Bohol Trip

The Chocolate Hills is an unusual geological formation in Bohol, Philippines.^[1] It is composed of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills of about the same size, spread over an area of more than 50 kilometers². They are covered in green grass that turns brown during the dry season, hence the name.

The Philippine tarsier, (Tarsius syrichta) is very peculiar small animal. In fact it is one of the smallest known primates, no larger than a adult men's hand. Mostly active at night, it lives on a diet of insects. Folk traditions sometimes has it that tarsiers eat charcoal, but actually they retrieve the insects from (sometimes burned) wood. It can be found in the islands of Samar, Leyte, Bohol, and Mindanao in the Philippines.

The Bohol Forest is a man-made mahogany forest stretching in a two-kilometer stretch of densely planted Mahogany trees located in the border of Loboc and Bilar towns. Before and after this man-made forest are the naturally grown forests of Loboc and Bilar which are thick with a kaleidoscope of green foliage, different species of trees and giant ferns lining the road.

One of the main attractions of Bohol in the Philippines is the Loboc River and its Floating Restaurants. Loboc River is also known as Loay River, situated in Poblacion Ondol, Loboc, Bohol and is 15-20 minutes away from the Blood Compact Site. The long Loboc River is a host to many small bancas and floating restaurants. Visitors, both locals and foreigners are treated with utmost care and foods being served are mainly Filipino cuisine and local delicacies. - See more at: http://www.markmaranga.com/cruising-at-loboc-river-bohol/#sthash.O2BCFg93.dpuf

One of the main attractions of Bohol in the Philippines is the Loboc River and its Floating Restaurants. Loboc River is also known as Loay River, situated in Poblacion Ondol, Loboc, Bohol and is 15-20 minutes away from the Blood Compact Site. The long Loboc River is a host to many small bancas and floating restaurants. Visitors, both locals and foreigners are treated with utmost care and foods being served are mainly Filipino cuisine - See more at: http://www.markmaranga.com/cruising-at-loboc-river-bohol/#sthash.U98hVZxO.dpuf

One of the main attractions of Bohol in the Philippines is the Loboc River and its Floating Restaurants. Loboc River is also known as Loay River, situated in Poblacion Ondol, Loboc, Bohol and is 15-20 minutes away from the Blood Compact Site. The long Loboc River is a host to many small bancas and floating restaurants. Visitors, both locals and foreigners are treated with utmost care and foods being served are mainly Filipino cuisine and - See more at: http://www.markmaranga.com/cruising-at-loboc-river-bohol/#sthash.O2BCFg93.dpuf

One of the main attractions of Bohol in the Philippines is the Loboc River and its Floating Restaurants. Loboc River is also known as Loay River, situated in Poblacion Ondol, Loboc, Bohol and is 15-20 minutes away from the Blood Compact Site. The long Loboc River is a host to many small bancas and floating restaurants. Visitors, both locals and foreigners are treated with utmost care and foods being served are mainly Filipino cuisine - See more at: http://www.markmaranga.com/cruising-at-loboc-river-bohol/#sthash.O2BCFg93.dpuf

One of the main attractions of Bohol in the Philippines is the Loboc River and its Floating Restaurants. Loboc River is also known as Loay River, situated in Poblacion Ondol, Loboc, Bohol and is 15-20 minutes away from the Blood Compact Site. The long Loboc River is a host to many small bancas and floating restaurants. Visitors, both locals and foreigners are treated with utmost care and foods being served are mainly Filipino cuisine

One of the main attractions of Bohol in the Philippines is the Loboc River and its Floating Restaurants. Loboc River is also known as Loay River, situated in Poblacion Ondol, Loboc, Bohol and is 15-20 minutes away from the Blood Compact Site. The long Loboc River is a host to many small bancas and floating restaurants. Visitors, both locals and foreigners are treated with utmost care and foods being served are mainly Filipino cuisine - See more at: http://www.markmaranga.com/cruising-at-loboc-river-bohol/#sthash.U98hVZxO.dpuf

 Baclayon Church, just six kilometers away from Tagbilaran City, Bohol, is the second oldest stone church in the Philippines (the oldest is San Agustin Church, in Real Street, Intramuros, Manila, built in 1571). Constructed in 1595 by the Jesuit priests, it is still intact and houses important relics and images reminiscent of the historic Roman Catholic religion in the country. Among those displayed in the church museum are: crystal chandelier, silver tabernacle, altar with carvings inlaid with gold, life-size statues and more.

Cebu trip

Basilica of the Holy Child (Spanish: Basílica Menor del Santo Niño; Italian: Basilica Minore del Santo Bambino) is a minor basilica in Cebu City in the Philippines that was founded in the 16th century. It is the oldest Roman Catholic church established in the country, purportedly built on the spot where the image of the Santo Niño de Cebú, a statue depicting the Holy Child Jesus was found in 1565 by Spanish explorers led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. The image is the same statue given by Ferdinand Magellan to the wife of Rajah Humabon as a gift over forty years before after Humabon's baptism to Christianity on April 14, 1521. It was found by a soldier preserved in a burnt wooden box after Legazpi razed the village of hostile natives.^[1]
The present building, which was completed from 1739-1740, has been the sanctuary of the oldest religious image in the country ever since

 Magellan's Cross is a Christian cross planted by Portuguese, and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu

Built in 1972, the Cebu Taoist Temple is located in Beverly Hills Subdivision in Cebu City, Philippines. The temple was built by Cebu's substantial^[1] Chinese community. With an elevation of 300 meters above sea level, the temple is a towering, multi-tiered, multi-hued attraction accessible by three separate winding routes.

Unlike the neighboring Phu Sian Temple,^[2] the Taoist temple is open to the worshipers and non-worshipers alike. A ritual among devotees is where one prays to the gods to grant one's wish. The ritual includes washing of hands, going inside the chapel barefoot and dropping two blocks of wood. If the blocks of wood are both face up then one could make a wish. If not then it is not yet the time for one's wish to be granted and one has to come to the temple some other time.
The temple is the center of worship for Taoism, the religion which follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Zi. Another ritual among Taoist devotees, which is done during Wednesdays and Sundays,^[3] is the climbing of its 81 steps (representing the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures) to light joss sticks and have their fortune read by the monks.
Some guide books and travel agencies offer trips to the temple or as a side-trip in a tour around Cebu City. But it is more popular with grade school students. No student who grew up in Cebu City or the neighboring Mandaue City has not gone to the temple in any one of their field trips.
The entrance to the temple is a replica of the Great Wall of China. The temple includes a chapel, a library, a souvenir shop and a wishing well. The spacious balconies offer a scenic view of the downtown Cebu.

LAGRO 2012

Back to Manila after a busy stay in Sulat. This is the time wherein papa and mama can relax. Sulat is relaxing for them too, but since there are always visitors coming, or invitations to go to, sometimes vacation tend to be overloaded too.  In Manila its just mostly us family.  We bond by like going to the malls, eating out, or just being home.
Like previous vacations, their stay in Manila  was enjoyable.  Papa and mama enjoyed the company of Arron. Arron spending more time in Lagro charmed his lolo and lola with whatever he does, his tricks, his singing etc

Going out is another thing we enjoy when papa and mama are in the city.  Its been a habit for cousins to treat them out to dinner.  We also make it a point to dine out just us family.  We tried Cookbook in Eastwood.  Also since papa was craving for a thai food, we brought him to Banana leaf in podium. We also made it a point to let them have their  cravings for filipino food like halo halo, laing, bananacue etc. While papa is into food, mama would be fine with shopping. This stay in Manila I guess brought pleasure to them.

PAPA AND MAMAs homecoming 2012

paulene,phoebe and arron

 pictures paint a single word- HAPPINESS

The event was the "Del Rosario" in Sulat wherein Nadine was the hermana for the year 2012.  Definitely papa and mama had to be there, so together with uncle Herming and aunties they flew from the US to attend the said occasion.  The day after the said event, we went to Uncle Agus farm for a get together...

 uncle donding, uncle tando, papa and topee

There were few who were not able to attend, but majority of the Baldados were there...from the kids or the apos the oldies( the grandmoms and grandpas)..Aside from the Baldados, guests that we consider  our families too were there...Mama Inda and company, Auntie Panying, and others who droppedby to join us..

brett and gus

 

This homecoming is memorable for our family..with the presence of papa and mama, all the aunties uncles and cousins who flew all the way from US or manila showed how this family support each other.

mama, auntie dayday and auntie ida

just like our usual gathering, each family brought food to share.  Uncle Agus who hosted the party, had treated the balikbayans and guests with lechon.  And of course he never forgot the "tuba" for the boys.

kua yon

nene at ako

I was early in the farm. Pau, Phoebe and Aaron wanted to swim so I had to accompany them early to the farm.  That was what exactly they did the moment they got there, hit the water directly for    a swim.

 

Lunch time almost everyone was present and relished the food, the lechon which was freshly out from the fire, kinilaw the kakanins among others.Each took his or her own place, while enjoying the food. Guys took one of the cottages so everyone will had his" tagay" of the "tuba".

Aaron, kuya migz, phoebe, pau

Girls were having chitchats, while the kids were in the waters. It was fun to see the kids playing in the beach. I was reminded how we cousins did the same thing when we were their age.  I guess it runs in Baldados blood the love for the beach.

brett

godfathers..

 

oppa gangnam style

Dancing is another activity we enjoy during parties.  An upbeat music in the background made my auntie Mayet and auntie Mema get into the groove.  Then the rest of us followed.  Both aunties were  members of  zumba class, so we were taught of some zumba steps.  It was fun..



But the apos like Mica and Alain insisted to play the "oppa gangnam style".  This time they took the stage and led us with the moves to the famous dance music.

   Most of us dipped into the waters, later.  While our boys continued drinking the tuba.  Our guests, went home to rest. There were still guests who came in the afternoon. Some joined the the drinking session even us the girls tried the tuba too.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
We ended the reunion late afternoon..we do not want our oldies  and the kids to get colds.  I guess everyone enjoyed the gathering..afterall the best party is if its with your loved ones.

This homecoming for papa and mama will be remembered. One thing that retained in me in this particular homecoming is how this family support each other.  The rest of the Baldado family proved it again by being with us in this Del Rosario event. Both Baldados and Capitos  were represented on the said occassion. It is such a wonderful feeling to be part of this family.