In celebration of the Manila’s founding anniversary, Lakwatsero is featuring my beloved city.

“When Manila sneezes, the Philippines catches cold.” - Nick Joaquin

The Philippine capital Manila is a unique blend of east and west. It is home to more than a million and a half inhabitants and is dubbed as the center of government, culture and education of the country.

The rich history of the city is dated even before the Spaniards came to the Philippines, but it was during the Spanish era (1571) that Manila was proclaimed as the capital of the Philippines thus becoming a center of transpacific trade for more than three centuries. The premier city of the Philippines celebrates its day every 24th day of June.

Lonely Planet describes the capital as a teeming metropolis, with huge tower blocks crowding the few remaining traces of colonial architecture that survived the bombing of the city during World War II (Manila is the second most destructed city during WWII, next only to Warsaw).

Today, the city is constantly evolving and coping to the development but still maintains its unique charm. From contemporary shopping malls to high-class seaports, remnants of its history to modern structures, the city got it all, enough reasons to keep you coming back to Manila.

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Culion, a fourth class municipality in Calamianes Group of Islands, located in northern Palawan is a quiet town with a history of continuous struggle. From being a former leper colony, Culion holds the promise of a brigther tomorrow with its rich past and breathtaking natural wonders.

Culion is slowly embracing Tourism. Unknown to many, aside from the remnants of its history, this town can boast of its natural attractions and great adventures - from diving and snorkeling to trekking and rock/cliff climbing. A stay in Culion, tourists will be treated to its rich history with a visit to its Museum, and a walk to the town where the evidence of it being a former leper colony still present with the old establishments and structures still in place.

Experience Culion, see its beaches, waterfalls, rice terraces, old church and fort, and explore its rich marine life. It is a town is waiting to be discovered.

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The Lakwatsero in me just had his very first solo adventure in Coron and Culion, and at first, I was a bit hesitant and afraid since this would be my first time to travel alone and join a group of people I’ve only met virtually, but my excitement overpowered the hesitation and fear. In the end, no regrets, because aside from experiencing this paradise in the northern Palawan, I also met new friends. Hence, I am not so alone in Coron and Culion.

[1] Leaving Manila. [2] Boatdeck. [3] Some of the “so kewl” batch 9.

[4] SuperFerry sunset. [5] SuperFerry sunrise. [6] Calamianes view from the boat.

After more than a decade, I traveled again via ferry. Working in an airline company, I found it so unusual that I enjoy long travel via ferry or bus rather than a short plane ride. June 6, I boarded SuperFerry’s M/V Our Lady of Good Voyage from the South Harbor of Manila for a thirteen hour ferry ride to join the Do-It-Yourself Coron tour organized by Mr. Owen Ferrer. The ferry ride was fun, aside from getting-to-know-you stuff from other fellow joiners, we got to witness amazing views, from sunset to sunrise, wonderful landscape and cloud formations, all in vivid colors.

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Nested in the mountains of Cordillera is the city of Tabuk, in the province Kalinga. It is 480 kilometers away from Manila and 10-12 hour drive from the Philippine capital. This remote highland city is a total contrast of an urban metropolis - no sckycrapers, malls, nightlife and crowded highways.

It is home to Chico River and its tributaries, the country’s longest river (from Mt. Province to Cagayan) and a popular destination for white water rafting in Luzon, with difficulty peaking at level 5 during rainy season. The river also serves as source of irrigation for ricefields of Tabuk (the biggest rice producer of the province), and the entire province of Kalinga.

Unexpectedly, Kalinga province has a lot of “not so popular” but definitely beautiful and natural attractions that are waiting to be explored. Tabuk, as it capital is the gateway to those. Experience Tabuk, where a quiet life awaits everyone in this mountain city.

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