Philippine Travel Notes

Okay kapwa ko Pinoy, at which airport do you hear announcements that are funniest or weirdest? Thailand? Indonesia? Malyasia? China? Japan? Korea? Have you considered our very own airports? Here are some that really ring clunky and clanky bells in my ears: “…after completing all your counter check-in requirements, you are NOW requested to proceed…” Don’t tell me you have not heard that! It happens everyday at Mactan airport and just about elsewhere. Bakit kelangan pang sabihin yung “NOW”? Tanggalin na dapat yan kasi alangan namang meron “you are LATER requested". Di ba? The fact na nag-a-announce ka, that already means ngayon, as in NOW NA! “…outgoing passenger [name of passenger], kindly proceed AT…” Bakit “AT”? Hindi ko yata na-encounter ang grammar na yan from kinder all the way to English 5 in college. Di ba “ proceed to ” or “ check at ”? “…first to board are passengers traveling with infants and SMALL children…” Ahm, ambot lang! Di ba ang “small” hindi gina...

Another interesting trip. I took the 'barko' from Cebu to Catbalogan! Just to get another feel of how it was traveling inter-island, in the good old days of our forebears. Actually, I was carrying a lot of "baggage" - books, references, handouts and other printed materials - that would be too delicate if I checked them in on an air flight, and too heavy pulling, pushing and lugging along if I took them riding the fast craft connecting to a series of UV Express rides with no luggage space. Thus, the ship was the best choice. I was told this was going to be an 11 to 12 hour night ride, departing at 7PM, where I would just sleep on the boat, and wake up to arrive in time for breakfast. Sounded ideal. But it took me 16 hungry hours. Well, in summary, I can say: I learned many things :) Here's how it went: About 5PM I went to the Roble Shipping main ticket office near Cebu's Pier 4 to purchase a ticket to Catbalogan. I was surprised there were not too many ...

Did you know there is such a thing? I didn’t! Earlier, done with my early morning walk beyond the airport and already riding a tricycle back to Sikatuna Beach Hotel, I saw this place that looked like some kind of a… well… memorial. But I did not really know what it was and the trike was speeding past it. I even really thought it was some kind of a memorial park, but I did not see tombs nor any indication that there were in the surroundings. So, at the public market, after my second beach walk, I decided to return to it. Actually, when I hailed a trike, I just said I was bound for Sikatuna Beach Resort. But while on board, I told the driver I would instead get off onwards at that monument beyond the San Jose Airport – which he readily understood and agreed after some hesitation (it’s a bit far). In fact, I myself was wondering why on earth did San Jose build this memorial far away from human civilization hehehe! It’s located in a fine lovely place across the road from the beach but...

Beach walk again? Yes, to the other side this time! Back from that long walk along Aroma Beach, I took my second shower of the day at exactly 7:50AM! Just a quick one, on this hot humid day. Summer has started, I guess! But what was I to do other than sit out at the beach-side tables of my resort? Itchy feet ruled again… I walked leftwards to town center via the beach – opposite direction of my stroll earlier on this same beach. Here we go… Getting to be nicer (clearer) views as the sun inched up... Heading leftwards this time, this view is to my right and back! There are the islands again… Illin, Ambulong and little White Island… I was still not dropping the idea… Should I see them up close or… should I?! Noticeably no people on this part of the beach. Why? It’s a cemetery up there! There’s a house on the left yes, but all others are, duuu! I walked faster hehehe! Fishing boats anchored some distance from the shore… Why so? Are they afraid of the shore? Here’s the...