Roxas City to Gigantes Islands

Feb 15-17, 2017
While most of the people were busy for their Valentine gimmicks, we are also busy packing our things as we make our way to Iloilo City for another Conference of SFC but before attending the conference we have decided to go for quick trip in Gigantes group of Islands. It is a rising island hopping destination of the west visayas region; and before it gets populated, there we are exploring the gem in the northern Iloilo. 
We had our flight scheduled in Roxas City, Capiz since most of the reviews suggest that it will be more convenient when coming from Roxas for the Bancal port would be 2 hrs travel only unlike from Iloilo City which would take 4 hrs to the port.We had our flight earlier than expected and we arrive around 9am. We had to wait for some of us will be arriving in the afternoon so we just check in to Roxas City Pension House in Baybay, it is near the Peoples park where in most of the food stalls present different kind of seafoods (Dampa style); so what shall we do when in the Seafood capital of the Country? We had our lunch just in front of the bay where strong winds and waves splashing near us. Right after our lunch we try to get around what's with Roxas City but because there seems a bad weather we just ride a tricycle to Sta. Monica Church or Capiz Church, Home of the Biggest Bell in Asia. The church is under renovation but can still go around outside. We haven't seen the actual bell since the bell tower was also close but the main church was mesmerizing. We also try to see the Roxas Cathedral located in the heart of the city. The Cathedral has been taking good care of that's why it shines even in the lonely weather. Our Roxas City tour could have been better without heavy rains, We just got back to the Pension House and wait for dinner time and finally to call it a day.

Capiz Plaza

Sta. Monica Church (Home of the Biggest bell in Asia)

Replica

at the People's park

Immaculate Cathedral

It was a rainy morning when we prepared for 2 hrs travel to Bancal port and we were all worried that our trip to Gigantes Island might be cancelled due to bad weather but thank goodness that we just had a delay until the waves became boat friendly. Upon riding the boat, our island hopping starts too. it took us almost 4 hrs to reach the group of Islands and our first destination was the Cabugao Gamay Island. 

unlimited scallops for the win!

beside Cabugao gamay

Inside Tangke Lagoon

Bantigue Sandbar

Antonia Beach

did you just think of hidden lagoon in El Nido? Yes! almost the same

Little Boracay

It is the Iconic Island that represents Gigantes tourism, they said that it is the butt of the giant that's why visitors were all excited to climb the rock hill at the other end to take a good picture of of the Iconic island.
before going to other islands we had our lunch first. It was a sumptuous meal with Chicken Binakol and unlimited adobong scallops. We wasn't able to finish that meal because of their generous servings that our stomach can't take it anymore.

Going back to Island Hopping we docked into Tangke Lagoon. we were hurrying to see this Lagoon for high tide might prevent us from entering the lagoon. there is also a cliff side outside the lagoon where adrenaline junkies may try to jump into the open sea. Next destination would be Bantigue sandbar. It would be great if only it's not raining. we were not able to swim due to strong waves but there's more to this island than that. We had our coffee session in he middle of the sandbar. There is a small cottage where we had our coffee that gives us warmth while waiting for the rain to stop. After sandbar experience we headed towards Antonia beach. It was cool and picturesque island with lots of coconut tress good for island picture taking and also a wall rock formation you can climb that can give the birds eye view of the island.
Next spot would be an Island adjacent to Antonia beach which they called "mini Boracay" it is a small beach with powderlike white sand and towering cliff wall like El nido. We spent our remaining free hours in this beach before going back to our accommodation and eventually call it a day.

Next Morning, we were greeted by a good weather and after we had our breakfast we proceed to island hopping again. First destination is a sandbar which they called their secret spot or jacket-jacket island for it may quickly vanished as the tides get high. It is just a small sand bar but few minutes of just standing there we notice that this sandbar vanishes quickly and that's why they said that we were lucky of being few visitors to get there. next stop suppose to be the light house and cave but due to strong waves and current we will not be able to get there. we proceed to our next destination which is Pandan Island. At first, I was thinking of an island planted with plenty of Pandan but all we saw was just a lone standing Pandan tree. And that's the history of it's name. This Island used to be filled with Pandan trees but the storm has taken everything from it, leaving just one strong standing tree. What's special in this island? You can dip here in a cold clear water while sitting in large slippery rocks with the background of main Gigantes Island. It is perfect for our morning since it was already a scorching heat that we are battling with. next stop is the main Gigantes Island but we opted to just go back to Bantigue sandbar and just make most of our time before leaving and ending our tour. from our last stop we just enjoy swimming and having photo ops of the Sandbar. it was clear and a bit cold water but sure to leave everyone a good experience. And that's how our Gigantes Island adventure has ended.

at secret spot (Jacket-Jacket Island)

Pulu Pandan (Pandan Island)

Gigantes Main Island at the back

We leave the island with hopes that we can experience again its beauty but most especially their offer of unlimited scallops. Yes, our tour provider included in our meals unlimited scallops which is pricey when in manila. It is not a perfect experience since our tour has been interrupted by bad weather but everything is redeemed because of the beauty of the place and also good food that we eat. I just hope that this will note be commercialized just like boracay because its simplicity is the best it can offer. 

Thank you!

Iloilo the City of Love: Fun in Church Hopping

February 18, 2017 at Unesco's World Heritage Church

What could be more exciting for a one devoted Catholic when you're in Iloilo? Aside from different attractions like beaches, Food, Festival, Mansions and Culture. There are Historical and Beautiful Churches that's good for a tour Pilgrimage.

It was Miag-ao Church and Garin Farm that we just want to visit as side trip from a Conference in Iloilo but little did we know there were lots of Historical churches that we could include in our itinerary as we travel to the famous stairway to Heaven Pilgrimage site in Garin Farm. Blessed enough that our friend ride a taxi and the driver offer a Pilgrimage tour. He said that Aside from Miag-ao and Garin farm there were Churches along the way that we can drop by and include in our itinerary just to concise our trip. So we come up with 6 Churches and the Garin Farm.

Fine weather and a not too crowded sites welcome us as we travel to our first destination. None other than One of the Unesco's World Heritage Church, the pride of Iloilo, Miag-ao Church. It was the same hype when I saw another Unesco's Heritage Church in Ilocos which is the Paoay Church. Amazing and Beautiful as it is in the Photos. We've seen great architecture design with intricate details on its facade. For a one practicing Catholic it was such a great experience to see this kind of preserved historic proof of our Faith that stands the test of time. I just don't have pictures of what's inside since there were lots of activities when we arrive.

Next stop would be another rising tourist attraction in Iloilo, The Garin Farm. It was an agricultural farm with a twist. as one enter the gate you will be welcome by a vine tunnel and also different farm animals, farm fruits and a Bahay kubo which will make you sing the real Bahay kubo song. Different plants were planted before you reach the Nipa hut but the sequence of plants were the same with what depicted in the song. starts with Singkamas at Talong, Sigarilyas at Mani, Sitaw, Bataw, Pataniiii. and so on, just sing the song and you'll figure out what are those. Upon reaching the canteen area, there you will be able to see your next adventure; The Pilgrimage site with what they so-called stairway to heaven. There are 2 options to get to heaven. Either you brace the scorching heat of the sun and walk to the top or get a cable car that cost 25 each up to the meditation tunnel. Once you get there, you will enter a cave or what they called meditation tunnel. It was dark, too dark as if you were blind but wait until you get out of the tunnel. Your eyes couldn't accept the light that comes from the sun and shinning light from what awaits you. It feels like in Heaven actually. There is a gate with St. Peter on its side and the Angels with trumpets welcomes you to heaven and of course the great Cross that serve as a shed to many people that couldn't open their eyes for it was strikingly bright. It's as if you can no longer bear the brightness. And that's the main purpose of the site. There is explanation at the end your journey that If you cannot bear the light then it is not your time yet to go to heaven and you have to go back to the real world to do good and be ready once your time has come. After that, another walk down to the mighty stairs but you can also choose to get the cable car to make it easier.

Figure out how many steps hahaha

View from the Canteen

too hard to open our eyes

Entering the gates of heaven

Beautiful 

Can you imagine the heat?

Good Point

for you

After a Tiring walk in Garin Farm we have decided to just make next destinations quick glimpse. And so, five churches were plotted with The Mansion as extra trip. We have visited the San Joaquin Church, Guimbal Church, Tigbauan Church, Molo Church/Cathedral and Jaro Church. 

Jaro Cathedral

Tigbauan Church

Guimbal Church

Molo Cathedral

San Joaquin Church

Iloilo has been known for Bulalo, Piyaya, Bisccocho, Being Malambing and Its Festival But Church Pilgrimage tour would be good to include to one's itinerary, for you will be able to see every town and how are they living their lives with these kind of beautiful sites to behold. For a one practicing Catholic, I've come to realize that every churches has stories to tell, people to represent but one faith to profess. I've never seen this kind of tour to be good since visiting churches might sound boring but not until I experience it. Indeed, true enough that the Lord has many surprises for us even in this kind of silent adventure. I am forever thankful for this experience and I hope to come back and bring my family as well in the City of Love.