Philippine Travel Notes

The joyride continues! This time I went to Valencia. Still in Bohol, yes. Because there are three in this country - two towns both in Region 7 (Central Visayas) and a city in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao)! From Garcia-Hernandez , we started backtracking on my way back to Tagbilaran, passing by all towns along the way, to complete my planned route since yesterday, visiting all the southern towns of Bohol. I was excited to see this town, but, that excitement was immediately crushed on arrival. Argh! That's the Sto. Niño Parish Church of Valencia, Bohol - the one thing that got me excited to be in this town. It was closed! On a Monday mid-morning? How cruel to an aged roamer that is me myself and I ! On hindsight, we should've visited earlier, instead of going straight to Garcia-Hernandez - as there are early morning masses (usually). It most likely would've been open. Ayayay, bigo ang aking kamahalan! Anyway, I continued listening to my guide who told me that thi...

It's like this... I passed by this town yesterday, after Jagna , but it was already too dark, not only for my phone's camera, but even for my ("aged", okay fine) human eyes! So, especially that it was raining, we just breezed-by the center of town (although I shot a few pics). And today, I returned to see more of it. Yesterday Entering Garcia-Hernandez from Jagna , that wonderful view of the vast Bohol Sea continued... This was about 4 kilometers to center of town, which over at that end across the big cargo ship. Oh, I caught a snap of this cute signage along this road, a few meters before the above scenic shot... Wala lang. I just found that cute. The sign itself is nothing fantastic, it's fairly normal-usual-rural. What made me smile (I guess), was the thought of what was being offered! Do you know what a " baktin " is? In most of Central Visayas, "baktin" means "piglet". In Tagalog "biik". Now, have you ever seen...

In the evening after my unfinished joyride among Bohol's southern towns, I strolled around the vicinity of my hotel, hoping to stumble upon an eatery that might appeal to my eyes, taste buds and stomach. Nothing that serious, I'm not a fan of fancy dining places anyway. Turo-turo or fastfood is always fine! But of course I was 'armed' with helpful tips from the hotel's front desk. They told me to head right (as before), passing by the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Birhen sa Barangay - also known as the Cogon Shrine , and at the highway (the Circumferential Road) I could turn either way to find good restaurants. I remembered though, the girl said she prefers that I try Gerarda's Restaurant, so I went for it... This place is not hard to find since it is just by the main road, and under a gigantic tree! The interiors are chic with a lot og glass everywhere, akin to fine dining restaurants. I am guessing this is probably a second branch since the signage out...

Let's continue my Jagna story from the previous blog article. We went to the pier, driver/guide pointed to me Jagna Port, and I pre-empted his spiels by citing 'RORO from CDO and fastcraft from Camiguin'. But, he just smiled as he parked by a Talisay tree on the water's edge, in front of some eatery, while he said "di ba gusto mo mag-yosi muna at mag-Coke sir? Dito maganda, at meron akong ipapakita sayo"! Hmm, okay, that got me excited. So we entered the eatery with a view of the sea and the port (this pic is from where he parked). We ordered french-fries and 'tusok-tusok' (fishball kikiam etc). Nice view ha! As we enjoyed the snacks and the views, he asked if I've ever witnessed the ' whispering fish mongers ' in Malabon. I said not really, though I've heard and seen those on TV. Then, he proudly beamed, telling me that I would witness that "practice" here and now! He told me to focus on the "small fishing boats...

Daylight was fading fast on me. It had been raining intermittently, so it was getting too dark a day than usual. Mr Sun only lit its brightest early in the morning, then it turned 'generally cloudy'. Ah September! But the 'traveling life' must go on! Everything is part of the experience! I was already on a 'return' route to Tagbilaran anyway. See or do what still was possible. Otherwise, "tomorrow is always another day"! The next town center, Jagna, is only 10 kilometers from Duero . But halfway on that route is this: That is Alejan Bridge, marking the boundary between Duero and Jagna. Interestingly, both ends of the bridge are named Barangay Alejan of each town! Yes, Brgy. Alejan of Duero and Brgy. Alejan of Jagna! The breathtaking panoramic sea views of the Bohol Sea never stop in these southern coastal towns. On a clear day, especially in the mornings, Camiguin Island can be seen from here. Did you know that? In fact, Camiguin can be seen from...