The Other Side of Mae: Philippines (Mindanao)

Showing posts with label Philippines (Mindanao). Show all posts

Friday, May 27, 2016

Feature Friday: Wow Panaon!

Feature Friday highlights businesses, people, fashion, and basically anything under the sun!

Panaon, Misamis Occidental is a budding municipality located north of Ozamiz which is only three quarters of an hour ride through private transpo. However if in public, an additional of 15-20 minutes won't break your neck 'coz there's never traffic jam here in our laidback province. With that, I'd like to be called as a probinsyana (dreaming of Coco as my probinsyano). Hehe..... Anyway highway, enough about him and just allow me to start raving to you a place that surprises me this summer!

Sideway, I never thought that my first write-up on Panaon's Punta Meriam would be such a hit! Even after a year and a half, it's still on my popular posts list and I do get a lot of queries every now and then about it. Some of my readers also asked other resorts they could visit in the area so I thought that I must do a follow-up post on it.

To start with, we checked into La Playa Azul (formerly Regalado's). It just changed management so renovations are still on going. Honestly, we found the place unwelcoming to guests because the staff was not accommodating. Sorry to tell you this but I have to since I don't want to mislead people by "all praises" on this blog. However, we understood and considered since the owner is not from the municipality and is residing in Cebu. And when the cat is out, the rats always play, right? So that's understandable. But aside from the poor staff administration, the resort doesn't serve food too. There's no resto so you better bring your own food. The restrooms are also far from the cottages which is rather inconvenient. Though the garden is still under reconstruction, the pools are not well-kept. Hopefully the next time I'm gonna visit the place, renovations are done, personnel is already trained and prepared, and amenities and facilities are complete for the convenience of the guests. Because with all honesty, we were not happy for the price we paid during our visit ('coz every move = price to pay).

In spite of that, we still enjoyed our day 'coz we went on a banana boat ride and island hopping! Banana boat was P85 per pax and the pump boat ride to an island was P800 round trip. But we waited for an hour for the captains of the ship to arrive. The manang still had to call for them 'coz there's nobody on standby. You can't also make bookings ahead of time as we inquired. Tsk tsk..... Actually, I got a little impatient 'coz I was only doing the outing on my 9 AM - 5 PM MWF class break. Gladly, Rio was a speedy driver so she sent me back to school on time!

On the other hand, we also checked into Dela Paz Beach Resort. It's a public one and it's just like Rama Beach in Clarin, another municipality in Misamis Occidental which is adjacent to Ozamiz. The only entrance fee here is P10 for whatever car you're bringing including all passengers inside. If by foot, you're not gonna pay for anything. It's open to all so the beach is crowded. The place is not really clean as expected but there are lots of water activities that are already in waiting. There are more banana boats and pump boats with the additional kayaks and jetski. However, they said that the jetski was privately owned and who knows you could talk to the owner to have a ride. Haha! Additionally, they also have this ride wherein you cling on to a big salbabida on your stomach and face down then you'll get tugged by a fast-moving motorized banca. The ride was hilarious and would surely give you adrenaline rush. My cousin Matoy even stopped the manong for she couldn't move forward clinging on to dear life anymore. This ride was P100 per pax for an hour and oh, by the way, the pump boat ride to the island was only P20 per head here roundtrip so I guess La Playa also charged us more than the ride actually cost. I feel like they snipped a big chunk of the P800 we paid. Poor banca owners....

Now here are quick vids on what to expect of the water activities!

With prices affordable at Dela Paz, our little cousin and nephew did the island hopping twice-thrice during our outing last Sunday for JP's birthday. Everybody really enjoyed swimming with the fun water activities that are plenty in the place. So there's no need to go to Boracay for white sand (though the island here is not as white) and watersports 'coz we already have 'em here in our nearby town, Panaon. I just hope that one day, they're gonna also add parasailing.

So this is my local summer adventure! I never thought I could experience summer this year for our school's second semester also covered April and May. I am just glad that Panaon gave summer to me so hail to the municipal government officials for making the place a tourist destination! Let's explore Misamis Occidental further, friends! #tosomfeatures

P.S. Follow @exploremisocc on IG here! :)

I Heart Panaon!
(c) Rio

Punta Meriam Beach Resort and Spa
Alona's Dreamland Beach Resort

Oklahoma Island Rafi's Resort

Beaches Up North!

EOS Destination #1!

For questions, invites, and collaborations, direct message me on Facebook. For updates on my whereabouts and whatabouts, follow me on Twitter and Instagram! :)

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Family Sunday Roadtrip: Rodolfos Cuisine and Mon's Grill

On the second Sunday of the new year, we had our first family getaway! The quickest we managed, off to Pagadian and Mahayag we went just to eat!

First stop, Rodolfos Cuisine at F.S. Pajares Ave, Pagadian City. It was Papa who recommended the place for he already tried it out with friends and he wanted to eat their tinola again. Yeah, right. Fish tinola again and again. No matter where we are, it's the tinola he always wants to eat. In contrary, the rest of us had an over indulgence of pork. We had pork Bicol express, pork sinuglaw, liempo, and chicharong bulaklak. Gosh! It was like, cholesterol check don't care. Haha! We just didn't realize that what we ordered were all pork until the food came in to our table. But we enjoyed every bit of 'em! It was like "fiesta!" as Rio often says fondly of. Hehe.....

On our way home, we dropped by at the fruit stands to get a load of sweet melons. Price check, cheaper than what we have in our market. Quality check, ripened in its own time. Just so fresh from the farm!

Then we hit Mon's Grill at Mahayag for their now getting famous halo-halo! Word of mouth has it! Perfect perfect halo-halo all worth the long drive! It's not that grand as what other halo-halos are but it's just a quite simple mix of "a little of everything", as Auntie Bebot quipped. It has langka, ube, macapuno, sweetened banana, leche flan, sago, garbanzos, gulaman, etc. Topped with cereals, a scoop of ice cream, and grated cheese, well, well, well, it is just so mouth-watering! This reminds me of the halo-halo I had in Naga a long, long time ago which I considered as the best halo-halo ever! Now it's a great thing Mahayag has a version of it already. I've tasted it once again! Additionally, the crushed ice is really fine that you'll not have a hard time chewing it which also adds to the tempting taste of the halo-halo. And the secret ingredient is so so secret because it is there at the bottom. Maybe it's the condensed milk which gives it sweet consistency or maybe it's the all-purpose cream which makes it creamy. I really don't know. So we just ate up to our mouth and stomach's delight!

Hay, unplanned family outing like this is just as sweet as halo-halo. Visit Mon's Grill just along the highway to Mahayag's bus terminal/market. You can barely see or notice the place for it's just a humble grill house but mind you, plenty of cars park outside 'coz they are now renowned to be visited by customers from far-flung places just to have a taste of their halo-halo. So here's how the outside of the resto looks like for you to be guided.

Stay tuned for other local eats adventures only here on The Other Side of Mae! #tosomtravels #tosomeats

Yammynamnam at Yammy's Seafood Grill

Alnetivs

CamSur Sidetrip

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Malasag Eco Park

The holidays seem to be draining me that I don't have the energy to fill this blog with posts. I have plenty of stories to tell but I don't have the luxury of time to write. So for this last post on our CDO escapade, I'm just gonna bombard you with photos for my laziness' sake. Haha!

Souvenir shop, restaurant, and picnic area right after the entrance

Welcome to the jungle!

Once in a while, take on new adventures. But I was holding on to dear life!

Function hall, cottages, rose garden, and pool

Denim blouse and shorts from Rodeo Drive

Cultural treasures of Malasag

Having lunch on top!

Really good food but the serving is so bitin

Thank you, Malasag Eco Park for accommodating us! :) #tosomtravels

Museo de Oro

High Ridge

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Spiritual Sunday: Divine Mercy Shrine

Spiritual Sunday teaches all about life and our Big Boss.

"but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” - John 4:14

"And when King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of the LORD." - Isaiah 37:1

"The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe." - John 19:2

"Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the LORD your God." - Leviticus 26:1

"In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’" - John 3:3-7

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." - Psalm 100:4

Location: Divine Mercy Hill, El Salvador, Misamis Oriental

Himala sa Simala?

Maundy Thursday: Visita Iglesia

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Museo de Oro

Getting to a place and staying in that place is never enough to know that certain place. Cagayan de Oro City is like the 3rd home of Ozamiznons, next to Cebu which is always Ozamiznons' 2nd home (as I could see and tell). I think almost all Ozamiznons grew up going to CDO on weekends just to shop and dine. You know, the usual leaving Ozamiz at the break of dawn, arrive CDO around 9AM, go straight to the malls, and leave the city by mid-afternoon to make habol the ferry trip via Tamula in those days and barge nowadays. If being left behind by the ferries, go 'round Lanao-Zamboanga route which is way too hassle and tiring. Though CDO is 4 hours away from Ozamiz, we still love going there for something new and different. For the quickest escape, just hop in the barge and bus to CDO. But, do we really know CDO aside from its malls, restos, and hotels?

For me, CDO is again 3rd. Third from Manila (1) and Cebu (2). Well, that's in terms of malls and street traffic. So there I go again, malls! That's what I always picture out when CDO comes in mind. So I was glad that the LSU MatSci Department squeezed in something different during our trip last week. We visited Museo de Oro which is nestled inside Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan. The museum showcases the history of not only the said university but also the entire Cagayan de Oro as well. So, I got a glimpse of CDO's past (that needs to be discussed).

In the first chamber of the museum, an archaeological display of prehistoric CDO is being exhibited. This includes the fossil remains of Stegodon mindanensis, an elephant of the Pleistocene era.

Then a display of paleolithic CDO follows consisting of pottery of Kalanay tradition, nephrite stone adzes, iron blades, human remains, and coffins which were recovered at Huluga Cave, Brgy. Taguanao, Cagayan de Oro City. The cave was said to have been used as a cemetery in the ancient period.

Next was an exhibit of how the early inhabitants of CDO survived thousands of years ago before the arrival of the Spaniards in our country. There are spears, harpoons, and other weaponry used for hunting and in warfare, cooking ware, and other household materials.

After the prehistoric era, there's a showcase of Catholic relics and other religious artifacts brought in by the Spaniards to CDO. In 1622, two Augustinian recollect missionaries first came to the place and later in 1626, another Augustinian priest, Fray Agustin de San Pedro convinced the natives to transfer their settlement down the river (as the city is being bounded by a river). In their new settlement, the priest built a church where he baptized the leader of the tribe, Datu Salangsang and his wife. (Source: Heritage Conservation Advocates)

But even before the coming of the Spaniards, the natives already opened doors for barter trade with the Chinese. This was evident by the recovery of intricately crafted Chinaware from Song to Ming dynasty period according to the museum's guide.

Then there's also a corner dedicated to the Japanese occupation in the Philippines during World War II. There's a kimono, a samurai, a ceramic set for drinking sake, a pair of geta, and the Japanese flag.

At the other side of the room is the second chamber exhibiting the rich culture of Mindanao. In my History V class in MSU-IIT way back college days, I learned that there are 18 indigenous ethnic groups in Mindanao so far as I can recall. Most of them are Moros or Muslims but the first inhabitants of CDO were not Muslims but another tribe of men with big tattoos and women with gold ornaments. I guess that's where the name Cagayan de Oro came from. Oro from gold and kagay means river by the way, from where the first settlements were located.

No matter how invaders conquered our land, no matter how the world changed, there are still indigenous tribes in Mindanao that remain uninfluenced, untouched, and had preserve their culture and tradition. They still believe in their own faith, create their own art, sing and dance in their own music, and write their own story.

Especially our Muslim brothers and sisters. They have an opulent collection of rare finds in the museum.

Museo de Oro is not just of prehistory, the ancient, and the culture. It also features the evolution of technology so we got to see the old machines our not-so-ancient ancestors used before. FYI, I had come to use the typewriter when I was still in grade school and high school so these are not that ancient after all.

Finally, we are now at the upper chamber of the museum where memorabilia of Fr. Francisco Demetrio, SJ, founder of Museo de Oro are being displayed. Fr. Demetrio had written books on Philippine myths and even a dictionary and encyclopedia of Philippine folk beliefs. Graduate school students often visit the gallery as the museum was given the name to be Philippines' first folkloric museum.

Isn't it great pride for us, Mindanaons that right here in our very own land, a national treasure lies before our very eyes which plays a big role to our country's history? And what I consider as the gem Museo de Oro has is the dinner invitation and menu of Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo, Philippines' first president of the republic right on the very first day of our independence in 1898 at Cavite.

Lastly, still at the upper chamber. Behind us is a collection of Philippine and foreign currencies from years before up to the present.

After the tour, I realized that I don't really know CDO at all. Because the more you know, the more you did not know. Hehe.... So I felt fulfilled with our trip 'coz we inserted an educational tour for lifelong learning.

Thank you, Museo de Oro for accommodating us though it was your ~~maintenance shut down~~ last Monday! (Parang planta lang. Hehe... I forgot the term for museums.)

So take time to know our heritage! Visit Museo de Oro inside Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan! Entrance fee is only P70 for adults, P60 for graduate students, and P30 for undergrads. Sorry I haven't checked for the kids. Maybe it's lower. No flash photography is allowed and just like in all museums, touching of everything inside is prohibited. Observe silence too!

Going Local on Dr. Jose P. Rizal's 154th Birthday

Sto. Niño Exhibit

Wednesday, December 09, 2015

High Ridge

Checking-in, checking-in..... Oh, how I love beautiful places and beautiful things! Sa tuktok pa ng bundok, sa pinakalalim pa ng dagat, sa kaduludulohan pa ng mundo, at sa kaibuturan pa ng puso (char lang!), talagang dadayuhin just to experience! Experience a place and all its goodness, that's my kinababaliwan these past years! But my latest check-in is not that exag to reach and attain to. It was actually, smart! Specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused, and time-bound. Ngek, nakuha lang sa seminar? Haha! Or might be, LSS? Anyway highway, this was our PEP dinner venue at Cee-Dee-Oh last Sunday night!

High Ridge is located on a hilltop at Aluba, Upper Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City. It is a really big resto that could cater 300-500 persons (in my calculation only) in just one setting. There are plenty of seats to accommodate everyone according to preference, may it be indoor fine dining or just the casual al fresco. But I prefer the latter-outdoor garden and the terrace for a more cozy atmosphere and cooler ambiance.

In addition to the garden, a playing area for kids is installed too which makes the place a family-friendly one. It is a perfect location for family bonding after church on a Sunday as what we'd notice and it's great to go there by late afternoon to early evening. I have to warn you that the road is a bit risky though it's not rocky and bumpy. It's just too steep, you know. Acrophobic issue, curling my feet in greater heights..... Nyikes! By the way, High Ridge is open from 11 AM to 12 MN serving lunch, snacks, dinner, and nightcap.

Since the resto is on top of a hill, the air is a bit nippy in contrast with the burning heat of CDO city proper. It offers a panoramic view of the city which reminds me of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong wherein you'll also get dazzled by the lights come nighttime.

And the food. Yes, the food! No wonder why people flock to the place! For not only we can have a nice change of environment but we can also have more than good food! Just by the sight, one can't never resist!

Introducing, the Fiesta Platter in calamares top view (edited through IG), pork belly view, roasted chicken view, and crispy pata view! All the yummy goodness in just one big platter perfect for 4-6 persons (in my own calculation again depending on the group's appetite). Everyone's fave calamares is chewy but not rubbery, the pork belly is too flavorful than the ordinary grilled ones. However, the roasted chicken is a bit dry and not juicy. And the crispy pata's skin is really crunchy to the bite! The sauces have their distinct tang and zest that I couldn't compare with ordinary soy sauce and vinegar. Overall impact for this, it's really fiesta to the mouth and the tummy!

Fiesta Platter - P1,399

Another is the Seafood Platter comprising of seaweed salad, kinilaw, grilled squid, shrimps, and fish. Looks very palatable but not that ample compared with the Fiesta Platter which can only be good for 3-5 persons only (in my calculation again and again). And this one is more pricey. Maybe seafood in CDO costs really high 'coz here in Ozamiz, we've got plenty in our market! I didn't find anything remarkable in this platter. The taste is just the same as what we can do and have in our own kitchen at home. We can even do better. Hehe.....

Seafood Platter - P1,799

With that, I highly recommend the Fiesta Platter than the Seafood Platter as long as you are not health conscious and you eat giving in to your guilty pleasure.

On the other hand, there are also a la carte servings such as this High Ridge roasted chicken. I haven't tasted this one and I hope this isn't cooked the same as the roasted chicken in the Fiesta Platter.

High Ridge Roasted Chicken - P169

Finally, the drinks! If other restos or cafes shoot up the prices of their drinks, High Ridge doesn't. Cold drinks start at only P35 to P89 and shakes range from P109-P149. Glasses are tall making the drinks even more worth the price!