tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:33:22 +0000Flight chronicles of the backpacker Tutubi, with travelogues, pictures, travel guides, destination, tour information and tips on tourism, backpacking, adventure travel and living in Philippines, Exotic Asia and beyond!http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/noreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)Blogger534125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-709407847905991074Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:10:00 +00002009-11-23T13:33:22.859+08:00Zamboanga PeninsulaDipologChurchesZamboanga del NortePrior to leaving Dipolog City, the twin city of Dapitan, Tutubi and his friendly hosts took him on a short tour of Dipolog City that began with a few minutes stop at Sta. Cruz Cathedral, Dipolog's church reportedly built by the Spaniards near the end of the 19th century.It's actually disappointing that the more than a century old church no longer has the looks of its age and was undergoing http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/11/sta-cruz-cathedral-dipolog-church.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-4286154258836206517Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:30:00 +00002009-11-16T16:50:54.535+08:00Metro ManilaShoppingDivisoriaManilaMallsA shopping mall built on historic ground and in the middle of a sprawling shopping mecca that is Divisoria, Tutuban Center is an air-conditioned version of stalls selling cheap goods particularly clothes (RTWs et al) and textiles. Tutuban Primeblock fronting C.M. Recto and facing the street going to 168 Shopping Mall. Also visible is the Andres Bonifacio MonumentTutuban Centermall sporting a http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/11/history-tutuban-center-mall-divisoria.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-8304023304497938804Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:58:00 +00002009-11-16T16:13:54.989+08:00DivisoriaDue to the looming shopping season that's called Christmas, many people will flock to the sprawling Divisoria "Shopping Complex" in Manila to buy gifts and clothes and what-have-yous at bargain pricesThis is a guide for first-timers for Directions to Divisoria as well as answer the oft-asked question: How to Commute to Divisoria:Commuting to Divisoria? You have lots of options of Divisoria http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/11/how-to-commute-to-divisoria-jeepney-bus.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-932767415733040840Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:54:00 +00002009-11-16T16:03:53.022+08:00Promo FaresGood news for those for people still taking the slow bus and slower ferries to get to their home province, latest Cebu Pacific's sale on popular bus routes gives you a choice to fly to get there faster at about the same price as bus and ferry commuting.Cebu Paficic Sale period: Now until November 16, 2009Travel Period: December 1, 2009 to February 28, 2010Bus and ferry routes covered include the http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/11/cebu-pacific-sale-fare-bus-ferry-routes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-9125141054252989738Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:09:00 +00002009-11-12T14:44:42.494+08:00LeyteWorld War IIEastern VisayasOne of World War II's most iconic images was taken on Iwo Jima with the US Marines planting the American flag on the blood-drenched island of Iwo Jima in southern Japan after a hard-fought and costly battle.In the Philippines, the first raising of the American flag on Philippine soil after the fall of Bataan was made on top of Hill 120 in Dulag Leyte facing Red Beach, a few hours after Gen. http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/11/us-flag-raising-hill-120-dulag-leyte.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-5185832015655241464Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:48:00 +00002009-11-09T15:09:06.939+08:00CultureEver 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/funeralBawal Maghatid ng Bisita: During the http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/11/burial-customs-traditions-superstitions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-592797321558492401Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:48:00 +00002009-11-04T17:30:28.591+08:00Floobydust"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 HalloweenIt happened so fast, he just complained of difficulty in breathing, was rushed to the hospital, suffered two successive cardiac arrests, resuscitated twice but the http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/11/nothing-is-certain-but-death-and-taxes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-3980703493543154427Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:52:00 +00002009-10-26T18:05:16.413+08:00LeyteWorld War IILandmarksEastern VisayasThe 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 http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/10/macarthur-park-leyte-landing-memorial.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-933366899976723973Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:08:00 +00002009-10-19T11:52:00.623+08:00Filipino FoodPhilippine CuisineFood 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 http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/10/kinilaw-lato-guso-lukot-seaweed-salads.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-3344102385836804514Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:28:00 +00002009-10-19T18:36:32.591+08:00Promo FaresAirAsiaProbably 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, 2010Cheap tickets from AirAsia: One-way fares all in:MalaysiaKuala Lumpur P1099.00Kota http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/10/latest-airasia-promo-fares-clark.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-8421418208229073806Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:30:00 +00002009-10-09T19:26:52.352+08:00ShoppingSubicMallsZambalesCentral LuzonThe 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 DutyFreeHerewith is Tutubi's review of dutyfree shopping in Subic http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/10/subic-duty-free-shopping-royal-subic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-3017563582022857503Sun, 04 Oct 2009 13:11:00 +00002009-10-05T14:14:16.581+08:00FloobydustA 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 http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/10/tutubis-best-journey-in-life-fatherhood.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-4447950356896323792Sun, 04 Oct 2009 12:04:00 +00002009-10-06T10:08:57.698+08:00Promo FaresSuperFerryFerriesNot 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 http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/10/latest-superferry-promo-fares-tripid.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-6318233686953781922Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:15:00 +00002009-10-09T19:28:19.405+08:00Promo FaresZestAirLatest 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: http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/10/zestair-promo-fares-ticket-prices-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-4987773712764320147Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:09:00 +00002009-09-23T18:26:53.832+08:00BridgesSouthern LeyteAdventure TourismEastern VisayasAn 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 Leytehttp://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/09/leyte-agas-agas-bridge-bungee-jumping.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-7038651005615145076Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:15:00 +00002009-09-17T18:47:41.933+08:00Baguio CityCordillera Administrative RegionBenguetMuseumsHistoryPosted 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 http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/09/bell-house-camp-john-hay-baguio-history.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-846723188003685639Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:09:00 +00002009-09-13T17:50:34.694+08:00World War IIHistorical ShrinesBataanCentral Luzon"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 thehttp://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/09/dambana-ng-kagitingan-mt-samat-bataan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-5121543635291748784Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:31:00 +00002009-09-07T22:56:14.962+08:00Beyond AsiaSydneyHistoryAustraliaWho 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 http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/09/magellan-discovered-james-cook.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-7530475982350239717Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:51:00 +00002009-09-03T18:59:13.484+08:00Beyond AsiaSydneyAustraliaCorregidor 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 Tutubihttp://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/09/fort-drum-subic-bay-fort-denison-sydney.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-8605805379678427530Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:09:00 +00002009-09-02T18:33:54.334+08:00Southern TagalogCalabarzonNational HeroesLagunaHistoryThe 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 JacintoEmilio Jacinto was the young adviser of Katipunan Supremo Andres Bonifacio and the acknowledged "Brains of the Katipunan" http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/08/national-heroes-day-emilio-jacinto.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-3594518789620385624Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:16:00 +00002009-08-28T20:17:55.528+08:00Zamboanga PeninsulaDapitanChurchesZamboanga del NorteJose RizalJose Rizal spent four years of exile in Dapitan where he engaged in religious debates about the Catholic faith with his beloved teacher in the Ateneo and yet he religiously attended mass at Dapitan church that stands at the center of the town whose patron is St. James the Apostle (the same patron saint of Paete, Laguna, Tutubi's hometown)St. James Church in D apitan is not old, unlike the http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/08/dapitan-church-jose-rizal-map-mindanao.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-5533485734916589932Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:29:00 +00002009-08-29T20:39:16.734+08:00Philippine AirlinesAir traffic's really high between southern cities of Cebu and Davao and even more with the latest promo fare of PAL for the Cebu to Davao flightAs announced on Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles newsletter:CEBU to DAVAOPHP1,088One Way Economy Class Fare PHP 4,888One Way Business Class Fare Selling and Ticketing: 28 August 2009 - 04 September 2009Travel Period (Outbound): 01 September 2009 - 15 http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/08/cheap-flights-cebu-to-davao-fare-promo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-4558857506101505645Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:14:00 +00002009-09-15T22:28:42.329+08:00SeairCagayan ValleyBatanesAirlinesOne of the things Tutubi hopes to see someday is a dramatic decrease in round-trip ticket prices of Manila to Batanes route that he intends to take someday.As some sort of answer to his wish, Seair will offer cheap flights to Batanes with their "buy 1, take 1" promo of Manila to Batanes flight tickets.The cheap tickets to Batanes will be available on September 4 to 6, 2009 during the 20th http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/08/seair-promo-fare-to-batanes-round-trip.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-7290015585124013923Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:34:00 +00002009-08-28T19:55:40.198+08:00EventsFestivalsUnknown to most Filipinos, pre-hispanic Filipinos, particularly in the Visayas, already practice the custom of tattooing their bodies to express a person's role and achievement in society. Men of that day have full-body tattoos while women on select parts of the body.To celebrate the art of tattoos and freedom of expression, there will be the 2009 edition of Dutdutan Tattoo Festival to be held athttp://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/08/dutdutan-tattoo-festival-avenue-makati.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-2755815324584691180Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:22:00 +00002009-08-28T19:32:48.084+08:00AirlinesPhilippine AirlinesFor people without a credit card, like Tutubi (and proud of it), who want to book flights and sometimes avail of low fare promos, you may now use your BancNet ATM card to book flights of Philippine Airlines.How to book online? Just follow this simple procedure:1. Log on to the official website of Philippine Airlines2. Select your desired flight3. Enter passenger details 4. Choose BancNet as mode http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2009/08/no-credit-card-book-your-flights-online.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)3