Honesty System Store

Yes. There is still one place on earth where people remain honest. In Batanes, there’s a small store where all the goods are for sale but there’s no one attending. No sales lady to pester you around, hard sell customers, and no one to accept payments and give you change. Called ‘Honesty Café’, it is one true proof that the Filipino is humble by nature. There was just one time that someone took all the money sales. And they knew who it was.

Working Towards a World Heritage Site

It’s one thing when a destination is certified tourist friendly. But It’s another thing when a destination works on making it a UNESCO Heritage Site. Batanes is campaigning for this because making it into a Heritage Site will help the island develop it’s unique culture. Tourism more often than bring changes into the cultural landscape of a destination. Boracay has become a world-class get away complete with metropolis culture. Unfortunately, ecoli scares and trash management problems continue to plague the tourist vacation site. Ivatans of Batanes won’t allow that to happen to Batanes. To date, there’s only one hotel in Basco and it can only accommodate 30 people at a time.

Where to go in Batanes

One can go all over Batanes in a week if the tides between the islands permit it. The water in Batanes is not green. It’s crystal acquamarine, to blue, to deep blue, to deep purple. It’s a photographer’s haven shooting the sky and the sea on a clear sunny day. There are nine islands that you can go to. Basco, Batanes is the provincial capital found in the island of Batan. From Batan, one can visit the other islands by small boats that are adept to the sea scape of the environment. To go island hopping in Batanes is an adventure in itself because a clear blue sky can change into a signal no. 2 typhoon in thirty minutes.

Make it Batanes

Batanes is the unique group of islands at the north most part of the Philippines. It’s nearer to Taiwan than to the Luzon mainland. It’s a place like no other because of it’s geography, people, culture and weather. In Batanes, to be poor is to have no friends. Everyone knows everybody. It’s a place, if not the only place in the Philipines where there’s a no sales lady store. If you buy something, just get pay and get the change. It’s an honesty system store. They can build their unique weather proof houses in two days with the help of the whole community, about 100 neighbors who’d build your house for a good hearty meal. If there’s one place in the north to go to, make it the place at the top, Batanes!

Bohol on Budget

Once you get to Tagbilaran, either via boat or plane, make sure you make it in the morning to maximize your stay. For example you have 5,000 no more no less in between your entrance and exit to Bohol. So here’s a bohol on a budget route.

1. Take a bus to Carmen for less than 40 pesos. Go down the Chocolate Hills of Bohol sites. You need to pay 50 pesos to get a motorcycle to bring you up. Spend an hour or two there, take picture and a 100-peso souvenir.

2. Go down the site, rent a motorcycle for 200 pesos to take you to the river cruise area. On the way there you can stop over the man made forest which is awesome.

3. The river cruise will charge you 500 for a late lunch. It will take you through the emerald green river where most tarsiers inhabit. There are some parts of the river where you can photo and pet a tarsier.

4. Let the motorcycle take you to Tagbilaran. Check in hostels without airconditioning for 300 pesos per head per night. Make sure you get to eat barbque at the nearby restaurants near the pier. It will cost you 150 pesos for a big meal.

5. Either bunk for the night at Tagbilaran or ride the taxi for 250 pesos which takes you to Panglao which is only 20 minutes away.

6. You can chek in at Panglao for 1,000 pesos non-airconditioned non beach side hostel.

7. Talk to banceros and book the sea tour for 2,500 per banca.

8. Wake up early, bring sandwiches and water for snacks and become the sea explorer of your life!

9. By 12 noon or a little past lunch, you’re back in Panglao to savor the clear warm waters, have a 150 peso sand massage before packing for the airport and taking the last trip back to the metropolis.

Trisha the Tarsier

Tarsiers are nocturnal which means they are alive, awake and enthusiastic during night time. Visiting tarsiers during the morning is great but try to visit them nearing 6pm. It will be a different experience because you will get to see how these seemingly small fragile creatures become masters of agility especially for the cameras, to think that those for posterity are all non reproducing anymore meaning, they are grannies and grammies.

Going to Panglao and not doing the seascape tour is a crime. You might as well just have gone to Puerto Galera. So make sure that you and your buddies and co travelers are up to it because visiting the dolphins means waking up before 5am. Since they are in the wild, tourists have to adjust to their behavior which is an early morning breakfast. Dolphin watching and snorkeling in Balicasag Island also means preparing at least 2,500 for the banca rent. If you’re going and you’re only a pair or three, try talking to banceros the night before so they can look for people to share the banca ride with you. Dolphin watching can be 90% successful but you have to prepare for those times when the dolphins seems conferencing in Australia and they are no where around. No worries because visiting the natural aquarium and snorkeling in it at Balicasag Island is still an experience to remember and go back to again and again.




Nemo catch but only for photo ops. She releases the clown fish after the shoot only at the Balicasag Island, Bohol.

Value Essentials at Tagbilaran

Food. The Bolanons don’t have that cuisine reputation. You will seldom see them eat vegetables except for the Bee Farm in City where everything is organic. They are meat eaters.

Hotel. A variety of accommodations can be found in Tagbilaran.

Transportation. Motorcycle is almost the basic means of transportation in Tagbilaran. Taxi’s though are very honest to give you back your EXACT change.

Destinations. Have to visit Chocolate Hills of Bohol, the Loboc River Cruise, Tarsier Sanctuary, Panglao Beach, Caves at Panglao and centuries old churches for good measure.

Shopping. There are a lot of coconut made items. They are beautifully crafted.

Destination: Bohol

Bohol is one of those islands where eco tourism came into being the first. Historical eco tourism efforts can be seen in the wide variety of flora, fauna, land and seascape destinations that tourist from all over the world enjoy and marvel at. Thanks to the superstar Cesar Montano married to Sunshine Cruz who hails from there, Bohol is placed again on the top ten list of islands to go to before you die. Tagbilaran City is not comparable to Cebu. It’s more laid back. The beaches in Panglao are also laid back unlike the up and about energy in Boracay. This laid back ambiance draws in tourist, divers and adventurers who seek nature at its finest.

Whether by plane or by boat, access to Bohol is easy from the North and South. There are people who live in Bohol but work in Cebu. They go home by ferry each weekend just like taking a two-hour bus home.

Cebu on a Budget

After booking those cheap flights well ahead of time, you arrive in Cebu with just PHP 3,000. So what to do for two days?

1. Arrive in the morning so that you could go straight to the nearest public beach. There are jeepneys and tricyles that won’t cost you more than 100 pesos to get there.

2. Along the way, buy a half kilo of sumptuous CNT lechon and rice wrapped in banana leaves. Don’t forget a 1.5 liter softdrink. Will cost you about 300 pesos.

3. So you enjoy the sun, the sand and the stars begin to appear which means you have to go back to the city.

4. Dine at those great barbque kiosks and spend 150 pesos on a hearty meal.

5. Book into php 300 to 500 peso per night hotels which are fully airconditioned and clean.

6. The next day, have the usual free breakfast at the hotel and go around the city via jeepney. Visit tabo-an market and spend 500 on dried fish and dried mangoes pasalubong.

7. Visit the nightlife of Cebu and spend for another day or take the last plane out.

Cebu has more than meets the eye!

Besides virgin beaches, sparkling nightlife, value shopping and sumptous dining, Cebu has transformed and evolved into a world class destination for both tourists and business. With an international airport, and bridges that connects the small islands, Cebu City has become a metropolis of cities. Currently Metro Cebu has nine cities;

* Cebu City
* Talisay City
* Carcar City
* Naga City
* Toledo City
* Bogo City
* Danao City
* Mandaue City
* Lapu-lapu City

These cities play host to a myriad of local and international events. To date, it has also housed IT and BPO ventures tapping into the strength of English language used in the islands. In Cebu, islanders speak Cebuano and English confidently. Realty development in the island is on an upscale as many migrate to the metropolis where business is fast paced amidst a relaxing environment.

Sinulog commemorates the history of Cebu

Happening each third Sunday of January, the Sinulog is Cebu’s biggest and most lavish extravagansa. It commemorates the arrival of the Sto. Nino in the island as the Spanish conquistadores starts to redefine Philippine religious and political life. If you have to know Cebu for what Cebu can really do, you just have to visit one Sinulog Festival. The street dancing are very hypnotic as drums, colors and rhythm unite the onlookers, tourist and well wishers both local and international toward the festival. Being prepared for Sinulog is the key to enjoying the festival. Here’s just a few reminders that can help you survive Sinulog:

1. Have fun but be aware of how much boose you’ve had unless you’re ready for a big hang over after.

2. Keep your belongings close to you. If possible, don’t carry a bag because when the crowd gets wild, it’s just you and the strangers next to you.

3. Protect you camera and other gadgets from getting wet. You don’t want beer to seep into your digital SLR.

Value Essentials in Cebu

Transpo: Taxis are available in Cebu. The jeepneys are tagged properly but you need to know what tag to ride depending on where you need to go. It’s best to ask the concierge for this.

Food: There are so many food choices in Cebu, both local and international cuisines are available. Fresh sea food is a treat and Sutukil is a must.

Security hotlines: Dial 166

Accommodations: From five star hotels to back packer dormitories, tourists and visitors can avail of accommodations suited to his or her budget.

Shopping:

Besides the many native items sold at tourist spots, it will be worthwhile to buy dried fish like Danguit and Pusit at Tabo-an Market. They can even fry the fish for you so you get a good taste test.

Hospitals: For emergency, visit the hospitals near where your hotel is or dial:

Chong Hua Hospital 253-9409; 254-3228; 254-1461

Cebu Doctor's University Hospital 255-5555

Lapu-lapu District Hospital 340-0248

Mandaue City District Hospital 345-9739 to 42

Destination: Cebu

Cebu is still the destination in Visayas. Although other regions in the Visayas has gained increasing interest, Cebu is your entry to the middle part of the country.

Geographically, the island is found in the middle of the country’s Visayan region. From Cebu, it’s only a ferry ride to Ormoc that brings you to Leyte and Samar, to Bohol which is a way to Mindanao, to Iloilo which is a route to adventures in Western Visayas.

Historically, Cebu is a pathway to the country’s past where Spanish colonizers bumped into this paradise and founded social institutions that thrive up till now. These same institutions have continually molded the country’s development to what and where the Filipinos are now.

Economically, Cebu continually bring in local and international tourist because of its accessibility, plenty of accommodation options and beautiful and friendly islanders. Rich Filipino families have supported Cebu propelling it to take on industries that are globally competitive.

Night life, beaches, shopping pleasures are great in this island in the middle of Visayas.

Maximizing your camera

Prices of digital cameras continually go down. Gone are the days when you need to buy film and the end of having film is the end of the getting those nice pictures. Digital cameras are a true blessing but can truly be maximized if you make it a habit to:

1. charge your battery. You may have gigabytes of storage space but when battery runs out, there goes your photo.

2. delete unwanted pics. Even gigabytes of storage can be used up, specially for trigger happy photographers. When you have time off in between destinations, scan your memory card and delete unwanted shots so that you always have space.

3. have a zip lock handy specially when you go to beaches and anywhere wet and you really have to bring your gadget. A plastic ziplock will protect your camera in case of emergency.

Palawan for the family

The kids are getting older and parents are not getting any younger. The time to take a family vacation is now. Putting off that Palawan trip is practical but sooner or later, there will be this empty nest. Sooner or later, if and when you go as grandparents, getting into a bikini might become a challenge. Palawan is for the family because:

1. Palawan is safe for kids and grand parents. Though it’s an island of adventure, safetyness is a mindset of the whole towns people. They are so much aware that they earn from the tourism industry.

2. Palawan is a myriad of places to go to, sights to see, textures to feel and memories to experience. What better people to experience Palawan with than your own family?

3. Palawan is not necessarily a remote island because Puerto Princesa is a city complete with modern metropolitan city, banking and communication services for both local and international tourists.

Why Palawan?

Yes. Make it Palawan because:

1. It has destinations tagged as world heritage sites.

2. Compared to ten years before, it’s more affordable to go now.

3. There are lots of activities to do in Palawan, enjoyable for a solo traveler, a family, honeymooners or a group of friends.

4. It’s very safe and secure.

5. The government of Palawan is very active in keeping Palawan clean.

6. Palawan has a rich cultural heritage. You get more than the sun and the sea but an exploration of a Filipino culture you can be truly proud of.

7. It is home to flora and fauna found only in the Philippines.

Budget visit to Mahayhay

With tight schedules for office workers, Mahayhay is one of the most economical destinations that the barkada can enjoy and definitely afford. It’s an instant paradise for city dwellers because of the tropical rainforest ambiance one would find and feel upon the trek down to the river. It’s very safe since the government had a stairway made to help the visitors trek down easily.

Leave Manila by 4pm. You’ll be at Mahayhay approximately after three and half hours. By 8am, you’ll be settled and camped on top of those big boulders. By 9am, or earlier, you’ll get to start enjoying the cool waters. Have a hearty snack by 10am while you snap shots and finish gigabytes of memory cards on your cam. After photo ops, continue enjoying the river until you just have to come up because your lips are colored white. Have a hearty lunch and take a nap inside rented tents. By 2pm, you either take a last dip or a last snapshot with the barkada before strike down to head for home. Surely, by 6pm, you’re back in Manila dead tired but refreshed.

Food to bring to a waterfall day tour

1. Sandwiches. Make the sandwiches a filling one. Beef patties would be great because they would be filling. Chicken sandwich lined with lettuce or coleslaw would also be good, tasty and filling.

2. Salads individually packed. The carbohydrates in the pasta for the salad would be helpful to keep you warm while swimming in icy cold river water. Macaroni salad would be perfect.

3. Barbeque rice toppings individually packed. If your brood really need rice or else its not fun, pack it like you’re all going to school so it’s easy to distribute when you’re on top of a boulder under the waterfalls and it’s time for lunch.

4. Chicken pork adobo and rice binalot style. Wrapped in banana, the CPA would be a festive treat under the canopy of an abundant watershed. No need for spoon and forks, the brood can just dig into the CPA, laden with juicy tomatoes with matching salted eggs. A Filipino picnic is no picnic without CPA.

5. Lots of water because it’s not advisable to drink water from the falls.

What to do in Mahayhay?

Although the water is chilly cold, there’s this sense of relaxing and refreshing feeling after you’ve dipped full body into the water, including your head. Water at Mahayhay is like drinking water from clay pot containers that your grandma used to keep drinking water. You can’t do freestyle swimming at Mahayhay and it’s okay if you don’t use Speedo bathing suits. Just make sure that you choose an almost dry spot so to keep your towels dry. After dipping into the water and you can’t take it anymore, you can just wrap your towel around you or start drying yourself. There are public toilets but if there’s just so many people around, the way to change to dry clothes in public is to use a ‘malong’, a big one. This is especially for girls. Just slip into it, let your friends hold it for you and you have an instant concealed dressing room. Now, if you don’t have a friend to help you hold the ‘malong’, you can hold the malong up to your neck and bite the gathered end with your teeth. This needs practice.