Traveling Morion | Travel + Photography

Siquijor Island is one of the must visit islands in the Philippines. Rich in turquoise waters and wonderful beaches. This remote area in Visayas is one of the most magnificent and paradise-like places. As you hear about Siquijor, you might think about spiritual rituals, witchcraft, and other mysterious stories about the island.

Aside from these stories, you can find magical places that will feed your heart and soul. Looking for solemn place to relax on your own is challenging, but now you finally found your answer. One of the best beaches in Siquijor Island is the Salagdoong Beach. Come and see the real beauty of the island through this beach.

Salagdoong Beach – A Wanderer’s Paradise

As you visit the island of Siquijor, this is one of the most beautiful beaches you could ever find in this place. The sand is white, and the sea is blue as the sky. Its magnificent view will give you joy and peace of mind. To see the best look of the ocean, there is hummock separating the beachfront where you can climb. The water is clear that you can see the fishes just by your bare eyes.

As you enter this beach, you will see the trees lining up as if you will enter a secret wonderful place, and surely it is!

Here are some of the amazing things you can do in this majestic paradise:

Cliff Jumping

Take a dare and challenge yourself! Just make sure to note all the precautions provided. The spot is amazing enough to leave you in awe. Cliff starts from 7 to 10 meters high. Choose your preference and beat your fear from choosing the highest jumping point of the cliff. Jumping off the cliff is for free, included in the P25 entrance of the beach.

Eat Wonderful Cuisines

Near the cliff, there is the restaurant where you can find your favorite dishes. Prepare P150 – P400 for the meal you want to buy. If you are being thrifty and want to save more money, then you can bring your own food to eat.

Swim like there’s no tomorrow!

The beach is clean and well-maintained. You can swim to the pristine water without worrying about the floating garbage. As you go deeper in the ocean, you will see turquoise water.

Take Instragrammable Shots

One more thing you need to do when you go to beautiful place is to take a picture to treasure the memories, and of course to post it in your Instagram. The rocks in the beach with the view of the ocean will surely amaze your followers. What are you waiting for? Take a click on your camera and post it right away!

Stay Overnight

Instead of spending a day, spend two days and one night to enjoy the most of it. The accommodation is great and airconditioned. Spending a day will be worth it but adding another day for your stay will truly make you acknowledge the beauty of Salagdoong Beach.

Enjoy beautiful scenery at Salagdoong Man-made Molave Forest

Going to Salagdoong beach, you’ll pass in road of beautiful man-made forest of Molave trees. Just take your time as you pass by it, enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Now that you finally know what to do in your Salagdoong Beach escapade, you have to make a budget without breaking the bank.

For entrance fee, you need P25.

The food served in the restaurants cost P150 to P400.

The budget when you enter in Salagdoong Beach is quite thrifty but touring around the island of Siquijor is quite high-priced. If you want to tour around the island, especially the beautiful destinations of this place like Enchanted Balete Tree Spring, Cambugahay Falls, Butterfly Sanctuary, Cantabon Cave, Lazi Convent, and other more, you may rent a tricycle for P1000 than to spend P500 for single destination ride

TRAVEL NOTES

Two days are enough to visit the popular places near the Salagdoong Beach. If your original plan is just going to the beach, change your plan on visiting other tourist spots to become more practical, and at the same time get the most of Siquijor Island.

When you go for cliff diving, make sure that the ocean is in high tide to avoid any injury. You may jump far from the usual jumping spot to avoid hitting on the rock. You should ask the admin first about the precautions and instructions for cliff diving.

Summer is coming! Looking for best spots for your vacation may be challenging and might cost you money. Philippines has so much to offer. It has lots of island you can visit, but Siquijor is one of a kind. Salagdoong Beach is a must visit when in Siquijor.

Salagdoong Beach will offer you great ways of spending your vacation. Spend your #SUMMER2018 right!

Here’s the detailed Siquijor Travel Guide on HOW TO GET THERE.

Interesting Things to do in Siquijor Province

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Islas de Gigantes is the best place to go to when you want to maximize the summer season. It is a group of islands found in the northeastern section of Iloilo, Philippines. This group of islands is a famous all-year-round destination for Filipinos and foreigners alike.

Going to the Gigantes Islands is what many consider to be one of the best experiences they have had because of the very unique sceneries one would get to see here. From the beautiful white and smooth sandy beaches down to the shimmering and clear waters, every single aspect and every single view of the area is breathtaking. This is the reason why people love it here so much.

There are many different tour packages you can get when going on a trip here. The one we got included the places below.

PULUPANDAN ISLET

Also known as ‘one-tree island’ because there is literally only one standing coconut tree in this adorable little island. It seems like a deserted island but still gives it this beautiful isolation feel. Because the island is really remote, it makes it such an Instagram perfect view of a peaceful paradise.

We only stayed for a short period in the island because there is not much to do in it however; it is nice to sulk in the serenity it brings because of the clear blue skies, the clouds that pass by, the white sand and the blue waters.

Eastern side of Pulupandan Islet, turquoise water and instagrammable rock formations

TANGKE SALT WATER LAGOON

This beautiful lagoon is located within an island that has high and towering limestones. At first it may not look like such a place to see given that the trail to it is quite rugged. However at the end of the trail we were surprised to see such a strikingly jaw dropping and scenic saltwater lagoon. The water has an aquamarine shade to it which matches perfectly when the sun glistens on it. Plus, the green vegetation which surrounds makes it even more perfect.

Towering limestone walls of Tangke saltwater lagoon

Low tide beauty of Tangke saltwater lagoon

ANTONIA ISLAND

The rock formations found in the islands are one of the most unique structures you’d see in the area. There are twin shorelines found here that give a very beautiful and different scene for visitors to see. One of the things we enjoyed the most was going to their view deck and just taking in the mesmerizing view. It was so stunning to see the island from that view deck, where you can see island’s white sand beach and as how it is surrounded by clear turquoise water. If you want to go snorkeling, this would be the place to do it in out of all the other islands.

A rewarding sight from the view deck of Antonia Island

The southern side of the island is perfect for snorkeling

boats, beach and beauty!

BANTIGUE ISLAND

This would probably not the longest sandbar you would see in your life but, it feels like no matter how far your eyesight can see, it still stretches far longer. This place is a delight to be in given that as you can how the sandbar stretches; you can also see how it meets with the sea and how they both create a gorgeous view that you just have to take a photo of. Being here during the sunset would make you forget about all your worries in life.

Plus, this is where we actually had lunch. Of course, the dishes we had were all seafood that were fresh and delicious. We ordered inihaw na tanigue and scallops, which is actually very cheap! Would you believe that the scallops we ordered were only Php1.00 PER PIECE! Not only was it cheap but the flavors were exploding inside our mouths.

Approaching in the scallops capital, Bantigue Island

Jennifer, 13 years old. Instead of playing and enjoying the summer vacation, this young girl sells souvenir items made from seashells

Bantigue Island's long stretch of sandbar

Who would say NO to grilled fresh tanigue for lunch!

Bantigue Island means unlimited scallops!

CABUGAO GAMAY

This is the last one mentioned on the list because it truly is our favorite, and most people’s favorite, stop from all of the islands. This small rocky hill it has on the island sets it apart from all the other islands. It is extremely beautiful here, it looks very unique and it really shows a different side of Mother Nature. You can also opt to go to the viewing deck to see such an amazing view of the island. Everything about the island is picturesque and serene.

Wordless! Cabugao Gamay is paradise!

While Bantigue Island is famous for its scallops, Cabugao Gamay is abundant on this kind of seashell called locally as wasay -wasay

A group of tourists enjoying freshly steamed wasay-wasay

TRAVEL NOTES

You will not regret going out of your way to see all these places. But here are some tips you can keep in mind as you island hop the Islas de Gigantes.

Only smart and sun networks have signals in the area, so better get yourself some prepaid sim for them if you use other networks

Better bring your cash with you because there are no banks or nearby ATM machines

Protect your skin by bringing and using sunscreen

There are sari-sari stores nearby but better be safe to bring some snacks

Bring your own toiletries and maintenance medicine

Keep yourself hydrated; bring water

Charge up your cameras and bring extra batteries so you can take tons of pictures

NEVER EVER LITTER! LEARN TO KEEP YOUR GARBAGE IF THERE IS NO TRASH CANS

The next question you probably have in mind is “how do we get there?”

HOW TO GET THERE

The first thing you need to know is you need to get to Town of Carles and Estancia wherever you are because from this town, you would ride a ferry going to Islas de Gigantes or you can charter a boat to get there.

If you’re coming from Iloilo, Roxas, or Boracay, you can easily find buses that directly go here from those places.

So what if you are from places such as Manila, Mindanao, Cebu, etc?

From Manila

Ride a plane going to Iloilo from there, follow the instructions above.

From Mindanao

Ride a plane or hop on a ferry going to Iloilo, then follow the instructions above.

From Cebu

There are daily flights from Cebu to Roxas, Caticlan and Iloilo City, then follow the instructions above.

Other option is to ride a bus going to the Maya Port (northern Cebu). From there, you can ride a boat going to the Town of Carles. From there, you may already follow the instructions above.

Well that is all that there is to it. You now know where to go, how to get there, and what to do. I hope you enjoy Islas de Gigantes as much as we did!

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If you are thinking about traveling somewhere then you should definitely read our article where we have gathered six reasons why you need to try a solo trip!

Why is it Useful to Travel Solo?

All people like to travel because it’s quite interesting to discover new countries, learn something interesting about new cultures, taste new food, and take photos to keep in memory the best moments from your trip. Some people like to write stories and essays about their traveling. This is a good idea to express their emotions and share the experience with others.

It’s always possible to use my coursework writers help, if your skills in writing are not good.

Usually, people travel in groups, sometimes with a partner, but there are a lot of people that travel alone. Not everyone can accept this: someone may think it’s dangerous, for someone it may seem boring, and someone cannot just imagine themselves being alone for a long time. In this article, we will provide you with six simple reasons why you should try to travel solo if you have never tried this before.

Keep reading and we hope that you will open something new for yourself!

Six (6) Reasons Why You Should Travel on Your Own

Here are the top six reasons why you should seriously consider traveling on your own:

Travel helps to improve your independence

People who came back from trips they made on their own, usually feel refreshed and independent. Traveling solo opens your potential and allows you to think out of the box.

It’s possible to find a decision on an important problem easily or make a clear plan of some issue you always wanted to do. If you are a shy person and you don’t like to communicate with unknown people, we recommend you to buy a ticket and start your trip on your own. This is a big challenge, but we guarantee you will come back as an independent, powerful, and totally different person

Go for a trip on your own and feel confident

Traveling alone is a great therapy to improve your self-esteem and make you feel confident about yourself. People don’t like to get out of their comfort zone, but this is a great chance to prepare yourself for the most unexpected situations.

This is a wonderful experience to be around unknown people and places like in Zion Hostel in Baku, to solve problems, and find decisions in many unexpected situations. Some people who came home from such trip have changed their lives: they got new jobs, started to learn something new, or even moved to another place. They got to know what they want from their lives and saw it from a new perspective

Traveling solo is a great way to look inside yourself

Many people think they know themselves very well, but sometimes they discover something new after traveling alone. When a person stays on their own, it’s simpler for them to understand their needs, to analyze goals, and to set priorities in their life.

Self-discovery is a great experience that can give you a lot of useful things. Don’t be afraid to meet the real you, pack your baggage right now and be prepared to learn many new things about yourself! After the travel, you may get various ideas, from learning a new language to buying a house in a foreign country

Traveling alone is a good way to make new friends

If you think that traveling on your own means to be alone most of your time, you are very wrong. When you are surrounded by people, they interact with you. It’s a great way to make new friends and get a lot of interesting adventures. When you are alone, strange people will be talking to you more active than when you are making your trip in a big group.

Nowadays, it’s simple to stay in touch even with those people that live a thousand miles away, so you can be in connection with new foreign friends even when you came back home

A solo trip is a way to get ultimate freedom

Of course, it’s nice to travel with a group of colleagues you know well or with your best friend. But we know how many trips were canceled just because a friend couldn’t go at the last minute! People are afraid to travel solo because many of them live with stereotypes that it’s not good. Believe us, it is worth going on the trip alone to feel free when you can go wherever you want and do whatever you want to do. You are the one who plans the budget and decides what places to visit!

You are the one who plans your trip and organizes everything.

If you travel alone once, you will want more

When you travel on your own, it’s totally different from taking a trip with other people. We guarantee that if you tried this once, you will want to do it again. Traveling is a sort of good addiction that is very hard to get off, and when you have started, you cannot stop. You may think if you will travel all over the world, it is enough. But even if you visit all countries and see all places, you will want to go somewhere again and again

Are you still hesitating if you should take a trip you have been dreaming about for a long time? Then now it’s a perfect time to pack your things! Traveling alone is not so scary as you may think.

Of course, it’s a kind of challenge that cannot be accepted by everyone, but you will get a lot of benefits and learn many new and interesting things about both yourself and the country you are going to visit. If you feel scared to be in a new place totally alone, try to visit a friend that lives abroad in another country. This way would be more acceptable to you because you could spend time with a person you know well.

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La Union is now one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines. During summer, La Union is filled with tons of people; most of whom are excited to go surfing. But aside from surfing, this province has much more to offer than what most people think. The places are beautiful enough to even entice tourists – both local and international visitors. Additionally, another reason to visit La Union is because of their grape farms.

La Union grapes are only known by few people, until in 2014 when the photos of one of its grape farms have gone viral on the internet. If you are one of those people who got curious and want to experience it by yourself, then going to this North Luzon destination is the best thing to do.

PERSONAL NOTES

Five days before my scheduled flight to Jakarta, me and wifey took a, more or less, 5-hour travel to the so-called "Grapes Capital of the Philippines". Yep, that's Bauang in La Union!

At Partas Terminal in Cubao, we were able to catch the 8:00AM bus trip going to Laoag. It's our first time in La Union so we asked the driver and conductor to drop us at Caba-Bauang boundary or the "welcome arch" as described on the FB page of one of the farms. After the 3 stopovers, we reached the welcome (or boundary) arch. Friendly locals helped us to find our first stop, the Gapuz Grapes farm – one of the pioneers in grapevine farming in the province.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND THE AMAZING FARMS IN LA UNION?

Gapuz Grapes Farm

This is the most famous grapes farm located in Bauang, La Union. Joe Gapuz is the founder of this farm. He started to market the vineyard in 2010 after coming back home from California. They named the Gapuz Grape Farm as “The Porch Life.”

People who visit Gapuz Grape farm always have tons of fun, most especially for those who enjoy a good, heart and stomach filling boodle fight. The farm offers a boodle fight for their guests worth P1, 500.00 good for 10 people.

One more thing people like about going to this grape farm is that it does not have an entrance fee. But if you do want to take pictures around the farm, they would need you to pay a very cheap price of P20 – with complimentary bottled water. And if looking at the grapes makes your mouth water, you can actually get yourself a bag of them. One kilogram only costs P250. You can choose whether you want to pick it by yourself or you’ll just buy it directly.

Here are some few details in case you are planning to visit Gapuz Grape Farm:

The best season to pick grapes in Gapuz Grapes Farm is during March to May.
Location: Bauang, La Union
Open Hours: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entrance Fee: Free
Photography: P20 (with complimentary bottled water)
Grape picking or buying: P250
Contact Numbers: 09227701520/09997147616
FB Page: Gapuz Grapes Farm

Lomboy Farms

This is said to be the pioneer of all the grape vineyards of the Philippines. Known as the “Philippines King of Grapes”, Avelino Lomboy founded this farm in the 1970's. He only started planting few grapes cutting but decided to plant in the vineyard seriously.

This place is located at 68 Urayong Bauang, La Union. You only need to budget P100 for entrance fee and additional fee for grapes picking. During weekdays and Saturday, they are open from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. They are also open during Sundays, but their closing time is 1 hour earlier. You may contact the landline number, 072 7052 105; their FB page, Lomboy Farms.

Manguerra Grapes Farm

This is located at Bauang, La Union near Gapuz Grape Farm at Barangay Urayong. They are open daily during 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Contact 0907 858 6784 / 09996764564 Look for Jane Manguerra or Mark Anthony Manguerra if you have inquiries. You can also check their FB Page here: Manguerra Grapes Farm.

Calica Grapes Farm

At the Bauang-Caba boundary arch, this is the first farm you will see in the way. This farm is also open daily and their open hour is 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. If you want to ask inquiries, contact their number: Smart 0907 905 0303, 0917 949 8273 and the Globe number 0905 550 5046. Check their FB Page here: Calica Grapes Farm.

TRAVEL NOTES

Traveling to La Union Grape Farm is pretty cheap! If you want to save more, you can invite your fried to join you. From Metro Manila, the fare is P420-P500 for one way. You should have at least Php1500.00 budget for your fare and food as well.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Metro Manila, Ride a bus bound for La Union worth Php401.00 - Php450.00 – travel time is ranging from 4 - 6 hours. Tell the driver to drop you off Bauang - Caba Boundary arch. Lomboy Farm is located along the highway while going to the other farms like Gapuz, you can take a walk or ride in a tricycle or motorcycle.

From San Juan, La Union, ride a jeepney to get to San Fernando. Ask the driver to drop you at the jeepney terminal bound to Bauang - a more or less 30-minute travel. Once you ride in the jeep from San Fernando, tell the driver that you are planning to go to La Union Grape Farms. They will drop you off at the Bauang Church. From there, you can a hire tricycle going to the grape farms in Barangay Urayong.

Aside from Grapes Farms of La Union, there are lots of fantastic places that could be found there. Put La Union in your itinerary list this summer! If you want to visit beautiful places in La Union, you can read more details about their tourist spots and have a tour in the grape farms for your last day.

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For those looking to get away from the busy city life, maybe looking to go on a vacation that’s not as far from a city, or you simply want a change of pace, Bacolod City is often a good choice to do all those things.

If you’re looking for a food trip, there are lots of restaurants to choose from. Choices as wide as good-old’, Filipino comfort food like that of Manokan Country, and even authentic Austrian experience that’s popular among foreign visitors like that of Tyrol Restaurant. For your wandering soul, there are lots of places to visit; from cultural experiences like the Negros Museum, to photogenic places like The Ruins, to religious places like the San Sebastian Cathedral, your wanderlust is sure to be satisfied and your feet are sure to hurt after.

So after filling your stomach and walking for miles, what else is there to do but rest? You’re sure to be tired after all that. But that’s where the hard part comes in. Finding lots of things to do is easy; it’s as easy as any Internet search. On the other hand, finding a place to stay is difficult.

Information on budget hotels in Bacolod is hard to find. You can’t always trust reviews because they come from people who may have their own biases. You can’t always find prices on the Internet since not everything on the Internet is reliable. Some budget hotels don’t even have information online. You will definitely need some help finding a cheap place to stay anywhere you go, especially in Bacolod. Luckily, Traveloka App can help!

Traveloka is an app which aims to be an easy and convenient search engine when it comes to looking for the best hotels for your travel adventures. Whether you are just planning your trip, about to start your trip or even when you’re already on your trip, Traveloka App can be your helping hand; with its 24/7 customer service, you can all at any time and they will gladly help you plan your trip.

Getting worried about the price? Traveloka App does not only aim for convenience of easy use but it is also aims for the convenience of your pockets as well. This app helps you find hotels with the most affordable prices while taking into consideration comfortability. What makes it even greater is that Traveloka App even provides you with numerous promotions to make the deal you have even sweeter.

BOOKING PROCESS

And even better, the app allows you to pay through multiple payment methods. Even the smartest travelers don’t carry a lot of cash with them, or maybe you just don’t have cash at hand right now. Not to worry, the Traveloka App can accommodate whatever your preferred payment method is, whether online or offline.

Payment options? Of course you can pay using your credit or debit Visa or MasterCard. No credit/debit card? No problem, you can deposit your payment through bank deposit in BDO, BPI and Metrobank. Over the counter payment is also possible to more than a hundred branches of 7/11, M.Lhuiller and Cebuanna Lhuiller all over the country.

Simply put, Traveloka App is easy, fast and convenient to use. Make it your go-to app when traveling and finding an affordable place to stay.

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If you are thinking about traveling somewhere then you should definitely read our article where we have gathered six reasons why you need to try a solo trip!

Why is it Useful to Travel Solo?

It’s always possible to use my coursework writers help, if your skills in writing are not good.

Keep reading and we hope that you will open something new for yourself!

Six (6) Reasons Why You Should Travel on Your Own

Here are the top six reasons why you should seriously consider traveling on your own:

Travel helps to improve your independence

People who came back from trips they made on their own, usually feel refreshed and independent. Traveling solo opens your potential and allows you to think out of the box.

Go for a trip on your own and feel confident

Traveling solo is a great way to look inside yourself

Traveling alone is a good way to make new friends

Nowadays, it’s simple to stay in touch even with those people that live a thousand miles away, so you can be in connection with new foreign friends even when you came back home

A solo trip is a way to get ultimate freedom

You are the one who plans your trip and organizes everything.

If you travel alone once, you will want more

Are you still hesitating if you should take a trip you have been dreaming about for a long time? Then now it’s a perfect time to pack your things! Traveling alone is not so scary as you may think.

***

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Follow TRAVELING MORION's Journeys and Travels

Twitter| @travelingmorion

Facebook Page| Traveling Morion

Instagram | @travelingmorion

There are tons of place to go here in the Philippines that give you a perfect summer vacation. However, why not try to stir away to the common or usually travelled to places in the country, and visit someplace else that is equally or even more breathtaking than your typical Boracay or Palawan trip.

In Central Visayas, Negros Oriental is abundant with amazing tourism destinations, mostly are still undiscovered and not yet popular – just perfect for long holidays and summer vacation. Two of the gems you should not miss out in this beautiful province are the Mabinay Natural Spring and the more than 1000 years old Balete Tree in Canlaon City.

Mabinay Spring

A first class municipality in the province of Negros Oriental, Mabinay is famous for the number of caves found in it but one of its treasured sites is the Mabinay Spring. This natural spring is located in Barangay Tadlong – a more or less 1 kilometer away from the town proper.

No matter what day it is, and the weather that occurs on that day, the spring remains to have its refreshing and cool waters that is extremely inviting. Plus because the water is crystal clear it gives it such a majestic feel. It has been preserved and unfazed by the modernization around it.

Locals consider them as one of their prized possessions, because more than just the natural beauty it has, the spring is also the main water source of the city due to the unlimited water supply it provides.

There is more to do here than just swim in it, but swimming in itself is very relaxing. People can also do kayaking if they’d like to explore the spring in a different way. It is relatively cheap. And just in case you still can’t get enough of its beauty, you can opt to stay overnight. There are cottages available around the spring that can be rented for your overnight stay. So imagine watching it from your window and seeing the moonlight glisten in the spring’s water. How breathtaking!

Travel Notes

Merely 87 kilometers away from Dumaguete City, Mabinay is considered as the second largest town in the province of Negros Oriental and also known as the cave capital of the Philippines – with more than 400 caves!

“Millennium” Balete Tree in Canlaon City

From experiencing the cool waters of Mother Nature through taking a dip in a spring, your next stop is to a place that takes you back in the past but through the natural wonders of the Mother Nature.

In Canlaon City, there you will find a tree that can be said “tale as old as time”. This old tree has lived for more than 1300 years, enough to witness the lives of many people.

From a far, you can already see the tree. There might not be much to do there but just sit down and gaze upon its beauty but seeing the tree gives you a different perspective of the world. Just allowing yourself to have that time with this side of Mother Nature can give you a sense of peace that you will definitely not get anywhere else.

Just sit at the bottom near the roots, look up and see how the sunlight tries to pierce to the leaves and how the branches and the leaves sway with the wind. Nothing can be as calming and soothing as this sight. If you feel like all you’ve been needing is a bit of peace and quiet in your life, then look no further, this century old tree will give you the serenity you have been looking for.

Travel Notes

Possibly the oldest recorded tree in Visayas and possible in the Philippines, botanists from Silliman University based at Dumaguete City estimated the tree to be more than 1300 years old. The "millennium"balete tree is located in the middle of the farm within the OISCA Farm at Barangay Lumapao, Canlaon City [source:wiki].

And if you still want to see more, you can also visit the rice terraces which is literally just close by. Given that the city’s primary source of income is farming, you would understand as to why the rice terraces in Canlaon City looks magnificent because of its well-maintained and properly taken care of structure and form.

HOW TO GET THERE

Excited to visit these places? Here is how you will get here. You first have to know that Dumaguete or Bacolod City will be your official starting point on getting to Mabinay or Canlaon City.

Since there are no direct flights to Mabinay and Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, you can first get a flight that is headed to Dumaguete City or Bacolod City. It is, more or less, an hour flight. There are many airlines offering flights from Metro Manila to these cities. Or you can also get a ferry going to Dumaguete or Bacolod. However, riding a plane is faster and more convenient.

Going to Mabinay Spring

From Dumaguete

In Dumaguete, you can ride a Ceres bus headed straight to Mabinay or Bacolod City. The bus terminal is located before Robinson’s Mall, travel time from Dumaguete City to Mabinay is more or less 2 hours. Ask the driver to drop you at Mabinay Spring – no need to worry, the location is just along the highway and there is a big signage along the road.

From Cebu

You can take a Ceres bus headed to Lilo-an ferry terminal. From this terminal, ride a fast crack to Sibulan Terminal. Finally, from this terminal you can already ride a tricycle to Dumaguete city. Then follow instructions above.

From Bacolod City

Just find your way to Bacolod City South Bus Terminal, there will be buses there headed to Mabinay – more or less 3 hours travel. From Mabinay town proper hire a habal-habal (motorcycle) going to the location of Mabinay Spring. You can also take the Dumaguete City route then ask the driver to drop you in Mabinay Cold Spring.

Going to the Millennium Balete Tree of Canlaon City

From Dumaguete City

Ride in a bus or van directly bound to Canlaon City - that would be a 4-hour ride. You can also ride in a bus bound to Bacolod City (via Canlaon), just tell the driver/conductor to drop you at Canlaon proper.

Once you get to Canlaon City proper, hire a habal-habal (motorcycle) going to OISCA Farm in Barangay Lumapao – travel time is more or less 30 minutes. Going to the location of the Balete tree you’ll be passing in the rice terraces area.

From Cebu City

Cebu – Kanlaon City via San Carlos City

From Cebu South Bus Terminal, you can take a bus going to San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. From San Carlos City, ride in the Ceres Bus going to Canlaon City. Then follow instructions above.

From Bacolod City

Ride in a bus or van directly bound to Canlaon City - that would be a less than a more or less 2-hour ride. Once you get to Canlaon City proper, follow instructions above.

So how do you get from Mabinay to Canlaon?

There is no direct route from Mabinay to Canlaon City as of this writing. The best way to explore these two interesting spots plus other interesting tourist destinations in Negros Oriental (including spots of nearby cities and town of Negros Occidental) is to rent a motorcycle or scooter – a distant travel but I can assure, it’s a beautiful experience! But, if you prefer to commute on visiting both these 2 interesting spots, allot more time for travel. I recommend to visit first Mabinay Spring then find a bus going back to Dumaguete City or Bacolod City and from there, start again the trip going to Canlaon City.

Read my previous article/feature about other tourism destinations in Negros Oriental:

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Romeo and Juliet, Beauty and the Beast, Jack and Rose; All the stories of these classic love affairs is nothing compared to the story behind the beautiful and majestic The Ruins in Talisay City or commonly known as The Taj Mahal of Negros.

By its name, The Ruins, you can tell that its story is a tale as old as time. A love that still lives; a love that does not die; The Ruins has been labeled as the Taj Mahal of Negros for the reason that the story behind why this famous structure was built is actually identical to the story behind Taj Mahal.

A Landmark of A Beautiful Love Story

This remarkable landmark was built by Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson in order to honor, dedicate and remember his beautiful wife, Maria Braga.

The story begins with a handsome bachelor, Don Mariano, who came from a well-off family and has a love for seeing the world. And in an unexpected time and place, during one of his visits in Hong Kong, the surprising happened. It was in Hong Kong where he met the gorgeous Maria Braga. It didn’t take long for him to show his interest towards her and through the course of time, the two got married.

The couple decided to settle in one of the land owned by Don Mariano which is in Talisay. And from then on, through time, Maria bore a child, the two ended up having 10 children. And during the pregnancy of Maria for their 11th child, a terrible accident had happened. Maria accidentally slipped while she was in the bathroom, which caused her to bleed extensively. The accident was really painful for Maria that even traveling to the physician was close to impossible for her. So Don Mariano decided to send one of his horsemen to fetch the physician but it would take two days to get to the physician.

During this time, Don Mariano took care of his wife but even before the physician arrived, both Maria and their child were not able to survive.

Devastated and torn with the death of his wife and child, Don Mariano decided to build a house for his children who are yet married; this is so that he would slowly let go of the grief in his heart. He told his plan to his father-in-law, and he supported this idea by giving Don Mariano extra funds and as well as some design plans as a guide.

And that is the story of this beautiful mansion that even survived during the times of World War II, a story borne out of love and strengthening family bonds.

chimney of the Lacson family's azucarera (Spanish Era sugarcane factory), a beautiful structure from the past

The Ruins Today

Mr. Raymund Javellana, grandson of Mercedes (one of the daughters of Don Mariano), developed The Ruins. The remains of the mansion is now being recognized as one of the 12 most fascinating ruins in the world.

Today, aside from the mansion, The Ruins has a café, restaurant, mini-gold course and stores that are frequented by many visitors and even tourists. You can also meet Roger, the funny tour guide of The Ruins. He became famous because of his funny lines/stints while guiding the visitors. His video while touring a group inside the mansion went viral on YouTube, which leads him to different TV shows and also, became his passport to Big Brother’s house in 2015.

A beautiful mansion stunning in the night!

HOW TO GET THERE

If you’re coming from Manila, fly to Bacolod. From the airport, a shuttle can take you to the exact location.

If you’re coming from Bacolod City, ride a jeep headed north and get off at the tricycle terminal. Your landmark will be Pepsi Cola plant. Then take the trike to The Ruins. You can also take a taxi directly to the exact location of The Ruins but this is quite expensive compared on taking regular commute.

Address

Hacienda Sta. Maria, Talisay City, Negros Occidental

Open daily from 8:30am to 9:00pm

Contact Numbers: (+63) 917-832-6003 or (034) 476-4334

website: http://theruins.com.ph/

Entrance Fee

Adult: Php100.00
Senior Citizens/PWD: Php50.00

Students: Php40.00

Children (below 8 years old): Php20.00

***

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Every fourth Sunday of October, Bacolod City celebrates the MassKara Festival. With vibrant costumes coupled with headdresses and masks, the streets of the city come into life. As others say, it is the happiest and most colorful festival among all festivals in the Philippines. This is why Bacolod City is considered as the City of Smiles. This month-long celebration is enjoyed together with food fests, activities, concerts, and even street parties.

History of MassKara Festival

MassKara Festival shows the victory of the Negrenses in times of sugar crisis. The province of Negros Occidental mainly relies on their sugar industry and the fall of this has caused devastating scenarios to most of the residents. It is also to commemorate the Don Juan tragedy wherein an inter-island vessel that carried thousands of Negrenses drowned.

Due to these hard times, the city officials came up with MassKara festival where “mass” means many people and “kara” means face. When combined it means a multitude of smiling faces.

2018 Schedule of Activities and Highlights

This year, MassKara festival will be celebrated on October 08 to 28. Street Dancing for Schools Category is scheduled on October 27 while the main highlight, the Barangay category, will be on October 28.

The said festival puts premium on their primary event which is the street dancing competition. Dancers from all over the place jive to the rhythm of Latin music.

Electric MassKara, another different event, is also a street dancing competition. But the difference here is that the dancers are to wear masks with vibrant lights as the event is scheduled at night.

To showcase the culture and Bacolod’s bountiful growth as a city and as an agricultural city, the government organized agriculture-trade fairs, as well as garden shows. From all over Bacolod, various events such as MassKara Queen Beauty Pageant, Drum and Bugle Corps Competitions, Sports Events, Musical Concerts, Carnivals, and Food festivals are set to hype the festival-goers and tourists.

TRAVEL NOTES

If it is your first time in Bacolod City, it is vital to read on the culture or ways of living there in Bacolod. You can try out their food to have some gist on how tasty their delicacies are. Search on to the must-visit places for this will save you time planning on where to go next.

You also have to prepare for the change in weather. Bring an umbrella or hot to combat the scorching heat of the sun or the rainy days. Applying sunblock is a must also.

As a traveller, it is important to feel comfortable in every step of the way. Wear comfortable clothes to assure a great day traveling.

HOW TO GET THERE

If you plan on taking a flight from Manila to Bacolod City, it will just take you 50 minutes. You can also travel by the sea as RORO vessels are available. You can try the Fastcat RORO Iloilo-Bacolod. From the Bacolod Airport, you can opt to ride a taxi or through a shuttle which will cost you 150 PHP per head. A taxi is highly recommendable if you want to be dropped off in your hotel. But if plane tickets become really pricey, you can choose a flight from Manila to Iloilo City to save money. Iloilo is just relatively near to Bacolod City.

INTERESTING SPOTS NEAR BACOLOD CITY

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If you are thinking about traveling somewhere then you should definitely read our article where we have gathered six reasons why you need to try a solo trip!

Why is it Useful to Travel Solo?

It’s always possible to use my coursework writers help, if your skills in writing are not good.

Keep reading and we hope that you will open something new for yourself!

Six (6) Reasons Why You Should Travel on Your Own

Here are the top six reasons why you should seriously consider traveling on your own:

Travel helps to improve your independence

People who came back from trips they made on their own, usually feel refreshed and independent. Traveling solo opens your potential and allows you to think out of the box.

Go for a trip on your own and feel confident

Traveling solo is a great way to look inside yourself

Traveling alone is a good way to make new friends

Nowadays, it’s simple to stay in touch even with those people that live a thousand miles away, so you can be in connection with new foreign friends even when you came back home

A solo trip is a way to get ultimate freedom

You are the one who plans your trip and organizes everything.

If you travel alone once, you will want more

Are you still hesitating if you should take a trip you have been dreaming about for a long time? Then now it’s a perfect time to pack your things! Traveling alone is not so scary as you may think.

***

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Philippines is a country rich in culture and natural resources, and Iloilo has its abundant share of the many jewels of attraction Filipinos are proud of - one of which is the San Joaquin Cemetery. Located along the national highway in the town of San Joaquin, which is 50-60 kilometers away from Iloilo City, the historical site is one of the oldest cemeteries in Panay Island; its founding dates back to 1892 by Fray Mariano Vamba in the Spanish era.

The architecture of the Roman Catholic cemetery is adorned with statues of Christ and the holy saints, embedded on the doorway, on the passageways, and even on the hallways. The moment you enter the acclaimed historical piece of structural art, you will behold a sculpture of Jesus with arms wide open between angelic figures. The entrance to the cemetery is also marked with cherubim and skulls to signify peaceful death. The beauty and splendor is nowhere near finished, because the stonewall of the mortuary chapel “Camposanto” in the next section is carved in intricate floral and leaf patterns. In fact, the Camposanto is very famous for its baroque-style architecture. Not to mention the fact that the mortuary chapel, including the 20-stone steps leading to it, is amazingly made of white coral rocks and fossil stones! There is even a beautiful replica of the iconic La pieta statue found inside the chapel.

There are a few stories relating to San Joaquin cemetery that will certainly add a much deeper, historical feel to the place. One of which is the legend that the ancient Datus of Bornea once traded gifts to the Aetas on the very grounds where the cemetery now stands. This could be the basis of the “hidden treasures” that is believed to be buried underneath the chapel.

HOW TO GET THERE

The first step in going to Camposanto de San Joaquin is to go to Iloilo City, whether you come from Luzon or other provinces of Visayas or Mindanao the easiest way to get to Iloilo is by plane.

From Metro Manila

Take an airplane ride going to Iloilo City. All local airlines has direct flight from Manila to Iloilo City. Iloilo is part of Panay Island. Aside from Iloilo City International Airport, Panay island has 2 other airports - Caticlan in Aklan and Roxas in Capiz.

Other option, if you come from Luzon you can even go by land (and sea) via RORO buses from Metro Manila to Iloilo City through Laguna-Batangas-Mindoro Oriental-Panay Island nautical highway.

From Visayas provinces/islands

If there are no plane route to Iloilo City from where you are, you can travel to Cebu. From Cebu, you can choose to travel by air or sea going to Iloilo City.

Bacolod City (Negros Occidental) is very close to Iloilo. Just ride in a fastcraft or RORO ship from Bacolod Port going to Iloilo City - more or less 1 hour sea travel.

From Mindanao

There are direct flights from Davao City, General Santos City and Cagayan de Oro City going to and from Iloilo City.

Once you get to Iloilo City, ride a San Joaquin jeepney either at the Terminal Market near Robinsons or at Molo, then inform the driver to drop you at the San Joaquin Cemetery. The journey takes 30-45 minutes depending on the traffic situation.

The Philippines is rich in history, culture, and beautiful attractions! When you think of Philippines, remember San Joaquin Cemetery because it is definitely worth the visit.

READ MORE

Islas de Gigantes in Iloilo

Interesting Things to Do in Iloilo City

Must Visit Ancestral and Heritage Houses in Iloilo City

Madge Cafe in La Paz Market

Jaro Cathedral

Where to Stay in Iloilo City : Injap Tower Hotel

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The Miagao Church a.k.a. Church of Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish is found in Miagao, Iloilo. Its history dates back to 1731 when its namesake, Saint Thomas of Villanova, established the church as an independent Augustinian parish. After several relocations, it was finally completed in 1797 with a sculptural design so artful it can take your breath away.

Though a number of catastrophic events, both natural and manmade, occurred since then it stood the test of time. It was very much beloved by the people that it underwent several restoration projects in an attempt to preserve its historical beauty.

In fact, due to its exceptional antique beauty that was considered magnificent even in its own time period, it was proclaimed worthy to be included in the list of World Heritage by United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

No surprise right there, as it is one of the most beautiful preserved Baroque Churches in the Philippines!

A Baroque Church

A Baroque is type of stylish architecture that is extremely decorative and extravagant that thrived in 17th and 18th century in Europe. Examples of Baroque’s extravagant and stylish architecture include marble stones carved into intricate images of saints and angels, watchtowers embedded with sculpted cultural elements (like coconut trees and traditional clothing), and facades with stone bas-reliefs.

The topmost of the church front shows St. Christopher dressed in traditional clothes while holding a stone-carved coconut tree with Child Jesus on his back. Below this image is a sculpted picture of St. Thomas of Villanova himself dressed in majestic clothes.

On either side of the façade are two huge watchtowers, both of which are parts of large, unequal bell towers. They are different from each other both in size and design, since two different priests ordered the construction. It is truly a sight to behold!

Inside the church itself is a sanctuary and baptistery of equal beauty, if not more so, of the exterior. You simply have to visit to experience the awe-inspiring splendour for yourself!

HOW TO GET THERE

The first step in going to Miag-ao is to go to Iloilo City, whether you come from Luzon or other provinces of Visayas or Mindanao the easiest way to get to Iloilo is by plane.

From Metro Manila

Other option, if you come from Luzon you can even go by land (and sea) via RORO buses from Metro Manila to Iloilo City through Laguna-Batangas-Mindoro Oriental-Panay Island nautical highway.

From Visayas provinces/islands

If there are no plane route to Iloilo City from where you are, you can travel to Cebu. From Cebu, you can choose to travel by air or sea going to Iloilo City.

Bacolod City (Negros Occidental) is very close to Iloilo. Just ride in a fastcraft or RORO ship from Bacolod Port going to Iloilo City - more or less 1 hour sea travel.

From Mindanao

There are direct flights from Davao City, General Santos City and Cagayan de Oro City going to and from Iloilo City.

Once you arrive in Iloilo City, you can choose any one of the 2 options:

Go to the Molo District, specifically to Mohon Terminal. From here, you can take any the “Miagao” jeepney, or any jeepney that goes to the south. You can simply tell the driver to drop you near the Miagao Church.

You can also go to the Iloilo City Proper, and proceed to the Iloilo Terminal Market. Similar to the first option, ride a “Miagao” jeepney or take any that goes to the south portion. The locals will gladly help you should you need more specific jeepney alternatives.

READ MORE

Camposanto de San Joaquin

Islas de Gigantes in Iloilo

Interesting Things to Do in Iloilo City

Must Visit Ancestral and Heritage Houses in Iloilo City

Madge Cafe in La Paz Market

Jaro Cathedral

Where to Stay in Iloilo City : Injap Tower Hotel

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Whale watching is a lovely treat, one that tends to make you jump up and down with joy. Of course, capturing this wonderful moment is a must but photographing whales can be a little tricky. There’s a right way to do it and there’s a wrong way to do it such as if your boat accidently bumps into a whale, do not flock to the side and start petting it like a zoo animal. While whales are gentle creatures, they are the ones that like to initiate the interaction. It’s possible they might strike back in the gentlest of manners but due to their size and weight, the blow will be more than you anticipated.

Every whale watching retreat has certain rules when it comes to admiring these giants in a healthy and safe way. Whether you are on a tour boat with OzWhale Watching in Sydney or kayaking solo, here are a few reasons why you need to keep your distance while photographing whales:

Pay Attention to Their Behaviour

In the ocean, you will either see a single whale flapping its tail or a pod of whales huddled together. You can easily identify distressed whales if there’s a swift change in the way they swim. There will be a lot of tail slapping or the females will try to shield their calves from any exposure. If this happens, leave the area immediately and give them their space.

Keep Your Distance

According to Australian National Watching Guidelines for Whale and Dolphin Watching, you need to be at least 100 to 150 meters away from the whale, when photographing it. While there are legal repercussions for breaking this distance, you will also be distressing the whale. Following are some signs that will tell you to keep your distance:

The whales move away from the vessel slowly or quickly

Regular changes in speed or direction of swimming

Hasty dives

Changes in breathing patterns

More time spent diving rather than remaining on the surface

Aggressive behaviour such as trumpet blows and tails slashes

Changes in acoustic behaviour

Approach the Pod from the Side

While approaching whales, you need to be parallel to them and maintain your distance. Make sure that you are not in their path and do not cut them off. This might cause panic and they can lash out in an aggressive manner. Moreover, if you are on the shore, stay out of their way, so that when they feel overwhelmed, they can retreat into deep waters.

Do Not Feed Them

You don’t know the places this wild mammal has been and there’s a possibility that you might catch some disease from it. Plus, feeding whales can make them dependent on humans and every time a boat will approach them, they will flock to its side for more food. This is dangerous for them because not only can they get sick, the boat also might crash into them.

In conclusions, we would like to say that photographing a whale that shows all these signs of behaviour can be bad for you and this sea creature. So, maintain your distance and follow the rules no matter where you are.

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If you frequently travel via airlines, it must be a challenging task for you to manage your frequent flyer points. Many people let their flyer points go waste so as to avoid the hassle, but you can enjoy various benefits through tactful planning.

If you travel with different airlines, you may want to consolidate all your frequent flyer points in one place so as to make the most of your earnings. However, not every frequent flyer program facilitates you to transfer your points to another program.

Here are some ways how you can merge frequent flyer points of different airlines:

Enroll in Airlines with Multiple Partners

Frequent travellers should get registered with frequent flyer programs to enjoy a myriad of benefits. For this purpose, you should choose airlines with multiple partners. Such airlines facilitate you to use points across their partner airlines.

For instance, American Airlines and British Airways are partner airlines. You can redeem points earned with American Airlines to buy a ticket for their partner airline.

Get Registered with AMEX Reward Program

The American Express Membership Rewards program has partnered with more than 20 frequent flyer programs. You can easily combine AMEX points with frequent flyer points from a partner program.

Star Alliance is another similar program. It has partnered with 27 airlines. The frequent flyer points earned with partner airlines can be merged in one place. You can use these points to book a free ticket, upgrade, your ticket or book a hotel for your upcoming vacations.

Similarly, British Airways and Iberia share the same frequent flyer program, Avios. These airlines facilitate you to transfer your points freely between both airlines. However, it’s a must that both accounts should be at least 3 months old.

Register with a Reward Management Service

Online services such as Pointsbank.com.au help you manage your frequent flyer points. It offers support for every airline reward program in Australia. You can monitor your points earned through different reward programs and redeem them for the best possible deals.

Not only can you manage all your earned points on a single platform, you can also buy points if you want to buy gifts but are short of a few points.

Register with Hilton Honours Reward Program

Hilton Honours Reward program facilitates you to book a hotel room by redeeming your frequent flyer points. You can use flyer points earned with different reward programs to enjoy a comfortable stay during vacations.

Top airlines in the country, such as Qantas, have partnered with numerous domestic airlines, hotels, clubs, and car rental services. You can merge your points to enjoy free travelling, upgrading your ticket to business class, get accommodation in a reputable hotel or rent a car during holidays.

If you regularly travel on different routes, you may find it difficult to manage frequent flyer points across different reward programs. However, many big airlines partner with various smaller airlines and facilitate you to merge and redeem your earned points. You can exchange these points for free air tickets or a ticket top-up program.

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Schoolies is the most awaited time for high schoolers in Australia. Once they are done with the studies, they head on to their dream destinations to have the time of their lives. After high school, you may move to a new city to get admission at a university, so you may not be able to hang out with your friends for a long time. Schoolies week provides graduates with a great opportunity to spend some time with their friends.

It’s quite a task to find the perfect destination where you can enjoy your vacations to the fullest. Fiji can be the right option for you to spend schoolies week this year. It attracts a myriad of year 12 graduates due to its scenic views and the opportunities to enjoy several exciting activities.

Here are a few reasons why you should visit Fiji during your schoolies:

1. It’s a Safe Place

Students wait for schoolies week, but it’s a dreaded time for their parents. When young grads are on their own, they may get into trouble which is why parents keep worrying about their safety. Parents are afraid that their children may get into an accident or get arrested due to alcohol or drug consumption.

But Fiji is a safe place to visit. You can enjoy various fun activities without worrying about your safety. During the past few years, the local government has taken actions to make it a secure and student-friendly place.

2. It Offers Scenic Views

Fiji is a recommended place for schoolies due to its amazing views. Clear waters of sandy beaches, lush greenery, and palm trees make it a great place to enjoy vacations with your friends. You can play volleyball with your friends, arrange bonfires, and enjoy your time under the sun.

Tour companies also arrange adventurous activities such as snorkelling and swimming with marine creatures for high school graduates on their schoolies.

3. It’s Not Far Away

Parents are often reluctant to send high school grads to faraway places for their schoolies week celebrations. It’s best to opt for a destination that isn’t too far away. This way, your parents won’t have to worry about you and you can also avoid long flights that may make you tired.

Fiji is one of the favourite destinations of Australian high school graduates since it’s quite close to the country. A flight of just 4 hours can lead you to your destination. You can enjoy your vacations in the islands with your friends for a few weeks.

4. Nightlife

When you are having vacations without the supervision of your parents, you may want to enjoy the nightlife of the place. Just like Fiji provides you with various opportunities to have a fun time during the day, it’s a lively place even during the nighttime. You can book your trip with Sure Thing Schoolies Travel.

When it comes to choosing your destination for schoolies week, you should opt for a beautiful place that isn’t too far and where you can try adventurous activities out with your friends. Fiji is such a place where you can have quality time and enjoy your vacations.

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Going to church does not only mean you must be holy to visit them, sometimes it can also mean understanding and learning about both the culture and history of a certain place/country through the most historical buildings it has; in some cases, happen to be the church.

Here in the Philippines, we have many churches that have been around even during the years of our grandparents. And one province here in the country that has the most beautiful and unique churches is the province of Iloilo. For those of you looking for places to go in Iloilo, add the 7 churches below to your list to learn more about the province and as well as the country.

PERSONAL

I had the chance to explore Iloilo when I was invited in a familiarization tour in 2014. It was indeed a good first sight of the province’s rich culture and heritage. Getting back to Manila during that time is hard for me –that 3-day event inspired me to explore more and keep on coming back to this vibrant province in the Western Visayas. Luckily, I was assigned (for work) in Visayas from 2017 until the first quarter of this year. Yep, being a social development practitioner + weekend warrior is my ticket to explore and understand more the rich history and culture of this beautiful province.

I know, I already published the Top Things to do in Iloilo (including a day tour in the nearby Guimaras Province) but, this province has a lot more to offer - including this beautiful heritage churches I personally visited. I may not include all here, my apologies but you can comment down below so that in my next trip to Iloilo i’ll definitely include your suggestion/recommendation on my priorities!

Miag-ao church

This is one of the most uniquely designed churches in the province. Its structure is built out of limestone and corals from the sea in Iloilo itself, it gives the whole church its exquisite soft yellow color. These materials are locally harnessed.

Would you believe that this church plus its watchtowers have been around since the year 1787. They were actually built to keep the town and its locals safe from any possible attacks by invaders. Many would be surprised that these walls are thicker than what most people think. And rumor has it there are actually secret pathways that was used for specific strategic defenses.

The church was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1993.

Molo Church

Another very old but historical church on our list is the Molo Church. Built in the year 1831, the foundation of the church was made from white coral rocks that have been perfectly preserved through the years.

For all you feminists out there, you’d be glad to know that there is actually a church which looks like it supports your cause. The Molo Church is also known as the church of women. Why so? Because images of female saints are plastered all over the church.

Tigbauan Church

Established in the year 1575, the Tigbauan church has probably survived a lot more horrific events than most churches in the Philippines. It is made out of local corals and limestone, just like the Miag-ao church, but this one uses red corals and limestone. It also has thick foundation making it a very strong and sturdy church. Strong enough to actually survive a very strong earthquake in 1787. But the earthquake in 1948 did leave it with only its bell tower. But it was later on rebuilt.

Jaro Cathedral

In the district of Jaro in Iloilo city, lies one church that is known to be one of the oldest standing churches in the entire country. The Jaro Cathedral, or also known as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles, is also the second National Shrine in Visayas after the Basilica del Santo Nino in Cebu.

However, its age is not the only interesting fact about the cathedral. We often see bell towards right beside the church itself, but in the case of Jaro cathedral, their bell tower is actually found right across the other side of the street.

Guimbal Church

Now this church is a sight to see, not only because of its majesty on how it has stayed preserved for 400 years, but the surroundings the church has is completely breathtaking. The town of Guimbal is full of green, the trees and flowers complement the overall structure of the church.

So, the Guimbal church is four floors high. It is built from yellow coral stones that makes it look great when it is hit by sunlight.

Sta. Barbara Church

A national landmark; the Sta. Barbara church may not be as popular as most of its neighboring churches, however the Sta. Barbara church is still one that many adore given its uniform and simple design. Plus, it is the only church in the province that still has its convent attached to the main church.

San Joaquin Church

This has been visited by a lot of people lately since it is gaining popularity because of the very intrinsic and keen details that has been put in establishing this church. From its materials, to its colors, down to every single design, many consider this to be an architecture’s plate of enjoyment. And just like the other churches, its materials were harnessed locally.

HOW TO GET THERE

The first step in going to these colonial churches is to go to Iloilo City, whether you come from Luzon or other provinces of Visayas or Mindanao the easiest way to get to Iloilo is by plane. Take note that Iloilo City is the ideal jumping-off point.

From Manila

Other option, if you come from Luzon you can even go by land (and sea) via RORO buses from Metro Manila to Iloilo City through Laguna-Batangas-Mindoro Oriental-Panay Island nautical highway.

From Visayas provinces/islands

If there are no planes directly going to Iloilo City from where you are, you can travel to Cebu. From Cebu, you can choose to travel by air or sea going to Iloilo City.

Bacolod City (Negros Occidental) very close to Iloilo. Just ride in a fastcraft or RORO ship from Bacolod Port going to Iloilo City - more or less 1 hour sea travel.

From Mindanao

There are direct flight from Davao City, General Santos City and Cagayande Oro City going to and from Iloilo City.

You do not need to be holy to be able to appreciate the beauty of these churches, all you need to have is a good eye for art and you are sure to enjoy every second of visiting these churches.

READ MORE

Miag-ao Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Camposanto de San Joaquin

Islas de Gigantes in Iloilo

Interesting Things to Do in Iloilo City

Must Visit Ancestral and Heritage Houses in Iloilo City

Madge Cafe in La Paz Market

Jaro Cathedral

Where to Stay in Iloilo City : Injap Tower Hotel

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

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Right in the province of Capiz, is a third class municipality specifically called Panay. This town was once the capital of the province as established by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in the Spanish era. But in the present times, the place has become a tourist destination because of its most popular church - the Santa Monica Parish Church.

Santa Monica Parish Church houses the largest church bell in Asia - named by the locals as Dakong Lingganay. The original facade and structure of the church was designed by Fr. Miguel Murguia in 1774. A strong typhoon damaged houses and even the church in 1875. The church was rebuilt and still stands up to date.

A National Cultural Treasure

The church was protected by a national resolution, the National Historical Institute Resolution No. 3. And in 2001, it was declared by the National Museum to be a National Cultural Treasure.

Inside the Santa Monica Parish Church

Inside the church, walls made up of cemented coral stones will amaze you. Its pillars have arching window designs with columns that tend to mimic the European carvings. Various saint statues are also found inside such as Saint Thomas, Saint Agustin, and Saint Monica. All these statues are situated on the crannies of the church walls.

Dakong Lingganay

As mentioned above, the Dakong Lingganay or the “big bell” was built using 70 sacks of coins which were donated by the town people in the historic Spanish era. To be exact, the said bell is 7 feet in diameter, 5 feet in height and 23, 000 pounds in weight.

Right at the top of the five-story belfry of the church, the original bell is situated. A replica was made and it was placed in the church compound, near the Museo de Santa Monica.

In the corners of the church, various posters are also displayed. It was written there that the people of Panay were the first ones to be evangelized in the entire island. This happened when Fray Martin de Rada preached inside the church in 1566.

An old Spanish well can also be seen at the back of the church. Surprisingly, water is still present in the well but it was not currently used by the people.

The Philippines' and Asia's largest bell

Museo de Santa Monica right beside the Panay Church

HOW TO GET THERE

If you are from Manila, you can book a flight going to Caticlan or Kalibo. After that, head to Iloilo through the Ceres bus and stop at the Sigma bus stop. This will cost you around PHP 215 if you came from Caticlan. If you came from Kalibo, it will only cost you PHP 107. Next, you can ride a bus that is bound to Roxas or you can opt to ride a jeep from Sigma.

Arriving in Roxas City, you can ride a tricycle that heads to Panay. This will cost you PHP 15 per person. But if you have a private vehicle or renting a van, you can stop at Pontevedra and drop off in Panay.

READ MORE

7 Interesting and Must Visit Churches in Iloilo Province

Miag-ao Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Camposanto de San Joaquin

Islas de Gigantes in Iloilo

Interesting Things to Do in Iloilo City

Must Visit Ancestral and Heritage Houses in Iloilo City

Madge Cafe in La Paz Market

Jaro Cathedral

Where to Stay in Iloilo City : Injap Tower Hotel

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Guimaras, an island province located in the western portion of the Visayas Region, may just be the next new destination to add to your bucket list for your next great vacation. Considered to be one of the smallest provinces in the Philippines, the hidden treasures of the island make it a beloved destination for many travelers. Not only is it famous for its breathtaking sights and sounds, but it also very well known for incredibly sweet and tasty mangoes.

PERSONAL NOTES

One Saturday morning in December of 2017, the weather was not favorable. My supposedly early fastcraft trip from Iloilo Port to Bacolod City was announced to be cancelled. Hopeless, I accepted the fact that I should change my schedule because of this unforeseen act of nature. I was supposed to take a more or less 45-minute sea travel from Iloilo to Bacolod then travel by land for another 6 hours from the City of Smiles to Dumaguete City - then take another fastcraft ride going to Bohol. Yep, another long and tiring travel. But, for the sake of the commitment I had to attend to, I had no choice. Oh, I almost forgot: I actually enjoy this job - so forget about that tiring part, he he he.

I waited for almost half a day in the port terminal, hoping that the typhoon signal would be cleared. Finally, it was - but sadly the coast guard announced that no ship/fast craft would be allowed to travel. The resumption of sea travel would likely only be possible the following day.

I had no choice but to cancel my long winding, struggling trip from Iloilo to Bohol. I immediately messaged some colleagues in IloIlo City to inform them that the trip was cancelled and I had nothing to do in the City of Love. One of them replied and suggested: Why not take a tour of the nearby Guimaras Province? By this, time it was already 1:00 PM.

So there was a trip to Guimaras! Yep, they allowed sea travel to Guimaras given that it only takes 10 minutes of travel, more or less. There were no more typhoon signals anymore, but the waves were still quite strong!

The big mango statue welcomed us upon arrival at the Port of Jordan in Guimas. It was actually my third time in one of the country’s smallest provinces. We only had a limited amount of time to explore the mango capital, so we decided to visit the places we weren’t able to explore last year, when we toured this beautiful province.

This post is actually a compilation of my previous and recent travels to this beautiful island province in the Western Visayas. I had the chance to explore Guimaras in 2014 through a familiarization tour organized by the city government of Iloilo and Injap Tower Hotel. In June 2017, we also had a short trip here with my workmates and friends but I forgot to write and blog - my apologies!

I know there are a lot of places to go and things to do here. So now, I’ve listed down the Interesting Spots and Things to Do in this beautiful province, which hosts the sweetest of mangoes!

The Guisi Lighthouse in Nueva Valencia

Built during the 19th century, the Guisi Light House in Nueva Valencia is considered to be second oldest lighthouse in the Philippines. It was built to guide fishermen and seamen sailing the Panay Gulf and as a part of the master plan in 1890’s of Spanish government for lighting the maritime coasts of the Philippine Archipelago. It is always fun to learn more about Philippine history through visiting historical sites like this old lighthouse in Guisi.

Faro de Punta Luzaran (Guisi Lighthouse) compound

The original lighthouse still standing but currently decaying in rust

Near the lighthouse is a beach cove open for public. My colleagues walked down to the beach while I just waited in the coconut vendors’ area and enjoyed the stunning view of the cove while sipping the freshest coconut juice on that day.

Guisi Beach

Looking for a beach that is a bit more secluded, a bit more private? Guisi is a beach where you can get more privacy during your swimming trip. It has such an antique feel for a beach because of the ruins that surround it. The beach is just a minute walk from the historical Guisi Lighthouse. Enjoy swimming in its crystal clear waters! You can also go island hopping, boating, fishing and snorkeling.

Visit the Windmill Farm

Supporting something that aims to solve our environmental problems while enjoying a great view is always a nice addition to your itinerary. The Windmill Farm aims to limit the greenhouse gas emissions produced by factories and homes in the region. But, it also targets the visitors of the region, to show them that going environment friendly can also be made into something fun and enjoyable. Sure enough, this windmill farm has turned into a tourist attraction, but it is still able to keep its peaceful atmosphere at the same time.

Join the island hopping and Ecotourism Tour in Nueva Valencia (Taklong Island National reserve)

Get the most out of your adventure by going on an island hopping and ecotourism tour. See and enjoy plenty of sites in just a couple of hours. From beautiful and soft sandy beaches to natural rock formations that would make your jaw drop. There is also a floating cottage which is a good place to rest. But surely, every place you visit is a great place to go snorkeling - all while having wonderful scenery.

Visit the Mango Plantation

Guimaras is not called the Mango Capital for nothing, so it would be a shame if you missed out on one of the main sources of income for many of the locals here. The mango plantation may not be your typical vacation spot but it is certainly a bit more unique than your usuals. It’s just nice to see what keeps the province going.

Eat Mangoes!

Given that you’re already in the Mango plantation, it would be a shame if you didn’t actually get yourself some mangoes. Eat these freshly grown mangoes and you’ll realize why Guimaras is a source of mangoes for many places in the country.

Try their famous Mango Pizza

Set aside the pineapple belongs on pizza fight, a true winner has come into battle! Guimaras has been able to find the perfect balance of sweet, sour and salty via the creation of their very own Mango Pizza. Taste this and for sure, you’ll never forget the experience of going to Guimaras!

Visit one of the Smallest Plazas in the World

One of the smallest plazas in the world is found in Guimaras! Why go here? Because it is incredibly cute and a different, unique sort of visit. True to its name, you can expect to finish your visit here pretty fast but hey, at least you can say that you’ve seen one of the smallest plazas in the world.

Witness the Festival

Now the true highlight of your trip is attending their famous Manggahan Festival. It is a month-long festival every summer that, of course, celebrates their famous, sweet, and delicious mangoes!

Explore the Trappist Monastery (buy pasalubongs)

This is another place in Guimaras where you can enjoy some quiet time. This is yet another secluded place in the province. It is a good place to just sit and relax, let your positive thoughts flow through you. But the primary reason why many people actually go to the Trappist Monastery is because of their shop, it offers greats finds for pasalubongs! You can also buy some things here to serve as a remembrance of your trip.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Luzon

If you’re coming from Manila, there are flights served by the Philippines Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Airasia that fly daily to Iloilo City. From there, you can take a cab to either Ortiz or Parola Wharf. The Ortiz Wharf is the usual route. So from Ortiz, you can take a boat to Jordan Wharf in Guimaras! There will be a tourism office there.

From Visayas Provinces

So now you can either find your way to Negros Occidental or Cebu. If you’re coming from Negros Occidental, go to Pulupandan Wharf and take a ferry to San Lorenzo Guimaras or go to Valladollid Wharf and take a ferry to Nueva Valencia. You can also travel from Bacolod Port to Iloilo Port then go to Ortiz or Parola Wharf.

Now from Cebu, just take either a ferry or a flight headed to Iloilo and then go to Ortiz Wharf to ride a ferry to Jordan.

Mindanao

From Davao, Cagayan de Oro or General Santos, you can take a flight going to Iloilo. Find your way to Ortiz Wharf then just take a boat to Jordan Wharf.

No matter where you are in the Philippines, there is always a way to get to Guimaras. You should never miss out on the Guimaras Islands. It is one of the treasures our country should be very proud of.

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Cebu is one of the most popular travel destinations in the Philippines—and for very good reasons. The Visayan province is known for its beautiful culture and significant historical landmarks - as well as their famous lechon, or roasted pig.

Aside from the rich culture that transports you back to the country’s roots, Cebu also boasts dazzling beaches, luxurious resorts, waterfalls and hiking spots. If you’re in the province's capital city, it might be a little difficult to know where to go first, especially if you only have a day to spare. Here are some of the best spots in Cebu City to help you along the way in creating one of the best travel experiences ever.

Magellan’s Cross

One of the definite highlights of Cebu is the Magellan’s cross. The cross is housed inside an octagonal building and due to its unique shape you can even see it from afar! A beautiful ceiling is seen in the inside. The art shows the first mass held and the conversion of the Cebuanos to Christianity. It’s so inspiring to be able to step on something with so much historical and religious importance in the country.

A typical Sunday morning at the Magellan's Cross site

This marker explains everything - the history behind the cross' replica and the beginning of Christianity in the Philippines

Basilica del Sto Niño

Within a walking distance from Magellan’s cross is Basilica del Sto. Niño. It is the oldest Catholic church in the country. There were 3 structures built but they were destroyed by fire. The present church’s exterior bell was badly damaged during the 2013 earthquake. It does not make the church less beautiful though. Seeing the church stand reminds us that filipinos are resilient and will stand firm despite of hardships they face. It can get a little crowded in here, however, because of the influx of tourists.

[2017 stock photo] Basilica del Santo Nino

[2017 stock photo] a typical night at Basilica del Santo Nino

[2017 stock photo] Basilica del Santo Nino

Fort San Pedro

Another very historical landmark, Fort San Pedro was built by the Philippines’ very first governor - Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. It served as a prison, zoo, and a stronghold for rebels. There is even a small museum inside to help visitors learn more about the fantastic history behind Fort San Pedro - and how significant it really is to the Cebuanos, and Philippine independence.

Fort San Pedro entrance

A mini gallery inside the entrance area of Fort San Pedro

Colon Street, the oldest street in the Philippines

Upon visiting, Colon Street might seem like any busy, bustling street in the Philippines, but in actuality, it’s actually known as the oldest street in the entire country! There is even a monument acknowledging its status. Aside from the history, Colon Street is a great spot to shop, being the busiest shopping center in the entirety of Cebu. There are street stalls and night markets where you can haggle for lots of trinkets, clothes, and souvenirs to take back home.

Colon Street, the Philippines' oldest street

Taoist Temple

Despite being a predominantly Catholic province, Cebu is home to a beautiful Taoist temple built by the local Chinese community way back in the 70s. The multi-tiered structures are very well-built and makes you feel as if you’ve been transported all the way to China. The temple is open to both Taoist worshippers and non-worshippers alike.

[2009 stock photo] Taoist Temple in Cebu City

Sirao Flower Farm

Known as “ Mini Amsterdam”. Sirao Flower farm is a picturesque farm located in Cebu Transcentral Highway. It sits on top of a hill giving the people a panoramic view of the surroundings. The place is definitely instagrammable! There is a ₱50 entrance fee, but the view is more than worth it!

[2017 stock photo] Sirao Flower Farm

Temple of Leah

Dubbed as the “Taj Mahal of Cebu”. The Temple of Leah is dedicated to Leah Albino-Adarna by her husband. It’s so beautiful to see a monument built because of love.

The family is prominent in the city because of their business. The place is huge, spanning over 5,000 square meters. It is located on top of a hill and the view is definitely breathtaking. The architecture resembles both Greek and Roman architecture. There is a museum, library and an art gallery in the compound and the temple open 24 hours daily.

Enjoy the view of the city at the Tops

Cebu City is definitely a sight to behold, but it’s even better seen from the sky. The Tops Lookout gives visitors a chance to experience just that! Day or night, the city below is a picturesque scene. You have to take a 20 minute ride to get up to the very peak, but there are lots of sitting areas and the Tops - a place where you can grab some food and refreshments.

Eat!

Lechon Cebu at House of Lechon or CnT - Lechon is the Cebuano speciality, and the House of Lechon as well as the CnT restaurants are great places to get your fix.

Siomai sa Tisa - This affordable and delicious meal can be found at Tisa, Labangon in Cebu. With just a hundred pesos in your pocket you can fill your tummy up with their delicious specialities.

Larsian - There’s no better place for barbecue than the Larsian restaurant in Fuente! You can pick out the food you want to eat from the dozens of barbecue stalls and have the staff cook them for you.

SUTUKIL (Sugba, Tula and Kilaw) - Fresh seafood catch of the day like tuna or lapu-lapu cooked/prepared in 3 styles - Sugba (grilled), Tula (soup/stew) and Kilaw (cooked in vinegar/ceviche).

Buy Pasalubong!

Buy Pasalubong at Tabuan Public Market (great for dried fish: danggit, daing na pusit)

Shop Dried Mangoes and Otap

The famous Lechon Cebu

"Tula", Cebu's version of fish stew)

TRAVEL NOTES

Despite many speaking the local dialect, Cebuano, a good percent of the population understands and speaks English and Tagalog fluently.

Traffic can be a little hefty especially during rush hours.

HOW TO GET THERE

As of this writing, Mactan-Cebu International Airport serves 25 domestic destinations and 22 international routes.

From Manila/Luzon

All major airlines in the Philippines offer direct flights from Manila to Cebu. The flight typically lasts around 1 hour and 10 minutes. Tourists also have the option to go to Cebu by ferry. 2Go travel offers this route, however the travel time lasts about 10 hours.

From the airport in Mactan, you can take a MyBus, metered taxi or Grabcar going to Cebu City.

From Mindanao, other parts of Luzon and Visayas

There are direct flights to Cebu from the following airports: Clark in Pampanga and Puerto Princesa in Palawan (Luzon); Bacolod, Iloilo, Roxas City in Capiz, Caticlan in Aklan (Visayas) ; and Davao City, General Santos, Cagayan De Oro City (Mindanao).

PERSONAL NOTES

This post is actually based from our Cebu City DIY day tour in June. I know there are a lot of interesting places and things to do in the Queen City of the South, but our schedule is quite tight on this trip – our priority was to attend a friend’s wedding. But you can comment down below so that on our next trip to Cebu we will definitely include your suggestion/recommendation on our priorities! BTW, special thanks to wifey – she’s a great travel buddy and assistant during this trip. :)

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