destinations « Valerie Caulin

Archive for the ‘destinations’ Category

Dingle Church

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Iloilo is home to many old churches and one these is the church of Dingle, a peaceful town in eastern Iloilo. Like other churches in the province, Dingle Church is of Baroque architecture with its interiors showing features of the Neoclassical style. The parish church of San juan de Bautista is simple yet elegant. It is not lavishly adorned but it is a real beauty. Take a photo of it and you will see.

I have been longing to feature this church in this blog and finally we took a turn to Dingle to visit its wonderful sight like its church.And when we got there, we were not dismayed. It is indeed a nice church and should one of the old churches in Iloilo that a traveler should visit. I felt a little dismayed why it took me so long as a freelance writer to feature and share this church to my dear readers.

Going back to Dingle Church, its main component is limestone and I find it unique. In this part of Iloilo, baked bricks is the most common material as seen in the churches of Santa Barbara, Cabatuan and even of Janiuay. Limestone is more evident in southern Iloilo like that of Miag-ao Church. For this church, limestone was quarried in the mountains of Bulabog-Putian which is now a national park.

Another thing that I noticed with this church is that it only has one belltower. I’m not sure if it is really built like that or it was burned some time in its history. For its facade, it is well decorated given its smaller size compared to other old churches in Iloilo. Its facade aside from statues has a circular stained-glass of saints. In its center is a dome-shaped canopy that I presume to be part of its recent renovations. To be honest, it looks very off-tangent; it is pretty obvious to be a new addition.

on top is "ano 1886", the year that this church was finished

So, the next time you are here in Iloilo and have plenty of time to spare for visiting old churches, head to the town of Dingle. Aside from its church, this town is home to the Bulabog-Putian National Park.

Going to Dingle

Going to Dingle is not very accessible especially if you don’t have your own transportation. The town center is not accessible from the national highway going to northern Iloilo or to Capiz and Aklan. You can either take a jeepney to Dingle from Tagbak Terminal or hire a tricycle from the national highway going to Dingle center.

Tags: dingl church, Dingle, old church, old churches in Iloilo
Posted in Churches, Iloilo | No Comments »

Bacolod’s Calea Cakes, Pastries and Coffee

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

My favorite Marshmallow Ice Cream Cake

Before you read further, let me be frank with you. I’m having some sweet cravings right now (blame it to my job as a freelance writer who stays up late at night) and it might be the main reason why I chose to feature this amazing cakeshop in Bacolod City. Just take a look at my photo above and I bet you are salivating right now.

Okay, let’s get down to business. If you are planning to take a trip and travel to Bacolod City, then include a visit to the city’s most popular cakeshop -Calea. I don’t know what is behind the name but I’m pretty sure it’s the most famous stop to satisfy one’ craving with a slice ( I hope so ) of their melt-in-the-mouth cakes and pastries.

It seems that have all kinds of cakes in this shop

Whenever my family is in Bacolod, we never failed to drop by to Calea, the one beside L’Fisher Hotel. in Lacson Street ( Bacolod’s main street) There are now three branches in Bacolod City, one located in Robinsons Mall. My personal favorite is their ice cream cake and I am proud that I can finish it in less than 10 minutes.

another favorite..Chocolate..who doesn't?

What I love about their cakes is that they are really home-made style for a cheaper price. I bake cakes and Calea’s cakes are worth worshipping. I admire how they use the finest ingredients and never use other substitutes or extenders just to mass produce their cakes. Their ice cream cake for example, you can taste walnuts in between and I can easily detect if the cake is just filled with sugar. But no Calea’s.

The chocolate cake is not even that sweet and even guys ( who are usually not fond of sweets like cakes) won’t hesitate to try one. And when it is homemade, they usually cost more. But not Calea again. Cake slices cost not more than 100 pesos. During our last visit, we had two slices of ice cream cake and one slice of chocolate cake for only P240. Beat that!

Calea's branch in Lacson Street

Calea is one of the answers to where to eat in Bacolod. Drop by for an afternoon snack or for a dessert after a hearty meal in Bacolod’s restaurants. I will be visiting Calea in the near future and I would love to try their other cakes. As of now, I’m dreaming for trying their equally famous cheesecakes. I guess I have to stop now and end this post. I’m currently fighting sweet temptations.

Tags: Bacolod's Calea, Calea Cakes, Calea Cakeshop
Posted in Negros Occidental, food and local cuisine | 2 Comments »

Bulabog Puti-an National Park – Dingle, Iloilo

Sunday, August 8th, 2010

The island of Panay is not just home to many colonial churches but it is also rich in biodiversity. The province has been promoted as one of the country’s destinations for Philippine eco-tourism and one of these places is the Bulabog Puti-an National Park in the humble town of Dingle. The town of Dingle is located almost 40 kilometers from Iloilo.

I came to this national park a decade ago when we had our field trip for my class in Local History. You see, Bulabog Puti-an National Park is not just a nature reserve and a rain forest but is also a historical site. I remember the blisters and the stick I used to help me in walking to our ultimate destination- its historical caves used by Filipino fighters during the Spanish times. It was such a struggle walking on a 920-meter rocky trail but being surrounded with those trees, fresh air and the company of my dear classmates was the best.

My son, Akira catching some butterflies

Now I’m back with my own family after 10 years. Hahaha! For our trip, we didn’t have the intention of reaching those historical caves since we were tagging along two little boys- a 3 year-old toddler and a month-old baby. As a mother, I want to expose my kids to nature given how technology has conquered our lives now. And also a great place for my husband to relax and find another place to take some pictures.

I hope assistance and support will be given to this national park

True, ten years is a long time and there were some differences from my last visit with then college classmates. First, there were more trees now as I have known that many institutions have conducted various activities like tree planting. But one of the things that made this visit different is how obvious that this park lacks support from the local government which is expected from any government program.

more trees!!

Ten years ago, it was organized and very systematic. Someone greeted us, let us log in, etc. And I remember those little cottages were reserved for those who wan to spend the night in Bulabog National Park. Now, it is used as a shelter by local residents, maybe the caretakers. I hope the local government and DENR can give more support to this park. I was also hoping to drink in its cool spring water, but I can’t seem to find it there anymore. However, I saw many residents fetching some water in a big tank and faucets a few meters from the entrance but I still miss that small faucet that can quench any trekker’s thirst.

I love this shot...

Anyway, back to the program .The Bulabog Puti-an National Park occupies 847 hectares that also covers some parts of the neighboring town of Enrique. Aside from its diversified plants, it has 30 caves with some having inscriptions in Spanish written by the Katipuneros. This place should be one of the things that you should include in your list of what to do in Iloilo. Or if you want to short time-off during a holiday or a weekend, drive to Dingle and commune with mother nature.

Extra Challenge!

How to get there

- From the city proper, head off to Tabak Terminal in Jaro. The same terminal where you take a ride for Roxas and Caticland.

- Take the jeepney bound for Dingle.

-Upon reaching the town center of Dingle, hire a tricycle going straight to Bulabog Nationa Park

Entrance Fee

- People in charge didn’t ask for any fee from us but I read in some blogs that it costs P8 for locals and P180 for foreigners.

Helpful Tips

- Wear comfortable clothes. That is closed rubber shoes and jogging pants. Bring extra clothes too.

-apply insect repellants

-bring bottled water, face towel and a stick ( believe me, those rocky trail can stretch up to almost 1 kilometer)

- visit it during dry season. If its rainy or it rained the previous night, stones will be slippery which might cause accidents.

The perfect place for trekking in Iloilo!

Tags: Bulabog Puti-an National Park, Dingle
Posted in Iloilo, eco-tourism | 4 Comments »

Manokan Country: Bacolod’s Dining Treat

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

If you are wondering where to eat in Bacolod City, then visit Manokan Country. Bacolod City, dubbed as the “City of Smile” is not just famous for its Masskara Festival but for its chicken inasal. Believe me, it’s simply the best and no other fancy chicken houses can beat their unique taste brought by their secret marinade ingredients.

I have featured Bacolod’s chicken inasal a year ago ( click here for the article) but it was not based on Manokan Country but from one of the chicken houses of Bacolod. I first visited Bacolod’s Manokan Country last February as I was working on an article for a freezine. And as a passionate freelance writer, I have to visit the city’s hub for the tastiest chicken inasal.

Manokan Country is easy to located as it is known all-over the city and just a few meters away from their port. For easy reference, it is just beside SM Bacolod, so if you can’t decide on which different restaurants in Bacolod found inside the mall, then you can surely walk to this place. For a start, Manokan Country is not a restaurant but a place where small eateries serving chicken inasal can be found. It is easy to locate for their is one big chicken figure on top of this place in case you feel like you are getting lost.

My husband has visited this place when he used to be assigned in Bacolod and he said, the current place is cleaner, safer and more organized. No wonder, he didn’t bring me to Manokan Country prior to my writing assignment.But of course, the chicken stations are simple and very attractive to those who want to taste the best chicken in town for a low price.

I totally agree on this!

We chose to eat in Aida’s, they are located in the middle part of the whole lane and it was the place that my college classmate who is now teaching in St. La Salle recommended. We feasted on chicken liver ( my favorite), chicken breast and garlic rice. They also served complimentary arroz caldo and I noticed it included instant noodles. No wonder, my helper added instant noodles in her arroz caldo ( she’s from Negros); it’s their unique style of cooking the famous comfort food.

A nice meal for less than 100 pesos

Aside from being tasty, the food was really cheap. Chicken inasal parts cost from 50 pesos to less than 100 . And mind you, don’t ask for liempo or other dishes..haha! Aside from chicken inasal, they have talaba ( oyster) and grilled boneless bangus( which my son’s nanny ate since she is allergic to chicken). I don’t have to describe how Bacolod’s chicken inasal tastes like for the mere thought of it leaves me salivating right now.

Anyway, all is said and I tell you, don’t leave Bacolod unless you have eaten their famous chicken inasal. Dining in Bacolod City means visiting their chicken houses and feast one of the city’s gastronomic pride.

Tags: Bacolod City, Chicken inasal, manokan country, what to eat in Bacolod City, where to eat in Bacolod City
Posted in Negros Occidental | 6 Comments »

Iloilo’s Old Houses and Mansions

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Iloilo is known for its Dinagyang Festival, La Paz Batchoy, colonial churches and old houses. And when we speak of this city’s old houses, they are are not just your typical ancestral houses or bahay na bato for this city is home to many mansions built by sugar barons way back in pre-war era. Some are still standing with some old people or caretakers residing while some are now used as schools.

If you are traveling or visiting the City of Love, bring your camera and wear your most comfortable shoes and discover these old houses and mansions in Iloilo. There are many of them in the city and what I have here are just a few of them. I am featuring those famous old houses and mansions but it is easy to spot many old abodes as you explore Iloilo.

Where to find them

If you don’t know where to start, just go to the main plazas in the city – Jaro, Molo and Libertad. In accordance to the Spanish status quo, those living close to the plaza are the most affluent ones. So aside from taking shots or visiting old churches, you can also check out these ancestral and heritage houses of Iloilo.

Those located around Jaro Plaza are the grandest and there are plenty of them. Still, you can see many old houses in Molo and even Arevalo. For this post, majority of these houses are located around the district of Jaro.

The Ledesma Mansion or "Eagle House"

This old house is located in Ortiz Street close to Plaza Libertad. If you are heading to Jordan, Guimaras Island, this should be your landmark to the wharf where you will be taking a boat ride to the island.

Old House fronting the Hall of Justice..anyone who knows who owns this house?

Old House close to the Hall of Justice

I don’t know who owns this house or what it is called but this house catches your attention as you pass by the center of the city. This well-preserved old house is located close to many government offices like the Provincial Capitol, Tourism Office, Atrium Mall, Hall of Justice and beside Castle Hotel.

Sanson-Montinola House or the "Antillan House"

Located in Graciano Lopez-Jeana St., Jaro beside Collegio de San Jose. It was in this house that the Araneta clan gathered during their family reunion years ago. The Antillan House was built by Don Emong Montinola.

The famous Nelly's Garden

I consider this as the queen of all old houses in Iloilo. Named after the daughter of its original owners ( Don Vicente Lopez y Villanueva and Donya Elena Hofilena y Javelona) in 1928. The structure is patterned after Tara, the estate house of the novel, ” Gone With the Wind”.

Montinola House

I’m not sure of it’s name, kindly correct me. This house is located close to Jaro Plaza beside a pet shop store.

The Grand Ledesma Mansion ( Jaro)

Owned by Rosario Lopez Javelona and Don Luis Ledesma. I love this house but it was hard to find a perfect angle since in its front gate is a bibingka stand and there are some flyers of a review center hanging on its terraces. This mansion is located across Jaro Plaza.

Lopez-Vito House

Located right across Jaro PLaza, beside the Ledesma Mansion. Its windows are opened during the annual Jaro fiesta.

Locsin House ( beside Jaro Cathedral)

The Locsin House faces the exit of the Jaro Cathedral and right next to the Vito-Lopez House. I don’t have any information about this house. I would appreciate it if someone can enlighten me..:-)

Casa Mariquit

The house built for Maria Javellana-Lopez or Mariquit, wife of former vice-president Fernando Lopez Sr. This house also served as a bank during its time.

I don't know that name of this old house but it used to house "Tienda Antigua"

Located in Benedicto St. in Jaro beside Tibiao Bakery approaching Tabuc Suba Bridge. The antique store, “Tienda Antigua” is no longer housed inside but I still prefer to call it as the “Tienda Antigua” House.

Villa Lizares

When I decided to study in Iloilo, my dad asked me to look for Villa Lizares. When he was a yong boy in Negros, he heard stories about the haunted mansion of the Lizares in Iloilo. But this mansion is not just famous for its horror stories but for its design and architecture. Built in 1937 by Don Emiliano Lizares, this mansion is the perfect competition of Nelly’s Garden. Located in Tabuc Suba, this is now a school, Angelicum School of Iloilo. During Christmas season, Villa Lizares holds a festival of lights. Click here for the article.

Tags: heritage homes in Iloilo, mansions in Iloilo, old houses in Iloilo
Posted in Iloilo, ancestral and heritage homes | 14 Comments »

Janiuay Church Ruins

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

The province of Iloilo has a lot to offer and for me one of its gems are its old churches. From the Gothic church of Molo to the UNESCO Heritage Church of Miag-ao, Iloilo’s old churches are something that its locals should be proud of. Another church that you can visit while in Iloilo is Janiuay church or shall we say, the Janiuay Church ruins.

During the holy week, my family went on a road trip around Panay Island and visit churches that I can feature in this blog as part of my gig as a freelance writer. And finally we stopped over in Janiuay and took photos of its old church’s ruins.

The old belltower

The old Janiuay Church was built on baked bricks and corals with its Neocalssical architecture as seen in its arches and openings. Sadly, it was destroyed during the Second World War and I assume that the damage was so great that the people of Janiuay, Iloilo didn’t bother to repair or renovate their beloved church.

This church is located on the hilly part of the town which gives it sort of a pedestal location for those who pass by to Janiuay. Many times, I look at this church when we pass by as we travel to Roxas or to Boracay wishing to visit it one day.

When visiting old churches of Iloilo, include the Janiuay Church Ruins in your itinerary as this town is not that far from the city. This town is only 30 minutes away from the city by jeepney.

Tags: churches in Iloilo, janiuay church ruins, old churches in Iloilo, old Philippine churches
Posted in Churches, Iloilo | No Comments »

Cabatuan Church

Friday, June 25th, 2010

My last post was about Cabatuan Cemetery and it is expected from me as a freelance writer to also feature the town’s parish church. The parish church of Cabatuan or the Parish of St. Nicolas de Tolentino is one of the most beautiful churches in the island and those visiting the province of Iloilo must come and marvel at this edifice. First built during the 1800s, it is a very artistic and highly decorated church in Iloilo and was given the title “Iglesia Primera El Centro de Iloilo”.

one of the church's belltowers with its cream-colored dome

The first thing that you will notice upon seeing this church is how it is made of brick and it is one of its main characteristics that sets it apart from other colonial churches in the country. The man behind this church is Fr. Ramon Alquezar who served as its parish church for more than three decades and built many infrastructures in Cabatuan like roads. As he was the one who introduced brick manufacturing to this town, it is not a surprise when he built a church made of baked bricks for Cabatuan.

Th single nave of the church's interior which is currently undergoing renovations

For the interior decorations, Fr. Manul Guetierez adorned Cabatuan church making it truy beautiful especially during its time. The exterior of the church is shaped like a cross.

its garden with stain-glass windows, notice its topmost part which is a result of recent renovations

Like other Philippine colonial churches, Cabatuan church was badly destroyed during the Second World War as well as during the 1948 earthquake that hit the town. At present, through the efforts of many individuals and groups particularly those Cabatuanuanons living abroad renovations and repairs has been done and still on going.

Getting there:

The town of Cabatuan is 24 kilometers away from Iloilo City and can easily reached by taking a jeepney bound for Cabatuan for less than 20 minutes. Those coming outside the province and flying via the Iloilo Airport will find this town more accessible since the airport is located in this town. In fact, as a freelance writer I highly suggest that you visit this church the moment you land in Iloilo.

Tags: Cabatuan Iloilo, Cabatuan Parish Church, Church of Cabatuan, Parish church of Cabatuan
Posted in Iloilo, landmarks | No Comments »

Cabatuan Cemetery

Friday, June 18th, 2010

I first went to Cabatuan when my college classmate who hailed from this town invited me and another friend for their town fiesta. And I can still remember that when the jeepney passed by the Cabatuan Cemetery, it really caught my attention and no matter how crowded that jeepney was, I looked outside and was amazed with this old structure.

It has this certain grandeur amidst its simplicity and one look of it, you know that it was once a very well decorated and beautiful structure. Little did I know that years after, when I become a freelance writer,I would feature and promote this place.

The town of Cabatuan in Iloilo is known as the “Pilgrimage Town” with its colonial church and cemetery. For the modern-day travelers, this town is known as one of the towns closest to the new Iloilo Airport. Nevertheless, this town is worth visiting especially if you are into photography.

Cabatuan cemetery is one of the colonial cemeteries in the country and one of the most beautiful and well preserved in the province of Iloilo. It was built way back in late 19th century by Spanish friars who used to dominate the Philippine Catholic Church. Like other Spanish projects, this cemetery was well decorated with rosette designs using gray stones and limestones.

Its mortuary chapel is the center of this cemetery with its unique octagonal shape. With some intricate designs adorning the chapel, its original dome was destroyed during the Second World War. It was replaced with a flat roof which we see today.

from the main gate leading to the chapel

The whole Cemetery has designs and features from various elements like Classical, Baroque and Romanesque. The Heritage Conservation Society mentioned that this Cabatuan cemetery was “built on a rise and approached through a flight of stairs” similar to other cemeteries in Iloilo like that of San Joaquin, but the present cemetery lies on a flat surface along the road.

Fence of gray stones and wrought iron

The cemetery of Cabatuan should be one of the places that travelers check out when coming and visiting Iloilo. The next time you visit Iloilo, include Cabatuan as one of the towns that you will visit with its colonial church and cemetrey. Much more, this is very close to the airport making this place very accessible. And I hope in my own little way as a freelance writer, I promoted this heritage and the town of Cabatuan as well.

For old photos of the Cabatuan Cemetery, click here.

San Joaquin Cemetery

Tags: Cabatuan cemetery, Cabatuan Iloilo, colonial cemetries in the Philippines, Philippine cemeteries
Posted in Iloilo | 2 Comments »

Spelunking in Capiz ( Suhot Cave and Cold Spring)

Sunday, June 13th, 2010

The province of Capiz offers many natural beauties for people to explore and experience from their fresh bounties of the sea to cold springs hidden in lush forests. And if you want to dip in cold water and have some exploration, head to the caves of Capiz.

While on a road trip in Capiz, we dropped by in Suhot Cold Spring in the municipality of Dumalag. Another place that attracted the freelance writer spirit in me. The place was rather simple yet unspoiled.There were many people when we went there ( it was a Holy Week and the height of summer) but sans the crowd and vendors, the whole place was rather untouched by modernity.

But we were more attracted to its natural cave formation. I can imagine how these caves were used as a temporary shelter during the Second World War or as a secret meeting place to lovers..wink! wink!

Since it was Holy Week, we saw a man ( I think a babaylan ) dressed in long robes with his white candle entered one of the small chambers of the cave. If I remember my Anthropology class in college, some people believe that they can gain supernatural powers during the Holy Week. Sadly, my husband ( my official photographer) failed to take a shot of him.

If you are not interested to take a dip in Suhot Cold Spring, the whole place is a nice venue for trekking either inside the cave or outside. The whole place is very natural and with its hilly and mountainous terrain, it is really a nice adventure to do while in Capiz.

Tags: Capiz, capiz caves, suhot cav, Suhot cold spring
Posted in Capiz, things to do | 1 Comment »

UP Visayas Iloilo Campus’ Main Building

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

To celebrate the start of Philippine school year and my resurrection from my blogging and “life as a freelance writer ” hiatus ( I gave birth ), I have decided to feature something that is related to school and academics. There are some landmarks and historical structures that are left unrecognized by most people and one of these is the neoclassical-art deco building inside the UP Visayas Iloilo campus.

The campus’ main building is quite striking with two larger-than-life statues sitting on its side and the figures on its facade. Currently the main building of the campus, this historical building is actually the old city hall of Iloilo City. Built more than a decade before the Second World War, this building served the city of Iloilo as its city hall from 1936 till the 50s. The city government donated the building to the university and is still used up to this day.

When World War II erupted, the city hall was then used as the Japanese’s headquarters. My late history mentor, Dr. Henry Funtecha, once shared that many skeletons were discovered when the city government donated the building to the university. Now that’s eerie isn’t it? Likewise, this building designed and built by Juan Arellano also has a court house and it has a cell or dungeon.

At present, the building houses many important parts of the campus. Inside this building is the library, the UPV Art Gallery, the Center for West Visayan Studies and many more. Behind its walls are narrow stairs leading to small rooms used as offices for various research works; reminds me of those secret chambers.

Law and Order

Ask any student who these two statues sitting at the entrance and they would say, they are Plato and Socrates. Well, they are wrong and I was wrong. And as a freelance writer, I think it is my duty to provide accurate information.

Blame to it to the fact that the building is part of a university hence most of us assume they were the great philosophers.

But these statues sculpted by famed Italian sculptor, Francesco Riccardo Monti are actually symbols for Law and Order. After all, this edifice was a government office. But which one is Law and which one is Order, that I don’t know. Does anyone know? Enlighten me please..

Tags: Francesco Riccadro Monti, Juan Arellano, old city hall Iloilo city, UP main building
Posted in Iloilo, landmarks | No Comments »

Valerie Caulin

Archive for the ‘destinations’ Category

Dingle Church

Bacolod’s Calea Cakes, Pastries and Coffee

Bulabog Puti-an National Park – Dingle, Iloilo

Manokan Country: Bacolod’s Dining Treat

Iloilo’s Old Houses and Mansions

Janiuay Church Ruins

Cabatuan Church

Cabatuan Cemetery

Spelunking in Capiz ( Suhot Cave and Cold Spring)

UP Visayas Iloilo Campus’ Main Building

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