Oman is an Island

Tibiao Snapshots

2012-05-30T09:19:00.001+08:00

Never Stop Exploring

To continue where I left off in my previous post about Tibiao, let me share some photos I have taken in this idyllic place. Travelling without expectations can be a good thing because you always stand the chance of having a better time than you expected to. I went to Tibiao with only the Hot Kawa Bath in mind but what I have experienced there was much, much more.

Antique: Bugtong Bato Falls

2012-05-24T09:41:00.000+08:00

Tibiao's Poster Falls

Bugtong-Bato Falls is a multi-tiered falls located in Barangay Tuno in Tibiao, Antique. Going to Falls No. 1 is an easy 30 minute hike from the barangay proper where you will be refreshed with a scenery composed of rice fields, carabaos, ravines and streams.

Antique: Tibiao Kawa Hot Bath

2012-05-19T10:45:00.001+08:00

Hard-Boiled Eggs in the Making

This is purely coincidental. After "Heat" in my previous post, now comes "Boil". Lawstude is cooking something - and as it turned out... Lawstude is cooking himself.

Heat

2012-05-14T23:28:00.004+08:00

Heat @ d' Shang

It is a reinvention of the familiar and the favorites and a fusion of east and west. Although what I have pictured here are mainly appetizers and desserts (your blogger is too busy to eat), let me see if my recollection can be visualized through my words. But one thing for sure, a buffet at Heat, Edsa Shangri-La Manila is a gastronomic indulgence that is worthy to experience.

Marinduque: Bathala Caves

2012-05-11T10:42:00.000+08:00

I am not a fan of caves... it's dark, crawling with creatures and is not safe for equipment. But there is something about caves that I find mysterious and exciting and whenever someone ask me to go caving, more often than not, I would say YES!

Bathala Caves located in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque is the town's biggest draw. It is composed of dozens of caves that are said to be the playground of Gods. There are about ten caves that have names but locals said there are at least dozens more in the area that are yet to be explored. I was there at the area a bit late in the afternoon so I got to explore only three of them - Secret, Church and Python Caves. It took me a little less than three hours to navigate the sharp karst and some tight holes in and around the cave system and with a dslr and a tripod in tow, believe it, it wasn't easy.

SECRET CAVE

Rocky Secret

You will not know why this cave is called "Secret Cave" until you have climbed it's very end because after you have gotten out of the cave, few more steps away from it and you will not see the hole where you came out. It looks like a secret passage, thus the name.

Marinduque: Scenic Boac Cathedral

2012-05-04T10:01:00.002+08:00

The Belltower

Having spent almost eight hours waiting for a boat ride in Dalahican port, I finally arrived at Boac about a couple of hours after noon. Tired and hungry from sleepless waiting, my next big task is to find an accommodation for the night. Seems an easy task right? Not if you have gone to Marinduque on a Lenten Season because every nook and cranny of every hotel and lodging inns are packed to the rafters. Although I have prepared a list of possible places to stay beforehand, the list is stricken-off one by one as all of them are either occupied or reserved.

The Morions of Marinduque

2012-04-19T16:50:00.001+08:00

Faces of Moriones Festival

The story goes like this... Longinus is the centurion who pierced the side of our Lord while he was hanging on the cross. Longinus, who was nearly blind, was healed when some of the blood and water from Jesus fell into his eyes. It was then he exclaimed "Indeed, this was the son of God!". Longinus then converted, left the army, took instruction from the apostles and became a monk in Cappadocia. There he was arrested for his faith, his teeth forced out and tongue cut off.

Marinduque - A Preview

2012-04-08T21:58:00.000+08:00

The Morions of Marinduque

This is a preview of my photo-adventure in a sleepy little island province which is often eclipsed by its neighbors' heavily marketed popularity. A hidden bounty of both white sand and coral beaches, clear and radiant waters, century old churches and ancestral homes, caves and islands that collectively comes alive every Easter for the quirky Moriones Festival.

Lenten 2012

2012-04-04T09:31:00.000+08:00

Like a broken glass...

... dreams are shattered but life has to go on!

Laguna: Lanzones Falls

2012-03-25T13:13:00.001+08:00

Lanzones Falls in Mount Romelo

Leisure is a form of silence, not noiselessness. It is the silence of contemplation that occurs when we let our minds rest on a rosebud, a child at play, a divine mystery, or a waterfall.

Laguna: Buruwisan Falls

2012-03-11T19:22:00.002+08:00

Siniloan's Premier Poster Falls

For centuries, our mountains have been home to pioneers and explorers. In a way, they still are. Those seeking oasis will find it in the mountains of Siniloan, Laguna - home to chains of waterfalls foremost of which is Buruwisan Falls.

A Muddy Trek To Mount Romelo

2012-03-01T10:14:00.002+08:00

Concrete Post of Steep and Slippery Paths

Due to intermittent weather, a planned trek to Mount Pulag turned into a weekend escapade in Mount Romelo. Located in Siniloan, Laguna, I became familiar with Mount Romelo because one of the closest travel buddies used to frequent the place. In fact, his amazing shots of the place's waterfalls are all over the net and some of these shots were used by the Tourism Council of Siniloan Local Government albeit his lack of permission.

Mount Pinatubo: The Crater and The Bagets

2012-02-23T16:51:00.001+08:00

Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake

It is a trip like no other with twenty-nine travel youngsters and hundreds more in tow proceeding in a mecca-like fashion to one of the most beautiful spot created by a disaster.

Pinatubo Experience - Riding 4x4 and Ash Trekking

2012-02-10T10:04:00.004+08:00

It's a Mud Mad Ride

Thirty wanderers from all over the country joined one of the largest travel bloggers' trip ever assembled. Dubbed as "Mt. Pinatubo New Year Extravaganza", organizers Dong Ho and Robx have invited some PTB Bagets to visit one of the most beautiful and amazing place that came out of a devastation that has affected millions of Filipinos.

Pasacao Day Trip

2012-02-03T10:26:00.003+08:00

Life is a Beach

Having finished all the tasks I need to do the previous day, I was thinking of something to do (or better yet, somewhere to go) in Naga City. I only have a day to spend so Caramaon is definitely out of the question. I thought of coming back to CWC but I have been to the place twice already and I do no think there is something new to see there.

Naga: Oragon

2012-01-28T21:07:00.005+08:00

A Sculptural Narrative of the Heroic Bravery of the People of Naga City

"ORAGON" is a two-part visual display that captures the heroism of Naguenos by portraying two forms of bravery, with a central tapestry dividing the two juxtaposed narratives. Crafted by artist Jose Barcena, Jr., grandson of Federico Barcena who carved the monument to the 15 Bicol Martyrs at Plaza Quince Martires, it was commissioned by the City Government of Naga under the leadership of Mayor Jesse Robredo.

Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái

2012-01-23T09:24:00.001+08:00

Singapore's Buddha Tooth-Relic Temple

The Chinese Lunar Calendar is more that two thousand five hundred years older than our Roman Calendar. It never begins on January 1st, nor does it begin on the same date each year. It can begin any time between January 21st and February 18th, depending on the date of the New Moon in Aquarius. Each year is named for an animal and every twelve years this cycle begins again. The Chinese say that the animal ruling the year you were born will influence your life. In 2012, Chinese New Year begins January 23rd and will be the year of the Dragon. As the Dragon is the only mythical animal amongst the twelve, many believe that this will be a grand and magnificent year for everyone.

Naga: Of Tracks and Trains

2012-01-18T09:38:00.001+08:00

In one of our conversations during our recent food trips in Binondo, a famous blogger friend (itago natin sa pangalang Dong Ho) asked us what is the longest train ride we ever had. Most of my friends answered a whole-day train ride experience in and out of the country. I could only come-up with the Baclaran-North Avenue MRT ride.

My Top 10 Travels of 2011

2012-01-10T12:13:00.002+08:00

This is the sixth time that I will be doing a Top 10 Travel list. As I look back on my past years' list, I can't help notice that most of them are really popular tourist places. I must admit that I lean towards off-the-beaten paths and even on those more popular places, there will always be a spot where you can wander and explore sans the crowd.

Basilan joined the elite club of Calaguas (2010), Sagada (2009), Boracay (2008), Siquijor (2007) and Anilao (2006) in my Numero Uno spot. What I love about Basilan is that very few outsiders travel into this place because of what media perceived it to be. Although they have every reason to caution travelers, still, beneath the alleged dangerous exterior, Basilan has some of the most beautiful and exotic spots you can enjoy.

Dangerous Beauty

Lawstude's Journeys Turns 6

2012-01-02T23:23:00.001+08:00

Six Years of Blogging

The six most important words: I admit I made a mistake.

The five most important words: You did a good job.

The four most important words: What is your opinion?

The three most important words: If you please.

The two most important words: Thank You.

The one most important word: We.

The least important word: I

2012 - Fireworks and Some Thoughts

2012-01-01T20:55:00.001+08:00

The connection between fireworks and new year has been known since time immemorial. It is believed that the lights produced by these fireworks will illuminate the way for the whole year and the sounds they produce will drive away bad luck.

2011: A Look Back

2011-12-27T16:15:00.003+08:00

Aldous Huxley once said that your true traveler finds boredom rather agreeable than painful. It is the symbol of his liberty, his excessive freedom. He accepts his boredom, when it comes, not merely philosophically, but almost with pleasure. Traveling is a choice, boredom is not. It's the leanest year for me travel-wise because I have decided to have "work" at the front seat. Although, I must admit that my decision has paid handsome dividends professionally, still, life's balance that I used to have suffered. And since this is a travel-blog, less travels means less stories to tell.

Little Christmas

2011-12-24T18:33:00.000+08:00

It is not how much you have... a few is enough when you share it with the people that matters. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Daruanak Island @ Pasacao

2011-12-19T18:16:00.000+08:00

When one speaks of Camsur, what comes to mind are either the Caramoan Peninsula made famous by Survivor Series or Wake Boarding at Camsur Watersports Complex. But did you know that before Caramoan or Wake Boarding, there is Pasacao which is known as the the Summer Capital of Camarines Sur.

Naga: The Porta Mariae

2011-12-11T07:41:00.025+08:00

"The rite of opening doors marks a time of elation and thanksgiving. In the history of the Church, sacred doors are opened during jubilee years to signify the bestowal of indulgence and grace. In secular history, gates and doors are monument of victory and triumph."...

...May those who behold and pass through this gate be led to the one and only Saviour, JESUS CHRIST.