Philippine Travel Notes

This topic started with this article There are also two towns in this country named Malitbog.One is in Southern Leyte (Region 8) and another is in Bukidnon (Region 10). The one in Southern Leyte is a coastal town on Sogod Bay where a lot of snorkeling and diving opportunities abound. Oh I heard they have their own version of the Sinulog that is gaining popularity in this province. And this is just a few clicks away by boat ride to Cebu City! Now the other Malitbog in the province of Bukidnon (Region 10) does not see any sea or ocean as it is landlocked. This town is the northernmost part of the province and borders with the town of Claveria in Misamis Oriental. This place is two hours away from the provincial capital of Malaybalay and about the same travel time from Cagayan De Oro. A farming community, people here have an appreciable lust for growing and selling bananas.

*Images on this page are scanned copies of the brochures/leaflets I received during the visit. This impressive edifice of art and culture sits right in the heart of a commercial jungle. Thanks to whoever is that bright mind behind all these! Anyway.., today I had to be at my Makati offices for some last minute and rush-rush activities. Also a day for me to start unpacking things and arranging my workstation since I transferred here last week. I thought lunch would be fine at a restaurant in Greenbelt – since I have not been in these areas for like eons! And yes, on the way to lunch, I saw the prominent frontage of this ultramodern structure with signage that said “Ayala Museum”. So I thought, I’d visit after lunch. And I am happy I did! Where is it? It is right at the Makati Avenue edge of the Greenbelt 4 (G4) just almost across the Shangri-La Hotel or to be more precise – its just a few feet to the right from where it had been 20 years ago. It is now definitely bigger and spanking new

This topic started with this article Malinao generally means "clear" but in southern provinces it means calm (waters). We have two towns named Malinao, and they’re on opposite sides of the country. On the eastern part, there is the town of Malinao in Albay Province (Region 5) that teems with mountain springs and waterfalls. There is even the Danao Lake on top of Mt. Malinao. But it also has undeveloped beaches and a reef for divers and snorkelers. This is on the northeastern side of Mayon Volcano and in the province's border with Camarines Sur. Nice place The other Malinao is on the western side of the country and that is in the province of Aklan (Region 6). Ah this town is home to small-time handicraft makers whose products are exported to nearby Kalibo which is just about 15mins away. Other than that, there’s nothing to see. They are proud that two-thirds of the families in this town have one or two or more members working abroad. As what, I did not anymore ask!

This topic started with this article There are four towns all named Magsaysay. Ooops, wait! There are six! Let’s explain that. There are four towns that are officially called “Magsaysay”, there is one whose official name is “Ramon Magsaysay” and yet another with an official name of “R. Magsaysay”. Of course we know that all these six towns are named after the 3rd president of this republic. Now the towns… Magsaysay in Mindoro Occidental (Region 4b - MIMAROPA) is the southern tip of the province and of the island. Caves, springs and beaches are the main attractions of this town. But don’t miss the cheap fish, prawns or crabs from the many aquaculture farms. Yumm! Another Magsaysay is a town in the province of Palawan (still MIMAROPA). This town is actually in a group of islands and islets off the northeastern part of the province. The more common destination you'd hear is Cuyo for it is the island where the town is located. And it’s a bit far from where tourists usually go! How far?

This topic started with this article Oh Magellan! There are three towns that takes on the name of this Portuguese discoverer. Magallanes town in Cavite (Region 4A – CALABARZON) is in the southern portion bordering with Batangas and is mainly an agricultural town. There is a waterfall and a forested area that might be good for adventure trekkers. Next is Magallanes town in the province of Sorsogon (Region 5 – Bicol). This town sits at the lower mouth of the Sorsogon bay. It does have its share of falls, springs, mountains, beaches and resorts but not yet too trodden by the common tourist. The third of these Magallaneses is a town in the heart of Agusan Del Norte (Region 13 – CARAGA) along the shorelines of the Bulusan Bay. This is a fishing village, thus, beaches are aplenty. There is of course a historical marker of Magellan since the town derives its name from that discoverer. But don’t miss the “centuries-old” tree still standing at Barangay Caloc-an where some people claim was the “

This topic started with this article There are four towns and those are in regions 1, 4, 7 and 11! In the western part of Pangasinan, Mabini is a landlocked town. It takes the backseat from virtually all of its neighbors which are coastal towns from the South China Sea to the Lingayen Gulf. At least there is a cave system! In the southwestern part of Batangas, Mabini is interestingly at the tip of a peninsula that divides two interesting bays – the Batangas and Balayan Bays. This town’s name is easily remembered by the word “Anilao” – the most famous and readily accessible dive site in the country. This resort town has a very long list of dive/picnic/private resorts! Down south in Bohol, Mabini is a sleepy town east of the island and has its share of caves, beaches and islets. This is part of the island that is yet off the beaten tourist tracks though I suspect not for long. Just take my case, I hopped into this Mabini coming from Leyte! Further south in Compostela Valley is our last t

With the proliferation of “Dampa Style” eateries, I find this to be the best in terms of orderliness and cleanliness. You can call it “bourgeois mentality” but thankfully, this place is out of the easy reach by the common masses in terms of distance and location. I am not even sure if there are jeeps that ply a route passing by this place. Some friends tell me there are. Anyway… I came to know about this place through someone who invited old friends (that’s including me) for some kind of a reunion. And I immediately liked it. “ Seaside ” – as it is commonly referred to by those who know about it, is located along the not yet so dense Macapagal Avenue facing the Manila Bay. Of course it faces the water, that’s why it’s called “seaside”. But that is only if you get to settle at those restaurants by the edge of the waters. Nonetheless, you will like many of the restaurants there – my favourites are not even by the water’s edge. As you would already know, “Dampa Style” eateries have

This topic started with this article There are also two towns named Loreto and both are in Mindanao. One town is in the province of Agusan Del Sur and the other is in the province of Surigao Del Norte – both in Region 13 – CARAGA! The former is southwest of Agusan Del Sur province and in its border with Bukidnon. I have yet to know what might be good to find in that town, at least for the tourist! Well, the latter Loreto is the northern tip of Surigao Del Norte province in Dinagat island already facing Samar island. And of course, this place teems with white beaches, springs and waterfalls. Go forth to this Loreto before everything is ruined by commercialism!