Places

Rituals and festivals. Culture and history. Off the beaten path and tourist traps. These are what makes a place unforgettable.

Ruing on my supposed Negros/Iloilo sojourn, 1

If all things went as planned, I would’ve touched down in Dumaguete last Thursday to spend two days there and visit Dauin, Zamboanguita, Bacong, Amlan and Manjuyod for those old colonial era churches as well as have a taste of budbod kabog (steamed sweetened millet wrapped in banana leaves) that can often be found in the southern city. Or taking a whiff of fresh air in the coastal boulevard that is well lighted at night. Or visiting the park to watch city folks enjoying a night of dancing.

But instead of being there, I’m in Makati ruing on my supposed Negros/Iloilo trip. All I can do is look back on the photos that I’ve taken almost exactly a year ago.

Endiosdada Abellana-Eskarpnes, a balikbayan from Scandinavia boogies away the night with her dance partner as one of the couples enjoying a good time at the park in Dumaguete City. Read More »Ruing on my supposed Negros/Iloilo sojourn, 1

Baguio on a wet weekend

Baguio City conjures images of misty mountains, cool weather and denizens neatly bundled in jackets even if Metro Manila is sizzling in high temperatures during the hot summer months. But what about Baguio City on a wet weekend with the ITCZ (intertropical convergent zone) playing up in this part of the world bringing the occasional rains and drizzles and just wet, wet weather? Not bad!

No trips to the strawberry fields or the obligatory pony ride at Wright Park. Not even a strenuous climb up the steps leading to the grotto or a trite view of Mines View Park and other tourist traps. Just a stroll up and down Session Road exercising ones leg muscles and a trip to the market. Or sitting and sipping a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee where, because of the weather, its not just another ordinary brewed beverage but it is COFFEE. Or enjoying bowl of not just mami or lugaw but MAMI or LUGAW.

Chaotic bus terminal in CDO

The jeepney from Ketkai pulled to a stop as I signaled the driver to when I reached Agora, more specifically known as the old bus terminal just beside the market in the fast growing city of Cagayan de Oro in the northern-central part of Mindanao.

Yellow buses of Bachelor Lines located at the left side lined the first few rows. Some are airconditioned, comfy and spankingly new while some are just plain ordinary, waiting for passengers to ferry to the distant northeast that is Butuan and Surigao along the winding coastal roads.

A few more rows ahead, the red buses of Rural Bus occupied the rest of the slots, waiting for people bound to the southern and central part of this huge island tracing the ridges and spines of the cordilleras.

Bus terminals. How I delight in entering one. Looking through each and every vehicle’s wooden or plastic karatula (signboards) for my specific destination and choosing what to take depending on the level of comfort or availability of the bus that I have to ride.