Trends and Spots

I'm very happy to hear from one of my closest friends in Baguio City. Ivy Salupen or "Ïbiang" for short gave me a fresh picture of the city and informed me that Gimbals is no longer operational. It's been years since I was in Baguio. No wonder that I missed new spots to explore like Ms.Rhona Carantes' leather clock showcase at the DENR compound. And yes, I almost forgot the Tam-awan village is a must-see destination. Photo by Camgray06 Here is the full comment of Ibiang on our post "Summer Capital" , please read on: ...gimbals is no longer operational,closed down a few years ago. must see place should include tam-awan village owned by the famous artist ben cabrera, more popularly known as "bencab". it is reminiscent of the old villages of the mountain provinces. also owned by bencab is the bencab museum in asin road. showcases artworks of various artists. it is a haven for art enthusiasts... along the roads of asin are woodworks of varied desi...

It is the home of the now famous Panagbenga Festival or the flower fest in Northern Philippines. Thousands of tourists visit this place because of its beautiful weather. In a tropical country like ours, having a 25 degree-Celsius temperature or lower is a divine consolation from the typical hot and humid summer. That is why Baguio City is known as the country’s Summer Capital. I used to live in Baguio in the mid-90s. My memory of the place is a mixed emotional experience. I spent my happiest teenage years there. I love the people and their culture. But most of all, I love the pine trees. I remember walking up the sloping streets to UP Baguio at 7 in the morning. The air I exhale is usually smoky due to the cold temperature. And the scent of the pine trees is very strong. Until now, if I close my eyes and think of it hard enough, I could still recall the scent. That’s how distinct it was. Also, Baguio City is the best place for liquor drinkers. You can drink vodka, gin, tequila or brand...

(Bararing,Cuyo, Palawan. Photo from cuyonon/Dante Garcia) When the sun sets in perfection at the horizon of Sulu Sea, the archipelago of the Cuyo Islands up north is a golden scene to behold! Cuyo archipelago consists of 40 islands and islets. Unlike other beautiful archipelagos, Cuyo is still unspoiled and less discovered. Peace is an ultimate friend in this part of the world. The most popular island in Cuyo is the Pamalican Island where the world-class resort Amanpulo is located. Amanpulo is a very exclusive getaway resort spread on the 89-hectare Island of Pamalican. Fishing and socking is prohibited in Pamalican as it was declared as a marine sanctuary. The island has a magnificent white sand beach with a must-experience weather and terrain. South of Cuyo is the village of namesake with a 17th century fort built by the Spaniards to protect early inhabitants from Moro pirates. The high stone walls protect a church, convent and a chapel. Cuyo archipelago is a tapestry of earth colors...

(Photo from peakware) One thousand nine hundred seventy six meters above the sea. The majestic Mt. Isarog, a dormant volcano in Camarines Sur province, covers about 10,112 hectares. It is a beautiful peak with the rarest flora and fauna including exotic orchids and herbal plants. Wild life is also a sight at the mountain’s peak. Mt. Isarog can be seen from Naga City. Best months for trekking is during summer in the months of March, April and May. At the foot of the mountain, the Mainit Hot Spring Resort can be an extra treat to trekkers. Grab your backpacks and visit Bicol region. After a trek at Mt. Isarog, also visit Mt. Mayon in Legaspi and heritage sites like the Church of Nueva Caceres in Naga City.

April 9 is the birthday of my eldest nephew, Allen. But April 9 is more than just a date. It is a very significant part of Philippine History. It was in April 9, 1942 when Bataan fell to the power of Japanese invaders during World War II. But prior to the defeat, American and Filipino soldiers fought hard for 27 days protecting the island fortress of Corregidor. It was then the headquarters of the Allied forces under the leadership of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and also the seat of the Commonwealth Republic of the Philippines. Its downfall was a significant symbol of the Allied forces defeat during the World War II. Corregidor was made a memorial to the courage and heroism of hundreds of American and Filipino soldiers who fiercely fought the Japanese troops during the war. Today, the rocky island about 48 kilometers from Manila, stands as a memorial to these heroes. The war ruins, huge guns and tunnels in the island now serve as tourist attractions, especially to those who romantically in...

(Photo from flicker) Simply divine! Mouth-watering, crunchy, savory, spicy and gloriously delicious original pizzas can only be found at Armando’s Pizza at Camalig ! Located at the heart of Angeles City, Armando’s Pizza is housed in old grain storage ( camalig ) that dates back to 1840. No other pizza house in the country can match Armando’s genius in concocting its own pizza favorites using native ingredients such as such as salted egg ( ebun buru ), smoked fish ( tinapa ), and processed meat ( longganisa ). The rich history of the old Camalig makes the pizza experience more overwhelming and heavenly. Armando’s Pizza at Camalig is not only known for its original thin crust pizzas but also for its advocacy in promoting environmental awareness. It is the only pizza store in the Philippines and possibly all over the world which uses bilao, a native flat round container made of bamboo originally used by the old Kapampangans in preparing food especially rice. Armando’s Pizza owner Marc Nep...

Its length is enormous. The beauty of San Juanico Strait unmistakably wondrous! A 2.16 kilomete bridge that connects Samar and Leyte provinces in the Philippines, San Juanico Bridge is considered as the longest bridge and known to be one of the most beautiful structures ever built in the country. Constructed during the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos, the $21.9 million San Juanico bridge was designed to endure time and style. Its large arch beneath was designed to allow boats and ships to pass through the strait. It is supported by 43 spans rising 41 meters from the sea. Aside from the newly-built 93-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway in Central Luzon, San Juanico Bridge could be the only world-class infrastructure ever built during the past Philippine administrations.

Diverse marine life in one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the country. An ideal place for beach lovers, researchers, botanists, geologists and scuba divers. Puerto Gallera, an island in oriental Mindoro, is a leisure and educational spot rolled in one. Declared by the United Nations Man and Biosphere Program International as a marine sanctuary in 1934, Puerto Gallera remains a preferred destination to nature lovers. Spectacular is one word to describe its beauty. A major destination for middle class tourists, Puerto Gallera offers only the cheapest services and food for great value! Best sites for snorkeling and diving sites are the beaches near Sabang: Coco Beach , Big and Small La Laguna, Paniquian and Verde Islands . Also, visit the restaurants, inns, excavation museum and shell shops. Sabang never runs out of booze, food and fun, fun, fun. To reach Puerto Gallera, ride a bus from Manila to Batangas Port and then from Batangas, ride a ferry to CValapan Cit...

Are you tired of touring the islands? Or watching the sun over a sandy beach? Are you getting burns all by your own? Or are you missing your kids’ laughters while bathing under the heat? Here is a breaker that suits the whole family. A luxurious leisure park in the bustling province of Pampanga, Philippines – The Lakeshore! Lakeshore offers beautiful scenery of the famous Mt. Arayat . It is a haven to the whole family who wants to have a little picnic, boating, kayaking or jetskiing at the enchanting 12-hectare man-made lake. An island resort with many amenities and facilities including shops, stores, restaurants, a romantic lighthouse and a white water jet fountain shooting up to 18 meters high that is fun to watch. Lakeshore also offers villas and houses in the most secured, friendly and family-oriented estate north of Philippines. For inquiries, please call: Manila: +63(2) 725-9518, Pampanga: +63(45) 455-5253, +63(45) 455-2234 and USA: 1(310) 622-9142 or Email: ccei97@pldtdsl.net.

(Photos from visitmaldives) A magical paradise southwest of Sri Lanka! Enjoy the sun in one of the best tropical islands in the world! Sand…sun…beach…underwater treat…beautiful islands…lovely people…This is Maldives. This magical place is a melting pot for Arabians, South East Asians and Africans. It is likewise a haven to spiritual people, mostly followers of Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. Since it is near the equator, the weather is dominated by the monsoons. There are at least 87 exclusive resort islands in Maldives. Generally developed for tourism, Maldives has 1,190 coral islands, forming an archipelago of 26 major atolls. The major language spoken in this paradise is Dhivehi although in resorts, several languages are spoken such as English, Italian, French, German and Japanese. For interested to hop from one island to another, call the TRANS MALDIVIAN AIRWAYS at (960) 325708 and (960) 323161 or the MALDIVIAN AIR TAXI (PTE) LTD at (960) 315201 and (960) 315203.

One of the oldest Spanish-built churches in the Philippines is the famous San Guillermo Parish in bicolor, Pampanga. Built by the Augustinians in the 1500s on a land owned by Don Guillermo Manabat, the church became more popular after it was buried in lahar in 1995 four years after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991 . The church was however named after the patron saint San Guillermo. It is one of the best tourist destinations, especially for those who pay homage to old churches and disaster relics. The church is still being used today after the local folk excavated the altar and the retablo, which is decorated with century-old statues. The people of Bacolor consider the church as a monument of their resilience as people and a reminder of their religious faith in the face of danger, depression and challenges. You can visit the San Guillermo Church daily. For more information, you can call (045) 9614528 and 9614317 or visit the Bacolor Municipal Hall and look for Mayor Romeo “Buddy” Dung...