Category Archives: Provinces

Activities and Itineraries, Business Trip, Cities, Provinces

Walking through Vigan’s Calle Crisologo

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Before the Wider Role of Volunteers training ended, each of the participants were given several VSO- and Philippine-related stuff. One of which, is a Philippine map packaged as a tourist information brochure. The first page of that brochure showcased the famed cobbled-stone path of Calle Crisologo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

Entrance to Calle Crisologo at Daylight (this probably is how it looked like in old photographs)

I even heard one of my co-volunteers-to-be exclaim that Vigan, as portrayed in the photograph, seemed like such a beautiful place. True enough, Vigan really did look amazing in that picture. It presented an old world charm that no matter how similar, still looked different from Intramuros’ streets and Iloilo’s old houses. There’s just something about Vigan, especially Calle Crisologo, that commands people’s attention and captivates hearts. I know so because I too, despite thinking that it may be an overrated form of admiration, felt transported back in time as I walked through the cobbled-stone street. Continue reading Walking through Vigan’s Calle Crisologo →

Business Trip, Cities, Leisure Trip, Provinces, Transportation

Field Work Travels: Final count, 52!

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Whenever people ask me what I do for a living, they always end up saying “I love your job!” after I give them the answer.

No, they don’t say those words because I make a pot of brewed coffee in mornings and afternoons. Nor do they say so because my job allows me to help about 22,000 farmers in the Philippines. Neither is it due to the fact that I am working with an internationally-known bilateral development organization. It’s simply because this job allows me to travel every now and then in different cities and provinces of the Philippines.

Leaving Guimaras just before the sun sets
Leaving Guimaras Island just before the sun sets

As I’ve written somewhere before, I would do a blog on all the work trips I’ve done since I started with my current work. Continue reading Field Work Travels: Final count, 52! →

Accommodation, Activities and Itineraries, Budget, Business Trip, Cities, Food, Leisure Trip, Provinces, Transportation, Uncategorized

Dine Out Davao: Ice Giants, a ton of delight awaits!

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I’m supposed to be sleeping already but since I can’t really sleep yet, I decided to write the post for Ice Giants as part of my “Tribute to Kadayawan coz I can’t be in Davao” series. (intro written two nights ago! changed below!)

I’m supposed to be working for moolah already but since I wanted to share the joys of eating and as I promised to write a new post for my “Tribute to Kadayawan coz I can’t be in Davao” series, here’s a post on Ice Giants Desserts and Snacks parlor at Damosa Gateway Complex in Lanang, Davao City. (Supposedly for Lyndon’s but let’s skip that one first!)

Again, as with the previous post on Ahfat Seafood Plaza, prepare to be hungry. Hehe 😀

Chocolate Giant: Chocolate Ice Cream, Choco Fudge Brownie, Choco Wafer Sticks, Oreo Cookies, Choco Pillows, Chocolate Chips, Choco Syrup and other Choco Stuff plus very fine shaved ice topped with marshmallows and milk mix. To die for!

Continue reading Dine Out Davao: Ice Giants, a ton of delight awaits! →

Activities and Itineraries, Business Trip, Cities, Food, Leisure Trip, Provinces, Transportation

Dine Out Davao: Ahfat Seafood Plaza

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As promised in my earlier post on arriving at Davao Airport, I now bring you my recommended best eats while enjoying your stay in Davao, especially during Kadayawan 2011.

As explained before, I love eating but I am not a foodie. I don’t even remember the exact names of the food I eat! All I know is I like photographing food as much as I like eating it. I enjoy good company, atmosphere and superb service as much as I enjoy savoring the last bite and eating the last rice grain. These said, expect that my recommendations are not just because these food tasted greatly but also coz I had a great time while having what I am about to share with you. So, if you are in for a gastronomic armchair traveling and/or bent on trying Dabaweño food while enjoying Davao’s King of Festivals or just chilling while in your well-deserved vacay, GET READY TO FEEL HUNGRY AND DROOL. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Hehe 🙂

This post features the food at Ahfat Seafood Plaza, an immensely popular Chinese restaurant among locals and tourists alike. It’s located at Victoria Plaza. Don’t worry about not finding it coz all you need to do is ask anybody where Ahfat is and chances are, they’ll point you to the right direction.

Butter and Garlic Shrimp

Continue reading Dine Out Davao: Ahfat Seafood Plaza →

Accommodation, Business Trip, Cities, Provinces, Transportation

Francisco Bangoy International Airport aka Davao Airport (arrival)

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It’s almost time for Kadayawan!

The biggest, grandest and most colorful festival of Davao City is happening on August 19-21, 2011. Locals say it’s an event you truly shouldn’t miss. And it is somethings that I don’t wanna miss…but have to. 😦 It escaped my mind during the sale season of CebuPac and AirPhil for August, and now the ticket prices have skyrocketed way over my budget limit.  Additionally, August 22-26 is a big week for us in the Project so I can’t risk getting stuck in Davao (though it’s actually ok coz I can spend more time with BF) and not being able to return on the 21st.

Anyway, if I can’t go with you, I’ll at least write some posts about Davao and help make the most of your stay! I’ve already written about one of my favorite places, Cake Galerie. It’s for your sweet tooth’s sake, so give in to the craving. Haha. 😀 Anyway, this post is about the Francisco Bangoy International Airport aka Davao International Airport.

Arriving at Davao International Airport

This was the first airport I have been in while working for the Project. (Imagine, getting dispatched on a regional-via-flight trip on your second week? Not to mention the first trip just three days after starting to work?! Good deal, eh?!). According to Wikipedia, this airport is named after Francisco Bangoy, the patriarch of a landed nobility (aka as old rich family) after he donated land (see!) for the airport’s operations in the 1940s. Continue reading Francisco Bangoy International Airport aka Davao Airport (arrival) →