december-2011

PHILIPPINES
DIPOLOG
AREA CODE (65)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN There are tricycles as well as
single motorcycle services from the airport to
the city. The fare is negotiable, ranging from
PHP10–30. Once in the city, tricycles will be your
main means of transport.
BY DAY First stop should be the Holy Rosary
Cathedral. From there, take a leisurely walk along
Rizal Ave right straight to Dipolog Boulevard.
Facing the Sulu Sea, the boulevard is estimated to
stretch 3.5km upon completion.
BY NIGHT Visit Good Times Café at Brgy Biasong
and try the famous buttered chicken. This
private mini park-cum-art gallery and restaurant
measures about 1,000sqm. It’s also a two-storey
ancestral house fi lled with art collections.
SLEEP Stay at the newly opened C&L Sea View
Hotel along Quezon Ave. Have dinner at the city’s
fi rst top fl oor restaurant. Room rates start from
PHP900 per night. Tel: +63 (65) 212 1083
Chen Ben
C. Lim
CCOS off icer
BEST DINNER Beef tapa and
bottled Spanish sardines at Café
Isabelle.
INSIDER TIP Be careful if you
are a smoker; smoking in public
places is not allowed.
BEST BUYS Dipolog’s best kept
secret is a crunchy dried “Asu-us”
fi sh, available at Dipolog Fish Port
every Saturday (Market Day).
trip journal
PHILIPPINES
PAGADIAN
AREA CODE (02)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN Tricycles are the main means of
transport around the city. What’s more, Pagadian’s
tricycles are unique: they’re inclined at a 25˚ to
40˚ angle, which allows them to negotiate the
exceptionally hilly terrain.
BY DAY Come and visit the newly opened City
Commercial Center, where you can fi nd the
latest fashion trends at affordable prices. For the
adventurous types, try horseback riding at
the Rotunda.
BY NIGHT Watch and dance with the dancing
fountain, the newest attraction in Pagadian City.
Visit the plaza near the City Hall and try your luck
at e-games in Pagcor afterwards. Enjoy a quiet
nightcap at any of the coffee shops in the city.
SLEEP Pagadian Bay Plaza Hotel is located
near shopping malls and business centers, and
is just 15 minutes away from the airport. www.
pagadianbayplazahotel.com
BEST SOUVENIRS Foodie or
not, you must have our local lechon
or tuyo (bulad).
BEST BUYS Souvenir items like
native bags; many are found in the
Agora market.
BEST SNACKS Take a break
from all the sightseeing and tourist
activities for coffee. Boss Café
serves coffee Pagadian style.
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Allen
Patrick Tan
photographer
EDGAR ALAN ZETA YAP
PHILIPPINES
TAWI-TAWI
AREA CODE (68)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN There are no cabs in Tawi-Tawi.
Tricycles are everywhere though, especially in
Bongao, the capital. Drivers charge PHP15–20
per 5km. To visit nearby islands, rent a lantsa
(small motorboat) for about PHP100.
BY DAY Adventurers should try to conquer
Bongao Peak, the tallest point in the province.
You can also go island hopping by renting a boat
(PHP300 for three hours) and visiting the islands
near Bongao.
BY NIGHT The establishments in the area
generally close by 6pm, but there are some
cafeterias which may still be open. Sample their
seafood dishes. Ask the locals for good places to
hang out.
SLEEP Beachside Inn Hotel and Restaurant is
an open-air restaurant with a spacious garden.
Double rooms go for PHP700 a night with air-con
and TV. Tel: +63 (68) 268 1446
Excel V.
Dyquiangco
freelance writer
BEST BUYS Carpets or
rugs made out of copra, the top
agricultural produce in the region.
MUST-TRY Try the seaweed ice
cream — still sweet and comes with
a tangy taste.
INSIDER TIP Although you
might see people in military uniform
from time to time, don’t fret. Tawi-
Tawi is truly a safe place.
EDGAR ALAN ZETA YAP