BEAUTIFUL SPOTS IN PINAS

March 22, 2006

While I was looking at other photos in i.ph blogsite, I noticed that a lot of people are so enchanted with Boracay probably because of so much publicity it gets now a days. I therefore want to share with you some of the sights(also food) that I have personally experienced (and tasted)and is the best in the Philippines.

1)SIARGAO ,Surigao- I visited this place in the 80’s when I was still with the Development Academy of the Philippines and what I can remember is dining in a restaurant on top of stilts(bamboo stilts) and the bariles(tuna fish) as big as my leg was our main course. The bariles was barbequed in total perfection complete with the native salad of lato(seaweed) with onions ,tomato and kalamansi juice. So far I have never tasted fish that would surpass my Siargao experience. The beaches here are tops in the world specially for surfing since the waves are like what you can see in Hawaii 5-0(a 70’s TV show)

In Surigao, just go to the beach and fishermen wont hesitate to give u a fish or two specially if they know u r a tourist or come from Manila

2) PUERTO GALERA UNDERWATER- I dont know how to swim nor snorkel but in my last year of college I joined the UP Skin Diving Club and some UP Camping Club members to Naujan ,Mindoro and onwards to Puerto Galera and with my sister Mariecel(who can swim) I dared to snorkel in Puerto Galera and what I saw will forever be etched in my mind. It is a wonderful dreamland of different colors of corals, fishes and even some sea horses ,some even staring you in your face.I dont know about Boracay but the underwater scenery in Puerto Galera is the best(that probably is the reason why for years UP’s Biology students spend their summers in this island).

Sea Anemone in Puerto Galera

3) DANAO CITY - this is a 3rd rate municipality compared to its uppity neighbor Cebu but going to Danao is an experience in itself. This City is located  by the sea . Another interesting thing in Danao is that it is home to a unique local industry gun making. So they say, if you hear a gunshot here,somebody is making money. For such a big place, almost everybody in this town knows everybody. Check out the Durano Cemetery where you can see lifesize replicas of the seven stations of the cross.

4) ILOILO- One thing that I like about Iloilo is my friend Meh(Carmela) Guadarama whose family owns Biscocho Haus. Meh has been my good friend since our UP days and everytime I go to Iloilo I stay at her place gratis et amore. Her biscocho is the" best in the west". It was when I stayed with her that I started hearing about Boracay. That was several years ago. Meh has introduced me to such flavorful dishes as Snipe(small quials that are cooked like adobo but deep fried so u can even eat the quials head), diwal(angel tongue shells that are so delicious abalone will pale in comparison) and nilagang mais(very small size). The city planning of Iloilo reminds you of a typical Philippine town. It can be a sleepy city for some but Iloilo is neat and well planned and the people are always smiling.Until now Meh would give my friends samples of her shops goodies whenever they mention my name or get a discount just knowing they are my friends.Another UP classmate Cecil owns Pancit Molo restaurant(the famous one)/.One shouldnt leave Iloilo without trying to eat at Titays by the sea(the best chicken inasal and seafood,yummy).

5) THE TOPS(the best dating place in Cebu)-I dont really know whether there is still a Cebu Plaza but the TOPS is located above Cebu Plaza hotel and gives you an overview of Cebu City. At night it is a cool romantic place to bring your date to.

The View from the Tops (Cebu City at night)