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Showing posts from February, 2013

Authentic BICOL EXPRESS at sidewalk stalls along QUEZON Ave.Legazpi City

It rained on our 2nd day in Legazpi.I know right---the ATV,zipline over at Lignon Hill and the grand view of Mayon Volcano.Also had trouble withdrawing money from by bank (BPI) so most of the afternoon was spent lazying around hoping it would shine the next day. We thought of walki…

BIGG's DINER: over-hyped and over-priced.

Me: We should not leave Bicol without trying Bigg's Diner. Friend1: What's Bigg's? Me: It's Bicol's Jollibee. That was the easiest explanation I could give my friend and he didn't ask a second question afterward.I don't know if he knows exactly what I meant…

The ORIENTAL LEGAZPI: Classy, Minimalist Hotel w/ a very good view of Mayon

After camping in Calaguas Island, I was soooooo excited to get to Legaspi.Another 2 hours from Daet to Naga,and 2 hours from Naga to Legazpi,the reassurance of being within the borders of the city and all its comforts means relief.I missed hot showers,convenience stores,restaurants,an…

Wake up to fun news and your favorite coffee with NESCAFE KADA UMAGA App

Some mornings are quite a drag,and imagining a hot cup of coffee could definitely put you on your feet. Sipping coffee with your loved ones early in the day before the start of work are precious moments. I call it NESCAFE CLASSIC MOMENTS. I remember growing up in the countryside. Every…

MORIONES FESTIVAL Schedule 2013

Every Holy Week, the towns of Boac, Gasan, Santa Cruz, Buenavista and Mogpog in the island of Marinduque become one gigantic stage for MORIONES FESTIVAL .The "Moriones" are men and women in costumes and masks simulating biblical Roman soldiers as interpreted by local folks.It…

CALAGUAS CHRONICLES: from "Survivor" to Temptation Island mode

The moment we stepped on the mainland and found mobile signal, I shouted in my FB status: "Grabe.me title nko s upcoming Calaguas blog post ko --- Calaguas: Shit this place! ---yang ganyan.So glad nakauwi ng buhay.hahaha". Teng wrote: ". "Hi Antonio Magno Carranza J…

CALAGUAS ISLAND: Paradise lost,Paradise found

I guess this is what they mean when they say success is measured by what you had to give up in order to get it.The struggle to get to Calaguas Island was such an ordeal.... 10hours on the bus to Naga 1.5hours via FX to Daet 20minutes on tricycle to Vinzons 4hours boat to Calaguas I…

the "sugal buhay" boat ride to Mahabang Buhangin CALAGUAS ISLAND

It's interesting how one's perspective of things could change in a span of few days.If I would have written about our Calaguas experience earlier,I might have nothing but bad words for the place.Seeing it now,I could at least rationalize what happened and at least look at the …

How to get to CALAGUAS ISLAND from Naga

I am writing this because I feel guilty for Naga that I couldn't feature anything about the place as we used it only as a set off point to Calaguas and then to Legaspi.I know it deserves a better mention.I heard of the attractions at Mount Isarog and CWC of course na di manlang na…

I am Never Riding BICOL ISAROG Bus Line Again!

I have always dreaded going to Bicol because of the long bus ride.Lately,I heard they have good buses. Luxury couch kung luxury. The bus comes with it's own restroom too.So I thought it's high time to experience the region. Bought Luxury Couch tickets via Isarog bound Naga fo…

JUNGLE BASE TANAY 4x4 Adventure

And there's  another reason why your stay at Ten Cents To Heaven can be  an adventure  of a lifetime ---The JUNGLE BASE  4x4 ADVENTURE After  the 4x4 ride experience in Mt.Pinatubo a few years ago,I thought this  one will be a child's play.I was wrong again. Walang sinabi ang …

TEN CENTS TO HEAVEN Tanay w/ the Longest Zipline in Luzon

Move over Mt.Samat,here comes the Longest Zipline in Luzon ! With a total lenght of 1.1km, the zipline of TEN CENTS TO HEAVEN Leisure Park Tanay Rizal easily dwarfs that of 540m zipline in Mount Samat Bataan. Staying true to its name---Ten Cents To Heaven is not just a destination for a…

TEN CENTS TO HEAVEN Tanay: Where Romance Meets Adventure

Is there a place where Adventure Meets Romance?Yes.But an hour land tour from Manila?That might be a difficult feat.Well, read carefully ---places like this do exist. At the foot of Sierra Madre in Tanay Rizal lies a leisure park where you can have the adventure of your life and stil…

Spain’s Finest

Ah, Spain. Land of the siesta. The godfather of beach holidays. Home of sangria. And one of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations. Spain has a lot going for it and as thousands, even millions of sun-starved Brits will tell you, it’s certainly a cracking holiday destination. But hol…

Seafood Overload at MARINOLD Bar and Grill Seaside Macapagal

Because I was inspired by the seafood experience in Baybay Roxas City,I thought, why not try Macapagal Boulevard? Both places offer a seafood market with a "paluto" concept.Meaning,you buy your fresh seafood from the market in the complex,pick a restaurant,and have it cooked…

WORRY FREE TRAVEL w/ GLOBE: useful iPhone apps while on the road

I was in Bicol Region for  four days navigating the provinces of Camarines Norte,Camarines Sur and Albay a few days ago.Except for Calaguas island where cellphone signal is impossible to any network,my mobile phone company Globe   kept me on the know all throughout the tour. The final l…

Show how MAX YOU LOVE YOUR WIFE this Valentines month

How do you measure love?Is it even measurable?These are difficult questions to answer.This I can say though ---- LOVE IS AN ACTION,NOT AN EMOTION .I have to constantly remind myself that,not just because it's love month but because love is something we need to express through our acti…

The ORIENTAL'S Hot and Perfect V-Day!

What is your plan for Valentines Day? Just got back last night from a tour of Bicol Region. Camarines Norte,Camarines Sur and Albay with Legazpi as the final stop.We stayed in one of the best hotel (if not the best) in Legazpi-----THE ORIENTAL--- and I know how romantic the place is.You…

18th Philippine HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA 2013 Schedule + Event Map

It's 8 days to go before the grandest HOT AIR BALLOON Festiva l in the Philippines.Save the date, February 21-24,2013.Locals know it as Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival and 2013 is going to be the 18th installment. Sabay ng Panagbenga Festival . Haven't tried both so I am now con…

THE GREAT OUTDOORS: Ultimate Energetic Pursuits

Many of us have said, and continue to say, that they want to do more with their day; get outside, enjoy the fresh air and try a new sport, perhaps? But how many of us actually do it, or even have time to do it when we’re not working or homemaking? Make a New Year resolution this year and …

ALTA VISTA DE BORACAY + Puka Beach = Worry Free Travel

Who says Boracay is not for Solo Travel?I actually dread the idea of going to Boracay alone.For the many times I've been here,I always had my wife by my side.It is after all famous for couples and honeymooners. Travel +Leisure in its February 2013 Issue actually placed it 5th amo…

Paparazzi Mode: WHITE BEACH BORACAY

Boracay was the final leg of my Roxas-Kalibo-Boracay extended weekend.An icing on the cake.If there is one thing I loooooove about white beach,it's that it's awashed with hot bodies.And as I said,it's not even summer yet! Weather is weird lately and some of friends were in …

PUERTO DEL SOL Wedding Package Rates + Inclusions

This the love month and the "Wedding Season"in the Philippines has officially started.Or,has it? As early as December I guess.Actually, when we were at Puerto Del Sol Beach Resort & Hotel Club last November 10 , a wedding was ongoing.Beach Wedding! Posting photos in my pre…

18 Twitter online specialists for @Talk2Globe

"Globe is humanizing the experience of consumers and building relationships that matter." I like that line! As such Globe launches 18 new faces on Twitter’s @Talk2Globe. As part of its commitment to deliver superior customer experience to complement its modernized network, Gl…

From CHATEAU 1771 with Love

US Angus Bone-in Rib Steak ,Rougie Duck Leg Confit ,Chilean Seabass in Salt Crust.Spice up your Valentines date with these rare French classics! For something to be defined as “signature dishes” it’s already successful. But for a restaurant with a solid fan base says that there’s some…

4th PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL PYROMUSICAL COMPETITION 2013 Schedule + Ticket Prices

February is not only love month but it also the signals the start of PyromusicalCompetition in the Philippines  ---the 4th PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL PYROMUSICAL COMPETITION 2013 will start February 16! For six weeks, the skies of Manila will light up again as SM Mall of Asia hosts the 4t…

sneaked into SAN ANTONIO RESORT Roxas City

This is where I initially wanted to stay.it's close to the airport and Baybay,the seafood restaurant district of Roxas City and the resort setting attracted me at first.But since I came as a solo traveler,I find their rooms a bit pricey especially that most of the time will be spent e…

Churros and Special Buko Pie at SPANGGO CAFE & Pasalubong Center

We instructed Manong tricycle driver to take us back to Roxas City and drop us at the Heritage House of Manuel Roxas.Yes,the city is named after the last president of the Philippine Commonwealth,Manuel Roxas. Unfortunately,the house was closed that time.Francis and I decided to take a w…

PAN-AY CHURCH: beauty in old age + the Biggest Church Bell in Asia?

If you think Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral is already the grandest in the area of Roxas City,think again.Around 30 minutes outside the confines of the Capital of Capiz lies the town of Pan-ay where the 3-century old Sta.Monica Parish Church is located.It's popularly k…

seafood galore at BAYBAY Roxas City

Time to check if Roxas City lives to its name as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines. Close to the airport is an area they call Baybay. Baybay is the local word for the sea or seaside and true enough,Baybay is the beach area of Roxas City where there are many restaurants sell…

SKY GARDEN HOTEL Roxas City: clean,classy,affordable

Accommodation in the Philippines is diversifying.The sector is maturing.Translation:there is something for everybody. There is therefore no excuse try budget accommodation these days.More and more budget hotels are breaking the stereotype that anything cheaper than 3,000php is trash…