april-2012

PHILIPPINES
MANILA
AREA CODE (02)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN The ride to commercial centers
from the airport takes 30 minutes to an hour,
depending on the traffi c and where you’re headed.
Pay around PHP450 to hire registered airport
taxis, but metered cabs are also available.
BY DAY Go museum-hopping in Makati City
at Yuchengco Museum and Ayala Museum,
which book-end Ayala Ave. In Manila, there’s the
Metropolitan Museum, National Museum and Casa
Manila in Intramuros.
BY NIGHT Check out the shows at the Cultural
Center of the Philippines or the RCBC Theater in
Makati. Walk along Ayala Triangle Park and High
Street in Fort Bonifacio Global City. End the night
at Salon de Ning bar at Manila Peninsula.
SLEEP Enjoy the quiet elegance of Manila
Peninsula. It’s right in the heart of Makati and
within comfortable distance of all the sites.
www.peninsula.com/Manila
Jeannie E.
Javelosa
advocate for Culture
and the Sustainable
Lifestyle
MUST-TRY The Salcedo Market
on Saturdays, or the Mom’s Organic
Market on Sundays, in Legaspi Village.
BEST DINNER The Corner Tree
Vegetarian restaurant in Bel-Air Makati
comes highly recommended.
BEST BUYS Everything at
ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle in
Serendra for fair trade products by
various community groups.
trip journal
PHILIPPINES
LAOAG
AREA CODE (77)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN You can hire a van, jeepney
or tricycle from the Laoag airport to get to your
destination in town. However, an eco-friendly
means of getting around the city is the kalesa or
horse-drawn carriage.
BY DAY Take a tour of Laoag City either by
foot or kalesa. Spend another day touring the
Malacanang of the North, Paoay Church and
Batac Museum. On your third day, explore the
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse and Bangui Windmills.
BY NIGHT Great bars and restaurants are located
in and around Laoag City. Bistro51 in Nangalisan
is known for its kilawin tuna with red egg and
below zero drinks. You can also visit Saramsam
Café for its free videoke and poque-poque pizza.
SLEEP Isabel Suites is located at the heart of
Laoag City and is just a stone’s throw away from
the Provincial Capitol. Single rooms start at
PHP850 a night. www.isabelsuites.net
BEST BUYS Salt from the town
of Pasuquin, which is also famous for
its biscocho.
BEST SOUVENIRS Thick
handwoven Abel blankets from
Museo Ilocano.
MUST-TRY Feeling adventurous?
See if you can prepare for and explore
the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation by
foot with friends.
{ 146 }
Nicole C.
Rudio
computer shop
owner
PHILIPPINES
TUGUEGARAO
AREA CODE (78)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN To get to town, take two tricycles:
one from the airport to the main road, and then
another to the town proper. It should cost you no
more than just PHP10 per ride. And the rides are
fairly short.
BY DAY Go on an adventure of a lifetime at the
seven-chambered Callao Caves; then get your
heart racing with activities such as kayaking,
spelunking and whitewater rafting on the rough
river of Pinacanauan in Penablanca, Cagayan.
BY NIGHT Head to Traffi c Jam along Taft St.; the
live country music will get you up on your feet.
Kofun and Dingkoys are also good spots for a
night out with its live bands with local talents. Ask
the locals for other popular areas as well.
SLEEP Lorita Hotel along Rizal St. is affordable,
no frills and homey. They have Wi-Fi with rooms
that are clean and comfortable. hotel_lorita@
yahoo.com
Angely M.
Lubo
social marketing
off icer
BEST BREAKFAST Try the
carabeef tapa at Lorie’s Restaurant; it’s
very good.
BEST SNACK Pancit batil patung or
batil patong is a noodle dish unique to
Tuguegarao, Cagayan.
MUST-TRY If you’re not in a rush
and would like to see the area at your
leisure, get on a kalesa or tricycle for a
nice tour.
LESTER LEDESMA