Talisay City: Campuestohan Highland Resort

Check out: https://travellingandbeyond.com/

LOCATION:
Talisay, Negros Occidental

FESTIVAL:
Minulu-an Festival (September 10)
Pasidungog Festival (February 11)

FEES: (as of May 2016)
Fast Craft fare from Toledo City to San Carlos (est. 200.00)
Lite Ferry fare from Toledo City to San Carlos (est. 150.00)
Van Rental from San Carlos to Talisay City (est. 3500.00)
Bus fare from San Carlos to Bacolod (est. 120.00)
Entrance Fee to Campuestohan (150.00)
Cottage (good for 20 persons) (1000.00)
Cottage (good for 12 persons) (600.00)
Umbrella Hut (good for 6-10 persons (500.00)
Rooms
          Indian Village Teepee Hut Family Room (good for 6 persons) (5000.00)
          Bonita Hut (good for 4 persons) (2500.00)
          Log Cabin (good for 3 persons) (3000.00)
          Log Cabin (good for 4 persons) (4000.00)
          Log Cabin (good for 5 persons) (5000.00)
          King Kong Room (good for 6 persons) (6000.00)

Room Amenities:
          - airconditioned
          - free entrance and use of the pools
          - free breakfast
          - hot and cold shower

Rides
          Zipline (200.00)
          Rope Course (200.00)
          Sky Bicycle (one way) (100.00)
          Horseback Riding for 15 minutes (150.00 per person)
          Hamster wheel (one way) (100.00)
          Grand Carousel (30.00)
          Mini Train (30.00)

OTHER PLACES TO VISIT:
Balay Negrense
The Henares Garden and Resort
The Ancestral Homes
Spa by the Sea Resort
Bamboo Spring Garden and Leisure Farm
Natures Village Resort
Statue of Andres Bonifacio
The Ruins

So high!

We were so pumped up to see Campuestohan. So many people. So many rides. So many things to do. Planning our summer activity was always the thrilling part, and this year's summer plan was worth it. The buildings were well-built, the furniture explicit, the recreations well-thought.

teepee huts (air-conditioned room; good for 6 pax)

Hamster Wheel

Obstacle Course

We arrived at Campuestohan and marveled at the scenery - the whole of Talisay City in Negros. No need to rest, so little time, so much to do, so we headed to our teepee hut inside the Indian village. After a couple of minutes, we roamed the resort and enjoyed what we saw. 

 

We stayed at the highland resort for a night. The morning walk was very relaxing. The early morning breeze in a highland area made it feel rejuvenating. A filling meal was served in the morning. I rode the hamster wheel which was obviously nerve-racking (not for the faint-hearted), spent an hour checking the site (the pools, the infrastructure, the rides, the spa center, the pavilion, the huts, the food kiosks, the photo kiosks), took a swim at the fun wave pool. All was well. We checked out of the resort at 2.00PM and headed for Bacolod.

It was one h*ll of a summer.

To arrive in Campuestohan, it is best to rent a van or any vehicle. But if you are from Toledo City, you will have to ride the fast craft or ferry boat going to San Carlos. From San Carlos terminal, you will have to ride the bus bound for Bacolod City. From Bacolod City Terminal, ride a taxi or the Campuestohan shuttle. Taxi fares range from 400.00 - 500.00. The weekend shuttle service at Villa Angela Arcade Parking costs 100.00. It leaves Bacolod at 9.00AM and returns at 4.00PM. It can be rented for 3000.00. The resort also has a van for rent at 1500.00 for the day trip, and 2500 for an overnight use.

Source: Campuestohan Highland Resort Official Website

Talisay City: The Ruins

Check for updates: https://travellingandbeyond.com/

LOCATION: 
Talisay, Negros Occidental

FESTIVAL: 
Minulu-an Festival (September 10)
Pasidungog Festival (February 11)

FEES: (as of May 2016)
Fast Craft fare from Toledo to San Carlos (est. 200.00)
Lite Ferry fare from Toledo to San Carlos (est. 150.00)
Van Rental from San Carlos to Talisay City (est. 3500.00)
Bus fare from San Carlos to Bacolod (est. 120.00)
Entrance Fee in The Ruins (adult 95.00, child 40.00)

OTHER PLACES TO VISIT:
Statue of Andres Bonifacio
Campuestohan Highland Resort
Natures Village Resort
Bamboo Spring Garden and Leisure Farm
Spa by the Sea Resort
The Ancestral Homes
The Henares Garden and Resort
Balay Negrense

Summer not ruined!

Upon arriving at The Ruins in Negros, I never intended to leave the vehicle because I am not one who enjoys walking around a ruined mansion, plus, the scourging heat of the sun was unbearable. But even with the van's air-conditioning system running, it wasn't able to keep the summer heat out of the vehicle. So I got off the van and thought it would be such a waste not to witness this talked-about mansion.

Upon seeing The Ruins, it would seem like all the other architectural ruins in the country. But it wasn't that. 'The Ruins" has a story of its own.

Like the Temple of Leah in Cebu City and the Taj Mahal in India, The Ruins was also built as a symbol of a husband's undying love for his wife. It was built in memory of Maria Braga - wife of Don Mariano Lacson.

The mansion is of Italianate architecture. The initials M (Mariano) and M (Maria) can be seen on the mansion's posts - such a romantic gesture by Don Mariano. It became his residence along with his unmarried children. Unfortunately, during Second World War, it was reduced to its skeletal frame when the mansion was set ablaze by the guerrilla fighters and US armed forces. It was done to prevent the Japanese from using it as their headquarters. What is left are the mansion's thick skeletal frame - a strong foundation, which was believed and was known to be an A-grade mixture of concrete. Like most churches built in the same era, the walls of the mansion contained egg whites.

The mansion's fine, strong structure was the result of the continuous pouring of the concrete for twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week. It was a method to prevent air from mixing with the concrete - the result turned out magnificent, an architectural masterpiece.

Many couples have used the premises for their wedding receptions. Its garden is landscaped with a fountain that adds beauty to the ambiance. The 'romantic feel' is what makes it popular among lovers for picnics and tours. It is open from eight in the morning until eight in the evening.

Aside from the mansion, there is also a restaurant within the premises and food kiosks which offer sugarcane juices and other snacks.

To get there, if you are from Toledo City, it is best to ride the fast craft which is an hour and a half to two (1.5 - 2) hours going to San Carlos. It is a lot less hassle to find car rentals in San Carlos. We had one which picked us up and brought us to 'The Ruins'.

It would be practical to first search for 'The Ruins' location online, but you may ask the locals. They will definitely guide you to where it is situated. From the PEPSI plant, head east and seek the Rose Lawn Memorial Garden at about 6 kilometers away. From there, follow the road ahead and check for signs that will lead you to The Ruins.

For details, contact (+63) 9178326003, (+63) 9392985657, or (+63) 34 4764334

Visita Iglesia 2016

It was again our annual Visita Iglesia!

Visita Iglesia or "the seven churches visitation", according to wikipedia, is an ancient pious Roman Catholic Lenten tradition to visit seven churches on the evening of Holy Thursday. This was practiced by devotees in order to pray before the Blessed Sacrament in each church. Some believers visit fourteen instead of seven. Sometimes, no particular number of churches are visited.

Traditionally, the fourteen stations (from the Stations of The Cross) are recited in one church. Now, many catholic believers recite two stations in each church. An offering was usually made at each church and to the poor as a form of almsgiving.

From Toledo City's San Juan de Sahagun Shrine, we headed north.

First, San Juan de Sahagun Shrine (Toledo City)

Second, Saint Francis of Assissi Parish Church (Balamban)

Third, San Roque de Montpellier Parish Church (Asturias)

Fourth, San Antonio De Padua Parish Church (Tuburan)

Fifth, San Juan Bautista Parish Church (Tabuelan)

Sixth, St. James the Apostle Parish Church (Sogod)

Seventh, San Guillermo Parish Church (Catmon)

Visit these churches while you can.

Cebu City: My Greek Taverna

September 27, 2015

at Elizabeth Mall ground floor right wing

Before heading home, my sister and I decided to have dinner. We saw this Greek diner and decided to check it out.

I had Gyros and she had the fries. Well, the food is okay, more like shawarma. It's pretty expensive but it was tasty. Honestly, shawarma is really good, the Gyros is good but it costs twice as much as shawarma. I happened to have tried the lamb meat, it was reasonably expensive and tastes better than beef and pork doner kebabs.  So, I recommend the lamb doner kebab than Gyros.

Here's what the interior looks like.

Cebu City: Da Vinci's Famous White Sauce Pizzas

October 07, 2015
at Jone's Avenue

Brother had some pizza cravings. Being a good 'ate' (uhemm), I invited him for pizza dinner. Had full bellies and had a fun night but we wished our sibs were with us. I know they're drooling (lol) over our photos since they love pizza.

Da Vinci's, as Tyrone would put it, has a good environment. Yes, Da Vinci's (Jones) has this warm ambiance - probably because of how the restaurant was painted, plus, it was very spacious. Its design from my last trip there had changed. Nonetheless, they still served the white-sauced pizzas a Da Vinci regular loves.

The first Da Vinci's restaurant operated in June 2003. They serve pizzas and had been adding more food choices in the past years. They now serve chicken meals and pizza buns as I call it (small sized pizzas). They have 8 branches. We visited their branch at Jones Avenue beside Jollibee. Other branches are located at Super Metro Colon, SM City Consolacion, Parkmall in Mandaue City, Shopwise in Mambaling, IT Park in Lahug, Marina Mall in Mactan, and SM City Cebu.

with Tyrone

Their pizza prices range from around PhP100.00 to PhP400.00. Other foods served are for as low as PhP78.00. Their pizza bestsellers include the famous Mona Lisa.

Check the prices.

source: https://www.facebook.com/davincispizzaPH/photos/a.10151284252448352.526099.203439128351/10151284258543352/?type=3&theater

Visit the nearest Da Vinci's near you.
You may check their facebook page for further info and for contact details.

Cebu City: Crazy Crepes

May 01, 2015
at SM City Cebu

DOLE's Labor Day activity had ended at 5 o'clock in the afternoon in a successful gathering of the different labor industries. After sending our colleagues (subcontractors' representatives) off, my bosses decided to visit SM City Cebu. My sole purpose was to buy myself a book for next semester's class. Unfortunately, the book was not available. Instead, I bought a different one. Having done that, I needed to buy a tee and a small cologne so as to make me smell nice.

I could not contact my bosses after I was done with my errands. I was left with no other choice but to wait for them to call. There were no benches around so I had to take a stroll. I decided to have a snack (to finally sit). Well, the main purpose was to finally take a seat, haha, food was just second in mind. 

Crazy Crepes was created by two Coca-Cola Vice Presidents, Greg Petro and Ben Kitay, when they noticed the popularity of crepes among customers including themselves. They scoured Japan to know everything about making delicious crepes. 

(http://www.gotcrepes.com/) 

This US and Japan-famed crepe chain has made its way to the Philippines in 2003. Since its launch in the Philippines, it has become one of the favorites. With its wide range of delicious ingredients (which include fruits and ice cream) and having 41 different crepe flavors, Crazy Crepe will make your mouth water. 

It was my first Crazy Crepe, the Mango Jubilee with a scoop of ice cream, and yes, it was excitingly delicious! I realized my mouth had just made love with it and it was the best ice cream crepe I've had so far.

The establishment offers a variety of flavors with an affordable price range from 90.00 to 150.00 pesos.

 

Visit SM City Cebu Crazy Crepe to have the same mouth-watering experience I had!