The Adventures of Lakwatserong Tatay in 2010

by lakwatserong tatay

Wow.....2010 has ended...2011 comes, 2010 is been a lucky year for me, for some reasons like i was promoted on my work, my wife will be giving birth for our 3rd baby by April 2011 and its a boy again....yahooooo......I had again the opportunity to travel from some places, summitted different mountains, my passion to visit old relics, artifacts, churches and musuem that reminiscince of our history and added new hobby........BLOGGING......
Actually, im climbing mountain since 2004 and been to different places in our country because of backpacking and hiking a mountain. But 2010 gives me a new and really different hobby, Blogging, by writing and sharing my travels, backpacking trips and even food hopping....Here to share some of my adventures, The Lakwatserong Tatay Adventures of 2010.

Let's start with the month of January....It was a month of purely backpacking stories, a journey of some backpacking stories from the past year 2009 that i really like..hehehehe.....from northern and southern part of Luzon.

Sea of clouds of Mt. Mariveles (Tarak Ridge), Mariveles, Bataan

A side trip from our climb of Mt. Daguldol. Laiya,San Juan, Batangas

A traverse climb of Mt. Nagsasa & Nagsasa Cove of Zambales

A invitational climb of Mt. Kalisungan (Brgy. Lamot, Calauan, Laguna)

 After this activities, a blog is born and called the Xplorerboyz, started a group of 5, now we where really getting bigger, of course yours truly is the leader....hehehe....

Mt. Mariveles (Tarak Ridge) Mariveles, Bataan
Mt. Daguldol  (San Juan, Batangas)
Mt. Nagsasa Traverse & Nagsasa Cove (San Martin, Subic, Zambales)
Mt. Kalisungan (Erais Farm. Calauan, Laguna)

Next stop is a pre-scheduled plan of yours truly together with some of my officemates. To have a long weekend vacation in Bohol and Cebu. That happens to be my hometown, Bohol. As i remembered i was only 4 or 5 years old when i visited Bohol, and i was given a chance again to visit my hometown, i was really excited because this will be my second time to visit my hometown, because it is just a picture of ship that coast to province of Bohol was my remembrance when i visited my hometown and now it gives me the opportunity to visit it and most special thing is im travelling with my wife....

Me & my wife @ Chocolate Hills

 We had the chance to visit most of all the tourist spots you could found on our province. Actually it was really tiring experience yet it gives us so much happy memories that i have shared not only with my cotrippers and also to my readers...hehehehe.....

Virgin Island (The Puntod Island) Panglao, Bohol
Blood Compact Shrine of Tagbilaran, Bohol
Baclayon Church of Baclayon, Tagbilaran, Bohol)
Artifacts from Baclayon Ecclesiastical Museum
Meet Prony the Python of Alburquerque, Bohol
A Cruise to Loboc-Loay River of Bohol
A Resort with Simplicity & Affordability of Doljo, Panglao, Bohol
Man-made forest of Bohol
Close-up Encounter with Tarsier's
The Chocolate Hills of Carmen, Bohol

After a staying for few days in Bohol, our group next stop is a city tour around Cebu City's tourist spots.

Me & my wife @ Magellan's Cross

Our Cebu City Day Tour is composed of:

Visit to Taoist Temple of Beverly Hills, Cebu
Cebu City's Santo Niño Basilica
Magellan's Cross of Magallanes St., Cebu City
Visit to Fort San Pedro
Cebu Heritage Monument, Sikatuna St., Mandaue City
Dried Fish Market (Taboan Market) of Taboan, Carbon, Cebu
The Lapu-Lapu Monument of Mactan Island, Cebu
Cebu's Finest: Lechon Cebu

This is one of my trip that we had so much fun memories, in fact until now, we do sometime discuss what happen on that trip....hehehehe...All of the participants of that trip is really planning to go back again to Cebu & Bohol.

One of my next stop is called as 1st Padre Burgos Adventure, This place is part of Southern Luzon, not really known as a tourist attraction but as the Year 2010 ended, the place of Padre Burgos, Quezon Province really boost its tourism due to their wonderful islands that is shown below. Special thanks to Migz Mapalad of  Yabag Mountaineering on inviting yours truly to be part of  this adventure

The 1st Participant of Padre Burgos Adventure

Lakwatserong Tatay & Newbie Daddy Jhovan @ Mag-Asawang Bato Island

L.T. @ Dampalitan Island

Rappelling @ Borawan Island

Sneak Peak of Mt. Lipata @ Lipata Island

Here is the complete stories about our Adventure of Padre Burgos, Quezon:

1st Padre Burgos Adventure
Mag-Asawang Bato Island
Dampalitan Island
Rappelling @ Borawan Island
Mt. Lipata of Lipata Island

Next in line is a place, where many pilgrimage goes to pray for their safe voyage, known as Our Lady of Peace & Good Voyage in Antipolo.

Prusisyon in Antipolo 2010

Here are some of the events that happens last lenten season in Antipolo City, Rizal.

Alay Lakad in Antipolo 2010
Good Friday Procession
Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Antipolo Church)

This next stop is one of my team building activities that happen around Sta. Rosa, Laguna. A Fun Day Sunday @ Enchanted Kingdom, most of my teammates bring their kidz, and so do i......it was a tiring day but it was also filled of fun memories....

Me, my Wife & my Kidz

Here is some of my stories when we had a fun day at Enchanted Kingdom:
Fun Day at E.K.
Ride all you Can
Just for my Kids

Next stop is way up North of our Country, one of the coldest part of the Philippines, thw 3rd highest mountain in our country. This mountain is called Mt. Pulag, and who happens to be my 2nd time around to summit this mountain.

My 2nd Visit to Mt. Pulag
Baguio City's: SM Baguio & Victory Liner Station
Beer nights at SM Baguio

If do you have the guts...you could do this too...hehehe...

Summer time, supposed to be you will go to beach, vacation trip to some of our beautiful provinces, but due to lack of time. Yours truly together with my family, found ourselves at Antipolo's Bosay Resort.

Antipolo's Bosay Resort

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Disco Pool Area

One of my plan for 2011 is to put up a business, and there is one thing that i know i could really do well. Infact i tried it on this activity. My next stop is Puerto Galera, Oriental, Mindoro. I've been to this place for exactly 8 times, not only in White Beach but most of the shores of Oriental, Mindoro. It all started when one of my teammate on our Co. Basketball Team, and who happens to be a supervisor, looking for a summer destination for his team. So yours truly was called to be their guide for this whole trip...hehehehehe....
Puerto Galera Trip
Peter's Inn, Bar and Restaurant, White Beach Resort
Snorkeling and Underwater Activities at Puerto Galera
Puerto Galera's Night Life Activities

Lakwatserong Tatay @ White Beach Shore, Puerto Galera, Mindoro

My next stop is one of new hobby for the Year 2010, rappelling...hehehe...masarap talaga siya ulit-ulitin....
Rappelling above Balumbong River, Calauan, Laguna
Camping and River Exploriation of Balumbong River


L.T. @ Old PNR Bridge of Calauan, Laguna

My next stop was together with the Xplorerboyz, xploring the places of Albay and Sorsogon. This trip happens few months ago and the start of Ber period of 2010. This trip is really different because we were using a tricycle instead of a private car or van by touring most of the towns of Sorsogon. Wow, it was really different....hehehe
Xplorerboyz: Conquers Albay and Sorsogon Provinces

Xplorerboyz @ Lake Bulusan, Sorsogon

Here are some of the stories of our Sorsogon Adventures:

Start of Tour de Sorsogon
Exploring of Paguriran Island, Bacon, Sorsogon
Annunciation Parish Church of Bacon, Sorsogon
Hilltop Church of Irosin, Sorsogon
Mateo's Hot and Cold Springs Resort, Monbon Irosin, Sorsogon
Palogtoc Falls of San Roque, Bulusan, Sorsogon
Bulusan Lake Experience
Bulusan's Belfry (Punta Diamante)
Oldest Church of Bicol in Barcelona, Sorsogon
Our Rizal Beach Resort Experience in Gubat, Sorsogon

Xplorerboyz @ Lignon Hill, Legazpi, Albay

Here is some our stories that i could share on our Albay Trip:

Start of our 5 days of Different Adventure
One of Bicol's Pride
San Gregorio Magno Cathedral of Legazpi, Albay
Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church of Daraga, Albay
Zipline Experience at Ligñon Hill
Entertaiment Center of Bicol Region
St. Raphael Parish Church of Legazpi

Next in line is another a backpack trip that just happen 2 months ago, in Talim Island, Binangonan, Rizal. A trekking basic and a birthday climb of three girls of our newbie members of SPIMC. Aside from that climb, of course i got the chance to visit once again a beautiful church that is been part of Binangonan's History.

Trekking Basics: Mt. Tagapo
Sta. Ursula Parish Church of Libid, Binangonan, Rizal

Summit of Mt. Tagapo

This is the 2nd to the last stop place for my year 2010. I called this as a Weekend Gateaway: Baguio City.

Here is some of the tourist spots that we visited on our 2 days stay in the City of Pines:

Baguio Cathedral Church
Getting around Philippine Military Academy, Loakan Rd., Baguio City
The Philippine Military Academy Museum
Mines View Park
Baguio's Bell Church
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto
Strolling around Baguio City Famous Parks
Lyn's Transient Homes (Camp Alley, Baguio City)

It's me @ PMA Baguio

And the last of Lakwatserong Tatay's Adventures for 2010 is a sidetrip of my Weekend Getaway of Baguio City. My 2nd visit of the Church of Our lady of Manaoag. It was quite long when i last visited this church, i think i was only at high school that time....hehehehe...kaya ecited talaga ko nung mabalik ako rito...pero it was a different trip kasi nagcommute ako from Baguio...hehehe...

Church of Our Lady of Manaoag, Pangasinan
Museo de Manaoag
Our Lady of Manaoag Rosary Garden

My 2nd post on this church, Our Lady of Manaoag, Pangasinan

Hay, at last natapos ko din gawin toh.....hehehe...So far, i've visited some of the tourist places and spots that you could found on our country...I'm really happy about that, but of course my trip and the xplorerboyz, will not stop to xplore places, summits and shares some of our stories that you could used also on your own trips. and lastly, mahirap po talaga magenglish, lalo na in writing this stories....hehehe...but im really thankful for some of the people who read and even follow this blog. Thanks for your inquiries, & comments, and because of that ill strive harder for this year to share again some of my trips...Thanks to all of you.....

By the way here is my confirmed trip for Year 2011:

7 Lakes of San Pablo, Laguna (January, 2011)
Mt. Batulao (January, 2011)
Puerto Princesa, Palawan (February, 2011)
El Nido, Palawan (February, 2011)
Caramoan (May, 2011)
Boracay (July, 2011)
Iloilo (August, 2011)

Hope you'll will take a visit of my site........once again thanks to all of you.....Happy New Year....and Happy Travelling.........

CnT Lechon Restaurant

Cebu's Finest: Lechon Cebu on CnT

Right across SM Cebu City

by Lakwatsero

CnT Lechon Restaurant

Cebu Lechon:

It can unite people of different faiths (Muslims and Catholics?). If consumed regularly, it can solve the problem of overpopulation and dwindling funds for pensions (heart attacks). Those assertions are ridiculous and far-fetched, but I can’t help it. Lechon from Cebu is just so wonderful. Cebu lechon has a different kind of saltiness to it. The balat tastes good whether it’s crispy or already makunat. Freshly chopped or made into paksiw (or sinigang -yes, Sinigang na Lechon), Cebu lechon is the one thing that will complete any trip to Cebu.

Ate!!! dahan - dahan !!!!!

Among the tourists, the “brand” we’re all familiar with is CnT Lechon. This is probably because there are several CnT branches scattered all over Cebu. Inside SM City Cebu, they can be found at the supermarket foodcourt. Likewise, at Ayala Center Cebu, CnT also have a stall at the mall’s foodcourt. Of course, their lechon is superb, hence the popularity of CNT among the locals and visitors alike.

The famous "Cebu Lechon"

We went to the CnT restaurant that’s found right across SM Cebu, along Juan Luna Extension. It’s a popular dining place during the weekend, and even though we arrived at 1pm, it was still packed with families having weekday lunch. Ordering is done at the counter, where you tell the girl behind the counter how much lechon you want to order, and pick out any additional dishes you want to go with it, turo-turo style.

1st group are done!!!!!

2nd group is still eating!!!!!!

ok let check this last table !!!! what do you think? hehehehehe!!!!!

Lechon!!Unlike in Manila, Cebu Lechon is eaten with vinegar and not with sarsa. I remember how I was apprehensive about eating lechon without sarsa, but when I took a bite, I finally understood why. The Cebu lechon has a distinct flavor — it’s so good there’s no need for any sauces! But the best thing to pair with lechon is pusu. Pusu is rice steamed in strips of coconut leaves woven into a small container. Pusu sizes differ, but usually it’s the size of a closed fist. Normally you can see pusu hanging in bundles. They cut it off from the bunch when you order one.

The steamed "Pusu Rice"

Thank !!! CnT Lechon !!!! Promise I'll be back !!!!!

Now, when are we going back to Cebu?

CnT Lechon

1377 V. Rama Avenue St.,

Guadalupe, Cebu City

Phone: (6332) 254-4249, (6332) 254-6641

Thinking of bringing home a Taste of Cebuano (as CnT’s tagline say)? CnT have boxes for their lechon, so you can bring home the best Cebu lechon for friends and family. Just tell the staff behind the counter that you want it boxed when you order. You can even order a whole lechon from CnT, and have it sent via air cargo!

The Lapu-Lapu Shrine

Lapu-Lapu Monument

Punta Engaño, Mactan Island, Cebu

By Lakwatsero

This is one of the places that most of the tourist visited. Our group was lucky to have the opportunity to take a time to visit this monumental place, where Lapu-Lapu has been honored.

Lapu-Lapu Shrine Entrance

The Lapu-Lapu shrine is a 20-meter bronze statue in Punta Engaño, Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines, erected in honor of Datu Lapu-Lapu, a native chieftain who defeated Spanish soldiers, and Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan on 1521.

The Lapu- Lapu Shrine, im not part of it's Shrine...hehehehe

The Lapu-Lapu memorial statue is on top of a pedestal surrounded by a low-level fence and shows the Cebuano hero in his native costume with a sword on his right hand and a shield on his left.

Lapu-Lapu Marker

Magellan's Death Marker

The Lapu-Lapu Shrine is inside a plaza commonly known as the Magellan Shrine park that commemorates the events of the Battle of Mactan. Thousands of foreign and local tourists visit the park every year. The park includes the Magellan Shrine and a covered structure that houses a huge mural painting of the Battle of Mactan and a commemorative marker.

"A Paint of The Battle of Mactan"

Lapu-Lapu vs. Ferdinand Magellan

The Magellan shrine is a large memorial tower built in 1866 to honor Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and is built on the area where Magellan is believed to have been killed in 1521. The obelisk has four corners that each of this sides has a corresponding inscriptions, first was "Glorias Españolas", means "Spanish Glory", second was for "A Hernando de Magallanes", stands for the portugese name of "Ferdinand Magellan", third was "Siendo Gobernador don Miguel Creus" and last was 1866 Reinando Ysabel II.

" Glorias Españolas"

" Hernando de Magallanes "

"Siendo Gobernador Don Miguel Creus"

"Reinando Ysabel II 1866"

The covered structure in the park houses a mural painting on the wall depicting the Battle of Mactan. A commemorative marker in front of the painting reads “Here on April 27, 1521, Lapu-lapu and his men repulsed the Spanish invaders, killing their leader, Ferdinand Magellan. Thus Lapu-lapu became the first Filipino to have repelled European aggression.”

Displayed Animal Skins

View at the back of the Shrine

on other Side View of "Hilton Hotel"

This monument also serves and offers different pasalubong's that are made from Cebu, from guitar's, souvenirs stuffs and of course souvenir shirts. So hope you could go here too, and visit Lapu-Lapu shrine.

Stores located inside the Shrine

Some of the Guitars

all time favorite souvenirs

Take note, if you want to buy in this place for your pasalubongs, I may suggest that you buy outside this monument, because it more cheaper nearby this place, there's also some stores outside that you can buy much more cheaper pasalubong goods and stuffs.

Entrance Fee: Free Parking Fee: P10

Dried Fish Market in Cebu

Few Minutes in Taboan Market

Taboan, Carbon, Cebu

By Lakwatsero

Our group visited and buy of course for pasalubong in the famous dried fish market at Cebu City, The "Taboan Market", because when you are in Cebu, you must not leave Cebu without bringing home the famous danggit. Danggit are small variants of salted (and unsalted) dried fish that is very popular in Cebu. Whenever someone goes to Cebu, we would always ask them to bring us danggit, dried mangoes or otap from Shamrock.

If there’s a good place to get fresh and cheap danggit or any dried fish for that matter, it would be the Taboan Market in Carbon Market, Cebu. As of February 15, where we are in Cebu, you can purchase a Danggit for 1/8 grams for P60 pesos, and most of the dried fish have the same price of danggit. Carbon Market is the biggest public market in Cebu. Taboan is just a couple of minutes walk from Carbon.

The Famous "Danggit"

Taboan sells almost all kinds of dried fishes and other dried sea foods in Cebu. Taboan’s prices is relatively cheaper as compared to those being sold in malls and supermarkets. Aside from the cheaper price, you can always haggle with the vendors for a lower selling price.

"Dried Pusit's"

Danggit is usually fried and served with garlic rice and tomatoes during breakfasts. It is paired with vinegar and chili pepper as its dip. Danggit best served right after it is cooked since it loses its crispness after a few hours. There are different variants of danggit being sold. Salted, unsalted and tocino are among the popular variants.

dried fish for sale!!!!!

Aside from Danggit, as mentioned earlier, Taboan also sells different kinds of dried fishes and other sea foods. They sell bagoong (shrimp paste), hebi (dried prawns), bottled oysters, and dried squid among others.

How to get there?

Using the public transport is very difficult especially if you’re not familiar with the public transport routes of Cebu. The best I can suggest is to take a cab from anywhere in Cebu. Tell the cab driver to bring you to Taboan. Since Taboan is very popular among Cebuanos, surely no cab driver can make a mistake of not finding the place. If you’re within Cebu City, cab fare won’t exceed 150 pesos. Taboan is only a few minute ride from the Osmeña Circle.

Information was provided by our tour guide ("Tatay Ernie"), from Rainbow Car and Van Services.

A Glimpse of Cebu Heritage Monument

Cebu Heritage Monument

Sikatuna St., Mandaue City
by Lakwatsero

Sad to say our group wasn't able to take a group pictures on this place because most of us was tired already, but enough to take souvenir pictures, because before we went to this place, we had our photo sessions, on Fort San Pedro, hehehehehe!!!!! So we just have taken some pictures of it.............hope you'll like it. Below is a brief background of this monument.

Cebu Heritage Monument

Located in the original Plaza Parian, it showcases the significant and symbolic events in the history of Cebu from the time of Rajah Humabon to the recent beatification of Cebuano martyr Pedro Calungsod.

Monument Marker

Hello kuya, are you waiting for someone? hehehehe

The monumental sculptural tableau is the work of national artist Edgardo Castrillo. Construction began on July 1997 and it was inaugurated on Dec. 8, 2000.

The Santo Niño Basilica Church

The Monument

Magellan's Ship

The Trade between Chinese and Cebuanos

Being commissioned by the Catholic Church, the events depicted in the monument have a decidedly religious flavor. Among them is the Christianization of Cebu starting with Rajah Humabon; a depiction of a mass; a procession of the Santo Niño, the patron saint of Cebu; a large cross (possibly Magellan's Cross) and Pedro Calungsod, the first beatified Cebuano. Add to that the various facades of churches in the background, including the Basilica Menore del Santo Niño. Well, Lapu-Lapu and Pres. Osmeña are also depicted so there is some secular heritage in the monument.

Of Course "Lapu- Lapu".

After our glimpse to this monument and souvenir pictures taken, we're headed to Lapu-Lapu City.

Entrance: Free Parking Fee: Free of Charge