Cabanatuan and Antonio Luna Connection
31 July 2008
The first time Tutubi set foot in Cabanatuan was sometime in 1995 to visit Wesleyan University. This time, he passed by the city notorious for the presence of so many tricycles criss-crossing the busy streets of the city made notorious by the murder of a revolutionary general and the almost forgotten daring rescue of American POWs by Americans aided by Filipino guerilas during World War II.
It took barely two hours drive to go to Cabanatuan from Quezon City because Tutubi left at early at 5am and got there before 7am when Jollibee and the city's notorious "million" tricycles were still asleep.
Drive and shoot pictures of Cabanatuan City:
welcome arch of the city
a photo of NE Crossing unobstructed but a speeding tricycle entered the frame. It's about 7am and you still can't see the other million tricycles here
Kamura, Tutubi thinks prices here are cheap! :P
The statue of Antonio Luna near the Cathedral. For lesson in history, the revolutionary general Antonio Luna was murdered by the soldiers of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo inside the Cabanatuan Cathedral in July 1899. (Tutubi wanted to take pictures of the statue and the marker on the wall of the church but rain fell as soon as he got out of the car...next time Tutubi, next time)
There are three major roads in Cabanatuan: the Maharlika Highway, Cabanatuan-Tarlac, and the Cabanatuan-Aurora road. The Maharlika Highway is the main thoroughfare going to Nueva Vizcaya. The so called Crossing is the corner of Maharlika and the road going to Aurora (Baler, Casiguran, Dingalan) and pass by the historic Pangatian Shrine and Palayan City,the capital of Nueva Ecija province. Cabanatuan-Tarlac is Nueva Ecija's link to neighboring Tarlac province.
Should you find yourself in Cabanatuan, Tutubi recommends gassing up at this gas station. Too bad, he had already gassed up at Shell Crossing when he saw this nationalistic station sporting the colors of the national flag and whose name sounded like refill. Creative and nationalistic indeed!
On his return trip to Manila, Tutubi passed by the former concentration camp also in Cabanatuan which was the site of the most successful rescue mission in American military history...subject of a future post! :P
Tip: To avoid heavy traffic in Cabanatuan, there are two bypass roads you can take, one pass by Barangay Kapitan Pepe (left, coming from Manila) and the other one is up to Mabini (right, from Manila)
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How to get to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija:
Driving Directions: On NLEX, take Sta. Rita Exit then just follow the route that willlead to Pulilan, Plaridel, Baliuag, San Ildefonso, and San Miguel and Gapan.
Those with motorcycles or want to avoid toll fees on NLEX can opt to go via MacArthur Highway passing through Caloocan, Valenzuela, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto (Tabang), Plaridel, Pulilan, Baliuag, San Rafael, San Ildefonso, San Miguel , Gapan, San Leonardo, Sta. Rosa, then Cabanatuan City.
Commute: Bus to Gapan, Nueva Ecija is serviced by bus companies on EDSA, Cubao Quezon City e.g. Baliwag Transit, Five Star Transit et al with signboards Cabanatuan, Santiago or Tuguegarao.
It took barely two hours drive to go to Cabanatuan from Quezon City because Tutubi left at early at 5am and got there before 7am when Jollibee and the city's notorious "million" tricycles were still asleep.
Drive and shoot pictures of Cabanatuan City:
welcome arch of the city
a photo of NE Crossing unobstructed but a speeding tricycle entered the frame. It's about 7am and you still can't see the other million tricycles here
Kamura, Tutubi thinks prices here are cheap! :P
The statue of Antonio Luna near the Cathedral. For lesson in history, the revolutionary general Antonio Luna was murdered by the soldiers of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo inside the Cabanatuan Cathedral in July 1899. (Tutubi wanted to take pictures of the statue and the marker on the wall of the church but rain fell as soon as he got out of the car...next time Tutubi, next time)There are three major roads in Cabanatuan: the Maharlika Highway, Cabanatuan-Tarlac, and the Cabanatuan-Aurora road. The Maharlika Highway is the main thoroughfare going to Nueva Vizcaya. The so called Crossing is the corner of Maharlika and the road going to Aurora (Baler, Casiguran, Dingalan) and pass by the historic Pangatian Shrine and Palayan City,the capital of Nueva Ecija province. Cabanatuan-Tarlac is Nueva Ecija's link to neighboring Tarlac province.
Should you find yourself in Cabanatuan, Tutubi recommends gassing up at this gas station. Too bad, he had already gassed up at Shell Crossing when he saw this nationalistic station sporting the colors of the national flag and whose name sounded like refill. Creative and nationalistic indeed!On his return trip to Manila, Tutubi passed by the former concentration camp also in Cabanatuan which was the site of the most successful rescue mission in American military history...subject of a future post! :P
Tip: To avoid heavy traffic in Cabanatuan, there are two bypass roads you can take, one pass by Barangay Kapitan Pepe (left, coming from Manila) and the other one is up to Mabini (right, from Manila)
---
How to get to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija:
Driving Directions: On NLEX, take Sta. Rita Exit then just follow the route that willlead to Pulilan, Plaridel, Baliuag, San Ildefonso, and San Miguel and Gapan.
Those with motorcycles or want to avoid toll fees on NLEX can opt to go via MacArthur Highway passing through Caloocan, Valenzuela, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto (Tabang), Plaridel, Pulilan, Baliuag, San Rafael, San Ildefonso, San Miguel , Gapan, San Leonardo, Sta. Rosa, then Cabanatuan City.
Commute: Bus to Gapan, Nueva Ecija is serviced by bus companies on EDSA, Cubao Quezon City e.g. Baliwag Transit, Five Star Transit et al with signboards Cabanatuan, Santiago or Tuguegarao.
Labels: Antonio Luna, Cabanatuan City, Central Luzon, National Heroes, Nueva Ecija, Philippine History, Philippine Revolution
posted by GingGoy @ 10:08 PM,
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Drive by Pictures of Gapan City Nueva Ecija
Gapan, now a city of Nueva Ecija, hosted Tutubi once when he ate at Luz Kitchenette, restaurant downtown, on his way to San Antonio last year. This time, he passed by the city and saw various improvements including Walter Mart mall (that creates heavy traffic on the highway).
The welcome arch to Gapan City features a pair of sandals on top testament to the city's tag as the Sandals Capital of Nueva Ecija much like Liliw town of Laguna's claim to the tsinelas as flagship product.
Note: pictures taken inside a moving car with tinted windows that's why there's noticeable color aberration and blur. Pictures for photojournalistic purpose only (palusot)
For other interesting places to see in Gapan, Nueva Ecija's official website lists Minalungao National Park, but Tutubi can't visit it due to lack of time. Possibly in the future.
How to get to Gapan, Nueva Ecija:
Driving Directions: On NLEX, take Sta. Rita Exit then just follow the route that willlead to Pulilan, Plaridel, Baliuag, San Ildefonso, and San Miguel and Gapan.
Those with motorcycles or want to avoid toll fees on NLEX can opt to go via MacArthur Highway passing through Caloocan, Valenzuela, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto (Tabang), Plaridel, Pulilan, Baliuag, San Rafael, San Ildefonso, San Miguel Cabiao, San Isidro, then finally Gapan.
Commute: Bus to Gapan, Nueva Ecija is serviced by bus companies on EDSA, Cubao Quezon City e.g. Baliwag Transit, Five Star Transit et al with signboards Cabanatuan, Santiago and Tuguegarao
The welcome arch to Gapan City features a pair of sandals on top testament to the city's tag as the Sandals Capital of Nueva Ecija much like Liliw town of Laguna's claim to the tsinelas as flagship product.
Note: pictures taken inside a moving car with tinted windows that's why there's noticeable color aberration and blur. Pictures for photojournalistic purpose only (palusot)
For other interesting places to see in Gapan, Nueva Ecija's official website lists Minalungao National Park, but Tutubi can't visit it due to lack of time. Possibly in the future.
How to get to Gapan, Nueva Ecija:
Driving Directions: On NLEX, take Sta. Rita Exit then just follow the route that willlead to Pulilan, Plaridel, Baliuag, San Ildefonso, and San Miguel and Gapan.
Those with motorcycles or want to avoid toll fees on NLEX can opt to go via MacArthur Highway passing through Caloocan, Valenzuela, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto (Tabang), Plaridel, Pulilan, Baliuag, San Rafael, San Ildefonso, San Miguel Cabiao, San Isidro, then finally Gapan.
Commute: Bus to Gapan, Nueva Ecija is serviced by bus companies on EDSA, Cubao Quezon City e.g. Baliwag Transit, Five Star Transit et al with signboards Cabanatuan, Santiago and Tuguegarao
Labels: Central Luzon, Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Region III
posted by GingGoy @ 10:08 PM,
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Hinulugang Taktak Falls Antipolo Rizal
28 July 2008
Probably the nearest waterfall to bustling Metro Manila is this talon in Antipolo City located inside a national park-- Hinulugang Taktak.
Legend has it that the falls got its name when people threw a bell on Taktak creek thus the name Hinulugang Taktak.
foam forms at the basin of the falls that looks like soap suds though a different kind of smell wafts through the air
Tutubi was able to visit this waterfall on his way back from Antipolo Church, the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage when he had his car blessed last January of this year. From there he and his family held a short picnic in the park's tables and surrounding lush forest.
Expect a minimal entrance fee to enter the park plus rentals for cottages and cabanas inside for picnic tables. There are comfort rooms inside. There's also a swimming pool open to the public. Perhaps the feedback you really need to know about Hinulugang Taktak is that it's not well-maintained even dugyut to some extent-- hinulugan na ng basura, tinaktak pa!
How to get to Hinulugang Taktak, Antipolo City, Rizal
Commute to Hinulugang Taktak is fastest if you can take the LRT 2 to the end station of Santolan where you can ride jeepneys going to Antipolo. Jeeps to Antipolo are also available in Cubao where you alight on Taktak road then transfer to a tricycle or walk towards the falls.
Driving Directions to Hinulugang Taktak: Follow the route of the jeepneys! From SM City North EDSA, drive towards Quezon Memorial Circle, right on Commonwealth Avenue but take the road going to UP and right at the first corner going to Kalayaan. You will pass by Ateneo de Manila, drive under the Kalayaan flyover to turn right on Aurora Boulevard, make a U-turn and drive straight on Marcos Highway until you see Masinag Market where you turn right. This is already Sumulong Highway. Drive straight until you see the intersection with direction signs leading to Hinulugang Taktak (a right turn. left turn leads to Baras, Teresa and Laguna while straight through leads to Antipolo City proper and Antipolo Church)
be prepared to pay minimal Hinulugang taktak entrance fee/admission. there's also a swimming pool open to the public. call hinulugang taktak contact number for swimming rates and other inquiries and events.
Related Posts:
Antipolo Church
Pagsanjan Falls
Legend has it that the falls got its name when people threw a bell on Taktak creek thus the name Hinulugang Taktak.
foam forms at the basin of the falls that looks like soap suds though a different kind of smell wafts through the airTutubi was able to visit this waterfall on his way back from Antipolo Church, the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage when he had his car blessed last January of this year. From there he and his family held a short picnic in the park's tables and surrounding lush forest.
Expect a minimal entrance fee to enter the park plus rentals for cottages and cabanas inside for picnic tables. There are comfort rooms inside. There's also a swimming pool open to the public. Perhaps the feedback you really need to know about Hinulugang Taktak is that it's not well-maintained even dugyut to some extent-- hinulugan na ng basura, tinaktak pa!
How to get to Hinulugang Taktak, Antipolo City, Rizal
Commute to Hinulugang Taktak is fastest if you can take the LRT 2 to the end station of Santolan where you can ride jeepneys going to Antipolo. Jeeps to Antipolo are also available in Cubao where you alight on Taktak road then transfer to a tricycle or walk towards the falls.
Driving Directions to Hinulugang Taktak: Follow the route of the jeepneys! From SM City North EDSA, drive towards Quezon Memorial Circle, right on Commonwealth Avenue but take the road going to UP and right at the first corner going to Kalayaan. You will pass by Ateneo de Manila, drive under the Kalayaan flyover to turn right on Aurora Boulevard, make a U-turn and drive straight on Marcos Highway until you see Masinag Market where you turn right. This is already Sumulong Highway. Drive straight until you see the intersection with direction signs leading to Hinulugang Taktak (a right turn. left turn leads to Baras, Teresa and Laguna while straight through leads to Antipolo City proper and Antipolo Church)
be prepared to pay minimal Hinulugang taktak entrance fee/admission. there's also a swimming pool open to the public. call hinulugang taktak contact number for swimming rates and other inquiries and events.
Related Posts:
Antipolo Church
Pagsanjan Falls
Labels: Antipolo City, Calabarzon, Rizal, Southern Tagalog, Waterfalls
posted by GingGoy @ 9:27 PM,
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The Roadtrip to Isabela
In just another trip, Tutubi went on a planned trip, not a backpacking one since he has a car and a driver, to San Mateo town in Isabela for a work assignment and made stops to various attractions and restaurants along the way, mostly unplanned based mostly on Tutubi's scant knowledge of the place since it's his first time to visit Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela provinces of Cagayan Valley.
"Isabela, Thy Will be Done" welcomes visitors to the Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya Boundary (picture taken inside a speeding vehicle that's why it's slightly blurred and color skewed)
Tutubi will share his usual stories and photos chronologically as he passed by places including Cabanatuan City's historic cathedral where Antonio Luna was murdered, a former concentration camp of WW II where "Ghost Soldiers" successfully made "The Great Raid" and rescue of American POWs, drove and shot pictures of Science City of Munoz and San Jose City in the province of Nueva Ecija. Commemorated heroic deeds of soldiers long gone in a historic pass at the boundary of Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya. Witnessed everyday images of Bambang and Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, sampled a famous buko pie stand and pancit cabagan on Maharlika Highway (now called Cagayan Valley Road). Traveled back in time at a museum in Santiago City. Wondered at the immensity of a dam and hydroelectric power plant between the towns of Alfonso Lista in Ifugao and Ramon, Isabela and indulged to his stomach's content at an "all you can eat" restaurant in Cabanatuan City for a measly P100.00
two children resting in the shade of a large World War II memorial somewhere in Nueva Ecija
Pictures and funny street signs coming up with a mostly unplanned tour of Cagayan Valley!
Stay tuned!
"Isabela, Thy Will be Done" welcomes visitors to the Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya Boundary (picture taken inside a speeding vehicle that's why it's slightly blurred and color skewed)Tutubi will share his usual stories and photos chronologically as he passed by places including Cabanatuan City's historic cathedral where Antonio Luna was murdered, a former concentration camp of WW II where "Ghost Soldiers" successfully made "The Great Raid" and rescue of American POWs, drove and shot pictures of Science City of Munoz and San Jose City in the province of Nueva Ecija. Commemorated heroic deeds of soldiers long gone in a historic pass at the boundary of Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya. Witnessed everyday images of Bambang and Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, sampled a famous buko pie stand and pancit cabagan on Maharlika Highway (now called Cagayan Valley Road). Traveled back in time at a museum in Santiago City. Wondered at the immensity of a dam and hydroelectric power plant between the towns of Alfonso Lista in Ifugao and Ramon, Isabela and indulged to his stomach's content at an "all you can eat" restaurant in Cabanatuan City for a measly P100.00
two children resting in the shade of a large World War II memorial somewhere in Nueva EcijaPictures and funny street signs coming up with a mostly unplanned tour of Cagayan Valley!
Stay tuned!
Labels: Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya
posted by GingGoy @ 9:27 PM,
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Leaving Cebu: Crossing Marcelo Fernan Bridge
27 July 2008
Just a last picture of Cebu taken inside the van taking Tutubi to Mactan Cebu International Airport while about to cross the amazing cable-stayed bridge named after a prominent politician.
Marcelo Fernan Bridge is one of the two bridges crossing Mactan Channel separating Cebu Island from Mactan Island; the other is the older Mactan-Mandaue bridge.
Note that the dark clouds on the horizon were brought by typhoon Frank which was battering Manila at the time Tutubi was about to return there. It'sa good thing his return flight via Philippine Airlines was not canceled when all morning flights of Cebu Pacific Airlines and those of other carriers like Seair and Asian Spirit, using smaller planes were canceled.
Tutubi will be back in Cebu, that's for sure!
Marcelo Fernan Bridge is one of the two bridges crossing Mactan Channel separating Cebu Island from Mactan Island; the other is the older Mactan-Mandaue bridge.
Note that the dark clouds on the horizon were brought by typhoon Frank which was battering Manila at the time Tutubi was about to return there. It'sa good thing his return flight via Philippine Airlines was not canceled when all morning flights of Cebu Pacific Airlines and those of other carriers like Seair and Asian Spirit, using smaller planes were canceled.
Tutubi will be back in Cebu, that's for sure!
Labels: Bridges, Cebu, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Metro Cebu
posted by GingGoy @ 10:30 PM,
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CnT Lechon Cebu
26 July 2008
Just before leaving for the airport, Tutubi's officemates dropped by this famous restaurant offering a sampling of Cebuano's version of the lechon (roast suckling pig) at the branch in front of SM City Cebu.
preparing boxes of the famous delicacy. You can see boxes and boxes of these checked in at the airport so better mark your own boxes for them to be properly identified.
Now, what makes Cebu's version "to die for" is that you don't need sauce to dip it with like Tagalogs other people of Luzon do. The roast pig is actually "injected" with the salt and flavorings while being roasted making the sauce unnecessary. This is similar to the lechon Tutubi encountered in Butuan.
Note Tutubi wanted to take pictures of the lechon but found no time to do so as always. For as soon as he opened the box, all he got were hands all trying to get a piece of delicious pork delicacy Cebu is known for.
Should you be curious how Cebu's lechon tastes like, you may visit Salcedo Weekend Market in Makati every Saturday morning. There also used to be a Lechon Cebu on West Avenue in Quezon City but was no longer there when Tutubi last passed by. You may also find it in Market! Market (The Fort, Taguig City) and Tiendesitas in Pasig.
preparing boxes of the famous delicacy. You can see boxes and boxes of these checked in at the airport so better mark your own boxes for them to be properly identified.Now, what makes Cebu's version "to die for" is that you don't need sauce to dip it with like Tagalogs other people of Luzon do. The roast pig is actually "injected" with the salt and flavorings while being roasted making the sauce unnecessary. This is similar to the lechon Tutubi encountered in Butuan.
Note Tutubi wanted to take pictures of the lechon but found no time to do so as always. For as soon as he opened the box, all he got were hands all trying to get a piece of delicious pork delicacy Cebu is known for.
Should you be curious how Cebu's lechon tastes like, you may visit Salcedo Weekend Market in Makati every Saturday morning. There also used to be a Lechon Cebu on West Avenue in Quezon City but was no longer there when Tutubi last passed by. You may also find it in Market! Market (The Fort, Taguig City) and Tiendesitas in Pasig.
Labels: Cebu City, Cebu Restaurants, Pasalubong
posted by GingGoy @ 10:15 PM,
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Where "Cowboys" Eat in Cebu!
25 July 2008
While on the way to SM, Tutubi spotted this restaurant with a funny name along the way.
Binugoy Restaurant, as Tutubi understood it, name came from the root word bugoy, word to describe to man who can't seem to do anything right. "Kaon nga kinawboy" means you eat like a cowboy i.e. can be comfortable even in unusual situations and not be squeamish.
Binugoy, from the looks of it, looks like an upscale carinderia (eatery) from the outside. Never got to sample food but will try to do so next time.
Binugoy Restaurant, as Tutubi understood it, name came from the root word bugoy, word to describe to man who can't seem to do anything right. "Kaon nga kinawboy" means you eat like a cowboy i.e. can be comfortable even in unusual situations and not be squeamish.
Binugoy, from the looks of it, looks like an upscale carinderia (eatery) from the outside. Never got to sample food but will try to do so next time.
Labels: Cebu City, Cebu Restaurants
posted by GingGoy @ 10:16 PM,
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"Shoot to Kill" in Cebu
22 July 2008
After the disappointing first dinner at The Port, Tutubi and his officemates asked around for other places to eat near Waterfront and people pointed them to a branch of Neo-Neo which was really near the place.Neo-Neo restaurant is similarly themed with the popular SUTUKIL restaurants, more like carinderia eateries, in Mactan Island particularly those near the Lapu-lapu Shrine. Customers can choose raw ingredients of isda (fish), tulya (clams), pusit (squid), talaba (oysters) and others while choosing the way they're cooked.
Neo-neo, looking at their menu, is also offering Japanese and Singaporean food to serve the number of tourists from Japan and Singapore frequenting the place.
fresh fish, squid, fish, oysters et al ready to be cooked in three basic ways.
part of the menu showing prices. Didn't order Manok Bisaya for Manila rats like to order seafood whenever they can
The pop word sutukil or (SU-TU-KIL) is a humorous (sounds like "shoot to kill") portmanteau of three Cebuano words: sugba, tuwa, kilaw -- which refer to the three ways of preparing food, particularly seafood like fish. Sugba means to broil over hot charcoal; tuwa means to cook in boiling water together with some spices and seasoning; kilaw means to prepare raw but soaked in vinegar with spices e.g. onions, garlic and pepper quite similar to ceviche of South America using citrus-based marinate and Japan's sashimi (served totally raw but using dipping sauce of soy sauce and wasabi).
Similarly themed restaurants in Cebu are Goodah-Gud and Tsibogs. Neo-Neo has branches on Juan Luna Avenue in Cebu City, Fortuna Street in Mandaue City and Lapulapu City.
The only comment Tutubi has on this restaurant was the slow serving of his fresh buko juice order. Ambiance is typical al fresco but there's also an air-conditioned room but was reserved for the night by a certain group. Tutubi particularly loved the lato kinilaw. This is a recommended restaurant besides Golden Cowrie offering much better choices than the pretentious The Port Seafood Restaurant.
Neo-neo delivers, you may call telephone number +63.32.232.6688
Labels: Cebu, Cebu City, Cebu Restaurants, Restaurants
posted by GingGoy @ 9:53 PM,
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On Cebu's Sex Tourism
"Boss, chicks," a man, with a wry smile, called the attention of Tutubi while walking early evening near Fuente Osmena in Cebu. It was Tutubi's first time in the city and encountered pimps at least twice during his stay. It was the same Cebu he encountered in his second and third sojourns in the big city.
The fourth time, on his second night in Cebu, his officemates wanted to visit a karaoke bar at the lower ground floor of Waterfront Hotel called Club Nyx KTV and Bar. Three of his senior companions entered the bar while Tutubi and his friends were taking pictures of the hotel's facade. When Tutubi and his friends looked for their companions who went ahead, the guard of Club Nyx asked them if they're from the media possibly due to the DSLR camera strung on his shoulder. They were able to enter and locate their "missing" peers, later emptied San Mig Light and belted quite a number of songs when an un-ordered parade of girls entered the room together with an older woman, who later identified herself as the Mama-san, who narrated she used to work at a certain Lighthouse on Timog in Quezon City when she was poached by the Korean owner of Club Nyx.
On the offer to get a girl to accompany them, even to "take out," the group plainly said "thanks, but no thanks" to the offer and the girls left the room. Letting even one of those girls in small chat requires ordering expensive ladies drinks at regular intervals and for "take out" would have to cough up bar fines, sometimes called "leaving fines," according to a patron of such places (who knows even the prices of various bars he frequents), are the payment a customer pays the bar owners for "taking out" their employees, euphemistically called GROs, short for guest relations officers.
Ad of Egypt bar and International Bar Complex on the inside back cover of the free Cebu visitor's guide at Mactan Cebu International Airport with pictures of Filipinas
Cebu tourism is also a booming industry but the dark side of this is highly evident with a booming flesh trade with the mushrooming of girlie bars masquerading as KTV, clubs, bars (sans the long table), GROs moonlighting as prostitutes and even streetwalkers looking for quick cash. This was confirmed by this report by Cebu Daily News recently.
Even the lone Cebu Tourism channel TV banners rotating ads of Club Temptation, Club Mermaid in Lapu-lapu City, Club Tokyo with interludes of advertisements of Ocean Bay Beach Resort while free travel guide on Cebu at the exit of Mactan-Cebu International airport advertises Grand Stage Bikini Bar, Tarzan Gay Bar, Club Circus, Cities, Club H20, Nasa, Club Jaguar Bar & KTV, International Bar Complex, Love City Bar & KTV, Gold Finger Bar & KTV, Cocoloco, Golden Calesa Club Circuit KTV, Infinity KTV & Music Lounge.
Tutubi doesn't advocate sex tourism, which he jokingly refers to as Air Force One tourism, referring to some people he knows who take visitors to the popular hangout near Manila's Airport. He respects the opposite sex and prefers not to have the same image as Thailand's famous Pat Pong district in Bangkok and instead strive for genuine and sustainable tourism development of which the country, not only Cebu, has a big potential.
Prostitution is illegal in the Philippines but it's practice is an open secret in other places like Angeles City, Quezon Avenue in Quezon City, Burgos St. in Makati among other tourist destinations.
What Tutubi can say about Cebu is that there are lots of "eye candies," in one place-- mga guwapa gyud mga Cebuana! :P
The fourth time, on his second night in Cebu, his officemates wanted to visit a karaoke bar at the lower ground floor of Waterfront Hotel called Club Nyx KTV and Bar. Three of his senior companions entered the bar while Tutubi and his friends were taking pictures of the hotel's facade. When Tutubi and his friends looked for their companions who went ahead, the guard of Club Nyx asked them if they're from the media possibly due to the DSLR camera strung on his shoulder. They were able to enter and locate their "missing" peers, later emptied San Mig Light and belted quite a number of songs when an un-ordered parade of girls entered the room together with an older woman, who later identified herself as the Mama-san, who narrated she used to work at a certain Lighthouse on Timog in Quezon City when she was poached by the Korean owner of Club Nyx.
On the offer to get a girl to accompany them, even to "take out," the group plainly said "thanks, but no thanks" to the offer and the girls left the room. Letting even one of those girls in small chat requires ordering expensive ladies drinks at regular intervals and for "take out" would have to cough up bar fines, sometimes called "leaving fines," according to a patron of such places (who knows even the prices of various bars he frequents), are the payment a customer pays the bar owners for "taking out" their employees, euphemistically called GROs, short for guest relations officers.
Ad of Egypt bar and International Bar Complex on the inside back cover of the free Cebu visitor's guide at Mactan Cebu International Airport with pictures of FilipinasCebu tourism is also a booming industry but the dark side of this is highly evident with a booming flesh trade with the mushrooming of girlie bars masquerading as KTV, clubs, bars (sans the long table), GROs moonlighting as prostitutes and even streetwalkers looking for quick cash. This was confirmed by this report by Cebu Daily News recently.
Even the lone Cebu Tourism channel TV banners rotating ads of Club Temptation, Club Mermaid in Lapu-lapu City, Club Tokyo with interludes of advertisements of Ocean Bay Beach Resort while free travel guide on Cebu at the exit of Mactan-Cebu International airport advertises Grand Stage Bikini Bar, Tarzan Gay Bar, Club Circus, Cities, Club H20, Nasa, Club Jaguar Bar & KTV, International Bar Complex, Love City Bar & KTV, Gold Finger Bar & KTV, Cocoloco, Golden Calesa Club Circuit KTV, Infinity KTV & Music Lounge.
Tutubi doesn't advocate sex tourism, which he jokingly refers to as Air Force One tourism, referring to some people he knows who take visitors to the popular hangout near Manila's Airport. He respects the opposite sex and prefers not to have the same image as Thailand's famous Pat Pong district in Bangkok and instead strive for genuine and sustainable tourism development of which the country, not only Cebu, has a big potential.
Prostitution is illegal in the Philippines but it's practice is an open secret in other places like Angeles City, Quezon Avenue in Quezon City, Burgos St. in Makati among other tourist destinations.
What Tutubi can say about Cebu is that there are lots of "eye candies," in one place-- mga guwapa gyud mga Cebuana! :P
Labels: Cebu, Cebu City, Rants, Sex Tourism
posted by GingGoy @ 9:43 PM,
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Review: Golden Cowrie Native Restaurant Cebu City
18 July 2008
After finishing what needs to be done at SM City Cebu, Tutubi and his officemate asked around for a nice, yet budget-friendly restaurant nearby, their other officemate suggested Golden Cowrie near Waterfront Lahug and proceeded to order food for the group since they're already there. As usual, Tutubi requested local Cebuano cuisine be included.
After taking another cab ride from SM City Cebu to Golden Cowrie restaurant, Tutubi was dismayed at the food ordered by his officemate who seemed uninformed of his request for she ordered bulalo, a soupy dish of Batangas provenance, Bicol Express from the Bicol region so named after the railroad from Manila with its signature coconut milk and fiery hot cuisine, and pinakbet, an Ilocano vegetable dish.
Bulalo reminds Tutubi of Singaporean/Malaysian Bak Kut Teh (but made of pork)
The pinakbet, vegetable meat stew of the Ilocos in northern Luzon, in it's authentic form is composed of ampalaya (bitter gourd), talong (eggplant), and kamatis (tomatoes) stewed in bagoong (fish sauce or fermented shrimp paste). This is Golden Cowrie's take on the Ilocano viand.
Tutubi, with the last option to choose the last dish opted for Chicken Halang-halang, knowing fully well that halang-halang in Cebuano means spicy hot. (Tutubi can understand and speak Cebuano although "gamay lang." He was even called an honorary Cebuano by an officemate from his previous job when he noticed he can pass of as one unlike others frustrated with using Tagalog but getting replies in English from locals in Cebu and Dumaguete)
Chicken Halang-halang is a Cebuano/Visayan dish of chicken in coconut milk, spices and lots of chilies.
Golden Cowrie Review and Comments:
The Bulalo was ok, but not exceptional, there are better ones in Batangas and Cavite/Tagaytay but a steaming pot of hot soup is really welcome due to the rains still brought by typhoon Frank. The chicken halang-halang's good anre recommended with the right balance of spiciness and other spices.
Costs/Sample Menu Prices:
Bulalo with meat: P229
Bulalo soup: P69
Chicken Halang-halang P85
Bicol Express P69
Pinakbet P69
All these four dishes came with all you can eat rice.
Verdict: It's a recommended restaurant looking for Filipino dishes in Cebu, comes with a price that won't make a serious hole in your pocket. Ambiance is airy and very Filipino and ample parking space for those with own vehicles.
Address : Salinas Drive, Lahug
Tel No. : +63.32.233-4243, +63.32.233.4670
Open: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 10 PM (Daily)
Golden Cowrie is just a short ride away from Waterfront Lahug. Taxi is just P50 and jeepneys won't cost more than minimum fare of PhP8.50. There also is a branch at SM City Cebu Lower Ground Floor
After taking another cab ride from SM City Cebu to Golden Cowrie restaurant, Tutubi was dismayed at the food ordered by his officemate who seemed uninformed of his request for she ordered bulalo, a soupy dish of Batangas provenance, Bicol Express from the Bicol region so named after the railroad from Manila with its signature coconut milk and fiery hot cuisine, and pinakbet, an Ilocano vegetable dish.
Bulalo reminds Tutubi of Singaporean/Malaysian Bak Kut Teh (but made of pork)
The pinakbet, vegetable meat stew of the Ilocos in northern Luzon, in it's authentic form is composed of ampalaya (bitter gourd), talong (eggplant), and kamatis (tomatoes) stewed in bagoong (fish sauce or fermented shrimp paste). This is Golden Cowrie's take on the Ilocano viand.Tutubi, with the last option to choose the last dish opted for Chicken Halang-halang, knowing fully well that halang-halang in Cebuano means spicy hot. (Tutubi can understand and speak Cebuano although "gamay lang." He was even called an honorary Cebuano by an officemate from his previous job when he noticed he can pass of as one unlike others frustrated with using Tagalog but getting replies in English from locals in Cebu and Dumaguete)
Chicken Halang-halang is a Cebuano/Visayan dish of chicken in coconut milk, spices and lots of chilies.Golden Cowrie Review and Comments:
The Bulalo was ok, but not exceptional, there are better ones in Batangas and Cavite/Tagaytay but a steaming pot of hot soup is really welcome due to the rains still brought by typhoon Frank. The chicken halang-halang's good anre recommended with the right balance of spiciness and other spices.
Costs/Sample Menu Prices:
Bulalo with meat: P229
Bulalo soup: P69
Chicken Halang-halang P85
Bicol Express P69
Pinakbet P69
All these four dishes came with all you can eat rice.
Verdict: It's a recommended restaurant looking for Filipino dishes in Cebu, comes with a price that won't make a serious hole in your pocket. Ambiance is airy and very Filipino and ample parking space for those with own vehicles.
Address : Salinas Drive, Lahug
Tel No. : +63.32.233-4243, +63.32.233.4670
Open: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 10 PM (Daily)
Golden Cowrie is just a short ride away from Waterfront Lahug. Taxi is just P50 and jeepneys won't cost more than minimum fare of PhP8.50. There also is a branch at SM City Cebu Lower Ground Floor
Labels: Cebu City, Cebu Restaurants, Filipino Cuisine, Filipino Food, Restaurants
posted by GingGoy @ 10:31 PM,
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Ferry: Cebu Bohol Dumaguete Siquijor Camotes Fare Routes Schedules
16 July 2008
Tutubi has lost count of the number of times he crossed the seas between islands in the Visayas hopping from Cebu to Bohol onwards to Cagayan de Oro, crossing from Iloilo to Bacolod and from Cebu to Bohol via Tagbilaran and Tubigon.
Herewith are the ferry companies, routes, and schedules for your information:
SuperCat Super Ferry
Supercat terminal, Pier 4
http://www.supercat.com.ph
Cebu: +63.32.233.7000
Tagbilaran: +63.38.411.3048
Cebu to Tagbilaran, Bohol Schedules: 8am, 12nn, 4pm
Tagbilaran to Cebu: 10am, 2pm, 6pm
Weesam Express
http://www.weesamexpress.com
Pier 4, Cebu City
Telephone Number: +63.32.412.9562
Cebu to Tagbilaran
Cebu to Dumaguete via Tagbilaran
Cebu to Siquijor via Tagbilaran and Dumaguete
Tagbilaran to Dumaguete
Dumaguete to Siquijor
Tagbilaran to Cebu
Dumaguete to Cebu via Tagbilaran
Siquijor to Cebu via Tagbilaran and Dumaguete
Dumaguete to Tagbilaran
Siquijor to Dumaguete
Ocean Jet and Golden Express
Pier 1 CPA Bldg, Cebu City
Telephone Number: +63.32.255.7560
http://www.oceanjet.net
Cebu to Tagbilaran
Cebu to Dumaguete via Tagbilaran
Dumaguete to Tagbilaran
Tagbilaran to Cebu
Dumaguete to Cebu via Tagbilaran
Tagbilaran to Dumaguete
Cebu to Camotes Island Trip Schedules: 9am and 5:30pm
Cebu to Siquijor Island Trip Schedules: 6am and 3:40pm
Delta Fast Ferries
P-Mart, San Jose, Dumaguete City
Tel. No: 422.9292
Routes:
Dumaguete to Siquijor
Siquijor to Dumaguete
Cebu to Tubigon, Bohol
Tubigon to Cebu
Please call published telephone numbers or visit official website for updates, fares/ticket prices, reservation and other details and information.
Related Posts:
Siquijor Beach Resorts
Bohol Beach Resorts
Herewith are the ferry companies, routes, and schedules for your information:
SuperCat Super Ferry
Supercat terminal, Pier 4
http://www.supercat.com.ph
Cebu: +63.32.233.7000
Tagbilaran: +63.38.411.3048
Cebu to Tagbilaran, Bohol Schedules: 8am, 12nn, 4pm
Tagbilaran to Cebu: 10am, 2pm, 6pm
Weesam Express
http://www.weesamexpress.com
Pier 4, Cebu City
Telephone Number: +63.32.412.9562
Cebu to Tagbilaran
Cebu to Dumaguete via Tagbilaran
Cebu to Siquijor via Tagbilaran and Dumaguete
Tagbilaran to Dumaguete
Dumaguete to Siquijor
Tagbilaran to Cebu
Dumaguete to Cebu via Tagbilaran
Siquijor to Cebu via Tagbilaran and Dumaguete
Dumaguete to Tagbilaran
Siquijor to Dumaguete
Ocean Jet and Golden Express
Pier 1 CPA Bldg, Cebu City
Telephone Number: +63.32.255.7560
http://www.oceanjet.net
Cebu to Tagbilaran
Cebu to Dumaguete via Tagbilaran
Dumaguete to Tagbilaran
Tagbilaran to Cebu
Dumaguete to Cebu via Tagbilaran
Tagbilaran to Dumaguete
Cebu to Camotes Island Trip Schedules: 9am and 5:30pm
Cebu to Siquijor Island Trip Schedules: 6am and 3:40pm
Delta Fast Ferries
P-Mart, San Jose, Dumaguete City
Tel. No: 422.9292
Routes:
Dumaguete to Siquijor
Siquijor to Dumaguete
Cebu to Tubigon, Bohol
Tubigon to Cebu
Please call published telephone numbers or visit official website for updates, fares/ticket prices, reservation and other details and information.
Related Posts:
Siquijor Beach Resorts
Bohol Beach Resorts
Labels: Bohol, Cebu, Ferries, Negros Oriental, Siquijor
posted by GingGoy @ 10:22 PM,
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Seafood Restaurant Sans the Seafood
Just outside Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino (Waterfront Lahug) and the first thing you see when entering the hote's premises, is a so called seafood restaurant The Port.
Tutubi ate there with his officemates on their first night and boy, it's another frustrating experience. His friends made reservations at 8pm to eat there well aware that the place is really popular place for hotel guests and casino gamers, but when they arrived at 8pm, there were many other people queued waiting for their turn to find a vacant seat. Seems the place is really popular due to the P299 eat-all-you can with Chinese guests (probably Taiwanese) standing guard at the door even if it there's slight drizzle.
It took about 30 minutes of waiting time for Tutubi's group to be finally seated and the buffet is not what's really advertised- there are only a few seafood choices on the menu-- contrary to the name seafood restaurant. The menu includes lechon (roast pig suckling), dinuguan (pork blood stew), pancit (pinoy style noodle), dilis (anchovies), lumpia (spring rolls) amongst other usual choices but the taste of the dishes were rather bland and ordinary and can be shamed my most jollijeeps in Makati.
Tutubi's first plate inside the ambiance that feels like you're inside a ship.
Rating: deserves no second chance. There are better places to eat in Lahug unless you're trapped in the middle of a typhoon. They should consider removing the seafood word in their name for it's misleading. If you can, visit Sutukil in Mactan near the Lapu-lapu monument.
Coming Up: Golden Cowrie Native Restaurant, CnT Lenchon and Neo-neo :P
Tutubi ate there with his officemates on their first night and boy, it's another frustrating experience. His friends made reservations at 8pm to eat there well aware that the place is really popular place for hotel guests and casino gamers, but when they arrived at 8pm, there were many other people queued waiting for their turn to find a vacant seat. Seems the place is really popular due to the P299 eat-all-you can with Chinese guests (probably Taiwanese) standing guard at the door even if it there's slight drizzle.
It took about 30 minutes of waiting time for Tutubi's group to be finally seated and the buffet is not what's really advertised- there are only a few seafood choices on the menu-- contrary to the name seafood restaurant. The menu includes lechon (roast pig suckling), dinuguan (pork blood stew), pancit (pinoy style noodle), dilis (anchovies), lumpia (spring rolls) amongst other usual choices but the taste of the dishes were rather bland and ordinary and can be shamed my most jollijeeps in Makati.
Tutubi's first plate inside the ambiance that feels like you're inside a ship.Rating: deserves no second chance. There are better places to eat in Lahug unless you're trapped in the middle of a typhoon. They should consider removing the seafood word in their name for it's misleading. If you can, visit Sutukil in Mactan near the Lapu-lapu monument.
Coming Up: Golden Cowrie Native Restaurant, CnT Lenchon and Neo-neo :P
Labels: Cebu City, Cebu Restaurants
posted by GingGoy @ 10:22 PM,
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Cebu North/South Bus Terminal Trip Schedules, Fares, Contact Number
Unlike chaotic Metro Manila with individual terminals of bus companies mostly in Cubao, Quezon City and Pasay (EDSA and Buendia/Taft Avenue), Metro Cebu has two bus terminals where one can catch buses going north or south of the island and even cross to Negros Island particularly Dumaguete and Bacolod.
Cebu is a recommended base for backpacking Visayas trail owing to numerous ferry and bus links to nearby provinces and islands plus the presence of backpacker accommodations. Should you like to commute to various towns and destinations in Cebu, follow this guide on where to find the bus to your chosen destination.
North Bus Terminal
Rough Riders Bus
Destination North Cebu
Schedules: 3:45am to 6:30pm
Ceres Bus
Destination: North Cebu
Schedules: 1:00am to 11:00pm
Departing every 30 minutes
South Bus Terminal
Ceres Bus
Destination: South Cebu Island and Negros Island
Schedules: 6:00am to 6:00pm
Departing every hour
Aircon and Deluxe buses
Librando Liner Bus
Destinations: Barili, Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian
Schedules: 5:00am to 8:00pm
Departing every 30 minutes
Source: Cebu Tourism Brochure
No email, contact numbers and websites posted or available on the Internet :(
Cebu Province's Towns, Municipalities and Cities (some can be reached by additional jeepney/boat/ferry rides from Cebu City)
Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Aloguinsan, Argao, Asturias, Badian, Balamban, Bantayan, Barili, Basak Pardo, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Catmon, Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Daanbantayan, Dalaguete, Dumanjug, Ginatilan, Liloan, Madridejos, Malabuyoc, Medellin, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Oslob, Pilar, Pinamungahan, Poro, Ronda, Samboan, San Fernando, San Francisco, San Remigio, Santa Fe, Santander, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Tudela
Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Bogo City, Carcar City, Danao City, Naga City, Talisay City, Toledo City
Most of the bus companies operate additional trips in Holy Week, from Palm Sunday, Holy Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday and Easter Sunday (when many people return to Cebu City). Please call published contact number or visit official website for the latest information
Cebu is a recommended base for backpacking Visayas trail owing to numerous ferry and bus links to nearby provinces and islands plus the presence of backpacker accommodations. Should you like to commute to various towns and destinations in Cebu, follow this guide on where to find the bus to your chosen destination.
North Bus Terminal
Rough Riders Bus
Destination North Cebu
Schedules: 3:45am to 6:30pm
Ceres Bus
Destination: North Cebu
Schedules: 1:00am to 11:00pm
Departing every 30 minutes
South Bus Terminal
Ceres Bus
Destination: South Cebu Island and Negros Island
Schedules: 6:00am to 6:00pm
Departing every hour
Aircon and Deluxe buses
Librando Liner Bus
Destinations: Barili, Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian
Schedules: 5:00am to 8:00pm
Departing every 30 minutes
Source: Cebu Tourism Brochure
No email, contact numbers and websites posted or available on the Internet :(
Cebu Province's Towns, Municipalities and Cities (some can be reached by additional jeepney/boat/ferry rides from Cebu City)
Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Aloguinsan, Argao, Asturias, Badian, Balamban, Bantayan, Barili, Basak Pardo, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Catmon, Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Daanbantayan, Dalaguete, Dumanjug, Ginatilan, Liloan, Madridejos, Malabuyoc, Medellin, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Oslob, Pilar, Pinamungahan, Poro, Ronda, Samboan, San Fernando, San Francisco, San Remigio, Santa Fe, Santander, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Tudela
Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Bogo City, Carcar City, Danao City, Naga City, Talisay City, Toledo City
Most of the bus companies operate additional trips in Holy Week, from Palm Sunday, Holy Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday and Easter Sunday (when many people return to Cebu City). Please call published contact number or visit official website for the latest information
Labels: Cebu, Public Transportation
posted by GingGoy @ 10:22 PM,
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Waterfront Lahug Revisited and Reviewed
13 July 2008
The first trip of Tutubi outside Luzon and also his first airplane ride took him to Cebu City for a work errand. He stayed at the imposing Waterfront Lahug. That "historic" trip was followed three more times to Cebu but those trips were not much documented nor posted in this blog except for a few archived entries.
This time, he returned to Cebu City and billeted again at the spanking Waterfront Lahug for a 3D/2N official trip amidst the eye of storm Frank lashing the "island in the Pacific."
Due to his busy schedule he wasn't able to research much about new destinations to explore in the "Queen City of the South" and worst, he wasn't aware of the presence of typhoon Frank (International code name: Fengshen) battering the city that explained why it was raining in the city when he was there (it was at this time when Sulpicio Lines' MV Princess of the Stars got a beating and sank near Sibuyan Island in Romblon)
(Tutubi's twin sharing room (right))
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino Pictures:
view of the front garden with ominous clouds and wind brought by typhoon Frank
the hotel lobby is not the usual cavernous one with large chandelier in the middle. there's a large painting on the ceiling depicting cebu's rich historic past and lots of galleons and ships on display
ceiling of one of the conference rooms in the convention center
view of Cebu City outside Tutubi's room with port of Mactan seen from a distance with Cebu International Convention Center on the right foreground (taken during a lull in the storm)
a hand-held nightshot of the facade
the neo-classical facade of PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) Casino that makes Waterfront Hotel popular with visitors particularly wealthy Chinese tourists
a last stolen shot of Waterfront's facade inside the van that took him back to Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
Waterfront Lahug Review and Feedback:
Service staff and front desk are courteous. Complimentary bottled water are available. Newspaper are available for pick-up at the concierge. Breakfast is served at UNO restaurant with a wide selection of Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, American and European dishes to choose from. There's a direct access to a casino frequented by tourists and curious people alike. There's a Japanese restaurant (Mizu), Chinese, Italian with a Venetian twist and Duty-free shop all inside the premises. Restaurants in the vicinity include The Port Seafood Restaurant with their P400 buffet meal and a KTV Bar(that looks more like a hooker front owned by a Korean)
Taxis are plentiful to take you anywhere in the City e.g. taxi fare is just P50 to take you to SM City Cebu and about P150 from Cebu Airport. You may take a jeepney also to downtown Cebu if you feel like commuting around the city.
Lastly, this is not recommended for backpackers and budget travelers due to it's high price tag, there are lots of cheap accommodations (inns, pension houses,hostels and appartelles) in Cebu City that you can find due to it's popularity with tourists and retirees. The hotel is a popular events venue for weddings, parties and seminars/conferences.
Note: there are two Waterfront Hotels in Cebu, the other one is popularly called the Waterfront Mactan just in front of Mactan-Cebu International Airport. There's also Waterfront Manila Pavilion on UN Avenue in Manila and Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City.
For room rate inquiries, bookings and other information, visit Waterfront Hotel's official website here
This time, he returned to Cebu City and billeted again at the spanking Waterfront Lahug for a 3D/2N official trip amidst the eye of storm Frank lashing the "island in the Pacific."
Due to his busy schedule he wasn't able to research much about new destinations to explore in the "Queen City of the South" and worst, he wasn't aware of the presence of typhoon Frank (International code name: Fengshen) battering the city that explained why it was raining in the city when he was there (it was at this time when Sulpicio Lines' MV Princess of the Stars got a beating and sank near Sibuyan Island in Romblon)
(Tutubi's twin sharing room (right))
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino Pictures:
view of the front garden with ominous clouds and wind brought by typhoon Frank 
the hotel lobby is not the usual cavernous one with large chandelier in the middle. there's a large painting on the ceiling depicting cebu's rich historic past and lots of galleons and ships on display
ceiling of one of the conference rooms in the convention center
view of Cebu City outside Tutubi's room with port of Mactan seen from a distance with Cebu International Convention Center on the right foreground (taken during a lull in the storm)
a hand-held nightshot of the facade
the neo-classical facade of PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) Casino that makes Waterfront Hotel popular with visitors particularly wealthy Chinese tourists
a last stolen shot of Waterfront's facade inside the van that took him back to Mactan-Cebu International Airport.Waterfront Lahug Review and Feedback:
Service staff and front desk are courteous. Complimentary bottled water are available. Newspaper are available for pick-up at the concierge. Breakfast is served at UNO restaurant with a wide selection of Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, American and European dishes to choose from. There's a direct access to a casino frequented by tourists and curious people alike. There's a Japanese restaurant (Mizu), Chinese, Italian with a Venetian twist and Duty-free shop all inside the premises. Restaurants in the vicinity include The Port Seafood Restaurant with their P400 buffet meal and a KTV Bar(that looks more like a hooker front owned by a Korean)
Taxis are plentiful to take you anywhere in the City e.g. taxi fare is just P50 to take you to SM City Cebu and about P150 from Cebu Airport. You may take a jeepney also to downtown Cebu if you feel like commuting around the city.
Lastly, this is not recommended for backpackers and budget travelers due to it's high price tag, there are lots of cheap accommodations (inns, pension houses,hostels and appartelles) in Cebu City that you can find due to it's popularity with tourists and retirees. The hotel is a popular events venue for weddings, parties and seminars/conferences.
Note: there are two Waterfront Hotels in Cebu, the other one is popularly called the Waterfront Mactan just in front of Mactan-Cebu International Airport. There's also Waterfront Manila Pavilion on UN Avenue in Manila and Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City.
For room rate inquiries, bookings and other information, visit Waterfront Hotel's official website here
Labels: Casinos, Cebu, Cebu City, Central Visayas, Hotels and Resorts
posted by GingGoy @ 8:11 PM,
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Zamboanga City: Maria Clara Art Gallery
Just a jeepney ride from the city center, near the Yakan Weaving Village and inside La Vista del Mar restaurant is a quiant art gallery named after the former mayor of Zamboanga Hermosa.
While waiting for the curacha to be cooked at La Vista del Mar, Tutubi and his friends took a night stroll to the nearby art gallery which was already closed but the caretaker accommodated the group and even let Tutubi take pictures of the various items on display.
native handicrafts on display are also for sale
Note: all items on display are the property of their respective creators and therefore copyrighted. Pictures taken using Canon 300D kitlens at ISO 1600.
Maria Clara Art Gallery
La Vista del Mar:
Address: Calarian, Zamboanga City
Telephone Number: +63.62.983.0099
how to get there:
At Poblacion, ride a jeepney/multicab going to Rio Hondo and drop off at the entrance of La Vista Del Mar Resort
Related Posts:
La Vista del Mar
Fort Pilar
Pasonanca Park
Camp Jose Atilano
Garden Orchid Hotel
While waiting for the curacha to be cooked at La Vista del Mar, Tutubi and his friends took a night stroll to the nearby art gallery which was already closed but the caretaker accommodated the group and even let Tutubi take pictures of the various items on display.
native handicrafts on display are also for sale
Note: all items on display are the property of their respective creators and therefore copyrighted. Pictures taken using Canon 300D kitlens at ISO 1600.
Maria Clara Art Gallery
La Vista del Mar:
Address: Calarian, Zamboanga City
Telephone Number: +63.62.983.0099
how to get there:
At Poblacion, ride a jeepney/multicab going to Rio Hondo and drop off at the entrance of La Vista Del Mar Resort
Related Posts:
La Vista del Mar
Fort Pilar
Pasonanca Park
Camp Jose Atilano
Garden Orchid Hotel
Labels: Art, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Peninsula
posted by GingGoy @ 12:33 PM,
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Shakey's Mojo Potatoes and Thin Crust Pizza
12 July 2008
"I love potatoes," Tutubi often tells his friends. "From french fries, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, mojo potatoes, potato marble salads, except hash browns of MacDonalds for unknown reasons."
One of his favorites is Shakey's Mojo Potatoes with sour cream garlic dip at P69 (about $1.50) that he orders to take home. This time the order came with Manager's choice pizza, the thin crust version, at the newly-opened Shakey's Walter Mart North EDSA.
Wanna know why he chose manager's choice? Click here to know a bit of Tutubi's personal side. :P
One of his favorites is Shakey's Mojo Potatoes with sour cream garlic dip at P69 (about $1.50) that he orders to take home. This time the order came with Manager's choice pizza, the thin crust version, at the newly-opened Shakey's Walter Mart North EDSA.
Wanna know why he chose manager's choice? Click here to know a bit of Tutubi's personal side. :P
Labels: Personal, Restaurants
posted by GingGoy @ 8:57 PM,
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Boracay: Puka Beach Is Named After The Puka Shell
07 July 2008
At the northern end of Boracay Island away from the main white beach where almost all tourists converge lies Puka Beach, so called after the sought after puka shells that abound in the place.
Unknown to many, puka shells are pieces of cone snail shells while puka is the Hawaiian word for hole. Puka shell jewelries are famous blings of travelers due to the old legend the people wearing them would be safe for a long journey. As such, authentic puka shells are much sought after by jewelers and travelers alike.
The last beach visited by Tutubi in Boracay, Puka Beach is unlike the touristy White Beach, the backpacker and windy Bulabog Beach and the upscale Diniwid Beach, with it's waves and off-the-beaten track location on the island.
a coconut husk marooned on the beach, if it was a volleyball, might remind you of Wilson in Castaway
"...But he will never be back," a Korean tourist waiting for her love
Just another day for these two kids playing on the beach...just another day living in Boracay
Near the entrance of Puka beach are many stalls (tiangge) selling souvenirs at much lower price than those sold on White Beach particularly puka shell jewelries and trinkets
How to get to Puka Beach:
Puka Beach is one of the destinations of island-hopping tours peddled by boatmen on White Beach. For budget conscious travelers, you may hire a tricycle, usually for an hourly rate, to take you there. It's quite near Diniwid Beach.
Please see also:
How to get to Boracay
Things to do in Boracay
Cheap Boracay Package
Boracay Courtyard
La Carmela de Boracay
Boracay Lake Town Bar and Restaurant
Seafood in Boracay
Kiteboarding, Kitesurfing
White Beach Pictures
Diniwid Beach
Unknown to many, puka shells are pieces of cone snail shells while puka is the Hawaiian word for hole. Puka shell jewelries are famous blings of travelers due to the old legend the people wearing them would be safe for a long journey. As such, authentic puka shells are much sought after by jewelers and travelers alike.
The last beach visited by Tutubi in Boracay, Puka Beach is unlike the touristy White Beach, the backpacker and windy Bulabog Beach and the upscale Diniwid Beach, with it's waves and off-the-beaten track location on the island.
a coconut husk marooned on the beach, if it was a volleyball, might remind you of Wilson in Castaway
"...But he will never be back," a Korean tourist waiting for her love
Just another day for these two kids playing on the beach...just another day living in Boracay
Near the entrance of Puka beach are many stalls (tiangge) selling souvenirs at much lower price than those sold on White Beach particularly puka shell jewelries and trinketsHow to get to Puka Beach:
Puka Beach is one of the destinations of island-hopping tours peddled by boatmen on White Beach. For budget conscious travelers, you may hire a tricycle, usually for an hourly rate, to take you there. It's quite near Diniwid Beach.
Please see also:
How to get to Boracay
Things to do in Boracay
Cheap Boracay Package
Boracay Courtyard
La Carmela de Boracay
Boracay Lake Town Bar and Restaurant
Seafood in Boracay
Kiteboarding, Kitesurfing
White Beach Pictures
Diniwid Beach
Labels: Aklan, Beaches, Boracay, Western Visayas
posted by GingGoy @ 9:59 PM,
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Overlook Resort in Antipolo City
Tutubi's "last resort" for the summer, where he booked at the last minute turned out to be a place he's been to before years ago: Overlook Resort and Conference Center.
Located on the famous overlooking hill facing Metro Manila, similar to Cebu's Tops and Davao's Jack's Ridge, Overlook Resort in Antipolo offers a respite, at a budget, to city dwellers looking for a break from the hustle and bustle life in the big city.
Photos of Overlook Resort:
the facade of the resort on the hilltop overlooking Metro Manila.
one of the resort's two swimming pools.
Overlook Resort Review:
The rooms are nice and basic amenities at the price range (P1500/night for twin sharing) so don't expect the comforts of high-end resorts city slickers are accustomed to.
The resort's food don't have many choices, mostly tapsilog stuff, and targeting budget travelers. They don't have food stocks and limited menu. You can bring your own food and just use the facilities should you wish. The nearest restaurant is Vieux Chalet, Swiss-themed restaurant higher up the hill, but such a pricey restaurant.
Like many other resorts out there, there is a distracting karaoke with songs belted out by other resort people unmindful of other visitors. If you want peace and tranquility, this resort is not for you.
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Overlook Resort and Conference Center
Taktak Rd., Sta. Cruz, Antipolo
http://www.overlookresortel.com
Office no. (+632) 6960054 (frontdesk) or (+632) 6960240
Email: info@overlookresortel.com
How to get there:
Map and driving directions on going there posted on the resort's official website here. It's not easy to commute there owing to the hilly terrain and tricycles are the only mode of transport from the corner of Taktak road and Sumulong Highway.
Located on the famous overlooking hill facing Metro Manila, similar to Cebu's Tops and Davao's Jack's Ridge, Overlook Resort in Antipolo offers a respite, at a budget, to city dwellers looking for a break from the hustle and bustle life in the big city.
Photos of Overlook Resort:
the facade of the resort on the hilltop overlooking Metro Manila.
one of the resort's two swimming pools.Overlook Resort Review:
The rooms are nice and basic amenities at the price range (P1500/night for twin sharing) so don't expect the comforts of high-end resorts city slickers are accustomed to.
The resort's food don't have many choices, mostly tapsilog stuff, and targeting budget travelers. They don't have food stocks and limited menu. You can bring your own food and just use the facilities should you wish. The nearest restaurant is Vieux Chalet, Swiss-themed restaurant higher up the hill, but such a pricey restaurant.
Like many other resorts out there, there is a distracting karaoke with songs belted out by other resort people unmindful of other visitors. If you want peace and tranquility, this resort is not for you.
---
Overlook Resort and Conference Center
Taktak Rd., Sta. Cruz, Antipolo
http://www.overlookresortel.com
Office no. (+632) 6960054 (frontdesk) or (+632) 6960240
Email: info@overlookresortel.com
How to get there:
Map and driving directions on going there posted on the resort's official website here. It's not easy to commute there owing to the hilly terrain and tricycles are the only mode of transport from the corner of Taktak road and Sumulong Highway.
Labels: Antipolo City, Calabarzon, Hotels and Resorts, Resorts, Rizal, Southern Tagalog
posted by GingGoy @ 8:20 PM,
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Philippine Travel TV Show Schedules
05 July 2008
For information of armchair travelers and couch potatoes: travel, living, food and lifestyle oriented shows on Philippine TV whether Kapuso, Kapamilya, Ka-Q, Kabarkada and others.
Tablescapes
Studio 23
Hosts: Angel Aquino and Chef Bruce Lim
Monday, 11pm
Review: cooking show and travel in one
Born To Be Wild
GMA 7
Hosts: Romy Garduce and Doc Ferdz Recio
Wednesday night after Saksi
Remarks: Doc Ferdz is a veterinarian
Travel on a Shoestring
TV5
Host: JC
Thursday 10pm
100% Pinoy
GMA 7
Hosts: Miriam Quiambao and Joaquin
Thursday night after Saksi
Balikbayan
QTV 11
Host: Drew Arellano
Friday, 10pm
Pasyal
Studio 23
Hosts: Mitch and Ramon
Saturday, 10am to 10:30am
Remarks: unique city slicker and backpacker offering different views and wacky antics of Ramon and kikay touch of Mitch
website: http://www.pasyal.com.ph
Update: August 31, 2008...seems to be axed. Hope only the schedule's changed
Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho
GMA 7
Saturday, 8pm
Remarks: weekly feature on unusual destinations, food and wildlife
Philippine Explorer
QTV 11
Hosts: Migs Zubiri and JC Gonzales
Sunday 9am
Matanglawin
ABS-CBN 2
Hosts: Kim Atienza
Sunday, 10am
Kay Susan Tayo
GMA 7
Host: Susan Enriquez
Sunday, 10:30am to 11am (9am if there's a boxing match)
Review: Not actually a travelshow, it's some sort of a lifestyle show of the masses with occasional food and travel features
Out of Town
NBN 4
Host: Abel Cruz
Sunday, varies, sometimes 9am, sometimes 11am (sometimes even Saturday morning)
Remarks: tagalog
Tribe
Net 25
Host: Faye de Castro
Schedules: Saturday and Sunday at 7:30pm
Landmarks
Net25
Host: Faye de Castro
Sundays, 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Review: travel and history show with a lovely host
Pinoy Meets World
GMA 7
Host: Drew Arellano
Sundays, 10:30pm
Travel Time
ANC channel
Host: Susan Calo Medina
Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.
"'Wag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan"
Cable Channels:
Living Asia Channel, a Philippine-produced travel channel, formerly Lakbay TV
Discovery Travel and Living (formerly Discovery Travel and Adventure)
National Geographic Channel (NatGeo)
Animal Planet
Arirang (Korean TV)
Living Philippines
Others:
Trip Na Trip (ABS-CBN Channel 2, Defunct)
Byaheng Langit
There's also a travel show on sundays at Studio 23 featuring bike riders but the show's name slipped Tutubi's memory. He also misses Steve Irwin of Discovery Channel’s “Crocodile Hunter”
Schedules may change without prior notice. Channels vary according to region. Schedules on TFC, ANC and others also vary.
Tablescapes
Studio 23
Hosts: Angel Aquino and Chef Bruce Lim
Monday, 11pm
Review: cooking show and travel in one
Born To Be Wild
GMA 7
Hosts: Romy Garduce and Doc Ferdz Recio
Wednesday night after Saksi
Remarks: Doc Ferdz is a veterinarian
Travel on a Shoestring
TV5
Host: JC
Thursday 10pm
100% Pinoy
GMA 7
Hosts: Miriam Quiambao and Joaquin
Thursday night after Saksi
Balikbayan
QTV 11
Host: Drew Arellano
Friday, 10pm
Pasyal
Studio 23
Hosts: Mitch and Ramon
Saturday, 10am to 10:30am
Remarks: unique city slicker and backpacker offering different views and wacky antics of Ramon and kikay touch of Mitch
website: http://www.pasyal.com.ph
Update: August 31, 2008...seems to be axed. Hope only the schedule's changed
Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho
GMA 7
Saturday, 8pm
Remarks: weekly feature on unusual destinations, food and wildlife
Philippine Explorer
QTV 11
Hosts: Migs Zubiri and JC Gonzales
Sunday 9am
Matanglawin
ABS-CBN 2
Hosts: Kim Atienza
Sunday, 10am
Kay Susan Tayo
GMA 7
Host: Susan Enriquez
Sunday, 10:30am to 11am (9am if there's a boxing match)
Review: Not actually a travelshow, it's some sort of a lifestyle show of the masses with occasional food and travel features
Out of Town
NBN 4
Host: Abel Cruz
Sunday, varies, sometimes 9am, sometimes 11am (sometimes even Saturday morning)
Remarks: tagalog
Tribe
Net 25
Host: Faye de Castro
Schedules: Saturday and Sunday at 7:30pm
Landmarks
Net25
Host: Faye de Castro
Sundays, 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Review: travel and history show with a lovely host
Pinoy Meets World
GMA 7
Host: Drew Arellano
Sundays, 10:30pm
Travel Time
ANC channel
Host: Susan Calo Medina
Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.
"'Wag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan"
Cable Channels:
Living Asia Channel, a Philippine-produced travel channel, formerly Lakbay TV
Discovery Travel and Living (formerly Discovery Travel and Adventure)
National Geographic Channel (NatGeo)
Animal Planet
Arirang (Korean TV)
Living Philippines
Others:
Trip Na Trip (ABS-CBN Channel 2, Defunct)
Byaheng Langit
There's also a travel show on sundays at Studio 23 featuring bike riders but the show's name slipped Tutubi's memory. He also misses Steve Irwin of Discovery Channel’s “Crocodile Hunter”
Schedules may change without prior notice. Channels vary according to region. Schedules on TFC, ANC and others also vary.
Labels: Travel Tips
posted by GingGoy @ 9:32 PM,
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Disappointing Stay at Boracay Courtyard (Review)
02 July 2008
After booking his flight to Caticlan via Cebu Pacific last December, Tutubi, being a stranger to Boracay since it's not on top of his list on desired places to visit, asked his friends and officemates for cheap accommodations in Boracay and one of the names that cropped up was Boracay Courtyard Beach Resort owned by the same people behind La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel in Boracay's station 2 and said to be walking distance from Boracay's Talipapa (public market) for cheap seafood.
Boracay Courtyard's official website proudly boasts:
"Opened only in October 2003, the Boracay Courtyard Beach Resort is the Boracay destination of choice of travel agencies because it offers the best alternative for the budget-conscious vacationer. It is centrally located at Station 2—within a minute’s walk to the beach or to the talipapa (wet market).
Barkada (groups of friends) and family packages that can accommodate up to four (4) persons in a room are available.
Boracay Courtyard also offers special package rates for seminar and convention participants."
Boracay Courtyard's sign showing contact numbers and details and that of Sunset Beach Resort, probably by the same owner/management
Herewith is Tutubi's disappointing experience with Boracay Courtyard that may serve as warning for you to stay away or risk experiencing the same lousy service he got from the cheap boracay resort:
Comments and feedback on Boracay Courtyard:
Inquiries at the resort, handled by the same people, same telephone number as La Carmela de Boracay needed to be called, using precious mobile phone calls, twice after inquiries sent via the published email address were not answered and text messages got no replies.
Payment had to be done via a bank deposit to La Carmela's bank account at Allied Bank consisting 50% of all charges as advanced payment with the remaining balance to be paid a few days before check-in time. Fax of bank deposit slip and emailed to La Carmela to be handled by their account officer, who Tutubi will call B, were not answered nor acknowledged. Another mobile phone call to La Carmela at 8pm got an answer that Tutubi had to call again the following morning since reservation was closed for the night. Another call was made and was able to speak with B who informed Tutubi he'll check the payment.
The remaining balance of the reservation was deposited at Allied Bank with the deposit slip faxed and emailed again to La Carmela's email address. As expected, no receipt confirmation nor acknowledgment was received. Tutubi just decided not to call again so as not to waste mobile air time and instead bring the original deposit slip to Boracay just to be sure.
Round-trip transfers: Use of same van and boat as La Carmela's guests with courteous staff assistants (just one of the few pluses of this resort against many negative "pogi points")
Rooms: the semi-deluxe rooms have 2 double beds that can accommodate 4 persons, with a cost of P2,200/night, cost per head is just P550/pax. They change beddings, pillows, towels every other day.
TV and Cable: a 21' color TV requires refundable deposit if you want the remote control. Cable TV, though not high on Tutubi's list, TV is useable for only a few channels-- snowy pictures save for a few.
Food: breakfast, served at La Carmela de Boracay, was bland and nothing to be desired that even most "Jollijeeps" in Makati can whip up more delectable dishes. Recommend eating someplace else like the nearby turo-turo for affordable breakfast meals or at Talipapa to save on costs.
Bathroom/CR/Toilet: The biggest disappointment-- dirty toilet/shower room, with molds clearly visible on the edges of the supposedly white tiles. Even the sink's underside reeks of molds indicating the place is not scrubbed of the biological co-inhabitants of the bathroom. (Tutubi didn't take many pictures of the place for it's just a waste of memory space and didn't want to be reminded of his stay there.)
On check-out, the final payment made needed to be confirmed again with B and with Allied Bank that caused unnecessary delay, as if he did not do his job of confirming the deposit a few days before Tutubi checked in.
Tutubi had a blast in Boracay all in all except for his disappointing stay at a cheap Boracay resort called Boracay Courtyard. If you're thinking of checking the place out, Tutubi only has these words for you: you've been warned!
The owner of La Carmela de Boracay should really do something about their budget resort's pathetic service.
Related Post:
Boracay on a Budget Guide
Boracay Courtyard's official website proudly boasts:
"Opened only in October 2003, the Boracay Courtyard Beach Resort is the Boracay destination of choice of travel agencies because it offers the best alternative for the budget-conscious vacationer. It is centrally located at Station 2—within a minute’s walk to the beach or to the talipapa (wet market).
Barkada (groups of friends) and family packages that can accommodate up to four (4) persons in a room are available.
Boracay Courtyard also offers special package rates for seminar and convention participants."
Boracay Courtyard's sign showing contact numbers and details and that of Sunset Beach Resort, probably by the same owner/managementHerewith is Tutubi's disappointing experience with Boracay Courtyard that may serve as warning for you to stay away or risk experiencing the same lousy service he got from the cheap boracay resort:
Comments and feedback on Boracay Courtyard:
Inquiries at the resort, handled by the same people, same telephone number as La Carmela de Boracay needed to be called, using precious mobile phone calls, twice after inquiries sent via the published email address were not answered and text messages got no replies.
Payment had to be done via a bank deposit to La Carmela's bank account at Allied Bank consisting 50% of all charges as advanced payment with the remaining balance to be paid a few days before check-in time. Fax of bank deposit slip and emailed to La Carmela to be handled by their account officer, who Tutubi will call B, were not answered nor acknowledged. Another mobile phone call to La Carmela at 8pm got an answer that Tutubi had to call again the following morning since reservation was closed for the night. Another call was made and was able to speak with B who informed Tutubi he'll check the payment.
The remaining balance of the reservation was deposited at Allied Bank with the deposit slip faxed and emailed again to La Carmela's email address. As expected, no receipt confirmation nor acknowledgment was received. Tutubi just decided not to call again so as not to waste mobile air time and instead bring the original deposit slip to Boracay just to be sure.
Round-trip transfers: Use of same van and boat as La Carmela's guests with courteous staff assistants (just one of the few pluses of this resort against many negative "pogi points")
Rooms: the semi-deluxe rooms have 2 double beds that can accommodate 4 persons, with a cost of P2,200/night, cost per head is just P550/pax. They change beddings, pillows, towels every other day.
TV and Cable: a 21' color TV requires refundable deposit if you want the remote control. Cable TV, though not high on Tutubi's list, TV is useable for only a few channels-- snowy pictures save for a few.
Food: breakfast, served at La Carmela de Boracay, was bland and nothing to be desired that even most "Jollijeeps" in Makati can whip up more delectable dishes. Recommend eating someplace else like the nearby turo-turo for affordable breakfast meals or at Talipapa to save on costs.
Bathroom/CR/Toilet: The biggest disappointment-- dirty toilet/shower room, with molds clearly visible on the edges of the supposedly white tiles. Even the sink's underside reeks of molds indicating the place is not scrubbed of the biological co-inhabitants of the bathroom. (Tutubi didn't take many pictures of the place for it's just a waste of memory space and didn't want to be reminded of his stay there.)
On check-out, the final payment made needed to be confirmed again with B and with Allied Bank that caused unnecessary delay, as if he did not do his job of confirming the deposit a few days before Tutubi checked in.
Tutubi had a blast in Boracay all in all except for his disappointing stay at a cheap Boracay resort called Boracay Courtyard. If you're thinking of checking the place out, Tutubi only has these words for you: you've been warned!
The owner of La Carmela de Boracay should really do something about their budget resort's pathetic service.
Related Post:
Boracay on a Budget Guide
Labels: Accommodations, Boracay, Boracay Resorts, Hotels and Resorts
posted by GingGoy @ 10:46 PM,
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Review: La Carmela de Boracay Resort, Room Rates
La Carmela de Boracay, relatively new beach front resort at Boracay's Station 2 near the Tourist Center with a nice swimming pool also owned by the same people managing Boracay Courtyard
Together with his friends, Tutubi checked in at Boracay Courtyard, under the same management of La Carmela, even the contact numbers are the same and the inclusive breakfast, that's why he was able to take these crappy picture of the place before he left the island.
It's here at La Carmela where Umagang Kay Ganda episode was shot that also delayed Tutubi's breakfast that day. La Carmela's management wasn't able to foresee their guests' inconvenience by not having breakfast on time due to the cast of Umagang Kay Ganda were staying and shooting at the buffet tables.
La Carmela's swimmingpool is inviting alright, but Tutubi, true beach bum prefers the salty feel of the water but did you know that he never even bothered to swim there during his 3D/2N stay?
La Carmela's own boat for the transfer to and from Caticlan jetty port used also with guests of Boracay COurtyard
Review and comments:
Payment for room reservation require a direct bank deposit, no online credit card payment available. You may encounter the same experience of Tutubi in booking at Boracay Courtyard though.
Nice lobby and swimming pool, the semi-deluxe rooms are similar to Boracay Courtyard though about 30% more expensive.
The food, particularly the buffet breakfast, needs lots of improvement. Too bland, even their adobo leaves nothing to be desired. Many nearby eateries can offer cheaper yet better food for you.
Related Posts:
Boracay on a Budget Guide
Together with his friends, Tutubi checked in at Boracay Courtyard, under the same management of La Carmela, even the contact numbers are the same and the inclusive breakfast, that's why he was able to take these crappy picture of the place before he left the island.It's here at La Carmela where Umagang Kay Ganda episode was shot that also delayed Tutubi's breakfast that day. La Carmela's management wasn't able to foresee their guests' inconvenience by not having breakfast on time due to the cast of Umagang Kay Ganda were staying and shooting at the buffet tables.
La Carmela's swimmingpool is inviting alright, but Tutubi, true beach bum prefers the salty feel of the water but did you know that he never even bothered to swim there during his 3D/2N stay?
La Carmela's own boat for the transfer to and from Caticlan jetty port used also with guests of Boracay COurtyardReview and comments:
Payment for room reservation require a direct bank deposit, no online credit card payment available. You may encounter the same experience of Tutubi in booking at Boracay Courtyard though.
Nice lobby and swimming pool, the semi-deluxe rooms are similar to Boracay Courtyard though about 30% more expensive.
The food, particularly the buffet breakfast, needs lots of improvement. Too bland, even their adobo leaves nothing to be desired. Many nearby eateries can offer cheaper yet better food for you.
Related Posts:
Boracay on a Budget Guide
Labels: Boracay, Hotels and Resorts, Resorts
posted by GingGoy @ 9:46 PM,
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