Tag Archives: philippines

How to save up for your dream Batanes trip

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“It’s my dream to go to Batanes…”

I knew this line very well. I was once a dreamer too. But I didn’t stop on dreaming. I took actions to make that dream a reality. But how about you dear reader: How will you make that dream trip to Batanes? While others may use an unsecured loan, I would like to share how you can save up for your dream Batanes trip.

STEPS TO SAVE UP FOR YOUR BATANES TRIP:

1. First, you have to HAVE A GOAL. For a 6days, 5 nights trip to Batanes, you need at least Php 30,000 to cover for your airfare, food, and lodging. Some of you may raise an eyebrow. But think about it this way: Airfare is high (Php 18k roundtrip for a regular fare). Fuel prices are high resulting to expensive commodities. It’s a domino effect. The actual expenses may be lower than the target amount. But it’s better to aim higher.

2. SET-UP A TRAVEL FUND ACCOUNT. Set-up a dedicated bank account specifically for your travels. You have to discipline yourself to put money in that account. You may also use the auto-save up function of a bank like BPI. They have this auto-save up function, where your payroll account will transfer a certain amount of money to your travel fund account.

3. SET THE TIMEFRAME/ DETERMINE THE AMOUNT THAT YOU NEED TO SAVE UP: If you aim to go to Batanes April of 2014 and you started this June 2013, you have 10 months to achieve your target amount.

Formula: Target Amount / # of months to save= amount needed to save monthly

e.g. Php 30,000/10= Php 3,000 monthly

4. CUT DOWN on other not-so-important expenses. Now, how do you manage to deduct Php 3,000 from your monthly income? You might frown and say: I have so many bills to pay etc. and other excuses…But hey, remember, this is for your dream. So cut down on other expenses:

  • Credit Card purchases
  • Electricity use: Sleep with your lights turned off/ Set a timer for your air conditioner
  • Php 150 frappe or coffee— instead of buying that favorite frappe, why not sacrifice on just 3-in-1 coffee and just add ice :) You’ll only have to spend around Php 10.00 instead of Php 150.00
  • Prepare your own lunch instead of eating out
  • Instead of taking a cab, wake up early and commute to work.
I hope these practical tips can help you achieve your dream. Don’t just dream. Stop making excuses. Just do it!

 

Video blog: Time lapse scenes in Batanes

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Batanes is one of the places that you can’t get over with. I still can’t get over it especially when I saw a time lapse video this morning as tweeted by TourismPinas.

When I checked on the name of the videographer, it turned out that I know the person. I asked for his permission to post this video and share it with you.

Full Credits of the video: Bong Bajo

Watch Batanes in Time Lapse:

I also shot a video of Batanes but haven’t had time to edit it yet. haha. backlogs.

Batanes Diaries: Chill-out with Mineovaheng

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Dear Batanes, 

You hold so much uniqueness. You gave us a first impression that would surely last a life time. Our first day in your land of beauty was laidback yet fulfilling. I saw the simple life in Mahatao, drank from the fountain of youth, captured the rustic appeal of Diura, listened to the waves at the Chawa viewdeck and watched the sunset at Naidi Hills.

But as you know, the fun never stopped there. Though your island is far from the party atmosphere, the winners of SEAIR’s Batanes Winter Bloggers’ tour still had the chance to chill-out.

We went to Shanedel’s Inn to check out the online world. Thanks to Tita Dely Milan who allowed us to use their wifi. Of course, we wanted to buy some food or drinks as a way of saying, “Thank you” for the free wifi. And then, we saw this bottle with red liquid on it. The label reads Mineovaheng but it was pronounced as [minyo-va-hang].

I learned that your mineovaheng is made of fermented sugar cane and yapo (natural yeast from blackwood tree). Tita Dely said that it was just newly fermented from Itbud, Uyugan. She showed us another wine bottle which was a lot older.

Of course, we tried to taste both wine to compare. The newly fermented one was a bit sweeter with a taste of vinegar. The older one had that “kick taste”. It had a stronger taste than the newer wine.

For the guys, they liked the older Mineovaheng. But for me, I liked the newer one. And when I looked closer at the bottle, it says 20% alcohol compared to the older with 5.78%.

But don’t worry, we didn’t get drunk. It was just pure fun to get a taste of your wine.

With Tita Dely Milan, her grandson and granddaughter, and the group

Till here,

Trip@dora

***Batanes Diaries are series of posts of my experiences in Batanes. This is my way of encouraging you guys to get to know one of the best places in the Philippines. Special Thanks to South East Asian Airlines for bringing us to Batanes as part of the Batanes Winter Bloggers’ Tour Contest. And for the warm hospitality, my utmost gratitude to Tita Lydia Roberto of Batanes Seaside Lodge & Restaurant and Hiro’s Cafe, and to DOT Region 2 director Bless Diwa for the assistance.

Kasadyahan Festival 2012: A showcase of festivals in Western Visayas

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The Kasadyahan Festival 2012, composed of nine groups, brought its audience to a cultural journey to the different parts of Western Visayas.

Among the nine competing groups in this year’s Kasadyahan, the Salakayan Miagao: Ipadayaw group stood out as champions. The Salakayan portrayed how the people of Miag-ao fought for their faith. The participants showed variety of emotions, one of which are the wailing young women.

The Mandaragat of San Jose, Antique followed as first runner-up. This group showed that they enjoyed their performance even under the scorching heat of the sun.

The Hubon Sinulog Sang Oracon of Sibunag Guimaras and Sinadya sa Halaran Festival of Roxas City placed second and third runners-up, respectively.

Meanwhile, Tribu Maragtas composed of students of West Visayas State University ended up as 4th runner-up.

In just a day, the audience witnessed a glimpse to different festivals in the Western Visayas region. Other participants in the Kasadyahan included Sigabong Sang Mga Kanyon of Bago City, Hugyaw Kansilay of Silay City, Palayag Sang Buenavista of Guimaras, Tribu Panguyang of Tibiao, Antique.

The Kasadyahan Festival 2012 was one of the highlights of the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo.

Budget-friendly lodging in Tacloban City

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“Don’t judge a book by its cover or as Melanie Marquez puts it, “Don’t judge my brother; he’s not a book.” 

The facade of Rosvenil Pensione might give you a second thought. But don’t let your prejudices overpower you. When I asked my friend Aaron, a local of Palo, Leyte for an affordable yet decent place to stay, Rosvenil was his recommendation. From an ancestral home, the owners converted Rosvenil into a pensione house.

From the Abucay terminal, the trike driver dropped me at #302 P.Burgos Street. He pointed to his right, where an old house stood. The signage affirmed my destination.

When I went inside, I was surprised with the look of the lobby. It’s modern. I made no prior reservations but the staff readily assisted me.

For a deluxe airconditioned twin bedroom, I was charged Php 500.00. That was a steal!

The staff then led me to the annex building, which looks new. However, it was an exercise to go up to the third floor, where the room was. There was no elevator. So if you’re with an elderly, ask for a ground floor room.

She opened the room, and voila, it was homey, spacious and clean! The atmosphere was more like of a hotel than a pensione house. It’s airconditioned. It also has a cable TV, a phone, a dresser, and its own comfort room.

The downside? There’s no wifi and no hot water for the shower.

For the price, it was a good deal. So far, this was the most affordable yet comfortable place that I’ve stayed in.

FOOD

They have a restaurant beside the lobby named Socsargen Grill. But it was closed during my stay so I haven’t tried their food.

Just a few meters away from Rosvenil Pensione, I found this fastfood with a “romantic name.”

I checked out the food but then, my friend and his girlfriend invited me to eat with them at a restaurant which serves sinugba (grilled foods such as isaw, barbeque). It was also a few blocks away from the pensione house.

NEAREST ATTRACTIONS:

From the pensione house, you can walk to the Sto. Nino Church/ Sto. Nino Shrine and the Rizal Plaza.

TRAVEL NOTES:

      • Rosvenil Pensione contact number: +63 53 321 2676 ?
      • Address: #302 P. Burgos St., Tacloban City
      • Most expensive room rate: Matrimonial bed Php 930.00
      • It has a parking space for those who have their vehicles with them.