Stories of Places, People and Photography in the Philippines and Beyond
It’s already past Halloween but November’s still here so I think stories on the paranormal are still welcome at this time. And what better a setting than the often mist-cloaked landscapes and cool climate of Baguio. My recent visit to the famed summer capital led me to explore the City of Pines‘ famous haunts. In the next few post I’ll regale you with stories of places and the things hidden behind the mist.
Often mistaken as being part of Cavite or Tagaytay than Batangas because of its name, Taal Town is a heritage town, much like Vigan that showcases heritage houses and structures dating as far back as the 1800s. I’ve been to this town south-west of the Taal Lake before but have never really explored the place yet. So when an invite came to tour Taal Town again with Nokia and test out its latest Nokia N86 8MP on field, I thought it would a great time to explore further. It’s a full afternoon of exploration and all photos and video here are taken with Nokia N86’s 8mp camera-phone with a whopping 28mm wide angle Carl Zeiss Tessar lens.
It has been a tradition in the Philippines that during Halloween, people would visit the graves of their departed love ones in the cemetery. Candles are lit in remembrance of their souls. The cemetery becomes the focal point of the season were people flock to. But there is one other cemetery in the country where people visit not for their late relatives or friends but for the negative traits people buried in this hill. It’s the Cemetery of Negativism also called the Lost Cemetery found near the historical core of Camp John Hay, Baguio.
We had to say good bye to Impiana Hotel the day after our Genting Highlands and Zouk visit. We were headed to the Cameron Highlands found at the northern part of Kuala Lumpur. It is on the upper tip region of Pahang. And since the road to Cameron Highlands was on the same way as going to Ipoh, Marie suggested that we should make a stop-over at Batu Caves since it’s already on the way even if it wasn’t in our itinerary. Since Nina and I haven’t been there yet, were gladly obliged.
All eyes were on the President Arroyo these past few days since her recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) for 2009. But for now, forget all talks about politics and all that hulabula about the President. Let’s place our gaze instead on the presidential residency, the Malacanang. We’ll go through the extravagant halls of Malacanang Palace. Our Guide? None other than Ivan Man Dy as he gives us a taste of his relaunched tour “Power, Palace and a shot of Beer.”
Somewhere around a 100 meters more after Wat Chom Phet, still on a dirt road but covered by tall trees. Across it is the Wat Long Khun Temple. It is one of the best looking temple grounds I’ve seen. The monastery looks new and the main sim is petite but beautiful likewise. Across the river, I noticed its directly across Wat Xieng Thong.
We ate our packed lunch there at the Tamaraw Gene Pool Center after visiting the captive Tamaraws Kali and Mimi. It was a simple packed lunch which we ate kamotan style (with our barehands) there at the outdoors but it was fun as if we’re just having a picnic. Had a little rest at one of the huts then made our way back towards the city but not without stopping for a visit at a couple of the Buhid Mangyan villages in San Jose.
