A Glimpse of Bukidnon

Fortunately, aside from Cagayan de Oro City, I was able to have a glimpse of the Province of Bukidnon courtesy of my friend Gil Macaibay. I say glimpse because we only went to a portion of the province near Cagayan de Oro City. Bukidnon is a big land-locked province in Mindanao. It may not be near the sea but it boasts of land which raises pineapple and is a grazing ground for cattle, horses and other animals.

With its cool weather and lush vegetation, I consider it as the Baguio of the south. Its greeneries are similar if not the same.

My friend brought me to the Del Monte Golf Course and Clubhouse in Canamayon where we tasted burger and roastbeef sandwiches made from meat whose cows were fed pineapple extras hence, the sweet taste of the burger patty and the beef meat.

Of course, a visit to this side of Bukidnon would not be complete if you won't go around the hectares upon hectares of pineapple plantation owned by multinational Del Monte. From the lands of the province come the pineapple that we all eat. Not only do they supply the needs of the Filipinos but the whole of Southeast Asia as well.

We stopped by a privately-owned chapel named after St. Augustine. It is a respite from all the plantations that abound. Though private, its caretaker sees to it that mass is celebrated in the chapel every Wednesday and during special religious occasions. It has miraculous images of the Sto. Nino and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Obrero Farm is one picnic area where people of the province go to. Sadly, its owners have not really took care of it since most of them are living abroad. But it is one place where families can relax and have a great swim in the stream inside the farm.

From what I have observed, Bukidnon is one place that has maintained it charisma despite modernity. Its wide roads speak of proper planning by the provincial government. If I was already impressed by what I saw, what more if I was able to go to other places in the province. It still remains a mystery to me.

Despite having two cities, Bukidnon can only be accessed via Cagayan de Oro City from Manila and some parts of the Visayas. Around Mindanao, one can go to the province by plane from Davao or by bus plying different routes.

I hope that, next time, I will not just have a glimpse but a tour of the whole province as well.

The Gold That is Cagayan de Oro City

Cagayan de Oro City...the City of Golden Friendship. The first time I went there was 20 years ago when my bestfriend requested me to visit him (may his soul rest in peace). 

This year, I was lucky enough to do the Centrio Mall Style Origin fashion show of Ayala Malls. My 5-day stay in the city courtesy of Seda Hotel was really an awakening. Awakening in the sense that I never thought that progress will be that fast for this northern gateway to Mindanao. It is an amazing development.

Cagayan de Oro is home to the largest Asia Brewery plant in the country. The past 20 years saw rapid development to what is now one of the most progressive cities in the country. Malls, hotels and other establishments have mushroomed left and right for the benefit of tourists and to the delight of its citizens.

But, despite progress, the city has maintained its own charm and character. Kudos to the local government officials, then and now, for loving the Cagayan de Oro City. Despite the calamities of the past, its people was able to rise up and move forward.

Commercial establishments are up and about in this city of not only golden but genuine friendship as well. There is this chill place called Lifestyle District where people can relax and while the evening away until wee hours in the morning.

There are locally-owned restaurants where you can taste the freshest of seafood available. Panagatan Seafood Restaurant is one of them. Fresh sea produce is served everyday.

High Ridge is another must-see place in Cagayan de Oro City. Its big restaurant, warm weather, sumptuous food and a good vantage view of the city from the mountain are reasons enough for one to traverse the rugged mountain streets. Thank you to my friends Gil Macaibay and Roger Lactao for bringing us around during free time.

Cagayan de Oro City is easily accessible by plane from Manila, Cebu and Davao. There are daily flights by Philippine Airlines, PAL Express, Cebu Pacific Air and CebGo. Its new airport, the Laguindingan Airport, is an hour away from city proper but has good facilities in place.

Once you get to visit this city, it's not easy to fall in love with it. Not only is it known for its version of Divisoria and other interesting places, Cagayan de Oro City is truly a city of gold!

Zoom, Zambales!

It was my first time to visit the Province of Zambales other than Olongapo City and Subic. I was invited to sit as a judge in the talent and indigenous costume competitions of Bb. Zambales 2015. Invitation was sent by renowned fashion designer Renee Salud, Bb. Zambales producer Richard Murillo and event chair Provincial Administrator Omar Ebdane. Of course, this was under the auspices of Provincial Governor Hermogenes "Jun" Ebdane, Jr.

Bb. Zambales coincided with the annual Dinamulag Festival of the province or simply known as the Mango Festival. The dinamulag mango is a product of Zambales which is larger than the usual mango hence, the name dinamulag.

Reeling from years of devastation from the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, Zambales is fast gaining ground from the lahar flows that came down from the volcano. In fact, Mt. Pinatubo has become a tourist attraction which benefits the province, Pampanga and Tarlac.

Zambales boasts of the sea and the mountains which remain to be serene and undisturbed. Thank God for the good governance by its local officials. Driving through the highway, it was as if I was in another dimension...another country. My appreciation of nature has deepened with what I saw in my short visit to the province. My excitement to go beyond Olongapo City exceeded my expectations.

Anawangin Cove and Potipot Island are must-sees when you go to Zambales. Places in the province seem to be untouched by time and modernity. Breath-taking is a term too simple to describe the these sites.

Of course, Zambales has its own development in terms of infrastructure. With establishments that have been built, its provincial leaders have made sure that basic services are given to its people.

Olongapo City is the gateway and the most popular place in Zambales but there is more to see farther north. There are trips to Iba, the capital town, and to other towns in the province via Victory Liner.

With friendly people, beautiful scenery and support from its leaders, the province will definitely zoom to greater heights.

Sulong, Zambales!

Discovering Cebu More...

Holy Week 2015 is an unexpected visit to Cebu. Not my first time though but it was a respite from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday. A trip to Cebu is always exciting. I get to go to the Queen City of the South. The Visayan in me makes me thrilled to visit the province with much fervor.

Nowadays, travelling from Metro Manila to Cebu is just like travelling from your house to school or office. With all the flights available from NAIA 2, 3 or 4, booking a flight even during Holy Week is as easy as ABC. Air Asia Zest brought us to our destination an hour delayed but ours was a situation better than those who experienced longer delays with other airlines.

It was just deplorable though that the staff of Vin-Vin's Cafe were busy talking about other people and their co-workers despite the many people buying food while waiting for their flights. I just hope that proper training be done to the staff of the said eatery inside the pre-departure area of NAIA 4. They were, at times, rude to customers.

Home in Cebu for 3 days was Raddison Blu just beside SM Cebu. This hotel is what I consider a classic first class hotel. High ceiling, grandiose lobby, sumptuous breakfast buffet, nice rooms, good interiors are but a few of the best features of this hotel. My second time, Raddison Blu has always come up to my expectations of five star service and amenities.

Our "guide", Malou, cousin of designer Pat Santos, brought us to Lantaw Floating Native Restaurant in Cordova town. Since it is located in Mactan Island, we had a good view of the Cebu nightline during our dinner.

Food and drinks in the said restaurant were fresh and really appetizing. My companions raved about the fresh shellfish, kinilaw (raw fish cooked in vinegar with spices) and the fresh fruit juice. For a Maundy Thursday, it was filled to the rafters. When we were done with dinner, we saw some more people still coming. In fact, there was already a queue of would-be diners at the entrance waiting for their turn to have their own tables.

Since it was Maundy Thursday, we visited churches like Nuestra Senora de Regla, Basilica Minore de Sto. Nino and the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. I was awed by the devotion of Cebuanos. The young and the old walked to different churches in the city for the visita iglesia. Despite the modernity of the times, the people of Cebu have maintained that certain religiosity that cannot be seen anymore in other modern cities in the country.

Near the Basilica Minore de Sto. Nino were the Megallan's Cross, which is under renovation as of this writing, and the Cebu City Hall.

The next day, we decided to go on a roadtrip to the south of Cebu province. The South Road is development in the making. What with the different malls such as Gaisano and SM Seaside City already in place. We also dropped by Carcar City which is known as a pasalubong area and the home of pork chicharon. Other delicacies are also available for tourists.

The south of Cebu is a delightful sight. Some of the towns we've passed are unknown by me. It was the first that I heard of such places. But I was impressed with the good roads and clean places of the province. While on the road, it was an affirmation that the Philippines is indeed a beautiful country.

Our last day brought us to Mactan Island again. Since our flight back to Metro Manila was still in the evening, we decided to have lunch at Maribago Bluewater. Since the resorts in the island are really 5-star, food was expensive but were really worth it. We also visited other resorts which surprised me because the last time I went to the area, there were not much resorts then. All of a sudden, they have mushroomed. Thanks to foreign investors.

On our way to Cebu Mactan International Airport, I can't help but be amazed with the development in Cebu. Despite progress, it has maintained its mystical charm which stands on solid throne accorded to this royal city.

Nature and modernity can go hand in hand. It is very evident not only in Cebu City but in the whole province as well. Despite the size of the island-province, what I saw was a place of greenery and tradition. It may be the most progressive province in the center of our country but Cebu has retained its charm and mysticism.

Hail, the Queen City of the South!