Hello 2011 !!!

"New Year is the time to unfold new horizons and realize new dreams, to rediscover the strength and faith within, to rejoice in simple pleasures and gear up for new challenges. Happy New Year 2011!!!"

Pinoy Festivals : Dinagyang Festival 2011 in Iloilo

The Iloilo Dinagyang Just like most festivals in January, Dinagyang is a thanksgiving for and a celebration in honor of Sr. Santo Nino. But it prides itself as a festival of excellent folk choreography, a showcase of Ilonggo heritage and culture. It is as grand as Iloilo's old churches and mansions. It is as crisp as pinasugbong saging, as delectable as pancit molo and batchoy. Highlights of the Festival The religious highlight is the fluvial procession along Iloilo River. The cultural highlights are the Kasadyahan and the Ati-atihan parades and competitions. The fluvial procession is on a Friday of the Dinagyang week. Devotees carrying assorted images of the Child Jesus ride in motorized bancas from the mouth of the river towards the pier area where the foot parade would start and then back to the church. Held on a Saturday, Kasadyahan is a cultural parade. The presentation is theatrical and in local color. The Ati-atihan contest on a Sunday, is a big event. Participated in by at least twenty groups or tribe, the warriors wipe black soot all over their body and dance to the drumbeats. Primary reason for starting the Dinagyang Festival. The festival was first started to celebrate the feast of the Sto. Nino. From a parish church festivity to honor the Child Jesus, the celebration has evolved to become a religious-cultural activity. It is now a vehicle to promote Iloilo as a tourist and investment destination.

Pinoy Festivals : Sinulog Festival 2011 in Cebu City

The Sinulog festival is one of the grandest and most colorful festivals in the Philippines with a very rich history. The main festival is held each year on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City to honor the Santo Niño, or the child Jesus, who used to be the patron saint of the whole province of Cebu (since in the Catholic faith Jesus is not a saint, but God). It is essentially a dance ritual which remembers the Filipino people’s pagan past and their acceptance of Christianity.

Pinoy Transpo : LRT Line 1 System - The Yellow Line

The Light Rail Transit System Line No. 1 consists of the 15 km elevated railway system servicing the Taft Avenue - Rizal Avenue route between Baclaran, Pasay City and the Bonifacio Monument in the City of Caloocan. It is considered to be the first LRT system in Southeast Asia.

an "unusual scene" inside the train

Me, inside the train

Gil Puyat Station
Line 1 has a length of about 15 km and runs from Baclaran in Pasay City to Monumento in Caloocan City. Pasay City lies in the south-west section of Metro Manila, close to the airport. From there, the line runs in a north-western direction, parallel to the Bay but at some distance from it along Taft Avenue to the Manila City Hall, where the central terminal is located, then through Arroceros Street, across the Pasig River, entering the Santa Cruz district at Feati University. From there, it follows Rizal Avenue and Rizal Avenue Extension in a northerly direction to the terminal at Monumento in Caloocan City. (Source: /www.lrta.gov.ph)

Negros Occidental - Silay City Tourist Spots and Attractions (near Bacolod City)

Identified as one of the 25 major tourist destinations in the country by the Department of Tourism, Silay City is considered as the “Seat of arts, culture and eco-tourism in Western Visayas”.

Things I did in Silay City:

Visited the San Diego Pro-Cathedral

It is an early 20th century church, declared as a pro-cathedral in 1994 and the only pro-cathedral outside of Manila. It is the only church in Negros Occidental with a dome similar to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Designed by Italian architect Lucio Bernasconi in 1920, it stands out as one of the most noticeable landmarks in Silay.



Explored the Heritage Houses

I got fascinated with the vast number of heritage houses Silay City has. Its history and architectural details is truly a National Treasure. As I walk down the streets of Silay, I saw more than a dozen of old houses and each house never failed to suprise me of its great architectural designs. Lucky me, I was able to get inside one house, the Manuel Severino Hofilena Ancestral house.

Travel Guide : Google's Most Searched Local Travel Destination in the Philippines for 2010

Fastest Rising Local Travel Destinations

1. Cebu
2. Boracay
3. Bohol
4. Puerto Galera
5. Camarines Sur
6. Davao
7. Anawangin Cove
8. Puerto Princesa
9. Batangas
10. Villa Escudero

Happy Holidays!!!

"May the good times and treasures of the present become the golden memories of tomorrow. Wishing all of you lots of LOVE, JOY and HAPPINESS. Merry Christmas!"

Pinoy Na Pinoy : Christmas in the Philippines 2010

Nothing beats the Christmas season in the Philippines.

Giant Christmas trees everywhere...

SM Mall of Asia

Robinson's Place Manila

Cash and Carry Mall

SM MOA - South Wing

SM City Iloilo

NAIA Terminal 3

Negros Occidental - The Ruins in Talisay City

In the afternoon of my day 1 in Negros Occidental, I visited this 903 square meter skeletal structure that is truly one of its kind.

"The Ruins" is considered as one of the 12 most fascinating ruins in the world. A monumental landmark that can be found in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

It is the ancestral house of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, a rich and young Filipino Sugar Baron. Built in the early 1900's, as a memory of don Mariano's wife Maria Braga, a young Portuguese lady he met in one of his trips in Hongkong. During its heyday, the mansion was the largest residential structure.


The house is of Italianate architecture with a touch of renaissance structure typical of the homes of English ship captains. One of Don Mariano’s sons even supervised the construction of the mansion making sure that only A-grade mixture of concrete was used. Unfortunately, it was set to fire during World War II by the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East), to prevent Japanese Forces from using it as their headquarters. The raging inferno took three days before it reduced to ruins.

Batanes Deserves Me!

If only "good looks" can bring me to Batanes, I would definitely use mine. Wahahaha!!! Kidding aside, a Batanes trip has always been haunting me in my dreams. Without a doubt, I will do everything just to see and be able to set my "happy feet" in this awesome province.

I want to witness breath taking views of the beaches, lighthouses, hills, churches, and stone houses. I also want to meet the warm and gentle Ivatans. Feel the nice weather and to relax and have a time of my life. Needless to say, nothing can beat a natural high when you see a beautiful place such as Batanes.

Pinoy Na Pinoy : The New Generation Philippine Banknotes

A new set of Philippine peso bills were released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. It still has the same famous Filipinos, except for the 500 peso bill that added President Cory alongside with his husband Ninoy.

What I like most about these new bank notes are the pictures at the back. It now features Philippines' iconic natural wonders and popular tourist attractions such as:

-Banaue Rice Terraces alongside the Palm Civet (20 pesos)
-Taal Lake and the Giant trevally fish (50 pesos)
-Mayon Volcano in Albay and the whale shark (100 pesos)
-Chocolate Hills in Bohol and the Philippine tarsier (200 pesos)
-Subterranean Underground River in Puerto Princesa, Palawan and the Blue-naped Parrot (500 pesos)
-Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and the South Sea pearl (1000 pesos)

Negros Occidental - The Town of Murcia

The town of Murcia is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Negros Occidental. Known for Mambukal Mountain Resort, it is fast becoming an alternative residential hub in the province. Traffic and pollution free, the local government is eager to replicate the industrialization boom that was made in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna and Subic area. Develoment projects are ongoing that aims to improve road infractructures to and from Bacolod City.

Murcia Municipal Hall
After visiting Mambukal Resort, I pass by the Murcia town proper to roam and take photos around.

Alfredo Montelibano Sr (Former Governor)

Negros Occidental - Mambukal Resort in Murcia

I am quite sure that most of us want to take a break from our usual daily activities. Having not to think of anything but to commune with nature.


Mambukal Mountain Resort, a government-owned piece of paradise is a favorite vacation destination of local and foreign tourists since it is very accessible from Bacolod City, the capital city of Negros Occidental. It is located in the town of Murcia, some 31 km east of Bacolod city. With a land area of over 23.6 hectares, it is blessed with numerous beautiful natural resources and unparalleled scenic features.


Lies at about 1,200 feet above sea level, it serves as a gateway to the Mt. Kanlaon Volcano.

Trip Ko 'To : Turista na ba ako? V4.0

My Lakbayan grade is C!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

I've updated my lakbayan map with my latest trips to Tarlac, Quezon, Rizal, Iloilo, Guimaras and Negros Occidental in the last 3 months of this year. From "C-", 3 months ago, I now have a Lakbayan grade of C! Yahoo!!!

What a great way to end my 2010!!! Looking forward for more trips next year!!!

On my bucket list:
January 2011 - Western Pangasinan with my officemates
February 2011 - Davao Del Sur with my MBA friends
July 2011 - Zamboanga Del Sur, solo trip

Negros Occidental - Bacolod, Murcia, Talisay and Silay, December 11-12, 2010

I just got back from a solo adventure in the "Sugarbowl of the Philippines" - Negros Occidental. Being an "adventurer", I boarded the plane without any thorough research about this province (read: this is not recommended). I just read one blog post and that's it! I'm ready to go! =D

I arrived at Silay-Bacolod Airport at around 5:30 AM. I looked for the shuttle service outside that will bring me to Bacolod City. The fare is 150 pesos and travel time is about 45 minutes.

I don't have any reservation at any hotel. So when I reached Bacolod city, I started to search for a budget hotel that will fit into my budget. Luckily, I found one, the Star Plus Pension Inn in Lacson Cor. Rosario Sts. Their room rates range from 300 - 430 pesos only per night. I took the premium room and I'm glad that they allowed me to check-in right away. Thanks, I now have a place to keep my things safe.

After fixing myself and my things, I went out of the pension house to start my solo adventure. As a first timer, I got lost around the city, I can't see where the jeepney or bus stations are. But it's okay, I'm not afraid to get lost. I know that getting lost can be a great adventure.

I went to 3 Cities and 1 Town to experience Negros Occidental's innate beauty and charm.

On day 1, I went to the town of Murcia to explore Mambukal Resort and later on, the town of Murcia.

ILOILO TOURIST SPOTS: Miagao Church, A UNESCO World Heritage Site

The town of Miagao is a 1st class municipality located approximately 40 km southwest of Iloilo City. It is well known for its 18th century church, the Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church. Built in 1787 by the Spanish Augustinian missionaries, it was declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site - "Baroque Churches of the Philippines" in 1993. Its fortress-like design suggests its dual purpose - as a place of worship and as a fort used in defending the town against Moro raiders during that time.


In Baroque-Romanesque style, the church sinks six (6) meters deep into the ground with walls one-and-a-half (1 1/2) meters thick and buttresses thrice thicker in size. A truly 'Philippine Church', it exudes a native touch. Its artistic facade is decorated with a relief sculpture of St. Christopher carrying the Christ child amidst coconut, papaya and guava shrubs. A large stone image of St. Thomas of Villanueva, parish patron saint, dominates the center. Carved life-size statues of the Pope and St. Henry with their coat-of-arms above them flank the main entrance. (source)

ILOILO TOURIST SPOTS: Campo Santo in San Joaquin Iloilo

Another must see attraction in the town of San Joaquin, Iloilo is their Campo Santo or the chapel at a century-old Roman Catholic cemetery. Located on the national highway, it is just a few meters away from the town proper and the San Joaquin Church.


Sitting on a hill overlooking the sea, it is popular for its chapel with intricate baroque architecture with oriental influence. It is even made more attractive by the grand stone staircase approaching the beautiful chapel.

ILOILO TOURIST SPOTS: San Joaquin Church, San Joaquin Iloilo

San Joaquin is the southernmost town of the province of Iloilo. It is the last southern town before the province of Antique.


The San Joaquin Church is the only church in the Philippines that has a militaristic-themed facade. The masterpiece in its facade depicts the Spaniards' victory at the Battle of Tetuan. It is made of lime stones quarried from the town of Igbaras and white coral stones that can be found in the town's shorelines.

Iloilo - Budget Inn, SM City and Mooon Cafe

From Guimaras Island, we ride again the ferry boat bound for Iloilo City. Goodbye my lovely Guimaras, we'll see you again... =D



Upon reaching Ortiz Port, we took a cab and told the driver to bring us to a place where we could stay. As I mentioned in my previous posts, we are on a tight budget, so we asked him to help us find a budget hotel within the city. He then dropped us at Budget Inn located at Castilla EL-98 Jaro Iloilo City. It is indeed a budget hotel. A twin room only costs 700 pesos per night. It's clean and well maintained. The staffs are very accommodating. With all its amenities such as cable television, stand-by generator and WIFI zone, I guess it's a great deal!