2011: A Look Back

Aldous Huxley once said that your true traveler finds boredom rather agreeable than painful. It is the symbol of his liberty, his excessive freedom. He accepts his boredom, when it comes, not merely philosophically, but almost with pleasure. Traveling is a choice, boredom is not. It's the leanest year for me travel-wise because I have decided to have "work" at the front seat. Although, I must admit that my decision has paid handsome dividends professionally, still, life's balance that I used to have suffered. And since this is a travel-blog, less travels means less stories to tell.

Little Christmas

It is not how much you have... a few is enough when you share it with the people that matters. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Daruanak Island @ Pasacao

When one speaks of Camsur, what comes to mind are either the Caramoan Peninsula made famous by Survivor Series or Wake Boarding at Camsur Watersports Complex. But did you know that before Caramoan or Wake Boarding, there is Pasacao which is known as the the Summer Capital of Camarines Sur.

Naga: The Porta Mariae

The Porta Mariae

"The rite of opening doors marks a time of elation and thanksgiving. In the history of the Church, sacred doors are opened during jubilee years to signify the bestowal of indulgence and grace. In secular history, gates and doors are monument of victory and triumph."...

...May those who behold and pass through this gate be led to the one and only Saviour, JESUS CHRIST.

Daet: Toasted Siopao, Pancit atbp.

When one speaks of Bicol Foods, one word comes to mind - SPICY. This region is known for Bicol Express, Pinangat and Laing. I have already featured these hot and delectable dishes here. Daet in Camarines Sur is no exception to Bicol's love affair with peppers. In fact, one of their more popular fastfood, Graceland, features a value meal with Bicol Express on it. But this post is not about those spicy foods, in fact, it is more of the opposite because a couple of photos shown here were Daet's very-own delectable treat, the Toasted Siopao (shown above) and Pasalubong pieces of Tarts, Brownies and Macaroons.

The Finger

Hope it is not the middle one. Guess where this is?

Lawstude versus Work

Traveling is such a rare occurrence for me this year and in those few instances that I got to go out of the Metro, majority of them are even work-related. But I am not complaining. I have made my choice. So, if there is a chance that I could combine my work and my passion in a trip, then I would certainly exploit that chance to the hilt.

Is The Right To Travel Absolute?

From the express provisions of the law, there are only three cases where a person is not allowed to travel; these are in the interest of national security, public safety or public health.

“The liberty of abode and of changing the same within the limits prescribed by law shall not be impaired except upon lawful order of the court. Neither shall the right to travel be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law. – Art III ,Sec 6 Philippine Constitution”

Thus, a leader of a terrorist group may be restrained from leaving or entering a country in the interest of national security. Health officers may also restrict access to contaminated areas and also quarantine those already exposed to the disease sought to be contained. Where there is threat of a volcanic eruption, for example, residents in the affected area may be forced to evacuate and prevented from returning until the danger is over.

Smells Like Christmas Spirit

Isla Capones de Zambales

Take away the colors and what have you got? Throw in the film grains and what remain? Feels like the seventees, you may say, but that precisely is what you may feel in Isla Capones de Zambales. Your basically devoid of anything - electricity, fast food, malls or anything like that - just like the golden old times.

Jazzin' D' Urban Lake

Man-made lakes are common in the Philippines. Famous ones include the Burnham Lake in Baguio and Caliraya Lake in Quezon. And since there is an unmistakable love affair between man and water, these lakes are usually the main attraction in a place where man frequently go such as in a park or a resort. So, it is no wonder that corporate real estate developers include artificial lakes as part of their community.

Souls

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Nothing Sour @ Sampaloc Lake

Sampaloc Lake is one of the seven volcanic lakes that give San Pablo the monicker of "City of Seven Lakes". This lake is closest to the City centre and the most accessible of them all. Located off Schetelig Avenue, it has a paved trail around the edge that you can walk in one hour.

Batanes Unusual

Join multi-awarded travel-photographers Ferdz of Ironwulf.Net and Oggie of Lagalog.Com in this highly-recommended photography-tutorial in one of the best place in the Country. Be awed by the natural rugged beauty of Batan, Sabtang and Itbayat Islands - collectively known as Batanes while learning the basics of photography.

For more details check out backpackphotography.net.

Calling all Ateneo Law School Graduates!

Calling all Ateneo Law School Graduates! Come to the Ateneo College of Law Homecoming and 75th Anniversary on October 21, 2011, Friday, at the Isla Ballroom of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City. Registration starts at 5:30 pm. For more information, contact 753-3595, 0915-2021847, 0917-8301826 and tel. 986-5598. Or visit the Ateneo law website law.ateneo.edu.

Tara Na! Adams Tayo!

When one speaks of Ilocos, what comes to mind are century-old churches, lovely beaches and ancient houses. So when I told my friends that I will go to Ilocos to trek mountains and chase waterfalls, they asked "Did you say Ilocos?"

Carabao Island's Seascape

I often wonder why my post on Carabao Island in Romblon is my most popular one. I could guess lots of reasons but these may still not be enough. The place is bucolic and charming at the same time and provides one of the best seascape views in the area. Let me just re-share these shots which I have taken in one of the island's highest peak, Tagaytay Combot, where you will have an amazing view of the sea and the adjoining islands of Boracay, Panay, Tablas and other islands and islets of Aklan and Romblon Provinces. Combination of fertile greens, blue sea, bright sky and fading hues of the islands make this spot on earth a real close to heaven experience.

Catching Sunrise at Lover's Peak

I've learned that everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it. Call me crazy but I wouldn't miss a chance seeing a sea of clouds enveloping on a scenic mountainscape as the earliest glimpse of light peaks out from the horizons.

7 Links Project

Ian of Going Places tagged/nominated me for the 7 links project about a month ago. I know, this is long overdue but as the famous adage goes, it's better late than never. So here's my list.

My Most Beautiful Post

Beauty is relative and this is probably one of the hardest choices among the categories here but I just can't get enough of Calaguas Island so I considered my Mahabang Buhangin @ Calaguas Island as my most beautiful post. Tell me what a good beach should be and this beach will definitely exceed your expectation.

Birthday!!!

Praise God for another fruitful year. Thanks everyone for the warm greetings on my Birthday. It was a working Birthday but I am not complaining. I used to take Birthday Leaves before but since I am new to the Private Sector, career should take the front seat for now. Anyways, here's looking for a fun weekend with family and friends.

Passing Through San Juanico Bridge

When one speaks of Leyte, one thing that comes to mind is San Juanico Bridge. And for those who like action movies of the eighties, who would ever forget the stunt pulled-off by Dante Varona who jumped from that bridge into the sea below.

Adams Food Trip

Name three reasons why you travel to a particular place? For me, it's (1) Sights; (2) Culture; and (3) Food. So before I share to you the breath-taking sights of Adams as well as my little cultural immersion with the place, let me share to you some photos of the food we had in Adams, Ilocos, Norte.

Mount Samat - A Tribute to Heroes

World War II will forever be enshrined in the hearts and minds of every Filipinos. It was during this time that hundreds of Filipino and American soldiers perished at the hands of Japanese forces. My grandfather was one of them. He fought the battle and survived. There were lots of commemorative places built after the war but nothing can be compared to the Shrine of Valor atop Mount Samat in Pilar, Bataan.

Nasugbu Beach - Is It Worth It?

"Sometimes, it's the company and not the destination" is all the remarks I can make out of this trip. Maybe because it's not as idyllic as some of the beaches I have gone before, (see my entry here) but still, this place could still be a welcome respite to a weary-soled corporate slave like me.

Bantayan Island - A Look Back

This post is a look back of my feature on idyllic and beautiful island of Bantayan. From the white beaches of Sta. Fe to the century old church of Bantayan Town and the ruins of Madridejos, hope you will enjoy the views as I have captured them. Let me share to you not only photos but stories of my experience as I feature one of the best trips I had in 2009.

Wine Tasting @ Adams

Bielmaju Waley-Bawingan is not just a Mayor's wife but a woman on a mission. A few hours conversation with her while tasting wines she personally made will give you a whole new perspective about her mountainous town of Adams - its unmemorable past and its enthusiastically bright future.

Crystal Cove Island

Crystal Cove Island is a beautiful, secluded small island located between Caticlan and Boracay. This two hectare island is found upon solid rock, a gallery of haunting niches and sea caves bordered by crystal - green waters. The sight of this pristine sea immediately calls to your innate thirst for things tropical, and as soon as you get there, the right thing to do is just plunge right away and bask with abandon. Other than the native huts and some islands statues, the main draw in this place is its two caves.

Leaving Basilan

You go to a place to find answers. Although you may have read about it, hear about it, watch about it on tv or researched about it in all media forms, still, there is no better way of seeking for answers than actually going to that place.

Dare

An Abstruse Peregrination in Isabela City

Pardon the title but my recent travel to Isabela City in Basilan has left me a little baffled. It seemed like a typical rustic City but its not. There are lots of photo-ops but for safety reasons, you cannot just flaunt your gears and shoot. The place seem quiet and peaceful enough to just wander and shoot but still, at the back of your mind, you know that this City has the highest crime rate in the country and shooting here is not usually done using a camera.

Basilan's Rubber Plantation

Let's talk rubber. I have learned when I was younger that rubber comes from plant. We had a rubber plant in front of our house then that produces glue-like sap that when it dries, it resembles an elastic band which you can stretch without breaking. The rubber plant, however, that I am referring to looks like this which hardly resembles the Rubber Tree that I have seen in Kumalarang, Basilan.

Malamawi Hill Top

I don't know if your are with me on this one but my wandering mind kept noticing the human nature (or urge)of always wanting to be on top. Be it on a corporate ladder or in a class full of people, it seems that everyone wants to be on top.

Malamawi Island's White Beach

They say some of the best spots in the country are those that are hard to reach. And based on my experience, I could say that they are right.

Interpix: Caught in 'd Act

Lamitan, Basilan

One of the most shocking events that the Philippines had in the opening of the new century was the Lamitan Siege. It was a story of a rescue operation gone wrong amid shocking allegations of corruption between government officials and rebel-kidnappers.

Basilan

Basilan is considered one of the most dangerous places in the Philippines. Beyond it's dangerous facade lies an unexplored wonder. Join my escapade there but don't tell my Mom I went to Basilan.

She's Always a Woman To Me

She can kill with a smile
She can wound with her eyes
She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
She hides like a child,
But she's always a woman to me

@ Tiendesitas, Pasig City

She can lead you to love
She can take you or leave you
She can ask for the truth
But she'll never believe you
And she'll take what you give her, as long as it's free
Yeah, she steals like a thief
But she's always a woman to me

Interpix: B H S

Decades ago, this place has nothing but tall grasses and military huts. Now, its a sprawling community that can rival the best of Makati.

People Watchin' @ Bagasbas Beach

When the sun is high in the sky, the shoreline of Bagasbas Beach is a picture of peace and quiet solitude that can soothe a tired soul seeking for solace against a mad life. But when afternoon comes, the whole place turns into adventurer's playground and a perfect time to people watch.

Spendin' Sometime at Bagasbas Beach

Christians all around the nation will definitely head-out into the water this Holy Saturday. Old Traditions and beliefs have it that water this time of the year has healing powers that can wash away all the sins committed through-out the year. Well, sins or not, I still think that with the searing heat and all, today is the perfect day to cool-off, and immerse with that satisfying feeling of being at the beach.

Lent

Let the light guide us through the right path as we reflect on the things that made us where we are now. Have a meaningful lent everyone!!!

Are You Ready For Summer?

Pasonanca and the Boy Scout Connection

I first saw images of these odd-shaped huts on a popular fast-food chain in Zamboanga. I asked my travel buddy what are these, and he said, those are fixed huts made-up of aluminum tins with concrete floors used by boy scouts whenever they are camping. The picture of rows of these tents as placed on the walls of that fast-food chain is quite interesting specially on the way it was photographed - that is on monochrome. So, before leaving Zamboanga, we see to it to visit Pasonanca and have our own take on the place.

UNTITLED p-1

"To travel is better than to arrive". I used to think that there is only one path to take to where you want to get in life. But choosing that one path doesn't mean you have to abandon all the other ones. I realise that it's actually what happens along the way that counts.

Zamboanga: Fort Pilar

If there is a bastion that has withstood the test of time, it has gotta be Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City. Founded by the Spaniards in 1635; attacked by the Dutch in 1646; deserted in 1635; reconstructed in 1666; rebuilt in 1719; stormed by Moros in 1720; bombarded by British in 1798; abandoned by Spaniards in 1898; occupied by the Americans 1899; seized by the Japanese in 1942; and finally claimed by the Philippines in 1946.

Zamboanga: Rio Hondo and Mariki Stilt Villages

I have seen pictures of stilt villages in Mindanao and often wonder at the resiliency and creativity of people living in it. I truly never thought that one day, I would actually see such a village for myself.

Satti de Zamboanga

It isn't intentional but have you noticed that four of my last six posts were about food. No wonder I have gained a few pounds lately. And let me add another food post to start my stories about my recent trip to Zamboanga.

Pinoy Foods @ Dampa

What is your favorite Filipino food? Is it the native food that grandma used to make or is the fusion food with a twist that your mom learned from tv. Whatever it is, Dampa in Cubao's surely has it.

Interpix: Daet's Toasted Siopao

I have been to Daet, Camarines Norte thrice. And in all those travels, never did I miss snacking on their famed Toasted Siopao.

Twenty Five and One @ EDSA

Twenty Five and One... Crowds gather at the busiest highway in the country while I am finilizing some documents that need to be submitted on this same day.

Interpix: Crave

We all have it... one way or the other. But then again, we have to wait another season.