10 Things to See in Banaue

Banaue (population: almost 20,500) is one place where time’s stood still. Their way of life appears to be different altogether. It is all about souvenir shops, art galleries, cafes with a view of the majestic terraces and mountains. Playstations are unheard of. Kids derive their enjoyment from riding makeshift wooden “scooters.”

I am posting here “10 Things to See in Banaue” to guide the traveler and also as a reminder to self. Been only to four spots, haha. Data culled from a Philippine Tourism Authority map.
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Whirlwind trip to the Rice Terraces

Yay! I was only in Banaue for a record 32 hours, which does not explain the ludicrously long 16-hour trip overland, both ways. But I did enjoy it in the shortest time possible. It made me appreciate once more one facet of our country’s cultural heritage and the greatness of our ancestors.

After being in the beaches the past few months, I was glad to be up in the mountains enjoying all the greenery and the cool air , which turned chilly sometimes. We stayed in the Banaue Hotel & Youth Hostel , a government-run hotel dating back to the Marcos era which is considered the best in the area.Even though the “dark” central lighting needs changing, our group enjoyed the priceless view of the mounains from the glass-encased resto. But I thought the best thing about the hotel was the hot shower.One really needs it as the climate in Banaue proved to be colder than Baguio.
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Off to Banaue

Leo Oracion may have climbed Mt. Everest but am off to trek the great Banaue Rice Terraces this weekend, also known hereabouts as our Eighth Wonder of the World.
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‘Da Vinci Code:’ the book vs. the movie

Watched Da Vinci Code in a free screening last night with Karla. Surprisingly I liked it better than the 500 or so pages of roller-coaster drivel contained in the book which I thrashed two years ago.

I am not joining the great debate between Jesus’ humanity and divinity as I don’t anymore have the time, energy or sufficient knowledge to do that. The public would be better off reading the book, seeing the movie and judging for themselves.
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Circumcised/Uncircumcised

Dr. Michael Tan ran an interesting commentary yesterday about the health and cultural implications of circumcision – or the lack thereof. Even though the topic is quite off for this blog, I think it’s thrilling to write about something that never fails to elicit the most laughs and/or rabid opinions from my friends, especially the male ones. Believe me, our long-held beliefs on the matter is enough to bring us back to the Middle Ages, a belief that is now the subject of growing medical debate: should we or should we not circumcise?
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Viaje del Sol: A Roadmap to Leisure

Even as I’ve read about it before, my personal encounter with Viaje del Sol happened during my short stay in Tahanan ni Aling Meding. That’s when I perused the VDS informative brochure deftly written by editor An Mercado-Alcantara. Viaje del Sol, meaning “the way of the sun,” is described as a map pinpointing significant spots in the highway traversing Laguna, Batangas and Quezon.

There are 16 places listed in this charming directory of must-see destinations. It’s a pity that I’ve only been to two, giving me more reason to go back soon. After all, the Labarzon area (for lack of a better word) is at most only two to three hours’ drive from Manila.
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The Day-Off Chef: Cooking with Smoked Salmon

Happy Mother’s Day I would like to thank all my friends for the greetings.Please share in this blog feast as I make this post on one of my all-time favorites – smoked salmon.

High school buddy Anna Lyn had sent me a few pounds all the way from Norway. I remember meeting her dear mom in faraway Las Pinas just to get this precious commodity. Opening the whole package at home, I took my first bite and it so excited my palate that I had to open my long-stocked bottle of white wine to complete the experience.
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High-tech gadgetry in Mission Impossible 3

I’ve heard from a friend last week about this couple who separated because of Smart’s Where-Is locator. The wife tweaked her(sleeping) husband’s phone so that she’ll know where he is at any given point in time.. on her cellphone. Unluckily for the hubby, he was caught lying several times (possibly at the following locations: Pasig, Pasay & Sta. Mesa, hehe). A married close friend of mine also finds the Where-Is function handy and am glad that as a single unattached Globe user, am spared from such unnecessary intrusions into my privacy.
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Mobile blogging: coming soon?

Although mobile blogging or moblogging has been introduced in the past by local operators with little success, signs are pointing to its resuscitation with the launching of multimedia phones with blogging capabilities in the market.
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Sidetrips to Guimaras Trappist monastery, Iloilo & Bacolod

It seems I forgot to mention that Guimaras mangoes are the best, sweetest-tasting on the planet!! But somehow, I wasn’t able to have a photo of them in bundles. Didn’t even bring ‘em home for fear that it would destroy my “travel light” philosophy.Anyhoo, another destination in Guimaras is the Trappist Monastery. It’s a sprawling, idyllic compound ably run by the Trappist monks. They have a nice church here and a store oozing with pasalubongs.I bought some rosaries which the priest was only too willing to bless.
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