Bacolod Trip 2015| Hofilena Mansion, Silay City

happened on September 18, 2015

After almost 2 hrs. in Balay Negrense, we walked for a few minutes going to this mansion.

the still inhabited mansion

We saw some heritages houses along the way, too.  I love the ambiance here, the feeling that you are being transported in time.  I love how fresh the air is so walking is not a hassle at all.

I could imagine how grand this used to be

this is just a grocery store

Bacolod Trip 2015| Balay Negrense

happened on Sept. 18, 2015

After a filling snack in El Ideal Bakery, we are now ready to conquer Silay City.  We started with this picturesque and famous Balay Negrense.

 

the restored Balay Negrense

This heritage house is situated along Cinco de Noviembre, which is also a very significant street during the Spanish regime.  This is where the locals formed a bloodless revolt that informally ended the Spanish ruling in this province in 1898.

the original stairs

the super spacious living room

Bacolod Trip 2015| Silay City - El Ideal Bakery

happened on Sept. 18, 2015


the shuttle terminal which is beside El Ideal Bakery

After two cancelled air flight bookings (TG! our airfare was cheap) , our travel to Bacolod finally pushed through.  Our airfare for this travel is only at Php1,500 per person for roundtrip fare already.  Booking in advance is always the key, guys!

 

If you are not familiar with the Negros province yet, the new airport is located in Silay City which is 30 minutes by land travel to Bacolod.  Yep, you have to pass by this heritage city before reaching Bacolod which I find to be a blessing since you will have the time to tour around this heritage place.

 

From the airport, there are taxis and shuttle vans available going to Silay City proper and Bacolod City.  Here are the rates as of this time:

 

Shuttle vans to Silay proper - Php50.00 per person; drop-off is in front of San Diego Church and near El Ideal Bakery

Shuttle vans to Bacolod City - Php100.00 per person

Tariff rate for Taxis to Bacolod City - Php 500.00 one way

 

In Silay City, the first thing that you will notice are the old homes and structures.  It's like being transported back to the Spanish regime.

Manila City| Paco Park

happened on Aug. 30, 2015

 

the tiny park with the tiny church

In my more than 30 years of residency here in the metro, it's quite embarrassing to say that it's my first time to see this little park; to think that it's so near my alma matter - Mapua Institute of Technology.  I'm a late bloomer in travelling!

Last long weekend holiday of August, the family is bored and needed a getaway very badly.  It's has been a very busy school days lately for the kids so they deserved a much needed change of ambiance. 

 

With a limited budget, I thought of just touring around the city since traffic is crazy outside of Manila.  Everyone just wanted to get out of the city for the long weekend.   

 

I've read that entrance fees in the National Museum during Sundays is free so this is immediately on the itinerary.  Then I added this park and an authentic Chinese lunch in Binondo.

 

We started off in this park.  I'm surprised to learn that it's just tucked inside a busy district on General Luna St., east end of Padre Faura St.  Driving to this park made me reminisce of my college days - during flooded days that I have to walk from school to Quiapo to our boarding home.  How time flies!

 

Entrance fee is only 10.00 per person (so cheap for maintenance purpose).  Upon entry, you will already see the whole park.  Again, I'm surprised to see how tiny it is.  Seeing it in pictures for weddings and some shoots made it in a bigger scale to look at.

the marker

at the entrance gate

my precious...

Marikina City| Rustic Mornings

happened on October 4, 2015

You can count through my fingers on how many times I have set foot in Marikina since I live and work in Quezon City area.  I find this quite far for me to check out.  However, watching Kris TV and blog stalking gave me an idea that it is home to a lot of good eateries.

 

It's a good timing that my friends invited me for a house tripping there.  I immediately agreed since I also wanted to check if we can live here someday.

 

how can you not fall in love with this???

After the tiring house tripping (if only I have the money, I'll buy that 3-storey town house right then and there!), we looked for a nice restaurant to have an early dinner.  This will be a treat of one of our friends so a posh dining experience is a must.  Sulitin ang libre di ba?

 

His wife suggested this popular place - Rustic Mornings, which is owned by one of the chefs (Portia) with a Life Style Network program.  Apparently, during mornings this is jam packed so we're glad that there is an available table for our group upon our arrival.  Maybe this is due to the heavy downpour in this city since noon time.