Travel Footprints

I’ve always had pleasant visits to Davao in the past and I knew this time would be no different as soon as I boarded the PAL flight and saw this –

The airline’s inflight magazine had featured Davao as its cover story! Definitely a useful read during the 1 hour 30 mins flight to Davao from Manila. While I was not in Davao for leisure, it’s always nice to squeeze in a good dinner or two, take time to go out and explore the largest city in the Philippines. Of course, nothing beats recommendations from the locals. I was fortunate that a college orgmate was able to take time out of her busy schedule from Davao Doctors Hospital to show me around her beloved city.

I’ve always preferred staying in Apo View Hotel while in Davao, not entirely because of the room rate or strategic location (it’s a big plus, though!) but also because of their cheap massages at Php250/hour. Imagine my surprise when my friend brought me to a ‘hole-in-a-wall’ restaurant that serves Italian just behind the Gaisano Mall (walking distance from Apo View Hotel). I’ve walked to Gaisano Mall from the hotel several times not knowing that there was a gem of a restaurant right behind it.

The place is called Picobello Ristorante Italiano, up on the 9th floor behind Gaisano Mall from the basement parking. I love places like this! Breaking into the dining scene of Metro Davao mostly through word-of-mouth, it’s an artsy little space that serves, well, pasta and Italian main course. The ambience is definitely cozy with a window table that overlooks most of the city.

It was a short stay in Davao but I’m looking forward to discovering more in my next visit! I was pleasantly surprised to see the bustling nightlife of Davao City on a weekday while visiting more coffee places around. It does pay to go out of the hotel room sometimes. It is also comforting that the locals would really extend their assistance if you need help with directions. Taxi drivers here are well known for giving back the exact amount of change down to the last centavo, or even returning wallets left in cabs.

Davao’s charm also lies somewhere in the streets called Madrazo, where crates of sweet, juicy pomelo or marang and other fruits are sold. I could never go back to Manila without my family expecting to receive some flavors of Davao, especially now that it’s Durian season –

Of course, the best farewell to Davao is to fly PAL business class going home

I have many fond memories of Baguio growing up. Almost every Christmas my family would trek up and spend cozy holidays there. This slowly faded though as Baguio turned into a city just as congested as Manila.

Baguio has become a destination for me again ever since I discovered the various trails in and around the city. Yes, at its outermost parts the pristine pine covered mountains do still exist . . .

Some years back a friend had invited me up to ride. No idea where exactly. All we knew was we wanted to go up and ride anywhere. As I had a company team meeting that week, it was the perfect excuse to go.

Drove up on Sat, slept over at Troy’s house, and started our ride around 7am on Sun. We had intiallly planned to join the Baguio crew on another ride, but due to rain It was cancelled. But the three of us wanted to ride something long that day, and thought, hey, how about Ambuklao? Was supposed to be 30-35km one way, so we figured it was doable.

“Kaya ba natin?”

“Oo kaya siguro. One day ride lang.”

“Ok let’s go”

Sometimes it’s half baked plans that turn out to be memorable adventures.

Started from troy’s house in La Trinidad. First 10-12kms was paved road along Halsema Highway, moderate climbs with the occasional drizzle. I felt good. I felt strong. It was a perfect day to ride. A couple of kms before the guerilla saddle was the trailhead, leading to Ambuklao dam.

What follows is probably the most fun easy dh course i’ve seen, 19kms of twisty fireroads/doubletracks, with berms along the way. It was just screaming speed and high g turns  I would describe it as forgiving yet enticing. If you’re an adrenaline junky, let go of the brakes, stay low on the bike and carve your corners. It was zigzag all the way down. Those less inclined can take their time, no big rocks or ruts.

The rain also meant lots of mist along the way, which really made for a surreal riding experience. Not a lot of pics taken here as we were having too much fun to stop.

At around 11am or so, we reached Ambuklao dam. And as is the norm with biking, took our time to pose and take shots 

Then begins the best part of any ride . . .the uphill climb back to Baguio, all 35kms of it, of which Onie could only comment, ‘I’m so tired, it feels like I’ve had sex with three women in one night . . . ‘  So maybe that’s Onie’s secret for being a strong rider . . . ? hehehehe

Anytheway, at km 27 to Baguio, we chanced upon Pingkan Jo’s eatery, which was well stocked with Gatorade and Red Bull. A literal Oasis amidst all this!  I think this was around 3pm or so already. Hell, I was grinding at 3-5kph up, and I was seriously questioning a local’s comment that it would only take 3-4 hours back (oh, it takes a car 1 hour to get up, so you guys will take probably around 3 hours), uhm, ok.

Well, at nightfall we were still around 15kms from Baguio, and it was getting colder, and it was starting to rain again. Good thing Onie and I brought lights. Telling some ghost stories along the way didn’t help either . . . eventually our lights died out and we were walking in pitch darkness. No moon, no light, no traffic. Just the lights in the distance of which I keep hoping would be Baguio already.

At km 8, we called it quits. It was about 9pm, and we were resting at a sari-sari store which had some enclosure, a thankful sight on a cold wet night. So when a jeepney pulled over (fortunately it was a sort of turn point for most jeep trips), we negotiated for a ride back to La Trinidad. Stopped over at Andok’s for our dinner, and just dumped all our dirty gear at Troy’s living room  We didn’t want to look at our bikes anymore.

Special thanks to Onie for the photos.

This is a post about things we don’t usually see while travelling through our airport terminals. Ever wondered how government VIPs are treated on their official travels? Well, last Friday i got a peek on how these VIPs find their way in the hustle and bustle of our airport thanks to a special pass issued to us by the Manila International Airport Authority –

In preparation for the arrival of 28 Ministers from 28 different countries for a big conference in PICC next week, the MIAA has gratefully allowed us a walk-through in the world of VIP-style travel. None of these long lines for our guests arriving next week –

I have had the experience of travelling by Business Class (especially via PAL) on several occasions so I was a bit familiar with the airport lounges and the facilities (and food!) guests can enjoy while waiting for flights. I was still thrilled to see these lounges that I never knew existed before Friday such as the Dignitaries Lounge in NAIA Terminal 1 –

the VIP Lounge in NAIA Terminal 1 –

and the Presidential Lounge in NAIA Terminal 2 –

As the name suggests, only the Philippine President and her entourage are allowed to use this lounge in the Centennial Airport. Our conference organizers had to request for a special permit to open this space for use of the dignitaries’ arrival and departure so I was glad to have the opportunity to see a glimpse of their world. The walk-through was quite informative. There were things I often see in the airport during my past travels but never really paid much attention until now. All I can say is, our VIPs really do travel in style!

And me and these guys will be there as it happens next week

Exactly a year ago, the Roños were with some talented photographers and PinoyNomads for our prenup shoot starting from the Cagayan Valley and ending up in Ilocos Norte via Claveria.

In this year’s trip to Ilocos, I took the opposite and ‘normal’ route from Manila and Pampanga towards Ilocos Norte. I’m not a big fan of long hours of travel by land (especially going back home to Manila) but there’s always this excitement in doing a road trip to north of Luzon simply because something interesting always turns up on the road to Ilocos. Here are some of my personal must-haves for pasalubong during stopovers.

Pangasinan has some of the best bagoong and dried fish around. Tarlac has fresh and cheap vegetables. La Union has the comfortable and inexpensive ‘inabel’ or Iloko weave. Ilocos Sur has, of course, the Vigan Heritage Site…

with the yummy empanada and Vigan longanisa…

There’s even an area called ‘The Vigan Empanadaan’ within the Vigan Heritage Site showcasing empanadas, a personal favorite. A sign there says: ‘The Empanada is a vintage merienda of the Bigueños. It is a delicious snack, similar to the Mexican Taco, of sauteed cabbage or papaya with egg of Vigan Longanisa stuffed in a crispy shell made from ground rice. It is a sentimental favorite of Bigueños, young and old alike.’ Amen to that.

And finally, Ilocos Norte has the historic Paoay Church, the man-made Paoay Lake and feast of bagnet (deep-fried pork), sukang iloko (cane vinegar), dinuguan, sarabasag (grilled pork soaked in vinegar) and pinakbet in any of the restaurants along the way.

Let’s not forget to bring home some chichacorn and kalamay from Candon City…

Oh and did i mention, the view of the beach from the highway is a beauty as well?