Official Travel Blog in Blogspot

To all the readers of my blog,

This is it! After "Perspectives in White Scratch Papers" (blogs containing different topics) and "Talaarawan ni Mister Commuter" (a Tagalog travel blog in Wordpress), I have my third blog now. It is entitled "Travel and Paper Perspectives" where you can read in-depth travel stories. Different topics such as travelogues, travel journals, food and local delicacies, natural wonders, landmarks, arts, customs and traditions and values are covered in this blog. You can follow this blog at http://jondiscoverswhentravels.blogspot.com/. Thanks a lot for the overwhelming support.

This is my first entry in my blog. Wait for more entries. Soon!

Summer Getaway with Writers Block 2012: Travel the Write Way

Travel the Write Way workshop by Writer's Block
Phiippines conducted last April 28, 2012 in Makati.
Courtesy: Writers Block Philippines

It is always a tradition for me to write what I have learned from writing workshops I attended.

Two months ago, I decided to enroll in a one day travel writing workshop conducted by Writers Block Philippines. Actually, this is the second  eventof the Writers Block that I attended after the Jumpstart Your Freelance Writing Career 4.0 workshop last year. Before I made it to the travel writing class, I got lost in the Makati Loop and having an adrenaline rush before I came to the venue. When I arrived at the place of workshop, I met the three lovely and smart ladies of WBP as well with other participants of the workshop. I said to myself that I am the least experienced traveler but I have a lot of quirky stories to tell through writing. Therefore, my purpose in attending this workshop is to improve my craft.


The workshop covered on topics about the basics of travel writing such as the different types of travel articles, choosing catchy and appropriate soundbites and travel photos, opportunities for travel writing and how to identify the good, the bad and the ugly travel write-up.


After the lecture, we need to face the music in the most exciting part of the workshop which is the writing session. In this portion, we are going to write our own travel article based on our experience. We spend our time in writing for thirty minutes plus fifteen minutes for extension. In my part, it is hard to write when you are under the pressure of a limited time and I was confused on the location and concept that I am going to choose. In the end, I wrote about my travel experience in the Laguna Loop via commuting. After forty-five minutes, we are divided into three groups. Each group was mentored by the three ladies of WBP namely Ana Santos, Nikka Sarthou and Nina Terol-Zialcita. I am thankful that I was assigned to Nikka's group. Our group was able to share our writing piece and I imagine that it leads me to my imagination, from mouth watering Chinese delicacies to surrendering her breakfast in the ocean while others (including my work) covered on the captivating places in our country and in abroad. In the end of critique session, she gave us a reward: a nutritious Soyamilk.


At the end of the workshop, I learned a lot of things about my strengths in my craft such as having the informative details of the place I visit and I need to improve my creativity and mechanics. Therefore, I am still willing to pursue a career in freelance writing and more travel experiences to come. Thanks Writers Block for this wonderful opportunity!

Batangas Journey: From The Highlands to the Heritage Town

One summer day, I had a travel where I passed the highlands in order to make it in a heritage town located in the progressive province of Batangas. From ascending the highland roads to the busy streets which lead you to the town of ancestral houses. As you travel in Batangas, you can see buildings dotted in the rolling hills, a vibrant castle in the green and lush mountains which motivates you to have an adventure, visiting century-old houses which gave you an idea of our colorful history and taking a tiring but meaningful walk in a scorching heat of the sun to discover the heritage town preserved from the Spanish era. 

The green and rolling hills of Batangas.

Fantasy World, an amusement park in the verdant hills of Lemery.

I traveled for almost two hours from Cavite by riding a bus going to Nasugbu where I stopped at the boundary of Alfonso and Nasugbu. Then, I rode a jeepney going to Taal passing the town of Laurel and Lemery. As the jeep ascended to the zigzag roads, I saw the few buildings dotted in the verdant mountains of Batangas. Therefore, the place that really caught my attention is a huge and colorful castle in the town of Lemery called Fantasy World. It is the place where some of the television series took place in this amusement park.

Taal Basilica

The church interior of Taal, Batangas.

Then, I made it to the heritage town of Taal. The town has similarities with other heritage places such as Vigan, Intramuros and Pila where there are many ancestral houses made from the Spanish era. But first, I decided to visit the Taal town proper. In the center of the town, you can find the Taal Basilica or the Basilica of Saint Martin de Tours. It is known as the Asia's Biggest Catholic Church. It was built in 1575 and it is originally located in the present town of San Nicolas. It was destructed by a volcanic eruption on 1754 and it was rebuilt in 1755 in its present location. In 1849, the said church claimed its title as the "Biggest Catholic Church in the Far East."

Taal Park

Taal Municipal Hall. The town of Taal was found in 1572.

The Taal Cultural Center. It is known as Escuela Pia during the Spanish era.

Other interesting places in the town center are the Taal Park located in front of the church, Taal Municipal Hall and the Taal Cultural Center which is known before as the Escuela Pia during the Spanish era. The town proper of Taal reminded me of the society in the Spanish era where major infrastructures like church, school, town hall and the market are located here.

Goco Ancestral House

The Taal Heritage Town along with the progress and urbanization.

Marcela Agoncillo's Ancestral House. She created the Philippine Flag used in
Declaration of Independence in 1898.

Leon Apacible Ancestral House

Galleria Taal

Then I decided to take a walk to the heritage town where the ancestral houses are located. In the town of Taal you can find the Marcela Agoncillo Ancestral House, Leon Apacible Ancetral House and the Goco Ancestral House. I also had a chance to visit the Galleria Taal, an ancestral house owned by 1935 Consitutional Convention delegate Antonino Barrion. In this house, you can see the different vintage cameras as well with the old photographs from 19th century to the 20th century.

Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine

The miraculous well of St. Lucia

The 150 steps to the town proper via San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps.

My travel experience in Taal would not be completed by visiting the Our Lady of Caysasay Church and the miraculous well of Saint Lucia. Then, I took the San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps where I took the approximately 150 steps to the town proper.

Therefore, my travel experience in Taal is such a great trip because I feel that I traveled back in time and appreciate our history especially in taking a look at the heritage houses where some of the heroes and politicians came from this town. In addition, I appreciated that Taal is a town where the Christianity served as a legacy by the Spaniards.

Navigating Laguna Loop: Majayjay

Majayjay is a highland town situated in the foothills of Mount Banahaw. The town stands 1000 feet above sea level and surrounded by the towns of Magdalena in the north, Liliw in the west, Luisiana in the east, and Lucban, Quezon in the south. 

Based on ancient stories, the town has no adequate roads but there are curved slopes and roads going to the gorges. In order to solve that problem, the conquerors hired laborers and porters. However, these people were having a hard time going to the town and one of them sigh and said "hay, hay, hay" while climbing the slopes of Mount Banahaw. That is why, they called the place Majayjay: " ma" means many and "hay, hay" which refers to the sound of sigh. It became a town in 1571 and Gaspar Osorio was the first leader of this town. In addition, Emilio Jacinto, the Brains of the Katipunan died in this town in 1899.

The welcome arch of Majayjay. 

The historical marker of Majayjay.

I went to a ten minute ride to this town via tricycle from the town of Liliw. The first thing I did in this town is to visit the town central where you can found one of the oldest and tallest churches in the province and a National Culture Treasure, the St. Gregory the Great Parish Church which was built in 1571. It was originally made of bamboo at burned in 1576 and the church made of stone was created in 1616 until 1649. The high structure of the church was built with the help of Father Jose de Puertollano which was renovated from 1711 to 1734. The church is also adjacent to the municipal hall where you can read the historical background of the town.

St. Gregory the Great Parish Church

From the town center, I took a five minute walk going to the place which is a product of forced labor. It is called as the Tulay Pigue (Buttocks Bridge or Puente de Capricho). This bridge serves as a shortcut to other barangays which lead you to the neighboring town of Magdalena. It is a very narrow bridge and you can go there after you passed the cemetery and the dumpsite where you will walk through the grassy slopes.

Tulay Pigue

The most popular natural tourist attraction in Majayjay is the Taytay Falls. Located in Barangay Taytay and you can get there by twenty minutes from the town proper. Then you will going to take a long walk to the canopy trail which leads you to the falls. When I was walking to the falls, I heard the splash of waterfalls from far away. Then, I was amazed on how the Taytay Falls looks like. It is a two-storey waterfalls in a remote location in which vegetation is abundant and it has a clear water flowing from Mount Banahaw. Before, it is a hard task to reach the falls because there were no marked trails during that time. In 2008, the World Bank supported the promotion of tourism in Taytay Falls.

The trail to Taytay Falls.

Taytay Falls, the main tourist attraction in Majayjay.

A rice field in Majayjay

Women were able to have their laundry in the river.

Therefore, my travel experience in Majayjay is one of the most memorable travels I need to treasure. First, the roads that you are going to pass is risky but exciting because of ascending slopes and intense zigzag which feels like a rollercoaster trip, that is why you need to become careful in driving. Second, I appreciated the rural life and simple ambiance in the town because of verdant mountains and forests and the traditional way of living especially using horses in transportation and women who made their laundry in the river. Lastly, Majayjay is such a town where you can experience the simple and rural life in the highlands. Let's aim high to Majayjay!

Visita Iglesia: A Pilgrimage to the Baroque Churches of Laguna

Laguna is a province located in Southern Luzon which is known as the birth place of Dr. Jose Rizal. It is also the place where you can explore the natural wonders such as the Pagsanjan Falls and Caliraya Lake which are popular tourist spots and the home of products such as woodcarvings, slippers and homemade sweets. The province is also the home of majestic and ancient Baroque churches which was constructed and preserved from the Spanish period. Recently, I decided to have my Visita Iglesia (the tradition of pilgrimage to different churches in order to commemorate the Stations of the Cross and giving our prayers) in this province. 

Previously, I visited the churches in Sta. Rosa, Binan, and San Pedro. This year, I decided to travel the Laguna Loop (classified into Laguna de Bay Loop and Mount Banahaw Loop) in order to visit the Baroque churches in the area. These churches were built since the Spanish era and preserved for many centuries which depicted through impressive architecture and strong foundation. I also appreciate the decorations, the belfries and the interior of the churches. In addition, most of these churches are located in the town plaza and adjacent to the municipal hall which reflected the society during the Spanish era and showed the unity of Church and State. Therefore, the most important thing that I accomplished in this pilgrimage is to  reflect in our lives, and saying our prayers to the Lord by asking forgiveness, thanksgiving and appreciation.

Shrine of Saint Anthony de Padua, Pila

Immaculate Conception Parish, Santa Cruz

I left our hometown at 6:00 a.m. where I traveled for almost two hours from Cavite and rode a jeepney in Calamba going to the first town. I visited the heritage town of Pila where Pila Church or the Diocesan Shrine of St. Anthony de Padua which is located in the town plaza. Then, I went to a ten minute jeepney ride from Pila to the busy provincial capital of Santa Cruz to visit the Immaculate Conception Church. Then, I took my snack in a fast food chain in this town. 

St. Mary Magdalene Church, Magdalena

St. John the Baptist Church, Liliw

St. Bartholomew Parish, Nagcarlan

I went to a fifteen minute ride to the historical town of Magdalena which is known for the St. Mary Magdalene Church. It is the church where Emilio Jacinto sought refuge after he was wounded in the war. From Magdalena, I went to the neighboring towns of Liliw and Nagcarlan. First, I went to the town of Liliw which is popular in their native products especially slippers and local sweets. Adjacent to the native products stores the bricked Saint John the Baptist Church was located in the town proper. Then I took a five minute ride to the rustic and verdant town of Nagcarlan to visit the St. Bartholomew Church which served as a location of the defunct fantasy series "Kampanerang Kuba". 

St. Gregory the Great Parish Church, Majayjay

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, Luisiana

Transfiguration Church, Cavinti

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Pagsanjan

I waited for almost one hour in jeepney from Nagcarlan going to the highland town of Majayjay where the St. Gregory the Great Parish Church was located. It is one of the oldest and tallest churches in the country and one of the National Heritage Treasures. Then I had a thirty minute ride passing the slopes and curved roads to Luisiana where I visited the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish. I went to a thirty minute ride to Cavinti where the 400-year old Parish of Transfiguration of Our Lord Church was located in the town proper. I also visited the neighboring town of Pagsanjan where the church of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish was located here. 

St. John the Baptist Church, Longos

St. James the Apostle Church, Paete

St. Peter of Alcantara Church, Pakil

I also visited the lakeshore town of Kalayaan where you can found St. John the Baptist Church in Longos which is near to the Laguna de Bay. I proceeded to the towns of Paete and Pakil where they had the beautiful and artistic woodcarvings. In these two towns you can found the old Baroque churches of Saint James the Apostle in Paete and St. Peter of Alcantara Church in Pakil. After we visit the town of Pakil, I decided to go home and I enjoyed the Visita Iglesia in Laguna because of the majestic churches and the ambiance of natural wonders in the place from passing the towns where you can see mountains, rivers and lakes where you can appreciate the beauty of nature and reflect to our lives.

Nuestra Senora de Candelaria Church, Mabitac

San Sebastian Church, Lumban

San Pablo Cathedral, San Pablo City

You can also try to visit the Nuestra Senora de Candelaria Church in Mabitac where you are going to take the 126 steps to the hilltop church, San Sebastian Church in the embroidery town of Lumban and a center of missionary activities, and the Saint Paul the Hermit Cathedral located in the City of Seven Lakes in San Pablo City. Below are the pictures of the belfries, markers and the interior of different churches I visited:

Belfries:

Pila Church

Santa Cruz Church

Nagcarlan Church

Cavinti Church

Longos Church

Pakil Church

Magdalena Church

Church Interiors:

Pila

Santa Cruz

Magdalena

Liliw

Nagcarlan

Luisiana

Majayjay

Cavinti

Pagsanjan

Longos

Pakil