One's destination is never a place but a new way of seeing things. --Henry Miller
Traveling in and out of the country gives opportunities of
discovering new things and widening one’s perspectives and views of the world. The
tourist spots and heritage houses to stopover and re-visit always leave you at
awe. Destinations also offer wide array of food trips to try, although some bizarre
others appetizing. And as a fresh wanderer from a place, there are always
trinkets and treasures to buy, the mementos of your culture-rich experience.
My recent trips in and out of the country spark my interest
of setting foot on places that I’ve only seen and read in books and television
shows. I want to traverse the entire world and learn from the city and people
that I will visit. I will, eventually. But for now, my goal is to visit the
7,000 (and more) islands of the Philippines...
Luzon
I’ve been in the country’s summer capital numerous times but
it is my first time to witness Baguio’s Panagbenga Festival. The month-long
celebration alludes to the renewed vigor of the city and its flowers after a
tragic earthquake hit the area in 1991. The highlights of the feast include the
street dancing and the star-studded float parade.
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| Panagbenga 2013 |
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| Gary V. on his flower-adorned float |
Visayas
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| a replica of a dessert-making tool, which i forgot to name |
Negros, the fourth largest province in the country is dubbed
as the sugar bowl of the Philippines. Hence, sweets like silvanas, otap,
meringue, and chocolate tablea are always present in Negrense’s homes. The province
is divided to Oriental and Occidental and their capital cities, Dumaguete and
Bacolod.
Dumaguete and Bacolod boast natural spots, heritage houses,
and delectable dishes (chicken Inasal). The two provinces are four to five
hours apart (land travel) and are distinct to each other. Dumaguete has kept tis
rural feel. It has a long stretch of people’s park reminiscent of Manila Bay’s.
People jog, walk, take pictures, and watch as sunset and sunrise in this
avenue. Although few malls and boutiques
thrive within the alley, Dumaguete has significantly preserved its quiet and
natural environment.
The City of Smiles, on the other hand blurs the line between
urban and nonchalant living. Bacolod is more prosperous than Dumaguete. Evident
are the restaurants and establishments on its town proper. On the outskirt of
the town, a more languid community prospers, it houses some heritage houses,
including the Ruins. As its name
suggests, the former house of one of Bacolod’s prominent families, was
destroyed during the WWII.
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| Dumaguete boulevard in the morning. |
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| the Ruins |
Mindanao has
always been associated with terrorists, wars, and abductions. Contrary to the
negative associations, Mindanao, specifically Zamboanga del Norte’s capital,
Dipolog city and its neighbor town, Dapitan, is very peaceful and serene. Dapitan
is where our national hero was exiled.
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| Rizal's "Mi Retiro Rock" where he used to pursue Josephine Bracken |
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| The replica of Jose Rizal's clinic in Dapitan |
Singapore is my first
(and hopefully not the last) out of the country trip. The island-city is
perhaps the epitome of cleanliness, orderliness, and modernity. Singapore is
like a big Makati but with greeneries. Its towering buildings, cable cars, and people
(who always seem like in a hurry). It has hawker food stalls in every corner
because apparently Singaporeans have no time for cooking. One of its street
foods is the tremendously spicy noodle soup laksa.
I stayed in Resorts World Sentosa.
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| The largest aquarium in Asia houses thousands of fishes, clams, and sharks |
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| Laksa some picka-picka |
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| view from my hotel room |
