Philippine Travel Notes

We like it and we love it – whatever critics have to say! But there are some things you wish could be done. Right?! Me too! And here are what I wish would materialize soon... If capitol can please limit the number of allowed spectators, that should be splendid. They’re on once a month anyway so everybody has a chance. Alright, prioritizing foreigners and non-Cebu residents may be fine, but I guess they should be strict with “no-reservations-no-entry”. Nobody likes being jammed with a lot of humanity inside a chicken-wired hallway. Capitol can use Ceres drivers who know the way and are sane enough to discern that spectators are always more than two bus loads, thus, they have to return for more! I discovered that from the driver since I talked to him while we were on the way. I actually asked what took them so long and he said they thought that was just it. Buang! What more, he already came from CPDRC to deliver a busload and on our way he didn’t know where to pass and kept asking the po...

I finally went to see them! And I’m happy I did! Hey it was not fun, not even funny. But OMG what a show! They are one of a kind! Truly worth the recognition! How did this happen? Friday (yesterday), I saw it advertised on a local paper (Sunstar) that the inmates will perform today at 3PM Saturday. Those who wanted to watch must reserve space by calling one of two numbers at the governor’s office. Announcement (its an ad actually) said “by reservation only”. So I called up. The girl got my name and asked me how many we were. I said I was alone. Then I asked how much would that be. The reply was “ha?... a sir, its for free”! Whoa! And that was it! The whole process goes something like this: You call up the capitol numbers to reserve, give your name, tell them how many you are, you go to a designated boarding place at a designated time, you are given an ID, you ride the bus, watch the show, ride the bus back to capitol, go home, smile and dream about the inmates! That’s it! I have more n...

It’s a wonderful show, yes. And last night was the fourth such affair in Cebu! Translated, it means Night of Heritage. This is a unique activity in this country, as I have not heard anything like it anywhere else. This affair, show, whatever involves museums and similar heritage conservation institution by opening their doors for one night (6PM to 12MN). And this time, nine institutions participated. Being a special celebration, tickets are cheap at just P100 for entrance to all 9 establishments which otherwise could be 5 or six times more. Oh there was an extra P50 if you wanted to ride (unlimited) the kalesa or “tartanilla” and the buses dedicated to this affair. So who were involved? These were… Casa Gorodo Museum, Cathedral Museum, Basilica Del Sto Nino Museum, Fort San Pedro, Yap-San Diego Ancestral House, Museo Sugbo, Jesuit House, Sacred Heart Parish and University of Southern Philippines – Rizal Museum beside the cathedral museum across plaza Hamabar. The earnest desire of this...

Alrightie folks, as said in the previous entry, we adults did not like nor enjoy much of the Talima Adventure and Water Park. So we found ourselves checking out the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary. As you will probably have known, this sanctuary is well-known as a transit area for many migratory birds and at the same time home to many Philippine-resident birds that are rarely seen in our daily city lives. Something caught my attention and it bothered me. Many lives are dying. As we walked to the view-deck of the sanctuary for the usual great vantage watching egrets, terns, herons and other fantastic birds, I noticed that some finger-sized fish to even bigger lying dead on the concrete path. And there were local children playing in the area. I asked the guide why they allow kids to get and kill the still young fish in this sanctuary. His reply was it was not the kids, it was the sun killing all those fish and the children were just scooping them out from the water. OMG! So I delayed th...

This new adventure and water park is located in Barangay Talima, Olango Island, Lapu-lapu City, Cebu. It is owned and operated by the Islands Group which everyone should probably recognize as owners of the Islands Souvenirs T-Shirts! It was all over the various media, advertised as a grand new place. Their website also said the same grand thing. So we headed for it today and here was our story! I called up their customer service numbers and the friendly lady (they are always very friendly) told me that Talima Adventure and Water Park has just opened and ready to give me a new thrill! I learned that there is an entrance fee of P100 per person and that the boat transfers (shuttle) from Mactan to the Island is P50 each way. Exciting rides have different prices but there is a “ride-all-you-can” package. Food is not allowed as they have two concessionaires at the island that sell the same. So we said “let’s go”! To the wharf I was told to go to the wharf just beyond the Hilton Hotel ov...

Was at Cebu’s IT Park and naturally glanced at that big vacant space in front of The Walk as to what might be new at the bazaar. Whoa, the stalls are gone! Instead, there were so many cars that seemed to be the center of everyone’s fuss. Circled towards the front and I read Bimmer Cebu Fest – A National Gathering of BMW Vehicles and Enthusiasts. Oh okay fine… a car show. But too many things shimmered and glimmered in the afternoon sun and folks around seemed too busy making them even shinier. What da… so I got off and went to see whatever it was. Well, as if I have not read on the big entrance archway… a gathering of everything BMW! And they were not yet all in. Some were still arriving, some were being positioned some commanded the curiosity of people around and some were being photographed. So I stayed on to ogle at the vehicles just like what other people were doing. Txtd the friend that if he doesn’t catch me at Moon Café on the designated meeting time, I would just be in the field...

That’s ‘The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’ and they just had an open house of their newly built ‘Cebu City Philippines Temple’. I could not let this one pass as I have already missed a similar open house when that chapel over at the corner of Aurora Blvd and JP Rizal St., in Project 4 did the same thing some months ago. Why the interest in such an open house? Just curious… and why not?! It’s not as if we can go in there everyday – even if we were Mormons, did you know that? We all know they have beautiful chapels everywhere. And the spacious grounds (usually with basketball courts) are impressively attractive, right? So how much more the insides of those edifices! PLUS, while for the open house in Project 4, I would only see a signage posted by the side of the road, this open house in Cebu was all over the various news media. So I thought this must have been something big. And big it is! How did it go? Well, fantastic! The tour was simple, direct to the purpose and very w...

I received this email: " Dear PT, Please tell me, how do I get to know which way the airplane will pass during take off in Manila? You see, I do not fly as much as you do, but when I do, I'd like to maximize the views especially when my children are travelling with me. For example, when we take off at NAIA, sometimes the plane goes from South Super Highway towards Manila Bay, sometimes its the other way around. Sometimes its even from Baclaran towards Merville and over Laguna Lake. I/We would like to know so that we can choose window seats with the best view of the city and all those things below. Thanks, RC " Hmm, that's a very good question and at times, I too, would like to maximize the views esp during late afternoons to early evenings. While am not good at the photo or video department, looking at a city during take-offs or landings could be mesmerizing - thus, memorable! And I thank RC for asking that question. Here I go: Wind. Yes its all about wind direction. ...