THE MALAPASCUA SUMMER | THE UGLY TRUTH AND THE PARADISE FIND [PHOTOS] [VIDEO]

 

Malapascua is an island located at the northern tip of Cebu, and a barangay of Daan Bantayan with its local name ‘Logon’. The island of Malapascua is known for the crystal clear water beaches and white, powdery and warm shoreline. Also, it’s been a diving spot for people who loves witnessing coral reefs and under the sea wonders. Malapascua is also known for the Thresher Sharks that are abundant in the surrounding waters of the island.

I still can’t forget the first time I went there ten years ago: we struggled going there but when we arrived at the beachfront; it awed me to my soul. The clear blue waters were at the most splendid and captivating. The memory stuck in my mind up to this date.

Not until I went there ten years later.

 

THE UGLY TRUTH ABOUT MALAPASCUA

Let’s start from how we traveled.

First, we rode a Ceres Bus bound for Maya that has a sea port where numerous boats await.  The ride was a painful 4 hour drive (not unless you have your own car or service). We started our trip from the North Bus Terminal by 7:00AM and arrived at Maya port by 11:30. It was long and torturous. But I let it pass and just enjoyed the annoying smoke and dirt that are visible in my face.

The boat you will ride on from Maya port to Malapascua Island

Next, when we arrived at Maya port, there were several boats parked in their port. So my partner told me that we should go to the ticketing office to pay the port fee. But then, one local told us that they were not present anymore because of typhoon Yolanda. The ruins left by the typhoon are still visible in the port, actually. There were people (usually locals) barking at everyone who reaches the port and it feels like everyone new to the place has no idea where to go. So, we asked one local on what to do and where to go. He just pointed at one boat that will transport us to the island.

We waited there for an hour or so because they have to fill 30 people in that boat. The fee for the boat is P80.00 per person. (If the tide is low, there will be an inconvenient small boat or banka that will transport you from the port to the boat waiting afar that will cost you another P20.00)

After Yolanda, there was no organized direction on what to do and where to ride there at the port. We were frustrated about that plus it was scorching hot.

Then we arrived at Malapascua after 20 minutes. Before we docked; we could see the beauty of the crystal clear water (you can see in the video below) as the boat rushes to the beachfront, and it is magnificent.

Then we docked, and unfortunately I was not impressed. What welcomed us shocked me, which you can see in the pictures below.

It is fitting that Yolanda struck the island so badly that it destroys most of the trees and nearby buildings/cottages but it’s unfathomable for the government not to take actions in any of these unfortunate circumstances when it’s already six months passed. And there were no governing rules upon littering.

The part where we stopped 10 years ago in the island was now a place of garbage.

We hadn’t had our lunch so we ate at Mabuhay Restaurant. We ordered many foods (ala cart kuno) because the waitress said it was good for 1 person only when in fact it’s good for 2, DUH. We waited for almost an hour and a half before our meal arrived. It annoyed me to say the least. Although their food is OKAY. But still, it was beyond frustrating.

At that time I felt like it was a wrong decision going there.

 

THE PARADISE FIND IN MALAPASCUA (THANK GOD)

We were there because a friend of my brother invited us to come over the island for their fiesta, and so it’s good to know that there’s someone who could navigate us to the place.

I was not hoping to find a good beach, but then when we went to his family’s house in Guimbitayan, located at the other side of the island: the beauty of the beach there was magnificent. I was in awe seeing the shore and the clear blue waters.

 

When I dipped, it was just perfect. I was then transported back 10 years ago, and reminisced the feeling of awe. It was almost deserted, and I can only see us playing around the very long sea shore.

The sunrise is just perfect for the Instagram/Facebook fun-shoot we did. The camera lense quickly captured the island’s vibrancy to life.

My father and our friend’s grandmother built a tent for us to relax and feast our eyes to the beauty of the beach. It was so blue ,it was really pleasing.

At night, the moon serves as your spotlight to go and take a dip.

We just brought tents with us to stay for the night.

The people built a campfire on the nearby shore, but I don’t know if it was legal, but at that time I heard that the son of a politician spearheaded that campfire… so I kept my mouth shut.

THE ISLAND VIEW AND THE YOLANDA RUINS

Our friend told us to go to Bantigue cove which is just a walk away from where we were staying. And so, we realized how little we have seen from the island. Until we reached the part where the sand is softer and the view is nicer.

To reach Bantigue cove, we have to climb up the hill which shocked me upon seeing the back part of the island where there’s a tall lighthouse.

It was stunning as you can see in the pictures.

But then when we reached the cove itself where ruins were everywhere.

Our friend told us there was a resort there was destroyed by Yolanda.

The beach in Bantigue cove was not at all nice now, so we climbed back.

 

CONCLUSION

I realized that I should never just be mediocre, just because the beach front frustrates me doesn’t mean there’s no other part of a place that will ‘wow’ me. It’s very essential to everyone who loves to travel. Never Stop.

The island is full of garbage now, there are so many issues I’ve found when I was there from Maya port to the island itself; and the government needs to take action and the people also needs to make initiative.

Malapascua is such a beauty! Reliving its potential means potential for a booming tourism. People just have to create ground rules and not just write it but to apply, organize and follow it, and with just that; the island will be perfect again.

 

COSTS AND FEES

Bus (back and forth) – P163.00 + P163.00

Boat (back and forth) – P80.00 + P80.00

Small Boat (if lowtide both to and from) – P20.00 + P20.00

Stay (At Moonlight Resort – for me not advisable) – P1,600.00 AC Room

 

Note: I cannot post all the costs, room availability and the food here because our friend’s family plus my parents paid for many things there.

 

OUR OWN MUSIC VIDEO

MORE PHOTOS! FEAST YOUR EYES!

At night, under the stars

Tents, Tents, Tents

Our friend’s house.

The local name for Malapascua.

Starfish everywhere! It made me happy.

Cozing under the tent.

Push mo pa!

Stay cool under the sun.

The Sunrise.

CUTENESS OVERLOAD | CAFÉ TIALA: PRINCESS ROOM REVIEW [PHOTOS]

 

–          ★★★★★

 

Are you feeling weary and tired of the same old same design or themed Korean coffee houses that have wooden platforms, scattered post-it notes and warm yellow lights that honestly looks like the prison cell in the Korean movie Miracle in Cell No. 7?

Well, here’s another Korean owned but with difference from all of those coffee houses that you know.

Recently opened, and still in their soft opening; Café Tiala: Princess Room is the one I can see people will destroy the intimacy right after they did with La Vie Parisienne and Café Noriter. It is located at Unit 2-D 2F, The Forum Bldg., Archbishop Reyes Ave., (Bario Luz), Cebu City. To be specific, it is the building beside the new Grand Con.

They differ in theme and design because they offer the very cute theme of a Princess room. It’s a dollhouse matched with a touch of elegance (because of the chandelier, nakaka-sosyal). It has cute figurines and stuffed toys all around the vicinity. The lights are not that yellowish, far from the other Korean coffee houses (which you might want to look back at your photos without Instagram filters that you look like you’re having Jaundice).

Anyhow, the place is so cozy and welcoming, added to their cutely dressed staff that were smiling and very friendly. They’re so cute they remind me of the girls in Kafra Corporation in the online game Ragnarok.

I love how they presented their Menu stacked in a cylindrical cute, cute, cute box. I love something fancy, and this one is really fancy.

They have plenty of offers which did not differ from other Korean coffee houses; yet still very satisfying. They also have food if your stomach craves for one. The prices are all not that steep and reasonable at times.

What we did while we were there was that we had a small tea party celebration of our own… which was really cute. I already felt like I was inside a gigantic castle and I was with the one I love having tea. I just love the fact that the place makes you feel relaxed and at ease.

They also have this cute gimmick called ‘Candlelight Time’ where the staff comes inside the room and lights a candle while they flicker out the lights.

And by this, it doesn’t also goes with cuteness; it also gives a romantic feel even when the place looks like childish and girly bombarded with pink; but no. It’s cute and romantic; perfect for lovers.

DISCOUT EVERYONE! I don’t know when this promo will last but if you report to the staff that you uploaded and tagged or checked in at Café Tiala’s Facebook Page, you will get a discount! And in ours (it was May 9, 2014) we got 15%.

Check out Café Tiala! Really nice.

 

SCHEDULE

10:00AM – MIDNIGHT

 

CONTACT

Telephone no. – 260-5503

FACEBOOK

 

RATING – 5/5

 

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The very sosyal chandelier

the candle which looked like a screaming ghost

THE PIZZA CHALLENEGE | WORLD PIZZA: AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 PIZZAS | AT FRENCH PARK

– ★★★★★ (3.3.14)

The Parisian themed restaurant, La Maison Rose (The Pink House) has grown to a much better spot in the Queen City which I now claim The French Park. First, it expanded to a Parisian wine junction; La Vie Parisienne, and now a pizza place has sprouted in the same spot, and it’s called WORLD PIZZA: Around the world in 80 Pizzas.

The World Pizza has quite some worldly taste, instead of just pure French. They offer 80 different kinds of pizzas from the Philippines to the world.

The spot has just a bar for the waiters and waitresses to stay and get the orders, together with the European style stove where the pizzas are cooked; and just some chairs and tables around. The best thing is that they have a huge hammock that looks like the ones I’ve seen on 9gag, which seems relaxing, and when I was there, kids were enjoying the swinging treat.

The best thing was that the waitress told us that we could go and sit anywhere, from La Maison Rose, La Vie Parisienne to World Pizza, just as long as it’s in The French Park.

Try their American pizza that costs P250.00 and also their Laos pizza that costs P210.00. Both are equally delicious and sumptuous, and my partner was indeed super impressed by the way it was flavoured.

You can also blend two pizzas at a time for the highest price of the two you’ve chosen. What I mean was that; just like us, we bought American for P250 and Laos for P210, we paid P250 pesos because it’s the highest price of both.

TIP: If you’re planning to mix two flavours at the same time; choose those treats/pizzas that have the same price or at the same price range. If you choose the P250.00 pizza, better make sure the half of it also costs P250 or at that range.

The Pizza Challege

Now, my partner and I were really impressed by it, so we made a deal to experience another pizza treat that comes from another country to experience of what it taste like in other places just like the way I imagined it to be.

Now, the challenge starts… care to join us?

PIZZA RATINGS

American – 4

Laos – 5

AM I CRUISIN’? | CAFE GEORG | RESTAURANT REVIEW [PHOTOS]

 

– ★★★★★

It’s always a delight when you have plans on your own for that very day and that’s what you exactly wanted to do. But unfortunately, for my partner and I; it was a very stressful Saturday. We were planning to do a review for Ipar’s Restaurant, but unfortunately, the place was unavailable because it was used for a function… I wonder why they don’t have their own function rooms.

Well, the misfortune took us somewhere else deserving.

Café Georg is one of the spots where I always pass by and see at G/F MLD Bldg., Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue, Banilad, Cebu City, and wanted to visit one day. And the plan that night was re-arranged by the stars to destine us to that very, very nice restaurant.

Having the wonderful theme of American style: which you can notice while you walk in, and has a cabinet of Chinas on the entrance part which looked lovely. Café Goerg is a restaurant extravagant that you can find and experience in the Queen City.

The place looks really expensive due to the Western style design. The plates and bottles that are hung on the walls captivate the sense plus the chandelier gives the warm and welcoming appeal. But what astonishes me the most is how the place made me feel like I’m on a boat or on a cruise, perhaps. It really gave me and my partner those feels which was really incredible.

Their Menu has the price range of P200.00++ – P300.00++ in the main course category, like fish, beef, pork, and pasta. Salads do vary from P150.00 – P200.00++. The reason why the price looks steep on their Menu because it already is revamped by VAT.

Try their PorkChop with Garlic Herb Butter which is P220.00 that culminates a pork experience. The butter and the vegetable sidings were the perfect combination. The flavours compliment together with the bland taste of the pork. It’s just too perfect for us, it’s too American, and it’s the taste I’ve been looking for a long time.

Also, try their Beef and Vegetable Casserole which costs P210.00 that is perfect for people who does want it bland-ish. I loved it because I think beef should be cooked that way. Also, the vegetable sidings are perfect apogee for it.

Their Bolognese is a marvelous delight for me because I am a pasta person, and I know when the pasta is good or not. Bolognese on other restaurants is too intense in sweetness; I have a hard time finishing it. But well, it maybe is cooked that way, but I beg to differ. Café Georg offers a Bolognese that is just right on its sweetness. I was wonderstrucked by the flavour which kept me saying ‘God! This is good!’ repeatedly. Café Georg’s Bolognese costs P195.00.

For the drinks, try their Red Grape Shake which is P115.00 that will conclude your dining experience. Café Georg also offers cakes and cupcakes and some delectable assortments for snacks and chilltime.

The service in Café Georg is superbly impressive. The waitresses put smiles on their faces whenever you glance at them, and that’s a plus point, of course. Then the service was very fast, we did not wait for 15 minutes for our order to arrive. What impresses us the most is that, although this might sound a bit absurd, but the fast response when we ordered extra rice. Well, in other restaurants, it will take time for the waiters to return with the extra rice, because we always order one.

Café Georg couldn’t place any more impressive feels in my system. When we deliberated, I quickly said, ‘This is a five’, and it will be a five.

CONTACT

Telephone – 234 0887

RATINGS

Place – 5

Porkchop with Garlic Herb Butter – 5

Beef and Vegetable Casserole – 4

Bolognese – 5

Red Grape Shake – 5

Service – 5

Value for Money – 5

OVERALL – 5

TEA TIME | SPROCKETS COFFE + MILK TEA CAFÉ [PHOTOS]

–          ★★★ ½

Milk tea nowadays are so IN here at the Queen City, and there’s one located at J. Block Apitong St., and one in Talamban just across University of San Carlos which named Sprockets.

They offer from coffee to milk tea to cakes and very cute cupcakes and also snacks like chicken wings to pizza.

The place in Talamban, which my partner and I visited was really cute and comfortable; but I doubt that it will be on weekdays since it will be jam packed with San Carlos students, but still, it’s nice and pleasing to be in.

Try their Wintermelon Milk Tea, which you can see in their menu having the number ‘1’ beside it, meaning that it’s the best-seller of all. Also, try their Toasted Hazelnut Milk Tea which is the 4^th best-seller of all. And their Blueberry Cheese Cake which was also a winner.

I love the fact that they have sinkers that you can choose from, which I prefer the burst, and you’ll just have to add P20.00 from the original price of the beverage.

The beverage price ranges from P90.00 – P100.00 which is really affordable.

Visit Sprockets and love the cuteness of the place.

CONTACT

Telephone – 234-3304 (Escario) 236-8955 (Talamban)

Facebook – Sprockets Facebook

RATINGS

Overall – 3.5

SKY DINING | SKY LOUNGE BY BLUE ELEPHANT RESTAURANT REVIEW [PHOTOS]

 

 

–          ★★★ ½

Ever wonder where those open air, top of the building, socialite restaurants we see in the movies? Well, there’s one in the Queen City called Sky Lounge by Blue Elephant.

Located at the 19^th floor of Apple One building, Cebu Business Park just across the Ayala Center Cebu mall.

Ayala Center Cebu bird’s eye view at Apple One.

Sky Lounge is a high class dining experience literally and metaphorically. Metaphorically, the experience makes you feel like one of the Alta Sociedad having an elegant dinner together with the people you like, or a business dinner; and Literally because it’s on top of a classy building… really, really high, made me drowsy, capturing the city view due to the fact that I have Acrophobia.

The Panoramic City View at Apple One

Talking about the view; it’s best to capture the moment in a night sky where you can see the city lights all around the 180 degrees view on their Al Fresco, and inside their glass windowed V.I.P. rooms.

The Al Fresco or the outside seating at Sky Lounge

Prior in going to Sky Lounge, you have to make reservations ahead of time due that in its very exclusive and few table seating space, also famous dining spot: plenty of people visit to have that top of the city dining experience. Also, there’s a P300.00, consumable on both food and drink, table fee.

The V.I.P. room at Sky Lounge

The food is in Thai cuisine, perfect for those who want extreme flavorful foods, like me.

Try their best-seller Seafood Curry in Coconut Shell that costs P280.00 that culminates seafood experience. I loved every bit of it, even though I was worried that it comes with shrimps which could kill me, but thank God, it didn’t include shrimps with it.

Seafood Curry in Coconut Shell

Also, try their huge Barbecue Ribs which is also P280.00 that taste good to the bones. And try their Bangkok Express which costs P180.00, similar to Philippines’ Monggo or Monggos but rich in flavor and my favorite of all. All the foods are well cooked and are good for 2-3 people already, which compensate the price range of P180.00 – P380.00.

Bangkok Express

Barbecue Ribs

Although the place seems to be a perfect place to dine; we had a couple of troubles faced throughout our dining course. First was the dinner reservation that wasn’t in the list. I did a reservation four days before the date and unfortunately we weren’t in it. We had to wait for a couple of minutes for them to get a seat for us. Then when we seated there, we had to call the attention of the waiters to give us the menu who seems to be profoundly deaf at that time, making them hard to call; and isn’t that protocol? Plus the waiting time for our order to arrive reached for about 40 minutes, and that’s really, really long.

To culminate it all up, the place is great, food is great but the service did not compensate for all the good things I experience there, and it’s not just me who’s complaining. I’ve read lots of it on some websites, and I was already this close to losing it.

They have to REALLY fix it, because unlike Bucket Shrimps; I’m planning on going back there for another review maybe sometime in the future.

My Tip? Don’t go there really  hungry.

Check out Sky Lounge by Blue Elephant.

Sky Lounge by Blue Elephant at Apple One

CONTACT

Tel. No. – 262-9088 or 511-7600

Facebook – Sky Lounge by Blue Elephant

RATINGS

Place – 4

Seafood Curry in Coconut Shell – 4

Barbecue Ribs – 4

Bangkok Express – 5

Service – 1

Value for money – 3

OVERALL – 3.5

CAFÉ FUN | CAFÉ NAMOO REVIEW [PHOTOS]

 –          ★★★★

With an extensive popularity of Korean themed café’s in Cebu, there’s one that opened recently this 2014 and like just some other café’s, it’s comfy but with an addition of fun.

Café Namoo is located at 2F Northgate Centre, Banilad, across Gaisano Country Mall and surely a true blue Korean themed one because of its obvious interior design that looks like an expanded and bigger version of Café Noriter. You can stay seated on their double-deck style compartment seating that is really exciting with comfortable pillows that is perfect for friends who you can chat with for hours and hours or with lovers who could stay and relax.

Post-it notes are all over the café, just like some of the Korean themed café’s you will see downtown, like Noriter, Sunday 2PM, and Café Maru. There are non-sense posts around, posts of love and some advertisements, just like what I did.

They have plenty of beverage offers that you will see on their counter, but then, I’ve noticed that the marquee above the counter was blank, and I hope to see the entire menu there one day.

Try their Ice Choco Latte for P145.00 that is a satisfying treat, also their famous and best-seller Java Chip Frap that costs P170.00 and is a real best treat they have. Their beverage offers ranges from P140.00 – P170.00.

Ice Choco Latte

Java Chip Frap

What lacks is that they haven’t yet any cake offers which I think will be available soon.

But what’s interesting in this café is the ‘Balloon Room’ which the name speaks for itself and it’s a true pleasure to seek. You can enjoy plenty of balloons and experience your childhood once more. This is what Café Namoo differs from the others, and it’s fun.

Check out Café Namoo and experience the goodness of Korea once more.

CONTACT

Cellphone: 0927 364 7138

Facebook: Café Namoo

SCHEDULE

10:00AM to 1:00AM

RATINGS

Place – 5

Choco Latte – 3

Java Chip Frap – 4

Value for money – 5

Overall – 4

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VIVA, PIT SENYOR! | SINULOG 2014 [TIPS] [PHOTOS]

(Tips are usually in Italics)

VIVA!

It’s once again the Festival dedicated to Sr. Sto. Nino that contributed to the inception of Christianity in the Philippines and defined Cebu.

Cebu, known as the Queen City of the South, is famous for the Sinulog Festival that gives tribute to the young Jesus, Sto. Nino, which was brought by the Spanish people (via a statuette) that was led by the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan.

Sinulog is annually held on the 3^rd Sunday of January: Grandiose floats and costumes plus fluid-like dances, true to the name ‘Sinulog’ that came from the Cebuano word ‘sulog’ meaning ‘like the movement of the water’; this is culminated on the last day of the 9 day celebration.

Every year, there are plenty contestants coming from different places in the Philippines contending to win for the best dance interpretation to win in the Sinulog Contest. The Grand Parade will first have to show off the contestant’s dance interpretations in the streets of Cebu City leading to Abellana which will be the arena to show off their fab dances to the judges.

Everyone from various places, Filipinos or Foreigners alike enjoy the mardi gras that gives the best street dance feel due to the loud drum beats that make you move and shout ‘PIT SENYOR!’. Even children are held on their parents’ shoulders to let them see the colorful parade on the streets.

SINULOG 2014

Probably the most crowded Sinulog I’ve ever attended, and also everyone’s opinion.

There are a lot of sight sees that you’ll enjoy in every corner of the city. You’ll have to enjoy every painted faces to street dances people do. Also, henna tattoos are a trend too, and everywhere you go; there are people who cater to giving you that Sinulog vibe.

Fuente Circle is one of the best places to go during daylight; which you can visibly see every float passing by. Some with famous local celebrities that usually defined what is like being a Filipino. But most floats have extraordinary designs. Ahead of the floats are their dancers who usually make stops to some spots to offer a dance to street judges.

People could also try to roam around starting at Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino, (Sto. Nino church) dance your way to the crowd at Jones Street reaching Fuente Circle.

The wonderful floats go all the way from morning until the evening. And right after every contestant is done; there the fireworks begin.

I personally enjoyed this year’s Sinulog because it was not sunny at all; everyone loves the sun, and I do, but sometimes it’s just too painful out there; but not this year, it’s purely cloudy, it drizzled in a while but did not bother everybody at al.

 

I noticed the trend of GoPro cameras nowadays that takes videography, photography and selfies to the high level… literally.

AYALA FIREWORKS

Every spot in the city; there’ll be fireworks.

One in Abellana, right after the last contestant is done with their presentation: another one is in Crown Regency in the heart of the city, one at SM City Cebu and the most celebrated and waited is the Ayala Center Cebu Fireworks.

Ayala is not just famous for their mall, but for their annual Sinulog fireworks show that costs them thousands to millions of pesos. But not just that; Ayala Fireworks is famous because of their unique and spectacle show.

They don’t just show you explode here and explode there kind; you will see heart shaped blasts or Saturn shaped or a smiley: all you need to do is ready your camera and tick at the right time when it explodes.

The extravagant firework show always ends up in a humongous firework blasts that lights up the entire vicinity that gives magnificence to everyone that is watching.

If you’re wondering where I had my dinner; Ayala is a perfect place to go. BUT, there’ll be less chance to dine perfectly and fast there. My partner and I ate at Simply J’s Restaurant. I purposefully did a reservation ‘just in case’ we can’t dine in Ayala, and that was the case. But the place is miraculously almost deserted when we arrive there.

There are couple of affordable restaurants just within the vicinity of Ayala mall for you to dine yet not be able to miss their grandiose fireworks show like Simply J’s, Kuya J or Rodeo Grill.

SINULOG NIGHT LIFE

Then the real party begins!

Everyone works their way in Mango Avenue to party! If you ever want to get wet and wild then this place is surely for you. Just make sure you’re ready to get down and dirty because the crowd will be crazy.

Baseline, Alchology, and Yo.u are the bars that you usually hear where the party is to the extreme. Bottles of alcoholic drinks are surely on the grounds wherever you go. Everyone you’ll see is surely drunk when the clock hits 12 for sure.

That surely was the most crowded because I encountered problems passing through Mango Street but nevertheless… still alive!

 

VIVA, PIT SENYOR!

Sinulog 2014 was crazy.

Next year would be another blast, for sure.

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A SOUTHERN LEYTE TREASURE | MAASIN EXPERIENCE

Maasin is part of Southern Leyte and has a crime rate of almost zero. Maasin is a small town with lots of pedicab ride as a means of transportation. People spoke the accent as of the people in Bohol, collocating ‘y’ to ‘j’ like the word ‘Unya’ which means ‘later’ in English, which is somehow uttered as ‘Unja’.

It’s my first time in Maasin, and my first in Southern Leyte too. And this is the hometown of my partner and this is also my first time to spend Christmas away from home and my first time to spend it with someone really special. So, as you have read, there are a lot of first times happened.

But, Maasin is just a small part of Southern Leyte and is slowly progressing to a bigger name. Yet, when I was there; I’ve found good stuffs to visit and try.

GETTING THERE

We had to ride either a Cokaliong ship or Roble that will take us from Cebu port to Maasin port directly, but has the schedule of Tuesdays and Thursdays. In our trip; it was a special one on the very eve of Christmas.

The ride was five and a half hours long, and there was not much in the infinite ocean that bridges us towards our destination. Although, it was for a fact a little bit rainy and gloomy so instead of whining; I just took the chance to savor the grayness beauty of the surrounding. And it did not fail me.

 

WHERE TO STAY?

If you want to be in the accessible part of Maasin, which is just near to everywhere you want to be; try Southern Comfort hotel that priced you cheap with an okay room to stay. Although not really a five star kind, but surely, if you want an affordable and a nice place to sleep; this is the hotel for you.

WHERE TO EAT?

Maasin has a lot of Karenderias specifically what they call McDo. Nope, not McDonald’s, but a comic term ‘Mag-duko-duko’ which translates ‘bowing’ in English, meaning when you eat in that barbecue spot; you usually bow your head as to savor the taste of whatever offer it is in there.

Azotea de Maasin

But there is also a spot in Maasin that has just opened which gives you a city view: Azotea De Maasin. A home-style restaurant located at a high point which in a distant you can see the entire Maasin.

 

Great view with cool wind blowing through my chilling senses that is perfect for lovers and friends.

GRECIAN RESORT

My partner took me together with his cousins in a nearby sea-side with a nonchalant but slowly getting the fame resort named Jaime’s Resort. The beaut is such Grecian that made me fall in love while taking a sip of my cold chocolate drink and having that magnificent façade, facing the vast, blue ocean and telling me how far I am away from home, all behind my wayfarer glasses.

You can also have your stay there in Jaime’s Resort for a steeper price, yet satisfaction guaranteed while staying.

You can also watch or play with the European owner’s golden retrievers that will surely uplift your spirits.

GET LOST

While one of my dreams is to travel the world; I would perfectly like to get lost in a small town like this and discover on my own. It’s perfectly safe, and everyone is surely willing to help you locate your destination.

Maasin is a place with lots of corners plus some traditional houses; a refashion of the Spanish colony way years ago.

It was Christmas time when I got there and the festive is not extravagant as of the one in Cebu; yet you can still see the glimpse of Christmas lights on each house and in their plaza that has a big Christmas tree with a sleigh ride going round in circles for children and adults alike.

My partner took me to places in Maasin at night, specifically in the plaza of their provincial seat that has a humongous field with uncanny trees plus a glance of the clear night sky above. All in a pedicab ride.

The pedicab ride gives you also a straight fact of how provincial Maasin is, and how far the place is from advancement; but that’s a good thing to start with, because, of all the places in the Philippines that’s growing; we also need some places that should remain as what it is. It may have a little upgrading; but I prefer culture over it in this Southern treasure.

Pedicab Ride

By the day, his mother and niece took me above one of the highest peaks in Maasin which was the Monte Cueva Shrine. Its location is atop the mountainous part, and has a thousand steps before you reach the very solemn cave church.

You can see how religiously inclined these people are; and so I can relate. The cave is a dome shaped treasure in Maasin that has a light coming from a trap above the cave ceiling that allows light to enter and illuminate the statue of Jesus praying at the altar depicting the Holy Father talking to him.

I love staying even just a little while in this place, even when I’m catching my breath from the tiring thousand steps we took.

Then we get to see the shrine that has a Mother Mary statue right above the highest peak facing the entire beauty of Maasin.

Maasin on broad daylight

Also, I got the chance to pray in their old church that offers Latin masses for people who understands the language.

I never got the chance to visit the other shrine in Maasin which was more famous due to time constraint.

You can sense the true rural form that culminates calm and peaceful. You can also feel the growing need for advancement, but still grab a hold to the most important thing which is the Culture.

I wished I had more time exploring the growing wonders of the place, but maybe next time I visit, then it has plenty more for me.

Sunrise upon going home to Cebu

MORE PHOTOS

Inside Maasin’s Church

The Cave Church’s entrance

CRAB MADNESS | CRAZY CRAB RESTAURANT | REVIEW [PHOTOS]

 

–          ★★★

I can’t eat seafood that’s anything orange in color when cooked.

Unfortunate, right?

But I’ll introduce to you a fan of Crabs, Shrimps and everything seafood: My Partner and he’s the one who suggested a superstar restaurant offering crab madness which is Crazy Crab.

Housed at the Ground floor of Gaisano Country Mall, M. Cuenco Ave., Banilad, Cebu City; the restaurant is gallant enough to let you choose the size of your crab and weigh in accord to its price.

The crab is a true delish, rich with flavors to die for that you can’t wait to take a mouthful.

The place is huge while the walls are full of crab shells with personal messages from customers who dine there. Mostly, they’re Koreans. And while waiting for a quite a longer time for your crabs to be cooked; you can wander around and read the readable messages on the wall.

You can also obviously notice the aquarium full of live crabs that’s fun to look at from your seats.

But don’t fret if you’re intolerable with these kind sea foods because they also have other offers that won’t cause you allergies. You have to try their chicken wings that has also a good taste.

And the price range? Oh it’s budget friendly meals which ranges from P120.00-P200.00, while the one I aforementioned about the fact that you can choose your own crab has the price range of P300.00-P400.00; it’s not a shock, since their crabs are reasonably huge enough.

 

SCHEDULE:

Mall hours

CONTACT:

Facebook

Or

Tel. No.: 416-2344

RATINGS:

Place – 2

Crab (meal) – 5

Chicken Wings – 3

Service – 3

Value for Money – 4

OVERALL – 3.4

BEFORE

After