travel

  • A home away from home

    Travel

    CEBU, Philippines - Fuente Oro Business Suites boasts of its homey atmosphere palpably felt the moment one steps into the hotel’s glass doors.

    Lilian Co, the hotel’s vice president, told The FREEMAN that several years ago when they bought the property where the hotel now stands, they had no definite plans as to what they would do with it. But news came to them that the city is in constant need of rooms that would accommodate the increasing number of travelers and tourists into the city. That was when they decided to transform what they used as a lodging house into what is now Fuente Oro.

    Fuente Oro has 63 rooms classified into standard room with two single beds; superior room with one single bed and a twin bed; the deluxe rooms that has one king bed; the junior suite with one queen bed; and the suite room with one king bed and could also double as an exclusive function room for private concept parties of at most ten persons.

    It also has several function rooms including one that could accommodate 100 guests. The smaller rooms are great for meetings and small gathers of 15 to 20 persons.

    Co said that what inspire them are the comments that they get from satisfied guests.

    “We are new, only three years old, but we constantly renovate and upgrade our facility,” she said adding that this embodies their passion and commitment to provide their guests an experience during their stay at the hotel.

    Although the hotel does not have a dedicated restaurant, it has Cupcake Society, a coffee shop ran by her son where the best homemade cupcakes this side of town could be enjoyed. And to keep up with the times, the hotel also has reliable wi-fi access, among its many other amenities.

    The best part with staying at Fuente Oro Business Suite is that it is a partner hotel of The FREEMAN, so expect to wake up with a copy of the paper and be informed on what latest happenings in the city including trends and tips on best places to visit.

    Fuente Oro Business Suites is located along Gov. M. Roa Street in Capitol Site, just a stone’s throw away from Coco Mall and Cebu Doctors Hospital. For more information, call 2687912 or email them at info@fuente oro.com. Online bookings are accepted in their site at www.fuenteoro.com.

    First saw print in The FREEMAN on 5 March 2013 with the title "A home away from home" and subsequently published in PhilStar.com.

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  • Suroy suroy evolution

    Travel

    CEBU, Philippines - For every guest who’ve joined the Suroy Suroy Sugbo, what would stand out in any of the escapades would be the festive atmosphere in every town visited, thanks to the many students waving banners to the passing convoy of buses; the seemingly unlimited supply of food; the gifts of local delicacies and products; the speeches of local politicians colored by greetings and praises for the Governor and, in some instances, her entourage of politicians and other VIPs; the festival dances that seemed to be the same everywhere except for the costumes; and the cultural shows that would include presentations that many of us believed to have gone extinct like the balitaw and other local dances, stage plays, and songs; and, yes, did I mention food?

    Despite the hectic itinerary, it is an activity that many locals and out-of-towners look forward to.

    Back then, it was merely a “teaser” for visitors on what they would expect and what they could experience should they choose to linger longer in a certain place. At the same time, it informs stakeholders in the travel industry that Cebu still has many destinations to offer, thus the flock of tour and travel agents joining in.

    Already, one could categorically say that through the Suroy Suroy program many towns and cities have seen the potential in developing tour destinations and activities in their localities, one of these would be Aloguinsan that decided to develop a brand of its own and is now enjoying a steady stream of visitors benefiting many of its local enterprises.

    I reckoned that that was the goal of Suroy Suroy – to highlight the many unknown destinations of the province – and it was successful at that, the reason why the Province’s legislative body institutionalized the project through a measure authored by Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy.

    Last January 23 to 25, around 140 visitors – mostly balikbayans – were once again treated to a series of visits to the province’s southern get-away and heritage places with the promise that they would not only be introduced to the places but they would also be given enough time to enjoy and experience these places.

    The places visited included San Fernando, Argao, Oslob’s Sumilon Island, and Santander on the first day; Samboan on the second day with time to tour the town’s significant historical sites and relax in the refreshing waters of Kawasan Falls; Ronda, Barili and Talisay City on the third day.

    I was fortunate enough to join the first day of this edition of the Suroy Suroy and having joined previous Suroy Suroys, I would personally say that this improved version has truly made the program into something much more marketable.

    What Cebu may have lacked in terms of activities for tourists to do for them to stay long term in Cebu like amusement parks, the Suroy Suroy could well compensate.

    Local businesswoman Victorina Mataragnon said that she first joined the Suroy Suroy program a few years ago for her to see the different places in Cebu. She admitted that, despite being a Cebuana, there are still many places in the province that she has yet to explore.

    Paul Wing who’s on his sixth time to join the Suroy Suroy said, “We’ve seen how each year it seems to have improved – more dancing, a lot more preparation is done on it, and it is more comfortable for us as a tourist to come and keep visiting.”

    “This one is different because it allows more time for us to see the sites,” he said, adding, “we have gone here a number of times and we’ve enjoyed it immensely.”

    Wing together with his wife have now moved to Cebu from Vancouver, Canada, and said that since joining the Suroy Suroy they’ve visited the different places in the province on their own to further explore, bringing with them visitors and guests from Canada.

     

    Balik Cebu’s Tetta Baad expressed her pleasure at how the Suroy Suroy has evolved saying that this is how she envisioned the program when she conceptualized it back in the early 2000s in response to the need for a countryside tourism program and as a project for the Cebu Business Month. She said that it was Magpale, as a member of Balik Cebu, who introduced the concept to Governor Gwen Garcia.

    Garcia adapted the program and successfully turned it into a product and a brand that would entice many visitors to join.

    In the one day that I joined Suroy Suroy Sugbo 2013 – Southern Getaway, I could say that there is indeed a stark difference from previous Suroy Suroys.

    No more political speeches by local politicians, lesser and more reasonable serving of food, and certainly more time to enjoy and immerse oneself in the places being visited.

    I would say that it has evolved into an even more marketable product, which Acting Governor Magpale said would be easier to pass on and promote to local tour agencies.

    Yes, Cebu does not have amusement parks, but it has the Suroy Suroy which allows visitors to interact more with the locals, giving local flavor to their visit to the province.

    First saw print in The FREEMAN (Cebu's newspaper since 1919) on 24 February 2013 and subsequently published in PhilStar.com.

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  • Preparing for the Sinulog

    Culture

    Local tourists are filling up the hotels in the city and the streets of Cebu during the one-day Sinulog festival and even days before and after the festival that promoting this already famous festival outside the country is not necessary.

    From this, one could surmise that one of the major reasons why Cebu is flocked during the Sinulog is for the religious aspect of the festival. And with the city-hosted Sinulog carnival, the festivity has welcomed even visitors of non-Catholic faiths to marvel and join in the revelry.

    Spiritual preparation

    The Sinulog is a lot of things for us, and for each individual this popular festival has a different meaning. But whatever that reason may be, one could have a better experience of the fiesta if they also take time to ready themselves spiritually.

    Attend the 9-day Novena Mass. The novena mass is one of the many ways for a devotee to show his/her utmost devotion to the Sto. Niño. It is a daily sacrifice for many, and for most an intimate meeting being looked forward to every year. The novena mass also prepares the devotee for the solemn procession of the miraculous image of the Sto. Niño, which can be considered as the apex of the celebration.

    Reserve one hour of your day for reflection. A relationship with one's God is not one way. Just like any relationship, it has to be mutual, and as such, give God the opportunity to give you an answer. Learn to listen to God, allow him to speak, stay quiet and just reflect on the beauty of the Child Jesus.

    Contemplate on the virtues of the Infant Jesus. The Sto. Niño de Cebu is a representation of the Infant Jesus, although Cebu's image is unique because of the miracles attributed to it, starting from its discovery to being spared from burning. Fr. Reginald Marie Garrigou-Lagrange in his book "The Three Ages of the Interior Life" pointed out the innate qualities of the child, as taught by St. Teresa of Lisieux, and is "found in an eminent degree in the child of God" are simplicity and consciousness of weakness. Simplicity allows the child to see events and circumstances around him on face value, as it is. This simplicity brings with it trust, the reason why the child would believe what an adult would tell him. The consciousness of weakness brings humility as the child realizes his dependence to his parents.

    As one makes this practice, a prayerful devotee can be assured of a much meaningful spiritual experience.

    The Sinulog carnival

    Should you wish to enjoy the city-hosted festival, it would be wise to follow these tips:

    Know your goal. What is your reason for joining the Sinulog? Is it to enliven your spiritual life or to simply enjoy the festivity? Beer drinking perhaps or go party hopping? Whatever your reason is, make that your goal and plan your activities with the thought of experiencing your goal.

    Calendar your activities. The Sinulog has plenty of related events and activities, all to entertain the city's visitors. But there are activities that are purely Cebuano or Visayan. One of these is the annual Cebu Pop Music Festival, which has produced such great talents as Raki Vega, Chad Borja, and Vina Morales. The Sinulog Foundation, which handles the carnival, and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, who handles the religious aspect of the festival, have already posted the different schedules leading to the Sinulog day. You can start planning your activities from there. The city's different hotels and shopping centers have also scheduled various events. For that, check out their websites or call their respective customer service hotlines.

    Map your route. Many of the major roads of the city will be closed for the festival, and with this, expect a lot of walking. Walking the stretch of Osmeña Boulevard, however, can be fun during the Sinulog because you won't just be walking, you will also be marveling at the different gimmicks and plots initiated by enterprising Cebuanos. A road map would be very useful. Know where you are going and see if there are back alleys and short cuts that you can take.

    Buy your pasalubong ahead. After the festivity, visitors would be seen flocking such popular pasalubong centers and establishments like the Tabo-an for dried fish and danggit, or at souvenir shops for t-shirts and other delicacies. In order to avoid the pasalubong rush, try to make it a point to buy them when you arrive in the city, right after you've settled down in your hotel. For the danggit and other dried seafood products, make sure they're tightly sealed to avoid the spread of any funny smell in your room or your bag.

    Enjoy. Lastly, you should remember that you are joining the Sinulog because you want to enjoy. While the church-led celebration focuses on silent reflection and sincere devotion, the city-hosted carnival is about thanksgiving. Have fun, go wild (in a responsible way), and experience something new. Have a henna tattoo, wear fashionably weird clothes, or dance in the middle of the street. Just remember not to leave courtesy in your room, bring it at all times, especially during the street parade where you would surely encounter many rowdy people.

    First saw print on January 13, 2013 in The FREEMAN, a daily regional paper in the Philippines. Photos: Reynan Villena/Philstar.com and Ferdinand Edralin/Philstar.com.

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  • Malubog Lake: Industry's product, nature's gift

    Travel

     

    What better place to unwind than in a secluded locale where you can be intimate with nature?

    Malubog Lake in Barangay General Climaco is one of Toledo's not so secret destinations, but the difficulty in getting to the place has shunned many who may want to visit, essentially making it a peaceful, tranquil, and a wonderful place to be refreshed.

    Ironically, the lake is not nature's work; in fact, many residents begrudge its existence, as what Barangay Councilor Armando Basalo echoed -- the community is better off when the area was still an agricultural land.

    "At least during that time we had income and we did not go hungry," he said. Like all families who have chosen to settle in the area, Basalo's family used to plant corn and rice in the place before the 100-hectare area was flooded and turned into a dam in the 1970s by then Atlas Consolidated Mining & Development Corporation, the company that made Toledo City into one of Cebu's most progressive cities.

    The dam is designed to hold 15 million cubic meters of water, most of which is used in the operations of the copper mines of Atlas.

    To provide livelihood to the farmers in the area, Atlas and the local government through the Department of Agriculture, filled the dam with milkfish, carp, and tilapia fry, which today is being harvested by many residents in the area.

    A tour in Malubog Lake is very cheap, at P2,500 per trip, while a ride to the lake only costs P20 by jeepney, one way. There is a trip to Barangay Gen. Climaco every hour. It seems that accessibility is really not a problem, but the difficult ride has become an obstacle for many to enjoy the wonder of Malubog Lake.

    Through special arrangement, lunch can be prepared on board the Malubog Lake Cruiser with grilled tilapia freshly caught from the lake. Or, should one choose, he can do the catching himself and have his catch cooked by the locals.

    The City Government of Toledo also plans to further develop the lake, seeing its many potentials as a tourist destination. Toledo City Mayor Aurelio P. Espinosa said that the city plans to build more facilities and amenities along the lake and introduce more activities to help make it an even more attractive destination for visitors.

    "Tourism has a lot to contribute, especially to the city because without tourism it would be difficult for us to attract visitors and investors," he said.

    For the meantime for those wanting to enjoy nature at its best, these little inconveniences in going to the lake is a plus, because, after all, it would not be as enjoyable when the lake becomes crowded with visitors.

    Truly, Malubog Lake, despite its industrial origin and the many issues that may surround it, is a gift for nature lovers.

    A trip would take you around the river, to marvel at the confluence of nature and industry. And on the sides you can check out Barangay General Climaco's program on agriculture, with its thrust to also include it in the community's tourism plan.

    To visit Malubog Lake, contact Toledo City's Tourism Office at (032)3225748.

    Photos by A. N. Banaynal/The FREEMAN. First published in The FREEMAN on 14 October 2012 as Malubog Lake: Industry's product, nature's gift, and subsequently online at PhilStar.com.

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  • Friends, family, and food

    Travel

    September was truly filled with blessings, spending time with friends and family.

    Last week of September, my former flatmate when I was still a university student in Manila, Iadknee, came home after like five years of staying in the US. She came home in time for the fiesta celebration in her hometown, Iligan City. I was so happy to have been able to spend some time with her.


    At the hotel where I stayed for the night. It was just several blocks away from her place.


    We also visited another former schoolmate in Silliman University, who happened to be a neighbor of Iadknee and also came home from the US with her husband and twins.


    On the second day, we got to visit the house of former Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal


    President Macapagal is the father of the infamous Gloria Arroyo, who also served the country as President and now as Congresswoman of Pampanga. She is currently in the middle of some court battles for the crime of graft and corruption, but knowing the Philippines and its politicians, well, I reckon that she'll go scot-free.


    The Lanao Kris is the symbol of the City.

    Then on October 3, our childhood friend, Rhoda, came home from the UK. She's spending her maternity leave here in the Philippines, wanting to give birth here rather than in the UK, because apparently she can get better hospital service here at a very low price.


    Here's Rhoda and me at Hukad Filipino Restaurant where we had dinner. 


    We had lunch at La Maison Rose, Cebu's newest French restaurant. Also in the picture is my sister, Cherryl, and husband, Richard.

    Will be posting the food that we ordered on the next post.

    September was also a busy month with events here and there, one of which was the grand launching of Quest Hotel along Archbishop Reyes Ave. in Cebu City.


    Me with the beautiful gals of Cebu's media: (L-R) Emma of Amazing Cebu, Leslee of Cebu Daily News, Maureen of Business Mirror, Nida of CDN, Ruth of Philippine Star, and VK, also from The FREEMAN


    With Mia Sy, public relations officer of Quest Hotel


    With Jigs Arquiza of Sunstar Weekend

     

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  • Beach resorts in Looc, Argao

    Travel

    Looc Garden Beach Resort
    Looc, Argao, Cebu, Philippines
    T: (+63)32-485-9516
    W: loocgarden.ch.vu

    Accommodations and rates (as of June 14, 2012):

    Day Use
    PhP 100, entrance

    Standard Fan Room
    Overlooking the sea with private bathroom
    PhP 800.00 for a maximum of 2 guests
    Allows 2 extra guests at PhP100/pax

    Executive Room
    Fully airconditioned, overlooking the pool with cable TV, hot and cold shower
    PhP 1,600 for a maximum of 3 guests
    Allows 2 extra guests at PhP100/pax

    Deluxe Room
    Fully airconditioned room with terrace, cable TV, hot and cold shower.
    PhP 1,300 for a maximum of 2 guests

    Family Room
    Fan room with private bathroom
    PhP 2,000 for a maximum of 10 guests
    Extra bed for PhP 200.

    Rules

    1. Only two children below 10 years old are free, otherwise each child pays PhP50.
    2. Cooking inside the room is strictly prohibited.
    3. Free use of only one table for every room being occupied.
    4. Bringing in of drinks is not allowed.
    5. Only those who rent the rooms and tables are allowed to enter the resort premises.
    6. Check out time: 12 noon.

    Food:


    Lobster


    Garden Salad


    Arroz Valenciana

    The meager facility:

    The beach

    ***

    I haven't stayed in this place, so I could not really say if the staff are that accommodating, but on first impression, the guy manning the counter was antagonistic, although one lady was all smiles. I reckon these were the owners.

    In the center of the facility is the house of the owner, so I guess it would be easy for one to say that 24/7 you could call on them in case you need something.

    Me and BK Art on a very early swim with the fishers hauling their empty nets

    The area is basically a fishing village, so early in the morning or late in the afternoon one could catch fishermen hauling their catch. When we were there, they didn't have that much catch owing to the illegal poachers that's being tolerated by the local governments along the strait. Commercial fishing is not supposed to be allowed along the strait because it is too narrow, yet they can be seen in plain sight and government is not doing anything about it.

    The beach is exquisite with just the right depth.

    There are plenty of diving facilities in the area because there are great diving sites near the place.

    ***

    Nearer the highway is Sea Breeze (T: +63-32-485-8052), which is a rest house that can be rented for PhP3,000 per night with no maximum number of guests.

    Basically, you own the place.

    It has everything in it including cooking facilities (with gas and a working refrigerator), airconditioned rooms, and television. They even have utensils for you to use. 

    The place is great especially if you plan to spend the night as a group.

    Photo credit: Looc Garden Beach Resort/From the net/Sharon Torres

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  • The more fun mania

    Travel

    When the Philippine's launched its new tourism slogan, , social networking sites were all in a frenzy and people tried to do their share in promoting the new slogan by appending it on their pictures with smart remarks that go with it. It was so fun and was totally viral that the Tourism Department said that it hasn't spent a single centavo yet in promoting the slogan. (Note, promoting, not including conceptualizing which could have cost government millions considering that the unoriginal international ad firm of BBDO claimed to have "conceptualized" this "original" slogan).

    Here are a few of the photos I found on the net. The photos below were collected from various social media and are not my own. Credits are given to those who first posted these photos with the assumption that they made these.

    First off would be the best photos I've seen. Made by a friend and one of the person's I look up to in terms of photography, writing, and journalism, Boboi Costas founder of Grassroots Travel:

    Here are the photos I found hilarious, yet true...


    Grilled animal innards. A specialty in the Philippines. Photo by Birdie Salva.


    Imbayah Festival in Banaue, Ifugao. Photo by Mon Corpuz from John Cua.


    By Herald Bebis for Katahum Tours.


    Jeepney by Gerald Uy.


    Tarsier in Bohol by Flip 'n Travels.


    A reminder in church, from Emir Mendoza.


    Jeepney by Edwin Soriano. Makes you wonder what's the use of the seats inside the jeep when no one wants to sit in it.


    Lechon, the original planker, by Christian Iglesias.


    A practice we call bayanihan, from TheFrank Aldana.


    The Pahiyas Festival of Lucban, Quezon from Roland Benzon.


    Sorry, but us Filipinos (by that, I mean the male population) just don't believe in toilets, from Maco Atienza. Our women make fun of us men because of this.


    Oblation Run, a tradition in UP campuses started by Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, from Jolly Estaris.

    And disturbing, yet true...


    Philippines' President Simeon Aquino III partying with his staff, from Sheryl Pangan.


    Storms, floods, you name it... by Denden Galit.


    The Maguindanao Massacre, from Allan Dayle Basa. Representative of the gravity of the culture of impunity in the country.


    Flogging is a common practice among Catholics during the Holy Week. This culminates in the nailing to a cross. From Adrian Torralba.


    On August 2010 a policeman hijacked a bus filled with Chinese tourists. Several were killed. (News article, here). From Adrian Torralba. We do have a number of dysfunctional members in the police and armed forces, not to mention civilian armed men like security guards who'll shoot on sight.

    And simply breathtaking (although some captions are still funny)...


    Pahiyas Festival by Roland Benzon.


    By Roland Benzon.


    Photo by Bong Bajo from Legazpi City's Facebook

     ***

    Update: January 11, 2011. For @ANVRSADDAY. A photo by Artem Andaya posted in the Facebook group Come Visit My Philippines on Monday, January 9, 2011. This photo is taken in Brgy. Culasi, town of Mercedes, province of Camarines Norte. Apparently, there's no bridge to link the town to the city proper and so jeepneys have to brave the strong currents of the river in order to bring produce and people across. During bad weather, they are unable to cross.

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  • It's more fun

    Travel

    The Philippines’ Tourism Department yesterday launched a new tagline that will be the country’s brand in the coming years, or at least until the current administration is in power, and you might have guessed it from the title - It's more fun in the Philippines! and #1forFUN.

    The site carried these pictures to show how we can play with the tagline in order to help create a buzz in the social network (the Philippine's after all is the world's social networking capital).

    But hours after the new tagline was launched, and moments after the hashtag #itsmorefuninthephilippines trended on Twitter, a barrage of criticisms showered Tourism Secretary Mon Jimenez with people saying that he was not so original since such tagline was already used by Switzerland in 1951 as evidenced by this vintage tourism poster:

    Imagine how betrayed the Filipino netizens were when they found out about the copy thingy. This prompted Tourism Secretary Jimenez to issue this statement: "It's not meant to be a unique, magical & original line. It's meant to be a simple truth."

    Well, I don't know, but if you ask me, K4R and K4H, is definitely #itsmorefuninthephilippines, so come visit my country, the Philippines! Oh, by the way, this is confirmed by the Philippine's top newspaper, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, with today's front page banner story - EDITOR KILLED IN GENSAN, Why you should go to the Philippines:

     

    (Photo credit: itsmorefuninthephilippines.com and Mosquito Press)

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  • Christmas house

    Travel

    During the Christmas season, one of the most featured and visited house is that of Anesthesiologist Dr. Rico Absin.

    It embodies the spirit of Christmas with all the lights and fancy display of holiday trinkets with accents of antique furnishings. Really amazing and heart warming. 

    Although my pictures here do not do justice to the place, well, I just have to show them to you before new year comes, so enjoy.

    The Christmas House of Dr. Rico Absin in Dumaguete City


    Choir boys

    The wicked witch or Snow White, what do you think?

    Lightman, looking like the Snowman

    Ms. Gonzales and me inside the house

    My gratitude to Aboitiz's Theresa Gonzales for taking me to the house. I've lived my entire life here, yet this is the first time for me to visit the place. Thank you.

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  • Hotspring, walking, and Pinoy Siri for iPhone 4S

    Travel

    Today I went to Dauin Hot Spring and Beach Resort, around 2 hours away from our place in Valencia.

    I first intended to go to the hot spring in Brgy. Magsaysay in Dauin but I got lost and ended up in this somewhat expensive and fancy hotspring that is definitely not a hotspring. The only plus, I was alone and the place was technically mine the whole day.

    When I arrived, the pool with the hotspring water wasn't filled so they had to fill it up and it took them like the whole day. It wasn't filled yet when I left around 3. It was a total bummer, and to think that one has to pay P300 (roughly around US$7) as entrance. P250 is consumable, with drinks or food, which is great if you really have the money to spend. I spent something close to P500 for the afternoon stay, with the "hot spring" only 2-feet deep! I had to lie down so that my whole body would be immersed in the "spring" water. Honestly it was just like taking a bath in a very hot tub. (The first picture, well, it had no water as well and they refused to fill it up because they said I would have to pay more if I want to use that pool. Bummer!)

    The water was ground water, which they have to pump out from the ground using a generator (I believe its run by diesel which is definitely not eco-friendly, but it could also be run by electricity from the power line). The water is nothing volcanic, so, no sulfur. The only smell I could identify is that of iron, which is really very common with ground water.

    The place is very small, with just one villa with four rooms (P1,800 to P2,500 per night or US$42 to US$58). It can be rented exclusive, or you can share the house with complete strangers. It has three pools: one bigger pool with seawater and then the small single pool where they pump in the "springwater", and yes the one on the first picture with the natural landscape.

    The beach, well, I don't recommend that you swim in it because its full of rocks, and today the waves were terrifying. Dauin, though has lots of marine reserves, so, it won't be a surprise if there are plenty of marine life several meters from the shore. But then there's no lifeguard, safety will always be a primary consideration. There are, however, safer sites in Dauin where one could snorkel or dive without any worries.

    Still, it was a luxury for me as I was able to spend time with myself.

    Although I won't recommend this place to people wanting to have that hotspring experience, but this is definitely a good place if you want to have an exclusive party or gathering. I've never actually seen the rooms so I can't say if they're good, but from the brochure, it said that the rooms could accommodate a minimum of eight people, two per room. They charge extra for more people, P500 per head. Exclusive rental for one day is P6,000, and for two days, P10,000.

    There are hot springs in our town since the source of geothermal power is here, so I guess I'd check those out.

    Anyway, dropping by the supermarket on my way home I tried to look for some gochuchang (Korean red pepper paste) since I ran out of it ages ago. I use it as a dip for virtually every raw vegetable that I can get my hands on, and as a flavoring for my rice. Don't want to waste my time at the grocery store, I settled for a bunch of fresh basil, olive oil, and some other stuff. I'm making pesto for Christmas!

    And then, I walked home. Again. From Dumaguete to Valencia!

    Now I'm beat.

    Well, ever heard of iPhone 4S and Siri, the virtual assistant? Well, we have a Pinoy (slang for Filipinos) version called Ate Vangie and here's how she sounds. She basically embodies the Filipino attitude. 

    Oh, by the way, I don't think Ate Vangie is for real, but she is a whole lot of fun. 

    Here's what Vangie said:

    To the first guy asking for the weather: She ranted saying that he's an adult, he can even afford an iPhone 4S so he should be able to tell the weather on his own by looking at the sky.

    The guy asking for his girlfriend: Vangie ridiculed him saying that he was with a guy named Junjun the other day, holding hands and kissing.

    The girl in the car? Well, Vangie simply sent a message as most girls would usually send their message with all the affectionate tsup! tsup! and stuff.

    The cooking girl, well, that's how most Filipinos cook pasta, sweet with lots of ketchup! Bwahahahaha

    The running guy, Vangie accused him to be a snatcher because his voice is different.

    Hahahaha I love this.

    Here are more pictures of the resort:


    The bigger pool with the bar on the background. On the left side is the house. I reckon that this was intended to be the owner's summer house but decided to make money out of it and turned it into a "resort".


    The "resort" has plenty of flowers.


    One of the many stray dogs in the beach


    Brain coral by the seashore. This one's already dead :(

    For more information on Dauin Hot Spring & Beach Resort you can email them at inquiry@dauinhotspring.com. They can also be reached by phone at (+63)35-400-3435 or mobile at (+63)917-302-0262. 

    They also have a resort and restaurant in the island of Siquijor called Blue Wave Inn. Email inquiries at inquiry@bluewaveinnresort.com. Their phone is (+63)35-480-9190 and mobile (+63)915-110-2155.

    Their flagship resort is Bravo Golf Resort & Residences in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, and can be reached through email at golfhotel_inquiry@bravogolfhotel.com. Reservations can be made through phone at (+63)35-400-3504 or through mobile at (+63)917-300-5574.

    Current tariffs can be viewed in their website. 

    (Photo credit: Dauin Hot Spring and Beach Resort on Facebook for first photo. The rest by Tribo's Cup | Video credit: Macapuno Systems)

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