Philippine Travel Notes

Let's go! But... What Where When How? After asking around, I learned that it is only D'Turbanada Transport that has regular scheduled direct Tacloban~Palapag trips. So I went to find their terminal in the city. Easy to find because they are on google maps , and they have an FB Business Page ! They even have a people profile also on FB that looks like the most regularly updated. Click click click and... I wasn't satisfied, so, I went to their Tacloban Terminal, 2 days before planned departure. Why? Because I needed to know the differences between a big-bus , a mini-bus and van . Why? Ay, for longer trips, my long legs need to know! At the terminal, I was told it takes the van 6~7 hours from Tacloban to Palapag, but due to the waiting at San Juanico bridge, it at times becomes 8 even 9 hours. Hiyay! I knew that was a bit exaggerated. I noted that anyway, to manage my expectations. Then I saw these... all taped at various parts of the tellers' glass-wall...

This was excitingly fun with lots of happy surprises! That means... this will be a long read for you. But as I always do, I'll chunk my stories into a series for ease-of-read ! Alright... where is this place? It's on the northeastern tip of Samar Island. Here... That portion of Northern Samar (Province) has four towns facing the Pacific Ocean. Why go there? Well, why not? 'Hwag maging dayuhan ... remember? This side of Samar Island, along with towns to the south (part of Eastern Samar) have less explored natural wonders. Keep reading this, and my next stories, I'll tell you about many of them - in a series! I'll start with Palapag, then Mapanas, down to Gamay, Lapinig, Arteche then Oras. In one day? No no hehe! In several days, but most will surely be: I wish I had more time ! How to go there. There are various ways, depending on your preferred level of comfort, convenience, etc., plus - the adventure or challenge level you want to experience, ...

If the previous topic ( Tacloban to Clark direct flight on Air Asia ) was a first for me, here is another first: My Point-to-Point (P2P) Bus Ride from Clark International Airport to Trinoma Mall at North EDSA in Quezon City. I did this just to try how it really is :) How did I prepare for this trip? Yes, nag-prepare talaga! Well, some bit of analysis had to be summoned of my lowly brain. First, did I have time? The answer was 'siguro naman'! With my flight from Tacloban expected to arrive Clark at 1010H and my event at UP Diliman scheduled to start at 1730H, that would have been a very unfortunate miracle if I still didn't make it on time, right? Plenty of time to spare, so I dared! Second, I have read and reread the many web stories and blogs that describe this kind of bus service. Plus, I had my driver on standby to pick me anywhere on the entire NLEX route - if ever something untoward happened. First time eh, hehe. Not that this was a first time for me to travel bet...

This air route has been on for a time now. It started as a regular route via a hype-up (or command?) of the president (Duterte) to decongest MNL by moving some flights to CRK. Was that 2016? I guess so. Hmm, before I proceed, let us do some 'tsismis'.., I heard, many stakeholders in/at/of Region VIII were vehemently opposed to the Department of Transportation picking TAC as one of the cities with flights to/from NAIA that would be transferred to Clark. How vehement? Ah, many of them (such as business chambers) trooped to their lawmakers or leaders that be, for the needed intercession to Malacañang! Lo and behold.., by the end of 2016August, the Regional Development Council VIII (RDC8) submitted a resolution to the DOTr declaring opposition to making MNL-TAC-MNL flights become CRK-TAC-CRK. I remember there was even an online (hashtag) campaign for this - the #NoToClarkForTaclobanFlights. So what happened? Interesting! At first, all 3 airlines (PAL, Cebu Pacific and Air Asi...

This signage is prominently posted by the elevator door of a hotel I stayed at, in Pusok, Lapulapu City, Mactan Island. This wasn't first time I stayed with them. They are a convenient accommodation place when I am transiting at "unholy hours" via MCIA, and when Waterfront Airport Hotel is out of rooms! But this was the only time I dared taka picture of that signage (hindi na mapigilan, hehehe)! What is "free smoke"? Therefore what is a "free smoke zone"? hahaha libre yosi? ganun?! Well, anyone not philosophizing can tell, that the owner, or whoever posted that sign, meant "this is a SMOKE-FREE zone". But look at the red-colored letters. Now that's not acceptable. What does 'strickly' mean anyway! Ah, Tagalog nalang kasi, or maypa Bisaya-a lang gud! Don't English me, I'm not school! True. It's more fun in the Philippines! Don't me! Disclaimer: This blogger is not an English Language Expert. In fact, yo...

Hey folksie-folks, I was back at this Korean Restaurant called Han Gang in Pusok, Lapulapu. Not that I crave for anything in this place, but, by virtue of proximity, this has been (and still is) is my go-to (best choice) in Pusok area! I went there tonight! This time I had beef soup and a cup of rice. Like their other authentic Korean dishes I have tried before, this one tasted oh so good. This is also NOT spicy, thus, I liked it. And, 'wheresoever' they get that from, the beef is of really good kind. For you my readers who are (like me), not (yet) too familiar with K-restaurants, if you are also wondering what those 'little dishes' are for, I only call them "the trimmings"! They're are the usual side-dishes this 레스토랑 serve together with whatever kind of main dish you order. Most of them I never dare touch. Why? Ayoko ng mahanghang! That cute bastardized word 'mahanghang' comes from my nephew, at ginaya ko na! Oi, there weren'...

Another fairly new (to me) restaurant at the Tacloban Astrodome. Friday night, I arrived late in Tacloban from hinter-mountain-barangays of Burauen. I wanted a sea view dinner , to rest my eyes & soul from depressing scenes of the day. Driver said "challenge accepted" - as if I did not know, he was heading to Cafe Lucia hahaha! Alas di malas, it was full to every corner, me birthdayhan pang nagaganap! We ambled forward, rounding the Astrodome although we already knew every place would also be packed with diners - on a Friday night kaka-sweldo lang two days ago! Both driver and I prefer bars or restaurants facing Cancabato Bay for the views, and we usually park in front of the Samgyupsal place that we never visit - it's always full ! But, voila! A big group of young-and-old folks were just about leaving the restaurant beside Samgyeopsalicious. Driver even ran to grab one of their outside tables haha! I may be prone to forgetting this-and-that from-time-t...

I just happened by this hub, walking to where our vehicle was parked, after dinner at Ronn's . One derivative advantage when dining at restaurants with no parking spaces! Imagine that, if the restaurant had its own parking area, we wouldn't have walked on a one-way Burgos St., searching where our car was. Then I wouldn't have found this! What is it anyway? A Co-Working Space . A commercial venture, providing a shared office environment , where individuals from all walks of life like freelancers , remote workers , or other "unrelated professions" , work either individually or as groups or teams . That, includes students and/or researchers. Kon karuyag mo mag-trabaho (whether on the web or otherwise), pero ma-aringasa or waray espasyo ha imo opisina, balay, apartment, boarding house, that is where you go. This is something a bit new to Tacloban. There are still very few 'spaces' like this in the city, and this is even a first-time I saw one. We...