D' Family Park

Finally, I was able to visit the Family Park or D' Family Park in Nasipit, Talamban.  It wasn't difficult to locate since the entrance is just a few meters from the left side of the University of San Carlos School. There is this large identification board at the side of the road.

I  walked all the way from the entrance to the other side and around the park grounds. Its a huge park, around 20 hectares.  There's a mini zoo for animals rescued from neglect, a swimming pool, a pond and a football size open field for families. 

I was at the park on a Sunday and found what seems to be a considerable part of Cebu's population.  The family park has slowly become the unofficial park of Cebu City. 

For Cebuanos who are thinking of walking and hiking as a replacement for gym workout, this is a good area to start.

I've read somewhere there are those planning to use the ASEAN Friendship Garden as reception area for a wedding except that the Gazebo was yet unfinished.  I'd like to announce that the pavilion structure is done and ready for use.  It is indeed an ideal place for a wedding reception and  for those who want to save several pesos for more important things.  the Gazebo is big enough to also serve as bandstand or rain shelter.

The jeepney fare from USC main to Talamban is Php 9.00.  D' Family Park entrance fee is Php 10.00 for an adult

Tabor Hills

It's nearly holy week and people go home to their towns to relax and meditate.  Some do a self introspection in quiet and peaceful places.

Out of curiosity, I visited Tabor Hills in Talamban. The site has attracted many religious pilgrims in Cebu since the OAD Mission developed the site for the 16 Stations for prayer and meditation in 1998. The OAD itself is an old Augustinian society going back to 1558.

I learned from my officemates that it is an ideal place to spend Holy Thursday. The well-paved paths and the artful grottos depicting the passion and special shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mother and favorite saints are well sheltered by trees and open air structures.

On April 1, several devotees are expected to make their way to Tabor Hills. Since I don't like crowds, I visited the place early. You can get to Tabor Hills by riding a Talamban bound jeepney. Get off a corner near a signage of the  North General Hospital. Take a motorcycle for hire at the side of the rode. The "habal-habal" will take you to the gate of the seminary. Jeepney fare one-way is Php 10.00. Motorcycle fare one-way is Php 10.00

Carcar Shoe Expo

Our national office wanted to do a video documentation as part of their report during the execom meeting. My boss was tasked to act as one of the reporters.  I did the script for her segment.

One of the areas chosen for the video documentation was Carcar, a heritage town which is 40 kilometers south of Cebu City.  Carcar has as its "One Town One Product" the shoes and sandals produced by local artisans.  Some of these sandals are unique because local raw materials are used such as raffia, jute, abaca twine and inlaid shells.

The Carcar Shoe Expo is a vending area for local shoemakers.  It is actually a regular part of the itinerary of tourists who visit Cebu. 

We had to use the office van so we can bring along the needed equipment and paraphernalia for the shoot.  As expected, the video shoot took longer than the three minutes given for the segment.  We finished the shoot after wading through a horde of tourists wanting to buy sandals at bargain prices.

Still, I was able to grab a few "devious" moments of delight.  It was amusing to watch my boss while she was practicing her lines at  nearly 12 noon under the heat of the sun, while I was standing in the shade sipping chilled water and munching on boiled banana.

After an arduous video shoot, the day ended with a hearty late lunch of tinola and inasal.  The videographer and interviewer bought a few sandals as souvenirs.

Chinese Cuisine at Plaridel Extension

It felt like being in China ... the Mandarin chatterings of  diners, the chinese characters on the bottled drink, the chinese language newspaper on the table, and most especially the tangy and flavorful Lomi soup. 

From my photos of the dining area, you wouldn't have guessed that this was just a "hole in the wall" restaurant at Plaridel extension in Cebu City.

Of course the proprietors of Ning Nan Chinese Cuisine can always achieve that authentic ambience since they happen to be migrants from the land of the "dancing dragon."

The Lomi soup is made up of noodles, egg, slices of pork or beef, minced vegetables, and spices. It's not only delicious and filling; it is also cheap at  50.00 pesos.

The restaurant is accessible since it is along the road. It is at the side of Princess Bazaar. 

Balamban Town Center

 I started traveling towards Balamban town center at 10:30 in the morning, distracted and anxious about my trip to Iloilo and Bacolod since i'd be arriving at night. I was worried about how I'm going to manage during the four days of the holy week in places I wasn't yet familiar.

I don't know what got into me, but when I saw the low, low fares Cebu Pacific Airlines offered I grabbed it. Someday I would have to change the title of my blog to "Walk Philippines." I have an inkling that I'd be traveling more often outside Cebu on weekends. And maybe who knows, when I retire, I'd be able to circumnavigate the world... ha.. ha ha..

In the meantime Balamban. Judging by the look of its gleaming, new municipal hall, this small town has become a bit more prosperous this year. I bought a piece of their famous pork liempo --- the original Balamban liempo, yummy! It tastes like Cebu's lechon baboy without much of the fat. I ate this for lunch along with "utan" (native vegetables) at their Food Mart which is a few steps away from the bayside.

There's also their town plaza overlooking the sea. Its not exactly like the bayside area of Dumaguete City, but still attractive. The town has a vibrant public market teeming with vendors and shoppers.

I took the Citilink V-hire GT Express to Balamban near the South Bus Terminal. I paid Php 100.00 fare.

it seems that the GT Express has become as ubiquitous as the jeepney in this part of Cebu. The vans ply the routes that jeepneys or buses do not usually take.