Yearly Archives: 2017

History

The Basilica Del Santo Niño, The Cultural Icon Of Cebu

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The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño (The Minor Basilica of the Holy Child in English) holds deep cultural significance for the people of Cebu due to the Catholic faith held by the majority of Cebuanos. The church represents the introduction of Christianity to the island and in turn the Christianization of The Philippines.

The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño was first constructed in 1565 by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Fr. Andres Urdaneta. It was built on the very site where the statue of the Sto. Nino de Cebu, a statue depicting the Child Jesus, was found in 1565 by Spanish explorers led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

The church still stands to this day, hundreds of years after the construction of the first structure. Despite this, the church has faced its fair share of setbacks over the years.

Rebuilding The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño

The original structure of the church, made from hardwood, mud and nipa burnt to the ground on November 1, 1568. IN 1605 the construction of the church began, again using hardwood and nipa materials. The construction lead by Fr. Pedro Torres continued up until it was finished in 1626.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of the materials used in its construction, the church again burnt down in 1628.

Construction on the church almost began almost immediately. As in 1628 Fr. Juan Medina directed the construction of the church although using stones and bricks as an alternative to the previous materials. This new construction did not last long as issues with the bricks being used began to arise. The bricks began to “melt” when they came in contact with air so construction on the new church was halted.

Thanks to the efforts of Father Provincial Bergano, Governor-General Fernando Valdes, Bishop Manuel Antonio Decio Y Ocampo of Cebu and Juan de Albarran Prior of the Sto. Nino. work on the church once again was underway.

Utilising hewn stone. Fr. Antonio Lopez, the residents of Talisay, and Father Francisco Aballe, together with his parishioners began construction of the church. This work began on February 29, 1735, when Fernándo Valdés y Tamon, the Governor of Cebu, ordered the church to be constructed with hard stone. The church was also to be built on the same site as the previous structures. Construction finally came to an end in 1739.

Significance of The Santo Niño in Cebu

The Santo Niño is a roughly 12-inch high wooden statue of Jesus in his infant form. The statue is believed to have been made in Flanders, Belgium due to its similarities to the Infant Jesus of Prague. The Santo Niño is now considered the oldest religious relic in The Philippines.

The Santo Niño, a representation of Jesus as a black holy child is housed inside the Basilica to this day. The statue is believed to be the same statue given by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to Queen Juana back in 1521.

The Santo Niño is now seen as the patron of Cebu. Cebuanos turn to the Santo Niño for strength and guidance within their lives.

When Magellan comes to town

On September 20, 1519, a fleet of five galleons under the command of Portuguese Navigator Ferdinand Magellan at the service of the king and queen of Spain set sail from San Lucar de Barrameda in search of the Spice Islands. Their journey took them to Limasawa, a small island south of Leyte in the central region of The Philippines.

Magellan took possession of the islands and named it The Philipines after King Philip of Spain. Magellans expedition then moved on towards Cebu. Magellan found the island to be very hospitable, which motivated him to make the island his base for exploration, Christianization and conquest.

King Humabon and Queen Juana of Cebu gave him a warm reception as well as embracing the teachings of Christianity. Magellan gave to Queen Juana a gift during the baptism of King Humabon and his wife Queen Juana on April 14, 1521; this gift is believed to be the statue of the Santo Niño housed in The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño today.

“After dinner the priest and some of the others went ashore to baptize the queen, who came with forty women. We conducted her to the platform, and she was made to sit down upon a cushion, and the other women near her, until the priest should be ready.

She was shown an image of our Lady, a very beautiful wooden child Jesus, and a cross. Thereupon, she was overcome with contrition, and asked for baptism amid her tears. We named her Juana, after the emperors mothers; her daughter, the wife of the prince, Catherina; the queen of Mazua, Lisabeta; and the others, each their distinctive name. Counting men, women, and children, we baptized eight hundred souls.

The queen was young and beautiful, and was entirely covered with a white and black cloth. Her mouth and nails were very red, while on her head she wore a large hat of palm leaves in the manner of a parasol, with a crown about it of the same leaves, like the tiara of the pope; and she never goes any place without such a one. She asked us to give her the little child Jesus to keep in place of her idols; and then she went away.”

As gratitude for their hospitality, Magellan agreed to fight along side King Humabon who was at war with the neighbouring tribe in Mactan island. Magellan was killed in the battle. His men then returned to Spain, which happened to be the expedition which set the record as the first to circumnavigate the earth.

Spain sent another expedition into the South East Asian Region. An Augustinian priest, named Andres Urdaneta, a world-known cosmographer who lived inside the monastic walls of the Augustinian monastery in Mexico along with  Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, Basque-Spanish navigator and a governor was summoned to lead the expedition. On November 21, a memorable expedition left Mexico for the Philippines and arrived in Cebu on April 27, 1565.

Cebuanos held suspicion that the Spaniard’s return was about bringing retribution to Magellan’s death, another battle broke out. But heavy artilleries and huge cannons forced the natives to flee to the mountain leaving behind their villages burnt to the ground.

As Spanish soldiers surveyed the debris of the village, a soldier, Juan Camus found an image of the Child Jesus under the pile of ashes unscathed inside a wooden box. The burned wooden box left behind during the 1521 Magellan expedition had preserved the Holy Child carving.

The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño in modern times

A replica of the Santo Niño is now found within a side altar at the Basilica; It is enshrined in a glass case adorned with gold and precious stones. Every third Sunday of January, millions will flock to the streets of Cebu in order to celebrate the largest festival of the year.

It is the Sinulog Festival, a colourful celebration in honour of the feast of the Santo Niño, the patron of Cebu. The main attraction of this festival is the street parade which lasts for 9 – 12 hours, with participants coming from different towns and cities across Cebu, occasionally some participants come from a different island.

Even in modern times, the church has continued to face destructive forces. During the last World War, a bomb fell on the church yet the Santo Niño remained intact. The church has also endured various earth quakes, the most significant being in 2013 were the church faced significant damage due to a major earthquake based in Bohol.

he Basilica Complex of Basilica Minore del Santo Niño is located in city block bordered by the Osmena Boulevard, D. Jakosalem Street, P. Burgos Street, and the Plaza Sugbo where the Magellan’s Cross is located. The main entrance is on the Osmena Boulevard. Two blocks to the north of the basilica is the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. It is where the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu seats.

The Basilica currently remains under the care of the Augustinians – The Order of St. Augustine.

Destination

The Underground River Tour In Palawan

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For those travelling to Palawan, the Underground River should almost be a mandatory stop on the itinerary. Flights going to the island will take you to Puerto Princesa; this city does have a lot to offer, though you will not see the real beauty until you travel further up the island to El Nido.

This is where the Underground River comes into the picture. The Underground River is roughly half way between Puerto Princesa and El Nido. A lot of the tour companies will pick you up in the morning, then take you to the river. Once the tour is over a van is able to take you the rest of the way to El Nido.

A lot of the tour companies do this on a daily basis so making arrangements with them is a very simple process. Puerto Princesa is full of tour companies, so it’s as simple as finding one who wants to negotiate a good price.

The van will generally pick you up from your hotel early on the morning of your tour. From there your permits to enter the underground river will be processed before commencing on the journey to Sabang. From there you have a roughly two-hour ride to Sabang.

Then you will be taken on a small boat ride to arrive at the final destination. From there you will be taken in small groups to the entrance of the underground river where the tour begins.

What will I experience on the tour?

The tour itself is an amazing experience. You are taken by a guide in a small boat towards the entrance of the cave. Once inside, it is not long until you are in complete darkness; the only source of light comes from the tour guides headlamp.

You will be taken up to 4kms into the cave; there you will see plenty of amazing rock formations as well as experience the thriving community of bats within the cave. You are handed an audio device with headphones on the tour, this will help guide you on where to look to see the more interesting rock formations within the cave.

Is the Underground River really worth a visit?

Before visiting the Underground river I had seen a few negative reviews saying it was not worth visiting. From my experience, this is far from the truth. A lot of the negative reviews were due to the amount of tourists visiting the area. A lot of people seemed to be frustrated by the crowds of tourists found around the destination.

I visited during the off season, in addition, I also made my visit on a weekday. So while I was there I was only dealing with very moderate amounts of tourists. There was also very little waiting for things like a boat to get to the Underground River entrance and the boat which took us on the tour itself.

So to avoid any frustration I suggest trying to time your visit for the off season. As like most other tourist destination in The Philippines; this place can get busy.

Destination

Malapascua My Favourite Hidden Tourist Destination In The Philippines

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Our journey to Malapascua began at Cebus north bus terminal. Malapascua is a small island found just off the north tip of mainland Cebu. To get to the island you need to ride a bus which will take you directly to that point. From there you will need to take a ferry across to the island.

Personally, I spend a lot of time around the major cities in the Philippines; I usually find myself often hopping between Manila and Cebu. When I venture out into the provinces like this, I get the feeling of a somewhat different lifestyle than what I experience in the cities.

It feels nice to leave the 24/7 chaos of the city and experience what the Philippines is like away from the traffic and the high-density living of the beach. The bus ride from Cebu City to the Maya ferry terminal took about 5 hours; although it went quickly as I kept myself busy eating the snacks I brought for the journey.

The bus arrived directly outside the ferry terminal so we could almost directly transfer from the bus to the ferry. We were there with the islands pastor, who was a European man who could speak fluent Cebuano. It wasn’t long until we were on our way to the island.

The boat we were on was too big to get past the reef surrounding the island so to get to the shore we had to transfer all of our luggage to a small fishing boat which would then take us to the shore. I felt a little paranoid throwing all my luggage into such a small boat, but everything made it to the shore, so I was happy.

From there we were on our own. I began to ask locals for directions to the resort I had booked. It seemed like even if the people didn’t know where the resort was, they were still willing to help us because everybody seemed to be giving us completely different directions.

I then asked a boy who looked like he was about 4-5 years old. He just gave the nod and started walking so naturally, I followed him. Minutes later we were standing outside our accommodation; I was surprised the boy even understood me, let alone take us to the resort so quickly.

Now, as for the island itself, it did not take me long to fall in love with the place. The thing about a loaf of tourist destinations in The Philippines is that everybody already knows about them. If you go to El Nido, Boracay you can expect to be surrounded by a hoard of other tourists no matter where you go.

The thing about Malapascua is it is relatively unknown on the world stage. When travel media covers The Philippines the focus is usually on the traditional tourist destinations, so Malapascua is rarely mentioned. Most of the tourists there were either from the dive community or people from other areas of Cebu.  There were almost no other kinds of tourists there.

This meant that we were able to walk around the island, visit its beautiful beaches and most of the time be the only ones there. The island has an active local population, so a lot of the time you could watch fisherman putting out their nets, or you would have the local school kids approaching you to say hi.

The island offers the perfect mix of everything you want as a tourist, picturesque beaches, delicious food and friendly service along with the experience of the traditional way of life outside of the metro area of the major cities.

Malapascua resorts

Malapascua Legend Resort – This resort is the last in a line of resorts found on the main tourist strip on Malapascua. The Malapascua Legend is one of the more regularly recommended resorts as it offers relaxing private rooms surrounding a large central pool, high-quality service from professional staff, as well as breakfast daily in its fully operational restaurant. All of this comes at an affordable price compared to other resorts on the island, which makes the Malapascua Legend the go to resort for tourists on a budget.

Click here for the latest deals and prices for the Malapascua Legend Resort.

Hippocampus Beach Resort – This resort is another one of my favourites on the island. It is one of the mid-range resorts so you have access to the services you would expect from a resort. Daily housekeeping, wifi, hot water, complimentary breakfast as well as a private balcony for each room. For this particular hotel, I would pay the extra money to get a deluxe room. The ocean views, extra space and air conditioning are well worth the extra money.

Click here for the latest deals and prices for the Hippocampus Beach Resort.

Ocean Vida Resort – Although I have never stayed in this resort; from what I have seen and read, this is one of the better resorts on the island. Each room features air conditioning, wifi access as well as a private balcony or terrace. The resort has a fitness centre as well as offering spa and massage. I have dined at the resort’s restaurant and had a fantastic time on all occasions. They offer bean bags down on the beach with a small table for your food. So you can lay back enjoy a meal meters from the water.

Click here for the latest deals and prices for the Ocean Vida Resort.

Malapascua weather

Malapascua is the same as almost every other region of The Philippines, HOT. Pack for a stereotypical tropical island getaway, and you’ll be okay. Sunscreen is essential; I would put on sunscreen every 2-3 hours and still got quite burnt, so ensure you bring a good quality waterproof sunscreen.

There can also be some unexpected downfalls, I have been there on days where I have woken up to a beautiful cloudless day; then an hour or two later the island was hit with heavy rain and some intense winds. So it may be a good idea to bring along a small retractable umbrella.

Malapascua food prices

The food on the island was outstanding quality. If you are dining at one of the resorts you can expect a high-quality meal along with friendly service from all of the staff. Prices at the resorts are a little more expensive than the rest of the island as they are usually hosting the international guests who have come to dive. The prices at the resorts are still reasonable P250 – 400 per dish.

The prices at the resorts are still reasonable despite that, but if you are looking for a meal on a budget, you can find it amongst the local island community. Amongst all the houses there are a lot of smaller restaurants which offer good food at an extremely low price, you will find a lot of the locals dining in at these restaurants with you. They all offer friendly service with meals costing on average P100 – 150 per dish.

Activities and tours on Malapascua

Despite a lot of the visitors to the island being drawn in by the world class dive spots, there is still a lot on offer to those who may not be that way inclined. One of my favourite activities was taking a boat to one of the famous islands close by, Kalanggaman Island. Tour operators sit along the main walkway between the resorts looking for people to join their tours the following morning.

I approached one of the operators on the way home from a restaurant one night. All he asked for was my name and the resort I was staying at. The following morning he came directly to our room and escorted us over to the tour boat. The island itself was breathtaking. It looked like the kind of island you will see on a movie over in the Caribean.

The tour runs for the full day and is well worth the cost. You have plenty of time on the island to swim, explore and take photos. The price also includes lunch while you are there. I would not worry about trying to book anything ahead of time as there are plenty of operators on the island, so you will not struggle to find a spot on one of the boats.

 

Destination

Voyage To Danasan Eco Adventure Park

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My trip to Danasan Eco Adventure Park was initially sparked by a passing recommendation from a friend. Before going all I knew was the park was fun and that I needed to take a bus to Danao; then from there ask somebody to take me to Danasan.

The following morning I was up early, ready to take the bus to Danao. The ride to Danao City was trouble free for us; in just under two hours we had arrived there from Cebu cities north bus terminal. Once in Danao, we were directed towards a group of motorcyclists who would be able to take us to Danasan Eco Adventure Park.

So within minutes of arriving in Danao, we were back on the road heading towards the park. This part of the ride was amazing, to say the least, it was actually one of the highlights of my day. I rarely venture outside of the major cities like Cebu and Manila so this was a relatively new experience for me.

Not long after beginning the ride we were weaving through an unsealed road surround by jungle landscapes. This followed shortly after by views of the mountains, which were dotted with patches of land that had been cleared to grow crops. The views offered by the ride to the park was worth the journey alone.

As we would pass through the villages the kids would run out to us. They would be shouting and waving, trying to greet us as we passed through their little village. It was amazing to see the full spectrum of environments people live in within this country; from the inner city condo to deep in the wilderness, high up in the mountains.

Once we got to the park I was surprised with how big the place looked. It was strange to think such a high-quality park was tucked away in the mountains, hours away from Cebu.

Once you arrive, make your way to the reception area out the front of the main building. From there it is as simple as picking out which single activity or package you want to try. I chose the ATV riding, basically because the pictures made it look the most exciting.

You are then taken in the back on a truck to the location of the activity. You then put on your equipment and then you’re briefed on how to use the motorbikes. After a few photos, we were on our way. Our leader took us through some roads around the property, which was quite fun. 

After a while, we got to an opening which had a loop style track with a hump in the centre. From there we were able to ride freely around the track for quite a while. This bit I loved, we were free to ride the bikes how we wanted, so everybody immediately began racing their ATVs around the track.

The ATV tour was actually quite long. After we finished it was already late in the afternoon. But we were already at Danasan Eco Adventure Park, we had to squeeze in as much as we could while we were there.

So next we chose to do the zip line and horseback riding. It was getting late so it seemed like a good idea to squeeze in activity which features two different experiences.

The zip line was fun, although I do it at so many places across the Philippines so it wasn’t really anything new. The horseback riding was quite fun. It was also my first time on a horse, or even using an animal as a form of transport. It was a nice experience riding through the property on a horse. Although because we were inexperienced we had to have guides leading the horses for us.

By the time we finished the horseback riding the sun was beginning to set. We only had a few minutes until our friend who took us to the park was going to arrive to pick us up; it was time for us to leave Danasan Eco Adventure Park. Even though we only had time for two activities I still had a lot of fun. Plus we still had the fun motorbike ride back through the mountains to do, so I was looking forward to that.

Danasan Eco Adventure Park rates

The activities range anywhere between P380 – 760 per person. It may seem expensive for some but the activities are all very long and engaging experiences, so you do get value for your money. For updates on the adventure and activity rates, please check their official website here. Danasan Eco Adventure Park also offers accommodation packages for their guests. They have a wide range of options to suit all price ranges. For an up to date summary of their rates, view their official website here.

How do I get there?

Danasan Eco Adventure Park offers a shuttle service. They can pick you from Parkmall in Cebu at 6:30 am and take you directly to Danasan (roundtrip for a minimum number of 10pax.) 450 per head (round trip). Alternatively, rides are available from Danao (Nano`s Pizza) at 9:00 am to Danasan (roundtrip) 300 per head (round trip) Transportation will depart from Danasan at around 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

Alternatively, you can make your own way there, which requires a little extra work but was quite enjoyable. Buses to Danao are available from the North Bus Terminal in Cebu. Once you arrive in Danao city centre ask around for directions to the Jeepney terminal. There you will find plenty of motorbike riders who will be more than happy to take you up to Danasan. I can’t remember what I paid, but it was actually quite cheap.

 

 

Destination

Star City, A Fun Filled Theme Park In The Heart Of Manila

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Star City is one of two dominant theme parks in Manila, the other being Lagunas Enchanted Kingdom. Having been to both theme parks, I have come to the conclusion that I prefer Star City over The Enchanted Kingdom.

Although Star City does not have the same attention detail as The Enchanted Kingdom; it has the advantage of being right in the heart of Metro Manila as well as still offering a wide variety of rides and attractions for its patrons.

With an extensive range of indoor and outdoor rides, Star City can accommodate guests in all weather conditions. Although a few of the rides did look dated due to the theme park opening in 1991; the park undergoing a lot of maintenance and construction work at the time, so it appears that the park’s management is actively updating its rides as well as expanding on what it has to offer.

One thing I noticed is how wide the variety of rides on offer is. It has all the traditional roller coaster, and ferris wheel style rides you would expect at a theme park. It then has offers other alternative attractions such as a haunted house exhibit and its snow world. There is also an entire section dedicated to smaller arcade games where patrons can relax after enjoying the more intense rides.

Star City schedule and directions

Star City business hours are from 4 pm until late on Monday through to Thursday; 2 pm until late on Friday through to Sunday.

Star City is located within the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex in Pasay City; a short drive from SM Mall Of Asia. It is a 15 – 30 minute drive from Makati and Manilas international airport; although these times can be significantly longer due to frequent traffic in the area.

How much is the Star City entrance fee?

Star City offers a wide variety of ticketing arrangements from Admission only to ride all you can tickets. You will also be able to buy tickets for their alternative attraction such as Snow World and Scream Avenue. Discounts are offered when you pair your attraction tickets with your ride all you can tickets.

Ride all you can tickets are currently P450, while the cost for the other attractions ranges between P100 – 150. For updated ticketing information, please check the official website.

For more information on Star city and what it has to offer, visit the official Star City website here.

Destination

Why should you visit Manila Ocean Park?

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On my various adventures around Manila, I have found myself at Manila Ocean Park a handful of times. On every visit, I still enjoy my stay. It is packed full of so many things to see, so there was always something new for me to experience.

They have a wide range of exhibits which are entertaining while also having some educational and historical aspects to them. The main attraction guests gravitate towards is the oceanarium. It’s full of a wide variety of species, which you can look at up close through the walkway tunnel beneath the aquarium.

My other personal favourite is the evening shows. I have seen the sea lion show in which the sea lions display their skills as well as talks on the conservation efforts made by the park. There is also the evening symphony show, which at first I wasn’t too excited about going. But the show exceeded my expectations; it contained fire, water and lighting synchronised to the music; it was surprisingly entertaining.

How much is the Manila Ocean Park entrance fee?

The entrance fee can be expensive due to what is actually on offer. It roughly P500-1000 per person depending on which package you choose. If you are looking for up-to-date fees, it is best to check the Manila Ocean Park website.

On my visits, I have bought the basic ticket with one of the evening shows. These tickets kept me occupied for most of the day, and the evening shows were always excellent quality. So you can get away with buying the cheap tickets and still having a good time there.

Other amenities at the complex

Despite the name, Manila Ocean Park is not purely a home for marine wildlife. The complex also houses a wide range of other amenities to keep guests comfortable and entertained. There are a wide range of specially stores throughout the premises as well as a range of restaurants catering to guests look for a snack to guests wanting a fine dining experience.

The complex also houses a fully functioning hotel, Hotel H2O. The hotel in itself offers a range of dining and spa experiences for its guests. For pricing and availability, book direct through the Hotel H2O website, or take advantage of the various promos available through Agoda.com.

How to get to Manila Ocean Park

The first major attraction you want to head towards is Rizal Park. As everybody knows where this is, this should be your first goal; once you arrive at Rizal Park, the rest of the journey is quite easy. From Rizal Park, you should walk toward Roxas Boulevard in the direction of Manila Bay. Once you cross Roxas Boulevard, you should then be walking towards Quirino Grandstand, which is not far from Roxas Boulevard. Once you pass Quirino Grandstand, you should see the large building and signs for Manila Ocean Park.

The Manila Ocean Park hours are between 10am – 8pm, check the official website for any updates or changes.

Feel free to ask any other questions in the comments box, I have spent quite a bit of time here, so I should be able to help you with any questions.

Destination

NAIA – Will One Of Asias Worst Airports Become One Of Asias Best?

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I recently flew out from the countries primary hub for international travel, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. For the uninitiated, NAIA the space in which the majority of tourists coming to The Philippines will be gaining their first dose of what this country has to offer.

NAIA holds a special place in Manilas colorful history. It is primarily known for being the location of one the most significant political assassinations in the countries history; the murder of Ninoy Aquino.

In recent times the airport was plagued with another scandal; which went on to garner the attention of international media. Individuals, most likely airport staff were planting bullets inside the luggage of unsuspecting passengers. The airport staff would then use this to extort money from passengers after being threatened with jail time for the ammunition in their luggage.

As time has gone on the airport has slowly begun to revitalise its reputation. Though, when you consider the advancements made at other airports in the region, it is easy to see that NAIA has some catching up to do.

Personally, I put a lot of weight on the significance of this airport in relation to the experiences of the growing number of visitors coming to the country. Although I recognise the airport quality is a relatively minor issue when it comes to the allocation of the nation’s resources. I still think first impressions of visitors do matter, especially when you factor in the potential of the situation.

The Philippines has some of the most beautiful attractions in the world. There are breathtaking mountainous landscapes along with world class, picturesque beaches infesting this country. The Philippines has the potential to be a tourist hot spot; it certainly has the assets to reach that position.

So with that in mind, I am left wondering why is NAIA, the tourism hub of the country left in such a sad state?

Individuals not boarding a flight are mostly left standing outside in a waiting area which is essentially a segment of the car park. There is another waiting area on the bottom level, though this is also outdated; as well as still being outside. So if you are going to be waiting for somebody, your only choice is to stand out in the heat.

From an aesthetic point of view, the exterior styling of the airport does have potential. It is just in need of some attention to bring it up to standard. The airport has the appearance of a concrete wasteland there is nothing aesthetically pleasing about the exterior of the airport, no landscaping, no artwork; it has a cold, hard almost industrial feeling to it.

The interior of the airport has recently had some much-needed renovations. When I first arrived at NAIA the interior look as if it had not been updated since the airport was built. The interior furnishings and design looked as if it had come from an entirely different era.

Now that NAIA has undergone renovations it has a much more respectable appearance. It now has a beautiful ceiling and lighting installation, modern furnishings and an upgraded luggage collection system. The interior has a much more fresh and clean feel to it as opposed to its previous state.

NAIA Domestic Vs. International Terminal

When it comes to the two departure areas, I don’t think it is a debate. When I travel domestically, I never have an issue besides the frequent flight delays. As I always arrive to my flights early, I never struggle to find seating at the gate. The departure area is also surrounded by vendors selling a variety of food, so I usually take the opportunity to grab something to eat.

The departure area is also surrounded by vendors selling a variety of food, so I usually take the chance to grab something to eat. If that’s not enough, then there is the option of an entire food court on the top level of the terminal. The food court primarily contains all the major food chains in the Philippines plus a few other smaller restaurants.

I am also a big drink fan; I love to sip on the different drinks from the coffee shops and read a book while I wait for my flight. As long as I have that available to me, I am happy.

The international departure area is where I have an issue. Usually, you will be waiting for 1 – 2 hours before your flight leaves. So again for me, I naturally gravitate to wanting something to eat to pass the time. The lack of options inside the departure is an issue for me.

You have the choice of either have Starbucks or some smaller general stores. The issue is that the food from the general stores is so bad that it seems like everybody flocks to the one Starbucks chain. This means it is always hectic, and getting a seat is always an issue. Even once you get a seat relaxing is not an option as you will always have other Starbucks customers trying to squeeze into the space near you as there are no other seats available.

I feel like NAIA has begun to walk in the right direction. But I feel as if it is only walking away from its horrible reputation. It still has a long way to go to reach the league of other airports in the region like Hong Kong and Japan.

Some basic moves can be made at NAIA which will bring the passengers experience to a whole new level. Doing things as simple as offering more seating in the busy departure areas; a few banks of seats in front of a TV playing basketball is not ideal. Offering the wider variety of dining options will also lift the passenger’s experience.

But the NAIA management can’t ignore all these years of appearing on lists of the worst airports in Asia. Hopefully, these moves to improve the airport will continue to gain momentum.

It ‘d be nice to see The Philippines step away from its underdog status and begin to offer world class facilities to those travelling the country.
Destination

Paoay Church, The Beautiful Heritage Site Of Northern Luzon

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To say The Philippines has some amazing sites to see is certainly an understatement. I remember back shortly before I began travelling the country I would sit back and browse through hundreds of travel sites. I would be searching through the seemingly endless amount of pictures of all the treasures found in this country.

One distinct site which seemed always to arise was a towering structure covered in plant growth; which looked like it would be at home in a Lord of The Rings movie. This structure is the Paoay Church, one of only a handful of baroque inspired churches built during the Spanish reign of the country.

The construction of this pyramid-like structure dates all the way back to 1694 when work began on the site. The project went on for almost two decades but resulted in one of the countries treasures which remains standing centuries later.

Paoay church was intentionally built to last, with 24 buttresses installed to reinforce the coral block and baked brick structure. Even the bell tower was moved from the traditional position of being attached to the church. This was done to decrease the chance of debris from the tower damaging the primary structure in the event of an earthquake.

The church has a been a part of many culturally significant moments throughout its history. Despite it being a home for the countries primary religion, Roman Catholicism it was also used as a base for the Katipuneros during the time of Philippine revolt against the Spanish. It was also used to house guerrilla fighters who were facing the Japanese invasion during World War II.

The cultural significance of this site was recognised when it was named a UNESCO world heritage site. It is now one of the prominent tourist attractions found in Northern Luzon. Although a trip to the site from Manila may take as long as 10 hours, this is only one of many breathtaking attractions located in Northern Luzon.

Flights to the province of Ilocos Norte are available. But if you have the time it is recommended to go by bus or car to see all the sites along the way. Visit the mountain city of Baguio, see the beaches of LA Union or visit the Spanish themed Vigan city.

 

Culture

Appreciating The Afternoon Siesta

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The afternoon siesta was something that never made sense to me. I come from a western culture where time is money. Every minute of the day needs to be filled with something productive, you need to always be working on something.

I could not fathom just shutting down everything for an hour or two to have a nap. For me sleeping during the day was a foreign concept. My background consisted of waking up early in the morning, taking care of responsibilities during the day, and then sleeping at night.

Before I visited the Philippines, I was not aware of the prevalence of the afternoon nap. The first time I arrived in the country was during the rainy season. This was when the country is a little cooler than average although generally, it’s always hot in The Philippines.

Where I come from, the climate is a whole different animal compared to The Philippines. I remember leaving the airport for the first time and feeling the warm, thick air surround me. My body almost instantly broke out in perspiration. Although, I quickly got used to that feeling of leaving the comfort of an air conditioned Condo or Mall and walking out into the humidity – which I have now grown to love.

During my first visit, we always had a lot of plans as the city was still so new to me. We would wake up early each morning, go out and find somewhere for breakfast. Then we would spend hours travelling around the city looking at all the sites Manila has to offer.

We would then get back to the Condo in the afternoon. My Filipino friends and family would just disappear into their rooms for an hour or two. It would just be complete silence inside the condo; I would just lay down and play on my phone or walk down to the mall and get some food while everybody else had stayed in their rooms.

But it was not long until I came around to indulging in the practice myself. So often everybody would wake up and be ready to start a whole new adventure with the second half of the day. Everyone seemed so happy and recharged, whereas I was always still feeling drained from the morning’s activities out in the humid streets of Manila.

After my first week in the country I without actually realising it. I would almost immediately go to my room on returning to the condo and sleep. It was the ideal time to recharge before we would set off for our evening’s activities. It would give me plenty of energy and a positive state of mind for the second half of our day.

Now, at this point, I can’t say I have maintained the habit. Although I still do have a soft spot for the afternoon nap. Although I don’t always sleep, I will go off to my room for an hour or so and just lay on my bed doing some work on my laptop or just play some soft music.

The tradition of the afternoon siesta wouldn’t have stuck around all of these years if it didn’t have anything to offer. It is an excellent way to de-stress and recover from your morning’s activities. It’s also a great way to position yourself to be alert and full of energy, ready to jump into and enjoy the rest of what the day has to offer.

Destination

El Nido, Unrestrained Beauty With A Dash Of Isolation

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El Nido, the “promised land” of Palawan. Thousands of pilgrims make the journey to Palawan each year to witness the somewhat unadulterated beauty of the tropical municipality. Tourists across the world are lured in by the breathtaking images of places like El Nido, which have spread virally across the Internet.

Palawan is one of the tourist hotspots in the Philippines. It is situated between the South China Sea and The Sulu Sea; separating the central cluster of Philippine Islands from Malaysia. There are three main destinations in Palawan which seem to attract most tourists. These are Puerto Princesa, El Nido, and Coron.

So, how do you get to Palawan?

For those wanting to visit Coron, you simply have to book a ride on a ship leaving from Manila which will take you directly to the island. For those wishing to visit El Nido, it will require a little extra work.

El Nido, despite its reputation, is still a relatively small town. It does have an airport there, but the airport only accommodates smaller airlines – which can be expensive. Unfortunately, there are no regular flights to El Nido made by the countries large commercial airlines. The next option is to travel to El Nido by land which is easily the more popular choice.

Flights leave daily from Manila to the largest city in the region, Puerto Princesa. Once you arrive there, you can either arrange to be picked up by a van the following morning and be taken directly to El Nido, or you can take a bus from the terminal which also goes directly to El Nido. Although the bus can take slightly longer, as it frequently stops to pick up passengers along the way.

Our journey to Puerto Princesa

Once we arrived in Puerto Princesa, I spoke with a few of the locals. The consensus was that we should take the van to El Nido, despite the price being almost double that of the bus, the van was able to save us a significant amount of time.

So after staying several nights in Puerto Princesa, we were picked up by a van outside of our hotel which would then take us to El Nido. We were the first ones in so I had no idea of what lay ahead. After about 15 minutes we had driven to a couple more locations to pick up the rest of the passengers. By that time I was not feeling very confident about the journey at all.

I was sandwiched in the backseat with three other people. My legs were pushed hard up against the seat in front of me. I’m 6’3 – these seats were not meant to accommodate somebody my size. The vans took minimising leg room to a whole new level. I had to try and distract myself from the realisation that I would be stuck in that position for the next 5+ hours; minus the brief stopover along the way.

By the time we got to El Nido, I was about to crack. The muscles in my legs were cramping up from being in such an awkward position for so long. I was also starting to feel sick from so many people being in such a small space for that period of time. I have never felt more relieved to leave a vehicle and just be standing out on the street breathing fresh air. It felt amazing to move my arms and legs freely after that trip.

We then went on to spend seven days in the social media photography, Mecca. I had the time of my life in El Nido, though I just couldn’t shake the feeling of the inevitable moment where I step back into one of those vans to make the journey back to Puerto Princesa.



Revelation – Is the bus the best means to travel Palawan?

The day eventually came when we had to leave. I couldn’t do it, I woke up that morning not caring if I have to waste 2 – 3 hours; I was taking the bus. All I cared about at that point was having the room to move. I was not going to spend another 5 hours jammed in one of those vans with 12 other people.

We went to the bus terminal and spoke to one of the drivers. The bus fare is almost half the price of the van, so that was our first win of the day. I went and bought some snacks with the money we saved and then walked back over to the bus.

It was such a relief to be on the bus, we sat in the front seat, so I was able to stretch my legs out in front of me and then have all my stuff laid out across the dashboard. Once the bus ride began, I was able to lay back in my seat spread myself out and enjoy the ride.

5 hours and 45 minutes later we were back in Puerto Princesa! I could not believe it, I was expecting a 7 – 8-hour ride. After everybody telling me how slow the buses were, I had assumed they take significantly more time than the vans – not just 45 minutes!

So the bus had been a lot cheaper, more comfortable, uncrowded and only took 45 minutes longer than the van. For me, I feel like the bus is undoubtedly the better option. I thought maybe the bus driver had been driving a little faster than how the bus drivers usually drive. But, I was then talking to some other tourists who told me that they had taken the bus to El Nido and it had taken them 5 hours and 30 minutes to get there.

If I ever find myself travelling back to El Nido, I will be taking the bus, without question, I feel like travelling in comfort while you are on holiday is ideal.

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