Jun 28 2009
Many factors make a place memorable, sowing the seeds for a visit again in the future. Sometimes it’s just the place. Sometimes it’s what happened in that place. Sometimes it’s both, or some other factors. Let’s consider Hotel Dominique, found along Aguinaldo Highway, a nice hotel just a few meters from the rotunda in Tagaytay City. Continue Reading »
Jun 28 2009
The Philippines has 7,000 plus beautiful islands. The exact number depends on whether it’s high tide or low tide, a phrase made immortal by a Philippine beauty queen. No two islands are created equal. One island (or, in another sense, province) may have a different climate from the next one. Continue Reading »
Jun 23 2009
No celebration in the province, at least in ours, is complete without a whole lechon in the middle of the main table. Fiesta, weddings, baptism, graduation, vacations, etc. It’s the centerpiece of the feast. City friends who are visiting are often amused at the sight of a perfectly roasted whole pig hogging (pun intended) the gastronomic limelight. Lechon is among the recipes closest to the (cholesterol-saturated) hearts of Filipinos, just like adobo. Ask any Pinoy if he/she knows what lechon is, and he/she will most certainly answer “yes” — probably accompanied by a Mona Lisa-esque smile; hard to define, a smile that borders on wickedness and food-lust. Continue Reading »
Jun 19 2009
Another long weekend. The past long weekend, that is, Independence Day. There’s some sense in this holiday policy of the government. Perfect excuse to go out of town; somewhere relaxing but not too far — like Tagaytay City. Continue Reading »
Jun 18 2009
Father’s Day, the special day reserved once a year in honor of fathers, is celebrated in the Philippines, just like in many parts of the world. When is Father’s Day? Continue Reading »
Jun 17 2009
The Picnic Grove. There’s a number of Filipino movies that feature this. It’s a good place in Tagaytay City to have, what else, a picnic. Picture this: a full view of Taal volcano or Taal lake, picnic huts or gazebos hugging the slope of the hill, cold breeze massaging your cheeks, the aroma of home-made fresh pork barbeque cooked by the guests themselves, kids and dads flying kites, and horseback riding at the fringes. Food and beverage readily available everywhere. Can’t picture it? Here, look at this photo. Continue Reading »
Jun 14 2009
Sometimes it’s difficult to decide which article to write first, in the same way that it’s painfully mind-boggling to decide which restaurant to prioritize in a certain cluster. Take, for instance, the higher-end alternative to the group of restaurants surrounding Leslie’s restaurant and Starbucks in Tagaytay. The cluster is called The Cliffhouse, just a few meters from Leslie’s. Continue Reading »
Jun 10 2009
June 12, a Friday. Is this the date of official holiday for 2009? Perhaps you’re asking this question and that’s why you’ve landed here. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s first step back and take a short peek in history. Continue Reading »
May 09 2009
What is a zoo? Could we consider Calauit Island Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary (Palawan) a zoo? Is the best zoo in the Philippines? My choice? That’s pretty obvious from the title of this post. But I’m not talking about Ark Avilon Zoo, located beside Tiendesitas, Ortigas. I’m talking about it’s sister zoo, the bigger Avilon Zoo in Rodriguez, Rizal. Continue Reading »
Apr 22 2009
Postcard-perfect. That’s how I’ve always imagined Vigan would be. Kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) leisurely rolling through cobblestone roads, passing century-old houses that are witnesses to Vigan’s rich history. I thought it would feel like being brought back in time, walking through the past which we’d otherwise read only in books. Continue Reading »
Apr 21 2009
A Philippine Historical Committee marker notes that the Syquia Mansion was constructed in 1830 and subsequently became the residence of a Philippine President and his spouse, Alicia Syquia (I don’t understand all the contents of the marker, as it’s in Spanish, so I’m including a photo of the marker at the bottom of this post, just in case somebody could translate the entire thing . . . though I fear my Spanish I and II teacher would kill me). Continue Reading »
Apr 20 2009
One would usually associate Paoay with the Paoay Church, also called San Agustin Church, and for good reason — this beautiful architecture that is a showcase of Spanish-era churches in the Philippines is listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. Continue Reading »
Apr 19 2009
A lighthouse, parola in Filipino and other dialects in the Philippines (and in Spanish, I suppose) guides ships and anyone at sea. The Philippines is an archipelago, composed of thousands of islands and, quite understandably, a large number of lighthouses. I’ll be surprised to know if you haven’t seen a lighthouse. Continue Reading »
Apr 19 2009
There must be some logical explanation why people love really big things. Now that we’re in the midst of a really hot Philippine summer, perhaps it would be refreshing to be cooled by a huge electric fan. But while the huge structures in Bangui, Ilocos Norte may resemble gigantic electric fans, they are really wind mills meant to generate electricity to power our gadgets, including, well, electric fans. Continue Reading »
