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| Cebu |
Monday
Camuigin
Taking the off-the-beaten path
For those feeling a bit more adventurous, there are other sites in the island worth hiking and traveling to. Mantigue, a small island just off the coast of Benoni, is also a beach haven. The island geography is mostly made up of a wide and long stretch of white sand, while the inland forest is home to a number of bird species.
The less-explored Tuasan Falls can be found southwest of the island, in Barangay Main it. The locals are adamant in having the rough trail convetied into a road, preferring that the falls remain in its natural state. An hour’s hike is required to get to the falls but is well worth it. While not as high as Katibawasan, Tuasan has more pool layers, rocks, and dramatic cascades. It is best to visit here in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the hot, mid-day hike. Guides are recommended.
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| Lansones |
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| Camiguin Beach Tasting the local flavors Exploring Camiguin may fill the eyes with wonder but the island can also fill your tumm y with its sumptuous offerings. The Tanguines Lagoon, a causeway that connects the J&A Fishpen/Travel Lodge (tel. +6388 387 4008), a lodge-cum-floating restaurant to the sea, offers tasty seafood and other Filipino dishes along with refreshing views of the lagoon and the sea. For those looking for comfort food, head to Rooftop (www.camiguin rooftophotel.com; tel. +6388 387 0511 to 13), located at the busy thoroughfare of Mambajao proper. A spanking new restaurant, hotel, and bar, it serves very good pi zza and pasta. A bakeshop downstairs caters to sweet tooths. Photo and Article Source: Mabuhay Magazine (PAL) |
Camigin
Finding your way
Benoni Port is the gateway of the island. If you intend to go around Camiguin, hiring a multi-cab for large groups or a habal-habal (modified motorcycle with driver) for small groups is recommended. Don't get too excited on immediately hopping onto one as prices vary from driver to driver. Some would even suggest a "tourist" itinerary wherein the driver/guide would tour you around the island’s popular sites in one day. Make sure you clarify your destination, routes and most importantly, the rate before riding. A quote of over Php2, 000 is simply too much as Camiguin Island is small and can be circled in less than a day. Just make sure to stop and enjoy the sights of the rustic coastal communities.
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| Clear Water |
Enjoying the sights
Most ofCamiguin’s popular sights are accessible via the main road. Katibawasan Falls can be found northeast at the center of Mambajao. The place has been developed into a park, complete with cottages for a fee of only Php I 0. The falls has a narrow and silky cascade towering up to 250 feet and a pool-like basin. Nearby, there are optional stops like the Old Vulcan where pilgrimages to the Stations of the Cross are held every Holy Week.
From northeast, go to the western tip of the island at Barrio Bonbon where the Sunken Cemetery can be found. Sunset is the most dramatic time of the day to visit this site. A huge cross can be found just off shore marking the location of the old community cemetery which sank in 1871 when Mt. Hibok-Hibok erupted. There are boats to ferry people to the cross. Some even snorkel to check out the submerged tombstones. Optional stop in town is the Catarman Church Ruins, which was wiped out by an earthquake during the same time when the cemetery sunk.
Just off the coast ofYumbing is White Island, the shape of which changes with the rising and falling of the tides. To get there hire a boat at Johnny's Dive Shop for Php500. The boat, which can accommodate four to six persons, can be arranged to wait or return at a designated time. Gone are the huts of sellers from years past following a recent ordinance that banned infrastructures on this sandbar. This favorite place for daytrippers and snorkelers who want a pure unadulterated beach is now backing to its almost pristine state.
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| Katibawan Falls |
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| Giant Cross ( Old Cemetery) |
Feeling at home
If you want to be near most of the island's attractions, lodge at the Secret Cove Resort (www.secretcovecamiguin.com; rates start at Php850). While basic in terms of facilities, it is located across White Island. Johnny's Dive Shop has also turned it into a popular destination among divers. Just outside the resort, there are a number of Stores and eateries for food and basic supplies. The public market is just nearby where a number of habal-habals can also be hired. Within walking distance from the Benoni Port, you can stay at the Islet Resort (tel. +6388 387 4005; mobile no. +63916 365 3966; rates start at Php700 during off peak season) in San Roque, Mahinog. We got a good price there for very basic accommodations. They also have habal-habal services.
Photo and Article Source: Mabuhay Magazine (PAL)
Sunday
Batangas
For the freshest fish
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| Sinigang na Maliputo |
Taal Bayview Bistro (Tel: 043/ 408 0044, mobile: 0917/ 986 7728, e mail: taalbistro@yahoo.com.ph). Manager Joseph Razon says the fresh water fish from Taal Lake can only be bought in San Nicolas town at P600 per kilo from reliable suppliers. Try the bistro’s sinigang na maliputo (fish in sour soup base) paired with adobong manok sa dilaw, chicken cooked with turmeric instead of the usual soy sauce and vinegar mixture. Also try deepfried tawilis from the lake and a salad of tomatoes, green mango, and eggplant with bagoong Balayan, fish paste, another Batangas specialty. Dishes are priced from P120 to P350. Any food trip has to end at the public market located right behind the municipal building, where tapang Taal sells for P220 a kilo and longganisang Taal, also a local specialty, a little more at P240 a kilo. A small bag of chocolate balls can be had for P35 while a bigger bag fetches P60. Suman costs P50 per dozen.
Photo and Article Source: Inflight Magazine (Seair)
Batangas
Grab a bite
Skip the ubiquitous bulalo (beef stock broth) and lomi (noodle soup) joints scattered along the highway leading to Lemery — there is much better food to be had in Taal, and in fact the whole of Batangas, which is regarded as cattle country.
Try tapang Taal at Glenda Villano- Tenorio’s La Azotea (Tel: 043/ 408 0046 to 47, Mobile: 0906-222 5339). Tenorio says tapang Taal is not the usual beef tapa. It’s pork marinated in soy sauce, lots of garlic, and calamansi (local citrus) and fried to perfection. Their version of local bistek (beef steak) is tenderloin slices from Batangas beef, with potatoes on the side. La Azotea’s dinaing na tilapia (dried cichlids) is steeped in vinegar and garlic before it is fried to a crisp. Hot chocolate is also a must-try. The restaurant serves dishes usually priced from P150 to P300. The priciest item in the menu is the maliputo fish, which costs P550 per order.
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| Batangas A trip to Taal is not complete without buying Batangas beef, famous for its tender meat, attributed to the local practice of force-feeding cattle with pounded ipil-ipil leaves mixed with commercial cattle feed. The ritual is done every afternoon. The best sources of beef in Taal are the stalls on the Y junction in Mahabang, Ludlod and the public market. Check out Ka Lita Bernales, Stall Number 184, at the market. Photo and Article Source: Inflight Magazine (Seair) |
Batangas
In the nearby woods, a crumbling stone arch stands above a spring believed to have the healing powers
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| Casaysay Church |
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Another interesting stop is Caysasay Church in Barrio Labac, where the 400-year-old image of Our Lady of Caysasay is enshrined. The six-inch image, fished out of the Pansipit River in 1603 where the Caysasay birds or kingfishers are frequently spotted, is said to be miraculous and attracts devotees from many parts of the country. In the nearby woods, a crumbling stone arch stands above a spring that is believed to have healing powers. A replica of Our Lady of Caysasay is found in the Taal Basilica (Tel: 043-421 1028) which sits on top of a hill. Inside, steel chandeliers hang delicately from the arched ceiling. An inscription near the front door reveals that the basilica, dedicated to the town’s patron saint St. Martin of Tours, was built in 1755. A century later, the church was renovated after it was destroyed by the 1849 earthquake. Photo and Article Source: Inflight Magazine (Seair) |
Batangas
“” The stately homes evoke the lifestyle of landed gentry during Spanish colonial times”
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| Batangas |
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| Batangas Photo and Article Source: Inflight Magazine ( Seair) |
Batangas
Balai Isabel
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| Balai Isabel Book Club Balai Isabel, on the shores of lake Taal in Talisay town, if you’d like a view of Taal lake and volcano. The resort is furnished with Philippine hardwood furniture, colored Moroccanstyle lamps with ornate metal work and stained glass panels, and surrounded by fruit trees and pocket gardens. It has an infinity pool and a spa suite offering reflexology treatment. Published room rates start at P2,800 (about US$62) for the casitas to P16,800 per night for the four-bedroom lakeshore villa. To book Club Balai Isabel, call: 043/ 728-0307 or the Manila office at tel.: 02/ 776-1521 or 776 5508, e-mail: info@balaiisabel.com, or visit: www.balaiisabel.com.ph. If you like it intimate and cozy, there’s the seven-room Casa Cecilia Heritage Hotel with its Spanish- Mediterranean architecture and a patio overlooking a garden gazebo, a popular place for weddings. A room here costs P2,200 per night with free breakfast for two. For budget travelers there’s Casa Punzalan, an 18th-century ancestral home converted into a lodging house run by the Taal Heritage Foundation. It has four-poster beds, a wide staircase, and expansive views of the Taal Basilica. Each of the lodge’s three fan rooms can take in two guests and costs P500 per night. Two air-con rooms are also available for P800 and P1,000 for double occupancy |
Photo and Article Source: Inflight Magazine (Seair)
Samar ( Northern)
The Seven Wonders of Northern Samar
1.Go Surf Bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the east and the San Bernardino Strait on the north, Catarman has massive winds to max out a surfing experience. Tamburusan Beach in Catarman is merely two kilometers away from the town proper, which makes it an accessible getaway for unlimited surfing, swimming, and boating. Surfers also like to the ride the rollers in Biri Islands.
2. Rock your World famous for its gargantuan nature sculpted rock formations; the Biri Islands are accessible by tricycle orjeepney from Catarman to Lavezares. The waves coming from the San Bernardino Strait sculpted these rock canopies. At the periphery of Biri are more rock formations, such as Be-lat, Magasang.
3. Divers, Grab your Gears Separated from the mainland by a channel, Binaliw Isle, located in Tinambacan, Calbayog, is a popular spot for underwater exploration. Favored for its 40- to 50-meter drop from the water surface, the less than a hectare-wide spot is a gallery of marine species, corals, and seashells. Bani Island Beaches—a top pick for scuba diving—and Talisay
Beach—a coral and shell sanctum, are within reach at approximately half an hour boat ride from Lavezares. PAL flies between Manila and Catarman thrice a week, and between Manila and Calbayog four times a week. For more information, call PAL reservations office (+632 855 8888 and +632 855 7777) or log on to www.philippineairlines.com. accessible from the Calbayog city
4. Falls to Dive for Calbayog is not called the “City of Waterfalls” for nothing. Submerge or dive in the clear water swirls of the five waterfalls and eight mini falls that fringe the city. Most popular is the Bangon-Bugtong Falls located about three kilometers off the main road of Barangay Tinaplacan. The falls, known for its unique 30-meterdiameter pond that forms upstream, supplies hydro-electric power for the city and nearby communities. Turrets of rock formations surround Lologayan falls, located in Barangay San Joaquin and within an hour’s ride away from Calbayog City.
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| Northern, Samar |
5. Nature Explore Guinogo-an Cave in Barangay Longsob, Oquendo district, Calbayog, is frequented for spelunking. Its wide entrance opens to a pool that leads to a dim tunnel with jagged ceiling. Keep your torch alive— literally—while exploring it. On the western side is the enigmatic Danao Cave that’s known as a ritual place and a haven of snakes and bats. For bird watchers and fishing enthusiasts, head off to Dalupiri Island in San Antonio, Catarman. The desolate white-sand isle is sanctuary for birds.
6. Hot for Beaches Within a 10-minute ride from Tinambacan is the Lo-ok Beach, alluring for its coconut palms backdrop. It’s also Magsapad, Puhunan, and Caranas, as well as lagoons for wading. Proper, this is a mere 30-minute ride away. Nearer still to the city; located along Maharlika Highway is Bagacay Beach. Its white sand coast and resort cottages score high with leisure travelers. Not a beach but a natural spring, Mapaso Spring, located in Barangay Rizal, Oquendo district, is a “boiling” hot spring. Shrimp-like crustaceans called pokot thrive in its temperature.
7. Side Trip the Samar Archeological Museum in Calbayog City presents a glimpse of Samar history with a foray of artifacts collected from all over the island. Architectural masterpieces such as The Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, the biggest church in all of Samar, and the Catarman Cathedral—a baroque-style edifice in Catarman. Just a hop off the coast of Catarman is Capul Island where a 143-meter high light house stands, looking over the San Bernardino Strait. As if to complement the gigantic landmark, a sunken pool bordered with rocks is nearby. Locals believe that a giant crossed the islands centuries ago and created the “footprint”—a prophecy perhaps that Samar is soon going to make a mark as a tourist destination.
Samar
The Seven Wonders of Northern Samar
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| Northern, Samar |
On Samar Island, you don’t need to go far to experience life at its wildest and fullest. Few places are blessed with the depth and breadth of having white sand beaches, rock formations, waterfalls, architectural landmarks, and voluminous flora and fauna. Samar Island has this covered for you—plus more. A selfcontained biodiversity wonder, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has cited it among the Eco-global 200 Regions. Backpackers and adventure travelers often head toward the northern part of the island—Calbayog and Catarman—for their rugged and craggy features, and where narrow bodies of water meander between landforms. With new discoveries here, the experience can be exhilarating and time often takes a temporary backseat. Now that PAL Express has just launched flights to these virginal spots, it’s time to pack up those bags and head here while the throng of tourists hasn’t arrived yet and local prices are still low.
Photo and Article Source: Mabuhay Magazine (PAL)
Samar
Head for the Public Market
Borongan’s public market is a great place for food browsing. There are red bananas bark strips from the balaw tree used as cooking fuel; and black and red varieties of “malagkit” or sticky rice called pilit. If you head to Ivy Carpeso’s dry goods stall, you can pick up a rattan duyan or hammock for P350, a fine-woven bilao (P180) or round bamboo tray fashioned from manban, the material from bamboo used to weave nipa. An old-fashioned tirador or slingshot sells for P35, while the ingenuous silip (P65), wooden goggles with glass eyepieces held together by epoxy and strung with fisherman’s twine and industrial grade rubber strips sell for P65. Finally, if you’re a hoarder, take home an old school charcoal plantsa or flat iron, crafted from tin and hinged so you can open the top and stuff it with hot charcoal (P400).
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| Borongan, Public Market Then, perhaps buy one of the most unique pieces, a “hotcakan,” or improvised pancake make two disks ridged with a waffle pattern and attached to wooden handles. Get one for someone who has everything this Christmas. It’s P250 for the small pancake maker, P280 for the larger one. Ivy’s Native Products is located at Stall H of the Borongan Public Market. You can also call: 0918/ 246 5092. Photo and Article Source: Inflight Magazine (Seair) |
Samar
NEW EATS
Borongan is a good place to taste the local delicacies and to indulge you in the freshest seafood, according to our insider guide Puey. On Divinubo, octopus still slithering in its net and lobsters, crabs and unusual shellfish tried to scuttle away as they were strewn on the wooden table before us for inspection before they were scooped away to be cooked the “sinaing” way, which is to simmer in a pot of water. The cupapa or rock lobster (P350 per kilo, raw) is Puey’s special favorite. Cupapa is seasonal, plentiful during the months of May and October. Divinubo’s petite lobsters, also called banagan, sell raw for P450 to P500 per kilo. Then there’s the mamadas, a flaky white fish and the manlalara, also known as danggit, for P140 per kilo. Coordinate with the City Tourism Office to arrange for a seafood lunch at Divinubo.
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| Allsuso (smooth rice cake) |
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| Pastillas de Borongan |
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| Dangit ( dried fish) |
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| Borongan Lechon The variety of shellfish harvested from the waters of Borongan is unusual and delicious. There’s the tojillon, made into napkin rings and the ganga, often seen only in souvenir shops. The ganga is a spider conch with meat that tastes fresh as the sea and a texture that’s reminiscent of snails. The Mabaroca Beach Resort will prepare it for you by special arrangement. call: Margarita Castillo at 055/ 560 9377, 560 9809, 0928/622 0699 or e-mail: roncast_well@yahoo.com. Mabaroca is also the place to have your tuwad or tiny conical shellfish stewed in coconut cream and ginger. The shellfish sell for P2 each in the public market. The pointed end of the shell is sliced off before cooking because theway to coax these tiny morsels out of their burrows is to suck them out. “More flavorful than mussels,” the Divinubo islanders tell us.Then there’s the astonishing variety of Borongan’s treats, snacks and kakanin or rice cakes pasalubongperfect if you do your shopping just a day before you leave. Hit the Borongan Public Market in the heart of town and get the slender banana leaf-wrapped bakintol, a creamy suman flecked with chocolate (P5 each). Or the breakfast favorite, salukara, a pancake made from ground brown rice, sugar and coconut milk (P10 for four pieces). The pyramid-shaped alisuso is a smooth snack made from ground rice mixed with young coconut and flavored with anise (P5 each). Head to the market’s dried fish section and take home Borongan’s special danggit or dried fish split. It’s P500 a kilo but a large bag worth P150 is generous enough. Borongan’s danggit is thin, crisp and seasoned perfectly. You may also want to try the dried dilis or anchovies, sapsap and ganga at P35 for 250 grams. There are also rows upon rows of rattan baskets brimming with a variety of local dried fish including tamba, manamsid, balanak, hasa-hasa, lusod, espada, iliw, mulmol and even dalagang bukid. You can also give the ginamos (P120/kilo) a try. It’s Borongan’s own bagoong or fermented dilis or anchovy. Photo and Article Source: Inflight Magazine ( Seair ) |
Samar
Beyond a Rocky Bend
If you need a guide to the tourist spots on Divinubo, you can hire the services of tour guide Ronald Lapada, who also heads the island’s Community-Based Resource Management (CBRM) for between P200-P250 for a whole day. You can also make arrangements to have CBRM members prepare your breakfast, lunch or snacks. Contact the Borongan City Tourism Office, headed by Tourism Operations Officer Marissa Acorin, for inquiries, trip itineraries and reservations. call: 055/ 560 9700, 0927/ 932 1377. fax: 055/ 261 31267 or e-mail muntour@yahoo.com
Photo and Article Source: Inflight (Seair)
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| Samar, Borongan |
On Divinubo, the Guiporo-e natural pool, located after a five-minute trek through brush, sand and mangrove saplings, springs like a surprise from beyond a rocky bend – a horizontal clump of rocks festooned with mangroves in the near distance, cupping a placid pool. If you fancy a dip, the water is nicely warm. Karawisan Eco-Tour Park resort, still on Divinubo, is also a good place to stop by for a relaxing few hours. You can rent a string hammock (P25) and snooze under the leafy talisay trees. The broad-leafed talisay tree bears a nut that’s as creamy as Bicol’s pili nuts. Pecked by birds, the talisay nuts grow three times a year and turn yellow when ripe. Entrance to Karawisan is P5 per person. You can rent picnic huts at P200 a day or P250 if you want to stay overnight. There’s a small store if you want cold sodas and bottled water. Unless you’ve made previous arrangements, food is not available. Guests are charged P50 for the use of the kitchen. You can rent a straw mat for P50, pay another P50 if you want to pitch your own tent or P100 for a table with 6-10 chairs.
Photo and Article Source: Inflight (Seair)
Samar
Die Hard Trekking Fanatic
Three-star Hotel Doña Vicenta is located at the side of the Wilsam Uptown Mall in Songco, just a two-minute drive from the town proper. The hotel has an Asian modern interior, with all dark furniture against neutral walls and floors, and split-type air conditioning. Rooms range from standard, going for P880, to a junior suite or honeymoon suite, going for P1,680. The presidential suite for P2,970 a night has living and dining areas. All rooms have TV with cable, IDD, NDD, and a toilet and bath with a solar heating system. The hotel has a standby generator which runs everything – lights, AC, elevators, including the cable channels. Hotel rates come with free breakfast. Room service has entrees at P120, sodas in can at P25 and beer at P35.
To inquire or reserve, call: 055/ 261 3585, 261 3586 and 055/ 560 9394. Or e-mail: hoteldonavicenta@yahoo.com.
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| Samar, Borongan |
ISLAND SIGHTS AND STORIES
Start by visiting Borongan’s lighthouse, built by the Americans in 1906. It looks out to the Pacific Ocean and the view is well worth the effort. To get to it, we started with a 10-minute boat ride from the main island’s Locsoon Beach in Bgy. Lalawigan, southeast of the city proper to Divinubo Island at the ungodly hour of 4am. If we had approached the island in the correct conditions – 12 noon or midnight with a full moon or a new moon – we could have done it by foot, instead of cutting across the waters. Ronald Lapada, islander and our tour guide for the day, said getting to the island by foot would take about an hour. Our boat ride (P12 per person, one way) was easy, but we had to walk up more than a hundred steps built on the side of a mountain, and take the rocky, muddy, potholed and spindly path with weeds to reach the slender with.
Photo and Article Source: Infligth Magazine (Seair)
Samar
WHY GO NOW?
It’s a good time to surf in Borongan, with stronger waves coming in from the Pacific Ocean. And even if you’re not into surfing, it’s still a good time to observe rural life at Christmas and partake of the capital town’s specialty, spit-roasted pig or lechon stuffed with aromatic herbs, salted and basted with secret sauces. Like most small towns in the country, Borongan observes Simbang Gabi, nine days of dawn masses at 4am that culminates in a midnight mass on Christmas Eve and a burst of fireworks as locals call out, “Maupay na Pasko!” (Merry Christmas). In January, there’s the big town festival, Ati- Atihan, a parade of locals in religious and tribal costumes, and some dancing in the streets.
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| Samar, Borongan |
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| Samar, Borongan |
GET YOUR Bearings
The capital of Eastern Samar, Borongan lies almost midway on the coast of the elongated stretch of Eastern Samar in the island group of the Visayas. Sprawled across 58,289 hectares, it has the biggest land area among the 23 municipalities of Eastern Samar. With around 55,000 residents, it is also the most populated. Borongan, also called The City of the Golden Sunshine, lies 196 kilometers from Tacloban City, and 586 kilometers southeast from Manila. The city gets its name from the word “borong” which means fog. Once inhabited by Negritos driven to the hinterlands by interlopers from nearby Indonesia and Malay, Borongan was organized into a pueblo by the Spanish missionaries from 1595 to 1620. They gathered the early Boronganons into communities. A church, dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was erected in 1710 and stands to this day, sadly modernized beyond historical recognition.
CHECK-IN
Mabaroca Beach Resort, located at the southern tip of Cabong Beach, just about four kilometers from downtown Borongan, has three air-conditioned rooms and three fan rooms. It has no-frills, compact rooms that are spanking new, with the resort having only opened in October. An air-conditioned room includes a queen-size bed, cable TV, and a DVD player, and a chaise lounge. There is no dresser, desk or closet, and no mirrors. The resort has two swimming pools, a karaoke TV room (P500 for two hours) and four cottages for rent for tourists on day trips (P1,500) with a free use of the pool. Air-conditioned rooms cost P2,000 a day, with one of the larger rooms going for P2,500. Fan rooms are P500 a day. Contact owners Romeo and Margarita Castillo at tel: 055/ 560 9377, 560 9809 or mobile: 0928/ 622-0699 or e-mail: roncast_well@yahoo.com. You can also view the facilities of Mabaroca at uRl: www. youtube.com/estehanon. Pebbles & Tides Beach Bar and Cottages
Photo and Article Source: Inflight Magazine (Seair)
Samar
Sunrise above Divinubo Island’s Rocky Beach
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| Samar, Borongan |
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| Samar, Borongan |
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| Samar, Borongan |
Photo and Article Source: Inflight Magazine (Seair)
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