Madrid, the Vatican, and Pope Benedict XVI

Today is the Pope's final day in office and yesterday, Wednesday, was his final audience at St. Peter's Square. I was watching him yesterday on the telly, bidding farewell to the faithful in different languages, and I couldn't help but get a bit teary-eyed. Sure, he wasn't as charismatic (or as good-looking) as his predecessor but I felt that he did give his very best at his job.  

Thank you, Pope Benedict XVI.

I never really got to have a good look at the Pope when I was in Madrid for World Youth Day 2011. But I do remember seeing a mere glimpse of him on his pope mobile and on the jumbotron at Quatro Vientos that final day of WYD. Even when I was in Rome that same summer, I wasn’t able to get to see him either.

I'm a catholic and a religious one at that. It's not something I shout from the rooftops not because I'm ashamed to be one. I am proud to be catholic. It's just that for me, one's faith is his/ her own business.

And on this momentous day in the history of the Catholic Church, I’d just like to share something. In the short time Pope Benedict XVI was the head of the church, I was blessed to be in his presence even for just a moment. 

 My one and only photo with the pope and he's on the jumbotoron at the Plaza de la Independencia in Madrid.

All smiles from the door of St. Peter's Basilica. The next time I'll be at St. Peter's Square, a new pope will be addressing the faithful . 

HOSTEL REVIEW: Hotel Papa Germano, Rome

When I was looking for a hostel in Rome, I had only two things in mind - location, location, and price. I was arriving in Rome via train from Paris and knew that I had to find a decent hostel near Termini central train station.  As I was searching online for one that fits the bill,  I stumbled upon the Hotel Papa Germano.

The Hotel Papa Germano is actually rated as a two star hotel that offers private rooms with or without an ensuite private bathroom.  Back in the summer of 2011,  I stayed at the section of the hotel that was designed as a youth hostel which features dormitories and shared bathrooms.

I really liked this hostel because it was unpretentious, affordable (I only paid 22 euros per night!), and was at a good location.  Oh, and one more thing, I really like the owner of the hostel - a rather charming Italian old man. He was nice, helpful, and surprisingly funny.  In one of our many conversations,  I mentioned that I would love to live in Rome. To which he said to me, "You're too late. My son got married last year."



LOCATION:  Just four blocks away from the Termini central train station, it is close to ideal especially when you’re lugging behind 25 kgs of luggage. Futhermore, it's located in the city's historic center so all the major sites are within easy reach.  There are also restaurants, a grocery store, and a telephone center within the vicinity just in case you need to make a few overseas calls.  And if you care to explore the area, there are also some interesting sights and churches within walking distance. (2pts)

SECURITY: Rooms use old-fashioned keys. No keycards here.  (1.5pts)

CLEANLINESS: The mixed dorm was clean and the sheets were fresh. There’s a sink in the room and that was clean, too. (2pts)

STAFF: There was adequate staff and they were competent. (2pts)

CHARACTER: It’s a simple functional hostel. The beds, dresser, and closet were generic but the architecture of the hostel – with its high ceiling and tall shutter windows, was just lovely. (1.0 pts)

Total: 8.5 pts

Other things of note: 

WIFI: Free use of computer terminals.

BREAKFAST: Pay an extra five euros per day to partake in the breakfast buffet. 

Visit www.hotelpapagermano.com for more information. 

Here I am with the very nice hostel owner. Yes, I was really fat. Gawd. Look at my tummy! 

This mixed dorm sleeps four. The fourth bed is on the other side and on which I slept. 

Here's my single bed. 

I love that my bed is next to the tall windows. But as you can see, there's not much room for my luggage, just like in any hostel. 

The room had a dresser, closet, and a small flat screen TV. 

We had a sink and a hair dryer in the room since we didn't have an ensuite bathroom. We also had a coat rack that doubles as towel hooks. 

36-hours in Infanta

“Infanta is a first-class municipality,” said my friend Blue, as we make our way to the town center onboard our chartered tryc.  I arrived the night before and so this was the first time I saw the entire town in daylight. And now as I gaze at brightly painted houses, it seems hard to believe that Infanta was underwater about nine years ago. 

Infanta is a town in Quezon Province which is situated at foot of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range and faces the Pacific Ocean.  In 2004, it suffered from an epic flood. The entire town was covered in mud and its rice fields ruined by silt and illegally-cut logs snugly lodged several feet underground. My friend Blue is trying to find out if the farmers have indeed recovered from this disaster.  I was there to just simply help with the interviews. 

We were scheduled to interview several farmers at 9:00 am but first had to drop by the Infanta Integrated Community Development Assistance, Inc. office (ICDAI), a local NGO,  to pick up Alex - local boy and ICDAI's own superman.

Blue also had to buy snacks for our interviewees and so left me at Iona's refreshment parlor, the eatery across the ICDAI office, to break my fast. While waiting for my longsilog, I bumped into the former Ms. Maranan - the legendary brilliant and then maiden math teacher from my high school in Pasig. She became an inspiration to most single girls from our batch when, after moving back to her hometown of Infanta, she found love in her later years. 

We arrived at the baranggay hall just in time and promptly started. In the course of our interviews, we found out that most of these farmers also lost livestock to the flood, had to borrow money to clear the fields, and have just started planting last year.  Some of them received help from the government and NGOs, though some struggled their way back to normalcy on their own.

Short of the 20-25 farmers we expected, we headed back to the town center rather early and broke for lunch at Quatro Hermanas. The afternoon was spent visiting baranggay captains, scheduling more interviews for the coming days.

We then headed to Dinahican Fish Port where fishermen unload the day's catch. Unfortunately for us though, it was a rather turbulent day at sea so we were greeted by a very quiet pier that afternoon. We just hung out and enjoyed the sunset.

Supper was take-out fried chicken from town favorite Anejos. They basically just have a counter so we didn't have a choice but to eat at home. As it turned out, it was the best thing to do since their chicken was so yummy that it's a crime not to eat it with rice, much rice.

The next day, Blue and I were heading back home to Manila via a shuttle van.  But before we started on the four-hour ride home, we had breakfast at Queen Cakes. Locals say it's the one "proper" restaurant in all of Infanta where there's air-conditioning and staff to wait on you. Blue and I ordered sizzling bangus and after finishing off our meal, were quite ready to hop on the van and head back to Manila.

Iona's is a local food institution where you get to know the town literally and figuratively. Established in 1977, it looks and feels the quintessential Filipino eatery - bright, airy, and doesn't have an ounce of pretentiousness. 

The number is pretty old-school of cardboard and plastic cover. 

A welcome sight in recent Infanta: "working" rice fields.  

One of the four weddings I've witnessed in the span of 36 hours. 

Newlyweds pose in front of Infanta's St. Mark Cathedral. 

Infanta's town hall, all decked for the holidays. 

The town of Infanta from the ICDAI office. 

The bulletin board at the Comon Baranggay Hall provides all sorts of data from landownership to vehicle ownership.  

A farmer takes a break from tending the fields by talking to us. 

Our chartered tryc parked along the road. 

These shoes were hung to dry. 

There's a rooster at the pier. Wonder where he's going? 

A boy hanging out at the pier. 

Bayanihan gets redefined as these men try to load this drum into the tryc. 

This man, just back from the sea, got off the boat and onto the plank just to smile for my camera. 

You can't leave the bike, can you? 

A rather quiet Dinahican fish port.

No catch for the day due to a rather turbulent sea. 

Little girls playing in the port. 

Local boy Alex Malubay, gives us the lead on the whats, whens, and wheres of Infanta:

TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO IN INFANTA
1. EAT "SINANTOL". Head to the palangke and indulge in one.
2. JUMP OFF BALAGBAG FALLS (in neighboring town of Real) and SWIM IN THE PINLAK FALLS.
3. SWIM ALONG THE AGOS RIVER.
4. RENT YOUR OWN "FLOATING RESTAURANT". Locals rent a boat that has its own karaoke machine, mini-bar, bedroom, restroom, and boatman. Great for parties, these boats can hold up to 50 pax.
5. WATCH THE FISHERMEN UNLOAD THEIR CATCH AT DINAHICAN PORT. The show starts at 3:00 pm and ends roughly at 5:00 pm.

BEST TIME TO GO
23 APRIL: Farmer's Field Day, farmers sell their crops at the plaza
25 APRIL: Town Fiesta and Bb. Infanta Beauty Pageant at the Plaza

WHERE TO STAY
1. Cote d' Azur; www.cotedazurbeachresort.com
2. Bahay-Ugnayan sa Dalampasigan (BUD). Call 024-535-2146 and look for Alex or Gina.
3. Blue Pavillion; bluepavilionresort.com
4. Malachai Hotel and Resort; www.malachihotelandresort.com
5. Balesin Island Club for an A-list, private island type of holiday. Visit www.balesin.com for more information.

SOUVENIRS FROM THE MARKET
1. Suman
2. Pasingaw. It seems to me like an elongated sweet milky tikoy.
3. Sinantol

Draw history at "Re + visit Manila: A Sketchwalk in Quaipo"

What are your plans for tomorrow?
If you're heading to the mall, again, why not do something different? Join the "Re + visit Manila: A Sketchwalk in Quaipo." It starts at 8pm, Bahay Nakpil-Bautista in Quiapo, Manila. Entrance fee for students is at P40 while adults need to pay P80 each.

Here are the details:

Unfortunately, I can't come tomorrow since I already have a prior engagement I can't get out of. I only I could, I'll be attending this. 

Food Review: 4 Fingers

After getting all worked up at the Travel Expo, my friends and I were more than happy to break for lunch. Raffy wanted to lunch where we can see the bay. I wanted something that’s affordable. And Cathy, well, just wanted to eat. In search of a good compromise, we headed towards the Entertainment Mall of SM Mall of Asia and found ourselves entering the doors of 4 fingers. 

I haven't done a restaurant review on this blog and this is my first attempt. Hope it helps!

RESTAURANT: 4 Fingers

Food: It’s a good alternative to the other crispy chicken joint. I ordered the three-piece wing meal and I was pretty satisfied with it. The chicken was indeed crispy and the rice had garnish. Oh, and I found the presentation in a lunchbox and the graphics of the paper cup way better than the other chicken place. 

Service: It was good. They were quick getting the food out of the kitchen and on our tables considering that this was lunch hour.

Atmosphere: It was young, urban, and had a view of the bay.

Price: Affordable and competitive.

You order was you enter.

I like the white tiles! They're classic metro. 

Hot deals are posted on the front walls 

High table and chairs sit next to the counter. 

Number #5 at 4 fingers. 

I love it that they serve the chicken in a lunchbox!

4 Fingers

G/F Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia
Ocean Drive, Mall of Asia Complex
Pasay City

Fun and Hot Deals at the 2013 Travel Tour Expo!

With less than four hours of sleep, I joined my friends Cathy and Raffy brave this Friday’s morning rush to get to our most anticipated event of the year – the annual Travel Tour Expo.

This year's expo, which is on its 20th year, is being held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex and will run from today until Sunday, 17 February 2013. General Admission is at P50

When we finally stepped into its halls, we were greeted by a maddening crowd which was there to take advantage of the great deals offered by  numerous travel agencies, hotels, and airlines. A couple of which caught my eye:

Offered by The Lost Trails of Asia, (02) 741-2421, 411-0077, 788-4660

email:  thelosttrailsofasia@gmail.com

8 DAYS IN BHUTAN for USD$2850 (minimum of four people), Departure Dates: March 18, April, 15, and May 20.
Includes:
R/T economy class airfare
Deluxe hotel accommodations
Meals and tours as indicated in the itinerary
English-speaking guide
Bhutan Visa
Free insurance
Bottled water

Offered by Pan Paficific Travel Corporation, (02) 243-6666/ 71

email: pptc@yahoo.com

8 DAYS in JAPAN, for US$2, 688 (single supplement: US$600)

Tour includes:
Tokyo Disney Resort
Hakone
Mt. Fuji
Toyohashi
Kyoto and Nara
Osaka Universal Studios

Offered by Ellen’s Travel & Tours Palawan

Tel. (048) 433-2076, (048) 434-7052

email:ellenstrvltours2000@yahoo.com

“Lakwatsa Palawan Package”

3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS (to stay at Legend Hotel in a Standard Room), for 6,600/ pax – Quadruple sharing
Includes:

Airport Transfers
Welcome drinks
Buffet Breakfast
Free use of the hotel’s swimming pool
city tour with snacks
underground river tour with buffet picnic lunch
Honda bay island hopping
services of licensed tour guide

The Department Of Tourism booth greets you when you enter. 

Hong Kong, Asia's World City, is a pinoy favorite.  

South Africa is calling. 

Cathy and Raffy are all smiles. 

She's another pretty reason why one has to go to Japan.  

The statuesque ladies and gentlemen of Thailand strike a pose for my cam. 

Leyte certainly made her presence felt. 

Qatar Airways had a very spacious booth at the Expo.  

I like that Adam's express travel used real apples for their sign. 

Amazing deals from Skynet Travel

I also found out that there’s a new airline in town – SKYJET.  They are now flying to Basco, Batanes, and Coron, Busuanga. Soon, they’ll jetting to Virac, Caticalan-Boracay, Catarman, Siargao-Surigao.

Low rates offered  by new player Skyjet Airlines 

But the best part of attending the expo on the first day is that I got to meet Mr. “It’s more fun in the Philippines”, Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez. How cool is that?!

I had the chance to meet the Tourism Secretary at the Expo! Woot! Woot!

Then all of a sudden, Mark Lapid joins in. 

I didn't take advantage of the amazing deals being offered but then again, I still have until Sunday to do so. But if you are planning to go on holiday this summer, high off to the SMX Convention Center and score yourself a great holiday package. 

Safe Travels! 

NOTE: I am not  affiliated or paid by any of these companies. 

Tower of Love

Happy Valentine's Day!
Hope you're feeling the love that is all around.

I am currently local and about to have dinner tonight with some fab friends. While I am very happy with the marvelous company, I wouldn't mind being overseas in a place especially meant for lovers.

Here's one - the N' Seoul Tower in well, Seoul, South Korea.

If you don’t’ have enough money to fly to Paris just yet, perhaps you might jet off to Seoul first and climb up the hill to N’Seoul Tower. Here, lovers gladly wear their hearts on their sleeves and pledge their eternal love by attaching a lock on the balustrade of the deck. 

Thousands of locks are left there several hundred feet above sea level, to weather out the elements, perhaps symbolizing that their love is as steadfast and true.

But there's more to the N'Seoul Tower than these locks of love.

There's an observatory that gives you a 360 degree panoramic view of the city. Admission starts with 5,000 won for children, 7,000 won for the elderly, and 9,000 for adults.

There are also a couple of restaurants on the premises. The most celebrated of which is the french restaurant N Grill which is run by Michelin Star Chef Duncan Robertson. I didn't eat at the said restaurant but if its being run by a chef that has worked in Michelin restaurants 'Nobu' and 'Atelier de Joel Robuchon', how could you possibly go wrong?

For more information on N 'Seoul Tower, click here.


Anyway, hope you enjoy the rest of the day and again, happy love day! :) 

Climbed my way up from the very bottom. You can't even see the tower from here. 

Several hundred more steps to the tippy top. Good thing it was a cold day. Brrr. 

Would you? Graphics of one of the many benches on the platform. 

Here's a cute couple goofing around. 

Real-life couples spending an afternoon at the top. 

Bright smile amidst all these pledges of undying love. 

Lovers attach locks on to the balustrade, pledging their undying love and devotion. Look. Some of them are now rusty. 

Foreigners leave their mark, too.

Down there is the city of Seoul. 

They also have trees of locks. Evidently, the balustrades aren't enough. 

Rewarded myself with a cable ride going down. The one-way ticket cost me 6,000 won.