Snapshots Thursday: Batad Rice Terraces, Ifugao

One of the five UNESCO Heritage Sites in the Philippines.

The Batad Rice Terraces- a testament to the ingenuity and hard-work of our forefathers.

The famous post card pictures you see regularly is the Banaue Rice Terraces. Only a few knows about Batad, Bangaan and Mayoyao Rice Terraces.

I've been here twice, the summer of years 2003 and 2004. During the hike, you will find clean and clear streams of water that could easily quench your thirst. The night was super cold, thermal jacket is your best friend. The morning was refreshing, waking up in front of this artistically made rice paddies is a welcome treat, it invigorates you before going back to town. 

After some 2 hours of trekking amidst the 10-15ft tall terraces, you can have some dip in this freezing waterfalls, locals call this Tappiya or Tappia falls. The falls is magnificent as it cascades to a natural bathing pool for everyone to enjoy. Just be careful for the current is strong.

Meet 'd oldskul journeyingjames

This post is also a tribute to Kuya Bong & Kuya Gel, two guys who had influenced me on my love for nature, the mountains, side-trips, photography and curiosity to learn the culture of others. Thanks Kuya Bong (especially for the sinigang after we conquered the falls) and Kuya Gel (especially for the beautiful shots) for everything! When are we going to summit Mt.Pulag?

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thanks for reading journeyingjames- my running stories and travel discoveries-- 

let's walk, run, climb, ride, swim and fly. 

You can find me at Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

Day 2: Inasal at Bacolod & Mambukal

Thanks for reading Day 1. If you are lost, you can read the 14-Day Solo Backpacking Challenge I'm trying to recount. If you are too busy or lazy to read that, its a personal challenge to spend only P250/day all-in, yes you read it right, ALL-IN (accommodation, food, transportation, other fees, etc.)

The male pulling the carabao sculpture was made by Felix Gaston, a Negrense artist &
the woman reclining on the carabao was made by a unnamed French sculptor.

ANG PANGHIMUD-OS by Eduardo Castrillo
Hiligaynon word for "endeavor" literally "The Struggle"

I started the day by going back to the Provincial Capitol to ask help from the Tourism Office (I always do this to, sayang naman yung taxes that I pay). They are helpful again. The officer told me that backpackers go to Mambukal for some adventure- that excited me! So after some snapshots at the city, lunch at Manokan Country, off I went to Murcia where Mambukal Mountain Resort is. I paid the entrance fee and then placed my bag on my hotel- The Woods Hotel.

I explored the resort- they have a lagoon for boating, swimming pools, relax on their hot dipping pool or get a massage at The Blade Spa,  extreme sports are also available like wall-climbing, zipline and kayaking. I also met Mike an American based in Guam (read more about him at the latter portion).

My room at the Woods Hotel

Before the night fell, I managed to fix my shelter. The management told me that its dangerous to use my hammock because its raining every night and mosquitoes are unforgiving. But I don't have a choice, its either I go back to Bacolod or sleep on The Woods Hotel, the former is far from my mind. I will stay in Mambukal for a night, this place is a haven for a nature-lover like me. Most of the time, I choose risk, after all you don't get to experience unforgettable moments when you stay at your comfort zone. Thank God, that night it didn't rain, the mosquitoes were no match with my mosquito proof hammock. Yehey, I got some nice and comfy sleep.

PLACES I VISITED

1. Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol. Again, need to get some infos from the Provincial Tourism Office. 

2. Manokan Country. This is a stretch of eateries selling Chicken Inasal, that's what Bacolod is famous of right (Bacolod Chicken Inasal)? It is just walking distance from SM Bacolod, near Bacolod Cathedral. They also have grilled oysters (talaba), perfect as 'pulutan.'

3. Fish Drying Market. Just a small place near Manokan Country. It would be nice to visit that too to know how your 'daing' is made.

4. Bacolod Cathedral. Walking distance from SM Bacolod and Manokan Country, you find the church near the plaza. Beside the Cathedral is La Consolacion College Bacolod.

5. Mambukal Resort, Murcia. Just 17 kilometer away you find a mountain resort which is a sure tourist attraction because of the 7 waterfalls. This is also one of the gateways to Mt. Kanlaon. Mt.Kanlaon is actually an active volcano, the latest eruption happened without warning on August 10, 1996. If not for time constraints and tight budget, I would have climbed it well, maybe next time. Fees and charges can be found on the Day 3.

FOODS I ATE

1. Chicken Inasal from Manokan Country. You haven't been to Bacolod if you don't tast their Inasal. Very different from the Inasal restaurants here in Manila. Eating Inasal is best enjoyed using your bare-hands "kamayan-style' or 'kumot-style.' I also charged my DSLR here.

Chicken Inasal from Manokan Country & Pork BBQ outside Mambukal Resort

2. Pork Inasal outside the Mambukal Resort. Here, I learned the Ilonggo word "kaging-kaging" or crispy. Make my barbeque "kaging-kaging."I ordered 2 barbeques, bought 2 cups of rice and matched it with a ice-cold SML! What a perfect way to end the day.

PEOPLE I MET

Tourism Officer in the Capitol. I forget to get her name but she was the one who told me that backpackers pitch their tent at Mambukal. This led me to pursue Mambukal (I was planning not to go there, good thing she said it).

Carla Johanna. She is the one in-charge in the Mambukal Office at the Capitol. She helped me on what to expect at Mambukal Resort. 

BCC Cheer Dancers. They are practicing their cheer dance in front of the Capitol so I took some photos of them (Oh, they had some jogging before the practice as warm-up).

Michael. An American tourist who loves waterfalls, he is from Guam. We had some chats on nice places in the Philippines. He has high regards in the beauty of our islands.

Day 2 Expenses (in Philippine peso):

P14 Jeepney fare (Fortune Towne to Capitol)

P7   Capitol to Manokan Country

P84 Chicken Inasal with 2 cups of rice

P11 Internet usage (35minutes), upload some pics and update FB status.

P7   Jeepney, Manokan Country to Libertad Terminal (this is the terminal for buses/jeepneys going to Murcia, Don Salvador Benedicto, La Carlota City)

P5   Peanuts

P35 Bus fare (Libertad-Mambukal Resort)

P40 Pork Inasal

P20 Rice

P27 SML

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Php250.00 ($6.00) Exactly P250, whew, a challenge indeed!

using the 10-sec timer of my camera

I actually swam 'naked' on the 3rd day, so I guess I will lose 90% of my readers when I talk about that, I will share it anyway and many more... See you on Day 3!

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thanks for reading journeyingjames- my running stories and travel discoveries-- 

let's walk, run, climb, ride, swim and fly. 

You can find me at Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

Day 1: Touchdown at Silay-Bacolod

Cinco De Noviembre Marker, Silay City

James: Ma, paalis na ako bukas

Mama: Ok, ingat. Saan ka nga pupunta?

James: Backpacking Trip- Negros, Panay at kung saan-saan

Mama: Ok, mag-text ka.

James: Kulang pa yung pera ko e.

Mama: Wala na akong pera.

James: (sa isip lang) Ayos! Pareho pa tayo. 'Wag nang ituloy ito...

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English version

James: (European accent) Mommm, I'll be leaving tomorrow.

Mom: Okay. Take care. Where are you going again?

James: Backpacking Trip- Negros, Panay and many more...

Mom: Okay, just text me your whereabouts.

James: (Hoping I get more pocket money) I don't have enough money.

Mom: I don't have money.

James: (just on my thoughts) Yikes! 

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That's my last conversation with my mom before I left our house on the eve of July 5, 2010 with less than PhP4,000.00 on my pocket. I am on a solo backpacking trip (July 6-21), I left my ATM card and credit cards so I don't have Plan B and not exceed my PhP250/day budget ($6.00) which includes everything- accommodation, food, transportation, etc. 

Today starts the reporting of what happened during the trip that lasted 14 days. You can check out the game plan HERE.

Lucky me, a friend of mine lend me her Nikon DSLR which would help me share the story visually. Thanks again Mitch! I also have another camera (used when running, 2MP Casio Exilim) which Imo (another friend) lend me months before.  I don't know how I will thank both of you.

Makati Skyline the morning of July 6

I woke up the next morning at 5:30am, I have to be in Terminal 2 before 8:00am as my flight is 8:40am. As usual, I was late. I arrived at T2 around 8:20am, still trying to catch my breath because I was running fast only to learn that the check-in counter is already closed (poor me) I wanted to cry. I'm familiar with this kind of situation because this happened to me a lot of times. I approached an airline officer and good thing, he allowed me to board the plane. Whew! That was one tough move. 

Nothing much to share on the plane, I was at the back near the comfort room. After about an hour travel I arrived at Bacolod-Silay Airport. 


Finally, my Php250 starts today! The EXCITEMENT on this journey just drives me crazy. I was observing at the airport, listening to "Ilonggo" conversations. I just realized that I'm on a foreign ground. Calling my 'charisma' and 'adaptability' to help me on my first day.


I started by asking the cheapest way to go to Silay town proper. I asked the van operators and they are charging me P50 (P150 to Bacolod City). There should be another way, just near the airport's gate, tricycles are waiting for passenger. The fare? P10 only. You just have to wait for the other 5 passengers (great, I saved P40). I did my first taste of Negros by eating piaya.


It's hard to tell every detail of my adventures and misadventures, so I think it would be easier if I just do some bullets of the ff:

PLACES I VISITED

Silay City

Ancestral houses complex. I did a DIY walking tour using the map given by the tourism office (you should really drop by and get the free map). You would spend about 2hours or more on the walking tour.


Cinco De Noviembre Marker. The marker say, "On this part of Silay stood the drugstore where Negrense Revolutionaries Secretly helped plan the successful revolution against Spanish Colonial forces in November 5, 1898. Hence, this street was named Cinco de Noviembre." Cool! An insightful dose of history for me, kudos to our Negrense heroes (see the 1st pic above)!

Balay Negrense. This house is among the 29 ancestral houses in Silay that the National Historic Institute had declared as national treasures. This house fuses Spanish and American architecture, made using the Balayong tree trunk as foundation designed and built by Don Victor Gaston around 1898 for his family. Open on Tuesday-Sunday (10:00am-5:00pm). Admission Fee: Adults (P40); Negros Resident (P35); Students and children (P20).

click image to see my favorite disciples

San Diego de Alcala Pro-Cathedral. Designed by Lucio Bernasconi, an Italian architect in 1920, it is famous for its dome is similar to the Basilica of St.Peter in Rome. This most enduring and biggest landmark is a testament to the Silaynon's deep faith and devotion to God.


Guinhalaran Pottery Village. Too bad it began to rain hard when I arrived here so I wasn't able to see the potters do the real thing.

Bacolod City
SM City Bacolod. No choice, have to meet someone here.
The New Bacolod City Government Center. I like its architectural design- amazing to look at especially at night with the fountain in front of it. "Sayang, I'm not with 'someone special' during that time, romantic pa naman."
Provincial Capitol of Occidental Negros.  I already shared about this here.

Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol & Bacolod City Government Center

FOOD I TRIED

Piaya. Of course! You haven't been to Bacolod if you will not taste their piaya (look at the pic below).
KBL. Kadios, Baka at Langka (beans, beef and jackfruit) is their version of Tagalog's "nilagang baboy," more tasty "namit" (delicious) I should admit. I just ate on a "carinderia" near the school, its cheaper and you enjoy the soup while perspiring.

PEOPLE I MET

Mr. Severino Pacete. He is the Tourism Officer of Silay City. He was very helpful. He even let me leave my backpack and some stuff in his office so I can do the walking tour without my heavy bag. Thanks again Sir!
Deneb A. His a friend from UPLB now based in Bacolod City. He taught me some basics in using DSLR. Thanks for the jeepney fare treats and for accompanying me to tito's home.
David Reola. At around 2pm I received a text from my mom. She said that she has a cousin in Bacolod. Great, I now have a place to stay. Thanks Tito for the overnight stay and for the dinner.
Carlos Reola  and his friend Lyndon. Carlos is my second-cousin, after dinner he toured me to the Municipal Bldg and the Provincial Capitol with his supah fast motorcycle. Thanks for the football jersey dude! I'm sorry but I have to give it to the place where I stayed in Guimaras because I have nothing to give them. 

First buy, from Bongbong's store just across the Airport

Day 1 Expenses (in Philippine peso):

P33 Piaya from Bongbong's

P10 Tricycle (from Airport to Silay Town Proper)

P58 Lunch (KBL, 2 cups of rice and a banana)

P10.50 1 500ml bottle of water

P15 Tricycle (Town to Guinhalaran Pottery Village)

P10 Jeepney (Guinhalaran to Bacolod City)

P5   Trisikad to Burgos St.

P7   Jeepney to SM Bacolod

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P148.50 ($3.30)

Brace yourself up and beat the Php148.50 record, Day 2 now up!

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thanks for reading journeyingjames- my running stories and travel discoveries-- 

let's walk, run, climb, ride, swim and fly. 

You can find me at Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

Snapshots Thursday: San Joaquin Church, Iloilo

I think this the beauty of Miag-Ao Church gets so much attention to the point that everyone forgets about San Joaquin Church just 15minutes away from Miag-Ao. I even think that San Joaquin Church is more beautiful than Miag-Ao. But still we cannot compare them because each has a beauty of her own.

Reflections: San Joaquin Church and Belfry

Built in 1859 and finished 10 years after (1869), the San Joaquin Church rivals the stone carvings of Angkor Wat in Siam Reap, Cambodia. The church's facade depicts the Battle of Tetuan- the war between the Spanish Christians and the Moroccan Moors.

This work of art 'Rendicion D Tetuan' was spearheaded by Fr. Tomas Santaren, done by contracted Chinese, Mexican and Spanish artists using coral stones (from the nearby shores) and limestones (from the mountains of the nearby town, Igbaras), as their medium. It is said that townfolks are required to help building the church as they are forced to cut stones to be designed by the master artists.

Intricately carved limestones.

With its militaristic motif, this church distinguishes herself from other old churches in the Philippines. It was said that one of the artists of this beautiful bas-relief was honoring his father who was one of those who fought at the siege of Tetuan. If that is so, this is a labor of love and of continued perpetuity.

Adding to her glory, the National Historic Institute declared this cultural gem a national historic site last January 14, 1974.

San Joaquin is  situated 54kms from Iloilo City, the last town on the Southwestern part of Iloilo. Its just an hour away from Iloilo City.

Sidetrip:

Beach- Just a stone-throw away you can swim on the beach, its for free of course.

Campo Santo- literally "Field of Saints" or their cemetery which sits on a hill overlooking the ocean is just a kilometer away.

Rafflesia Flower- the biggest flower in the world is also found in Bad-as, San Joaquin.

Batchoy- I think San Joaquin offers something that is better than Ted's Batchoy. I tasted it at Charlyn's Batchoy Eatery (near the church, infront of the public market) for only P25.

How to get there:

The most popular mode of transportation to San Joaquin is the jeepney, terminal is at Cor.Fuentes-De Leon Street, Supermarket, Iloilo City.

Fare: PhP60-65

All buses and jeepneys going to Antique pass by San Joaquin, the Antique bus terminal is located at San Pedro Street at Molo.

From Panini-y, Antique: Its just an hour and 30minutes bus/jeepney ride.

Special thanks to Ms. Erlyn Alunan, the town's tourism officer, for the the informations she has given. If you are visiting San Joaquin be sure to drop by at the Tourism Office which is just a few meters from the church.

All photos are unedited and copyrighted, if you are going to use it

please ask permission first from  <yarp83@gmail.com>. Thanks!

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thanks for reading journeyingjames- my running stories and travel discoveries

-- let's walk, run, climb, ride, swim and fly

Be a fan of journeyingjames on FACEBOOK or follow me on TWITTER.

Snapshots Thursday: Stuff for the 14-Day Trip

I want to start my story with the things I brought with me during the backpacking challenge.

When are you going to do this?

Number one rule in backpacking trips: TRAVEL LIGHT. If you think you gonna need it, you don't, just leave it. I will highlight in red the most useful stuff.

So here's the list of the things I need during the 14-day trip:

The Day After the Challenge

SLEEP ALL DAY

I just woke up. I think this is the 5th time I woke up this day.

1st- inside Montenegro Lines Office at Roxas Pier, Oriental Mindoro (1:50am)

2nd- inside the truck full of cows and goats where I hitchhiked (3:45am)

3rd- inside the truck again (6:00am), nearing Calapan City Port

4th- inside the ship (10:05am), nearing Batangas City Port

5th- my Aunt's house in Lipa City where I headed before going back to Laguna (5:30pm)

REST and EAT

I'm so tired "kapoy"! What I want to do is just sleep all day. Not that I wasn't able to sleep during the backpacking challenge. I got lots of sleep actually in different places- mountains, beach fronts, beach, bahay-kubo, comfortable beds, etc.

 In one of my hotels: The Woods Hotel, Somewhere in Negros Occidental

I think my body just missed the comfort of a real home. I'm here in what I consider my 2nd home, and as much as I want to go back to Laguna today, I think I will just go home tomorrow. What I really want now is to sleep and eat.

MASSAGE

One thing more, I want to have a full-body massage from the feet up. Friends recommend Wensha. I love too go there but that's in Manila, I think I will just visit the spa lounge near our house in Los Banos.

TOTAL EXPENSES?

I still haven't computed my total expenses. All I know is that I only got (*checking my coin purse*) PhP24 in my pocket. I brought in less than PhP4,000.00 when I boarded the plane to Silay-Bacolod Airport 14 days ago. I also left my credit cards and ATM card in the house so there will be no plan B. Anyway, I have the rest of the week to compute that.

 My boarding pass (when I arrived at T2, the checking-in counter was already closed.) 

Good thing, someone still allowed me to board the plane. I don't have a check-in baggage so that made it was easier.

As of now, I just want to eat, sleep and find time to write my stories, upload some photos and catch up with online friends.

Thanks for being with me in this journey. Let me thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

Thank God I'm safe and I don't have a disease or anything.

Oh, before I forgot, please visit back for the stories in the following days. I hope you can mention and share this to your friends or people you know who loves adventure, travel or backpacking. Thanks again! 

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Ready and Excited for the Next 14 Days

By the time you are read this, I'm off travelling already.

I write this quick note before I left Los Banos, Laguna to embark an exciting shoe-string journey to the Visayas up until Batangas. You can check out my favorite post about this trip here: 

14 Days Solo Backpacking Challenge. 

Anyway, thess are the quotes that I want to share for those who love travelling/backpacking like me,

"The true traveler is he who goes on foot, and even then, he sits down a lot of the time." 

-Colette

"The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, 

of adventure, of experience.

The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him.  

He goes 'sight-seeing.'"  

-Daniel J. Boorstin

"When I had youth I had no money; now I have the money I have no time; 

and when I get the time, if I ever do, I shall have no health to enjoy life."

-Louisa May Alcott

"Carpe diem! Rejoice while you are alive; enjoy the day; live life to the fullest; 

make the most of what you have. It is later than you think."

-Horace, Ancient Roman poet

The marooned phrases struck me. Well, you have to reflect on what Louisa said. More of my favorite quotes here.

I'm done with my homework- research on the things I would expect. I will print later the maps of the provinces that I will go to. 

Honestly, I do not have a planned itinerary (thank God I'm more a risk-taker; zero OCness), I will go with the flow. Live and act like the locales! I wish I can speak Ilonggo too. "Di man ako kabalo mag-Ilonggo."

I also want to share my latest twits:

You can follow me at http://twitter.com/journeyingjames for real-time updates on my travel discoveries

I also made a calling card for the people I will meet along the way.

I'm really excited for this super adventure. P250/day or less (US$6) for 2 weeks! God bless and guide me. Praying that I be in good state of health on the following days.

Day 1 kicks off tomorrow at Bacolod-Silay Airport, exactly 9:55am. 

First challenge: find someone who will bring me to town for free or at least share taxi fare.

And before I forget, I want to thank my sister, Kit for some valuable help in this travel; Mitchikay for her camera; CouchSurfing and friends. Woohooo, I'm getting ready, getting ready...

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