JARO ILOILO: A RELIGIOUS HERITAGE

Jaro is one of the six districts of Iloilo City, and the most popular of them. With its role in the religious and economic history of the city, Jaro, with the well known Jaro Cathedral and its Belfry, has remained a strong symbol of religious and cultural heritage for the Ilonggos up to the present times.

Jaro Cathedral

TATOY'S MANOKAN ILOILO

Tatoy's Manokan and Seafood along Villa beach  in Villa, Iloilo City has been an institution to both locals and visitors alike. With its signature native litson manok (native roasted chicken) and a wide array of selections of fresh seafood and other native dishes, patrons have been coming for either a Sunday family day, or to celebrate milestones with delicious food. 

Tatoy's Manokan and Seafoods

LILIW: In the Land of Tsinelas!

Because it was only 15 minutes away from Nagcarlan, and we still have some time left of our Halloween "escapade", we decided to expand and visit Liliw, the "Land of Footwear" in the south. :) One thing I've noticed is that the houses and buildings in Liliw only occupies about 100sq m each of land. My friend said that this is because the town's land area is small, and to maximize space, houses and buildings are usually 2-3 storeys high. One would also notice the uphill slope when walking towards the St. John the Baptist church, so therefore I conclude the town of Liliw is on a hill :P

Tsinelas logo/replica of some shops

NAGCARLAN, LAGUNA PART II: Bunga Falls, St. Bartholomew Church

As we only stayed less than an hour in the Underground Cemetery, thankfully I have an itinerary in my mind. First stop was the famed St. Bartholomew Church, which was the church location years ago of a telenovela  entitled Kampanerang Kuba starring Anne Curtis.

Belfry

NAGCARLAN, LAGUNA PART I: Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery

     

Thanks to friends again, I had a chance to visit the National Heritage Site that is the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery. And what more appropriate day to explore the site than on a Halloween? Hihi... (sorry for the not-so great pix... We forgot, of all the things, to bring a decent camera! So we rely on our not-so high end mobile phone cam :{.. )

Underground Cemetery

THE RUINS of the past glamour

(re-blog and updated from iloilocityoflove.blogspot.com)

It was a summer break we all have been waiting for, and our destination before this golden moment ends was Bacolod City, a city known for its sugarcane plantations and its festival, the Masskara..

MT. PULAG - AMBANGEG TRAIL

Mt. Pulag summit is out there :p

I was invited by my sister to join her and her officemates (some were seasoned mountaineers already) to experience Mt. Pulag in Kabayan, Benguet which is the highest peak in Luzon. This is my first real mountain climb (not counting the fieldtrip we had in highschool in Moroboro in Dingle, Iloilo), but eversince, I had wanted to become a mountaineer. So enthusiastically I said yes. And both my sister and I were in for some big surprises...

ISDAAN FLOATING RESTAURANT - CALAUAN, LAGUNA

The Isdaan Floating Restaurant in Gerona, Tarlac has enjoyed many great reviews. It has been a favorite pitstop of "biyaheros" from north going back to Manila. This is owned and operated by the Barrio Fiesta group of restaurants, so they say the food is delicious (sorry but I have not experienced Barrio Fiesta because it does not have a branch from where I come from :)).. The concept of the restaurant is Buddhist with giant statues of mermaids, buddha, and animals, linked with Filipino food.

PALAWAN: THE LAST FRONTIER part 3

Day 5

Before we head back to Manila, we got two hours left to explore Puerto Princessa. For lunch we tried Chaolong, a Vietnamese rice noodle soup. This is one of the legacy left by the Vietnamese refugees who sought asylum here in late 1970's. The soup comes in various "flavors": beef stew, chicken, and pork. Our guide said to try buto-buto or the pork, and when paired with french beard is a most satisfying meal. And you could choose to add bean sprouts and/or mint leaves. For me, it's almost like eating batchoy or bulalo, but with a much sweeter taste

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PLAYA LAIYA BATANGAS

Thanks to friends, I got a chance to experience Laiya in San Juan Batangas. For years, Laiya has given tourists and locals alike the chance to enjoy sun and surf. on its creamy white sands with Mt. Daguldol (San Juan's highest peak)as the backdrop. Many have said this slice of paradise is popular, but when I searched the web for reviews and information, there were so few. Only a handful of resorts in Laiya have reached mainstream which are offering prime accommodations and amenities.

Playa Laiya beach

PALAWAN: THE LAST FRONTIER part 2

EL NIDO (DAY 3)

Bacuit Bay, El Nido

We traveled approximately 6 hours from Puerto Princessa to El Nido by private van across winding roads (again) and mountain and farm landscapes. There's nothing much to see while in transit so you may prefer to sleep. At approximately 1-2 hours in the trip, you 'll get a glimpse of the islands of El Nido, and just like an enchantress taunting you. In reaching El Nido, you could opt by plane from Manila (much costly), from Puerto Princessa you could ride a bus or hire a shuttle van. For more info on daily trips to El Nido, click here.

PALAWAN: THE LAST FRONTIER part 1

Many have written on how beautiful the island of Palawan is, and now it's my turn to do so! My chance to explore the last frontier has at last landed on my lap.. Read on about my 5-day sojourn in Puerto Princessa and El Nido...

ENCHANTED KINGDOM: The Magic Lives On

A trip to Manila would never be complete without a tour to Enchanted Kingdom (aka EK). Located 2hours away from the busy streets of greater Manila, this fun land (with the famous Eldar) will truly give you the magic it promises.Its spine-tingling, gut-wrenching rides will left you either craving for some more or screaming for your dear life.