Friday, March 12, 2010
How to get to Clark Airport from Dau Bus Station
Good news to Clark Airport travelers! An air-conditioned shuttle service has started operations at the Clark Airport or Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA). The DMIA shuttle service utilizes new and fully air-conditioned jeepneys of the Clark Special Economic Zone Transport Federation (CSEZTF).
The service plies the route from the DMIA to the Dau Bus Terminal in Mabalacat and vice versa with stops at the Clark Main Gate and SM City Clark. The fare is Php30 from the Clark Airport/DMIA to the Clark Main Gate and SM City Clark, and Php45 from the airport to the Dau Bus Terminal.
To get to other destinations around Clark, directions to/from Clark Airport to Metro Manila and North Philippines, and the bus schedules, read How to get to and from the Clark Airport which gives the complete details of transportation to Clark Airport.
Update: There is now a free shuttle bus service for AirAisa guests from Clark Airport to Marquee Mall and vice versa. Buses leave Marquee Mall at 09:00, 10:20, 13:00, 15:00, 16:30 and 19:00 arriving in Clark Airport after 20 to 30 minutes. Buses leave Clark Airport for Marquee Mall at 10:00, 11:00, 14:30, 16:00 and 17:40. Another free shuttle is for Dau Bus Station, leaving Clark Airport at 21:20. For more information, contact Victory Liner at +63(2) 5597735 or info@victoryliner.com.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Batanes: Batanes food adventure!
Batanes food is quite unique, it would be a shame if you did not try out the local cuisine. At every Ultimate Philippines tour to Batanes, we make sure everyone gets immersed in the local flavors of Batanes.
For starters, there's (1) humet or seaweed soup, (2) supas or turmeric rice, (3) chipuhu or breadfruit, (4) tamiduk or Ivatan salad which includes steamed pako or fiddlehead fern, eggplant, string beans, chopped tomatoes, and minced onions, (5) pinasu wakay or roasted kamote, (6) vunes or dried gabi, (7) wakay or boiled yam and (8) amay or mashed kamote and taro.
Then for the main course, there's (9) payi or lobster, (10) arayu, dorado or mahi-mahi, (11) tatus or coconut crab, (12) lataven a among or kinilaw na isda, (13) lunies or Ivatan adobo made with liempo, and (14) uvud balls made with pork, flying fish and banana trunk.
For dessert, there's (15) bukayo, (16) ducay salad, (17) glorified gabi and (18) rawut or millet.
As part of the tour, we arrange buffet lunches and picnics by the beach, and cocktails and sunset dinners at picturesque attractions Batanes.
Of course we have some Filipino comfort food too. But rest assured, you'll be getting an authentic Ivatan food experience on every Ultimate Philippine food tour. Our first tour to Batanes for the year ended today. We're all flying back to Manila tomorrow. There are five more tours for this year. So book now!
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Cebu: Zubuchon lechon is Anthony Bourdain's best roasted pig in the world!
The best lechon in the Philippines may be found in Cebu. And Cebu as the producer of the best whole roasted pig in the world has found an endorser in Anthony Bourdain who had ranked the Philippines as his top pick in the hierarchy of pork, dislodging Bali and Puerto Rico from the top slots!
So what lechon did Anthony Bourdain get to taste when he was in Cebu which made him declare such? Well, we found out during our trip that Market Manila served his own Zubuchon lechon. And the great thing about Zubuchon lechon is that it's available for sale to the public (while supplies last).
A kilo sells for Php450. They serve it fresh, or if you plan to bring it to Manila, frozen and properly boxed up, very convenient to bring as carry-on luggage.
There are two branches. One is in the Banilad Town Center. And the other is at the Mactan Airport Pre-Departure Area. But they only sell it at the Mactan Airport beginning at 4 p.m. until supplies last.
I got to taste the Zubuchon lechon while in Cebu. The skin itself is crispy and packed with so much flavor. Even the meat of the Zubuchon lechon is so rich in flavor, there's no need for the usual sarsa.
Related article
Lechon, chicharon and more from Carcar
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Bohol: Danao and the Dagohoy Rebellion
Who is Francisco Dagohoy? Do you know his significance in Philippine history? Dagohoy led the longest revolt in Philippine history, the Dagohoy Rebellion, from 1744 to 1829. I'm sure most of us learned that from our grade school textbooks. We all know he's from Bohol and that the revolt was in Bohol. But it was only when I visited Danao did I realize that I was standing on the ground which served as the headquarters of the Dagohoy Rebellion.
Magtangtang in Danao was said to be the headquarters or hideout of Dagohoy during the revolt. People in Danao were telling us stories about the Francisco Dagohoy Cave which was his main headquarters. It is said that hundreds of Dagohoy’s followers preferred death inside the cave than surrender. Their skeletons still remain in the site. But unfortunately, like in many places of historical interest, stupid treasure hunters imagined that there was gold or valuable objects in the cave, and did irreversible damage to it.
Today, a statue of Francisco Dagohoy stands in Magtangtang, Danao, a few minutes from the Danao Adventure Park, a silent reminder to the heroism of the Boholanos. The Dagohoy Marker was installed by the Philippine Historical Committee (now NHI) in 1953 to honor his heroism.
Danao Adventure Park
E.A.T. Danao's Plunge, the only canyon swing in the Philippines!
Danao Adventure Park's E.A.T. Danao
Spelunking at Danao Adventure Park's Kamira Cave
Friday, March 05, 2010
Bohol: Organic farm tour in Danao, Bohol
Aside from the Danao Adventure Park, among the activities in Danao, Bohol are visits to an organic farm. Our accommodation, the Jose L. Gonzaga Farmers Foundation, Inc. (JLGFFI), was in fact situated in an organic farm. Which is why we enjoyed fresh greens during our stay there.
We had fresh lettuce for our salads and basil for our pasta. There's a supply of rosemary for roast chicken or tarragon for tea. Plus we had a constant supply of freshly-picked mint leaves for our mojito night!
Jose L. Gonzaga Farmers Foundation, Inc.
Ian Gonzaga (0917) 3252426
Php300/person per night
They also arrange airport and ferry terminal transfers to Danao and meals. Ask about their custom-made tour packages to the Danao Adventure Park. And I highly-recommend that you have them arrange your visit to Danao.
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