MAYON

Mayon Volcano is located in Albay province, rising 2,462 meters from the shoreline, Mayon comes from the Bicolano word "Magayon" means maganda or "Daragang Magayon" beautiful lady. The word itself portrays the true beauty of this grandeur of the perfect cone in shape Volcano. Mayon is an active volcano.

MAJESTIC

Mayon is already a very familiar volcano to every Filipino since elementary, every school have pictures of it to give the students a good presentation on how fortunate we are, we have this perfect cone in shape volcano to be found only in the Philippines... This time I have opportunity to see the Mayon in personal, a side trip from a work assignment in Legazpi City. Unfortunately my trip was coincident with a typhoon Karen that hit along the northern part of the Philippines, yet this part of region have been affected of cloudy and stormy weather. On my next post i will surely give better view of Mayon when the cloud is clear and she is ready to show up.

 LEGAZPI CITY

Legazpi City is the largest in the Bicol region, a capital of Albay province. It was became a City for the second time on June 28, 1948. The first city mayor was Jose Arboleda commissioned by President Elpidio Quirino. Legazpi became City finally for the third time on June 12, 1959.

TRICYCLE OF LEGAZPI CITY

Only in the Philippines... every place I go i'll be posting also a different kinds of motorcycle transportation it depends to the place, I am sure every place has its own version...

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D'BUDGETEL

If you happen to be in Cagayan de Oro here are some hotels I have stayed during my visit. Lots of hotels you can find in an internet, one of them have I chose was the Budgetel. Accommodation is good in general, attendants and the front desk officers are very well accommodating, they have wide visitor's lounge area, a strong WI-FI at cafeteria and a well secured entrance and perimeter. They have to check your baggage upon entry after you have registered your bookings, slightly hustle but for safety reason this is good.

A wide parking area offered to those who have vehicles

They offer also backpackers accommodation, a recommendation for a budget travelers and those who have only to be stayed overnight. 

HOTEL NAME

•  D'Budgetel

ADDRESS

• Corrales extension, Cagayan De Oro City

CONTACT NUMBERS

• (088) 856-4200, 856-6820
• Telefax - (088) 856-4300

ROOM RATES

• Standard Single 
• P 600.00
• Superior twin/Double
• P 900.00
• Dormitory
• P 250.00/pax
• Fully airconditioned room and Communal toilet and bath

AMENITIES

• Airconditioned rooms
• Wi-fi
• Cable TV LCD
• Hot/cold shower
• 24/7 electricity
• Standby Generator
• Spacious parking space
• 24/7 coffee shop
• Laundry services
• Function rooms
• Free breakfast

NEW DAWN PENSIONNE

A storey building located along the street of Velez in front of Caltex gasoline station. A well maintain building serve with both elevator and stairs. Accessible to the most establishments, mall, park, school and churches. Amenities is not a problem, they have serve food upon orders, cafeteria along its side. They have also wi-fi in the lobby area and a 24/7 security to safe guard the guests.

I rated this accommodation quite pricey for a budget travelers, cheaper than class "A", not a five star accommodation but if you travel with your family you can get a comfortability for the cost you paid for or a group of three for a shared room is an ideal for this. 

HOTEL NAME

• New Dawn Pensionne

ADDRESS

• Velez-Makahambus St. Cagayan De Oro City

CONTACT NUMBERS

• (88) 857-1777, 857-1776

ROOM RATES

• Double 
• P 880.00
• Triple
• P 1,380.00

AMENITIES

• Airconditioned rooms
• Wi-fi
• cable Televation
• Hot/cold shower
• 24/7 electricity
• Standby Generator

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INASAL

This is often widely offered anywhere in the Philippines, But Cagayan de oro have their own version of grilled or barbeque chicken... Inasal (A grilled chicken in a stick) is an authentic dish from visayan part of the Philippines. Ilo-ilo, Bacolod and Cebu have their own different style and taste but in general it taste so good. It is usually paired with pickled young papaya and rice, with soy sauce mix with calamansi and chili as optional if you want it spicy.

Adobong kangkong, a Filipino authentic dish that usually seen in our table, during lunch and dinner.

KINILAW

A raw fish meat cut into cubes, mixed with varieties of ingredients that makes this dish tasty. Actually there are different kinds on how to make this dish be tasty, some are mixed with young coconut milk to make it more tasty, in this restaurant they offered typical kind of Kinilaw, that made our lunch complete.

COCONUT JUICE

 DIVISORIA

I know most of the Filipino are very familiar of the place DIVISORIA located in Metro Manila, an old time Cabisera of manila decades and century have passed but still on market, often over crowded, since most of the product can be buy here in an affordable price.

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EL KABAYO 2

As i mentioned in my earlier post, El kabayo have two cascading waterfalls, this is the second falls 30 meters away from the first waterfalls and for about 5 meters in height.

It is really inviting to take a dip on its cold water, where the water source is coming from the thick forest and preserved mountain areas of Subic, Zambales.

This waterfalls were usually did several events of pictorials and movies within the area, mostly explored by foreigners who love nature.

Inside the Subic there are plenty of waterfalls awaits to explore. Somewhere, somehow if i have another opportunity to come back here, i will spend more time to challenge the adventure of the beautiful nature of Subic. Also i would like to acknowledge and thank my friend Oscar Gador, who accompany me 'til the last minute of this another great travel... First waterfalls Here

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EL KABAYO

After my visit from the work assignment, I was able to take this side trip into El kabayo waterfalls located inside the Subic. It was 4:00 pm I went there, a good time and enough light to take pictures.When i saw this waterfalls i can't help myself but to dip right away to the water and set my tripod, can't wait  to have a shoots. The nature is very inviting...

So far this is one of the most convenient and accessible waterfalls I've visited, it is easy to go here, just a 10 to 15 minutes hike from the jump off or a parking area.

El kabayo have two cascading waterfalls, this is the first falls in about 3 meters high, where you can dip on its shallow dip water.

This waterfalls lays within the heart of forested area of Subic, where u can go anytime of the day. As per the care taker, in order to preserve the area it was converted as picnic ground, entrance fees collected from the visitors is used for maintenance purposes.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Manila you can take a bus in Cubao, Victory Liner serves the Olongapo route via SCTEX, this is fastest way to go Subic it has one stop only via Dau, Pampanga, fare is just P 235.00. As well as Genesis and Saulog bus, but most of it via service road and may take you longer travel time, make sure to ask for via SCTEX route. Within Subic area you can take a cab to El kabayo waterfalls. If you bring your own car, you can safely leave your car into there parking area there's a kubo there, it is just located near the main road, actually it is the entrance where you have to hike for about less than a 15 minutes.

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Had a good time to look for a prospect landscape during my visit in Olongapo. This small resort harbored along with the big resorts along the long stretch of beach shoreline of Olongapo. Since the sunset during that time was not so good and not on the mood to give the sky a beautiful color, due to bad weather. I decided to take and try a night scape, this was my shots.

 One thing I have observed, resorts were already advancing more than the allowed distance before the shoreline, some of them settled already near the sea.

There's a lot of resorts to choose with, if you happen to go there and have plan to stay for a week end overnight, call first to book, some of resorts here are affordable, it depends on your budget and  taste. Well the most important is how you spend and enjoy your stay in Olongapo. It is absolutely irresistible to dip into the crystal clear water. Sand here is grayish in color and fine, not to compare to Boracay's white sand, this is also a good alternative to get away from  the polluted air of Metro Manila.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Manila you have lot of choices to ride, you can go with Victory liner at Cubao, there are scheduled trips going there, 9:30am, 11:30am and in the afternoon going to Olongapo thru SCTEX or service road via town route to Olongapo, Fare is P235.00. Saulog bus and Genesis bus also serves a route to Olongapo.

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HDR on parade as the Pasig City is now 439th years old, this parade commemorates yearly celebration in honor to the one of the historical places in the Philippines. colorful as it is...

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THE CHURCH

One of the landmark in Pasig that witnessed the great history of  the city, still standing and tough in spite of the test of time, preserved as it is. Pasig's first Patron Saint was named as Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Five years later, on April 25, 1587 it was established in honor to our Mother Mary as Parish of the Immaculate Concepcion by the Agustinian Parish.

CITY HALL

Since 1967 City hall of Pasig were undergone a series of iterations and remodeling of its design and structure due to the growing demand and fast progressive development of the said City.

BROTHER and SISTER

A caring brother let her sister sat on his lap to see the passing through parade, happy as she is witnessed the marching bands on their colorful attire. 

GREAT DAY

Great day! Happy Holiday! Anniversary of Pasig... Happy pasiguenio mother carrying her son to find their best view of the parade, as the crowd were also advancing to their advantage as the marching band ahead were approaching.

These children ignored the scorching heat of the sun during the parade, just to witness the colorful parade in honor for the celebration of the 439th years anniversary Araw ng Pasig.

A Child on her grandfather's shoulder enjoying her advantage view in the middle of spectators, made sure not to missed every single presentation of the parade made by congregations from schools, government workers and barangay representatives in commemoration of Araw ng Pasig as 439th years anniversary.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Pasig City is accessible in all points of Luzon, it depends on where you are coming from... Pasig City hall, Simbahan (Church), Palengke-Mutya ng Pasig (Public Market) is the common landmark which can be found in the heart of the City... From Manila, you can go for a ride on the other side of the road facing Quiapo Church. Jeep with signage Pasig Palengke for only P25.00 or take a van on queue for P40.00. From Quezon City, you can access by taking a bus going to south bound or metro rail transit (MRT) for P11.00 to P12.00, drop off in Shaw Blvd. station, down the station there are jeeps going to pasig for 10.00 or take a cab for about a P100.00 fare. From Makati you can also take a bus ride or MRT.

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