The Poor Traveler

Cape Santiago Lighthouse | Calatagan, Batangas

The Poor Traveler — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:08:24 +0000

Movie production trucks and service vans lined up in the area beside the Cape Santiago Lighthouse like giant wheeled gates that separate us from this towering structure. Apparently a horror film by Regal Entertainment was being shot when we arrived and the lighthouse had been closed. It was already late afternoon and according to some of the residents watching the [...]

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The Historic Town of Balayan, Batangas

The Poor Traveler — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:12:33 +0000

My grandfather used to call it Balayang. “Balayan po,” I would always correct him. He wouldn’t budge. No matter how many times my cousin and I told him that the town is called Balayan and not Balayang, he would insist that the town’s name was Balayang. Now that I’m a grown-up, I learned that my grandfather wasn’t that wrong after [...]

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Taal Heritage Town: A Brisk Sightseeing Walking Tour | Taal, Batangas

The Poor Traveler — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:09:00 +0000

Taal used the be the capital of the province of Batangas. It used to be located in present day San Nicolas but the whole town was forced to move to a safer elevated location, farther from the Taal Volcano after the disastrous 200-day 1754 eruption (May 15-December 1, 1754), the biggest eruption of this small volcano in recorded history. The [...]

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The Miraculous Well of Sta. Lucia and the San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps | Taal, Batangas

The Poor Traveler — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:48:52 +0000

One hundred and twenty five steps. Yes, we counted. Coming from the Taal Basilica, we passed by several ancestral houses to reach the San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps, which led us to the Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay. This giant staircase conncects the Caysasay Shrine to the center of the town. Originally made of adobe stone, these steps were replaced [...]

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Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine | Taal, Batangas

The Poor Traveler — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 14:42:50 +0000

Madam Maria Espiritu was tasked by the parish to take care of a small image of the Virgin Mary. She had an urn made where she kept the image. It wasn’t long until Madam Maria noticed that every evening the urn turned empty and the image missing. As if that wasn’t odd enough, the image would return, back in the [...]

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Taal Basilica: Asia’s Biggest Catholic Church | Taal, Batangas

The Poor Traveler — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:43:45 +0000

A giant scaffolding made of bamboo rose right before the basilica’s altar at the point where the nave and the transept meet. Apparently, the church’s interiors were undergoing a minor renovation. The top of the scaffolding reached to the ceiling of the dome which was being painted. I could not imagine how difficult it was for the painters given that [...]

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Casa Rap: Slowly But Surely | San Jose, Batangas

The Poor Traveler — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:52:49 +0000

It was the best halo-halo that I ever tasted in my life. The Poor Traveler and his poor friend stared at each other as we had our first spoonful. And with the kind of smile that cut across our face, we knew having a stopover at Casa Rap for breakfast was totally worth all the time and the trouble. Casa [...]

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Dusk and Dawn at Plaza Mabini | Batangas City

The Poor Traveler — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:48:35 +0000

Darkness was slowly blanketing when we emerged from the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Batangas City. The rain had just ceased but the city continued with its active business. Just when we thought the day had ended as soon as darkness fell, the Plaza Mabini and its surrounding streets came to life anew as street food vendors sprung out, [...]

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A Royal Engagement at Cafe Milflores | Batangas City

The Poor Traveler — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:34:42 +0000

Prince Harry stood by the entrance to a dainty cafe at the heart of Batangas City. Well, it wasn’t really Prince Harry but a life-size standee that seemed to welcome visitors. Beside him was a faceless bride that can be anyone who wishes to take a picture beside the wooden, inanimate prince. If that wasn’t quirky enough for us, we [...]

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Basilica of the Immaculate Conception | Batangas City

The Poor Traveler — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:40:43 +0000

A young boy and a young girl lit candles as they stood in the middle of the candle racks. They then closed their eyes, said a silent prayer, walked towards the series of pews that filled the nave of the basilica, and joined their parents who were both deep in prayers of their own. The Poor Traveler is not really a [...]

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Camiguin Island Weekend Trip | Summary and Expenses

The Poor Traveler — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:53:33 +0000

I didn’t spend a dime on this trip. Or maybe I did. I remember buying a piece of kiping, a local delicacy made from ground cassava, for P10, bottled water, and fresh buko juice. But other than that, I just enjoyed the 3-day 2-night tour without spending on anything. This tour was a birthday gift to me from a not-so-poor [...]

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