City Vacations – Dumaguete

What’s brewin?…

City Vacations - Dumaguete and Kabankalan

My City Vacation (Part 1) – Kabankalan City

Tuko or Gecko is a common house animal in the province. Folklore says a gecko is used to predict events like the storm or Japanese coming into the village during WWII. It's a 'yes' or 'no' count whenever the gecko sounds out 'tuk-ko'.

What I love about Kabankalan, and not just Kabankalan actually but also other cities here in Manila, is that the cultural provinciality is still storngly felt within the confines of the city. The Filipinos manage to amazingly merge their rural spirit with the wheel of urbanity.

Kalan de Uling or Dapog

Where else in the world will you find city girl more comfortable in using ‘tabo’ to bathe than using the shower, or a hard-nosed city executive preferring Banana-Q and Maruya for merienda instead of croissant. Or a middle class family in Quezon City subdivision still using Kalan de Uling alternately with their La Germania. Onli in da Pilipins. 

Just like in Kabankalan, it may be a city but the local tradition is rooted among the people and the community. 

Kabankalan…huwhat where how?

Kabankalan City is one of the 13 cities in Negros Occ, best known for its annual Sinulog Festival.

Kabankalan is the only province ‘authorized’ by Cebu to call the feast of Sto. Nino as Sinulog and simultaneously celebrate the event every 3rd Sunday of January. Iloilo’s version is called Dinagyang and Aklan’s is Ati-Atihan.
 

They come here to unwind, chat, play, eat and meet. The Plaza is across St. Francis Xavier Parish.

Pee Station at the Plaza, yey! And oh, accredited at that.

Kabankalan has wide main and side streets with the city plaza, and the church of St. Francis Xavier Parish as the center of local activities. Near the plaza and the church is the public market, various commercial establishments including Gaisano Mall, Mercury Drug Store and Jollibee, banks, stores, schools and soccer field. The city hall of Kabankalan which used to sit near the plaza has transferred office to a new building in a vast complex in Baranggay Talubangi.

Getting Around

In most parts in Manila, tricycles are banned in the main streets. In Kabankalan they are not. Tricycle is likened to a taxi in Kabankalan. You want to go somewhere fast around the city, take a tricycle, for a flat rate of P7 it will take you no matter how far your destination is. Tricycles cannot charge higher than that because they will be reported to the city hall and they will lose their license.

In the morning, you will see the seating capacity power of these tricycles. They can carry up to seven persons.

Kabankalan’s version of jeepneys are colorful ford-fierra type which will will take you to farther towns of Kabankalan and neighboring municipalities. There are also mini buses.

And now for the mighty yellow ‘hari ng kalsada’ of Negros’ streets from Occidental to Oriental – the Ceres buses. Ceres Liner is the largest bus company in Negros. They also have buses that will take you to Cebu, Samar, Leyte and Panay Island. The locals’ misnomer for ‘bus’ is ‘Ceres’ just like saying ‘Xerox’ for photocopy.

Guess what, Ceres serves also as a ‘courier’ for some locals. I was surprised to find out my aunt sending some packages over to Dumaguete for my cousin via Ceres! She asks a Ceres driver from Kabankalan to “handle” her package and my cousin will pick it up in Ceres terminal in Dumaguete. Of course she gives the driver a minimal “handling fee”. I asked why not LBC or Western Union. She dismissed me saying “cge lang ah, mas mabilis sa Ceres!” True, you have to wait 24 hours for a regular courier, while Ceres delivers yours in 3 hours or so.

Lakwatsa in Kabankalan

Finding Gaisano Mall in Kabankalan is bliss. Years ago, my sister and I when spending vacation in Kabankalan suffered from mini ‘culture shock’ because the largest shopping store they have back then was the 2-level department store of Lopue’s which we can finish touring in 15 minutes flat. Everyday, my sister and I ask each other ‘san tayo pasyal’ and we both sigh in resignation ‘Lopue’s na naman’. There are smaller shops and specialty stores dotting the city’s commercial hub.

Undra or Ukay

Every Saturday, people go out for “undra”. The sidestreets in the market area are transformed into something like Baguio’s Session Road. Rows of used merchandise in boxes and sacks line the streets ukay-ukay style. And the items are really cheap, as low as P10. Instead of saying ‘ukay’ they say ‘undra’. As much as possible, go with a local. My uncle say if the vendors learn you are a ‘Tagala’ (Tagalog), they might raise the price of the goods.

Poso line the streets, built by the local government.

Hulo there, may I know your name? This man is a proof to river quarrying activities. Yup, those are sands in his little boat crossing a river that has taken many lives. Local folks believe there is a fairy (evil one I guess) guarding this river.

If you take the side streets which leads to residential areas, you will see old houses. My mom kept pointing the houses of the wealthy hacienderos (sugar landowners and millers). I won’t mention the surnames anymore, lol, for protection.

An old house along Burgos Street

Here’s a little gossip (doncha just love gossip!). Did ya know…that some Ilonggos have a minor cold war with the Cebuanos and Negros Or people. My mom says during the Spanish era, the Ilonggos of Negros Occ are the wealthy ones compared to the Cebuanos. They call the Cebuanos ‘tagabundok’ or ‘mountain people’. See the regional discrimation here? Lol, my mom will kill me but have you noticed how Cebu is wealthier than Negros Occ now? The tables are turned. And the Spanish era who-is-wealthy, who-is-not mentality has not been forgotten and Negros Occ people are somehow still standoffish with the Cebuanos and Negros Or people. It’s like Ilocanos against the Kapampangans.

Your eyes will get tired looking at sugarcane fields instead of ricefields. Sugar industry takes priority in this province.

Other places of interest are the usual tourist spots like Mag-aso Falls and Cave, sigh which I didn’t get to visit due to Typhoon Frank. During my previous trips to Kabankalan, I was able to visit Balicaocao Highland Resort perched high up in the mountain.

Food

Now let’s go to the yummy part.

Bibingka

Yummy bibingka, P10 per pack.

Pensiang, affordable n yummy!

Until now I can’t figure out what’s the specialty of Kabankalan, but I guess Chicken Inasal extends to this part of the province. Try Pensiang Restaurant, it’s full house during mealtimes.

Try to buy some ginamos (bagoong) or shrimp paste also. You’ll have to pack it carefully though if you’re riding the plane, they don’t want anything that smell. It’s somehow different from the Tagalog’s bagoong. It’s less salty, more sticky and go well with any ulam. Quite addicting actually. They also have a vinegar, locally called ‘langgaw’ which has red pepper and ginger. What I do is mix ginamos and suka as a dip or mix them to my rice. Burp!

And of course, they have tuba, their sweet-tasting coconut wine.

For pasalubong, Bongbong’s is the most popular. I love the cheese tarts! They also have piaya, ube piaya, mango tart, pineapple tart, butterscoth cookies and other sweets. ’Matamis na bao’ is also a must-try. 

Okay, comin up is my Dumaguete City vacation…  

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Find more info here for Kabankalan. 

 

 

 

 

Bisaya Diay Ka? Ato Ako Sa Negros!

Negros Island

Negros Island, nestled in Western Visayas, is divided into two provinces – Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. Bacolod City, the City of Smiles, is the capital of the western province and Dumaguete, the City of Gentle People, is of the east. Mount Kanlaon, the 10th highest peak in the Philippines, sits like a friendly giant near the center dividing the island into two.

Getting There:

During my previous trips to Negros Occ, I either took the the 18-hour ship journey (via Negros Navigation and Superferry) or the 45-minute plane trip (via PAL, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines).  

Cebu Pac - Every Juan Can Fly!

Most of the time, I board the ship. The trip is loooong but actually enjoyable if you allow yourself some time for little (mis-)adventures and “jologs” moments. Besides who wouldn’t want to see those sights – islands, leaping fishes, and er, the endless seas and skies! 

Boarding ships used to be much cheaper than flying and the ordinary people (like myself, an ordinary prinsesa, LOL!) preferred it. So I meant ‘jologs’, as the things ordinary royalties do like sharing biscuits, pictures, gossips and life stories. Meanwhile, plane passengers have this “don’t bother me, am going to neva-nevaland” raised eyebrows kind of look. Then, they doze off even before they see that frozen, friendly, toothy smile in your face.

Twice I travelled alone. They would have been boring if I had not chatted amiably with other passengers. Then a man just about my father’s age asked for my address in Manila, saying he wanted to marry me and he offered me his many haciendas in Negros. Uhm, maybe I came too friendly?

Of course, there’s always the thought of ships sinking. What with the recent tragedy in ‘Sulperwisyo’ Lines, which they say have floating coffins for ships since the 80’s.

In April 1984, on our trip back to Manila from Negros, my mother wondered why in the middle of the night when most people were fast asleep, the ship’s crew started tossing flowers into the sea. If it were a tradition, they should have asked the passengers to watch, right? Then, a crewmember told her that we were was passing by the area where M/V Don Juan sunk in April 1980. That night was the anniversary of the tragedy.

You have many choices when boarding a ship. There are cabins if you want privacy but quite expensive. The Tatami, an excellent choice, is an aircon hall where mattresses are arranged side by side. The cheapest option is a non-aircon hall that has double deck beds and narrow aisles. It’s where the lively action is if you want to see the rich and colorful pinoy life! Babies shrieking, roosters in boxes crowing, hens cackling, mothers chattering away, air smelling of adobong manok. Adobong manok is of course the wisest ulam to pack because it has long shelf life. 

Explore the ship (you have 18 hours to kill anyway). As long as the area doesn’t have the “Unauthorized person, keep out” sign, go ahead enter. It might even take longer because some ships drop passengers first in Iloilo City.

All airlines in Negros Occ now disembark at the new Bacolod-Silay International Airport in Silay City, a vast improvement from the old airport located in Bacolod.

Bacolod Silay International Airport Departure Hall

However, Silay City is another 30-minute drive away from Bacolod. Transportation is difficult. There are no public buses plying the route going to the “international” airport. Laughable ain’t it? Do they expect everyone to own a car?

Of course, the airport is offering free shuttle service but they are scheduled. If you miss your shuttle, the next one won’t come after another two hours! That means you miss your flight as well! Perfect!

Okay then, just take a cab. It will cost you about P 400-600 (yes, depending on the driver, you’re lucky if he’s nice!). By the way, cabs aren’t allowed to pick up passengers from the airport. The rule for cabs is “drop the passengers and go away, we don’t need you here”. I just hope they improve the transportation system soon.

The view is wonderful though, you will pass by sugarcane fields against a backdrop of Negros Occ’s mountain ranges.

Because of the transportation difficulty when disembarking at the Bacolod-Silay International Airport, we decided to take the Dumaguete, Negros Or route. We deplaned at the Dumaguete Airport, which is conveniently located in the city proper, and just a few minutes drive away from the Ceres Liner terminal. Via the Ceres bus, it’s another 3-hour drive to Negros Occ.

Highs and Lows at Villa Escudero

Villa Escudero – San Pablo City, Laguna

Carabao Ride

We had a rhytmic carabao-drawn ride on a trip to Villa Escudero. I kept gazing back at the graceful motion of Django’s (the carabao!) butt as he carried our carriage around the plantation. It was a nostalgic ride for me as an acoustic duo serenaded us with Tagalog folk songs like “Pipit” which I liked for some strange reasons… 

“May pumukol sa pipit sa sanga ng isang kahoy
At nahagip ng bato ang pakpak ng munting ibon
Dahil sa sakit di na makaya pang lumipad
At ang nangyari ay nahulog nguni’t parang taong bumigkas
Mamang kay lupit
Ang puso mo’y di na nahabag
Pag pumanaw ang buhay ko
May isang pipit na iiyak”

The moment reminded me when as a kid I would belch out “may pulis sa ilalim ng tulay,” “ako ay may lobo,” and “tong tong pakitong-kitong” from my booklet of Tagalog nursery rhymes. I just loved Villa E for pulling me back into that cove of childhood memories.

The Musuem Tour 

Visiting Villa E’s museum is another valuable experience. Cameras aren’t allowed inside the museum so am recounting these all from memory. By the way, Lorna Tolentino and Rudy Fernandez were wed in that church-museum and the day we went there, Rudy died. 

I got high on the tour especially upon seeing their collection of miniatures. Absolutely cute and precious! There were about hundred different figures including chairs, spoon and bed some as small as your pinky nails. I wanted to break the glass and touch them and squeeze them till they get broken. There’s also a human head the size of a coffee mug depicting the ancient Native American practice of head binding. Yes, if the Chinese have feet binding, the Native Americans did it on their skulls.

The first floor of the museum might displease some non-Catholic visitors because there were many statues of saints and images of Christ. I loved their collection of rosaries some very plain looking like the ones you buy for P10. Villa E’s museum has a big rosary made out of glass beads. Inside the glass beads are the rose petals with images of Christ and Mother Mary. Remember the shower of rose petals in 1991 at the Carmelite convent in Lipa, Batangas? Click here.

Which tree is taller? You'll see those two near the museum.

There was a pitiable diorama of preserved animals. Our group was moving along when we saw this diorama of a lion (or was it a tiger) saying the animal was part of a circus, then it attacked its female handler during a show so they killed the lion immediately. After reading the label, we looked at the preserved lion in amazement and one of my colleagues punches “dapat yung babae na lang ang pri-neserve nila”. 

On the second floor, they have a collection of traditional and era dresses, coins, jars, swords, daggers and other ancient war weapons. There was also an ancient suit used by jet pilots during the war that looked so bulky and probably as heavy as the jet they flew. Sa bigat pa lang ng suot nila, babagsak na airplane, talo na.

You will travel back in time when you see their display of typical interior of old Filipino houses complete with the sala, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Try to read the love letter of one of the Escudero men. Felt good to read a love letter again in romantic Filipino words and notice too how deep the emotions are unleashed and notice the spelling too. I think I read there ‘ikaw’ spelled as ‘ykaw‘.

And the good things end here. The end. Hehe 

Lunch by the Waterfalls 

We hopped on Django’s cart and he took us to the recreation areas. We stayed at one of their indoor restaurant while waiting for our lunch to be served at 11:00. The kid in us was let out as we belted out our favorite videoke songs, P10 per song. There you can play billiards and table tennis and pay the hourly rate.

Wish the food is as good as the ambience they've created.

At 11:00, we were among the first to line up for lunch by the man-made waterfalls called Labasin Falls. We removed our footwear because the rocks are slippery. I was very excited to finally eat! We were served sinugbang tilapia, ginataang kalabasa, fried chicken and er, beef something, then nata de coco and banana-Q for dessert. 

I am hugely disappointed with the food.  They should replace their cook. I can come up with yummier versions of those and am not even a good cook. I want to say totally thumbs down for the food if it weren’t for the sinugbang tilapia I dipped in toyo with calamansi, yummy. I dirtied my hand with the beef’s sauce and my colleague said to wash my hand on the flowing water by my feet. I reluctantly did so and saw other people doing it and I secretly cringed a little.  

Path leading to Lawa ng Labasin is near the kiddie pool.

After lunch, we proceeded to the pool for a dip. No, you won’t get away with your “kunyari” swimsuit. The lifeguards are strict and you have to wear proper swimming attire, applies to the kids as well. There’s nothing grand about the pools, three pools period.

Landscaping isn’t even good as there aren’t enough lounge chairs, poolside tables and shades. Not every one gets to swim because of their strict swimming attire policy so the poolside tends to get crowded with people looking at the swimmers with envy while they fan themselves to death because there ain’t enough chairs and shades. Yadayada… 

The shower areas are clean and well-maintained too, but I kept on tugging at the curtain they used as a shower door because it kept flying wildly exposing my near nakedness to others waiting in line.

Good thing they have delicious iced coffee and fruit shakes, yummy!   

Row your raft at Lake Labasin

So was Villa Escudero an experience worth having again? If they have a museum-only tour, then I’ll take it. But talk about the waterfalls lunch and swimming, nah thanks. 

On your way home, you might want to try La Pizzeria pizza located beside Total Gas station which you won’t miss. 

Freshly baked pizza (pugon style)

You will find more info about Villa Escudero here. 

Taal Volcano Science House

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS) Science House in Talisay, Batangas was our jump-off point to the Taal Volcano Island. Calling it a “Science House” sounds snotty right? Like saying “Oh, I’ve been to the NASA Museum!” However, just like most government offices in our country, their building looks mediocre and artless…and well in Philvocs’ case – “unscientific”. Although the building is newly painted and some construction is being done, I hope they fix their signage too. 

 Behind their office is the dock where you can ride the boats going to Volcano Island for P1,500. Boats can carry up to seven persons.

Inside the Science House is a rack of volcanic rocks.

And a diorama of the Volcano Island. See that pea-sized emergence in the middle, that’s Vulcan Point.

Here’s a mountain range view of Volcano Island – Mt. Makiling, Mt. Maculot or Mt. Macolod in this model, Mt. Malepunyo, Mt. Cristobal and behind it is Mt. Banahaw. They say Taal Volcano used to stand 6,000 meters high before its eruption thousands of years ago. Now, that’s even higher than Mt. Apo which is the tallest peak in the Philippines at 2,954 meters. What interest me are the Seven Lakes of San Pablo, hmmm, that should be another lakwatsa destination and of course Talim Island! Ye, am an island junkie.

How scientific is the Science House?

And what is this building behind their office? Is this another Korean spa venture?

La Luz Resort

La Luz Resort – Brgy. Hugom, San Juan, Batangas

 

The beaches of San Juan in this area covers a long stretch from Brgy Laiya-Aplaya to Brgy. Hugom. La Luz is located at the western end. A boatman from Kabayan Resort told me La Luz has the best beach along the stretch.

Our first dip was right across the cabanas and lodges near the huge rock formations. That part isn’t good as the sea bed is rocky. You have to try the left side of the beach away from the rocks. Still, walk towards the right end of La Luz and explore the rocky parts, supah beautiful there, very slippery though. There is a path that leads to the mountain, Mt. Daguldul. I had a chance of climbing that mountain from a different trip several years ago.

The long stretch of La Luz affords you undisturbed frolicking in the waters. Your only concern will be whether to swim in the waters or lie down on the sands, close your eyes and let the waves sway you rhythmically as they come. But don’t expect the sands to be very powdery and white. They were somehow pebbly and grayish-white.

Dining in their open buffet saloon is yet another divine experience. Hehe, am starting to sound like a marketing person of La Luz. But really yes, especially at night, the only lights are coming from brightly colored but small candles on the table. Then the white curtains are dancing at the command of the winds. Really lovely.

At night, they start a bonfire and guests can sprawl on the lounge chairs that line the beach front. It was really relaxing looking at the stars in the night skies while letting your mind to wander aimlessly.

We went there in 2005. If you have to commute, take a bus going to Lipa, Batangas and get off when you see Robinson’s Lipa, fare is around P110-120 from Cubao. Take a tricycle stationed at the parking space in front of Robinson’s and tell the driver to bring you to San Juan jeep terminal, fare is around P10-15. Ride a jeep bound for San Juan, fare is around P40-50. When you reach San Juan, you have to take another tricycle to bring you to Hugom jeep terminal, fare is around P7-10. Ride a jeep bound for Brgy. Laiya and Brgy. Hugom, fare is around P30-35.

The website of La Luz offers sufficient information about the resort.

 

Taal Volcano

Last weekend, Anna and I took a trip to Taal Volcano (Talisay, Batangas) with our paleontologist/geologist friend, Allan, with his group of students from UP Diliman for their geology class.

We arrived at the Philvocs station at 9:30 am. An officer warned Allan that some locals in charge of monitoring visitors have started charging an entrance fee to Volcano Island. Boat trip to Volcano Island took 30 minutes.

 

Just like when you’re viewing Taal from Tagaytay City, the prominent appendage of Volcano Island that we first saw was Binintiang Malaki which is commonly mistaken for as the volcano itself. However, it is just one of the 47 craters of the volcano. The face of Binintiang Malaki offers good photo op, but the other side of it is a reminder that it’s not just a pretty face. There is a path of lava flow from the crater as if a huge comb swept its surface.

Abundant fish nurseries spawn in the lake. When we got to Alas-as, we were welcomed by some locals who true enough charged P100/head as entrance fee to the island. Now that price is freakin’ crazy! Entrance fee to most islands in our country costs P20 only. We were 41 then and it would make them P4,100 richer instantly by merely sitting down. If they were to carry my bag or carry me to the Main Crater Lake, I would have gladly paid the fee. They weren’t even issuing receipt and didn’t even show any barangay ordinance. Allan reasoned out that the students were not informed and don’t have extra money but gave them P500 nonetheless, pang-inom. We feared for our lives you see, lol.

 

The start of our trek was along an uphill lahar path that was scorching hot as the sun added heat to it. From a high point, we looked back on our track and had a good view of Taal Lake along Alas-as and of Binintiang Maliit (the mini-me version of Binintiang Malaki). We passed by Mt. Tabaro and again a huge comb of lava flow on its surface.  

There weren’t many trees and it was really hot on the trail. We had to take a break after an hour of walking. Two women and a kid with their horse were peddling soda and water which cost P30 each.

After a distance of some upward and long distance walking, we finally had our first glimpse of the Crater Lake. From there on, the trail was downward and there are shade trees to cool you down.
 

 

It took us two hours to reach the Crater Lake, which is the main crater of Taal Volcano and lies at the center of the Volcano Island. In the picture below, the famous tourist view deck is atop the rim accessible via Daang Kastila. But if you want to get down on the Crater Lake, you have to take the Alas-as route.

That point from the top is where the Korean company Jung Ang Interventure Corp. planned to build their spa in 2007 and put an elevator to get down on the Crater Lake. These people can plan whatever money-generating business they want, but hey I won’t definitely mess and underestimate the power of nature. And this power in Taal Volcano remains in Alert Level 1 since its last eruption in 1977.

Alert Level 1, so why the heck did they allow us to go there? Oh well, only in the Philippines. We were even joking while having our lunch by the lake “sasabog na to in 10, 9, 8, 7…” Anna fearfully asked Allan “but the animals, the birds…they know when it’s about to explode right?” Doc Allan says yes, the animals become agitated.

By the lake, there were different colors of basalt rock – black, yellow because of presence of sulphur, and red because of iron. Bubbles were forming as they hit the rocks because of the presence of minerals. The air slightly smelled of match (posporo) because of phosphorus. See, we even had an instant geology refresher course with Doc Allan!

And below is my favorite photo from the trip simply because I love islands! This is Vulcan Point, the islet which lies on the main Crater Lake. They say this is the largest island in the world that is within a lake within an island within a lake.

After lunch, we climbed the long, steep path which made me secretly grumble I will never climb again. But the rest of the way back to Alas-as was a lot easier. We took a different trail and it was only 45 minutes of walk and so I said “oh, this is easy, I want to climb again” lol!

***

Supah thanks to Doc Allan Gil Fernando and the Young Geologist organization in UP Diliman (I forgot their Latin sounding official name) for allowing me and lakwatsa buddy Annaliza Salazar to join their trip. Sa uulitin .

Uniquely Singapore: Job Hunting Tales and Tips

Singapore is an attractive destination for job-seekers. It’s one of the most successful and progressive business hub in Asia. It’s an english-speaking country, accessible, parallel culture and religion, same weather and time zone, P30 Singaporean dollar exchange rate to peso, clean and green, and a good avenue to further your career globally.

By the way I didn’t get a job in Singapore, am back in Manila working for a Fortune 500 company doing the job I love. So you might ask what right have I to talk about tips when I failed. Nothing hehe, sabi ko nga eh.

But what I will share with you are my first hand experiences and things I learned from my brother who patiently helped me survive my job-hunting days in SG.

What to Wear

Dress smartly as you would in Makati. No, they don’t wear alien suits there. We have similar fashion trends. You can very well bring your Makati corporate attire and wear them in SG. Girls, remember I said corporate, as much as possible wear something with collar and not just plain office blouses.

But they have more fashionable people there who don’t get the “look”. Unlike when you do that in Manila, you get the “eeww, look at that girl, weird, sicko, feelingera, baduy, ang init-init naka trench coat” kind of “look” from people who are actually envious because they don’t have the nerve to wear something different.

What jobs are available?

SG is a haven for IT professionals. Check Jobstreet or Jobsdb and you will get pages and pages of IT jobs. Apply for those jobs even if you’re still here in the Philippines. My brother who’s into IT just submitted his resume through Jobsdb, the employer did phone interviews and after a month he was hired.

I am into marketing and advertising. Finding a non-technical job such as mine is more difficult. I met a placement agency owner who told me marketing jobs are preferably given to fellow Singaporeans because they know their markets.

I also applied through the aforementioned job portals. No one called me for phone interview. I almost gave up when kuya just encouraged, more like forced actually, me to fly there and try my luck. He’s my financier so wutdaheck, I went there.

On my first morning in SG, I checked my email. Wonders of all wonders, I got a reply from a company I applied for through Jobsdb who was inviting me for a face-to-face interview. Well, aren’t they lucky am in town already?! Lol.

The best resource for jobs is the classifieds section of the The Straits Times, SG’s english-language broadsheet. Their Sunday edition classifieds is as thick as Manila Bulletin’s. Be sure to buy that newspaper. I bought one almost everyday. It costs around S$ 1.80.

EPEC and Extension of Stay

Another good option to start your job-hunting is to apply for an Employment Eligibility Certificate (EPEC) while you’re still in PH. No cost at all. Find more info at Ministry of Manpower (MOM). EPEC will allow you one year of stay to look for a job. In 2006 when I was there, they didn’t have this online process yet and I had to courier my application and documents. I was denied. When I got to SG I applied again. I was again denied. Kulit noh? Oh well, sometimes persistence pays off.

Now if you were approved for a 30-day visit pass only, you can always apply for an extension of stay at Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) if you still haven’t found a job. Again during my stay there, there was no online process yet but they do have that now.

Here is another one of my Singapore horror story aside from that Airport incident.

I went to ICA to apply for an extension of stay. I was there in the morning. Then my number was called after about 30 minutes. The lady in the window was very kind and gentle. I put 30 days request for an extension. She asked me the purpose and I said looking for a job. She herself changed the number of days and made it 60 days!

For the love of Batman, I wanted to kiss the lady! I was smiling wide as she told me to prepare about S$ 90 for the extension. I almost jumped for joy.

I came back in the afternoon to get my passport. Finally I was called to a window and the lady said “Sorry your application is denied.”

I almost collapsed “What, how come, the lady this morning said its approved and I just have to pay the fee now.” I learned that applications get reviewed again and its not a guarantee that once they get your passport and ask you to come back, your extension application is approved.

I asked for a closed door interview with an officer. Those who are requesting to appeal are interviewed individually. I waited another 3 hours.

Finally it was my turn. I smiled as I sat down privately summoning all the good forces and spirits around me.

This fortyish Singaporean took one look at me and said “this is denied.” I was about to recite my spiel ‘But sir I have upcoming interviews next week, and my agency has sponsored my stay…blah blah’ but he cut me off at ‘but sir…’

And he said something that I will never forget for the rest of my beautiful life! He frowned at me and in a raised voice said “No, this is denied! And you can tell that to all your Filipino friends no more extension. No more extension!”

Ah…inay, itay?…Kindly tell me what makes some people harsh? I did this man no harm. I am but a kind creature simply looking for a decent job in a beautiful country like SG which I’ve fallen in love with and this cruel man insults my nationality!!!

I am not angry. I am sad. Sad for all my fellow Filipinos working abroad who experience racial discriminations many times. I cried that night. I tried hard to find a job in SG with a sad conclusion of that man’s remark “you can tell all your Filipino friends no more extension.”

Humanda ka sa kin lalaki ka, titirisin ko pimples mo pagbalik ko ng SG. Lol! Three days later I packed my things and flew home. But not before I did final pasalubong shopping lah!

Application and Interview Session

As my line of job is not in demand, kuya advised me to look for any job I could fit in as a stepping-stone. So while I was on the look out for writing, advertising, and marketing jobs, I also applied for administrative, secretarial, hotel and restaurant, store and retail, telemarketing, and teaching jobs.

I was even tempted to apply for the ‘mascot and clown’ job except for that Mandarin-speaking requirement. Well, apart from dao ming xi and san cai, my Chinese language ability is limited to ni hao ma and kung hei fat choi (I can’t even tell if they are Cantonese or Mandarin)!

Because I was patient and diligent in sending resume, I got lots of invitation for interviews. I went through all of them. I leave the house everyday to apply personally or to attend an interview. Everyday. Even if I have to transfer trains, busses, walk long distances, tired feet, sore soles, empty wallet and all. I was never lazy.

I had my disheartened moments but I kept on applying. Told ya am persistent.

And I guess my passion for lakwatsa got me going everyday. I was in a multi-cultural country seeing yellow, brown, white, and black skins, hearing different languages, eating new food, walking along unfamiliar streets and discovering new adventures. Most of the time, I was on high! No time to sulk!

My friend used to tell me “puro pasyal ka lang ata jan eh.” Parang ganun na nga.

On my second week, we decided to seek help from a placement agency. I paid two. One is an agency who usually fills administrative jobs and I paid S$10. Another agency is more into hotel and restaurant jobs and I paid a hefty S$50. I was glad both of those agencies had Filipina staff. Still those didn’t work.

One of my favorite success story is what kuya told me about this bunch of Pinoys who went to an Ikea store and just handed their resume and got hired on the spot.

Well look, I went to Ikea. After looking for their administrative office for 30 freaking minutes, pretending to be a shopper but surreptitiously glancing at every corner if they have the “admin office” sign and finally after going up and down the floors in two-inches high heels, I found the blasted office in a hidden corner at the basement only to be told they were “not currently hiring.” I said I will leave my resume anyway. They refused to take my resume as they were not hiring and it will only get lost. I shrugged my shoulders, frowned at the guard thinking hey I could do a guard’s job too…hehe. So I hopped onto a bus and went to my next interview. Oh I did say I was persistent right?

It is a challenge to understand the spoken english of Singaporeans. But you will get used to their accent. My nerves got me during my first few sessions so I had a hard time understanding my interviewers, but after a thousand (no I think a million) more interviews, it got a lot easier. But there were some fluent interviewers also.

They ask the same questions you hear in PH. Usually though they would ask you first what your status in SG is; whether you are a visit pass holder, dependent, PR, EPEC holder. Be prepared as well for occasional questions like “Why do you want to work in SG? What do you know about employment process in SG?” Read read read so you’ll learn learn learn.

You will meet many Filipinos when you apply for work and you’ll find out you’re after the same position. Competition could be fierce. Singaporeans favor their citizens (but of course!), permanent residents, and EPEC holders. Social visit pass holders may get immediate turndown upon submission of resume especially from small companies who aren’t willing to process and pay for your Employment Pass.

You may not find a job but you will definitely gain lots of confidence as you mingle with people from different nations.

You got a job!

Duh, I have nothing to share lol!

The forums in Pinoysg and this website will give you lots of tips from fellow Filipinos who are working or living in SG. Now good luck to you. Enjoy SG while you are there.

Slow Life at Talipanan

Sitio Talipanan, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

Talipanan offers a more subdued setting along the stretch of Puerto Galera compared to its more popular and naturally crowded neighbors White Beach and Sabang.

Talipanan Beach. From this view, you will see a strip of white sand at the distance which is the private beach of the Ayalas. Itabout 10 minutes walk from Talipanan. Farther to the left but not captured here is White Beach.

From White Beach, you may reach Talipanan by boat (10 minutes) and by jeep or tricycle (30 minutes) but be prepared for some rough, inclined, and narrow road going there.

There are 70-seater boats that sail directly to Talipanan from Batangas port but trips from Batangas to White Beach are much frequent. During our 2006 summer outing, fare was P200 one way with additional P10 terminal fee. On the way to Talipanan, our boat had engine trouble so we had to disembark at White Beach then we took a tricycle to Talipanan that cost us more than P100.

We rented a room at Bamboo House Beach Lodge and Restaurant and their fan room which was the only one left and we managed to reserved costs P1,500 per day. Unfortunately, the room they gave us was an extra room of the staff and not really meant for guests except of course if there are takers like us. The room has a double-deck bed, a space for an extra matt, toilet and cooking area down the hallway.

Bamboo House has its own restaurant that serves meals throughout the day – sandwiches, pasta, and rice meals. They have a big and comfortable sala or lounge area where you can relax, watch tv, play cards, and meet other guests.

Bamboo House Beach Front

The wide front lawn of Bamboo House has hammocks between trees, rattan chairs, nipa cottages and volleyball net at the beach front. They have an outpost store where you can order your drinks and sing all day long at the videoke machine.

On our second night, we sang till 12 midnight when they closed shop. We were still hyperactive so we pulled the rattan chairs near the beach and played Pinoy Henyo and Charades till 3am. It was dark and only the moon lit our spot. We can see White Beach was still awake and we were envious because Talipanan has no night life. You have to create your own night life here. But it was the best night we had there, as we fell of the chairs laughing aloud at this silly Pinoy Henyo game.

On our first night, we rented a boat that brought us to White Beach so we could experience the night life there. We paid P800 for this chilly 10-minute boat ride. Maka-night life lang, LOL.

White Beach is so crowded, noisy, and alive at night. There was an endless row of restaurants along the beach front and you can smell barbecue all around. Many near-naked young bodies gyrate to party tunes while holding beer bottles. At the back of those restaurants, there are tiangges, souvenir stores, smaller food stalls, and tattoo shops.

White Beach is more popular than Talipanan and it’s the favorite choice of young people who love to party and be seen. If that is your scene, then White Beach is for you. But if you love to enjoy the water, do laps in the sea, this may not be for you as boats come and go every now and then to bring tourists. And water is not so clear. If you want a quieter vacation, then choose Talipanan. I heard Small and Big La Laguna are better options too. And of course, Sabang is for divers.

 

 

At the far end of Talipanan are beautiful and huge rock formations where you can also have your private dips.

Beside Bamboo House is Whitesand Resort or Mengie’s White Sand where we had our meals most of the time as their dishes are so yummy. I especially loved the chicken teriyaki and the halo-halo. They also have a store with videoke machine near the beach but we liked Bamboo House’ beach front better. You can also do your Banana Boat Ride from Whitesand.

We checked out Whitesand’s rooms and they were better than Bamboo’s. We hired our kid guide to Talipanan Falls from this resort as well.

Other lodges you will find in Talipanan are Bamboo House 1, El Canonero Mariveles (beside Bamboo House), and Mountain Beach Resort.

Now are you wondering how white are the sands of Talipanan, Puerto Galera? Here are some contrasts. Hullo there officemates! Hehe

 

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Bamboo House Beach Lodge and Restaurant – Cell# 0917-5620992, contact person is Juvy.

Whitesand Beach Resort - Cell# 0920-2464396 Meng-the husband owner; Cell# 0920-4032173 Marge-the wife.

Hopping Around the Hundred Islands Group

Hundred Islands – Brgy. Lucap, Alaminos City, Pangasinan (Day 2)

Our lakwatsa group had risen before the morning dawn on day 2 of our Luzon trip. We had bathed the night before and only changed clothes in the morning. Hehe mabango pa din naman, natulog lang eh! By 5:30am, we were on our way to Hundred Islands at Lucap.

There are lots of lodges surrounding the pier, as in lots! Off the top of my head, here are some names I remember contacting for reservation inquiries – Maxine by the Sea, Villa Milagrosa Resort, Barney’s Lodge and Restaurant, Vistas delas Islas Hotel, and The Hundred Island Resort Hotel. We were able to get a reservation at Villa Milagrosa but when we got to Lucap at Day 1, the room has not been vacated yet.

Aside from that letdown, the weather was hot as well at 11:30am! That’s why we decided to put off the Hundred Island trip until the next day. We managed to hire a boatman to come waiting for us when we return. His name is Bobot Rivera and he has a table by the entrance of Villa Milagrosa. The regular rate for boat rental is P2,000 and you have the boat for the whole day, wherever you want to go. We were not given any life vests though and my friends were somehow nervous as we have a kid on board.

We left our things in the car and started early for the boat ride at 6:30am. The water around the Hundred Islands group is generally calm. I have been to more distressing boat rides with wilder waves in tinier boats when I visit my father’s island in Mindoro and Banton Island. And every time I ride a boat, I study the boatman closely, if he looks wiry and darkened then I sit back and relax.

The Hundred Islands Group is comprised of 124 islands. It was my first time to visit islets and I squealed with delight upon stepping into those lands. You alight from a small boat, the seawater lapping around your legs, a tiny piece of land to walk on and just across you is again the seawater on the other face of the islet!

Our first stop was Governor’s Island. Pay another P20 as “entrance” fee to the islands. Bobot the boatman led us to climb more than a hundred steps leading to the highest point of Governor’s Island where we had a sweeping view of the Hundred Islands Group. Really humbling to see God’s handiwork with the beautiful morning weather!

Not all 124 islands have names. And only a few of them have been developed for tourism. We passed by some interesting islands like Romulo Island where Marina, which used to air in ABS-CBN starring Claudine Barreto, was shot. The Devil’s Island plays hide and seek when it disappears during high tide. It was named Devil as there were sightings of sharks around the islet. Martha Island’s shape like a woman’s bosom is very apparent from Governor’s Island’s peak.

Papaya Island was playfully named after the foreign tourists with rich breast who frequent the islet.

Cathedral Island has a cave and Bobot says there are rock formations shaped like benches inside resembling that of a cathedral.

Rated K was named after Korina Sanchez’s show after one of their episodes was shot there. It is connected to Quezon Island by a bridge.

Our next stop was Quezon Island where we stayed for a long time. Had a supah great time swimming there – white sand and shallow waters. Wanna go back there! We were given life vests. Jed, our 7-year old lakwatsa buddy, confidently clad in his life vest had fun treading water near the demarcation line completely oblivious to the depth maybe five times his height hahaha! Si Jed talaga o, ang tapang pag may life vest, pero takot yan sa beach!

Last stop was Children’s Island, supah crowded and water wasn’t as clear as that of Quezon’s. We took a dip for a while and went back to our boat.

Hot weather when we finished just before lunchtime and to make the situation worse, Bobot’s boat had engine trouble. The trip back to the pier which should normally take 20 minutes took an hour off our precious time! Nightmare am telling you. We watched other boats sped past us and we couldn’t do anything but secretly grumble. We didn’t want to burden Bobot furthermore. Aren’t we so kind-hearted? But darn…

Finally at the pier, we looked for the public Bath House near the Hundred Islands Resort Hotel and paid P10 for the shower. By quarter to 1pm, we were on our way to a bus terminal in Dagupan as our next destination is Baguio City! Todo Luzon na to!

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Here are great sources for your Hundred Islands trip, click here, here, and here.

Villa Milagrosa Resort’s contact number is 0927-5128140 and 075-5513040. You may also reach Bobot Rivera the boatman through that number. Their room’s rate is P1500 per day.

And again thanks to my favorite lakwatsa buddies Glenda, Anna and Gie, and the rest of the group – Jed Suarez, JC Galamgam, and driver Danny for all the tsismisan, chichiria, photos, at kung anik-anik pa.