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I just submitted my first draft article for the Wikimedia Cultural Heritage Mapping Project less than an hour ago. Not sure if I was doing it right but it's my first time and I'm quite open to feedback and comments. I just hope they comment on my work soon so I can revise as needed and start working on my two other articles.

Lately I've become preoccupied with the project that I've been staying up late for consecutive nights, something I haven't done in a while since I quit school. Maybe I just love the adrenaline rush in beating deadlines, more maybe I just crave intellectual pursuits. But this I know, even if I don't get certified in the project, at least I learned a lot, and met new people in the process. Plus, at least it made me get to know more about my city. 

For one, last week I discovered a very nice church. I never thought we had one like that near where I live. While there, I was just amazed at how old the structure was. So much history and yet very few knew of it. While walking through its corridors and sneaking into doors, I thought to myself, this could very well be my playground! Suddenly I found a sanctuary.

I was pleasantly surprised to find this gem in a place where I wasn't expecting much. Looks pretty new to me.

Also last week, I was back in UST with a newfound friend whom I first met in Pulag and whom I met again in the Wikimedia seminar. We first shopped at NBS Cubao since the store was having a sale. I got to purchase two cool art books among others, one focusing solely on my fave painter Titian. Then we took the LRT 2, got off at Recto and walked all the way to UST. My last visit in the university was during the Lumina Pandit exhibit, when UST was celebrating its 400th anniversary. Now everything looks better with the tiled plaza. I often thought, what if I went to UST instead of to UP? I would probably be very much inspired being surrounded by old structures but I guess I wouldn't be that comfortable with myself since it was only in UP where I got to meet like-minded fellows, people who are not afraid to be themselves, weird they may be. Plus, the intellectual climate in UP in incomparable. 

unfortunately, they allowed the construction of a condominium near UST. tsk tsk tsk!

Another plus is finally getting to try the Thai restaurant near UST. This Thai resto, located near Dapitan, serves cheap but delicious food. I can still remember the peanutty pad thai and their tom yum. I wish the tom yum is made more sour and spicy. 

These days, being busy is not a problem. I'm wishing for extra 5 hours each day so I can start reading the books I recently bought. I'm also excited to write about my Batanes adventure but I guess that will have to wait. Deadlines first. Sigh.

Bohol 03012014 Day 4

Our last day in Bohol started with cheap breakfast at a carinderia in Panglao, near where Ging Ging's Hotel. Because I wasn't that hungry that early, I only had an order of ampalaya, half cup of rice, egg, and free soup, which cost me only P29. Maybe my subconsciousness was telling me I was spending far too much with last night's expensive dinner at Bohol Bee Farm.

We hired a habal-habal for half a day, stopping by the wonderful Hinagdanan Cave first. Entrance fee is P25 per person. Staff also charges P5 for parking. It was a pretty small limestone cave, but a beautiful one at that. I especially love how sunlight comes filtering through the cracks, illuminating the cave and making it look rather divine. And the cool still waters provided us much respite from the heat outside. I dipped in the pool for quite a while just to experience the fresh waters.

cave paintings of snakes with human heads

Now what fascinates me the most about Hinagdanan Cave is the paintings of snakes on the walls! It's my first time to see rock art. (I live in Metro Manila but I have yet to see the Angono Petroglyphs.) From the look of it, the painting doesn't seem to be that old. Still, the subject is quite interesting. Why paint snakes? I wonder what the artist had in mind when he made this? They remind me of nagas.

Next we went to Dimaluan beach, which is more beautiful and more peaceful than boat-filled Alona Beach. The next time I'm visiting Bohol, I'll make sure to spend a night in this area. Entrance fee is P50 per person, plus P25 parking fee. Here I spied a French scuba diver whom I approached and conversed with. I just love the surprised look on a Westerner's face when they find an East Asian looking girl speaking French. LOL. I just wanted to practice my French since it's been a long time since I last used it. Anyway, while my buddy was enjoying the waters, I found refuge under a big tree and read a book. My idea of beach bumming doesn't involve getting burnt.

under this tree I sat and read... and napped

 We headed back to our hotel before noon. As we were waiting for a jeep back to Tagbilaran, a taxi stopped by in front of us and asked to drop us off in the city for just a minimal fee. We grabbed the opportunity since it was very hot and the jeep was taking so long to arrive.

In Tagbilaran, we had lunch at Dong Juan. My buddy had a burger while I feasted on their gambas con ajillo pasta (P179). Yummy! We did some last-minute shopping at BQ Mall before we hit the airport to go back to chaotic Manila.

already missing this pasta. YUMYUMYUM!

Bohol Day 1
Bohol Day 2
Bohol Day 3

Bohol 02282014 Day 3

Perhaps due to exhaustion, we were not able to get up early as planned. It was already around 8am when we got out of bed and had our free breakfast at Nisa Traveller's Inn. The dining area of the inn was colorful and pretty, the designs sure to be appreciated by travelers and adventurers yet providing that homey feel.

It was already hot outside when we went out to explore more of Bohol. This time, we ventured to the northwestern part of Bohol, visiting mainly the churches which were heavily damaged by the 7.2 earthquake late last year. Along way, we saw a lot of damaged houses.

According to a certain National Museum staff in Loon, there will be a one-year assessment of the area by geoscientists before any construction can take place. This is because of the sinkholes that materialized in the wake of the earthquake. We got to see the sinkholes, one of which is located right inside a classroom!

sinkhole inside a classroom in Loon

What's left of Santa Cruz Church in Maribojoc: statue amidst the rubbles

Sto. Niño Parish Church in Cortes

We returned to Tagbilaran afterwards. It was depressing to see the ruined churches, but at the same time, it was uplifting to see that life goes on in Bohol, that mass goes on in makeshift tents, that faith goes on. October 15, 2013 will forever be etched in the memory of heritage advocates and enthusiasts as this was the day many heritage structures were either badly damaged, or totally pulverized by a strong earthquake.

We had a quick tour of Bohol Museum and a quick visit to Tagbilaran Cathedral. Then we boarded the jeep to Alona and checked in at Ging Ging´s Hotel. Rate for a room for 2 with aircon is P850 and it was the cheapest we could find in that part of Panglao. Tired from consecutive commutes, my friend decided to sleep while I wandered off alone to visit the famous Nova Museum. This museum houses a collection of diverse shells found not only in Bohol but also in other parts of the Philippines. Of course, I am happy to find an entire shelf of Melo Shells, Melo being my nickname. Melo shells are found in Palawan and according to archaeologists who study shells, these types were once used as dippers (or tabo in Filipino). I also got to see the magnificent San Agustin Church. Augustinians really have beautiful massive churches!

At night we splurged on dinner at Bohol Bee Farm which was much recommended by another office friend who stayed at the resort. Since there were only two of us, we were not qualified to partake of the buffet which requires a minimum of 10 persons. So we had the special menu dinner (P660, service charge included). Dinner consisted of bread, cabcab & dip (this is really nice!), salad (with real flowers), seafood soup (which I LOVE!), brown rice, honeyed chicken with sesame seeds, pork spareribs, blue marlin steak lasagna (yummy!), and ice cream (yumyum!).

With that much food, we felt full even after the long habal-habal ride on the way back to our hotel. While on the road, we regretted not bringing jacket as the night wind was chilly. Yet, we greatly enjoyed the night as we got awed at the fantastic star-filled night sky.

Read about our Bohol Day 1 and Bohol Day 2 misadventures.
Bohol Day 4

Bohol 02272014 Day 2

The second day of our Bohol experience, my office friend and I woke up very early in the morning and hired a habal-habal to take us to Alona Beach in Panglao where we were to meet up with a Chinese couple whom we met yesterday at the Loay River Cruise and who asked us to join them in their island hopping activities so that as a group, costs will be cheaper. To our great dismay though, the one with whom they transacted was not an honest man. He asked for P500 more on top of the P1500 per banca, lying to the Chinese couple that the banca will be bigger and therefore more stable in the sea. The Chinese couple agreed, not knowing that the bancas are of regular size and one can seat up to 10 people. At that time, I remembered what our parasailing guide in Boracay told me about how Boholanos are manlolokos and even reminded me to always be alert when in Bohol. Still, we were still lucky because all the habal-habal drivers we hired were all friendly... Or maybe it's because we initiate conversations and even joke with them.

We arrived in Alona Beach a little before 6AM then we departed for Balicasag Island. On the way, we were treated to a sight of playful dolphins in the seas. Unfortunately, non-locals are not allowed to jump out to play with the dolphins. Our guides suggested we go to Oslob in Cebu for the whaleshark interaction experience so I noted that down.

In Balicasag Island, we had fun snorkeling. My recent purchase then of an underwater Pentax camera came in use. Sad to say, I haven't fully explored how to use it so it was only in auto mode, and the waters were not as calm as in Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa so my priority was on making sure I didn't venture far out lest people suddenly find me gone. Still, the sight was very beautiful. Lots of clownfish! Hello, Nemo!

I didn't get to take a good shot of the orange clownfish I saw...

Before we left the island, we got into a dispute with our guides because apparently, the snorkeling gear was not included in the P2000 fee. The night before I was asking if that was already included in the tour and the reply was just an "ok". If I were scammed in other countries I could have been more forgiving, but to be lied to and fooled by a fellow Filipino just doesn't feel right. And I had to explain everything to the Chinese couple who obviously did not understand Tagalog. So I was like an interpreter then and it was a most stressful situation to be in. Our vacation was almost ruined thanks to manlolokos who prey on tourists. I hate the mentality here that foreigners are wealthy people. I hope that Bohol creates a tourism office to regulate all tourism activities, pretty much what they have in Sagada and Batanes. In Bohol, you are vulnerable to these kinds of scams. Snorkeling gear cost us an extra P150 per person. This and not to mention the P200 snorkeling fee at Balicasag Island, which was also not declared beforehand.

When we finally got to the second island, in Virgin Island, it was as if everything that happened was already a faint memory. The island has nothing special in it but the serenity of the place certainly calmed us down. Here in Virgin Island, we tasted different seafood offerings like sea cucumber, shells, sea urchins, and abalones. I love the shells most, they taste like shrimp but the texture is like that of squid.

 It was already past noon when we got back to Alona Beach. We had our late lunch in one of the tent restaurants in the area. Two piece chicken barbecue, rice, and monggo cost me only P135. My friend ordered chicken intestines (isaw) and I had a taste. It was good.

We went back to our hotel in Tagbilaran to rest a little. Then at night, we attended the samba at Iglesia ni Cristo because my friend is of that faith. I just tagged along, curious as to how they worship.

Read about our Day 1 experience HERE.
Bohol Day 3
Bohol Day 4