The minutes quickly passed as our tricycle roared off into the humid streets of Siquijor. It was already two in the afternoon, and again, we disembarked and found ourselves staring right into a gnarly body of a huge centuries old Balete tree growing at the end of a shallow swimming pool.

VINES STRAGGLING DOWN THE SIQUIJOR BALETE TREE

The tree is said to be around 400 to 500 years old, depending on who you ask, and is definitely the biggest of its kind on the island. Balete or banyan trees are usually parasitic in nature, creeping up on unsuspecting healthy trees and wrapping itself around it until the host finally dies. This leaves a hollow core in the middle where one can enter if it becomes big enough.

► SEE: SIQUJOR TRAVEL GUIDE

The problem with Langkawi Island is public mass transportation. It simply does not exist. Well, except for taxis, which is an expensive way of getting around, especially if you’re traveling solo. So, on our last day of stay at Hotel Bahagia, before transferring to Century Langkawi Beach Resort—which is located some sixteen kilometers farther west of the island—we decided to merge our half-day Langkawi sightseeing tour with Ekomegah Holidays with our hotel transfer.

LANGKAWI’S EAGLE SQUARE STRETCHES OUT INTO THE SEA

The first location on our itinerary is predictably, the most famous spot in Langkawi, the Eagle Square [GPS COORDINATES MAP 6.308824, 99.851454] or Dataran Lang in Malay. It is located near the Langkawi Royal Yacht Club, where a big duty free shop is located too. We saw this iconic landmark during our Langkawi Sunset Cruise from the waters of Kuah Bay and now we get to see it up close.

Always against the light. That’s my impression of Leyte’s top tourist draw, the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park. I’ve been to this place twice, both right after lunchtime, and I’ve always had a hard time taking pictures of these seven larger than life statues that commemorate the start of the Philippine liberation against the Japanese Imperial Forces during the Second World War.

PALO’S RED BEACH, A POPULAR SWIMMING PLACE FOR LOCALS

Indeed, the iconic bronze statues, done by sculptor Anastacio Caedo are larger than life; like almost two times larger than an average Filipino’s height. Standing at ten feet tall, the scene portrays Gen. MacArthur’s landing at the Red Beach—red, not because of the blood shed during the invasion, but due to U.S. military’s color code—as captured by his personal photographer Gaetano Faillace.

► SEE: SAN JUANICO BRIDGE

Logs and kindling were piled, and hotdogs with soft marshmallows were skewered on thin bamboo sticks. Twilight has set a few hundred feet above Subic Bay. From a frame of tree branches, we can clearly see the city below, alive and twinkling; its electric hues illuminating the darkening sky, reflecting on the dark bay. With a flash of flint, our bonfire whooped into existence. We basked in the glow of the fire, mesmerized with its intensity, ready with our hotdogs, stories, and bottles of beer.

JEST CAMP ENTRANCE ARCH

MAGAUL BIRD PARK’S GIFT SHOP

We were at Subic’s JEST Camp. It was my third time to visit this place and it has definitely changed since I last set foot on it. Together with a group of friends who share the same passion for traveling (and drinking beer), we went here to witness the opening of the Magaul Bird Park’s Wings of the World and test our friendship with the JEST Camp Hunger Games.

We were a little out of breath after climbing all 438 steps towards the viewing deck of the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park. Since the massive earthquake destroyed parts of the old viewing deck in the town of Carmen, the one at CHAP’s became the de facto viewing deck before the old one reopened.

I have been to both decks, and even though the original one has a much grander view, this new one has much more up its sleeve than just a panoramic view of the hills.

The Chocolate Hills Adventure Park, more commonly known as CHAP, is a Bohol destination specifically made for people whose middle name is adventure. Besides the viewing deck, the sprawling four-hectare compound has a nine-course rope challenge, hiking trails, and a very unique bike zip line dubbed as The Rush.

The heat was searing as I tried to conquer the simple looking Aerial Walk Challenge at the newly opened Sandbox at Alviera in Porac. It looked easy, but once I set foot on its obstacles, sweat started to pour from my body like there was no tomorrow.

ALVIERA SANDBOX IN PORAC

Sandbox at Alviera is the newest outdoor adventure park to hit the province of Pampanga.

Like its name suggests, it is a playground of sorts, but with a twist—the games here are really not all for kiddos. Dotting its thousand or so hectares are two sets of giant swings, a rappelling, climbing and free fall tower, an aerial walk complex, a roller coaster zipline, a pump-track for bikes, and an ATV station for a longer rides outside the complex.

►CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN PORAC

The rickety bamboo pathway creaked under my weight as my foot descended in stride. I was walking along at the massive Mangrove Forest in Kalibo, the Bakhawan Eco-Park, spending a day before my flight back to Manila at one of the most peaceful sanctuaries in the province of Aklan.

The Bakhawan Eco-Park, as it is officially called, is a sprawling 220-hectare mud flat that has been transformed into a mangrove haven by the Aklanons, NGOs (particularly Kalibo Save the Mangroves) and the local government.

Bakhawan is a local Visayan term for mangroves.

►CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN KALIBO

Christmas is fast approaching, and with all the tragedies our country is going through, it’s almost unbelievable that it’s just but a month away. But Christmas won’t go away, even with all that.

And as with past years, Makati City is once again making the evenings glimmer with the wondrous Ayala Christmas Lights and Sounds shows. I was able to watch the previous years’ presentation and it was by pure chance that I got to see this year’s.

It’s as magical as the first time I stood under those old trees, mouth agape at the thousands of glittering stars. Enough to make you forget—even for a little while—and remember that it’s still indeed the most wonderful time of the year.

The sea breeze gently ruffled the leafy talisay trees lining the shoreline of Iligan City’s Centennial Park in Barangay Dalipuga. Our group has just finished the hike from the nearby Dodiongan Falls and we were looking for a place to relax and while the afternoon away.

The Dalipuga Centennial Park is a favorite among the Iliganons for picnics and quiet afternoon respite. Facing the western sea, it provides a breezy place where locals just generally hang out and spend time doing nothing. Small sari-sari stores line the road parallel to the park, but if you’re not in the mood to walk, vendors selling Filipino snacks like balut and chicharon also frequent the area.

►CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN ILIGAN CITY

The gushing waters of the Botong Twin Falls welcomed us at one of the most unlikely places.

I was invited to join the Philippine Tour Operators Association (which by the way is hosting the upcoming 24th Philippine Travel Mart) media familiarization tour of the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon.  And our first stop for our four-day jaunt was the BacMan Geothermal Power Plant.

Festive drumbeats, blaring horns and lively dancing greeted us as we exited Legazpi’s airport on our way to the the BacMan Geothermal Power Plant. Everyone was joking with the name of the plant since it resembled a famous DC superhero. Our guide explained that it’s a combination of two towns in Sorsogon and Albay; Bacon (now Sorsogon City) and Manito, where the geothermal plant is located. Aha.

To be honest, I wasn’t that excited in the prospect of visiting a power plant. I mean, what can we really see there? Besides, my tummy was already sending signals to my head that it was already hungry. It’s not the earth’s steamy rumble I’m hearing, it’s my stomach.

Good thing the guys at BacMan were all aware of this; as soon as we alighted at the power station, lunch, Bicol-style was automatically served. Laings, pangats and Bicol Express were mixed with all sorts of seafood. Yum!

After satiating our tummies, we were soon moving again. The BacMan Geothermal Production Field has something up its sleeve that we weren’t aware of. Besides producing power for the whole of the Philippines, it also hosts a bounty of flora and fauna in its 25,000 hectare land area.

The first of these we visited was their butterfly garden. Housed on a 254 square-meter netted dome, the sanctuary has a total of seven different butterfly species and is also used as a plant nursery. The butterfly garden actually acts as a pollution indicator in the area; the air is considered clean as long as the butterflies thrive.

Our group then proceeded to BacMan’s Wildlife Conservation and Rescue Center. Located in the middle of a heavily wooded hill, it houses bird species like the Philippine Eagle Owl and Brahminy Kite eagles to name a few. The difference between these and some rescue centers is that they actually really release the birds after re-conditioning them to the wild.

Besides recovering animals from poachers and those turned over by other agencies, the BacMan plant also tries to replenish two of our country’s most endangered species; the Philippine Brown Deer and the Philippine Warty Pig. A large pen holds these two species and visitors are allowed to see them at close range.

And then it was time to check out the Botong Twin Falls. I was actually dreading this visit since a waterfall usually equates trekking long distances; I just wasn’t in the condition for such. It came as a complete surprise then that the waterfalls was right beside the road!

The weird thing about this hundred fifty-footer twin falls is that while one of it gushes fresh spring water, the other pours sulfuric ones into its basins! Well, I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised since the Botong Twin Falls is sitting on a volcano.

And one can’t really deny that we are all sitting on a caldera of a magnanimous volcano. The huge powerful white steams rising from certain parts of the area proves just that.

Besides those we visited, the BacMan Geothermal Plant still boasts of other natural attractions that we weren’t able to check out due to time constraints. I would’ve loved to photograph the huge Golden-Crowned and Large Flying Fox bats that dot the treetops of the power plant, the Inang Maharang Mud Pool, the Naghaso Boiling Lake and the Parang Hot Spring.

The perfect cone of Mayon Volcano decided to grace our presence on our way out of the BacMan Geothermal Power Plant. It’s quite strange to witness smoke billowing out of the volcano’s mouth while steam also brews out of the geothermal grounds.

It was a good first few hours at Bicol’s Sorsogon and Albay provinces and I’m excited for more!

BacMan Geothermal Power Plant
Address: Mt. Pocdol, Palayan Bayan, Manito, Albay
Contact Number: (02) 893-6001 loc.2405
E-mail: edc@energy.com.ph
Open Hours: By Appointment

GPS Coordinates: +13° 3' 16.88", +123° 58' 2.65"
View Location on Google Maps: Click Here

 

I remember the first time I set foot in Tagaytay City with a couple of office friends; they showed me around the area, tried out leaf dishes at Sonya’s Garden and walked around Caleruega’s sprawling gardens. Then one of them mentioned a palace in the sky. My curiosity got piqued; a palace in the sky? Really?

Images of Hayao Mizaki’s anime classic, Laputa flashed before my eyes. Is there really such a place in Tagaytay City? I asked my friend. She quickly backed up, saying it was more a park really than a castle. Dubbed as People’s Park in the Sky, it is located at Mount Sungay, the city’s highest point.

Caleruega has always been a favorite haunt whenever I climb up to Tagaytay City. It’s the perfect place to forget the bustle of daily life and embrace nature’s silent whispers. It’s a hilly retreat where one can simply sit still, look at the far off landscapes of Nasugbu and trace the rugged outlines of Mount Batulao.

► CHECK OUT: TAGAYTAY TRAVEL GUIDE

I can’t count how many times I’ve visited this place; with friends, families, and old flames. Caleruega’s many stone hallways are probably familiar with my steps now, the rough adobe walls silently saying their welcome backs as I retrace my steps along its smooth brown-tiled floors.

After another chaotic time shooting the Panagbenga Float Parade, I was again on the hunt for some peace and quiet. I took out my phone and checked the map for interesting places nearby. I found that the Wright Park was only a few minutes away by foot from the Azalea Residences. I packed my things and set to go.

I bade farewell to my fellow travel buddies and proceeded on foot towards the park. I passed the infamous Teacher’s Camp in Baguio City and was almost tempted to spend the remaining light of the afternoon there. But I was all alone, and so I chickened out.

I was ready for a change of scenery after shooting Baguio City’s Panagbenga Festival. It was beautiful but chaotic; I was stressed out and almost wished I didn’t bring my cameras along. I think I would’ve enjoyed it better if I simply watched the whole thing without shooting a single image.

As the street dancing moved towards the city bowl, we gravitated towards the opposite direction. I just wanted to get away from the maddening crowd; I didn’t imagine Baguio City can be as cramped as this. H said she wanted to see some flowers and I immediately knew where to go, to Burnham Park’s Orchidarium we went.

A blast of gushing waters and whipping breeze greeted us as we entered the second dome at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay. From the entry point I can see why they dubbed it as the Cloud Forest as I craned my neck upwards to the circling pathways way way above from where I was standing.

The 115-foot artificial waterfalls cascades down from a multi-level platform holding Cloud Forest’s very own mountain. The environment here feels very wet, true to the dome’s supposed reproduction of tropical mountain regions a thousand meters and more above sea level.

With our tummy dragons contented by the dishes at Blue Ginger, it was time to go to business. Our first real stop in Singapore is the recently opened cooled conservatories at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay; the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest.

The two conservatories comprise only a tiny bit of the sprawling garden but even from the outside, one can already see how massive these egg-like structures are.

Multitudes of unlighted basketball-sized spheres hang at the gnarly branches across Ayala Triangle’s old trees. It’s a regular busy day in Makati, with throngs of sharply dressed yuppies trotting in and out of the gardens on their way to their meetings and what-nots of working people.

The moon rose and the sky transformed from regular blues to electric hues. Buildings lit up, their towers gleaming in the early evening. The avenue outside got even busier; but inside the Triangle, people stopped, seemingly anticipating something. A sprinkle of shimmering notes twinkled through the gardens and bright lights suddenly flared. The annual Lights and Sounds show at the Ayala Triangle commenced.

Half a kilometer away from the Rizal Landing Site in Sta. Cruz beach is another set of landmarks worthy of a visit when in Dapitan City. Towering over the town of Dapitan is the Baroque-styled St. James Church and along its perimeter, the relief map of Mindanao made by none other than Jose Rizal.

The map is made of grassy mounds in rough scale of the Mindanao Islands. It was based from a scientific one made in 1734 by a University of Manila professor, French Jesuit Fr. Murilio Velarde, for the then Governor Valdes Tamón.

On the night of the 17th of July 1892, our National Hero, Jose Rizal landed on the beach of Sta. Cruz in Dapitan. Escorted by artillery men and Captain Delgras, they trod the dark roads of the town, lamps in hand, and presented him to the district’s Military Governor to live life in exile.

With the publication of his first book Noli Me Tangere, the Spanish government branded Rizal as an enemy of the state. Further implications in a July 1892 rebellion sealed his fate to exile.