Wanderlusting Philippines

Hi, I'm Catherine, and wanderlust is in my DNA. Alone, I'm crazy; with company, I'm crazier. Let me be your tour guide.

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Casa Vallejo was built in 1909, and is the oldest hotel in Baguio. I must say, the effortless antiquity of the place gives it its very charm.

With an unassuming facade, you might mistake it for an inoperable space. On the contrary, this space is abode with thriving businesses and its hotel rooms are rarely vacant.

Upon entering its lobby, you would find a restaurant that offers full course meals - the Hillstation. We were only able to dine there for breakfast, but their specialty would be full entrees. (I read)

Their little cafe is a must go place too, and do try their New York Cheesecake and Death by Chocolate…with coffee!

Baguio is a city known for the arts. With it becoming more and more cramped, it would be understandable that something has got to give…

There’s an on going land dispute that threatens to demolish Casa Vallejo, and turn it into a probable real estate development. This can be damaging to the city’s tourism industry, considering that it is one of the rare gems that gives the city its luster.

Please sign the petition, so that we can save Baguio’s lovely piece of history.

http://www.change.org/petitions/felipe-de-leon-jr-chairman-national-commission-for-culture-and-the-arts-declare-the-1909-casa-vallejo-building-in-baguio-city-a-heritage-site-or-important-cultural-property-and-ensure-its-future-protection-and-preservation?share_id=usWIZqUfKl&utm_campaign=share_button_mobile&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition

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Baguio’s not dead. Not, at all.

Baguio is popularly tagged as Philippine’s summer capital - as it brags a chilly atmosphere whole year round - making it an apt solace from the blistering summer heat. Its tourism industry was thriving in the 1990s as families would usually hit the road for a then, 8 hour drive.

With flights getting cheaper, Baguio though still an option, may quickly lose to a tip off among Boracay and Palawan. But let me convince you, otherwise.

I had a recent trip to Baguio with my best friend. ;) As we both shared a common love for the arts, the spots we visited reinvigorated how I see Baguio.

Among the spots we visited was Bencab museum, which sits along the stilts of hilly Benguet. (yeah, I know, it’s technically Benguet, not Baguio.)

BenCab, a contraption of the proprietor’s name Benedicto Cabrera, is home to a medium-sized collection (about a thousand to be more specific) of paintings, furniture, sculpture, and indigenous articles. The owner himself, is a national artist and many of his works are showcased throughout.

What was particularly enamoring about this museum is its view of a waterfall and the verdant hills that surround it. That is if you chance a good weather, and not a foggy one. BenCab is just one of the must-go places when you’re in Baguio. Also, before heading back to the city, you may want to grab a quick snack in their cafe. I’ll be sharing more spots. This counts for now. :)

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The Dangerous Ice Cream I've been back in Manila for roughly a month now, yet the desire to explore the unfamiliar is ever-bidding. Maginhawa, Quezon City, Philippines, 1101 Maginhawa is gaining popularity for it's becoming a go-to when it comes to out-of-the-box, hole-in-the-wall, dining experience. But this one isn't along Maginhawa, but along Magiting St., which happens to be the street where I reside in. :) I'm talking about the Icecreamist. Deadly. Yup, the ice cream could be deadly, since it is prepared with liquid Nitrogen. Exposure to liquid nitrogen can easily bring other substances to rock-solid, icy consistency. Thus, with a snap, fingers dipped into it can break. (as with the tongue, the throat, the esophagus...lalala) It's pretty fun, for a simple choice of ice cream, yea? But what's special about it anyway? Well, there's a good reason for this science. It allows the icecreamist to make odd and ambitious concoctions, on the spot, and in for-one-person serving sizes. I tried the toasted marshmallows, and I have been craving for the same ever since. Say hola to their nerdy menu board too! Hmm, perhaps the whole concept of it confounds my taste buds to be excited, but to sum it up, I was delighted to have tried it. (and will definitely go back!)

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Impulsive.

On the way back from the GK site in Cateel, Davao to Davao City, I saw our van driver making glances to steal a view of the Dragon’s Lair. (That’s if my memory serves me right.) I was hoping that our driver would keep his eyes on the road, we were after all, riding along a series of bends and turns. But what, I couldn’t blame him. The view was indeed irresistible.

Kuya, hinto tayo sa tabi, I said.

Decelerated from 90kph to 0.

This country calls you to stop when you can. Watch the view, steal a glance. Taste a weird-looking dish. Learn the languageS. Don’t fear speaking any of them. Smile and receive a smile back. Greet.

Jump from a rock, when the water looks deep enough. Hop from an island to another.

Grab your backpack.

This country will make you impulsive - but for many valid reasons. Come for a visit, and do not forget to bring your 5 senses with you.

Click here for full view: http://caturs.deviantart.com/art/Dragon-s-Lair-Mati-Davao-Philippines-377510272

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Insisted. Where as the next church would be 5 minutes away, and within the 5km radius, I insisted to travel more than an hour away from Iloilo city, just to be able to admire the beauty of Miagao - which easily tops my list of churches here in the Philippines. Philippines is abound with several centuries-old churches and cathedrals, built during the Spanish occupation. Where these old churches stand are simply symbolic of the reach of Spanish governance and influence. History also says that these churches used of egg white, as binder. Can you just imagine how churches sabotaged the Balut industry then? Kidding. (Balut is an artificial hybrid breed...moving ooon.) When visiting this church, make sure to pay attention to its intricately carved details and asymmetry. How to get there? Do what the locals do. Head to Ceres terminal in Jaro. Then ride the one that heads to Antique, and just go down in Miagao. (The bus ride's just 44 pesos, or roughly 1 USD) Lovely.

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Back to La Paz!

Doesn’t the name La Paz ring a bell? Well it should. If you haven’t seen those instant cup noodles flavored as La Paz Batchoy, well, today is your day to get educated. The original La Paz Batchoy, is in La Paz, Iloilo. And yes, I am still here.

Commoner knowledge - the two most popular brands are Deco’s and Ted’s. I prefer Ted’s over Deco’s, just cause it is lighter. Deco’s is more flavorful.

But, the real deal is that if you’re the hippie, loving things that are not too mainstream, and truly seeking what is extra special, well don’t go for the first, don’t go for the original, look for the best.

A little background - why is the Batchoy great in La Paz? Cause La Paz is a wet market. And if the recipe was strictly followed, then you can probably expect it from a store IN the market. Why it wont miss out on ingredients.

Been hanging around with a local tour guide, and the hippie secret is, if you want the best La Paz Batchoy, go to Netong’s.

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Puerto Princesa Cathedral

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WORKING LUNCH shouldn’t be like any other lunch, when you are in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

It’s been said that you can’t not pass by KaLui if you’re in Puerto Princesa, and if you take my word for it, I say legit.

KaLui has been around since the 1990s and only served ‘regular’ or ‘special,’ whatever those were. And the business has gone far in accommodating tourists that it has expanded.

This restaurant serves seafood and veggies. They also have loads of fresh fruits - even on display. It was my first time to see a red banana, yo!

A meal would cost around 7-10 USD.

But more than the food that this resto serves, I was easily entertained by that rustic-tiki ambiance. And while Rizal Avenue is mushrooming with so many tiki-inspired al fresco dining restos, what sets KaLui above and apart is obviously the love for art - manifest through so many carvings and paintings. So much so, that even its bathroom had to display a few.

Pay it a visit? It’s just 5 minutes from Puerto Princesa airport! Just tell the tricycle driver, and it’s pretty much automatic. Go, go, go!

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The girl was bored.

Nine in the evening, she decided to leave the hotel and prop her digital camera against plant boxes and stairs, to get night shots of a well-loved architectural masterpiece.

Straight lines, and perfect symmetry - such imagery cannot be mistaken of the style of Juan Arellano - the iconoclast behind Cebu Provincial Capitol.

It is a sight to see, pay it a visit when in Cebu.

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After Work Specials Being in new places only means surprising the senses. Just my luck, we went to the right place. Visit Wawa Heritage Restaurant in Jaro, Iloilo. It is owned by international designer Pj Arañador. With many quaint pieces, the place will surely make your eyes oscillate with wonder. The capis chandelier alone is gorgeous. The place too, is laden with literature about the history of Iloilo, its many tourist spots, and of course, its rich cuisine. Btw, didI tell you it's a restaurant? It is. Serving rice in cute coconut shells, in traditional banana leaves, the food in this restaurant shouts, "Yo', welcome to the Philippines" Some other good stuff I've tasted there are the local versions of binagoongan, latik (pumpkin porridge), tinola, and local sinigang. Their menu samples the authentic Ilonggo cuisine. Best part: food comes in province prices. (In saying that, I mean cheap.) Try a bountiful meal for 4, with just 15 USD. Yup! Go!

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Say hello to this mansion which now rings a bell during recess and lunch breaks - yup, converted into a school, this mansion now becomes a home for education. Get a sneak peek of Angelicum.

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If you insist to go on a diet but you happen to be in Iloilo, you might be able to stay lean, but you'll end up depressed having to refuse so much good food. Example #1: Maridel's cakes in Plazuela

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For some sudden twist of fate, I end up in Iloilo for work. :) (and I am not complaining)

So, if you happen to be in Iloilo, I would recommend going to the Esplanade, which is just a stone’s throw from Smallville. (accessible through Diversion road) That is if, you appreciate the simple luxury of spending time to watch the sun go down.

And oh, this country I love, never fails to show off its valor through its many views of the sunset. This country I love, is called the Philippines.

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The Flip Side of Bohol: Tarsier Botanika

A saying goes that if you read the same book twice, you tend to interpret it differently the second time. Perhaps the same goes for travelling - set foot in the same land twice, and either your perspective, or the horizon truly changes. This, I realized when I recently explored Bohol again.

A few years back, I traversed Bohol from Cebu. I recall the salient contrast of how Cebu felt like a merry mix of rural and urban, whilst Bohol effortlessly boasts of the richness of natural resources. With just a 45 minute cab ride, a tourist can enjoy the superior resorts of Cebu. Well, what do I know? Evidently, time transforms horizons.

Seemingly still under the radar, you can now expect to find a place like this, when you visit Bohol:

Say hello to Tarsier Botanika!

Dubbing itself as one of the world's best gardens, this tourist spot sets the bar high for itself. Could it have lived by the words it has sworn? You be the judge! Here are a few snapshots of what you can expect from a visit:

Lush greens, and seasonal blooms:

If your tour guide isn't entertaining enough, meet this odd stalker which isn't discreet at all.

And look at this braggart:

After getting your dose of Zoology, you might want to develop a sophistication for the arts. Why don't you examine the articles showcased throughout?

  Now, that Buddha right there... Errmm, was shipped whole. What's it? Two tons? Well, that's placed just right there so you can relax and have yoga in the lawn facing it.

Obviously had an exquisite taste for choosing articles, each corner brags a piece. Check these salvaged doors from a church in Pampanga, framed to lead the way to the mini grotto.

This is probably one of my favorite spots. Check that swell chandelier! 

And if you're after the real deal, they have European and Asian museums which house paintings and so many historical articles. *Picture taking not allowed*

All that walking and sight-seeing is sure to make you tired, so why don't you grab yourself a plate? 

The Chef definitely knows what he's doing. A serving of grilled veggies and seafood pasta complements the humid and windy atmosphere. Brilliant.   

  Here is the amazing management team of Tarsier Botanika and Tarsier Paprika.

Last stop:

You will easily find something fancy to take home!

With that, may I just say that Tarsier Botanika is a destination worth hitting. Make sure you pay it a visit. Entrance is just 500 Php, or about $12.50 at the time I wrote this. 

Want to read more about them? Here you go:

https://www.facebook.com/tarsierbotanika

http://tarsierbotanika.com/

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Going Downtown Iloilo

European-looking buildings that have been marked with the year when they have been built are insignia that you are in downtown Ilo-ilo.

The city of Iloilo has this project of shutting the streets from vehicles that the public will just be ambulant (in the same fashion as Vigan's Calle Oro). I can imagine the place to be VERY classy and beautiful, and once the project is done, Iloilo can expect a surge of tourists.However, downtown Iloilo is also home to a lot of thriving businesses, particularly shops and groceries where you can buy items in surplus/bulk. Pushing through with the project might mean negotiating to relocate these businesses, having a designated parking lot to these businesses, or I don't know what.

But anyway, here are some snippets of downtown Iloilo and the on-going restoration project:

     Looking at the buildings, it is as if people had so much time in their hands. They went for the unnecessary and IMO, the excessive. 

Check out the details on the roofing! O__O I can imagine the effort they put in to make those little scrolls, and making sure that everything looked symmetrical and identical.

  One particular building that I liked in downtown (maybe because it wasn't painted YET) was this:

  (And if they are ever going to repaint that, I might as well pray that they use some neutral color. Gwarsh, I hope they do a good job of it!)

What I noticed of the buildings was that they too, bear names of people. I noticed two names - S. Villanueva and Celso Ledesma. 

After much Googling, I still don't know who S. Villanueva is. But I was at least able to find Celso Ledesma. (Yea men, talk about stalking the dead!)

So my best guess is, Celso Ledesma is one of these high-society filthy-rich Fil-hispanics. My.Best.Guess.

And look just what Google can do. Celso Ledesma is apparently the same person who owns this mansion:

  Which of course, made me realize he built himself a home first before he had that building. They also call the Celso Ledesma mansion, the Eagle Mansion. 

Now if I can only get in this house... hahaha!

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If you are in Iloilo, be sure to have a walking tour of downtown. Give yourself enough time to look at the art-deco Italian-style looking buildings. If you love architecture and the arts, you should find this tour interesting. :) 

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What else to do, when in Cebu?

Why head to Mactan, of course.

Mactan island is an island of Cebu that is known for its resorts. Perhaps the reason for why it is popular, is because it is just an hour away from the city proper. This too, is the reason for why I love Cebu: it's as if you can switch your lifestyle on and off from urban to rural. Just decide in the morning, and you can be at the beach in the afternoon.

(In Manila, to get to the beach, it is a getaway we plan weeks in advance! Hahaha! Poor human beings!)

Several resorts make the coastline of Mactan. Some that I know are Hilton, Shangri-la, and these photos are taken from Plantation Bay.

Plantation Bay is lush with pools, ponds, and man-made salt water lakes which is pratically in every compound. You can literally jump in the pool when you go out of your room. Not to worry though, there are lots of lifeguards that roam in the whole area. It's safe for the family too, cause the water levels are just low.

You won't get bored there cause if you are tired of swimming, you can go biking, go to the gym, wall climb, go to their spa, etc. 

Their rooms are cozy and spacious, and you can request to have classic movie choices played in your room. Every nook was maintained well, and the stay is very comfortable.

What tops my list about this resort is their exceptional customer service. Their system is ingenious: they have a no-tipping policy. That way, no matter what your nationality, the service is equal and standard. That, I thought, was just brilliant. Exceptional service does not go unrewarded though. They have survey forms where you can put the names of the staff who were remarkable in their service. It then becomes basis for salary increase and promotion. 

Pretty cool, right? If you want to book, get the rates, or see better photos, here is their website: http://plantationbay.com/

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Here is one of the random abstracts that nature carves. Even in the lack of order, you know that a God is in control. 

The perks of travelling - you know your Creator.