Capiz | Santa Monica Church Of Pan-ay

CAPIZ | Santa Monica Church Of Pan-ay

An Old Parochial Church And A Big Bell

Municipality of Pan-ay is a silent small town with rich Spanish colonial history. It's a coastal town found on the eastern side of the provincial capital Roxas City and a good 20 minutes jeepney ride, snaked all across it as a National Highway that links all the municipalities on the eastern side of Capiz. 

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Roxas City | A Night Stroll In Baybay Beach

ROXAS CITY | Baybay Beach At Night

A Seafood Haven And Beautiful Night On Full Moon

Being that Roxas City, Capiz is the city of my birth. I know this place by heart, like the back of my hand. My fondest memories, shared with friends and family, and being that the 11 km Baybay Beach is very close to the city, citizens of Roxas City are never deprived of enjoying a quick fix beach outing.

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Leap Of Faith | Got Hit By Travel Bug

Got Hit By Travel Bug

Leap Of Faith | What Makes Traveling Worth It

Take the leap, maybe not be the apt word as a statement for why I travel. But travelling, overcoming boundaries and witnessing wonders afforded to those whose willing get out of their comfort zone, it's how travelling changed me.

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TRAVEL NOTES | Roxas City

Roxas City | A Day In The Seafood Capital

March 07. 2012

First time for me to blog about my hometown. As is, I only go home once a year as it's not really practical to do this when I get a long work leave. First off, a homecoming vacation is actually more expensive than any of my trips, more so because I have to bring some snippets for my siblings, and bring back some more back home. But when I do, I make sure I get the most of my time. Roxas City is just perfect for my purpose, time seems to freeze in here, and 24 hour day would feel like 48 hours. Since I arrived yesterday, my parents only fed me Seafood which bought fresh from Roxas City's wet market Theodoro Arcenas Trade Center (TATC). I vowed to be on a diet, but I think I can't get away with it for now. 

The sooner I got off the plane, and smell the air. I knew I was home, the salty tang on the air is my welcome party. Just along the airport, we were greeted by a chorale singing songs in Hiligaynon! I'm really home, people are now talking in my home language and I'm being addressed in it.

I thought I was ready, went to gym many times than usual in the last 2 weeks so I'd be physically fit. Yet after a day here, I've grown my tummy from overeating. Can you help it of you were me? upon arrival yesterday at lunch time my Dad (Papa) bought Sinigang since they didn't have time to cook, its was a big fish the sooner I much on it, I forgot what it was called already. These big fishes here are aplenty and the local names make my head spin. My dinner was a humongous grilled Milkfish and my breakfast earlier today were a set of fat Alimango (Crabs). I purposely told my Mom, I'd be out for lunch, at least so I could skip it. But then I'd be meeting with few friends in a couple of hours, we could be eating Talaba (Oysters) along Bay-bay Beach with beers on hand. I hope not to overeat, haist! If you where me can you help it?

The photo above was taken last year, same time I had my summer vacation.

Its in Baybay Beach. Roxas City is quite proud of this black sand beach.

Travel Notes features my thoughts while on the road. It's a mirror of my current state of mind, impressions of the places I go through, these are snippets of my first hand experiences while traveling.

Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, Faithful lover, True Explorer...

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Coron | Mt Tapyas

Coron | Mt Tapyas

The Sweeping View Of Coron From Mt Tapyas

I can't say that I regret scaling this famous icon in Coron on the first hour after my arrival in. My body or rather my legs weren't prepared for the sudden strenuous effort I subjected it to. I didn't dare count the steps, If I did then I would've lost count somewhere after 50, but they say its over 700 stairs to reach the summit. I kept assuring myself it was all worth it, yet my calves started aching on my way down, and I haven't had any snorkeling or island adventure yet, this could be the portents of me limping in a few days, I just hope it won't be that much.

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EVENT | Pyromusical Competition

The 3rd Philippine International Pyromusical Competition

Getting Awed By The Brightest Fireworks Show

Three years ago, when this Pyromusical show was hosted in SM Mall of Asia, I had come to witness the event not as a travel blogger but as a spectator like everyone else. My own goal was to catch a glimpse of one the competing countries show at least. As you can guess, or if you had been to the event as with this year or previously, it draws a lot of people. A fireworks showdown is a natural crowd gatherer, putting up a show where some of the best people in pyrotechnics can showcase their craft and their country is like watching the legendary gladiators spectacle in the roman coliseum.

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Mindoro | Beach Sunset

MINDORO | Puerto Galera Sunset

The Hunt For A Scenic Sunset

One thing I like about having trips in the beaches is to witness how it looks like during sunset hours. As for Puerto Galera white beach, it's always a quick weekend trip from people who lives and works in Metro Manila. being that its easily accessible from Batangas Pier. My first trip here was during the first team building with my co-workers almost 5 years ago. On my first time, I was surprise that Mindoro is keeping a place like this one. And the first experience of Puerto Galera sunset was spent swimming in its cool waters and watching people enjoying the walk on the beach. Its a nice change from working on a corporate office.

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Culion | Visiting Culion

CULION | Visiting Culion
A History Of People Fighting For Survival

Culion is part of the Calamian islands, way off from Coron. But is a place worthy of mention because of its rich history, of people dedicating their life's work to eradicate the biblical disease called leprosy. Culion went down in history books and was placed in the map to be the world's biggest leper colony that started when Americans colonized the Philippines. I am no historian although history fascinates me, so I will describe instead my thoughts and impressions about Culion as a newbie photo enthusiast.

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TRAVEL Notes | Mt Tapyas, Coron

CORON | Mt Tapyas

Trekking Mt Tapyas on Day 1

February 3, 2012

I'm on 2nd day for the Coron trip, as usual in small towns like this, early to bed and early to rise, and I just woke earlier than everyone. Despite the frustration I got yesterday for having my flight from NAIA to Busuanga Coron delayed for over 3 1/2 hours, I was inspired by Coron even before we touched down the airport.

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Caramoan | Left Alone In Cagbalinad Island

CARAMOAN | Cagbalinad Island

Left Alone In A Limestone Island

Cagbalinad is a small secluded island facing the expensive resort laden Gota Island of Caramoan. This is our second stop for first day island hopping adventure, already my skin is starting to burn but when I'm in a tropical paradise such as this, I can't miss the chance. Our guide Kuya Ramil left us for a good 30 minutes as he was went back to Paniman to get his handmade goggles. We are to have some snorkeling adventure on some deeper waters just few meters away from Lahus Island. He must have realized that I'm very comfortable in the water, I even brought my own snorkeling gear. My next post will be about how he assisted me like a father to a son while snorkeling.

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