Philippine Travel Notes

For so many years now, nothing much has changed. It is still predictably orderly! One of the few airports in this country where you don’t encounter so much hassle during arrivals. And the tourism folks in this place must be real serious about that green kiosk. I have yet to arrive in Davao where that kiosk is unmanned. And the folks there are not just ‘whoever’ but real tourism employees in the know. If you are a visitor, your fantastic visit of Davao starts with them. Always helpful. Ah that big and wide row of hotel and car service desks? Still the same too. The folks there respect their rules. Number one of that is they must stay inside their counters and not milling around nor standing in the way where passengers pass. Unlike in Cebu where the reps of those big hotels have started standing right where you pass, right? Well, in Davao, even if these hotel reps expect a guest, they do have placards too to get attention of their expected guests, yet they still stay within the confines

A friend sometime ago asked me about this and I wasn’t really sure of the answer so I said I will take note of that and ask my airline friends. But I haven’t yet got to asking when it also happened to me. Well, what a chance experience! I mean it was nice this happened to me so I now know the thing first-hand. I’m talking about those e-tickets issued by travel agencies. Here’s the story: On a recent off-site activity, client opted for the package where they take charge of my transport and accommodation. So I received an electronic ticket from them. It looked weird to me (since am not used to having this kind of e-ticket printout) but just the same, it was a ticket. It did contain the usual information we are used to seeing – plus a bit more, and in a different format! Days prior to the flight, I toyed at the idea of extending my stay in Davao so I could use a day or two to roam more of IGaCoS beyond the beach resorts. So I opened the Cebu Pacific website to retrieve my booking. It was

As I awaited the boarding call of my flight to Davao at MCIA’s Gate 8, there came a cacophony of shrieking voices descending down the stairs. I immediately smiled thinking “here goes another children’s choir ready to conquer hearts from people all around the globe”! And they merrily lingered around as the waiting areas of gates 8 and 7 were already brimming full to the rafters! Some sat beside me at about 2 or 3 boys to a chair. So I asked what group they were and the kid nearest me said “San Roque”. That was not really clear to me so I asked “where is that” and another one of them said “Mandaue”! Next question, I said “where are you going”? A chaperon answered this time, saying "Alaska Cup". Not being a fan of the sport, I thought she meant the state of Alaska in the United States. I said "ang lamig dun ha, bakit naka-tshirt lang kayong lahat?". With a little laugh, she said the Alaska Milk Footbal Cup in alabang! Well, a whohoah still! So I realized this was not a

I was on a jeep on the way to Mactan when it stopped for a “refill” at some gas station (I don’t remember the name but sure it was neither Caltex, Shell nor Petron). And this is a big signage posted on the outside wall of their cashier’s booth. It took me a minute to understand! Is this how the earth revolves now? Even the honesty of service providers is now the lookout of customers? Golly our values! What’s next? Will we be seeing signages that say “Please help us be honest by counting your change”? Or “please help us be honest by watching how we prepare your food”? Oh well, the realistic signs of our times! Even employers cannot trust the values of those they hire. Ready sing…. “honesty, is such a lonely word, everyone is so untrue”! ISSN 2515138.625-1024

After discussing things with the city’s tourism staff, we concluded that my best option was to stay at Sugarland Pension. They described it a bit for me, topping it off with how to go there. As instructed, I waked rightwards from their office, turned left on Rizal St., sandwiched by the two big transport terminals and proceeded walking on the left side of the street. Not really far, plus easy to find. I was still approaching Gaisano and I could already see the big sign that said Sugarland Pension. Yeah! BUT… When I accidentally glanced to my right, across the street, by a row of commercial establishments, I saw a big sign that said “Sugarland Suites”. That stopped me there for a little while. Did the tourism officers really mean Sugarland Pension or did they mean Sugarland Suites? It’s the same street! Plus I recall, they just kept  referring to it as “Sugarland”. And if they asked me to walk on the left side, was that meant for me to be on the same side where the hotel would be or for

Let’s take this from #cebu #philippines as a point of reference. If you noticed, this is a rejoinder to my earlier take on this mode of transport . For the benefit of those who asked and wanting to ask me hehe. Its one of the most comfortable and fastest means to cross the islands you’d wish there is a Supercat everywhere! I have been on this thing a number of times, mainly to/from Tagbilaran and Cebu. But I never really paid much attention since in those occasions, either everything was handled by a tour agency guide and/or I had too many companions to care about the various proceedings on getting unto a Supercat. Hah, on going Ormoc however, all times I was alone. So I was able to pay attention to more details! The ticket Ah, this was one of the easiest to do. There are a number of ways to purchase a Supercat ticket even way ahead of your intended departure. You can buy them online via their website or from their many offices all over the country or from their many authorized ve

Today, as I lined up to enter the airport, there was some guard with two nuns in tow and motioning for us to step aside so they could pass. A Tagalog-speaking passenger behind me casually said "eh bakit kung madre sila?". The guard overheard that and on return told the passenger, "respeto lang sa Diyos sir". Passenger still retorted with a sarcastic "madre ang mga yun, hindi Diyos"! I almost laughed at that remark, but kept my quiet since the guard in an obviously piqued face said "sumbaganay na lang ta, sir". Passenger answered with "wag kang mag-German, di ko naiintidihan”. I don't know why, I interpreted that for him and told him "suntukan na lang daw po kayo, sir"! Hehe, his wife reprimanded him to stop responding. But as that guard walked away, the man said "di lalo akong hindi nakapag-check-in, gago ka pala eh! End of story! This reminded me of my fascination with Pinoys (and I think many  people in the world are

You will probably remember this topic from sometime ago, right? Well, while rushing for some errands over at the Park Mall (actually to buy spicy lechon belly again to be sent to Manila for a friend celebrating her birthday, I passed by this 'show' at the lobby where people were crowding. Oh boy oh my my, he is one of them, the beggar harpists of Cebu! They (the mall folks) dressed him up in barong and a native hat, voila, he plays what he does best, the harp! And I saw that majority of those who lingered in the area longer, or secure the benches for their butts, were Koreans and Caucasians, plus a scattering of Indians and Africans! Almost all armed with their digicams, handicams, phonecams, iPads, etc. I of course took this photo and later txtd a friend (while I lined up at the lechon belly counter hehe). His reply was “wala akong kinalaman dyan, but let’s just say, aren’t you glad some Cebuanos are reading and lsitening to your blog posts”? Oh well, am I more than glad! Fac