april-2012

PHILIPPINES
CAUAYAN
AREA CODE (78)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$.02)
TOUCHDOWN The airport in Cauayan opened
in 2008. Upon landing, ask the Cebu Pacifi c
staff for advice regarding transport to get to your
lodgings. Buses and jeepneys travel from the
airport to town.
BY DAY Visit Magat Dam in Ramon, and the
old Spanish churches in the towns of Alicia and
Tumaini. Also stop by Kusina Kawayan, which
serves the best sisig in town. Other interesting
places in Isabela are just a few hours away.
BY NIGHT You will never get bored in Cauayan,
as there are plenty of nightspots to go to. Head
to Queen Jennifer for the live bands, or sing your
heart out at Gerry’s Bar. After a night of partying,
unwind at Centro Café and enjoy their coffee.
SLEEP After a day of sightseeing, stay overnight
and relax at the Cauayan Grand Hotel, which is
one of the best places to stay in this side of town.
Don Jose Ave., District 1, tel: +63 (78) 652 2023
Rayeth
Manuel
Afuang
housewife
BEST BUYS Dinner rolls at Sanitary
Bakery, dendelot and inatata (rice
delicacies) in Ilagan.
MUST-TRY For a different kind of
picnic, have it at Magat Dam. Also
check out the view of the river.
INSIDER TIP You can’t leave
Cauayan without having tried Aling
Luring’s goto, which is best eaten
with okoy.
EDGAR ALAN ZETA YAP
trip journal
PHILIPPINES
CLARK
AREA CODE (45)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN From Diosdado Macapagal
International Airport (DMIA), you can take a taxi,
bus or jeep to the city. Any of these will take you
to the terminal or SM Clark. Within town, there are
cabs and jeeps. You can also hire a car or van.
BY DAY Take a 4x4 and zip through the sand
cliffs of Sapang Bato. For a unique view of Mt.
Pinatubo, go in the morning or towards the
evening to catch the sunset. For a different kind of
adventure, check out the casinos in the hotels.
BY NIGHT The area is famous for its unique
food culture, so make sure to sample the many
different cuisines. There’s C’ Italian Restaurant if
you want both quality and ambience, and Claude
Tayag’s Bale Dutung.
SLEEP The Holiday Inn is a time and tested
choice. There are nice regular rooms and even
garden villas, which can fi t up to eight people.
www.holidayinn.com
BEST SNACK A good way to cool
yourself? Eat freshly made halo-halo
at Kabigting’s.
BEST DINNER If you want a nice
mix of cuisines, head to Zulu Restaurant
for its Thai and Mexican food.
INSIDER TIP Check out the food
tours around the Pampanga area, so
you can effi ciently combine sightseeing
with food tasting.
{ 152 }
Dominic
Medenilla
sales
LESTER LEDESMA
PHILIPPINES
NAGA
AREA CODE (54)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN Naga City Airport is about 12km
away from the city center, and is accessible by
many means of transportation including bus, van,
jeepney and tricycle. You can also hire an eightseat
kalesa to tour the city.
BY DAY Take a dip in an ice-cold natural pool by
Malabsay Falls in Mt. Isarog, 20 minutes from the
city center, then go to a hot springs resort just 10
minutes away on the same mountain. There are
also old, historic churches worth visiting in Naga.
BY NIGHT Revelers can go restaurant and bar
hopping along Magsaysay Ave., where you will
fi nd Naga’s hip and happening places. Dozens
of restaurants, cafés and bars offer local fare like
Bicol Express and crispy pata.
SLEEP For travelers looking for top-notch
amenities, the Avenue Plaza Hotel along
Magsaysay Ave. has fi ve-star rooms, services and
tasty cuisine. www.theavenueplazahotel.com
Alec Francis
A. Santos
entrepreneur
INSIDER TIP Find the best pili
products at Naga City People’s Mall
(public market).
MUST-TRY Try the hot Bicolano
dishes with that special Bicolano level
of spiciness.
BEST BREAKFAST Abo
(Bicolano daing) local dried salted fi sh
and fried rice, served with chopped
tomato and salted eggs.