The Pan-Ay Church and its Big Bell

I have less interest on topics of the past as compared to hubby’s great love for history and politics but whenever we visit remnants of our past, the patriot side of me do reign.

We have visited quite a few of Philippine Churches and the lack of upkeep is a distress of high concern.  How we wish we put “value” in words and in acts to relics that made the “us” today that will further bridge the present to the future.

The Pan-ay Church or the Sta. Monica Parish Church was a surprise to my general impression of our heritage.  The general structure demonstrated its original materials except for the belfry which obviously was modern and distinct from the rest of the design.

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Day 4 Around Roxas City – Seafoods of Baybay Beach, Landmarks of the City Proper and Pan-ay Church

It was a rainy morning when we left Iloilo at about 830am for our 3-hour Roxas City trip.  Hubby’s seafood yen mounted atop as the “Welcome to Roxas City – Seafood Capital of the Philippines” marker flashed before us…. Ahem! The less-seafood-loving me just watched his glee.

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Sadsad Falls of Guimaras

Whenever we plot our itinerary for places of first time jaunt, we rivet in a bit of history, architecture, nature, culture, and so on…

So during our Guimaras Island visit, we have already considered waterfalls in the itinerary, Sadsad Falls however outwit expectation.  Thanks to Kuya Roque, our trike driver guide, for making this possible.

So here we are, the adventurous us always in seize of unearthing natural wonders/beauties be it waterfalls, summit or the up-above and hopefully soon the deep-under….

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Day 3 Around Iloilo City – The Jaro Cathedral, Museo Iloilo, Molo Church and Esplanade

Before we retreated to our hotel to freshen up after our quick Guimaras Island trip, we passed by the sightings near the port – the San Jose Church, Iloilo City Hall and the Libertad Plaza.

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Day 3 A Day Around Guimaras Island – The Smallest Plaza, Museo Guimaras, Trappist Abbey, Sad-Sad Falls and Guisi Lighthouse

I barely slept as hubby kept calling from time to time.  He’s flying to Iloilo to join me for the next three provinces in the itinerary.  Well, we need to ensure that he makes it to his flight.

I left my hotel at 530am for my 6am trip to Iloilo.  I was greeted by gloomy skies and ruggedly looking seas as I toddle towards the ferry.  Memories of my late father reminded me to trust the seas… trust the waves… as it will not cause you harm.  

True enough, after two hours of a rocky-ferry ride, we sailed slowly unto Iloilo River.  I was amazed as that was my first time to see a port inside a river.  Slowly, the rough seas changed to a friendly glide and sun started to shine. Then there was hubby waving his hand.  As if we’ve parted that long… ahem…

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Day 2 – A Night Around Bacolod City

The shy sunrise of yesterday grew to a low pressure area.  The whole day was showered by the skies that held me from going anywhere… Well at least, it kept me focused on the convention.  I mean, on the food served served by L'Fisher J

Just before the closing plenary at the Provincial Capitol, we were given a two-hour break, a perfect timing to meet folks near the Cathedral.  And since I was at the area with the drizzle wieldy, I passed by Rizal Park and San Sebastian Cathedral.

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Day 1 – Mambukal Falls Saved My Day

I arrived at GoHotels Bacolod at 8am.  To my surprise my reservation was nowhere near as the reservation was booked at GoHotels Mandaluyong.  Since the online reservation of GoHotels is not functioning as it should, the payment was made directly at the Mandaluyong office.  Too late to know that the cashier mistakenly tagged the payment under the Mandaluyong branch… Grrr… What’s worst was that they cannot transfer the booking to Bacolod and previous payment cannot be applied to a new reservation…

Before my day gone dismal, I left for Mambukal Resort.  I badly needed some breather and it was up to the branch manager to figure out a solution.

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Day 1 - A Quick Silay City Historic Walk

I chose the seat with a view of sunrise but even as we landed at 545am there was a shy shade of daybreak.   I dismissed any negative feel as I have a full itinerary ahead before the PICPA Convention proper. At the airport, I boarded the shuttle to Silay and in less than an hour, the Paris version of the Philippines hailed before me.

It was only 6am then and like other provinces in the Philippines, the morning usually come sluggish with handful of people around and some streets desolated.  With the maps apps as guide, I made my way around Silay.   

I passed by Rizal Park on my way to San Diego Pro-Cathedral where I prayed for safety as I embarked a full 2-day solo trip.

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Negros Occidental (Silay and Bacolod) – Guimaras – Iloilo – Capiz Trip Itinerary and Expenses

Our actual itinerary for our 4-day Western Visayas sojourn (minus Kalibo and Antique) as follows:

Day 1 morning 

A Quick Silay City Historic Walk

§  Rizal Plaza

§  San Diego Pro-Cathedral

§  Rizal Avenue old structures – Gil Severino Ancestral Building, Maria Ledesma Gomez Building and Bernardino Jalandoni House Museum

§  Cinco de Noviembre Street structures – Balay Negrense, Hofileña Museum

§  Silay City Hall and Cultural Center

§  El Ideal

Mambukal Resort and the Seven Falls

 

Day 2 evening

Night Tour Around Bacolod

§  Bacolod Public Plaza

§  San Sebastian Cathedral

§  Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol

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KALIBO -- AKLAN

The return flight of our Boracay trip was via Kalibo.  Between van and bus, we decided to take the bus bound for Iloilo because of longer and wider legroom.  This will give me a comfortable sleep during the 1-1/2 hours Caticlan-Kalibo drive.

We arrived at Kalibo with 2 hours to spare before the check-in time.  With hungry tummies, we headed straight to Zabroso’s Pizza and Pasta for our late lunch and early merienda.  We saw this pizza/pasta house before we alighted the bus and with no preferred resto in mind, we decided to give it a bite.

The pizzas of Zabroso are presented like that of Sbarro – thick slice, rich toppings, same size and all... The price however is way below the Sbarro price but of course, the overall experience is likewise less.  For this meal, we ordered the P99 pizza-pasta-chicken meal and opted for different pizza types. My chef hubby’s initial comment was - "they should be particular in the consistency of the dough because the flavor becomes useless when the dough was wrongly-made”..  But nonetheless, it was worth a try with a price variation for a whole pizza from as low as P280 up to P580 -- in fact, we brought some slices back home.

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MT LUHO – Boracay Island, Aklan

Mt. Luho is the best view deck and the highest point of Boracay Island with an elevation of around 100 meters above sea level.  From Bulabog Beach, you can hike straight up the mountain or  take a trike or motorcycle to the jump-off area.  At the jump-off area, you will be asked to pay an entrance fee of P50 but don’t regret it, the view at the top is absolutely spectacular.  From the jump-off, you need to take a short concrete trek and pass by an overlooking restaurant before your reach the viewpoint.

At the top, you have a 360 degree view of the entire island except that the shoreline of the station areas is covered by trees.  If you are facing Bulabog Beach, you have a view of Aklan mainland far ahead, different water activities at the Bulabog Beach, the Boracay Rock and the nearby islets that’s a favorite island hopping destination.  At your back, you have a view of the Lapuz-lapuz point and the Crocodile Island.  Truly a WoW!

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THE SAND BAR – BORACAY

The Sand Bar Boracay located in Station 1 offers various cuisines from Filipino to Japanese to Italian and more.  Among the favorites are the rib eye, king prawns, sisig with a different fusion, and calamares.  It houses the best fire dancers of the island that amuses your night as you chill by the beach.

During our Boracay visit, we spent our nights chillin' at The Sand Bar and I had several “unforgettables” at the bar – watching fire dancers gone wild, experienced the shisha smoke, and a picture under the fire... LOL...

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BORACAY ISLAND TOUR - Aklan

BORACAY, the Philippines pride as one of the best beaches and vacation destination in the world, is known for its powdery sand, beautiful beach and sunset, wide array of hotels and world class cuisine, great hospitality, and more...

True enough, you’ll never get out of doings at Boracay as it boost a complete line of rest and recreation activities - from simply beach bumming, swimming, sunbathing to kayaking, parasailing, diving, snorkelling, yacht cruising, jet skiing, island hopping to even shopping, food tripping, carting, off road driving, spelunking, hiking and lots more... Boracay truly deserves as one of the best vacation haven for both opulent and budget-people alike.

We arrived at Boracay on a Friday night and stayed at Bans Beach Resort of Station 1, just beside Bamboo Lounge Restaurant and Astoria Hotel.  With not enough time left for the day, we just settled in and devoured our evening at The Sand Bar Boracay – known as the fire dance capital of the island.

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18th PALAPALA RESTAURANT -- Bacolod City

18^th PALAPALA RESTAURANT

Bacolod City, Negros Occidental

On our last day at Bacolod for our Mt. Kanlaon Climb, we concluded our trip by touring around the city -- the San Sebastian Cathedral, Bacolod Public Plaza, Capitol Park and Lagoon and of course a visit to Palapala Restaurant.  A friend recommended this as a must-dine place in Bacolod and indeed the ambiance, the aroma, the price, the taste, the total package – perfect for our exhausted bodies.

18^th Palapala Restaurant is located in corner 18^th and Aguinaldo Sts, Bacolod City and is a block away from Starbucks of Lacson St.  It is known for its affordable but great tasting food and a wet market where you can buy raw seafood and cooked according to your preference.  They also have a precooked menu in their TuroTuro section.  The place is ornamented with sea-related furnishings like boats, sails, etc. 

For this trip, we ordered grilled blue marlin, laing and of course chicken inasal... YumYumYum!!!  Savoring this budget-friendly food was a great way to finish off our Bacolod trip.

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AROUND BACOLOD CITY - Negros Occidental

We arrrived at Silay Airport at about 6am.  Because we have ample time before the Mt. Kanlaon climb proper, we first passed by The Ruins at Talisay.  Everyone was busy as a bee.. taking pictures and doing different poses.  According to online articles, it's Bacolod's must visit destination for photographers amateurs and professionals alike.  And true enough, one can play different scenes and twist different angles with its great landscape. 

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