"Falls" In Love in Badian

Badian is near to Moalboal, Cebu. I recommend this place for someone who loves nature like me. You need to trek in order for you to reach the famous Kawasan Falls. On your way to the falls, you will see green things that will make you feel good. You will also smell and breathe the soothing fresh air.

When you reach Kawasan Falls, you will see two or three levels of the waterfalls. You need to trek again to see all those falls. You can enjoy swimming here and riding a raft.

Badian, Cebu
April 2008
With some CIE Cebu Teachers

Feel the Spirit of Boracay in Moalboal

Moalboal is located at the southern part of Cebu. I have visited the place when the whole faculty decided to have a year-ender outing.

Moalboal is blessed with wonderful nature. I was stunned by how lovely its beach is. That time, I felt like I was in Boracay.

Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines
April 2008
With CIE Cebu Teachers

Superb Bantayan!

Bantayan Island is one of the three wonderful islands in Cebu. This place is superb! The beach is really nice. It is considered as the small Boracay in Cebu since it has also white sand and clear water.

Usually, people visit Bantayan on April because this is the fiesta of the place. In our case, we visited Bantayan on November 2007. We stayed in Sugar Beach Resort. As far as I could remember, the rest house we rented is affordable.

While we were in the island, we enjoyed island hopping and snorkeling. We as well savored the good taste of their seafood.

Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines
November 2007
With some CIE teachers

See-bu!

Cebu is probably one of the nicest places in the Philippines. Truly indeed that it is the “Queen City of the South”!

I moved to Cebu right after my graduation for a job offer. I accepted it just for purely adventure reasons.

It is enjoyable to be in this place. I like it because it is peaceful. The people are welcoming, except for the fact that they always battle with the people from Manila. I have encountered more Cebuanos who are nice to be with, but it is inevitable for them not to insert their ill feelings for the Tagalas (term they used for people from Manila) during our conversations.

On my first year in Cebu, I have seen how beautiful the place is. When you are in the city, you should not miss to visit the Basilica del Sto. Nino. Many devotees come to the church to pray and to thank the patron for the blessings He showered. Also, other people visit the church to ask for some help and guidance. When you are at the outside part of the church, you will see some old woman dancing while holding a candle. This is what they call as “Sinulog”, and this is done so that whatever you wish and pray for will come true. I have tried this when I was about to take the Licensure Examination for Teachers. When the result was released, I passed the test.

Fort San Pedro is another attraction in Cebu City. It was built long time ago during the Spanish conquest in the Philippines. You can see some old weapons here including the canons that were used before during the war.

Taoist Temple is also a great place to visit. This is where some of the Chinese in Cebu worship their God. As this is a sacred place, you must observe silence and proper decorum. There are some areas in the temple where taking of pictures is prohibited. You will see a miniature of “Great Wall of China” once you are inside the temple.

Mactan Shrine is a well-known spot in Cebu as (according to Philippine History) this is the place where Magellan and Lapu-lapu fought. In the shrine, you will find Lapu-lapu’s monument.

Near Mactan Shrine is the world famous Shangrila Mactan Resort and Spa. This is a five-star hotel so it is really a wonderful place. A night of stay in the hotel costs at around 11,000 php. The beach has white sand and very clear water. They also have pools, spa, restaurant, and other amenities. The place is truly magnificent and incomparable!

If you are the type of a person who likes nature, perhaps you can visit Mountain’s View Park. This is a highland place in Cebu, and the best time to go there is during the night because you can see the lights of the whole city.

Cebu City, Philippines
April 2007
With Corey, Jang and Marian

Island Hopping at Hundred Islands

Hundred Islands is a well-known tourist destination in Alaminos, Pangasinan. Its name gives you a hint that the place has around 100 big and small islands to explore. Not only that, the place is also blessed with beautiful caves.

Governor’s Island is the biggest island in the place. The Pinoy Big Brother House, where the challenge of the first teen edition happened, was built in this island. Some of the tv series such as Marina were also shot in the islands.

To reach the other islands, you can walk or ride a boat if it is high tide. There is an island in the place where need to enter in the cave and jump from up to the sea water. You will never get bore in this wonderful place. It is all because if you are bored of staying in one island, you still have 99 islands to explore.


Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan, Philippines
April 2006
With UP Sandigan

The Magnificent Songs of the Sea

Have you heard the Songs of the Sea? It is not what as you think that the sea sings. Songs of the Sea is a theater performance in Sentosa Island, Singapore. It is a show combining the elements of fire, water, and light plus a great presentation from the performers.

Songs of the Sea attracts thousands of tourists in Singapore. From the city of Singapore, you need to take the MRT going to Harbour Front. When you are in the Harbour Front station, you need to ride again an MRT that will take you to the beautiful island of Sentosa.

The show starts at 8 in the evening, and it lasts for around two hours. A payment of 10 Singaporean dollars is worth it after watching the show. The Songs of the Sea performance has a very wonderful view. The audience sit by the beach and as you wait for the show to start, you can witness the beautiful sunset.

Many spectators wait patiently for the show to begin. When it starts, you will be amazed by the astounding performance of the artists. Their show is a combination of singing, dancing, and acting. The performers are really great in singing, and they dance gracefully. Their acting is as wonderful as the professional artists. In additional, this performance is complemented by splendid fireworks, refreshing water, and luminous lights to make the show truly unforgettable. As the fireworks go off, it gives a pleasant feeling to the audience. The fireworks show in between the presentation adds to a wonderful ambience. It gives a romantic touch to the surroundings. Bring your girlfriend here, and for sure, you will get a positive response when you ask “Will you marry me?”

The variety show “Songs of the Sea” is something that you should not miss to watch when you are in Singapore. It makes your Singapore trip memorable because of having witness such a one of a kind performance.

Sentosa Island, Singapore
May 2010
With Teacher Halzi

Holy Week '07 in Cam Norte with Corey

My college friend, Corey, brought me to her hometown in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte, and there we spent our Holy Week. Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte is part of Bicol Region. Corey told me that Padilla family originated from this town.

Jose Panganiban is just a very small place. Yet, I was amazed to see a huge number of people offering prayers in the church and professing their belief to the God they adore. Corey’s house is just beside the church. We needed to be in the church as early as we could so we would have a vacant chair to sit in. When the mass started, a lot of people were standing and some of them flocked even at the outside part of the church.

During the holy week, there is one ritual you can witness in Jose Panganiban. There are people with masks who carry something to hit their back. They walk around the town from a mountain (according to Corey), and they will end up at the pier where they will jump into the sea. Some of the local residents do it as a sacrifice so that their sins will be forgiven. Others do it because this is their payment in exchange of an answered prayer.

When Sunday approached, Corey’s family and I went swimming. The beach has steep stones, but the place is great for relaxation. The clean water is safe for a long dipping and soaking.


On our last day in Jose Panganiban, Corey toured me around the town. It is a peaceful place where you can see people playing basketball in the plaza and hanging out in the park. Among the nicest places I have seen is the “Il Mare”. I do not know how they call this place, but I call it “Il Mare” since it resembles the house in the movie “Il Mare”.



Camarines Norte, Philippines
March 2007
With Corey