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

-------------

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!

--------------------------------------------------

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...

-------

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! 

------

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

----------------

P148.50 ($3.30)

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

--------------------------------------------------

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.

Days 1-4: Ilonggo Words to Remember

It's hard to travel alone add there that you don not know anyone from the places you are going to. Then you don't even know how you would communicate because of language barrier. But these things just makes the journey more exciting. 

 

 Namit Chicken Inasal at Manokan Country, Bacolod City

You just have to be curious, as for myself, I always rely on my natural charm and charisma.

Anyway, I just want to share the new words I learned as I backpack. These are Ilonggo words:

Day 1: NAMIT - delicious / masarap

This is my favorite expression after every "first" taste of the new place I go to. I used this in Piaya, Inasal and Guimaras Mango

Day 2: PALIHOG - please / paki

Because I rely on people's help, I use this as a sign of respect. The Visayas don't use "po" and "opo" as the Tagalogs do.

Day 3: KAGING-KAGING - crispy / malutong

When I ordered pork barbecue, I heard someone said, "kaging-kaging." I learned that is for the barbecue to be crispy, so that it is more "namit."

Day 4: DOUBLE-TIRE - minibus / jeep na parang bus

When I was in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental going back to La Carlota I rode a tricycle. The driver asked, "Ceres" o "Double-Tire?" Of course, I said "double-tire." Its a mode of transportation found in the roads of Negros. It has 6 tires 2 at the front and 4 at the back that's why its called "double-tire." It is much "barato" too compared to Ceres, which is the bus company.

  After the attack! Namit talga!

By the way, "Inde ako kabalo mag-Ilonggo, gamay lang"

Share |