Archive for November, 2009

Posted on November 22, 2009 - by Vic

Palanan – the town that time forgot

Mention the name Palanan, and even province mates of this remote town finds this municipality a mystery, mainly because of its inaccessibility and many natural wonders, said Governor Ma. Gracia Cielo Padaca, who described the 397 – year old town as “one of Isabela’s best kept secrets.” Though some outsiders tag Palanan (population less than 20,000) as “the town that time fogot,” many of its residents don’t seem to mind.

(more…)

Posted on November 20, 2009 - by Vic

Destination: The Philippines

Ever fantasize about putting your life on hold to travel around the country? That’s what I decided to do. But it took serious planning.

The island journey I undertook was to see the Philippines from a Southeast Asian person’s point of view (100% pure Filipino and unadulterated Ilocano!). I was always faced with reading all these articles and books written by former colonialists as well as travel writers from the west! My goal was to give the readers a new perspective from someone hailing from the region!

I have spent a good couple of years -12 to be exact to see the region – starting from Jakarta, where I was based for the last eleven years straight out of New York. I’ve penciled in an itinerary, which from time to time was changed due to some interesting destination discoveries around the country. There were no blueprints for the trips I undertook. Some where extended trips borne out of official or business trips – what was originally a three day trip was extended to one to two days personal leaves to have a “feel” of the city or town where I was having a meeting or function. The planned trip brought me from the farthest town of the country, Basco, Batanes and its neighboring islands of Sabtang and Itbayat to the cosmopolitan city of Baguio to culturally preserved Cebu and Negros to Zamboanga, Basilan and Davao gateway to our Asian neighbors Sandakan Malaysia and Menado Indonesia were chances that I’d end up somewhere I’ve never considered, like Fuga, Caramoan, Badian and Tawi-Tawi in Mindanao.

If I sound a bit aimless, it’s because there was no grand purpose or point to my journey. The heaviest part of my trip was my luggage and hand carries. I was not out to find myself, or even to loose myself. I was merely seeking a pause in my daily routine.

I was willing to take the risk, professionally – leaving a lucrative and cushy career in public relations consulting. Actually, I didn’t want to get to “65 to do things” I wanted to do. I may not live that long, and I may not want to do them then anyway. I just want a break! I’m single and mobile – this makes it less risky than it would for many other people.

In this blog, I have written an usually wide range of local travel destinations, the expanded gateways of getting to these places – including historical and cultural attractions, and dining information and advice – reflecting the tremendous variety of experiences that the Philippines has to offer.

So therein lies my continuing challenge: keeping you apprised of what’s at the very forefront of Philippine travel while always searching out places in the country where dynamic old world dovetails into the steadily shifting directions of an interesting country.

Good travels!

Posted on November 19, 2009 - by Vic

Camaya Coast – A Tropical Haven in Bataan

Immerse yourself in the dazzle of an oceanfront paradise beyond compare. Surrounded by soothing waves and cool ocean breeze, one can take time to bask in romantic sunsets, enjoying a casual stroll along the sandy shores of this island cove in Bataan. The allure of Camaya Coast is unmistakable. Gorgeous homes will soon rise in an elegant environment. This is going to be a dream address for only a few who will take pleasure in calling it home.

(more…)

Posted on November 19, 2009 - by Vic

Endless Trips to Vigan

Honestly, I have been to this city countless of times. I have never tired of going back to a city rich with interesting stories everytime I pay homage to this city. A trip to the main roads of Vigan, capital city of Ilocos Sur, reminds visitors of the great period of Spanish colonization in the Philippines – mansions, cobblestone streets and calesas are the some of the distinct hallmarks of historic Vigan. Miraculously spared by the bombings of the late World War II, the city is considered the finest surviving example of Spanish colonial town in Asia. In 1999, Vigan was designated a Unesco World Heritage site.

(more…)

Posted on November 19, 2009 - by Vic

A French Farm in ABRA

Not so long ago, Abra province had something of a nasty reputation, most famed for its senseless killings and shootouts between political clans, the late incident that caught national attention, was the shooting of a current congressman in a wedding ceremony inside church in the middle of a wedding ceremony, allegedly by a paid assassin of a disgruntled and defeated politician.

On my nomadic trips around northern Luzon, it was not surprising that Abra province was often glossed over in tourist brochures and guides on the Northern Philippines. However, looking beyond these senseless killings, the province of Abra holds a storehouse of simple pleasures for the traveler who wants to imbibe nature, adventure sports and culture in refreshing doses. I have never read even quite a few magazine features about this underrated province up north. It is not surprising that Abra has caught my interest when I came across a brochure promoting agritourism in the province where one town called Garreta, 15 minutes by public transportation from the provincial capital Bangued, boasts of a farm resort called Pamora Farms that raises French native chicken and fed nothing but corn kernels,lemon grass tea in the afternoon and herbal supplements like oregano, chili, ipil-ipil, star apple leaves. They are raising a special Capone variety that can grow to as big as one’s thanksgiving turkey or as heavy as 2 kilos when it matures in 60 days.
(more…)