Philippine Travel Notes

This topic started with this article Before we jump to and get dizzy with the litany of saints, let us start off with an interesting name called Sagay. There is a city and there is a town. The city of Sagay (Negros Occidental, Region 6) is actually almost already an oriental since it is at the northeastern tip of the island of Negros and very near to the boundary with Negros Oriental. There are islets and good beaches here. Residents call this place the “Garden City of the North” (of Negros Island that is) or the “Home of the Sinigayan Festival”. I would like to call it a ruined marine paradise slowly nearing rebirth! Why? Go talk to the people, even the lowliest of fishermen know and understand things about biodiversity, our future and our children’s future! If managed well, this place will be another tourist destination in the future. It just has everything from marine wildlife to islands and islets and beaches. Diving and snorkeling around here is great – ngayon pa lang! Then there ...

This topic started with this article There are 7 localities in this country named after the late president Manuel Roxas. First is the town of Roxas in the province of Isabela (Region 2). This Roxas is on the eastern part of the province in its border with Mountain Province is a farming community. The next Roxas is that little town on the eastern portion of Mindoro (Region 4B) which has come to the awareness of many a Filipino by its being one of the ports in the “nautical hiway” – esp a jump-off point to Boracay via the ROROs. The 3rd Roxas is a big town on the northeastern portion of the island-province of Palawan. Though not on the most popular strips of the island, this is also a resort town and a jump-off point to “exotic island” and the tabon bird sanctuary. 4th is a town called “President Roxas” and it is in the province of Capiz (Region 6). This town is in the eastern section of the province and like most of its neighboring towns, thrives in the fish and aquatic resources indust...

Just for a change of scenery, family agreed to once again revisit and do our “Sunday shopping” at the Sunday Market on the grounds of the Lung Center and I was happily surprised it seems to have grown with a lot more stalls. Some years back we would frequent this place for our “master of the kitchen” to buy her desired eats that were hard to find fresh in groceries and supermarkets. And oh boy, we were happy to realize those can still be had from there! Actually, I triggered the family to this idea of once again checking out the Lung Center bazaar since some Sundays ago, a friend called to ecstatically tell me that she was at that same Sunday market and was overwhelmed at the variety and prices of the produce being sold – in the middle of the city amidst parks, the city hall and hospitals! For those who have not been there yet, here we go… The bazaar is on the very grounds of the hospital immediately to the right of the parking area along Quezon Avenue. Approaching the Quezon Memorial ...

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...