looney planet philippines

Mystic Place Hostel

2012-02-18T00:00:00.000+08:00

... a home away from home. an artsy family-run bed and breakfast. off-the-beaten yet so close to everything.

Discerning travelers (on a budget), this one's for you!

Thailand. The mere mention of the name paints a smile on my face. I've been to Thailand a couple of times and I only have good words for the country. Take out the temples, the beach and the shopping and I'd still visit Thailand any given day for its namnam food (the thought of pad thai eaten in the streets of Khao San makes me salivate already) and of course its people--one of the most charming and hospitable race I've met thus far.

In this first edition of www.looneyplanet.net weekend sweet deal, I will feature a hostel in Bangkok, Thailand. I've heard a lot of positive reviews about this place since last year. Consistently, it's a hostel that evokes a certain character, a mystic charm. Each of the rooms is individually designed by different local Thai artists. With room names ranging from "Wish You Were Here" to "Medicine Machine" to "Power of Positive Energy," they mean only one thing: a class all its own.

The price on average is Php700.00 per person for a group of three (room rate is around Php1,800.00 good for two plus one additional person in extra bed or 2 children under 12 years old to sleep in existing bed).

The location is very accessible by subway or MRT and very close to museums, temples, historic sites and for shopaholics, it's a block away from Chatuchak Weekend Market! If those are not enough, the hostel also provides free tuktuk ride!

"Our boutique concept is to integrate artistic expression andcomfortable living together as one – creating a colorful, fun, chic andunforgettable experience for everyone. Each room reflects and has been inspiredby the designing artist’s individualistic creativity and soul.

As the name suggests, Mystic Place is filled with mystiqueand excitement. This friendly boutique hotel is a perfect hotspot for guestswho love Art and Fantasy, and desire a different out-of-the-ordinary experiencewhen staying in Bangkok. Forget those “ordinary” hotels; Mystic Place is aone-of-a-kind destination. We are located in a very local un-touristy areareminiscent of how Khao Sarn Road used to be, yet we are less than 500 metersfrom the skytrain and a block away from Chatuchak weekend market."-- Tuk SrisukHallin

Next time I visit Bangkok, this will be my home for sure.

Sawadee kap.

Address: 224/5-9, 224/11-18 Pradipat Rd., Phayathai, Bangkok 10400, THAILAND

telephone numbers:

T: 02-270-3344

F: 02-270-3359

email:

info@mysticplacebkk.com or info@mysticbangkokhotel.com

the charming staff of Mystic Place Bangkok

For more information, visit www.mysticbangkokhotel.com

*all photos courtesy: Mystic Place Bangkok

**999 and below WEEKEND SWEET DEAL features hostels with character that costs only
Php999.00 and below. happening every Saturday (6:00am PHL STANDARD TIME)

“heart-rending and rip-roaringly funny”

2012-02-15T19:12:00.000+08:00

It's been two months since I quit my job. Now that I am back in the big city with all the time in my hands, I keep myself busy checking the art scenes here and there. It's this palpable energy I sorely missed since I left Cebu four years ago.

In a few months, I'll get bored with this scene, I know. I'll pack up and then find myself elsewhere, again. For now, I am enjoying every bit of it while it lasts.

For a couple of weekends now, I've been doing photography assignments for Little Boy--a production company specialising in theatre. With the assignment comes the privilege of watching the show for free.

I've heard a lot of good reviews about the Palanca award-winning play Welcome to Intelstar written by Chris Martinez. It's an interactive comedy about the call center industry in the Philippines. For those who are not familiar, Mr. Martinez wrote the screenplay for Kimi Dora and 100, hit movies top-billed by Eugene Domingo (Domingo and Michael V have played the main character Miss Chelsea during its Manila run).

In Cebu, the main character Miss Chelsea is played by writer-editor and host--Jude Bacalso.

Jude Bacalso takes on the role of Miss Chelsea, a high-leveltrainer conducting an orientation seminar to the audience who “plays” the partof her new batch of call center trainees. Dressed impeccably in a power suitand using the required “neutral American accent,” Miss Chelsea discusseseverything you wanted to know about call centers but were perhaps afraid toask. “Welcome to IntelStar” promises to be a funny and rare theatricalexperience that is not to be missed.--lifted from philstar.com

For lack of better words, the show was gut-busting. Do not miss the subtle kick in the gut found at the ending. Hugyaw ra!

Catch the last run of the comedic monologue on March 4, 2012 (Sunday) at 3 and 5pm, CAPArts Center (across McDonald's Jones). Tickets at only P150 at the gate.

special thanks to the kind Hendri Go for the invitation

(free) trip to Iligan, anyone?

2012-02-13T11:14:00.002+08:00

The 5-day all-expenses paid trip to Iligan (home of 23 waterfalls) was a "deadly" experience waiting to happen. It was at this time of the year (in 2007) when I heeded the call for submission of application to the National Writers Workshop in Iligan.

I came to Iligan without the benefit of any mentor or regional writers workshop. So, like most beginning writers who came before me, it was, as always, a baptism of fire.

To make the story short, I was happy I made the cut. It never occurred to me though that the competition was way tougher than I thought it would be (more than a hundred applied for the 15 slots). That same year, two of my batch mates won the Palanca.

Application for this year's workshop is now open:

"The Mindanao Creative Writers Group, Inc., and the Mindanao StateUniversity-Iligan Institute of Technology’s Office of the Vice Chancellor forResearch and Extension (OVCRE) are accepting applications from writers to the19th Iligan National Writers Workshop (INWW) to be held on May 14-18, 2012 inIligan City.

Panelists this year are Erlinda Kintanar Alburo, Leoncio P. Deriada,Merlie M. Alunan, German V. Gervacio, Steven Patrick C. Fernandez, Ralph SeminoGalan, J. Neil Garcia, John Iremil Teodoro and Christine Godinez-Ortega andthis year’s keynote speaker, Victor N. Sugbo.

Fifteen (15) slots, five each from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and one(1) slot each for the Manuel T. Buenafe Writing Fellowship (MTBWF) and theRicardo Jorge S. Caluen Bursary for Creative Writing or a total of 17 slots areavailable for writing fellowships to the 19th INWW.

Applicants are required to submit five poems, or, one short story,excerpt of a novel, or, a one-act play in Filipino, English or in Sebuano,Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, Waray, Chabacano (with English or Filipino translations)along with the applicant’s biodata, two 2X2 photos and a certification thathis/her work is original. Please submit a hard copy and a CD with themanuscripts encoded in MS Word. Those submitting excerpts of novels orworks-in-progress -- please provide a one page summary of the novel.Unpublished works are preferred and applicants who have attended regionalworkshops are given priority.

Writing fellows will be given free board and lodging and a travelallowance. Applications must be postmarked on or before March 30, 2012. Noapplications or manuscripts will be accepted if sent by fax or e-mail.Applicants are also advised to keep copies of their manuscripts since thesewill not be returned. Announcements of this year’s writing fellows are releasedduring the third week of April 2012.

Applicants to this year’s workshop may download application and otherforms at http://www.msuiit.edu.ph/ (under MSU-IIT OVCRE MMIDU).
Send all applications to the 19th INWW Director c/o OVCRE, MSU-IIT,Iligan City. For more information call Pat Cruz, Leda Gonzales or Ofelia Taneoat telefax (063) 2232343; or e-mail: inww_ovcremsuiit@yahoo.com"

14th Iligan National Writers Workshop fellows

have Mabuhay Magazine, will travel

2012-02-10T22:09:00.000+08:00

In the 90s, the opportunity to ride an airplane for the first time presented itself.

Inside the cabin, I found a copy of a magazine stashed in the seat pocket right in front of me. The ride made me excited and nervous at the same time. To make matters worse, I was assigned a seat far from my cousins. So, to keep my cool and not look probinsyano (hillbilly), I got the copy and flipped its pages with my sweaty palms while waiting for the plane to taxi the runway.

I enjoyed reading every story I just had to take it home with me. Good souvenir item too, I thought. But the deal breaker really was the photographs by George Tapan. My dream to become a travel photographer began to take its shape during that ride.

After college, I was extremely fired up to apprentice for George Tapan but couldn't find the person to put my feet on his door so the dream stayed in the back burner. For now, the closest I can get to working for Mr. Tapan would be to contribute for the magazine. It's a long shot really, but might as well give it a try.

Here's the blurb:

Mabuhay, the country's premier inflight magazine, is seeking Regional Contributors.

writers (send writing samples and story ideas)
photographers (send a portfolio of your work or a link to your online gallery)

If you are interested to be a contributor too, click this link to know more.

the real Ahcee Flores revealed

2012-02-10T01:28:00.000+08:00

The plot thickens. ABS-CBN Central Visayas has traced Ahcee Flores.

The interview by ABS-CBN News Operation Specialist Ferdinand Dimataga Manus reveals that Ahcee Flores' real name is Joe Marie Alfuerto of Liloan, Cebu. But it doesn't end there. It turns out that Alfuerto and Ahcee Flores are not the same person. (see video above in full)

Alfuerto's photo is one of several photos used by those who did internet snooping at the height of the outburst.

The question begs, who is the real Ahcee Flores?

First Pacific already purchased Philippine Airlines?

2012-02-09T09:10:00.002+08:00

First Pacific is said to have bought the country's flag carrier Philippine Airlines. In an online news dated February 8, 2012, Hongkong based conglomerate First Pacific Ltd. thru CEO Manny V. Pangilinan is said to have paid US700 million.

Is there any truth to this?

Here's the screenshot from Indonesia online news site tempointeractive:

The Amazing Race Philippines audition schedule

2012-02-08T19:35:00.002+08:00

Shoot to fame with your love for adventure, knack for directions and quick mind!

By now, you must have heard about the news: TV5 acquired the franchise of the reality game show The Amazing Race! My bestfriend and I are interested to join!

It's a mad dash, so don't just sit there and sleep!

there's no room for couch potatoes and sleepy heads

This early, everybody would like to sink their teeth into making audition videos already. Expect tough competition. Make sure you get noticed.

From the press release:

"Fans of The Amazing Race franchise can expect the samelevel of heart-pumping adventure and thrilling challenges with the all new TheAmazing Race Philippines.

I'm thrilled!

I'll post audition schedules and venues as soon as I get hold of them. Keep posted!

24 hours in Melaka

2012-02-08T03:19:00.001+08:00

The moment I stepped on the cobblestone streets of Melaka, a riot ofsmell greeted me. Perhaps coming from a stew cooking slowly on top a burner inone of the shophouses lining up the river. Cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric. I couldn't tell.There was only one thing certain though: my old, restless soul never felt soat home.

After making a wrong turn, I finally found my home for the night, a restored centuries-old Chinese shophouse called River View Guesthouse. Rightfully so, the terrace at the back empties to a magnificent view of Melaka River.

One thing that endeared me to this city is how up to this day, the city is bursting with so much life and teeming with commerce unlike many colonial towns which are left to decay. In 2008, the city has been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As soon as my room was ready, I left my backpack and made a quick dash to Jonker Street and grabbed a serving of durian cendol, just perfect to cool down under the sweltering Malaysia weather.

I imposed to myself that I should check out all the major museums scattered all over the city including the open grave of St. Francis Xavier (the saint was buried here before his relic was brought to Goa, India). After the obligatory visits, I was left with no energy to, at least, drag myself home. So, I hired a rickshaw. Sosyal na traysikad uruy! Fiesta theme!

I had a power nap. By the time I woke up, I was so recharged I sought out the party scene. Did I come during lean season because it seemed quiet everywhere? The quarter where I lived looked rather eerily romantic at night. I walked the length of the road until I reached Red Dutch Square.

With nothing much left to do except console myself with the sight of one big monitor lizard crossing the river, I traced my way back and tucked myself to bed.

The next day, I packed up and said my goodbyes to the very kind Malaysian couple who owns the guesthouse. I had a quick meal of the best nasi lemak and headed out to Melaka Sentral Terminal to catch the 12 noon bus to Singapore.

So there. Livin' la vida pica pica in Melaka, Malaysia!

hunting for the head of one Ahcee Flores

2012-02-07T00:35:00.002+08:00

Will the real Ahcee Flores please stand up?

After the intensity 6.8 earthquake hit Negros and Cebu, another tremor jolted Visayas. This time in social media circle. The target for the wrath and fury (just a snicker by some saying KSP or kulang sa pansin lang) is a woman named Ahcee Flores.

Her disparaging comment in Yahoo News fueled an outrage among Filipino netizens from around the globe.

“let us pray…na matuloy ang tsunami para maraming bisaya ang mamatay, para mabawasan ang mga baduy sa pilipinas."

In a span of an hour, a movement called Kill Ahcee Flores was created in facebook (with photos of her pa, ha!)

As expected, her name became a trending topic in twitter:

But of course, she has twitter too:

Cynics believe that there's a conspiracy going on to divert the attention from the ongoing impeachment trial. Whatever the reasons, will the real Ahcee Flores please stand up?

unverified tsunami reports caused panic in Cebu City

2012-02-06T19:10:00.002+08:00

All hell broke loose after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit Cebu City at 11:49 am today.

I was inside a bookstore when the building started to shake. In split of a second, the image of a 20-storey building in rubble on top of my body played inside my head. I quickly snatched my camera bag sitting beside me and jumped out of my skin toward the hallway. On my way out, a metal the size of a plate fell from the ceiling. The sound of iron doors closing simultaneously filled the mall while everyone, with panic written all over their faces, scampered toward the nearest exit. It was good to see how orderly everyone behaved on their way out. The tremor lasted about 15 seconds. By the time the earthquake stopped, I was already in the skywalk with everyone.

Outside a few seconds later:

Everyone got their phones and called their loved ones:

Unverified reports about tsunami hitting Cebu City made the situation worse. There were text messages circulating around that Colon was already underwater and that the water has reached Fuente Osmena.

In panic, people run toward Uptown Cebu. Here's a video doing the rounds in facebook. This was taken in uptown area:

Here's another video taken in downtown Cebu. Total riot!:

In Pasil Fish Market, it's a scene plucked out straight from an Armageddon movie:

The source of mass hysteria brought about by the false alarm was traced by Sunstar cebu:

Sun.Star traced the reports on the rise of seawater in the coastal village of Ermita in Cebu City. Alejandro Galledo of Barangay Ermita said seawaters rose after a fastcraft passed by the area.

Pastilan!

In another news, some people in Dumaguete were so gung-ho to meet the tsunami head on:

caption: asa na gud ang tsunami ganina ra me gahulat (where's the tsunami, we've been waiting too long)

Brave people of Dumaguete : (excerpts from a conversation with a bystander at Lo-oc-Escano Boulevard area)

Arnold: Nong, unsa diay inyo gi lantaw diha? (Sir,what are you looking at?) bystander: ay nagpaabot mi sa tsunami dong (we are just waiting for the tsunami ) Arnold:nya di diay ka mahadlok ana nong? (Aren't you scared of that, sir?) bystander: ok ra na kay taga Lo-oc bya ko so syempre balo ko mulangoy (It's okay, I'm from Barangay Lo-oc (near the sea) so I surely know how to swim)

On another funny note, I discovered later on that (in panic) the nice art book I was reading stayed in my hand until the exit gate. Couldn't return it since management shut down the mall after the earthquake. Nyaks!

go hotel palawan. now open!

2012-01-30T21:36:00.001+08:00

The Palawan as backwater remains only in distant memories. The forested long tropical island shaped like a closed umbrella has embraced tourism head-on in recent years. Despite the boom, nature conservation has never taken a backseat--the reason why I love Palawan!

Palawan, aptly called the Philippines' last frontier, has so much to offer. I barely scratched the surface actually. Sea to summit. Karst. Secret lagoons. Mountains reaching for the sky. Crocodile. Even giraffe and zebra. No kidding on the last three.

I got a mail from gohotels.ph just in time for the summer. It reads: starting February 2012, Go Hotel Palawan will already be accepting walk-in guests. The timing is perfect!

Summer is just around the corner and Puerto Princesa Underground River has been officially declared as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World (Nature Category) . With all the media mileage the underground river is getting (not to mention how blogs and every guidebooks known to travelers rave about the beauty of Palawan) domestic and international tourists will arrive in droves in a few months. Flights to Palawan (Puerto Princesa and Busuanga) from Manila and Cebu have been increased as well.

Under normal circumstances, domestic flights out of Cebu (except Cebu-Manila) is serviced by 72-seater ATR planes. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my flight from Cebu to Puerto Princesa and back was on a 180-seater Airbus A320-200 plane! And by golly, it appeared overbooked on both trips!

Going back to gohotel, it's a welcome news that they are finally opening the Puerto Princesa property. Though I have a love-hate relationship with this hotel, I am a big fan of its no frills accommodation and pricing scheme. I've been highly recommending the hotel to my Korean students for its clean rooms, accessible location and safe environment. Every time I go to Manila for work or transit, I always stay at their Cybergate Property.

Construction of the hotel (including Robinson's Place Palawan) was in full swing when I was in Palawan late last year. Here's the rendering done by the architect:

See you on the road!

important information: Malaria infection is not uncommon in the dense jungle carpeting the island though, so travelers are advised to take necessary medications.

So, there. Have a safe trip to Palawan!

roro schedule between Santander in Cebu and Sibulan in Negros

2012-01-28T22:06:00.000+08:00

30 minutes. That's how long it takes now to cross Tanon Strait from Cebu to Negros!

Before the new route was opened, the only way to cross if one drove his own car or motorcycle from Cebu to Dumaguete in Negros was via Bato-Tampi. Ro-ro from Bato-Tampi takes 40 minutes then 30 minutes drive from the port of Tampi to Dumaguete.

Since December last year, a shipping company has been making the route way shorter. Actually, travel time has been cut to half with the opening of Liloan-Sibulan ro-ro service by Maayo Shipping.

My travel buddy and I sped off to Liloan ro-ro port hoping to catch the 9:00am schedule (we left Cebu City three hours earlier). It was a slow day at the port and thankfully the boat was still docked. That day, the other boat was being repaired so there was a slight change of schedule. To cut the story short, in less than 30 minutes the ship ramp was lowered, I had the engine running and off we roll to Dumaguete!

Rates are as follows:

for cars: regular Php800.00 one-way + Php56.00 port fee

PROMO: 1,086 roundtrip

for motorcycle: Php240.00 one way

PROMO: Php300.00 roundtrip (inclusive of passage for 2 passengers) + Php22.50 port fee

Ro-ro Boat Schedule between Liloan and Sibulan (vice-versa)

6:00 am

9:00 am

12:00 noon

3:00 pm

6:00 pm

9:00 pm

You may contact Maayo Shipping at 0917.710.7080 or telephone number (035) 419.7371 for inquiries.

8 tips for a Filipino's 3-day skip trip around Cambodia

2012-01-27T06:19:00.000+08:00

Less time and much lesser budget to see Cambodia? I have here 8 tips to make your experience hanep!

Angkor Wat came alive that summer morning! What I used to read only in the pages of my history book in high school stood right before my eyes. I was breathless. It was a long wait but all worth it. I shall come back soon for the Angkor Wat Marathon happening every November. .

"See the sun crawl up and bathe Angkor Wat with its honeyed light. Visit the eerily beautiful temple squashed by giant trees (arguably the most photographed tree in the world) where Angelina Jolie shot scenes in Tomb Raider. The South Gate and Bayon. There's a whole lot more so one day is never enough! "

one| 1. Sleep. Definitely your first order as soon as you set foot in Cambodia. Getting a decent and reasonably-priced bed in Siem Reap is easy. Save yourself the hassle by booking ahead. A location within a short distance from Pub Street and Old Market would be ideal. A room that offers free use of bicycle? That would be a very sweet deal. www.roomorama.com offers a wide array of accommodations that suit your budget.

two| 2. Spend. You don't really have to pay using the local currency called riel. All establishments in Cambodia accepts US dollar bills. It appeared to me that food, tuk-tuk and post cards have the same one dollar price tag.

three| 3. Squeeze. We have to weed out a few places and then squeeze-in a packed 3-day itinerary. Due to time limitations, let's just zero-in on Siem Reap, home of Angkor Wat and Angkor Archeological Complex. If you planned to include a visit to Genocide Museum in the capital Phnom Penh, think again. It's a six-hour (230 km.) journey one-way.

four| 4. Getting Around. Tuk-tuk is the king of the road in Cambodia. You can hire it for a day and discover what charming Siem Reap has to offer. Fare from airport to downtown usually costs US$5.00 while temple tour starts at US$13.00.

five| 5. Angkor Tour. Experience one of the most beautiful sunrise. See the sun crawl up and bathe Angkor Wat with its honeyed light. Visit the eerily beautiful temple squashed by giant trees (arguably the most photographed tree in the world) where Angelina Jolie shot scenes in Tomb Raider. The South Gate and Bayon. There's a whole lot more so one day is never enough! Gates open at 5:00am. Tickets are priced US$20 for one day pass and US$40 for 3-day pass.

six| 6. Eat, Drink and be Happy. Let Khmer dishes satisfy your hunger. Old Market is the place to be. And when you've had your fill, grab a beer and if you're with trusted friends, you might want to try the "happy" pizza everybody is buzzing about.

seven| 7. Shop. Don't forget the pasalubong for your loved ones back home. Good deals come plenty at the Old Market.

eight| 8. Leave a good impression. You carry the name of the country wherever you go. By virtue of your birthright, you are, by default, an ambassador of goodwill. Carry it with dignity and pride.

I had a tremendous wanderlust spirit welling inside me so I did what most "sane" travelers would do: Fly from Manila to Ho Chi Minh then overland journey from Vietnam to Cambodia. Then off to Thailand down to Malaysia then finally Singapore before flying back home to Cebu because that was the only option for a Filipino backpacker back then. Either that or I fly from Manila to Bangkok and take the 5-hour trip by bus to Siem Reap.

But the long hours and backbreaking journey to Siem Reap, Cambodia for budget travelers coming from the Philippines is now reduced to three hours. How convenient! It's a welcome news to hear that low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific Air will start start direct flights from Manila to Siem Reap in summer 2012! Airasia Philippines and Philippine Airlines will open flights soon, too!

hidden museum: Museo Parian (1730 Jesuit House)

2012-01-25T15:28:00.001+08:00

Hidden behind a mountain of steel bars, dust and planks of wood, I have never expected for a moment to see before me a gem in the rough. Quite literally, the rough edges which is the neighborhood won’t give anyone a clue what rare and beautiful treasures the unassuming construction store warehouse holds. The only dead giveaway clue is the signage that reads Museo Parian that hangs on its gate.

After I walked past the industrial noise blanketing the warehouse, I was led to a nondescript stairway. It was the azotea. Breaking traditions, I was actually getting inside the museum in a fashionable back entry which makes the tour sneaky at its best while it unravels layers after beautiful layers of close to 300 years of history that left me mouthing all theooohs and aaaahs I could muster in a day.

The tour continued to the dining hall and organically flowed toward the bridge that connects the main house with the bedrooms, sala and comidor and snakes down to the centuries-old main gate fortified with steel. It rightfully ended in the restored basement which now hosts Sugbu Gallery—a collection of artifacts found during the restoration process and some other memorabilia found in Cebu.

The structural and design integrity of the house remain as it was in the 1700s. A few furniture were added simply to create an ambience replete with an Eduardo Ah Tay four-poster bed (Ah Tay was a very famous Binondo furniture maker in the 19^th century).

MAGIC| Through the naked eye, this carved nativity scene appears all brown but once photographed, look!

the blogger w/ friends Harry Kawanda (from Indonesia) and Cathe Duero (Surigao) w/ museum owner Mr. Jimmy Sy

There are more than a dozen of museums scattered in the city. Casa Gorordo, University of San Carlos Museum, Cathedral Museum, Fort San Pedro and San Diego-Yap Museum to name a few but none of them had me dropped my jaw in amazement like the Jesuit House of 1730.

.......................................
entrance fee: Php30.00/head
opens daily 9:00-12:00nn-1:00-5:00pm except Sundays

Museo sa Parian (1730 Jesuit House) telephone number (032) 255-5408 or 255-5409
........................................
thanks Venus for the guided tour!

A tip on how to get past the rope during Sinulog

2012-01-24T19:17:00.005+08:00

There's one best way to beat the crowd and be safe from pickpockets during Sinulog--the Photo Contest ID! I got mine, with ID number in the 300s already, in mid-December. On the day of the street dancing, the number swelled to more than a thousand in my estimate.

photographers swarm like locusts in every contingent winding toward the cebu city sports center

At first, I felt like a fry in a big pond of professional photographers with their muscled single-digit model digital SLR cameras and bazooka of lenses. But in the end, I shrugged off the idea. After all, I wasn't really there for the contest. haha

happy to bump into fellow bloggers Andrew, Doi and Edcel |photo courtesy: Doi

Around lunch time, getting a prime spot became difficult. The crowd more than doubled and moved past beyond the cordon. The first and last time I did this was in 2000 when I was required to take photos of the Sinulog as project for my elective class in photography. It was way too different then. The maximum number of photographers at any given time back then wouldn't go beyond 20!

This year, I took around 2,000 photos. Below are few of the survivors during the weeding out process. Nothing close to the formula of a winning festival photo. haha. There's always next year.

It was just very disappointing to see uncouth photographers. Imagine the horror when a few seconds before I pulled the trigger, a photographer just popped out and stayed in the middle of a performing contingent?! Where was the ethics in there?! I couldn't blame the old lady (I think she is a teacher or principal of Gothong High School) who kept mouthing endless insults to photographers who blocked the way.

she said something very unbecoming of a teacher but i couldn't really blame her.

The damage? I coughed up P1,000.00 for the registration (includes the ID and shirt plus 10 entries for the photo contest).

Contemporary Cebu Art Exhibition

2012-01-23T23:34:00.002+08:00

I chanced upon the exhibit Contemporary Art Cebu at Cebu City Museum along Osmena Boulevard. The exhibit will run until January 31. I'd have to say that it was actually more of a pleasant discovery. I did not know there was an ongoing art exhibit in the hall above the public library until I escaped the noise (ironically) inside the library!

It was one of many drab afternoons that I found myself reading the news. I was hoping I would find quiet once inside only to be greeted with a running-shouting kid once I pushed the door open. Surprisingly, the library personnel were tolerant. How laid-back, huh! Everyone played coy.

I went to the internet section and asked the staff if, by any chance, the library had wifi. The staff didn't know so she asked her superior, the stocky lady seated infront of the computer "facebooking." She coldly answered yes but there's something wrong with the connection without even bothering to look at me (she was "facebooking" the whole time in spite of the big note behind her that says it's not allowed!). In my mind's eye, the lady's skin is caramelized already, her fat dripping in red coal.

On my way out, I saw the streamer about an art exhibit. When I asked the guard about it, he said it's ongoing. I went up the exhibition hall:

No one was there but the door was left open. So, I went inside.

I was thrilled to discover that the hall has been renovated. Very modern. In a bleep, I felt like I was transported to an art gallery in Singapore. Such a nice venue for art exhibits and functions.

After taking-in the creative energy emanating from the hall, I made a closer look at the paintings and sculptures, one by one.

By the time I finished, no one was still there. The aircon was humming. The hall growing cold by the minute. I had goosebumps. So I went out and gingerly closed the door. If I took one painting home, nobody would know. Just kidding.

I found this info from the net:

The exhibit, which is curated by JV Castro, is designed tobring national attention to contemporary Cebuano artists and their works. It isopen to the public until Jan. 31.

The Alternative Contemporary Art Studio, Ramon AboitizFoundation Inc. (RAFI), and The Grove by Rockwell, partnered together to launchthis annual exhibit. The first exhibit was held in June 2011 in Manila at theAteneo de Manila University and Picasso Boutique Hotel.

This year’s Contemporary Cebu art exhibit features the worksof Palmy Pe-Tudtud, Marvin Natural, Kidlat of the Junks Collective, Karl Roque,Sio Montera, Ritchie Quijano, Vidal Alcoseba, and Tito Cuevas. Russ Ligtas willgive Butoh performances on Jan. 12 and 13.

travel blogs I follow

2012-01-23T17:54:00.000+08:00

10 travelblogs that left a strong influence on me would be apt a title.

Kung hei fat choi dearreaders! How many moon cakes and red envelopes came your way? I’ve got none sofar (hahaha). Last night, I welcomed the year of the water dragon by shootingthe fireworks display over Waterfront Hotel in Lahug. I had access to an undisclosedvenue a kilometer away. To say that it was fun is an understatement. I wasthere as part of my photography class under an ace lensman.

Here’s my year-ender post. It’s actually a list of blogs Ifollow. In the beginning of 2011, I stumbled upon a treasure trove of travelblogs. I read some for the novelty they bring but I dig really for those tender meatysubstances complete with an explosive wasabi kick at the end.

Throughout the year, these blogs entertained me, painted asmile on my face, touched my heart, pushed my own boundaries and most importantly,inspired me to erase the borders I built in my own world.

In any given day, I always go for blogs that piqued mycuriosity on never before featured places and with entries written with spankand gravitas like Ron and Monette’s www.fliptravels.com. Their rapport is Tom and Jerry. Their narrative is restrained with bravado only the two of them can execute with such an endearing flair. Theirtrip to Sri Lanka and Viet Nam simply nailed it.

The abandon-your-job and travel the world has already becomea cliché. But the idea if done by a Filipino is still new. Gone were the dayswhen world travel was prohibitive. Cheap airfares by budget airlines here andthere plus the career mobility made easy by internet makes things which areunimaginable a decade ago now possible for a third-world backpacker. www.flipnomad.com knows what he is doingand is doing it right. He has features about budget travelers every now andthen. Though the set of questions remain the same from the very beginning, itmakes readers look forward to knowing the movers and shakers in a paralleluniverse called budget travel.

In a jungle of travel bloggers, there are always those who have come ahead of the pack. Nina of www.justwandering.org simply leads the herd. The prestigious Nuffnang nailed her spot. Her blog was awarded best travel blog in the Asia Pacific region. Her entries are never bereft of budget breakdown which makes budget travel even more realistic and her entries never throw the fun part out of the window. Morocco is in the brim of my bucket list. She did Morocco last year.

On top of the heap, gems of beautifully written and equallyengaging travel narratives are found in www.ajpoliquit.wordpress.com. One of the manyinteresting entries that left me a lasting image was Poliquit’s trip to MonHofilena House-cum-Museum in Silay City. I have heard many stories aboutHofilena and his so-called “gossip” tour on a bus around Negros Occidental. Thetour prohibits participants from bringing voice recorders and it only happensonce a year. With that being said, I want to join that tour. For lack of time, I missed the chance to meet Hofilena whenI went to Silay for a blogger’s tour. The engaging narrative by Poliquithammered in such vivid details rings inside my head.

It’s easy to spot their blogs in a sardine run as theirshave a tail that glides effortlessly like blogosphere is their second skin.Gael of www.thepinaysolobackpacker.net,Claire of www.lakwatseradeprimera.com,Gay of www.pinaytraveljunkie.com and tandem Lois + Chichi of www.wearesolesisters.com are themagic five of the most prolific Filipina travel bloggers I’ve stumbled uponthus far. Two of them who are now hitched started out as solo female travelers!Their spirits roam free and wild. Their travels are off-the-beaten.

Gael has a poignant writing tone that borders on melodramawhich actually translates to quiet strength. Her advocacy in responsible travelkeeps her blog close to my heart.

Gay is a doting mother of a baby girl named Luna. Togetherwith her hubby, they are all set to conquer the world once couch and onecountry at a time. This travelingfamily was recently featured in www.couchsurfing.com.

Claire has adventure attached to her name. Her narrativeabout traveling with a close to expired passport made me stay at the edge of myseat.

Chichi and Lois quit their job and traveled Asia, exploringbeautiful country after beautiful country at a time. Their glampackers topoorpackers story is an interesting read. They ended their 6-month tour withinspirational speaking engagements left and right in the homefront.

Never have I seen a travel writer his caliber graced theblogosphere like Edgar of www.eazytraveler.com.His articles have seen publication in prominent inflight magazines likeMabuhay, Smile and Travel 360. I reckoned travel writing could be his full timejob as he goes from one place to the next in a flash. The entry about Tawi-tawiput him in the pedestal as one of the most daring bloggers-travel writers I’veever heard of.

No frills, no pretensions. No pomp and no pageantry. Shewrites with brevity but within each sentence is a universe in itself. Kara of www.travelingup.wordpress.com trulywrites smashing narrative enclosed in a refreshing dewdrop.

The credits go to Lilianne Cobiao for introducing me to theworld of travel bloggers in facebook. More than that, her blog www.wanderlass.com has attained unprecedentedheights as the first Pinay I haveever heard of to do a non-stop-round-the-world-trip. From New York to Prague toMorocco to Tel Aviv to unknown islands in the rim of the Pacific to forevermore,she does it with much gusto and unfailing energy.

I liken post-reading the blogs above to that feeling after a night of good wine and mind-blowing intimacy.It leaves one with an afterglow and with no hangover. And yes, the afterthoughtstays even after sunrise the following day.

Next entry: 10 Emerging travel blogs that truly grows on me. My shortlist includes Doi's www.thetravellingfeet.com, Ed's www.soloflighted.com, James' www.journeyingjames.com, Mervin's www.pinoyadventurista.com, Robbie's www.thetravellingdork.com and five others.

72 Hours in Cebu for non-virgins

2012-01-11T22:37:00.000+08:00

Sittinghere, choosing words, letter by letter, on the keyboard with explicit intentionof telling you about something I did or something I ate and making you ashungry and miserable as I can—surely that’s wrong. But fuck it. Who doesn’twant a good wank now and then?

--Anthony Bourdain, Medium Raw

Ten secret places to eat,sleep and do everything else in between. Information (probably) only the locals know or hear about. PoppingCebu’s cheery for non-first-timers, if there’s even such a thing.

For the uninitiated, Cebu is Magellan’s Cross, Sto. Nino, TaoistTemple, Lapu-lapu shrine, utap, su-tu-kil, mangoes and guitars—iconsthat define my hometown located in the heart of the Philippine archipelago. If you’vebeen to the island more than once, you have pretty much covered a healthy doseof good finds, good food and gargantuan tourist traps. To complete the picture,throw in Moalboal, Malapascua, Kawasan, Bantayan and Badian Island and you willhave an idyllic island complete with blue sea and sky and swaying coconut leavesreaching for the sky. Cebu was once referred to as an Island in the Pacific which created the impression that it wasan island outside the Philippines. As such, it funneled volumes of tourist evenduring the turbulent Martial Law years.

Let all guidebooks and a whole nine yards of blogs written thus fartake care of the usual information. In this “not the usual” edition, I willbring you to the hidden and well-guarded secrets (well, some) of the Cebu Iknow.

First 3 hours

After you have freshened up and have your appetite fighting tooth andnail for lunch, get ready to soak up some sun first and embrace the islandvibe! Chill. After all, you did not come this far just to sleep, get a massageor go on a shopping frenzy, didn’t you? You could do that at the tail-end ofyour stay.

Assuming that you arrive in the morning and it’s a Sunday, don’t missthe tastiest, the best lechon thereis in Cebu. It’s supposed to be a secret and only a few local foodies knowabout it. Now, I’m telling you, it’s not in Talisay or elsewhere and yes, thepig doesn’t fly. It’s up North. Be sure you get there in time for lunch becausearriving there later than that is arriving in a porn set after a shoot! For completeinformation, click here.

First 12waking hours

SEE| MUSEUM of BeautifulAccidents

Hidden behind a mountain of steel bars, soot and planks of wood, I havenever expected for a moment to see before me a gem in the rough. Quiteliterally, the rough edges which is the neighborhood won’t give anyone a cluewhat rare and beautiful treasures the unassuming construction store warehouseholds. The only dead giveaway clue is the signage that reads Museo Parian that hangs on its gate.

It was business as usual when I arrived. Admin office phoned somebodypresumably to tour me around the museum. I could sense the boss was on theother line. Unfortunately, the boss was somewhere else for lunch. It would havebeen awesome to hear backstories about the house—the discovery that it’s actuallya heritage house (a national treasure at that), the restoration process and ahem, the paranormal experiences (in thecourse of the tour, I learned that the owners actually lived in the houseduring the early years of their marriage).

After I walked past the industrial noise blanketing the warehouse, Iwas led to a nondescript stairway. It was the azotea. Breaking traditions, I was actually getting inside themuseum in a fashionable back entry which makes the tour sneaky at its bestwhile it unravels layers after beautiful layers of close to 300 years ofhistory that left me mouthing all the ooohsand aaaahs I could muster in a day.

The tour continued to the dining hall and organically flowed toward thebridge that connects the main house with the bedrooms, sala and comidor andsnakes down to the centuries-old main gate fortified with steel. It rightfullyended in the restored basement which now hosts Sugbu Gallery—a collection ofartifacts found during the restoration process and some other memorabilia foundin Cebu.

The structural and design integrity of the house remain as it was inthe 1700s. A few furniture were added simply to create an ambience replete withan Eduardo Ah Tay four-poster bed (Ah Tay was a very famous Binondo furniture makerin the 19^th century).

In a hushed tone, I tell you, visit this “secret museum” beforeeveryone else does.

JOIN| the group tour ofCebu’s master story teller Balbino Guererro alsoknown as Ka Bino. I am not really a fan of group tours but I’d like to believethat there are information better left to the experts rather putting mattersinto your hands, I mean the D.I.Y. kind of thing.

It’s a skill to beautifully marry history and fun. To make it entertainingis sheer talent. Ka Bino must be doing an awfully awesome job to be calledCarlos Celdran of Cebu.

The tour will bring you to downtown Cebu. Don’t miss the story aboutthe controversial rivalry between the Augustinians and the Jesuits that leveleda fledgling church to the ground. Contactbinoguidecebu@gmail.com or call +63.916.667.3402 for rates and schedules.

EAT| PLAY, LOVE Spanish Dishes

Complete the day with an authentic Spanish dinner of gambas, paella negra,callos and lengua prepared by the master hands in Senor Arano’s kitchen. The location, tucked in a quiet neighborhoodin Guadalupe is hard to find. Getting there is half the fun. Look for thewooden door with vines that seem to shroud it. Call (032)256.1934 forreservations.

SLEEP| As the night wearson, have another glass of fine Spanish wine while you can still walk straightwith one eye covered. But make sure you’ve arranged a bed for the nightalready. It’s a dizzying selection of the world’s finest 5-star hotels: fromShangri-la in Mactan, Raddisson Blu beside SM, Movenpick in Punta Engano andMarco Polo in Nivel Hills. But wait, you’re on a budget. There’s Tunes Hotel (setto open soon) across Ayala or Islands Stay Hotel next block. And if you arereally, really tightening your belt, get a bunk bed in Sugbutel or CebuGuesthouse.

Day 2 swim, swing, and drink

SWIM| Set your alarm at 3:00AMbecause you will be swimming early with the gentle giants of the ocean—whalesharks or butanding! It’s a longdrive but it’s all worth the hassle. What used to be a secret attraction downsouth is now out in the open with all the media attention it’s getting. By now,expect busloads of tourists when you get there. Got questions? Click here.

SWING BY| Argao town is hometo the tastiest torta in Cebu. I’m sure you’ve heard about that already. Myfavorite, if you cared to know is OJ’s. Head out to Alex Kafe near Argao Churchand sample old-time favorites tortaand sikwate (cocoa drink) or theother Pinoy comfort food in the menu.Check out the town center, too. ArgaoChurch’s retablo, though has goneoverboard with the splash of gold, has merits I do not want to mention here.Want to post pictures on facebook? The town center offers free wi-fi.

MEET UP |If meet-ups with alocal or expat (who by this time has more knowledge of the scene than any of theaverage locals) to discover more about the city, check out the Cebu group incouchsurfing.com. Nobody mixes good fun, good vibes and good poison like theawesome guys do at couchsurfing! If you are one lucky bastard, you might hop inthe epic booze cruise!

Day 3 hangover + larang

By this time, you could be nursing a nasty hangover. Get some antidotecalled larang—the drunkard’s wife greatestgift to mankind (just kidding). It’s soup with a healthy amount of fish fat onit, perfect cure to a hangover. Tell the taxi driver to bring you to the larang place. Chances are, he will takeyou to the seedy Pasil Market or somewhere along Osmena Boulevard. You know the other nasty purpose of ice pick,don’t you? That is why I recommend the latter for safety.

After you’ve sweat out the demon, get yourself ready for brunch orsandwich perhaps in Dove Street—an off the beaten pastry shop inside a ritzy,gated community in Banilad. Getting there is part of the adventure. Or haveFilipino comfort food (raised a notch higher) at Café Elysa in Parian District.The owner is a sommelier so expect a fine selection of wine whose names you canbarely pronounce. Food and of course wine are rather hefty.

Last 8 hours
After you have shoved the last of the dessert, you can now do all theshopping you want. For pasalubong,nothing beats Kultura Filipina in SM City Northwing for its wide selection andgood price. If you are adventurous enough, Taboan Market is the best place toget dried squid and danggit.

I assume you are taking a red eye flight back home. It’s a city toogood to pass up for its whimsical energy, island verve and cosmopolitan flavorall rolled into one. I know. For that, you deserve a pat on the back, no, a goodmassage would be apt. A massage excruciatingly good you can feel your eyes rollup into your head. Massage clinics areall over the city.

Final Hour

Stepping into the tarmac with your head still spinning a little is aforeboding that you missed out more days to enjoy the island. Three days aren’tenough. Come back for more and stumble upon amazing discoveries! It’s not calledgateway to a thousand journeys for nothing.

Mental Note: Come back to Cebu onthe last Saturday of the month to see live the Dancing Inmates of Cebu insidethe maximum security prison! And if food porn is your thing, the originalBalamban liempo, Johnnas Liempo Haus (0910.596.5709), is less than an hourdrive through the scenic Transcentral Highway.

More cash than time to see The Philippines?

Visit www.possiblypinay.com for other recommendations.

15th Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival is hosted by Eileen Campos.

Swim and Play with the Whale Sharks (butanding or tuki) in Oslob!

2012-01-06T23:56:00.000+08:00

10| TEN fastfacts

1. How do I get there?

If you’re on a budget, the option is totake the bus. Head out to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for the sign boardthat reads Liloan or Bato. Ceres and Sunrays ply the route. Departure is everyhour starting at 3:00am. Travel time is around 3 hours for the 117 kilometer ride. Fare is Php156.00 plusPhp5.00 terminal fee.

2. Where do I get off?

Tell the konduktor (fare collector)you are getting off in Tan-awan, Oslob.

Alternative: Another option is to cough up some cash.Hire a car or van for a more comfortable and scenic drive to the South. Traveltime is around two hours. On the way back, you can swing by Boljoon, Argao andCarcar--beautiful heritage towns in the South. Don’t forget the torta sa Argao and chicharon sa Carcar, ha.

3. How much do I need to pay?

Depends on which gate you passthrough. On the left side of the road, there are two gates that empty to theshore: the plain red gate and then 10 meters away, there’s a blue gate with a whale sharkdrawing.

blue gate: Php300.00 all-in (includesentrance fee, snorkel rental, 2 paddlers-guides and a 40-minute ride in a banca).

red gate: Php200.00 (guide fees and banca ride. Not included are Php50.00 entrance, Php100.00 snorkel rental andPhp25 life vest rental. Php375.00 all-in).

The payment includes the feed: baby shrimp or uyap (not krill as earlier reported).

4. What’s the best time to go there?

The whale sharks show up at6:00am for the feeding frenzy and will stay until 11:00am if being fed with baby shrimps. There may still be sightings up until 2:00pm during weekends/busy days(that is, if the whale sharks are continuously being fed to please thetourists. Sad.)

5. How many whale sharks are there?

At least 14 whale sharks have been sighted in Oslob.

6. Can I swim with the whale sharks?

Yes, you may but no touching, please. Any physical contact stresses the whale sharks.

7. Can I touch the whale sharks or ride on theirback?
Absolutely not. Please read above. Don't act like some hare-brained tourists.

8. Are there food outlets in the area?
There are hawker stalls in the area but they offer limitedchoices though. Better bring your own food.

9. What about accommodation for an overnight stay?

A few pension houses are located inPoblacion, Oslob. If you have the cash to burn, across where the whale sharksare is Sumilon Island Resort.

10. Can I eat the whale sharks?
Are you out of your mind?!?!?

Unregulated Tourism.As of this writing, a dialogue between the local fisher folks and concernedgovernment with non-government agencies have been ongoing to put in placeregulations to make this newest and hottest attractions South of Cebusustainable and environmentally-friendly.

Enjoy meeting the gentle giants of the sea! Stay silly.

photography workshop for a hundred pesos only!

2011-12-11T01:48:00.001+08:00

Any photographer worth his salt has a bag of lenses and a strong portfolio.

I have two in my bag: a Canon EF 70-210 mm telephoto (on loan) and the 18-55 kit lens. For the portfolio part, a few published works if that counts.

one of my early published works (for Guess) that graced the Lifestyle spread of Cebu Daily News in 2003. The one in beige is Miss World-Oceania Ma. Karla Bautista

But there's one thing I must admit: I shoot using full auto button! Stop laughing now. So, what gives? In college, I actually majored Broadcast Media so basic photography course as elective for one semester goes with the territory. As far as I can stretch my memory, all the lecturer ever taught were things I could easily learn through Idiots Guide to Photography like ASA, ISO, rule-of-thirds and composition techniques, white balance, shutter speed and aperture opening or f stop. But never a formula. I mean, I see photography as an art form so it calls for a rigorous discipline (as foundation) that comes close to baking-- exact measurements and all the right ingredients.

With my innate ability to see the world differently, the semester saw me flourish but it also saw my technical skills flounder. Despite the lack of mentoring, I continued shooting and got all the approvals I needed to inflate my ego. I was in the prime of my youth and was very hungry to shoot for more. My first job which had nothing to do with photography had me rubbed elbows with Cebu's topnotch photographers. In a snap, a friend got my foot in the door to work as staff of a big shot photographer in Manila. But the work environment was so toxic, so I packed up and found my luck elsewhere.

In 2002, I finally got my own Nikon F60 SLR analogue camera as gift from Grandmother. I worked documenting events for multinational companies and I'd have to say the money was good! The rate in 2003 was P1,000.00 per roll (24 shots)! And yes, I shoot using full auto mode. Stop laughing! Tumbling ka ron! I had the eye in the first place. What mattered was I took good shots and made the client happy with my work. On the side, I contributed photos and they got published in Cebu's three major daily newspapers. It helped that I had a network of contemporaries working in the editorial department of those publishing companies.

The years that followed saw Kodak spiraling down as digital photography became easily accessible and advertising campaign by Canon became more aggressive. The boom of BPO companies also saw a new breed of young urban professionals. Their spending power matched their appetite for new gadgets available in the market. During those years, I had a stint as moderator for the photography club in the exclusive school where I taught. While I used my Nikon F60 and had the film scanned and saved to CD for the photos, my students had digital SLR cameras. Years later, for some reasons, I abandoned hardcore photography and just settled with a point and shoot digital camera in the ocean of wannabes.

the terrible copy that burst my bubble never to use poor quality camera again

I came back from my Southeast Asia backpacking trip feeling shortchanged because the point and shoot camera I brought simply did not do justice to the beauty of the countries and their people. One December morning last year, upon W's prodding, W and I got our first digital SLR camera together. I never looked back since then. My quest for the cheat sheet in shutter speed and f stop continued. I experimented with the M, Av and Tv buttons, studied the module of New York Institute of Photography distant learning program, joined ONE Photo's online group, learned other technical know-how through youtube plus several books but I still ended up wanting. My hunger came back!

no photoshop involved. just plain timing and pure luck :D

One Saturday morning, I found myself in the company of young photographers in Dumaguete, all hungry to master f stops, shutter speed and everything in between. The basic photography workshop was organized by Oriental Negros Photographers or ONE Photo. At the helm of the workshop was club president DX Lapid ably assisted by Cacard Rodriguez and Joms Aguas. For a hundred pesos, the group got a series of lectures and applications that run into the night. There were pizza and soda too in between. What a good deal, ha! For the afternoon session, a model was hired. Club members who were around were more than helpful in answering my questions. Club member Ramcel Erum briefed me about long exposure shots and white balance in low light photography. Over all, it was a workshop that put my confidence back in the technical aspect of photography.

Here are raw images of what that day was like:

My first attempt at the panning shot mission:

Second attempt

Session with the model. My output here was epic fail!

I clam up. Too many people milling around. No music to fire up. I wasn't really able to connect with the model. Poor and detached output.

We went to the garden and I started to loosen up a bit

I found this nice. I did some minor post-processing.

Then, the late afternoon sun gave more than what I asked for

Bu my battery went dead. I had to charge it quickly. When I came back, this moment presented itself:

I got my telephoto lens too late already. I could have done better than the two shots above. Anyhow, we ended the workshop with a photo shoot in the boulevard. This is what I got. Long exposure. 30 seconds.

With that said, I think I'm now ready for the world!

the showdown: Manila vs. Cebu

2011-12-08T19:57:00.001+08:00

For the frugal traveler, both cities appeal easy on the pocket. But the question begs: which city will snatch supremacy in the battle as tastier, livelier, cheaper and friendlier to the traveler on a shoestring budget?

Now, let the showdown begin!

Street Food
The adventurous traveler will be rewarded with isaw, fishball, balut, adidas, helmet, betamax, kwek-kwek and silog in every street in Manila with high pedestrian traffic. In Cebu, there are barbeque sa larsian, siomai sa tisa and larang sa pasil. These food are best eaten in a dingy side street under the blanket of fumes from passing cars. Be reminded though that street food here may not be as clean as the ones you would find in Bangkok, KL or Singapore. So, who's the winner for the cheaper thrill (I doubt on the tastier part) and for on the street food experience?

verdict: Manila

Transportation
Cebu's size may just be a fraction of Manila's but there's a likely chance you'll get lost in Cebu. The culprit? Maze-like jeepney routes and lack of train lines. Manila is easy to map out with its MRT and LRT train lines. The train lines will definitely save you from the monstrous Manila traffic jam. Once you master how Manila's transport system works, you'd be fine.

In Cebu, the redeeming quality is in taxi cabs because everywhere in the city seems to be only 15 minutes away. You'll have the luxury of taking the cab from any point. Take note though that if you look probinsyano or is not familiar with the address, the taxi driver will make use of the maze to his advantage and will drive you in a loop. You'll end up paying more.

verdict: Manila

Nightlife
Manila has The Fort, Eastwood, Morato and Malate while Cebu has Asiatown I.T. Park. But wait, we are talking about budget thrills here and then good food, good music, wanderlust spirits, the whole package! Conspiracy Garden Cafe ~~and Penguin Cafe~~ is definitely a nice place to hang-out while in Manila! In Cebu, there's a place called The Outpost which gathers the same crowd as well. It's a draw in terms of good vibes. But then again, its boils down to price: beer in Cebu sells at P60.00-P80.00 a bottle while in Manila it doesn't go below P100.00.

verdict: Cebu

Shopping
Each Christmas season, MEPZ football field beside Marina Mall in Mactan becomes a shopping yard for factory overruns. Not just Nike, Levis, Adidas, Timex, Pentax and Gap but high-end brand like Calvin Klein as well. They can go as much as 70% cheaper! These are genuine products that simply did not make the cut in quality control because of wrong stitch and slight defect. Don't even begin asking about export quality furniture and lamp shades because they can really come cheap during this season.

But all year round, Manila is the hands down shopping mecca! From gadgets to clothes down to black market viagra, all of these can be bought at a cheap price! And I'm not just talking about Greenhills Shopping Center only. There's Divisoria and Tutuban, too!

verdict: Manila

Lodging
Most foreign travelers would recommend to stay out of Manila the quickest way possible because it's ghastly, it's chaotic and like the city itself, most hostels are infested with rats and cockroaches! Too much of Alex Garland's (author of The Beach) The Tesseract! We sympathize with them. Well, we used to, until we discovered a quaint hostel in Malate area, in Pension Natividad after a friend who was U.S. peace corp volunteer recommended it. I'd have to say it's good value for money. About Friendly's Guesthouse and Malate Pensionne, we've read mixed reviews about them and will have to find out ourselves.

In Cebu, Sugbutel is, by far, the cleanest, the cheapest (P100.00/bed if you book 30 days prior, AC room) and the safest (CCTV all over the place) but it simply lacks character. Just prepare your ear plugs because you will be sharing the whole floor with (we are talking about 200 plus) other people, mostly local transient guests.

verdict: Cebu

Sights and Quick Escape
Historical landmarks are plenty in both cities. The sights though different are of equal significance in the Filipinos search of a national identity. Heavy, ah! Nosebleed. We can't argue with that.

Manila as the capital has the airport which serves all major airlines flying to major destinations in the country. But when we say quick escape, we mean something--the crowning jewel of Cebu City which is hard to match. Clean air, fresh seafood, a quick swim and island hopping are just 20 minutes away. Go on a booze cruise in Mactan, escape to the rolling hills of Busay or go wakeboarding in Danao--away from the busy city all in a jiffy. Also, being located in the epicenter of the throbbing energy of the archipelago, nearby islands like Bohol, Camotes, Bantayan and Leyte are short boat rides away.

photo source

verdict: Cebu

The winner is... drum rolls please....

it's a draw!

What do you think?

*This is a first of a series of articles where Philippine cities, beaches, towns, travel bloggers, budget travelers and everything in between will duke it out.

bleu cheese+truffle+bacon burger at KRI

2011-12-08T10:58:00.001+08:00

What's the yardstick for a perfect burger? It's difficult to say. I am not a foodie and the only credential I have as food critique is that I can tell the difference between too sweet and too salty. Tongue-in-cheek aside, I think I've stumbled upon one burger which I think will measure up to some standards.

Good burgers are not easy to find in small town Dumaguete. I've been here long enough but still haven't found that one perfect piece of poison, I mean, burger. Through word of mouth I have tried some. My verdict: either those burgers had too much char in charbroiled or the flavor was a tad too uninspired. Let's not even begin with Mc Donald's quarter pounder or Jollibee's champ burger because my standards are way too different. The beefy taste, the thick and juicy, juicy, juicy patties of Brothers Burger, Burger Joint or Flame It or that Mos Burger in Singapore--they actually set the lead for me.

Because in Dumaguete standards, the price of said burger is rather prohibitive, I just make it a point to get one each pay day. The burger costs P218.00 including VAT. I ordered one and a glass of iced cold lemongrass-ginger tea to chug.

The burger has a ritzy name to it: bleu cheese, truffle and bacon burger! Except for the bacon, bleu cheese and truffle sounds high brow to me! By the way, appreciating bleu cheese is an acquired taste--it's the cheese that has that distinct odd smell, with blue-green mold, tastes sharp and a bit salty. Truffle on the other hand is an underground mushroom which is highly prized as food in international haute cuisine. In France, it is considered as the diamond of the kitchen.

The service was very efficient and impeccable. One time I was there, the waitress served me complimentary appetizer while I waited for my order to be served. The bowl had watermelon and turnip in a salty-sour dip which tasted rather funny. Tonight, it's almost closing time. I am the only customer left so I have the restaurant all to myself. I took pictures here and there.

My order, fresh-off-the-grill, is here! Notice the plating. Nice.

It goes with fresh tomato and lettuce with yam chips and a dip on the side.

Here we go: the juicy goodness of the patty which is 100 % Australian beef! The crunch of the bacon! Yes! This.is.meat.porn! My burger was dripping with burger juice down to my plate! No amount of description is going to fit how the truffle oil, bleu cheese and meat created a perfect delicious explosion inside my mouth!

I say: yes, this is probably the best burger I have eaten in years!

All in all, I paid P274.40 for the burger and ginger-lemon drink.

The downside is the open kitchen. There must be something wrong with the exhaust because by the time I licked the last drop of the truffle oil, my shirt already smelled greasy. And yes, the 12% VAT is not yet included in the menu price (P195.00 for the burger).

I'd have to say that good burger and art sit well in this neighborhood restaurant in Dumaguete.

The burger I found can be ordered in a restaurant called KRI. It's located along Silliman Avenue, just across Silliman University Post Office.

contact information:
KRI Restaurant

address:	53rd Silliman Avenue, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines
telephone number:	(035)421.2392
telefax:	(035)225.0491
operating hours:	Mon-Sat: 10:30am - 9:00pm

caffeine fix and a slice of heaven in Sans Rival Dumaguete

2011-12-07T16:59:00.001+08:00

For less than a hundred pesos, I already have my cup of java, a piece of silvana and a slice of sans rival.

my slice of heaven called sans rival. sinfully delicious!

This is one nice thing about living in a university town with a strong cultural spirit, everything here is cheap but good taste and a little bit of class is never thrown to the backseat.

Sans Rival is a welcome departure from the typical modest small town food shop. The price leans toward office workers and students but the set meals which are changed on a daily basis lean toward first-rate western flavors. It's actually a class all its own. All these years every lunch time, it's one of the few neighborhood cafes I see in Dumaguete that is always filled to the rafters by the local patrons and the occasional transient guests.

my cup of kahlua java with marshmallow on top!

crisp and chewy | the easier version of san rival called silvana.

My choice of desserts here always go with a cup of kahlua java. The combination might be too sweet for your taste, but it works fine for me. This sugar load has become some sort of a habit every beautiful Dumaguete mornings (or late afternoons sometimes) inside this neighborhood cafe which opens at 9am. Either that or I drive to their branch in Robinson's Place which opens at 10am.

If you wonder how sans rival is made, here is a recipe I lifted from the internet. For someone like me who doesn't know a thing about baking, the recipe is rather rocket science!

Cashew Sans Rival Meringue:
Ingredients:
7 each egg whites
¾ teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup sugar
1 cup cashew, coarsely chopped
Procedure:
1. Preheat oven to 250°F.
2. Beat together egg whites, cream of tartar, and sugar until stiff but not dry. Fold in nuts.
4. Divide mixture into four 9” x 1/2”-round pans lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for one hour or until golden.
6. Transfer on wire racks. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes. Invert then carefully remove the parchment paper. Completely cool on wire racks.

Buttercream
Ingredients :
¾ cup sugar
½ cup water
9 each egg yolks
¾ cup butter
¾ cup margarine
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ¼ cups cashew for decoration
Procedure:
1. Boil together sugar and water until threadlike at 220°F.
2. Beat egg yolks at speed 6 until thick and fluffy.
3. Continue cooking the syrup until 240°F. Pour hot syrup into egg yolks in a stream. Beat until cold.
4. In another bowl, beat the butter compound until light. Add egg yolk mixture then vanilla. Beat until creamy.
5. Use this to fill the meringue layers. Decorate top and sides with more buttercream.
6. Sprinkle with cashew nuts all over. Freeze (lifted from phillippinecountry.com)

I'd rather drive downtown and buy! hahaha

I live in the foothills of Valencia which is 15 minutes drive from Dumaguete. Depending on my workload and mood, I make tambay in the cafe, scribble some notes, begin a short story or write a line or two of a poem perhaps. Or simply, just simply people watch.

My typical order consists of:

kahlua java 55.00
silvana/pc. 13.00
sans rival/slice 26.00
total 94.00

The sweet traditions of Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries actually began in 1977 when the Teves-Sagarbarria matriarch converted a tiny garage into a pastry shop. The matriarch, Tita Trining as she is called, has passion for cooking and baking. Today, it has expanded operations by opening a branch in a local mall.

the flagship store in downtown with the iconic house in the background off-Rizal Boulevard.

For those getting boxes of sans rival as pasalubong for family and friends, it's very important to always keep them refrigerated all the time or at least keep them in a cold place between long rides as the butter cream melts quickly.

Here is the contact information of Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries:

Sans Rival Main: #1 San Jose Street, Dumaguete City, NegrosOriental
telephone numbers: (035)225.4393 Globe:(035)422.9482
for orders:(035)225.4440 Mobile:0918.943.5989 (8am - 8pm)
Operating Hours: 9:00am-7:30pm (Daily)

Sans Rival Robinson’s Mall: Ground floor, Robinson’s PlaceDumaguete, Negros Oriental
telephone numbers: (035)421.1524 For Orders:(035)225.4440
Operating Hours: 10am-8pm (Monday to Friday), 10am-9pm (Saturday to Sunday)

So, where exactly is the best lechon in Cebu?

2011-12-05T20:31:00.001+08:00

It’s somewhere North and it’s open on Sundays only.

My discovery came rather late. Travel writer Boboi Costas alreadyfeatured the lechon four years ago in a travel magazine based in the UK. Acouple of friends raved about the lechon in their facebook status updates earlythis year but I dismissed it-- either it was way too far from where I lived orI’ve just become too jaded maybe.

One lazy Sunday morning, the opportunity presented itself. Ifound myself dazed in a backseat of a car headed North (of course, I’m kiddingon the dazed part). The traffic was moving smooth and the sky was spotless. Inless than 30 minutes, we arrived in a busy intersection, parked in front of aschool and walked across the street to where the stalls are. The area is hard tomiss being located in a town hall ground.

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There were about five stalls with sellers barking (in atypical friendly Cebuano kind of way) to try their lechon! Decisive moment na to. In lightning speed, I had a quick light bulb moment “the best lechon should be almost gone by now!”At the end of the row, near where the fruit stand was, a man was busychopping the few remaining parts of the lechon while the lady beside himwrapped some. I made a beeline and ordered half a kilo (P180.00). He asked meif I wanted to put what looked like the natural juicy and oily goodness of thelechon that dripped during the roasting process. I said hell, yes! and ordered puso--rice wrapped in coconut leaves.

The smell of grilled fish wafted in the air. I was temptedto check-out more stalls at the back—more fruits, rice cakes and seafood. Freshis written all over the place! I got a kilo of mango (P70.00) and a pack of freshseaweed (P25.00). These are makeshiftstalls that go full operations on Sundays only, so freshness is really guaranteed.

We drove for a few minutes and found a good place by the beach. I gingerlyopened the pack and topped it with the sauce. First, I shoved one meaty slice intomy mouth. It was tender, juicy and succulent. The flavor was perfect! Then, Ichipped off a portion of the golden brown and crispy skin. I was taken aback! Mymouth just had an orgasm! Food porn! It was hard to tell, was it the meat or thesauce that made all the difference? Regardless, I have debunked my own claim thatnobody does lechon better than Talisay or the new lechon in the block—they havebecome either too salty or overrated.

Come before lunch because chances are they are easily gone wayfaster than you can say Liloan!

Apo Island homestay and dive (and yes, the rates are cheap!)

2011-12-04T07:22:00.001+08:00

By far, nothing beats Mario's in Apo Island. For non-divers looking for a place to stay, Mario's offers clean and decent beds with en suite toilet and bath at very reasonable rates. It's a simple two-story affair with windows and terraces that open to the aquamarine sea--home to a teeming sea turtle population and healthy hectares of coral reef. It's not a beachfront property, but its location in an elevated part of the island affords a nice view and cool sea breeze.

As you might have already heard, in Apo Island it's not only about cheap lodging rates, the best dive spot in the world but its people as well. They make each stay bursts with good memories. My couchsurfing friends Gringo Benedicto and Chris Keung who went to Apo and stayed at H and H can attest to that. The kind people of Apo Island make the experience memorable. The owners of Mario's Homestay and Diving, Mario and his wife Mila, are such a very nice couple with ready smiles like the warm tropical sun.

There are three rooms in Mario's and these rooms are rather big in Apo Island standards. The rooms at the upper floors were occupied the time I was there, so I was assigned at the ground floor room with the wide verandah. The bed is made of bamboo with a mattress on it. The room rates are as follows: Big Room: 2 pax, double bed, P1000/night, P200 extra bed | Medium Room: 2 pax, double bed, P600/night, P200 extra bed | Small Room: 2 pax, double bed, P500/night.

With the island's small swamp near the marine sanctuary shores, mosquitoes could be nasty so the mosquito net available comes in handy at night. In an island the size of barely three SM Mall of Asia, water supply is a problem. But in Mario's, they collect rainwater and store them in a reservoir underneath the house. This way, the guests don't have to fetch water in a well nearby every time they take a bath.

My colleague Alan got his PADI Open Water Diving License recently. As it turned out, Mario is also a licensed PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor with 22 years scuba diving experience. Alan got the services of Mario and they went diving in Chapel reef.

Dive Instructor Mario Pascobello

Mario offers the following services:

fun diving

PADI diving courses

introductory dive

PADI scuba diveropen water diver (OWD)

advanced OWD

rescue

emergency first response (EFR)

dive master

Here are the rates with government fees included:

1-2 dives: P1100

3-4 dives: P1050

5-6 dives: P1000

7-9 dives: P950

10 dives and more: P900

equipment rental: P250/dive or P500/day

And there's a promo!

Scuba Dive Promo Package:

3 nights shared beds, breakfast included
6 dives
Transportation from Dumaguete to Apo Island
4 people minimum

P11,000/person

For inquiries, contact Mario or Mila Pascobello:

(63)906.361.7254 / (63)915.819.3607

Email: marspascobello@hotmail.com

*how to get to Apo Island:

From Dumaguete City, take the jeepney bound for Zamboanguita. These jeepneys are parked near the gas station across Robinson's Place. Tell the driver you are getting off in Malatapay. Fare is around P50.00/person.

In Malatapay, there are boat rentals operated by a boatmen organization. Regardless if you stay in the island for a day or more, the rates are the same. The rates (roundtrip) ranges from P2,000 for small boats (5 pax max) to P3,000.00 for big boats (10 pax max). Solo travelers may join other boats for P300.

where will happiness strike next?

2011-12-02T16:18:00.001+08:00

I share exactly the same moment when my grandmother I call Nanay came home from the States after 20 long years. She left in 1991 when I was about to graduate elementary school. She had never came home since then. Finally, in October this year, she found her way home bringing with her the joys and pains of living abroad.

Airport + Homecoming + Family + Coke = Happiness

*warning: makes you shed buckets of tears. get your hanky or tissue ready.

The family saga simply does end there. Life is not a fairy tale after all. The drama continues but I am glad my Nanay, Papa, Mama and the rest of my family (who haven't gone far yet for greener pastures abroad) will be together this Christmas.

Have a meaningful Christmas everyone!

true mark of a gentleman

2011-12-02T10:22:00.001+08:00

Experts from the world's best airport arrived to help the world's worst airport. The team of experts from Changi Airport have assessed already the conditions and problems of NAIA Terminal 1.

Meanwhile, the word war between Cobonpue's team and DOTC Sec. Manuel Roxas is coming to a close. Looks like better days are ahead of us. I can't wait to see the day when my country's gateway, NAIA Terminal 1, joins the league of best boutique airports in the world! #philippinepride

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Here now is the statement released on behalf of Cobonpue's team:

“The whole issue over the NAIA 2 has been been blown out of proportionand has distracted people from the original issue: the need for a betterairport that we can all be proud of. It is clear now that there has beenmisunderstanding regarding this issue and we wish to convey to Secretary Roxasthat we are not questioning his integrity.

“It has come to our attention that the DOTC intends to firstconcentrate on the structural and electro-mechanical problems of the facility.We see the rationale behind this and respect the DOTC's decision.

“We also understand that in the course of their work in analyzing,writing up and finalizing the complete rehabilitation plans for the facility,the DOTC has consulted other professionals. We also respect this decision asthis within their prerogative.

“We would like to thank our leaders for giving us the chance to be partof the national project that is the NAIA 1 rehabilitation.

“They had sought our help, and as good citizens, we heeded the call. Itwas and still is our belief that an airport that falls beneath internationalstandards can be transformed into a source of national pride.

“We would like to thank those who supported our vision of a beautifulairport that is truly Filipino. if even for a moment we succeeded in showingour country's leaders what is possible, and shared with our fellowmen ourvision of a safe, efficient and beautiful airport, then we are happy to havemade this effort.

“We now leave everything we have started in the hands of our leaders.We will be here if and when they need us, as we believe it is our duty to sharewhatever talent God has bestowed on each of us for the good of our country.

“After everything that's been said and done, we remain hopeful that thepromise of a functional and beautiful airport will be fulfilled and we willfinally have the airport we deserve, one that we can all be truly proud of."

A year closer to the dream of a beautiful, efficient and distinctively Filipino airport!

2012 Official Philippine Holidays

2011-12-01T19:05:00.001+08:00

Have you planned your 2012 weekend getaway already? Just today, The Office of the President through The Official Gazette of Malacanan Palace issued Proclamation 295, s. 2011 (see below). Six long weekends, baby! Seat sale alerts, where are you and your dirt cheap seat sale tickets!? Maka book na nga!

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DECLARING THE REGULAR HOLIDAYS, SPECIAL (NON-WORKING) DAYS, AND SPECIAL HOLIDAY (FOR ALL SCHOOLS) FOR THE YEAR 2012

WHEREAS, Republic Act (RA) No. 9492, dated July 24, 2007, amended Section 26, Chapter 7, Book I of Executive Order (EO) No. 292, also known as the Administrative Code of 1987, by declaring certain days (specific or movable) as special or regular holidays;

WHEREAS, RA No. 9492 provides that holidays, except those which are religious in nature, are moved to the nearest Monday unless otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation;

WHEREAS, RA No. 9849 provides that the Eidul Adha shall be celebrated as a national holiday;

WHEREAS, the EDSA People Power Revolution, which restored and ushered political, social and economic reforms in the country, serves as an inspiration to Filipinos everywhere as a nation and as a people;

WHEREAS, on January 23, 2012, the Chinese nationals all over the world will celebrate Spring Festival, popularly known as the Chinese New Year, which is one of the most revered and festive events celebrated not only in China but also in the Philippines by both Chinese Filipinos and ordinary Filipinos as well; and the joint celebration is a manifestation of our solidarity with our Chinese Filipino brethren who have been part of our lives in many respects as a country and as a people; 23 January 2012 may be declared as a special (non-working) day without detriment to public interest;

WHEREAS, Friday, 2 November 2012, falling between Thursday, 1 November 2012 (All Saints Day) and Saturday, has been traditionally declared a special (non-working) day throughout the country;

WHEREAS, to give full opportunity to our people to properly observe All Saints Day with all its religious fervor which invariably requires them to travel to and from different regions in the country, Friday, 2 November 2012, may be declared as a special (non-working) day without detriment to public interest;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution as President of the Philippines, do hereby declare:

SECTION 1. The following regular holidays and special days for the year 2012 shall be observed in the country:

A. Regular Holidays
New Year’s Day Maundy Thursday Good Friday Araw ng Kagitingan		January 1 (Sunday) April 5 April 6 April 9 (Monday)
Labor Day Independence Day National Heroes Day Bonifacio Day Christmas Day Rizal Day		May 1 (Tuesday) June 12 (Tuesday) August 27 (Last Monday of August) November 30 (Friday) December 25 (Tuesday) December 30 (Sunday)
B. Special (Non-Working) Days
Chinese New Year Ninoy Aquino Day All Saints Day Additional special (non-working) day Last Day of the Year		January 23 (Monday) August 21 (Tuesday) November 1 (Thursday) November 2 (Friday) December 31 (Monday
C. Special Holiday (for all schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary		February 25 (Saturday)

SECTION 2. The proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha shall hereafter be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient. To this end, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall inform the Office of the President on which day the holiday shall fall.

SECTION 3. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall promulgate the implementing guidelines for this Proclamation.

SECTION 4. This Proclamation shall take effect immediately.

SECTION 5. This Proclamation shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of thePhilippines to be affixed.

Done in the City ofManila, this 24th day of November in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eleven.

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By the President:

(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.

Executive Secretary

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Sex, Travel, Prostitution, HIV-AIDS and Olongapo City

2011-12-01T13:58:00.001+08:00

Today, the world remembers those who have suffered and perished from Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS.

Looneyplanet.net joins the commemoration of World AIDS Day 2011 and it supports in the intensified campaign for the prevention and proper treatment of HIV-AIDS.

The City of Olongapo, once a very flourishing US Naval Base was also home to the biggest prostitution industry in the Philippines. Today, the streets are no longer as vibrant and many bars have since folded up after the last US Naval fleet left in 1991.

12 years ago, Olongapo in numbers :
home to 300 bars and nightclubs
6,000 registered prostitutes which swell to 16,000 when the fleet is in.

Two million visitors and $68 million a year spending

"Amid the garish bars that cater to American servicemen here, a youngprostitute with spiky pink hair greets a circle of acquaintances with thereminder, ''Hey, we're dying.''

The young woman and her acquaintances are among the 26 prostitutes whohave tested positive for the AIDS virus among the thousands of women who workthe lively streets outside Subic Bay Naval Station.

Many of the 26 remain at work even as they wait for the symptoms ofillness to appear. Rather than ban them from the bars, Philippine officialshave encouraged the infected prostitutes to have their customers use condoms.The officials acknowledge that many of the women still work the streets."

The sad reality :

''This town is not built on prostitution, it's built on poverty,'' Mr. DickGordon said, noting that the earnings of Olongapo's entertainers support poorfamilies throughout the Philippines.

''Who is the real prostitute?'' he asked. ''The girl who isimpoverished or the guy who uses her?'' If the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah hadhad a mayor like Richard Gordon, he might have talked something like this.

Over a root beer at the Chatter Box bar, Mr. Gordon mentioned thoseBiblical cities, which often come up in conversations with officials here. Hedescribed them as populated with ''a bunch of sinful people materially orientedand doing all sorts of sexual promiscuity.''

But of Olongapo, he said: ''There are realities here. I have my idealsand I try to get as close to them as I can. Half a loaf is better than none.''

The Mayor was face to face with one of the harshest of those realitiesthe other day as he sat in a small room with seven young women and one man whobecame infected with the AIDS virus during their work at the bars. They werenot yet ill, and the most painful symptom for them so far was loneliness. Fearsof Ostracism

None had told family members, and all walked in fear of meeting theprostitute with the pink hair, because she might identify them in public.

One young woman had tried to tell a priest during confession about herinfection, but she said the priest had not wanted to hear of it.

Another had traveled to her home in the south to deliver her baby andhad been isolated in a hospital storage room marked with a sign reading,''Beware: AIDS patient.''

A third said she had finally worked up the courage, after eight months,to tell her live-in American boyfriend of her condition. She was waiting forhis ship to return. Like the others in the infected group, she said the onlymen with whom she slept were Americans. The Navy says American servicemen aretested for the AIDS virus before they arrive in Olongapo.

But outside the small room where the victims met, fear of AIDS seemedhardly to have touched Olongapo. A Feverish Rally

After an hour, the Mayor left the small room for a meeting at the localbaskeball court with a group of 3,000 prostitutes.

The women, some with their half-American children, greeted Mr. Gordonwith the youthful jubilance of a high school pep rally.

They screamed in pleasure as he told them, ''There are no ugly women,only women who do not know how to look beautiful.''

Playing cheerleader, Mr. Gordon cried: ''What does the Mayor notwant?'' ''Abortions!'' they shouted back. ''What does the Mayor want you touse?'' Mr. Gordon cried.

''Condoms!'' the young women bellowed in chorus.

During a lively question period, the women voiced their concerns overunregistered prostitutes, abusive employers and overcharging by taxis.

But the most burning of their questions came near the end: ''When arethe ships coming in again?''

When the Mayor said maybe next month, he was greeted by the loudestcheer of the day.--lifted from the archives of New York Times

The last few lines make you smile and at the same time send a pinch in your chest.

NAIA Terminal 1: the saga continues!

2011-12-01T09:07:00.001+08:00

First, there was a pro bono proposal which got everyone excited. Then came the 1 billion budget approval. Imagine how the news must have painted big smiles on every Juan's faces. At biglang nagkagulo na! Eto na, the government dropped Cobonpue's group in favor of the original firm that designed NAIA Terminal 1--Locsin and Associates.

Then came this statement:

"Bloggers branding NAIA the worst airport were homeless gays.

Naturally, they complained the NAIA women’s toilets are inadequate,there’s nowhere to lie down, no kneepads in restrooms in any case.

But so long as an airport performs immigration and customs functions,who cares if it does not do anything else?

Well, people with no authority who told Pineda, Layug and Cobonpue theycould remake the airport.

Nobody, who is anybody, notices the airports they pass through. My bestfriend, mining magnate Ronnie Zamora has travelled the world. Afterimmigration, he said, the airport is just a blur when Ritz, Four Seasons,Mandarin or Shangri-la whisk him away. What about the toilet? He has done hisbusiness in the plane.

Travelers flying economy, in tight seats, with smelly toilets, want toget as far from the plane, as fast as they can.

I killed the idea of doing anything to an airport that already workswell.

But no, the finicky insist on a brand new airport we cannot afford orthe old one remade according to Architectural Digest.

Mar Roxas has publicly proposed various prospects. He publiclyconsidered a brand new, Changi-scale airport in “Famfanga.” He publicly talkedof selling NAIA to pay for the same. Now, he has openly decided to spruce upNAIA without turning it into a garden paradise as some suggest. Trees and birdsare bad for planes. He has conducted his thinking, and made his decision, infull public view and hearing. How much more transparent can you get? Locsinmade the airport, who best can restore its original state?

Come now Cobonpue, Pineda and Layug — 3 famous interior designers andfurniture makers.

Layug pioneered postmodern furniture. Cobonpue designed AngelinaJolie’s baby’s bassinet. Pineda has his admirers. They have been working 8months on a redesign and redecoration of the airport, with plenty of shrubs. Why?No, not the shrubs, but why did they do the work? They had no contract, or evenformal contact with, former DOTC Secretary Ping de Jesus or his successortoday. Who put them up to it? The 3 designers fingered but did not name Cabinetmembers with no connection to DOTC or the airport.

Justice in this country being what it is today, where possibility isfact, suspicion probable cause, proposal a crime, and probability proof beyondreasonable doubt, I accuse the Cabinet members who approached Cobonpue andcompany of redecorating and refurnishing their homes for a deep discount orfree, hinting the 3 could redo the airport.

I move for a subpoena to issue to Pineda, Layug and Cobonpue to revealthe names of the officials who put them up to undertaking unauthorized work.

I move for search warrants to look for furniture coming from Pineda,Layug and Cobonpue in the homes of these Cabinet officials.

I move for a subpoena duces tecum for documents showing deliveries ofdeeply discounted or donated furniture to them.

Without regard to the returns, I move for the detention of theofficials who approached Pineda, Layug, and Cobonpue with a false commission toredo the airport they had no authority to undertake.

I want a watchlist hold-departure order on these furniture avid Cabinetmen in case they escape with the furniture.

Keep well, thank you."--Teddy Locsin, Jr., Teditorial, The World Tonight on ANC aired on 29 November 2011.

Today, December 1, Kenneth Cobonpue and his team will hold a press conference concerning their design for NAIA Terminal 1.

When will: all the talks end, the truth out in the open and the real renovation work begin?

remembering Old Palace and Chiang Mai

2011-12-01T06:39:00.001+08:00

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South

December’s cold breeze

It pins me under your sheets

Your back forms an arc

For W

cheap room and free breakfast, anyone?

2011-11-28T18:32:00.001+08:00

It is rather a quite evening here in the boat. The sea is flat and the world stand still. The stillness like in the eye of a storm. Everyone at the economy section is sleeping. Save for a couple talking in gibberish, killing time until their eyelids grew heavier than their dreams.

The ship crawls on a slow, steady pace. Cebu, inch by inch, is now reduced to an afterglow. This is the kind of heightened departure that escaped me in a very long time.

I'm tightening my bolt and screw in my head. Now, back to regular programming. hahaha

Earlier this evening, I had a photo walk after a long debate with myself whether or not I'll have a P150.00 dinner in Zubuchon (actually in the same block) or take a brisk walk toward the Capitol building, then to Fuente Osmena rotunda where Larsian, Robinson's food court, Cybergate plus a dozen more restaurants are located.

quaint and rustic | the pension's lobby and reception area (with free wi-fi).

So, how often do you stumble upon a gem of a hostel or pension house? This time around its within my budget and it's quaint and rustic and all things in between.

The pension house where I stayed though centrally located is tucked in a quiet neighborhood. Cebu's famous pocherohan where Anthony Bourdain had his tasty beef stew is just 2-minute walk. Did I mention a Zubuchon branch is located in the same block? For lazy mornings, there's a coffee shop called Coffee Dream 'round the corner and if budget became an issue, there's a hawker stall and bakeshop. For long staying guests, a laundry shop is just nearby. During Sunday, the street market across the Capitol has the bagsakan of the freshest fruits and vegetables.

Ayala, Labangon, Lahug and downtown Cebu are just a jeepney ride from here. Taxi to the pier cost me P75.00.

my room is located in the seclusion of Bohol wing which had a nice charm to it

The room is basic and I'd have to say very clean. If you get lucky, you will get a room with a balcony. There's hot shower, cable TV, aircon, drawer, side table and bed all cramped in a 2 by 4 meter room but yes, it's tastefully done. Reminds me of the small hostel rooms in Hongkong. The downside for me are the thin curtain (read: short snooze time) and non-cotton bedding. Wi-fi and breakfast are complementary. The staff are all very friendly and accommodating. Over-all, its good value for money.

The Capitol ground was in festive mood. The performers' laughter lifted the drab of the old building. There will be foreign guests tonight the police said. I took a couple of pictures and walk around the area a bit. Minutes later, busload of Korean guests arrived. The drumbeat drowned the chuckles of the children playing in the closed section of the street.

The cool night air and the newly renovated sidewalk of Osmena Boulevard made walking nice and easy.

Behind the beautification projects in uptown area, there's always this sad reality: homeless people and rugby or solvent sniffing boys.

A group of rowdy street kids passed by, rousing these two from their sleep.

I made a quick stop in Larsian, had dinner there and walk my way back to the pension house.

I stayed at East Capitol Pensionne along East Capitol Road. Most taxi drivers did not know the address. I told them it's the road between BPI Family Bank in Escario-Capitol and the new mid-rise building.

Here's the map:

"East Capitol Pensionnehas cozy and affordable rooms that will fit anyone’s budget. In fact, we have33 of them!

If you are abackpacker, you can stay in the dorm but if you want your own privacy, you canget a studio room. There are also bigger rooms you can choose to stay in likethe Executive or Ambassador room.

All of these rooms areair conditioned, have a hot and cold shower, a telephone which you can use tocontact room to room or make outside calls and cable television."--from their website

Single Room is P600.00, Standard is P800 while Superior Room is P1,200. The rates include free breakfast. The free breakfast was very simple though-- rice and ham and then a cup of Kopiko 3-in-1 coffee.

Here's the contact information:
East Capitol Pensionne
DS Regner Bldg.,
92 C Eeast Capitol Road
6000 Cebu City

telephone numbers: (035) 416-5588/416-5668
mobile number: 0922-846-6601
email: ecp.cebu@gmail.com

Have a good time in Cebu--the gateway to a thousand journeys!

organic orgasm

2011-11-22T16:58:00.001+08:00

Before I became a coffee convert, I enjoyed immensely tea of different concoctions, much especially nai cha or milk tea which had me at hello in Chowking. Later on, I had the most flavorful nai cha I've ever tasted in Casa Cittadini prepared by the kind Indian nun sister Selena Joseph during one of the afternoons my students and I came to visit.

To set the record straight: I am was not a coffee drinker. Well, I drank coffee, the 3-in1 variety and that was it. For me, all coffee tasted the same: bitter. You add creamer and sugar, and yes, they still tasted the same, brewed or three-in-one.

I don't really have good memories of coffee. The earliest I had was Dragon Coffee--the cheap coffee packed in transparent triangular plastic with the yellow dragon print and was sold in sari-sari stores and was the star of the show during wake in the provinces. Then, there was Taster's Choice (which I really never tasted) my aunts and grandmother would send from the States. In late 90s when coffee shops began to sprout in Cebu City, I hitched the bandwagon. I had brewed coffee in tropical weather and that was insane! Looking back, it wasn't really much about the weather after all. It was more of keeping up a yuppie lifestyle and bond with friends.

The monk's blend in Benedictine Monastery in Malaybalay, Bukidnon figured prominently as a good cup because it was free-flowing round the clock and it had me palpitating the whole time. Otherwise, I forgot how it tasted already.

Then I traveled to Viet Nam for the first leg of my Indochina trip. I arrived in the small hours and found myself in the backpackers' district called De Tham Street waiting for sunrise. Upon the prodding of the Filipina I met in the arrival lounge of Saigon's Tan Son Nhat airport, we got ourselves Vietnamese coffee while she waited for the first bus to Cambodia. The coffee preparation was appealing--the coffee mixture was placed on top a tin cover and had it flow drop by drop to another cup underneath. But then again, it still tasted bitter. Awfully bitter. Not my cuppa!

I didn't really get it why people were so agog about coffee! Not until I had that one first unforgettable cup. The one cup that changed the way I look at coffee. The kind of coffee that titillated my palate, rich and chocolatey with a creamy body and with a long and clean finish.

The pack I got from an organic farm near Bacolod was supposed to be a pasalubong for my coffee-loving colleagues. With no intention to drink, not even a cup, I handed out the pack to the colleagues the next day. The freshly brewed coffee painted a smile on their faces while the first-time drinkers complained about the bitter taste. They all got high just the same as the afternoon wore on.

In a twist of fate, W made me a cup. The sugar and cream she added was just perfect. One creamy cup with a hint of dark chocolate was enough to send me to caffeine heaven. My mouth had just had an orgasm! It was one good cup without the greasy, bitter aftertaste. One cup led to another and before I knew it, I had a cup too many. The coffee like extraordinary painting or poetry blew the top of my head. The details of images inside my head was crisp and clear I could write a novel. I stopped wondering why a few good writers I know need their caffeine fix before they begin writing a story or poem.

The coffee, medium roast Mt. Kanlaon premium blend arabica and robusta distributed by Fresh Start Organics (Php240.00/pack), is grown at the foot of Mt. Kanlaon volcano in Negros Island under shaded trees and rich volcanic soils. The selectively handpicked ripe red coffee cherries is organically grown by farmers involve in fair trade movement.

I bought my pack in Fresh Start Organics, an organic farm in Silay City when I attended the 2011 Philippine Blog Awards Visayas. I checked the website and found out it will open a store soon in The Walk, Robinson's Bacolod. Wheeew! That's seven hours by bus from Dumaguete! The thought of no coffee makes me shiver already!

To get to Fresh Start Organics farm, kindly inquire at Silay Tourism Office. The tourism office arranged everything for us (bloggers). You may also call Freshstart at telephone number (034) 441.1490 or shoot them a message at freshstartorganic@yahoo.com or visit www.freshstartorganic.com

cheapest dive rates in Dumaguete, Siquijor and Apo Island

2011-11-21T13:39:00.001+08:00

Score a cheaper deal than the published rates in many dive shops around Dumaguete and Dauin! My suggestion? First, you have to have your own gear and then find that person who will point you to the right direction. Should everything fail, read on.

There are several dive masters in Dumaguete. Aside from the local dive masters, there are also expat PADI certified dive masters who speak Korean and German. But of course, you pay a premium for their services. If you are not a native speaker but speaks and understands English fairly well, avail of these rates and enjoy the dive spots in Dauin, Sumilon, Siquijor and Apo Island without breaking the bank, yes!

SCUBA DIVING RATES (OCTOBER 2011)

DIVE SAFARI PACKAGE:
DURATION: 3 days 2 nights
DIVE SITES : Dumaguete-Siquijor-Apo Island-Dauin
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
 8 dives with full board
 Unlimited coffee and tea
 Gears, Tanks
 Dive master services & transfers.
 Exclude: park fees, alcoholic and soft drinks
COST: P10,000.00 per pax (minimum of 5 guests and maximum of 10)
Accommodation: Sleep on the boat with hammocks, Thai pillow or sleeping bag, tents on the beach but if u want a room at a guesthouse u pay extra. Boat has restroom and fresh water shower and kitchen facilities and compressor. Snorkelers and beach bum are also welcome!!!

SCUBA DIVING
1. DIVING (CERTIFIED DIVERS ONLY)
Destination PRICE
1. Apo/Sumilon Island
3 dives P3,000.00
2 dives P2,500.00
Marine Sanctuary fee (must pay at the Island) P 300.00
2. Dauin
3 dives P2,550.00
2 dives P1,700.00
Marine Sanctuary fee (must pay at Dauin) P 150.00
INCLUSIONS:
 Diving equipment (tanks, weights, weight belts)
 Transportation and boat transfers
 PADI Dive Master
 Sandwich, water, fruit

2. FOR NON CERTIFIED DIVER OR BEGGINERS
Intro Dive (DSD)
Dauin P 2,500.00
Open Water Course P12,000.00
Advance P10,000.00
Rescue P12,000.00
Dive Master Course P35,000.00

SNORKELING
APO / Sumilon Island P 850.00
*Marine sanctuary fee (payable at Apo/Sumilon) P 150.00
DAUIN P 300.00
*Marine sanctuary fee (payable at Dauin) P 50.00

For inquiries, please contact: Harold's Mansion
Telephone number:+639173024455,+639216533699,035-2258000,035-4223477

fresh blood | 2011 Philippine Blog Awards Visayas

2011-11-14T17:22:00.001+08:00

No one was beside me to validate that indeed, it was my blog that rolled off the tongue of the presenter for best travel blog. For two seconds, I was glued to my seat, frozen in disbelief. Did he really say ...and the winner is (insert overture music here)... looneyplanet or was I hearing voices inside my head?

My eyes were stingy and bloodshot. My head was still spinning from the 7-hour bus ride that began at 4AM that day. All I could remember was I stood up, shook hands along the way and waited for the cue on where to stand. Posed for the camera. Got the trophy, took the podium and delivered an impromptu speech!

The fatigue and social anxiety were elements of a disaster. What should I say? I almost had a panic attack. I came to Silay and Bacolod with a venturesome spirit and without any expectation to bring home the trophy at all. All I ever wanted was to join the complimentary guided tour around Silay, meet the blogging community for the first time and somehow, put faces behind blog names and eventually have a slice of heaven in Calea.

The next day, GMA 7 conducted an interview while we were doing the farm tour at Hacienda Maquina. I was jittery.

But I took home more than what I came for. The award was not something that I actively sought. But since it was handed to me when I needed the validation at this stage of my blogging, I was overjoyed and excited nonetheless.

Meanwhile, here is the complete list of winners in the 2011 Philippine Blog Awards Visayas:

Culture and Arts               |Tumandok
Food and Beverage          |Flavours of Iloilo
Lifestyle                            |RandomThoughts
Personal                           |The Young Pinoy Blogger
Photoblog                         |onethirdpoundpatty
Technology                       |Leon Kilat: The Cybercafe Experiments
Travel                              | looneyplanet

Congratulations!
Happy blogging kanatung tanan!

Thank you very much Mawe Barrios for taking the interview photo (above). I owe you one bai!

2011 Philippine Blog Awards Visayas

2011-11-11T17:49:00.001+08:00

I'm going loco! I haven't packed up yet. The last trip bus will leave in a few hours. I'm hitting the road this weekend. My final stop? The heritage city called Silay!

The Visayas leg of Philippine Blog Awards is happening tomorrow in Silay City, Negros Occidental. www.looneyplanet.net (holed up at livinginabackpack.blogspot.com until last month) is finalist in the travel blog category along with other equally engaging and interesting blogs in the Visayas region.

Twenty-eight blogs have been nominated in 7 different categories: Travel, Culture and Arts, Food and Beverage, Lifestyle, Personal, Photoblog and Technology. Awarding will be at two in the afternoon at the Locsin Cultural and Civic Center in Silay City.

The following day (Sunday), I'm looking forward to join the ‘Lagaw Silay’ guided tour. The event, to be facilitated by SilayTourism Office will bring bloggers to Balay Negrense Museum, Hacienda Adela Folklore Village, FreshStart Organic Farm, and Silay Mangrove Eco-Park at Brgy. Balaring.

The Silay Tourism Office said the event is also part of Silay Heritage Month Celebration and San DiegoFiesta (November 5-13).

Silay earned the monicker as Paris of Negros due primarily to its large collection of well-preserved heritage houses. The Parisian flavor? that I have to discover soon.

Other areas to be visited include potters’village, San Diego Pro-Cathedral, Oro-Plata-Mata House, Old Church Ruins,Japanese pill boxes and bird watching area."

Philippine Blog Awards, now on its 5th year, is an annual event organized by Philippine Bloggers Inc., a non-stock, non-profit corporation. This year, PBA Visayas is hosted by Silay City Government and Negros Bloggers Inc.in partnership with Nokia, Smart Communications and Airphil Express.

For those who are attending, here is the site map I got my Enrico Dee of byahilo.com:

Meanwhile, here are the finalists for the Philippine Blog Awards 2011 Visayas:

Travel
The Travelling Feet(http://www.thetravellingfeet.com)
soloflightEd(http://www.soloflighted.com)
backpack traveler(http://livinginabackpack.blogspot.com/)
Exotic Philippines(http://www.exoticphilippines.info/)
Experience Negros(http://www.experiencenegros.com/)
Libotero (http://www.libotero.com/)
ILOILO Travel Guide(http://iloilo-travel-guide.blogspot.com/)
Iloilo I LOVE! (http://iloiloilove.com/)
Viaje Negrense (http://www.viajenegrense.info/)
Culture and Arts
Jaysee Blabs(http://jayseeblabs.blogspot.com/)
Tumandok (http://tumandok.wordpress.com/)
Balakista(http://balakista.blogspot.com/)
Visayan FilipinoMartial Arts (http://visayanfilipinomartialarts.blogspot.com/)
Visayan Arnis/Eskrima(http://visayanarniseskrima.blogspot.com/)
Food and Beverage
Flavours of Iloilo(http://flavoursofiloilo.blogspot.com/)
The Culinary Adventures ofthe Bacolod Food Hunters (http://bacolodfoodhunters.wordpress.com/)
Lifestyle
Tribo’s Cup(http://tribong-upos.xanga.com/)
RandomThoughts!(http://gilcamporazorandomthoughts.blogspot.com/)
The Ilonggo Network(http://www.ilonggos.net/)
CebuRunnning (http://www.ceburunning.com/)
Personal
Locally made(http://www.iamhash.blogspot.com/)
Mashed Patatas(http://www.mashedpatatas.com/)
The Young Pinoy Blogger(http://www.aroundtheflexure.com/)
The Freudian Slip(http://bayenn.blogspot.com/)
Photoblog
onethirdpoundpatty(http://www.onethirdpoundpatty.com/)
Bacolod City Online The City ofBacolod in Pictures (http://www.bacolodcityonline.com/)
Technology
Leon Kilat: The Cybercafe Experiments(http://www.max.limpag.com)
Mancelita.com Philippines(http://www.mancelita.com)

official list lifted from philippineblogawards.com.ph

Here is the event poster:

the danger of escalators!

2011-11-11T13:22:00.001+08:00

I travel with my Bugsy whenever we can. Whether we go for a walk in the neighborhood or stroll in the mall, his well-being always stays at the apex of my concerns. One time, I disconnected his safety backpack-leash inside a toy store in a mall during a mallwide sale day while I checked out some goods. In a split second, he disappeared into thin air! Oh, how my spirit jumped out of my body! So many scenarios popped out of my head during those intense moments. I looked for him next shelf. Not there. I heaved a sigh only, a very deep one, when I found out he was just right behind me!

From then on, I always keep an eye on him. Especially in the escalator. So many escalator accident stories, some even have attained urban legend status. I caught this photo (posted below) circulating around the internet. Scares the hell out of me!

Children are the usual victims in escalator accidents. There have been many reported escalator accidents in Singapore, Japan and the United States. Some accidents reportedly happen because the shoes got caught in the gap between the steps at the top, bottom or side (as seen above) of the escalator.

In October this year, a seven-year old boy's toe was accidentally cut in an escalator accident in Taman Jurong Market and Food Centre in Singapore.

Some accidents were fatal. In March this year, a four-year old boy was killed in Sears Department store in Massachusetts, USA. The boy reportedly grabbed the moving handrails, was dragged to the gap in the escalator and fell 18 feet.

Always keep your children safe in the escalator!

NAIA in top 10 most hated airport in the world by CNNgo

2011-11-10T10:31:00.002+08:00

Just when I thought I heard the worst of it, NAIA once again is in the news. This time inCNNgo! So, guess which spot does NAIA occupy this time in The World's 10 MostHated Airports?

Anong petsa na?!?!?!

CNNgo's Jordan Rane says:

"But let’s be clear. The most hated airports in the world arenot the worst airports in the world."

THE NAIA TERMINAL 3| beautiful, expensive and new, yes! but is the structure safe?

World's 10 most hated airports

The smelliest toilets, the longest queues, the rudest staff ... sometimes air rage feels justified By Jordan Rane 9 November, 2011

Ninoy Aquino International, Manila, Philippines

<----Wear a helmet -- the first collapsed ceiling in 2006 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Beleaguered by ground crew strikes, unkempt conditions, soup kitchen-style lines that feed into more lines and an overall sense of futility, NAIA brings the term “Stuck in the 1970s” to a new level.

At Terminal 1 all non-Philippine Airlines remain crammed despite serious overcapacity issues and a new and underused Terminal 3 is occupied by a few minor carriers.

A rash of bad press this year (including a “Worst in the World” ribbon from Sleeping in Airports) was capped by a collapsed ceiling in T1, a paralyzing ground service strike at T2, and the usual charges of tampered luggage, filthy restrooms, seat shortages at gates, re-sealed water bottles sold in retail shops and an Amazing Race-style check-in routine spiked with bureaucracy, broken escalators, lengthy Dot Matrix passenger lists and creative airport departure fees.

for the rank and complete list, click here >>> to find out

5 things to do in Bais and Tanjay, Negros Oriental

2011-11-09T21:38:00.004+08:00

Blades of green stretches to as far as my eyes can see. A sweet smell hangs heavy in the air. On both sides of the road, workers cutting sugarcane form a neat line at the edge of the plantation.

Welcome to Bais the signage reads. I paid Php55.00 to the konduktor mindless of my notes on ancestral houses dotting the landscape and written inside my head.

It's half past three in the afternoon. The dust in the road seems never to settle. For the most part, truck after truck loaded with newly cut sugarcane occupies one lane of the road headed to Central Azucarera de Bais (est. 1918) and Universal Robina Sugar Mills where the sugarcane is processed.

The idyllic countryside of Bais and Tanjay is cut straight from an Amorsolo painting sans the women garbed in traditional Filipino clothing. But don't let the pictures fool you. Bais and Tanjay are emerging cities in Oriental Negros. The bulk of the two cities income are from sugarcane being two of the largest sugarcane producing cities in the province.

During the sugarcane boom in the 1930s, big homes in the hacienda played hosts to lavish parties. At present, bungalows designed in graceful colonial flare grace block after block in Poblacion, Bais. In my previous visit, I've seen the remnants of the cities' rich past through the photos that adorned the walls of La Planta Hotel cafe.

looneyplanet.net brings you 5 things to do in Bais and Tanjay:

one|1 VISIT the quaint chapel near Central Azucarera de Bais. It's quaint, its small and its charming! An ideal venue for intimate weddings. No entrance fees.

two |2 SEE the old dinosaurs across the Azucarera gates. Not the Jurassic kind but the old Baldwin locomotives known as the dean of workhorses during the hacienda heydays. The area needs a major clean-up and renovation though. No entrance fees.

three | 3 EAT budbud Tanjay. Budbud is sticky rice cooked in coconut milk and layered with a swirl of native chocolate. Easily available at the right wing of Tanjay Public Market at Php5.00/piece. Goes well with a slice of mango. Yum!

source

four | 4 HOMESTAY at Hacienda San Julio in Tanjay. The plantation, owned by the Mapa Family, has a small village where the plantation workers live. What a better way to get to know the locals and learn their way of life by staying up close and yes, personal with a local, farming family. International students from Japan, Denmark and Korea are the programs' guests year after year. Two public schools are nearby (an elementary and high school) and there's a Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village as well for those who want to do the extra mile. You may contact Mr. Cidni Mapa: cidnim@gmail.com

five | 5 SEE and SWIM, that is, see the DOLPHINS and swim near the SANDBAR. As early as 6:00am, my group was already in Capinahan wharf where the chartered boat which will take us to Tanon Strait was waiting. The sea that morning was as flat as glass. The sky was spotless. Half an hour later, I was awaken by the commotion in the boat. Everyone got giddy as dolphins began swimming beside the boat! Hanep! contact Bais City Tourism Office at (035) 541.5161 and (035) 541.5001 for boat bookings and rates.

source

By 9:00 am, the boat headed out to the sand bar in Manjuyod. It's a sliver of white sand with four cottages dotting the strip. It's a little version of Maldives sans the five star facility. The boat man dropped anchor, the cook started the barbeque and everyone jumped into the warm, inviting water of Tanon Strait! It's kantilado and the current is strong, so be careful.

source

I barely scratched the surface. There's actually more to discover in Bais and Tanjay.What are your discoveries or recommendations? Do share.

vote now! miss the traffic! plus win P25 Million! vote for PP Underground River!

2011-11-08T11:30:00.001+08:00

On 11-11-11 (Friday this week) or 3 days from now, the final New Seven Wonders of Nature will be determined!

Philippines' pride, Puerto Princesa Underground River, the 8.2 km. navigable underground river is in the running with 27 equally strong contenders! Located 50 kilometers north of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, the river is one of its kind in the world! I've visited the river early this year and I only have superlatives for its natural beauty! Truly, Only In the Philippines!

"A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers."

"At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water's edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave,"--New Seven Wonders of Nature website

Let's show our Filipino pride! Let's support Puerto Princesa Underground River!

Winning in this contest is not only about increased popularity for the Underground River

it translates to a steady increase in tourist arrivals which means...
jobs and more revenues for the locals
and most importantly, a heightened awareness in nature conservation.

Here's the catch: P25 MILLION prize money!

One lucky texter stands to win the biggest prize money in textmessaging with the launching of the “Pera sa Kweba” text raffle promo for thePuerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) in Palawan.

The promo, which runs for 90 days from September 30 to December 28 ofthis year, will give away more than P30 million worth of cash prizes, with thegrand prize set at P25 million and five consolation prizes of one million pesoseach to be drawn on December 30, 2011.

Texters can also win P10,000 in daily draws, P100,000 in bi-weeklydraws, and P250,000 in monthly draws throughout the promo period. All winningnumbers will be drawn electronically.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje said thatthe promo is an initiative of the private sector to promote Puerto PrincesaCity as an important ecotourism destination, particularly the PPUR, which is aUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) WorldHeritage Site.

He added that the promo would educate the public more on the PPUR and“show everyone why it is a deserving finalist in the New Seven Wonders ofNature global competition.”

The text raffle promo is open to all postpaid and prepaid subscribersof Globe, TM, Sun, Smart or Talk N’ Text at P2.50 per SMS. There is no need forregistration.

To vote, simply text PPUR to 2861.
Another option is to log on to the website. Just click this >>>

goin' bananas on the road

2011-11-07T21:59:00.002+08:00

FIRSTPERSON | series brings you silly and hilarious experiences of today's most prolific Filipino travel bloggers.

How many times have you jumped out of your skin just because your little ones suddenly disappeared in the middle of a busy airport or big shopping mall? What about coming to a trip ill-prepared for frigid weather and long hike? But the most common and most hilarious of all time, our experiences with the most ubiquitous of all travel essentials--the camera. These and more in this week's edition of FIRSTPERSON.

Let's get started:

Mine has to be in Hong Kong when I was with the Happy Meal (Eileen’sdaughter). I was taking her photo and when I quickly reviewed the shot for likea second, pagbaba ng camera, she wasgone! We were still at the airport and I couldn't believe I already lost her.This was the beginning of her bulagastage. Nagtago pala sa likod ngluggage. Eileen Campos of www.possiblypinay.com

My first time in Sagada 6 years ago. I didn't know where it was butfriends told me we'll be seeing the Rice Terraces. I didn't research about theplace. I only brought with me sandosand shorts, a couple of shirts, and a cardigan cause it was summer. I woke upfreezing when we were in Banaue na.

So, fine. Keribells na ang lamig. We took a jeep to Batad Saddle Point and Iasked where we were going and sabi nilasa akin we're gonna walk to the village dawng Batad. I thought a few meters lang, so I changed to my Thai Pants whichwas heavy and long and looked like a long skirt. Then, we trekked for 2 frigginhours!!!! We stopped na sa village forbrunch tapos dumeretso agad sa TappiyahFalls... still with my Thai pants on trekking up and down the terracescause I couldn't change kasi mythings were back at Saddle Point and I was only wearing undies inside. It was adaytrip, so the same afternoon we trekked all the way back to Saddle Point. Allthe time, I was dragging the long pair of heavy pants. Haggard!

To make things worse, when wepassed by one of the villages, there were kids following me screaming 'Bakla! Bakla! Bakla!'--Robbie Bautista of www.thetravellingdork.com

Well, this just happened today.First plan was to really check out El Nido pero makakapos talaga kami sa orasat di na makakapag Underground River Tour. I asked advices from Pinoy TravelBloggers and most of them told us na sa Puerto nalang maggala kasi maganda. Didaw dapat ma miss ang UGR and may next time pa naman. Of course excited kami,on the way to UGR, when I turned on our gigicam, biglang may kagimbalgimbal nadisplay sa camera. "NO MEMORY CARD"! !@^$^%$#%i@%#($(@#($(!!!nagturuan pa kami ni sheena kung sino ang may kasalanan kong bakit naiwan angmemory card. We ended up using Sheena's iphone nalang to capture the pix inUGR. Edcel Ceniza of www.thewanderingcouple.com

…yung sakin sa Libingan ng mgaBayani. Naglakad ako ng 4 km. kahit may pera naman akong pang tricycle (feel kolang magtipid). Tapos nung palabas na ako sa libingan, naghanap ako ng shortcutna hindi na dadaan sa main gate kasi tatanungin pa ako nung guard kaya pumasokako sa isang masukal na lagusan and then bigla ako inatake ng mga insect nacolor black.--Ivan Briñas Cultura of ivanlakwatsero.blogspot.com

Ako naman dahil sa sobrangpicture ako ng picture sa sarili ko sa Puerto galera at pinapatong ko lang sabato yung camera ko, humangin ng nalagyan ng buhangin ng lens part ng point andshoot ko, ayaw sumara! nasira si cam, sa kagustuhan kong magawa uli kasididirecho kami ng APO REEF (yun talaga ang highlight ng trip) the next day,bumili ako ng isang set ng screw drivers para lang mabuksan si camera, peromadugo pala yun ang dameng component sa loob! nagtataka ako bakit may kuryenteyung camera, nung malapit kong mabuo (not sure kung nagawa ko nga), nakuryenteuli ako at nabitawan ko sa buhanginan, kaya ayun, syempre give up na ako. walatuloy akong camera nagamit, wala tuloy sunset photo na parang aurora borealisang effect! Darwin Miranda Cayetano of www.trackingtreasure.net

…asking for directions inshanghai: "ni hao! donde esta yuyuan?" foreign language fail!--AJ Poliquit of www.ajpoliquit.wordpress.com

We were a family of six adults and two kids traveling in Macau. Walkingfor some 5 minutes inside Venetian, we missed one kid. Naiwan pala namin at the entrance of the hotel!--Lili Ram of www.marilil.wordpress.com

Noong Davao trip namin lastAugust, bumuntot ako sa night shooting (tama ba term?) ni Jerome Baluyut sacity then went to People's Park. I wanted to capture yung lamp posts so kungano-ano pinagcliclick ko sa settings ng cam to get the shot I wanted. Then, allof a sudden nawala na ang display sa screen! When I tried to take a pic, meronnaman lumalabas. Sabi ko "hala! nasira na!" so from that evening tillnag Samal Island kami ni Ed & Sheena the next day, I was using my gigicamlike a DSLR. nilalagay ko mata ko dun sa viewfinder para mag picture2x! Then,Edcel Ceniza borrowed my cam nung pauwi na kami to see ano ang problem. Ayun!napress ko pala display button. Feeling ko para akong tanga nun. I forgot aboutthat display button! --Doi Domasian of www.thetravellingfeet.com

facelift of NAIA terminal one?

2011-11-07T13:38:00.000+08:00

Who needs botox when one can be reborn in the same lifetime?

First world efficiency meets Filipino warmth and hospitality! This perhaps will be the image of NAIA once the new and improved Terminal One becomes fully operational next year. Terminal One is groomed to be the best boutique airport in the region. It's more than botox, it's like a rebirth of sorts!

I'm looking forward to improved services like incorporating the terminal fee in the ticket so there's no need to line up anymore! Nice.

From send-off to boarding, it appears that everything will be seamless. It also promises better dining choices, more open spaces, tastefully decorated waiting lounges and yes, beautiful and clean restrooms! Plus a changing art exhibit! A showcase of the best of the islands! For budget travelers like me, it's disappointing to hear though that no free sleeping quarters will be provided.

It's barely just a week after Kenneth Cobonpue posted the video on the proposed renovation of NAIA Terminal 1. Now, the proposal gets the nod of the government with a one billion peso budget! Oh, how the government acts swiftly these days! Makes me extremely happy!

Renovation work will begin in January with DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas at the helm.

Good vibes just keep flowing!

the news can be read here >>>

transportation schedule: from Dumaguete to Cebu, Sipalay & elsewhere

2011-11-06T21:45:00.000+08:00

You will find in this post an updated schedule of transportation from Dumaguete to Cebu, Sipalay, Bacolod and elsewhere. But before that, I have here a candid shot of my sleeping (with mouth wide open! and yes, some are even drooling) colleagues during a trip!

this is my own version of sleeper bus :)

All of them got tired from the long bus ride (except me and a student). The bored, silly me, as expected, took out the camera and as I say, the rest is frozen in embarrassing history as seen in the photo above! I know, heads will roll once they found out I posted this photo for the whole world to see. haha

Bus Schedule

CERES BUS (Vallacar Transit)
035 225-9030 and 035 225-6495
Bus Terminal is located a few meters from Robinson’s Place-Dumaguete

Dumaguete-Cebu City
4:10am 1st trip Aircon bus
5:45am Aircon bus
8:25am Aircon bus
10:15am Deluxe
11:20am Aircon bus
12:15noon Aircon bus

Dumaguete-Sipalay
One direct trip 1:00pm

Dumaguete-Bayawan
1:00am 1st trip
Followed by every 50min trip, 9:00pm last trip

Dumaguete-Bacolod via Mabinay
1:00am 1st trip
Followed by every 50 min trip, 10:30pm last trip

Dumaguete-Bacolod via San Carlos
6:00am 1st trip 9:00am
8:00am 10:00am

Fastcraft Schedule

CUADRA ALAS NAVIGATION
035 419-8280 and 09229858234
Sibulan Port to Liloan Port in Santander, Cebu

5:00am- 1st trip
6:00am                 2:00pm
7:00am                 3:00pm
8:00am                 4:00pm
9:00am                 5:00pm
10:00am               5:30pm
12:00noon           6:30pm
1:00pm                 8:00pm-lasttrip

OCEANJET
035-226-1085
Dumaguete-Cebu (via Tagbilaran): daily 7:30am and 3:20pm

Boat and/or Roll-on Roll-off (RO-RO) Schedule
note: as of this writing, Maayo Shipping RORO from Sibulan to Liloan has been operational already. For those who are driving their car or motorcycle from Dumaguete, this means faster way to Cebu from Dumaguete as there's no need to go to Tampi.

GEORGE & PETER LINES (GP) 035-225-2345 and 035 224-4337

Dumaguete to Cebu City: Monday/Saturday/Sunday 11:00pm
Cebu to Dumaguete: Sunday/Monday/Thursday 10:00pm

COKALIONG 035-225-3588

Dumaguete-Cebu: Tuesday-Sunday 12midnight
Cebu-Dumaguete: daily 7:00pm

MAAYO SHIPPING 035-4170280 and 035-4196023

Tampi, Amlan-Bato, Cebu Daily Trip

4:00am 1st trip

5:00am

6:30am                 3:00pm

9:30am                 4:30pm

10:30am               6:00pm

11:30am               7:30pm

12:30noon           9:30pm

1:30pm                 11:30pm

TAN JUAN SHIPPING

Sibulan Port Mainit, Oslob, Cebu

6:30- 1st trip
6:30am

10:30am 9:00am

1:30pm 1:30pm

6:00pm 4:30pm

9:00pm 9:00pm

11:00pm

Philippine passport renewal in shopping malls

2011-10-29T09:48:00.002+08:00

Soon, I can have my favorite Red Ribbon cake and eat it too (pun intended) while processing my passport!

How is that possible? Read on.

GOOD JOB Department of Foreign Affairs!

"The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday announcedthat it will soon start moving its regional consular offices to shopping mallsaround the country in a bid to improve passport services, and save thegovernment millions of pesos as well.

The DFA has entered into Memorandums of Agreement with theGokongwei-owned Robinsons Land Corporation and the Gaisano-owned Pacific MallCorporation for the transfer and hosting of an initial six of the 18 existingDFA regional consular and extension offices and two new regional offices.

“With this move, theDFA is taking a big leap forward as it can now more effectively deliverconsular services to the public in modern, more applicant-friendly settings atvery little cost to the government,” DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario said in astatement.

He said he expects to begin transferring the first of nineregional and extension offices to some of the country’s leading malls that arecovered under Private-Public Partnership arrangements before the end of theyear.

Negotiations are also ongoing with other mall developers forthe transfer and hosting of the remaining regional consular offices as well asthe opening of new passport extension offices in Metro Manila. lifted from inquirer.net

First it was the driver's license (LTO) then NBI clearance followed. Now, it's the passport's turn. Nice.

locked up abroad

2011-10-29T04:46:00.000+08:00

"Everyone is vulnerable. Protect yourself by doing your research and know what the risks are."

One thing I learn from this video (see below) is to never give anyone your passport if you are in a different country!

This brings to mind 3 very important travel tips:

one |1| PHOTOCOPY| always have a photocopy of all your important travel documents like passport, credit card and government-issued IDs (and keep them secure).

two |2| DOUBLE CHECK| if you are offered employment abroad, it is extremely important to verify first if the employment is indeed legitimate.

three |3| THINK ON YOUR FEET| and finally, make decisions quickly if you get yourself in a sticky situation.

I belong to a nation of migrant workers. Every month, many of my countrymen travel abroad for vacation but the bulk, tens of thousands of them, travel abroad for work. There's an alarming figure somewhere regarding those who pass through illegal channels. I know for a fact that there are many crocodiles lurking in the immigration counter at NAIA Terminal 1 waiting for Filipino au pair bound for Denmark, Norway or Sweden to fall prey and shell out Php10,000 or even more as bribe money even if these au pair have complete documents. These immigration personnel operate by scaring these innocent Filipino workers!

While many found gainful employment through direct hires as Information and Communication Technology workers in Singapore, domestic helpers in Hongkong and the Middle East, TESOL teachers in Thailand, China, Vietnam and Laos, a few of them end up, sadly, in dead-end sweat shops as cheap labor or worse, forced as commercial sex workers.

Watch this 24-minute video Enslaved: an MTV EXIT special.

Human trafficking knows no social boundaries. True. So, it's very important to be well-informed.

ENSLAVED: An MTV EXIT Special Hosted by Jared Leto from Thirty Seconds to Mars (Official Online Premiere) from MTV EXIT on Vimeo.

We all have responsibility to end human trafficking. Learn more what you can do by visiting MTVexit.org.

a new and better NAIA Terminal 1, please.

2011-10-27T17:12:00.002+08:00

off-topic: look at this amazing Cobonpue furniture!

Every Filipino traveler I know has been clamoring for a better international airport. In fact, any good news, even though if they are just proposals are received with much anticipation. Take for example the transfer of NAIA to Clark. But before that happens, we know that a fast and efficient railway system must complement the development like what is done in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Hongkong and Shanghai. That takes time and billions of funds.

International airports, you and I both know, are the best introduction to a country. With the present state of NAIA terminal 1, it sure does say a lot about the Philippines--lagging, inefficient and littered with crooks. Such a big wall to tear down.

But its never too late. Never lose hope. As Mr. Bill Luz, proponent of the NAIA T1 renovation and chairman of the National Competitiveness Council said If this relatively simple mission cannot be carried out, there is little reason to believe that people will be convinced that much more complex tasks can be carried out.

With the resilience and warm hospitality of the Filipinos, I can't wait to see the day when the NAIA Terminal 1 I know becomes the best boutique airport in the region. But before I get ahead of myself, I keep my fingers crossed the proposal gets the nod from the government.

Here is the statement from Mr. Luz:

Airports and Competitiveness: Fixing NAIA
by Bill Luz | Chairman of the National Competitiveness Council

The National Competitiveness Council was formed last October 2006 as aPublic-Private Task Force on Philippine Competitiveness by virtue ofPresidential Executive Order No. 571, to address the improvement of thecountry’s competitiveness from the bottom third of competitiveness rankings tothe top third by 2016. The council is co-chaired by Trade and IndustrySecretary Gregory L. Domingo for the public sector and Mr. Guillermo M. Luz forthe private sector.

Sometime in early April, we convened the first meeting of a team led byManila International Airport Authority General Manager (Gen.) Angelo Honrado,NAIA Terminal Manager Dante Basanta together with architects and designersBudji Layug, Royal Pineda, and Kenneth Cobonpue. Before we started the actualdesign process, we studied the situation in the entire Manila InternationalAirport Authority.

MIAA is actually composed of four terminals : NAIA, Terminal 2 or Centennial,Terminal 3, and the Domestic Airport. NAIA was designed by Leandro Locsin(later named a National Artist). Its construction was started in 1978 and thefacility was completed in 1981. At 67,000 square meters, it was originallydesigned to handle 4.5 million passengers per year. It reached its capacity in1991 (yes, 20 years ago) and with some improvements and additions, its capacitywas extended to 6.0 million passengers per year. NAIA handled 7.3 millionpassengers in 2010. It presently services about 30 international airlines.

Terminal 2 services Philippine Airlines – both domestic andinternational operations – although it was originally designed as a domesticairport. It was designed to serve 7.5 million passengers a year but handledabout 8.9 million in 2010.

Terminal 3 handles mainly Cebu Pacific – both domestic andinternational – although that terminal was originally designed as aninternational airport. It also handles one international carrier (ANA) as wellas some flights of AirPhilippines Express and Philippine Airlines. Although itcontinues to be mired in a long-running legal battle and has never been fullyopened as the international airport, last year Terminal 3 already handled 9.5million passengers. It was designed to handle 14 million passengers per year.

The Old Domestic Airport handles small carriers servicing domesticroutes too small to be handled by some of the larger carriers. It has acapacity of 3 million passengers per year and handled 1.4 million last year.
Out of a total capacity for the MIAA system of 31 million passengersper year, those four terminals already service 27.1 million people and shouldreach capacity in the next year or two, with NAIA 1 and 2 highly congested.

Those numbers led us to a number of conclusions. First, all fourterminals of MIAA need to remain in operation for many more years. Even ifTerminal 3 were opened, there is no way one can shift all the capacity fromNAIA to Terminal 3 and shut down NAIA. Second, even if Clark were opened, itseems inconceivable that all traffic could be diverted there even assuming thata high-speed rail link could be established between Metro Manila and Clark. Atthe very least, it would take years to complete so fixing NAIA and gettingTerminal 3 fully open makes so much sense now. The needs are immediate. Withthat in mind, the team set out to create a renovation design for NAIA inconjunction with the airport’s own engineers and architects.

In designing the changes, the basic mission was to transform NAIA intoa “boutique” airport in comparison to the region’s larger internationalairports and improve the passenger’s travel experience to and from thePhilippines in terms of service, comfort, and facilities. The whole idea was tocreate a new “Modern Filipino” gateway to the Philippines to welcome and sendoff visitors. Rather than try to compete on size, the concept was to compete onservice and customer experience. No thought was entertained to change thestructure of the building or to expand its present size since maintaining andnot affecting the structural integrity of the building was of paramountimportance. The solution was to clear some design structures and for theairport to streamline some steps which passengers have to undergo. While thisdoes not add any space to the overall structure, it serves to smoothen out theflow of people movement within the terminal.

While the oft-quoted problem of bathrooms is being addressed – they arebeing renovated in batches – one other problem often cited by passengers is thelack of food outlets and restaurants. This can be easily addressed byrationalizing the mix of restaurants and shops throughout the terminal. As itis, neither shops nor restaurants are up to par with those seen in otherinternational airports in the region. Even duty free shops are being asked foran upgrade by their own merchants in order to bring them up to internationalstandards. While that is going on, it makes even more sense for NAIA to undergoits own makeover so that its own upgraded facilities match that of the duty freeshops. There are many other problems at NAIA but the main point is that it ispossible to fix these problems and create the improvements if a decision wereto be made now.

The problems are not limited to the inside of the terminal. One of theworst problems lies right outside. When one exits the terminal, those not beingpicked up by a hotel car – which is the vast majority of passengers – have towork their way down a steep ramp to the Arrival Extension level to be picked bytheir cars or to be met by people outside in the parking lot. For most peoplewalking down that ramp, the experience is more like being dragged down by yourown luggage. That first step outside the terminal for a first-time visitor tothe Philippines can be a rude introduction to the country.

For the greeters outside, the experience is not much better. Anopen-air parking lot blocked off by a fence from the arrival extension areakeeps crowds away – and either sweltering in the heat or soaked by rain.Considering that such greeters travel great distances and wait for long to meetpeople at the airport, it makes sense todesign a better area with stores, restaurants, and shade and seating areas sopeople can be comfortable. Again, this is possible since the space is availableto begin with. Such space can be useful for greeters and commerciallysuccessful at the same time so it pays its way.

Much of the design work has already been carried out by a great teamand the engineers and architects of NAIA have done much of the technical work.I believe there is no time to waste in getting this job done. If thisrelatively simple mission cannot be carried out, there is little reason tobelieve that people will be convinced that much more complex tasks can becarried out.

LAKBAY NORTE 3 BLOGGER CONTEST, give it a shot!

2011-10-27T16:31:00.000+08:00

Does 9 days on the road in a bus packed with a motley crew appeal to you?

Come, join a busload of interesting people for a tour around North of the Philippines! The best part if you may ask--it's going to be an all-expenses paid trip! Insanely interesting. Yea!

Now on its 3rd edition, Lakbay Norte is a 9-day media tour around North Luzon in key places like Subic Bay and Baguio to as far as Ilocos Norte and Cagayan Province.

Before you go hysterical, let me tell you that this is a contest and the organizers are looking for not just one or two but six talented and lucky bloggers to join the Lakbay Norte 3: Outdoor Adventures of the North. And before you go loco, let me tell you also that the winning bloggers will enjoy complimentary meals, lodgings and activities included in the itinerary. Personal expenses are not included and winners who reside outside Manila will have to cough up some cash to haul themselves to Manila. Now, go and hyperventilate.

So, if you are 18 year-old and above, a resident of the Philippines with a one-year old blog (at least) and have not participated in any Lakbay Norte tours in the past, you might be the chosen one North Philippines Visitors Bureau has been looking for.

How to Join

Download application form and fill out information
Post an article on your blog regarding Lakbay Norte 3Blogger Contest
Send application form and screenshot of google analytics toinfo@northphilippines.org on or before ~~Oct 31, 2011~~ November 20, 2011 11:59 (GMT +8) with the subject "My Official Entry to Lakbay Norte 3 Blogger Contest."

Contest Proper
20 Finalists will be selected on Nov 5, 2011 from allapplicants and each will make a 500-article on “Why I want to Join Lakbay Norte3″ to be submitted on or before Nov 14,2011.

NPVB will post each article as a facebook note on the NorthPhilippines facebook page. From Nov 16 to Dec 18, 2011, finalists can promotetheir note to receive likes.

Winners
6 Bloggers will be chosen to join Lakbay Norte 3 and will be announcedon Dec 23, 2011
2 with the most number of facebook likes on their Lakbay Norte entries.
2 with the best blog content
2 as chosen by NPVB’s Sponsors

Summary of Competition Dates:
Application Period:Oct 7-Oct 31
Pre-Selection: starts as soon as entries come in until Nov 4
Notification of Finalists – Nov 5
Article Preparation – Nov 6-14
Uploading of Entries in Facebook – Nov 15
Contest Period: Nov 16 – Dec 18
Judging Period: Dec 19 – Dec 21
Winners Informed: Dec 23
Lakbay Norte 3: Jan 22-30

* Read the complete mechanics by clicking this link >>>

Remember, closing date is ~~October 31, 2011~~ is November 20, 2011. Good luck to us!

This google analytics thing is rocket science to me! Thanks for revision of the game!