I Love CamSur!

Join Rio Alva Francisco as she tells us stories
and recommends great adventures down south of Luzon

Approximately 377 kilometers away from Manila, the province of Camarines Sur is one of top tourist destinations in the nation; geographically, the province is right in the middle of Bicolandia; it has been developed aptly to offer world-class travel spots and introduce adventure-filled activities for both the foreign and local tourists.

CamSur, as it is fondly called by most, occupies the largest land area of the Bicol region with 5,226.8 square kilometers. Traveling from Manila is not as complex as visiting other provinces down south as the trip to CamSur could be via land (9 hours by bus or train found in certain parts of the metropolis) or  air (1 hour, scheduled flights may be checked online; landing on Pili Airport).

Influx of Filipinos coming from different parts of the country has been steadily
in great stream as Camarines Sur holds the fluvial procession, Peñafrancia Festival,  every September. CamSur has been named the Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines as it used to be the seat of the Roman Catholic Religion during the Spanish Occupation in the archipelago.

The world’s smallest edible fish, called tabios (Mistichttys) is also found in CamSur’s Lake Buhi.

“As I was born in CamSur, I’ve always had great reasons to keep coming back—and each homecoming trip has always been meaningful, wonderful, and distinct. Genuine love for the province gives me the urge to visit one tourist destination to another—the search for new wonders of my region’s identity and its beyond-one’s-imagination’s delights have motivated this writer to keep discovering its marvels.”

The 6-hectare, greenery-wide spot in the Provincial Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili was turned into a world-class watersports complex now known as CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC).  The water-recreational facility offers a variety of activities for adventure-seekers.

WAKEBOARDING. A must try, a combination of water skiing, snow boarding, and surfing techniques. Get ready for a ride in a single board with non-release bindings for each foot while standing sideways.

WINCHPARK. An allotted area for the first-timer who wants to try wakeboarding, waterskiing, and kneeboarding.

INFLATABLE PARK. The giant inflatable balloons floating on water offers people of all ages another level of fun water activities, such as boating.

SWIMMING POOL. You can also take a plunge and do sun bathing at the pool side. There is a designated area for children for them to enjoy a good swim.

MASSAGE HUT. After a tiring and vigorous activity in CWC, a pampering massage session in the huts near the lakeside (and its available for room service) is highly recommended. Locally, some would call this hilot—soothing those strained and stressed nerves.

ALWAYS CONNECTED. The entire sports complex is wi-fi ready for visitors to stay connected to the cyber world.

Some tourists prefer to watch the wakeboarders doing their exhibitions while having their lunch or snacks at the sideline. This view can be majestic during sunset or while having an early dinner.

Motorcycle Diaries: A Ride to Kawayan Farm

As a motorcycle rider, I’m always on the lookout for new places to ride to and good restaurants to eat in.

Kawayan Farm and Restaurant’s refreshing surroundings and laid-back vibe offers the perfect spot for friends and family to relax for a late breakfast or early lunch. Getting to the place in Pililla, Rizal is a smooth two-hour drive through the twisty Manila East Road via Marcos Highway.

Situated on a hilly landscape overlooking Laguna Bay, Kawayan Farm is a popular spot for cyclists, motorcycle riders, and road trippers to relax and stop for a meal during a weekend ride.

Kawayan Farm is a family-friendly venue as seen in the small children’s playground with monkey bars, a swing, and a slide on the grounds. The grounds are neatly landscaped with lush greenery. Vines hang from the arcs and trellises around the main dining hall. If you take a stroll around the farm, you can find different bamboo seedlings for sale including white, yellow, black, Chinese, Buddha, giant varieties as well as expensive bamboos used by landscapers in their masterpieces. There’s even a small chapel and several small nipa huts around the grounds where guests can just relax.

Kawayan Farm also manages a rustic restaurant serving Pinoy fare and as expected from its name, most of the place is made of bamboo. There’s an enclosed area near the entrance that can seat larger groups, while the airy dining spots with bamboo walls and floors at the back are ideal for families or smaller groups.

Pinoy favorites on the menu include tapsilog, sisig, sinigang, and crispy tilapia. They also serve a few dishes that make use of bamboo shoots including labong (a spicy Bicol express dish) and lumpia (egg roll filled with lettuce and bamboo shoots). Restaurant staff also recommended the binakol, native tinolang manok cooked with coconut meat. For drinks, it’s best to order a pitcher of refreshing buko juice or fresh fruit shakes.

The distance from the city, clean and green surroundings, and delicious fare really makes Kawayan Farm an ideal spot for a quick getaway.

Kawayan Farm. Km 63 Manila East Road, Barangay Halayhayin, Pililla, Rizal.

For more travel stories, visit the author’s blog Travel Up at www.traveling-up.com

Text by Kara Santos

Spelunking in Pinagrealan Cave in Bulacan

The flashlight beams casted shadows across the damp rock surface of the cave. Once in a while, a flash would go off as someone took a photograph. Then, it was back to the gloom as our group stumbled through the winding caverns. Spelunking in the historic Pinagrealan Cave in Norzagaray, Bulacan was the first stop in Lakbay Norte, an 8-day media familiarization tour to several provinces in the North earlier this year.

According to local tourism staff, the cave was used by Katipunero Revolutionaries as a camp in 1896 during the war against Spain and again during the Filipino-American War in 1898 as the hideout of General Emilio Aguinaldo (the First President of the Philippines).

It was also used as a sanctuary by the Japanese Imperial Army when the Philippines was liberated by American Forces. The subterranean network of caverns extends more than a kilometer deep. Its terrain is marked by 85% limestone walls whose colors vary from pink, brown and white, shallow sinkholes, and crystal-like formations that make some parts of the rock surface sparkle.

Our cave exploration was relatively slow because of the size of our group and the darkness. Not everyone had flashlights and the taller people in the group had to keep crouching to avoid hitting the low hanging stalactites. The group slowly fell in line to clamber from one edge of the slippery surface and squeeze through the rock crevices to get ahead.

A section of the cave tapered into a narrow water-filled passage, and we had no choice but to plunge into the pool of waist-deep water to advance. At the other side of the pool was a large sinkhole that serves as a swimming hole for visitors. We were told that the passageway still led to inner cave chambers ideal for expert spelunkers.

Though not as extensive as the Biak-na-Bato Caves, local tourism officials are eyeing Pinagrealan Cave as a new tourist destination in the area, ideal for those looking for a quick and adventurous weekend trip.
For inquiries, contact the Bulacan Provincial Youth, Sports, Employment, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (PYSEACTO), email: psyeaco@bulacan.gov.ph or call +63 (44) 791-6604

For more travel stories, visit the author’s blog Travel Up at www.traveling-up.com

Text by Kara Santos

Manila Listed Among Choice Destinations on the Rise in Asia

Trip Advisor has recently announced the winners of its 2012 Travellers' Choice for Destinations on the Rise. Topping the list is Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital. Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, took second spot and Kolkata (India) third. The other top ten cities were Manila (the Philippines), Bangalore (India), LuangPrabang (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Chiang Mai (Thailand) and the Japanese cities of Kobe and Osaka.
Destinations which have seen significant increase in traveler interest and positive traveler feedback over the years were the ones given recognition.

When Touring Luzon

BAGUIO
Baguio is known as the country’s summer capital, and for good reason. Nestled amidst verdant pine trees high up on a mountain in the North, the city boasts of a cool climate all year round. Baguio’s rugged beauty, its abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, the riot of colors of its many flowers, and the warmth and hospitality of its people make it a favorite destination of tourists, both local and foreign.

Must-bring: A warm jacket

MANILA
Manila’s illustrious past makes it the perfect destination for visitors interested in history and culture. A beautiful blend of East and West, Manila is famous for the fabled golden sunset of Manila Bay; the centuries-old stone walls of Intramuros; and San Sebastian Church, the only all-steel Gothic structure in Asia, to name but a few.

Must-bring: Comfortable shoes/sandals for walking tours

LAIYA
Laiya is a long stretch of beach on the southern coast of Batangas. Its sand ranges from fine white powder to smooth pebbles, shells, and corals, and is the perfect complement to the gorgeous azure and cerulean of the sea. Batangas is home to the island’s best dive spots and features the most colorful and diverse of marine life. A quick dip near Laiya’s shore is enough to give one a peek of the various fishes and corals one would encounter farther out.

Must-bring: Snorkels and goggles

CAMSUR
Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex or CWC, otherwise known as CamSur, is a man-made watersports complex designed for wakeboarding, waterskiing, and wakeskating. The park is located in Bicol, the southernmost part of Luzon, and is the first of its kind in the Philippines. It features a 6-point cable ski system that everyone, from beginners to professionals, can enjoy.

Must-bring: Sturdy board shorts and sporty sunglasses/sports goggles

Article By: Ria Santos

Coron: Escape to Paradise

There has been much buzz about Coron as of late. It is being touted as the Philippines’ next tourism wonder. Imagine my enthusiasm when I learned that I had the opportunity to find out for myself what the raving is all about. A day before the flight, I was a bit concerned because of the bad weather developing at the eastern side of the country. The skies were cloudy and there was a bit of rain; but come rain or shine, we were going to Coron.
D-day. It seemed that God made his countenance shine upon us. As we approached Palawan, the skies were clear and the sun was shining. I couldn’t be happier. Or so I thought.

Island Hopping
One of the main attractions of Coron is its island hopping experience. From Coron town proper, we took a boat going to Coron Island. The trip took around 20 minutes but I hardly noticed the time because of the spectacular seascape which greeted me.  I was captivated by the towering limestone structures that seem to have protruded out of the cerulean waters. The thick foliage and lush vegetation which covered the jagged mountains added to the grandeur of the landscape. I couldn’t help but bask in the majestic beauty of God’s handiwork which surrounded me. Once in a while, my excitement built up, so I had to let out a primal yell—to the amusement of my companions, of course.  But this was just the beginning.

Siete Pecados
Also known as the Islets of the Seven Sins, Siete Pecados was the first stop of our island hopping tour. Once the site came into full view, I took a long and deep breath and immersed myself in the beauty of the islets. I took some time to appreciate the exquisite surrounding and let the moment sink in. But as I went into the water and started snorkeling, a whole new world opened up to me. I was astounded by the underwater scenery. It was like peering into a very big aquarium, but much more beautiful—unlike anything I have ever seen. Immediately noticeable are the corals of various colors, shapes, and sizes.

Then there are the fishes which were happily swimming about. They swam towards me and swarmed at the morsel of cassava cake I was holding in my hand. The fishes tried to bite off pieces from the food I had in my hand. Occasionally, they’d bite my fingers but I was too amused by the interaction to even notice. It was definitely one of those times when I wish I brought an underwater camera along. I learned later on that disposable underwater cameras are available at local shops for Php 300. Nonetheless, I left the site feeling ecstatic.
Entrance: Php 100

Kayangan Lake
Getting to Kayangan Lake took a bit of effort because it required hiking on a steep terrain since it is located 250 feet above sea level. The rugged stone steps leading to the lake can get slippery, so care must be taken when climbing or descending. Good thing there are wooden handrails which can provide support should a misstep happen. About halfway into the climb, we got a picturesque view of the cove which serves as the entry point to Kayangan. This is where the most famous shot of Coron was taken.

I must admit, the hike got my heart rate going and I worked up a sweat. Once the lake came into full view, though, everything just faded away. No wonder Kayangan Lake is a Hall of Fame Awardee for the Cleanest and Greenest lake in the Philippines. The enchanting turquoise water was so inviting I had to take a dip. I did not bother wearing a life vest. The lake is quite deep, around 20 feet, but I could still see the bottom of the lake. The underwater limestone formations looked like an underwater city in a fantasy novel.

Entrance: Php 200

Barracuda Lake
As if the name doesn’t sound menacing enough, the sharp, jagged limestone structures surrounding the lake only added to the foreboding atmosphere of Barracuda lake. It is said that a large barracuda resides in the lake, adding to my trepidation. Once the lake revealed itself, I was overwhelmed by its almost mystic tranquility. Its teal waters beckoned, and I just couldn’t resist. Once in the water, I realized that this lake was much deeper since I couldn’t see the bottom. I learned later on that the lake had a depth of about 100 feet. The massive underwater limestone formations seemed like megalithic structures. The formations also hinted of caverns underneath. The awe-inspiring scene beneath Barracuda Lake’s waters only illustrates the magnitude and grandeur of nature’s beauty. No wonder this lake is such a popular diving site.

I swam towards a secluded area and took a few moments to take in as much as I can. The serenity which then enveloped my entire being was like that of an infant finding comfort in the bosom of its mother. This, to me, is a perfect setting to relax and maybe even ruminate on life’s most important questions.

Entrance: Php 200

Bainono Beach
On our way to Dicantuman Beach, we noticed a number of white beaches along Coron Island. Some are tucked in coves, slowly revealing their beauty as you approach them. This scenery only added to my eager anticipation. Once the beach came into sight, we could not hide our excitement. Our boat approached the shore very slowly to avoid collision with corals or rocks.

I took a few moments to enjoy the feeling of powdery white sand between my toes while gazing at the picturesque seascape. The towering limestone cliff, which was covered with lush vegetation, added to the spectacular beauty of the scene. After some swimming and walking around, we relaxed at the wooden cottages on the beach. As it turned out, we somehow ended up in Bainono Beach instead of Dicantuman Beach. Serendipitous or not, we were glad to have such a resplendent white beach all to ourselves that afternoon.

Maquinit Hot Spring
After a long day, nothing could be more welcome than a dip at Maquinit’s hot waters. Nestled among mangrove trees, Maquinit provides exhausted tourists a brief respite while enjoying the scenic view of the sea. Wooden walkways leading to a view deck provide a better look of the seascape.
Its waters, heated to about 38-40 degrees Celsius, spring from a dormant underground volcano. What differentiates Maquinit from other hot springs is that it is the only saltwater hot spring in the country. At first, the water seemed a little too hot for my liking. It took quite a while before I was able to fully immerse myself, but once I did and got accustomed to the temperature, I couldn’t get myself out of the water.

Open from 6am – 10pm
Roundtrip Tricycle Fee: Php 300.00
Entrance: Php 150.00

Zip Line
Situated alongside Lualhati Park and the wharf, the zip line’s towers stand 40 feet above the waters—high enough to test if one has a head for heights. I certainly did not have one as I got that tingling sensation once I reached the top of the tower. Nonetheless, I was very eager to give this ride a try. As I was being strapped to the harness, I took the time to enjoy the panoramic view of Coron and its stunning landscape.
When I stepped off the tower, I felt my adrenaline rushing and yelled out in excitement. The other tower seemed hundreds of feet away, yet I reached it in just a few seconds. Once I’m on the second tower, I was asked to climb to the top. The staff strapped me to the line once again. Awesome. The ride back was even more exciting. As the ride ended, I wanted to go on a couple more times. This activity is definitely not only for adrenaline junkies; even the faint of heart will find this ride enjoyable.

Escape to Paradise
Our 3-day stay was definitely not enough to experience all of Coron. There were so much more sights to see and things to do. That is probably why people keep on coming back to Coron. Some as often as every two months.
For those who have been aching to get out of the rat race and leave behind the drudgery of work, Coron is the perfect getaway. It is much like paradise welcoming weary souls with a warm embrace.

A sneak peek of Hollywood in the Philippines

A trip to Quezon City would not be complete without a visit to the Eastwood City Walk of Fame. A Hollywood-inspired attraction, it boasts of the finest Filipino artists in the Philippine entertainment industry. The walk is a virtual who’s who of Filipino personalities, past and present. It is the only one of its kind in the Philippines that pays tribute to the major contributors in the field of the arts, sports, and media.

Situated near C5, a very accessible highway linking major cities, it is a popular destination for people young and old. This landmark is known as a hub for BPOs, yuppies, and corporate personalities. Condominiums, together with lifestyle malls carrying international and designer brands, surround the area. Restaurants and coffee shops litter the surroundings for the consummate foodie.

The Eastwood city walk of fame was established in 2005 to create a lasting memorial to the greatest icons in the local entertainment industry. It is a brainchild and a dream come true of German Moreno, a legend and mentor of the best and the brightest artists in the land. Stars from the past to the present are honored here. From the likes of veteran actors such as Gloria Romero to rising artists such as Sam Milby, a star with their name on it is engraved into the walk of fame. The late comedy king Dolphy and renowned singer Charice Pempengco are among those who were recognized in this one of a kind attraction.

This is definitely an attraction which you should not miss. It takes you through a sneak preview of the celebrities who gave life to Philippine entertainment. Photo opportunities are a must for anyone. Just being around these stars will certainly make you feel like you’re one step closer to your favorite local celebrities and icons. If you ever wonder what it feels like to visit Hollywood, just take a walk through this hall of fame strip and you will surely experience Hollywood, the Pinoy way.

By: Patricia Tanya F. Velasco

The Marvel of Marabut

I have always subscribed to the saying that “big surprises come in small packages.” In a captivating archipelago endowed by the Almighty with 7,107 island wonders, this adage is ever so true in the best-kept tourist spots in the country’s off-the-beaten path.

One of these big surprises is the bucolic town of Marabut in Samar which takes pride in its diverse ecosystem, marvelous rock islands, crystalline waters, and its own little stretches of fine white sand beaches every Filipino travel bug longs for.

Your interlude with nature begins at Marabut Extreme Resort (formerly Marabut Marine Park) which offers a front row seat to the awe-inspiring limestone rock island formations that punctuates the bay. The scenery is so irresistible that the next logical thing to do is to paddle a kayak for the all-important island-hopping (or shall I say, rock-hopping) adventure.
Each rock island has an amusing shape and interesting features to showcase, among them, lush coral gardens, patches of greeneries, and white beaches, which are short in length, but never short in the unique experience they can offer.
A must-see is the Tinago Enchanted Lagoon and Cave which can be reached after about 30 minutes of leisurely paddling. Tucked behind the towering rock formations, it can be reached by passing through a low-ceiling tunnel-like entrance where a new world unfolds.

The lagoon is a rich wetland ecosystem teeming with mangrove forests which is a habitat to various species of fish and fowls, making the area their retreat at dusk.
Marabut Extreme Resort is also a swell venue for team-building excursions with its adventure facilities that would test the participants’ mettle physically and mentally.
It is also an ideal take-off point for a cliff trek to a vantage peak which affords you a breathtaking view of the vast expanse of Marabut Bay.

For a touch of luxury amidst a rural setting, guests can stay or dine at the newly-opened Caluwayan Palm Island Resort which boasts of well-appointed rooms with a view, a swimming pool, aquasports facilities, and a bar and restaurant for your cravings from regional Waray cuisine to Filipino favorites.
For a complete nature-tripping experience, visitors can trek the Kadongos Falls for a rejuvenating dip, snorkel at the Amambucale Reef, or simply gaze at the romantic sunset. Well, the things-to-do are really quite limitless in this proverbial small package and are better left to your imagination.

Finally, the good thing is you don’t have to go through hell to get to heaven. Marabut can be reached within an hour from Tacloban City Airport, passing through the iconic San Juanico Bridge and the meandering scenic roads which reveal Samar’s natural allure.

To know more about Marabut, log on to www.marabut.org.

Text by Bernard L Supetran

Pyestang Tugak (The Annual San Fernando Frog Festival)

The City of San Fernando, Pampanga, other than being known as the Christmas Capital of the Philippines is also teeming with frogs. With their abundance in the Kapampangan rice fields, frogs have actually become part of the kapampangan culture especially of the Fernandinos. From a simple frog dish, the Kampampangans have actually dished out a wide variety of frog cuisine enough to salivate the tourists, passers-by and locals. Not only that, the traditional frog catching or pamamaduas has also become a regular bonding exercise for every Fernandino family. No doubt these traditions are purely significant to the Kapampangan’s especially the Fernandino.

Dating back its origin, during the start of the rains, as the town folks would start planting rice; children would set out for the rice fields, streams and estuaries fed by the Rio Grande de Pampanga. This signaled the start of the frog-catching and rainy season eventually became a frog-catching season. Catching frogs was relatively easy. With fishing rod and string, the children jiggled a black piece of cloth in mid-air to simulate flies. As the frogs jumped and swallowed the cloth, they were quickly placed in reed containers or sacks to be dressed later with ash to remove their slime. Betute, as the same sounds, is a pun for betute (pufferfish), a term used to stuffed with a sausage meat or mincemeat. This actually ushered the start of Kapampangan Frog Tradition.

Henceforth, the Fernandinos rich tradition in the frog-catching process, pamamaduas tugak, has been passed on from generation to generation. Today, one starts with digging for a special kind of worm called bulateng tudtud, and stringing tem using a reed of cogon grass. Once attached to the paduas, or a fishing rod like implement, one is now ready to catch for frogs.

<img src="http://ptd.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pyestang-tugak3-ptd.com_.ph_.jpg" alt="" title="pyestang-tugak3-ptd.com.ph" width="650" height="433" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3950" />
With the frogs have come several traditions, including frog catching implements suchs as the padus, panyapu, and the bulateng tudtud, used as bait, as well as the wide range of frog cuisine. Most famous of these is thebetute, frogstuffed with the common pork or the traditional minced frog meat and then deep fried. And then there is of course the adobong tugak, tinolang tugak, almondegas, torta or frog burgers.

However, these traditions are fast disappearing due to inevitable progress and urban growth. Thus, there is an inherent need to rekindle and promote these rich Kapampangan frog traditions.

This gave birth to the Piestang Tugak- The Annual San Fernando Frog Festival. This was borne from the Kapampangan traditional practice of frog-catching and delicacy making of the native amphibian.

The City Tourism Division and the Center for Kapampangan Studies took the initiative in staging the first-ever Piestang Tugak- the 1st Annual San Fernando Frog Festival was celebrated last November 4, 2003 at the WOW Northern Philippines, HILAGA (formerly Paskuhan). The pilot staging of the festival reaped huge success because of the participation of the academe and other sectors of the Fernandinos which paved the way for an increased awareness in the frog tradition.

This year, because of the rich tradition behind Kapampangan frog culture and to provide continuity to the noble idea, the City Government of San Fernando and the Pyestang Tugak 2011 Executive Committee is bent on staging yet another gargantuan festivity which aims to feature and promote these disappearing traditions. This is corollary aimed to revolutionize the unique Fernandino culture and eventually make this event a part of every Fernandinos life.

No one can really discount the fact that these traditions have definitely become an important part of the Kapampangan culture. And it is up to the current generation of Kapampangans to preserve and promote these traditions for future generations to enjoy.

Source: PTD

Kadagatan and Kayak Festival in Cam Norte

The Kadagatan Festival in the town of Mercedes, Camarines Norte, Bicol is a celebration that gives thanks for the bountiful harvest of the sea. Locals pay tribute to Mother Nature for the blessings she has given with a weeklong series of events. Festivities include boat racing, street dancing, float parades, and various exhibitions. The mascot parade featuring fish and other marine creatures showcases the creativity of the locals.

In recent years, numerous water sports activities such as the Paraw Regatta, game fishing competitions, and kayaking events have been held as part of the festival, highlighting the town’s potential as a sports adventure and ecotourism destination.

Kayak surfing (also known as surf kayaking), or surfing ocean waves with kayaks, is rising in popularity in Mercedes because of the ideal conditions for the sport. The shallow seabed, strong wind, and great waves, make it ideal for the watersport even for beginners. This thrilling sport can give you a high similar to white-water rafting and surfing and is an extremely fun activity to try out.

During the Kadagatan Festival 2012, participants of Kayak Explore spent the night camping at Apuao Grande Island, one of the several islands belonging to the Mercedes group of islands. Apuao Grande, a 45-minute ride by motorboat, is characterized by a white sand beach shoreline lined with agoho (an evergreen species that resemble pine trees) and a sandbar that connects to a smaller island called Apuao Pequena. A mangrove forest can be seen in between the two Apuao Islands.

After a festive night around the campfire and back-to-basics camping, the participants woke up bright and early to race back on kayaks all the way to Baybay Beach in mainland Mercedes.

The Kadagatan Festival in Mercedes, Camarines Norte is held from August 1 to 8. For more information, visit http://mercedes.gov.ph

Photos / Words by: Kara Santos