Around Bacolod
On the highway, 3km south of the small city of Bago, is the pirate-themed Jewel's Restaur-ant 034-461 1422 most fish perl 00g from P100 . A seafood and recreational compound popular with families and business groups, this place has a 1 -hectare lagoon brimming with paddle boats and tilapia P30 per lOOg . At the entrance, you can pay P10 for a fishing rod and worms. If all else fails, there s a plush, convention centre-style restaurant serving seafood from huge aquariums. Jeepneys and buses pass...
Sleeping Lyf
The harbour front is where most people will want to base themselves. Badladz 287 3184,0919 577 2823 www.badladz .com d with fan air-con P500 800 With an unbeata ble position by the pier, activities galore and one of Puerto s better eateries see p208 , this is Puerto s best option. Rooms are plain but well kept, and all have cable TV. Some ail-con rooms have views fan rooms are closeted behind the main building. Coco Point 442 0109 d without with view P600 800 If you want a pier-side location,...
SLEEPING EATING Gix
Rodeway Inn 454 0176 National Hwy, New Escalante d with fan amp shared bathroom P250, d with air-con amp private bathroom P660 Opposite the pretty town plaza, the Rodeway is a friendly and efficient family-run operation with comfortable and secure accommodation. The restaurant can do you dinner and breakfast for around P80. There is accommodation on Isla Puti at Jomabo Island Paradise Beach Resort 454 0090 www.jomabo.com camping per tent P150, r amp cottages P1200-2800 , which also has a...
SIGHTS ACTIVITIES Cuw
The hills around Escalante abound with caves - more than 50 at last count - many of which were used by the Japanese as hideouts in WWII. The tourist office can organise guides around P500 per day . In Old Escalante, two minutes past the turnoff to Port Danao, are the ruins of Escalante s old church, St Francis of Assisi Parish. Built of coral stone by the Spanish in 1850, its roof was destroyed by a typhoon in the 1960s. However by this time the city s wealth and political focus had shifted to...
Guintubdan
High on the slopes of Mt Kanlaon, the wonderfully cool, ferny barangay of Guintubdan is home to numerous rooster farms so much for the serenity and two resorts owned by La Carlota and Bago cities, respectively. Both are a 45-minute jeepney ride from La Carlota P20 . From either resort, guides can take you on excellent day-trips to any of the seven nearby waterfalls P100 . Entrance fees for casual visitors are P20 10 per adult child. Guintubdan Visitor's Center La Carlota mayor's office 460 2459...
Binondo Santa Cruz Quiapo 1
Wonton Parlor Mandarine Palace MB Bakery MXT President Restaurant President Tea House Salazar Bakery Tasty Dumplings 13 C3 Tutuban Center Mall 26 B2 17 B3 Buses to Makati see 5 18 B3 Jeepneys amp PX to Rizal Park, Ermita, 19 B3 Malate amp Pasay see 5 20 B3 Jeepneys amp FX to University of Santo Tomas amp Quezon City see 27 Philippine Rabbit Bus Terminal 28 D3 Ermita Church Map pp80-1 523 2754 MH del Pilar St amp A Flores St, Ermita h 6am-7pm , a modern construction that replaced the original...
Dangers Annoyances Tjf
Despite a lull in the violence at the time of research and a subdued sense of optimism because of a renewal of peace talks between the Arroyo administration and leaders of the MILF, incidents still do occur and the situation could flare up at any time. There are breakaway elements of both the MILF and the MNLF that are still fighting for an Islamic state in the southern Philippines and the latter has issued threats against US and Western interests in the region. From 2001 to 2003 there were...
Sumilon Island
The waters around the tiny desert island of Sumilon are slowly recuperating from years of dynamite fishing. The southern half of the island now contains a marine sanctuary. Visitors are charged a P10 entrance fee and there is a further fee of PI 50 for diving. The dive centres in Lilo-an see below can arrange trips here. The northern half of the island is occupied by a luxury resort. The Sumilon Blue Water Island Resort 232 5411 bluwater mozcom .com s d with full board P4000 6600 a s opened for...
Tica Island
On Ticao s rugged west coast, Costa Rica is a lonely fishing village with a long, brown- sand beach. Not exactly an island paradise, it at least makes for a good boat trip - sometimes dolphins and flying fish are spotted along the way. It's easily explored as a day-trip destination from Masbate town, and the first and only accommodation was opening up at the time of research. Halea Island Resort 0917 844 7023 www.haleaisland.com is nestled in a beautiful cove on San Miguel Island just off the...
Sleeping Eating Kiv
Most of the places to stay are close together on the beach. Lago de Oro 0917 504 2685 www.lago-de-oro .com r from P3500 a i s About 6km south of Matabungkay proper, this sprawling place includes a large lake popular with water-skiers. The beach is small but clean, and the 26 rooms are in modest two-storey buildings with shady patios. The food is excellent, and the many European visitors are kept happy with an on-site bakery. Greendoors Cottages 540 3130, 0917 619 9796 r with fan air-con from...
Panay Obk
Pumpboats sail from Mandaon pier to Roxas Banica wharf PI50, five hours, 8am on Wednesday and Saturday - it has been known to load up fast and leave as early as 7am, so if you re really committed to this trip you should probably spend the previous evening in Mandaon. Boats leave Roxas for Mandaon at 9am or 10am Monday and Thursday. A word of caution these boats sometimes depart from Calituchi pier near the town of Milagros. There are jeepneys and vans to Milagros, however it's more convenient...
SLEEPING Panagsama Beach
The accommodation on Panagsama Beach ranges from budget to midrange. The bigger resorts all have dive centres on site that may be contacted through the resort. Quo Vadis Beach Resort 474 0020,0919 825 6412 www.moaiboai.com tw with fan amp cold-water bathroom P750, tw with air-con amp hot-water bathroom P2000 s Probably the best midrange option, Quo Vadis is situated on a large lot with great beach access. Spacious and well-appointed twin rooms and cottages have queen-sized beds and rattan...
Bulalacao
If you want to travel around the mountainous southern tip of Mindoro, you must go via the remote fishing town of Bulalacao bull-a -la-cow . The trip is usually done by road, but from July to September, when rains can make the dirt roads treacherous, it's often done by sea. Though the town itself is nondescript, it is surrounded by islands and coves with white sand and coral, leading some to speculate that Bulalacao may be the next Puerto Galera. At the time of writing, some resort owners were...
Sampaloc Lake Youth Hostel
Buena's Pension House 562 9273 CulagoAve r P450-1700 a See the incongruous City Hotel Throughout the region around San Pablo, you'll see roadside stands selling buko pie, a local delicacy. Sort of like a custard pie, the treat is laden with tender slices of fresh coconut. There's only one size sold - large - so have some friends to share it with, or plan on making some. Among the many vendors, the 50-plus outlets of Colette's are the best. You'll find them along any major road. The pies P100...
For diving Big Bantoy Scuba Diving Centre
bigbantoy yahoo.com one dive US 15, equipment rental US 5 runs out of the Marble Beach Resort opposite . The resort is lucky to have a marine sanctuary in front of it and stretching for 5km along the coast, so some of the best dives are on the house reefs. The Cabanbanan Beach Resort opposite also has a dive centre. North of Romblon Island, there is a WWII Japanese wreck, and on nearby Tablas Island, the Blue Hole dive -the inside of an old volcano - is favoured by advanced divers.
Sogod
The gently curving coastline of Sogod is about 70km north of Cebu City. It's a quiet town with attractive beaches where the fishing boats pull in. On the southern outskirts of town you'll find the Vima Beach Resort, which rents out picnic shelters P30 along a pleasant, palm-shaded stretch of white sand. About 5km north of Sogod is the 5-star Alegre Beach Resort 231 1198 www.alegre beachresort.com cabins from US 270 - the place that put Sogod on the international tourist map. Alegre is high-end...
Big La Laguna Small La Laguna
Nick amp Sonia's Cottages 7 A3 stacked all the way up the steep hill, ensuring great views. The restaurant, which looks over the beach, has good cheap meals from P130 and brewed coffee P25 . Internet is PI.50 per minute. Red Sun 287 3241,0920 235 5259 whitehouse redsun.ph r with cable TV from US 30 a s How it ever got a building permit is a mystery, but with the entire western point to itself this great, white, Spanish mission-style pancake stack is now an indelible part of the landscape. Once...
lucban
Hidden away in the foothills of Mt Banahaw, the quiet mountain town of Lucban comes alive on 15 May for Pahiyas, the annual harvest festival and feast of San Isidro Labrador. Locals compete for a prize by covering their houses in wildly elaborate decorations made from multicoloured rice-starch decorations called kiping, as well as with masses of fruit and vegetables. Giant papier-m ch effigies are marched through the streets to the town church. It's a great festival and, best of all, locals are...
Bongao
The capital of Tawi-Tawi province derives its name from the Tausug word 'bangaw', meaning 'heron. Today Bongao s wildlife is less famous for herons than for monkeys in great numbers on Mt Bongao, a sheer mountainous outcrop behind the township. There s an hour s hiking trail to the summit at 314m, with a royal Muslim burial site at the top dress appropriately if you want to visit and good views across the island chain. This sacred mountain is the site of a festival celebrated by Muslims and...
The National Psyche
Probably the first thing you 11 notice about the people of the Philippines is their calm demeanour. Filipinos greet adversity with all the fuss that a kalabaw greets a fly on its back - they shrug their shoulders, smile and move on. This whatever-will-be-will-be attitude is called bahala na, a phrase that expresses the idea that all things shall pass and in the meantime life is to be lived. Bahala na has more than a little to do with the Philippines greatest paradox despite years of injustice...
Boat From Kalibo To Sta. Fe Romblon
MBRS Lines Manila 02-921 6716, in Romblon 243 5886 8 has two boats servicing the area. Three times a week, either MV Virgin Mary or MV Mary the Queen ply the following route Manila to Odiongan Tablas Island P450, 10 hours , then on to Caticlan Aklan, Panay P180, three hours , then to Lipata Antique, Panay PI 50, three hours and returning the way it came. Once a week, MV Mary the Queen also sails from Manila to Romblon town P450, 10 hours , then to Cajidiocan Sibuyan Island P160, two hours ,...
Taman Poitan Matanglag Bocos Villages
Tourist brochures still advertise these as artists colonies, but you're not likely to see much creating going on. Still, the hikes between these villages traverse ricefields and are pleasant enough if you're not up to tackling the longer treks further afield. You 11 see traditional Ifugao houses in all of these villages. Much of the 45-minute hike from Tam-an to Poitan which starts near Banaue Hotel amp Youth Hostel s swimming pool follows a century-old irrigation canal. Once you reach Poitan,...
Carabao Island
Carabao Island known as 'Hambil by locals is more a day trip or diving destination for visitors from Boracay, less than 10km away, than a destination in its own right. This is primarily because of a lack of accommodation, but its quiet streets, white beaches and surrounding reefs offer the chance for a vacation from your vacation on Boracay. If the very vague plans to build an airport near the barangay of Busay ever come to fruition, the nature of the island will undoubtedly change. Besides the...
Weavers
Vigan weavers are known for using abel, a locally produced cotton fabric, to hand-weave shawls, tablecloths, napkins and even barong. Barangay Camanggaan, just a 10-minute tricycle ride southeast of Vigan, is a good place to watch abel hand-weavers in action and pick up woven goods at unbeatable prices in designs that are difficult to find elsewhere. In barangay Mindoro, there are still a few weavers making binakol weavings that incorporate a traditional psychedelic-looking design.
Santa Cruz Sacol Islands
Great Santa Cruz Island is around 7km off the Zamboanga waterfront, and is home to small fishing communities. Visitors come to see the 2km-long pinkish beach, coloured from finely crushed red coral, the actual red colour only really visible if you scoop up a bit in the palm of your hand. You can swim here, but it's on a busy shipping channel and currents are strong. There are a number of good reef dives and snorkelling spots in the area the optimal time is from April to October. Contact Freedom...
Flower Island
The peaceful, utterly beautiful Flower Island is home to the Flower Island Beach Resort 0918 924 8895 flowerisland_ph yahoo.com cottages per person US 60 , with comfortable, tastefully decorated cottages with bathrooms. There is also a very cool bamboo house with several nice rooms inside, all with bathrooms and air-con. The restaurant is quite good, and meals are included in the rates. There's also diving and snorkelling equipment available for rent. The best way to get to Flower Island is...
AIR Mbc
The airport is 11km north of the city centre. Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific Air and PAL fly several times a day to Davao from Cebu one hour . Air Philippines flies to Iloilo City two hours via Cebu. Presently Bouraq Airlines 233 0016 flies between Manado and Davao once weekly. Silk Air 221 6430 flies to Davao from Singapore four hours via Cebu on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Cebu Pacific Air runs flights to Zam-boanga on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday one hour .
Tubigon
The ramshackle fishing town of Tubigon to-fiee-gon , in the middle of Bohol s lush northwestern coast, is well served by daily fastcraft to and from Cebu City. There's not a lot on offer here for travellers, although it is a handy access point for cutting across Bohol if you re in a hurry to see the Chocolate Hills. Tinangnan Beach Resort amp Lodging House 237 2267 r with fan amp shared bathroom P200-250 is set upon stilts and has a rickety bamboo floor. It's among the intertidal mangroves, a...
Insect Bites Stings
Bedbugs don t cany disease but their bites are veiy itchy. They live in the cracks of furniture and walls and then migrate to the bed at night to feed on you. You can treat the itch with an antihistamine. Lice inhabit various parts of your body but most commonly your head and pubic area. Transmission is via close contact with an infected person. They can be difficult to treat and you may need numerous applications of an antilice shampoo such as Permethrin. Pubic lice are usually contracted from...
SLEEPING EATING Vxb
The following places are listed in order of location, not preference. The listing starts at the very northern end of the beach and works south toward the pier. Note that there is electricity at the following places only from 6pm to 10pm. Michi Cottages amp Restaurant 0919 401 8655 michimiyamoto2004 yahoo.com cottages for 1 or 2 people P800, for 3 people P1050 Michi has four native-style cottages, each good for three people, with ensuite shower and toilet. They boast a very secluded, quiet...
San Agustin
With a backdrop of high, rugged mountains and a deep, palm-fringed harbour, the serene town of San Agustin is a picturesque stop on the way to or from the island of Romblon. The building next to the pier says 'tourism office though little information is forthcoming. August Inn 0919 592 2495 r P300 , a bright-pink building just off the plaza, has extremely clean, small, tiled rooms on the 2nd floor. Private bathrooms are only P50 more though the shared bathroom is well maintained. Rooms in the...
Twin Lakes National Park
About 20km northwest of Dumaguete, the twin crater lakes of Balinsasayao and Danao offer some of the most scenic hiking in the Visayas. The area is virgin forest and full of wildlife, from monkeys to rare orchids. It's also the traditional home of the indigenous Bukidnon people. If you want information on the park, or to arrange a guide, inquire at the municipal building on the highway in the centre of Sibulan. Tour groups in Dumaguete run trips to Twin Lakes p277 , as does Planet Action p256 ....
Ramon Hofilena
There could be few more handsome or artistically gifted families in the Philippines than that of Ramon Hofilena. The photos of his eight brothers and sisters, which grace the antique, ivory-keyed piano in his waiting room, show performance shots of classical musicians, singers, actors and dancers, and even a fin de si cle beauty queen. Ramon will waste no time listing their accomplishments, or indeed his own, but the list is so impressive one can hardly begrudge him reciting it. But don't be...
Roda Beach Resort Gishelles Beach Resort
0919 419 8997 r with bathroom amp fan air-con P350 600 Sharing the same beachfront property 4km southwest from Looc proper tricycle P50 are these twin resorts owned by siblings one of whom is Juliet Fiel mentioned earlier as an excellent source of information. When the tide is in the snorkelling is good and the sunsets are always beautiful. There are several big, plain motel-style rooms in a concrete building with air-con and other basic native rooms with fans. The attached Poka Grill amp Bar...
deep vein thrombosis dvt
Deep vein thrombosis DVT occurs when blood clots form in the legs during plane flights, chiefly because of prolonged immobility. The longer the flight, the greater the risk. Though most blood clots are reabsorbed uneventfully, some may break off and travel through the blood vessels to the lungs, where they may cause life-threatening complications. The chief symptom of DVT is swelling or pain of the foot, ankle or calf, usually but not always on just one side. If a blood clot travels to the...
Samboan
Halfway between Samboan and Bato, and so close to Negros you feel you can touch it, Fantasy Beach Resort 479 4191, 0919 439 3013 daiahikan yahoo.fr d with shared private bathroom P1200 1500 s is a well-run, Spanish mission-style resort set high on a hill overlooking the sea. It has landscaped grounds with steps that lead down to a small private beach. Rooms are large and cheerful. Buffet meals cost around P300. You can snorkel on the house reef no charge , take a free trip to nearby waterfalls,...
Bilar Rajah Sikatuna National Park
Bilar is popular for Logarita Spring admission P5 h Sat-Thu , a public swimming hole overlooking rice fields. The town, about 40km east of Tagbilaran P25 by bus , holds its annual fiesta in mid-May. About 500m past the Bilar town hall on the right-hand side is the turn-off for Logarita Spring and the poorly maintained Rajah Sikatuna National Park RSNP admission P100 , an immense 9000 hectares of native molave forest and grasslands, kilometres of haphazardly marked trails, more than 100 caves,...
Abra Province Around
On the way from Tinglayen to Tabuk, about 7km north of Lubuagan, a fork off the main road takes you through hidden Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park and on into Abra Province. It's about four hours drive from the turn-off to Abra s capital, Bangued. Public transport along this road is infrequent, so you 11 need a private 4WD or a mountain bike to make the trip. The two-hour drive from Balbalan to Balbalasang is arguably the most scenic drive in the country, dipping into yawning gorges and...
M Adriatico A Mabini Sts
i To Rizal Park 200m I Intramuros 400m A Flores St ' 2nq in Agracia Reyes St j D23 I To Harrison Plaza 600m I CCP 1km Pasay 2km American Express 1 A5 Fabulous Laundry 2 A4 Happy Travel 3 A3 Sea Breeze Laundry 4 A2 Solidaridad Bookshop 5 B2 B5 Adri tico Arms Hotel 7 B5 Adri tico Pensionne Inn 8 B4 City Garden Hotel 9 A1 Ermita Tourist Inn 10 A3 Frlendly's Guesthouse 11 B5 Hotel Frendy 12 A3 Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila 13 A4 Joward's Pension House 14 B5 Las Palmas Hotel 15 A4 Lotus Garden Hotel...
Fort Santiago
Guarding the vital entrance to the Pasig River, Fort Santiago Map p76 527 2961 Santa Clara St adult child P40 15 h 8am-6pm was once the seat of Spanish military power. Designated a Shrine of Freedom in 1950, today it is a memorial to Dr Jos Rizal, who was imprisoned here in the final days before his execution in 1896 for inciting revolution against the Spanish colonials. It is also a memorial to all Filipinos who have fought or died for the cause of freedom. The Rizal Shrine Map p76 admission...
When To See The Rice Terraces
The rice terraces of the Cordillera are constantly in flux. Incredible any time of the year, they are at their best one to two months before harvest, becoming bright green then gradually turning gold. Around planting time, the terraces take on a barren, naked look that is also appealing. Mud-walled terraces, such as those in Banaue, look especially impressive during this time. When timing a visit to the terraces, you therefore need to take into account both the harvest cycle and the type of...
Amoebic Dysentery
Amoebic dysentery is very rare in travellers but is often misdiagnosed by poor-quality labs in Southeast Asia. Symptoms are similar to bacterial diarrhoea, ie fever, bloody diarrhoea and generally feeling unwell. You should always seek reliable medical care if you have blood in your diarrhoea. Treatment involves two drugs Tinidazole or Metroniadzole to kill the parasite in your gut and then a second drug to kill the cysts. If left untreated complications such as liver or gut abscesses can...
Sleeping Eating Nba
Concordia's Place 582 1086 r with fan air-con P350 550 This large family home has an attractive waterfront backyard and several simple rooms with polished wooden floors, however the mattresses are nothing more than thin plastic cushions. Bathrooms are shared. Tanghay Lodge 271 2027 r P450-700 The steaming cell-like rooms are what you d expect judging by the unpainted and crumbling hulk of a building 1km or so from the town centre tricycle P5 . More expensive rooms have ail-con and private...
The Ifugao Hudhud
Their rice terraces get all the attention, but the Ifugao have another ancient tradition recognized by Unesco. The epic oral chants collectively known as the hudhud are sung by the Ifugao around Kiangan to alleviate boredom while planting and harvesting the rice fields. The hudhud records the history and traditions of the Kiangan Ifugao. It pays homage to the deeds of heroes and heroines both mortal and immortal, to battles won, to heads taken and to riches gained. The complete hudhud consists...
Benoni To Mambajao
Benoni has an artificial lagoon to the south of its wharf and is a fish-breeding area. Between Benoni and Mambajao you 11 see Mantigue Island - sometimes called Mag-saysay - offshore. A few fishing families live here and there's still good coral. From the Islet Beach Resort at Mahinog a return trip to the island will cost P500. Hibok-Hibok volcano 1320m , which last erupted in 19 51, provides a dramatic spark -no pun intended - to the island s interior. About 500m off the main road is the...
WEST COAST Tfb
San Pedro Beach Resort 0920 905 5780 mina mingoa yahoo.com Ginablan cottages P400 This idyllic resort refuge is set on a little white-sand beach in Ginablan, about 10km south of Romblon town. Several spotless bamboo cottages with balconies and marble floors are perched over the beach, which has good snorkelling when it's high tide. There's an extremely attractive restaurant beside the beach serving big meals PI50 , as well as a library of discarded books to while away your days. Staff can...
SLEEPING EATING Trv
Some of the earliest established resorts on Siargao are to the south of the township. They're quite popular with the locals, drawing large groups of students and budget conventioneers. Pansukian Tropical Resort 0918 903 9055, in Cebu 32 234 1282 www.pansukian.com r US 200 This architecturally inspired five-star resort is a couple of kilometres further along the coast. The nine villas are stylish and luxurious but in a low-key way. Rates include all meals, Basul Island . lt T v,,,,,. Lipatab' N'...
Barlig Kadaclan Natonin
East of Bontoc, the secluded, rarely visited villages of Barlig, Kadaclan and Natonin have magnificent rice terraces. From Barlig it takes only about four hours to summit this region s highest peak, Mt Amuyao 2702m . The walk from Barlig to Batad, over Mt Amuyao, is one of the best two-day hikes in the Cordillera. Natonin to Mayoyao is a two- or three-day trek. Guides around here typically charge P500 per day and can be found in Barlig s Municipal Hall. Beautiful Kadaclan boasts a guesthouse...
Pasay Southbound
Most buses out of Pasay head south, with some connecting by ferry to other islands. Destinations include Batangas, Lucena, Na-sugbu and Santa Cruz. A few buses go further afield to Daet, Naga, Legaspi, the islands of Samar and Leyte, and on to Mindanao. No 18 BLTB Map p84 833 5501 EDSA BLTB has buses every 15 minutes to Batangas City, Nasugbu and Lucena. There are also hourly buses to Dalahican Port, SELECTED BUS DESTINATIONS FROM MANILA Calatagan near Matabungkay beach and Santa Cruz, as well...
Sleeping Eating Rod
The best that can be said of the accommodation in San Jos proper is that it's better than the food. North of town, on the way to the airport, a couple of beach-side hotels raise the standard on both fronts. Sikatuna Town Hotel 491 1274 Sikatuna St tw d P140, d with fan air-con P300 550 This hotel is a friendly place with small, very basic rooms. Get a room at the back or cop an earful of the amplified warbling from the videoke over the road. It has a free airport drop-off service. Kusina...