tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:07:42 +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)Blogger573125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-8056781461313579148Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:02:00 +00002010-03-10T14:26:03.913+08:00OrmocLeyteHotels and ResortsEastern VisayasResortsIf you ask an Ormocanon on where's the best place to stay in Ormoc, the usual answer would be Sabin Resort Hotel, a beachfront facility a few minutes drive (or jeepney ride) away from Ormoc City proper.Tutubi was able to visit the place recently and offers a few pictures of the place as well as his observations and impressions of Sabin Resort Hotel but no full-blown review on food, staff and http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/03/sabin-resort-hotel-ormoc-leyte.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-2746737577224928498Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:21:00 +00002010-03-09T19:21:00.512+08:00CordilleraBaguio CityCordillera Administrative RegionChurches"I visit Baguio cathedral every time I'm in Baguio" claimed by Tutubi's officemate that's why even if it's getting late and "millions" of people crowding the narrow snake roads of Baguio City, they hied off to the hill where The Our Lady of Atonement, the formal name of Baguio Cathedral, stands.Pictures of Baguio Cathedral, now and then:Picture of Baguio Cathedral at Night taken using a lamp posthttp://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/03/baguio-cathedral-mass-schedule-then-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-4311541620639627061Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:20:00 +00002010-03-09T18:22:14.491+08:00Travel WarningsFor readers of this blog who are planning to visit Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, March 12, 2010, please re-consider if you can due to the planned anti-government rally in the sprawling capital may result to disruptions, violence or get stranded like what happened in 2008 when Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi Airport) was shut down by protesters/demonstrators that resulted to flight http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/03/latest-thailand-travel-advisory-bangkok.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-6606786088417502356Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:50:00 +00002010-03-08T14:00:27.408+08:00Philippine PassportsFor people wishing to apply for epassports for the first time or those renewing their green passports, (falsely said to have expired january 2010) like Tutubi, here's information for you, people.There's a new Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Consular Affairs building (DFA-OCA) to handle specifically the ePassport, the electronic authentication system, the electronic visa system, and http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/03/how-to-applyrenew-epassports.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-2485879872105659325Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:11:00 +00002010-03-09T17:52:12.274+08:00BusesCordilleraPublic TransportationCordillera Administrative RegionSagadaMountain ProvinceFor weeks now, Tutubi has been receiving queries from friends going to Sagada for the summer on where's the terminal of Cable Tours buses going to Sagada. Though he has yet to personally take the Cable Tours bus, he's been to Cable Tours bus terminal before during his Sagada trip with Ironwulf (he also has Cable Tours business card that he used to contact them for information posted here)For http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/03/cable-tours-bus-to-sagada-via-bontoc.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-1014755982052580625Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:16:00 +00002010-03-09T17:44:14.835+08:00BusesPublic TransportationWith their main bus terminal on EDSA, Cubao, Quezon City, German Espiritu Liner, also maintains a bus sub-station near MRT North Avenue Station flanking Trinoma MallThis is just for the information of people on getting their "how to get to Balagtas, Bulacan" answered. They can ride the bus to Balagtas, Bulacan served by German Espiritu LinerGerman Espiritu Liner bus picking up passengers at http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/03/german-espiritu-liner-bus-to-balagtas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-6138227694463906194Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:47:00 +00002010-03-10T16:55:57.466+08:00FestivalsAnilag festival, contracted from Ani ng Laguna, a week long celebration in Sta. Cruz, the capital town of Laguna beckons tourists and photographers for 7 day calendar of activities for 2010Anilag Festival Schedule of Activities 2010March 7, 2010 (Sunday) - Soft Opening3:00pm Carnival Queen Mardi Gras Party4:00pm Santacruzan7:00pm Comedy ShowMarch 8, 2010 (Monday)8:00am Grand Opening ANILAG http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/03/lagunas-anilag-festival-schedule-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-5450300653038326753Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:55:00 +00002010-03-09T17:42:34.024+08:00BusesPublic TransportationTutubi saw a sign at Trinoma Bus Sub-station with markings Sta. Lucia - Martinez bus companies with information on bus routes and telephone numbers for inquiries. Hope some visitors of this blog find this useful as well as provide feedback/comments on the said bus companies.Sta Lucia Express (SLEx) - Martinez Tours services the Manila to Candon City (Ilocos Sur) routeDaily trips:Manila - Candon -http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/03/sta-lucia-express-martinez-trans-bus-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-8132088978775376677Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:20:00 +00002010-03-03T18:23:27.018+08:00CordilleraBaguio CityCordillera Administrative RegionFestivalsOn its fifteenth year of staging colorful festivals, Baguio Panagbenga Festival, patterned after the New Years Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, is a festival of flower-covered floats and marching bands showcasing the colorful flowers of the Cordilleras.Panagbenga Festival 2010 Photos (taken on Session Road cor. Perfecto St):the colorful float of Baguio City local governmentSM's giant tiger float http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/03/baguio-panagbenga-festival-2010-grand.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-7217348354385506302Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:30:00 +00002010-03-09T18:13:53.239+08:00BusesCubaoBaguio CityPublic TransportationIn the absence of direct flights from Manila to Baguio, the most convenient public transportation going to Baguio is offered by Victory Liner via its deluxe bus service to the summer capital.Tutubi recently went to Baguio for an official trip that coincided with the Panagenga Festival. He first took an ordinary aircon bus Cubao to Baguio (mainly because his officemate wasn't able to reserve http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/03/victory-liner-deluxe-bus-fare-baguio.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-2781160844550045373Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:08:00 +00002010-03-08T14:24:42.419+08:00Travel GearTutubi's got a new toy to take with him on his travels: a Garmin Nuvi 1300 mounted on the dashboard of Sakura (his car's name) or handheld during his recent travels.Of course, a GPS device won't work properly without a working and updated map of the Philippines.There currently are two free GPS maps of the Philippines for download:OpenStreetMap Philippines (OSM) and RoadGuide.phThere are also http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/03/free-gps-maps-download-open-street-map.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-2365168953737356210Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:46:00 +00002010-02-22T18:03:47.828+08:00Beyond AsiaSydneyAustraliaBesides the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, kangaroos and koalas, there is another Australian icon that Tutubi was really bent on chasing for it's challenging elusiveness-- the Tasmanian Devil.Made popular by Warner Brothers Looney Toons, although "incorrectly" represented, the Tasmanian Devil spins and eats anything in its path in search of the wily Bugs Bunny.In reality, Looney http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/02/australia-tasmanian-devil-tasmania-taz.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-820758711285803869Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:03:00 +00002010-02-19T19:08:43.926+08:00Travel TipsWhenever Tutubi will travel on official business, he'll accomplish a form for travel insurance with his company's Human Resources Department. There were times however when he simply forgot to file or the trip's too close to be even processed by the insurance company.Do you really need travel insurance? Is there such a thing as cheap travel insurance? Do you consider getting insured when travelinghttp://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/02/do-you-really-need-travel-insurance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-5174730355310797356Sun, 14 Feb 2010 13:18:00 +00002010-02-15T18:35:36.588+08:00National Capital RegionMetro ManilaBinondoManilaFestivalsAs blogged on an earlier post, Tutubi went to Binondo particularly on Ongpin St. in Manila Chinatown on Chinese New Year (also Valentines day). He didn't bring his car to Binondo just to avoid heavy traffic and parking woes typical in Binondo area.Some photos of Lunar New Year celebration in Manila Chinatown:the welcome arch of Manila Chinatown on Ongpin Stthe hanging of the ang pao, red http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/02/of-ang-pao-and-dragon-dances-chinese.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-3687770522358326740Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:15:00 +00002010-02-11T15:49:57.923+08:00National Capital RegionMetro ManilaFiestasBinondoManilaCome February 14, Valentines Day coincides with Chinese New Year, what sort of romantic valentines date suggestions do you have?Tutubi's not asking for "tremors" happening in fully-booked motels (the notorious ones in Pasay, Sta. Mesa (Manila) and Pasig) but simple as Tutubi, memorable but not to create a hole in his pocket.Actually, Tutubi intends to visit Manila Chinatown again to catch a http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/02/valentines-day-chinese-new-year-binondo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-2130028291071650996Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:41:00 +00002010-02-08T11:57:32.888+08:00LeyteTacloban CityHotels and ResortsEastern VisayasA relatively new hotel in Tacloban City downtown where Tutubi stayed at for a night and very near major schools and places in the booming city.From The Luxury Suite Hotel Review:The Double Room where Tutubi stayed at, located in the annex building and not on the 3rd floor of TCS Bldg.The Double room, with a double size bed, comes at a price of PhP750.00 (about $16.00) a night, is already cheap byhttp://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/02/review-luxury-suite-tacloban-hotel.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-8748812234502122284Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:27:00 +00002010-02-01T18:57:34.178+08:00LeyteTacloban CityLeyte RestaurantsEastern VisayasTutubi visited Tacloban City and parts of Leyte province three times in a span of three years and was treated by his three different hosts to this restaurant thrice making it probably the most recommended restaurant in Tacloban for visitors to the new highly-urbanized city of Eastern Visayas.Ocho Seafood & Grill is themed like Cebu's famous sutukil though there's a "stupid" policy of prohibiting http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/01/tacloban-restaurants-ocho-seafood-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-6594160213352139587Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:37:00 +00002010-01-25T17:38:41.665+08:00National Capital RegionMetro ManilaMakatiFestivalsJust this morning Tutubi went to Makati to cover Caracol 2010 (Caracol 2010 Schedule posted earlier) and got to take pictures of parade participants in colorful costumes and was also able to meet, albeit for such a few seconds, the blogger behind Traveler on Foot who texted him a few hours earlier to inquire about Caracol Schedule.Herewith are some photos of Makati Caracol 2010:a participant http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/01/colorful-photos-of-makati-caracol.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-819636652233084242Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:43:00 +00002010-01-20T15:46:39.560+08:00PasalubongFilipino FoodPangasinanIlocos RegionA visit or a drive-by Pangasinan won't ever be complete without noticing stalls and stalls of various Pangasinan pasalubong in bottles called bagoong and patis, but it's more enlightening if a short visit to a bagoong factory, particularly in Lingayen, would be made for a short cultural tour of bagoong making.How to make Bagoong?Bagoong's ingredients are just fish (usually galunggong (round scad)http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/01/how-to-make-bagoong-pangasinan-heavenly.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-2036513801962021589Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:34:00 +00002010-01-25T17:35:29.671+08:00National Capital RegionMetro ManilaMakatiFestivalsIt's time again for Makati's Mardi Gras-style fiesta called Caracol Festival with street dancing festivities similar to Cebu's Sinulog Festival, Iloilo's Dinagyang, Kalibo's Ati-atihan and Bacolod's Masskara Festival. (Please click here for Pictures of Makati Caracol 2010)Makati Caracol 2010 Schedule and parade route (image from Ayala Land)January 24, 2010 at 2pmParade assembly area is at http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/01/makati-caracol-festival-schedule-mardi.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-7565730979089662133Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:59:00 +00002010-01-14T17:14:27.049+08:00Tagaytay RestaurantsTagaytay CityA trip to the cold mountain city of Tagaytay won't be complete without buying the usual Tagaytay pasalubong and partaking of tawilis and steaming hot bulalo: Filipino beef, bone marrow and vegetables soup.One of the best places to get your fill of hot bulalo is at the famous home of Tagaytay beef i.e. Mahogany Market where various eateries and restaurants offer the comfort food, one of Tutubi's http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/01/tagaytay-bulalo-at-mahogany-market.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-3237428223920082198Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:11:00 +00002010-01-14T17:09:18.190+08:00Tagaytay CityA last minute decision to leave Picnic Grove ended up as a poor choice to head to Tagaytay zoo decided by a van driver that Tutubi didn't know turned out to be Residence InnThe planned tour "tagaytay zoo" was canceled though at the last minute due to the rain, limited time (less than 2 hours to explore) made worse by a steep entrance fee of P200 is not cheap with too many kids in tow.the frontagehttp://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/01/residence-inn-tagaytay-zoo-entrance-fee.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-2021233352999802140Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:38:00 +00002010-01-13T18:26:15.592+08:00Southern TagalogPaeteFiestasLagunaFor people with no time and budget to witness the upcoming Sinulog Festival in Cebu; Ati-atihan festival in Kalibo, Aklan; Dinagyang festival in Iloilo, or other similar colorful street-dancing festivals scattered all over the archipelago, there's another festival in Tutubi's hometown of Paete, Laguna celebrated on the 3rd and 4th Sundays of January: the Salibanda.Salibanda 2010 is scheduled on http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/01/salibanda-watery-sto-nino-festival-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-1204271393192310387Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:51:00 +00002010-01-08T09:02:42.611+08:00Adventure TourismTagaytay CityDuring pre-Christmas family field trip to Picnic Grove in Tagaytay, it's actually the Tagaytay Zipline and Cable Car that really got the curiosity of Tutubi though he knows it's a shorter version of the dizzying flying foxes of Mindanao particularly in Davao.The zipline cuts across a portion of Tagaytay ridge with lush vegetation below and the shimmering Taal Lake and Taal Volcano as backdrop. http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/01/tagaytay-zipline-cable-car-picnic-grove.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28766426.post-4704518265308457343Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:25:00 +00002010-01-05T15:40:54.564+08:00FiestasFor the information of people going to Quiapo and Luneta on January 9 for the annual Black Nazarene procession or people figuring out how to avoid horrendous traffic on that day.This year's theme: "Tunay na deboto, matuwid at masunuring katiwala ng Poong Hesus Nazareno (The true devotee is honest and an obedient trustee of the Lord, Jesus the Nazarene)."The grand procession of the Black Nazarene http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2010/01/quiapo-black-nazarene-procession-route.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (backpacking philippines)7