If you hate Christmas and anything that has to do with it, maybe you’d want to skip the Philippines. Filipinos celebrate the longest Christmas season in the whole world. Christmas is ushered in — no, not by the rumors if there’s any or how much is the Christmas bonus — but by the Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi, which is from December 16 to 24, with the 25th being the Misa de Aguinaldo, the final Christmas mass. Simbang Gabi literally translates to a “Night Mass,” but it’s being held at dawn, 4:00 a.m. to be exact. There are probably two general groupings for those who would want to complete the 9-day Simbang Gabi, resisting the urge to sleep, made more difficult by the cold nights — the devout Catholics and those who believe a wish is granted if the 9 days are completed. Still, regardless of which group you’re in, you’d probably enjoy the traditional Philippine Christmas delicacies — bibingka, puto bumbong and tsokolate — served, for a fee, of course, around the church area. Continue reading Christmas in the Philippines
Category Archives: Things To Do
Enchanted Kingdom (Sta. Rosa, Laguna)
I was always excited every time the peryahan, which I believe is translated as a “fair” in English, comes to town. There’s the Ferris wheel, or something that resembles it, the caterpillar ride, the haunted house and, of course, the games. Looking back, there’s really nothing fancy about the perya, that is, if you compare it with the likes of Enchanted Kingdom. So, the first chance I got after it opened in 1995, I went to see this Enchanted Kingdom, and went back for more — perhaps proof that there’s always a child in each of us. Continue reading Enchanted Kingdom (Sta. Rosa, Laguna)
Fine Food and Tacsiyapo at Isdaan Restaurant (Gerona, Tarlac)
Eat anything edible. This is probably one of the tips taught in the Subic jungle survival course. It’s not that I need to go through a course like that. I can eat almost anything. Well, except many vegetables. Basically carnivorous. Still, regardless of the cuisine we prefer, it would be nice to enjoy good food in a place basking in good ambiance. Just like in the Isdaan Restaurant in Gerona, Tarlac. Continue reading Fine Food and Tacsiyapo at Isdaan Restaurant (Gerona, Tarlac)
10 Little Things OFWs, Balikbayans and Pinoy Expats Could Do To Help
a) Spend your vacation, your dollars, in our Philippines
It is understandable for our OFWs, balikbayans and Pinoy expats to spend vacation in other countries. The world is truly beautiful and majestic. But please do spend some of your vacation, and some of your dollars, in our Philippines. Every dollar that you bring into our country will help build our Philippines. It will help our tourism industry. It will mean more sales and more jobs for our local industries. It will mean an increase in our country’s international dollar reserves. It will help stabilize the Peso. And ultimately, it will help stabilize our economy. Continue reading 10 Little Things OFWs, Balikbayans and Pinoy Expats Could Do To Help
Sinulog (Cebu City)
There’s a party — a city-wide street party — unfolding this day in Cebu City. Not today, I mean, but during the time when I originally wrote this article in January 16, 2006, back when I discovered blogging. Looking back, it’s quite unfortunate that in more than four years of staying in Cebu, I imbibed the mardi gras spirit only once. Continue reading Sinulog (Cebu City)
Diving (Cabilao, Bohol)
I considered it one of the happiest homecoming. Perhaps, it was because it reminded me of teenage summers quite generous, it gave me both inexplicable joy and sadness. Continue reading Diving (Cabilao, Bohol)
Climbing Mt. Pulag, Benguet Province
I have sentiments about climbing a mountain for the second time. C’mon, this country is sprawled lengthwise on a section of the Pacific Ring of Fire and volcanoes are strung to its length like beads on a rosary. Why should I climb a mountain for the second time when there are numerous mountains sprawled everywhere that I haven’t been to or even know existed? Continue reading Climbing Mt. Pulag, Benguet Province
Fully Booked at Bonifacio High Street
B hated picking me up when I was still working at Legaspi Village in Makati City. He loved some of the restos in Greenbelt but he always found the Ayala Central Business District too crowded. Continue reading Fully Booked at Bonifacio High Street
Parasailing in Boracay Island
The Boracay breeze must have frozen my brain that morning . . . or maybe it was the Jona’s watermelon shake . . . or maybe it was my desire to check out the gorgeous bodies littered along the entire beachfront all at the same time. I was rather surprised how calm I was when I decided to tempt fate and go para-sailing. I did not even think twice; well, I stopped for a moment to consider the cost. . . seems unreasonable because you go up for under fifteen minutes only…but heck, it’s not everyday that I get this chance. Continue reading Parasailing in Boracay Island