Hong kong
City File
Country Code: +852 Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD1 = PHP5.6 (USD0.13))
From the Airport: The Airport Express to Kowloon or Hong Kong Island takes half an hour and costs HKD180 (PHP1,001) return.
Getting Around: Buses are frequent and can take you to every corner of the territory. Taxi fares from the airport to Kowloon cost at least HKD300 (PHP1,668), but around the island, they are cheap and plentiful.
The MTR is fast and well-priced. Trams chug along the island’s main streets for only HKD2 (PHP11).
EATING
Magical eats
Historic surroundings make The Peak
Lookout a dining gem with a genuinely
international menu. 121 Peak Road, The
Peak, tel +852 2849 1000.
SLEEPING
Stylish night
Lanson Hotel’s mint walls, ornate chairs
and LCDs make it a luxurious affair for a
night’s treat. 133 Leighton Rd, tel +852
3477 6888, www.lansonplace.com.
WHAT TO SEE
Stanley
For views and a world famous market.
SHOP
Night market
Kowloon is busy and noisy, but always
fun. Step off the MRT at Mongkok.
Kowloon is busy and noisy, but always
fun. Step off the MRT at Mongkok.
LOCAL LIFE
Claire Masters
Teacher
Local recreational activity…I always enjoy going to one of the
beaches, sipping drinks by the beach at
Shek O and walking the Dragon’s Back
across the centre of Hong Kong. I love Hong Kong because…
It’s such a vibrant, social city with loads
to do from Chinese reflexology to
high-end shopping.
Best thing to do at night…
Go up the Peak and see the fantastic
view on a clear night. There are also
plenty of places to choose from to go
and eat. Try local Cantonese food or
experience cuisine from any country in
the whole world.
Guangzhou
City File
Country Code: +86
Currency: China Renminbi (1RMB =
PHP5.8 (USD0.13))
From the airport: Guangzhou Baiyun
International airport is 28km from Haizhu
Square in the centre of town. Airport
express buses are available for 10RMB to
30RMB (PHP58 to PHP174). A taxi from
the airport to the city centre should cost
around 120RMB (PHP696).
Getting Around: Guangzhou has public
buses, trams, and subway lines. A
Guangzhou taxi charges 7RMB (PHP41)
for the first 2.3km and 2.6RMB (PHP15) for
every kilometer after that.
EATING
Cantonese cuisine
The busiest restaurant in town is
Guangzhou Restaurant. This Canton
classic on Wenchang Nan Lu specializes
in abalone sprinkled with 24-carat gold
flakes and duck feet stuffed with shrimp.
SLEEPING
Three star simplicity
Next door to a shoppers’ paradise, Hotel
Elan is a cheap and cheerful place to stay
and comes with free broadband internet.
32 Zhanqian Heng Lu, Liwan District.
WHAT TO SEE
Lights by night
An evening cruise on the Pearl River
is one of the highlights of Guangzhou.
Departing from Dashatou Port, visitors are
treated to a lovely view of the city’s lights.
Macau
City File
Country Code: +853
Currency: Macau Pacata (1MOP = PHP5.8
(USD0.12))
From The Airport: Bus AP1 travels between
the airport and the Barrier Gate (the
border with mainland China) passing
Macau Tower, Hotel Lisboa and the Ferry
Terminal on the way. By taxi a trip to the
city centre should cost about 40-50MOP
(PHP231-289)and takes about 15 minutes.
LOCAL LIFE
Billy Clarke
Tourist Counselor
Favorite local festival?
The best festival has to be the
idiosyncratic Feast of the Drunken
Dragon festival in May. As its name
suggests, this festival is about getting
inebriated and gorged in honor of a
good natured dragon.
Insider’s tip…
To keep the punters punting, a lot of the
bigger casinos give out complimentary
coffee and tea free, as well as bottles of
water, so hook yourself up with a bottle
and hold onto it during your day.
Local recreation…
Utilizing the muscles on your upper arms– on the slot machines.
Unusual fact about the city…
The name Macau comes from the legend
of a woman who helped a boat get
safely to Macau by ordering a storm
to calm down. The weather apparently
obeyed, and the original 1448 temple still
exists – A-Ma temple.
EATING
Individual tastes
The Portuguese flavor is at Rua
Felicidade, or Food Street.
SLEEPING
Drowsy dreaming
Pousada de Coloane is a family-run hotel
on Cheoc-Van beach, tel +853 2888
2143/44, www.hotelpcoloane.com.mo.
WHAT TO SEE
Try your luck
It’s the ‘Vegas of the East’! Lisboa Casino
for grandeur or the new Venetian Macau.
SHOOPING
Buy food!
Pork jerky, almond cakes, egg tarts…
China & Indonesia:
Shanghai
EATING
Local delicacy
Try xiaolongbao (small meaty dumplings
served in hot soup) in the Old City.
WHAT TO SEE
Sunset Mojitos
On the rooftop of 18 on the Bund, watch
Pudong sparkle with a cocktail at Bar Rouge.
SHOP
Technicolor shopping
Dongjiadu Lu Fabric Market is the
destination for serious shoppers.
118 Dongjiadu Lu, by Zhongshan Nan Lu
City File
Country Code: +86
Currency: China Yuan Renminbi
(RMB1 = PHP6 (USD0.13)
From the Airport: The fastest and
most exciting way to get from the
airport is the super-fast Maglev train.
Reaching speeds of 431km/hr,
the trip from the airport to Longyuan
station takes just seven minutes.
Getting Around: Shanghai has a
comprehensive metro system with
stations all over the city, and it’s a
very affordable way to travel at
only RMB3 (PHP18) per trip. Interactive
metro maps can be found at www.smartshanghai.com. Taxis are
also affordable and plentiful although
not many drivers speak English.
LOCAL LIFE
Robb Pollard
Nightclub Manager/DJ
Promoter
I love Shanghai because… There’s so much going on! It’s very
cosmopolitan but it’s still the place to
find traditional Chinese culture. The
city never sleeps and has so many
restaurants and bars.
Best place for a drink… Depending on your mood, go wild at
Zapata’s; for a nice romantic or quiet
drink go to Face Bar and Barbarossa;
Attica is a great place to meet people.
An unusual thing to do… The most unusual thing I’ve heard of
here is a blind restaurant that doesn’t let
you see anything you eat or drink – the
lights are off!
If Shanghai was a color it would be… A vanilla sky place… ever-changing and
unpredictable, but there’s also a warm
feeling to it no matter how much of a
bad day you’re having.
Xiamen
City File
Country Code: +86
Currency: China Yuan Renminbi
(RMB1 = PHP5.84 (USD0.13)
From the Airport: You can take a taxi to
the city from the airport for RMB30-40
(PHP175-234). Alternatively take the
public bus for RMB1-2 (PHP5.84-11.69).
Getting Around: The bicycle is a popular
mode of transport in Xiamen as mopeds
and motorbikes are banned – unlike in
most Chinese cities. Rent a pedal bike to
feel local or take the buses around town,
they offer a regular and fairly reliable
service. Taxis are easy to find.
LOCAL LIFE
Wu Zanbin
Station Manager of Cebu
Pacific Air
Best breakfast… Huang Ze He Restaunt, it’s about 50
years old and serves traditional dishes.
Most exclusive hotel… Mandarin Hotel.
Favorite local festival… Chinese New Year.
Insider’s tip… After 6pm, you can buy many items for
good prices near Xiamen University.
Local recreation… Mah-Jong
Best thing to do at night…
Singing in KTV, drink beer on the beach.
Xiamen’s twin city should be…
Singapore. Both clean and beautiful cities.
EATING
Seafood
Seafood lovers won’t be disappointed at
Jiali Seafood Restaurant near the Sofitel
Plaza, tel (86 592) 516 9999.
SLEEPING
Step up and shine
The Crowne Plaza has the city’s best
location, and a great pasta restaurant.
SHOP
Fashion Strip
Zhongshan Road, lined with neon
illuminated department and clothes
stores, is the city’s major shopping hub.
Jakarta
Colonial
architectureEATING
Culinary escapades
For local food go to the local warung
(food stalls) that dot the city streets.
Try mouthwatering local greens like
gado-gado (steamed vegetables mixed
with peanut sauce), or the hot and sour
Rojak (mixed fresh fruits with brown
sugar sauce, peanuts and chilli).
SLEEPING
Backpackers and Bodyguards
Jalan Jaksa is the road where visitors on
a budget flock for cheap rooms and
bars – and a bodyguard service to boot!
WHAT TO SEE
Up to the sky
Monas – the national monument that sits
in the center of Merdeka Square – has
a top covered with pure gold and is a
beautiful sight at night. Enjoy great views
from the 137m high observation deck.
SHOP
Local arts and crafts
Explore the extensive collections of
high quality paintings, batik textile,
exquisite silver work, rare gems and
ceramics at Sarinah Department Store,
Jalan Surabaya or Jalan Kemang Raya.
City File
Country Code: +62 (21)
Currency: Rupiah (IDR100,000 = PHP473
(USD11))
From the Airport: Taxis (new tariff– choose Blue Bird, one of the more
reliable taxi services) to downtown which
costs around IDR98,000 (PHP463), plus
the IDR15,000 (PHP71) toll, depending
on distance. The cheaper alternative is
to take the DAMRI bus, which takes you
to any bus station in the city for just
IDR15,000 (PHP71).
Getting Around: Travel around town with
the air-conditioned TransJakarta buses
for IDR3,000-5,000 (PHP14-24), or taxis
(old tariff taxis are cheaper, but less safe
than Blue Bird or Express taxis). Have
fun travelling cheaply with the threewheeled
Bajaj if you are only going a
short distance.
Malaysia /
Kuala Lumpur
City File
Country Code: +60 (3)
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (RM1 = PHP13
(USD0.30))
From the Airport: A bus will take you
into the heart of town for around RM10(PHP130). A train will get you across the
75km in half the time.
Getting Around: Kuala Lumpur’s
public transport system is slicker now.
Expressways keep traffic moving, and
trains and air-conditioned buses have
the city covered. Taxis are fast and
affordable (if they use the meter).
The Light Rail system offers the best
view of the city.
EATING
Authentic Asian Flavor
Chinatown and Little India showcase the
city’s culinary diversity. Indulge in dim
sum or dip Hokkien delicacies into
a steamboat.
SLEEPING
Eight not Late
Hostel Number Eight (www.numbereight.
com.my) is more boutique than budget.
10 Jl Tengkat Tong Shin, Golden Triangle,
tel +603 2144 2050.
WHAT TO SEE
Colonial commute
Built by a British architect in 1911, the
train station is embellished with Moorish
flourishes.
SHOPPING
The height of fashion
Below the 88-storey Petronas Towers is
shopping heaven.
LOCAL LIFE
Rosalynn Poh
Public Relations
Exclusive hotel…
Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur (your very
own butler!)
Favorite local festival…
Chinese New Year (7-8 February). The
young and unmarried get money – how
great is that? The most fascinating
festival would be Thaipusam in January,
where Hindu devotees have a big
procession, some with piercings all over
and carrying religious statues/goddess.
Unusual fact about KL…
You can get food at any time of the day!
If KL was a color it would be…
Purple – a mixture of everything!
Nothing is black and white really!
Singapore
City File
Country Code: +65
Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD1 = PHP30.6
(USD0.66))
From the Airport: Take a taxi downtown
for about SGD12 (PHP368). Or hop on the
MRT underground train within 15 minutes
for SGD1.70 (PHP52).
Getting Around: Buses are frequent and
cover most areas. Taxis are well priced,
but not always plentiful. Check with
your hotel in case advance bookings are
required (fees apply). The MRT is good for
popular shopping areas. There is also the
SIA hop-on bus and the Singapore trolley.
LOCAL LIFE
Trixia Carungcong
Journalist & Senior TV News
Producer
Favorite local festival…
The Mosaic Music Festival every March.
Harry Connick Jr opens it this year on
7th March (www.sistic.com).
Best night out…
Meeting friends for dinner at Mohammed
Sultan, watching a movie at VivoCity,
then after midnight, heading to Sentosa
to lie down on beds by the beach and
drink beer while talking until the wee
small hours of the morning.
Unusual fact…
Singapore is just slightly bigger than
Metro Manila. You can drive from the end
to end, east to west in an hour.
EATING
Hawking
Hokkein mee, roti prate, laksa and
fish-head curry are unmissable. Visit
Chinatown Food Street or East Coast
SLEEPING
Hip to Hang
hangout@mt.emily provides stylish and
affordable accommodation, 10A Upper
Wilkie Road, tel +65 6438 5588.
WHAT TO SEE
Sentosa
Bask on the beach, go to Underwater
World, relive history at Siloso Fort or
indulge in a massage at Spa Botanica.
SHOPPING
Incomparable
Find everything on Orchard Road from
Manolos to five dollar jeans.
SOUTH KOREA / SEOUL
City File
Country Code: +822
Currency: South Korean Won (KRW1 =
PHP0.05 (USD0.001))
From the Airport: 52km via Expressway
to Seoul. The airport has a post office,
mobile phone hire, Internet access,
medical center, chemist and laundry.
Getting Around: Taxis – look for “Foreign
Language Service” stickers. It is normal to
share taxis – except in black cabs with a
yellow top. Subway – eight lines serve all
the main areas of interest. Station signs
are written in English and Korean, and
most have English announcements.
EATING
Arts Eats
Share bbq ribs and kimchi jigao at a
traditional restaurant in Hyewha.
WHAT TO SEE
Scaling great heights
The World Trade Center and the Coex
Mall are a shopper’s delight. Seoul
Tower stands atop Mount Namsan, with
stunning views or take the Namsan
cable car from Myeong-dong.
SHOPPING
Traditional Crafts
Head to Insa-Dong or Namdao-moon.
Taiwan / Taipei
City File
Country Code: +886
Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (TWD1 =
PHP1.34 (USD0.03)
From the Airport: The fastest way into
the city is by taxi (about TWD1,100/
PHP1,477. Private bus companies also
run from both Terminal 1 and Terminal
2. Tickets cost between TWD110-140
(PHP148-188).
Getting Around: Most travel via MRT.
Get a stored value ticket (Easy Card)
for transfers between MRT and buses
(TWD15 (PHP20)) per section.
EATING
Magical eats
The Shin Yeh Japanese Buffet is one of
the best dining deals in Taipei. Locals
flock here for fresh sushi, steak oysters
and more. 12 Guan Cian Street, Sec. 1, 6F,
tel +886 (2) 2371 3311.
WHAT TO SEE
Relaxing bird’s eye view
Speed up air pressure-controlled
elevators to the observation deck on the
89th floor of Taipei 101 for 360° views.
SHOPPING
Home-grown style
Local fashion houses YAP, Bread and
Butter and Iroo Moderato satisfy
the city’s hunger for haute couture with
their European and Japanese inspired
clothing at non-imported prices.
LOCAL LIFE
Kazuya Deguchi
Sculptor
Local delicacy…
All kinds of tropical fruit.
Favorite local festival…
Chinese New Year.
Must visit…
Guanghua Computer Market in Taipei for
all the latest electronic goods.
Best thing to buy here for under
PHP50…
This isn’t a cheap city, so mineral water
in the convenience store is one of the
few things you can buy for that amount!
Must-buy gift…
The traditional almanac/fortune telling
book that maps the entire body,
especially the erogenous zones.
If Taipei was a fruit, it would be…
A durian. It’s stinky and tasty and it is
also a matter of luck if you get a tasty
one or not.
Thailand / Bangkok
City File
Country Code: +66 (2)
Currency: Thai Baht (THB1 = PHP1.4
(USD0.03))
From the Airport: Take the free shuttle
to the airport’s Public Transportation
Center. Here, you can rent a car, taxi or
bus it downtown. Taxis cost THB200
(PHP271.30), including toll of THB50
(PHP67.80). The cheaper, but longer, Bus
No 552 ends at BTS On Nut Station.
Getting Around: Travel around town via
BTS Skytrains. Stored value cards start
at THB200 (PHP290). Tuk tuks are only
recommended for short distances.
EATING
Laid back lounging
Dine and be seen lounging on Bed
Supperclub’s space-age all-white
recliners. 26 Soi Sukhumvit 11, Sukhumvit
Road, Klongtoey-nua, tel +66 (0)2 651
3537, www.bedsupperclub.com
Roof top views
Sip on your favorite cocktail at the Moon
Bar at the Banyan Tree Bangkok or head
to Sky Bar at the Dome at State Tower
for fantastic views. www.banyantree.com and www.thedomebkk.com
SLEEPING
Backpacker Central
Pra Athit Pier is where Khao San Road’s
cheap rooms and beer are.
WHAT TO SEE
Dusky Dusit
Dusit Park is a legacy of the beloved
King Chulalongkorn with lots to see.
SHOPPING
Golden Mile
Shopaholics will have a field day at
Sukhumvit Soi 55’s design shops or
break your credit limit at Siam Paragon,
Gaysorn and Erawan shopping centres.
The Philippines/ Luzon
CLARK: area core +45
WHAT TO SEE
Casinos and Leisure
Once the bastion of American military
might, the wrath of Mount Pinatubo
returned it to Filipino hands. Now it is a
special economic zone that features
world-class leisure and entertainment.
Local history
If you like history, Betis in Guagua town
is one of the older communities.
SLEEPING
Everything under one roof
Try Fortuna Leisure Parks, CM Recto
Highway, boasts a casino and
mountain views, tel (2) 843-8798,
www.fontanaleisureparks.com.
Holiday home
Always reliable, the Holiday Inn is a good
place to check-in, Mimosa Drive, tel (2)
8451888, www.ichotelsgroup.com.
SHOPPING
Value for money
Although cheap, PX (Post Exchange —
a subsidized US forces shop),
US-branded goods are no longer as
abundant, you can grab bargains at
duty free shops.
EATING
US sizes
A restaurant called RUMPA at Clark
Airbase, is owned and managed by
retired US Military Personnel. Their tacos
and mashed potatoes are a real must,
but each portion is enough for two!
LOCAL LIFE
Mark Cezar
Private Employee
Famous visitors…
Almost every major political figure in
the country has visited Clark at some
time in the past. When it was still an
American Air Base, I think a couple of US
presidents dropped by.
Exclusive hotel…
Holiday Inn Mimosa.
Favorite local festival…
Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando.
Local recreation…
Shopping and eating.
Clark’s most famous export…
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s,
Bata Reyes and Apl Pineda from the
Black Eyed Peas.
Luzon
Legaspi: area code: +52
WHAT TO SEE
Mount Mayon
At 2,462m above sea level, this active
volcano is Bicol’s main attraction.
Cagsawa Ruins
Testament to the power of Mayon, the
lone church steeple and litter of volcanic
rocks are all that remain after the
eruption in 1814.
EATING
Tasty taro
Try Pinangat, made from taro leaves
and stuffed with shrimp fry and tinilmok
(coconut milk) – regional specialities.
SHOP
Local gifts
Buy handicrafts from Abaca at the
Satellite market or bottles of pure honey
harvested from the highlands.
LOCAL LIFE
Aleli Saw
Entrepreneur
Must try…
The home-cooked food, moist chocolate
and custard cake of Alibar beside St
Raphael church.
Good place to shop…
Good and cheap abaca homeware such
as hampers, magazine racks, trays and
bags are available from the exporters
in Daraga.
Insider’s tip…
Eat fishballs and bbq merienda at the
airport in late afternoon.
Local recreation…
Walking up ligñon hill in the morning
or afternoon, mountain biking on the
Mayon trails, and scuba diving!
Manila
LOCAL LIFE
Jeffrey Royce M Zapata
Software Engineer
Best night out?
Manila has thriving nightlife, so you
won’t run out of choices. But if you
want a place that features diverse
possibilities, head to Baywalk. You can
dine in a restaurant bus while watching
the ferry cruise in Manila Bay, or drink
a couple of beers while listening to live
band performances. There are stand up
comedians and mime shows.
Favorite local festival…
The Feast of the Black Nazarene in
January is my favorite local festival.
During the event, thousands of Devotees
from all over the Philippines gather in
Quiapo to pay homage to the miraculous
Black Nazarene.
If Manila were a fruit…
It would be a fruit salad. The city is
a melting pot of diverse culture, of
different people, and yet everything
blends so well – like in a fruit salad.
If a Hollywood film had been set in
Manila, it would be…
National Treasure! The metropolis is
full of hidden treasures and different
sceneries, and it is always a delight to
discover them. Antonio Banderas should
play the main role.
WHAT TO SEE
Historic Manila
Until World War II, Spanish-style
buildings lined the cobblestone
streets of this former fort. Those that
remain (Casa Manila, Fort Santiago and
San Agustin Church) reveal the city’s
past colonial splendor.
Architect
Designed by architect Leandro Locsin,
the Cultural Center of the Philippines is
one of the city’s most iconic buildings
and an important venue for performing
arts, www.culturalcenter.gov.ph
All the world is a stage
Enjoy Broadway hits and Filipino
theatrical talent. Repertory Philippines
has a full line-up every year (OnStage,
Greenbelt 1, tel (2) 887 0710, LRT Stn
Ayala; www.repertory-philippines.com),
PETA Theater stages classics in Filipino
(tel (2) 7256244, www.petatheater.com).
City File
City Code: +2
From the Airport: The ride to the tourist
districts of Manila and Makati should
take around 30 minutes, and costs about
PHP450 (USD10.38).
Getting Around: Taxis are recommended,
although buses and jeepneys ply their
designated routes throughout the city.
The elevated metro (MRT/LRT) is faster,
but is only open from 5.30 to 10.30pm.
Bring lots of coins and be prepared for long
queues at the counter.
SLEEPING
Lion the witch and the wardrobe
Linden Suites is small on the outside
but huge inside! There are serviced
apartments, luxuriously large rooms,
an ornate swimming pool complete with
Grecian pillars and a new restaurant
opening soon. 37 San Miguel Avenue,
Ortigas Center, Pasig City,
tel (2) 638 7878, www.lindensuites.com
EATING
Party hotspots
Music of upcoming bands at Route
196 and its legendary street barbecue
draws crowds to this stretch of
Katipunan Ave (Blueridge, Quezon
City, tel (2) 439 1972) while club of the
moment Warehouse 135 has already
seen international DJs taking booth
control to entertain Manila’s most
beautiful (135 Yakal St, Makati City, tel
(2) 887 0526).
SHOP
Pearls
For South Sea pearls, check out the
jewelry flea market at Greenhills
Shopping Center, ww.greenhills.com.ph.
First class
For top shopping, Greenbelt in Makati
City is the place. Don’t miss Sunday
brunch at Museum Café, tel (2) 757
3000, and coolers at People’s Palace,
tel (2) 729 2888.
First rate furniture
Interiors guru, Budji Layug showcases
fine modern furniture made with local
materials 233 Nicanor Garcia Street.
Visayas
Bacolod (area code +34)
WHAT TO SEE
Sun seekers
Take a two-hour drive to the white, palm
beach at Lakawan, Cadiz.
Culture vulture
Check out the international doll
collection at the Negros Occidental
Provincial Museum.
SHOP
Under 100 pesos
Pick up some charming souvenir and gift
items from the Negros showroom.
SLEEPING
L’Fisher Hotel
One of the grandest in the city, it’s found
on 14th and Lacson Street.
EATING
Wine and dine
Tuck into great pizza at Bob’s, the
town’s oldest family-owned restaurant,
or slurp a bowl of the Cavern’s
famous Moroccan Hairira soup. Pepe’s
Restaurant, in Sorrento Place, serves
great smoked barracuda in Cajun sauce.
LOCAL LIFE
Matthew Gonzalez
(Wacky Matt)
Student, Writer
Good thing to do at night…
Stroll down lover’s lane (the lagoon) at
night! It’s so romantic!
Insider’s tip…
Ride the jeepney to exotic Silay! It’s only
PHP10/USD0.25 and beats a taxi for me!
Must buys…
Just take a sugar cane from the
highways here! They’re the best
souvenirs! Even better, they’re free!
Must eats…
What would Bacolod be without its
delicious Chicken Inasal?
If Bacolod was a fruit it would be…
A banana. At first it looks dull, but when
you open it up and eat it, Bacolod is just
as sweet as the banana!
If Bacolod was twinned with a city in
the world, it would be twinned with…
Salt Lake City, USA. Bacolod is a hot,
tropical version.
Cebu
Canoeing off the dramatic
coastli WHAT TO SEE
Beach bathing
Try the northern tip of the island or the
south-west coast for some spectacular
sun worship, or the island of Mactan for
select private beaches.
Feel the history
Lapu-lapu Monument or the Magellan’s
Cross is steeped in Filipino history.
Why not share in the legacy and pose
for a picture?
SLEEPING
Luxury living
The Shangri-la Matcan (Engano
Road, Lapu-Lapu, tel (32) 231 0288,
www.shangro-la.com) is one of the
most exclusive hotels, closely followed
by the Hilton (Punta Engano, Mactan
Island, tel (32) 492 777, www.hiltonworldresorts.com).
EATING
Rightfully famous
Cebu’s lechon (roast pig) is famous – just
taste it for yourself. Sticky rice wrapped
in banana leaves is also a local delicacy
not to be missed.
SHOP
Guitar
The local symbol is prevalent across
Cebu City. Pick up a souvenir.
See our feature on Cebu on page 18,
Notes on a Gypsy Summer.
Dumaguete (area code +35)
Local Life
Vince J Utzurrum
HR Associate
Local recreation…
Grab a coffee or a beer at the local
restobars and cafes around the city and
chat while enjoying the cool breeze.
Famous visitors…
Showbiz has already invaded the city
and we’ve had politicians, national artists
and most of all Dr Jose P Rizal who is
famously from the city.
I love living in Dumaguete because…
Of the ambience of the city. It’s an urban
city with a rural atmosphere. No hustle
and bustle. Just perfect.
Must buys…
Don’t forget to buy pasalubong at San’s
Rival Cakes & Pastries! And Taster’s
Delights yummy burgers! Two of a kind
in Dumaguete City!
Must meet local characters…
Kuya Mo Atega of Siliman University,
arguably the best tour guide in town.
If is was twinned with a city, it would be
twinned with…
Paris. You will simply fall in love with the
city the moment you step foot on it.
WHAT TO SEE
Marine sanctuary
Scuba-divers will love Apo Island’s rich
marine life and beautiful coral gardens.
Sea anemones and clown fish congregate
at the Clown Fish City dive spot.
The Bat Cave
Caves near Mabinay are among
the 33 in the Dumaguete Province and
are perfect for swimming and exploring
centuries-old calcite formations.
SLEEPING
Value for money
On San Juan Street, around
the main plaza, there is Theresa’s Lodge,
with clean rooms and shared facilities.
Vintage Inn on Legaspi Street has airconditioned
single and double rooms.
SHOP
A good thing to spend your money on is
a motorcycle to drive you around town
and see more of the city.
Visayas
iloilo (area code +33)
SLEEPING
Recently opened
Check out Centennial Resort Hotel in
Alta Tierra. A hotel and resort in one.
EATING
Epicureus!
Celebrate the Ilonggos’ epicurean
abilities with a bowl of deliciously
invigorating La Paz Batchoy or Molo.
SHOP
Take home history
Poke around the old districts, such as
Jaro, for classic-styled sugar baron
abodes and other examples of Spanish
architecture.
WHAT TO SEE
Religous Rigor
About 40km from Iloilo is Miag-Ao
church, one of four UNESCO World
Heritage churches in the country.
With walls of solid coral several meters
thick, it’s easy to see how this church
has stood for 200 years.
LOCAL LIFE
Robert “Bobby” Rodriguez
Actor and teacher
Best night out…
Weekend parties in Iloilo have taken
grander shape in the past year since
the opening of Smallville – a complex
of bars, restaurants and hotels. Fridays
and Saturdays are packed until the
wee hours. Themed parties, fine dining,
featured DJs, videokes, and bands
are some of the few things one can
experience on this side of Iloilo.
Insider’s tip…
Cruise Iloilo River and see the city from
a different point of view. You can rent
a boat by Carpenter’s Bridge in Molo
District (for about PHP200/USD5) as
your starting point and cruise your way
to Muelle Loney. It’s breathtaking and
traffic-free. Just don’t forget to put on
your sun block.
kalibo (area code +36)
LOCAL LIFE
Rene R Ricaforte
Owner, Lance R Marketing &
Surplus Center
Unusual thing to do in Kalibo…
The month-long merrymaking on the
street during the celebration of the Ati-
Atihan Festival, known as the mother of all festivals…
If Kalibo was a fruit, it would be…
Rambutan. Banga boasts of producing
the best rambutan in the region.
Famous person I’d most like to visit…
Clare Danes, so that she can
experience the hospitality and kindness
of the Aklanons.
Kalibo’s most famous export…
The world famous piña cloth, seafoods,
crabs, prawns, oysters and bangus.
If it were twinned with a city in the
world, it would be twinned with…
The town of Kalibo is unique!
WHAT TO SEE
Activities
Go trekking or mountain-biking past
quaint villages, and catch your breath
along the edges of dramatic rocky cliffs.
Alternatively, take a snorkel and go
exploring underwater.
SLEEPING
Exclusive hotel
Kalibo’s most stylish places to stay the
night are Sampaguita Garden Resort (6
Rizal Street, New Washington, tel (36)
264 3422, www.sampaguitagardens. com) and the Blue Starfish in Jawili,
Tangalan (Dumatad, Tangalan, tel 921
473 5843, www.silent-gardens.com).
EATING
Festival that’s not Ati-atihan
The Kalibo Food Festival is now in its
12th year. Catch it in June.
Breakfast
Try Cafe Latte for coffee and a
continental breakfast, or Hernary’s Mix ’n
Match for Filipino style tucker.
SHOP
Pina fabric
Pina is the queen of Philippine fabric and
a world-renowned art form. Don’t leave
Kalibo without checking it out! Local
designer India dela Croz makes pillows
for Calvin Klein from pina.
puerto princesa
(area code +48)
WHAT TO SEE
Crocodile Farm
Visit the Irawan Crocodile Farming
Institute, where crocodiles are bred and
studied. For some serious action, come
at feeding time, around mid-afternoon.
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River
National Park
At 8.2km, this is the longest navigable
underground river in the world, although
only 2km are open to the public. It’s a
two-hour bumpy ride, but the rewards
are spectacular: cathedral-like caverns
with stalagmites and stalactites that
resemble the Virgin Mary – and a
melting candle.
SLEEPING
Choice pickings
Kawayanan Resort (Abaa Road, San
Pedro, tel (48) 434 7078, www.palawanresort. net) is a super-friendly hide-away,
a short drive away from the city itself.
EATING
Vietnamese Village Restaurant
Only a few refugee families live here now,
but this serves great food and snacks.
Capital snacking
We’re the country’s lamayo capital.
You’ve got to buy a box of the dried fish to
take back.
SHOP
Bargains
In the local markets there are plenty of
cheap things to find. Flip flops go for a
mere PHP50/USD1.25.
Roxas (area code +36)
WHAT TO SEE
Traditions
Roxas offers a host of treats for
travellers seeking an “out of the way”
destination. From the traditional Visayan
lifestyle of Capiz, to the quiet fishing
villages, isolated beaches and islands
such as Napti, 20 minutes from Roxas.
SLEEPING
Swish snoozes
President’s Inn (Rizal Street, tel
6210208), and Nesta’s Hilltop Hotel
(Province Park, Roxas City) are the pick
of the swish.
SHOP
Oysters
These local delicacies are the thing to
spend your money on. Nowhere better.
EATING
Seafood
The town is well known for all manner
of seafood, from angel wings, to shrimp,
bangus to talaba. Riverside carinderia
(eateries) are the place to get them.
LOCAL LIFE
Rolendo Andrada
Government Employee
Insider’s tip…
The city itself is small so you can walk
around it in one day. Alternatively, use a
tricycle for around PHP6/USD0.15!
Local recreation…
Roxas City is known for its beaches.
People usually go swimming during
weekends, while some go to Capiz
Stadium to play some sports.
Unusual fact about the city…
For the past few years, it’s been a
consistent winner of the cleanest and
greenest city in the region.
I love Roxas because…
The place is very safe and peaceful and
the people are warm. Agriculture and
Fishing are the primary industries and
people just pick fruits and vegetables
from their backyard or go to a nearby
sapa to catch some fish for their food.
Everything that we sell and eat here are
fresh, from fruit to fish.
Must eats…
Blue marlin, shrimps, and oysters. You
can buy a sack of oysters for just around
PHP150/USD3.70 and eat to your heart’s
content. Yummy!
Tacloban (area code +53)
LOCAL LIFE
Leo Rafael O de Guzman
Government Employee
Exclusive hotel…
The Leyte Park Resort offers guests
elegant quarters, warm service,
sumptuous food and a unique
ambiance.
Insider’s tip…
Motorcycles can take you around the
city at PHP5/USD0.12 per person.
Stores close early here at around
7.30pm so get your souvenirs early.
Unusual fact…
The city is linked to the Island of
Samar by the San Juanico Bridge built
by Ferdinand Marcos for Imelda as a
Bridge of Love that connected them.
Must buys…
Native banig: handwoven handicrafts
made of Buri (Palm) Pandan or
seagrass leaves. The leaves are dried,
usually dyed, then cut into strips and
woven into mats, hats, bags, wallets
and much more.
Must eats…
Fresh and affordable seafood and local
delicacy binagol, a specialty made from
a kind of root crop, with a sweetened
center mixed in with some peanuts,
and placed in half a coconut shell, then
wrapped in banana leaves and secured
with a string tied in a radial pattern.
It’s a treat anticipated by many people
who have tasted it, who find the very
sweet center and outer coating too
good to miss!
EATING
Fruit of nature
It’s cheap, healthy and abundant in
Tacloban, so chow down on banana,
pineapple and other natural protein bars.
WHAT TO SEE
Secret caves
Only an hour away by boat or road,
Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park
in Southern Samar features some
breathtaking rock and cave formations.
Statue of history
Red Beach at Palo, is where General
MacArthur fulfilled his legendary promise
in 1944: “I shall return.”
SHOP
Abaca
Treat yourself to some locally-made
abaca bags for under PHP50/USD1.25,
and you’ll benefit the local economy.
Tagbilaran (area code +38)
WHAT TO SEE
Chocolate Hills
The iconic Chocolate Hills are the most
famous attraction of Bohol Island.
About 1,268 ice-cream-scoop-shaped
berms stretch out across Central Bohol,
offering stunning scenic walks.
Sights and history
Lesser-known attractions include the
historical Baclayon Church and the
rainforest with its beautiful waterfalls
near to Antequera.
Tarsier
Bohol’s endearing mascot the Tarsier is
the world’s smallest primate.
SLEEPING
Exclusive hotel
For an ambience that just says the
word ‘class’ try the Bohol Plaza, www.boholplazaresort.com.
EATING
Chocoholic
The local markets serve delicious local
chocolate. Buy some!
Beach beauties
Kaingit beach has a feast of good and
affordable seafood dishes.
Mindanao / Butan (area code +58)
WHAT TO SEE
Museum quality
A 10 minute walk from the city center,
the Butuan Regional Museum houses
artifacts such as gold ornaments, pottery
and burial coffins, evidence of the city’s
long history as a center of trade.
Magallanes
Named after Ferdinand Magellan,
this coastal town held the first mass in
Mindanao and is home to the century-old
Bitaug Tree, lit by fireflies in the evening.
EATING
Local snacks
Try mo-ron, suman-like with chocolate
on the inside.
Cagayan de Oro
(area code +8822)
WHAT TO SEE
Whitewashed
The city boasts a reputation for excellent
whitewater rafting and river trekking.
Try a run on the river’s Class IV rapids
just outside the city. The exhilarating
course has been shortlisted as the venue
for the 2007 World Whitewater Rafting
Competition. For further information,
check out www.raftingcdo.com.
Treetops
An hour from the city, the Canopy
Walk in Claveria town is for the brave
at heart. It includes a climb up Mount
Magbais, speeding down a zip line and
traversing five hanging bridges 36m
above the ground. The local tourism
office can assign a trained local guide.
DTO, A Velez Street, CDO, tel (8822) 726394/723696.
EATING
Fish fish
At Lagoon Fish n Pen, you can enjoy the
rising sun over breakfast.
Must eat
Ham, grilled food, ostrich meat and
kinilaw (raw fish) are local delicacies,
so it wouldn’t be right to leave without
trying them.
LOCAL LIFE
Alex Onate
Estudiante
Best breakfast…
Try Vienna Café or Blue Berry Café for
the taste of a European delicatessen.
Must see…
The Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism
Village is located in a reforestd area
in Malasag Hill. This seven hectare
village has replicas of tribal houses in
the region and a panoramic view of
Macajalar Bay. The tourism village is
owned and managed by the Philippine
Tourism Authority
Exclusive hotel…
Pryce Plaza Hotel, Carmen Hill.
Unusual fact…
The city has been occupied by
humans since around 377AD. Signs of
ancient habitation were discovered
in 1970 by field researchers of the
National Museum.
Best thing to do at night…
Go to the High Ride lookout where you
can see the night lights of the city.
Must eats…
Jamon Cagayan de Oro (pork ham) sold
by Slers, Oroham and Pines, cashew
nuts from Lumba district, chicharon
(pork rind/skin) sold by Slers and local fruit delicacies.
Cotabato (area code +64)
WHAT TO SEE
Music and Dance
The city is the head of the Autonomous
Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
With three recognized sultanates
and almost one million people, the
Maguindanao people have a distinctly
different culture, evident in the
architecture, brasswork and music.
Arts and crafts
Beautiful Lake Sebu is the ancestral
home of the T’Boli people. Traditional
crafts include ornate beaded
costumes, brassware and highly
treasured weavings.
EATING
Shake it up
Try a mango or avocado shake at
Manong Fruit Stand beside the
Cotabato highway.
SHOP
Mall rats
Shop in South Seas mall, which is the
biggest in the city, for local goods
and textiles.
SLEEPING
Upmarket
For an exclusive overnight, check into
Estosan Garden Hotel, Gov Gutierrez
Bld, tel (2) 910 4203.
Dipolog
(area code +65)
WHAT TO SEE
History comes alive
Visit the homes of national hero Dr
Jose P Rizal at Casa Redonda and Casa
Cuadrada. There are books, periodicals
and exhibits at The Rizaliana in Dapitan
City Plaza. His original estate is the
breathtaking Rizal Shrine.
3003 steps
Follow man-made steps up to Linabo
peak, Dipolog’s highest point at 460m
above sea level. Glimpse spectacular
panoramas and the coastline.
Action adventure
You can go white-water rafting in
Dipolog, just contact the local tourist
information centre for a great tour guide.
Roadtrip
Drive up to Bukidnon and head over to
the Monastery of the Transfiguration for
some retreat. On your way back, take a
peek at the pineapple farms and have
lunch at Del Monte Clubhouse (they
serve mouth-watering steaks).
Map of the people
Visit Rizal’s map of Mindanao.
EATING
At home treats
Home to the best delicacies in North
Mindanao: pastel, Cheding’s roasted
peanuts, or Monk’s Blend Coffee and
even Spanish sardines from Dipolog.
SLEEPING
Swim and sleep
You can go for a dip at your hotel if you
stay in Dakak Beach Resort, 30 minutes
drive from Rizal Shrine by motorcycle.
SHOP
For food!
Just a block away from Xavier University
you’ll find Butcher’s Best Barbeque.
PHP50 gets you two barbecues (try
the hot & spicy variant) and rice. As an
added bonus it will give you a university vibe as students are all over the place.
Davao (area code +62)
WHAT TO SEE
Bird of Prey
The Philippine Eagle symbolizes
many things, but a real live one is a
stupendous sight, dwarfing the famous
bald eagle. Have you seen the size of
these big bird’s talons? Now you can
view them at the Philippine Eagle
Nature Center.
Tribal gathering
There are many ethnic tribes in Davao
who continue to live as they did
centuries ago. You can meet them too.
The T’boli people weave magic, so
buying one of their unique hand-woven
products is a must.
Artistic hub
The park in Davao is newly-decorated
by local artist, Kublai, with statues of children, giant eagles and flowers.
SHOP
Presents
Must-buys for friends and family are
durian, sarongs and malongs from Aldevinco Shopping Center.
EAT
Great in crates
You can buy fruit in wooden crates or
special boxes with handles. Visit Davao’s
markets and buy a crate to enjoy while relaxing on the beachside.
SLEEPING
Romance
Pearl Farm Beach Report or Paradise Island are great for couples.
LOCAL LIFE
Andrew “Drei” Boquiren
Filmmaker/Graphic Designer
Best breakfast…
Kakanin and native coffee at Bankerohan.
Favorite local festival…
Kadayawan! The entire city comes alive
with so much festive activities.
Insider’s tip…
Catch a beautiful sunset along the
coastline near Matina Aplaya.
Local recreation…
Weekend hiking and trail biking along
the outskirts of the city (a lot of
fantastic rugged trails). Diving.
Best thing to do at night…
Chilling out in any of the local
coffee shops.
Must eats…
Hito (catfish) over at Calinan.
Unusual thing to do…
Play street chess in San Pedro. Or check
out local films. The local filmmakers
organize regular monthly screenings of
their works in different bars.
General Santos
(area code +83)
LOCAL LIFE
Kiara Anjelika Regaldo
Former Ms GenSan and
model
Best breakfast…
Batchoy King which offers delicious
la paz batchoy as early as 6am, and
Fagioli Coffee Shop which offers cheap
Filipino dishes such as tapsilog.
Favorite festival…
GenSan Street Party where East Asia
Royale Hotel’s parking lot is closed and
then converted into a really rocking
party place!
Best place to stay…
Isla Parilla Resto and Resort. It’s a
man-made mini island and has a great
ambience that unique and offers fresh,
delicious seafoods!
Insider’s tip…
Between 5-7am there are lots of freshlycaught
tuna that can be seen at the
port being prepared for export in Manila
and outside the country.
Best place to take the gang…
Nearby beaches are only 20-30mins
drive from downtown where you can
enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving and
swimming!
I love GenSan because…
There are absolutely no typhoons! You
can live a healthy lifestyle because
there’s no pollution and the Seafoods,
fruits and vegetables are fresh and
inexpensive!
Best thing to do at night…
Beer drinking at the restaurants of
nearby beaches or going to an outdoor
bar called “cookie by night” and enjoying
their famous Onim’s baked chicken!
Interesting people from GenSan…
The City Mayor. He came from a family
that has lived in the city for many
years and also comes from a long line
of politicians. You can also look for
Manny Pacquiao!
WHAT TO SEE
Ups and downs
Explore Mount Parker and Mount
Matutum and the caves.
Culture
The Kalilangan Cultural Festival from
23-27 February fills the city with life as it
celebrates its rich heritage.
EATING
Tuna
DiliKaGuaPo, meaning “he’s not
handsome” or DIlis KAg GUAva
kag POmelo: small fish and guava
and pomelo.
SLEEPING
Royal welcome
The East Asia Royale Hotel has all the
amenities (National Highway).
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