Taking the plunge at Magpupungko, Siargao

Riding a habal-habal is exciting. You hop on the bike like you are getting on a horse; you grip the handle on both sides when it gets faster; your body sways when it makes a sharp turn; your hair is swept by the wind like in a shampoo commercial. You feel like the camera is rolling and you want to spread your arms wide to have your daredevil shot. But if you have been sitting cold on that hard uncomfortable seat of the habal-habal for one and a half hour, it is not as thrilling and glamorous. You can get all butthurt, quite literally.

“This better be worthit,” I kept repeating to myself on our way to the town of Pilar in Siargao. It was the third day of our Surigao backpacking trip. My friends and I woke up early and rode the habal-habal on our beachwear. We did not realize the morning ride would be cold and our cover-ups were not enough. Thankfully, we arrived at our destination when the sun was already up. The hurling barrel waves of Magpupungko Beach welcomed us. Oh man, I tell you, the hassle was better than worthit!

Magpupungko Beach is one of the most unique natural wonders I have ever seen. The place is named as such because of the landmark that is a mammoth rock squatting on another big boulder. Pungko is Visayan for “to squat,” so after adding some prefixes, the name became Magpupungko. The balancing act of those rocks is amazing! But wait, there is more. As we strode our way through the rocks, we witnessed the splendor of the fascinating tide pools of Magpupungko. As the name implies, a tide pool is a crater or hole on the seashore filled with seawater. These stunning pools only show up during low tide. When the tide recedes, seawater is trapped in the hole and forms a natural non-chlorine swimming pool! Some of the tide pools in Magpupungko are small and shallow while the others are large and deep. There are solid sections covered with kelp and brown algae where you can walk. It is pretty amazing when we were walking on shin-deep water and beside us is the green, ethereal tide pool that is several meters deep. Opposite of the tide  pool are the powerful waves of Siargao smashing on the shore. In pictures, it is like we are walking on water and we are summoning the waves!

But the beauty of the tide pools of Magpupungko is for limited viewing only. By noon, the high tide is coming. So aside from swimming and snorkeling, we had better things in mind. In the spirit of adventure, we celebrated our discovery of Magpupungko by cliff-diving! Each of us climbed through the rock formation, which is probably 6-ft high, and dived into the water from the overhanging cliff. You can do this too, but make sure to wear your water shoes or sandals because the rocks are steep and sharp. The view on top is amazing. You can see the vastness of the sea and how the tide rolls in and out. You will literally jump for joy! I am an altophobic and I am not a good swimmer, but I was so high in awe so I took the plunge. After that jump, I did not have any bit of regret that I did.

 

But I did not know what to feel when it was time to leave. As our departure loomed closer, I took a deep breath and smiled to the beautiful beach, the fine sand, the big waves, and the swaying palms of Magpupungko. We had a really great time and Magpupungko Beach has become my favorite. Although I want to stay a little longer, we had to go. Then, our guide sheepishly grinned and pointed the habal-habal. I cringed a little. Oh here we go again. But ok, let’s get it on!

Breathtaking Batanes

Batanes is more than I dreamed of. The rolling hills, the tall lighthouses, the enormous waves, the steep cliffs, and the kindhearted Ivatans have left me in awe. Pictures, videos, and words are not enough to describe the ‘high’ this picturesque, windswept island gives. I love Batanes!!! 🙂

Sunny Day Art Project

Today is one of the rarest sunny days that I’m staying at home alone. I’m recuperating from my colds brought by my recent backpacking trip (that I haven’t finished writing). Then, I randomly thought of my stash of souvenirs I’ve collected from my trips. I’ve been wanting to create something artsy out of them, like a scrapbook or whatever. They’ve been boxed for 5 years! And my pile of airline tickets, tour passes, travel brochures, hotel receipts, and yellowed pictures is mounting. Meanwhile, the walls of my room are still bare! So, why not make a décor, yeah? 😉

 

7, 107 (more) islands? Don’t worry, I’ll get ’em covered.

I’ve bought some “magic” and put my cray on that wall. 

Isn’t that neat? That’s a reminder of the 20+ provinces out of the 7,107 (and more) islands in the Philippines that I’ve visited. And there are a lot more! 🙂

Coming soon: BATANES!!!!!! Can’t wait!!!!!! 🙂

Materials:

map
colorful pins
colorful yarn
styrofoam
cartolina
mounting tape
double-sided tape
glue
scissors
souvenirs

Tips:
1. Secure the styrofoam to the wall with the mounting tape.
2. Be careful with the pins!
3. Aside from the pins, you can use double-sided tape so the souvenirs won’t fall.
4. Do you like the connect-the-dots game? You’ll have fun with the yarn.
5. Spritz some creativity and jazz up that wall!

 

Btw, if you want the less colorful map, here it is:

My Lakbayan grade is C+!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Ang Pinakamasarap at Catalino’s Restaurant (Villa Javierto)

My parents, who were born and raised in Quezon, have known this dainty covert place in Gulang-Gulang as an antique shop. They probably have heard or even knew the owners. I am pretty sure we have passed and missed the signage Catalino’s Restaurant and Villa Javierto a hundred times. But it is only recently that I planned to come and visit this well-liked and recommended place with my family.

When I told my parents that the Javiertos already developed the place to a bed and breakfast place and recently to a restaurant, they were surprised. But what is more surprising is our entire dining experience. We were treated, not only with delicious food, but also with a beautiful view, classic antiques and trinkets, the homey ambience, and the cool staff of Catalino’s Restaurant in Villa Javierto. No doubt it was recently ranked as #1 among all the must-visit places in Quezon, which was aired in “Ang Pinaka” on GMANewsTV.

Villa Javierto, a family-owned business, is used to be known as Pillar Plants and Novelties, because of the owners love for plants and antiques.

Based on their site, their business started as an antique shop in 1995 inside their family compound.

Eventually, they also offered landscaping services. Then, they opened the place for bed and breakfast, which is highly-recommended for tourists and guests who are visiting Quezon Province. They have adobe-walled stone houses that can accommodate groups of families and friends. According to those who have stayed in Villa Javierto, it offers traditional rooms with vintage lamps and antique wooden beds, kitchen with a collection of very rare glasses and a sala with exquisite paintings and trinkets.

Recently, Catalino’s Restaurant was opened. This place offers an extraordinary dining experience because aside from feasting on the wonderful view of Mount Banahaw and Alitao River, guests are served with must-try recipes that the family personally concocted and crafted. As for what we had, we ordered Sinigang na Liempo, Chopsuey, Adobo Spaghetti and the famous crispy leche flan and halo-halo. For drinks, we ordered a pitcher of iced tea, which tasted like brewed tea and dalandan juice instead of lemon.

My family really enjoyed this sumptuous treat at Catalino’s Restaurant in Villa Javierto. I hope I could also write down my praises on a plate and leave it as a memoir like what the other famous people did. (I asked if I could and the waiter said only friends of the owners left those plates hanging on the walls.) So if you are planning to visit Quezon, do not miss Catalino’s! I am 100% sure you will never forget this experience because I cannot. Truly, Catalino’s Restaurant and Villa Javierto are hidden gems of Quezon! Come and discover this place only at Lucena City, Quezon! 😉

Catalino’s Restaurant and Villa Javierto
2497 Gulang Gulang, Lucena City
+042 710 5753, +63917 506 2161

Ito ang Trip Ko! :)

It was back in 2010 when my friends and I first dined at Van Gogh is Bipolar. I blogged about it and basically spread the news about our amazing experience in this restaurant known for its mood-altering organic food. Three years later, I found myself still writing about it. But now… in print. Yey! It’s a dream come true for me so please indulge this gushing geek girl. 🙂

 

This is so momentous because this is the first-ever printed issue (more issues to come!) of Trip Magazine. So please check out the au naturale beauty of Ms. Mylene Dizon (cover girl) as she shares her amazing adventures in the surfing issue of Trip Magazine. You can also check out the Van Gogh is Bipolar article on p.60. Hehe. 🙂 Grab your copies at National Book Store and Fully Booked! If you want the online version, subscribe at http://trip100program.com/index.php?a=join#trip on their site. THANK YOU!!!!! ❤ 🙂

Enchanting Quezon

I just started a blog about Quezon, my hometown, to support the Tourism Quezon team and promote the places, festivals, people and the culture in the different towns of Quezon province. You can check it out at http://ilovequezon.wordpress.com/, but I haven’t written much because I’m still busy. But just so you have an idea, I’m posting a video below, which I found in the Tourism Quezon Facebook page.  This is a video featuring Quezon, which was seen on Living Asia Channel. As written in the description of the video, Quezon is known for its coconut plantations, its festivals, and for the inescapable presence of majestic Mt. Banahaw. This 28-minute video encapsulates everything about Quezon. “This is Quezon in a nutshell, or a coconut shell.” Enjoy! 🙂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpyiPxbkFVI

Video courtesy of CCI Asia Group Production and Tourism Quezon

 

Quezon is a province of the Philippines in the CALABARZON region of Luzon island. The province was named after Manuel L. Quezon, the second President of the Philippines, and its capital is Lucena City.

Quezon is southeast of Metro Manila and is bordered by the provinces of Aurora to the north, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Batangas to the west and the provinces of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur to the east. Part of Quezon lies on an isthmus connecting the Bicol Peninsula to the main part of Luzon. The province also includes the Polillo Islands in the Philippine Sea.

A major tourism draw to the province is Mount Banahaw. The mountain is surrounded by spiritual mysticism with many cults and religious organizations staying on the mountain. Numerous pilgrims visit the mountain especially during Holy Week.

[Source: Wikipeda http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quezon]

The Old Man and the Sea Turtle

The boat cried a dull roar as the revving motor stopped. Cautiously, the long hull of the boat nosed into the waters and threaded its way to the island. As soon as its bottom squatted on the shore, I jumped out of the boat.

“Turtle Island,” the boatman said.

My eyes scoured for turtles, but all I saw were a shabby nipa hut and an old man sitting on a slab of driftwood.

“He’s the caretaker,” the boatman pointed out.

The man’s faded brown wrinkled skin creased into a weak smile, as if he had seen one too many tourists. Uncountable frown lines were drawn across his forehead and round his weary eyes. Then, he pointed to the sign that says P5.00 entrance fee. His hands were shaking. With his age, I wondered how long he had been staying there.

After paying, the boatman gestured his finger to a concrete tank. Inside was a lone sea turtle. Frail and gentle, the turtle could barely move nor swim around the concrete enclosure. I asked if I could take it out. The old man nodded.

The turtle was heavy. Its shell, which had beautiful patterns of distinct brown plates, was sturdy and robust. It had an elongated head and somewhat sharp facial look. It had a mouth that looked like the sharp beak of a bird. The boatman said it was a pawikan or hawksbill turtle.

I let it crawl. l watched the turtle as its arms plowed onto the white sand. Slowly, its scaly feet plodded until it reached the blue ocean. Where it truly belong, I thought.

I looked at the old man. His face was calm and serene. He was not taken aback by the turtle’s flight.

“Sea turtles are natural travelers that can swim all over the world, but still go back to the same spot where they broke out of their shell. When it is time to lay their eggs, they return and find their way back,” the boatman said.

By looking at the old man, I knew. My folks were waiting for me to come home, too.

Author’s note: This is my entry for the Travel Writing Scholarship by World Nomads, which you can check out at http://journals.worldnomads.com/cristtaigloria/story/100028/Philippines/A-Local-Encounter-that-Changed-my-Perspective-The-Old-Man-and-the-Sea-Turtle. The winner will be announced on May 10, 2013. *sign of the cross* and *fingers crossed* 🙂