Cavite - The Cradle of Revolution Today (Filipino)

Tutunog ang alarm. Maliligo. Maghahanda papasok sa trabaho. Bantay oras. Tantsa. Lakad patungong kanto. Earphone sa tenga na parang walang paki sa mundo. Nakakita ka boy, hindi ka lang nakakarinig. Wow ang daming tao, may artista bang dadaan? Kung bakit ba sa kahabaan ng kalye ay may iba't ibang klase ng tao na lahat ay malamang na hinihintay. Mapapailing na lang. Anu na nga lang ba ang kaya kong gawin?

Ganito ang buhay ng tipikal na komyuter sa Bacoor. City na pala kami. Hindi na bago sa akin ang mga bagay na to. Simula pa noong nalaman ko na malapit lang pala ang lungsod ng Maynila sa amin. Sa pagkakaalam ko grade 3 pa ako nun. 30 minutes lang maaring nandun ka na. Maaari. Dapat pala sanay na ako. Parte na ng katawan at isip ko. Pero tila ata lumalala. Hindi ba nasosolusyunan. Malamang. Hanggang ngayon. Maski mga ka-trabaho ko todo iwas sa Aguinaldo hi-way. Hi. High volume ng mga sasakyan ang naiipon dito. Ganito ba ang kaakibat ng pag-unlad? Bago ang mga kalsada. Pero hindi mo pa matatawag na kalsada kasi hindi pa tapos. Hindi pa gawa. Tawagin na lang natin na "tiwangwang na sementadong lupa". Ang tagal gawin mga kapatid. Ke-paluwas at pauwi ka sa makasaysayang lalawigan ng Cavite, dumaan ka muna sa butas ng karayom. Naiisip ko rin na siguro kulang ang mga bus na magluluwas at mag-uuwi ng tao dito. Para kasi kaming mga zombie sa umaga, zombie din pala sa gabi. Kung babasahin mo ang mukha ng mga nag-aabang, makukuha mo. "Kuya parang awa mo na buksan mo na ang pinto ng bus". At kung nabasa ni manong driver at naawa sayo. Swerte. Bukas pinto. Dadagsain naman ng mga zombies. Araw-araw sardinas pala agahan at hapunan ko.

Maunlad na nga ang bayan na kinalakihan ko. Ganito sana ang kapalaran ng lahat ng bayan sa Pinas. Siguro dadaanin ko na lang sa tawa ang trapik, stress, apakan ng paa, siksikan at tulakan, yung mga walang pakisamang pasahero na ayaw umatras sa likod - maluwag pa naman, konduktor na mamaya ka na daw susuklian tapos makakalimutan mo ang sukli mo, at tayuan ng hanggang dalawang oras. Sa loob ng bus, may kanya kanya pa rin kaming dahilan para tumawa. Iling-iling, na parang pinapagpag na lang ang masalimuot na pagluwas. Pagdating mo naman sa opisina magkakape ka na lang. Tambak na dokumento, email, request at deadline ni boss, mas-presurred. Gayunman isipin mo na lang kung saan ka nanggaling. Pag-uwi mo, natapos na naman ang isang araw.

Mt. Mayon - The Perfect Volcano

The moment that I am writing this, I am just maybe hundred meters away the foot of this great volcano. I am not really sure because from the terrace of our hotel it seems so near. It is like a wallpaper in the background. Breathtaking view? Yes, it is. Like a pain/stress-reliever. I cannot take my eyes off her. She is sometimes shy, revealing, and calm. From Iriga, Camarines Sur, she can be seen even she is 30 km away air-distance. I am using my google earth right now! A 12 long hour drive from Manila to Legazpi is all worth it.  

She is calm, greeting us good morning.

She is shy this time.

She is mysterious at sunset. Silhouette shot!

I have seen her beauty 360 degrees. I have seen the curves and her dents. Maybe she got that the time she was angry. Nevertheless, she is still extraordinary. She hypnotizes everyone looking at her. She is hot. She is sexy. She is picturesque. She is perfect but she is very dangerous. Give me more adjectives to describe her.

The historic Cagsawa bell tower ruins.

Eventhough we failed to see the Butanding of Donsol and the beaches of Caramoan that time, going back to hotel always amuses me. The Mayon always welcomes us with a smile on the way to the city.

Her presence around Albay.

We are so lucky to have her here in our country. Mt. Fuji of Japan almost imitated her but no, she cannot. Indeed one of the greatest creation of nature is the Magayon. A must see in a Philippine tour. I hope to see a daraga like her.

You are really hot!

Chatbox

Siargao Island - The Philippines Surfing Capital

Lagoons, Beaches and Waves

Two hours travel from Surigao City via fast craft we reached port of Dapa, a town in Siargao Island. Our group did not have an idea what kind of accommodation the island has, is it affordable or not for a 5000 pesos each in our pockets? We never booked for a package or a tourist guide for this trip expecting that we can save money without them. Thanks to the tourist information staff at the Dapa port, she assisted us where we could stay at the cheapest rate and the beautiful spots we should not miss.

At last!

Me, planking.

26 kilometer joyride from General Luna to Pilar. Look what we have found!

 

 The Mapupungko beach resort and lagoons.

Day 1: Touchdown!

This is one of the main attractions in the island that you should go. Rent a habal-habal for convenience. Put your goggles on and swim through the pristine waters during low tide which usually starts at 2pm onwards.

Day 2: It's time for island hopping..

Naked Beach

At General Luna shore line.

Daku Island

A man offered me to buy a lot here costing 700 pesos per sq. meter. I told him: "I'll be back".

What you see, is what you get!

Simply perfect.

A jumpshot for a souvenir.

Tourists usually stay at General Luna with less than a thousand per night room rent.

Food: Cheapest are Grilled chicken, Intestine (Isaw), Liver (Atay, Balun-balunan), Grilled squid, Pork barbeque. There are also available foreign cuisines.

You can rent a motorcycle (habal-habal) for Php400 to Php500 a day to stroll the island.

Rent-a-boat: Php5000, for island hopping activity (Sohoton Cave, Guyam Island, Naked Beach, Daku Island)

Surfing: Php500 per hour with instructor

Other activities: Snorkelling, Fishing, Diving, Wake Boarding

Sadly I have not tried surfing. I found it expensive. Nevermind. I enjoyed watching the surfers and when I get back here, this is the first thing that I will do. Will someone teach me how to... surfie!

We cannot go nearer. Look at the waves.
The cam does not have a telescopic lense either.
Yes, I'll be back.
 

Binondo: The Manila Chinatown

City’s Oldest Business District

“I want a Fried Siopao.” 

This is not my first time here in Binondo. I decided to feature this place on my blog since this is a one-stop destination for the locals; great food, cheap goods, and old school structures. It is a prominent spot for merchants, probably dominated by Chinese, and those consumers who love to make discounts. Here lies the famous Divisoria Market. This is also a place in the city wherein “kalesa” (a two-wheel horse drawn carriage) is allowed to travel. A bit of its historical contribution is still obvious until now.

I am going down to eat. Come on it is snack time!

On our way..

Along Ongpin St.

San Lorenzo Ruiz Church and the kalesas.

By the way we dropped by here to find Fried Siopao – a steamed bun. From work, me and a colleague crave for a snack so we dare ourselves to walk from a place in Tondo to the famous Ongpin St. in Binondo. We got there for more than 30 minutes. Thanks to the good weather and Google earth.

Wait! A cute little store full of nice scenting breads has been found. A cake for mama's birthday? Cool..

The bread store along Ongpin St.

I said I want a siopao, not a cake. But fruitcake looks good.

Only one Mahu Cake left? It is best seller that is why.

If you came here to shop at Divisoria Market and want some Chinese delicious cuisine such as stir fried noodles, wanton (noodle soup), grilled peking duck, dimsum, etc. for a meal or snack, better dropped by Salazar St. and look for Wai Ying restaurant. I have been in this resto from a suggestion of a cab driver the first time I came to eat here. At reasonable prices, you will definitely memorize their Chinese menu afterwards.

The quest for the fried siopao is over...

At Php 15.00, solved!

Cagayan De Oro White Water Rafting

Paddle through the meek but unpredictable flow of the CDO river at the white water rafting adventure. Experience the thrill, rush and appreciate nature at its finest.

Our group decided to take the advance course which took 4 hours of adrenaline rush in a 16 km stretch of the river consisting of 21 wild rapids.

On the way to the rafting site.

High Five!  Yahoo! we successfully passed an obstacle (rapids).

Stop! Paddles up, just go with the flow.
Paddle Backward! Go against the current.

Paddle forward! Row the boat gently down the stream.

Ready to paddle!

Some of the rapids I remember are the Rodeo, Elephant Back, Twister, Ka Bernie, Washing Machine, Five inch drop, Lava rock and Kiss-the-Wall.You can request your guide to capsize the boat or to swim and float as if you are the raft in one of the slightest rapids.

No racing involved here. Enjoy nature tripping at the raft. Laugh at the jokes by your guide rafter. Swim by the cold but refreshing water. Savor your moments at the CDO river.

This is definitely a playground for water sports enthusiasts.

Rates from 1st Rafting Adventure:

This includes life jacket, paddle, and helmet. Jeepney service will pick you up from hotel to the site. Travel time from 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours.

Beginner’s Course (2-3hours actual river run, 12kms ride, 14 rapids): Php 700/head. Good for family with small kids. Only ages 5 and up are allowed to the course.

Advance Course 1 (3-4hours actual river run, 16kms ride, 21 rapids): Php 1000/head. Lunch included and a can of SanMig Light.

Advance Course 2 (4-5hours actual river run, 18kms ride, 27 rapids): Php 1500/head

Professional Course (5hours actual river run): Php 2000/head

Night Rafting (3hours actual river run, 13 rapids): Php 1000/head

Pictures: Php 250 per group

Video: Php 1500 per group

I recommend Advance Course 1. All of us in the group are first timers in rafting but we really enjoyed it and we survived. Thanks also to our guides (unfortunately, I cannot recall their names ^^) who made us laugh and safe during the trip.

Starter

This is not my first blog. I created another account to pursue writing, hopefully. The first one is a full Filipino blog which will make the reader "mindfucked". Yeah. Literally. I wanted to start this year with a new subject. As a telecommunication guy, I have the chance to travel places. Side-trips and food-trips, of course that is just so ordinary. Put a spice, chill, you have worked so hard anyway. You are there to enjoy and to explore. Afterwards, submit your reports. Part from office reports, I also want to share what do these places has. In this blog, I do not have the boss to submit it on-time, I have no deadline, no more jargon, and I will earn money. Oh well, running errands with only a chair, a computer set, and an internet, why not try?

A travel blog. Yes. This is what I love, traveling. No not the violation in basketball, but the scenes, adventures, and people. If only there is a job where you will be paid for a trip.
I have a compass and a GPS in my backpack. A camera? I do not have one for now but my friends has it. Thanks to facebook, I will just get pictures from there. Just kidding! I should have one this year. I will be a "plane-freak" this year. Oops, I have invented a word.

http://www.walangproblema.blogspot.com/