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Unique Visits


PAGASA: Partial Solar Eclipse on July 22, 2009

A partial solar eclipse on July 22, 2009 will be visible in the Philippines according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

As detailed on PAGASA's website, "On Wednesday, 22 July 2009, a total solar eclipse will occur within a narrow path. The path of the Moon's umbral shadow will begin in India and crosses through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Central China, the Pacific Ocean, Ryukyu Islands, Marshall Islands and Kiribati, as shown in Figure 4. In the Philippines, however, the event will be observed as a partial solar eclipse, which will also include most of eastern Asia, Indonesia, and the Pacific Ocean."

As listed also on PAGASA's website solar eclipse table, the solar eclipse will be visible in Metro Manila, Calayan Island, the cities of Laoag, Tuguegarao, Baguio, Angeles, Puerto Princesa, Lucena, Naga and General Santos, and the provinces of Iloilo, Cebu, Zamboanga, Sulu and Davao.

The eclipse will start in Metro Manila at exactly 8:33:01 a.m., with maximum visibility at 9:43 a.m and will end at 11:01:51 a.m.

The path of the moon’s umbral shadow during the eclipse will pass through areas of eastern Asia and the Pacific Ocean, e.g. countries of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), central China regions including Shanghai, Ryukyu and Marshall Islands and Kiribati.

Since there will be work on Thursday, Tutubi will just stay near his office window since i offers a better vantage point for him. He can't travel somewhere for a better viewing point. Just hope for less clouds on July 22.

safety tip: never look at the solar eclipse directly. Use sunglasses, smoked glass, X-ray film, photographic film or negative. Tutubi last saw a total eclipse in 1991 and now he's going to attempt taking a picture of the solar eclipse with his small camera.

Lastly, some individuals may experience weird occurrences and bizarre things during the solar eclipse. Some people may gain mutant superpowers lie time travel of Hiro Nakamura so do not blink, you may find yourself tranported to another place and time. :P

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posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:50 PM, , links to this post

PNR Philippine National Railways Train System Rebirth?

Tutubi, ever in search of new ways to explore places, has long been waiting for the rebirth of the Philippine National Railways trains that he was able to ride just once during his ROTC days in Fort Bonifacio via Magallanes to Espana in Sampaloc Manila

That lone ride was memorable to him for he saw many places he wasn't used to seeing from Manila's roads.

Eversince the railways were closed and rehabilitated, he wanted to again experience taking the trains once it's re-launched with improved facilities which is a far cry from the former dangerous trips.

two videos taken during the test runs of new trains and rehabilitated railway tracks cleared of informal settlers (no more "homes along the riles")





Hope the Northrail and Southrail, plus the full-blown development of the MRT and LRT finally finish and make travel to/from and within Metro Manila much better and faster. Tutubi also already figured out how to commute to Tagaytay the fastest way will soon be via the PNR trains.

Stop dreaming for now of train travel to Mindanao. The Philippines can't be linked with Shinkansen (bullet trains) similar to Japan so easily due to the country's archipelagic nature. Japan is also an archipelago but they have larger islands/land masses and less sea crossings plus much much more money than Filipinos.

Note: Post will be updated on PNR train trip schedules, train stations, PNR maps and train fares plus possibly a guide to touring Manila using the train system once information is available.

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posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:19 PM, , links to this post

PIFGEX 2009: 2nd Philippine International Flora and Fauna Garden Expo, World Trade Center

For lovers of Philippine flora and fauna, gardening and landscaping enthusiast and those just looking for a photo opportunity next week.

What: 2nd Philippine International Flora and Fauna Garden Expo
Where: World Trade Center, Pasay City.
When: July 16 to 19, 2009

What to expect:

garden, plant and animal display, landscape exhibits, retail, pets etc

PIFGEX 2009 Schedule of Activities include:

Zoobic Safari Animal Show July 17 11am and 3pm and July 18 at 11am and 4pm

Flower arrangement competition by the Flower Club Philippines

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will give a talk different flora and fauna in 14 regions of the country.

Filipinas Stamp Collectors' Club exhibition on rare, endemic, endangered and extinct flora and fauna on stamps.

Philippine Orchid Society the country's oldest plant and orchid association landscape exhibit of rare, endemic and new Philippine hybrids of cattleya.

Klub Natur a photo exhibit of nature.

Cactus and Succulent Society of the Philippines landscape exhibit of various rare, unusual and bizarre forms of these plants.

Filipino Inventor Society showcase various proudly Philippine made invention.

World Flower Council will have a flower competition

There's a 2 day paid conference on July 17 and 18 will highlight the event.

Department of education Culture and Sports endorse the PIFGEX through department order No. 154, s. 2009.

How to get to World Trade Center Manila, Pasay City:

driving directions: from Makati, just drive towards Roxas Boulevard via Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue. Cross Roxas Boulevard where you'll see WTC Manila at the corner of Macapagal Avenue. Lots of parking space within WTC compound.

How to commute to World Trade Center Manila:

From LRT Buendia Station, ride the jeepneys/multicab going to SM Mall of Asia. They will pass by in front of World Trade Center.

For details and other inquiries, call telephone number 584-5321 or email ice.incorporated @yahoo.com.ph or visit the official PIFGEX 2009 website here
No information yet on conference fees and entrance fee to the event venue.

(it's kinda weird why ICE, the events organizer didn't post the information on their website. things that should've been there in the first place. Minus pogi points for them)

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posted by backpacking philippines @ 8:27 PM, , links to this post

Cebu Pacific Flights to Caticlan Diverted to Kalibo Airport

Bad news for those already booked on a Cebu Pacific flight to Caticlan to get to Boracay Island. You will find yourself landing on Kalibo Airport where you need to board a van/bus to get to Caticlan jetty port.

This flight diversion is due to the suspension of all flights to and from Caticlan airport after the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) designated it as a one-way airport.

With a one-way airport designation of Caticlan airport, take-off would always be towards the sea. It also resulted in a shortened the runway after the technical re-designation.

No latest update or news on resumption of direct flights to Caticlan. Please try to call Cebu Pacific Hotline at (02)702-0888/(032) 230-8888 or visit the website www.cebupacificair.com for more details and updates on their flights.

Related Posts:

Cebu Pacific Flight Information
Cebu Pacific Excess Baggage
Cebu Pacific Flights to Caticlan Experience

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posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:29 PM, , links to this post

Sorsogon Delicacies: Kuyog, Hinagom, Binut-ong, and Kinagang

The questions most asked by Tutubi to locals of various places he's visited try to uncover a place's native delicacies and specialties, where to find them and how to make them.

This time, he has yet to ask the question to his hosts in Gubat, Sorsogon and yet his question have been answered when they served him two of Gubat's delicacies that turned his ordinary lunch into a Gubat food trip.

First, besides usual dishes known to Tutubi, was a serving a fried small fish, locally called kuyog or cuyog, probably some sort of anchovy, whose taste reminds Tutubi of bangayngay of his childhood in Paete, Laguna. One of his hosts cautioned though that catching the kuyog fish, still small fries, is illegal but people are so fond of the fish they continue to catch them. Fermented kuyog fish is usually paired with cooked pili fruits as side dishes/appetizers/dips.

kuyogfricrispy fried kuyog.cuyog fish

Tutubi's host narrated how the side dish of cooked pili fruit and cuyog is made from boiled ripe pili fruit. The dark skin of the boiled pili fruit is peeled off and the dipped in fermented cuyog sauce, similar to bagoong, accentuated with a dash of calamansi juice. The pungent flavor of the pili combined with the sour and salty kuyog sauce is heavenly to the locals (peninsular Bicolanos and even those from Catanduanes) but is an acquired taste for others. It's very popularly paired with angol fish in coconut milk.

Next was a serving of brown cake made of rice called Hinagum (or hinagom). The rice dessert is also popular in nearby Samar Island, home of the Warays, where the Bicol Peninsula is separated by San Bernandino Strait. Hinagom recipe is simple, it's made from freshly harvested rice that's pounded, roasted in a pan, then pounded again in a mortar mixed with coconut meat and sugar before wrapping in leaves. It tastes quite similar to espasol of Laguna.

home-made hinagom served to Tutubi by his gracious hosts

Other Gubat delicacies that can be tried there for a Gubat food trip is binut-ong, a simple recipe of glutinous rice mixed with coconut milk and anise seeds, wrapped in banana leaves and boiled over low fire for about an hour and a half.

The timitim, is some sort of cassava cake made from grated cassava, coconut milk, sugar, vanilla, and pili nuts. The video below, a clip fro m ABS-CBN travel show "Trip na Trip" where they demonstrated how to make the various Gubat, Sorsogon delicacies (shot at Veramaris Resort).



Kinagang, a unique Gubat delicacy made of crayfish. How to make kinagang: remove the shell of the crayfish, mash the meat and mix with strips of coconut meat and leaves of herba buena (a mint variety). Wrap the mixture in higikhik leaves (it's one of the secret of the delicacy or else it will taste differently) then steam.

Too bad, Tutubi wasn't able to taste timitim, binut-ong and kinagang but he hopes to be back in Gubat, Sorsogon someday for this

The worst part about Tutubi's stay in Gubat, Sorsogon was that there's really no restaurant where you can sample their gastronomic treats and culinary treasures except from the home of a Gubatnon. People of Gubat, like most other Filipinos, should really showcase their own native delicacies and unique cuisine as well as develop various tourist attractions to improve tourism in their town.

Most people still think Gubat, is a forest, as the name in Filipino means, but Gubat is actually a progressive town in Sorsogon, now with an ATM of her own by Gubat St. Anthony Cooperative (GSAC), and a lovely Rizal beach that can be developed as a surfing, skimboarding, kitesurfing/kiteboarding, and windsurfing beach if the locals and government officials get their acts together.

Combine culinary treasures with natural attractions and pride of place and you'll have a tourism success story!

Related Posts:

Rizal Beach Resort
Veramaris Resort, Gubat, Sorsogon

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posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:17 PM, , links to this post

The Green Lake Bulusan of Sorsogon

Tutubi's trip to Gubat, Sorsogon turned out unexpectedly fun-filled with yet again another unplanned trip to Lake Bulusan high up the mountains that enabled him see with his own eyes the green water of the lake formed out of a giant caldera with the still active Bulusan Volcano in the background.

Bulusan Lake turned out to be very accesible from the town of Bulusan, Sorosogon via a relatively well-paved winding road that took about 30 minutes to navigate from the Bulusan town proper.

Lake Bulusan

Tutubi spent just a few minutes on the lakeshore after taking a few pictures of the lake itself and people frolicking, swimming and rafting on balsa made of bamboo (no kayaks or other water-sports here).

lake bulusan sorsogon


There is a marked trail that invites adventurers, mountain bikers and curious tourists to trek around the lake with a circumference of about five kilometers where you'll encounter old growth forest, tall, possibly centuries-old trees, giant ferns, orchids, wildflowers and other endemic flora and fauna that'll surely delight biologists.

Due to the usual lack of time, Tutubi wasn't able to walk around the lake and instead hopped back to their transport and return to Gubat via Irosin town.

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Note: another lake that Tutubi wants to visit someday is Lake Buhi in Camarines Sur, home of the endemic sinarapan (Scientific Name: Mistichthys luzonensis) which is the world's smallest commercial fish

How to get there:

Bulusan Lake can be reached by trekking up the winding road, mountain bike, motorbike or just hire a tricycle in Bulusan town proper to take you there (fare is around PhP150.00 negotiable)

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posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:25 PM, , links to this post

Israel Survivor Philippines in Caramoan!

First, the Frech were captivated by Caramoan who shot the hugely popular Koh Lanta; then came the Bulgarians with their own version of Survivor; and now the desert-dwelling Israelis came to these shores and even named their own season Survivor Philippines.

herewith is the video teaser of Israel's Survivor Philippines

Teaser Video Survivor Philippines Israel (in Hebrew but with English subtitles)

Filipinos won't be able to see the Survivor series here but you'll be able to watch the Survivor Philippines Online streaming or torrents downloads :P

Related post:
"French Survivor" Koh Lanta Caramoan

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posted by backpacking philippines @ 10:22 PM, , links to this post

A Glimpse of Mount Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon

From Barcelona Church, Tutubi traveled southwards to Bulusan towards the lake when caught sight of Mt. Bulusan inside the van.

Mt. Bulusan is one of the twenty two active volcanoes in the Philippines according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS)

Mt. Bulusan sorsogonPhoto of Mt. Bulusan taken inside a cruising van on the road to Bulusan town proper

Mt. Bulusan recently was monitored with volcanic activity in October 2007 almost at the same time when the more famous and most active Mayon volcano was also acting up.

If you want to trek up Mt. Bulusan, you can also start at Lake Bulusan and visit various hot springs and crater lakes of the volcano.

Related Posts:
Mayon volcano
Taal Volcano
Mt. Pinatubo

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posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:15 PM, , links to this post

How to Apply for Balikbayan Visa: Requirements, Fees and Other Information

What's the Balikbayan Visa Privilege:

For former Filipinos who have since embraced another nationality

A Foreigner/Expat/alien with a Filipina wife planning to retire in the Philippines or at least visit the country for a year. The balikbayan visa is the best thing (and cheap too) in addition to the 13a Philippine visa.

3 Easy Steps in obtaining the Balikbayan Visa:

1. Enter the Philippines with the returning Filipino/balikbayan or Filipina spouse.
2. Request a balikbayan visa at the airport immigration counter. Have these things ready when required by the immigration officer: canceled Philippine passport, birth certificate, naturalization papers, marriage license and certification from adopted country.
3. Pay the required immigration fees
3. After obtaining the Balikbayan visa stamp on your passport, you now have one year of fee free stay in the Philippines. You can renew the visa by exiting the country then re-entering to get another year


Balikbayan Visa FAQ (from Philippine Consular Office):

1) What is the Balikbayan Visa Privilege?
2) Who may avail of the Balikbayan Visa Privilege?
3) What steps have to be followed and what documentation is required to enter the Philippines under the Balikbayan Visa Privilege?

a) for former Philippine citizens
b) for the foreign spouse and foreign children

4) No visa shall be required for a maximum stay of one (1) year for Balikbayans (returning Filipino citizens or former Filipino citizens), every time they enter the Philippines to visit, regardless of the frequency of their travel.
5)
a) Balikbayans (returning Filipino citizens or former Filipino citizens)

b) The balikbayan privilege is extended to the foreign spouse and the foreign children of Philippine citizens, provided that:

I. they are nationals of Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, or Vietnam; and

II. they are traveling together to the Philippines with the balikbayan family member;

III. they pay the immigration fees;

IV. they observe and comply with immigration rules and regulations.
6)
a) The former Philippine citizen shall declare before a Philippine Immigration Officer at the port of entry that he/she is availing of the balikbayan privilege and shall present his/her valid passport in addition to any of the following documents:

1. cancelled Philippine passport;
2. birth certificate;
3. naturalization papers to show former Philippine citizenship; or
4. certification from the adopted country.

b) The accompanying foreign spouse and children holding foreign passports of Filipinos and former Filipino citizens shall declare before a Philippine Immigration Officer at the port of entry that he/she is accompanied by a Filipino or former Filipino spouse or parent and that he/she is availing of the Balikbayan Visa Privilege, and shall present his/her valid passport in addition to the following:

1. Foreign spouse: Valid passport and Marriage certificate
2. Foreign children: Birth certificate
3. Adopted children: Adoption papers

Sources: Bureau of Immigration and Consular Affairs

Related Post:
Unaccompanied Minor Traveling to the Philippines

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posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:04 PM, , links to this post

Luminous Festival Video: Sydney Opera House in Living Colour!

Like Tutubi, you may be used to seeing the Sydney Opera House in its natural color but an event was currently ongoing in Sydney when Tutubi got there when the sails of the iconic Sydney Opera House were lit by kaleidoscopic colours projected from the Rocks across Sydney Cove and Mrs MacQuarrie's Point across Farm Cove

Sydney Opera House from Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Opera House during the day
Short video of the Luminous Festival: the Lighting of the Sails:



Sydney Luminous festival schedule of activities were handed out to visitors on the days of the festival.

It's nice to see the Sydney Opera House with your own eyes, but it's better to see it in living colour at night!

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posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:19 PM, , links to this post

Basaan: San Juan Fiesta's Water Splashing Tradition

Ever aware of the Manila Day's non-working holiday's historical error, Tutubi passed by City of San Juan en route to Makati but was met by closed roads particularly N. Domingo where he passed by everyday in order to avoid EDSA. It was only when he saw people on Araneta Avenue after SM Centerpoint that made him remember that it's the dreaded "free water" and "free car wash" in San Juan celebrating the feast of San John the Baptist (San Juan Bautista) that gave birth to the water splashing tradition.

On knowing he can't turn left on N. Domingo to get to F. Blumentritt going to Kalentong and Shaw Boulevard, Tutubi didn't try to turn right to N. Domingo to get to F. Manalo and instead made a U-turn to get back to Aurora Boulvard which was also slow moving. What Tutubi for the first time with his own eyes were "rabid" celebrators of the tradition that doesn't distinguish people who actually don't want to be delayed with their official business.

It's a good thing that Tutubi always has a camera ready with him, this time his trusty old Canon Ixus 30 that he was able to take a few pictures (thru the car dash dashboard) of San Juan residents splashing water on hapless and sometimes unsupecting passers-by to the wet world of San Juan.

The west-bound lane of Aurora Boulevard where fiesta people wait for their victims on-board open jeepneys and buses to splash water. (it's quite dark due to the coming typhoon Feria) plus the shadow of LRT 2)
an unsuspecting motorist stopped by San Juan residents "armed" with pails and laddles, who waited for their prey near Lambingan Bridge. Tutubi saw the rudeness of some people in front of his car. A news reported was there to document the event.

Someday, Tutubi can document the event more using his waterproof Olympus camera and when June 24 will fall on a weekend :P

Traffic Advisory every June 24 (the feast day of San Juan bautista):
Avoid the streets of San Juan unless you want to join in the festivities. There he saw people who would be going somewhere got wet. Truck drivers with windows lowered got wet at every corner, some people even tried to board buses (or G-Liner and RRCG) from Cainta going to Quiapo but were ready for them. Tutubi's officemate who lives in San Juan didn't report to work for he can't come to the office in dry clothes.

Lastly, every the last Sunday of January, the streets of Paete, Laguna also celebrates a similar water-splashing festival in honor of the Sto. Nino but people there distinguish revelers from onlookers and passers-by, unlike the people of San Juan.

Related Post:
Manila's Foundation Day

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posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:21 PM, , links to this post

Araw ng Maynila: Manila's Foundation Day is NOT June 24, 1571

Popular history is taught to Filipinos that the City of Manila was "founded" on June 24, 1571 by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi after defeating Rajah Soliman's forces and proclaimed Manila the capital of the archipelago. The city was later granted by the King of Spain a coat of arms and the grandiose title: "The Noble and Ever Loyal City ".

Was Manila really founded on June 24, 1571? History will answer this question that what was founded 438 years ago was the walled city of Intramuros by Legazpi over the ruins of Maynila. Manila was already a thriving community at the mouth of the Pasig river and Manila bay even before the coming of the Spaniards so why celebrate the "foundation" of Manila on June 24?

What about the Nilad tree? Ambeth Ocampo asserts that there really is no nilad tree, rather a nila tree. Maynila was so named because of the presence of the nila tree in the area. Nilad tree is just a legend as well as Maynilad only for misinformed souls.

It is also noteworthy that Manila's coat-of-arms under the Spaniards used a symbol of the merlion, a half-man, half-fish, icon on the seal symbolic of Manila's marine lion beginnings. The Merlion symbol use thus preceeds Singapore Merlion for about 400 years and yet the image is now synonymous with Singapore.

manila coat of arms merlion the Coat-of-Arms of Manila during Spanish times.

The present seal of the City of Manila still feature the merlion symbol unknown to most people of Manila and Filipinos. Will Manila ever regain the recall of the merlion symbol it once owned or forever lurk in the shadow of the now more popular merlion of Singapore, now the popular icon of the Lion City conceived only in 1964?

Today, Manila is now part of Metro Manila, a conglomeration of cities and a lone municipality. Rajah Soliman (Sulayman) is honored mostly for the park named in his honor in Manila's Malate district.

rajah sulayman park manilaA calesa on Roxas Blvd in front of Rajah Sulayman Park

Tutubi is not one with the people of Manila in celebration of Araw ng Maynila for he does not approve of the date of celebration. June 24 is a non-working holiday in Manila but not in the whole country. The day is marked with celebration and schedule of activities all over the historic city but Manila denizens (of which Tutubi was once one for ten years) should know that they're really celebrating a historical error.

As Carmen Guerrero Nakpil puts it, June 24 should not be Araw ng Maynila but rather Araw ng Kastila!

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posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:37 PM, , links to this post

How to Get to Pasig City Hall: Commute and Directions

Information for those souls looking for information on how to get to Pasig City Hall for the Araw ng Pasig grand parade on July 2, 2009, or for other business for other business.

Note: Tip to motorists on July 2, avoid EDSA particularly the EDSA Ortigas area due to expected heavy traffic. Watch out for advisories and traffic re-routing.


The only picture of Tutubi taken at Pasig RTC (after filing a case against an uragon) using a crappy phone camera. You can see Ortigas Center in the background

Interactive Map of Pasig City:



Pasig Regional Trial Court (Pasig RTC, behind Pasig City Hall)
Pasig Civil Registry for those requesting for birth certificates (as
well as death, marriage et al is at the 3rd floor of Pasig City Hall
Building)

Note: Pasig City's official government website sucks. Not much
information that the public is more interested to know. it's just faces
of abominable politicians to be blamed for such a terrible website. You
can't even find important telephone numbers to call there :(

Interesting Places to See in Pasig City (Tourist Spots):

Ortigas Center (CBD, Central Business District)
Tiendesitas
Pasig Rainforest Park with public swimming pool and butterfly garden


How to get to Pasig City Hall:

Commute to Pasig City Hall is easy, from Quiapo or MRT Shaw Blvd
station, board jeepneys with signboard Pasig/Palengke that will take you
right there.

Driving Directions to Pasig City Hall:

From Makati, head towards C5 (Eulogio Rodriguez Ave) and turn right on
Pasig Boulevard extension, cross Julia vargas Bridge, turn right on Dr.
Sixto Antonio Avenue (the so-called Pasig rotonda; landmark: Jollibee
(right) and 7-11 (left)) then left on Caruncho Avenue (you'll see Pasig
Simbahan (Immaculate Conception Parish) and Pasig Catholic Cemetery).
Pasig City Hall is on Caruncho Avenue. There's available parking for
your car at the corner of Caruncho and F. Manalo as well as at the Pasig
Mega Parking.

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posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:22 PM, , links to this post

Ruins of the Old Fort of Barcelona, Sorsogon

Just across Barcelona Church facing the Pacific Ocean and Gubat Bay stands the stone ruins of a Spanish fort and a lighthouse that guides firsherman at night to shore of the tranquil town of Barcelona, Sorsogon.

old stone ruins of the fort, one of two sets of fortifications facing the sea

the north ruins facing the sea

the southern ruins and the lighthouse

There's not much information aboout the history of the fort but it may be tied with the church of Barcelona's history (even if during the Spanish times, churches were built with two purposes in mind: places of worship and refuge/fortress against invaders/pirates that's why they're always facing the sea)

Barcelona was named after Barcelona, Spain said to have similar toporgraphy as the Spanish city.

From a brief photo-op, Tutubi went on to visit Mount Bulusan and a trek around the green waters of Lake Bulusan

Related Posts on Sorsogon:

Barcelona Church
Donsol Whale Shark Interaction Guide

Just click on the Sorsogon Label below for more posts on Sorsogon ;P

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posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:20 PM, , links to this post

The Sails: Sydney Opera House History and Trivia

On a trip initially scheduled to Melbourne in Australia's Victoria state, Tutubi requested the trip to be moved to Sydney and just visit Melbourne if he has the time. There were many reasons why one of them is for him to be able to see for himself the iconic Sydney Opera Hour, also known as The Sails

Pictures of Sydney Opera House from various points:

Sydney Opera House from the Rocks
Sydney Opera House from the Rocks from The Rocks across Sydney Cove
Sydney Opera House from Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Opera House from Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Opera House and Hyatt Park Hotel
Sydney Opera House from Sydney Harbour Bridge with Hyatt Park Hotel on the foreground

The Sails: Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House from a ferry out of Circular Quay

Sydney Opera House History and Trivia:

Originally planned in the 1940s and finished in 1973

Designed and built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon

The Opera House was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 28 June 2007 for its outstanding architecture of the 20th century.

The Luminous Festival held during mid-year involves the lighting of The Sails of Sydney Opera House at night in vivid colours.

There are guided tours of Sydney Opera House including a glimpse of the interiors. Tutubi just opted for the DIY free tour of the marvelous facility due to lack of time.

Related Post:

BridgeWalk: Sydney Harbour Bridge

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posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:08 PM, , links to this post


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  • Agusan del Norte
  • Aklan
  • Albay
  • Batangas
  • Benguet
  • Bohol
  • Bukidnon
  • Bulacan
  • Camarines Norte
  • Camarines Sur
  • Camiguin
  • Cavite
  • Cebu
  • Davao del Sur
  • Guimaras
  • Ifugao
  • Ilocos Norte
  • Ilocos Sur
  • Isabela
  • Laguna
  • Leyte
  • Misamis Occidental
  • Misamis Oriental
  • Mountain Province
  • Nueva Ecija
  • Nueva Vizcaya
  • Oriental Mindoro
  • Palawan
  • Pampanga
  • Pangasinan
  • Quezon
  • Rizal
  • Samar
  • Siquijor
  • Sorsogon
  • Tarlac
  • Zambales
  • Zamboanga Del Norte

  • Jose Rizal
  • Andres Bonifacio
  • Philippine Heroes
  • World War II
  • National Artists
  • National Cultural Treasure

  • Butterflies
  • Dragonflies
  • Flora and Fauna
  • Flowers
  • Spiders
  • Wildlife

  • Airports
  • Beaches
  • Bridges
  • Butterfly Farms
  • Caves
  • Churches
  • Dive Sites
  • Festivals
  • Golf Courses
  • Hotels and Resorts
  • Lighthouses
  • Marine Parks
  • Mosques
  • Museums
  • Parks
  • Restaurants
  • Rivers
  • Spanish Forts
  • Volcanoes
  • Waterfalls

  • Architecture
  • Art

  • Food Trip
  • Street Food
  • Birdwatching
  • History
  • Water Sports

  • Philippine Tourist Spots
  • Boracay
  • Clark
  • Corregidor
  • Subic
  • previous posts
    About This Blog
    Flight chronicles of the backpacker Tutubi, with travelogues, pictures/photos/videos, travel guides, independent and honest reviews, recommended resorts and hotels (including inns, pension houses, lodges, hostels, condotels, bed and breakfast and other cheap accommodations), commuting guides, routes (sometimes street maps) and driving directions to answer "how to get there" questions, information and tips on tourism, budget travel and living in Philippines, Exotic Asia and beyond!

    Backpacking, independent travel, and flashpacking are cheaper than the "cheapest package tours" and promotional offers around but you can also use travel information for family vacations, even romantic honeymoon destinations.

    More than the usual tourist spots and "places to see," this blog advocates heritage conservation, environmental protection, and history awareness for Filipinos, foreigners, and ex-pats wishing to explore Paradise Philippines and Exotic Asia!