december-2011

trip journal
PHILIPPINES
CALBAYOG
AREA CODE (55)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN You will fi nd tricycles at the
designated parking area after coming out of the
airport terminal building. These vehicles are
also typically the sole means of transport in and
around the city.
BY DAY Calbayog is an ideal place to get a sense
of history, art and architectural appreciation.
Visit Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral, considered
the biggest church in Samar, then head off to
Handuman Museo de Calbayog for art.
BY NIGHT Go to S.O. Café to enjoy great coffee,
great food and a great atmosphere. Local bands
will serenade you every Friday. Take time to visit
Matobato and savor a slice of bibingka and other
rice cakes at the Daguman Store.
SLEEP For high-end accommodations, stay at
Ciriaco Hotel and Resort at Km. 745 Maharlika
Highway, Bagacay or Sophia Diane Hotel and
Restaurant in Carmen, Calbayog City.
MUST-TRY Dance on the beach
during the famous Soleda in honor of
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad.
INSIDER TIP This month, food
buffs should try the banchettos
(midnight markets).
BEST BUYS Tinapa (smoked
fi sh), sinakugan (red sticky rice
cooked in coconut milk) and tablea
(unprocessed chocolate).
{ 198 }
NELSON PETILLA
Ryan
Babon
project manager,
NEDA Central
Off ice
PHILIPPINES
DUMAGUETE
AREA CODE (35)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN There are taxis to help you get
around the city, as well as jeepneys and pedicabs
(which are powered by a bicycle). Once in town,
you can also rent a motorbike, which is a really
fun way to get to where you need to go.
BY DAY Go to Silliman University and take a
requisite photograph of century-old Silliman Hall,
which was built in 1909 in the Eastern Stick style
of American architecture. Visit the Anthropological
Museum (housed in Silliman Hall) too.
BY NIGHT Stroll down Dumaguete Boulevard
for a whiff of sea air and to watch locals relaxing
under the cooling canopies of giant acacia trees.
Take a seat at one of many makeshift stalls selling
tempura and balut (boiled fertilized egg).
SLEEP The better hotels are found outside the
city. There are many resorts close to the beach,
such as in Dauin, about 20 minutes from the city.
Atmosphere gets high marks.
Ruby
Escosa
market research
consultant
BEST BREAKFAST Gabby’s
Bistro in Florentina Homes is
popular among the locals.
BEST BUYS Take home a box of
sans rival or silvana from Sans Rival
Cakes and Pastries.
MUST-TRY Go to Apo Island and
swim with the pawikan (sea turtles),
and ogle at the variety of clown
fi shes and giant corals.
JOHN LANDER