“I’ve been to Purgatory, and I had a lot of fun”. Not a lot of people could say that; and I’m willing to bet that not a lot of people would even WANT to say that. But I’m referring to Mt. Purgatory, which we’re about to pass through later on.
Day 2 of our Mt. Purgatory-Mangisi Traverse, and we set off with full stomachs, heavy packs, and light hearts.
Continue reading “Mt. Purgatory-Mangisi Traverse 2013 (Part 2)”
Some may say that every mountain is like all the others; climb one and you’ve climbed them all. Not so. From the few that I’ve gone to, each mountain has a story to tell, each experience stands out, and all the memories are a joy to go back to.
This weekend, November 8-9, 2014, is the Mt. Purgatory-Mangisi Traverse. This climb, so close on the heels of the Ambuklao Adventure 3 (which you can read about here and here), is part of the 114th celebration of the anniversary of the province of Benguet, thru Adivay (in the local dialect, it means “gathering” or “coming together”). Hence, the tagline “Pan-aadivay Tayo’d Kashontogan” which is Ibaloi for “our gathering/coming together in the (lit.) hills”. Continue reading “Mt. Purgatory-Mangisi Traverse 2013 (Part 1)”
I first caught wind of this place when I saw it featured on local (then national) television for their coffee, which is a mix of arabica coffee (Benguet’s version of the barako) and chili or capsicum (sili). To say that I was intrigued would be an understatement, but the place is not the most accessible (or practical) for someone like me since it is alllll the way in Shilan. See, I work at Km. 0, I live at Km. 6, and the Dinawis Cafe and Restaurant is located at Km. 11. See my predicament?
Continue reading “La Trinidad Eats: Dinawis Cafe & Restaurant”
We travel so far, and spend so much, just to be witnesses to nature’s bounty and beauty when some of the best ones are right in our own backyard. This is one of the many times that I am grateful for being in, and from, Benguet. Its situated perfectly, giving us, i-Benguets, the best of both worlds: the conveniences of urban living, and the sheer grace and magnificence of nature. Is it any wonder, then, why it never occurred to me to live anywhere else?
Continue reading “Ambuklao Adventure III: The River Trek to Pinagjan Waterfalls”
When I hear the word “Ambuklao”, what comes to mind is the Ambuklao Dam, the wide lake we pass by along the way to, say, Kabayan, and tilapia. Recently, I’ve heard about the place being opened for several adventures, such as kayaking. Then came the opportunity to join the 3rd run of the Ambuklao Adventure series, and me and my friends grabbed it. Continue reading “Ambuklao Adventure III: "The Adventure Lives On"”
Walking on the Dino Trail at the Dinosaurs Island at the Baguio Eco-Park in Tuba, Benguet may not actually make you feel like you’ve been transported to prehistoric times, when these huge creatures really walked the earth (but then again, I doubt there is anyone alive who knows how the real thing actually feels). It does, however, successfully make you feel like you are transported on a movie set, with animatronic dinosaurs at every turn.
I have to say, though, that I was in awe of the scale of the place. And the imagination that went behind it.
Continue reading “Roarin' at the Dinosaurs Island in Tuba, Benguet”
The Holy Land definitely ranks high up there on my lengthening list of “places to see before I die”. But, until then, I have to make do with what’s within reach.
And what’s within reach is the Holy Land in the Baguio Eco-Park. Continue reading “Setting Foot on Holy Land in Tuba, Benguet”
If I were to choose key phrases to describe my high school years at Benguet State University-Secondary Laboratory School (BSU-SLS), they would include “solid work”, “4-1”, “Pomology”, and “Mt. Kalugong”. It has been more than 15 years since the last time I set foot on Mt. Kalugong. Which is a shame, really, considering how it is on my doorstep (heck, the side of the mountain greets me each morning I wake up!) and how it is now more accessible to everyone as the Mt. Kalugong Eco-Park. Continue reading “Echoes of the Past at the Mt. Kalugong Eco-Park”
I’m not a vegetarian, nor do I ever plan to be one. (That’s a huge “HELL, NO!” right there.) I love meat just as much as the next meat-loving person.
To be honest, I was one of those who used to equate “healthy eating” with “settling for so-so tasting food and being miserable about it”. That was then. Fortunately, we are now given more options on sumptuous yet healthy eats. And if you are from La Trinidad, you are even luckier, since you are practically in the heart of vegetable and fruit country. Hey, it ain’t the capital of the “Salad Bowl of the Philippines” (Benguet) for nothing! So this time, I’ll be sharing a little about Health101 ReSTOREant.
(Well, I did say this week is close to being one of those “Hell Weeks”, didn’t I. And it’s going to be the same next week, too. Oh, joy. #DifficultiesOfBeingAnAdult)
I was looking for a fitting way to wrap up this series of Boracay-in-August posts, and what better way than to take a look at it in the evening? Continue reading “(Non) Summer in Boracay 4: "Eveningscapes"”
Next to April-March, August-September is the second-busiest couple of months for me because it’s that time of the year when I’ve to draw up the Budget Proposal of our Department for the next Budget Year. It’s exhausting work and, piled on top of my regular (and irregular) functions, it spells out “Hell Weeks” for me.
I cannot wait until August 20 comes (so I can get a reprieve by catching Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno in the cinema) and September 19 finally rolls around so I can watch CNBLUE in concert. Simple joys, really.
On a day tour or island-hopping gig in Boracay, one of the major pit stops is Crystal Cove.
Continue reading “(Non) Summer in Boracay 3: Crystal Cove”
When you find yourself in a tropical island, it’s a crime to NOT get in the water. If there are smaller islands about, the most logical activity to do would be to go island-hopping. And that’s exactly what we did. Continue reading “(Non) Summer in Boracay 2: "Afternoonscape"”
Mention Baguio City’s “Burnham Park” and the activities that will immediately come to mind include taking a ride on one of the boats on the Lake, having a picnic, riding bikes at the Biking Area, having a go at the Skating Rink, letting the kids loose at the Children’s playground, walk around the Rose Garden or the Orchidarium, catch a game or an outdoor show at the Melvin Jones Grandstand, and, lately, watching the fountains light up in the evening. It comes even more alive when the annual Panagbenga (Flower Festival) comes around (see more tourist accounts here, here, and especially good ones here and here), since it’s the site of the Market Encounter and other trade fairs. And, of course, the fluvial parades on the Lake, also during the Panagbenga.
In the early mornings, however, you get to see a different side of Burnham Park. The fit side. Continue reading “Fitness Mornings at Burnham Park”
From the many blogs that I’ve read by Cebu-based bloggers, it is clear that Cebu has a lot to offer, many of them still pretty much obscure and relatively unexploited-slash-undiscovered. But for us Cebu non-experts, there are certain things that we instantly associate with the place. “Queen City of the South”. Spanish-era churches. Excellent singers. Dried mangoes.
Magellan’s Cross. Shamrock. Danggit. These three are what this post is all about. Continue reading “Cebu: Three Staples”
I suck at remembering dates, so don’t think I memorized when Pedro Calungsod, the 2nd Filipino saint (after St. Lorenzo Ruiz) was born. It was 360 years ago to this day, on July 21, 1654, when his story began. I thought it fitting, then, to post about this small place, the Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod, dedicated to him in Cebu. (Check out his official website here, and read about his life here.)
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