DIVERSITY OF CULTURES

Traveling without Facebook and Twitter

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Guess I have to congratulate myself for spending my days here in Yunnan without Facebook and Twitter. I can only share my discoveries on Instagram because the other two are banned in China.

But this is for my own fortune, I believe. I can immerse myself here without the tempting distractions. I have now time to be excited about my plans tomorrow which I might not have if Facebook is accessible. I am actually enjoying my stay here in hostel (blogging and watching billiards from the terrace) more than I might be when tweeting. This China’s ban on Facebook and Twitter freed me from social media “responsibilities”.

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appreciating the most beautiful lake I have seen in my life

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Philippines at the Forefront

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“If white sands aren’t your thing, this isn’t the country for you. Otherwise, bust out your flip-flops and follow us.” – Candice Lopez Quimpo/CNNGo

 

With one week special broadcast of CNNGo on my dear country entitled Eye On The Philippines, I can not comprehend  the fact that we are finally have put our own beauty at the forefront ready to awe everyone. (Dear Government, TWO THUMBS UP!) I was not able to watch the first broadcast last April 30 and may probably will not until its end on May 4. But, I will definitely watch this soooooon. I will find a way!!

I have been following CNNGo for some time because of its very interesting stories on Asian countries. I got hooked on it because of the mere fact that CNN is not just “my” worldwide news network but also my database of travel exploration. And seeing that they will feature my country for one whole week? Oooooh. That’s the real bomb. We can reach billions of people thru CNNGo!

So if you want to watch the Eye on the Philippines, just tune in on World Report at 7am and World Business Today at 9pm on May 4 (that’s tomorrow) in Manila Time. If you want to know what I mean with the “interesting stories” I just said, visit CNNGo Philippines. Haha. You can also submit your own stories to share thru their website. Cool, right?

And one more thing, Philippines is composed of 7,107 islands. You might be interested exploring these islands but let me show you a glimpse of what my country can offer: click on The Philippines’ best beaches and islands.

I am just so excited with Palaui Island. See you soon Norte!

Philippines at the Forefront

Come On In

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Free Tour in Las Casas is a guided tour in each old house of the resort in a very “old” Tagalog words from a Filipina who is wearing the traditional baro’t saya dress. Who would have remembered that slippers is originally called as “panyapak” in the old days?

I really had fun during the tour. The Filipina told everything there is need to know about the old houses: original homeowners, unique decorations, how they were renovated, their function in the resort and what the resort plan to do next with them.

She also let us used sumbrero (hat) made from abaca because of the torching heat coming from the sun.

April 6, 2012 – Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Bataan

Sorbetero

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Taro flavored dirty ice cream! Wow!
Siblings with Manong Sorbetero

After our buffet breakfast (it’s part of the accommodation package), manong sorbetero came with his ringing bell asking us to get up from our tables and buy dirty ice cream.

This is no ordinary dirty ice cream.

This is made from gabi or taro. A taro is a root crop and a native vegetable in some parts of Southeast Asia, including Philippines. It is usually used as an ingredient of viands.

*sorbetero = sorbetes (dirty ice cream) + person (seller)

Sorbetes = It is not dirty as some may have presumed. It is called by its name because it is being sold as a street food. It has a very different taste from the ice cream we can buy from grocery stores. The common flavors are chocolate, mango, cheese, and if you’re lucky, there are also ube and vanilla.

But for me, it was another first time. =)

April 6, 2012 – Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Bataan

Old Houses Were Brought Here

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My family spent 3 holy days in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar to reminisce Jose Rizal days and learn pre-Hispanic Filipino culture. Really different from how a Holy Week is usually celebrated? Yeah. That’s the reason my holy week is very memorable.

In Las Casas, every house was bought from the homeowners then put them into a one huge “village” (well, it’s a resort but I prefer calling it a village). What you see in the center is the Casa Binondo II that can be rented for P100,000+ a night! It is the most expensive house in the village and I’ll tell you why next time. =P

April 5, 2012 – Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Bataan