january-2011

EDGAR ALAN ZETA YAP
PHILIPPINES
CAUAYAN
AREA CODE (78)
CURRENCY PHP1 = US$.02
TOUCHDOWN The airport in Cauayan only
opened two years ago in 2008. Ask the Cebu
Pacifi c staff for advice regarding transport upon
landing. Buses and jeepneys travel from the
airport to town.
BY DAY Go shopping at the local market where
vegetables are fresh and cheap. Then, refresh
yourself with a snack at Cleto’s bakeshop. This
place is frequented by locals for its siopao and
potato bread.
BY NIGHT Hotel Andrea has a café and
restaurant that is a must-visit attraction. It’s a cozy
place where you can relax and enjoy a delightful
dinner followed by freshly brewed coffee and
delicious desserts.
SLEEP Ask locals about the fairly new Hotel
Andrea. Expect a courteous and effi cient staff,
as well as very clean rooms that have Wi-Fi,
300-threadcount sheets and a good morning kit.
Maricar
Ty
businesswoman
LOCAL SPEAK “Wen ngarud”
is an Ilocano expression that means
“oo na” (“Okay, okay”).
MUST DO Your trip would not
be complete without a visit to the
Magat Dam.
BEST BUYS Buy the vegetables
used for making the Ilocano
favorites, namely pakbet, saba and
malagkit na bigas.
DID D YOU
KKNOW?
RONEL SARIO
trip journal
PHILIPPINES
BACOLOD
AREA CODE (35)
CURRENCY PHP1 = US$.02
TOUCHDOWN One arrives in Negros through
the new Bacolod-Silay airport in Silay City. That’s
about 15km northeast of Bacolod City. It’s about a
30-minute drive for so long as there are no traffi c
jams. In Bacolod, there are plenty of tricycles.
BY DAY Your trip to Bacolod will not be complete
without visiting Balay Negrense in Silay City, The
Ruins in Talisay City and Mambukal Mountain
Resort and Hot Springs in Murcia. Then again, you
can also just go food-tripping in town.
BY NIGHT Meet and mingle with locals at
popular night spots Piazza Sorrento and MuShu
Bar or enjoy after-dinner coffee and dessert at
Kuppa, Felicia’s or Calea. Visit during Masskara,
and enjoy a super fun night in the city.
SLEEP Stay at the newly renovated L’Fisher Hotel
Chalet, more affordable than the original L’Fisher
Hotel. Comfortable and spacious rooms that fall
within your budget. www.lfi sherhotelbacolod.com
{ 90 }
Treena
Cueva-
Tecson
entrepreneur
LOCAL SPEAK “Namit gid”
(“very delicious”). You’ll say this
phrase many times during your trip.
MUST DO Try authentic Bacolod
Chicken Inasal at Manukan Country at
the Reclamation Area.
BEST SOUVENIRS Try Virgie’s
piaya, butterscotch and barquiron;
Pendy’s half moon cake and mango
tarts; and Roli’s napoleones.
WALTER VILLA
PHILIPPINES
ILOILO
AREA CODE (36)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN There are taxi services available
ranging from PHP300 upwards. There are
metered cabs right outside the airport. It’s a 30- to
45-minute ride to the city. Within the city, there
are tricycles and jeepneys.
BY DAY Check out the old Spanish-style churches
in Jaro and Molo, or go on an adventure and
explore Tinagong Dagat, a lake situated in a
plateau surrounded by the rolling green hills
of Lambunao.
BY NIGHT Enjoy a burger and a cozy ambience
at Perri Tod’s in Jaro. Afterwards, stroll down the
romantic Fort San Pedro, then cap the night with
some java at Coffee Break. Tijuana Bar on reggae
nights plays live music.
SLEEP Spend a little more to book any of the
ocean view rooms of Anhawan Resort in Oton.
The view of the beach at sunrise is so worth it.
www.anhawan.com
Colleen
June
Navarra
freelancer
BEST BREAKFAST Sit down
to an authentic Ilonggo breakfast at
Ted’s Batchoy.
MUST DO Endure 30 fl ights of
stairs at Jaro Cathedral to visit the
miraculous Our Lady of Candles.
INSIDER TIP Always have loose
change when taking the jeepney.
Fares start at PHP7. To get off the
jeepney, say “Lugar lang.”
Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival takes place from January 21-23,
highlighted by a fluvial procession along the Iloilo River.