Footnotes from my travels around the 80 provinces of the Philippines

Growing up in a small, remote village in Catanduanes made me appreciate the value of travel through books and dreams. I remember leafing through my Sibika at Kultura book --  making sense of our country's history and culture, and enjoying the pages showing the "Magagandang Tanawin ng Pilipinas." Books taught me that the Philippines is dotted with famous tourist spots like the Banaue Rice Terraces, San Juanico Bridge, Magellan's Cross, Maria Cristina Falls, and Chocolate Hills.

Back then, my idea of Manila was not about huge shopping malls or skyscrapers or traffic jam. Manila, back then, was about Luneta and Fort Santiago. 

More than anything, books taught me to dream.

For the past five years, I've been fortunate to have visited all the destinations that I have once read about and dreamed of seeing when I was a kid.

But my travels did not end there. Instead, I challenged myself to visit the more remote destinations in our country. I dared myself to visit 80 (of the 81) provinces of the Philippines before I turn 30 years old, a challenge I have completed last year.

Let me share with you some discoveries and lessons I learned while doing the 80 before 30 challenge.

Nagsasa Cove is Love

May 14-15, 2011

Nagsasa Cove, Zambales

I’ve been asked several times which of these two coves is more beautiful, Anawangin or Nagsasa. Well, for one, I think Nagsasa is the exact clone of Anawangin. Both have the same textures. It has the same lagoon, rolling mountains, off-white sand, nice beach, Agoho “pine” trees canopy, and almost the same number of campers. In both places, I found my “sugoi” moment which is what I care about. So really, I can’t say which is more beautiful, because both are worth visiting. 

I’d definitely say it was one of my best weekends with the girls. Thanks Kim, May and Liz!!!  

MAVID BATANES

The cow, Eric, Kim and myself up at Chamantad-Tinian Viewpoint

April 27-30, 2011

Batan and Sabtang Islands, Batanes

The thing I have with travel blogging the Philippines is that I sometimes run out of the right adjectives to describe each place I’ve been to. And now I’m faced with the same dilemma. How will I describe Batanes? Breathtaking, magnificent, panoramic, rustic. All these words suit this place just well. But for this blog, I will borrow the Ivatan word Mavid, which means beautiful... Mavid Batanes.

Batanes Itinerary

Scenic Vayang Ranch 

Planning a trip to Batanes? Here's our itinerary! I’ve included here our contacts, travel budget and places we’ve seen and visited during our four days and three nights stay there. Hope this helps, somehow. :)

ITINERARY

For first time travelers, I would suggest getting help of a tour guide. Going around there on your own can be a little difficult since most places are really far and can be time consuming. Here's how we've spent our days in Batanes.

Not Quite in Batanes Yet, Almost

Falowa Ride. Honesty Coffee Shop. Vakul. Rolling Hills. Lighthouses. Batanes.

These are some of the phrases/words I've been googling and wiki-ing for the past weeks.

According to Wiki, the province of Batanes, composed of 10 islands, sits at the topmost part of the Philippine archipelago. About one and a half hours plane ride from Manila. This place has been highly regarded as a prime tourist destination because of its magnificent rolling hills (some saying it can be compared to the ones in New Zealand), famous stone houses that have stood the test of rough and unforgiving weather conditions in the past years, the Ivatans resilience and kindness, and of course, the lighthouses that have become silent witnesses to the rage of the seas and the fury of the skies.

Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2011

Feb 13, 2011

How this balloon got to it's mushroom shape in less than an hour, I was there to witness.

Puerto Princesa Adventures

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River 

March 20-22, 2011

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

I was feeling grumpy days before our trip. I wasn’t my usual jumpy and excited self. But then, the idea that I’d finally stop wondering what it feels to be inside the Underground River gave me some comforting thoughts. I. Must. See. It.

Kidd and Cha inside Ugong Rock

Palawan (photo story)

"Seeing Double"
Malcapuya Island , Coron, Palawan

Beach, Books, Ben Afflecks, Boracay!

Devoid of many expectations, I packed my bags for Boracay without doing my usual pre-travel duties such as drafting an itinerary and researching the what-to-see-and-where-to-go-there stuff.  I was ready for anything. I cared less whether it’s a great place or not. I will be there to relax, to escape the city, to chill.

My pre-Boracay thoughts were that this place reeks with sun-kissed tourists, loud party-goers, over the top expensive hang outs, hardworking locals asking for massage services, a pocketful of sunshine, and yes, white sand beaches.

A bit of Albay

Oct 23, 2010

If Pinatubo became beautiful after the disaster, Mayon will always be the disaster-threatening beauty of Albay. It is the constant view that no one can escape from. Always there. Always a welcoming sight.

Along with my sisters Cha and Loi, we had a quick stop in Albay before heading to our own province, Catanduanes. We arrived in Bicol with clouds scattered and some isolated showers.

Exploring Bohol-Cebu-Panglao Island

February 20-22, 2010

Cha and I went on a three-day tour to three of the most visited and beautiful places in our country—Bohol, Cebu and Panglao Island. This trip turned out to be one of the most fun that we've had. I’d like to share our itinerary:

Day 1

08:35- Mla ETD, NAIA Terminal 3 (Cebu Pacific)

09:50- Tag ETA

10:00- Start of the Bohol Countryside Tour

Blood Compact (historical site)

Baclayon Church (old church)

The 24-hour Negros Escape: Bacolod, Silay, Talisay, Manapla

Negros may not have the mighty mountains of Sagada nor can its beaches be compared to the ones in Palawan but its sugarcane plantation in the countryside is amazing and overwhelming. Even from the aerial view, one can already see the sprawling greens of sugarcanes, and true to what I already know, Negros indeed is a sugarlandia.

Known as the Land of the Sugar Barons, Negros Occidental is a good spot to learn the heritage and lifestyle of its opulent residents during their heydays. We visited some of its heritage houses and mansions, and from the stories of the people we met there, it was like stepping back in time when these landed people were living high and languid. Before the sugar industry crashed in 1980s, we were told about their grand balls, the carriage pulled by mighty horses, and their other excesses in life.

My CORONific Experience!

Coron has amazing lagoons like this one near Kayangan Lake

Sept. 19- 21, 2010
Coron, Palawan

I first learned about Coron way back in my grade school years when my father was invited for a cockfight there. I vividly remember how we devoured the  cashew nuts he brought home from that trip. It was the first time I have ever tasted cashew nuts so it was like a huge feast at home. But apart from the cashew nuts story, he made no mention of how Coron was like as a small town in Palawan.

From the time of my father’s visit up until today, Coron had significantly grown to become a very popular tourist destination. So when my sister Cha told me that she wanted to book a flight to Coron, I pleaded to tag along. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

My travel companions were Cha, Janet, Vicki, Jane, Myles, Cathy, Susan, Gemma, Ana, Sancai, Alma, Imee, Tin and Angie. Thanks to them, the trip was fun and easy even when some things got a little awry along the way.

Pahiyas Festival

Lucban, Quezon

Majayjay-Liliw-Nagcarlan, Laguna

May 15, 2010. Food-nature-road trip with my favorite travel mates to one of the most colorful festivals in the Philippines--Pahiyas Festival. It was my 3rd Pahiyas already but the colorful kipings and the vibe in Lucban just make me want to come back again and again. Also, the trip to the lovely churches in Liliw and Majayjay was simply awesome.

Our Itinerary:

PAHIYAS Festival
Lucban, Quezon, Philippines

04:30am – Assembly at McDO Edsa Central (near Teleperformance Bldg)
05:00am – Departure to Lucban, Quezon;
09:00am – ETA Lucban, Quezon; Free time to roam around the festival
12:00pm — Lunch; Free time
02:30pm — Depart for Liliw and Nagcarlan
03:30pm — Sidetrip: Liliw and Nagcarlan for sandal shopping and visit at the church and underground cemetery
05:30pm — Depart for Manila, dinner stopover on the way home
10:00pm — ETA Manila

Foodtrip Pilipinas: Best Tastes of Binondo

Binondo, also known as the oldest Chinatown in the world, was established in 1594 as a settlement for the Chinese migrants arriving and trading in Manila. Although dominated by Filipino-Chinese merchants nowadays, Binondo become a cultural melting pot for many other migrants, like Muslims and Spaniards, which makes it an interesting cultural place to visit... and to sample food. 

Dong Bei dumplings

Frog legs 

Tea egg 
Lord Stow’s egg tart

Sugarcane juice

Fried siopao

Liver steak

Raspberry

Iced brewed coffee

Kiampong rice

Peeking through the Manila Metropolitan Theater

Whenever I pass by Lawton area in Manila, I can’t help but imagine some crazy-scary scenes inside the Manila Metropolitan Theater. I would visualize lovely women dolled up to catch a gala show. The long lines of vintage cars passing in front its intricately-designed façade. The red curtain and the red carpet. All glamorous. But, when the reality dawns on me that I’m looking at a severely dilapidated infrastructure, my mind would easily shift to scary thoughts. Now, there would be ghosts hovering the entire place. And the lights would dim.

Just last Sunday, June 20, along with about 130 participants, I had the chance to enter this famous art deco building designed by the Filipino architect Juan M. de Guzman Arellano. The free tour was organized by the Filipinas Stamp Collectors' Club. We seized the place not for ghost hunting but to just explore and somehow get a glimpse of this long forgotten landmark.

Hot Air Balloon Festival 2009

Feb 15, 2009. Clark, Pampanga


This trip with my highschool friends and Eric was one of the most enjoyable that we've had.


Early that sunday morning, we ganged up inside Meg's van and headed to Pampanga. Luckily, we were just in time when the balloons were being inflated and had a nice view while one by one each balloon made its way up in the air.


The entrance fee to the venue was P100. Inside there are exhibits from different avaition schools, sort-of military parade, display of anything that flies and wide array of food stalls. There are also other activities lined up for the day like paraglide, skydive, balloon night glow, kite flying, etc.

Pasinaya 2010: CCP Open House Festival

Feb 7, 2010. Another fun Sunday with a funny good friend. When Megs Sorra texted me about the Pasinaya 2010, I didn’t hesitate a moment and immediately decided to spend my Sunday afternoon there. Heck, I would never miss this opportunity to enter the great walls and halls of what I thought of as an elitist Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), I told myself. Well, I still think after I went there that it’s an elitist venue for arts.

I was with my good highschool friend Ami Pitajen. It was so much fun! At the entrance, we gave a P20 donation. My cheapo self sang with praises! haha As it turned out, all the theatres inside CCP became venues for various cultural and artistic performances. We’ve seen different folk songs, musical instruments and some other acts.

Exploring Ilocandia

This trip to Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur pushed my love affair with backpacking Pilipinas to a different level. It was an absolutely amazing weekend where we learned a lot about our culture and at the same time our eyes feasted on  the beautiful scenery only Ilocandia can offer. 

Cha and I joined the group tour organized by Travel Factor. It was supposed to be a photography tour but since our camera was so-so compared to other travelers, we had the advantage of just enjoying the Ilocos scenes--less the hassles brought by setting up DSLRs and tripods. ok now, i'm sour-graping.

Our itinerary included San Agustin Church, Paoay Church, Burgos, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Capurpurawan Rock, Bangui Windmills, Pagudpud Beaches, Kaibigan Falls, Patapat bridge and Vigan.

Of these places, probably the most that I felt excited about was the sunset visit to Bangui Windmills. These 20 beautiful structures light up the quaint little town of Bangui!

DJC Halo Halo, Tiwi, Albay

There's so many things that make me want to go back to Legazpi again and again -- old friends, food, Mt. Mayon. And every trip to Legazpi is never complete without a stop for the good old favorite DJC Halo Halo.