Snapshot Saturday: Spectacular Steel Structure

Basilica Minore de San Sebastián
I remember the second I stepped in this church... I looked up, stared at its gorgeous ceiling and whispered, "Where have you been all my life?". It's just in Manila folks. You gotta see this all-steel Neo-Gothic marvel.

Thanks to Illuminati Travel and Tours I was brought here. Cheers to your successful launch.

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Siquijor: Cambugahay Falls and The Old Enchanted Balete Tree

I have seen some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country, but it was my first time to see the bluest of blue basins. Cambugahay Falls may not have a stunning cascade, but its clear pool can easily tempt any visitor for a dip.


Shervin and I just came from Lazi Convent and Church, perplexed and blown away. After marveling on structures made of timber and coral stones, we were ready to see another natural attraction.

Cambugahay Falls' signage along the main road has an ethyl alcohol ad on it, with the president's youngest sister as the endorser. Not the most enticing sign, but it gave us a good laugh. Our tricycle driver dropped us off the parking area. We crossed the road and began the no sweat 15-minute hike. Actually, it's more of a stroll/descent down cemented steps.

The waterfalls is tucked inside a lush forest. At the end of the paved trail, I caught a glimpse of some blue pool which at first I thought was man-made. As I got closer, I had a full view of the falls and its basin. I exclaimed "wow!" for the nth time that day.

Though inviting, we weren't able to swim in. We were rushing through Siquijor's attractions because we needed to catch the last ferry to Dumaguete. After half an hour, we were once again aboard the tricycle. We zoomed our way to our last destination, recommended by the driver.


He took us to the famed old, enchanted balete tree which is believed to be 400 years of age. And let me tell you, this one's a behemoth (I wonder how big is the biggest in the world)!

Here in the Philippines, balete trees are known as hosts to scary creatures and spirits. I have no idea where this myth (I'd have to see one to become a believer) originated, but I do know its predator-ish ilk. In reality, it is the wild balete tree that's evil. A creeping plant that lodges itself onto a host tree, killing it when it's mature and mighty enough. When the host dies and withers, it leaves a hollow trunk. that's why we could sometimes pass through it.

Uhm, sorry to lead you to that geeky science stuff I'm occasionally into. In English, I think balete trees are amazing, so yeah I was more than happy to be brought there.

As we walked around the tree, gray clouds suddenly hovered above us. Our cue for calling it a day.


So for the last time, we hopped in the tricycle and headed to the port. The photo above was taken just before we boarded the ferry. It perfectly encapsulates our memory of Siquijor... A laid back, unsullied paradise. But full of surprises.

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Snapshot Saturday: Cavern Crazy

Callao Cave in Tuguegarao, Cagayan.
Spelunking wasn't our primary objective, though we obviously did a little. We were there to do our pre-nuptial photo shoot. A chapel inside a cave's the perfect eerie-romantic backdrop (not in this photo however). Kinda like the vibe of Paco Park, a former cemetery during Spanish colonial period, where our wedding was held.

Siquijor: Lazi Convent and Church

The road was deserted. Our tricycle came to a halt right in front of Lazi Convent's entrance. I stepped out of the vehicle and shifted my gaze from the convent to San Isidro Labrador Church (or simply Lazi Church).

Lazi Convent, humbly grand.
There's something about the rawness and unpolished-ness of the two that make them innocently charming. And that innocently charming persona in a tranquil environment can make anyone stop, sit and stare.

At least, that's what it did to us.

Siquijor: Kagusuan Beach

Our driver arrived on the dot. He waved when he saw me through Hotel Agripino's restaurant window. 7:30 AM was what we agreed on. Shervin and I had just finished our brekkie then.

A long stretch of powdery white sand.
We walked out of the hotel and towards the tricycle. The driver approached us, took our bags, and tossed them on our ride's roof. How chauffer-ish. He's the same guy who drove us from Siquijor town's port to this hotel two days ago, upon his brilliant recommendation.

He asked where we'd like to go first. I replied, Kagusuan Beach. He gazed up in the sky and looked as if he was about to make a weather forecast. It was, after all, an overcast morning. After about half a minute of silence he finally said, "Sige po mam hanapin natin..." (Okay ma'm, let's look for it).

Snapshot Saturday: The Cliff And I

Me looking like a midget with this beautiful, towering limestone cliff at Bako National Park. Sarawak, Malaysia.

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Siquijor: Salagdoong Beach

The sun's rays kissing the white sands of Salagdoong Beach in the late morn was blinding my sleepy eyes. I just stepped out of Hotel Agripino. I yawned and stretched (and heard my idle bones crack) and trudged to the shore.

Blinding white.
Shervin, equally sleep deprived but already donning his board shorts, walked beside me. After semi-circumnavigating three islands in the Visayas for six days, we agreed on taking a breather. A preggy backpacker is in dire need of one every so often. The habal habal ride and trek to Casaroro Falls we did a couple of days back left me bushed.

And that beach before us was the perfect spot to laze. Well, that and our hotel room with a view of Maria Bay.

Snapshot Saturday: Staircase To A Crater

250 steps to Gunung Bromo's crater! East Java, Indonesia.

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Siquijor: Surrendering to Serenity

I sat to compose myself. The sweltering midday heat was infuriating my hormones. Twelve weeks into the pregnancy and there I was in Dumaguete Port battling morning sickness yet brushing off the idea of slowing down. We were waiting for our ferry to Siquijor.

A calming welcome. View of Siquijor's shore upon docking.
Shervin and I have been traveling for five days already with the route Cebu-Dumaguete-Siquijor. Quaint-quainter-quaintest was indeed how we rolled, and what I truly needed. I was jaded to bits.