below is another Rizal town, this time in the province of Kalinga (Region 15 – CAR) that sits in the province’s borders with Cagayan and Isabela. Were there elephants in this country? Well, the ‘elephant hill’ in this town is the site where half the remains of a pachyderm was unearthed! The next Rizal is a town on the eastern portion of Nueva Ecija (Reg...

This topic started with this article That's the late president Elpidio Quirino. Yes, he whose youngest daughter (Cory) is already old and still single but yet still a fine, brave lady and a fitness/beauty guru! There are four locales that bear President Quirino’s name. First is the town of Quirino in the province of Ilocos Sur (Region 1) – rightfully because the late president hailed from that province. This town is in the province’s borders with Mountain Province and Abra. There are hotsprings in this town and of course the Tirad Pass National Park can be found here. Then there is the town of Quirino in the province of Isabela (Region 2). This Quirino of vast farming plains is interestingly sandwiched by two big rivers on its north and south, and its municipality seal actually depicts that! Unless you need to have your fill with the vastness of farmlands, there is not much for the tourist in this town. Going southwards is another Quirino. It’s neither a town nor city but it actual...

This topic started with this article Pontevedra. Interesingly the only two towns that bear this name are both in Ilonggo country - Region 6. One is in the province of Capiz while the other is in the province of Negros Occidental. The Pontevedra in Capiz fares well on the maps of seafood lovers. Most of the town is on the edge of a bay but even the plains are dotted with a lot of farms that grow crabs, shrimps, etc. The Balintawakan Festival that this town prides itself with is actually nothing but a “sayawan” near the public market where older womenfolk wear the balintawak. Ah like most places in Capiz, you can easily see a bbq stand in many a corner. But look closer, it may not be you usual baboy, IUD, betamax or adidas. It's usually tahong on a stick! Like its namesake in Capiz, the Pontevedra in Negros Occidental also got its name from the province of the same name in Spain. This town is just a few clicks from Bacolod and it is common for folks from Pontevedra to be doing their ...

What do you do when you seem to have had enough, and getting bored at your usual TGIF (Thank God It’s Friday) drinking sprees with officemates? I don’t know with you, but as for me, I observed around and asked my people what it is/was that they’re fond about outside of the office. And I discovered two of the boys enjoy and religiously monitor the horse races. Of course they’re not concerned about the horses per se; they are fond of betting on which number will come out so they can rake in some winnings! Thus, one Friday evening we went to watch how this thing is done the Filipino way and where! Of course that was partly because, in there (as advised by our suddenly excited colleagues), we can still grab our “beer of preference” plus that fabled fried chicken cooked “Savory Style” – oh yes, your fathers will remember that famous restaurant. Target venue: The Sta. Ana Racetrack in Makati! Warning and reminder: If you think this is just another so-so place, jump to the last three paragrap...

Yes, that is the Philippine National Railways’ good old and almost forgotten service, the Metro-Tren (or however this government wants to call it now). We all know it is still there, and we all know it may still be there for years to come, but has anyone of you taken that ride lately? Hmm, am almost sure of the majority’s answer! So I did go for a ride once again after almost three decades – if only for me to say that I have taken that ride recently! Hint: while you can read in many news articles that the government is upgrading this service into a more “acceptable” conveyance, as of now this is a “take-it-or-leave-it” mode of transportation. With that, I mean, for majority of commuters, you either muster the courage to ride in it or go via another mode. We’ll get to the specifics as I go on… Decided to start my “starlight express” tour at the Pasay Road Station since that is what I have seen most of my lowly life. The station is old since it has already been there for as long as I can...

This topic started with this article I never thought there would be more than one, but in fact, there are three towns that use Plaridel for a name! The most familiar is Plaridel town in Bulacan province (Region 3) which is just very near the metropolis. We all know there are a lot of bag factories, toy factories, even feed mills and embroidery shops. And they have a famous marker about the Fil-American War. The old church is worth a marvel and do watch out for the Festival of Horses! A tiny little town in the heart of Quezon province facing the Lamon Bay is our 2nd town named Plaridel. It is a fishing village.Though not something to shout about, this Plaridel does have its share of resorts along the scenic beach front. And an afternoon drive along the coast from Atimonan, even all the way to Gumaca is fantastic enough! Ah, here is another secret revealed: it is only in this place where I got to experience a ride I have been wanting to do - that is those make-shift carts that speed thro...

This topic started with this article There are another two towns that share the same name and that is “Placer” [pronounced “pla-ser” in the speed of how you pronounce “deter” or “refer”. Whatever that word means, one of these towns is in the island province of Masbate (Region 5) and the other one is in the province of Surigao Del Norte. Placer, Masbate is located on the southwestern edge of the main island. Don’t miss the Himag-ulaw Festival of this town that is gaining a following from many a local and foreign tourist. And of course the stretches of white sandy beaches always beckon! And you do not have to go to the city of Masbate to hit Placer. There is a "backdoor" way from either Bogo or Malapascua in Cebu! The other town named Placer is in the province of Surigao Del Norte (Region 13). This is a town on the mainland (Mindanao) and it is a port town with a story and history about mining good and bad! Well, being on the eastern seaboard, it does have its share of the Paci...