Category: Philippines

Baler is one of the awesome places that can easily be accessed from Manila. Yeah – it has a reputation of being a great surfing haven, however, it offers a lot more than that. To summarize, I have listed interesting things to do in Baler. Surf or Learn Surfing First in the list is surfing. Well, a large chunk of tourists visit Baler for that purpose. Professional or not, there are waves suitable for you. If you do it the very first time, do not worry, there are trusted surfers who can assist you, but, of course, for a fee. Rush guards ... Read more

From Kamay Ni Hesus, I took a tricycle to Lucban Church (a.k.a Church of Saint Louis of Toulouse). It was already past 6:00 in the evening, but I still wanted to see the church and try pancit habhab, a local delicacy. I never thought of the last public transport schedule to my next stop. All I have in mind that time was to complete my three objectives in Lucban. In a blink, I found myself beside the church. I immediately positioned myself to get a good angle of the stunning facade which got even more majestic at night with the glow ... Read more

From the moment I saw the photos of Alibijaban from Manong Unyol, I always to wanted to visit the island – even if it means going alone. I made several attempts the past weekend, but a lot of things happened that eventually delayed my trip. So I marked Alibijaban Island an elusive destination. Last Saturday, I pursued my Alibijaban conquest. I boarded a Lucena-bound Jac Liner Bus in Buendia and then transferred to Barney Auto Lines in Lucena Grand Terminal. Exactly 06:00AM the following day, I arrived in San Andres, the dropoff point to Alibijaban Island. From the bus terminal, I ... Read more

Without any plans in mind, I boarded a bus to Lucena one Saturday night. From Lucena, I took another bus to San Andres in Quezon province. I was alone and had no contact person at hand. All I wanted that time is to experience Alibijaban first hand. Luckily, the trip wasn’t a mess. I will tell my story on my next article. For now, let me start with a do-it-yourself (diy) travel guide to this very enchanting island. To those of you who are planning to get to Alibijaban, this article is for you. The resident’s frontyard in Alibijaban How to Get ... Read more

There are few people who are gifted with faith healing – one of them is Rev. Fr. Joey Faller. Father Joey is the brainchild of Kamay ni Hesus, a shrine that houses a convent-like building for religious activities, a chapel, a grotto, a replica of Noah’s Ark, mini representation of the Garden of Eden, life size statues of Saints, and gigantic status of Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Kamay ni Hesus Grotto I am not a follower of Father Joey but when I saw the compound, I would like to know what he was thinking. I wanted to know how and why ... Read more

Vigan is one of the most interesting cities in the Philippines. It does not only features ancestral houses dated a way back the colonial period but also allows you to experience some bits and pieces of the modern world. Vigan moves through time and it carried everything it has from the past to the contemporary times. Though a city, Vigan emanates a rustic vibe contratry to major urban centers in the country. Ironic, isn’t it? By the way, Vigan is currently making a name in the list of the New 7 Wonder Cities. It is one of the 21 finalists which fame ... Read more

Thinking for a place to visit on your long weekend or vacation days? Why not check Ilocos Norte, the northwestern-most province in Luzon island. And if you are wondering how to spend your time there, here’s a list of awesome things to do. You can reach Ilocos Norte by a 10 to 12-hour bus ride or via a 45-minute flight. Church of San Agustin (Paoay Church) – Municipality of Paoay The Church of San Agustin or commonly known as Paoay Church is one of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines that is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The side of ... Read more

The Saint Gregory the Great Parich or commonly known as Majayjay Church is one of the oldest extant Catholic church in the Philippines. According to the historical marker instilled by the National historical Institute (NHI), the original church, which was made of plywood, was built in the year 1571. It was, however, reduced to ashes five years later. Majayjay Church or Saint Gregory the Great Parish The church was then rebuilt under the supervision of the French Missionary, Fr. Juan de Plasencia, in 1578. For the second time, the place of worship was burnt in 1606. To avoid the repeat ... Read more

After a quick tour along P. Burgos St., where the tempting sandal shops are situated, I then visited the Parish Church of Liliw. I was surprised that such a small town harbors a long piece of history. A solid proof is the church that was been there since the sixteenth century. St. John the Baptist Church Liliw Saint John the Baptist Parish Church, also known as Liliw Church, was founded in 1605 by Father Miguel de San Lucas. The original structure was built from wood. The edifice had been rebuilt using rocks from year 1643 to 1646. However, it was ... Read more