Bangui Windmills: Look up and watch them turn!

When you are on an Ilocos tour, Bangui Windmills is always part of the itinerary. It is located at Bangui Ilocos Norte and considered as Southeast Asia's biggest turbines. There are 20 giant windmills which looks like electric fans facing the West Philippine Sea. Through the efforts of the Marcoses, these windmills are renewable energy sources and helps reduce the greenhouses gases that causes global warming. Each turbines has the capacity to generate a maximum of 1.65 megawatts.

Bangui Windmills

The turbines stand approximately 70 meters high from the ground and each blade is 41 meters long.  

Bangui Windmills 

the group

making of Bangui Windmills souvenir items

Bangui Windmills souvenir item

It became a famous tourist spot because it is the only windmill farm in the Philippines. But right now, Guimaras province is also starting a windmill project which will also be a next tourist destination. As Filipinos, we should be proud that we have these windmills. Worth going especially if you are with your group of friends! 

Damires Hills: Away from the City

A weekend get away even just for a day will be possible! An estimated 1 hour drive from the city, Damires Hills at Janiuay Iloilo provides a relaxing ambiance of nature that can free you from the hassle of the city life. The last time I went there was 3 years ago and there is already a big improvement. Trees are already grown enough to provide a shade. Though a little bit hot during noon time, staffs also provide electric fans to make the guests more comfortable. 

Damires Hills Tierra Verde

Adventure also awaits for all ages like the zipline and the ATV. It's nice to see that families and group of friends enjoying the adventures that Damires Hills provide. Swimming pools are much enjoyed by children. 

Damires Hills Adventures

all terrain vehicle (ATV) adventure

infinity pool

kids pool

Different sizes of cottages are available at affordable price and is consumable. 

cottage (kubo)

It was worth going and a good place to spend time with your family and friends. The staffs are very accommodating and responds to your needs immediately. They make sure that your stay is worth remembering! 

For more inquires please do visit their website Damires Hills Tierra Verde

THE RUINS: Love beyond the walls

Located at Talisay City, Negros Occidental is the famous and declared as the best landmark in the Philippines - The RUINS. It is known as the Taj Mahal of Negros because of the similar history to the Taj Mahal in India. Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson married to Maria Braga a Portuguese from Macau built this house in early 1900's to prove his love to his wife. The architectural design is inspired in honor of Braga's father who is a ship captain. The top edges of the mansion is shell-inspired decor which in New England indicates that the house is owned by a ship captain. According to the tour guide, Don Mariano is often seen seated in the glassed-in sunroom viewing the ships along the coastal waters of Talisay. 

The Ruins

It was in World War II when the US Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), the guerrilla fighters in the Philippines burnt this mansion. But the beauty of the structure still remains. The cement used for the walls has an egg white mixed in it. That is why until now, you can see the glossy appearance on the walls of the mansion.  

For more serene ambiance of the place, an Italian inspired restaurant by Chef Michelle Lynn Lacson can be experienced at the side of the mansion. A perfect place to dine or have a coffee with your loved ones. 

The love endured by a couple cannot be justify by anyone else. What only remains for them to know are the material things that can prove the love. All we need to do is to imagine how great to know that true love still exist over time and it gives us hope until we pass it for the future generation. 

Dinagyang at Iloilo

   Festivals are important in the lives of Filipinos because they are reminded every year to celebrate. To celebrate despite the struggles with the everyday challenges. Despite the status they have in society, a time to celebrate has always it's space.

Taken at Iloilo Sports Complex

   Iloilo City celebrates yearly the Dinagyang Festival.The rootword is dagyang, in Hiligaynon which means to make happy. Dinagyang is a progressive word which means merry-making. It is a religious and cultural activity where in the people are painted in black to represent the Negritos who are the settlers of Panay Island. They also wear with them colorful costumes and dancing with the loud sound of drums. Usually there are about 10-15 participating tribes whose participants are from the high schools of the city. The performance is about praising the child Sto Nino. A replica of Sto Nino was brought to San Jose Parish Chruch in Iloilo City from Cebu. The Ilonggos honored the image and decided then to have a festival every 4th week of January as their way of thanking the image. A mass is held first thing in the morning at the San Jose Parish Church before the proclamation of the opening of Dinagyang Festival by the city mayor. 

colorful

tribes carrying replica of Santo Niño

But what makes Dinagyang more special and worth going? It has been my own ritual of watching Dinagyang Festival and not a single year that I have missed it. It's been a long process of thinking why am I doing this. And eventually, by and by I realized that it's not only about filling my eyes with colorful presentations or feeding my ears with loud dancing musics. But it's about emptying my heart from the distractions everywhere and focusing only to the faith which is indestructible. The story of the presentation of the tribes is a whole package. From the expression of sadness, grief and suffering up to the expression of joy, celebration and love. All of these are examples of how the Ilonggos trust in their faith to Sto Nino. 

The festival does not only focus on the performance itself but it is also a time to party. Clubs, bands, food festivals are everywhere during the said event. People go out to dine with their family and friends with the live bands. Streets of Iloilo City are filled of people walking because no cars are allowed and they have the time to socialize with other people. New friends and partners are usually built in this kind of festival. Unforgettable memories are once again refilled. No wonder why Dinagyang festival was declared as the Best Tourism Event in the Philippines. A full packed event that can re energize your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. The Ilonggos are very much pleased if you try to visit Iloilo city during Dinagyang Festival. We are in the City of Love, we welcome people with our own unique way. Try it and you'll keep coming back. 

Dinagyang Festival Photos:
by Al Rabara

Playa de Paraiso

I was invited by the Provincial engineers of provincial capitol Iloilo over the weekend at Playa de Paraiso at Guimaras. It was my free time and i did not miss the opportunity because i've never been to that place.

It was Saturday at 7:00am in the morning that the group met up at parola. Parola is the station of the pump boats going to Guimaras. The Guimaras has two ports the Buenavista and Jordan. Going to our destination, we need to dock at the Buenavista port. The trip will take about 15 minutes. The fare is so affordable it cost 15php. The sea is calm during our trip.

Parola station in Iloilo

 When we got there at the Buenavista port, we rented a jeepney for a 30 minutes drive to Playa de Paraiso at Brgy San Enrique, San Lorenzo. Guimaras is a small island that composed of five municipalities and ninety eight barangays. Jordan is their capital town. Guimarasnon's languange is Hiligaynon. Guimaras is known to produce the sweetest Mango in asia.

We arrived at Playa de paraiso and looking at the facade, you will be awed. This place is owned by McDougall, a German who married a beautiful lady from Negros. I just can't wait to get in and see what's inside the big mansion. The moment you enter, you will be welcomed by the beautiful and elegant native sala set. The living room is a perfect place to take a rest while waiting. The receptionist who happened to be the sister of the owner entertained us. Playa de Paraiso is an almost 3-hectares land area with the beach at the back of the mansion. The mansion has 7 rooms. The two rooms in the second floor are suite rooms. We planned to take the two rooms on the first floor. It costs 2,800 php good for 8 persons and an additional 150php for the excess person.

facade of playa de paraiso

backside view of playa de paraiso

living room

the second floor

room at first floor

Since the check in time is 2:00pm, the group decided to stay first at the cottage. The place has a lot of "kawayan" cottages fronting the beach. The ambiance is so cool and the cascade of the water is relaxing. You can bring your own food and cook it there. They have available pugon (a local stove) and grilling stations for cooking. This is a time of bonding for us. For our lunch, we have shrimps, kinilaw nga tabagak, gusaw and kalampay(baby crabs). The tabagak, gusaw and kalampay were sold to us by the fishermen from the place. Just using our bear hands(kinamot) we had a very sumptous lunch with the group.

cottages

shrimp (pasayan)

grilled gusaw

kalampay

lunch time

The rest of the afternoon is spent playing Majhong, a Chinese game. The place has also a 4ft-7 ft swimming pool and I decided to jump in! Night is fast approaching and the group organized games. The games were held in the balcony of the mansion. After the dinner, we enjoyed the videoke,drinks, and disco lights. We never get tired of singing and dancing till 3:00am. The night was ours because we felt at home with their accommodating and caring staffs.

swimming pool area

Sun is up! And I decided to walk on the beach with my camera thinking I might capture some intresting scenes. And yes, I did capture moments. Fishing is a major hanapbuhay(livelihood) in this place because of the sea. As early as 7:00 am, there are already boats that have arrived. I saw these couple of people watching if they have a catch. Some may have but unluckily some doesn't have any. It's a big risk going to the sea not minding the changing weather we have today. The waves might be strong in any moment. But these fishermen would be willing to risk their lives just to have a food on the table.

calm beach

fishing boats

fishing boat on guimaras island

 

fresh fish

I was really moved when I saw this liitle kid of about 10 years old pushing his boat to the sea. This boy will surely go fishing alone. At this early stage, how sad it is to see this little boy who must be in school at this moment. But who knows, I did not ask the kid if he is studying or not. But it's also an amazing thing to know that a young boy knows already how to catch fish.

fishing alone

 ready to sail

 Our breakfast was served at the balcony of the second floor. It was well prepared. Their is a free breakfast for two for each room. They also serve foods for an affordable price. But again we decided to cook. We have the ampalaya(bitter melon) with egg, sinabawan(soup) nga gumasa and fried tabagak. We then again enjoyed laughters and good conversations together.

breakfast at 2nd floor balcony

fried tabagak (salted sundried fish)

Ginisang Ampalaya

We planned to leave at 2:00 in the afternoon. So we still took our lunch there with sugba(grilled) pork and kinilaw(made of raw ingredients) nga tabagak in our menu.

grilled pork

Playa de Paraiso is worth going especially if you are with a big group. Because the place is exclusive and you will really enjoy without any whereabouts in your mind. This is a good escapade from the city life. A place where you can take a break even just for the weekend. Simple moments with this beautiful scenery will always be remembered. When you will leave the place, you will surely say that "I will come back!". 

Graphical information about this beautiful place:

 

Plan /Land Area

for more inquiries

Eden Nature Park and Resort

   A one hour drive from the Philippine Eagle Center, next stop is the Eden Nature Park and Resort.

day tour center

     We were already tired and sleepy not until we were on Eden. The temperature excites us because it's a little bit cold knowing we are already on a mountain. 

    We availed the guided shuttle tour for 120 php each. As we were waiting, we took a look on the map of Eden Nature Park and found out how big the place is.

here we are

Eden Nature and Resort Map

    According to the tour guide, the 80-hectare area is man-made. It is owned by the Ayala but not connected to the Ayala who owns big businesses. The place is used to be an open area full of wild grass. They started planting pine trees until other kinds of trees and flowers were also planted. They developed and took over the place because it is overlooking Davao City and Davao Gulf. 

Overlooking of Davao City and the Gulf of Davao

    The shuttle tour started and we passed by the area where they planted lettuce and tomatoes without using soil. The way of planting is called HYDROPONICS. According to How Stuff Works, the nutrients that the plants normally derive from the soil are simply dissolved into water instead, and depending on the type of hydroponic system used, the plant's roots are suspended in, flooded with or misted with the nutrient solution so that the plant can derive the elements it needs for growth. (http://home.howstuffworks.com/lawn-garden/professional-landscaping/alternative-methods/hydroponics.htm) 

lettuces grown in hydroponics

growing plants in nutrient-enriched water instead of soil

The tour includes 3 stop overs to have time to take a picture. First stop is at the Flower Garden. We were impress by the different variety of flowers. The tour guide gave us 5 minutes to look over the place and take a shot. 

Statue of St. Francis of Assisi at the Garden of Eden

blooming wild flower

wild flowers that lighten up the landscape

The 7 colored rainbow is used during weddings or pre-nuptial pictorials. 

a tunnel of vines with a rainbow at the end 

The second stop over is at the "Tinubdan". Tinubdan comes from the root word "tubod" which means origin of water or natural spring. The park is a glimpse of the tradition, culture and belief of the indigenous people of Mindanao. We are then entertained by a tribal dance of the elementary students.

tinubdan which means natural spring

tribal dance of indigenous people 

Tribal Dance Video

A Bagani or protector guards the entrance of the village

 Bebalay-Baylan (Shaman's House)

     The third stop is at the Lola's Garden. The garden is rich in leafy vegetables. We were given samples by the tour guide such as basil and cinnamon.

Lola's Garden (GrandMas Garden)

Medicinal Plant

view of organic garden

carabao sculpture with nipa hut  at Lola's Garden

mayumi's wishing well which is full of gumamela (hibiscus)

Cottages are also available for families or group of friends who wish to stay overnight. 

Eden Nature Park and Resort can be called a heavenly place. For it is rich in nature that could captivate every people's heart. The place is a hideout for those who live in the city. Even if you are a nature lover or not, you will be impress by it's beauty. I can say, it is a step closer to the definition of the Garden of Eden in the Bible. Try to visit it and you'll appreciate to start taking care of you own environment even just at home.