Value Travel Philippines

Make it Bolinao: The Beaches

2009-05-15T09:14:00.000+08:00

As you approach the seashore, the sand is whiter and pebble-like in size. This sand when examined closer, are fit with various colors such as red, blue and brownish. At a distance, the color is off-white, somewhat cream-like and fine. The texture is very nice to the feet. To your left, you will see a cliff covered with tall grasses and can easily be climbed. You will also see the waves crashing over the cliff, and as it crashes there, the waves tend to splatter drops of crystals so soothing and thrilling to gaze at. To your right, the seashore curves which is further attenuated by the fast curling of the waves. To the far right, you will also see the crashing of the waves to the huge rocks on the shore.

And most of all, as the waves curl and wet your feet; the coolness is serene. The huge wave which towers almost 5 feet, further adds a thrill to the attraction. Slowly, walk to the sea, and as the waves wet your ankles, then your knees and finally, your whole body, feel the tranquility, the coolness of the water, and as you feel it, you will notice the water seems to offer you a therapeutic massage. And as you emerge from the water, the waves will crash over you, slightly submerging you, gasp for air, swim a bit and let the coolness of the sea devour you. This is Bolinao!

Make it Bolinao: Patar Beach

2009-05-14T09:13:00.001+08:00

Slowly alight from the tricycle. Recover from the ride with the breathtaking view, the smell of the sea is stronger, and the sound of the curling waves is louder. Slowly walk to the entrance, and from there, someone will assist you to where you will keep your things. The people are kind and you will feel their warm welcome by their gestures and the cleanliness of the place. The first thing that will catch your attention, there are neither hotels nor cemented rooms. There are enclosed huts made of coconut leaves and bamboo. The rate is 300-500 pesos for the smallest one; three to four persons can fit in it. The huts are equipped with the ordinary lights. Warning for those who are text-savvy, the signal is weak. It only shows, you can absolutely focus on your adventure away from text messaging and calls.

Leave your things in your hut, then, change your clothes, and get ready to swim!

Make it Bolinao: The View

2009-05-13T09:12:00.000+08:00

From the Bolinao main proper, you will experience another spectacular ride and this time, tricyles are your mode of transportation. Approach drivers there and negotiate the fare. The least price is 150 pesos and at most 200 pesos. Be sure to choose a very good tricycle so you’ll be comfortable with your next ride.

Your next ride is a 45 minute to 1 hour trip! So tell your driver to maneuver moderately so you can see the beautiful views along the way. From the main proper, the surroundings get more natural with fewer houses and more trees. The rolling hills, the smell of the air, the sharp curves, steep turns, the sound of the curling waves, until finally, you see the blue ocean from a far masked slightly with tall trees and green hills.

Enjoy the view! You are just a few minutes away to the beach!

Make it Bolinao: Welcome to Paradise!

2009-05-12T09:11:00.000+08:00

Enjoy the smooth ride passing by the Lingayen capital, Sual, Agno till finally you get to your last stop, the Bolinao main proper. Do not forget to prepare yourself for the adrenaline thrill of this paradise. Welcome to Bolinao!

You will be welcomed by the warm smiles of the people and the different atmosphere exuded by the place. As if this is very far a place untouched by the modern living, Bolinao has its own fingerprint. Do not forget to observe the surroundings for a while, its people, the structure, the movements, and the food! Try the bangus of course! Pangasinan is known for its tasty milkfish.

Buy your foods here at very affordable prices. It is more practical to do your marketing in Bolinao than bringing your foods from Manila. Foods are fresh which reaffirm your enjoyment for your next trip to Patar Beach, Bolinao!

Make it Bolinao: Getting There

2009-05-11T08:09:00.000+08:00

The Philippines is home to millions of flora and fauna. Hop across the more than 7,100 islands of the archipelago and discover the breath-taking views of rolling hills, vast forest, white sand beach resorts, and never-before-seen caves. Bolinao is one of those destinations.

Bolinao in Pangasinan is among the not so familiar places for many of us. It is located at the northern tip of Pangasinan, home of the historical Lingayen Gulf. Bolinao is facing the South China Sea. For people who have not been to Bolinao, it is a must see place if they want utmost tranquility and a spectacular experience.

Take the Victory Liner in Cubao to Bolinao. The fare pegs at around 500 pesos. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the five (5) hours trip to Bolinao!

Pansol on a Budget

2009-05-08T08:34:00.000+08:00

Pansol is both for that barkada quick roadtrip to the company outings on a budget. Cubao to Pansol will cost less than 100 peso. A day dip will cost cheapest at 50.00 entrance per head. Sharing a rented table and picnic food worth php 300 is a king’s lunch. Have an extra 130 for a box of buko pie, and you’re good and ready to go at less than 1,000. Now that’s Pansol on a Budget. If you’re coming from Alabang, it would be less bus fare, less bus fare.

Mineral Hot Springs for Health

2009-05-07T08:14:00.000+08:00

These hot springs are there as testament of Mt. Makiling’s last eruption hundreds of years ago. The sulfur content of the springs is believed to have good health benefits. Some resorts get their water for the pool so very hot that they have to buy blocks of ice just to bring the temperature down. The Korean 888 Resort sport different pools with different temperatures that visitors can try. From 30 degrees to a fired up 41 degrees are enjoyed by both local and foreign tourists.

Pansol Pasalubong

2009-05-06T08:10:00.000+08:00

Buko pie is a must pasalubong when you visit Pansol. Other specialties are espasol, tamarind, ang pao, carabao’s milk, fruits in season, and many more. Lots of street vendors carry a basketful of pasalubongs which they carry with them when they charge travelers in throngs. Just be wary and observant so that you don’t get robbed. Always ask for a discount. They usually give discounts when you buy more than three. Here are tips that could help you buy pasalubongs effectively and efficiently.

1. Before even going to the pasalubong center, list in the people you really want to give gifts to. With this, you are consciously budgeting your purchase.

2. Go down the line. The stores are just lined together so you can do window- shopping first until you decide which to buy and where.

3. For those buko pies sold by either the large brands or the less known ones, make sure you open the boxes and get to see the pie just to make sure it’s fresh.

Value Essentials in Pansol

2009-05-05T08:20:00.000+08:00

Getting There. Ride busses bound to Sta. Cruz. Tell the conductor that you’re going down Pansol, or take the SLEX and turn right at its dead end, Calamba bound. Pansol is just 30 minutes from Calamba. If you see the Max’s sign at your right, you’ve reached the far end of Pansol.

Where to go: There are so many private and public resorts to choose from. From public resort that charge 40 per head to private resorts that charge 4,000 per 8 hours and hotels with amenities, Pansol is the hot spring capital to go to.

Where to eat: Vacationeers usually take picnic baskets, tools and utensils to have a sumptuous feast. There are plenty of barbque grills to buy food from at the highways. One could also buy fresh wriggling Tilapia and have the nice experience of barbque with the whole family. Dine out at restaurants along the Pansol road like Binalot and Max’s Fried Chicken.

What to do: Dip oneself in mineral hot spring and get old coldness out of your system. Visitors can go to the UPLB Campus to get an experience of nature.

Make it Pansol, Laguna

2009-05-04T08:10:00.000+08:00

This is just the perfect time to go to Pansol, Laguna. The weather is not brazen summer, the rains are cold and the water is hot. Why go to Pansol on a very hot summer like the summers before just to dip into yet hot mineral water pool. Trek to the Pansol, Laguna with office mates, barkada, family or with our one and only to dip into that arthritis and rayuma relief moment. Hot springs in the Pansol, Laguna area abound according to how hot you want to dip your toes into.

Besides hot water, visitors enjoy all night karaoke with friends. Along the hi-way, on can find a lot of native grills to choose from. Chicken, tilapia, pork liempo, hito and other viands are available.

Pansol offers visitors a wide variety of pasalubong. From the buko pies to the espasols, from the variety of sweets and fresh carabao milk. Pansol is a happy day trip to unwind, relax and eat, eat, eat.

Batanes on a Budget

2009-05-01T08:49:00.000+08:00

Getting There. For tourists, getting there by plane saves the travel time. Since Batanes at the end of Luzon, it takes two and half hours to get there from Manila. Jeepneys inside Batanes are just a few and trips are scheduled by the hour.

Eating Out. There are no restaurants in Basco. You have eat in the hotel. There are a few carinderias where you can order fresh seafood.

Staying There. The only hotel is government owned. It has 30 rooms.

Sites to See. Batanes architecture is a must to see in island. Spectacular photos can be taken from the cliffs and beaches.

Things to do. It’s not a good idea to swim at the beaches because tides are strong. Unless you live there and grew up there, don’t try it, even with lifeguard and life vest. Weather can change in thirty minutes from very sunny to storms. Be aware of your surroundings. Lots of Photo Safari group frequent Batanes. If you need to take a quiet moment in your life, Batanes is the place to feel free and blessed.

Honesty System Store

2009-04-30T08:49:00.000+08:00

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

2009-04-29T08:48:00.000+08:00

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

2009-04-28T08:47:00.000+08:00

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

2009-04-27T06:33:00.000+08:00

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

2009-04-24T08:32:00.000+08:00

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

2009-04-23T08:31:00.000+08:00

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.

2009-04-22T08:27:00.000+08:00

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

2009-04-21T08:35:00.000+08:00

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

2009-04-20T08:26:00.000+08:00

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

2009-04-17T09:03:00.000+08:00

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!

2009-04-16T09:02:00.000+08:00

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

2009-04-15T09:02:00.000+08:00

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

2009-04-14T09:01:00.000+08:00

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

2009-04-13T09:01:00.000+08:00

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.