Kiltepan Viewpoint: Catchin’ the Sunrise – Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

June 13, 2012 by 3 Comments
Sunrise at Kiltepan Viewpoint, Sagada

The dew that the shrubs collected through the night was still cradled in their leaves’ lovely embrace when we arrived at Kiltepan Viewpoint. While time seemed to stand still for these droplets, we were hurrying to the top of the hill as fast as we could, trying to catch the sunrise. We cut the fog that blanketed the trees and carefully trod to the top, all the while trying to avoid stepping on the red mud. We ended up catching our breaths, our footwear covered in mud and our eyes feasting on this heavenly spectacle that unfolded before our eyes. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mountain Province, Mountains and Hills, Sagada Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Moving Mountains for Bomod-ok Falls – Sagada, Philippines

June 12, 2012 by 2 Comments
Bomod-ok Falls or "Big Falls" in Sagada

“This waterfall better be worth it,” said my friend Tonet in between gasps and pants. We had not walked even a quarter of the distance yet our legs and lungs were already complaining hard. It was exhausting, to say the least. But the view on the way there was highly encouraging. There we were, in the middle of the terraced hillside, planted with all sorts of vegetables. The view was nothing short of spectacular. Bomod-ok Falls is also called the Big Falls because, well, it is definitely bigger than Bokong Falls, another popular waterfall in Sagada. Hidden deep in a valley, it takes an hour to two to get here by foot from the main road (and that's just one-way). Bomod-ok's cold, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mountain Province, Mountains and Hills, Sagada, Waterfalls Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Echo Valley and the Hanging Coffins – Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

June 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Echo Valley

The question always pops up. I had been to Sagada three times. Each time, I visited the Echo Valley. Each time someone always asked the guide this question: Why do the locals hang coffins on the side of the cliff? Although the answers vary in small details, they are basically similar --- the locals believe that the higher the coffins are, the closer they are to heaven. … [Read more...]

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Sumaguing Cave: My Spelunking Debut – Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

June 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Mouth of Sumaguing Cave

The worry in my head started to grow bigger as we moved deeper into Sumaguing Cave. It wasn't because it was difficult to climb down --- it is, actually --- but because it was beginning to dawn on me how tremendously tougher it would be to climb back up. You see, the way out of this cave if you're doing the standard Sumaguing Cave Spelunking Tour is the same as the entry point. It didn't help that as our trail became steeper and steeper as we went along, it also got more slippery. But it was the most fun I had had in a long while! There are over 60 caves discovered underneath the town of Sagada. Of all of these underworlds, Sumaguing Cave has the biggest chamber, earning its nickname "The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Caves, Philippines, Sagada Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Budget Travel Guide to Batangas, Philippines

May 20, 2012 by 14 Comments
Taal Heritage Town

Batangas is a blessed land. Not only is it very close to the capital Manila, it also cradles a wide array of diverse landscapes --- pristine beaches, a scenic lake, spectacular diving sites, breathtaking rivers, fertile farm lands, enchanting mountains, and a volcano. These places have also nurtured communities from the pre-Spanish settlements to the rise of the province's many urban centers in its long history. Thus, it is no surprise that Batangas has a rich culture and heritage, and has become home to some of the country's most significant national heroes whose roles and legacy cannot be stressed enough. How to Get There Batangas is only two to three hours away from Manila depending … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Batangas, Budget and Expenses, Sample Itineraries, Travel Guide

Restaurant Review: Kainan sa Dalampasigan – Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines

May 18, 2012 by 10 Comments
Kainan sa Dalampasigan's famous BILAO!

We were expecting a delightful restaurant with a stunning view of the seashore. We didn't get that. We got something else. And we're content. Tucked in a quiet barangay in Nasugbu, Batangas, Kainan sa Dalampasigan is still a delightful seafood restaurant but we did not get the view of the sea. Instead, this authentic Batangueno gastronomic paradise lies in a lush garden that allows visitors a quick but memorable moment with nature. It's an oasis in the middle of a rapidly developing town. The place is bursting with flowering vegetation with a beautiful organic ceiling, made of vines many of which hang like frozen gentle raindrops. Even without having our first taste of the dishes they had … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Batangas, Food Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Calatagan Lighthouse: Rough Roads Lead to Shut Gates – Batangas, Philippines

May 17, 2012 by 14 Comments
Cape Santiago Lighthouse in Calatagan, Batangas

Movie production trucks and service vans lined up in the area beside the Cape Santiago Lighthouse like giant wheeled gates that separate us from this towering structure. Apparently a horror film by Regal Entertainment was being shot when we arrived and the lighthouse had been closed. It was already late afternoon and according to some of the residents watching the shoot, it would remain closed until the next morning. We were utterly disappointed but there was nothing we could do. We didn't travel to Calatagan just to see the top of the lighthouse; we wanted a closer, grander view. We needed to come up with a Plan B quick. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Batangas, Lighthouses Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Historic Town of Balayan – Batangas, Philippines

May 17, 2012 by 4 Comments
Church of the Immaculate Conception (Balayan Church)

My grandfather used to call it Balayang. "Balayan po," I would always correct him. He wouldn't budge. No matter how many times my cousin and I told him that the town is called Balayan and not Balayang, he would insist that the town's name was Balayang. Now that I'm a grown-up, I learned that my grandfather wasn't that wrong after all. One of the probable origins of the name of the town is the word balayang, which means wood in Old Tagalog. I have also heard other old neighbors, aside from my lolo, use Balayang instead of Balayan. Others say that the name was from the word balai, meaning house, or balayan which is also an Old Tagalog term. Balayan's history can be traced back to the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Batangas, Historical Sites, Religious Sites Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Taal Heritage Town: A Brisk Sightseeing Walking Tour – Batangas, Philippines

April 30, 2012 by 6 Comments
The Municipal Hall of Taal standing across the Basilica

Taal used the be the capital of the province of Batangas. It used to be located in present day San Nicolas but the whole town was forced to move to a safer elevated location, farther from the Taal Volcano after the disastrous 200-day 1754 eruption (May 15-December 1, 1754), the biggest eruption of this small volcano in recorded history. The town continued to prosper during the Spanish era and produced some of the country's bravest national heroes including Don Felipe Agoncillo, a revolutionary hero and a diplomat; his wife Doña Marcela Marino Agoncillo, best known for making the Philippine Flag; Doña Gliceria Marella de Villavicencio, known as the Godmother of the Revolution and a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Batangas, Historical Sites, Museums Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Miraculous Well of Sta. Lucia and the San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps – Taal, Batangas, Philippines

April 29, 2012 by 5 Comments
The arch that marks the site where the two women saw the image of the Lady reflected on the water

One hundred and twenty five steps. Yes, we counted. Coming from the Taal Basilica, we passed by several ancestral houses to reach the San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps, which led us to the Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay. This giant staircase conncects the Caysasay Shrine to the center of the town. Originally made of adobe stone, these steps were replaced with granite in 1850. If you're at Taal Basilica and you wish to visit the Caysasay Church, this is the way to go instead of hiring a tricycle. You wouldn't mind the walk, I'm sure, because you will also get to see several historical sites and landmarks including the Goco and Villavicencio ancestral houses along the way. You can also … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Batangas, Religious Sites, Springs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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