Month: November 2016

How my Tawi Tawi Trip was Made Possible

November 27, 2016 / One Armed Wanderer

Tawi-Tawi is one among the provinces in my to visit list this year. Visiting the southernmost frontier of the Philippines; enjoying its unspoiled white sand beaches; visiting the country’s very first and oldest mosque and seeing the indigenous Badjao tribe on their houses in stilts would be an ultimate travel experience. I started googling about the province and discovered that Tawi Tawi celebrates its annual Kamahardikaan Festival during the last week of September. I then decided that the last week of September is the right time to visit Tawi Tawi.

Getting to Tawi-Tawi

A photo posted by Ed Puno (@onearmedwanderer) on Oct 7, 2016 at 3:06am PDT

Unknown to many, Tawi Tawi is very accessible if you are coming from Manila or Zamboanga. However, there are no longer direct flights to Tawi-Tawi from Manila via the budget airline Cebu Pacific Air. Being a budget traveler, I could not afford to book flights to Tawi-Tawi. Getting there requires two flights (Manila to Zamboanga flight then Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi). And another two flights back to Manila (Tawi-Tawi to Zamboanga and Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi). Come Cebu Pacific seat sale, I immediately booked flights that will get me to Tawi-Tawi just right for the Kamahardikaan Festival. I only spent 2,800 Pesos for four flights (Manila to Zamboanga, Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi and vice versa). I saved a lot compared to booking on regular rates which could cost around 10,000 Pesos.

Travel with A Purpose Project in Tawi Tawi

Travel with a Purpose in Tawi Tawi. Thank you to Dave, Hope Inc. and the Philippine Marines of Tawi-Tawi.

A month before my Tawi-Tawi trip, I travelled with my girlfriend to Islas de Gigantes in Iloilo. It was Islas when I started my Travel with a Purpose Project. My sole mission is to randomly give gifts to the locals. I started putting up fundraising accounts via various fundraising sites like gogetfunding and fundmytravel. Despite of not getting any donations, we pushed with the plan and just bought 2,000 Peso worth of toys and goodies in Roxas City before visiting Islas de Gigantes.

After our trip to the beautiful Gigantes Islas and after the successful gift giving, I published some photos on my social media accounts. It was on one of my Instagram post where a fellow Travel Blogger, Dave of Silverbackpacker.com asked me when will be my Travel with a Pupose Project in Tawi Tawi. I said I’ll be visiting Tawi Tawi during the Kamahardikaan festival. He did not hesitate to join. He immediately booked his tickets and helped me raise funds for the gift giving in Tawi-Tawi. Dave also introduced me to the founder of HOPE Incorporated, a non-profit organization whose tag is Helping Others Passionately Everywhere. I partnered with Silverbackpacker and HOPE Incorporated to make the Travel with a Purpose in Tawi-Tawi possible.

Festival No More

A week before our trip, I tried to get in touch with Ms.Marikit, Tawi Tawi tourism officer to ask for their suggested itinerary. I received a sad news that the Kamahardikaan festival. It will be held in Mapun, an island which is a 16 hour ferry ride away from the Tawi Tawi center- Bongao. She also advised that everyone from the tourism will be in Mapun for the festival. I started to lose hope as I really wanted to take part of the festival. Me and Dave will only be in Tawi-Tawi for 2 days and 2 nights. We are pressed of time and going to Mapun will not be possible.

I decided that I’ll go with the plan and will still visit Tawi-Tawi. Witnessing and taking part of the festival would be plus but not necessary. And besides Tawi Tawi is my 2016 ultimate travel destination.

Safety and Security

With our security during our 2 days and 2 nights stay in Tawi-Tawi. Thank you Philippine Marines!

When I booked my flight in March, I was aware of the situation in the ARMM specifically the Sulu. The province is known as the battleground between the Philippine military and the terror group Abu Sayaff. Tawi Tawi being near to Sulu did not bother me as there have been a couple of travel bloggers who stepped on the province. All of them were able to tour the province safely and securely. Though there are only a few information about travelling and touring Tawi Tawi, I still did my research. With all the available articles and videos about touring Tawi Tawi, I concluded that it is safe to visit the province.

I also prepared for my Tawi Tawi tour by growing my beard and mustache and tried to be under the sun as much as possible to get my skin tan. I know that I’ll blend in with the locals and will not look of high value.

Come September, encounters of the military with the Abu Sayaff were all over the news. Since we do not have contacts from the Tawi Tawi tourism office as the entire team will be in Mapun. I have to admit that I started to feel worried because I’ll be traveling with Dave, a foreigner who is likely a target of the terror group. Not until Ritz, the founder of HOPE Incorporated informed me that she will be coordinating with the Philippine Marines for our security during our visit in Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi.

iloilo convention center — Iloilo Convention Center

1 Day in the Philippines’ City of Love – Iloilo City

November 20, 2016 / One Armed Wanderer

Pegged as the Philippines’ City of Love, Iloilo City is the capital city of Iloilo province in Panay Island situated in Western Visayas. Iloilo City is one of Visayas’ major tourist destination due to its rich heritage and not to mention being the home of the warm and romantic Ilonggos. The city is also highly urbanized and serves as a center of trade and commerce in Western Visayas region. Thus, apart from its delicious cuisines, old churches and historical buildings, Iloilo City has a wide array of hotels and accommodations for business travelers and backpackers alike. If you’re planning to visit the city, check out booking sites like Traveloka that allow you to choose the best deals and check out reviews.

View of Iloilo city from Injap Tower Hotel

During my first visit in Western Visayas, I took a 2GO ferry trip from Batangas to Caticlan. My initial plan was to visit Aklan first before Roxas City and Iloilo City. When the ferry docked in Caticlan port, there was a passenger van route to Iloilo City. I hopped in the van and took that 4 hour trip from Caticlan Jetty port to Iloilo City. Having no concrete plans, I did not have any itinerary or even hotel or accommodation to stay once I arrive in Iloilo City.

I arrived at 2:00 AM. The van driver was kind enough to drop me in front of the hotel across SM Iloilo. Since it was already past 2:00 AM, after realizing that the check-out time was at 12:00 noon, I opted to look for cheaper accommodations in the area. Well, I love spontaneous travelling but I do not fully advise it. It’s fun but it’s still better to plan your travel ahead of time.

Church Hopping

After a long land-sea-land travel from Manila to Iloilo, I woke up late that day. Come noon time, I was excited to visit Miag-Ao church. I have only seen photos of the church on a gallery in National museum and Vigan Museum. I was amazed by its intricate and beautiful architecture.

Molo Church

Molo Mansion

I immediately left the hotel see Miag-Ao. I then realized that it was an hour away from the city center. I proceeded anyway and took a jeepney from the hotel to the municipality of Molo where jeepneys bound to Miag-Ao. I walked in the Molo park and checked-out the Spanish-colonial and heritage site – Molo church. This national landmark features Gothic architecture is also known as the Feminist Church due to the all women statues of saints situated on the aisle pillars. Across the street is the popular Molo Mansion. Built in 1920, this mansion was believed to have hosted Presidents Quezon and Osmeña during their visit in Iloilo city. This once abandoned mansion has now turned into a Philippine souvenir shop.

I then proceeded with my journey to Miag-Ao church. After taking 2 jeepneys from Molo district. I arrived in Miag-Ao church. The church’s Baroque Romanesque architecture and its intricately designed facade make it one of the most beautiful church in the Philippines. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, Miag-Ao church has become one of Iloilo’s tourist destination.

Tigbauan Church

Guimbal Church

On my way back to Molo district, I couldn’t help myself but to alight the passenger jeepney every time I see a church in the area.

Molo Soup in Molo District

It was already afternoon when I arrived back in Molo district. I asked several locals where I could eat the authentic Pancit Molo. One local informed me to eat at Tita Paz House of Pancit Molo.

Iloilo City Night Tour

I was lucky enough that I have relatives living in Iloilo. Come evening, they invited me for a dinner at Ayala’s Atria Park District, Iloilo’s relatively new lifestyle hub. Atria looks like a typical Ayala lifestyle center in Manila.

Iloilo Convention Center

Dinner at Atria

The old Iloilo Provincial Capitol

After our dinner, they toured me around the city. We visited the modern and state of the art Iloilo Convention center. Located in Mandurriao, this modern architecture was built-in September 2015. Just in time for the Philippine’s APEC 2015 hosting. Next stop was the old Iloilo Provincial Capitol. This Spanish colonial architecture was declared as a National Historical Site by the National Historical Commission in 2010.

Esplanade

Calle Real

We then visited Calle Real which means “Royal Street” in Spanish. Located In the old downtown district, this street is home to the art-deco and luxury American neoclassical era architectures. It is said that the street used to be the area of high-end shopping outlets during the early period of American occupancy in the Philippines. We also visited what locals call as Esplanade. This Iloilo river esplanade is a popular destination among Ilonggos and tourists alike.

facade of Wallabies hotel Capiz — Facade

Cheap Hotels in Roxas City: Wallabies Hotel and Novotel

November 1, 2016 / One Armed Wanderer

Since we planned to take the Roxas City route to Islas de Gigantes, one of our concerns was to find the cheapest hotel there is in Roxas City where we will stay overnight before heading to Gigantes Islands in Iloilo. During my first visit in Roxas City, I stayed in relatively cheap accommodations. I stayed at Roxas President’s Inn Hotel at 2,217.00 Php for two nights and Premierre Inn motel at 700 Php a night. Since it was already my second time to visit Roxas, I wanted to try other cheap hotels or accommodations. We made a quick research while we were on the Roxas City airport. We found the rates of Wallabies Hotel and Novotel in Roxas City a good deal for budget travelers and backpackers.

Cheap hotels in Roxas City Capiz

Wallabies Hotel Roxas City

Wallabies Hotel is one among the budget friendly and cheap hotels in the seafood Capital of the Philippines. Located along Washington St. Corner Zamora St., Wallabies hotel is just few minute tricycle ride from Roxas City airport and is roughly 5 minute walk from the Roxas City center where restaurants and plaza are located.

Facade

Reception

Lobby/Dining Area

Wallabies Hotel Rates

Regular Room (Queen Sized Bed) – 699.00 Php
Premier Room – (2 single bed) – 799.00 Php
Deluxe Room (3 single bed) – 899.00 Php
Extra Bed/Person – 150.00 Php

Our room was a Regular Room at only 699.00 Pesos. Surprisingly, the room was very clean and looks relatively new. The room comes with a very small LCD TV, small dresser, 2 chairs and a mini table mounted beneath the TV. I felt like the 2 pillows were too small for the queen sized bed. Nonetheless, the bed was very comfortable considering the affordable price of this hotel. This budget friendly hotel also offers 24-hour room service, Wi-Fi, 24-hour security, daily housekeeping and is also PWD friendly as the hotel is wheelchair accessible.

Wallabies Hotel Online Booking HERE

Wallabies Hotel
Washington St. Corner Zamora St., Roxas City, Capiz
Contact number: (036) 6211489 / 09107512772

Novotel Hotel Roxas City

After our 3 day Gigantes Islands visit, we headed back to Roxas City where we will be staying overnight before our flight back to Manila. We decided to check-in at Novotel hotel Roxas City.

Novotel hotel Roxas City is located along Arnaldo Boulevard and is few minutes tricycle ride from Roxas City Airport, Roxas City center and the famous food destination Baybay. Being along the main road, Novotel is just few steps away from Gaisano mall, Roxas Provincial Hospital and various restaurants and bars. The hotel’s facade is barely noticeable as it shares the same building with its sister company NOVO department store.

Since we were no longer new to Novotel hotel, as expected, the room was decent. The queen-sized bed and the pillows were very comfortable. There is an LCD cable TV. The room was very clean and well maintained. I just noticed that the doors used to be powered by keycard locks but for some reasons were converted to the traditional door knobs. Nonetheless, security will not be an issue in the hotel.

Novotel Roxas City Room Rates

VIP Room- 1,050 Php
Family Room- 1,050 Php
Deluxe Room- 800 Php

Novotel Roxas City is under the hotel chains of Asia Novotel which is also has hotel chains in Caloocan City, Kalibo, Dumaguete, Sorsogon and General Santos City.

Unfortunately, Novotel hotel does not have an online booking facility. You may book other Roxas City hotels HERE.

Asia Novotel Roxas City
Tanque, Inzo Arnaldo Village, Roxas City, Capiz
Contact Number: (036) 6320869