Sojourns and Off-the-Beaten Path Travels
North Cebu particularly the western side, might not be as developed as the rest of the province, but I really had fun. Life is simple and uncomplicated. People are friendly and it has enough surprises that makes traveling here enjoyable.
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Ang Langyaw got featured in the country’s top broadsheet, Sunday edition, 17 May 09.
Instead of hopping on a plane and get home soonest, I decided to take the Pilar – Masbate – Cebu route.
It’s too crowded. It’s overhyped. It’s too commercialized. It’s just one huge tourist trap.
The habal-habal sped off down the slope in Damay, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon as I sat just behind the rambunctious driver…
What was a sunny afternoon across the open sea turned out to be a scary trip. Despite this, I arrived from Cuyo in one piece.
Call it madness, call it a masochist’s trip but, after much ruminations, I finally made it…
If I’ve stuck to my original schedule of going on a Friday, I would not have come into problems.
The south of Cebu’s land area is mountainous and inhospitable. Roads wind, rise and drop as one drives through but it has one of the beautiful landscapes and seascapes in the province. It has pristine and beautiful beaches, well paved roads, century old trees as well as a hospitable people thriving and persevering in adversity.
I went back to Infanta, Quezon last April to do my major photo story as a requirement of my diploma course. This time, I spent several days documenting the preparation and actual activity that culminated on Good Friday.
The slice of island that is Cebu province can actually be toured around for two short days. With minimal stopovers, it’s a wonder opportunity to familiarize oneself with the various terrains, towns, people and heritage treasures that abounds. What’s more, except for some few kilometers in the northwest, the roads are well maintained and comfortable.
Cebu is one of the provinces blessed with beautiful Spanish colonial era churches in the country. Most of these structures were built by the Augustinians as the island was under the Order’s care but those built by the seculars, though few, are notable too. This post lists seven of the most noteworthy that I have seen.
Faith is very much alive in Cebu and during the Semana Santa (Holy Week), a trip down south to the towns of Carcar, Sibonga and Talisay City provides a glimpse of this religious fervor. You won’t see any flagellants or esoteric rites of the dead, nonetheless, it’s still an experience.
Summer is here and it’s vacation time for must of us Filipinos. Beaches, trips out of town, Batanes, Sagada… Sometimes, we’re just hardpressed on what to do during this hot and humid months. Following my two part post on 10 things to do this summer, this downloadable PDF version, an e-magazine, if you like is now available.
It’s FREE!
It’s already March and one thing is for sure: SUMMER IS HERE! It surely is a hot time and other than indulging oneself with cold halo halo or hitting the malls for the nth time, what better way to make these awaited vacation months worthwhile than a list of top 10 things to do during this time of the year.
This is Part 2.
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Balaanong Bahandi, a Cebu Archdiocese photo exhibit
Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu the photo exhibit will feature the images of three photographers: Estan Cabigas (ahem), Mark Andrew Jorolan and Lorens Gibb Lapinig who have been working with the Cathedral Museum of Cebu for the book of the same title to be launched this November. More... (1)
My name is Estan Cabigas and I am an avid traveler.
I enjoy the freedom that going to places entails, both the trip itself and the destination, revelling in the many things that the act of travel offers: the sounds, the sights, the people and the flavors.
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