"Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller", according to Ibn Batuta.
That is why I love to write about my travels because I can
share the little joys I find along the way, the food I get to experience, the
sights that proclaim the beauty of the Philippines, the adventures I can tick
off my bucket list, and the family and friends that I can hug and spend memorable
moments with.
In March 2025, we came to celebrate my sister Bheng’s 60th
birthday. It seemed surreal to return a year after our mother passed away, but
we knew our mother did not want us to stop enjoying our family, to live our lives
to the fullest, to reconnect with our loved ones, and to make memories to last
a lifetime.
I enjoyed the old tourism slogan, "It's more fun in the Philippines", but after 11 years, it is time for a change. The new campaign "Love the Philippines", according to the Department of Tourism, is not just for branding purposes, but it is a call to action to all Filipinos "to remember the beauty of our country, to honor our past, and to look forward to the future armed with the virtues and values of being a Filipino."
Here are the highlights of our Philippine trip:
BHENG’S 60TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
A significant milestone - my sister Bheng's 60th birthday
celebration at Eurotel Hotel in Las Pinas. The event was well-attended by
family and relatives, longtime friends, and neighbors. I always marvel at my sister’s ability to
preserve her connections with former classmates from elementary, high school,
and college. The celebration served as a family and friends reunion, featuring
heartfelt reminiscences, enthusiastic picture-taking, and dancing led by two
energetic dance instructors. There was a photo booth, a Pica-pica table, a coffee/juice/drinks
bar, and games.
We also celebrated at home a joint post-birthday celebration
for Bheng and niece Mikee Cerrudo-Baradi. Great food and fun company. The Sandok
Bilao money game was hysterical, where kids and adults alike went crazy trying
to pick up pesos and dollars.
Of course, in any Pinoy party, there is karaoke. I am
confirming that the Cerrudos are gifted with excellent singing voices, except
for Bheng and me.
INC TEMPLO AND INC MUSEUM
Finally attended a worship service at the magnificent Iglesia ni Cristo Templo, which was completed on July 27, 1984. The Templo is the biggest
church/place of worship in the country with a capacity of around 7,000 people. The
singing of the hymns was powerful and awe-inspiring, with the voices of about 100
choir members resonating throughout the Main temple.
We also toured the INC museum, which chronicles the
successful evolution of the Church from its humble beginnings in 2014 to the
present day. The museum showcases
historical artifacts and artworks, and the timeline of its growth in the
Philippines to the Church’s global expansion, as evidenced by the magnificent
houses of worship all over the world.
The highlight of the day for me is hearing the recorded voice of Brother Felix Manalo as he preached a powerful sermon. It was one of those defining moments that touch your heart, to hear the Messenger share the words of God in a makeshift room reminiscent of a simple nipa hut with wooden benches for the listeners.
CIUDAD DE VICTORIA
The Ciudad is a 140-hectare enterprise built by the Iglesia
ni Cristo in 2014, following the construction of the 55,000-seater Philippine
Arena in 2011. Attractions are the well-kept gardens, the zoo, and the bird
sanctuary. Our guide was funny and delighted us with Instagrammable pictures as
he acted as photographer, stage director, and videographer/human drone. He
swayed, swooped, and performed acrobatic moves to capture us against the
beautiful scenery. Human drones are fun to witness as they gave it their all.
At the end of the day at the Gardens, after exercising muscles I don't usually use and after taking more than 15,000 steps, I find comfort with Biofreeze. Hirap making tourist!
CORONA, PALAWAN
Palawan was cited by Tripadvisor as one of the Trending Destinations in the World for 2024.
Day 1- Our family of 9 embarked on a 3-day adventure in
Corona, Palawan. Our Airbnb lodging was arranged at Adora's Place, a fully
air-conditioned establishment equipped with four bedrooms with en-suite
bathrooms, a high-ceilinged living room, luxurious accommodations, an array of
amenities, and our own concierge. Exploring the town to buy souvenirs and
cashew nuts (honey, crispy, sweetened, spicy, caramelized, barbecued, you name
whatever flavor), we noticed tourists everywhere in this town. Tourism is
booming in Coron.
To explore Kabu Beach and the Maquinit Hot Springs resort,
we hired two tricycles, navigating through rugged unpaved roads that proved
strenuous for my gluteus maximus. The experience was akin to a Rollercoaster
ride along the mountainous terrains. The Maquinit Hot Spring is reportedly the
only known saltwater hot spring in the Philippines with the water temperature
ranging at 38-40 degree Celsius. At first, it was intimidating to even dip your
toes, but the water actually soothed and temporarily relieved our muscle aches
and pains from the tricycle ride. My brother Edwin, who can chat up any stranger, started joking around that the water can boil eggs (I thought balls, too). Such is the Cerrudo humor.
Day 2- Tuesday marked the 2nd day of our Coron, Palawan journey,
which began with a peaceful morning reflection on the balcony of our Airbnb
accommodation. An enterprising young man led our island-hopping excursion.
While navigating the boat's entry and exit points proved challenging,
especially for those with less-agile mobility, our group fortunately escaped
unscathed. My son and the crew appeared startled (probably traumatized) by my
unorthodox disembarkation method, reminiscent of Jackie Chan's signature moves.
The natural beauty of Palawan is breathtaking, boasting
majestic rock formations, limestone cliffs, pristine turquoise waters, warm
temperatures, and fresh, invigorating air. The tour encompassed visits to the
Twin Lagoons, Banol Beach, Kalayan Lake, and CYC Beach. The young ones enjoyed
snorkeling in the waters and coming up with a brown starfish. And yes, the kayak experience
was an item off my bucket list, with our tour guide reassuring us that the boat
would hold our weight.
The crew cooked lunch for us and we had our picnic on the
beach: shrimp, pancit, adobong manok, sitaw at kalabasa, and inihaw na
tulingan. The adventurous trio of Jordan, Kate, and my nine-year-old nephew
Jacob hiked up 300 steps to the stunning Kayangan Lake, which offered
breathtaking views of the lake against the clear blue sky. The Kayangan Lake is
considered the cleanest lake in the country and has been recognized with the
Presidential Fame award. When we got
back to our rental, we were exhausted (Salonpas time), but happy for our
incredible experience.
Day 3- That's a wrap, Palawan. As I spent a relaxing morning
within our rental at Adora's Place, I savored a cup of tea, PB&J toast,
with the pleasant sounds of Music Travel Love in the background. Concurrently,
Jordan and Kate ventured forth to conquer the 700-step ascent to the pinnacle
of Mount Tapyas, which offered a panoramic view of the land, sea, and
neighboring islands. How nice to be so young and agile. My brother Edwin and
Bill, my sister's bf, elected to rent motorbikes, navigating the picturesque
thoroughfares of Busuanga. Following our 11 am checkout from Adora's, we made
our way to MC Cafe for a delectable brunch, culminating in a final opportunity
for souvenir shopping. Then, back to Manila via Cebu-Pacific at 430pm.
TAAL HERITAGE, BATANGAS
Taal Heritage tour. It was 85°F in Batangas. While everyone
in my group still looked fresh and comfortable (even Jordan), I resembled a
drowned cat with my hair plastered to my scalp from the rivulets of sweat from
the heat. First stop at my brother Allan's house in Los Banos with their dogs.
I missed Boomer in NY.
The Taal Heritage Town will appeal to history buffs with the
cobblestone streets and the well-preserved ancestral houses, specifically the
Villavicencio Wedding Gift House and the Agoncillo House. The Villavicencio
house is impressive for its 1850s style of hardwood floors with elaborate
carvings, canvases, and furniture. However, I was most touched by the display
of copies of Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as the
La Solidaridad newspapers. Dona Gliceria was a fierce supporter of the
revolutionaries during the Philippine-American War. Marcella Agoncillo sewed
the Philippine flag as designed by Emilio Aguinaldo.
The towering Basilica church is the biggest church in the Orient. The Taal Market claims to be the Barong Capital of the Philippines, so of course, Jordan could not resist buying a new one.
INTRAMUROS, MANILA
Intramuros, or the Walled City, is a National Historical
Landmark that includes Fort Santiago, featuring a large stone gate and a shrine
to national hero José Rizal, as well as several cathedrals and churches,
barracks, fortresses, and armories used during Spanish colonization. Now,
within the walls of Intramuros are four universities and the Casa Manila museum,
filled with Spanish-era furniture and art. The Rizal museum displayed the room
where he was incarcerated before he was executed by firing squad.
Rizal wrote Mi Ultimo Adios on a small piece of paper that
he cleverly hid among his belongings in an alcohol stove. It was his last
farewell to his beloved country, a farewell to oppression and tyranny from the
Spaniards. I actually teared up when I saw a copy of his poetic tribute that
was translated into several languages and was even displayed in Braille. I also
remembered that we were required to memorize and recite the poem in our Spanish
class.
One funny discovery is that my sister Bheng bears a resemblance to her namesake, Josephine Bracken, who was Rizal's girlfriend at the time. We then toured the rest of the walled area with the horse-drawn carriages (kalesa) that ply the cobblestone streets.
THEATER: LIWANAG SA DILIM
We attended the Musical show, "Liwanag sa Dilim"
(Light in the Darkness) at RCBC Plaza. The musical featured the OPM (original
Pinoy music) songs of veteran musician and songwriter Rico Blanco. The superb
performances (especially by Sisa) and the brilliant staging accentuated the
twists and turns of the story based on an internationally recognized and heroic
book by beloved author JPR.
It was funny when a Gen Z'er was teaching Clara the
Generational lingo. Hello!!! I am trying not to spill spoilers, lol, but
"gets ninyo"?
Day 14, March 29, 2025. This is it. Goodbye, Philippines.
Until the next time. It has been a fabulous vacation; the 2-week itinerary was
packed with diverse activities and memories that will last a lifetime. I feel
most profoundly blessed to spend time with my family and friends.
Walang iyakan.
Next post: Food trip
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