butanding, buntading, ikaw rin ay aking narating!

Finally, I was able to see the famous Oslob whale sharks or Butanding, but locally called Tuki.

Oslob is a 4th class municipality in the southern province of Cebu. It is about a 3-4 hours ride from Cebu City South Bus Terminal (Ceres bus). Just tell the driver or the "dodong kundoktor" to drop you off in Barangay Tan-awan because you will be watching the Butanding. These drivers already know on where to stop. Just an FYI, be there before 1:00 P.M. since whale watching is from 6:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. ONLY! You will not be accommodated if you will arrive there at 1:01 P.M.; they are strict with time!

Now, for the money matters (hehehe), be ready to pay 300 pesos to watch the lovely Butandings. The 300 pesos already includes a life jacket. However, if you want the Habagat life jacket which is more comfortable, you will pay another 35 pesos. If you want to bring your phones while whale watching or your cameras are not water-proof, you can buy a zip lock bag for 5 pesos. The whale watching runs for 30 minutes ONLY. While you are on the boat, please be cautious. Listen to the instructions of the boatmen!

My experience was pretty good because I was with my friends, but there are  things that bothered me at that time. There were tourists (locals and foreigners alike) who were seemed very excited to see the whales that they forgot one of the most important guidelines which is to stay away from the whale within 5 meters. There were also 6 Korean divers that were holding the rope of our boat at the bottom of the sea, which was really scary because they can capsized our boat at any time! Also, I was not comfortable with the sight of these whales swimming beside the assigned fisherman-feeder because it was so unnatural; I am afraid that these pretty creatures will get used it and will no longer know on how to get their own food. 

Anyway, before you eventually get on-board the non-motorized boat (for the sake of the Butanding; don't worry the whale watching is only a few meters from the shoreline so it will not take you forever to see them), there will be a short briefing. If you have already applied your sunscreen or sunblock and you have plans to divide into the water to swim with the whales, you will be asked to rinse your body since sunscreen or sunblock have ingredients that will harm the whales. In other words, you will be asked to take a bath again! Therefore, don't apply your sunscreen lotions or sunblocks if you want to dive with the whales. Again, please listen to the instruction of the boatmen and remember the tips during the briefing! Be a responsible tourist! By the way, after whale watching, you can actually stay on the beachfront and enjoy the rest of the day. 

From Boracay with love!

Last January 2012, it was my first vacation alone. Yes, on my 30 years of existence here on earth, it was my first time spending vacation all by myself. It was actually a dream come true because in a way, it is liberating.

Anyway, the destination was Boracay! This was also a dream come true. Before, I always tell myself that if I already have the money, I will go to Boracay, and there I was standing on the white powdery beach of the island!

We all know that plane tickets to Boracay are pretty expensive. So, the best way to get there is to watch for promotions from different airline companies (Cebu Pacific promo fares for example). Take advantage of those promotions because that’s what I did. 

Now, here’s how you can get to Boracay (from Cebu that is). From Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), you’ll land at the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport or Caticlan Airport. If you are a budget traveler (a politically correct term for a poor traveller…hehehe) like me, you have the option to walk going to the Caticlan Jetty Port Terminal. It is about 100 meters from the airport. I assure you that the distance will not kill you! If you choose to charter a trike or tricycle, be ready to shell out around 100 pesos from your pocket because I am pretty sure that you will be waiting for eternity for other passengers since most of the tourists have agents; when they arrived, they already have coasters waiting for them. So, choose between 100 pesos or a couple of minutes walk. It’s your call. 

Caticlan Jetty Port Terminal is where you take a boat ride going to the beautiful island of Boracay, and be ready for series of fees (TERMINAL FEE: 50, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ADMISSION FEE: 75, and BOAT FEE: 20) before you can get on board. However, going home, you will no longer pay the Environmental and Admission Fee.

From Caticlan Jetty Port Terminal, you will dock at the Cagban Jetty Port and Passenger Terminal. Once you are already there, you need to ride a tricycle to your main destination or hotel. It will cost you 20 pesos per person for the ride. You don’t have to charter a tricycle. You can ride with the other tourists and locals. You just have to tell the driver on where you want to go. This is just an advice; it helps if you don’t sound that you don’t have any idea on where you are going. You see, some of the drivers can sense that you are a first time tourist and will feed on that situation. You will have an unsolicited tour of the island, and they will ask you for a fare way beyond 100 pesos. Like what I did, I did an extensive research about Boracay. By the way, the motorcycle terminal is just outside the port. 

During my three days stay on the island, I stayed at an affordable, but decent place in Station 3. Station 3 is the place to be for budget travellers. Please be reminded that it is ideal if you already have a reservation before your vacation date because on holidays, it will be very difficult to find a place which is still available; or else, you will end up on those expensive places in Station 1 and Station 2. Basically, that was my experience during my vacation. I arrived there on January 23rd at around 7:00 A.M. I didn't realize that it was Chinese New Year week. I have to wait until 9:00 A.M. for a vacant place. 

My original plan was to stay at Ocean Breeze in Station 3, Manoc-Manoc, but it was fully booked. However, since I am a bit adventurous, I didn’t mind it and just asked around for a vacanat place (still in Station 3). Someone told me to try “The Orchids”; unfortunately, they too were fully booked. At this time, I was already starting to get anxious, but praise God! The owner of the “The Orchids” stepped out and told me that her sister has a place, and it might be available. She was so kind and accompanied me to her sister’s place. Her sister told me that a Korean couple will be checking out at 9:00 A.M. and asked me if I can wait. At the back of my mind, I told myself “Do I really have a choice?” (ehehe). I said yes of course! 

Unfortunately, I forgot the name of the place. It should start with the letter M or W or whatever. The owner was so hospitable and told me that I could leave my bag at her house. That’s what I did and decided to check the beachfront, and I was so amazed. A long stretch of white sand beach greeted my eyes. I can’t hide my excitement that I almost screamed! 

Since I was already hungry, I checked for a restaurant, and the first thing I saw was Andok’s! I didn’t realize that I can find an affordable fast food chain in Boracay. So there at Andok’s, I ate my first breakfast on the island (not social! hehehe). 

Aside from basking underneath the sun and swimming to your heart’s content, you can shop until you drop in Boracay. The place to be is the “D Mall”. At the “D Mall”, you find shops for “pasalubong”, branded clothes, and beach accessories. Aside from shopping, at the “D Mall”, you will also find restaurants serving international cuisines, fast food chains, small amusement area for the kids, wall climbing area, and resto bars. 

For the coffee lovers, don’t be sad because Starbucks is already serving Boracay! It is located at the beach front in Station 1. Aside from that, here are the other famous things that you should try in Boracay: hair braiding, henna tattoo, fruit shake (it seems that every 5 meters there is a fruit shake station…hehehe), and massage at the beach front. 

By the way, aside from Andok’s, there are other affordable food choices in Boracay, like Master Siomai, Leylam’s Shawarma, and Mang Inasal. 

At night, you can enjoy an eat-all-you-can dinner buffet that ranges from 200 pesos to a thousand pesos, poi dancing exhibition, and live bands. However, before dinner, do grab the chance to experience the famous Boracay sunset. It is romantic even if you are alone! =) 

The end.

Kadaugan sa Mactan 2012

After Sinulog, what is the next big celebration that the Cebuanos are anticipating? The answer---the Kadaugan sa Mactan! Kadaugan sa Mactan is an annual celebration held every April on the Island of Mactan. It is a celebration of the triumph of Lapu-lapu over Magellan. 

Before (about 10-15 years ago), I remembered that the only big event during the Kadaugan sa Mactan is the re-enactment of the fight between Magellan and Lapu-lapu or the “Bahug-Bahug sa Mactan”, but today series of events are lined-up! 

Before the Kadaugan sa Mactan 2012 will be shared to the mainstream media, Cebuano bloggers have the first glimpse of the line of events that will happen this year. Thanks to the Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc. and Ma. Caridad Satorre (https://laagannacebuana.wordpress.com/about/) for inviting me, but most of all I would like to say thank you to Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Harry Radaza. 

So here are the events to watch out for. On April 27, 2012, there will be a street dancing competition. Be entertained with the latest dance moves from different dance groups. For boxing aficionados, watch your favorite amateur boxers in action during the ALA Amateur Boxing Night. As for the kids, the kids at heart, and families, a carnival will be put up! There will also be a DJ from the biggest club in Cebu (Penthouse) so you can dance all night long and put your worries away. Aside from these events, you will have different food options and an exciting shopping experience because the local government will have food stations and selling booths located between the area of the old Mactan bridge to the Marcelo Fernan bridge; in other words, the whole stretch of the M.L. Quezon National Highway. 

Now, the fun doesn’t stop there! Listen to this! When the clock strikes 12, there will be a Midnight Beer Run, which will be first in the Philippines. Instead of water stations like we see on marathon competitions, it will be BEER STATIONS! Isn’t that fun?! I think I will be joining the race (ehehe). On top of the beer stations, you have to drink one shot of rum on the finish line! You can select between 3k and 6k distances. The registration is at 100 pesos, which is very affordable. With your registration, you will get your race number and finisher’s t-shirt. FYI: There will be no singlets. 

On April 28^th, it will be a great day of car enthusiasts. Like last year, there will be a Car and Audio Exhibition. You can drool over pimped-out cars because of their extravagant designs, flashy accessories, and over the top car audios.

Also, on that day, there will be the Rampada Street Dancing, which is a patterned from the Carnival of Brazil. The word Rampada is a merger of two words Rampa and Kalsada (Cebuano word for street). You will experience street dancing like you are in Brazil, but as we all say right now: IT’S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES! So, it will be much livelier than Brazil's. Aside from that, there will be live performances from local bands and artists at the 360° Stage, which will be situated near the Sports Complex. You will also experience an extravagant fireworks display later at night and the Rampada After-Party.

By the way, for interested business-minded people, you can check for tent availability by calling 341-1822 and look for Sheila Reyes. Rentals are around 1,000 pesos or more. 

Lastly, the “Bahug-Bahug sa Mactan” or the re-enactment of the fight between Magellan and Lapu-lapu will be on the morning of April 27, 2012.