Revisiting Matabungkay Beach

Matabungkay Beach is located in the town of Lian, Batangas. According to the locals it was “rediscovered” in the early 1950s by Germans who were looking for a go-to paradise within proximity to the bustling Manila. Since then, Matabungkay transformed into a tourist destination from a simple fishing village. The shore is enveloped in a cove and is strewn with ashen sand and off-white fine grain sand that sparkles a white glow when struck by sunlight. It is bordered landward by a long, cramped lane of resorts and stores. 

The waters of Matabungkay is clear, vivid and calm with no strong splurges of waves. It does not also have a sudden deep section making it safe for swimming even for children. One interesting feature of the beach are the traditional bamboo floating rafts or balsas (floating cottages) that can be rented for a day. Also available for rent are the Banana Boat, Jet Ski, Pedal Boat and Speed Boat to complete a total beach experience.

 

 

How to Get There:

1.) You can ride a bus bound for Nasugbu, then alight at Lian Town Proper.

2.) Once in Lian, you can then ride jeepneys bound for Matabungkay Beach.

The Historical Mestizo River Cruise

The Mestizo River Cruise is operated by the City Geovernment of Vigan to reinforce the Heritage Conservation Program using the historical Mestizo River to trace the historical timeline of the said city. Through the 45 minute river tour, a voice over is played narrating the City's origin, historical background and other life sized tableaus. Classical and ilocano folk music will be heard throughout the cruise, and the tour guide also explains more about the stories of the Mestizo River. The graphic representations serves as stopovers to depict the major historical events that shaped Vigan to what it has become today as a UNESCO World Heritage City in the Philippines.

The  recorded narration also  tells why Vigan was able to preserve it's vibrant past. During World War II, Fujihima Takayashi successfully convinced his fellow Japanese soldiers to spare this town from the ravages of war.

How to Get There:

1. Once in Vigan, tell the Trike driver that you are interested in Vigan Heritage River Cruise.

2. A fee of 100 pesos for per person will be charged for anyone who wants to experience the cruise, boat leaves even with a single passenger

Mindoro Black Beach in Vigan

The not so familiar beach in Vigan is located in the coastline of Brgy. Mindoro of the said city. Playa de Oro Resort, is the only resort that caters to the Black Beach that is comprised of fine grain black sand, it faces the West Philippine Sea and a picturesque sunset can be best viewed here.

As Black Beach is not popular to Filipno beach goers, the opposite goes to foreign tourist who will die for a black beach sand. According to some locals that i've talked to, the beach was legally and illegally mined in the previous years before the locals protested and halted the quarrying. As it turned out the sand is rich in iron ore or magnetite, a precious mineral commodity. 

It's a nice place to visit when in Vigan, the place is not crowded - fresh air and calm waves from the sea will greet anyone who wishes to relax and be alone with nature.

How to Get There:

1. Once in Vigan, just tell the Trike driver that you are interested to visit the Mindoro Black Beach. It's way above the normal fare. 

Venice Grand Canal

Located in McKinley Hills in Taguig City, the Venice Grand Canal opened last February 2016. It is a mall which is a replica from the famed Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. The design was inspired from the Venetian Gothic architectural style that combines the use of the Gothic lancet arch with Byzantine and Moorish architecture influences. The style originated in 14th century Venice with the confluence of Byzantine styles from Constantinople.

Gondola ride is available for 500 pesos per person and will let you experience the romantic feeling of the emerald waters of the canal together with Italian tune that plays on the background. Restaurants and food stores are located in the mall that is still doing some finishing touches.

How to Get There:
1. You can ride a Citylink buses that are bound for McKinley Hills. 

Baguio Botanical Garden

One of the most popular tourist attraction in Baguio City is the Baguio Botanical Garden. The garden is also known as the Igorot Village where you can find authentic Igorot Nipa huts set in a picturesque landscape adorned with well cultivated landscape of plants, trees and different species of highland flora and fauna. Japanese Tunnel, Chinese/Korean friendship park and different stores that sell different items and "pasalubong"can be found inside the garden.

At the main entrance a group of Igorots are dressed in their authentic native attire and they are more than willing to pose with visitors for a souvenir picture. 

How to Get There:

1.) From Baguio City ride a jeep that passes Leonard Wood St. (Mines View, Pacdal and Itogon)

Manaoag Basilica Minor Church

Manaoag is a first class municipality in Pangasinan bordered by Pozorrubio in the north, Urdaneta City and Mapandan in the south, Laoac in the east, and San Jacinto in the west. Manaoag came from the Pangasinan  word "Mantaoag" which means "to call". The town is a popular local pilgrimage site for Catholics as it enshrines a 17th-century ivory statue of Mary under the title of Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Manaoag.

All sorts of Pasalubongs, religious relics and local delicacies are sold outside the church's premises such as Tupig - a popular native delicacy which is made out of ground glutinous rice and coconuts strips wrapped in banana leaves then cooked over charcoal  &  Patupat - an Ilocano version of suman, a glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and sugar then wrap in banana leaves and steamed.

Eventhough I am not a Catholic, but as a traveler and photographer I admire the picturesque facade of the church - it is  comparable to European renaissance structures. 

(Patupat)

(Tupig)

How to Get There:

1.) There are buses bound for Manaoag from Cubao.

2.) It is a popular stop over from Baguio.

Revisiting the Philippine Military Academy

On May 20, 1950 the Corps of Cadets went to occupy the current site of the Academy in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City near the Loakan airport.

"I came from the land of kings where everyone can do what he wishes, I hiked the plains of Luzon and hurdled the mountains of Baguio just to reach my precious destination, the Philippine Military Academy." Now I'm here not as a Plebe but as a Traveler and Blogger.

If a cadet is a larva, the Philippine Military Academy is his cocoon where transformations take place, where the larva slowly develops into a beautiful butterfly. PMA is the cocoon that molds a young boy into a man of character and wisdom. The Academy with it's mission: "To instruct, train and develop the cadets so that each graduate shall possess the character, the broad and basic military skills and education essential to the successful pursuit of a progressive military career", equips him the necessary  skills and attributes he needs to be able to face  the many uncertainties of life as he performs the multifaceted role in the society as a soldier.

The cadet's training starts the moment he is received as a plebe. Throughout the  four-year stay in the Academy, he will undergo rigorous physical training to develop stamina to continue even if he feel like quiting, the endurance to withstand pain even if he is pushed to the limits. It is demanding but he has to take it all because he knows that there are more difficulties in the future and he needs all the preparations he can get to be able to meet the demands of an ever-changing environment.

(wordings are excerpt from Peemayer and Gray Notes) 

How to Get There:
1. Once in Baguio City, you can ride a PMA bound jeepney with signboard PMA - Kias

2. Sandals and slippers are not allowed inside the academy, be sure to wear proper shoes.