Baktin Corporation

new Php1.00 Rizal coin

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:24:00 +0000

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has released new Php1.00 coins late last year to commemorate the sesquicentennial of Jose Rizal's birth. Rizal, the Philippines' national hero, was born in June 19, 1861 and was executed in December 30, 1896 by the Spanish authorities for his subversive writings. His death is one of the many events that sparked the revolution that overthrew the more than three centuries of Spanish rule in the Philippines.

The coin's obverse shows markings such as "150 years," "Republika ng Pilipinas," and "1861-2011." It also bears a portrait of Rizal that is noticeably bigger. He is also not facing sideways this time. The reverse side shows the new BSP seal and "1-Piso" and "2011" etchings. The nickel-plated steel coin however, has the same size (24 millimeter) and weight (5.35 grams) as the current Php1.00 coin in circulation.

My friends and I were able to literally pick up a few pieces of the new Php1.00 coin over the weekend. Our friend who is currently connected with BSP, tossed a whole bag of these to usher in prosperity in his new home. We sure did our best to behave like mature adults during that afternoon frenzy. But I know that our excitement would eventually wear off, when the 10 million commemorative pieces that the BSP released would be widely circulated in the next few months.

birdwatching at candaba, pampanga

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:42:00 +0000

At certain times of the year, the Candaba swamps in Pampanga transform into a tropical pitstop for Asian migratory birds. Some of these bird species hail as far as China and Japan, to escape the harsh winter season. They fly southward on an invisible migration highway where the Philippines is a part of. They start arriving as early as October, with their numbers peaking by December or January. They are then gone by March.

The best place in Candaba to view the birds is at the the Candaba Bird Sanctuary in Sitio Doña Simang. This was previously a 72-hectare farm of the Pelayos. All the farming activities were then stopped to have a better sanctuary for the birds. A small Php150.00 fee, which also covers simple refreshments, is collected for the upkeep of the place.

There are narrow passageways to provide discreet entrance to the swamps. On both sides are bamboo walls that have small windows for the birdwatchers to peek through. These measures were placed so as not to disturb the birds. One must also have telescopes or binoculars to better observe the birds from a distance. This may also be one of the few places in the Philippines where a point-and-shoot camera would bow to the superb magnifying ability of a DSLR.

But for those who are not into serious bird photography, the views at the sanctuary would be more than able to compensate. Aside from the generally quiet atmosphere at the swamp, the vast rice fields with Mt. Arayat as a backdrop are stunning too. Add a setting sun and you will have an image that is seemingly able to capture a hundred emotions in every pixel.

Although the Candaba Bird Sanctuary is not among the Ramsar sites in the Philippines, it still has served its purposes well: a temporary haven for thousands of migratory birds through the years, and a good observatory for birdwatching enthusiasts, photographers and everyone else in between.

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Commuting to the Candaba Sanctuary: Take an RJ Express Bus at the Monumento Terminal in Caloocan City and alight by the Sta. Ana in Pampanga. At the junction, trikes could be hired to take you to the sanctuary at Sito Doña Simang.

The Wild Bird Club of the Philippines provides a beginner's guide to birding here.

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happy birthday LM!

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:03:00 +0000

My very good friend, Louis Mark Plaza is celebrating his birthday today. Most of his friends usually look forward to this day either for the theme of his dinner party or his interesting wishlist. He requested us to give him plaid handkerchiefs last year and pairs of colored socks for the year before that. Why he wanted something very specific is beyond me. I guess he just wants to receive something he could use on a daily basis.

This year however, LM wants to have a rather low-key, if at all any, celebration. He said that he likes to have time for himself to clearly discern what God wants him to do for the next phase of his journey. I hope and pray that he gets that, and everything else his heart desires.

Well, it would have been my first time to crash one of his birthday parties, but I wouldn't mind that at all. So I would just like to dedicate this small space to thank him for introducing me to Tolkien, Jars of Clay and Sara Groves many years ago. Their writings and music have kept me grounded and hopeful since then. I also would like to thank him for allowing me to arbor or grab some of his coolest shirts every now and then. I rarely buy one now knowing that I have a better chance of looking fashionable with any of his precious finds.

And most of all, I also would like to thank him for just sharing his life to us, which would include his regular updates in Facebook. This may come a surprise, but I do get some form of encouragement from his seemingly random musings. I may not get to read all of them online, but I'd like to assure him that he will always have the same old fat friend, supporting his major important life decisions such as shaving off his hair or pursuing his lifetime partner or finishing the final chapter of his graduate thesis.

Hey, LM/Bagzh/Louis/Mark, Happy Birthday! May you continue to experience God’s protection, presence and provision in all your adventures this year.

san fernando train station

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:50:00 +0000

The old San Fernando Train Station, located at a grassy residential area in the province of Pampanga, could be easily be mistaken as an abandoned warehouse, if not for the historical markers installed in its vicinity. This station was inaugurated on February 23, 1892 and was part of the Manila-Dagupan Line of the Manila Railroad Company. It is no longer in use anymore today.

But during the station's heyday, it witnessed two important events that unfolded in Philippine history. It is said that Jose Rizal once alighted this station in 1892, to visit some friends in San Fernando and Bacolor. He wanted to recruit additional members for the La Liga Filipina, a civic organization which he founded that pushed for moderate reforms from Spain. This organization was one of the important dominoes that tumbled many others, including Andres Bonifacio's Katipunan Movement, which then led to the Philippine Revolution in 1896.

There is also a Bataan Death March marker propped near the old train station. In 1942, Japanese soldiers subjected American and Filipino Prisoners of War to walk with very minimal food and water and under the scorching heat of the sun. The march, which started at Bataan and ended in Pampanga, spanned a total of 102 kms. The few who survived this atrocity were then cramped 'like cattle in boxcars' and transported to Camp O'Donnel, a former US Army Base in Capas, Tarlac.

There are rumors of reviving the northbound rail to provide an alternative means of getting to Pampanga and other provinces in Luzon. The old San Fernando Train Station may be revived by then. Until that time, every brick of this structure, remains a humble reminder of Rizal's trip and also that of the many survivors of the Bataan Death March.

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The San Fernando Train Station stamp site for the Lakbay Jose Rizal @150 is at the Pampanga Provincial Capitol. There are many ways in getting to Pampanga. Some of the options are enumerated here.

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carcar: cebu's heritage and chicharon city

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:52:00 +0000

At the center of Carcar in Southern Cebu is a beautiful rotunda which was probably built in the 1920s by the mayor at that time, Mariano Mercado. Two figures are perched on top of the gazebo which is said to signify the United States guiding the Philippines. There are also sculptures around the rotunda representing people from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the three major island groups in the country.

This rotunda has served its purposes well ever since. It has been helpful for travelers especially those riding in buses. Some of them may alight here or continue further south to Dalaguete or go westward to Barili. Regardless of their next destination, it signals them that they are finally at Carcar, one of the oldest crossroads in the province of Cebu.

Heritage Structures

Aside from the rotunda, there are also other heritage structures in Carcar. One of these is the St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church, an 18th century church that has Greek Orthodox architectural undertones. It magnificently stands at the center of Carcar's plaza.

What used to be the The Carcar Dispensary built in 1929 is now the Carcar City Museum. The exquisite woodwork, the balcony, the floor tiles and other interior details in this two-storey building whisper of a glorious era that has gone too soon. At the back of the dispensary is Carcar's old public swimming pool.

L-R: Leon Kilat, Don Mariano Mercado and Jose Rizal

There are three monuments that can be found at the plaza: Jose Rizal's, Don Mariano Mercado's and Leon Kilat's (Gen. Pantaelon Villegas). The fierce Leon Kilat was sent by the Manila Katipuneros to further intensify the revolution in this part of Cebu. He was unable to do what he came for because he was assassinated in Carcar at young age of 25.

Upper left then CW: Silva House, Mercado Mansion, Balay na Tisa and Ang Dakong Balay.

Walking down the plaza, one would immediately notice two old houses along the national highway. These are the Silva House and the Mercado Mansion. Further down Santa Catalina Street, are the Don Florencion Noel House (Ang Dakong Balay) and Sarmiento-Osmeña House (Balay na Tisa). These ancestral houses were recognized as Heritage Houses by the National Historical Insitute last September 4, 2009. Among the four, only the Balay na Tisa can be visited without prior notice. Inside this well-preserved house are various family heirlooms and antiques.

Food Trip and Shoe Bargains

Carcar is also known for its sweet delicacies such as the ampao (rice crispies) and the bucarillo (sweetened coconut strips). These are usually sold by local vendors to buses who temporarily stop by the rotunda. But if you have enough time for a cholesterol-laden adventure, then visit the public market where the lechon (roasted pig) are curiously displayed on the market stalls. Find Bebie's Lechon which is said to be among the finest lechon-makers in the area.

There are also various backyard chicharon (deep fried pork rinds) factories near the market. This cottage industry recently courted controversy when a lawmaker wanted to put a warning label stating that the chicharon packs are health risks. The initiative was panned and never saw the light of day. From the looks of it, Carcar's crispy chicharon will be here for good.

Finally, Carcar is also famous for its locally crafted footwear. Quality pairs of espadrilles, sandals and leather shoes can be bought at the Carcar Shoe Expo for a considerable discount. The shoe complex is located at Barangay Valladolid and is just one trike away from the public market.

Indeed, Carcar's tourism potential is a shoo-in already, with its various period buildings and food adventures. It also has a huge room for improvement in terms of infrastructure development. As an example, the local government might want to consider relocating the narrow national road that plies through the city proper where some of its heritage houses are located.

But with its reinstated cityhood, Carcar now has a bigger budget to accomplish projects like that and so much more. It is clearly on its way to become more than just an old crossroad in the province of Cebu. Here is then a city that is both proud of its rich past and at the same eager to embrace the many challenges of the future.

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How to get there

Carcar is 1.5-2 hours away via any south-bound bus at the Cebu City South Bus Terminal, along N.Bacalso Avenue.

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who painted the murals of the magellan's cross kiosk in cebu city?

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:33:00 +0000

I have long been curious as to the persons behind the already iconic murals of the Magellan's Cross kiosk in downtown Cebu City. The octagon ceiling portrays two important scenes that happened on April 21, 1521. Half of the dome shows the baptism of Rajah Humabon and his household by Fr. Pedro Valderrama and the other half shows the erection of a wooden cross on the shores of Cebu. These events marked the seeds of Christianity and the beginning of more than three centuries of Spanish colonization in the Philippines.

It is said that the original cross was enclosed inside the existing cross which is made of Tindalo Wood. This was done since many people chipped away portions of the original cross for souvenir purposes or for the healing powers it was believed to possess. The authenticity of the historical relic is also doubted by many. On the other hand, the ceiling paintings done in 1970s, are genuine at the very least.

My intial guess was the ceilings was painted by the same man behind the various paintings inside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, a 16th century church located a few steps away from Magellan's Cross. When I had the chance to visit Cebu last December, I dropped by the city's famous tourist spot to find out if I missed a detail. And true enough, written at one small corner in the ceiling were the small names of Serry M. Josol and Jess Roa.

There is little information online about these two painters. Mr. Serry, has already passed away in 2006.. But there might be a chance for me to interview Mr. Jess on the other hand, who is a Cebu Normal University alumni. If given that opportunity, I would ask him these among many other questions: were the murals a separate effort or a collaboration with Josol and what were his inspirations in coming up with the scenes being depicted.

I many not have the answers to these yet but I am just glad that I found about Josol and Roa, the unrecognized painters of an artwork that is already immortalized in postcards and travel books. This also led me to look at a tourist landmark in Cebu in a way that I have never done before. There is after all, an interesting story hidden in a brick, a painting and a landmark in our cities which we may have grown overly familiar through the years. All we have to do then is to ask the right questions. The answers hopefully will teach us to never look at these already familiar structures the same way again.

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dahilayan adventure park

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 06:11:00 +0000

At 840 meters, the longest dual zipline in Asia is claimed by Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon in Southern Philippines. Since its opening in 2009, many have tried the exhilarating rush it offers while towering over the park's pine trees. It is also located near the foot of Mt. Kitanglad and on a clear, cloudless day, the mountain's peak which is visible from the park's premises.

The adrenaline rush and the view are just among the many reasons why the Dahilayan Adventure Park has been frequented despite its remote location. Getting there is already an adventure by itself due to largely unpaved roads 25 kms from the national highway. The bumpy ride indeed adds to the unforgettable journey to Dahilayan.

I was finally able to visit Dahilayan last December 2010. Seventeen of my cousins braved the zipline challenge and the long queues that afternoon. Afterwards, we had fun recalling the different types of screams we heard from our fellow cousins.

Aside from the ziplines, there is also the Forest Park, a theme park where one can try out the Zorbit, ATV & Buggy Trail Adventures and many more. The park's scenic picnic grounds is also a great spot for families to bond together and for great outdoor photo shoots.

Althought we only spent a few hours at Dahilayan, it was one of the most memorable afternoons I had in 2010. Spending it with my cousins even made it more unforgettable. It rightfully capped all the other adventures that I embarked on that year.

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Dahilayan Adventure Park
website
+63 922 8801319

Dahilan Forest Park
website
+63 917 7154399
+63 88 8585346

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manolo fortich: bukidnon's pineapple central

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:16:00 +0000

The first thing that comes to my mind when one mentions Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon, is pineapple. The cool climate, vast plateaus and fertile land have all made this municapility a perfect environment for Del Monte's Smooth Cayenne variety. With the multinational company's 20,000 acres of pineapple plantations, there might be more pineapples than there are humans living in Manolo Fortich.

Del Monte's beginnings in the province could be traced back to Philippine Packing Corporation (PPC) when the Americans started an experimental plantation in the 1920s. Since then, this industry paved the way for other economic developments such as cattle raising and a busy cannery in Misamis Oriental, not only in Bukidnon but in the entire region as well.

The Americans indeed have left more than the pineapple as an enduring legacy in Manolo Fortich. One proof of this is Camp Philips which was named after Lawrence Philips, one of PPC's pioneers. It was previously named as 'Camp 12.' This is among 17 the camps or housing settlements for the company's workforce.

The Del Monte Golf Course was built in 1928 by the company's second President, James McNeil Crawford. This is an exclusive 18-hole golf course that boasts of well-maintained grass and challenging fairways.

For those who are not into the golf, the Del Monte Clubhouse, offers what many have claimed as the best and the meanest steaks in the Philippines. I could not confirm or refute this yet since I have only tried their burgers and refillable pineapple juice. This is something that I'd like to do someday.

It is curious then to note how the humble pineapple has transformed the Manolo Fortich through the years. Recently, a popular zipline has become another reason why many have come to this place. But for me, it will always be the pineapples and driving through a seeming endless sea of it, that will continue to endear me to Manolo Fortich.

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memories of malaybalay, bukidnon

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:24:00 +0000

Many years ago, our family visited Malabalay City in Bukidnon to attend my cousin's wedding. When we reached Malaybalay that afternoon, the first thing that I noticed was the drop in temperature. At 622 MASL, this city indeed enjoys a cool climate all year round.

The change in temperature is also accompanied by a change in the atmosphere. I remember that as we drove nearer into the heartland of Mindanao, the bustling cityscape of Cagayan de Oro was replaced with lush forests, vast vegetable plantations and rolling mountains. The green sceneries reminded me of Middleearth in one way or the other. I would not be surprised at all if there would be Hobbits sighted one day in this part of the Philippines.

Monastery of the Transfiguration

My cousin's wedding was held at the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Barangay San Jose. The church resembles a pyramid with a square base. It was designed by no less than Leandro Locsion, a National Artist for Architecture. The sleek lines and the elegant interiors make this church not only as solemn place of worship but also a beautiful work of art.

A Benedectine monastery is nearby where the famous Monks' Blend brand of coffee originated. They also offer weekend retreats for those who want a respite from the hurly-burly of the city life.

Bukidnon Provincial Capitol Grounds

The day after the wedding, we had the chance to briefly tour around Malaybalay. Right at the center of the Rizal Plaza is the Bukidnon Provincial Capitol. Various government offices are also located within this vicinity.

Near the Provincial capital grounds is the Kaamulan Park where camps and conferences may be held.

Other Bukidnon sidetrips

On our way back to Cagayan de Oro, we stopped by the Atugan Bridge which was the tallest bridge in the Philippines at that time. It is an engineering marvel as the approximately 65 m tall bridge actually connects two mountains. The Atugan Canyon that can be viewed from this bridge is a beautiful yet formidable sight to behold.

Our convoy that morning then stopped by the 148 ft Alalum Falls in Sumilao before heading for Manolo Fortich.

But there is so much to see and to do in Malaybalay City and the other municipalities in Bukidnon. All the beautiful memories I have of this place is kept alive with the hope that someday, I might find myself exploring this beautiful paradise once again.

a rainy trek to mt. kitanglad

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:02:00 +0000

It was for the pleasure of seeing a glorious sunrise that I climbed Mt. Kitanglad (2899 MASL) the fourth highest mountain in the Philippines, last January 2, 2011. This mountain is part of the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park which covers 47,270 hectares of dense forests and 4 other peaks (Mt. Dulang-Dulang, Mt. Maagnaw, Mt. Lumuluyaw and Mt. Tuminungan), one city and seven municipalities in the province of Bukidnon in Southern Philippines.

I would have climbed alone but Herbert, my mountaineering mentor, strongly advised against it. Mt. Kitanglad according to him, is a technical climb and that means I must have a buddy with me at the very least. I then asked Alquine, my former college professor who is also an experienced mountaineer and a hardcore backpacker, if he would like to join me in my madness. Thankfully, he agreed even on such short notice.

The weather before our climb was not encouraging at all. I remember that it often rained hard during the last few days of December 2010. Based on the PAG-ASA forecast that time, the heavy downpours would carry up to the first few days of January. And true enough, it was raining most of the time during that Sunday. What made the matters more interesting are the strong howling winds especially when the peak was already visible. I thought that we were in the middle of a storm but our guide assured me somehow that he's been through worse than what we witnessed that afternoon.

Despite our wet and slippery ascent, the Intavas trail was quite manageable and straightfoward. All one has to do is to follow the electric lines from the highway all the way up to the peak. These provides the power needed to operate the different broadcast and telecommunications base stations that crowded at the peak's small clearing. It was also helpful that there are 13 steel ladders installed especially in very steep inclines. There are also a handful of water stations along the trail and flat areas where one may take a rest or camp out for the night.

According to a local legend, Kitanglad's small peak resembled like a tanglad (lemon grass) during the great flood and thus it was named as such. Should that catastrophe happen again, only these steel giants would easily be recongizable from afar. The aerial snapshot on the left was taken from a photo posted at Viajero, an outdoor store in Cagayan de Oro.

I must confess that I struggled hard in climbing Mt. Kitanglad. The reason for that is that I never had any form of exercise before the climb. When we were already near the summit, my leg muscles ached so bad that I had to stop every now and then just to gather enough energy to move a few steps further.

We did not see any wildlife that rainy afternoon. But we had Borg, a playful dog that accompanied us from the jumpoff. He also made it to the peak way ahead of us. We thought that Borg was a female dog because of the original name that the locals called him. I do hope his new name catches on.

We arrived at the PAMB (Protected Area Management Board) bunkhouse at around 5:20 PM. The wind and the rain were still relentless even at this hour but the concrete structure complete with a functional kitchen and toilet, provided us protection and convenience at this elevation. It also had bunk beds with retractable covers and individual light bulbs which gave us the warmth from the biting cold outside.

There was no sunrise the following day as thick clouds engulfed us at the peak. Although I did not get what I came for, I am still very grateful for God’s grace and strength, for the few people who knew about this trek and prayed for my safe return, and for the assistance of my companions. These, along with a cheesy Miley Cyrus ballad, kept me going despite the unfavorable circumstances.

It is not then so much about how fast in getting to the top or what is waiting on the other side. Sometimes, the journey is more important and even more enjoyable than the final destination. In the case of the rainy Kitanglad afternoon, the trek itself is far more rewarding than making it to the summit. This perspective rubbed off somehow in all my adventures and misadventures last year. And for that alone, I would treasure our unforgettable rainy trek to Mt. Kitanglad.

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For updated information on fees (guide, porter, lodging and climbing permit), please contact Kagawad Walter Galasanay (bottom right in the above photo) through his mobile phone: +639196755019. The Sitio Intavas intersection (top photo) is around 1.5 hours away by bus from Cagayan de Oro City. A habal-habal (motorcyle) would take you to Kagawad Walter's house or to the jump-off.

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help CDO: a plea for prayer, relief goods and financial donations

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:44:00 +0000

Cagayan de Oro (CDO), a highly urbanized city in Southern Philippines was hit by Tropical Storm Sendong (International Code Name: Washi) in the dead of the night last Saturday, December 17. Houses along low-lying areas have been washed away by the swelling Cagayan de Oro river and hundreds were killed in an instant. Up to this writing, there are many families who are still searching for their loved ones amidst the rubble and the thick mud, a sight that greeted them after the raging floodwaters have subsided in the morning.

Although our small house is located at an elevated portion in the city, I always answer those who are asking how my family is doing at this point, that they are fine but we also share the sorrows of our friends, colleagues, churchmates and classmates who have lost houses and loved ones over the weekend.

I would like to end my 2011 entries with this post to reflect the collective mourning we have felt since last Saturday. May I also invite everyone to say a prayer for my beloved city. The accounts broadcasted by the national media and the stories scattered all over Facebook are indeed harrowing. But I find wisdom in what Nehemiah did when he learned about the tragedy of his people. He prayed to a God who is always in control and sovereign in all His ways. I’d like us to do the same too, so that we may find the sensitivity and compassion to minister to those who are affected by the flood and the boldness to help in whatever means possible.

May I dedicate this small space to thank those who opened their homes to their affected neighbors, those who valiantly participated in the rescue operations, those who anonymously donated to their chosen charities and NGOs, those who have organized separate relief distributions, medical missions in parallel with the Philippine National Red Cross and similar organizations, and the hundreds of Kagay-anons overseas who encouraged their non-Filipino colleagues to share their old clothes.

While Sendong, now officially the world's deadliest storm for 2011, has left Cagayan de Oro on its knees, I am encouraged by these small acts of heroism that I also have not seen in recent times. Heroes, after all are just ordinary people that made extraordinary choices, for such a time as this.

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If you'd like to know more on the latest updates on the relief operations, sources of free water in CDO and how you could help, please visit this site: http://bit.ly/helpcdo.

iligan city's halang-halang

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 04:42:00 +0000

I finally have dined at the famous halang-halang food stalls at a wet market in Iligan City. This comes as a surprise because although I spent my college years in Iligan, I was only able to visit this part of the city one Saturday evening last August. It was also raining that time so I thought that a hot bowl of spicy soup, or the halang-halang would be the perfect comfort food for the cold evening.

There are actually many stalls that serve the halang-halang but I chose the one which had yellow tables. This was suggested by an old college acquaintance whom I met at the bus station earlier. It was also located farthest from the road and already overlooked the Iligan bay. Like all the other stalls, it has an open air kitchen, a basic dining area and a rugged ambience. This is indeed a culinary adventure for the budget-conscious who would like to pay more for the food rather than the place.

All the stalls serve halang-halang, a spicy soup with beef cuts and innards and bulalo which also had the same soup stock. The only difference I think is that the beef portion of the latter was attached to something that resembles like a bone. By adding chopped chillis and spring onions, the hotness and the over-all flavor may also be adjusted according to one's taste and preference.

I would have wanted my meat portions to be more tender though. The soup stock also needs some ingredients to perhaps drown out the predominant Ajinomoto flavor. But curiously, no one talked about the halang-halang that evening. Visibly sweating due to the spicyness of the soup, the students and department store staffs that shared the same table with me, talked instead about how their day went. The simple halang-halang soup was strangely, good enough for everyone on that table. Each of us then left for our respective destinations, satisfied and full.

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the tambangongo of baroy, lanao del norte

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:56:00 +0000

This is the tambangongo, a kind of sea catfish that my college roommate told me about many years ago. He hails from Baroy, a laidback coastal municipality that overlooks Panguil Bay in the province of Lanao del Norte in Southern Philippines. He said that there is a celebratory atmosphere when their local fishermen would catch this weird-looking fish because it is quite rare to find one. From the looks of it, the frowning mouth or the staring eyes of the fish suggest that it doesn't want to be caught at all in the first place.

Aside from that, the tambangongo's taste, my roommate added, would put even the lechon (roasted pig) to shame. The fish is usually grilled or made into a humba dish. He claims that it is the best dish he has tasted and that at Baroy, the fish is usually wiped off first more than any other dish especially during festive occasions. But I would never know if he was exaggerating or not, since I never tasted one before. When I visited his hometown to attend a wedding, unfortunately, there was no tambangongo that was served during the reception.

But what intrigued me all this years was the way that the fish was prepared. They would often use sand just to wash off its strong odor. The bark of the sinigwelas (Spanish plum) tree may also be used. This unusual preparation may qualify the tambangongo into an episode of Andrew Zimmerman's show or an entry in MarketManila.com. It could prove that a locally sourced produce or dish, that may be described as exotic elsewhere, would turn out to be a surprisingly worthy culinary experience.

I look forward then to the day when I would stumble upon the tambangongo at a market or a karinderya in my future travels. Or should the opportunity present itself, I'd like to be back at Baroy someday to find the right people who would catch, prepare and then cook this elusive fish. I could finally decide if Baroy's weird-looking fish indeed lives up to its tasty reputation.

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The blogger would like to thank J.Gingoyon for taking a photo of the tambangongo used in this blog entry. Her dad happens to hail from Baroy, Lanao del Norte.

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rizal shrine (calamba, laguna)

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:47:00 +0000

Jose Rizal Mercado was born on June 19, 1861 at Calamba in the province of Laguna. He was the second son and the seventh of 11 children of Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso. He spent his childhood in this two-storey house, located at the heart of the Calamba town center.

The original house, howevever, was destroyed during World War II. It was then reconstructed by virtue of Executive Order No. 145 of President Elpidio Quirino and was said to be funded mainly through the donations of schoolchildren. The reconstruction efforts were spearheaded by Architect Juan F. Nakpil. He researched, designed the ancestral house of Rizal to be a truthful copy to the original. It was then inaugurated on June 19, 1950.

At the ground floor of the house are various memorabilias, photo displays that show what a typical Filipino house looks like during that century . Visitors would then be treated to the various sections of the house - bedrooms, kitchen and even the toilet. One must not also miss Rizal's small boy statue and that of his pet dog, Berganza located at the back of the house.

The facade of the house has been repainted green to commemorate the sesquicentennial of Rizal's birth. The color was chosen 'to honor the memory of the Rizal family and their way of life.' The Spanish ricial describes a green field that is ready for harvest. Not many were pleased with the idea of course.

The disagreement between the paint hue or color swatch is quite understandable too. But what is probably more important is to reflect on what the Calamba Shrine or the reconstructed Rizal house stands for in this present century. When viewed in that perspective, it serves to be an important historical reminder and ceases to be just another ancestral house that we just pass by on a daily basis.

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How to get there
The Rizal Shrine-Calamba stamp site for the Lakbay Jose Rizal @150 is at the office located within the shrine premises. The blogger would like to thank Merry Epan for guiding him in getting to Calamba after their company activity at Sta. Rosa in Laguna. Transportation options in getting to Calamba are enumerated here.

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calamba church

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 08:51:00 +0000

Jose Rizal Mercado was baptized at the San Juan Bautista Church at Calamba in Laguna, on June 22 1861, roughly 3 days after his birth. The parish priest presiding over the ceremony was Rev. Fr. Rufino Collantes and his godfather was Rev. Fr. Pedro Casañas.

The small church has undergone several major revisions through the years. It was rightfully declared as a National Historical Landmark last August 19, 1976.

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How to get there
The Calamba church stamp site for the Lakbay Jose Rizal @150 is at the pastoral office located at the left side of the church. The blogger would like to thank Merry Epan for guiding him in getting to Calamba after their company activity at Sta. Rosa in Laguna. Transportation options in getting to Calamba are enumerated here.

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antipolo church

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:24:00 +0000

The Antipolo Cathedral is located right at the otherwise crowded center of Antipolo City. It also houses the statue of the Nuestra Señora de La Paz Y Buen Viaje. This religious icon was proclaimed 'patroness of the galleons' for having been on board at least 8 times on various voyages during the heyday of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade.

It is said that when Jose Rizal was just 7 years old, he and his father, took a boat for Manila and Antipolo from Calamba to pay homage to the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. This was to fulfill his mother's vow to the Virgin of Antipolo, after she survived the difficult delivery of Rizal.

There were probably no accesible roads and also no horrendous traffic during those years. But the present day pilgrims do not mind walking all the way to Antipolo cathedral, especially during the month of May.

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How to get there
The Antipolo stamp site for the Lakbay Jose Rizal @150 is at the Antipolo Cathedral Pastoral Office which is located at the right side of the Antipolo Cathedral. The blogger rode an Antipolo jeepney that passes by the Ortigas Avenue-C5 intersection. Other transportation options are enumerated here.

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tangub city's hoyohoy zipline: the longest in the philippines

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:15:00 +0000

Tangub's very own Hoyohoy Highland Stone Chapel Adventure Park places the otherwise sleepy city in the province of Misamis Occidental, in the growing list of Philippine adventure destinations. This beautiful park, situated 850 MASL (meters above sea level) currently operates the longest zipline ride in the country as of this writing.

It currently has two operational rides: Line 1 is a whooping 1.5 kms and 500 meters deep while Line 2 is 1.2 kms and 400 meters deep. The more than kilometer-long ziplines essentially covers two different mountain barangays in (Hoyohoy) Tangub and (Guimad) Ozamiz. In between these two mountain ridges runs the Labo River, the source of which could be traced somewhere in the deep jungles of the Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park.

The 1.2 km line 2 zipline ride: From Guimad to Hoyohoy.

These have been operational since April and have steadily attracted weekend adventurers, backpackers and everyone else in between. Due to the cold climate at this elevation, it is also common to be riding through thick fog that may clear out every now and then. Depending on the unpredictable wind condition, there might also be instances where one would be unable to reach the other end of the line. But an able crew would then immediately zip from the opposite side to fetch the rider. The fog and the wind indeed drama and thrill which may not be present in zipline rides elsewhere.

The piglet pitied the horse he was riding on last time that is why he decided to just trek the remaining way back to the jump off.

A cable lift is also in the works probably to bring the riders at the end of the Line 1 back to the park premises. Currently, one may choose to ride a small horse or a small ATV or just walk all the way up to the starting point. There is also a hiking trail further up the park which leads to a view deck where one can see the south peak of Mt. Malindang.

But for those who are not into extreme activities, the entire Hoyohoy Park is an excellent place to relax and to enjoy the view of Ozamiz and Tangub. On clear skies, one can even see as far as Lanao del Norte and Panguil Bay on the south.

The Highland Stone Chapel, from which the park was named after, almost steals the limelight from the zip rides. It was said to be built by Congressman Leo Ocampos himself, a daunting task which he did through a long period of time. The large stones that make up the walls of this charming chapel were all sourced from Hoyohoy, some of which are still beautifully scattered all over the place.

The scene reminds you of an English countryside cottage or a vacation house in Baguio or in Tagaytay. The resemblance is a welcome surprise especially when you are in this part of Northern Mindanao. Indeed, the Hoyohoy Highland Stone Chapel Park is definitely on its way to become the next adventure destination not only of Tangub City but the entire country as well.

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The blogger would like to thank his cousin Lordius for driving him all the way to Hoyohoy from Ozamiz City. Otherwise, he might have taken the bus-habal-habal option in getting to the park since he was on a tight budget that weekend. Other transportation options are posted here. The zipline rides costs Php500.00 only.

Hoyohoy Highland Stone Chapel Adventure Park
http://www.facebook.com/HSCH.Hoyohoy
hoyohoy.adventure@gmail.com
+63 917 326 7878

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doble kara: rizal in art and monuments

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:06:00 +0000

This year’s History Comes Alive series capped off with the Doble Kara: Rizal in Art and Monuments lecture at the Ayala Museum in Makati last December 3, 2011. It was a well attended event despite the fact that there was also a historic football match between the Philippine Azkals and the L.A. Galaxy held elsewhere. The encouraging crowd turnout only proves that Dr. Ambeth Ocampo, a well-respected historian and widely read columnist for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, has also a strong fanbase just like David Beckham or the Younghusbands.

The topic is also a fitting conclusion to the many activities commemorating the sesquicentennial year of Jose Rizal’s birth. Amidst the numerous researches, write-ups and even movies about Rizal, you’d be surprise to know that there is still so much to learn about him and that he may have been misrepresented in more ways than one. Ambeth’s lecture last weekend underscored the latter, along with the interesting history behind the Luneta Park and other familiar Rizal monuments.

It did not feel like a one hour lecture at all as Dr. Ocampo dashes his talk with quirky asides or what he confessed that afternoon as ‘useless information.’ He almost brought the house down when he shared an anecdote about the only known photograph of Paciano, Rizal’s brother. Details like this would never get published in our history textbooks. But these remind us that the dead men and women in the annals of our history, are also human beings.

How we re-present Jose Rizal, and all our heroes for that matter, depends then on how well we know each of them. Rizal may now seem to have lived double lives with the way he is immortalized in our public monuments and with the way he is described in many historical accounts. The contradictions, although expected to some extent, will only become apparent when we give his many lifeless statues at Luneta and elsewhere, a curious, second look.

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Tickets for each lecture of the History Comes Alive! series cost Php350 for adults and Php200 for students. This also comes with a free book (priced at least Php100 at a National Bookstore outlet) and a full access to all galleries at the Ayala Museum (admission fee is Php225 for adults and Php125 for students). When you do the math, the ticket cost is quite a bargain already.

For more inquiries on the 2012 season, please email education@ayalamuseum.org or call them at +63 2 757-7117 to 21 local 24/25/35.

naawan's different Christmas archway

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:01:00 +0000

It is often said the Philippines observes the longest Christmas celebration in the world. The country’s holiday season would unofficial start as early as September and in some provinces, would end on the third Sunday of January. During these months, lavish decorations are installed outside houses, along bridges and at shopping malls. Despite the uncertain economy, there is simply no stopping the Filipino from celebrating this joyous occasion in its pure or excessive form.

Among the many Christmas decorations I’ve seen so far, an iconic archway in Naawan, a small municipality in Northern Mindanao, stands out. It depicted a mosque and a Christian church as pillars on opposite sides of the road, while two hands reaching to one another served as an archway. It was so striking to me that I requested my parents that we stop by the archway to take a good photo of it one December evening in 2006.

L-R: The oldest mosque in the Philippines is the Sheik Makhdum Mosque. It was established in 1380 at Simunul in Tawi-Tawi. The oldest church on the other hand is the San Agustin Church at Intramuros, Manila. It was completed in 1607.

I would later learn that the local government did not put up the archway anymore after that, due to the hazard that it presented to the many motorists traveling along the national highway. However, the message that it tried to convey is still relevant today as it was before. And if you grew up in Mindanao like me, then you would probably understand this more than anyone else.

I could only wish too that attaining lasting peace and sustainable development especially in some portions in Mindanao is as straightforward as the image shown at Naawan. It is, for the lack of a better description, a ‘complex problem’ which also means that there are no simple answers as well. The wounds that Filipino Christians and Muslims have inflicted towards each other over a long period of time, run so deep such that launching another military operation in these troubled areas would actually do more harm than good.

Amidst the festive preparations and colorful decorations this season, I would like to encourage all Filipinos to think of ways where we can contribute towards the peace process not only in Mindanao, but in the Philippines as a whole. I am hopeful then that just like the Naawan archway, every Filipino, regardless of faith, educational attainment or economic status, would start doing something meaningful, radical and different this Christmas time.

rizal shrine and waterworks

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:01:00 +0000

The modern steel gate at the Rizal Shrine at Talisay in Dapitan City, is perhaps the only reminder that Jose Rizal was indeed exiled here in 1892. He was sent here because of his controversial writings which sparked the Philippine revolution. Back then, he was free to roam around the town, to teach some local students and even to practice medicine from time to time. Other than these metal bars, there is no other reminder of the exile that Rizal both endured and enjoyed for four years.

This beautiful property is located between the sea and the forest. Rizal purchased this estate with the Php6000 Manila lottery prize that he won. He then spent most of his time in this charming, peaceful place.

Today, there are replicas of the residential structures that were constructed during Rizal's time. One must not also miss the dam that he himself built which is part of the modern waterworks system that replaced the kilometers of bamboo tube networks.

It is evident then that Jose Rizal did not only come to Dapitan just to be exiled. He said in a letter to Fr. Pablo Pastells that he is 'determined to do all that he can in behalf of this town.' The priceless legacy that Rizal left behind at Dapitan, is indeed a testament to his service and dedication to his countrymen.

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How to get there
The stamp site for this leg of the Lakbay Jose Rizal @150 is at the Rizaliana Building inside the Rizal Shrine complex at Talisay, Dapitan City. The nearest airport to Dapitan is at Dipolog City. From there, take a trike or a habal-habal to the bus terminal, and then hop on an Evergood mini-bus. Alight at the Dapitan Plaza and take another trike for Talisay.

But what the author did was walk all the way from the plaza, then to the Santa Cruz Beach marker and finally to the Talisay shrine. He would not advise this to those who do not enjoy long walks. He also met some Rizalistas at the shrine which was one of the highlights of his trip. Had it been that he was not pressed for time, he would have listened to their other stories and take the massage service they offered.

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rizal farm (katipunan, zamboanga del norte)

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 06:14:00 +0000

Jose Rizal once owned and tended a farm at the municipality of Katipunan in Zamboanga del Norte. Rizal bought it from Calixto Carreon who was a blind patient that sought treatment from him during his exile in Dapitan. It was supposed to be a token of gratitude but Rizal refused the offer and paid him Php200.00 instead.

Trinidad, one of Rizal's sister, looked after this fertile piece of land after Rizal's death in 1896. In 1949, it was sold to Crisostomo Eguia Sr. with the condition that property be still named after Jose Rizal.

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How to get there
The Katipunan stamp site for the Lakbay Jose Rizal @150 is at the Katipunan Tourism Office. From the Dipolog public bus terminal, take a multicab for Katipunan. The trip should not last more than 20 mins. Alight at the town center where you could easily spot the stamp site. Take a habal-habal (public motorcycle) to the actual Rizal farm. You may have to request the habal-habal driver to wait for you as there are no public transport that regularly plies to this private property.

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dipolog cathedral

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:35:00 +0000

The Dipolog Cathedral was built in April 15, 1894 under the leadership of Fr. Eusebio Barredos. Aside from the wooden ceiling and the wooden relief of the four evangelists, another unique feature of this church is the main retablo which is said to be designed by Jose Rizal himself.

The church has undergone several physical changes through the years. The most recent of this were the renovation of the interiors in 2007, the restoration of the original walls and the application of gold leaf on the retablos in 2008 and the renovation of the facade in 2009.

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The Dipolog stamp site for the Lakbay Jose Rizal @150 is at the Dipolog City Tourism Office (2F of the Dipolog City Hall). The Dipolog Cathedral is a few meters away from this building.

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dapitan plaza

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:13:00 +0000

The Dapitan Plaza was planned and beautified by Jose Rizal during his exile in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte. He also installed a lighting system out of coconut oil. None of these ingenious lamp posts exists to this day, but the Acacia trees near the present day shrine were said to be planted by Rizal himself.

Because of its historical significance, the Dapitan Plaza was declared as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute on March 13, 2002.

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With the exception of the Rizal Shrine at Talisay, you could get all the other Lakbay Jose Rizal @ 150 Dapitan stamps (including for this site) at the Dapitan City Tourism Office.

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st. james church (dapitan city, zamboanga del norte)

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:03:00 +0000

The St. James Church at Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte, was constructed in 1871 in honor of St. James the Greater, Dapitan's patron saint. It has undergone several reconstructions through the years including a major renovation in 1964 when reinforced concrete was introduced.

There is a National Historical Institute (NHI) marker at the entrance that points out the very spot where Jose Rizal once stood to hear mass during his exile in Dapitan. There are many speculations but there is no satisfying explanation as to why he was not inside the church. But what is clear though is that this church stands as an enduring reminder of the Jesuits' more than 200 year presence in Dapitan.

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It iss easy to spot the St. James Church at Dapitan City as this is the tallest structure at the Dapitan Plaza.

With the exception of the Rizal Shrine at Talisay, you could get all the other Lakbay Jose Rizal @ 150 Dapitan stamps (including for this site) at the Dapitan City Tourism Office.

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relief map of mindanao

noreply@blogger.com (baktin) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 13:08:00 +0000

The Relief Map of the Mindanao at Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte, was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines on June 20, 2005. It was made by Jose Rizal in August 1892 based on a map done by Fr. Pedro Murillo Velarde. He was also not alone in this effort, as he was said to be assisted by Fr. Francisco Paula de Sanchez, his Jesuit friend and mentor. Rizal used this as an aid in teaching history and geography to the locals.

Jose Aseniero, one of Rizal's students who later became a governor in Zamboanga, restored the map during his term in the 1920s.

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The Relief Map of Mindanao is in front of the St. James Church of Dapitan. The author ~~could have presented a bird's eyeview of it from the belfry of this church but the entrance leading to the top was locked when he went there last August~~ would like to thank Mhy for allowing him to use the photo she took of the Relief Map of Mindanao last weekend.

With the exception of the Rizal Shrine at Talisay, you could get all the other Lakbay Jose Rizal @ 150 Dapitan stamps (including for this site) at the Dapitan City Tourism Office.

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