I think it is not a secret anymore why I fell in love with Iloilo. From its old grand houses to heritage churches, Iloilo continues to amaze me with its landmarks that are well preserved to remind us that indeed it was the “Queen City of the South.

Calling Jaro ( one of the districts of the city) home for almost half decade now, one of the structures that I can’t afford not to admire is the Jaro Belfry. Locally known as campanario, a Spanish word for “bell tower” ( Hiligaynon has plenty of Spanish words), it one of the few of its kind in the country that is separated from the main church. The other one that I have seen in the sinking belltower in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

Jaro’s belfry is massive, grand and visually exquisite even for the less artistic eyes. It is hard not to literally look up whenever we pass by. It is one of the oldest structures in the city built in the 18th century. Serving not just to house the adjacent church’s bell to “call” residents for Mass, it was also used as a watchtower and a clock ( like Big Ben?).

Through the centuries, it experienced massive damages mostly earthquakes like in 1787, 1881 and 1948. In terms of style, I read that is is Neoclassical but I take the word of an architect I know that put it under the umbrella of “mestizo” architecture. As he explained, it is a mixture of different architectural styles which I think is very possible since Jaro belfry underwent different renovations.

Made mostly of terracotta and limestone, this 3-storey tower stands 29 meters. It faces the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral and stands just outside Jaro Plaza.

To get here, you can take jeepneys bound for Jaro or take a taxi.

When we speak of “island” we often envision beach and sand. Samal Island is gifted with unspoiled beaches for you to hang out all day with the lone company of a cold bottle of beer. It may not be an big as other islands but nestled in its interior is another gem – Hagimit Falls.

Located in Penaplata in the Garden City of Samal, this falls is a not-to-be-missed attraction in the island. Signing up for an inland tour, Hagimit Falls will always be on the list. It is small compared to other falls we have in our country but it invites you for a calm retreat for everyone to enjoy some alone time with Mother Nature.

We approached Hagimit Falls at the most comfortable mode of transportation – chartered van. As you see, it was one of our stops for our inland tour from Paradise Island Resort. The “hardest” part was to finish those steps as we go down, double that when you go back! . Most backpackers reach the place by riding a motorcycle locally known as habal-habal.

As you take one step at a time, carefully holding the railing,  you will see this short information about the falls.

This tarpaulin (?) narrates the life of its original keepers. Actually tragic with death painted on its story. Touching but I wish to edit it. Make it more informative with facts for its visitors. Like why is it called Hagimit ( do you know?). Sorry, I’m a freelance writer – can’t help.

Our driver said that there is another falls located further – taller and you can have it for yourself . That would be nice but we were contented with this one.

Natural swimming pools in the midst of a bright forest with relaxing sound from cascading water. Yes, its a secret garden with birds tweeting and bamboos and leaves making music as they dance with the cool breeze of the mountain.

I chose this part. Shallow almost like a stream. I call this my aquatic terraces. If you come here with your kids, this is your spot.

It was very refreshing. Still, it was freakin’ cold! haha.

Thanks for reading!

F-A-T..CAPS LOck! haha!

I’m one of those who got caught in the frenzy of making photo series for DOT’s campaign slogan. It is actually fun and it is very nationalistic. Self-confessed dumb when it comes to photo editing (haha!), it took me hours to do this simple task. There is a site where you can just upload your photo and write your tagline but I did mine from scratch.

So here is my share for “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” photo series. Hope you like it

That is the San Joaquin ( Iloilo) Cemetery.

Amidst the growing urbanization of its major cities

Cebu's cityscape at night

It is never a hunt for a beach you can call your own..

Boracay Island

Or live like an island. Placid. At peace.

Roxas City Capiz

Pooh Bear will trade his pot of honey just for a day of lounging under the talisay tree..

Dakak, Dapitan

We don’t need autumn to have these colors. Just don’t let the sky cry and you’ll have this every afternoon.

Boracay Island

Where the wind gives power. When something massive can be called beautiful..

Bagui, Ilocos Norte

Smoking cigar is not illegal here, it is a tradition.

Vigan, Ilocos Norte

You can lay in an opuim bed without going to China or in trance..

Sampaguita Gardens, Aklan

Shopping can be possibly done while island hopping

Samal Island, Davao

You don’t need to be a superhero to fly either

Lake Sebu, South Cotabato ( photo courtesy of Junalie Katalbas)

You can hang out with the real fashionistas..

T'boli women wearing traditional woven clothes ( photo by Junalie Katalbas)

And when your stomach gives that howling noise, no such word as “diet” exists..

Laoag, Ilocos Norte

but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy healthy choices..

Cebu's Seaweed Salad locally known as "guso"

Most of all, it’s more fun in the Philippines because of fellows like her.wink!

Guimaras ( photo by: Ace Francisco)

Yes, it’s more fun in the Philippines

Iloilo (Photo by: Ace Francisco)

Let me take you far away
You’d like a holiday
Let me take you far away
You’d like a holiday

Exchange the cold days for the sun
A good time and fun
Let me take you far away
You’d like a holiday

Let me take you far away
You’d like a holiday
Let me take you far away
You’d like a holiday

Exchange your troubles for some love
Wherever you are
Let me take you far away
You’d like a holiday

Longing for the sun you will come
To the island without name
Longing for the sun be welcome
On the island many miles away from home
Be welcome on the island without name
Longing for the sun you will come
To the island many miles away from home

- “Holiday”, Scorpions

 

Today is my first official day working as a freelance writer for 2012. I thought I’m “late” but  my friend Johnrev, tweeted me that ” writing has a life (and a time) of its own, never too late nor too early for “work”. I love the line!

I started my “day” writing my goals for this year and limited the number to 5. More than that means I am imbecile to accomplish those goals. I want to be realistic. As I look forward to this year, I tried to play a flashback on my freelance writer career circa 2011. Luckily, I deserve a pat on my back.

Every writer aspires to have his/her work published and I did it. Not once, not twice but four times. In two inflight magazines. I don’t want to be accused of blowing my own horns here so just check out my portfolio if you are interested.

While cleaning up my home office ( which is on top of my list for 2012), I stumbled on some notes. Listed on number 4 is “to land a contract with a magazine”. I smiled. The year was 2010. I got published on magazines even if it took longer than I aimed for. Still, I smiled.

That very moment, I realized that dreams are not just ” wishful thinking’s” if you put your heart on it. Believe it or not, I wished on it when I saw a falling star ( yes, I still see them here in our place) and prayed. And if you dream of becoming a travel writer, it takes guts to get published. And I thank my Mom for giving me that.

Getting published is very honorable especially when you receive feedback from someone you don’t personally know. And one of the best compliments I had is when I read people discussing my article in a forum – how happy they are that someone took notice and wrote about their place. As a travel writer, it gives joy to share something to a wider audience not just to my travel buddies. To let people appreciate something, to place something or someone on a pedestal that they truly deserve.

I thank 2011 but pushing my freelance writer career up and I wish to stay on that step. I hope that 2012 means more travel stories to share with you guys!

I came home from Davao with loots that financially crippled my husband and I’m talking about accessories and pearls. Women traveling to Davao must give in to this “temptation” and take home some statement pieces carefully crafted and can compete to even to the most sought-after designers in the country.

The quickest way to find these treasures is to visit Aldevinco Shopping Center, one of Davao’s pasalubong center. I was already tired of Samal’s pearls but these creations caught my attention with my jaws dropped open.

Artistically crafted. How much more if I will visit India’s Gem Palace? I’ll faint?!

Cocktail rings. Agate Stones set on aluminum wires. I bought 4.

Drooling over this brilliant piece…Oh la la..

I took this red cuff of amorano beads. Check out the intricacy of the wire’s looping. Designed by the owner, Sitti crafted y her aunt. I love women artisans. because I’m not.

photo by: Geraldine Reyes

Loca over Sitti’s accessories..

So she is…

Photo courtesy of Sitti Nur-Aimar Solaiman

Ms. Earth candidates visited Sitti’s store..

Photo courtesy of Sitti Nur-Aimar Solaiman

Take them home or give them to your girlfriends, moms and wives. Aside from these accessories, they also sell batiks, pearls and other souvenir items.

Nur Aimar’s Gift Shop (Store #3)

Sitti Nur-Aimar Solaiman

Proprietor

#0927-724-1493/ (082) 301-5099

Aldevinco Shopping Center

Davao City

“May you be in the company of happiness and comforted by love this Christmas day..”

- The Caulins ( Ray, Valerie, Akira Ken and Alfonso Liam)

“There Be Dragons” is a movie that took inspirations from real characters and events perfectly combining a factual person as well as fictional individuals. It tells the struggle of young idealists during the Spanish Civil War (July 17,1936- April 1, 1939), as well as that of a young priest, Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei and later canonized in 2002 as “the saint of the ordinary”.

Summary

“There Be Dragons” opens with a London-based writer, Roberto Torres trying to write a book about a newly canonized saint, Josemaria Escriva. As he was researching on his subject, he later found out that his own father, Manolo went to the seminary with Escriva. The seminary was not the only thing that tied Josemaria and Manolo together- they were childhood friends and their relationship was tested throughout the Spanish Civil War. Hence, Manolo is the best resource person for Roberto’s book but he is the most reluctant. Add the fact that father and son haven’t spoken in 8 years. Roberto “hated” his father so much that he doesn’t want to be a father himself.

Manolo and Josemaria grew up in the town of Barbastro, Spain. Manolo came from a rich father and so is Josemaria but the latter’s father went bankrupt. The two met again in a seminary ( but ended in a brawl) where Josemaria view priesthood as a vocation while Manolo like most men at that time thinks that being a priest is just a career option. The more Manolo shove Josemaria in his life, the more hope and patience Josemaria has for his dear friend.

Josemaria continues his vocation while Manolo avenging for his father’s death directly involved himself in the Civil War as a spy for the Nationalists. While fighting with the Republicans, he met a 19-year old Hungarian Ildiko. Manolo’s love for Ildiko was unrequited for she has her eyes on Oriol, leader of the Republican fighters.

As Manolo fights for his ideologies and for Ildiko’s affection, Josemaria was also facing another – anti-clerical movements. The Spanish Civil War left more than half a million dead with at least 6,000 priests and members of the clergy. The Republicans accuse the Church for siding with the Nationalist insurgents led by Gen. Francisco Franco. It was also this time that Josemaria Escriva started one of the most significant institutions of the Catholic Church – Opus Dei.

As what Charlie Cox, who portrays Josemaria Escriva in this film said, “There Be Dragons”  is not “he did this and that; but what he did in spite of”. The film tells the Josemaria Escriva’s life story as one who faced a strong current of this time to establish and fight for vocation. Like a modern Christian persecution, he had to wear not just “regular” clothes but a wedding ring ( his mother’s idea) to protect himself from the mob. He continued celebrating masses in spite of the hunt for priests; hearing confessions in zoos and other unlikely places. And just like a Holocaust, he experienced hiding in an apartment’s secret chamber while being protected by a Republican Captain who symphatized for his causes. The story follows the saint’s struggle and reluctance to cross the Pyreness Mountain to reach Andorra, a place dominated by the Nationalist thus for Escriva’s safety.

And as for Manolo, the last chapter of his life during the Civil War answers all the questions about his relationship with his son Roberto.The movie finally wraps to revelations that led to forgiveness and expressing love that has been kept in a dark casket for a long time.

Title explained

The movie opens with the cameras rolling on a medieval map; the time when people think that the Earth is flat. There was a belief that dragons dwell in the unknown lands as ship “drops” into the horizon. Director/Writer Joffe used the idea to come up with the title “There Be Dragons” to symbolize the unkown. The unknown including his participation in this film.

“There Be Dragons” is also a metaphor for the dark and unknown times of our lives. As we live, we will come across and experience worse cases of uncertainties  that will draw us close to God. But whatever dragon we have in our lives, “what matters most is how we face them”.

Review

“There Be Dragons” is a brilliant movie that awakens our hearts to those we love and to those we have neglected. Wisely written to portray a saint’s life in a less dogmatic way, it is for the audience to appreciate people in our lives. In this film, history tells us on the effects when we opt to take sides – when we put animosity on the pedestal.

The film also shows the human side and human struggle of a saint and with this, sheds a light that we can live in  saintly manner without going to a vocation. Our love for our parents and spouse and other actions as we live our “ordinary” life is saintly enough- one of the core beliefs of the Opus Dei.

This film offers the real story of the Opus Dei and its founder as it was pre-judged by Dan Brown’s novel and the movie, the Da Vinci Code. One of the scenes in the film shows is the rationale behind flogging  – one of the things that the Da Vinci Code made very felonious.The film clears many misinterpretations of the organization and the founder and for members will let them appreciate the movement even more.

For the regular moviegoer, the movie goes beyond the usual Hollywood fare. Filled with heavy emotions and scenes, it is movie for those who want to reflect from a film – not just mere visual entertainment.

A must-see, “There Be Dragons” reminds us of our co-existence in this world is shaped by love, humility and forgiveness.

So let us start….

If you are living in an archipelago and  a travel writer, then you would understand why I often write about beaches. Who doesn’t like the beach anyway?

If you want a nice beach getaway when in Iloilo, the best bet is to go to Guimaras Island. Less than an hour of boat-ride and you will be transported to an unspoiled firefly-painted nights. Motherhood limited this vagabond activity of mine and if my preschooler would say ” I miss the beach”, then that would mean driving to Anhawan Beach Resort and Spa .

Living in Iloilo City for 5 years now ( I don’t count my 4 years in UP Miag-ao), I’ve only been here thrice. The first time was when my firstborn, Aki was then 6 months old. That time, Anhawan was just new and they still have their “no-outside-foods-allowed-complete- with-inspection-from-manong guard” policy.  haha!

That was one of  the reasons why we often bypass Anhawan no matter how nice its shore is. We love bringing our own food.

Fast forward…half a decade after ( makes me old)..we came back with my SIL

I know she wanted to go to Boracay but weather and time constraints..they were not meant for each other.

It was my baby Liam’s first time too!

And Aki’s first time to ride a pony (20pesos per ride).

On our third visit ( the latest so far)..we brought this

No more Jollibee school parties for him. And they just enjoyed this Angry Bird balloons I bought for 40 pesos each.

Look how big you are now my little love!

I have two boys with a baby who is now running like a headless chicken all day. So that means whenever I’m out with them, it should be somewhere spacious. .

Adjacent is Guimaras Island. So near yet so far..

I want a place with unobstructed view of my kids. Where I can “relax” a little as they do their thing

Yes, I let them play with dirt. As long as its pure dirt ( no broken glass or poopies. hehe) and they wash their hands after.

There are some policies of this resort that I’m still trying to accept but I still recommend this beach resort to my friends. My reasons why I opt to spend a day at Anhawan Beach Resort are :

Spacious and green…like a vacation home

Calm shore..

and the water is refreshingly clean..

that’s it.

Thank you for reading!

As the biggest city in terms of land area, Davao can offer things that can cater to any type of tourist. Most of all, its natural topography makes nature parks with wide range of outdoor activities common. If you are like me who would rather swim with killer sharks than go zip lining, then, you can commune with nature in Davao. If you want to combine both, go to  Eden Nature Park and Resort.

Named after the barangay where it is situated, this nature park is located more than 3,000 ft above sea level. I felt my ears popped on our way. Chew some gum if yo u wish to visit this place to minimize the effects of altitude. Those with little babies, let them suck something – pacifiers, bottle or mommy’s breast for breastfed angels.

Eden Nature Park and Resort was supposed to be our first stop. And as what I wrote in my previous post, I “tricked” my group and had a subtle detour to the Japanese tunnel before heading to this park.

We arrive Davao past 10 am and with the Japanese tunnel, we reached Eden in time for lunch. Since it located on a very high altitude, the breeze was so nice -reminded me of late spring time.

Lunch at Eden Nature Park was buffet style -400/pax. For those coming from Manila and other metropolitan city, price is cheap but for us coming from Iloilo, it was expensive. haha!

Food was great but their choices were not that much. Plus, they were not quick in refilling their food. Maybe because there were too many guests? We were there during a very long weekend. I love how fresh their food was and they spoiled their dishes with herbs and spices.

We love the scenery as we ate..

Here is a peasant in their restaurant area. But I was more inclined to the brass details.

After lunch, we decided to take their guided tour. This park is houses in a 10-hectare property. Guided tour was at 100/pax for 1 hour.

We had our guide, Tonton. He was very eloquent. Kudos to you dear!

I find their guided tour one of the best. World-class to be exact. Their tour guide will not talk throughout the tour. Rather, they have prerecorded audio. So impressive that their audio recording coincides with our travel time. It was very educational. This park is actually on another peak which was supposed to be higher than Mt. Apo (eruption altered its height).

“On your right is our hydrophonics garden..”. Nice! They use these lettuce in their salads..

There are plenty of things to see..Trees like mangosteen, durian to this rare plant..

Gardens are well maintained. They have prayer/reflection areas for checked-in guests regardless of their religious affiliation.

Trekking and hiking are one of the best things to do here.

Their herb gardens ( they use them in their kitchen) with the views of Davao City and Davao Gulf.

Wishing well with gumamelas of all hues.

Many activities and most of them are family-friendly but we skipped that. We lacked time and we chartered a van so it would be a waste of money if we spend our whole day at Eden.

They also have many cottages and accommodations that are secluded and you will feel living within the wilderness. Great for those who want to “hybernate” but as a mother and as a freelance writer, I wouldn’t stay there with my kids. Safety reasons. But if its just me and hubby, perfect for some solo time!

Most of all, like other business, I applaud on how they brought employment to the locals. In accordance to our law, majority of their workers are from Barangay Eden. It’s nice to know that they have provided jobs for people.

With my scarf, I can apply as one of their tour guides. hahaha!

I think that you can absolutely take advantage of their amenities if you will spend a whole day at Eden Nature Park and Resort. As a freelance writer, I recommend this place whenever you are in Davao.

For a complete list of their amenities and facilities as well their rates, visit http://edennaturepark.com.ph