Oslob, Cebu: Not only a Butanding Destination

My work last October 2012 in Cebu doesn't only cover the city, but we got to visit the now-famous Oslob - a small municipality in Cebu, located at the Southern tip of the province. Oslob was known for its butanding, which I personally believed to be the top choice if you want to see these gentle giants up close. Since it was known for the butanding and we didn't get to see them during our first day in Oslob, we chose to do a walking tour in the small municipality and discovered that it is not only proud of its marine animals, but full of heritage and history too.


How to get to Oslob, Cebu and back

Oslob is located at the Southern tip of Cebu province, a 3 hour drive from Cebu City center. As its location suggests, you must take the bus bound to Oslob or Tan-awan at the South Bus Terminal (Pahina Central, Cebu City). Buses are available 24 hours but make sure you ask the conductor or driver if they will be passing by Tan-awan just to be sure. We took Ceres bus bound to Tan-awan, which can be found at the other side of the terminal, near the terminal exit. Since we were conducting our study in Barangay Poblacion, Oslob, we got off at the said barangay. Fare is about Php 160.00 per way.

Getting back to Cebu City, you can wait along the highway for Cebu bound buses. Fare is also Php 160.00. Travel is a little over 3 hours, since there are people getting on and off several stops. The bus final stop is Cebu South Bus Terminal, where you can ride a taxi back to your hotel or accommodation.


Places to visit in Barangay Poblacion, Oslob, Cebu: HISTORICAL and CULTURAL HERITAGE

We found a map in the barangay hall presenting the different places to visit in Barangay Poblacion. Some places caught our attention such as Antonio Luna's old house, old church and walls, Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church and ruins of Spanish era, and thus, we decided to do a walking tour of Barangay Poblacion.

(Note: Descriptions are those inscribed on stones)

Cuartel

This unique structure was built through the effort of El Gran Maestro Don Marcos Sabandal to serve as barracks for Spanish Armies but was halted during the arrivals of American in 1899. The coral stones used for its constructions came from remnants of the collapsed floor of the Church Bell Tower. The walls of the structure which measures 19 centimeter thick still stand. The façade built of coral stones features a double row of arches.

Cuartel (front)

Cuartel (back, facing the sea)

Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church

The foundation of the Church was laid on May 4, 1830. The church plan was drawn by Bishop Santos Gomes Marañon, the same prelate who had the kiosk of Magellan Cross in Cebu City constructed. The site was chosen by Fr. Julian Bermejo since it has a bigger size for settlement and at the same time to replace the destroyed church of Daanlungsod, and officially became and independent parish on January 8, 1847. A fire destroyed the church on November 7, 1955. It was restored but was hit again by fire on March 26, 2008. The church was completely restored once again on December 10, 2010.

Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church

Church and Cuartel grounds

Church Walls and Gates

The Church walls and gates were constructed in 1875 to serve as one of the defense frontlines of the complex against the Moro Marauders. The wall features a series of pyramid top piers that gives a unique townscape component to the old street of Aragones and Eternidad. Some of its part has an inscription indicating the name of the street and the year of its construction.

Church walls and grounds

Baluarte
Baluarte is the Spanish name of watch tower. Its main purpose is to provide a safe place wherein guards can observe the surrounding area. It was a part of the defense system in dispelling the Moro raiders of the past. Many of these watchtowers ply the coastline of Oslob. Just near the Cuartel, one can immediately see ruins of an ancient watchtower. So effective was this system that in 1815, the townspeople of Oslob were able to repel one such attack and was peaceful ever since. These prompted them to relocate the town to its present site from their fortified settlement in Daanglungsod which are now in ruins but still breathtaking.

Baluarte

Antonio Luna's House

Located near the Oslob Municipal, Antonio Luna's house seemed like one of the houses there. There was no sign, no stone marker. We just identified it as it is by the pictures and simply following the street map. We just peeked from the outside and confirmed that it is indeed, Antonio Luna's house since it has its memorabilia on the wall. Sadly, you can not enter the house since his relatives are occupying it and an SUV is parked right outside of it.

Antonio Luna's House

Oslob is a good destination, aside from the Butanding experience that the tourists look for, it also offers a glimpse of our Spanish history and occupation, from the tisa houses and churches to the shorelines overlooking the sea. It is a side trip for your Butanding experience.

A Taste of Everything in Cebu

I have been in Cebu four times - first in 2010, second and third in 2011 and fourth time recently. In 2010, it was only a day trip from our Bohol vacation, where we only got to see the tourist spots in Cebu City and ate in Pino restaurant.

In 2011, I was only in a day trip again in Cebu for one of our projects. I flew in Cebu at 9am and flew out by 3pm. All I did is stay in SM Cebu's Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf while waiting for my flight back to Manila.

It was only this October 2012, that I have the chance to taste everything Cebu has to offer. With 7 days spent in city proper and Oslob, I didn't pass on the food trips. I got to eat on 3 restaurants -  CNT Lechon, La Marea and Larsian.


First stop: CNT LECHON

Location: 1377 Rama Ave, Guadalupe, Cebu City
Landmarks: Near SM City Cebu

Being a fan of Anthony Bourdain, his quest in Cebu on tasting the Filipino food made me inspired to look for the same food he took. I first planned to taste Zubuchon, but near had the time to visit its store. I don't like to eat cold lechon sold at the airport. Good thing, during our visit, we had a office friend who became our tourist guide and introduced us to CNT lechon.

When we arrived at the restaurant, a little before lunchtime, the place was packed. Parking lot was full already and there were almost zero vacant tables. Luckily we found one seconds after the family who occupied it left. Our friend lined up to order, I noticed that it was like a line for free goodies. Long lines as family waits for their respective orders. I remembered we got no.72, waited for about 30 minutes and the place was slowly filling up.

As soon as we get our orders, I was fascinated that their rice is in suman leaves, locally known to be "puso". It was very appropriate to call as such, since it is really heart shaped.

My apologies for those who are in-love with CNT Lechon, but I am not a fan of its saltiness. I personally find it quite too salty for my palette. However, I love the taste of the skin with its vinegar dip. Its crispiness and balance of right flavor is to die for.

Puso Rice

CNT Lechon

Second stop: LA MAREA's WARM BROWNIE CUP

Location: Crossroads, Banilad, Cebu


Our officemate, who was based in Visayas (now he's in Manila) recommended that we try La Marea's Warm Brownie cup. It was our dessert place after we had lunch in CNT.

La Marea reminds me of the quaint cafes found in the metro. It resembles Banapple and one of my personal favorite, Parvati. The place was also packed when we got there, though it has its second floor (which you can reserve for private gatherings and meetings).

Upon entrance, you'll see the shelf of baked goodies, from brownie cups to mini cakes and cookies. They also offer coffee and milkshakes. As recommended, we tried the Classic Warm Brownie cup (though it has more flavors such as white chocolate and triple chocolate). What is so divine with this dessert? Well, talk about the warmth and moistness of the brownie in a cup, topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup.

I am a chocolate lover and I can definitely say that this is the brownie cup I will never get tired of eating everyday. The right sweetness of the chocolate in it gave us the best feeling ever - childhood memories and weekends. For Php 95.00 a cup, it was definitely a heaven.

a selection of cakes and pastries

warm brownie cup

Third stop: LARSIAN

Location: Fuente Osmena Circle, Cebu City
Landmarks: Chng Hua Hospital and Robinsons Capitol


To cap off the day (and to end our free day too), we had our dinner at Larsian - the largest outside grill house in downtown Cebu. I have been in Metro Manila's food market such as Banchetto and Mercato Centrale and I have never found such place as organized as Larsian.

Larsian is basically a barbeque place, with individual stalls selling various products on sticks - from isaw (chicken intestines) to longganisa (chorizos), including chicken, chicken skins, pork and fish. Stalls have their respective numbers (if name is not available) and located at the perimeters of the area. You can choose a stall and your choice of food, have them cooked, look for your table and wait for your food to arrive. Conveniently, tables are located in front of their respective stalls. Grills are located at the middle of the area, where stalls have their own grilling "station".

Upon sitting down at your chosen table, a plate of 10 puso or rice in suman leaves are placed on your table. You will just eat what you can and they would count what's remaining and charge you what you consumed. The barbeques arrived after 20 minutes and we dug in. You have the choice of having your hands inside plastic gloves or eat on your bare hands. No worries, you can wash your hands after since wash rooms are available in the area.

Barbeques are sweet, one thing that I liked about it. I love the barbeque sauce that instead of dipping the actual barbeque on a mix of soy sauce, vinegar and calamansi, I rolled it again to its own sauce before I eat it. I probably one of the best barbeques I have ever had. I am tempted to ask how do they do it, but I guess its top secret. Food is relatively cheap - we spent less than 200 bucks for 10 sticks of barbeque (of different sorts) and 6 puso rice.

tables and barbeque selection



grilling stations and our food

Cebu City is one of the best places I have ever been. With its food, night life and various tourist spots, it offers you a variety of choices to do and places to go. I am definitely inlove with Cebu City.

St. Marks Hotel: Home in the City

St. Marks Hotel is the newest hotel in Cebu City, which opened only weeks before we stayed there. Working for a big company now, we have our very own perks, as we have company discounts in major hotels. When our booking coordinator mentioned that St. Marks is a new hotel, I never hesitated to say no to our coordinator, the call of a blogger - in trying out new things, well, this is an opportunity for another blog entry.


Date of Stay: October 24 - 31, 2012
Hotel's name: ST. MARK'S HOTEL
Location: Queens Road, Redemptorist Plaza, Camputhaw, Cebu City
Website: http://www.st-markhotel.com/


The FACADE

Since the hotel is relatively new, Cebu taxi drivers do not know the actual hotel. However, once you mentioned its located near Redemptorist Church, they would gladly bring you there. Upon reaching the church, you can see the hotel right behind it.

The hotel was newly opened, few weeks before we got there. It is still on its construction (I believe to bring more floors and rooms) and cement bags can be found everywhere. Parking space is available, where it was conveniently located near in the actual entrance of the hotel.

The Receptionist (must be shocked) and Dining Staff

THE HOTEL EXPERIENCE

We stayed at the hotel for 7 days, however, this is not a staycation, but it is still work. Anyway, after the usual check in procedures, we were guided to our superior room, which was located at the 3rd floor. The room is really nice, it feels more like a condotel than a hotel. It offers almost everything - free bottled water (yes, every day), ironing board, iron, rechargable flashlight, a safe, a fridge - and our "friend" - the weighing scale. We got so giddly with it, since of all the hotels I have been in, this is the first time I had a weighing scale in the comfort of my hands.

Aside from this, cable television and ipod dock is also available. Lampshades are kinda cool - one tap and it turns on. Another, it dims, last tap, it turns off. I have this certain affection with bathrooms, so after checking out the facilities, I found myself checking out the fancy bathroom. Well, it has two mirrors, fresh towels and toiletries. Hotel staff will everyday change your shampoo, soap and conditioner, eventhough you don't ask for it.

Since we are working during the day, we always look forward coming home to St. Marks since the beds are so comfy. For the last 6 days of stay, we never ate out - we would took "home" heaps of dinner, and eat right there. After dinner, we would sink ourselves to our beds, watch TV and snore through the night. I even had the idea to take the same bed for my future bedroom.

Our room

 

The facilities

OUR FAVORITE MEAL OF THE DAY: BREAKFAST

It was only during the third day of our stay that we managed to take our FREE buffet breakfast. The cafe is located at the second floor of the hotel, so we would take our breakfast before every one else does in our comfy house clothes (in slippers too).

Needless to say, we missed about a third of our lives for missing the first two days' breakfast (thanks to early call times to work/field). Buffet breakfast offers every thing you want - from rice to bacon, chicken adobo and danggit to champorado (yes!) and cereals and fruit loops. They also have a separate area for breads, pastries and pancakes.

We would stay and eat everything we want during breakfast. We often found ourselves digging in rice then pancakes and to cap it off - champorado. That's basically our meal for the next 4 days of breakfast. Coffee is free flowing too, but you can take milk or hot chocolate.

Dining table, "the heavy breakfast" Station (rice, viand, fruits and cereals)

Bread, Pastries, Pancakes and Waffles station

THE VERDICT

St. Marks topped my hotel's list in the Philippines. Though it is relatively new, thus, there is the reason to bring their best foot forward, the smiles and the warm everyday greetings of their staff captured my heart during our stay. Located at the heart of Cebu, about 10 minute walk from Larsian (Grill Houses), Robinsons and Centro and a stone throw away from the Redemptorist Church, St. Marks is definitely a home away from home.

However, their website should be working right now. I find it hard to check on the bedrooms, nor the room rates as you still need to call the reservation hotlines. For Manila-based people like me, the convenience of checking the rates and reserving online is a well planned strategy for the hotel. (PS. Our HR was the one who reserved the room for us, I just visited their website just to check it.)

I would definitely recommend it to my friends and officemates as well, whether you're in Cebu for business or pleasure, St. Marks will surely made your Cebu visit worthy.

I simply hope, when I come back to Cebu, St. Marks' employees decorum hasn't changed. It was, in fact, the thing that will make me come back all over again.



Facilities and Amenities:
Free Bottled water everyday
Free Wi-fi (strong connection per floor, I managed to go on Skype)
Free buffet breakfast (every day of stay)
With parking spaces at ground floor


Location:
about 10 minutes via taxi from SM Cebu or Ayala Center Cebu
about 10-15 minutes via taxi to Mandaue City
about 30-40 minutes away (via taxi) from Mactan International Airport
10-15 minutes walk to Mango Road, Larsian and Robinsons Cebu
KFC, Yellow Cab and Grill houses can be found around the vicinity
Stone throw away from Redemptorist Church


Website:
www.st-markhotel.com

Facebook account:
www.facebook.com/stmarkhotel

All Expense Paid Trip courtesy of my Job: Market Research

Its been three years. Three years of pure enjoyment and lots of first time. I haven't told my stories of employment - how I managed to tour major cities in the Philippines for free - almost all expense paid. I never told this course I took, my choice of employment - responsibility wise and company wise will give me the opportunities of a lifetime.

I graduated at the age of 23. Yes, 3 years behind my batchmates. It was a long story, but after 3 years of trying and trying as a Chemical Engineering student, I finally gave up. I managed to change course - from Engineering to Mass Communication. I don't have regrets at all. Okay, my only regret maybe is that I should have transferred earlier. But nah, I won't be meeting up the people I have now. 

Anyhow, I am a proud graduate of Communication Research - sounds out of this world. I also find it hard to explain - what did we do, what do we do and where will it take us...took us for us graduate. CommRes, what we call it, is one heck of a course. No course is easy anyway. We were called "Thesis Gods and Goddesses". We breathe and eat research. We are the first ones in the libraries and the last one to leave. We don't have "spare" time - in between subjects were spent reading research journals, understanding people, behaviors, calculating statistics and many more. It looked and felt hard, but, we (as the BestCResBlockEver) managed to pass the course. 

After graduation (literally, days after I got my grades), I landed a job as a market researcher - a research executive to be exact. Working for a small, family-owned company is never easy, but it definitely give you lessons. I learned how to multi-task, how to deal with different kinds of people - clients and co-workers, how to manage budget, how to be a single research agency when all of it fails. My co-workers and I look forward to field research - the time that we will be out for a project, it may be a simple overnight to a province or a week-stay. There, we experienced how to deal with time - that every day, we should rest early and find time to relax. Fieldwork is never easy. 

After two years and more, I decided to change path. I applied for a Market Research Associate (yes, title wise, it was inferior to that executive position I had, but this time, it was for a multi-national company). Now, I am working as a Client for research agency and as an Agency for my Internal client. Responsibility wise, my new job requires more. I should be ready every time the Brand needs input. I should always be available - for a phone call or must answer text messages. 

However, fun will always be there. I just came back from a 6-day stay in Cebu. I managed to visit its major landmarks and crossed out another item in my bucket list - Butanding watching. All of these are all-expense paid. Staying in a hotel that lurks you to sleep (with snoring), a van service ready for your use, meeting new people in the big company. 

For the remainder of the year, I am looking for another experience, a new place to visit, new food to taste. My blog will definitely be revolving around these places. Who could pass it, its all expense paid anyway. :)

Ho Chi Minh, Cambodia and Bangkok Chronicles: Summary and Expenses

Finally, I am at the end of the road. I haven't blogged in a while, too busy on work.

Anyhow, here's the last entry to cap off our Indochina trip.


Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Although we were not able to visit all HCMC has to offer, we really enjoyed our trip there - from understanding their history on war to food trip and shopping. Ho Chi Minh has still a lot to offer and we would definitely be back there (and hopefully, visiting Hanoi too).

Cambodia

Phnom Penh has these sad clouds hovering over it - literally and figuratively. This history on Khmer Rouge is a lot more than what Philippines experienced during the Martial Law. Its saddening, however, Khmers were able to rise above it and they became one of the most hospitable people in the places I have visited.

Siem Reap, aside from Angkor Wat that captured our hearts, has still a more to offer - from its floating villages and food. We made sure that we will visit Cambodia soon again, now on the cultural sides.

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is probably the best shopping destination - without even leaving Khao San Road. Food, dresses and tshirts are everywhere. Khao San Road is definitely the best place to be in Bangkok. Just like the first two destinations, we will be taking another trip in Bangkok, visiting its historical sites.

EXPENSES

I will let the following pictures tell you on how much we spent for each country.

Ho Chi Minh City Expense Summary

Phnom Penh Expenses Summary

Siem Reap Expense Summary

Bangkok Expense Summary

YES! WE DID IN ON OUR PHP 25,000.00 budget. Our total pocket damage: Php 21,542.00. 

This includes the roundtrip tickets (MNL - HCMC, BKK - MNL) at P5,700.00, Philippine Travel tax of Php 1620.00 and Terminal fee of Php 550.00.



International trips will be next year, however, I have few more local trips for the last quarter of the year. :)

Day 8. Leaving Bangkok and Arriving in Clark

August 26, 2012
Day 8.


Its the FINAL day. It simply means we would be stuck to our 9am-6pm work when we get back to the Philippines. However, it also signifies that we have another few months to plan for our next getaway.

GETTING IN and STAYING AT SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT

Good thing we decided to stay in Khao San Road because tourist offices are everywhere and they provide your options on how to get to the airport. Rates are between 100 to 150 Baht, but I believe they give almost the same service.

Although our flight is 7:00 in the evening, we decided to book a pick up schedule of 1:00 in the afternoon, to have time for the traffic or many other circumstances that we may encounter on our way to the airport. The service picked us up at the hotel and by 1:10, we are bound for the airport.

Suvarnabhumi airport is about an hour (or an hour and a half) away for Khao San Road, depends on how fast your driver is. The trip was smooth and you will not feel that it was an hour drive.

The service van will drop you off at the departure area and you will have to fine which gate your airline is. We appreciated this very much, since gate was not indicated in our flight itinerary. We saw where Tiger Airways (Seair) is and we entered the boarding gate.

Departure area

Airport Floors

After having our bags checked, we looked for our flight lanes. We arrived pretty much early and check in gates are not open yet, so we decided to walk around and buy dinner for us (with the last Baht that we have on hand). Food centers are located at the second floor, wherein the departure area is at the third floor. First floor is for the arrivals.

Check In Gate for Tiger Airways - Seair

Our favorite: Walkalator!

Suvarnabhumi is huge... really huge. Call counters are located everywhere, where you can make international calls. Though wifi is not free, we were still amused on how big the airport is. After checking in and passing through the immigration counters, we walked for almost 20 minutes before we finally arrive at our boarding gate.You'll pass by the Duty Free shops and the main airport lobby before you get to the boarding gates. Second floor is reserved for the waiting passengers, while the lower floor is for the boarding passengers. I simply hoped we have the same for our airports. But I still love ours, since we offer FREE WIFI.

The little Girl we met at the airport

Airport landscaping

A lady backpacker doing Yoga while waiting for her trip

ARRIVING IN CLARK (DMIA Airport)

The flight is quite rough, since we had ITCZ in the Philippines when we arrived. Coming from an convenient airport and experiencing several immigration points, long immigration lines greeted us back. Well, they simply made sure that we are in the Philippines. Only two counters were open and there were 3 flights arrived then.

Since it was late at night, we decided to check in at a Clark Hotel (TUNE HOTEL) and spend the night over just to be safe. After staying for almost 12 hours in Clark, we spent the same budget as our Ho Chi Minh trip for 2 days. Sad but we learned a lesson. Do not take a late night trip arriving in Clark, or else. :)

Food Trip in Bangkok, Thailand

Food is always a part of our itinerary. For the past 6 days, we have tasted the best of the Indochine cuisine - from Viet to Khmer to Thai.

These three countries offered food much like what the Filipinos have, what we have, but more tasteful in their own way. Thai food is not an exception. Though I am not a fan of spicy food, I really had the best time of being a street foodie in Khao San Road.


FOOD IN KHAO SAN ROAD

Food is everywhere. Most of our remaining money was spent on food alone, because we can't simply avoid it. And because we are in Bangkok, PAD THAI should be tasted.

Let me show you what we had.

The famous MANGO STICKY RICE

Their Crepes

Noodle selection for PAD THAI

PAD THAI again

Barbeque everywhere

ROTI (IS LOVE)

adding bananas in your roti

Then, "frying" it.

Add chocolate - LOTS OF IT

FOOD IN MBK

Though MBK offer the Taste of Asia food center, we decided to visit another food store because we wanted to try authentic Thai food.

Stir fried Pork

Fish cakes

Chicken with Apple Rice

Very Spicy Thai Noodles

Thailand may not have the best restaurant food, but we really enjoyed what its street offered to us. For sure, when we get back, we will come back to Khao San just for the food alone.