Philippine Travel Notes

I already knew he is a ‘security guard’ (blue guard, gwardya or jaguar as we commonly call them) but the atrevida in me still asked “taga-coast guard ka?”. The reply was “bakit sir, ano ang problema”. I said none, I was just curious if he was really from the coast guard. He said coast guard deputized him as they are just on call. There, I had my word for the day… “deputized”! Of course I wanted to debate him, but what does he know? My brain (oops no, my tongue, to be precise) wanted to make a discourse on “coast guard”, “deputized” and “public assistance” versus “security guard”. In short ‘gusto magtaray’. Naunahan ako! He said "ano nga ang problema, sir?" and I said "wala naman"! The final word was “wala pala e, doon ang daan sa kabila, papuntang CR ‘to”! Oh well, the "authorities" and the IMPOSTORS of our times hehe

This topic started with this article There are only two. Just the same they could still confuse the unfamiliar. The first San Jacinto is a town in the province of Pangasinan (Region 1 – Ilocos) and fares well in the Philippine-American War. If you are trying to read on General Lloyd Wheaton, well, this town was one of his successes. This tobacco growing municipality has nothing much for the tourist aside from the history on Wheaton. Ironically, this place precedes its neighboring towns that are now more progressive. The other San Jacinto is a town in the province of Masbate (Region 5 – Bicol) in the island of Ticao. Well, this place has the sea on either side. Don’t ever miss the Catandayagan Falls that flows directly unto the sea! Quite unique!

This topic started with this article There are 8 towns and let’s be happy we’re counting just the towns and cities cuz if we included the barangays, there are hundreds of them named San Isidro! 1st is the town in the province of Isabela (Region 2). This San Isidro is a farming community though it has Santiago City as a neighbor. Going a little bit down to the province of Nueva Ecija is our 2nd San Isidro and it is also a farming community that touches the borders with Bulacan and Tarlac. You’d be happy to note that this San Isidro has for a very short while been the capital of the country. Yes, the capital of the Philippines! This town fares well in history. Remember the significance of The Grand Sideco House? Its in this town! Our 3rd San Isidro is a town in the island-province of Bohol (Region 7). This is actually one of its hinter towns not yet for the tourist, though starting to get discovered since its just an hour ride from Tagbilaran. Three rivers crisscross this town and I thin...

Discovered about this mega-celebration by accident! Hmm, is this probably a proof that accidents can open up new avenues to enjoying life in this country?! Whaddever! This time, my little accident of a discovery was the Pasinaya 2008, Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Open House Festival. Wow! And truly a WOW! It all started with my frantic search on the web last Friday looking for a quick and easy destination (a.k.a near and not tiring) that I can visit on a Saturday (02FEB08) since I had a party to attend in the evening. I was thinking I would probably be wasted the whole of Sunday due to that party hehehe, so a “light” roaming activity was I thought good to have that Saturday. How did I find out about this festival? As I surfed on, I chanced upon some website that mentioned an event called SARI-SARING SAYAW, SAMA-SAMANG GALAW for Saturday at CCP. I told myself I would give that info to a friend who is a dance fanatic! Since it displayed the numbers, I called them up. It was ...

I'd be damned to hear anyone getting lost in Quezon City! See our street signs? We have too many of them! Nagpatong-patong na nga! And the arcs and gates and markers of the Sangguniang Kabataan are not yet even up - that's all they could do, right?!Hehehe, any suggestions? Haaay, just to be remembered that you had a project in these our times...

This topic started with this article There are two towns named San Ildefonso. The first town is in Ilocos Sur (Region 1) and is probably the tiniest! Landlocked, most of their farmers are sugarcane growers and the highest elevation at this town is just 23 meters above sea level. Well, there is only one thing that they’re proud of at this time – and that is what they call the “Garden Café”. Gosh! The other San Ildefonso is another landlocked town but definitely bigger than the former. This one is a town in the province of Bulacan by its borders with Pampanga. This is an industry town with factories ranging from feedmills to pyrotechnics! Well, this town fares well in the tourist map by what is known as “bahay na pula” which was a Japanese Garrison where comfort women were housed and abused during the Japanese occupation.

We were by the Mendiola area and happened to have been held in place by heavy traffic due to this parade of San Beda Alumni. I had to look again, no he’s not a midget. He is just an elementary school kid and probably on the ‘small’ type. But why was he assigned to the cymbals? Looking at him, I imagined the instrument’s diameter is already half his height. Hmm, that should also probably be half his weight. Parusa! The companion retorted, “alangan naming sa drum, e di sasayad sa lupa yun!”. I was laughing still and he added “alangan din namang trumpet, e kasing haba nya lang yata yun, lalo na hindi pwede sa trombone or tuba, so cymbals na nga, ‘wag ka nang magreklamo”! Okay, agree hahaha! I had to control myself lest I become the first example that laughing could kill! Oh well, to play music in these our times…

This topic started with this article Yes we’re still in the Philippines and we have 5 towns named San Francisco! In the province of Quezon (Region 4A – CALABARZON) is our 1st town bearing that name. And this is the southernmost tip of the province on the shores of Tayabas Bay, almost across the island of Marinduque. Now now… don’t think about the name and associate it with that fine city in the US West Coast. This is a faaar cry. The town has yet to see paved roads from the main city of the province and their folks have yet to be “emancipated” from the control and dictates of wealthy land-owners. Even education (public high school) is a brand new thing here circa 1999! Our 2nd San Francisco is a town in the island-province of Cebu and it is a town off mainland Cebu. This one is an island-town (Pacijan) and is part of the Camotes Islands. While also a poor-man’s town, this San Francisco is surrounded by different kinds of beaches for everyone who seek serenity! This is the beachest area...