Travelogue: 2025 Philippine Vacation

 Philippine Vacation- March 16-29, 2025

"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 60^th 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. Still, 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: March 16-29, 2025

 

BHENG’S 60^TH 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 maintain her connections with former classmates from elementary school, 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 using the sandok.

Of course, in any Pinoy party, there is karaoke. Confirmed: 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 Church's successful evolution from its humble beginnings in 2014 to the present day.  The museum showcases historical artifacts and artworks, as well as the timeline of the Iglesia ni Cristo's growth in the Philippines, leading up to the Church’s global expansion, as evidenced by the magnificent houses of worship found 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: hearing the Messenger share the words of God in a makeshift room, reminiscent of a simple nipa hut, with wooden benches for the listeners. The sermon brought tears to my eyes, and my faith was strengthened. This is the reason why I will remain a member of the church to my dying breath.

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 maging tourist!

CORON, PALAWAN

Palawan was cited by Tripadvisor as one of the Trending Destinations in the World for 2024. 

Day 1 - Our family of nine embarked on a three-day adventure in Coron, Palawan. Our Airbnb lodging was arranged at Adora's Place, a fully air-conditioned establishment featuring four en-suite bedrooms, a high-ceilinged living room, luxurious accommodations, an array of amenities, and our own concierge. While exploring the town to buy souvenirs and cashew nuts (in various flavors, such as honey, crispy, sweetened, spicy, caramelized, and barbecued), we noticed tourists everywhere. Tourism is booming in Coron.

To explore Kabu Beach and the Maquinit Hot Springs resort, we hired two tricycles and navigated through rugged, unpaved roads that proved strenuous for my gluteus maximus. The seats were narrow and covered only the top half of our buttocks. The experience was akin to a roller coaster ride through mountainous terrain. The Maquinit Hot Spring is reportedly the only known saltwater hot spring in the Philippines, with the water temperature ranging from 38 to 40 degrees 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 second day of our Coron, Palawan journey, beginning with a peaceful morning reflection on the balcony of our Airbnb. 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 could 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. 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 at Adora's Place, I savored a cup of tea and PB&J toast, accompanied by 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 boyfriend, elected to rent motorbikes and navigate 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 to shop for souvenirs. 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 its cobblestone streets and well-preserved ancestral houses, particularly the Villavicencio Wedding Gift House and the Agoncillo House. The Villavicencio house is impressive for its 1850s-style 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 copies of the La Solidaridad newspaper. 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 features Fort Santiago, 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. Within the walls of Intramuros are four universities and the Casa Manila museum, which is filled with Spanish-era furniture and art. The Rizal Museum displays 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, which had been 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 resembles 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 OPM (Original Pinoy Music) songs by 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, heroic book by the beloved author JPR.

It was funny when a Gen Z'er was teaching Clara the Generational lingo. Hello!!! I'm trying not to spoil anything, 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

The Year That Was and The Gift of a New Year

As the year 2013 ended, it gave me much comfort to come to our church in Forest Hills for our Year-End Thanksgiving Prayer. The brethren gathered together in reflection of the year that was, and to pray for the year that will be. Even as New York City was in the midst of frenzied preparations for the ball drop, we bowed our heads in silent retrospection and gave thanks to God.

It has not been an easy year. Tragedy struck the Philippines, first the earthquake, then the super typhoon that had demolished Eastern Visayas.

Four special people passed away this year (Uncle Alex, Amy, Phyllis, Jennifer). Each one of them will be missed. When someone special had enriched your life and had touched your heart, the sadness comes from missing the grace or the knowledge of their presence. We can only hold onto the memories in our minds and give thanks for the gift of knowing them.


Because I am an eternal optimist, I look at the past year as a glass half-full. I was blessed.


FAMILY VACATION…

Who says I can’t go home?

After twelve years, I came home to the Philippines. This time, it was not to mourn my father’s death from a stroke attack. This time, it was to see my family, my mom, my two brothers and an extended family quite unlike any other.

My calendar of activities was filled with places to visit, things to do, people to see in just three weeks. I wanted my son Jordan to experience the land of my birth. He was just ten years old on his last visit; and this time, he came much prepared, his Tagalog vocabulary was much more extensive although still heavily accented with a New York twang.

The Filipinos are known for their extended families. A vacation brings all the cousins back to reminisce our childhood escapades; sometimes it’s the only time when the Cerrudo clan gets to see each other again.

I loved the food trips. Trying almost every restaurant in the mall and sharing the bounty with relatives. Bingeing on fruits (santol, lanzones, mango) and Nanay's home-made cooking.

Experiencing the Walled City of Intramuros. Soaking in the ambience of a world gone by- of old houses during the Spanish era with the wide lattice windows and open verandas. I could almost feel the ghosts of senoritas strolling around the paseo as they cover their faces with the fans.

Riding the calesa around Intramuros. Even if the horse looked scrawny and apathetic, unlike the beautiful horses in Central Park, it knew how to do a proper u-turn in a narrow street.

Jose Rizal's execution site in Luneta. As soon as we saw this tableau, I felt deep emotions at the sad scene of Rizal executed by the Spaniards, all in the name of patriotism. The sculpture pieces were amazing; they captured the life and death of our national hero. It was a history lesson for Jordan.

BALUT!!!!! “Fear Factor” audition recorded on camera. To see the look of utter disgust on Jordan's face- PRICELESS!!!!

Finally, I am thankful for the chance to hug my mother again, tightly but not long enough to last me till my next visit. In her 80’s, she is still a fireball of energy and humor; someone who will break into her funny chicken dance when the spirit moves her. I need another vacation; I want to tell her in person again how much I love her.


CAREER

I love my job. It has its share of challenges and stressors, but I know I have risen up above most expectations, mostly mine. The future holds more opportunities for me, more pathways to explore. So, since being a Clinical Nurse Specialist came up number two in the article "Best Jobs in America", that means, I'm doing alright.

http://money.cnn.com/pf/best-jobs/2013/snapshots/2.html


MY SON

Jordan continues to amaze me. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry. He dabbles in a strange world of molecular biology, genomes, genetics, polypeptides, mutagenesis, quantum physics, and whatchamacallit. He dissects mosquitoes in the lab, and plans to pursue doctoral studies in research. I might have my own Dr. Nye later on. A scientist who also plays the piano. Even though he does not still clean his room.

I guess, like mother, like son. (the cleaning, I mean)



MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS:

1. Choose the people who whisper things in my ear. I choose to surround myself with friends who are trustworthy and with co-workers with no hidden agenda or crab mentality. I will treasure friends, near and far, who grace my life with their presence.

2. Look for things that inspire, and uplift. Life is too short to waste on inconsequential people. I will draw my strength from those who give positive energy and inspiration, despite all odds.

3. Go for it. Live life with great appreciation for the gift of living and be not afraid to explore where else life can take you.


2014, I am ready for the gift to be unwrapped and to let my light shine even more. This year is another gift from God. Ready to face whatever life brings. This year, I am looking forward to celebrating the one hundredth year of the Church.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne Williamson