Thursday, May 26, 2016

Holyweek in Marinduque and The Moriones Festival: How to get there?

So, I'm finally back to blogging. It's been a  while since I left and I am going back again! Anyway, I would just like to share to everyone of you  my last holy week escapade.

Well, if you are looking for a place to visit and move away temporarily from the busy streets of the metro, I would like to recommend to you to go to the island of Marinduque!

Marinduque (marin-duke) is an island province in the Philippines located in MIMAROPA (Region IV-B). Its capital is the municipality of Boac, Marinduque. Did you know that the province was ranked number 1 by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Security Forces as the 2013 Most Peaceful Province of the country because of its low crime rate statistics which alternately ranks with the province of Batanes yearly? Furthermore, for almost 200 years, the province has been the usual home for tourists because of its one and oldest religious festival celebrated annually every holy week which is the unique and colorful Moriones Festival.
Your view when you are near the Balanacan port
If you wish to visit Marinduque, then here's an idea on how you can get there.
This is based from JAC Liner website
Option 1. JAC Liner has a route from Manila going directly to Marinduque which means less hassle in travelling. It will cost you an amount of Php 880. Same cost in going back to Manila from Marinduque. You may visit the JAC Liner website for more information.

Option 2. If you want to feel the hassle, then you may drop-off at the Dalahican port and ride a RORO going to Balanacan or Cawit port. It's you preference on what port do you want to go but I prefer most the Balanacan port because I like seeing the big Virgin Mary statue when nearly approaching the port. And by the way, Bus fare will cost you around Php 280 and the RORO fee will cost you around 250 including terminal fee. From the Balanacan port, you may ride a Jeepney going to your preferred place, like Boac which will cost you Php 50.

Option 3. If you totally don't want to feel the hassle of commuting, then I suggest you to take a door-to-door where you will be picked-up from your preferred place and be drop-off directly to your home in Marinduque. This option will cost you around Php 800 only.

If you are going to Marinduque during Holy week, then I suggest to go as early as Holy Monday or Tuesday so you will not experience a long queue or worst is an almost 24 hours trip. 

Once you get to Marinduque, I suggest you to try roaming around the Boac town plaza while during the night you can go to the Boac Town Arena, located in Brgy. San Miguel for their souvenir shops near the town plaza.

During Holy week, you will often see more Morions roaming around the Plaza. Morions are the ones who are wearing scary masks and the ones who used to hurt the men portraying Jesus Christ in the parade. Anyway, sharing with you some pictures of the Morions. 


The busy Boac Town Plaza during the Moriones Festival
Moriones Festival

Moriones Festival with Morion Batang Gilas AJ Madrigal

Morion taking a selfie

Little Morion

Moriones Festival

Moriones Festival

Moriones Festival

Moriones Festival

These are just few of the many beautiful sights of the province. The island also have lots of white beaches like the Poctoy and Maniwaya beach. Watch out for my next post as I will introduce to you the Maniwaya beach that you'll surely love!

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Mt. Daraitan and Tinipak River: Exploring the hidden paradise of Tanay Rizal

This was taken at the Barangay hall which shows some guidelines before starting the trek
Graphic representation of Mt. Daraitan's trail

Fare information as of November 16, 2014

04:00 - 06:00 Travel from EDSA Shaw Blvd to Tanay Baras; Fare: Php52/each
06:00 – 06:45 Travel from Baras jeepney station to jump off of Mt. Daraitan; Fare: Php 100/each
06:45 – 06:50 Ride boat going to the other side of the river; Fare: Php 5/each
06:50 – 06:55 Ride tricycle going to Barangay hall for registration; Fare: Php10/each 
06:55 – 09:55 Hours of hike to Mt. Daraitan summit
09:55 – 10:55 Take lunch at the summit and picture taking (Of course, time will depend on you and your companions)
10:55 – 13:55 Hours going down the summit and the Tinapak river
13:55 – 15:25 Hours in wandering inside the Cave

Other information:
Registration fee is Php20.
Tour Guide fee is worth Php500.
Jeepney rent in going back to Tanay, Baras is worth Php1500 (fixed price) 

Picture of us while riding this platform (forgot the name of this) Credit to Mark for this picture
Assault trail
Picture taking at the jump off

At the jump off of Mt. Daraitan
Another view on our way to the top of Mt. Daraitan
On top of the rocky summit of Mt. Daraitan which they called as "Rockies"

View from the summit of Mt. Daraitan

Taken on the rockies of Mt. Daraitan

This was from the top of the Mt. Daraitan rockies

Summit of Mt. Daraitan


Summit of Mt. Daraitan

The rockies of Mt. Daraitan

Beautiful sight from the rockies of Mt. Daraitan

At the rockies of Mt. Daraitan

At the rockies of Mt. Daraitan

At the rockies of Mt. Daraitan

My FILA shoes survived the trek!

Despite the muddy trail, my FILA shoes successfully reached the top!

View of the river of Mt. Daraitan

On our way down the river

On our way to the cave

The rocks of Mt. Daraitan river

On our way to the cave

The cave where you can also find the extension of the river inside

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Buffet Trip at Chef Laudico Guevarras Restaurant

This was quite a long time ago, and almost forgot to blog about it. I have obviously forgot sharing my splendid experience to this restaurant due to the deliciousness of the meal, that it took me almost a year to share to you their delicacies. We'll, I guess, it's never to late to share these things, so here I am now, sharing with you the sumptuous banquet meal brought to you by Chef Laudico Guevarras restaurant. By the way, the restaurant is located at 387 P.Guevarra St, San Juan, 1500 Metro Manila, Philippines

Here's a reference for you in case you want to make reservations in the restaurant. I have also in below image the prices for their banquet from Weekdays, Weekends and Holidays.
Chef Laudico Guevarras Buffet prices as of November 11, 2013
The entrance of Chef Lao's restaurant
Credit to my friend for taking this delicious food #foodporn

Pick whatever you want! Credit to my friend for taking this delicious food #foodporn

Kare Kare ni Chef Lao | Credit to my friend for taking this delicious food #foodporn

Credit to my friend for taking this delicious food #foodporn

Our all time favorite, Lechon!
Of course I wont let this experience passed without taking a selfie with the restaurant

Ohhhh! Cheat day will be boring without this! #Lechon

Credit to my friend for taking this delicious cupcakes #foodporn

Crab Love!

Can't get over their Lechon! It's one of my favorite there!

Credit to my friend for taking this delicious food #foodporn

The day wouldn't be complete without this! Though the one who treat us isn't in the picture! Thanks to you girl :*

Our Groufie at Chef Lao's restaurant

From vegetable to fruit salad, pick all you want!

This is the testimonial section

Eat all you want from grilled squid, grilled chicken, grilled beef........

Did I tasted the meals in this lane? Srsly?!

Really can't get enough of Lechon!

The very traditional pansit is also available in the resto

Angus Beef Tapa of Chef Lao

Credit to my friend for taking this delicious food #foodporn

Another one of my favorite, the seafood section

Credit to my friend for taking this delicious food #foodporn

Can you name this delicacy? 

Forgot the name of this

My Dessert


There's a trivia on the table and of course my meal

Vegetable salad at Chef Lao

Dessert section and the lovable ice cream that many kids  and kids-at-heart loves

Pick all foods that you can eat

Their mini halo-halo

A bunch of people have arrived

Cupcakes for dessert

Another round of baked goodies



Pick your choice of salad

Sweets section

Another round of sweets


Salad

Testimonial section from different celebrities

US Angus Beef Belly

Having your cheat day every once in a while is not bad! Our quote for this post will be from Karl Lagerfeldfrom, "“Dieting is the only game where you win when you lose!”