My Pageant Ladies

Video courtesy of Youtube.

No copyright infringement intended.

Idyllic Baler, Aurora

Idyllic Baler is the capital of Aurora province which is situated in the Eastern portion of Luzon. Nowadays, it is one of the places in the Philippines which is dawning as an ideal place for vacation and even seminars.

Most of its visitors go to Baler because of its big waves ideal for surfing. But whether one goes there for surfing or other purposes, it is still its waters that attract most especially foreigners who love adventure.

The Baler Bay and the Daguisit Beach are two of the most popular among the areas in Baler. Natural cove as well as beautifully-carved rock formations are Instagram-worthy. Many more other places can be visited in the town.

The Museo de Baler was established to showcase the rich past of the town as well as the province. Its rich culture can be seen in the artifacts that can be seen in the museum. To other adventurous set, there is the Baler Hanging Bridge crossing the Tibag-Sabang River.

As in any other place in the Philippines, the center of Baler's faith is Catholicism and the Baler Church is one witness to this. The Coco-Sabutan Festival is celebrated in honor of the patron saint of Baler - San Luis Obispo.

Personally, I find the town's simplicity as its main appeal. The people are friendly, the place remains unspoiled, development is not overpowering its laidback scenario and the town maintains its provincial appeal.

Of course, the seaside is now composed of resorts and hotels to cater to the needs of tourists. From a sleepy beachfront, it is now teeming with more life and establishments that will help visitors feel at home.

Since it is rich from the bounty of the sea, seafood is in abundance. You can enjoy all kinds of food from the sea 24/7. Of course, their pride, the suman, is also a must-try. Aurora province celebrates it annual Suman Festival every February. The delicacy is given for free especially during the parade on the festival day.

I consider Baler as an idyllic place because it has remained untouched despite the beckoning of development. All these years, I have been praying that it will spared from over-development. For me, it is one virginal area in the Philippines.

Buses ply the Manila-Baler route daily. With the good roads now, land trip has been reduced to 5 to 6 hours as compared to 8 to 9 hours in the past. Recently, Skyjet has opened its Manila-Baler-Manila route for those who want to travel by air.

When times become better, Baler is one place that is a must-visit.

Credit to the owners of the photos.

The Secret Gem Called San Juan, Batangas

San Juan, Batangas is now popular among the local as well as foreign tourists. The reason - it has one of the best beaches in the country. Aside from that, Batanguenos in general are a welcoming lot. They do not discriminate and they welcome guests with open arms.

Tourists flock to San Juan because of its beautiful beaches located at Laiya-Aplaya or simply known as Laiya. Its white sands and clear waters make it appealing to people who love swimming on the beach. Good thing that there are hotels and resorts to cater to its numerous visitors the whole year round.

One of the country's popular fashion designers, Renee Salud, was born and raised in San Juan. He is proud of his town in as much as the town is also proud of him. He is proud of is heritage especially when he meets his fellow San Juan townsfolk here and abroad. In the Philippine fashion industry, his name is synonymous to his town.

The town's patron saint is San Juan Nepomuceno. Its church stands aloft in the center of San Juan. It has a museum beside it. Knowing Batangenos to be religious, the church is big enough to accommodate its populace as well as visitors especially during the fest of their patron saint.

One thing that I've noticed in San Juan is how they preserved their heritage houses through the years. In every nook and corner of the town, you will see well-maintained centuries-old houses that mix with the new edifices. Rumor has it that the owner of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar bought old houses there and brought them to their resort in Bataan for proper preservation.

One more nice attitude of the people of San Juan is how they patronize local restaurants which serve food that can only be tasted in town. Despite the proliferation of fast food chains, the locals still opt to eat the local fare. In all fairness, they are palatable and give the fast foods a run for their money not to mention the home-cooked taste.

As part of development, modern groceries and restaurants have opened their branches in San Juan. They know that they already have a market there that is why they have made it an extension of their businesses.

But for me, San Juan is still the quaint town in Batangas that welcomed me in my early days as a production person. It has been part of my growth as a director and a special place that occupies a space in my heart. To all the people of San Juan who took care of me in the early years of my career, you are all still in my heart. San Juan, Batangas is secret gem waiting to be explored.

Credit to the owners of the photos.

Majestic Legazpi City

Legazpi City is the most major city in the Bicol region. It is located in the province of Albay. It borders the Mayon Volcano with three other towns and city. It is one of the most scenic cities in the Philippines.

All these years, officials of the city have worked hard to make Legazpi City as an important hub in the region. Indeed, hard work paid for it is now at the forefront of development in the whole of
Bicol.

Good thing that the city is ready for the influx of tourists. Resorts and hotels have established businesses in Legazpi City. I was able to spend an overnight in one of its popular resorts when I tried traveling to Metro Manila from my hometown in Samar.

For those who love the night life, the Embarcadero is one place that one should not miss when in the city. It offers the party set establishments that cater to their taste. Also, this is also a place where gastronomic urges can be fulfilled.

Proof to Legazpi City's development are the establishments that have sprung up through the years. One need not go far anymore to do business as they are already all around the city. With its distance from Metro Manila, it is only fitting that businesses be opened in Legazpi City.

The big-named malls have already opened in Legazpi. SM and Ayala have given the residents of the city and neighboring towns, cities and provinces a better option that traveling thousand of miles just for their shopping needs.

Aside from road travel, Legazpi City can be accessed through flights from Manila and Cebu via Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air and CebGo. Travelers from island municipalities nearby can pass through the Legazpi port.

In Albay province, the city is the center of education. Of recent years, the University of Sto. Tomas has acquired the Aquinas University thus, having a branch in Legazpi. Other universities, colleges and basic education schools are also located there.

With the world-famous Mayon Volcano as a backdrop, Legazpi City should always be part of anybody's bucket list to visit. It sits majestically amidst the backdrop of the world's perfect cone. Magayon ka, Legazpi!

Credit to the owners of the photos.