August Visita Iglesia - The Churches of Ilo-ilo

A fellow hobbyist, upon learning that I just came back from Ilo-ilo, asked me what's interesting with the place aside from their batchoy -- 'their churches' was my quick answer.

Miag-ao Church

An hour jeepney ride from the city proper to the municipality of Miag-ao took almost two hour.  It was raining heavily the past days due to a recent typhoon that passed by the island causing most of the rivers to overflow and thereby delaying the traffic.  I was not able to find any van-service to miag-ao that it seemed taking the PUJ is the only available option.  Oh, the taxis were offering 'pakyaw' but an exorbitant price, almost equivalent to my round-trip airfare ticket!

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/100sec, f/6.3

Taking the jeepney turned out enjoyable, seeing the outskirts of Ilo-ilo on a rainy morning and experiencing firsthand commuting with the locals.  Oh that 'malambing' intonation of the ilonggos as they converse is so lovely to hear.  The Miag-ao jeepney terminal is in public market near the robinsons place. Locals call the market 'super'.  Fare is 40pesos, one way.

Canon 40D, EFS10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, 1/500sec, f/8

I arrived in the church almost noon time.  Learning that the church closes for lunch, I went immediately inside the church to check the interiors. The church is what they call the baroque-Romanesque style.  

Aside from the church rich history, it is the church artistic facade that captures the attention of any visitor to this church. The intricate carving on the stone is awesome considering the period when this was done, around the 1700's.  

Canon 40D, EFS10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, 1/320sec, f/8

It is decorated with a relief sculpture of St. Christopher carrying the Christ child amidst coconut, papaya and guava shrubs. A large stone image of St. Thomas of Villanova, parish patron saint, dominates the center. Carved life-size statues of the Pope and St. Henry with their coat-of-arms above them flank the main entrance. Supporting the facade are the twin belfries, one towering two-storeys and the other three-storeys high.  No wonder, this church has been included  in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/320sec, f/8 

I decided to finish checking the exteriors of the church before having my lunch in a carenderia just outside the church gates.

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/400sec, f/5

Guimbal Church
15 minutes from Miag-ao, on the way to the city proper is the town of Guimbal.  The church here is not as breathtaking as the one in Miag-ao but nevertheless interesting.  

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/200sec, f/9

What amazed me is the plaza infront of the church.  It's so wide.  It has started to drizzle already that i have to cut short my visit at the Guimbal church and head on to the next church in Tigbauan.  I took the next jeepney that passed by for short, 7 pesos ride.

St. John of Sahagun Parish, Tigbauan

From Guimbal town, Tigbauan is around 5 to 10 minutes ride. I have to wait for another thirty minutes after arrival before i had the chance to explore the church interiors since a requiem mass was on-going.

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/250sec, f/8

The St. John of Sahagun Parish church may not have the intricate facade of the miag-ao church but the interiors would make every visitor at awe. 

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/8sec, f/8 

The church interiors are made up of colorful stone murals.

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/8sec, f/8

The stone mosaics adorning the church interior, including the altar and the Stations of the Cross, were created by local artists in the last twenty years.

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/5sec, f/8

Molo church - The Feminist church of saint Anne

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/100sec, f/8 

This is one of the more visited churches in Ilo-ilo considering its just within the city proper.  The Molo Church is unique because all saints depicted inside are female.  That's why this church is referred to as a Feminist Church. 

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/5sec, f/4.5

There are sixteen statues of female saints and the church is named after St. Anne, who is considered to be Jesus’ grandmother and the Virgin Mary’s mother.

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/4sec, f/6.3

This church is also one of the most photograph churches in the city. During my visit there, group of photography enthusiast were also present, taking pictures of the church interiors as church aides were preparing for the 5pm mass about to take place.


Here's their schedule of services :

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/160sec, f/6.3

Jaro Cathedral
The Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary and home of the Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria (Lady of the Candles), is the first and only cathedral of Panay.  This was where one of the our heroes, Graceano Lopez Jaena was baptized.

Canon 40D, EFS10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, 1/400sec, f/11

This is the other more visited church in Ilo-ilo.  The Jaro Cathedral is the counterpart of of the Molo Church. All saints featured here are male, which line the walls of the cathedral's interior.  

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/13sec, f/4.5 

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/45sec, f/4.5  

The Lady of Candles (Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria), the church patron, is perched on a glass encased shrine carved out of the facade. 

Accordingly, the limestone image is said to be continuously growing and had become too large to fit into its original niche just above the present one. 

Her shrine is visited often by many devotees who believe the statue to be miraculous.

The paintings on the choir loft is one not to be missed when visiting the church.

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/8sec, f/8 

The old belfry of the church is across the street. Very typical of churches from the old.  By the looks of the structure it lacks the necessary maintenance it needs to last it for the next 100 years or so.

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/125sec, f/8 

I always like parishes that publish their mass schedules. It becomes a guide to non-parishioners who may want to hear mass in their churches.

Canon 40D, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/500sec, f/7

for queries regarding this post, please feel free to leave them here

Beyond The Puerto Princesa Underground River

Sabang is home of the famous Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. This sleepy municipality is a hustle and bustle during day time when hoards of local and foreign tourists arrive to see the underground river. Most however fail to realize that there is more to Sabang than just the underground river. This is Sabang, before the tourist arrives and when the last one has left.

Canon 400D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f22, 1/20, Iso200

This sight greeted me after alighting from the bus that i took from Puerto Princesa (PP) City.  The trip lasted for almost 4 hours considering the bus have to make countless of stops at every town and barangay that it passes.  Fare is 200 pesos.  


You can take the bus for Sabang at the PP San Jose New Market. First trip is around 5am and the last one leaves around 2pm. Just inform the tricycle driver that your heading for Sabang and he will bring you to that part of the terminal where the buses are parked.

Canon 400D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f16, 1/125, Iso200

Home for the next few days here is the Taraw Beach Resort.   From among the low and mid cost resorts in Sabang, Taraw is highly recommended.  I paid for 700 pesos a night for a non-air conditioned cottage.  My accomodation in Taraw has been prepaid. There are no ATM machines in Sabang.  Electricity is very limited and generator power runs only from 6pm to 10pm.

Canon 400D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f11, 1/2, Iso400

This is one of the sights in Sabang that most tourists fail to see, the day-break!

Early mornings in the beach front is characterized by calm and solitude, very opposite during daytime when hordes of tourist come and go.






The locals double as fishermen during early mornings, catching whatever fish is available in the deep waters nearby.  During daytime, they become boatmen and assistants ferrying tourist to and from the underground river.

Canon 400D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM,
f8, 1/350, Iso200 

The early morning catch becomes their family's consumption. Any extra catch are sold.  I brought a 50-peso fish which lasted me till lunch time.  My meals were from a nearby carenderia just beside the terminal, serving lutong-bahay food.  I pay an average of 50-70 pesos per meal.

Just before 8 am, the first few batches of tourist arrive.  The most convenient way to visit the underground river is to book through a local tour agent in Puerto Princesa.  They will arrange for everything - entrance fees and registration,  transportation, meals and the actual transfer from the Sabang wharf to the entrance of the cave.






Take note.  If you want to go to the underground river on your own, you have to pre-register at the  Puerto Princesa Tourism office at least days before your actual trip.  The tourism office is imposing a qouta to the number of visitors to the cave on a per day basis.  Park fees is no more that 100 pesos while cave entrance fees is is no more than 200 pesos.

Canon 400D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f11, 1/20, Iso100

These are the motorized boats that ferries the tourists from the Sabang wharf to the underground river park.  It's around 20-30 minutes ride, depending on the sea conditions.  Upon arrival, you walk for 5 to 10 minutes to reach the jump-off point to the cave entrance.  Tourist are group by 6 and take a smaller paddled banca for the actual cave tour. The bankero acts as the guide also.  One of passengers will be ask to hold the flashlight.

One can walk to the under ground park entrance through the Jungle Trail from Sabang - my original plan. However, during the time i was there, it was temporarily off-limits due to undergoing repairs.  By foot, it will be around 45-60 minutes depending on ones pace.

Canon 400D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f11, 1/30, Iso100

Tip : If you want to take snapshots inside the cave, be sure to have your external flashes ready. Volunteer to hold the flashlight or sit beside the person holding it.

If you want to have a serious photo-session inside the cave, you have to charter a paddled banca.  Also don't expect to see those great stone formations and those shining and shimmering stones we see on the brochures.  They can only be found beyond the 1.5 kilometers limit to ordinary visitors.  Special permits and additional fees will be needed if you want to go beyond.

As it is, there are many interesting formations -  the Virgin Mary, Jesus, the Holy Family puso (heart of banana), eggplant, mushroom, sayote, horse, dinosaur, sexy lady, cocao, sweet corn, candle, strip of bacon, a chamber 65 meters in height, the highway ( a long straight section, which is the turning back point of the basic tour) and several others.

Canon 400D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f11, 1/30, Iso200

Sabang becomes still again towards the end of the day, when the last of the tourist on board their chartered vans has left.  It's the perfect time to stroll along the beach front and explore whatever looks interesting.

The newly-wed above asked me if i can take pictures of them.  A few shots become lots for they gamely posed for me.  They got to keep all of the images, of course, but I specifically asked for this one image for later posting.

Canon 400D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f8, 1/15, Iso400

Even these motorized bancas have to take a break in time for the tomorrows new set of tourists.

Canon 400D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f8, 1/45, Iso100

Only a few who come to Sabang have the chance to see the Mangrove Forest.

Canon 400D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f8, 1/90, Iso100

The Sabang local government has been offering the Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour as part of their income generation campaign to maintain this part of the place.

'Lady Mangrove', became  my guide when I went to check the place which I found out to be as equally fascinating as the underground river.  I got valuable insights from her on how important the mangrove forest is to the eco-system. She even taught me how to identify the male and female specie of the mangrove tree!

Canon 400D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f11, 1/60, Iso200 

A new resort was being rushed to completion during my visit.  It is huge and modern compared to the other resorts around.  I hope the local government has already considered its effects, positive or negative, to the eco-system Lady Mangrove has been referring to.

leave your questions regarding this post and I will reply the soonest possible

- alr

Lake Sebu's Hidden Treasure

It's not the tilapia fishes in their cages nor the thousand-and-one ways they are cooked, nor the T'boli natives in their traditional clothes that you see occasionally on the side streets, not even the 7 waterfalls and the nearby zipline - its their SUNRISE! 

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f8, 1/25

Dawn at the lake is very unique from other places i have witness them. It is fascinating to the point of mesmerizing mainly because of their reflection through the water. You watch the sunrise on the water! No wonder Nescafe decided to shoot here one of their 'Kanino Ka Gumigising' ad series here (not in the Mountain Province as most thought).

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f11, 1/20

Sunrise at the back of the hills beside the lake, provide subdued  lighting and the fish-pens around acts as the main subject with the sky and cloud reflections in the water the foreground.  A perfect scene for any landscape photographer.

A wide-angle lens is a must if you plan to do photography in the lake. Don't forget your trusty tripod to prevent those unwanted blurs.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f11, 1/20

Weather at Lake Sebu can be unpredictable.  You get a bright sunrise one day and a gloomy one the following day.  Occasional downpour is expected towards the later part in the afternoons.  

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f8, 1/5

All of the sunrise shots above where taken from the side of the the Mountain Lake Eco-resort, http://www.mountainlakeecoresort.com/. 


This is the only resort located on the opposite side from the 'banwa' or poblacion.  Probably the best spot in the lake to catch sunrises and sunsets.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f8, 1/640

How to get to Lake Sebu.

If your not from Mindanao, get a flight to General Santos City.  That's your jump-off point.  Take the bus from Gen-San to Koronadal City.  Travel time, around 1.5 hours.  From Koronadal, take the jeep or van plying the routes to Surallah.  Travel time should not be more than 1 hour.  From Surallah, take the 45 minutes ride van-for-hire to Lake Sebu.

post your inquiries regarding this destination and i will reply the soonest possible

- alr

Surigo City's 'Little Venice' : Day-asan

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f8, 1/5, ISO400

Day-asan is a bustling barangay, 30 kilometers from the city proper of surigao.  One can take a multi-cab or habal-habal from the city-proper to reach the barangay.  

Canon 400D, EFS 55-250mm IS, f8, 1/350, ISO400

What makes this place unique is the fact that houses here are erected on wooden stilts and bedded rocks and wooden bridges serve as the walk-way from location to another. Paddle and motorized boats server as a faster mean of transport, though.   

"Nong, ja-on mag shooting? (Sir, will there be a movie shooting soon?)", one kid asked me as i was taking pictures around the area. Apparently, a few weeks before Robin Padilla  came to shoot some scenes in his tele-serye in GMA, photographers and probably video-graphers were seen in the place. Robin Padilla's shoot then was him running through the length of this foot-bridge.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f11, 1/80, ISO400 

Aqua-culture is the one of the major livelihood of the residents here.  

Canon 400D, EFS 55-250mm IS, f11, 1/60, ISO400

Most houses would have a pond or two made up of nets with lobsters and crabs in them.  They just grow this crustaceans here, so don't expect to be able to find restaurants or 'carenderias' here that serve them.  Fresh fish and the likes are sold in the barangay market, though at very cheap prices.

Deep-sea fishing is another means of livelihood in the barangay.  Going farther towards the open sea, one finds several fish-trawlers anchored for the day, awaiting for the high-tide that will come towards the evening.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f11, 1/120, ISO400 

Day-asan was really a chance discovery on my part.  The original purpose of my visit to the place was to arrange for a transport to the Cantiasay Foot-bridge the following day.

The last rays of the sunset signaled that I should head back to the city. I will have to visit the place some other time to explore the mangrove forest beyond. Cantiasay will have to wait a little longer.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f8, 1/15, ISO400 

post your inquiries regarding this post and i will reply to them the soonest possible

- alr

Coron Memoirs - The Last Part : Historic Culion

Culion Island Tour is offered by almost all local tour operators in Coron town, however, only a handful of the tourist who come here avail of it. Culion does not offer beaches nor snorkeling grounds, but history.

During the early 19th century Culion island is more known as the leper colony. As what I can remember from my Philippine History class, during this period, lepers from all over the Philippines are brough to this 'remote' island for cure and rehabilitation. If you want to know more of the details on the history of the island, 'i-google mo lang', so to speak.

My curiousity won over me so i have no choice but to hire a motorized banca to bring me to Culion, wait for me while I go around the place and bring me back to Coron. Standard rates for the motorized banca is in the range of P2,500.00 - P3,000.000 for one whole day.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f8, 1/1250, ISO400

We started out early, around 7am. The trip to the island would take between 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the sea condition.

On the way to Culion, one passes through several islands and islets with white beaches. The rows of pearl farms dotting the calm seas suggest that we are nearing the island.

It is a fine and sunny Saturday morning.

A stark contrast to the port of Coron which was bustling with activities as we left, the port of Culion where we docked was so quite. It's as if life here is on a stand-still that Saturday morning I arrived.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM,
 f8, 1/1250, ISO400

This barren tree guarding this monument seemed to be the only 'welcoming committee' that came to greet me upon my arrival.

The poblacion proper is situated above the hill. One takes a tricycle to reach the place or take a hike. I walked so I could have a feel of the place and the people, hopefully. I'm sure in your minds you are now asking if I met lepers during my walk. NONE.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM,
f11, 1/1250, ISO400

These fisher-folks may have been descendants of the early inhabitants of the island.

Accordingly, there are only a handful of leprosy patients left in the island. Those who have been healed have been reintegrated into society. Those with active leprosy are admitted and placed in a
special section in the Culion General Hospital, formerly known as the Culion Leprosarium.

The nearest to a leper that I saw during my visit was a former patient, i guess, judging from the physical deformities to her body characteristic of the disease. She was happily chatting with a group of 'normal' folks.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f8, 1/1250, ISO400

Culion was a fort during the Spanish Era. The newly restored 'parola' is the highest structure in the poblacion area. This structure still has the original two bronze canons used to thwart invaders to the island. 

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f11, 1/1250, ISO400

One should not fail to climb this lighthouse for it provides a stunning 180-degree view of the island and the bay.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f11, 1/1250, ISO400

The Jesuit influence is very obvious here in Culion. During my walk, I passed by a mausoleum of the pioneering SJ priests who first came to the island. The school and the parish church are run by the Jesuits.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f8, 1/60, ISO400

You haven't been to Culion if you failed to visit the Leprosy Museum which is located inside the compound of the Culion General Hospital. The minimal entrance fee is nothing compared to the information and insight you get while going through the museum.  It can be eerie or spooky, but just consider it that by going through the various displays inside you get to be a part of history.

The poblacion. Culion's center of commerce. 

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f8, 1/400, ISO400

I took a tricycle from this point and headed back to the motorized banca for my return to Coron Island. I instructed the boatman and his assistant to buy fresh fish and rice earlier before we left for Culion for our lunch.

The island has only one or two lodging places.  The more prominent one is locations near the parish church.

This barren tree had been the 'welcoming committee' as well as the 'send-off committee'.  

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f11, 1/1250, ISO400 

Its role will still be both the same to each and every visitor who arrives and departs to and from Culion, an island which played a significant role in our history.

feel free to post questions regarding this post and ill reply the soonest possible

- alr