Boracay Island, Backpacking and Commuting Tips

From the NAIA International Airport, take a flight bound for Kalibo International Airport, the travel time is about an hour. Beside Kalibo International Airport, there are different modes of transportation that you can choose to go to Boracay Island via Jetty Port. Instead of booking private transport, I asked the guards or sales ladies at the airport about the public utility vehicles to Jetty Port. As instructed, I rode in a van bound for Jetty Port for 200 pesos and the travel time is about 2 hours. On the other hand, another option is via Batangas Port where you can board with 2Go Ferry to Caticlan, travel time is within 7-9 hours.

The Powerful Sound of Las Piñas Bamboo Organ

If I am not mistaken, the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ was our topic when I was in grade four in Sibika at Kultura. The subject was interesting, so the history of the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ remains fresh in my memory, even with the long name of the man who created this majestic organ. Fray Diego Cera Dela Vergin del Carmen was a Spanish missionary born on July 26, 1762, and was the first parish priest in Las Piñas during the Spanish era. He is the man behind this national treasure - Las Piñas Bamboo Organ. He actually came from Graus, now Huesca, a town in Spain, but still, his heart loves the Philippines. F. Diego Cera is also a man of titles; he is a Musician, Architect, Organ Builder, Botanist, Physician, Painter and Geologist.

Important Details About Fort San Pedro in Cebu City

The Fort San Pedro, also known as Fuerza de San Pedro, is situated inside the Plaza Independencia, Cebu City. It is a military defense structure built by the Spaniards and the locals of Cebu under the command of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, a Spanish conquistador. The date of its construction wasn't sure, but there are claims that Jesuit Antonio Campioni built the fort in 1600. Like the other century-old churches in the Philippines, there were a lot of major renovations in the 19th century for the structural improvements of Cebu.

Casa Gorordo Museum, An Example of Colonial House

The Casa Gorordo Museum, also a residential house, shows how a prominent family lived during their generations. From the floor, artistic walls, windows, rooftop, toilets, etc. - all parts are really gorgeous. At the main entrance of this house, its historical background was written and here's what it says: "This house was built in the mid-19th century by Alejandro Reynes y Rosales and was bought by Juan Isidro de Gorordo, a Spanish merchant, in 1863. Four generations of the family lived in this house, including the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu, 1910-1932.

What's Inside Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House

The Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House was initially owned by Chinese merchants Don Juan Yap and Doña Maria Florido. It is one of the oldest residential houses in the Philippines. It was built between 1675 and 1700 and was made from coral stones; egg whites were used as glue, and "Tigas" or clay was used for the roof. The wooden parts of the house were made of "balayong" and "tugas" or molave, the hardest woods in the country.

Important Details About Cebu Cathedral Museum

Cebu Cathedral Museum is an ecclesiastical museum of the Archdiocese of Cebu. The building itself doesn't have exact information about when it was constructed because the archdiocesan archives were burned along with the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace during the trial bombing of the U.S. forces in September 1944. However, some historians believe it was built by Bishop Santos Gomez Marañon during the mid-1800s. Bishop Marañon was known as a church builder. He designed the Metropolitan Cathedral and other religious structures in the province of Cebu.

Rajah Humabon, a Pre-Colonial leader of Cebu

Rajah Humabon, also known as Sri Hamabar, was a leader of Zubu (now Cebu) and was regarded as the wisest and bravest man on the island. While backpacking in Cebu City, I found a monument near the Cathedral Museum stating that he was the first Filipino chieftain to embrace Christianity.  When Ferdinand Magellan landed in Cebu on Sunday, April 7, 1521, he made a blood compact with the Portuguese-born Spanish explorer as a symbol of their newfound friendship. Captivated by its noble teachings, on Sunday Morning, April 14, 1521, he and his wife, Humamai, and about 800 locals were baptized. This monument is just a few meters away from Cebu Cathedral. READ: My Solo-Backpacking in Cebu

Featuring Zamboanga Sibugay - Solo-Backpacking in Mindanao

My first destination in Region 9 was the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay, 3.5 hours by land travel from Zamboanga City. Ipil, its capital, is the usual stopover for buses heading to the cities of Dipolog, Pagadian, and even Cagayan de Oro. Like other municipalities, it's a center with big business establishments and busy streets. However, as a busy area, it hides something unique and is an Instagram-worthy tourist spot and attraction.

Solo Backpacking in ZamBaSulTa, Region 9, Misamis Occidental

What is ZamBaSulTa

ZamBaSulta is an acronym given to Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. That's the usual route; however, on this journey, I made a twist and created ZamTaSulBa. I even made it more extreme by including Region 9: Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Misamis Occidental, which is part of Region 10. Details below are my actual itinerary for 9 days, covering 7 Provinces and the independent City of Zamboanga.

Important Details About Negros Museum

Negros Museum is almost in front of the Negros Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City. It serves as the provincial museum of Negros Occidental, which was opened on March 16, 1996, at the Provincial Capitol Building. In May 2003, it was transferred to its current location, which is the former Agricultural Building. The Agricultural Extension Building was built in 1941 and was renovated in 1991.