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!