Manila Shopping Guide and Tips: Divisoria, Malls, Markets and the Art of Haggling
31 October 2008
Do you want to know where locals buy items in Manila at very low prices? They're not in malls but in places scattered all over the metropolis where Filipinos in-the-know flock to to buy things at low prices, big discounts, and cheap items. You need to have a discerning eye for quality and authentic stuff though for some shops.
Even with the advent of humongous shopping malls about twenty years ago, these special trade centers survived the onslaught of the suction effect of nearby malls sucking economic life from traditional downtown places. One prime example of this is Raon, now called Gonzalo Puyat St., in Quiapo Manila. It's not as grand as Tokyo's Akihabara but electronics shops still line the street even selling DIY kits of videoke machines with coin slots (this used to be Tutubi's favorite haunt before he got the photography bug thereby shifting his attention to nearby photographers' haven on Hidalgo St.)
Where to buy list of areas lined with specialty shops, some of them cheaper due to bulk orders:
Guitars and Musical Instruments - V. Mapa St corner Magsaysay Boulevard (near SM Centerpoint); also Raon in Quiapo, Manila
Computers, PC accessories and gadgets - Gilmore and Hemady Streets corner Aurora Blvd, New Manila (near LRT 2 Gilmore station)
Construction supplies and home building - EDSA from Munoz up to Balintawak, Quezon City
School and office supplies - Yuchengco St (formerly Nueva) Binondo, Sto. Cristo St., Divisoria
Gold jewelries (Chinese) - Ongpin St, Binondo (Manila Chinatown)
Chinese Medicine - Ongpin St. in Chinatown, Binondo, Manila
Pearls and Jewelries- Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan; Festival Mall, Alabang, Muntinlupa
Electronic parts and fixtures - Raon St. (Gonzalo Puyat), Quiapo, Manila
DVDs and CDs (mostly pirated music and movies) -Quiapo (Bautista St and other sidestreets)
Eyeglasses/optometrists - Paterno St, Quiapo (parallel to Raon)
Industrial tools and supplies - T. Alonzo St, Sta. Cruz, Manila
Cannibalized parts of old houses - Dimasalang St. near Dangwa bus terminal
Car parts and accessories - Banaue St, Quezon city
Printers (invitations for weddings, and other events) - C.M. Recto avenue (mendiola to rizal avenue)
Art supplies - Avenida/Recto area in Sta Cruz, Manila
Cross stitch threads and supplies - Hidalgo St, Quiapo (near the terminal of Balic-balic and Lealtad jeepneys)
Picture frames - Andalucia St. near Central Market and Fugoso St
Flowers - Dangwa area on Dos Castillas St, Sampaloc, Manila (near A.H. Lacson St. (formerly Gov. Forbes))
Camera and Photography stuff (lenses, tripods, filters et al) and photo printing - Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila (the street in front of Quiapo Church)
Pets (some pet shops sell endangered, protected, smuggled thereby banned animals e.g birds, aquarium fishes, turtles, piranhas) - Aranque Market, Sta. Cruz, Manila and Cartimar, Pasay City
Birds, besides Aranque Market and Cartimar, there's the Weekend Bird Tiangge in Hulo, Malabon beside Hulo Market. Saturday and Sunday mornings
Antiques - Ermita, Manila and Bangkal, Makati (Evangelista, Hizon and Apolinario Sts)
Old CDs, memorabilia - marikina shoe expo (Cubao X), Bangkal, Makati
Native handicrafts and artworks - Quinta Market, Quiapo and Dapitan Arcade, both in Manila
Fruits - Carmen Planas St, Divisoria; Carvajal St, Binondo, Manila
Toys - Tabora St, Divisoria
Dry Goods - Ylaya St, Divisoria,
Dental and medical supplies - Avenida from Recto to Bambang, Fugoso St, Sta. Cruz, Manila
Baking and Cooking - Asuncion St, Divisoria, Manila
Fabrics/Textiles (muslin, rayon, poplin, polyester, cotton, knit, piña) - Ilaya St in Divisoria, Manila or Kamuning Market in Quezon City
Religious Sculptures - Tayuman St., Sta. Cruz near LRT Tayuman Station
Dentures, retainers, braces and other dental items: San Miguel, Manila at the back of CEU
Seafoods - Aranque Market in Sta. Cruz, and areas called Dampa and Seaside (if you want to buy them in bulk, you can go to Navotas fishport for the traditional "bulongan/bulungan" (whisper) negotiation
Lechon (roast pig) - La Loma District of Quezon City
Bearings and Oil Seals - Masangkay St., Sta Cruz, Manila
Lighting Fixtures, lightbulbs - Soler St., Sta Cruz, Manila
Signs and signboards - Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City
Trophies, plaques, medals - V. Mapa St corner Magsaysay Boulevard (near SM Centerpoint) in San Juan; also Raon in Quiapo, Manila
Kris, Knives, swords, Muslim wares - the sidewalks of Quiapo, Manila
Herbal medicines, folk cures, abortifacients (euphemistically called pamparegla)- Quiapo near the church
Uniforms (made-to-order Military Uniforms, belts, bags and combat boots for
CMT/ROTC, NBA basketball clubs and other sports) - Quezon Boulevard northbound in Quiapo and a stretch of Recto from Avenida to Mendiola)
Books, Textbooks and pocketbooks (used/second hand) - CM. Recto Avenue in the University Belt (just before the MMDA cleared the sidewalks)
Motorcycles, motorbikes, bikes, mopeds, scooters, vespa - the so-called Motorcycle City on 10th Avenue near Monumento in Caloocan City
Metal works and stainless steel equipment like rotisserie - MacArthur Highway, Valenzuela City (similar place in Cavite)
Ukay-ukay (used clothes, shoes, bags) - Bambang St. Sta. Cruz, Manila near LRT Bambang station
Vegetables at "Bagsakan" price - Balintawak Market (bagsak presyo)
Itlog na Maalat (salted eggs), Balut (aborted duck embryos) and alfombra footwear - Pateros
Kakanin (Filipino desserts e.g. bibingka, sapin-sapin and pichi-pichi) - Bonifacio St., Cainta (Rizal) near Cainta Church
Mobility Aids (wheelchairs, crutches and walkers) - Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Cainta, Rizal
Diplomas (any school), certificates, fake IDs - "Recto University," Quiapo, Manila
Snake Oil, the effervescent cure all - C.M. Recto, just look for curious people in groups and loud voices reciting an endless litany of diseases that can be cured by their "panacea" :P
This list is not exhaustive, other people may have similar "secret shopping places" unknown to Tutubi
There are various factory outlet stores scattered in Metro Manila but there's still nothing similar to Hong Kong's Citygate Outlets where branded items are sold at big discounts. The Designer Depot at the corner of Quirino Avenue and Osmena Highway falls short of the mark (besides being in a dangerous place to be stuck in traffic)
Markets, Tiangge, Bazaars et al
Divisoria: comparable to Bangkok's Chatuchak market, where you can buy anything under the sun at dirt cheap prices. There's also 168 Mall, something like Divisoria with air-conditioner. Other malls include Tutuban Center, Meisic Mall and Divisoria Mall. It can be reached via jeepneys on Taft Avenue (where the LRT runs) with signboard Divisoria. From Cubao, better take the LRT 2, get off at Recto station then transfer to jeepneys with Divisoria signboards. (Note: you can't ride the LRT if you have too much baggage with you)
How to get to Divisoria
Baclaran Market
located near the popular Redemptorist Church and accessible via LRT Baclaran station. If you're coming from Quezon City, you can take the MRT, get off at the last station (Taft Avenue) then transfer to the LRT or board a Baclaran-bound jeepney.
Aranque Market
C.M. Recto St, Sta. Cruz, Manila
How to get there: walking distance from LRT 2 Recto station or LRT Doroteo Jose station. Jeepneys going to Divisoria from Cubao will take you there or those jeepneys plying Rizal Avenue (just alight on Recto corner Rizal Avenue (Avenida))
Kamuning Market:
Kamuning St., Quezon City (near Delgado Hospital)
How to get there: Take the MRT and alight at GMA-Kamuning Station. Walk a little towards Kamuning (or Kamias Street) then ride a jeepney with Quiapo signboard and request the driver to drop you off the the market. Fare is just the minimum. Alternatively, jeepneys in Quiapo with signboard Project 2-3 pass by the place.
Dangwa Flower Market
Stretch of Dos Castillas St from Dimasalang, Laong-laan and Dapitan St, Sampaloc, Manila
Flowers (e.g. mums, gerberas, roses, anthuriums, tulips, et al) for any occasion at wholesale prices. It's named after the nearby transport terminal where buses from Baguio City arrive with loads of fresh flowers from the city of pines.
How to get there: From Quiapo, board jeepneys with signboard Dimasalang or Dapitan and drop off when you see the flower shops after crossing Gov. Forbes (now A.H. Lacson). Alternatives: from LRT Tayuman station, ride jeepneys going to Lardizabal and request the driver to drop you there. Conversely, from LRT 2 Pureza station, walk towards Lardizabal St and board jeepneys going to Tayuman. (for those with cars, only street parking is available so park at your own risk)
Bangkal Vintage Shopping
Evangelista, Apolinario and Hizon Streets, Bangkal, Makati
How to get there: Board jeepneys with signboard Evangelista on Taft Avenue from LRT Libertad station. You may also take the MRT get off at Magallanes station then flag a taxi to take you there.
Dapitan Arcade
Address: Dapitan St, between Mayon and Kanlaon Streets, the border of Manila and Quezon City
How to get there: From Quiapo, board a jeepney with Dapitan signboard and drop off near the arcade.
For those tourists looking for regional specialties like food, pasalubong and almost anything under the sun: Manila's Weekend Markets
Sidcor-Centris Sunday Market
Eton Centris Walk
EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Every Sunday, 6am to 12nn
Remarks: One of Tutubi's favorite food trip destinations
How to get there: walking distance from MRT Quezon Avenue station
Legazpi Sunday Market
Legazpi Village, San Lorenzo Village
Every Sunday 9am to 4pm
How to get there: From LRT Gil Puyat Station, board bus with Ayala/Rustans on the signboard and alight on Ayala Avenue corner Rufino (formerly HerreraSt., where the conductor will shout Rufino, PBCOM, Paseo). Walk back towards Rufino, turn left and continue walking until you the market at the corner of Legaspi and Herrera St.
Salcedo Weekend Market (Saturday)
Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati City
Every Saturday 7am to 2pm
How to get there: From MRT Gil Puyat station, board a jeepney going to LRT/Taft or Washington then alight at the corner of Buendia and Tordesillas/Malugay. Cross Buendia and walk along Tordesillas St until you see the park with stalls. Alternatively, from LRT Buendia station, board a jeepney with signboard Guadalupe and alight at the corner of Buendia and Tordesillas [landmarks: Ministop, Philtrust Bank and Jollibee]. From that corner, Velasquez Park is just about 200 meters away.
Alabang Organic Market
Alabang, Muntinlupa
Location: Narra Parking lot in front of Corte de las Palmas
Saturday, 6am to 12nn
Northeast Greenhills Weekend Market,
Connecticut St., Greenhills, San Juan
Located near Greenhills Shopping Center
Sunday, 7am to 12nn
Banchetto Ortigas
Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Mostly food and dry goods catering to call center employees
Saturday, 2:30 am to 1 pm
Cuenca Community Bazaar
Cuenca Community Center, Ayala-Alabang
Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 9pm
(until Dec. 21, 2008)
(Last month, there was Pick Manila weekend market at Celadon Residences near SM San Lazaro (that shopping mall that erased the historic San Lazaro racetrack, reason why Tutubi hates you, SM San Lazaro). Tutubi also heard of the Malatapay Wednesday Market in Zamboanguita near Dumaguete. Will try to check it out should he return there)
The Usual Shopping Malls:
The Philippines' malls are like mini-cities by themselves with supermarkets, department stores, lots of mall spaces for lease, movie cinemas, game arcades, gardens, restaurants, food courts and others you don't normally find in malls of other countries. They're open all throughout the year from 10am to 9pm on Monday to Thursday and 10am to 10pm from Friday to Sunday. Malls are usually closed during Holy Week particularly Holy Thursday and Good Friday (there are exceptions though like SM City Baguio). SM malls open at 12nn on All Saints Day.
SM, the largest mall operator has malls in almost every major city of the Philippines with SM Mall of Asia the largest of them all fronting the historic Manila Bay.
Robinsons also operate malls with numerous ones in the National Capital Region and a few locations outside the metropolis.
Ayala malls include Glorietta 1-5 and Greenbelt 1-5, in Makati, Trinoma in Quezon City and Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa. There also is Ayala Center in Cebu City. Glorietta and Greenbelt are walking distance from MRT Ayala station while Alabang Town Center needs a bus ride to Alabang, south of Makati.
Upscale malls with branded items are Greenbelt 4 and 5 in Makati, Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and Rustans malls in various locations in Metro Manila.
Market! Market!
Bonifacio Global City
How to get there: From MRT Guadalupe station, board a jeepney with Market! on the signboard. Alternately, from MRT Ayala station (EDSA corner Ayala Avenue), there are buses servicing The Fort whose routes end at Market!Market!
Greenhills Shopping Center
City of San Juan
How to get there: From MRT Ortigas Avenue station, walk towards Robinsons Galleria then board a jeep going to San Juan. Buses of G Liner and RRCG servicing Cainta to Quiapo, Manila route pass by the place.
HK Sun Plaza
Macapagal Avenue and Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
mostly Hong Kong style shopping of made in china products. reported to be suppliers of merchants of 168 Mall, Baclaran and Divisoria
Tiendesitas on Ortigas Avenue corner C5 inside Frontera Verde.
Other malls are Metropolis in Alabang, Starmall on EDSA Mandaluyong
Isn't the Philippines a real shopping mecca?
Credit Cards and Shopping Money:
Public markets are mostly cash-only except some establishments accepting credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB) or debit card POS payments (BancNet, BDO, BPI and Landbank).
Chinese nationals holding debit cards of China Union Pay (CUP) can withdraw cash from BancNet ATMs or pay for their goods using Point-of-Sale systems (POS) at SM groceries, supermarkets and other accredited establishments.
ATMs (cash machines) are conveniently located inside malls or just the periphery. Banco de Oro ATMs are all over SM as well as Chinabank due to their connection with the owner while BPI ATMs are scattered in Ayala-owned malls of Glorietta, Greenbelt and Trinoma.
There are also some establishments, including SM supermarket and department stores, accepting payments by swiping ATM cards (debit cards) at Point-of-Sale terminals (POS) using BPI EPS, Landbank, BDO and all BancNet member banks.
The Art of Haggling
Haggling is an art practiced by Filipinos in markets, bazaars and tiangge, where the posted or advertised prices can be brought down to a small percentage of the price. You can always ask for discounts and bargains by polite request or banter, at times starting at half the price and working from there until both of you agree at the price.
For foreigners, vendors will try to quote a price much higher than what locals get. The trick is to let a local do the negotiations, particularly someone who knows a little about the language, if not a local of the place. This is just one of the reasons why Tutubi tries to learn the local language instead of using Tagalog, he wants to get items at a local, not a touristy, price. In case you have no companion, wait until a local inquires about the price of the merchandise then buy at the same price the local got it.
Tutubi is not an expert on this but he also knows how to haggle, particularly when he senses the price needs to be lowered. If in case haggling can only bring a minimal discount or if he's feeling charitable, he won't haggle for a lower price, he just thinks he's actually helping the vendor earn a decent living rather than give dole-outs to indolent people around town.
Safety and Security:
Some of the areas mentioned, e.g. Divisoria and Baclaran, are littered with pickpockets, thieves, snatchers (cellphones usually) and other petty criminals. Some nooks and crannies are also particularly considered not safe at night. As general rules, use common sense, have a companion if possible, be on your guard always, dress down, don't make yourself an attractive target for crooks and you'll be fine.
It's due to these concerns plus the incovenient, non-airconditioned spaces that people with money to burn prefer to shop in Manila's gigantic shopping malls, at least three of them included in the ten largest malls in the world - SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall and SM City North EDSA - so much for a third world country that can lay claim to the title Mall Capital of Asia, if not of the world.
CAVEAT EMPTOR
Buying pirated DVDs and CDs is one of the causes of the ailing movie and music industries. Piracy is now also linked to terrorism where terrorists use funds to finance their death-mongering ways in the name of religion.
Develop an eye for authentic stuff to avoid getting duped e.g. how would you know if pearls are real? Tutubi found this out in Greenhills from a stall attendant: real pearls when scratched can be buffed and returned to it's smooth sparkling beauty; synthetic pearls scratches can't be removed easily.
Buying endangered wildlife encourages smuggling and poaching, driving some of the animals to the brink of extinction. Please don't buy them. You may also get in trouble with the law, particularly the Protected Animals and Welfare Bureau (PAWB). Animals taken from the wild seldom survive long in captivity and can carry dangerous viruses-- remember SARS, AIDS and bird flu!
Be mindful of excess baggage rates of your airline. Paying for excess baggage charges may be more expensive than buying things at your neighborhood shopping place.
For foreigners, be wary of duties and taxes on returning to your home country. You may have to pay more for customs duties when you arrive at the airport plus some items may not be permitted for entry due to restrictions and quarantine requirements.
Lastly, recommend buying Philippine-made products if price and quality is at par with others. It's good for the economy.
Related Links:
Camera Shops on Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila
168 Mall
Dangwa Cheap Flowers
Even with the advent of humongous shopping malls about twenty years ago, these special trade centers survived the onslaught of the suction effect of nearby malls sucking economic life from traditional downtown places. One prime example of this is Raon, now called Gonzalo Puyat St., in Quiapo Manila. It's not as grand as Tokyo's Akihabara but electronics shops still line the street even selling DIY kits of videoke machines with coin slots (this used to be Tutubi's favorite haunt before he got the photography bug thereby shifting his attention to nearby photographers' haven on Hidalgo St.)
Where to buy list of areas lined with specialty shops, some of them cheaper due to bulk orders:
Guitars and Musical Instruments - V. Mapa St corner Magsaysay Boulevard (near SM Centerpoint); also Raon in Quiapo, Manila
Computers, PC accessories and gadgets - Gilmore and Hemady Streets corner Aurora Blvd, New Manila (near LRT 2 Gilmore station)
Construction supplies and home building - EDSA from Munoz up to Balintawak, Quezon City
School and office supplies - Yuchengco St (formerly Nueva) Binondo, Sto. Cristo St., Divisoria
Gold jewelries (Chinese) - Ongpin St, Binondo (Manila Chinatown)
Chinese Medicine - Ongpin St. in Chinatown, Binondo, Manila
Pearls and Jewelries- Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan; Festival Mall, Alabang, Muntinlupa
Electronic parts and fixtures - Raon St. (Gonzalo Puyat), Quiapo, Manila
DVDs and CDs (mostly pirated music and movies) -
Eyeglasses/optometrists - Paterno St, Quiapo (parallel to Raon)
Industrial tools and supplies - T. Alonzo St, Sta. Cruz, Manila
Cannibalized parts of old houses - Dimasalang St. near Dangwa bus terminal
Car parts and accessories - Banaue St, Quezon city
Printers (invitations for weddings, and other events) - C.M. Recto avenue (mendiola to rizal avenue)
Art supplies - Avenida/Recto area in Sta Cruz, Manila
Cross stitch threads and supplies - Hidalgo St, Quiapo (near the terminal of Balic-balic and Lealtad jeepneys)
Picture frames - Andalucia St. near Central Market and Fugoso St
Flowers - Dangwa area on Dos Castillas St, Sampaloc, Manila (near A.H. Lacson St. (formerly Gov. Forbes))
Camera and Photography stuff (lenses, tripods, filters et al) and photo printing - Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila (the street in front of Quiapo Church)
Pets (some pet shops sell endangered, protected, smuggled thereby banned animals e.g birds, aquarium fishes, turtles, piranhas) - Aranque Market, Sta. Cruz, Manila and Cartimar, Pasay City
Birds, besides Aranque Market and Cartimar, there's the Weekend Bird Tiangge in Hulo, Malabon beside Hulo Market. Saturday and Sunday mornings
Antiques - Ermita, Manila and Bangkal, Makati (Evangelista, Hizon and Apolinario Sts)
Old CDs, memorabilia - marikina shoe expo (Cubao X), Bangkal, Makati
Native handicrafts and artworks - Quinta Market, Quiapo and Dapitan Arcade, both in Manila
Fruits - Carmen Planas St, Divisoria; Carvajal St, Binondo, Manila
Toys - Tabora St, Divisoria
Dry Goods - Ylaya St, Divisoria,
Dental and medical supplies - Avenida from Recto to Bambang, Fugoso St, Sta. Cruz, Manila
Baking and Cooking - Asuncion St, Divisoria, Manila
Fabrics/Textiles (muslin, rayon, poplin, polyester, cotton, knit, piña) - Ilaya St in Divisoria, Manila or Kamuning Market in Quezon City
Religious Sculptures - Tayuman St., Sta. Cruz near LRT Tayuman Station
Dentures, retainers, braces and other dental items: San Miguel, Manila at the back of CEU
Seafoods - Aranque Market in Sta. Cruz, and areas called Dampa and Seaside (if you want to buy them in bulk, you can go to Navotas fishport for the traditional "bulongan/bulungan" (whisper) negotiation
Lechon (roast pig) - La Loma District of Quezon City
Bearings and Oil Seals - Masangkay St., Sta Cruz, Manila
Lighting Fixtures, lightbulbs - Soler St., Sta Cruz, Manila
Signs and signboards - Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City
Trophies, plaques, medals - V. Mapa St corner Magsaysay Boulevard (near SM Centerpoint) in San Juan; also Raon in Quiapo, Manila
Kris, Knives, swords, Muslim wares - the sidewalks of Quiapo, Manila
Herbal medicines, folk cures, abortifacients (euphemistically called pamparegla)- Quiapo near the church
Uniforms (made-to-order Military Uniforms, belts, bags and combat boots for
CMT/ROTC, NBA basketball clubs and other sports) - Quezon Boulevard northbound in Quiapo and a stretch of Recto from Avenida to Mendiola)
Books, Textbooks and pocketbooks (used/second hand) - CM. Recto Avenue in the University Belt (just before the MMDA cleared the sidewalks)
Motorcycles, motorbikes, bikes, mopeds, scooters, vespa - the so-called Motorcycle City on 10th Avenue near Monumento in Caloocan City
Metal works and stainless steel equipment like rotisserie - MacArthur Highway, Valenzuela City (similar place in Cavite)
Ukay-ukay (used clothes, shoes, bags) - Bambang St. Sta. Cruz, Manila near LRT Bambang station
Vegetables at "Bagsakan" price - Balintawak Market (bagsak presyo)
Itlog na Maalat (salted eggs), Balut (aborted duck embryos) and alfombra footwear - Pateros
Kakanin (Filipino desserts e.g. bibingka, sapin-sapin and pichi-pichi) - Bonifacio St., Cainta (Rizal) near Cainta Church
Mobility Aids (wheelchairs, crutches and walkers) - Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Cainta, Rizal
Diplomas (any school), certificates, fake IDs - "Recto University," Quiapo, Manila
Snake Oil, the effervescent cure all - C.M. Recto, just look for curious people in groups and loud voices reciting an endless litany of diseases that can be cured by their "panacea" :P
This list is not exhaustive, other people may have similar "secret shopping places" unknown to Tutubi
There are various factory outlet stores scattered in Metro Manila but there's still nothing similar to Hong Kong's Citygate Outlets where branded items are sold at big discounts. The Designer Depot at the corner of Quirino Avenue and Osmena Highway falls short of the mark (besides being in a dangerous place to be stuck in traffic)
Markets, Tiangge, Bazaars et al
Divisoria: comparable to Bangkok's Chatuchak market, where you can buy anything under the sun at dirt cheap prices. There's also 168 Mall, something like Divisoria with air-conditioner. Other malls include Tutuban Center, Meisic Mall and Divisoria Mall. It can be reached via jeepneys on Taft Avenue (where the LRT runs) with signboard Divisoria. From Cubao, better take the LRT 2, get off at Recto station then transfer to jeepneys with Divisoria signboards. (Note: you can't ride the LRT if you have too much baggage with you)
How to get to Divisoria
Baclaran Market
located near the popular Redemptorist Church and accessible via LRT Baclaran station. If you're coming from Quezon City, you can take the MRT, get off at the last station (Taft Avenue) then transfer to the LRT or board a Baclaran-bound jeepney.
Aranque Market
C.M. Recto St, Sta. Cruz, Manila
How to get there: walking distance from LRT 2 Recto station or LRT Doroteo Jose station. Jeepneys going to Divisoria from Cubao will take you there or those jeepneys plying Rizal Avenue (just alight on Recto corner Rizal Avenue (Avenida))
Kamuning Market:
Kamuning St., Quezon City (near Delgado Hospital)
How to get there: Take the MRT and alight at GMA-Kamuning Station. Walk a little towards Kamuning (or Kamias Street) then ride a jeepney with Quiapo signboard and request the driver to drop you off the the market. Fare is just the minimum. Alternatively, jeepneys in Quiapo with signboard Project 2-3 pass by the place.
Dangwa Flower Market
Stretch of Dos Castillas St from Dimasalang, Laong-laan and Dapitan St, Sampaloc, Manila
Flowers (e.g. mums, gerberas, roses, anthuriums, tulips, et al) for any occasion at wholesale prices. It's named after the nearby transport terminal where buses from Baguio City arrive with loads of fresh flowers from the city of pines.
How to get there: From Quiapo, board jeepneys with signboard Dimasalang or Dapitan and drop off when you see the flower shops after crossing Gov. Forbes (now A.H. Lacson). Alternatives: from LRT Tayuman station, ride jeepneys going to Lardizabal and request the driver to drop you there. Conversely, from LRT 2 Pureza station, walk towards Lardizabal St and board jeepneys going to Tayuman. (for those with cars, only street parking is available so park at your own risk)
Bangkal Vintage Shopping
Evangelista, Apolinario and Hizon Streets, Bangkal, Makati
How to get there: Board jeepneys with signboard Evangelista on Taft Avenue from LRT Libertad station. You may also take the MRT get off at Magallanes station then flag a taxi to take you there.
Dapitan Arcade
Address: Dapitan St, between Mayon and Kanlaon Streets, the border of Manila and Quezon City
How to get there: From Quiapo, board a jeepney with Dapitan signboard and drop off near the arcade.
For those tourists looking for regional specialties like food, pasalubong and almost anything under the sun: Manila's Weekend Markets
Sidcor-Centris Sunday Market
Eton Centris Walk
EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Every Sunday, 6am to 12nn
Remarks: One of Tutubi's favorite food trip destinations
How to get there: walking distance from MRT Quezon Avenue station
Legazpi Sunday Market
Legazpi Village, San Lorenzo Village
Every Sunday 9am to 4pm
How to get there: From LRT Gil Puyat Station, board bus with Ayala/Rustans on the signboard and alight on Ayala Avenue corner Rufino (formerly HerreraSt., where the conductor will shout Rufino, PBCOM, Paseo). Walk back towards Rufino, turn left and continue walking until you the market at the corner of Legaspi and Herrera St.
Salcedo Weekend Market (Saturday)
Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati City
Every Saturday 7am to 2pm
How to get there: From MRT Gil Puyat station, board a jeepney going to LRT/Taft or Washington then alight at the corner of Buendia and Tordesillas/Malugay. Cross Buendia and walk along Tordesillas St until you see the park with stalls. Alternatively, from LRT Buendia station, board a jeepney with signboard Guadalupe and alight at the corner of Buendia and Tordesillas [landmarks: Ministop, Philtrust Bank and Jollibee]. From that corner, Velasquez Park is just about 200 meters away.
Alabang Organic Market
Alabang, Muntinlupa
Location: Narra Parking lot in front of Corte de las Palmas
Saturday, 6am to 12nn
Northeast Greenhills Weekend Market,
Connecticut St., Greenhills, San Juan
Located near Greenhills Shopping Center
Sunday, 7am to 12nn
Banchetto Ortigas
Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Mostly food and dry goods catering to call center employees
Saturday, 2:30 am to 1 pm
Cuenca Community Bazaar
Cuenca Community Center, Ayala-Alabang
Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 9pm
(until Dec. 21, 2008)
(Last month, there was Pick Manila weekend market at Celadon Residences near SM San Lazaro (that shopping mall that erased the historic San Lazaro racetrack, reason why Tutubi hates you, SM San Lazaro). Tutubi also heard of the Malatapay Wednesday Market in Zamboanguita near Dumaguete. Will try to check it out should he return there)
The Usual Shopping Malls:
The Philippines' malls are like mini-cities by themselves with supermarkets, department stores, lots of mall spaces for lease, movie cinemas, game arcades, gardens, restaurants, food courts and others you don't normally find in malls of other countries. They're open all throughout the year from 10am to 9pm on Monday to Thursday and 10am to 10pm from Friday to Sunday. Malls are usually closed during Holy Week particularly Holy Thursday and Good Friday (there are exceptions though like SM City Baguio). SM malls open at 12nn on All Saints Day.
SM, the largest mall operator has malls in almost every major city of the Philippines with SM Mall of Asia the largest of them all fronting the historic Manila Bay.
Robinsons also operate malls with numerous ones in the National Capital Region and a few locations outside the metropolis.
Ayala malls include Glorietta 1-5 and Greenbelt 1-5, in Makati, Trinoma in Quezon City and Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa. There also is Ayala Center in Cebu City. Glorietta and Greenbelt are walking distance from MRT Ayala station while Alabang Town Center needs a bus ride to Alabang, south of Makati.
Upscale malls with branded items are Greenbelt 4 and 5 in Makati, Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and Rustans malls in various locations in Metro Manila.
Market! Market!
Bonifacio Global City
How to get there: From MRT Guadalupe station, board a jeepney with Market! on the signboard. Alternately, from MRT Ayala station (EDSA corner Ayala Avenue), there are buses servicing The Fort whose routes end at Market!Market!
Greenhills Shopping Center
City of San Juan
How to get there: From MRT Ortigas Avenue station, walk towards Robinsons Galleria then board a jeep going to San Juan. Buses of G Liner and RRCG servicing Cainta to Quiapo, Manila route pass by the place.
HK Sun Plaza
Macapagal Avenue and Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
mostly Hong Kong style shopping of made in china products. reported to be suppliers of merchants of 168 Mall, Baclaran and Divisoria
Tiendesitas on Ortigas Avenue corner C5 inside Frontera Verde.
Other malls are Metropolis in Alabang, Starmall on EDSA Mandaluyong
Isn't the Philippines a real shopping mecca?
Credit Cards and Shopping Money:
Public markets are mostly cash-only except some establishments accepting credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB) or debit card POS payments (BancNet, BDO, BPI and Landbank).
Chinese nationals holding debit cards of China Union Pay (CUP) can withdraw cash from BancNet ATMs or pay for their goods using Point-of-Sale systems (POS) at SM groceries, supermarkets and other accredited establishments.
ATMs (cash machines) are conveniently located inside malls or just the periphery. Banco de Oro ATMs are all over SM as well as Chinabank due to their connection with the owner while BPI ATMs are scattered in Ayala-owned malls of Glorietta, Greenbelt and Trinoma.
There are also some establishments, including SM supermarket and department stores, accepting payments by swiping ATM cards (debit cards) at Point-of-Sale terminals (POS) using BPI EPS, Landbank, BDO and all BancNet member banks.
The Art of Haggling
Haggling is an art practiced by Filipinos in markets, bazaars and tiangge, where the posted or advertised prices can be brought down to a small percentage of the price. You can always ask for discounts and bargains by polite request or banter, at times starting at half the price and working from there until both of you agree at the price.
For foreigners, vendors will try to quote a price much higher than what locals get. The trick is to let a local do the negotiations, particularly someone who knows a little about the language, if not a local of the place. This is just one of the reasons why Tutubi tries to learn the local language instead of using Tagalog, he wants to get items at a local, not a touristy, price. In case you have no companion, wait until a local inquires about the price of the merchandise then buy at the same price the local got it.
Tutubi is not an expert on this but he also knows how to haggle, particularly when he senses the price needs to be lowered. If in case haggling can only bring a minimal discount or if he's feeling charitable, he won't haggle for a lower price, he just thinks he's actually helping the vendor earn a decent living rather than give dole-outs to indolent people around town.
Safety and Security:
Some of the areas mentioned, e.g. Divisoria and Baclaran, are littered with pickpockets, thieves, snatchers (cellphones usually) and other petty criminals. Some nooks and crannies are also particularly considered not safe at night. As general rules, use common sense, have a companion if possible, be on your guard always, dress down, don't make yourself an attractive target for crooks and you'll be fine.
It's due to these concerns plus the incovenient, non-airconditioned spaces that people with money to burn prefer to shop in Manila's gigantic shopping malls, at least three of them included in the ten largest malls in the world - SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall and SM City North EDSA - so much for a third world country that can lay claim to the title Mall Capital of Asia, if not of the world.
CAVEAT EMPTOR
Buying pirated DVDs and CDs is one of the causes of the ailing movie and music industries. Piracy is now also linked to terrorism where terrorists use funds to finance their death-mongering ways in the name of religion.
Develop an eye for authentic stuff to avoid getting duped e.g. how would you know if pearls are real? Tutubi found this out in Greenhills from a stall attendant: real pearls when scratched can be buffed and returned to it's smooth sparkling beauty; synthetic pearls scratches can't be removed easily.
Buying endangered wildlife encourages smuggling and poaching, driving some of the animals to the brink of extinction. Please don't buy them. You may also get in trouble with the law, particularly the Protected Animals and Welfare Bureau (PAWB). Animals taken from the wild seldom survive long in captivity and can carry dangerous viruses-- remember SARS, AIDS and bird flu!
Be mindful of excess baggage rates of your airline. Paying for excess baggage charges may be more expensive than buying things at your neighborhood shopping place.
For foreigners, be wary of duties and taxes on returning to your home country. You may have to pay more for customs duties when you arrive at the airport plus some items may not be permitted for entry due to restrictions and quarantine requirements.
Lastly, recommend buying Philippine-made products if price and quality is at par with others. It's good for the economy.
Related Links:
Camera Shops on Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila
168 Mall
Dangwa Cheap Flowers
Labels: Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Shopping
posted by GingGoy @ 10:32 PM,
,
Dinosaurs Alive at SM Mall of Asia (MOA)
27 October 2008
Want to catch Dinosaurs alive from the Jurassic and cretaceous periods kicking in Manila? Drop by SM Mall of Asia November 28 to January 11, 2009 with your whole family and friends
After touring Bangkok (Thailand) and Jakarta (Indonesia), “Dinos Alive World Tour” MAX Entertainment, the organizers of the Dinos Alive World Tour, will bring the attraction to Manila.
Dinos Alive World Tour video from Inquirer.net
What to See at Dinos Alive World Tour:
Some dinosaurs: Tyrannosaurus, Triceraptors, Velociraptor, Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus and Megalosaurus.
a fossil dig, a dino train, the QTV movie theater, magicians, clowns and stage performances every hour, a picture booth, Santa’s corner and souvenirs for sale at the shopping area, magicians, fire-eaters, jugglers, puppets, clowns, face painters, balloon sculpting, dino train rides, reptile shows (iguana, albino python, kumingi dragons and crocodiles), fossil digging and a theatre.
Dinos Alive World Tour Ticket Prices:
Weekdays: P550 (adults), P400 (kids below a meter), and P1,600 (family package-2 adults + 2 kids + 1 free ticket).
Weekends: P600 (adults), P450 (kids below a meter), and P1,750 (family package-2 adults + 2 kids + 1 free ticket).
Schedule: 10am to10pm on weekends and 12pm to 10pm on weekdays at Block 5 of the SM Mall of Asia from November 28 to January 11, 2009
How to get to SM Mall of Asia:
Commute to MOA: From MRT Taft Avenue Station or LRT EDSA Station, board buses or jeepneys going to SM Mall of Asia. Alternatively, from LRT Buendia (Gil Puyat) Station, board multi-cabs going to MOA that pass by Macapagal Avenue.
Driving Directions to SM Mall of Asia:
The gigantic mall is at the south end of EDSA so it's easy to get to with a car or taxi.
Source:
Inquirer.net
After touring Bangkok (Thailand) and Jakarta (Indonesia), “Dinos Alive World Tour” MAX Entertainment, the organizers of the Dinos Alive World Tour, will bring the attraction to Manila.
Dinos Alive World Tour video from Inquirer.net
What to See at Dinos Alive World Tour:
Some dinosaurs: Tyrannosaurus, Triceraptors, Velociraptor, Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus and Megalosaurus.
a fossil dig, a dino train, the QTV movie theater, magicians, clowns and stage performances every hour, a picture booth, Santa’s corner and souvenirs for sale at the shopping area, magicians, fire-eaters, jugglers, puppets, clowns, face painters, balloon sculpting, dino train rides, reptile shows (iguana, albino python, kumingi dragons and crocodiles), fossil digging and a theatre.
Dinos Alive World Tour Ticket Prices:
Weekdays: P550 (adults), P400 (kids below a meter), and P1,600 (family package-2 adults + 2 kids + 1 free ticket).
Weekends: P600 (adults), P450 (kids below a meter), and P1,750 (family package-2 adults + 2 kids + 1 free ticket).
Schedule: 10am to10pm on weekends and 12pm to 10pm on weekdays at Block 5 of the SM Mall of Asia from November 28 to January 11, 2009
How to get to SM Mall of Asia:
Commute to MOA: From MRT Taft Avenue Station or LRT EDSA Station, board buses or jeepneys going to SM Mall of Asia. Alternatively, from LRT Buendia (Gil Puyat) Station, board multi-cabs going to MOA that pass by Macapagal Avenue.
Driving Directions to SM Mall of Asia:
The gigantic mall is at the south end of EDSA so it's easy to get to with a car or taxi.
Source:
Inquirer.net
Labels: Events
posted by GingGoy @ 11:08 PM,
,
Where to Stay in Pateros: Hotels, Resorts,
25 October 2008
A list of accommodations in Pateros
Grand Villa Resort & Restaurant
866 P. Herrera Street,
Barangay Aguho, Pateros
contact number: 643-7261
Villa Monica Clubhouse 526 M. Almeda Street,
Barangay San Roque, Pateros
642-7315
C & N Building Pavilion
50 M. Almeda Street,
Barangay San Roque, Pateros
628-2766
Jamyka Penthouse
Lt. Tiamsic Street,
Barangay Sto. Rosario-Kanluran,
643-3421
Artina Pavilion
73 Marianode Borja Compound,
S. Tuazon Street, Barangay Poblacion,
642-3334
Dos Hermanas Restaurant
B. Morcilla St.Barangay Poblacion,
please call the pateros hotel contact numbers directly for room rates and other inquiries
Source:
http://www.pateros.gov.ph/town_tour/tourist_spots/BedAndDine.asp
pateros hotel, pateros pension house, pateros accommodations, pateros lodge
list of pateros resort, pateros siwmming pool, private pool entrance fees
Grand Villa Resort & Restaurant
866 P. Herrera Street,
Barangay Aguho, Pateros
contact number: 643-7261
Villa Monica Clubhouse 526 M. Almeda Street,
Barangay San Roque, Pateros
642-7315
C & N Building Pavilion
50 M. Almeda Street,
Barangay San Roque, Pateros
628-2766
Jamyka Penthouse
Lt. Tiamsic Street,
Barangay Sto. Rosario-Kanluran,
643-3421
Artina Pavilion
73 Marianode Borja Compound,
S. Tuazon Street, Barangay Poblacion,
642-3334
Dos Hermanas Restaurant
B. Morcilla St.Barangay Poblacion,
please call the pateros hotel contact numbers directly for room rates and other inquiries
Source:
http://www.pateros.gov.ph/town_tour/tourist_spots/BedAndDine.asp
pateros hotel, pateros pension house, pateros accommodations, pateros lodge
list of pateros resort, pateros siwmming pool, private pool entrance fees
Labels: Hotels and Resorts, Pateros, Pateros Accomodations
posted by GingGoy @ 9:16 PM,
,
Butterfly Farms and Gardens in the Philippines
Tutubi, whose name came the Filipino word for dragonfly, is actually fond of butterflies, the most beautiful and colorful members of the insect world. Though still not equipped for it for it needs expensive telephoto lenses, he intends to pursue butterfly watching as a hobby besides travel and photography someday.
The Philippines is endowed with so many species of the six-legged creatures with colorful wings and a few days lifespan, some species probably yet to be discovered and documented.
The butterfly garden list below "spidered" from their official websites, and needs to be updated from time to time. These butterfly farms, besides being educational destinations for field trips, also double as suppliers of live butterfly release during weddings, and other events.
On butterfly releases, probably due to ignorance of most people, the released butterflies have very slim chance of surviving and multiplying in the area where they're released due to the absence of the host plants to lay their eggs on and their caterpillars need to survive. This is the way nature designed it, a butterfly species needs a specific partner plant (called host plant) to survive in this world, take away the host plant, you kill the butterfly (or drive them to extinction). That's why the presence of butterflies in an area is a sign of good ecological health of the place besides acting as an indicator of how clean the air is for they're also very sensitive to changes in the environment.
the common black and white butterfly called paper kite with scientific name Idea Leuconoe
Metro Manila Butterfly Farms:
The Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion
Orosa Street and Finance Drive
Rizal Park (Luneta), Manila, Philippines
Tel. No.: +63.2.527.6376; +63.2.527.6378
Admission: PhP100
How to get there: it's walking distance from LRT UN Avenue station. Jeepneys with Taft or Mabini signboards will pass by the place. It's beside the Chinese Garden in Luneta.
World of Butterflies Marikina
Champagnat corner Ordonez Sts
Brgy. Marikina Heights, Marikina City
Telephone No.: +63.2.941.3747
PhP20 for students, senior citizens and Marikina residents
PhP40 for tourists and visitors
Butterfly Garden
Rainforest Park, Pasig City
Metro Manila, Philippines
Butterfly Farm at Bio Research
Sucat Road, Paranaque
Butterfly Farms Outside Metro Manila:
Butterfly Garden, PACEM Ecology Park
Center for Peace and Ecology
Assumption Antipolo
Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City
Website: http://www.pacem-ecopark.org/
Tel. No.: +63.2.696.3274; +63.2.697.2354
Open From Monday to Friday, from 8.00am to 3.30pm
On Saturdays from 8.30am to 12.00noon
Remarks: includes a mini zoo, herbal garden, and museum of seashells
Butterfly Farm at Paradise Ranch Clark
Sacobia Valley,
Clarkfield, Pampanga
Tel. No.: +63.45.625.6696; +63.45.625.6698; +63.45.-889.8245 (up to 48)
Camp John Hay Butterfly Sanctuary
Little Mermaid Garden
Ordonio Drive, Baguio City, Philippines
Website: http://www.campjohnhay.com
Pulilan Butterfly Haven
Pulilan, Bulacan, Philippines
Website: http://www.pulilanbutterfly.ph
http://www.webmaxphil.com/pbh/index.htm
Dioko Resort and Butterfly Farm
Brgy. San Joaquin, San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines
Email: diokoresbfly@hotmail.com
Tel. No.: +63.49.800.4542; +63.49.800.4543
The Butterfly Farm
Island Cove Resort and Leisure Park
Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite, Philippines
Website: http://www.islandcovephil.com
Butterfly Kingdom
inside the Paradise Ranch, Clark, Pampanga
Butterfly Garden at Camp John Hay
P40 entrance fee
Butterfly Garden, Subic Bay
near Zoobic Safari
Entrance Fee: P50
Flora Farm(Butterfly House)
Ilanin Forest, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, sell live butterflies
Cel number: 09088728656
09087308269
09062592318
email: beth_heitzmann@yahoo.com
Butterfly Garden
Paradizoo, Tagaytay City
LAG Butterfly Farm and Garden
Elm St, Greenwoods Subd, Batangas City, Batangas
Tel. No.: +63.43.722.2771
Website: http://www.philippinebutterfly.com
LAG Butterfly Farm and Garden
Gasan, Marinduque
Website: http://www.philippinebutterfly.com
Butterflies of Marinduque
Pangi, Gasan, Marinduque, Philippines
Website: http://butterfliesofmarinduque.com
Palawan Butterfly Garden
Puerto Princessa City, Palawan, Philippines
Boracay Butterfly Garden
Bolabog Beach, Boracay Island
5608 Malay, Aklan, Philippines
Tel: +63.36.288.6701
Mobile: +63.918.329.4233; +63.917.464.6486
Email: boracaybutterfly@yahoo.com
Website: http://bbg.boracayinfo.net
Butterfly Farm
Sagbayan, Bohol
Simply Butterflies Conservation Center
Poblacion, Bilar, Bohol, Philippines
Tel. No.: +63.38.535.9400 (globelines)
Mobile Number: 0928-5499-744
Website: http://simplybutterfliesproject.com
Remarks: This is a highly recommended visit for true blue butterfly enthusiasts being an open garden i.e. without the enclosures of most butterfly farms thereby attracting even rare, high-flying butterfly species.
Exotic Butterfly Philippines
Taculing, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Website: http://www.exotic-butterfly.buildtolearn.net/
Bandilaan Butterfly Farm
Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Philippines
Mount Bandilaan National Park
Remark: under Julian Jumalon Foundation
WHS Butterfly Farm
Barangay Pangi, 4 kilometers north of the town of Gasan, Marinduque, Philippines
Website: http://www.marinduque-butterfly.com
Island Butterflies Farm
Cawit, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines
Email: island_butterflies@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.freewebs.com/island_butterflies/
Grand Villa Resort and Butterfly Farm
Purok 2 Brgy. Tranca, Bay, Laguna, Philippines
Directions: It is that road from the high way leading to Sto. Tomas, Batangas, after the rail road
Paru Parong Bukid Conservation Center
Brgy. Lukay, Babatngon, Leyte
owned by Doc Gil Asoy
Mindanao Butterfly Farms:
Butterfly House and Farm
Davao RiverFront Corporate City
Diversion Road, Ma-a, Davao City
Butterfly Far
Holcim Philippines
Lugait, Misamis Oriental
Butterfly Sanctuary
Malagos Garden Resort
Malagos, Baguio District, Calinan, Davao City, Philippines
Website: http://www.malagos.com
Hardin Maria Clara Lobregat
Pasonanca Park, Zamboanga City
Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary
Cebu. An open garden sanctuary by Julian Jumalon, a butterfly expert (lepidopterist)
Unconfirmed: Hacienda Escudero, Tagaytay, Subic,
UPDATED: April 2011
Sources:
official websites, Kay Susan Tayo and postings from paro-parozzi yahoogroups (join this yahoogroups if you're also interested in watching butterflies in their natural habitat, name came from paru-paro, the Filipino word for butterflies (蝴蝶 in Chinese, 蝶 in Japanese , 나비 in Korean, papillon in French, Schmetterling in German, farfalla in Italian and mariposa in Spanish)
COMING SOON:
Tutubi Butterfly Garden
...have a feeling butterflies and dragonflies don't go well together :P
plus more butterfly pictures and trivia on later posts
The Philippines is endowed with so many species of the six-legged creatures with colorful wings and a few days lifespan, some species probably yet to be discovered and documented.
The butterfly garden list below "spidered" from their official websites, and needs to be updated from time to time. These butterfly farms, besides being educational destinations for field trips, also double as suppliers of live butterfly release during weddings, and other events.
On butterfly releases, probably due to ignorance of most people, the released butterflies have very slim chance of surviving and multiplying in the area where they're released due to the absence of the host plants to lay their eggs on and their caterpillars need to survive. This is the way nature designed it, a butterfly species needs a specific partner plant (called host plant) to survive in this world, take away the host plant, you kill the butterfly (or drive them to extinction). That's why the presence of butterflies in an area is a sign of good ecological health of the place besides acting as an indicator of how clean the air is for they're also very sensitive to changes in the environment.
the common black and white butterfly called paper kite with scientific name Idea LeuconoeMetro Manila Butterfly Farms:
The Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion
Orosa Street and Finance Drive
Rizal Park (Luneta), Manila, Philippines
Tel. No.: +63.2.527.6376; +63.2.527.6378
Admission: PhP100
How to get there: it's walking distance from LRT UN Avenue station. Jeepneys with Taft or Mabini signboards will pass by the place. It's beside the Chinese Garden in Luneta.
World of Butterflies Marikina
Champagnat corner Ordonez Sts
Brgy. Marikina Heights, Marikina City
Telephone No.: +63.2.941.3747
PhP20 for students, senior citizens and Marikina residents
PhP40 for tourists and visitors
Butterfly Garden
Rainforest Park, Pasig City
Metro Manila, Philippines
Butterfly Farm at Bio Research
Sucat Road, Paranaque
Butterfly Farms Outside Metro Manila:
Butterfly Garden, PACEM Ecology Park
Center for Peace and Ecology
Assumption Antipolo
Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City
Website: http://www.pacem-ecopark.org/
Tel. No.: +63.2.696.3274; +63.2.697.2354
Open From Monday to Friday, from 8.00am to 3.30pm
On Saturdays from 8.30am to 12.00noon
Remarks: includes a mini zoo, herbal garden, and museum of seashells
Butterfly Farm at Paradise Ranch Clark
Sacobia Valley,
Clarkfield, Pampanga
Tel. No.: +63.45.625.6696; +63.45.625.6698; +63.45.-889.8245 (up to 48)
Camp John Hay Butterfly Sanctuary
Little Mermaid Garden
Ordonio Drive, Baguio City, Philippines
Website: http://www.campjohnhay.com
Pulilan Butterfly Haven
Pulilan, Bulacan, Philippines
Website: http://www.pulilanbutterfly.ph
http://www.webmaxphil.com/pbh/index.htm
Dioko Resort and Butterfly Farm
Brgy. San Joaquin, San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines
Email: diokoresbfly@hotmail.com
Tel. No.: +63.49.800.4542; +63.49.800.4543
The Butterfly Farm
Island Cove Resort and Leisure Park
Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite, Philippines
Website: http://www.islandcovephil.com
Butterfly Kingdom
inside the Paradise Ranch, Clark, Pampanga
Butterfly Garden at Camp John Hay
P40 entrance fee
Butterfly Garden, Subic Bay
near Zoobic Safari
Entrance Fee: P50
Flora Farm(Butterfly House)
Ilanin Forest, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, sell live butterflies
Cel number: 09088728656
09087308269
09062592318
email: beth_heitzmann@yahoo.com
Butterfly Garden
Paradizoo, Tagaytay City
LAG Butterfly Farm and Garden
Elm St, Greenwoods Subd, Batangas City, Batangas
Tel. No.: +63.43.722.2771
Website: http://www.philippinebutterfly.com
LAG Butterfly Farm and Garden
Gasan, Marinduque
Website: http://www.philippinebutterfly.com
Butterflies of Marinduque
Pangi, Gasan, Marinduque, Philippines
Website: http://butterfliesofmarinduque.com
Palawan Butterfly Garden
Puerto Princessa City, Palawan, Philippines
Boracay Butterfly Garden
Bolabog Beach, Boracay Island
5608 Malay, Aklan, Philippines
Tel: +63.36.288.6701
Mobile: +63.918.329.4233; +63.917.464.6486
Email: boracaybutterfly@yahoo.com
Website: http://bbg.boracayinfo.net
Butterfly Farm
Sagbayan, Bohol
Simply Butterflies Conservation Center
Poblacion, Bilar, Bohol, Philippines
Tel. No.: +63.38.535.9400 (globelines)
Mobile Number: 0928-5499-744
Website: http://simplybutterfliesproject.com
Remarks: This is a highly recommended visit for true blue butterfly enthusiasts being an open garden i.e. without the enclosures of most butterfly farms thereby attracting even rare, high-flying butterfly species.
Exotic Butterfly Philippines
Taculing, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Website: http://www.exotic-butterfly.buildtolearn.net/
Bandilaan Butterfly Farm
Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Philippines
Mount Bandilaan National Park
Remark: under Julian Jumalon Foundation
WHS Butterfly Farm
Barangay Pangi, 4 kilometers north of the town of Gasan, Marinduque, Philippines
Website: http://www.marinduque-butterfly.com
Island Butterflies Farm
Cawit, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines
Email: island_butterflies@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.freewebs.com/island_butterflies/
Grand Villa Resort and Butterfly Farm
Purok 2 Brgy. Tranca, Bay, Laguna, Philippines
Directions: It is that road from the high way leading to Sto. Tomas, Batangas, after the rail road
Paru Parong Bukid Conservation Center
Brgy. Lukay, Babatngon, Leyte
owned by Doc Gil Asoy
Mindanao Butterfly Farms:
Butterfly House and Farm
Davao RiverFront Corporate City
Diversion Road, Ma-a, Davao City
Butterfly Far
Holcim Philippines
Lugait, Misamis Oriental
Butterfly Sanctuary
Malagos Garden Resort
Malagos, Baguio District, Calinan, Davao City, Philippines
Website: http://www.malagos.com
Hardin Maria Clara Lobregat
Pasonanca Park, Zamboanga City
Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary
Cebu. An open garden sanctuary by Julian Jumalon, a butterfly expert (lepidopterist)
Unconfirmed: Hacienda Escudero, Tagaytay, Subic,
UPDATED: April 2011
Sources:
official websites, Kay Susan Tayo and postings from paro-parozzi yahoogroups (join this yahoogroups if you're also interested in watching butterflies in their natural habitat, name came from paru-paro, the Filipino word for butterflies (蝴蝶 in Chinese, 蝶 in Japanese , 나비 in Korean, papillon in French, Schmetterling in German, farfalla in Italian and mariposa in Spanish)
COMING SOON:
Tutubi Butterfly Garden
...have a feeling butterflies and dragonflies don't go well together :P
plus more butterfly pictures and trivia on later posts
Labels: Butterflies, Butterfly Garden, Butterfly Watching
posted by GingGoy @ 7:42 PM,
,
Pampanga: The Birth of the Kamikaze (神風) (Historic Airfield)
20 October 2008
In World History, people remember the fateful day of October 20, 1944 synonymous with the well-rehearsed and publicized landing of Gen. Douglas MacArthur on the beach of Palo, Leyte and the great Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in history between the Imperial Japanese Navy against the massive US fleet and some Australian vessels.
Lesser known than the much-publicized landing of the megalomaniacal general, together with the diminutive Carlos P. Romulo ,wading on the beach, was the birth of the flying human bombs, dubbed the Kamikaze, meaning divine wind in Japanese, that was very successful, at first, in hitting their targets, until the Americans found ways to neutralize them later in the war.
On a recent trip to Pampanga, Tutubi, aided by a map from Wikimapia, searched for a former airstrip constructed by the Americans during "peace time" and used by the Japanese during World War II. The old runway is now gone, nearby however is the toll gate of the newly-opened Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. To commemorate the historic significance of the place, the Kamikaze Peace Shrine and Memorial was constructed on the site of the former airstrip.
the sign at the gate of memorial shrine. there are also two huge markers ont the entrance walls, one in Japanese, the other in English, with the words in full below.
the monument of the Kamikaze airman with fresh flowers probably laid by Japanese tourists
the memorial shrine with the Philippine flag and the old flag rising sun of imperian Japan. (Notice the drop of water on the lens that Tutubi didn't remove by Photoshop :P )
The entrance of the shrine is "guarded" by a torii gate, traditional Japanese gates of Shinto Shrines. After 4 "classic" shots, rain fell and Tutubi had to scamper back to his car to save his camera from getting drenched.
the torii gate of the shrine taken from inside the car.
Lt. Seki, the first confirmed Kamikaze pilot, before his historic suicide mission wrote: "Japan's future is bleak if it is forced to kill one of its best pilots. I am not going on this mission for the Emperor or for the Empire... I am going because I was ordered to!" He was also heard say "It is better to die, rather than to live as a coward."
Such is the spirit of the Kamikaze, death before dishonor, the way of the ancient Samurai and the Bushido Code...
For Tutubi, all he can say of the Kamikaze are these two words: NEVER AGAIN!
---
The historical marker reads:
"Kamikaze East Airfield Peace Memorial
This spot is the central frontage of the very first Japanese Kamikaze Airfield during World War II, the Mabalacat East Airfield. On 20 October 1944, Vice Admiral Takijiro Onishi founded the Kamikaze at Mabalacat, Pampanga, Luzon Island. The first to volunteer were 23 fliers of the 201st Air Fleet, Imperial Nippon Naval Air Force under Capt. Sakae Yamamoto, then stationed at Mabalacat. This first Kamikaze group was called the Shinpu Special Attack Corp under Lt. Yukio Seki. The corps was divided into four units: the Shikishima Unit, the Yamato Unit; the Asahi Unit, and the Yamazakura Unit. At 0725 hrs. on 25 October 1944, the Shikishima unit took off from Mabalacat led by Lt. Yukio Seki. His men were Sgt. Iwao Nakano, Sgt. Nobuotami, Em 1/C Hajime Nagamine and Em 2/C Shigeo Oguro At 1045 hrs., on the said date, the unit hit enemy targets near the Gulf of Leyte. Lt. Seki's plane hit first, blowing up the U.S. Carrier St. Lo which sank 20 minutes later. Lt. Seki's men also hit and heavily damaged the U.S. Carriers: Kalinin Bay, Kitkun Bay, Sangamon, Santee, Suwanee and White Plains. This first successful Kamikaze Mission was witnessed, then reported by C/WO Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, Japan's greatest pilot, to Lt. Cmdr. Tadashi Nakajima in Cebu Air Base of the 201st Airgroup. War Historians considered Lt. Yukio Seki as the "The World's First Official Human Bomb!"
N.B.
The Mabalacat Tourism Office (MTO) supports the establishment of the Kamikaze Peace Memorial not for the glorification of the Kamikaze but rather for the promotion of goodwill, peace, and friendship among nations. The Memorial serves as a reminder that the Kamikaze phenomenon should never happen again.
Whereas, the once dusty and serene town of Mabalacat is recorded in the annals of war in the Pacific theater during the Second World War as the birthplace of the Kamikaze phenomenon;
Whereas, the people of Mabalacat were innocent victims caught in a senseless war between foreign powers for world supremacy;
Whereas, the cause and demise of of the Kamikaze pilots is an important part of liberative struggle of the Mabalaquenos and the entire Filipino nation to unchain the fetters that bind them;
Whereas, the establishment of the Kamikaze monument which would not only serve as a cruel reminder of the horrors and senselessness of war, but is likely to boost tourism and sense of history in the area; and
Wherefore, the declaration of Clarkfield-Mabalacat, Pampanga on October 1998 as "A City of World Peace" is a continuing effort to secure lasting and enduring peace for all mankind thorughout the world, irrespective of nations and races.
Signed: Guy "Indra" Hilbero
Mabalacat Tourism Office
WWII Researcher"
Note:
There is a so-called Kamikaze Museum maintained by the Kamikaze Memorial Society of the Philippines (KAMESO), in nearby Angeles City but Tutubi has yet to visit the place. Various World War II mementos of the Kamikaze pilots of Japan and different helmets used by the Axis and Allied powers of World War II are said to be on display.
How to get there:
Driving Directions: From NLEX, exit at Dau, but do not cross the bridge going to Tarlac, instead drive towards the Mabalacat arch until you see the end of road leading to a public market then turn right. It's just along MacArthur Highway and a few meters after the exit gates of SCTEx.
Commute: There are buses going to Mabalacat Pampanga or Angeles City. In Mabalacat, transfer to a Capas-bound jeepney where you will pass by the shrine near the boundary of Bamban, Tarlac.
There are two other events on the 20th of October very significant to this blog. Can anyone guess what they are?
神風 第二次世界大戦
Lesser known than the much-publicized landing of the megalomaniacal general, together with the diminutive Carlos P. Romulo ,wading on the beach, was the birth of the flying human bombs, dubbed the Kamikaze, meaning divine wind in Japanese, that was very successful, at first, in hitting their targets, until the Americans found ways to neutralize them later in the war.
On a recent trip to Pampanga, Tutubi, aided by a map from Wikimapia, searched for a former airstrip constructed by the Americans during "peace time" and used by the Japanese during World War II. The old runway is now gone, nearby however is the toll gate of the newly-opened Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. To commemorate the historic significance of the place, the Kamikaze Peace Shrine and Memorial was constructed on the site of the former airstrip.
the sign at the gate of memorial shrine. there are also two huge markers ont the entrance walls, one in Japanese, the other in English, with the words in full below.
the monument of the Kamikaze airman with fresh flowers probably laid by Japanese tourists
the memorial shrine with the Philippine flag and the old flag rising sun of imperian Japan. (Notice the drop of water on the lens that Tutubi didn't remove by Photoshop :P )The entrance of the shrine is "guarded" by a torii gate, traditional Japanese gates of Shinto Shrines. After 4 "classic" shots, rain fell and Tutubi had to scamper back to his car to save his camera from getting drenched.
the torii gate of the shrine taken from inside the car. Lt. Seki, the first confirmed Kamikaze pilot, before his historic suicide mission wrote: "Japan's future is bleak if it is forced to kill one of its best pilots. I am not going on this mission for the Emperor or for the Empire... I am going because I was ordered to!" He was also heard say "It is better to die, rather than to live as a coward."
Such is the spirit of the Kamikaze, death before dishonor, the way of the ancient Samurai and the Bushido Code...
For Tutubi, all he can say of the Kamikaze are these two words: NEVER AGAIN!
---
The historical marker reads:
"Kamikaze East Airfield Peace Memorial
This spot is the central frontage of the very first Japanese Kamikaze Airfield during World War II, the Mabalacat East Airfield. On 20 October 1944, Vice Admiral Takijiro Onishi founded the Kamikaze at Mabalacat, Pampanga, Luzon Island. The first to volunteer were 23 fliers of the 201st Air Fleet, Imperial Nippon Naval Air Force under Capt. Sakae Yamamoto, then stationed at Mabalacat. This first Kamikaze group was called the Shinpu Special Attack Corp under Lt. Yukio Seki. The corps was divided into four units: the Shikishima Unit, the Yamato Unit; the Asahi Unit, and the Yamazakura Unit. At 0725 hrs. on 25 October 1944, the Shikishima unit took off from Mabalacat led by Lt. Yukio Seki. His men were Sgt. Iwao Nakano, Sgt. Nobuotami, Em 1/C Hajime Nagamine and Em 2/C Shigeo Oguro At 1045 hrs., on the said date, the unit hit enemy targets near the Gulf of Leyte. Lt. Seki's plane hit first, blowing up the U.S. Carrier St. Lo which sank 20 minutes later. Lt. Seki's men also hit and heavily damaged the U.S. Carriers: Kalinin Bay, Kitkun Bay, Sangamon, Santee, Suwanee and White Plains. This first successful Kamikaze Mission was witnessed, then reported by C/WO Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, Japan's greatest pilot, to Lt. Cmdr. Tadashi Nakajima in Cebu Air Base of the 201st Airgroup. War Historians considered Lt. Yukio Seki as the "The World's First Official Human Bomb!"
N.B.
The Mabalacat Tourism Office (MTO) supports the establishment of the Kamikaze Peace Memorial not for the glorification of the Kamikaze but rather for the promotion of goodwill, peace, and friendship among nations. The Memorial serves as a reminder that the Kamikaze phenomenon should never happen again.
Whereas, the once dusty and serene town of Mabalacat is recorded in the annals of war in the Pacific theater during the Second World War as the birthplace of the Kamikaze phenomenon;
Whereas, the people of Mabalacat were innocent victims caught in a senseless war between foreign powers for world supremacy;
Whereas, the cause and demise of of the Kamikaze pilots is an important part of liberative struggle of the Mabalaquenos and the entire Filipino nation to unchain the fetters that bind them;
Whereas, the establishment of the Kamikaze monument which would not only serve as a cruel reminder of the horrors and senselessness of war, but is likely to boost tourism and sense of history in the area; and
Wherefore, the declaration of Clarkfield-Mabalacat, Pampanga on October 1998 as "A City of World Peace" is a continuing effort to secure lasting and enduring peace for all mankind thorughout the world, irrespective of nations and races.
Signed: Guy "Indra" Hilbero
Mabalacat Tourism Office
WWII Researcher"
Note:
There is a so-called Kamikaze Museum maintained by the Kamikaze Memorial Society of the Philippines (KAMESO), in nearby Angeles City but Tutubi has yet to visit the place. Various World War II mementos of the Kamikaze pilots of Japan and different helmets used by the Axis and Allied powers of World War II are said to be on display.
How to get there:
Driving Directions: From NLEX, exit at Dau, but do not cross the bridge going to Tarlac, instead drive towards the Mabalacat arch until you see the end of road leading to a public market then turn right. It's just along MacArthur Highway and a few meters after the exit gates of SCTEx.
Commute: There are buses going to Mabalacat Pampanga or Angeles City. In Mabalacat, transfer to a Capas-bound jeepney where you will pass by the shrine near the boundary of Bamban, Tarlac.
There are two other events on the 20th of October very significant to this blog. Can anyone guess what they are?
神風 第二次世界大戦
Labels: Central Luzon, Luzon, Pampanga, World War II
posted by GingGoy @ 9:01 PM,
,
Kuyog Sandiwang Bayan Katutubo Festival
18 October 2008
From one of his numerous travel-related yahoogroups, an email invitation to be part of the new Katutubo Festival (katutubo means native or indigenous) at the AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center, Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City. Tutubi invited fellow bloggers Sidney and Estan, but, too bad, due to short notice, didn't make it.
The email invite, sent just a few days before the event said:
"An INVITATION from KUYOG, the United Natives Movement
October 13, 2008
Dear Ka-KUYOG:
In celebration of the TRIBAL MONTH (October), KUYOG, the United Natives Movement will launch for the first time an activity in Quezon City that will pay homage, give importance, honor and respect to our indigenous roots through the Sandiwang Bayan KATUTUBO FESTIVAL isang pagdiriwang at pagtitipon para sa mga Katutubo on October 17-19, 2008 at the AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center, Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City.
Activities will include WORKSHOPS & LECTURES on KATUTUBO WAY OF LIFE (hunting, fishing, gathering, agriculture, handicrafts, trade, language) thru FOOD, MUSIC, MOVEMENTS, FASHION SHOW and SPORTS, PUBLIC FORUM on the indigenous question: PARA KANINO ANG KAUNLARAN? Lupa, Kalikasan at Karapatan ng mga Katutubo, Ipaglaban! FILMSHOWINGS, STORY TELLINGS, ALIBATA LESSONS, TRADE FAIR OF KATUTUBO ARTS AND CRAFTS, MUSIC JAMMING with KUYOG ARTISTS (Joey Ayala at ang Bagong Lumad) & CELEBRITIES, a tribute to the late National Artist LUCRESIA KASILAG, KATUTUBO ARTS & CRAFTS DEMOS, MUSIC INSTRUMENTS MAKING, TRIBAL CAMPS AND GATHERINGS. All these will entice the public to EXPERIENCE INTERACTIVE CULTURAL TRADITIONS...LIVE!"
Pictures, only a few due to Tutubi's lazy fingers and further spoiled by a slight drizzle:
concerts of various musicians during the day, There's a Joey Ayala live at night but Tutubi can't make it
probably some sort of offering by the natives to appease the gods.
too bad, tribal dances were held the day before, a Friday, something Tutubi would love to cover, what you see are stalls selling tribal gear and stuffs
a trade fair is present at the place where various products from around the Philippines are sold.
After taking a few photos, Tutubi went on a shopping spree, bought a couple of bags for his nephews and nieces, well ahead of Christmas, nachos from Talavera, pancit bato noodles from Bicol, macapuno rice cake puto from Albay and various other delicacies. He even bought a nice reusable bag rather than have them all stuffed in non-biodegrable plastic bags that's so unfriendly to the environment.
Katutubo Festival runs from October 17-19, 2008 so if you happen to read this on time, you can still catch it.
Tutubi advocates the rights of indigenous people, in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, of which the Philippines is a signatory, but falls short of its implementation. Respect of rights of indigenous people is the way to understanding and peace, not just in the troubled south, but in the whole country.
Lastly, for the nth time, please stop calling ancient Filipino writing alibata, it should really be called Baybayin.
How to get to the festival grounds, just see the post on Quezon Memorial Circle.
The email invite, sent just a few days before the event said:
"An INVITATION from KUYOG, the United Natives Movement
October 13, 2008
Dear Ka-KUYOG:
In celebration of the TRIBAL MONTH (October), KUYOG, the United Natives Movement will launch for the first time an activity in Quezon City that will pay homage, give importance, honor and respect to our indigenous roots through the Sandiwang Bayan KATUTUBO FESTIVAL isang pagdiriwang at pagtitipon para sa mga Katutubo on October 17-19, 2008 at the AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center, Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City.
Activities will include WORKSHOPS & LECTURES on KATUTUBO WAY OF LIFE (hunting, fishing, gathering, agriculture, handicrafts, trade, language) thru FOOD, MUSIC, MOVEMENTS, FASHION SHOW and SPORTS, PUBLIC FORUM on the indigenous question: PARA KANINO ANG KAUNLARAN? Lupa, Kalikasan at Karapatan ng mga Katutubo, Ipaglaban! FILMSHOWINGS, STORY TELLINGS, ALIBATA LESSONS, TRADE FAIR OF KATUTUBO ARTS AND CRAFTS, MUSIC JAMMING with KUYOG ARTISTS (Joey Ayala at ang Bagong Lumad) & CELEBRITIES, a tribute to the late National Artist LUCRESIA KASILAG, KATUTUBO ARTS & CRAFTS DEMOS, MUSIC INSTRUMENTS MAKING, TRIBAL CAMPS AND GATHERINGS. All these will entice the public to EXPERIENCE INTERACTIVE CULTURAL TRADITIONS...LIVE!"
Pictures, only a few due to Tutubi's lazy fingers and further spoiled by a slight drizzle:
concerts of various musicians during the day, There's a Joey Ayala live at night but Tutubi can't make it
probably some sort of offering by the natives to appease the gods.
too bad, tribal dances were held the day before, a Friday, something Tutubi would love to cover, what you see are stalls selling tribal gear and stuffs
a trade fair is present at the place where various products from around the Philippines are sold.After taking a few photos, Tutubi went on a shopping spree, bought a couple of bags for his nephews and nieces, well ahead of Christmas, nachos from Talavera, pancit bato noodles from Bicol, macapuno rice cake puto from Albay and various other delicacies. He even bought a nice reusable bag rather than have them all stuffed in non-biodegrable plastic bags that's so unfriendly to the environment.
Katutubo Festival runs from October 17-19, 2008 so if you happen to read this on time, you can still catch it.
Tutubi advocates the rights of indigenous people, in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, of which the Philippines is a signatory, but falls short of its implementation. Respect of rights of indigenous people is the way to understanding and peace, not just in the troubled south, but in the whole country.
Lastly, for the nth time, please stop calling ancient Filipino writing alibata, it should really be called Baybayin.
How to get to the festival grounds, just see the post on Quezon Memorial Circle.
Labels: Festivals, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Quezon City
posted by GingGoy @ 7:29 PM,
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Pangasinan: San Fabian Church
14 October 2008
A town bordered by the province of La Union to the north and Pangasinan town of Mangaldan and Dagupan City to the south, San Fabian town is named after St. Fabian, who became a pope in the 3rd century.
Tutubi passed by the town to look for a particular ATM at the public market; found none, and instead caught sight of dozens of tricycles parked there.
Tricycles, so many of them parked in one place
A quick snapshot of white-colored San Fabian Church, without leaving the car, produced these photos below. Due to very limited time, no pictures of the church facade and interiors were taken...probably next time.
the entrance arch of the church compound, still colored white
the belfry of San Fabian Church, partially obstructed by a tree
San Fabian has a long beach on Lingayen Gulf, used as landing points of the US Naval and Marine forces during World War II Liberation period. Its beaches were tactically designated as Blue Beach, White Beach and Central Beach. (In similar fashion, the beaches of La Union were used by the invading Japanese forces at the start of WWII). Numerous beach resorts are located on the long strip of white sand beach today.
How to get there:
There are buses on EDSA going to Dagupan at regular schedules (e.g. Dagupan Bus Line). In Dagupan, transfer to jeepneys that pass by San Fabian.
Tutubi passed by the town to look for a particular ATM at the public market; found none, and instead caught sight of dozens of tricycles parked there.
Tricycles, so many of them parked in one placeA quick snapshot of white-colored San Fabian Church, without leaving the car, produced these photos below. Due to very limited time, no pictures of the church facade and interiors were taken...probably next time.
the entrance arch of the church compound, still colored white
the belfry of San Fabian Church, partially obstructed by a treeSan Fabian has a long beach on Lingayen Gulf, used as landing points of the US Naval and Marine forces during World War II Liberation period. Its beaches were tactically designated as Blue Beach, White Beach and Central Beach. (In similar fashion, the beaches of La Union were used by the invading Japanese forces at the start of WWII). Numerous beach resorts are located on the long strip of white sand beach today.
How to get there:
There are buses on EDSA going to Dagupan at regular schedules (e.g. Dagupan Bus Line). In Dagupan, transfer to jeepneys that pass by San Fabian.
Labels: Churches, Ilocos Region, Pangasinan
posted by GingGoy @ 9:45 PM,
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Organic Gourmet Rice Varieties of the Cordilleras
09 October 2008
Once upon a time, the wind blew towards the road leading to the touristy tiangge of Tiendesitas in Pasig City that took Tutubi to the stalls of the place. One particular stall at the Delicacies Village caught his attention, Ifugao Rice Depot, it's a sight that brought back memories of his 2005 trip to the mountains, caves and waterfalls of Sagada, Mountain Province and the awesome sight of the Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao.
Near the entrace of Delicacies Village is where Ifugao Rice Depot is located, a stall selling mountain rice varieties from the Igorot farmers tending the centuries old rice terraces. Upland rice varieties are endemic and only grow there, unlike the aroma, C4, sinandomeng, wagwag, dinorado, burdagol, diket and other rice varieties that lowland Filipinos are familiar with.
brown rice for sale at P40/kilo and P2000 per sack (kaban). Tutubi nearly bought a 50 kilogram sack, can still fit inside the trunk of his car, but only held back when he learned he has not enough money. (Pictures taken using iPhone 3G since his Canon Ixus's battery lost all its "juice."
There were at least 5 varieties on display that day, Tutubi inquired about the prices of several others and aslo asked the stall attendant about the local names of the rice varieties for the tags only say brown rice and black rice. She mentioned tinawon and another name she couldn't remember, but later said pirurutong. Pirurutong, as Tutubi remembered, is the sticky violet rice used in the puto bumbong, a Filipino delicacy during the Christmas season. Other rice varieties Tutubi has heard of are balatinao, and inuruban.
is this the pirurutong? a return trip to Tiendesitas, Market! Market! or other places where "exotic" rice varieties are sold can verify this. With price at P100/kilo, is quite expensive for the peso-pinching Tutubi ever on the lookout to save on costs, but splurging once in a while while thinking of the social impact of buying authentic organic rice has its reward.
Upland rice varieties, whether brown, black, red, or violet, are rich in fiber, and organically farmed i.e. fertilizer and chemical free, by ancient farmers for centuries, long before commercial fertilizers and pesticides inundated the markets and hybrid rice was born. There also is the holok, an effective indigenous pest control system practiced in Ifugao using certain plants effective in killing traditional rice pests. Well-milled rice, the shiny clean rice is less nutritious than those where the rice bran, called darak in Filipino, are still attached to the grain. Darak is nutritious and yet lowland Filipinos, averse to brown-colored rice, feed it to pigs.
Tutubi recommends buying and eating rice cultivated in the rice terraces of the Cordilleras, not only for the health benefits, but only for the people of the Cordilleras, the hardy Igorots, be they Bontoc, Ibaloi, Ifugao, Isneg, Kalinga or Kankana-ey, to tend the rice fields carved out of the mountains, and not migrate to the city to find work, thereby restoring the grandeur of the rice terraces supplied with water through an ingenious and sustainable irrigation system modern engineers regard as marvelous engineering feats of ancient people believed to be made using bare hands.
The Banaue Rice Terraces, where some of the indigenous rice varieties are cultivated, is an inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site as a Continuing Cultural Landscape where the unique rituals and traditions are inextricably tied to the rice terraces. It's also one of the three National Cultural Treasures on the P1000 bill together with the langgal and Manunggul jar. Other rice terraces present in Ifugao include those in Batad, Mayoyao and Hapao.
Tutubi was able to sample the long-grained Basmati rice variety in India but he prefers the round, soft-textured and glutinous Japanese rice varietiy. He's also particularly interested in the Jasponica rice, a cross between the aromatic, long-grained and thin Thai jasmine rice and Japanese rice.( If there's anybody here who can point to Tutubi where to buy Jasponica rice, he'll be be thankful.) There's also GMO rice or genetically modified organism, but not recommended due to lack of conclusive medical studies of its effects on humans).
The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) where the Banaue Rice Terraces is located, is comprised of the provinces of Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao and Abra. Baguio City, being a highly-urbanized city is not a part of CAR and does not fall politically under Benguet province.
Near the entrace of Delicacies Village is where Ifugao Rice Depot is located, a stall selling mountain rice varieties from the Igorot farmers tending the centuries old rice terraces. Upland rice varieties are endemic and only grow there, unlike the aroma, C4, sinandomeng, wagwag, dinorado, burdagol, diket and other rice varieties that lowland Filipinos are familiar with.
brown rice for sale at P40/kilo and P2000 per sack (kaban). Tutubi nearly bought a 50 kilogram sack, can still fit inside the trunk of his car, but only held back when he learned he has not enough money. (Pictures taken using iPhone 3G since his Canon Ixus's battery lost all its "juice."There were at least 5 varieties on display that day, Tutubi inquired about the prices of several others and aslo asked the stall attendant about the local names of the rice varieties for the tags only say brown rice and black rice. She mentioned tinawon and another name she couldn't remember, but later said pirurutong. Pirurutong, as Tutubi remembered, is the sticky violet rice used in the puto bumbong, a Filipino delicacy during the Christmas season. Other rice varieties Tutubi has heard of are balatinao, and inuruban.
is this the pirurutong? a return trip to Tiendesitas, Market! Market! or other places where "exotic" rice varieties are sold can verify this. With price at P100/kilo, is quite expensive for the peso-pinching Tutubi ever on the lookout to save on costs, but splurging once in a while while thinking of the social impact of buying authentic organic rice has its reward.Upland rice varieties, whether brown, black, red, or violet, are rich in fiber, and organically farmed i.e. fertilizer and chemical free, by ancient farmers for centuries, long before commercial fertilizers and pesticides inundated the markets and hybrid rice was born. There also is the holok, an effective indigenous pest control system practiced in Ifugao using certain plants effective in killing traditional rice pests. Well-milled rice, the shiny clean rice is less nutritious than those where the rice bran, called darak in Filipino, are still attached to the grain. Darak is nutritious and yet lowland Filipinos, averse to brown-colored rice, feed it to pigs.
Tutubi recommends buying and eating rice cultivated in the rice terraces of the Cordilleras, not only for the health benefits, but only for the people of the Cordilleras, the hardy Igorots, be they Bontoc, Ibaloi, Ifugao, Isneg, Kalinga or Kankana-ey, to tend the rice fields carved out of the mountains, and not migrate to the city to find work, thereby restoring the grandeur of the rice terraces supplied with water through an ingenious and sustainable irrigation system modern engineers regard as marvelous engineering feats of ancient people believed to be made using bare hands.
The Banaue Rice Terraces, where some of the indigenous rice varieties are cultivated, is an inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site as a Continuing Cultural Landscape where the unique rituals and traditions are inextricably tied to the rice terraces. It's also one of the three National Cultural Treasures on the P1000 bill together with the langgal and Manunggul jar. Other rice terraces present in Ifugao include those in Batad, Mayoyao and Hapao.
Tutubi was able to sample the long-grained Basmati rice variety in India but he prefers the round, soft-textured and glutinous Japanese rice varietiy. He's also particularly interested in the Jasponica rice, a cross between the aromatic, long-grained and thin Thai jasmine rice and Japanese rice.( If there's anybody here who can point to Tutubi where to buy Jasponica rice, he'll be be thankful.) There's also GMO rice or genetically modified organism, but not recommended due to lack of conclusive medical studies of its effects on humans).
The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) where the Banaue Rice Terraces is located, is comprised of the provinces of Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao and Abra. Baguio City, being a highly-urbanized city is not a part of CAR and does not fall politically under Benguet province.
posted by GingGoy @ 9:27 PM,
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Calasiao's Puto, and Old Spanish Church
03 October 2008
Mention Calasiao to many people and they will automatically say puto, rice cakes, that is produced by the town using a simple yet famous recipe. Tutubi had a chance to re-visit the place after doing his usual work in Malasiqui town of Pangasinan.
Tutubi's main reason for passing by the town is to sample the famous puto, sold at the so called Calasiao Puto Produce, a market lines with stalls in front of the municipal hall.
Calasiao Puto Produce stalls selling puto and kutsinta (cuchinta) by the kilo (photo taken through a car windshield)
puto on a plate, a quick picture before munching the delectable dessert/delicacy.
After buying his pasalubong at one stall, Tutubi noticed the old church of Calasiao with a facade made of red bricks and officially called Saints Peter & Paul Church (same name as the old church in Makati on Burgos St.)
The old church of Calasiao, Pangasinan, constructed in 1621. (note to photogrpahers: church is facing west, this photo was taken around 11am)
a quick picture of the interiors with fairly recent look.
All this took only a few minutes as Tutubi had to rush to Dagupan to again check on something plus a re-visit to his favorite restaurant in Dagupan.
Tutubi's main reason for passing by the town is to sample the famous puto, sold at the so called Calasiao Puto Produce, a market lines with stalls in front of the municipal hall.
Calasiao Puto Produce stalls selling puto and kutsinta (cuchinta) by the kilo (photo taken through a car windshield)
puto on a plate, a quick picture before munching the delectable dessert/delicacy.After buying his pasalubong at one stall, Tutubi noticed the old church of Calasiao with a facade made of red bricks and officially called Saints Peter & Paul Church (same name as the old church in Makati on Burgos St.)
The old church of Calasiao, Pangasinan, constructed in 1621. (note to photogrpahers: church is facing west, this photo was taken around 11am)
a quick picture of the interiors with fairly recent look.All this took only a few minutes as Tutubi had to rush to Dagupan to again check on something plus a re-visit to his favorite restaurant in Dagupan.
Labels: Churches, Filipino Food, Ilocos Region, Pangasinan
posted by GingGoy @ 10:04 PM,
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Islam Worship Masjid: List of Muslim Mosques in Manila
01 October 2008
In celebration of Eid'l Fitr, the end of the fasting month of Ramadan (a holiday in the Philippines), for Muslim brothers, here's a list of Mosques in various locations in Metro Manila, provided by a Muslim friend of Tutubi.
[no pictures here, post will be updated once photos are available]
UPDATED: April 2013
Mosques in Manila:
The Golden Mosque in Quiapo Manila
Golden Mosque
Globo de Oro St, Quiapo, Manila
How to get there:
walking distance from LRT Carriedo station. Any jeepney with Quiapo signboard will take you near the place
near Quezon Bridge. This is highly visible landmark so it's easy to go there even without directions.
Mosque in San Juan:
Greenhills Mosque
Greenhills Shopping Center
Ortigas Avenue, San Juan City
How to get there:
G-Liner and RRCG buses from Cainta and Quiapo-Sta. Mesa pass by the place. From MRT Ortigas Avenue station, walk towards
Ortigas Avenue then board jeepneys going to San Juan (Fare is minimum P8.50). The mosque is near Club Filipino and OB Montessori School
at the back of Unimart
Mosque in Pasig City
Ferdaus Mosque
Baltazar Street, Barangay Sto. Tomas, Pasig City
Mosques in Caloocan City
Alhuda Mosque
Phase 12, Tala, Caloocan City
Al-Noor Mosque,
Tala, Caloocan City
Caloocan Grand Mosque,
Riverside, Tala,Caloocan City
Mosques in Taguig City
Blue Mosque
Mindanao Avenue, Maharlika Village, Taguig City
Green Mosque, Lower Bicutan, Purok 3, Taguig City
Al-Ummah Mosque, Maharlika, Taguig City
Masjid An Noor, Malaria Village, Taguig City
Mosques in Quezon City
(Note: the largest Muslim community in Quezon is said to be in Culiat)
Ever Mosque
Commonwealth Fairview, Quezon City
Mubarak Mosque
Barangay Commonwealth, Litex, Quezon City
Abdul-Aziz Mosque
Pasong Tamo, Quezon City
Ulomodin Dumagay Mubarak Mosque,
Barangay Commonwealth, Litex, Quezon City
Masjid Al-Ikhlas
Culiat, Quezon City
Rahma Qur`anic Learning Center & Mosque Foundation, Inc
Culiat, Quezon City
Mosque near Baclaran Church
Paranaque City
Other Mosques near Metro Manila:
Al-Iman Mosque, San Ildefonso, Bulacan
Al-Iman Mosque, Alaminos, Laguna
Note: in some parts of Mindanao, the langgal (or ranggar) are the places of worship, particularly by the Yakans, featured in the P1000 bill
Source: List given by Muslim friend of Tutubi.
Tutubi just added a few mosques not on his friend's list as well as how to commute information. Telephone numbers and Driving Directions to follow once available.
Other Information:
The oldest Mosque in the Philippines is Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque at the Tubig Indangan, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi constructed by an Arabian Missionary who introduces Islam in the are in 1380.
The biggest mosque in the Philippines is the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid (Muslim center of worship), located in the seaside village of Inawan, Cotabato City designed by architect Felino Palafox Jr
Related Links:
Halal Food in Manila
Langgal: Yakan's Place of Worship
Is McDonalds Halal?
Muslim Restaurants, Halal Food in Boracay
Mosques in Manila
Indian Restaurants in the Philippines
[no pictures here, post will be updated once photos are available]
UPDATED: April 2013
Mosques in Manila:
Golden Mosque
Globo de Oro St, Quiapo, Manila
How to get there:
walking distance from LRT Carriedo station. Any jeepney with Quiapo signboard will take you near the place
near Quezon Bridge. This is highly visible landmark so it's easy to go there even without directions.
Mosque in San Juan:
Greenhills Mosque
Greenhills Shopping Center
Ortigas Avenue, San Juan City
How to get there:
G-Liner and RRCG buses from Cainta and Quiapo-Sta. Mesa pass by the place. From MRT Ortigas Avenue station, walk towards
Ortigas Avenue then board jeepneys going to San Juan (Fare is minimum P8.50). The mosque is near Club Filipino and OB Montessori School
at the back of Unimart
Mosque in Pasig City
Ferdaus Mosque
Baltazar Street, Barangay Sto. Tomas, Pasig City
Mosques in Caloocan City
Alhuda Mosque
Phase 12, Tala, Caloocan City
Al-Noor Mosque,
Tala, Caloocan City
Caloocan Grand Mosque,
Riverside, Tala,Caloocan City
Mosques in Taguig City
Blue Mosque
Mindanao Avenue, Maharlika Village, Taguig City
Green Mosque, Lower Bicutan, Purok 3, Taguig City
Al-Ummah Mosque, Maharlika, Taguig City
Masjid An Noor, Malaria Village, Taguig City
Mosques in Quezon City
(Note: the largest Muslim community in Quezon is said to be in Culiat)
Ever Mosque
Commonwealth Fairview, Quezon City
Mubarak Mosque
Barangay Commonwealth, Litex, Quezon City
Abdul-Aziz Mosque
Pasong Tamo, Quezon City
Ulomodin Dumagay Mubarak Mosque,
Barangay Commonwealth, Litex, Quezon City
Masjid Al-Ikhlas
Culiat, Quezon City
Rahma Qur`anic Learning Center & Mosque Foundation, Inc
Culiat, Quezon City
Mosque near Baclaran Church
Paranaque City
Other Mosques near Metro Manila:
Al-Iman Mosque, San Ildefonso, Bulacan
Al-Iman Mosque, Alaminos, Laguna
Note: in some parts of Mindanao, the langgal (or ranggar) are the places of worship, particularly by the Yakans, featured in the P1000 bill
Source: List given by Muslim friend of Tutubi.
Tutubi just added a few mosques not on his friend's list as well as how to commute information. Telephone numbers and Driving Directions to follow once available.
Other Information:
The oldest Mosque in the Philippines is Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque at the Tubig Indangan, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi constructed by an Arabian Missionary who introduces Islam in the are in 1380.
The biggest mosque in the Philippines is the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid (Muslim center of worship), located in the seaside village of Inawan, Cotabato City designed by architect Felino Palafox Jr
Related Links:
Halal Food in Manila
Langgal: Yakan's Place of Worship
Is McDonalds Halal?
Muslim Restaurants, Halal Food in Boracay
Mosques in Manila
Indian Restaurants in the Philippines
posted by GingGoy @ 10:04 PM,
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