Bohol

Chocolate Hills in October. The hills turn brown in the dry season. There are about 1,776 dome-shaped hills in these area, which are almost uniformed in size and shape. No other country has anything like it. 2003

Philippine Tarsier. One of the smallest primates - not larger than an adult’s hand. It is a protected species, living in the islands of Samar, Leyte, Bohol, and Mindanao in the Philippines.

Loboc River. The Loboc River is one of Bohol’s tourist attractions. There are cruises available or hop on a floating restaurant that takes you to the end, where you will see the Busay Falls. 2003

Beach front, Panglao Island, where most of the resorts are located. 2003

Island with no name. One of the virgin islands of Bohol. Notice a very narrow bridgeway connecting to the main island? This is actually the shoreline. The beachfront is actually the part submerged in shallow water. It goes under water during high tide, leaving only a small narrow bridgeway to the main island.

Bacilasag Island. 2003

Sandugo in Bool, Tagbilaran. Statues depicting the Blood Compact in 1565, where Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi, and Datu Sikatuna the chieftain of Bohol sealed their friendship by drawing 2 or 3 drops of blood on a wine cup and drank the wine mixed with the blood. Sculptures created by national artist Napoleon Abueva.

The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Interior of the Baclayon Church, said to be one of the oldest churches which existed during the Spanish period. Tagbilaran 2003.

Facade of the Baclayon Church, built by some 200 native forced laborers from coral stones, cut into square blocks, and piled on to each other. They used the white of a million eggs to cement them together. Completed in 1727, with an addition of a large bell in 1835.

Notes from the Author. Bohol also boasts of its diverse marine life, which is why it is also known as one of the top diving spots in the Philippines. Aside from scuba diving, Bohol is also famous for activities like dolphin watching, bird spotting and island hopping. I had the chance to see dolphins, but had a difficult time taking shots at them. But it’s definitely one of the highlights of my trip.

Read more…

Metro Manila

Metro Manila. A snapshot from the plane. 2004

Makati Skyline. Metro Manila. 2007

View of the Pasig River. 2007

Cityscape. Makati view from Fort Bonifacio. Just right in front of the buildings is the Manila Golf Club, the most exclusive golf country club in the Philippines. 2008

Notes from the Author. I showed all these photos of Metro Manila, as I think other countries still perceive the Philippines as a rural country where most people still live in the 'bundocs'. I blame it on the tv networks who are still showing old documentaries of the Philippines where people live in nipa huts. True, we still have a lot of underdeveloped places, like anywhere else. But Manila is a modern city with buildings and modern infrastructures. We have one of the largest malls in Asia, which makes the Philippines as one of the potential shopping havens in South East Asia. Here in Metro Manila, you have almost everything you need. Read more...

Batanes

Chawa Viewing Deck. 2006

The most photographed woman in Batanes. A typical Ivana house made of rocks and stone. This particular house is 100 years old. 2006


Captivating view at the so-called "Marlboro Country" of Batanes. 2006


Basco Light House. 2006


Boulder Beach. Boulders which were believed to have been spewed out from a volcanic eruption, many years ago. 2006


Rolling Hills. 2006


Pacita Abad Foundation. House on top of a hill. 2006


Coral Beds exposed during low tide. Mahatao Fishing Village. 2006


Upclose. Sea Urchins on the corals. Mahatao Fishing Village. 2006


And the day ends with a nice sunset.

Notes from the Author. What I remember most in Batanes is the spectacular landscapes and sceneries. The people are friendly and honest, and they will smile and wave at you even if you are a total stranger. Definitely one of the places to visit. Read more . . .

Bicol

Legazpi Tour

Legazpi, Albay. 2008

Bell Tower of Gasgua Church, Casagwa Ruins. This is what is left of the church after Mayon's volcanic eruption in 1814. 2008

Mayon Volcano, Albay. The perfect cone shaped volcano. The best time to see the volcano is around 7-8 in the morning, where the clouds are fewer and you can see the tip of the volcano. 2008

The simple life in Bicol.

The Hoyop-hoyapan Cave, Legazpi. Used to be a secret hideout by ordinary townsfolks during the Japanese War. 2008

Want to travel to Bicol? Read more...

How to cross the streets of Metro Manila

Filipinos are not the best in observing road courtesies and traffic rules. In other countries, motorists would stop when they see pedestrians who are about to cross the road. Here in the Philippines, you basically have to watch out for yourself. Not that motorists will run you over, goodness noh! But you have to develop some sort of instinct as to when or when not to cross the road.

Motorists, most often than not, won’t stop at you if you are walking on a pedestrian lane, unless the traffic light is at a full stop. The trick in crossing a road here is to gauge whether the cars are slowing down to give way to you or to see whether they’re speeding up while nearing the pedestrian, because that means they have no intention of stopping. I think Filipinos have already developed this street-crossing intuition, and they know basically when to cross or not to cross. For tourists however, it can be a challenge. My advise is just follow the Filipinos, or ask when it’s ok to cross.

On the other hand, motorists are not the only people guilty of not following road courtesies. People crossing the streets don’t use pedestrian lanes lots of times, and sometimes they would just cross the streets whenever they wish, and they have a better advantage if they cross in numbers. So as a motorist, it is a bit irritating when you are brought to a full stop because the pedestrians are crossing when they are not suppose to. But then again, who are you to complain as a motorist?

Coron Palawan

Islands of Palawan. Snapshot of Busuanga from the plane. 2007

The Twin Lagoon. Called as such because at the back of these limestone formations is another lagoon which is similar. The shortcut to that lagoon is a small passage way under water. The passageway is more visible during low tide. 2007 Waters of Coron.

Coron is known as a diving spot.

Kayangan Lake. Enjoy it's serene and pristine waters.

Said to be the cleanest lake in the Philippines.

Banol Beach. Want a beach all to your own?

CYC Beach. 2007

Stilt Houses of Coron. 2007

Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can see Giraffes, Zebras and a few other animals. The sanctuary used to be a gaming area of the Marcoses.

The Philippine mouse deer. One of Philippines' endangered species. Caluit 2007

Notes from the Author. Coron is a beautiful vacation getaway. It's more popular for it's diving spots, but has nice white sand beaches as well. Activites you will enjoy in Coron are scubadiving, snorkeling, swimming and island hopping. There is much to be explored in this place. Other places to go to is Caluit where the wildlife sanctuary is. Read more. . .