summer

LANGYAW
Vol. 1 No. 1
MARCH 2009
10
things to
do this
summer
10 THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER 1
About me
My name is Estan
Cabigas and I am
an avid traveler.
My ethnicity is a
mixture of Filipino,
Chinese and a
minority, the
Subanen tribe of
Western Mindanao.
I call Cebu as my
permanent home, studied in Manila, worked
in the cities of Cebu, Cagayan de Oro,
Davao and Makati, where I’m now based.
An inveterate traveler, I have gone to
almost all corners of the Philippines as well
as forayed abroad. I enjoy the freedom
that going to places entails, both the trip
itself and the destination, reveling in the
many things that the act of travel offers:
Cover: Bomod-Ok Falls in
Sagada, Mt. Province.
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the sounds, the sights, the people and the
flavors. I’m more into going off the beaten
path but am equally comfortable in tourist
traps too.
I am also a blogger, movie fanatic, beetle
collector and religious colonial architecture
enthusiast.
I have traded the comforts of the corporate
life to pursue my interests. Right now, I’m
an aspiring documentary and freelance
photographer. My work has been exhibited
locally and abroad.
Check my photo portfolio at
www.estancabigas.com.
If you’re interested with the images,
articles or want to hire me for work, contact
me or via my mobile +63 918 945 6962.
All images and text by the author.
© 2009
10 THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER 3
10
things to do this
summer
Placid waters off Bantayan
Island in Cebu
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10 THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER 5
1
Go fly a kite
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Kite flyer during a May
festival in Cebu City
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Kite flyer during a May
festival in Cebu City
T
he wind is noticeably strong, long
sunny days and blue skies dominates
from March to May while the school
year has just ended. Call the kids, sharpen
the knife and prepare bamboo sticks, glue
and papel de hapon (Japanese paper). With
a spool of string, hold, let go and pull that
kite.
Be it the simple sapi-sapi (the familiar
diamond shape kite as known in Cebuano)
to elaborate and huge contraptions called
the binaki (froglike), bandera (flag) and
other designs attached with a vibrating
film that sound from afar. If making such
is a hassle or skill challenged, ready made
Chinese products are very much available.
Open grounds at the Quirino Grandstand
in Luneta and several fields around the
country can get crowded with flyers. Or why
not just sit on the ground, look up and gaze
at the skies?
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2
Beach revelers during Easter
Sunday in Talisay City, Cebu
Hit the beach
S
un, sea and sand. The country just
abounds with gorgeous beaches
from north to south, east to west.
Hang out and get lost in the overcrowded
coastlines of Boracay, Puerto Galera, Sta.
Fe and Pagudpud. Here, you not only try
to dodge other goers but touts and pesky
vendors as well.
During Easter Sunday, the end of the
solemnity of the Semana Santa (Holy
week) means a deluge of bathers to public
beaches. It’s a sight to behold as people
occupy almost every inch of space in the
waters. Some are drinking at cottages or
in the open, others are grilling meat or
singing their hearts out with a karaoke.
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But for the contemplating soul, secluded
coves and coastlines are available but it
might be an effort to find or too far from
the city to venture. But isn’t this also
the perfect time to hit the road? Islands
and islets are just there, waiting for the
sunworshiper.
Bakasyonistas enjoying an
island off Coron, Busuanga,
Palawan
And if you get bored lying under the sun,
go underwater.
if you get bored lying under the sun, go underwater
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3
Experience nature
W
hy climb a mountain? Because
it’s there! We mountaineers
used to say. Yes, the Philippines
has hundreds of peaks and mountains, a
consequence of its violent geological past,
waiting to be conquered. It just takes a
good amount of will power, fitness, a sense
of adventure and taking on challenges. To
conquer a mountain is to conquer oneself.
Waterfalls are always welcome respites
from a hard day’s foray. Looking at
Tappia Falls in Batad, Banaue after a long
downward hike, or marveling at the longest
cascade in the country, Aliwagwag Falls
in Cateel, Davao Oriental or the three tier
Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig, Surigao del Sur
is enough to dissipate one’s worries and
tiredness.
Be it the tallest peak in the land, Mt. Apo,
or the leech infested slopes of Mt. Halcon
in Mindoro, the three day and excruciating
traverse across Mt. Amuyao in Ifugao, to
the leisurely ascent up Gulugod Baboy in
Batangas, mountaineering is indeed one of
Treks abound with the best hiking trails in
the Cordilleras. Not only that, being with
nature is such an invigorating experience.
the best nature sport here in the country.
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Mountaineers descending the
grassland of Gulugod Baboy
in Batangas
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4
Explore new
environments
The rough and rugged
landscape of Sabtang Is. in
Batanes
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B
atanes is such a wild country.
Even looking over at Niadi Hills,
you always feel its isolation, its
remoteness and ruggedness. But it’s all
beautiful. How can I forget the spectacular
rock formations in Sabtang? Or tasting day
old dried flying fishes?
I climbed Mt. Iraya halfway on my birthday
thinking I can go down the same day but
was forced to spend the night at a small
house where locals prepare edible ferns.
Trapping and baiting coconut crabs was an
experience. Dawn, I was awaken from my
slumber with the melodious calls of “hot
pandesal.”
I always look forward to exploring new
places and environments. These areas
just offers lots of surprises and stuff that
always amazes, enough to fill a lifetime of
reminiscing and wide eyed delight.
A stone house in Batan Is.,
Batanes
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5
Hit the road and
travel like there’s
no tomorrow
R
eaching the destination is just one part of
the travel experience. Rev up your car, hop
on a bus, board a plane or a boat and go to
places you’ve never been to before. There’s always
new experiences awaiting the traveler.
Based in Luzon? Why not do a trip around the
northern part of the largest island in the country?
I’ve done it before and would want to do it
again. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not
try the Manila - Cagayan leg via Baguio and the
Cordilleras? Want a longer trip? Then do the Luzon
- Visayas - Luzon loop. It’s taxing but worth it.
The San Juanico Bridge
connecting Samar and Leyte
islands is the longest in the
country.
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When in Mindanao, the Cagayan de Oro Bukidnon - Davao - Surigao - Cagayan de
Oro loop is also worth a try. Or take a plane
from Manila, land in Surigao, take a bus to
Cagayan de Oro then to Ozamiz and all the
way to Zamboanga City before going back
to Manila should be something. I would
want to try it this year. And the grandest
travel of all, a continuous bus trip around
the country that, I think can be done
minimum a month which I’m setting my
eyes to do in the future.
A bus passenger during a
stopover in San Jose, Nueva
Ecija
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6
Soak in to some culture and heritage
Pediment of the church in
Tayabas, Quezon
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Left, a senakulo in Makati City. Right, detail of kiping during
the Pahiyas in Lucban, Quezon
T
he imposing red brick wonder of
Tumauini Church in Isabela is just
amazing. And so are the many old
churches across the country. In many
towns, bahay-na-bato houses are still
present, witnesses to the history of the
place of which the ones in Vigan and to
some extent, Taal in Batangas are prime
examples.
As Holy Week is near, why not join in
singing the age old pasion during a pabasa?
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Complete the seven churches for the Visita
Iglesia and witness flagellants as they do
their panata or contemplate and reflect on
the significance of Lent.
When it comes to heritage and culture,
there are just too many things to do and
visit. Every town has its own history and
best kept food secret as well as fiestas
to attend. The colorful Pahiyas of Quezon
comes to mind.
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7
Indulge in a hobby or sport
T
he best time to learn something is
now! Head to the CCP grounds in
Manila and sign up for a chance to
work those arms and upper body rowing
on a dragon boat. Alternatively, pack your
camera and tripod and head out to the
shore with some friends to take a shot of
the sunrise or of the setting sun.
Photography enthusiasts
shoot a sunrise in Liloan,
Cebu
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Feeling adventurous? The vertical cliffs of
Atimonan in Quezon, Wawa in Rodriguez
(Montalban) and Cantabaco in Cebu offer
several rock climbing opportunities from
starters to pros.
If you area a gastronome, join several
food tours that explore the cuisine of
Pampanga and other provinces. And when
you want to learn some kickass chops and
manuevers, the escrima (stick combat)
clubs in Cebu are the best places to learn.
Lady dragon boat athletes
during a lull in their practice
at the Manila Bay
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8
Go back to the barrios
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Coconut grove in Baganga,
Davao Oriental
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L
earn more about your roots by
spending time back at the ancestral
home at the barrios in the province.
Get familiar again with unvisited
grandparents, cousins and relatives. Know
how to climb that coconut tree, drive
that kuliglig, hunt for kamaru or frogs in
the fields, plant rice or just have a lazy
afternoon bathing at the river or sea.
If you’re still young, have that summer
fling for memories that you can cherish
when you get back to the city or reminisce
a few years after. If it’s fiesta time, don
that traditional dress and participate in the
Santa Cruzan. Life in the provinces is just
slow paced and unhurried and where you
are wonderfully pampered.
Top, rice planter in
Victoria, Tarlac
Bottom, A rice field
made golden by ripening
grain in Puerto Princesa,
Palawan
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9
Colonial era houses in
Little India, Singapore.
Travel abroad, it broadens the mind
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fried chili just like the locals do without
crying a few minutes later.
Sidewalk mural covering a construction site in Hongkong.
Nothing beats a good vacation than learning
about new cultures, languages, customs
and cuisines. And most of the times, you
will realize that what you think is unique to
the Philippines can also be found in other
countries.
When in Singapore, try not to have another
shopping binge at the malls. Just walk
around and be amazed that at 7 PM in
the evening, it’s like late afternoon in the
Philippines. If you’re being adventurous,
go backpacking, solo. Take the train from
Thailand to Kuala Lumpur and when there,
try not to be fooled by taxi drivers who
charge exorbitant fares for a long ride to a
near hotel.
Hongkong’s mass transport MTR
Southeast Asia and Hongkong are good
springboards for trips and tours. No, don’t
go to Disneyland. Instead, linger in the
old markets and hawker stalls, marvel at
the Grand Palace complex and temples in
Bangkok and befriend a Thai. Try eating
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10
Offer your time, volunteer
It’s not all about merrymaking and
pampering yourself. Give your time to a
worthy cause. Help people and change
lives. Volunteer! Give a hand in making one
of the “benetton” houses of Gawad Kalinga,
so called because of the pastel, multihued
colors of the abodes. Teach young minds
in rural areas or if you’re religious, May is
a good opportunity for catechism classes
Gawad Kalinga volunteer in
north Metro Manila
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around the country. Join outreach activities
be it medical or disasters of which fires are
rather common in March.
Go green and help survey whales offshore.
The World Wildlife Fund can be a good
starting point. Releasing turtle hatchlings
can also be an enriching experience.
That’s it. Top 10 things to do this summer!
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Top and this image,
Gawad Kalinga
inhabitants in north
Metro Manila
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Want to see more stunning
photos, great articles and
download stuff? Check out
my sites.
Estan Cabigas
The photography
portfolio and blog on
being a documentary
photographer
Langyaw
Salagubang
Sojourns and off-thebeaten path travels
around the Philippines
and beyond
The one and only
resource on Philippine
Coleoptera or beetles
from my collection
Simbahan
Binary Silver
Spanish colonial era
religious architecture
and related structures in
the Philippines
Download exciting stuff
that I offer from time to
time for subscribers of
my blogs
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