San Andres : The Town Once Known as Calolbon

(This is part of my Visit Catanduanes 2015 series. For other Catanduanes posts, just click the links after this article)

The third Catanduanes town I was able to visit is San Andres. This town was once officially called as "Calolbon" but was renamed "San Andres" on June 18, 1964. The town was named after its patron saint but is still called by the locals by its former name, Calolbon.

San Andres Church

The very first site I visited in this town is its church. Just like in Virac, I was not impressed by the church's facade. I thought it was a modern one but when I saw the interior, I was greeted by the church's very thick wall and realized it is also a century-old church! It was a shame the church's facade was renovated. It must have been a beautiful one before the renovation but something must have happened leading to that change of facade. 

Bato : Town of an Old Church, a Shrine, and a Long Bridge

(This is part of my Visit Catanduanes 2015 series. For other Catanduanes posts, click the links after this article.)

The 2nd town of Catanduanes I was able to visit (actually the main target of this trip) is BATO, the home of a very beautiful century-old church. This town lies just 8 kilometers east of Virac, and can be reached by passenger jeeps or chartered tricycle.

San Juan Bautista Church. Bato Church. Bato, Catanduanes.

The church is the main tourist attraction of Bato because of its old-world charm beautifully preserved by the people of the town. Building of the church was started in the early 1800's and was finished at the middle of the same century - spanning over 50 decades. It is situated by the river and the first one to welcome visitors upon arriving at the town from Virac. 

Alay kay San Ildefonso : Bulak Festival 2018!

I was meant to witness this year's Bulak Festival of San Ildefonso, Bulacan.



That was what I realized when from out of not having any idea that it was already going to happen, I came across a Facebook post saying that it indeed is going to be celebrated this January 22, 2017. I immediately left a private message to the Mayor's FB Page asking about some other details about the celebration but I got no reply - and I understand that they may be very busy for the preparation.

Bulacan's Old Brick Train Stations : Reminders of A Century Past

Before the advent of all light rail transits in the metro (MRT 3, LRT1, LRT2, MRT 7), there was the Ferrocaril de Manila-Dagupan first, a heavy railway that runs from Tutuban in Manila all the way to Dagupan, Pangasinan. This railway was opened during the latter part of the Spanish Occupation in November 1892, just when the revolution against the Spanish authority is about to break out.

Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan, Bulacan Section. 

The province of Bulacan, as well as its citizen benefited much from this railway because the transportation became easier for them, and traveling to Manila or up north until Dagupan, became much more comfortable. The movement of products from the province to other neighboring provinces, towns, and cities also became much more fluid. Seven stations were built in Bulacan, starting from  Meycauayan, then Marilao, Bocaue, Bigaa (Balagtas), Guiguinto, Malolos Y Barasoain, and finally Calumpit. 

Dakak : Food, Beach, Adventure and Many More!

Who wouldn't want good food, white beach, classy accommodations, thrilling adventures, luxury sports? You can experience them all at DAKAK, the most famous park and beach resort in Mindanao!

This resort is tucked in a large "once-upon-a-time-forest" area in the north of Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte. Its name is actually an apt description of the very place where it can be found for it is a portmanteau of two Visayan words "dako" (large) and "kakahuyan" (woods/forest).

Kinabayo Festival 2017 : A Showcase of Dapitan's Deep Devotion and Religiosity

If one wants to witness the piety of the people of Dapitan, he just have to visit this city during their annual celebration of Kinabayo Festival. I did just that this year and marveled at the different activities I witnessed, many of which is in honor of St. James the Greater, also known as Senyor Santiago - the city's patron saint.

A street dancer from Tangub City.

Senyor Santiago is always depicted as a horse-mounted knight ready to strike down adversaries of the Christian faith. During the annual Kinabayo Festival, he is being relived as the one who guided the Spanish Christians to victory against the Moors in the Battle of Covadonga. He is said to have appeared before the Spanish Christian soldiers during the battle and inspired them to continue the fight, and win. This same battle is the one being reenacted yearly as part of the festival. 

Dapitan : History, Nature and FESTIVAL!

Always saving the best for last...

That's my motto. And that is the reason why in my 5 years of travelling, and of experiencing the different parts of the Philippines, it is only now that I will be visiting the very historical, and beautiful City of Dapitan. 

I have been waiting for this time to come for so long. And come 2017, I was fortunate enough to be able to book a flight to the neighboring city of Dipolog, with Dapitan as my main target of course. 

Kinabayo Festival 2017. One of Dapitan City's Colorful Festivals

It started as a plan for a 5-day long Zamboanga del Norte - Zamboanga del Sur - Lanao del Norte tour from July 27-31  but it all changed when a student of mine who is now a resident of Dapitan tagged me in his FB post about Dapitan Tourism Council's invitation to cover this year's city festival. I readily signified my intention to be part of the festival and with the tourism council's approval, the dates of my visit changed. So my 5 day-long travel is now 10 days because I'll be visiting Dapitan 5 days earlier - on July 22!

San Jose del Monte Free College Entrance Exam Review's 10th Year of Fruitful Existence!

Another short break from travel related posts...

The San Jose del Monte Free College Entrance Exam Review Guild (SJDM FCEER GUILD) now formally announces its 10th year of Summer Review Program to incoming Grade 12 students of different High Schools and Colleges from San Jose del Monte.

For a brief background, SJDM FCEER Guild is a group composed of former students of the different high schools in SJDM who are now students/graduates of different Philippine colleges such as, but not limited to, UP, PUP, PNU, and TUP. 

The Old Bridges of Romblon, Romblon

Out of all the provinces of Luzon Island Group, Romblon was the last one I was able to visit. Just this year (2016), in the month of August, I finally was able to see it and many of its fine beaches, and rich cultural heritage. 

Puente de Romblon. One of the still existing old bridges in the town.

Being a heritage enthusiast as I am, I was very delighted to discover while researching for our Romblon itinerary that a number of old bridges built during the Spanish and American era are still standing and intact in the small capital town of Romblon. It made me feel too much excitement because I am such a huge fan of old bridges (which prompted me to create a Facebook Group specifically focusing on the said topic, the Old Bridges of the Philippines FB Group).  

Travel Year 2015 : Taking it Slower

My 2015 travelling life is a very muted one compared to earlier years. For one, I have mainly traveled to nearby provinces. I have also not been able to update my blog for almost half a year, and hasn't shared any travel-related posts to my Facebook page, San Josenyong Gala. My twitter account must be lonely now for even I haven't visited it for a long, long time.

But it doesn't mean that I have a very boring 2015 travel year. I still travel and in addition to many nearby provinces I have visited before and visited again this year, I was also able to visit three new provinces: Catanduanes, Masbate and Bohol!

My visit to Catanduanes and Masbate happened in February/March. It was a 5-day backpacking trip that also includes visit to Albay and Camarines Sur. I had a blast touring the province of Bohol in August for 5 days and was able to visit 32 of its towns. My whole year travels are definitely worth of a look-back and a monthly rundown of what happened that year is a must!