Category: Visayas

Food Trip: Bacolod City

There are a lot of places in the Philippines that are great for food-tripping. But ask any frequent traveler, and they’re sure to have Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental in the Visayas region at the top of their list. Bacolod is popularly known as the “City of Smiles” because they celebrate the Mardi-Gras like Masskara Festival, a revelry of street dancing, carnivals and parades every third weekend of October. But foodies will find plenty to smile about even if they don’t go during festival season. Here are some of the must-try specialties and restaurants in Bacolod City.

calea bacolod pecan pie ala mode

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Siquijor: Motorcycling the Mystic Island

Siquijor is shrouded in stories of sorcery and witchcraft. Dubbed the “Mystic Island,” this province in the Central Visayas is known as the home of witches, shamanistic folk healers and mambabarang (people who can cause affliction or death by supernatural means). I heard that hexes, curses and love potions were hawked on the streets along with the usual souvenir keychains and magnets. You have to admit, there’s just something so fascinating about any place steeped in such superstitions. While some people are afraid to set foot here, this reputation for dark magic is actually what drew me to the island.

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Islands Leisure Boutique Hotel, Dumaguete

With its quirky details, classy decor and homey vibe, Islands Leisure Boutique Hotel is a great place to stay in Dumaguete City. This boutique hotel in the capital city of Negros Oriental offers a peaceful oasis right in the heart of the city. After motorcycling all over Siquijor the previous day, checking in here felt like a treat.

islands leisure boutique hotel dumaguete fountain

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MNL Beach Hostel Boracay

A couple of weeks ago, I had a work-sponsored assignment to write about schools affected by typhoon Yolanda around Kalibo and Capiz. It just so happened that one of the days in the scheduled trip fell on a local holiday with no schools open and the people I needed to interview not available. Aside from the direct flights to Caticlan, Kalibo is a known gateway to Boracay, the most popular island destination in the Philippines. Boracay is not a place I am really drawn to, but the free time was too good to pass up. So, without any concrete plans, I made my way there to see how much the place has changed since I had last been there.

mnl beach hostel boracay

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5 Weird Pinoy Fiestas

Most festivals in the Philippines take inspiration from a distinct product or industry of the town. This product usually dictates the theme for the activities, decor and street-dancing costumes, which seem to be a staple of every Pinoy fiesta. In the official Tourism AVP, it’s pointed out that, “we have rice fiestas, flower fiestas, giant fiestas, mask fiestas. We have one every day of the year. And everyone’s invited.” And because the country is blessed with so many products and industries, this has resulted in some rather out-of-the-ordinary fiestas as well. Here are five of the weirder inspirations for Pinoy festivals I’ve come across.

BAGOONG (SHRIMP PASTE)
Where: Lingayen, Pangasinan Continue reading “5 Weird Pinoy Fiestas”

Baybay Beach & Grand Gazebo in Capiz

Baybay Beach in Roxas City, Capiz is popular weekend spot for locals and visitors from nearby towns and provinces. With its seven-kilometer long stretch of sugar-fine glittery black sand and relatively calm waters, the beach is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and skimboarding.

During a trip to Capiz last December, we had a jam-packed schedule, covering the Sinadya sa Halaran Festival, visiting waterfalls, caves and various pilgrimage sites. It was nice to take a breather and just enjoy the refreshing see breeze at the beach. Continue reading “Baybay Beach & Grand Gazebo in Capiz”

Colors of Capiz

Our trip to Capiz coincided with the the Sinadya sa Halaran 2012 festival, which literally means “Joy in Sharing and Thanksgiving.” Held every December, this festival is a merging of the Roxas City Fiesta “Sinadya” and the Provincial celebration of “Halaran.” It is a commemoration of the feast of the patroness of Roxas City (the Immaculate Concepcion).

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Crab Overload in Samar’s Alimango Festival

“Batok alert. Crab high cholesterol festival!”

“Panalo yan. Ang Sarap. Ang Alige, Ang High Blood at Cholesterol.”

“Drool drool! Cardiac delights! (add thick coco cream for that ultimate mortal sin meal )”

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Going Solo in Guimaras

Four days ago, I was sitting alone on a tiny stretch of beach in Guimaras as the waters receded, leaving starfish beached on the shore. Darkness seeped into the sky, shifting from cheerful blue to rusty orange to deep purple, as I reflected on solo travel and life in general.

Even if there were other people around, I felt isolated. Earlier that afternoon, a group of day trippers where singing along to the strumming of a guitar. They posed happily for jump shots at the pier and exchanged stories while I watched from afar. Several workers were busy hammering something in a room two doors down from my beachside fan-room and attending to various renovations at the resort. But still, I felt alone. Continue reading “Going Solo in Guimaras”

What a Journey it has Been…

“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” — Don Williams, Jr. (American Novelist and Poet, b.1968)

In a couple of weeks, the year 2011 will come to an end and another one will begin. This December, the 14th edition of the Blog Carnival takes a look back at the memorable journeys taken by 34 Pinoy Travel Bloggers. From journeys on land, sea, and air on the way to a specific destination, to trying out various modes of transport, overcoming fears, and learning life lessons while on the road, this compilation pays tribute to the spirit of adventure that courses through the veins of true-blue travelers.

Join us as we focus on the often overlooked journey it takes to get to wherever we’re going. Continue reading “What a Journey it has Been…”