Burial Customs, Traditions, Superstitions at the Funeral Wake
07 November 2009
Ever been constrained by superstitious people, particularly old folks in an important family event?
Here's a list of do's and don't, traditions and superstitions on death, wake and funerals in the Philippines compiled by Tutubi based on his own observations and experiences.
Bawal ang pulang damit: No wearing of red-colored dresses and shirts at the wake/funeral
Bawal Maghatid ng Bisita: During the funeral wake, never see your visitors off at the door of the chapel or funeral parlor
Bawal Maglinis: Sweep/clean the house only after the burial. But you're excused if the wake is held in a chapel/funeral home.
Bawal umuwi diretso sa bahay: After the visiting a wake or funeral, do not go home directly, instead visit a "happy place" so that the spirit of the dead will not follow you home (hmmm, isn't it ok for your love one to come and visit you to say goodbye, say a few words particularly those "I love you" that was only said on the deathbed or coffin and not when your dear one's still alive?)
Bawal mag-uwi ng pagkain: No "take home" of food and drinks served at the wake. Probably more of a practical prohibition, Tutubi at one time unknowingly took home a cupcake from a wake he attended. No bad consequence happened to him.
Babies and children are made to cross over the coffin of the dead and back again lest the dead departed will come to "haunt" them. Talk about a good man turned evil when dead. Tutubi prefers his baby to be visited by his dead grandfather for them to bond, spend time together and watch over Tutubi, Jr.
Tutubi, Jr. passed over his grandfather's coffin. Note that Tutubi has only two memories of his paternal grandfather and one of them was the time he was lifted over the casket of his dead grandpa when he was four years old. Sadly, 6 month old Tutubi, Jr. will not have a memory imprint of his grandpa.
Walang libing ng Byernes (No burial on Friday): this is new to Tutubi, he only knew about the no burial on Monday simply because it's the priests' day-off but not this one. This was the main reason why his daddy's interment was moved from Friday to Saturday.
Politicians at each and every wake:
In Makati, incumbent Mayor Jejomar Binay, with his "army of alalay," makes sure he personally visits each and every wake in the "Republic of Makati." This is also the practice almost everywhere (except in Quezon City, the largest city in Metro Manila. Mayor Sonny Belmonte won't find the time to visit all of them due to the sheer number of wakes there. Expected only district councilors and barangay officials)
Expect flowers from politicians with huge ribbons emblazoned with their names. Funerals are visited by many people and so make them effective marketing campaign exercise besides their usual waste-of-public-funds street signs and tarpaulins hanging here and there. Expect also the politicians' names written in large, noticeable writing on the visitor logbook for added "pogi points" to whoseoever care and dare to review the visitor log.
Since next elections are nearing, a city councilor from district 4 visited the wake at St. Peter Chapels, located in QC District 1. It's because she's reportedly eyeing the vice-mayoralty of Quezon City.
Hagad or police escorts will direct/halt traffic flow on the funeral route from the funeral home/chapel, pass by the home of the departed, then proceed to the resting place (Manila Memorial Park Holy Cross near Quirino Highway, Novaliches, Quezon City). The police escorts are, again, courtesy of a politician in addition to providing a van/vehicle to be used by the family.
Burial Traditions:
How do Filipinos bury their dead? The most common you can find in cemeteries are above-ground niches with white crosses with letters SLN or RIP inscribed on them plus the name, birth and date of death of the departed. Epitaphs are not popular. Burying 6 feet underground is uncommon except in pricey cemeteries. Columbariums to hold ashes of cremated dead are also gaining popularity.
Herewith are some observations of Tutubi on the present traditions and thhe emerging ones:
During the funeral, what used to be black attire of family and friends is now white.
In Tutubi's hometown in Paete, Laguna, he witnessed a handful of soil placed inside his grandmother's coffin for reasons unknown to him.
Flowers, usually roses are thrown at the casket being lowered or before the niche is sealed.
White balloons are sometimes released after the burial by family and friends of the departed.
white balloons as if to signal release
Pasiyam (Nine days): traditional nine days of prayers offered for the departed. This is confusing. Tutubi knows the counting starts on the death death, some people offering the prayers aver the day is reckoned from the first day when mass was offered; others say counting starts the day after the death occurred and still other people argue counting should start on the date of interment/cremation.
40 days traditional mourning observed forty days after the death of loved one. This is not really confusing as the pasiyam since everyone agrees with the date. But why observe the pa-siyam reckoned from a different day?
If you were in Tutubi's shoes, what would you do: would you oppose other people imposing their own beliefs on your family of just go with the flow?
Read more after the jump!
Here's a list of do's and don't, traditions and superstitions on death, wake and funerals in the Philippines compiled by Tutubi based on his own observations and experiences.
Bawal ang pulang damit: No wearing of red-colored dresses and shirts at the wake/funeral
Bawal Maghatid ng Bisita: During the funeral wake, never see your visitors off at the door of the chapel or funeral parlor
Bawal Maglinis: Sweep/clean the house only after the burial. But you're excused if the wake is held in a chapel/funeral home.
Bawal umuwi diretso sa bahay: After the visiting a wake or funeral, do not go home directly, instead visit a "happy place" so that the spirit of the dead will not follow you home (hmmm, isn't it ok for your love one to come and visit you to say goodbye, say a few words particularly those "I love you" that was only said on the deathbed or coffin and not when your dear one's still alive?)
Bawal mag-uwi ng pagkain: No "take home" of food and drinks served at the wake. Probably more of a practical prohibition, Tutubi at one time unknowingly took home a cupcake from a wake he attended. No bad consequence happened to him.
Babies and children are made to cross over the coffin of the dead and back again lest the dead departed will come to "haunt" them. Talk about a good man turned evil when dead. Tutubi prefers his baby to be visited by his dead grandfather for them to bond, spend time together and watch over Tutubi, Jr.
Tutubi, Jr. passed over his grandfather's coffin. Note that Tutubi has only two memories of his paternal grandfather and one of them was the time he was lifted over the casket of his dead grandpa when he was four years old. Sadly, 6 month old Tutubi, Jr. will not have a memory imprint of his grandpa.Walang libing ng Byernes (No burial on Friday): this is new to Tutubi, he only knew about the no burial on Monday simply because it's the priests' day-off but not this one. This was the main reason why his daddy's interment was moved from Friday to Saturday.
Politicians at each and every wake:
In Makati, incumbent Mayor Jejomar Binay, with his "army of alalay," makes sure he personally visits each and every wake in the "Republic of Makati." This is also the practice almost everywhere (except in Quezon City, the largest city in Metro Manila. Mayor Sonny Belmonte won't find the time to visit all of them due to the sheer number of wakes there. Expected only district councilors and barangay officials)
Expect flowers from politicians with huge ribbons emblazoned with their names. Funerals are visited by many people and so make them effective marketing campaign exercise besides their usual waste-of-public-funds street signs and tarpaulins hanging here and there. Expect also the politicians' names written in large, noticeable writing on the visitor logbook for added "pogi points" to whoseoever care and dare to review the visitor log.
Since next elections are nearing, a city councilor from district 4 visited the wake at St. Peter Chapels, located in QC District 1. It's because she's reportedly eyeing the vice-mayoralty of Quezon City.
Hagad or police escorts will direct/halt traffic flow on the funeral route from the funeral home/chapel, pass by the home of the departed, then proceed to the resting place (Manila Memorial Park Holy Cross near Quirino Highway, Novaliches, Quezon City). The police escorts are, again, courtesy of a politician in addition to providing a van/vehicle to be used by the family.
Burial Traditions:
How do Filipinos bury their dead? The most common you can find in cemeteries are above-ground niches with white crosses with letters SLN or RIP inscribed on them plus the name, birth and date of death of the departed. Epitaphs are not popular. Burying 6 feet underground is uncommon except in pricey cemeteries. Columbariums to hold ashes of cremated dead are also gaining popularity.
Herewith are some observations of Tutubi on the present traditions and thhe emerging ones:
During the funeral, what used to be black attire of family and friends is now white.
In Tutubi's hometown in Paete, Laguna, he witnessed a handful of soil placed inside his grandmother's coffin for reasons unknown to him.
Flowers, usually roses are thrown at the casket being lowered or before the niche is sealed.
White balloons are sometimes released after the burial by family and friends of the departed.
white balloons as if to signal releasePasiyam (Nine days): traditional nine days of prayers offered for the departed. This is confusing. Tutubi knows the counting starts on the death death, some people offering the prayers aver the day is reckoned from the first day when mass was offered; others say counting starts the day after the death occurred and still other people argue counting should start on the date of interment/cremation.
40 days traditional mourning observed forty days after the death of loved one. This is not really confusing as the pasiyam since everyone agrees with the date. But why observe the pa-siyam reckoned from a different day?
If you were in Tutubi's shoes, what would you do: would you oppose other people imposing their own beliefs on your family of just go with the flow?
Labels: Culture
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:48 PM,
, links to this post
Nothing is Certain but Death and Taxes
03 November 2009
"Nothing is certain but death and taxes" a very popular phrase that simply states that inevitability of death and taxes in life.
As sure as everyone will meet his/her death someday, one member of Tutubi's family met his on Halloween
It happened so fast, he just complained of difficulty in breathing, was rushed to the hospital, suffered two successive cardiac arrests, resuscitated twice but the third one sent him into coma and the fourth one made him expire.
No posts will be made here in the coming days as Tutubi and his family tries to cope and adjust to the lost and humongous expenses.
Tutubi spent All Saints Day and All Souls Day at the wake of his dear daddy...an in-law that he loves to be around with unlike the popular notion that in-laws are hard to deal with...
Read more after the jump!
As sure as everyone will meet his/her death someday, one member of Tutubi's family met his on Halloween
It happened so fast, he just complained of difficulty in breathing, was rushed to the hospital, suffered two successive cardiac arrests, resuscitated twice but the third one sent him into coma and the fourth one made him expire.
No posts will be made here in the coming days as Tutubi and his family tries to cope and adjust to the lost and humongous expenses.
Tutubi spent All Saints Day and All Souls Day at the wake of his dear daddy...an in-law that he loves to be around with unlike the popular notion that in-laws are hard to deal with...
Labels: Floobydust
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:48 PM,
, links to this post
MacArthur Park (Leyte Landing Memorial) on Red Beach, Palo, Leyte
20 October 2009
The most famous landmark and tourist attraction of Tacloban, though not really a part of the now highly-urbanized city, is MacArthur Park, now known as Leyte Landing Memorial. It dramatizes the landing of Gen. Douglas MacArthur on Read Beach with larger-than-life bronze statues of the general long with his entourage.
It was on October 20, 1944 when Gen. Douglas MacArthur waded ashore accompanied by then Philippine President Sergio Osmeña, Brig. Gen. Carlos P. Romulo (who'd become president of United Nations General Assembly) and Pres. Osmena's Aide-de-Camp Tony Madrigal (Don Antonio, the father of Senator Jamby Madrigal), to begin the liberation of Leyte Island and of the whole archipelago from the clutches of Imperial Japan.
MacArthur Landing Park on Red Beach, Palo, Leyte
The beachhead in Palo town, a few minutes from Tacloban City, is not really colored red per se nor called as such due to red color of the blood-drenched sand, but a designation of the beach in planning by the US military. There's also Blue Beach in nearby Dulag town and similar conventions of beaches in La Union and Pangasinan in Lingayen Gulf during the landing in Luzon island and Yellow Beach in Zamboanga City.
the MacArthur "shrine" with historical markers in view
the markers on the "shrine" reads:
"On this spot, Palo, Leyte, General Douglas MacArthur returned to the
Philippines on 20 October 1944 and personally led the swift drive
against the Japanese forces in the Philippines. President Sergio
Osmena arrived with General MacArthur and proceeded to reorganize, restore and administer the government of the commonwealth of the Philippines. Declared and National Historical Landmark 2004."
Alternate reports from actual observers and historians narrated how the dogmatic general spent five hours and three takes before the (in)famous video clip was recorded with him wading on Red Beach of Palo, Leyte, while the boats and his men on the shore were exposed to the blistering attacks of Kamikaze pilots from Pampanga that gravely put his men in danger because of his landing rehearsals typical of politicians for self-aggrandizement.
MacArthur Park (Leyte Landing Memorial) with a person in view to add scale to the larger-than-life bronze statues inside a man-made lagoon on Red Beach
Three days after the historic Leyte landing, began the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle of World War II and one of the largest naval battles in history, that ended with the crushing defeat of the Imperial Japanese Navy at the hands of the Americans aided by the Royal Australian Navy.
Lastly, does anybody know why MacArthur chose to land on the beaches of Leyte and not anywhere else? Historians know MacArthur initially planned to invade Mindanao particularly Sarangani Bay on December 20, 1944 but was diverted to Leyte two months ahead of schedule. It has something to do with guerillas (the unsung heroes) from Cebu. More on this on a future post.
How to get to MacArthur Park (Leyte Landing Memorial):
Commuting to MacArthur Shrine takes just two rides from Tacloban airport. First, ride a Tacloban bound jeep outside the Tacloban Aiport arrival area. Alight on the area known to the locals as Coca Cola (a park with a Coke factory with prominent Coke, Sprite and Royal giant cans as landmarks), cross the street then transfer to a jeepney bound for Baras (not Marasbaras) that passes by the park.
Those who took RORO buses or ferries to Tacloban can go there by taking a jeepney to Tacloban City center and transfer to Baras-bound jeeps near Tacloban Market, even Robinsons Tacloban mall.
Read more after the jump!
It was on October 20, 1944 when Gen. Douglas MacArthur waded ashore accompanied by then Philippine President Sergio Osmeña, Brig. Gen. Carlos P. Romulo (who'd become president of United Nations General Assembly) and Pres. Osmena's Aide-de-Camp Tony Madrigal (Don Antonio, the father of Senator Jamby Madrigal), to begin the liberation of Leyte Island and of the whole archipelago from the clutches of Imperial Japan.
MacArthur Landing Park on Red Beach, Palo, LeyteThe beachhead in Palo town, a few minutes from Tacloban City, is not really colored red per se nor called as such due to red color of the blood-drenched sand, but a designation of the beach in planning by the US military. There's also Blue Beach in nearby Dulag town and similar conventions of beaches in La Union and Pangasinan in Lingayen Gulf during the landing in Luzon island and Yellow Beach in Zamboanga City.
the MacArthur "shrine" with historical markers in viewthe markers on the "shrine" reads:
"On this spot, Palo, Leyte, General Douglas MacArthur returned to the
Philippines on 20 October 1944 and personally led the swift drive
against the Japanese forces in the Philippines. President Sergio
Osmena arrived with General MacArthur and proceeded to reorganize, restore and administer the government of the commonwealth of the Philippines. Declared and National Historical Landmark 2004."
Alternate reports from actual observers and historians narrated how the dogmatic general spent five hours and three takes before the (in)famous video clip was recorded with him wading on Red Beach of Palo, Leyte, while the boats and his men on the shore were exposed to the blistering attacks of Kamikaze pilots from Pampanga that gravely put his men in danger because of his landing rehearsals typical of politicians for self-aggrandizement.
MacArthur Park (Leyte Landing Memorial) with a person in view to add scale to the larger-than-life bronze statues inside a man-made lagoon on Red BeachThree days after the historic Leyte landing, began the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle of World War II and one of the largest naval battles in history, that ended with the crushing defeat of the Imperial Japanese Navy at the hands of the Americans aided by the Royal Australian Navy.
Lastly, does anybody know why MacArthur chose to land on the beaches of Leyte and not anywhere else? Historians know MacArthur initially planned to invade Mindanao particularly Sarangani Bay on December 20, 1944 but was diverted to Leyte two months ahead of schedule. It has something to do with guerillas (the unsung heroes) from Cebu. More on this on a future post.
How to get to MacArthur Park (Leyte Landing Memorial):
Commuting to MacArthur Shrine takes just two rides from Tacloban airport. First, ride a Tacloban bound jeep outside the Tacloban Aiport arrival area. Alight on the area known to the locals as Coca Cola (a park with a Coke factory with prominent Coke, Sprite and Royal giant cans as landmarks), cross the street then transfer to a jeepney bound for Baras (not Marasbaras) that passes by the park.
Those who took RORO buses or ferries to Tacloban can go there by taking a jeepney to Tacloban City center and transfer to Baras-bound jeeps near Tacloban Market, even Robinsons Tacloban mall.
Labels: Eastern Visayas, Landmarks, Leyte, World War II
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:52 PM,
, links to this post
Kinilaw na Lato, Guso, Lukot Seaweed Salads
18 October 2009
Food trips are inextricably tied to travel where Tutubi tries to sample unique specialties and delicacies of all places he visits. Take kilawin for instance, a truly Filipino dish, simple and devoid of foreign incluences, even if similar to cerviche except the use of vinegar and not lemon.
This post features two versions of kilawin recipes with meat or fish replaced with ingredients from under the sea: seaweeds.
There are five seaweed species in the Philippines: Guso (Eucheuma), Lato (Caulerpa), Sargassum, Gelidiella and Gracilaria of which the first two are the most popular. They're now cultivated in shore communities and exported raw or processed with a little salt.
The seaweed salad now quite common in Metro Manila restaurants and known as lato. It's just unusual that Tutubi was able to sample lato on his second trip to Cebu (yeah, that whirlwind backpacking tour that took him around Cebu, Bohol, CDO, Camiguin and Bukidnon in 9 days of 2003)
Lato resembles small green grapes, translucent with smooth texture and bursts with mild salty flavor once eaten then glides down your mouth. It's mostly prepared kilaw-style i.e. mixed with vinegar and usual kinilaw ingredients used in the particular place.
fresh lato (seaweed) available at Munoz Market, ready for simple seaweed salad recipe (old lato picture taken with Canon Ixus 30)
Kinilaw na Guso, first encountered by Tutubi in Leyte, is actually agar-agar (scientific name: Eucheuma denticulatam) the source of carageenan used in food processing and other products such as toothpaste.
Kinilaw na guso seaweed salad at Ocho Bar and Grill in Tacloban City (Olympus Stylus 850SW)
Appearing like tree branches, guso, also has green color and texture different from lato. Tutubi prefers this over lato.
The third interesting "seaweed" recently featured on GMA7's Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho, that Tutubi has really yet to taste, is called lukot and actually not a seaweed at all. Lukot are excretions of the dongsul or sea hare and resembles green spaghetti, gathered by people near beaches where the sea hares live.
Tutubi hopes to see and taste lukot one of these days in future trips down south. Should any reader knows where to buy lukot in Metro Manila, please lead Tutubi there. It may be another exotic food trip in the offing.
Read more after the jump!
This post features two versions of kilawin recipes with meat or fish replaced with ingredients from under the sea: seaweeds.
There are five seaweed species in the Philippines: Guso (Eucheuma), Lato (Caulerpa), Sargassum, Gelidiella and Gracilaria of which the first two are the most popular. They're now cultivated in shore communities and exported raw or processed with a little salt.
The seaweed salad now quite common in Metro Manila restaurants and known as lato. It's just unusual that Tutubi was able to sample lato on his second trip to Cebu (yeah, that whirlwind backpacking tour that took him around Cebu, Bohol, CDO, Camiguin and Bukidnon in 9 days of 2003)
Lato resembles small green grapes, translucent with smooth texture and bursts with mild salty flavor once eaten then glides down your mouth. It's mostly prepared kilaw-style i.e. mixed with vinegar and usual kinilaw ingredients used in the particular place.
fresh lato (seaweed) available at Munoz Market, ready for simple seaweed salad recipe (old lato picture taken with Canon Ixus 30)Kinilaw na Guso, first encountered by Tutubi in Leyte, is actually agar-agar (scientific name: Eucheuma denticulatam) the source of carageenan used in food processing and other products such as toothpaste.
Kinilaw na guso seaweed salad at Ocho Bar and Grill in Tacloban City (Olympus Stylus 850SW)Appearing like tree branches, guso, also has green color and texture different from lato. Tutubi prefers this over lato.
The third interesting "seaweed" recently featured on GMA7's Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho, that Tutubi has really yet to taste, is called lukot and actually not a seaweed at all. Lukot are excretions of the dongsul or sea hare and resembles green spaghetti, gathered by people near beaches where the sea hares live.
Tutubi hopes to see and taste lukot one of these days in future trips down south. Should any reader knows where to buy lukot in Metro Manila, please lead Tutubi there. It may be another exotic food trip in the offing.
Labels: Filipino Food, Philippine Cuisine
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:08 PM,
, links to this post
AirAsia Promo Fares from Clark Airport
Probably the largest budget airline today, flying out of Clark Airport in Pampanga, AirAsia, is again offering their already cheap airfares to and from the Philippines, at still cheaper prices for your taking.
AirAsia Promo Fares details:
Book from October 19 to 25
Travel from November 9, 2009 to January 10, 2010
Cheap tickets from AirAsia: One-way fares all in:
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur P1099.00
Kota Kinabalu P499.00
Thailand
Bangkok P848.00
Phuket P848.00
Krabi P848.00
Cambodia:
Siem Reap P1135.00
Phnom Penh P1135.00
Indonesia:
Bandung P849.00
Jakarta P849.00
Yogyakarta P849.00
Surabaya P849.00
Bali P1135
Hong Kong P1425
Vietnam:
Hanoi, Vietnam P1423
Ho Chi Minh City P1135
Australia:
Melbourne P2859.00
Perth P2859.00
Note:
AirAsia flies out of Clark Airport (Diosdado Macapagal International Airport) that yoou can reach by Philtranco buses in SM Megamall
All quoted fares are the cheapest available stated on the promotional email announcement. Please visit AirAsia's official website or call AirAsia hotline for details, online bookings and inquiries.
Related Post:
Bus to Clark Airport
Read more after the jump!
AirAsia Promo Fares details:
Book from October 19 to 25
Travel from November 9, 2009 to January 10, 2010
Cheap tickets from AirAsia: One-way fares all in:
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur P1099.00
Kota Kinabalu P499.00
Thailand
Bangkok P848.00
Phuket P848.00
Krabi P848.00
Cambodia:
Siem Reap P1135.00
Phnom Penh P1135.00
Indonesia:
Bandung P849.00
Jakarta P849.00
Yogyakarta P849.00
Surabaya P849.00
Bali P1135
Hong Kong P1425
Vietnam:
Hanoi, Vietnam P1423
Ho Chi Minh City P1135
Australia:
Melbourne P2859.00
Perth P2859.00
Note:
AirAsia flies out of Clark Airport (Diosdado Macapagal International Airport) that yoou can reach by Philtranco buses in SM Megamall
All quoted fares are the cheapest available stated on the promotional email announcement. Please visit AirAsia's official website or call AirAsia hotline for details, online bookings and inquiries.
Related Post:
Bus to Clark Airport
Labels: AirAsia, Promo Fares
posted by backpacking philippines @ 7:28 PM,
, links to this post
Subic Duty Free Shopping at Royal Subic Mall and Puregold, Are They Worth It?
08 October 2009
The recent visit to Balanga, Bataan was capped by an unplanned visit to Subic since the lead vehicle in the 3 car convoy didn't see the exit to NLEX along SCTEx due to heavy rain and thus just decided to head straight to do some dutyfree shopping in Subic instead.
Royal Subic Mall, picture taken while raining. beside it is Puregold DutyFree
Herewith is Tutubi's review of dutyfree shopping in Subic to answer the question: Is Dutyfree shopping worth it?
It depends on the buyer. If the shopper knows the prices of the goods
before going there all the way from Manila, it's a bargain otherwise
she's just wasting her money for the items you can have at the same or
slightly more expensive price in Manila.
Tutubi found out the price of Spam Lite (yeah, forget original Spam,
even Spam with less Sodium for they're too salty) at Royal Subic is just
the same at Walter Mart and SM but Snickers chocolate bars are sold with
a PhP7 difference than the mentioned malls.
If you're looking for local items, why bother going there to buy those
things?
Infant milk formula, though a tad cheaper, but not all brands are on
sale like Nan One HW for hypoallergenic milk formulas for sensitive babies like Tutubi, Jr.
Havaianas flip-flops prices are PhP100 lower than Manila's malls, that's
according to Tutubi's peer who loves those expensive footwear from
Brazil (Tutubi prefers the low priced flip-flops at Munoz Market, dirt
cheap and not heartbreaking should he lose or break one)
The only reason people should go duty-free shopping is when the products
they're looking for are not available at the local malls or hard-to-find
items.
The best reason not to go there: Buy Philippine-made products, it
creates jobs and helps the economy. Discard the colonial-mentality that
everything imported is better than local products. It's not always the case.
Lastly, try to internalize this mantra: Buy not what you need, not what
you want. What you don't really need, however cheap, is expensive!
Notes on Subic Duty Free Shopping:
Credit cards are accepted as well as US dollar notes for payment. BancNet ATM cards can also be used to pay for your purchases at Puregold Duty Free Mall
Royal Subic Mall
Mall hours: open from 10am to 7pm (Monday - Thursday)
9am to 7pm (Friday - Sunday)
Tel. No: +63.47.252.3015; +63.47.252.6115
Tip: also in Subic Petron gas station is a Nike Factory store (another nike factory outlet is in the Shell gas station on the southbound lane of NLEX)
Read more after the jump!
Royal Subic Mall, picture taken while raining. beside it is Puregold DutyFreeHerewith is Tutubi's review of dutyfree shopping in Subic to answer the question: Is Dutyfree shopping worth it?
It depends on the buyer. If the shopper knows the prices of the goods
before going there all the way from Manila, it's a bargain otherwise
she's just wasting her money for the items you can have at the same or
slightly more expensive price in Manila.
Tutubi found out the price of Spam Lite (yeah, forget original Spam,
even Spam with less Sodium for they're too salty) at Royal Subic is just
the same at Walter Mart and SM but Snickers chocolate bars are sold with
a PhP7 difference than the mentioned malls.
If you're looking for local items, why bother going there to buy those
things?
Infant milk formula, though a tad cheaper, but not all brands are on
sale like Nan One HW for hypoallergenic milk formulas for sensitive babies like Tutubi, Jr.
Havaianas flip-flops prices are PhP100 lower than Manila's malls, that's
according to Tutubi's peer who loves those expensive footwear from
Brazil (Tutubi prefers the low priced flip-flops at Munoz Market, dirt
cheap and not heartbreaking should he lose or break one)
The only reason people should go duty-free shopping is when the products
they're looking for are not available at the local malls or hard-to-find
items.
The best reason not to go there: Buy Philippine-made products, it
creates jobs and helps the economy. Discard the colonial-mentality that
everything imported is better than local products. It's not always the case.
Lastly, try to internalize this mantra: Buy not what you need, not what
you want. What you don't really need, however cheap, is expensive!
Notes on Subic Duty Free Shopping:
Credit cards are accepted as well as US dollar notes for payment. BancNet ATM cards can also be used to pay for your purchases at Puregold Duty Free Mall
Royal Subic Mall
Mall hours: open from 10am to 7pm (Monday - Thursday)
9am to 7pm (Friday - Sunday)
Tel. No: +63.47.252.3015; +63.47.252.6115
Tip: also in Subic Petron gas station is a Nike Factory store (another nike factory outlet is in the Shell gas station on the southbound lane of NLEX)
Labels: Central Luzon, Malls, Shopping, Subic, Zambales
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:30 PM,
, links to this post
Tutubi's Best Journey in Life
04 October 2009
A couple of months ago, a Singapore-based travel agency offered to buy this blog probably to turn it into a vehicle to promote their online booking facility with focus on the Asian travel market. The negotiations went only as far as the monthly compensation in addition to Tutubi keeping all earnings from Adsense et al but he decided not to sell this blog for one "small" reason:
He already has someone who he dreams will take over the "operations" of this blog in the future: Tutubi, Jr.
There are only a handful of bloggers out there who personally knew Tutubi, but since his son looks so much like him, that he even calls his son "Mini Me," at least readers of this blog will get an idea how Tutubi actually looks like.
baby watching Barney on a laptop while his neighbors are swimming in floodwaters brought by typhoon Ondoy somewhere in Quezon City
teaching his baby financial literacy for him to grow up as a money smart individual
smiling baby: perfect stress reliever after a hard day's work
No, being a father won't stop Tutubi from traveling, as most travel bloggers out there are single, but he now avoids long trips away from home.
A few months of being a father is just the beginning of the trip he considers the best journey of his life!
Read more after the jump!
He already has someone who he dreams will take over the "operations" of this blog in the future: Tutubi, Jr.
There are only a handful of bloggers out there who personally knew Tutubi, but since his son looks so much like him, that he even calls his son "Mini Me," at least readers of this blog will get an idea how Tutubi actually looks like.
baby watching Barney on a laptop while his neighbors are swimming in floodwaters brought by typhoon Ondoy somewhere in Quezon City
teaching his baby financial literacy for him to grow up as a money smart individual
smiling baby: perfect stress reliever after a hard day's workNo, being a father won't stop Tutubi from traveling, as most travel bloggers out there are single, but he now avoids long trips away from home.
A few months of being a father is just the beginning of the trip he considers the best journey of his life!
Labels: Floobydust
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:11 PM,
, links to this post
Latest SuperFerry Promo Fares Tripid Visayas Mindanao
Not everybody can afford to fly, as much the local budget carriers trumpet. As cheaper alternatives for people and families with time on their hands for long travel and the flexibility of baggage allowances 2.5 times that of airlines, cheap ferries still rule as the mass transport of choice for the underprivileged people.
The latest promo fare of SuperFerry is targeting families wishing to come home to their home provinces in time for All Saints Day, All Souls Day and Christmas and New Year's Day holidays.
Cheap Ticket Prices of SuperFerry:
P588.00 Manila to Palawan or Visayas
P888.00 Manila to Mindanao
Ticket Sale Period: Oct 5-11, 2009
Travel Period: Oct. 19 - Dec 15, 2009
++P85 up to P130 additional charges for terminal fees and other fees. Included in the fares are fuel surcharge, security fee and VAT. The Todo-todo SailSale is non-refundable. Surcharges apply on revalidation. Tripid fares are refundable.
Superferry's maximum baggage allowance is 50kg per passenger
Superferry's Tripid Fares is similar to Cebu Pacific's Go Lite Fares for the budget airline offered all year round.
P750 Manila to Visayas
P1150 Manila to Mindanao
Superferry Terminal is at Pier 15 of Manila South Harbor (Pier) now named Eva Macapagal terminal. To commute to Pier 15, you can board jeepneys with signboard Pier in Quiapo and alight just before you reach Manila Hotel then walk towards the Pier.
You can also book your round trip tickets online at SuperFerry official website (http://www.superferry.com.ph) using your credit card or ATM card. Updated ferry trip schedules can also be inquired online.
SuperFerry tickets can be delivered to your own home, at an extra charge of just P25 by calling Superferry Hotline +63.2.528.7000 (Ticketing telephone number/contact number).
Superferry Text Hotline: type SFTEXTMessage then send to 2327 (Globe or TM) or to 09178902327 (Smart and other networks)
Source: SuperFerry ad on Inquirer Libre (Tutubi again rides the MRT daily to his office for his car was submerged by typhoon Ondoy and still undergoing repair)
Fe
Read more after the jump!
The latest promo fare of SuperFerry is targeting families wishing to come home to their home provinces in time for All Saints Day, All Souls Day and Christmas and New Year's Day holidays.
Cheap Ticket Prices of SuperFerry:
P588.00 Manila to Palawan or Visayas
P888.00 Manila to Mindanao
Ticket Sale Period: Oct 5-11, 2009
Travel Period: Oct. 19 - Dec 15, 2009
++P85 up to P130 additional charges for terminal fees and other fees. Included in the fares are fuel surcharge, security fee and VAT. The Todo-todo SailSale is non-refundable. Surcharges apply on revalidation. Tripid fares are refundable.
Superferry's maximum baggage allowance is 50kg per passenger
Superferry's Tripid Fares is similar to Cebu Pacific's Go Lite Fares for the budget airline offered all year round.
P750 Manila to Visayas
P1150 Manila to Mindanao
Superferry Terminal is at Pier 15 of Manila South Harbor (Pier) now named Eva Macapagal terminal. To commute to Pier 15, you can board jeepneys with signboard Pier in Quiapo and alight just before you reach Manila Hotel then walk towards the Pier.
You can also book your round trip tickets online at SuperFerry official website (http://www.superferry.com.ph) using your credit card or ATM card. Updated ferry trip schedules can also be inquired online.
SuperFerry tickets can be delivered to your own home, at an extra charge of just P25 by calling Superferry Hotline +63.2.528.7000 (Ticketing telephone number/contact number).
Superferry Text Hotline: type SFTEXT
Source: SuperFerry ad on Inquirer Libre (Tutubi again rides the MRT daily to his office for his car was submerged by typhoon Ondoy and still undergoing repair)
Fe
Labels: Ferries, Promo Fares, SuperFerry
posted by backpacking philippines @ 8:04 PM,
, links to this post
ZestAir Promo Fares Ticket Prices and Round Trip Discounts
03 October 2009
Latest promo fares of ZestAir, formerly Asian Spirit, for travellers looking for cheap airline tickets to select destinations serviced by the budget airline challenging Cebu pacific's foothold on the growing air travel market and even eats away at people taking the slow ferries out of Manila.
ZestAir Ticket Prices (Promo fares, one-way unless stated as round trip ticket prices):
Manila to Clark: P350.00
Manila to Puerto Princesa: P1488.00
Manila to Legazpi: P788.00
Manila to Bacolod: P1088.00
Manila to Iloilo: P1088.00
Manila to Kalibo: P888.00
Manila to Boracay (via Kalibo + bus transfer): P1063.00
Manila to Virac: P688.00
Cebu to Cagayan de Oro (CDO): P888.00
Cebu to Kalibo: P1188.00
Cebu to Zamboanga: P1188.00
Cebu to Davao (vice-versa): P1088
Clark to Boracay: P728.00
Clark to Hong Kong: P2158.00
(that's P4316 + P1620 (Philippine Travel tax) + P720 (Hong Kong Departure Tax of HK$120 (approximately)) = P6656.00 price of round trip ticket to Hong Kong
Selling Period: Ongoing until Dec 30, 2009
Travel Period: Ongoing until Dec. 31, 2009
ZestAir Makati Booking: +63.2.888.2003
Lite 'n Eazy Fares
ZestAir Voyager Pass
Roundtrip trip tickets get 10% discounts on all domestic destinations but not applicable together with other promos.
Complete List of ZestAir flights (as of posting time):
Manila to Kalibo (Boracay, Aklan)
Manila to Bacolod
Manila to Busuanga (Northern Palawan, gateway to Coron)
Manila to Calbayog
Manila to Catarman
Manila to Clark
Manila to Cebu
Manila to Davao
Manila to Iloilo
Manila to Legazpi (Albay)
manila to Marinduque
Manila to Naga (Camarines Sur)
Manila to Virac (Catanduanes)
Manila to Puerto Princesa (Palawan)
Manila to San Jose (Mindoro)
Manila to Tablas (Romblon)
Manila to Tacloban (Leyte)
Manila to Tagbilaran (Bohol)
Cebu to Cagayan de Oro (CDO)
Cebu to Davao
Cebu to Kalibo
Cebu to Siargao
Cebu to Zamboanga
Clark to Kalibo
ZestAir International Flights:
Clark to Hong Kong
Zamboanga to Sandakan (Sabah, Malaysia)
Free baggage allowance of 10kg or 15kg depending on the type of aircraft used for the flight.
For booking and details, you may visit ZestAir official website or call ZestAir hotline for other bookings, updates and flight information.
Read more after the jump!
ZestAir Ticket Prices (Promo fares, one-way unless stated as round trip ticket prices):
Manila to Clark: P350.00
Manila to Puerto Princesa: P1488.00
Manila to Legazpi: P788.00
Manila to Bacolod: P1088.00
Manila to Iloilo: P1088.00
Manila to Kalibo: P888.00
Manila to Boracay (via Kalibo + bus transfer): P1063.00
Manila to Virac: P688.00
Cebu to Cagayan de Oro (CDO): P888.00
Cebu to Kalibo: P1188.00
Cebu to Zamboanga: P1188.00
Cebu to Davao (vice-versa): P1088
Clark to Boracay: P728.00
Clark to Hong Kong: P2158.00
(that's P4316 + P1620 (Philippine Travel tax) + P720 (Hong Kong Departure Tax of HK$120 (approximately)) = P6656.00 price of round trip ticket to Hong Kong
Selling Period: Ongoing until Dec 30, 2009
Travel Period: Ongoing until Dec. 31, 2009
ZestAir Makati Booking: +63.2.888.2003
Lite 'n Eazy Fares
ZestAir Voyager Pass
Roundtrip trip tickets get 10% discounts on all domestic destinations but not applicable together with other promos.
Complete List of ZestAir flights (as of posting time):
Manila to Kalibo (Boracay, Aklan)
Manila to Bacolod
Manila to Busuanga (Northern Palawan, gateway to Coron)
Manila to Calbayog
Manila to Catarman
Manila to Clark
Manila to Cebu
Manila to Davao
Manila to Iloilo
Manila to Legazpi (Albay)
manila to Marinduque
Manila to Naga (Camarines Sur)
Manila to Virac (Catanduanes)
Manila to Puerto Princesa (Palawan)
Manila to San Jose (Mindoro)
Manila to Tablas (Romblon)
Manila to Tacloban (Leyte)
Manila to Tagbilaran (Bohol)
Cebu to Cagayan de Oro (CDO)
Cebu to Davao
Cebu to Kalibo
Cebu to Siargao
Cebu to Zamboanga
Clark to Kalibo
ZestAir International Flights:
Clark to Hong Kong
Zamboanga to Sandakan (Sabah, Malaysia)
Free baggage allowance of 10kg or 15kg depending on the type of aircraft used for the flight.
For booking and details, you may visit ZestAir official website or call ZestAir hotline for other bookings, updates and flight information.
Labels: Promo Fares, ZestAir
posted by backpacking philippines @ 8:15 PM,
, links to this post
Southern Leyte's Agas-agas Bridge Beckons Bungee Jumping, Extreme Sports
22 September 2009
An engineer and avid fan of megastructures, Tutubi was able to cross San Juanico Bridge, the longest bridge in the country connecting the islands of Samar and Leyte, even in the middle of heavy rains.
This time, he went off to check for himself the newly-opened bridge in Leyte Island in the town of Sogod. This he did by canceling an earlier planned trip to Sohoton Cave in Basey, Samar across Leyte Gulf.
Agas-agas Bridge from one end of the viaduct. Note the bahay kubo (native huts) below to add scale
The two piers supporting the bridge with a height of 292 feet visible on this photo. The platform on the sides of the bridge made available another bungee jumping in the Philippines' Eastern Visayas region
Recently inaugurated by PGMA, Agas-agas bridge was constructed to address the safety issues of frequent landslides and erosion in the area particularly during heavy rains and typhoons. I was funded by the Japanese government through the Official Development Assistance (ODA) fund and construction supervised by Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co. of Japan.
a "side view" of the bridge taken from the old dangerous road it replaced
The tallest Bridge in the Philippines lies at kilometer 1007 marker and only habal-habal (motorcycle taxis) are available as public transportation from Mahaplag, Leyte or Sogod, Southern Leyte
With huge potential as an adventure tourism destination, made a part of the 350 meter long viaduct is a platform specifically for bungee jumping enthusiasts. Aficionados of other extreme sports like paramotor, downhill skateboarding zipline and rapelling are also expected to visit the Philippines highest bridge.
DPWH Agas-agas Bridge Field Office with ample parking space for possible adventurers to park their vehicles
(right picture: the two huts in the green valley below the bridge with a small waterfall in view, part of the Leyte Mountain Trail)
Tutubi wasn't able to see or experience any extreme sports at Agas-agas but on his return to Dulag, Leyte that he realized that he was able to set foot on the province of Southern Leyte.
How to get there:
Don't even think of commuting to Agas-agas bridge for for there's no public transportation that pass by the route except the hardy habal-habal. Mahaplag is a town of Southern Leyte and can be reached after about two hours travel from Tacloban City, about 70 kilometers away via zig-zag roads cutting through the beautiful landscapes of the so-called Leyte Mountain Trail. The bridge is located at the kilometer 1007 marker.
Related Posts:
The Longest Bridge of the Philippines
Read more after the jump!
This time, he went off to check for himself the newly-opened bridge in Leyte Island in the town of Sogod. This he did by canceling an earlier planned trip to Sohoton Cave in Basey, Samar across Leyte Gulf.
Agas-agas Bridge from one end of the viaduct. Note the bahay kubo (native huts) below to add scale
The two piers supporting the bridge with a height of 292 feet visible on this photo. The platform on the sides of the bridge made available another bungee jumping in the Philippines' Eastern Visayas regionRecently inaugurated by PGMA, Agas-agas bridge was constructed to address the safety issues of frequent landslides and erosion in the area particularly during heavy rains and typhoons. I was funded by the Japanese government through the Official Development Assistance (ODA) fund and construction supervised by Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co. of Japan.
a "side view" of the bridge taken from the old dangerous road it replaced
The tallest Bridge in the Philippines lies at kilometer 1007 marker and only habal-habal (motorcycle taxis) are available as public transportation from Mahaplag, Leyte or Sogod, Southern LeyteWith huge potential as an adventure tourism destination, made a part of the 350 meter long viaduct is a platform specifically for bungee jumping enthusiasts. Aficionados of other extreme sports like paramotor, downhill skateboarding zipline and rapelling are also expected to visit the Philippines highest bridge.
DPWH Agas-agas Bridge Field Office with ample parking space for possible adventurers to park their vehicles
(right picture: the two huts in the green valley below the bridge with a small waterfall in view, part of the Leyte Mountain Trail) Tutubi wasn't able to see or experience any extreme sports at Agas-agas but on his return to Dulag, Leyte that he realized that he was able to set foot on the province of Southern Leyte.
How to get there:
Don't even think of commuting to Agas-agas bridge for for there's no public transportation that pass by the route except the hardy habal-habal. Mahaplag is a town of Southern Leyte and can be reached after about two hours travel from Tacloban City, about 70 kilometers away via zig-zag roads cutting through the beautiful landscapes of the so-called Leyte Mountain Trail. The bridge is located at the kilometer 1007 marker.
Related Posts:
The Longest Bridge of the Philippines
Labels: Adventure Tourism, Bridges, Eastern Visayas, Southern Leyte
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:09 PM,
, links to this post
The Historic Bell House, Camp John Hay, Baguio City
16 September 2009
Posted in celebration of Baguio City's 100th year anniversary as a chartered city last September 9, 2009.
Walking distance from The Manor Hotel and inside the Historic core of Camp John Hay is the charming Bell house, the original vacation home of the Commanding General of the Philippines. It was named after General J. Franklin Bell who's credited for transforming Camp John Hay into a major military resort.
Bell House, historic vacation home, surrounded by a nice manicured garden and pine trees at Camp John Hay Historical Core
The seal of Camp John Hay, used to be displayed at the main gate, marking more than 100 years of existence from 1903
The Bell House of today currently serves as a museum of American colonial architecture and lifestyle. A portrait of John Milton Hay is displayed in the living room, complete with a fireplace, while the walls narrate Camp John Hay history through various images.
the dining room displaying lifestyle of American commanding general
At one corner of the vacation home stands a totem pole with descriptive plaque that states:
"Carved by Ernesto Dul-ang, a succession of historical figures during the first half of the 20th century form a totem pole that once looked out on top of Scout Hill
Admiral George Dewey led the Battle of Manila Bay
General Emilio Aguinaldo was the first president of the Republic of the Philippines
President William Howard Taft was the first governor-general of the Philippines and later Secretary of War took a great interest in the development of Baguio City and Camp John Hay
Secretary John Milton Hay was secretary of state when the Philippines became a colony of the United States. He died as the construction of the camp named in his honor went into full gear.
William Cameron Forbes was a governor-general of the Philippines who is credited with the development of Baguio City
President Theodore Roosevelt signed the order that designated 535 acres as the military reservation that became Camp John Hay
Major General Franklin Bell was commander of the Philippines department and designer of Italian Garden as well as Bell House and Amphitheater
Lt. Col. Lyman W. Kennon oversaw the completion of the road that facilitated the construction and development of Baguio City and Camp John Hay
Mayor James Halsema was the last American Mayor of Baguio City
General Douglas McArthur was the famous liberator of the Philippines during World War II"
Near the historic Bell house is the Bell Amphitheater, a favorite venue for weddings, debuts, parties and other events.
The Bell House and Amphitheater are not just tourist attractions in Baguio City but also has historical and heritage significance that should be preserved for posterity.
Interesting Places near Bell House and inside Camp John Hay:
The Manor Hotel
Cemetery of Negativity
How to get there:
The best way to get there is via a taxi from Baguio CBD/Session Road as public transportation (jeepneys) don't enter the former military camp (unless you love to do lots of walking)
Read more after the jump!
Walking distance from The Manor Hotel and inside the Historic core of Camp John Hay is the charming Bell house, the original vacation home of the Commanding General of the Philippines. It was named after General J. Franklin Bell who's credited for transforming Camp John Hay into a major military resort.
Bell House, historic vacation home, surrounded by a nice manicured garden and pine trees at Camp John Hay Historical Core
The seal of Camp John Hay, used to be displayed at the main gate, marking more than 100 years of existence from 1903The Bell House of today currently serves as a museum of American colonial architecture and lifestyle. A portrait of John Milton Hay is displayed in the living room, complete with a fireplace, while the walls narrate Camp John Hay history through various images.
the dining room displaying lifestyle of American commanding generalAt one corner of the vacation home stands a totem pole with descriptive plaque that states:
"Carved by Ernesto Dul-ang, a succession of historical figures during the first half of the 20th century form a totem pole that once looked out on top of Scout Hill
Admiral George Dewey led the Battle of Manila Bay
General Emilio Aguinaldo was the first president of the Republic of the Philippines
President William Howard Taft was the first governor-general of the Philippines and later Secretary of War took a great interest in the development of Baguio City and Camp John Hay
Secretary John Milton Hay was secretary of state when the Philippines became a colony of the United States. He died as the construction of the camp named in his honor went into full gear.
William Cameron Forbes was a governor-general of the Philippines who is credited with the development of Baguio City
President Theodore Roosevelt signed the order that designated 535 acres as the military reservation that became Camp John Hay
Major General Franklin Bell was commander of the Philippines department and designer of Italian Garden as well as Bell House and Amphitheater
Lt. Col. Lyman W. Kennon oversaw the completion of the road that facilitated the construction and development of Baguio City and Camp John Hay
Mayor James Halsema was the last American Mayor of Baguio City
General Douglas McArthur was the famous liberator of the Philippines during World War II"
Near the historic Bell house is the Bell Amphitheater, a favorite venue for weddings, debuts, parties and other events.
The Bell House and Amphitheater are not just tourist attractions in Baguio City but also has historical and heritage significance that should be preserved for posterity.
Interesting Places near Bell House and inside Camp John Hay:
The Manor Hotel
Cemetery of Negativity
How to get there:
The best way to get there is via a taxi from Baguio CBD/Session Road as public transportation (jeepneys) don't enter the former military camp (unless you love to do lots of walking)
Labels: Baguio City, Benguet, Cordillera Administrative Region, History, Museums
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:15 PM,
, links to this post
A Rainy Day at Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor), Mt. Samat Bataan
09 September 2009
"Bumagsak na ang Bataan," Tutubi said when he went to Bataan to attend his officemates' wedding at St. Joseph Cathedral in Balanga with a sidetrip to the historic Mt. Samat, the site of fierce fighting at the onset of World War II and where the Dambana ng kagitingan (Shrine of Valor) stands to remind visitors of the gallant stand of American and Filipino soldiers in World War II.
Mt. Samat was the stronghold of combined American and Filipino forces defending the mountainous peninsula of Bataan against the Japanese from December 1941 until its capitulation on April 9, 1942.
The almost four month long resistance, caught the Japanese by surprise and delayed their war plan thereby saving Australia from the onslaught of the Land of the Rising Sun.
The Fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942 started the harrowing war crime called Bataan Death March where thousands of American and Filipino POWs were forced to march for about 100 kilometers, by foot interrupted by a train ride in cramped cars, for days without food and water to get to Capas, Tarlac. Thousands died during the ordeal and thousands more died at the concentration camp during captivity.
Mt. Samat Shrine, dubbed "Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor)," was built to honor not just the heroic efforts of the World War II soldiers who valiantly fought the Japanese invaders against insurmountable odds but also all other heroes whose heroics and deeds were enshrined like Jose Rizal whose bas relief occupies one side of the Memorial Cross, Juan Luna, Emilio Aguinaldo, Lapu-Lapu, Apolinario Mabini, Emilio Jacinto, Melchora Aquino, Gabriela Silang et al.
Now declared a National Historical Shrine, it was built during the time of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos on top of Mt. Samat, the base of the site of fierce fighting with main feature of a Monument Cross standing 92 meters tall made of concrete, marble and steel.
The hurriedly taken picture of Dambana ng Kagitingan's Monument Cross in just in time before fog and rain enveloped the monument
a brief lull in the rain allowed Tutubi to take a photo of two "young-at-hearts" playing with a gun battery similar to the ones displayed on Corregidor Island
The sad part about the trip was that the rain almost spoiled the trip completely. Tutubi didn't bother to ride the elevator to get to the top of the Monument Cross to get a sweeping view of Bataan peninsula, Manila Bay and even Corregidor Island. A brief photo-op with officemates resulted to a few pictures (with one of his peers did an Oblation-like pose near the cross' base in silhouette). No other pictures were taken as the entire Mt. Samat was covered in rain clouds that even Tutubi's waterproof camera was rendered useless.
Dambana ng Kagitingan deserves a return trip for Tutubi as well as his wish to re-trace the infamous Death March route someday.
---
Dambana ng Kagitingan Travel Information
Mt. Samat Shrine Entrance Fees:
PhP30.00 for foreigners
PhP20.00 for locals
PhP10.00 for students
Parking fee:
PhP20.00 cars/small vehicles
PhP50.00 large vehicles
Overnight accommodations at Mt. Samat Shrine is offered at the Dambana ng Kagitingan Guesthouse. No information was gathered due to the rains.
There's also a museum inside the shrine but was not visited by Tutubi due to lack of time.
Shrine is open to the public from 8am to 5pm, Tuesdays to Sundays (closed on Mondays, no information on holidays as of posting time). Elevator access to the top of the Cross is closed during lunch break
Comfort Rooms available with PhP3.00 per "pee fee."
How to get to Mt. Samat Shrine Bataan:
Driving Directions: From EDSA northbound to Balintawak take NLEX and exit at the SCTEx spur road after passing Dau toll plaza. After getting ticket at SCTex tollgate, choose the road going to Subic and exit at Dinalupihan (Toll fee: PhP88.00) Turn right at the end of the SCTEx exit road and follow road signs leading to Mt. Samat, Balanga or your destination town.
On reaching Pilar, Bataan junction, you'll see direction signs on your right pointing the way to Mt. Samat where you turn right (sign says the historic shrine is 11 kilometers away). Turn left on the road after passing Kilometer 19 Death March Marker
Travel time to Bataan (Mt Samat or Balanga) is around 2.5 to 3 hours from EDSA, Quezon City via NLEX and SCTEx.
Commute to Bataan, the backpacking way is not easy for the route to the historic shrine is not served by public transportation. The nearest point can be reached by Bataan buses is the Pilar, Bataan junction on the national highway where the shrine's 11 kilometers away. You can ride a tricycle at the junction or do some muscle flexing by trekking up the mountain.
Ferries to Bataan are available from SM Mall of Asia complex by MetroStar serving the Pasay to Orion Port ferry route. In Orion, you can ride jeepneys going to Balanga that pass by Pilar and alight at the junction for the jump-off point to Mt. Samat Shrine
Read more after the jump!
Mt. Samat was the stronghold of combined American and Filipino forces defending the mountainous peninsula of Bataan against the Japanese from December 1941 until its capitulation on April 9, 1942.
The almost four month long resistance, caught the Japanese by surprise and delayed their war plan thereby saving Australia from the onslaught of the Land of the Rising Sun.
The Fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942 started the harrowing war crime called Bataan Death March where thousands of American and Filipino POWs were forced to march for about 100 kilometers, by foot interrupted by a train ride in cramped cars, for days without food and water to get to Capas, Tarlac. Thousands died during the ordeal and thousands more died at the concentration camp during captivity.
Mt. Samat Shrine, dubbed "Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor)," was built to honor not just the heroic efforts of the World War II soldiers who valiantly fought the Japanese invaders against insurmountable odds but also all other heroes whose heroics and deeds were enshrined like Jose Rizal whose bas relief occupies one side of the Memorial Cross, Juan Luna, Emilio Aguinaldo, Lapu-Lapu, Apolinario Mabini, Emilio Jacinto, Melchora Aquino, Gabriela Silang et al.Now declared a National Historical Shrine, it was built during the time of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos on top of Mt. Samat, the base of the site of fierce fighting with main feature of a Monument Cross standing 92 meters tall made of concrete, marble and steel.
The hurriedly taken picture of Dambana ng Kagitingan's Monument Cross in just in time before fog and rain enveloped the monument
a brief lull in the rain allowed Tutubi to take a photo of two "young-at-hearts" playing with a gun battery similar to the ones displayed on Corregidor Island
The sad part about the trip was that the rain almost spoiled the trip completely. Tutubi didn't bother to ride the elevator to get to the top of the Monument Cross to get a sweeping view of Bataan peninsula, Manila Bay and even Corregidor Island. A brief photo-op with officemates resulted to a few pictures (with one of his peers did an Oblation-like pose near the cross' base in silhouette). No other pictures were taken as the entire Mt. Samat was covered in rain clouds that even Tutubi's waterproof camera was rendered useless.Dambana ng Kagitingan deserves a return trip for Tutubi as well as his wish to re-trace the infamous Death March route someday.
---
Dambana ng Kagitingan Travel Information
Mt. Samat Shrine Entrance Fees:
PhP30.00 for foreigners
PhP20.00 for locals
PhP10.00 for students
Parking fee:
PhP20.00 cars/small vehicles
PhP50.00 large vehicles
Overnight accommodations at Mt. Samat Shrine is offered at the Dambana ng Kagitingan Guesthouse. No information was gathered due to the rains.
There's also a museum inside the shrine but was not visited by Tutubi due to lack of time.
Shrine is open to the public from 8am to 5pm, Tuesdays to Sundays (closed on Mondays, no information on holidays as of posting time). Elevator access to the top of the Cross is closed during lunch break
Comfort Rooms available with PhP3.00 per "pee fee."
How to get to Mt. Samat Shrine Bataan:
Driving Directions: From EDSA northbound to Balintawak take NLEX and exit at the SCTEx spur road after passing Dau toll plaza. After getting ticket at SCTex tollgate, choose the road going to Subic and exit at Dinalupihan (Toll fee: PhP88.00) Turn right at the end of the SCTEx exit road and follow road signs leading to Mt. Samat, Balanga or your destination town.
On reaching Pilar, Bataan junction, you'll see direction signs on your right pointing the way to Mt. Samat where you turn right (sign says the historic shrine is 11 kilometers away). Turn left on the road after passing Kilometer 19 Death March Marker
Travel time to Bataan (Mt Samat or Balanga) is around 2.5 to 3 hours from EDSA, Quezon City via NLEX and SCTEx.
Commute to Bataan, the backpacking way is not easy for the route to the historic shrine is not served by public transportation. The nearest point can be reached by Bataan buses is the Pilar, Bataan junction on the national highway where the shrine's 11 kilometers away. You can ride a tricycle at the junction or do some muscle flexing by trekking up the mountain.
Ferries to Bataan are available from SM Mall of Asia complex by MetroStar serving the Pasay to Orion Port ferry route. In Orion, you can ride jeepneys going to Balanga that pass by Pilar and alight at the junction for the jump-off point to Mt. Samat Shrine
Labels: Bataan, Central Luzon, Historical Shrines, World War II
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:09 PM,
, links to this post
Ferdinand Magellan Did NOT Discover The Philippines; Capt. James Cook Did NOT Discover Australia
05 September 2009
Who discovered Australia and when? A question posed by an Australian tour guide at the Blue Mountains to a group of tourists where an American replied "Capt. James Cook in 1778."
The Australian tour guide shook his head in disbelief and said that indeed Capt. James Cook arrived in 1770, not 1778, in Australia, but it would be disrespectful to the Aborigines to say he discovered the island for the Aborigines already discovered Australia thousands of years before the white men came to the land of kangaroos, emus, platypuses, koalas and wombats.
The answer of the Australian tour guide to his own question was concurred by Tutubi in that back home in his beloved Philippine Islands, most Philippine history books still erroneously state that on March 17, 1521 Ferdinand Magellan "discovered" the Philippines.
Tutubi stumbled upon Capt. James Cook monument at Hyde Park located near his hotel in Sydney CBD
The Australian aborigines arrived in Australia way before the British
came and so deserve credit for the discovery; the English merely arrived
in Australia in 1770.
The monument honors the "discoverer" of Australia with the iconic Sydney Tower in the background
On the same note, the little black people, the aborigines of the
Philippines called Aeteas or Negritos, settled on the islands way before the Austronesians, the ancestors of modern Filipinos, came from Taiwan, before they spread out to the nearby islands of Indonesia, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Micronesia, Polynesia, Hawaii and even as far as Madagascar on the east coast of Africa.
How could the Portuguese navigator in the service of Spain have "discovered" the islands that he named San Lazaro, later to be called The Philippines, when people were already living on the various islands? When the Chinese, Vietnamese, Indians and other Asian countries were already trading goods with pre-hispanic Filipinos; when Maynila, was already a thriving city ruled by a vassal of Brunei; when Cebu and Mactan were ruled by the warring Rajah Humabon and Lapu-lapu respectively.
To the eyes of the European, Ferdinand Magellan may have "discovered" the Philippines for them, but it's not right for a FIlipino to say Magellan discovered Philippines for he merely arrived in these islands in 1521.
History needs to be re-written to reflect the perspective of the locals and not of the Europeans who think they discovered and later colonized most of the world.
Times have changed and so must your view of history.
Read more after the jump!
The Australian tour guide shook his head in disbelief and said that indeed Capt. James Cook arrived in 1770, not 1778, in Australia, but it would be disrespectful to the Aborigines to say he discovered the island for the Aborigines already discovered Australia thousands of years before the white men came to the land of kangaroos, emus, platypuses, koalas and wombats.
The answer of the Australian tour guide to his own question was concurred by Tutubi in that back home in his beloved Philippine Islands, most Philippine history books still erroneously state that on March 17, 1521 Ferdinand Magellan "discovered" the Philippines.
Tutubi stumbled upon Capt. James Cook monument at Hyde Park located near his hotel in Sydney CBDThe Australian aborigines arrived in Australia way before the British
came and so deserve credit for the discovery; the English merely arrived
in Australia in 1770.
The monument honors the "discoverer" of Australia with the iconic Sydney Tower in the backgroundOn the same note, the little black people, the aborigines of the
Philippines called Aeteas or Negritos, settled on the islands way before the Austronesians, the ancestors of modern Filipinos, came from Taiwan, before they spread out to the nearby islands of Indonesia, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Micronesia, Polynesia, Hawaii and even as far as Madagascar on the east coast of Africa.
How could the Portuguese navigator in the service of Spain have "discovered" the islands that he named San Lazaro, later to be called The Philippines, when people were already living on the various islands? When the Chinese, Vietnamese, Indians and other Asian countries were already trading goods with pre-hispanic Filipinos; when Maynila, was already a thriving city ruled by a vassal of Brunei; when Cebu and Mactan were ruled by the warring Rajah Humabon and Lapu-lapu respectively.
To the eyes of the European, Ferdinand Magellan may have "discovered" the Philippines for them, but it's not right for a FIlipino to say Magellan discovered Philippines for he merely arrived in these islands in 1521.
History needs to be re-written to reflect the perspective of the locals and not of the Europeans who think they discovered and later colonized most of the world.
Times have changed and so must your view of history.
Labels: Australia, Beyond Asia, History, Sydney
posted by backpacking philippines @ 10:31 PM,
, links to this post
Fort Drum is to Subic Bay, Fort Denison is to Sydney Harbour
01 September 2009
Corregidor Island is to Manila bay, Fort drum (El Fraile Island) is to Subic Bay, Fort Denison Island is to Sydney Harbour.
Fort Denison is a former prison turned into a park at the entrance of Sydney Harbour acting as a strategic forward fort and defense outpost in Sydney Harbour. It can be seen from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House or Mrs McQuarries Chair but the closest view Tutubi got was on board the ferry to Taronga Zoo.
The Rock of Sydney: Fort Denison
Guided tours of Fort Denison can be booked at Circular Quay where you can actually walk on the fort and explore the lighthouse, cannons and fortifications.
Fort Denison against Sydney skyline (notice the iconic Sydney Tower)
There's an age-old practice of firing a cannon at 1pm every day, some sort of time synchronization with sailors of yore, that continues up to this day.
How to get to Fort Denison, Sydney Harbour:
Ferries to Fort Denison depart wharf 6 at Circular Quay at regular intervals everyday. Ticket price for the ferry ticket includes guided tour of the fort.
Read more after the jump!
Fort Denison is a former prison turned into a park at the entrance of Sydney Harbour acting as a strategic forward fort and defense outpost in Sydney Harbour. It can be seen from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House or Mrs McQuarries Chair but the closest view Tutubi got was on board the ferry to Taronga Zoo.
The Rock of Sydney: Fort Denison
Guided tours of Fort Denison can be booked at Circular Quay where you can actually walk on the fort and explore the lighthouse, cannons and fortifications.
Fort Denison against Sydney skyline (notice the iconic Sydney Tower)
There's an age-old practice of firing a cannon at 1pm every day, some sort of time synchronization with sailors of yore, that continues up to this day.
How to get to Fort Denison, Sydney Harbour:
Ferries to Fort Denison depart wharf 6 at Circular Quay at regular intervals everyday. Ticket price for the ferry ticket includes guided tour of the fort.
Labels: Australia, Beyond Asia, Sydney
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:51 PM,
, links to this post
National Heroes Day Tribute to Emilio Jacinto: The Brains of the Katipunan
31 August 2009
The last Monday of August is a non-working holiday in the Philippines in celebration of National Heroes Day.
This day, Tutubi honors a man whose face used to be featured on the old 20 peso bill during the time of Pres. Marcos and also on the old 20 centavo coin: Emilio Jacinto
Emilio Jacinto was the young adviser of Katipunan Supremo Andres Bonifacio and the acknowledged "Brains of the Katipunan" for having prepared many Katipunan documents including the constitution and the Kartilya ng Katipunan. He's known in Katipunan circle as Pingkian.
Short Biography and Trivia:
Birthday: December 15, 1875
Birthplace: Trozo, Manila
Father's Name: Mariano Jacinto
Mother's Name: Josefa Dizon
Death: April 16, 1899
Works:
Author of Kartilya ng Katipunan (Primer of the Katipunan)
The oath of the pledges: "Sa Mga Kababayan," "Pahayag," and "A La Patria"
Founder and editor of the Kalayaan, the newspaper of the Katipunan under the pen name Dimasilaw
In February 1898 during the Philippine Revolution, he was wounded in a skirmish with Spanish riflemen in Maimpis (a barrio of Magdalena town), brought to the Catholic Church of Magdalena but was denied refuge and treatment. He was taken instead to Santa Cruz Church where a doctor treated his wound. To evade capture by the Spaniards, he used a pass that belonged to Florentino Reyes, a Filipino spy captured before the Maimpis encounter.
Tutubi chanced upon an old forsaken maker of Emilio Jacinto on the national highway in Magdalena, Laguna commemorating the battle of Emilio Jacinto. Opposite the marker is Bahay ng Laguna, a museum dedicated to the former Laguna governor Felicissimo San Luis.
Emilio Jacinto was made the leader of the Katipunan in Laguna where he established his secret headquarters in the town of Majayjay. He died at a young age of 24 due to malaria.
Thought to ponder:
What makes a person a national hero? Legislation did not make one for there's really no Philippine law declaring a person as such; there's only popular acclaim, even in Jose Rizal's case.
Read more after the jump!
This day, Tutubi honors a man whose face used to be featured on the old 20 peso bill during the time of Pres. Marcos and also on the old 20 centavo coin: Emilio Jacinto
Emilio Jacinto was the young adviser of Katipunan Supremo Andres Bonifacio and the acknowledged "Brains of the Katipunan" for having prepared many Katipunan documents including the constitution and the Kartilya ng Katipunan. He's known in Katipunan circle as Pingkian.
Short Biography and Trivia:
Birthday: December 15, 1875
Birthplace: Trozo, Manila
Father's Name: Mariano Jacinto
Mother's Name: Josefa Dizon
Death: April 16, 1899
Works:
Author of Kartilya ng Katipunan (Primer of the Katipunan)
The oath of the pledges: "Sa Mga Kababayan," "Pahayag," and "A La Patria"
Founder and editor of the Kalayaan, the newspaper of the Katipunan under the pen name Dimasilaw
In February 1898 during the Philippine Revolution, he was wounded in a skirmish with Spanish riflemen in Maimpis (a barrio of Magdalena town), brought to the Catholic Church of Magdalena but was denied refuge and treatment. He was taken instead to Santa Cruz Church where a doctor treated his wound. To evade capture by the Spaniards, he used a pass that belonged to Florentino Reyes, a Filipino spy captured before the Maimpis encounter.
Tutubi chanced upon an old forsaken maker of Emilio Jacinto on the national highway in Magdalena, Laguna commemorating the battle of Emilio Jacinto. Opposite the marker is Bahay ng Laguna, a museum dedicated to the former Laguna governor Felicissimo San Luis.
Emilio Jacinto was made the leader of the Katipunan in Laguna where he established his secret headquarters in the town of Majayjay. He died at a young age of 24 due to malaria.
Thought to ponder:
What makes a person a national hero? Legislation did not make one for there's really no Philippine law declaring a person as such; there's only popular acclaim, even in Jose Rizal's case.
Labels: Calabarzon, History, Laguna, National Heroes, Southern Tagalog
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:09 PM,
, links to this post