Great Expectations and Small Surprises–It’s All More Fun

By: Lou Maningas Cabalona

 

In my January article, I shared with you all, a rundown of the many adventures we wanted to accomplish during our 29-day vacation in the Philippines. Despite it being a tall list of to do’s (check out the January 2015 archives on ViaTimes.net) and even with an equally demanding community work scheduled, I am happy to report that we were able to check off nearly every item in the list!

After experiencing 7 different provinces, 3 islands, 4 worldrenowned scenic and historical sites, 1 devil’s mountain (Prayer Mountain according to the Mayor), and countless hidden gems for those who seek to get to know the Philippines a bit more personally, I feel fulfilled and astonished.

I will not deny though, I did expect to be amazed by our country’s raw beauty and the rich stories about our peoples’ past that I would not be able to capture in any of the books written about us.

I also expected that there will be some small sacrifices – like hiking under the scorching heat of the sun, or totally muddying our sneakers walking along rice paddies, or spending 10 hours zigzagging around the mountain roads of the Cordilleras from Banaue to Vigan. However, there were a few things I didn’t really expect but turned out to be really neat discoveries!

Happy to share that…

1. Many attractions now have active Tourism Offices…Armed with the handy internet on our mobile, we were ready to just ask locals for tips on where to stay or what places to visit in our out-of-town trips. It was refreshing to know though that even places as remote as the Ifugao Rice Terraces or Vigan City, Ilocos Sur now have prominent Tourism offices.

Stopping at Banaue Tourism Office, we found a huge map on display with the different sights in the area and how long the travel was (in hours) from that point. They also had a list of tours available with standard pricing. There, we were able to pick the best accommodations for us for the night and arrange the tour that fits our schedule and budget. Upon reaching the Bangga-an Rice Terraces the following morning, we were also thankful that we heeded their advice of renting a jeepney and driver instead of taking our van through the narrow cliff roads on a rainy day.

2. Filipino Food is at the center of Culinary Curations, Events and Adventures

A visit home always meant a daily dose of Filipino Food favorites. We were delighted to find out these tasteful sensations are no longer just found in our family’s homes.

Last year, we got introduced to a lot of notable nouveau Filipino restaurants from Abe, Mesa to JJ’s Inasal sprouting in Manila. This time, we got a full range of “delicious” from discovering the best Bangus sisig at Chicken Bacolod (considered a fast-food place) to tasting exquisite dishes with a local twist prepared by award-winning chefs, Chef Lau of Guevarra’s and Chef Escalante in Antonio’s Fine Dining in Tagaytay. Even simple dishes like the humble Okoy become the star of the table at Café Felicitas along with the Vigan favorites – Bagnet and Empanada.

In our last few days, we also learned about Culinary Walking Tours in Binondo and Culinary Heritage Tours happening all over the Philippines with a slogan “Let’s travel, eat and learn!” This is sure to be in our to-do list in our next visit!

3. Marvelous Must-Sees right in the heart of Metro Manila

You don’t have to travel far to find many Philippine treasures! In 2012, as part of the immersion program of the 10 FilAm Youth Leaders selected by Philippine Ambassador to the US, Jose L. Cuisia, I met with Fernando Zobel de Ayala and Ayala Foundation’s Luli De Leon at the Ayala Museum and was able to take a quick peek at the museum’s extensive Gold collection from the 16th century Philippines discovered in Surigao in the 1980s.

I was fascinated with the tangible proof of our advanced society even before the Spanish came and I felt that was something every Filipino should know about. This year, I made it a point not only to go back to the Ayala Museum to see the rest of the exhibits; I also took advantage of a one-day Jeepney Tour to other Museums and historical spots in Manila.

Here are the highlights of our “Manila Tour”…

Ayala Museum – The Surigao Gold collection; The Diorama Experience chronicles the significant events in Philippine History through 60 handcrafted dioramas by artisans in Paete, Laguna and museum researchers and historians. You can also preview 15 of the 60 dioramas online by googling “Dioramas at Google Art”. If you have limited time, the 2nd floor also has a free exhibit featuring Manila during World War II.

Malacanang Palace – The Presidential Museum and Library showcase many important pictures, letters, artifacts and memorabilia about each of the 15 Presidents of the Philippines, their First Ladies, and the significant events that occurred at Malacanang. You only need to reserve a slot online at malacanang.gov.ph two weeks before and remember to check appropriate dress code.

National Museum – If you aren’t too keen on arts and archeological item, you can come here for only one thing – seeing celebrated 19th-century painter, Juan Luna’s Spoliarium. Check out my picture and you’ll understand why.

San Agustin Church, Intramuros – The oldest stone church in the Philippines was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, being one of four Baroque Churches in the country. Must-sees are: the ornate decorations inside the Church; the tombstones of prominent church patrons, as well as the first Spanish Governor of the Philippines, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. In the Museum, there are 26 large antique oil paintings, many life-size images of Saints in gold-embroidered robes and an air-conditioned room filled with ivory statues, sacred vessels, church vestments and church furniture in gold or silver. There are so many things to see, you may need the whole day to view everything. And all for 100Php ($2.50)

4. Bathrooms (most of them) now have tissues. One thing that I always wanted to improve in the Philippines was the lack of maintenance in public restrooms. In 2012, we saw a rise in well-maintained bathrooms but they unfortunately charged each person 10Php (25 cents) per use. This year, I noticed rest rooms no longer charge pay per use although establishments are still making an effort in keeping the “comfort rooms” clean and well-stocked with tissue. Yay!

5. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport is finally getting a facelift

On our flight back to Chicago, I couldn’t help but notice the new shiny flooring, updated check in counters and the much brighter departure area of NAIA Terminal 1. I was told they started renovations on the 32-year-old International Terminal Building last January, and it is expected to be completed within a year.

How neat is that?! I guess we won’t be part of the Top 10 Worst Airports in the World anymore!

Watch out for updates on the progress in Tacloban as well as our participation in the Third Global Summit of Filipinos in the Diaspora in the next issue! ##

Baron and my brother J-rick pointing to the Village at the bottom of the Banggaan Rice Terraces; Mom and me posing by the oldest preserved Ifugao home in the village after the 40-minute trek down

The Vigan Dancing Fountain puts on 2 shows every night like the Bellagio fountains in Vegas according to their Tourism Office. So glad we checked out the spectacular lights show.

Our family (from R to L) Mama Sally Mesde, J-Rick, Baron and Louella, Joanna and Savy and Yaya Jen enjoying Vigan’s famous empanada and Bagnet at Lilong and Lilang’s Hidden Garden Restaurant, while our waiter guards the food from outdoor insects.

Meeting with Ms. Luli De Leon and JQ Quesada of Ayala Foundation Inc before we visited Ayala Museum; Louella with Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

 

Luna’s Spoliarium magnificently greets guests at the entrance of the National Musuem.