During the radio interview at DZAR 1026 Manila or Sonshine Radio's Biyahe at Gimik program

With radio host Tony Cuevas

I’m on a roll. After being featured in some publications as a blogger and as a person, as well as national TV via Jessica Soho’s Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho program, here comes a radio interview at DZAR 1026 Manila, popularly, Sonshine Radio.

Biyahe at Gimik, the travel program hosted by veteran broadcaster Tony Cuevas and aired every Monday (focuses on Luzon), Wednesday (for Visayas destinations) and Friday (Mindanao places). I was their special guest for today, Wednesday, and I never thought that this interview would be light, conversational and fun!

When did you start to travel? What places are interesting? Have you been to Bohol…? and many more queries that I was able to answer well, describing places not limited to the Visayas but also in Mindanao, Luzon, and other places. There were also text in questions coming from listeners.

This is my first time to go live on radio but what surprised me at first was seeing how modern radio stations have become. They are high tech! Other than hearing one via radio waves, video is livestreamed via the internet!

I will post the video soon.

Video capture of me being interviewed

Lights! Camera! Action! Arianne and Jojo directing

For the video, check it here.

And how did I wound up with the KMJS show? Thanx to James, who was featured in the same show before, referred me to Joyce, their researcher. They were going to do a travel special in time for the summer season and they were looking for a travel photographer. Unfortunately, because of the late notice, I initially declined.

Sinanglao in Vigan

Preparing the itinerary was kind of difficult. I was looking for a place that was not so common but beautiful. Remote but at the same time available for the lightning shoot. I was going over different places mentally but it was limited to Ilocos.

Should I bring them to Kingfisher which I haven’t visited before? Document bu-os being gathered in Adams or its many waterfalls? How about going to Pudtol in Apayao and Buguey, Cagayan? But the thought of these distant places almost scared me.

But then, I thought, how about Kingfisher and then travel to Taggat Lagoon? I remembered this beautiful place last year but due to the rain, we just spent a few minutes in the area and I vowed to return.

Shoot location: Taggat Lagoon

Calle Crisologo houses in the morning

In Vigan, we had lunch, shoot and short interview at Calle Crisologo and ate a bowl of sinanglao. From their, I rode a minibus going to Pagudpud.

The plan to first go to Pagudpud, to a new resort was scrapped after the driver forgot about the turn in the town and instead headed directly to Pancian, the last town in Ilocos and bordering Cagayan province. Alas, it was already late, weather’s bad and we decided to just head to Taggat.

A boy in Taggat Lagoon

The next day was a marathon of sorts. The initial plan was to head to Ilocos and ride a bus for Manila but looking at the time and van schedule that leaves from Claveria, I can’t make it to my last digital photography workshop session scheduled at 6PM that day. Fortunately, I was able to book a cheap ticket from Tuguegarao to Manila the night before, there is wireless broadband internet in that remote town) and that flight saved me.

What a trip! From Makati, I traveled for almost thirteen hours for an hour of location shoot and another thirty minutes of short interview then raced down south to be back again in Makati the next day. What a life!

1) How do you travel in style despite backpacking/traveling either locally or abroad thru budget travel or flashpacking?

2) What things do you carry/wear you consider ‘stylish’?

Check out how they travel in style.

Grace of www.pinayonthemove.com

Grace www.pinayonthemove.com gives advice on how to stay stylish while on the move. Her list is not only practical but, for such a pretty, cosmopolitan woman who knows how to have fun without looking bad, its a good guide.

The secret to staying stylish while traveling is to bring items that serve more than one purpose while looking cute. They don’t have to be expensive or branded (or even authentic at times). They just have to be sturdy and comfortable without seeming to have borrowed it from one of your grandparents.

For example, every time I travel I would usually bring the following items above:

1) a long sleeved dri fit shirt for days when you spend countless hours under the sun
2) a pair of bright bikinis you can surf with
3) a vest which can showcase your national pride and spruce up an outfit
4) a water bottle so you don’t waste plastic while keeping hydrated
5) a garment that can be worn in multiple ways
6) a shoulder bag which can be converted into a fanny pack
7) lightweight reading material
8 ) accessories
9) an awesome pair of black ankle leggings
10) beauty and cleaning products
11) a scarf AND finally
12) a pair of hot cut offs

Don’t forget a pair of funky flats in a neutral color which can match all of your garments. All of these can fit inside a carry on along with other basic travel equipment. Remember attitude goes along way. Use it as our best accessory. Think elegantly casual – a touch of global style that feels universal and can blend in any place yet still have that edge. Not kitschy or frumpy tourist.

Jona at Miag-ao's stunning fortress church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Jona of jonabering.wordpress.com

Jona jonabering.wordpress.com just keeps it simple and shares a different way of being stylish while traveling.

For me, comfort is simple elegance. Pairing leggings with loose blouses or tank tops doesn’t only make me stylish but also care-free. A pair of sunglasses completes the look.

I always consider reading stylish and sexy; so wherever I am, a book or two is snugly placed in my backpack.

Above photos contributed by the respective travel bloggers.

Mhe-Ann of www.mycomingsandgoings.com

Mhe-Ann www.mycomingsandgoings.com certainly know her stuff when it comes to traveling with style, either in the Philippines or abroad.

“Traveling in style for me while flashpacking abroad, is to have a more fun feminine look with a few pieces in my backpack that fits the temperature: chic head gear, eyeglasses, a layered top ensemble, soft bottoms, a small bag for knick knacks, and matching shoes that slip on and off easily.

So for summer: hats and caps are practical and stylish accessories to protect me from sun rays and takes little effort to polish my look; colorful soft tee-shirts over a plain white undershirt; a jacket of the same color with beltless pants; white gray easy strap Skechers; and eyeglasses that doubles as sun glasses.

For winter: knitted hooded mufflers work double duty by blocking chilly winds and as fashion pieces that is light yet provide the comfort and warmth on a cold day; jeggings/leggings; winter sneakers; white and colorful long sleeves for layering and black multi tone eyeglasses.”

Kim of www.indieescape.com

For Kim www.indieescape.com style is relative and its individuality, practical individuality.

I describe my style as laid-back-boho-bordering-on-ethnic-sometimes-sporty, if that even makes sense! I honestly prefer comfort over style, but I still make it a point to have a ‘look’. I’m not big on gadgets, so I go for stylish pieces that I can wear. Standout earrings, neon orange socks or an elaborately designed malong will do for those travels where weight is an issue (mountain climbing, flying without check-in baggage). That, plus my signature unruly hair and sometimes painted nails.

When I travel out of town, I take pride wearing a piece of something local such as my tubao from Davao, shellcraft earrings from Cebu, abaca bag from Bicol, brass bangle from Baguio or Sagada Weavers purse. These things help identify my style. They also serve as conversation starters (where did you get your—?). When hitting the trails, I go for quality outdoor brands, both local and imported, like my Bombproof shorts, Headware head band, T.W.O. slippers, North face trek shoes and Suunto watch. Something that may be off from the whole list would be a Coach wallet that I bring with me anywhere. It has got to be the one thing that makes me feel upscale-stylish. Hehe.

Rain of www.rainamantiad.com

Rain www.rainamantiad.com got a secret when travel in style. It’s form and function!

Being female isn’t necessarily defined with high heels in my book. But I do fashion alright, even with a 70 + 15 interloper in tow. The secret? basic tops and denim shorts. For sudden weather changes, I also pack leggings and scarves to keep warm. And because backpacking is a rugged vice, save for my headphones, I do not wear branded, easy-to-snatch accessories and jewelry. The alternative? cheap aviators and flea market-brass jewelry.

Mervin of www.pinoyadventurista.com

Peripatetic Mervin www.pinoyadventurista.com wants to cover the whole 80 Philippine provinces and when traveling? Check his style while on the road.

I travel in style by wearning colorful and comfortable shirts because it looks good in photos. Wearing shades makes a lot of difference. You can hide your tiredness behind it. Hehehe!

James of www.journeyingjames.com chills out at a beach

Budget traveler par exellence James www.journeyingjames.com gives a different kind of traveling in style and whispers that he brings a small bottle of Davidoff Cool Water perfume.

As I’m always bringing less stuff when traveling, I just try to wear appropriate and relaxed clothing. I think its stylish in the sense that my personality goes along with it- chill-type and athletic.

I always carry my sunglasses, ipod and BB with me. Those 3 gadgets make-up even if I’m just wearing board shorts and slippers.

Chyng of www.chyngreyes.com with companions during a trip to Tawi-tawi

Chyng www.chyngreyes.com prefers it bright and colorful, a happy traveler.

I wear colorful and comfortable attire as it brings me more personality and energy. I don’t travel in black, brown, and gray. I prefer to wear loose and lightweight pants, bright colored tanktops and armbands, scarves, earth toned headwear and sunglasses.

Katrina of www.excursionista.net

Katrina www.excursionista.net travel light without sacrificing chic.

I often bring bright or colorful dress/tunic that can also double as a beach cover up. I like traveling light so it also helps that they’re virtually weightless, doesn’t get wrinkled, and dries up easily. Scarf – aside from adding warmth, it easily spices up an otherwise ordinary outfit.

Melody of www.guiltlessgetaways.blogspot.com

Melody www.guiltlessgetaways.blogspot.com loves black because of its versatility.

I like bringing black wear for my trips. It’s the easiest to pair, has a slimming effect and it brings the focus to other colors of the accessories or my face. Plus you don’t notice the dirt, hahaha.

My purple Nine West bag and my trusted blue Cole Haan shoes have traveled with me around the world.

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There you have it. Ten travel bloggers sharing their own styles when traveling! It need not fabulously elegant but its more practicality without sacrificing comfort and look. How about you guys? How do you travel in style?

The Cebu Capitol building was built in 1937 and is one of the beautiful landmarks in Cebu City

Speak of Cebu and images of the Sto. Niño , the province’s patron, come to mind. And so does the valiant Lapu-Lapu, sweet mangoes, the famous lechon, guitars and beaches. But it is more than that. Cebu is a special and beautiful place. It is also my home.

Cebu Capitol Heritage marker

I am featuring travel and, especially local bloggers who embody a particular place, as well as other personalities from time to time. For this Cebu-Sugbo Kini series, I’m featuring Arnold Carl Sancover.

Part 1 | Part 2

As a continuation to Arnold Carl’s interview in the previous post, I asked him his top 5 non-religious heritage sites in Cebu. Below are his recommendations.

1 Cebu Capitol Building

The Cebu Capitol Building is a beautiful neoclassical American colonial period edifice that was started in 1937. It is the seat of the Cebu provincial government and is found at the end of Osmeña Boulevard (but still popularly known as Jones Ave.). This was designed by Juan Arellano, who also did the Manila Metropolitan Theater, the Executive House (now the National Museum) as well as Jone’s Bridge.

The capitol was originally built within the perimeter of the Plaza Independcia, near Fort San Pedro, which follows the traditional Spanish plaza setting. Check Arnold Carl’s post for additional information.

The Carcar Dispensary, is just one of the American period structure in this heritage town

Antillan style house along the main road

2 The Heritage town of Carcar

About 46 kilometers south of Cebu City, the town of Carcar is one of the impressive towns of the island province which retained its heritage structures attesting to its rich culture and history spanning from the Spanish colonial period marked with the beautiful 19th century neoclassic church and convent, some ruins of watchtowers along its coast as well as houses; to the American period marked with houses of antillan style architecture including the Carcar Dispensary shown above and the rotunda with its quaint gazebo. A hike along it’s streets is a must to see these heritage treasures.

The town is also known as the shoe capital of the province, an important economic and transit hub. For food fanatics, it is known for its sweet delicacies and pasalubongs.

Second storey of the Jesuit House of 1730 is still standing and in good condition

3 The Jesuit House of 1730

Not too many people know this but tucked in within the compound of a lumber/hardware in the old Parian district is the Jesuit House of 1730, which is reputed to be the oldest dated house in the country today. Bas reliefs as well as carved medallions decorate its perimeter walls as well as interior including the date 1730. It’s an all stone house with tejado (tiled) roofing

Originally owned and built by the Jesuits, it was confiscated by the then Spanish colonial government when the religious order was expelled in all Spanish dominions. Over the years, it passed through various families and at one time, was even a night club. The current owner plans to open this site to the public after renovations and clearing of the hardware.

Arnold Carl’s post on the Jesuit House of 1730.

Historic Colon St. is the oldest street in the Philippines

Heritage marker where Teatro Empira used to stand

4 Historic Colon Street The oldest street in the Philippines is found in Cebu and it is Colon Street, popularly known as the downtown area. Started and based on the town plan of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi who arrived in 1565 it is named after Cristobal Colon, better known as Christopher Columbus.

It was the main street, economic and enterainment hub, considered the lifeline of the city during the Spanish colonial period where many movie houses, restaurants and businesses were built. At it’s end is the Parian district where many rich Chinese-Filipinos were located.

In the 20th century and well up to the 1990′s, it was a popular spot for Cebuanos, family events as well as commerce, wherein popular malls like Fairmart, Gaw, Gaisano and Gazini Plaza used to flank the street. During weekends, people used to flock to the many theaters here as well as dine in popular restaurants.

With the advent of malling in the 90s, wherein several huge malls were built in other sites in Cebu City, the Colon strip has descended into a shabby, crowded quarter. Gone are the once known malls to be replaced with parking lots or those cheap chinese product store outlets. Theaters have been closed while those that remained have been showing sex themed films. One historic and beautiful theater, Vision, is now a haven for bootleg sellers.

While the current state of Colon Street is not too pretty, walking and reading the different heritage markers along both sides is a wonderful experience to familiarize oneself with its past glory.

The Osmena Mausoleum in the old Carreta cemetery

An art deco tombstone of the Sotto's

5 Old cemetery of Cebu’s rich families in Carreta

The La Loma cemetery in Manila is known for its rich architectural heritage with various mausoleums done in neoclassic and art deco styles that it is one of the capital’s heritage destinations. In fact, there are walking tours conducted there. Much more, there are many famous Filipinos and buena familias interred.

In Cebu, there is an equivalent, albeit, at a lesser prominence including land area, where the same rich architectural heritage as well as personages can be found. The cemetery at M.J. Cuenco, just near the present Carreta cemetery is one of the forgotten heritage sites in the province. This is where some of the mortal remains of Cebu’s rich were interred including the Osmena’s, Sottos, Suico’s and Veloso’s.

There are ornate marble tombs, statues made by italian sculptors and even remnants of a Spanish colonial period niche lining one corner of the cemetery. Unfortunately, the area has been overun with squatters and has fallen into neglect as some families decided to transfer to other sites.

Arnold Carl’s post on the Osmena Mausoleum.

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Cebu heritage blogger, Arnold Carl Sancover

Speak of Cebu and images of the Sto. Niño , the province’s patron, come to mind. And so does the valiant Lapu-Lapu, sweet mangoes, the famous lechon, guitars and beaches. But it is more than that. Cebu is a special and beautiful place. It is also my home.

Starting with this post, I will be featuring travel and, especially local bloggers who embody a particular place, as well as other personalities from time to time. For this Cebu-Sugbo Kini series, I’m featuring Arnold Carl Sancover.

Part 1 | Part 2

ARNOLD CARL SANCOVER is a registered nurse, a true blue Cebuano and a staunch advocate of tangible heritage and its conservation. He’s also a frequent contributor to local newspapers writing about the province’s architectural treasures and is a volunteer at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu. His blog, The Heritage of Cebu was a finalist in the Philippine Blog Awards 09, Best Visayas Locale Blog category.

Arnold Carl's primary Cebu blog, "The Heritage of Cebu" is the only site I know that exclusively highlights the island province's treasures. It was also a finalist in the Best Visayas Locale Blog in the just concluded Philippine Blog Awards 2009

Ang Langyaw (AL): Arnold, can you tell me, how did you get into heritage advocacy?

Arnold Carl Sancover (ACS): I am into heritage and ever since I was a child that was already my interest. That was what I like. When I was about to enter college, originally, I would have enrolled in Anthropology but my parents would not allow since they were concerned that I might not have a future with it or end up just a teacher or what.

My parents wanted me to become a lawyer or a doctor and that’s why I took up Biology. After finishing the course, I took up Nursing as it was much more easier than Medicine and takes less time. After I graduated, my interest in heritage was still there. To express what I really want, I came up with a website on heritage.

AL: Currently, how many blogs do you have?

ACS: I currently have three blogs:

• The Heritage of Cebu (AL: this will be the focus of this interview)
• Travel Cebu, and
• Old Philippine Photos

I am focusing more and posts frequently at the the first one.

AL: How did you start with your The Heritage of Cebu blog?

ACS: This Cebu heritage blog first came to life at cebuheritage.wordpress.com. There were two instances that led to this one:

First I was walking along the downtown area of Cebu City (AL: this is the old quarter of Cebu where the country’s oldest street, Colon, is situated). That was December 30, 2005. I had with me a 3.2 megapixel digicam that I bought since I just passed the board exams.

While walking, I saw for the first time these heritage markers. Seeing these made my interest in heritage flare up more and so, I took pictures. I was already a member of this forum, Skyscraper City, and I want to post the images there so that I can make a topic about Cebu heritage.

Second, I was browsing this Ateneo (AL: Ateneo de Manila Univsersity) website, Panublion, and there was a topic there which really got me very interested: the Jesuit House of 1730. I got amazed since it was written that this heritage structure is hidden. When we speak of Parian, (AL: the old Chinese quarter of Cebu), what comes to mind is Casa Gorordo, a heritage house, now a museum of Cebu’s first Cebuano bishop. So there is still another house besides this one.

From Colon St., I went to the Parian area to look for this house without exactly knowing where it was located. In a sense, it was also an adventure for me. I came to an area where there was an old wall and saw these carved medallions, as exactly described in the website, I was ecstatic and decided to create a blog about Cebu heritage.

AL: How was your blog? Heritage seems to be a minor topic.

ACS: Blogging about heritage is interesting and I came to find that there were lots of visitors to the site. I was enthusiastic and this all the more encouraged me to update the site frequently.

AL: Can you expound more about this traffic?

ACS: In WordPress, everytime I checked the stats, there were really around 100 unique visitors per day. In a few weeks, my visitors increased from zero to 4,000. I was amazed! I also found in WordPress the search key words people use that led them to my site: cebu churches, history of Sto. Niño, etc. Hala! Naa pud diay mga tao nga ingon ani diay. Mga hilig ug heritage (Oh, there are also people who are also interested with heritage). That there are also people who search google for these kind of topics. It was an eye opener for me.

These inspired me to keep on updating this blog.

AL: How do you look for topics in your blog? Information?

ACS: Basically, what are posted in my blog are the places that I have already visited. I’ve been to Boljoon and that’s why I have an entry of that place. Other info I get from books like Simbahan of Ricky Jose and Angels in Stone of Fr. Pedro Galende, and website like Panublion, among others.

AL: Have you met other heritage enthusiasts through your blog?

ACS: There were visitors to my blog who we can call the who’s who of Cebu heritage. One example is Trizer Mansueto (AL: historian, researcher and writer of several articles including an upcoming book on Cebu). A regular commenter on my blog and when we finally met, he introduced me to the Cathedral Museum of Cebu and the people who runs it.

These opened doors for my blog. I took advantage of the connections that I have made to further develop and make The Heritage of Cebu more credible. That it is not just pop history or I’m just making the posts up. Because of these blog and Trizer, I have made friends with the historians of the Sto. Niño Basilica. As I was already part of the cathedral museum, I get to travel with them in Boljoon, Dalaguete and interact with the people involved in the local heritage movement and thus, further enriching The Heritage of Cebu.

Next is Part 2 which will be Arnold Carl’s recommended non-church heritage sites in Cebu City.

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