Bohol Packing List

July 11, 2010

Bohol Packing List

Adult Handcarry

wallet
  • money
  • credit card used to purchase airline tickets
  • ATM cards 
  •  IDs: driver's license, school ID
  • plane tickets/email of ticket purchase: to be able to enter the airport
emergency medicines
  • for travel sickness: bonamine
  • for fever and headache: paracetamol, ibuprofen
  • for stomach problems: kremil-s, imodium, buscopan
  • for allergy: claritin, virlix solution
ballpen and notebook/paper
itinerary
digicam, handycam, battery, memory card, charger
laptop, charger, internet plug it
ipod, charger
toilet paper
hand sanitizer

food: sandwich or cookies
water
jacket


Kids' Handcarry
  • jacket for plane ride 
  • toy, book
  • cellphone, cellphone charger
  • ipod, ipod charger
  • glasses, extra glasses (in case your child wears glasses)
  • cap
  • travel journal/ small notebook with friends' address
  • ballpen
  • emergency money 
  • name tag/kid's ID tag 
  • tissue/wetones

Check-in Luggage
toilettries:
  • shampoo
  • soap
  • toothbrush
  • toothpaste
  • perfume, 
  • deodorant, cologne
  • gel, hairspray
  • hairbrush or comb
clothes
  • underwear
  • shirt, blouse
  • shorts
  • pants
  • nightclothes
  • socks
  • hanky
  • swimsuit, sarong
first aid and medicine kit
  • vitamins
  • or travel sickness: bonamine
  • for fever and headache: paracetamol, ibuprofen
  • for stomach problems: kremil-s, imodium, buscopan, hydrite
  • for allergy: claritin, virlix solution 
  • for colds: strepsils, cough and cold medicines
  •  bandaid, iodine, buds, thermometer 
for swimming:
  •  sunblock
  •  goggles, floaters, beach toy
  • snorkel n mask
  • aqua shoes
  • underwater camera case
  • underwater plastic case for gadgets, cellphones, wallet
     
off lotion
powder detergent
sponge
collapsible cooler: in case you don't have a refrigerator in your room
airbed and airpump
plastic for wet clothes
belt bag
laundry bag

shoes
slippers

St. Augustine Parish, Panglao, Bohol (known among the locals as Panglao Church)

July 6, 2010


St. Augustine Parish, Panglao, Bohol 
(known among the locals as Panglao Church)
The Facade of Panglao Church

Mass Schedule:
Sunday: 5pm
No Saturday anticipated Mass
 
Contact Number:
038-5029193

How to get there:
1. From Alona beach, walk to the Main Road going to Rona's grocery. The tricycle terminal is just outside Rona's grocery. 

You walk along Alona Beach until your reach this corner. This corner leads to the main road. Your landmark is the Tourist center at the corner of the main road

This is the main road that leads to Rona's grocery where the tricycle terminal is located. The main road has many restaurants along the way. The Bank of the Philippine Islands is also found on this road.

2. Ride the tricycle going to Panglao Church which takes around 10-15min. The tricycle charges P100 per way, good for 2 adults or 1 adult and 2 kids. It's expensive because only tourists ride the tricycle. The locals usually have their own motorcycles to transport themselves from one place to another

My Tip: Arrange your return trip with the tricycle who brought you to Panglao Church. They are willing to wait for you till the Mass ends. 
The tricycle
 Other photos inside the Church:



Location Map:

  No. 42 is the Tourist Center and No. 28 is Rona's grocery. The provincial road going to the right is the road that leads to Panglao Church. Thanks a lot to jimspears.net for the very informative map. If you wish to download a printeable version, go to http://jimspears.net/alona/map.htm

Isis Bungalows: Budget-friendly Bohol Accomodations for a Family of Six

June 14, 2010




Isis Bungalows: Budget-friendly Bohol Accommodations for a Family of Six

What kids will like about this place
  • It has free strong wifi 24 hours a day. 
  • It has cable tv in the rooms
  • The beach is a few steps from the room.
  • Although the beachfront is small, the shallow waters stretches around 50 meters from the beachfront.
  • You can snorkel on the beach in front and see small fish and different shapes of starfish.

What I like about this place
The Room:
  •  They have rooms that can accomodate big groups. In our case, I prefer to have a room that can accomodate both my husband and I, and all our four kids so we don't have to worry about them staying in the other room. It's often hard to find rooms that can accomodate us because often, family rooms are only good for 4 people, the couple and their 2 kids. It's more expensive for a family of six to book 3 standard rooms good for 2 people. That's why I prefer to book a family suite, or any room that will allow 6 people to stay in one room.
  • The Isis Bungalow deluxe bungalow can accommodate all six of us. We stayed at deluxe bungalow 4, near the reception. But next time we're going to stay at the family bungalow 8. It's the most spacious, has a very large bathroom, has a terrace and a nice view of the sea. It's on the second floor and on top of Isis Thai Restaurant
  • The size of the room is 30 sq. meters and the deluxe bungalow is shaped like a pentagon. It has enough space to accommodate  1 queen-sized foam bed, a single foam bed, a double sized airbed, and a single airbed. We brought with us the airbeds to save on mattress fee.
  • They have a cabinet with lots of shelves and hangers.
The Bathroom:
  •  Bathroom is large, clean and designed for the comfort and convenience of the guest because of additional shelves.
  • Water in the bathroom is relatively strong, considering that Panglao Island has a water problem.
  • They have hot and cold water.
Other Amenities:
  • Even if you do not rent the mattress, they give free pillows, blankets and towels to the additional persons.
  • They give free toiletries like shampoo in sachet and soap and free instant coffee, sugar and creamer in sachet. They replenish it when you consume it.
  • They have laundry service but we didn't use it so I cannot rate it.
The Service:
  • The staff is very efficient and fast in giving service. Every time I ask for extra towels, pillows or blankets, they were able to immediately give them to me.
  • They clean the room and toilet every day.

Rates:
The rate of one deluxe bungalow is P4,000 per bungalow per night. The rate is for 3 persons per deluxe bungalow. There is a charge of P350 per night for additional persons in the room in excess of 3 persons. There is a charge of P350 per night for each additional mattress requested.

Amenities included in the rate of a deluxe bungalow:
  • 1 queen-sized bed and 1 single bed 
  • with air-con
  • with cable TV
  • with mini refrigerator
  • private toilet and shower, with hot and cold water 
  • electric hot water thermos with free coffee, sugar and creamer
  • free toiletries: shampoo in sachet and soap
Terms and Conditions:
Deposit:
We are required to make 50% deposit to confirm our reservation. The 50% deposit is to be deposited to their Bank of the Philippine Islands bank account

Cancellation:
In case of cancellation of booking, you will forfeit the 50% deposit you made.

Rebooking Policy:
If you rebook your reservation 2 weeks before arrival, you will not forfeit your deposit.

Check-in time: 2pm
-- we arrived around 12 nn and was allowed to check-in immediately since the room assigned to us was already free.

Check-out time: 12nn
-- since our pick-up time from the resort is at 230 pm, we checked out at 12 nn and our luggage was stored at reception.

Contact Information:
Isis Bungalows website 
Isis Bungalows email address 
Others: 
Isis Bungalows Resort: Traveler's Photos

When to catch SEAIR promo flights to Batanes

June 3, 2010


When to catch SEAIR promo flights to Batanes
 

For the past few years, I noticed that the best time to watch out for SEAIR promo flights is during January, February and September.

SEAIR anniversary sale (released January)

Last January 2010, to commemorate their anniversary on March 25, they offered a Php1,400 peso discount for roundtrip airfare to Batanes for March to May peak season travel.
Date of travel: March to May 

SEAIR Travel Tour Expo Sale (held every 3rd weekend of February)
This is the biggest sale they offer for peak season travel. They offer buy-one-take one flights to Batanes. The fare is Php 14,344, inclusive of taxes, good for two people.
Date of travel: March 15 to June 15
When to purchase: only during the Travel Tour Expo 

It's cheapest to travel to Batanes from June 15-October 15. Fare is around Php 7,647 roundtrip per person, inclusive of taxes. 
Date of Travel: June 15-October 15 
When to purchase: at the Travel Tour Expo weekend in February till May 


SEAIR Philippine Travel Mart Sale (held every 3rd weekend of September): 

They usually offer buy-one-take one flights for September to October 15 travel. The fare is Php 14,344, inclusive of taxes, good for two people.
Date of Travel: September-October 15 

How to go to Batanes


How to go to Batanes

New!! Updated as of Feburary 9, 2013: Manila to Batanes flights (Airlines, Schedules, Fares)

Updated as of April 6, 2012: Skyjet flies from Manila to Batanes starting March 27, 2012
Updated as of August 10, 2012: There are currently no SEAIR flights to Batanes because they stop flights during low season. Read more at Seasonal flights of SEAIR

At present, the only way to reach Batanes from Manila is to fly via Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAIR). There are no other commercial passenger planes that flies direct from Manila to Basco, Batanes except SEAIR. Batanes airlines and SkyPasada flies from Laoag or Tuguegarao. (see other ways to go to Batanes)

Updated as of August 16, 2012:


There are three (3) airlines flying Manila to Batanes. The current status of these airlines are as follows:

Southeast Asian Airlines: has seasonal flights to Batanes, which means it has flights only during peak season travel, and suspends its flights during low  season travel. As of this writing, it has no flights to Batanes. The reservation officer said it may begin flights in October 2012. 
Skypasada Airlines: they have early morning flights twice a week from Manila to Batanes (Wednesday and Fridays), and afternoon flights twice a week from Batanes to Manila (Thursdays and Sundays). You can book flights online here.
Skyjet Airlines: they have weekly early morning Saturday flights from Manila to Batanes. It  currently cannot be booked online. See my post How to book Skyjet Airlines to Batanes

There are no RORO routes so it cannot even be accessed by motorbikes or other means of transportation. You can motorbike to Laoag or Tuguegarao but you still have to ride a plane from there to go to Batanes. You have to leave your motorbike in Laoag or Tuguegarao because the small planes landing at Basco airport cannot carry it. Even if the planes are willing to carry it, you will be charged at least 2 passengers worth of airfare. And that will be too expensive for the privilege of riding your motorbike around Batanes. Overall, it's cheaper to fly then to rent a motorcycle from the locals.

Another airline that may fly to Batanes soon is Air Philippines. According to their Chief Executive Adviser, Brian Hogan, "the company intends to open more “missionary routes” such as El Nido in Palawan, Tawi-Tawi, Jolo, Basco in Batanes and many more local destinations now served by roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) vessels." (see full article)

I will update you when this happens. For now, SEAIR is the only airlines flying direct from Manila-Batanes.

How to book SEAIR Flights
Regular flights of SEAIR from Manila to Batanes and vice versa is once a day. So it's best to book early. Seair uses the Dornier 328 planes, which only has 32 passengers per flight. This means only 32 passengers arrive in Batanes per day.  

During Spring (which is March to April), they have two flights per day. The second flight they open, which is the 5am flight, is usually delayed by an hour or two. So it's better to book the 8am flight rather than the 5am flight. You don't have to wake up too early only to end up leaving almost the same time as the 8am flight. Then in May, they increased flights again to three times a day. The rest of the year, they have only one flight per day. 

Read more on The Experience of Flying Seair

Cost and booking policy of SEAIR
You can book Seair online at www.flyseair.com. Total cost per person for roundtrip Manila-Batanes-Manila is :  
Php 13,647.20 per person
Fare : Php 11,670.00
Taxes and fees: 1,977.20
  •  there are no child fare discounts.
  • the online payment can be made using Visa or Mastercard.
  • the online buyer is required to present the card that was used to purchase the ticket. Therefore, they require that at least one person in the group is the online buyer.  
More information on WHEN to catch SEAIR promo flights 


Airport Terminal Used by SEAIR
SEAIR currently flies from the Manila Domestic Airport. There are only two airlines flying from the Domestic Terminal. So, even during peak season, this terminal will not be crowded.

 
  


Will Kids Enjoy Batanes?

Will Kids Enjoy Batanes?

My husband and I went to Batanes March 2010, right after school. The kids were not with us. I didn't think they will enjoy the isolation and the nature tripping in Batanes. There's no TV at Fundacion Pacita, where we stayed. Internet connection is intermittent, meaning it comes and goes with the wind. We had a Smart Bro plug it but the connection is also difficult once the wind starts to blow. Smart has a good signal all throughout the island, but the Globe signal disappears occasionally. For kids who want to stay connected with their friends during out-of-town trips, this is not a situation they will like. Batanes is all about nature tripping and peace and quiet. There's nothing to do in the evenings after dinner.

So we decided not to bring them. We took our vacation, rested and enjoyed our time alone with each other. What is great about staying at Fundacion Pacita is it's fantastic view of the Pacific ocean and the hills. You don't have to go out of your room to enjoy what Batanes has to offer.


What Couples Will Enjoy
  • isolation
  • peace and quiet
  • great views at your private view deck (if you're staying at Fundacion Pacita)
  • proximity to Manila: only 1 1/2 hours away by plane
  • totally different climate and weather from Manila (Batanes is nearer Taiwan than Manila)
What Kids Will Enjoy
If you have no choice but to bring your kids with you, there are things they will also enjoy, like:
  • walking on top of Naidi Hills or Marlborough Hills while wrestling the strong winds (not your ordinary wind but signal no. 3 winds)
  • riding the fallowa to Sabtang. It is known to be a rough ride and will beat your ordinary amusement park ride. Just make sure they drink Bonamine the night before. The fallowa is designed to cut through the waves. So it doesn't look like your ordinary banca or outrigger. The route to Sabtang is the point where the Pacific Ocean meets the South China Sea so the waves will be rough.
  • swimming at the beach in Nakabuang beach in Sabtang during summer, but it's too cold to swim during the spring
  • picnic under the Nakabuang Arch at Nakabuang beach
  • fishing
  • building stone blocks at Valugan Bay
  • sitting on the boulders at Valugan bay near the waves
  • running down the hills of Marlborough hills
What Kids Will Not Like
Here are the things your kids may not like about the place. This is to prepare you so you can provide alternative activities for them.
  • no internet: just bring your own laptop and a Smart bro plug it for those times when you are lucky enough to catch the signal
  • no TV: bring an MP3 player or a laptop loaded with videos
  • no fast food meals: call and order in advance at Pension Ivatan. They need at least 1 1/2 hours to cook what you order. There are no pre-cooked meals in Batanes. So the kids will find it  unusual not to be able to have cooked food the moment they feel hungry. Another option is to call and have pizza delivered by Casa Napoli.

Touring Villa Escudero with Kids

February 25, 2010


Touring Villa Escudero with Kids

We went to Villa Escudero last February 2010. I was with my husband, four kids, my father-in-law, and my sister-in-law who arrived from the States. It was more than 10 years ago since I last went there. I wasn't sure my kids would like the place. It's a coconut plantation in the province so I thought they will find it boring. But I still asked them to come, and they all agreed. I suppose, more than anything else, they wanted to spend more time with their aunt, who last visited 10 years ago. It was their aunt's last weekend in the Philippines.

My kids enjoyed the trip. So I made a list of what your kids may also enjoy during the trip.

Unique Experiences That Kids Will Enjoy

Museum tour


  1. The museum is the only place where you can see what clothes the Presidents of the Philippines wore when they took their oath of office. When the kids see their clothes, they will be able to imagine the actual height and build of all the Presidents of the Philippines. It will be the nearest experience they will have of seeing them in person. Also included are the clothes worn by the spouses of the Presidents.
  2. The original copy of Rizal's letter to his sister is exhibited there. The kids will see how disciplined Rizal was because his handwriting was so neat even when writing informally to his sister.
  3. Boys would have fun seeing a shrunken human skull among the collection. 
  4. The most unique thing we saw was a picture of Jesus created using all the text of the Bible. We used the magnifying glass attached beside the picture frame to read the Bible text.
There are so many interesting things exhibited in the museum, like the large carozas the Escudero family still use during Holy Week procession, the extinct animals collected by the family that was carefully preserved, and so many others. I listed only what my kids raved about and found fascinating.

Photos are not allowed inside the Museum so we are limited only to taking a picture of the facade of the Museum.
 

When planning your trip also take note that only children above 7 years old are allowed inside the museum.

Carabao cart ride 


This is a unique experience for kids brought up in the city.  Most city kids have never seen a carabao up close. They will discover how different it is to ride a very slow carabao cart, in contrast to what they are used to, which is riding fast cars. By riding the carabao cart, they will experience how it's like to travel in the old days, when the carabao cart is the only means of transportation of families living in the rural areas.


Lunch at the Waterfalls Restaurant




The novelty of dining in the Waterfalls Restaurant is dining in tables situated near the man-made waterfalls, while your feet wades in shin-deep waters. It is actually very refreshing to do this, especially on a hot day. Kids can change into swimsuits and take a dip near the waterfalls after lunch, while the parents continue dining and enjoying conversation with relatives. 

For those who do not want to wade in water and have their feet wet while dining, a dry area with tables are available near the entrance of the Waterfalls Restaurant. They can sit there and waitresses are assigned to get food for them from the buffet table near the waterfalls.
Cultural Show


The cultural show lasts from 2:00 - 3:15pm. After lunch at 1:00 pm, you can walk to the cultural show area and be there by 1:30pm. It's best to be there around 1:30 pm to avail of good seats. The venue for the cultural show is also a restaurant that serves snacks. You can order ice cream, halo-halo and coffee.

At 1:30 pm, the pre-show starts. This show features a rondalla group playing old Filipino songs.

The cultural show is worth seeing because it's very well crafted. We were surprised to find out that the performers in the show are all resort employees. They perform like professional dancers. The show itself was created by the National Artist Ramon Obusan. It features all dances from the different regions in the Philippines. The dances that I really enjoyed watching are the ones that originated from Mindanao. The costumes were very colorful and had beautiful golden details.The dances from Mindanao were full of passion.

River Rafting


After watching the show, the kids went river rafting. Kids would enjoy the experience of navigating the bamboo rafts. Despite its simplicity, these bamboo rafts are hard to navigate. The challenge of returning to the place where you rode the bamboo rafts is what they enjoyed about it. They were provided with life vests to keep them safe.


Swimming 

We arrived 9 am at the resort. My kids didn't have the time to swim at the pool. If your kids want to swim in the pool, it may be necessary to give up the museum tour, river rafting or the cultural show. Or you may opt to stay overnight. The itinerary we followed, shown below, can be your guide in pacing your day.

Day Tour Packages:
  • Mondays to Thursday
  • Adults : P1,105 Half rate : P550 (Children below 4 feet)
  • Fridays to Sundays and Holidays
  • Adults : P1,250 Half rate : P625 (Children below 4 feet)
    IF YOU WANT TO AVAIL OF GROUP PROMO RATES, SEE here
The rate is inclusive of:
  •  welcome drinks
  • carabao cart rides
  • use of outdoor recreational facilities (swimming pool, rafting)
  • buffet Filipino lunch at the manmade waterfalls
  • museum entrance
  • cultural show ONLY on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.

How to book:
1. Contact Villa Escudero to reserve slots in three (3) ways:
        a. fill up the online reservation form at http://www.villaescudero.com/reservation.php; or
        b. email them at vespar@pldtdsl.net; or
        c. call them landline at:
                  (632) 521-0830
                  (632) 523-0392
                  (632) 523-2944.

2. Two (2) days before the date of your tour, confirm your booking by depositing a minimal amount to their bank account with BPI, BDO or Metrobank. You can also pay at their Manila office at 1059 Estrada Street, Malate, Manila

3. If you paid the thru the bank, you must email them a copy of the deposit slip to show evidence of payment and to confirm the booking.

Other helpful notes:
a. The amount deposited to confirm the booking is refundable IN FULL in case you do not arrive on the date of your reservation. After your refund is processed, you have to pick up the check representing the amount refunded at their Manila office.


b. They accept walk-in tourists for the day tour, but the meals of the walk-in tourists can only be taken at 1pm. The guests with reservation are given priority.

c. Children 4 feet and below are half-price. There is a child statue at the reception area(as shown below) where they measure the children. If they exceed the height of the statue, they pay the adult price.


My daughter in the picture is actually 4 feet 3 inches. Despite exceeding the 4 feet requirement to get the half-price discount, she was still charged only half-price because she was within the height range of the child statue at reception. The resort gives an additional allowance in height to avoid complaints.  








d. If you have a driver, you need not pay the day tour adult rate for him. You can buy a food stub at reception worth 100 pesos for his lunch. And he's allowed to stay at the reception area the whole day instead of entering the resort grounds. The reception area is cool and comfortable to stay in.
 

What to bring:
  • swimsuit (if you want to swim in the swimming pool; you cannot swim in the pool without proper attire)
  •  sunblock (very useful during rafting)
  •  towel
  •  slippers (for use during the lunch at the waterfalls and river rafting)
  •  cap (for walking around the resort, or going from the meal area to the show are)
  • drinks (especially water) and snacks (to be consumed during the road trip; it's not allowed to be brought into the resort) 
  • first aid medicines (for headache, fever, dizziness, indigestion) 
  • hand sanitizer 
  • tissue/toilet paper/wet ones 
  • camera (digicam or videocam), extra batteries 
  • bank deposit slip (as proof of confirmed reservation and downpayment)
How to get there:


1. Go to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). Turn right at Exit 50, Calamba exit, which is the last exit of the SLEX.



2. You enter the Star Tollway. Turn left at Exit 60 of the Star Tollway, that goes towards Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

3. Drive south and pass by the towns of Alaminos and San Pablo until you reach the Quezon Arch, which marks the boundary between Laguna and Quezon.

4. After passing the Quezon Arch, the entrance to Villa Escudero is immediately to your left. It is marked by a sign "Villa Escudero 1 km".

5. Turn left and proceed to the parking lot.

Travel time:
  • from Cubao to Villa Escudero on a Sunday: 2 hours
  • from Villa Escudero to Cubao, departing at 430 pm on a Sunday: 2 1/2  hours (the delay is caused by a fiesta procession at Sto. Tomas, Batangas when we went there on the 3rd week of February)
IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR OWN TRANSPORTATION, CLICK HERE TO SEE YOUR OPTIONS

Day Tour Itinerary:
Day tour hours is from 8am-5pm, which means the resort is open to day tourists from 8am-5pm only.

7am-9am
     Travel time from Cubao to Villa Escudero
9am-930am:
     Welcome drinks at reception
     Registration and payment of day tour
930am-10am:
     Walk to the Museum
     Photo at the entrance of the museum
10am-11am:
     Tour the Museum
11am-1230pm:
     Carabao ride to enter the resort
     Buffet Lunch at the manmade waterfalls
1230pm-130pm:
     Stroll around the resort going towards the Rafting area, swimming area, and the cultural show area
130-2pm:
     Rondalla serenade at the cultural show area
2-3pm:
     Cultural show
3-4pm:
     River rafting
4-430pm
     Carabao ride out of the resort
430pm:
     Leave the resort
7pm:
     Arrive in Manila

Pasalubong 
If you don't have time to make a stop along the way to Manila, I recommend you buy the espasol from the woman near the parking lot  of Villa Escudero. They are light and soft, which I liked very much.

Total cost of the trip:
Approximately 12,000 php for 7 adults, 1 child, 1 driver, and using you own vehicle getting there.
To compute for your own trip, download this interactive excel file: villa escudero day tour total cost