Lagaw Lagaw ta sa Bacolod 2013

Instead of  going straight to Siquijor, we had a quick detour to Bacolod and its neighboring cities namely, Silay, Talisay and Murcia, home of Mambukal Hot Spring Resort. Each city has its own charm to boast hence one reason why this entry is entitled "Lagaw Lagaw" which is an Ilonggo term for wander or stroll.

You definitely need at least 2 or 3 days to enjoy these places in Bacolod. I had an impression that I can cover my Bacolod itinerary for a day but I was wrong :(. Originally, we planned to tour Bacolod City after our visit at The Ruins but we ended really exhausted and headed to Manokan Country at 3pm. 

Ever famous Bacolod's Chicken Inasal

We even didn't have time to stroll in SM City Bacolod which is right beside the latter nor the attractions within Bacolod City because we need to catch up for our bus ride going to Mambukal Hot Spring Resort. The resort closes at 6pm and it will take at least an hour to reach it from Bacolod hence we only  have less than 3 hours to roam the resort. Unknowingly, Mambukal Hot Spring Resort covers large span of land. Best would be an overnight stay to enjoy all its facilities and spots.

Here's its website for further details: Mambukal Resort

Last trip to Bacolod is at 6pm. I didn't even have the chance to visit its Hot Spring or try out its boating lagoon :( Busses bound for Bacolod is just right outside the Resort.

It was a rainy night when we arrived in Bacolod City, perfect weather for a hot Merci piaya and yummy Calea cakes along Lacson Street :)

At the strike of midnight, September 29 which marks my 28th Birthday, I blew my custom-made Peppero White Cheesecake :) This wrapped up our day in Bacolod. 

Enjoying The Ruins: M and M

It was almost noontime when we reached Talisay City, Negros Occidental which is just a 10-minute ride from Silay City. From El Ideal you can walk straight to BDO where buses and vans bound for Bacolod City and Talisay City can be found. Funny thing was we tried to speak in Ilonggo since I knew some words anyway but to no avail. It was a challenge when its time for us to pay for our fare. I needed to come closer to the driver to tell him exactly where we're going and to ask for the fare. Good riddance, the van driver dropped us off right in front of Pepsi Bata where tricycles going to the Ruins were parked.

Tricycles were readily found below the bridge. I then negotiated for our roundtrip ride settled at PHP150. Worth the price because it was a long way ride and not that easy to find esp for first time visitors. As of September 2013, here's the entrance fees info.

Been goin' thru other blogs and they indeed gave justice to this place. Nestled amidst sugarcane plantation, this well maintained place has its charming appeal to a couple like us knowing that it was built by Don Mariano Lacson in memory of his first wife, Maria Braga, evident by their initials found on its walls. 

M and M

It looks like an E but its actually flipped letter M's which stands for Mariano and Maria. I got this info from Roger, the ever famous funny tour guide. Famous? well his youtube vid ranges from 545 to 237,244 views. Here's a link: ROGER the funny tour guide of THE RUINS Negros Occidental. He was actually one of our trip's highlight so I never missed the chance to have a picture with him and of course to give him a pat on the back for a job well done.

Now that's Roger at the middle

It was a treat when he took this picture, a famous spot of this mansion. Thank you Roger, 'twas a delight meeting you.

We enjoyed touring the entirety of the mansion, its interior, mini park, fountain and garden.

Interior

The rest of it

PS: This is part of my Bacolod and Siquijor Itinerary last September 2013

A Glimpse of Silay City - "The Paris of the Orient" and "Museum City"

We arrived at Bacolod-Silay Airport around 6:45am. First stop was the tourism booth, where we got the Silay City Heritage tour map. Thanks to this friendly policeman who gave me the map.

We walked up to the airport gate and hopped on a tricycle going to Silay City. Get refreshed by the greenery you'll see along the way.Yup, sugarcane plantation and lots of it :) Known for its "haciendas", Silay is indeed the forefront of sugar production. It has been told that European performers would visit Silay and its known for lavish parties back in Spanish era. This coined the term, "The Paris of the Orient" by chroniclers.

We dropped off right in front of the public plaza which is  right across the San Diego Cathedral.

San Diego Cathedral


Here's a sample map I got from the internet. 

The map that we got from the tourism booth was more detailed wherein you can find 26 ancestral houses. Three of these namely, The Balay Negrense (Don Victor Ancestral House), Don Bernardino Jalandoni Ancestral House and Manuel Hofilena Heritage House were converted into Museums. 

As of today there are 29 surviving ancestral houses. No wonder Silay was dubbed as "Museum City" by travel writers.

It was around 7am when we started our tour, as expected the ancestral houses were still closed for public. No worries, the walking part itself was a delight plus the sight of an entire neighborhood of ancestral houses that you'll pass by was amazing. Its as if you're back in time when everyone's wearing "barong at saya".

These are some of the ancestral houses that we passed by.

Manuel Hofileña Ancestral House

The Balay Negrense

Cinco de Noviembre Monument

Green: Jose Ledesma Ancestral House
and Sen. Jose Corteza Locsin Ancestral House

To cap our Silay City Tour,we ate at El Ideal known for its Ilonggo Delicacies. We didn't missed to try their tasty Molo Soup and Gwapple pie before heading to The Ruins, located in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

Here's my entry for our itinerary and list of expenses By Air, Land and Sea: Bacolod-Siquijor Getaway

By Air, Land and Sea: Our Bacolod-Siquijor Weekend Itinerary

It's my birthday month. Another year to celebrate life and its intricacies. Original plan was to spend our weekend in Siquijor but after checking out the map and Cebu Pacific's promo fares, we decided to take a 45-minute flight to Bacolod before heading to Siquijor. Our target expenses should not exceed to PHP11,000. With a well-planned itinerary we managed to spend PHP11,441.16 for this trip, just PHP441.16 over than our budget. It would have been less if Dady's slippers cooperated during our Mambukal tour (one strap down) and if there was a nearby restaurant from Hotel Charisma in Siquijor (their food ranges from 120 and up). Here's the rest of our itinerary.

DAY 1

September 28, 2013

Bacolod City

06:45am         Arrival

09:00am         Heritage Tour-Silay City

11:00am         The Ruins, Talisay Brgy. Bata

11:30am         Off to Bacolod

03:00pm         Lunch, Check in, Siesta

03:30pm         Manokan Country

06:00pm         Mambukal Mountain Resort

07:00pm         Off to Bacolod City

08:00pm         Dinner, Calea, stroll at Lacson St.

Expenses (in PHP)

Airfare (Cebu to Bacolod)	897.08 each
Tricycle (Airport to Silay City)	15 each
Breakfast (El Ideal)	206
Pasalubong (El Ideal)	172
Jeep (Silay City to Bata)	15 each
Tricycle (The Ruins)	150
Entrance Fee (The Ruins)	80 each
Jeep (Bata to Central Market, Bacolod)	15
Ong Bun Pension House	530
Taxi (to Manukan Country)	50
Bacolod Inasal	306
Trisikad (to SM Entrance)	20
Jeep (Central Market to South Bus Terminal)	10 each
Bus (to Mambukal)	35 each
Entrance Fee (Mambukal)	50 each
Slippers	100
Bus (to Bacolod)	35 each
Dinner: 7 eleven	168
Calea	175
Taxi (Lacson st to Pension House)	80

Total Expenses: PHP4246.16

Day 2

September 29, 2013

Bacolod, Dumaguete and Siquijor

05:25am  On board Ceres aircon bus going to Dumaguete
11:30am  Arrived at Dumaguete port (right in front of the Boardwalk)
12:00nn   On Board Jaylan craft going to Siquijor
01:00pm  Arrived San Juan, Siquijor
01:20pm  Checked in at Hotel Charisma

Expenses (in PHP)

Taxi (Pension house to South Bus Terminal)	55
Breakfast	155
Bus (Bacolod to Dumaguete)	335 each
Boat Fare (to Siquijor)	100 each
Tricycle (Siquijor Port to Hotel)	250
Hotel room (Hotel Charisma, Deluxe room)	1400
Lunch	500

Total Expenses: PHP3230

Day 3

September 30, 2013

Siquijor

08:00 am  Pick up from Hotel Charisma
11:30am   Island Tour
11:30am   Off to Siquijor Port
2:30pm    Off to Cebu City

Expenses (in PHP)

Breakfast (Sari Sari store)	75
Packed lunch (Hotel Charisma)	400
Island Tour	1000
Entrance fee (Salagdoong Beach Resort)	25 each
Souvenir (Salagdoong Beach Resort)	120
Parking fee (Cambughay Falls)	20
Driver Tip	200
Boat ride (to Cebu City Ocean Jet)	1050 each

Total Expenses: PHP3965

Check out my other entries for this trip:

The Ruins, Talisay City
Silay City Heritage Walk
Bacolod City and Murcia

Quick Stop in Dipolog City

Dipolog City can be reached from Dapitan City in less than half an hour by taking a mini bus for only PHP25. This trip was just to enjoy few hours of my time while waiting for my boat ride back to Cebu scheduled at 7pm. 

**Mini buses from Dapitan to Dipolog runs along the main highway. 

After leaving Dapitan City get mesmerized with the vast greenery you can see along the way. Yup, it was my first time hence I had no idea where to drop off in Dipolog. Since I'm used in Bukidnon wherein most of its bus terminals are located in the public market, I waited 'till we entered a busy and crowded part of the city and sighed a sound of relief when I saw the terminal.

Undecided where to go, luckily there were several known food chains in the area such as Greenwich and Jollibee. I opted to go at the latter and took my lunch. Main transportation in the city are tricycles. I hailed one then asked for the attractions that I can visit in Dipolog. Manong driver recommended their public plaza and their famous boardwalk. 

I'm pretty sure that Dipolog is the manufacturer of the famous spanish sardines such as Zaragosa and Montanos. Unfortunately, the main store was closed since it's Sunday. I then went to a department store and bought 6 packs of sardines. Its price was at least PHP20 cheaper per bottle than in Cebu.

Here are some of my pictures taken around the public plaza and at the Our Lady of Most Holy Rosary Cathedral.

Dipolog's Public Plaza and National Road

Our Lady of Most Holy Rosary Cathedral

A Day in Dakak: "Daghang Kakahuyan"

The other day's activities in Dapitan did not stop us from exploring Dakak. The group woke up around 5am to catch the sunrise then off we go swimmin' on the cove. 

Dakak's Shoreline 

Others strolled its landscape and dipped on the pool. By the way, you have 3 swimming pools to choose from.

Choose where to dip

Each pool has its unique facilities to offer. One right beside their restaurant, perfect for kids since its not that deep nor with several levels of depth. The second pool has its slides, its the widest and I think with the deepest depth while the third pool has its perfect view of the ocean but you must wear proper swimming attire before dipping.

If you're into strolling Dakak's landscape is just right for you. You can find Chinese and Filipino inspired structures. I just love the chapel nestled on a mountain with an ocean view.

The group left Dakak around 11am. I then took a quick stop to Dipolog City (Quick Stop in Dipolog City). It was indeed a memorable weekend I had with my family before Beboy would leave the country. Thanks to Mama and Papa for this awesome treat!

Early Christmas Treat to the "Shrine City of the Phillipines"- Dapitan

It was a complicated itinerary we took last December 2012. Mama, Papa, Beboy and Queenie together with some KCES teachers needed to travel by land from Kalilangan to Dapitan for more than 9 hours while me on the other hand traveled overnight on board George Peter Lines from Cebu City. I was the earliest to arrive in Dapitan at around 6am. New to this city was such a challenge; no one fetched me at the pier hence I decided to disembark around 6:30am. I even thought of staying in the ship while I wait for them to arrive but I realized that it is not safe at all especially that I am travelling alone. By the way,they were scheduled to arrive at 10am so I have to wait for more than 3 hours.

Surprisingly, upon arrival I was greeted by friendly folks. I did not have any qualms of asking a vendor as to  where I can spend my time while waiting for my family. After having a quick breakfast I then rode a tricycle to visit Rizal Shrine which is less than 20 minutes ride from the pier.

Tip: Opt to ride a tricycle and pay PHP20 rather than a motorcyle.

I spent my entire morning in Rizal Shrine while waiting for my family and KNHS teachers. Kudos to the caretakers of this place for making me feel "at home". 

Rizal's Family Tree

The group arrived around 11am. We then quickly toured the place and took our lunch at Gloria de Dapitan theme park. Part of the package was a city tour which allowed us to see the historical landmarks of Dapitan.



@ Rizal Shrine

San Vicente Parish Church and Map of Mindanao created by Dr. Jose Rizal

San Vicente Ferrer Parish Church Interior

Streets of Dapitan City

Lunch at Gloria de Dapitan

After taking a quick rest at Dakak Beach Resort, the group conquered the rides at Gloria de Dapitan.

It was a tiresome but fun-filled day. Our pictures says it all :) To cap the night, we headed back to Dakak Beach Resort..stroll the area for few minutes then dozed off.




My Little Project: Paper Cranes

Call me wierd, a wishful thinker..
A thousand cranes- yup that's my goal but I'm still at my 107th and counting!

Here are the steps in creating a paper crane. Enjoy!

1. Start with a perfectly square sheet of origami paper.

Begin by folding one edge horizontally to meet the other side.

2. Open up the paper and repeat step 2 in the other direction and open up it up again.

3. Fold it diagonally to get this. Repeat step 3 in the other direction then open up the paper.

4. Bring in the side corners to get this.

5. With the open side fold one corner of the square towards the center line to get this.

Repeat step 5 on the other flap. Flip the paper and repeat step 5 on the other 2 flaps to get this.

 6. Fold the top flap down and crease hard, repeat on the other side.

7. Lift the flap on the open end

8. Fold it upwards, bringing in the sides.

9. Lay flat to get this.

Repeat steps 8 and 9 on the other open end flap.

 10. With the open end, fold in one flap towards the center line. Repeat step on the other flap.

11. Flip paper over and repeat step 10 to get this.

 12. Fold over one side like this. Repeat step on the other side. Lay it flat.

 ..to get this

13. Fold up top flap on the lower open end until it reaches the tip of the upper flap.

 Repeat step 14 on the other lower flap.

 15. Fold one flap over and lay flat. Repeat step on the other flap.

 to get this.

16. Fold top flap down. Repeat step on the other side to get this.

17. Invert fold one of the upper tips to form the head.

18. Pull back the other tip to form the tail.
19. Gently pull the wings apart to form the body.

'

Here you go!- paper cranes