Philippine Travel Notes

Did you read everything that it says? That’s a signage over at the old Domestic Airport. You of course heard about that actor sometime ago who was not allowed to board his flight, right? He apparently said some joke about bombs. I think he was even detained, at least just at the officers' 'offices'. That sign might look like a stupid joke, but its no joke! Oh well, the signs of our times!

Still at the Aliwan Fiesta, I saw this kid from Lumad Basakanon (Cebu), and that is his ID bearing his real name! Oh well, the die-hard fans of our times… when they become parents!

Hah, Igorots, Bulakeños, Ilonggos, Warays, Cebuanos, Mindanaoans, etc all had a taste of Luneta’s reality. FLOOD! This as they waited for their respective cues to join the parade at the Aliwan Fiesta. Poor children. But they remained jolly, especially the bees from Abugyog, Leyte. This is at one end of the Quirino Grandstand, near the entrance to Harbor View restaurant. Oh well, the changing climes of our times. Or should it be ‘the deteriorating drainage systems of our times’?

My buddy said ‘this guy is too light-skinned for an igorot’. A companion joined in with ‘his physique does not seem to show he works in the farms, ang laki ng tiyan eh’! Then another said ‘baka politician yan or school supervisor’. But I was more curious about that thing in his right hand. And then… There it is, now transferred to his left, as if the plant could conceal what he is doing! Can’t that txtng wait until end of the parade? He is/was trying to represent/portray an indigenous people IN a grand parade and IN Manila – which is like or even more than a stage play. This float was one beautiful tableaux by the way (in concept that is). And all who participate in the Aliwan Fiesta are the best of the regions. Couldn’t the damn txtng have waited? Ah I went near to tell him just that hehe! Well, a friend pulled me away. I was supposed to add “you might as well also wear your rolex, your rayban, your rollerblades, and wear a baseball cap”! Oh well, when modernized folks of our times tr...

This topic started with this article Finally on same names… there are 4 plus 1 that use the name Victoria! Why the plus 1, we shall tackle at the end of this article! One is a town of Victoria in the province of Tarlac (Region 3 - Central Luzon). This is a big town just next to Tarlac City and sits with the province’s boundary with Nueva Ecija. This is more of a suburb of Tarlac City though since its just about 15kms away and residential villages have been on the rise. Then there is the town of Victoria in the province of Laguna (Region 4A - CALABARZON). This one is on the southern edge of the Laguna Lake and is undoubtedly the biggest “quack-quack” town! Yeah, duck raising and “balut” production is the biggest industry of this town that their welcome monument is an interesting sight of gigantic happy ducks! They even have the Itik Festival which means Duck Festival. Quack! Next is the town of Victoria in the province of Oriental Mindoro (Region 4B - MIMAROPA). This Victoria also...

This topic started with this article There are three in this country One is a town in Bohol, Region 7 – Central Visayas. This is a town on the southern coast where you go straight on the way to Jagna, instead of heading left to Loboc and Carmen at Loay. There is this unique beach resort with swimming pools fed by an abundant sring coming from the mountains. They have even created the water intake as a waterfall as indeed it is abundant. You will remember Lazi in this town. Why? Well the church floor is made of wood too! And tiled in alternating dark and light colored wood. And though not as large, the convent is also across the street! Another Valencia, in the very same region is a town in the province of Negros Oriental. This one is just a few kilometers up the hills from Dumaguete. It is becoming a suburb of the capital city that many of those working in Dumaguete have started putting up their residences up on this cool town. Even the bishops alace is along the way. Heard about ...

This topic started with this article Hmm, we almost missed these two towns named Calatrava. First is this town at the northern edge of Tablas island in the province of Romblon (Region 4B – MIMAROPA). This is a mainly fishing and farming community with nary a hind of urbanity. But so many things beckon. One is the intrigue about “Tinagong Dagat”. Its not a lake, its just about 10 meters from the sea, but everything in between are crags and foresty cliffs. Locals claim that the salty water that teem with abundant marine life, rises when the tide is low and ebbs when the tide is up. But how could I prove since I could never be in two separate laces at the same time! Not to mention there is a fantastic and affordable island resort nearby. The other Calatrava is a big town in the province of Negros Occidental (Region 6 - Western Visayas). It is actually some kind of a suburb as it is sandwiched by two cities – Sagay on the north and San Carlos on the south. The Tanon Strait makes for a ...

This topic started with this article There are two One Tudela is a town in the Camotes Islands Cebu (Region 7 Central Visayas) but don’t be surprised if looking at your map, it looks nearer to Leyte than Cebu. For indeed it is! This Tudela does not have the fine white beaches of Camotes, but there is a cave that no tourist to Camotes won’t like to visit. Nice going around town too as it is dotted with houses of old. Another Tudela is a town in the province of Misamis Occidental (Region 10 – Northern Mindanao) just less than 30 minutes from Ozamis City. This is where you go to visit the MOAP or Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park. Just search for the said name if you want to be in a beautiful bay with conservation offices for dolphins, turtles and other marine animals. Even the mangrove forests area delight to visit. Not to mention a bamboo bridge or walkway that’s probably one of the longest in this country. And for the adventurers, mount Malindang has an approach from this town. ...