To tell you the truth, I am not a sporty guy. I do not know how to play basketball, I am bad with badminton, I run short distances and get easily exhausted. The only sport that I really do is swim (yet I can’t do laps consecutively) and soccer (still not good with it but I enjoy it). To cut it short I am not some one that you could call fit at all. Continue Reading
The Hidden Gems Of Midanao
A lot of us, when the word Mindanao is heard, would immediately associate it with “Danger” but what we don’t know is that aside from the famous tourist spots and places that are starting to get popular there are other things and places that Mindanao is treasuring from the eyes of the public.
Here are some of the activities and places that you may think wouldn’t exist or isn’t available in Mindanao.
1. Chasing Waterfalls In Bukidnon
If adventure runs through your vein read about Journeying Pinay’s wonderful adventure in Bukidnon exploring waterfalls hidden like a gem!
See more here: www.JourneyingPinay.com
2. Hanging Coffins of Sarangani
Yep, you read that right! This one is not up north just like how we know it. Here Nik discovers the beliefs of our tribal countrymen on why they hang the coffins their dearly departed.
See full story here: PinoyOnTheRoad.com
3. Sohoton Caves
As previously featured on a travel magazine Kara shares with us the secrets of Bucas Grande Islands.
See her adventure here: traveling-up.com
I know that right now its just a handful of places but I will be updating this post every now and then for the latest discoveries.
Special thanks to those who contributed to his article.
Manila Bay Sunset Cruise
Manila Bay offers a spectacular world renowned show every single day that we all call sunset. Wouldn’t it be nice to look at that dinner and the beautiful Manila skyline while you comfortably cruise on the bay with music on your background? Sounds lie a good plot for a romantic movie ey!? But no, this is for real…. Here’s a short video of our Sunset Cruise after our Adventour Challenge in Corregidor.
When Travel Comes Unexpectedly
I have been traveling for quite sometime now, I always plan my trips -at least I try to 🙂 – months before my departure. I do have lots of friends who love to travel, the truth is they are a lot more often on the road than I am specially now that I have a full time job to attend to…. on the side… hahaha! But being in these circles of friends makes me go to a lot of places…. UNPLANNED!!! See the problem there is that I am not that rich to go on spontaneous trips, so there I was thinking of ways on how I could easily join them, then… suddenly…. it just crossed my mind! Alas! Taking out unsecured loans are pretty easy now-a-days!
Aside from the fact that airlines today offer really affordable airfares to different destinations here and abroad having access to such loans that can be approved as fast as two minutes! imagine that! I am just glad that having access to these are so easy today.
So there got one road block cleared but then again comes another one, leave credits! I have just started with the company that I am with but I think that I am lucky enough that I started earning leave credits the day that I signed up to be part of them, isn’t that great!? Now I just have to be a little bit more charming to get my boss’s approval. 😉
These unplanned trips also thought me skills such as flash packing 🙂 hahaha…. yeah that can be considered as a talent, tell me how many people do you know who can pack his luggage in under a half an hour for a five day trip! Hahaha… I guess one of the secrets there is packing denims that you can use for more than a day and the oh so classic plain white or colored shirts, with these you’ll be a fashionable traveler without looking redundant on the duration of your trip.
Traveling specially with friends can be a lot of fun but unplanned trips that are hard to say no to can be a real challenge when it comes to making things work with regards to financial and professional reasons not to mention other commitments that you have to move to clear up your schedule. But after all these challenges I know that it would be all worth it as you make unforgettable memories with your friends which is the most important part.
Philippine Festivals: Aliwan Festival 2013
The Aliwan Festival held every April featuring different festivals found in the country. Any photographer, culture enthusiast or even tourists for that matter would surely enjoy feasting their eyes with colorful costumes and exotic dances.
I like traveling alone and even though this is just about an hour and a half away from home I choose to see this event alone most of the time. But this year my new found friends who are photography enthusiasts as well met up and shoot the event together.
The photographer’s booth in front of the Quirino Grand Stand was already crowded I arrived and my companions are now where to be found in that area. I texted one of them and after a while I was able to locate them, I took some photos of the participants and when I got back to where they are, I lost them again! It took a little more patience as they are very young people with all that energy while I am of the ageing generation. Hahaha… do I really feel that old? hahaha!
We held our territory in front of the US Embassy just before the foot bridge and while waiting we had to entertain our selves… or maybe we tried to get to know each other would be a better description hahahaha. People were walking towards every direction that you can imagine then something caught the eyes of one of my companions Axl, a cute dog! hahaha! but hey tell me isn’t the dog really cute? He wanted to get a picture of the dog but, I think, he was a bit shy to try to catch up with the running itsy bitsy dog. I too wanted to have a picture, not of , but with the dog! I asked the generosity of Axl to take my photo and as I was looking at the dog he suddenly licked my face almost touching my mouth! hahaha! he must have really liked me! hahaha! Axl captured the event really well with these series of action photos.
The parade came around past three in the afternoon and we were racing time to get decent photos because light was running out! The street dancers came in garbed in full royal and colorful costumes (well at least for the first few contingents) and off we shoot! I got some decent shots but this is what I have learned from this experience If you can shoot in the official or a regulated place the better. Why? Because I got to take many good photographs, at least I thought they were until I realize that there are other photographers in the photo! If I have taken the photographs in the photographers booth I would have saved a lot of my wasted clicks because I get to see the full production of the contingents and there are no unwanted people in the background or any where else in the photo!
More photos from the festival HERE
It was dark already and the rest of the groups aren’t dancing anymore they were just running towards the next location to catch up with the rest of the parade. There wasn’t any photograph that I could take anymore much like the ones I did earlier so I just rested my camera inside my bag.
The only girl, Joy’s friend from Poland asked for our group to grab dinner at the Shawarma Center in nearby Malate district. Diner was great specially the conversations that we shared with each other are amazing talking about the travels we made where I learned that they too are couchsurfers!
Festivals are great specially if you meet people and make new friends. Surely I would do my best in seeing my next festival!
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Check out the blogs of the new friends I’ve made during this trip.
Bryan Benida – www.bryanbenida.tumblr.com
Axl Guinto – www.axlppi.blogspot.com
The Brownman Hits TV Primetime On GMA’s Good News
I thought someday I’d be seen on TV and maybe get my 15 minutes of fame, little did I know that I would cross this one out from my bucket list that soon! Thanks to pusangkalye.net for giving me this opportunity. The researcher of the showf texted me asking if I could tag along and explore Mt. Romelo, obviously I said yes.
I don’t know why I didn’t feel excited or flustered which I think I should have! I mean I am gonna be on national TV that should be something! Maybe it was because I don’t want to believe until I am really there and shooting for the part.
Call time was 2AM, I live at the northern most part of the metro and by 12 midnight its a bit of a gamble in getting transportation out to the city as trips are more scarce by this time. I arrived at the GMA Netwrok center around 1:20 AM and waited for the rest of the guys on a nearby convenience store.
breakfast at Trois restaurant in Siniloan, lagunaWith me was a fellow travel blogger, Jean of theeagertraveller.com and a crew of three with the segment producer. The shoot lasted the whole day documenting our ascent, exploration of the falls and a little interview. It was so tiring explorign the four falls that same day (a two day exploration is ideal) but of course it was superfun!
with Mariel (SP) and Miah (Researcher)I would definitely go back to Mt. Romelo and explore the falls a bit longer, maybe enough time on each falls to gather courage to jump from a high point. I’d also like to see Sebakon Falls and share it to the world through photographs.
This whole experience is really wonderful, who knows maybe next time i’d have my own segment or even better, a travel show! 😉
Our Good News segment airs on Sunday April 28, 2013 on GMA News TV Channel 11.
Update: Here’s the video for those who weren’t able to see the episode. Enjoy and thanks!
Security Tips When Traveling Alone
They say there is safety in numbers, specially when you are travelling as a group. But then again safety is relative to whatever situation, location and some other factor it is always a variable when traveling. So I came up with some things that I’ve learned in the past when I started traveling solo.
1. Do not put your money and/or cards in one place.
You can never be too complacent whenever traveling so it would be wise to distribute your money in small amounts if possible throughout your clothes, laugages, bags or just about anywhere you can. so if you lose your bag or wallet you don’t lose all of your finances. I learned it the hard way when I went on a solo trip to a first world country where my wallet was pick pocketed. So even if you live in a third world country like me never think that it would be better in advance countries, I tell you it could even be much worse.
2. Use the social media
Let people know where you are or where you are going, maybe post your taxi cab’s plate if the driver looks suspicious. Forget about other people thinking that you are just bragging about your travel, just post your status so people who care about you would know that you are okay and in any case something unexpected happens they would know where to look for you.
3. Don’ trust strangers easily
Remember the movie Taken? But it doesn’t mean though that you should be paranoid either, just make sure that you would not put your self in a situation where the possibility of something “bad” happening to you, because you are with a person you barely know in a place no one can hear you and no one knows your their. In other words make sure you use your head in making decisions. As travelers we do have that certain instinct, we know who the real travelers are so use this gift along with your head. 😉
4. Research about scams and common crimes to tourists on where you are going.
All cities have a dark side you should know whether what are the changers lurking so you would be cautious. I learned about this in a show on cable TV while I was stuck in hospital bed. It really wouldn’t hurt if you research a bit about these kinds of scams specially those intended for tourists as it would save you a lot of money and most specially keep you out of danger.
5. This last tip is specially for solo lady travelers. Don’t tell strangers that you are alone.
I would have to give credit for this last tip from Gael of The Pinay Solo Backpacker and yes I am sharing this to you because it makes a lot of sense, this way they would think twice in scamming you or doing something bad to you as they know that you reinforcements!
These are quite simple precautionary measures that you can use whenever travelling alone specially when in an unfamiliar place. The best advise that I could give you would still be always use your common sense you would know your self if something isn’t right anymore in a situation.
If you have any other advise or travel security tips or if this article has been helpful please do leave a comment below and don’t forget to like us on facebook!
Ifugao: Meeting The Beutiful People Of The Mountains
There was a time that I thought of going on a trip without bringing my camera with and just enjoy the whole trip. I mean sometimes taking photos kills the fun (well at least for me being an O.C. with taking photos). But on November 2012 that happened only on a trip that I didn’t want it to. But nothing stopped me, so here I come Ifugao!
One of the very reasons why I haven’t been to the mountains up north of Manila was because of my lacking of decent a camera. I told my self that if I were to go there I want to make sure that I have a good camera to capture the beauty of the mountains. But no, due to unforeseen events I didn’t have my camera with me throughout those three epic days in the province of Ifugao.
The opportunity came when a fellow traveler invited us to be part of a gift giving project where the Ifugao province is on the works. Without skipping a heart beat I said yes and made sure that I will participate. The project was still several months away but I was so excited and I kept thinking of the possible photos that I could take. But no the day came and my camera was not with me. Bummer! I was really so frustrated but still I couldn’t pass up the opportunity seeing the mountains.
Children of Tulaed elementary school looking at their gift bags across their community chapelWe took a sleeper bus to Isabela where we will be picked up by a staff of the province’s board member’s staff . I’ve always wondered how it feels like to get on a bus and just lie down and sleep so I was really eager to get on the bus. Total travel time from Manila is about 12 hours and the sleeper bus provides generous space for travelers to sleep, duh!!! Sleeper bus nga eh! (that’s why you call it sleeper bus!). But I guess sleeper buses aren’t the thing for me, I barely slept during the 12 hour journey surviving with short periods of naps all throught. Sanay siguro ako sa pangmahirap na bus lang hahahaha! (maybe I am just meant to ride regular buses only).
Morning had just broken when we arrived in Isabela, the bus crew unloaded the gifts we had for the kids. While waiting for the jeep that would pick us up, I along with Joanna of The Backpack Chronicles and Mich of Chasing Philippines explored the city in search of plastic bags where we could put in the gifts that burst out of their containers while on transit.
Mich, Me, Journeying Pinay and MiguelAs soon as the jeepney picked us up we proceeded to board member Bongtiwon’s relative’s house in Alfonso Lista, Ifugao. There we packed gift bags for the children of Kiling and Caragasan Elementary school in Alfonso Lista, Ifugao. On the way to the school we can’t help but admire the beautiful rolling hills of Alfonso Lista that reminded us of two things the soap opera “Pangako Sa’yo” and the beautiful Batanes. As soon as we reached the school we started the a mini program to educated and remind the children about their province’s treasure, the rice terraces, and that they should take care of it and nurture it.
On the way back to our packing site the sun was quite low already and it was our only destination for the day so we decided to kick back a little of our time and took photos of the beautiful hills.
The rolling hills of Alfonso Lista Sunset in Alfonso ListaTo tell you the truth with each and every school that we visit, it becomes harder and harded to leave for the next one as kids on each school are so adorable with their big wide eyes staring at you. Oh my, I tell you if kidnapping wasn’t a crime I could have swear to bring a kid back home with me.
Kids of Kiling elementary school Mr. Bongtiwon giving a message to the kids of Caragasan elementary schoolThe next day we headed to Banaue as the next few schools that we are next to visit are within the Banaue area but before pushing through we stopped by the town center to replenish our supplies. While roaming around the town market I saw three foreign looking guys that looked lost in the “Tourist Information Center” (which turned out to be a privated business and not a government center). I dared Journeying Pinay to talk to the foreigners and tag them along with us, now you should be careful daring people, I was not that serious about tagging them along as it would mean major “Nose Bleeding” but yep Journeying Pinay took the dare and voila! Instant Volunteers! hahaha!
It was dark already wehn we got back in Banaue so we decided to spend the night over at the board member’s staff’s house, Maureen. The house was really spacious which was perfect for packing the gifts we have for the kids of Ifugao the following day. But of course we needed to recharge first so we can pack the remaining gifts, we went off to eat dinner at the Las Vegas restaurant where the owner was so accommodating even singing out some songs for us alternately with his sons. Of course we didn’t just sat, clapped and listened to them we joined the fun of course! hahaha! I and Mich played the bongos that she just bought while every body else sang along. It was really a fun night.
Jaming with Jerome at Las Vegas restaurantOur Itinerary for that day was to go to the Hapao and Baang elementary schools in Hungduan, Ifugao. There we were welcomed with so much warmth by the people of Hapao elementary school with their cute and lovely preschool kids doing some presentations. Oh… If we didn’t need to go our next destination we would have cuddled more of the adorable kids of Hapao.
Kids of Hapao elementary school giving a special numberNext up was Baang elementary school. To reach Baang we trekked the 2,000 year old terraces of Hungduan which is also inscribed in the UNESCO World heritage sites. Upon reaching the school we watched a short presentation again by the kids but this time it instead of being crushed by the cuteness of the kids, I had goosebumps! The grade 6 pupils sang a part of the Hud hud which is a part of the Intangible Heritage List of the Unesco, one of the few remaining in the world. The kids sat on small stools and on the floor then the lead started. Their voices suddenly commanded silence throughout the room without a word order, it was just felt. They sang enchantingly embracing the whole room with their mysterious chant. It was so magical for me I almost cried. I love the Ifugao culture as it is one of the few remaining authentic cultures of the Philippines and even though I am not an Ifugao I wouldn’t mind being called or associated as one, in fact, it would be an Honor.
Preschool kids of Baang elementary school Grade schoolers singing a HudhudLunch that was prepared for us by the teachers of Baang was so special. The rice and vegetables were all harvested from their terraces, all products of their world class organic farming. They also prepared chicken Adobo which was so tasty as it was also a product of their organic farming not to mention that the chickens were native to the area.
Lunch time!After lunch and giving out all of the gifts that we had for the children we again went back to our base, Banaue. There we prepared our selves for our journey to the most beautiful of all UNESCO inscribed terraces (at least for me) The Batad Rice Terraces! Pagad the best driver there is in Ifugao (He drives as if the road is not rough!) made sure that our top loading experience was great! The scenery going to Batad also didn’t failed us. We were all exclaiming terraces overload! Mountains overload! We were all enjoying it!
We arrived that afternoon at the saddle point and our new found Polish friends. They asked us how long would it take to get to the center of Batad, we told them about three to four hours and they replied No! the book says just one to two hours. Well I guess they are right, for their race at least who are blessed with long legs. As for me and Journeying Pinay it took us more than four almost five hours as we took our time walking.
Me, Joanna and Journeying Pinay still on the trail to Batad at nightfallDarkness as fallen already all over Batad when the two of us arrived. As she and I jokingly discuss, the good thing about trekking in the dark in Batad is that its more challenging, all you have is just a step away from the ravines and cliffs. But yeah I guess I like trekking to Batad as night falls when I arrive as the darkness becomes the curtain that covers the beauty of the terraces that will be uncovered as the sun rises in the morning.
We didn’t had a full day in Batad but our stay was well spent, we trekked the rice terraces early in the morning. We took yet another unconventional way of getting to where we are going, we used the trail of the woodsmen. Well it’s not a popular trail as I my self can’t even say that there is one, we took this because we got lost, yep no choice there. I call it the Woodsmen Trail because when we asked if the trail that we are follow is the way to our next stop the locals told us that we can get there but the trail that we are on is the one that people use going down the mountains upon collecting wood for fire.
Traversing the “woodsmen trail”Our next destination is the Tappia Falls, though a bit difficult our trek to the falls was all worth it as we emerge from the jungles into the terraces they Payao. The Batad terraces are formed like an amphitheater that spreads for kilometers. I just don’t have the right words to describe the Batad terraces it is just so awe inspiring. The Batad terraces also faced challenges as many of the people specially the younger generation (this does not just mean those who graduated but also those who are around their late thirties and up) as they move into the bigger cities of Baguio and Manila leaving the Payaos un-tilled and deteriorating. But thanks to a new generation of youth who are waking up from cultural slumber and have taken initiative to rebuild the ruined parts of Batad to its former glory.
Behind the mountains of the terraces lies paradise, the Tappia Falls. This is my first ever falls experience and I am glad that it was in Batad. The water was so clean at that time, it was green because it hasn’t rained that hard for a while back then but still the water flowing from the top was so strong! The water felt so good as it refreshed our bodies from the hot weather that day.
Mich, me and Miguel enjoying the chilly water of Tappia fallsBy twelve noon we decided to trekked back to Ramon’s home stay, our home in Batad, where you get to live inside authentic Ifugao houses that would keep you warm throughout the cold night. I do highly recommend staying at Ramon’s Home stay to complete your stay your experience not just because you get to sleep in authentic houses but also you get to interact with Ulysis, mang Ramon’s nephew and you can ask him about various things you want to know about the Ifugao culture. They also have a mini museum housed inside a century old Ifugao house that has been passed to them through generations.
We ate lunch and headed back to the saddle point. The trek back was of course much more difficult than going to center as it is now uphill, thus the numerous stops. Darn! I’m loving the trek back because it wasn’t as hard as my first mountain experience in Zambales. The temperature wasn’t that cool so I was really burning a lot of my oh so precious fats! hahaha!
Stop # uhmmmm….. too many to mention! hahahaAnyway the trek back with our new found polish friends was really fun as we chat our way back to the saddle point. Everything was turning out great until we found out what we were riding back to Banaue. It was horribly disappointing when we saw a truck and the “other” coordinator of our project wanted us to ride in. But don’t get me wrong! I am not that picky when it comes to transportation but what’s horrifying is the smell of the truck! It smelled like animal waste was loaded prior to us that even the locals can’t be comfortable enough at the back of the truck. So we opted to stay and stick together.
Stranded giver-backpackersThank God as there was another Jeep that would be going back to the town proper and we had to rent it privately. I wouldn’t go on to the details of what other things happened but of course I would like to thank Mr. Clemente Bongtiwon for taking good care of us and helping us in getting around Ifugao to distribute the gifts for the kids, Paggad for masterfully navigating the roads of Ifugao and Maureen for letting us into your home.
Special Thanks to Journeying Pinay for letting me tag along and experience how it is to travel with a purpose, this trip truly is one of my most memorable ones that not even another trip to the very same places would ever replace my memories of this trip.
All is done and we are back in Manila and it has been months since the experience and if I was asked would I do it all over again I would say yes without skipping a heartbeat. Nope this post wont have smaller versions just like my Cebu and Taiwan series because this wasn’t about the sights but this is about the people. Maybe next time when I get the chance to bring my own camera with me.
Don’t forget about your culture and heritage.
Notes: Most photos are lifted from Byaheng Palos, Journeying Pinay, Chasing Philippines and The Backpack Chronicles For more photos please click HERE Please leave a comment to show your support for the next gift giving God bless, Ian the brownmanSubic Zambales: Memories I Wouldn’t Leave Behind
People come and go in our lives, things change and for me I learned that the hard way. But no matter how traumatic my experience may be, there is a memory that I would never would want to lose.
There was a time when I got so stressed with work spending about 12 or more hours in the office each day. I was about to give up but back then I had somebody who supported me and listened to my whims and complaints about work. She was amazing. I wanted to unwind and relax, I didn’t want a vacation I just wanted to feel again the I am alive and not a robot.
I couldn’t really remember the name of the inn until I diligently searched for it on the internet. The name didn’t had that recall power but the experience had.
We stayed at the second floor with a veranda where you can see the bay, the room was not that big but it was really clean and a nice. The floor was beautifully on vinyl that looked as if it was parquet, the walls were painted white along with the white curtains that cover the floor to ceiling glass sliding doors while the air-conditioning worked perfectly. The veranda had small table and chairs that made my stay perfect.
We found the inn by accident because the first hotel that we wanted was full that day so we walked a bit more and found this unassuming place with just a small signage. The overall feel of the place was more of an apartment rather than a hotel as it give you the privacy that you need in your own little space.
All day long I just stayed at the veranda watch the waves in silence. She just held on my arms so tight. It was perfect. All I needed was her, the sea and sky.
Touching the water didn’t even cross my mind until she asked for us to walk along the shore that afternoon.
I guess sometimes we don’t need vacations or even go far, sometimes all we need is experience peace, love and nature.
Note: Photos used on this post was lifted from the google plus site of seascape inn found HERETaal Batangas And The Day I Broke Out Of My Shell
Barely knowing anyone among the group of travel bloggers that I met online I found my self being more adventurous than I have ever been in my life, I said yes to a trip with someone I have been with for just a few hours. Before the reason why I started traveling solo occurred, It would take me weeks if not months before I even eat lunch with them.
I was trying to change my self and be more outgoing, that was my chance to make it happen though there was a feeling of some kind of a safety net that would prevent me feeling cornered in carrying a oh so meaningful conversation because there were other people coming with us.
The day of the trip came, we all agreed to just meet up at Villa Tortuga in Taal Batangas where we will be based for the next two days as we experience the first ever EL PASUBAT Festival while exploring the heritage rich town of Taal Batangas.
Night has almost covered the town but I was still navigating the roads of Taal, thanks to the tricycle driver who did not knew where the Mansion is. Well it wasn’t easy, see Taal has more than a handful of antique Andalucian type houses and I mean they have a lot! So figuring out which one was the right mansion wasn’t easy at least for me (come to think about it the driver might have played on me to get some extra payment).
Finally, after finding the mansion which we were just passing by all those time. As soon as I got settled in our room I learned that there was just two of us who confirmed are confirmed. There goes panic. Again I am a socially awkward person, so guess how was I feeling and what was going on in my head when I learned that!
The horror running inside my head stopped when I at last met my other companion that Joel invited, AJ of the Transcendental Tourist. At least now there is somebody who will save the day if ever Joel gets bored with my stories.We went that night to the town plaza to watch the show and see some of the activities.
We also visited a local and stuffed my self up again as I was told ordered to eat even if I was oh so full already as it was deemed rude not to! After eating again and touring the property owner’s ancestral house while chatting we proceeded to visit yet another ancestral house this time of a famous clan from Batangas the Alcasids. The house is beautifully preserved and merged with new architecture that it will not bother you at all. After touring the houses we then back to our base to rest for tomorrow’s festivities.
Our itinerary was full the following day so we started our early. That morning we watched the first ever parade of the EL PASUBAT Festival. It wasn’t really that fabulous and all but I would say that it was beautiful with the gorgeous ladies and the cute children dancing to the theme of the festival, it was actually better than I expected as it was the first time that they were doing it.
Lunch was served back at Villa Tortuga hosted by none other than the man behind Villa Tortuga who is also active in reviving the houses of Taal, Mr. Lito Perez. We feasted on sumptuous Filipino cuisine that was carefully crafted by the kitchen of Villa Torutuga. My personal favorite was the Sinaing Na Tawilis placed in a cup of tomato but everything was so delicious we were so full after lunch.
The festival also has an event they call Visita De Las Casas where each house that participates presents their abodes at its best, for Villa Tortuga Lito had decided to present a mini live re-enactment of how they lived during the Spanish times. After the judges had left the house we continued role playing while taking photographs of us wearing period costumes. It was really fun and quite magical to step back in time even just for a moment.
Like I said there are a lot of heritage houses in Taal, Batangas and as much as we love playing around with the costumes we also didn’t want to miss the presentations of the other houses in around Taal. The whole Visita De Las Casas experience was lots of fun and educational as a lot of the houses are quite historical there’s just so much that you can learn while walking through their corridors.
Taal’s history is not found just in the town it self. Taal, a couple of hundred years ago was situated just right beside the lake that was named after it. The town was originally founded on the shores of the lake but a violent eruption of the Taal Volcano forced the town to moved from one spot to another after it almost wiped out the whole town. Now, this part of Batangas is called San Nicolas who was named after their patron saint and town of Taal has relocated to the other side of the hills facing Balayan Bay.
In fact ruins of the first church that was built can still be found near the lake and if you come up really close to the walls and observe you’ll see what they mean about coral stones, I even saw chucks of whole corals stuck within the walls without even reshaping it.
Since the lake was just a stone’s throw away from the church we decided to look at it and view the the majestic Taal Volcano from another angle. The Sun was nice and low so we had some fun taking silhouettes which turned out really nice.
Awesome as it was we still had two more stop so we moved on with our journey. Next up was the Church of Our Lady Of Casasay, unfortunately the church was closed when we arrived I guess that gives me a reason to come back to Taal. second to the last stop on our itinerary our last stop was a Camera Museum right at the heart of Taal.
We were so lucky to have been toured by the owner of the collection it self. The Museum showcases cameras that exhibits how the camera obscura works, yes they have cameras as old as the 1800’s and they are all working! For a photography enthusiast like me it was like camera haven, I was like floating on air and my smile can’t be taken off my face while we were being toured around. I say this is a must visit for any photography fan out there, this could be reason alone for us!
Your visit to Taal Batangas wouldn’t be complete if you didn’t see the Taal Church which is the biggest church in all of Asia. Unfortunately there wasn’t so much ambient light anymore so I wasn’t able to shoot inside the church but the facade of the church alone would already take your breath away.
Taal Batangas offers a different vibe so far from the city that we live in and yes for those who are asking behind their head it is different from Vigan. I cannot say that it is the same as, maybe similar but not the same as the later. Taal Batangas is a living and breathing community with age old houses that still survives through our modern times. Unlike Vigan these houses have people living and using the spaces between the walls that we see. So yes definitely, visit Taal Batangas even if you have already been up north (or not) and experience the thriving heritage community that is called Taal.
At the end of the trip I gained two friends and I am glad that I braved through my hesitations because if not I might have missed this adventure and experience of a lifetime. Thanks AJ and Joel!
How To Get To Taal Batangas
Take a bus going to Lemery it will pass through the town just ask the conductor to drop you off near the plaza. You may also get off at Lemery and just take a tricycle going back to Taal.
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McArthur Highway Series: Eurobake The Best Ensaymada Ever
I lived in Bulacan for quite a while as a kid, hopping between Malolos and Guiguinto a few times. It was kinda difficult for me as a kid back then because I can’t have permanent friends but one thing for sure that was always there for me was my parent’s pasalubong whenever they come home from their trips to Manila. That is how I learned to love Eurobake.
Eurobake’s main shop is located just off the interchange of NLEX and McArthur highway, you wouldn’t miss their Swiss/Dutch style building standing proudly along the road. Since their shop is right at the interchange people get off in front of their shop and buy pasalubong.
There are two things that I could never go without when visiting Eurobake, the two things that they are famous for Esaymadang Malolos and Inipit. Ensaymadang Malolos is a pastry made up of soft fluffy bread topped with heavenly amount of butter, sugar, lots of cheese and a special salty egg. Inipit meanwhile is made up of lard pressed between two soft chiffon bread, hence the name Inipit (pressed).
From the bakeshop you can get a glimpse of the gateway arch to Malolos the province’s capital. This part of the province is also famous for the plant industry. Various vendors of potted plants even trees can be found along the roadside, this is where the municipal government of Guiguinto conceptualized from their Halamanan Festival.
Bulacan will always have a special place in my heart it has this certain aura that I don’t feel anywhere else. I miss my province even though I am just a stone’s throw away from it (literally and figuratively), I miss spending time there. This post is written about almost a year after the trip I guess Bulacan deserves a good visit again.
How To Get There
From Manila take anybus that would take the Guiguinto exit of NLEX tell the conductor that you are getting off at Eurobake.
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