Getting to the Island Called Camotes

Camotes Island doesn't ring a bill, especially to those who are outside the Visayas region. Recently though it hogged the headlines following the tragic motorboat incident that claimed the lives of at least 61 passengers (as of today). Reports say that passenger boat M/V Nirvana bound for Camotes Island capsized a few minutes after it left Ormoc port on July 2, 2014.

...and so my memories of that little-known island all began to rush back to me. Sometime in 2013 I was whisked away to that island without any extra clean clothes on my backpack. 

From Danao Port (approximately 2 hours travel by land from Cebu City proper), we boarded a Ro-Ro vessel off to Consuelo Port in Camotes Island. This was what the port looked like at that time:

Travel time from Danao Port to Camotes Island took us approximately two hours on-board the Jomalia ferry. One-way ticket cost Php180 per person for non-aircon and Php200 for air-con accommodation. 

                         

We left Danao Port at 8:00 a.m and arrived at 10:00 a.m. As of 2015, however, I found some changes in schedule. This might help those who want to visit the island:  

Danao to Consuleo, Camotes:

• 5:30 AM 
• 8:30 AM 
• 11:00 NOON 
• 2:oo PM 
• 5:30 PM 
• 9:00 PM       

Consuelo, Camotes to Danao Port:

• 4:00AM 
• 5:30AM 
• 9:00AM 
• 1:00PM 
• 5:00PM 

As we reached the Consuelo Port, we rented a multi-cab to take us to Santiago Resort and ride us around the island. A motorcycle or tricycle can be a good option to roam around the island to see its hidden wonders including the island's fine beaches. (Motorcycle is the main transportation in the island.)

Timubo Cave should not be taken out of the itinerary. This natural cave is simply amazing. With its clear, cool water underground (and for a 10-peso environment fee), swimming would definitely be fantastic. I actually soaked myself in the blue waters of that pool-like cave for hours. 

The sun was about to set when we went out of the cave. Feeling fresh and rejuvenated, we went to the Agora market from the Timubo Cave to take our dinner. The Agora place was just too beautiful and too relaxing to ignore...(to be continued)      

Nasaan ang Pag-ibig? Nasa Shaw Boulevard sa Mandaluyong

Sadyang mahirap hanapin ang Pag-ibig! Ang daming naghahanap nito. Ito pala ay makikita sa Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City. Doon mo mahahahanap ang tunay na Pag-ibig. Ako nga ay naligaw pa noong hinahanap ko ito. Nandito lang pala sa gusaling ito.

Kung kayo ay nakasasakyan madadaanan nyo ito kung kayo ay papunta ng SM Megamall galing Quiapo o Sta. Mesa. Dumadaan din dito ang Pasig-Quiapo na mga jeep at Quiapo-SM Megamall na FX. Pwedeng sunakay sa alinman sa dalawang byahe. Sabihin lang sa driver na bababa kayo sa Nissan o Hyundai Shaw Blvd. Magkakatabi lang ang mga ito. 

Ang Nissan o Hyundai showroom and palatandaan. Pagnakita nyo ito baba na kayo. Katabi ng Hyundai ang mataas na gusali kung saan nag-oopisina ang Pag-ibig Fund. 

Ang eksaktong address ay ito: 2/F JELP Bldg., Addition Hills, Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City. Kung kayo naman ay galing sa SM Megamall o Pasig, sakay lang ng jeep o FX papuntang quiapo at madadaanan nyo ito. Malapit lang ito sa SM Megamall. Siguro nasa gitna ng Megamall at Kalentong. Sana ya hindi kayo maligaw sa paghahanap ng Pag-ibig!

Fete De La Musique in Maestranza Plaza, Intramuros

Last Saturday, June 21, 2014, was the 20th Anniversary of Fete De La Musique in Manila. Fete De La Musique or World Music Day is an annual music festival that originated in and was popularized by France and embraced by many countries around the world including the Philippines.

This is the Intramuros Main Stage in Maestranza Plaza, Magallanes Drive within Intramuros (near the Bureau of Immigration; Getting there: Ride a jeep going to Pier and tell the driver to drop you off right at the entrance of the Maeztranza Plaza, just beside Jollibee Intramuros). The two other main stages were in A. Avenue Mall along Makati Avenue and in Greenbelt 3 Park. A lot of bands participated in the event and practically rocked the venue. 

Barbie Almabis (above) was on stage when we arrived at the venue around 9:00 p.m. The event started late in the afternoon and so we missed the performances of other bands like Imago, Chocolate Grass, Similar Objects, Peryodiko, etc. We heard the Banda Kawayan also performed during the opening part but we were not able to catch it. 

I particularly enjoyed Humanfolk's performance (Para sa Tao). I just couldn't upload my video but I must say the song was great. I didn't know this band until that night. Of course we also enjoyed the performances of Wilderness, Coco Jam, Ea Torrado, Mr. Bones and the Boneyard, etc. But "fuckin shit" this man practically brought the house down!

He did rock on! Kjwan's Marc Abaya was the most popular performer of the night. He sang some of his hits and the crowd just went wild! I think that was the crowd favorite performance even though it was a little obvious that Abaya was under alcohol. We went home before the final set so we didn't get to watch performances by Curbside, Taken by Cars, etc.         

On the side, we also enjoyed the different art installations and street performances by different Filipino and foreign artists. We spotted Carlos Celdran, the celebrity Intramuros tour guide, boozing the night away.