This is the second time I've visited Liliw, Laguna - a charming town south of Manila. All of the occasions I've been here, it was just for a stop-over but it doesn't change my opinion about how charming it is. There are some things that hold my attention upon entering - the brick-colored church and the narrow streets which play host to well-maintained- houses. Of course, there are all those shoe stores. This is after all the "Tsinelas Capital" of the country. The riches of the people in this town were made from fashioning all those tsinelas (slippers). This giant ... Continue Reading...
Archives for May 2009
Churches in Quezon & Laguna
Our pilgrimage to the Pahiyas festival also turned out to be a Visita Iglesia of sorts. We were able to visit at least four ancient churches! Ever since getting married in a 16th century church last January, I've been obsessed with their history and details. The Roman Catholic houses of worship in the Philippines may not be as grand as the ones in Europe but they're still comparable in terms of historical value. They remain enduring symbols of Spain's colonization of the Philippines, and some of them have housed revolutionaries fighting for Philippine ... Continue Reading...
The great Quezon-Laguna day tour: Lucban-Majayjay-Liliw-Nagcarlan
I promised to myself to travel more this summer, and so I did ~ while fulfilling my long-time wish to see the Pahiyas festival. I was also thankful that I joined a tour group instead of driving out. Paying $20 (or P1,000) for a whole day tour that covered four towns, a hearty buffet lunch and with free halo-halo to boot was indeed worth it. I'd have to commend some travel agencies for making tours around the islands affordable for most Pinoys (and not just tourists or balikbayans.) This was one example where joining group tours is more advantageous than flying solo or ... Continue Reading...
Pahiyas Festival 2009: some photos
A fiesta of designs and colors! This is my short description of the San Isidro Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon which I was finally able to attend with a tour group this year. Unlike last year when the event was spoiled by rains, this year's fiesta was blessed with eternal sunshine and was crowded with visitors, more than ever. It was simply amazing to see the creativity of the town of Lucban on this occasion, and if only for this, they deserve to be flocked by people from all over who see in the Pahiyas a showcase of the ultimate Filipino fiesta. With the ... Continue Reading...
Lunch box love
With the word "recession" dominating the news, it seems criminal spending $40 on a hotel buffet or $20 on a lunch out with friends. I still have those days when I'd happily swipe the husband's debit card, but I'd rather be Little Miss Self-Control.:P Something happened in the past few months, and it's the fact that I've joined the legions who bring their lunch boxes to work. I found out that this is the greatest money-saver ever, plus you're spared the trouble of lining up in the crowded cafeteria. It's an added bonus if you have a microwave oven in the office ... Continue Reading...
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