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I was sitting quietly at the front of the van when our guide mentioned, «Did you know that the Manila-Acapulco galleon ships used to make a stop here?» We were passing through the small port town of San Jacinto on Ticao Island in Masbate.
DRIVING at 1,200 meters under heavy fog was not part of the plan. My friend, a native of Bukidnon, and his family only wanted to get some Christmas tree pines. But we ended up driving farther and farther looking for the ones with the best Christmas tree shape.
WITH the Philippines being an archipelago of 7,641 islands, the best way to see as many islands as possible in a single trip is not by land or air but by sea. This was how our ancestors traveled in ancient times: they built boats to go from one island to another. Before land or air travel became popular, Filipinos traveled by sea.
WE often associate Romblon with marbles: marble mortar and pestle, marble nameplates, and even marble tombstones. Romblon became famous as the best source of marbles in the country ever since the Spanish first extracted marbles from the island in the 16th century. Since then, Romblon marble products have made their way into churches, buildings, and even private homes.
IT was the breathtaking view of the rice terraces from my bedroom window that captivated me during my first solo backpacking adventure to Batad. I remember how busy that year was, finishing a project that required me to work even on weekends to meet the launch date. When the product was finally launched a few weeks before Christmas, I looked for air, bus, or ferry tickets to take me somewhere I could finally relax, but they were all sold out. The only available option was a bus ticket to Banaue, leaving on the evening of Christmas Day.
THE first time I saw Maramag, Bukidnon was over two decades ago during my drive from Manila to Davao. After about three hours of driving from Cagayan de Oro, we were greeted by the breathtaking view of Mount Kalatungan, the fifth highest mountain in the Philippines, and enchanting mountain lakes when we stopped at a junction where many roads crisscross.
INTRODUCING The Manila Times mobility section's dynamic editorial team, a group of passionate automotive enthusiasts with a wealth of expertise and a drive for excellence: