ALL ABOUT BATANGAS

BATANGAS is part of REGION IV-A or CALABARZON (CALABARZON stands for CAvite, LAguna, BAtangas, Rizal and QueZON province).

BATANGAS came from the word "BATANGAN", a raft that early residents used so that they could fish from Taal Lake. TAAL VOLCANO, one of the World's smallest, most active and deadliest Volcanoes, is one of the famous landmarks in the province.

The province of BATANGAS has 3 cities (BATANGAS, TANAUAN and LIPA) and 31 municipalities (AGONCILLO, ALITAGTAG, BALAYAN, BALETE, BAUAN, CALACA, CALATAGAN, CUENCA, IBAAN, LAUREL, LEMERY, LIAN, LOBO, MABINI, MALVAR, MATAASNAKAHOY, NASUGBU, PADRE GARCIA, ROSARIO, SAN JOSE, SAN JUAN, SAN LUIS, SAN NICOLAS, SAN PASCUAL, SANTA TERESITA, SANTO TOMAS, TAAL, TALISAY, TAYSAN, TINGLON and TUY). *I visited the places in YELLOW ink

BATANGAS is bordered by the provinces of CAVITE and LAGUNA to the north, QUEZON PROVINCE to the east, Verde Island Passages to the south and to the west lies the SOUTH CHINA SEA.

In this blog, I will be sharing my JOURNEY about the places, food, and other things in BATANGAS.

1. FERNANDO AIR BASE, LIPA CITY

The place where I learned how to fly an aircraft. The place where I conquered the SKY. This AIR BASE is aptly called the "SUMMER CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE" because of its elevation of about 1,200 ft. above sea level that makes the weather cold. It is the education and training hub of the PAF where personnel learn the basics of soldiery, consequently talents, skills and knowledge are honed and where pilots are trained to fly.

2. LOBO

The venue of the teambuilding activity of the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) in 2014. Interestingly LOBO shorelines have rocks instead of powdered sand.

3. MOUNT MAKULOT, CUENCA

I heard a lot about this mountain but only in 2014 that I was able to trek and reach its peak. Mount Makulot is popularized by the Officer's Clubhouse inside Fernando Air Base, named "BULWAGANG MAKULOT". The view of this mountain is one of the gauge if the weather is good or bad, whether flyable or not for the instructor and student pilots of AETC.

4. LOMI

One of the things that I will always do whenever I am in BATANGAS is to eat LOMI!

I will be exploring more about the province of BATANGAS...

ala eh, SAAN PA GA MAGANDANG PUMUNTA SA BATANGAS?

ALL ABOUT PALAWAN

PALAWAN is part of REGION IV-B or MIMAROPA (MIMAROPA stands for MIndoro provinces, MArinduque, ROmblon and PAlawan).

PALAWAN is the largest province in the Philippines in terms of land area.

PALAWAN has 1 city (PUERTO PRINCESA) and 23 municipalities (ABORLAN, AGUTAYA, ARACELI, BALABAC, BATARAZA, BROOKE'S POINT, BUSUANGA, CAGAYANCILLO, CORON, CULION, CUYO, DUMARAN, EL NIDO, KALAYAAN, LINAPACAN, MAGSAYSAY, NARRA, QUEZON, RIZAL, ROXAS, SAN VICENTE, SOFRONIO ESPANOLA and TAYTAY).

My first time in Palawan was in February of 1996. I higly admired the CLEANLINESS and ORDERLINESS of PUERTO PRINCESA during that time. I have never seen a place as clean until this very moment. 

In this blog, I will share to you some of the places that I already visited in the PROVINCE of PALAWAN. (Please CLICK the LINK, the underlined word/s, to read more about the PLACE)

1. PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER

I came to this place many times already, but I will always come back excited and in total amazement because this is absolutely a wonderful creation of nature. The boat tour inside the cave or underground river is an unforgettable experience. You will be amazed by the different structures and figures inside the cave as if they were masterpieces by great sculptures. But they are all works of nature. They were formed and created by the falling waters from the ceilings of the cave hammered by other factors especially time. 

If you love challenge and adventure, you should try to trek the trail from SABANG BEACH going to the UNDERGROUND RIVER. But if you like a relaxing journey from Sabang Beach to the underground river, you can hire a motorized boat.

Puerto Princesa Underground River is voted as one of the NEW 7 WONDERS OF NATURE.

2. SABANG BEACH, PUERTO PRINCESA CITY

The Sabang Beach is the gateway to the PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER. There are various activities in the area like swimming in the sea or in the pool, trekking going to the underground river, island hopping, and many more. There are also high-end hotels and resorts where you can stay. There are also many nice big restaurants and also small food stores where you can satisfy your hunger, thirst and cravings after a long walk, swimming in the crystal clear sea or pool water, or just enjoying the wonderful sights of the blue skies.

3. BAKER'S HILL

The BAKER'S HILL in PUERTO PRINCESA can be compared to the GOOD SHEPHERD in Baguio City where you can buy high quality and delicious "PASALUBONG". HOPIA is my favorite.

4. CROCODILE FARM AND NATURE PARK

The CROCODILE FARM is located within PUERTO PRINCESA CITY where you cannot only enjoy the sight of the different sizes of real and live crocodiles, but you can also taste CROCODILE SISIG and other crocodile meat products. Aside from crocodiles, there are also numerous species of birds and wildlife animals that you can enjoy to watch and learn about them. You have to bring fully-charged camera to capture hundred or even thousand moments while inside the large compound of crocodile farm and nature park.

5. ANTONIO BAUTISTA AIR BASE

My first deployment as a HUEY PILOT is in PALAWAN. I was able to explore the province both from above while flying the aircraft accomplishing various missions and while on the ground when there were no flying operations. The ANTONIO BAUTISTA AIR BASE is the home of the PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE in PALAWAN. It is strategically located in PUERTO PRINCESA CITY.

6. EL NIDO

My first time in this remarkable paradise was in 1999 when I was still a pilot of the UH-1H Helicopter. As a pilot, it is a great privilege to explore numerous places and at the same time a gargantuan responsibility to be able to fly safe while successfully accomplishing the mission. EL NIDO is one of the places that heavily embedded in my heart and imprinted in my mind. We were flying missions then related to the MALAMPAYA operations. In the picture below, we were treated to an amazing island hopping to the incredible sights of the beautiful islands of EL NIDO. Unfortunately, there was no digital camera then for me to capture more pictures. We have limited camera "film". You have to spend in buying the camera film and spend again for the developing.
Good thing, I was able to save some pictures.

I will continuously share my JOURNEY in PALAWAN...

ALL ABOUT CAVITE

CAVITE is part of REGION IV-A or CALABARZON (CALABARZON stands for CAVITE, LAGUNA, BATANGAS, RIZAL and QUEZON PROVINCE)

CAVITE is composed of 6 cities (BACOOR, CAVITE, DASMARINAS, IMUS, TAGAYTAY and TRECE MARTIRES) and 17 municipalities (ALFONSO, AMADEO, CARMONA, GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO, GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ, GENERAL TRIAS, INDANG, KAWIT, MAGALLANES, MARAGONDON, MENDEZ, NAIC, NOVELETA, ROSARIO, SILANG, TANZA and TERNATE)

1. CORREGIDOR ISLAND

2. TAGAYTAY CITY

PASAYAHAN FESTIVAL

Every last week in the month of MAY is a busy one for the people of LUCENA CITY. They are all in festive and happy mood. The PASAYAHAN FESTIVAL is celebrated annually with series of JOYFUL and COLORFUL events.

PASAYAHAN FESTIVAL features outlandish costumes and symbolic floats highlighted by dancing, singing and merry-making on the main street (QUEZON AVENUE) of LUCENA CITY ala "MARDI GRAS". Every 29th of May, UGAT LUCENA is celebrated where Lucenahin residents and those from abroad come home and retrace familial origin and renew old acquaintances and enjoy camaraderie. Every 30th of May is the FIESTA TIME where HOLY MASS is celebrated in honor of SAINT FERDINAND, the Patron Saint of Lucena. Every 31st of May is the SANTACRUZAN.

For this year, the GRAND PARADE happened on Thursday, May 28. The parade featured creative FLOATS and NATIVE CRAFTS displayed along the streets in the capital city of QUEZON PROVINCE especially in QUEZON AVENUE. 

Unfortunately, I was not able to witness the grand celebrations. It was only on last day of the month that I was able to visit the place when almost all the happenings are done. 

The following pictures are glimpse of the PASAYAHAN FESTIVAL which is about to end. There are still plenty of items for sale along QUEZON AVENUE. The main road was converted into "small DIVISORIA" or "little BACLARAN".

DISCOVERED "PARADISE"????

For a very long time, I didn't know that there is a place called "NATAGPUANG PARAISO" RESORT in the municipality of LUCBAN. What I knew is "NAWAWALANG PARAISO" RESORT in TAYABAS CITY.

I haven't seen any blog or travel reviews about "NATAGPUANG PARAISO". But there are plenty of blogs and reviews about "NAWAWALANG PARAISO". 

I only discovered it when one morning I was on my way to the town proper of LUCBAN destined to visit to another place. The small signage below caught my attention. Signage that awakened my curiosity. So, I devoted one morning to take a look and DISCOVER the place....

I was excited when I was on my way going to the "NEW DISCOVERY"...but when I finally reached the place.................TO BE CONTINUED (BITININ MUNA NATIN ANG KWENTO)

TO BE CONTINUED...

TASTE AND PRICE THAT WILL MAKE YOU CRAZY

For a HAPPY and HEALTHY life, we have to balance what we eat. It is wise to eat delicious and at the same time healthy food. GARLIC is an excellent example. 

GARLIC is a good source of antioxidants and food cooked with garlic are delicious.

The NAME of the restaurant and the reviews that I read brought me to the place. 

I wanted to experience another different taste.

As usual for every restaurant that I visited for the first time, I ordered CHICKEN...

meal served with different sauces...

A meal for P 630 is something...at least I was able to try and tell the story with you...but if you have extra money and want to enjoy food and life, try this delicious fried chicken...
2 large pieces of chicken legs with amazingly delicious garlic rice...

WAGAM!!!!

nice ambiance

great place

...perfect venue to satisfy your cravings..

What I like most in the service is the attentiveness of the waiter who refilled my glass with iced-cold water everytime I was about to consume...it was just like having bottomless drinks at service deluxe from beautiful waitresses...

They were also offering DISCOUNT CARD worth 2,000 pesos to be able to avail 20% to 30% on your order. I just failed to inquire if the card is renewable annually.