Tagaytay Highlands (Just A Glimpse)

The name itself would describe the kind of scenery and travel experience you'll have when you visit Tagaytay Highlands. 

We took the usual route on our way to Tagaytay and for me that's quite boring. The only part that I normally enjoy is when we get to see the beautiful Taal Volcano/Lake.

 

On your way to Tagaytay Highlands, you will both see and feel that you're heading to a higher part of the mountain – the wind is getting colder and when you look outside the window of your car, it's obvious that you're on the road that's built on top of the mountain. And the way the developer created everything – the road, the landscape, the style – it's really meant for a high standard of living.

The road's perfect for a Tokyo Drift-type of drag race.

Let your eyes feast on the breath-taking scenery once you reach the main entrance.

  

 

Our Lady of Manaoag, Pangasinan - Tip As When To Go or Not To Go

Your Not-So-Ordinary Sunday Mass

Our Lady of Manaoag, Pangasinan

It wasn’t my first time to visit Our Lady of Manaoag Church in Pangasinan, but it was only last Oct. 5, 2014 that I was able to take some photos and to have the liberty to go anywhere I want. The last time I was in Manaoag – I was still in my minor years.

Taking NLEX (North Luzon Express Way) / SCTEX going to Pangasinan has always been very convenient – I love that road.

However, our driver decided to take a shortcut. I just found this signage and I had to say bye to a more beautiful and peaceful scenery in NLEX.

The Rosary Month is being celebrated in October. My aunties found it to be a perfect month to hear a mass in Manaoag Church. But I guess it’s not a good idea, especially if you’re planning to go there on Sunday. I honestly didn’t find enough time to pray and found it hard listening to the homily because of the crowd. I prefer a quieter atmosphere inside a church if I want to have a heart to heart talk with those Big Bosses up there.

Lesson Learned: Do not go to Manaoag on Sunday or in October if you opt to have a relaxing and a holier visit.

Since I was not alone and it wasn’t really I who planned this trip, I couldn’t just decide where to go or when to leave. I was just able to steal a few moments while my aunties were busy buying some religious stuff and while they’re still lighting their candles. I took a walk and photos as well.

Parish Hall, located at the side of the church.

Benches are available in case you need one.

Museum, almost fronting the Parish Hall. I was disappointed that it was closed. I was looking forward taking photos of those huge statues.

Religious store. Few steps away from the Museum. Perhaps, 5 steps away?

Candle Lighting Area.

Candle Lighting Area – view from the Religious Store.

Candle Lighting Area – view from a distance.

The Rosary Garden. At least I was able to accomplish one thing on my list.

And perhaps the crowd and hot temperature besides the annoying traffic made them tired. I actually prefer to have some ME TIME, so I was lucky that they’d rather take a rest than to go with me to see the place.

 

Life-size statues that shows each mystery of the rosary.














With a fountain in the middle.

We were supposed to go to see the Lighthouse in Bolinao after our Manaoag visit, but Bolinao happens to be a few-hour drive from Manaoag. My aunties are a bit killjoy and do not appreciate the value of traveling. We were almost there (perhaps in an hour or hour and a half) when they all decided to go home

How to Go to Anawangin Cove in Zambales

How to go to Anawangin




Anwangin Cove is one of the most beautiful places I have visited. The picturesque view will leave you wanting for more. It's like you're in a different country.

The entire weekend would be enough to enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of the cove, as well as the other nearby islands. It's better to leave Manila on Friday before midnight and you'll arrive in Anawangin at around 7 or 8 in the morning.

Going on a solo trip, however isn't advisable. Grab at least one friend when going to the cove.
Going there is easy - even someone who doesn't have a very good sense of direction could safely arrive in that place. Take a cab going to Victory Liner bus station in Caloocan and get on the bus bound to San Antonio (Zambales). Tell the driver to drop you off to San Antonio (Landmark: San Antonio Municipal Hall.) Bus fare is between Php 200-300.

From the municipal hall, hail a tricycle and tell the driver to bring you to Pundaquit. It's just a small village which serves as the drop off point to Anawangin (and Nagsasa, Capones, and Camara). Before hopping in, you can ask the driver if he could refer you to someone with a rent-a-boat business. You'll have 90% chance that they could give you a good referral - most of the drivers and fishermen are friends!

Once in Pundaquit, try to haggle for the boat price (which usually ranges between Php 1,000 - 2,000). It's a small boat that can accommodate around 5 pax. Mr. Fisherman/Boatman will take you to Anawangin and fetch you either at 5PM or on the following day (latest is at 7 o'clock). Additional charge will apply if you'll ask him to take take you to Camara and Capones.


Proposed Itinerary:

Friday:
11PM - ETD (from the bus station)

Saturday:
5AM or 6AM - ETA (San Antonio)

In case you're hungry, there's a small canteen in the area (taste is tolerable)

Your choice if you prefer to go island hopping on the very same day or just take a rest first, swim, and enjoy/explore/ the entire place. You can do the island hopping early in the morning on Sunday.

ETD (from Anawangin)

Saturday: 5PM or
Sunday: noon time

Should you want to have an over night stay in Anawangin, be sure to bring water, food, tissue or wipes, lighter, and flash light with you. Most of the Fishermen/Boat Owners also have the tent-for-rent business, so you can just tell them if you need one. A small tent is less than Php 500 that can accommodate 3 persons (or maybe you can bring your own tent). They'll also help you pitch your tent if you do not know how to.
Find a place that's either near the bathroom or somewhere with lots of trees.

All about Anawangin and Capones (View from the lighthouse: perfect!)

Local vendors also wander around to sell hammock (whose price becomes super lower, like less than Php 100 at around 5PM) and other souvenir items (key chains, pearl jewelries). There's also a small "store" in Anawangin that sells instant noodles (they'll cook it for you, disposable plate and fork included), bread, and softdrinks.

Short City Tour – Cagayan De Oro's Well Known Landmarks

CDO Traveler's Guide: LINK (Hotel, Mode of Transportation, Budget, etc.)

After my initial (3-in1 city attraction) city tour, I took a walk and found some PUJs passing by. I decided to check their route – I was thinking of taking a PUJ instead of cab going back to D'Budgetel.

3-in1 City Attraction in CDO LINK

From Gaston Park, I took a PUJ going back to Ayala/Gaisano Mall.

You'll get to see some of CDO's famous landmarks/places on your way there.

Cogon Market

 Limketkai Mall - looks nice. Lots of Cabs and PUJ outside.

Mindanao Science and Technology University

Ayala Mall, Centrio (This mall has a better ambiance)

 

It wouldnt be an Ayala mall without its garden. Besdies Ketkai, Centrio's another better choice if you'd like to go malling - with lots of high end and regular fastfood, with coffee shops, and various stores. My favorite Nailaholics is there, too.

 

Gaisano's just across Centrio. Gaisano (City) Mall doesn't have a very appealing facade, but it looks quite normal inside. If you're an economical type of eater and shopper, you wouldn't find this disappointing.

My hotel's just walking distance from Gaisano Mall (near Capitol University)

City Museum of Cagayan De Oro

City Museum of Cagayan De Oro was part of my 3-in-1 short/few-hour city tour (It's a few steps away from ST. Augustine Cathedral and Gaston Park).

The museum is inside this capsule-like building.

 

 

 

 

 

 

First floor – visitors will learn more about CDO's History (Battle/s)

 

Second floor: It houses some antique stuff plus photos of prominent people in 1960s. Locals of CDO are very proud of these respected people. Some of the streets within the city are actually named after those people in the pictures (Borja, Neri)

 



                                                                                 Neri

 

CDO City

 

 

 

1940s Football Team

 

CDO's Oldest Newspaper

 

The museum is a three-story building, but the third floor looks a bit spooky when I first saw it, especially when a beauty queen's old gown (1960s) is the first thing that you'll see when you reach 3^rd floor.

 

1960's Ms.Cagayan De Oro's Gown

 

 

Borja

 

This one's quite inspiring.

 

 

Relics found in Gaston Park

 
Gaston Park and St. Augustine Cathedral