5 DAYS BACKPACKING NEGROS+SIQUIJOR

Im dreaming of visiting all the 80 provinces of the Philippines. September last year when a budget airline Cebu Pacific Air offers a 1 peso fare for all their domestic destinations. Without hesitations I grab the opportunity. I booked a flight from Manila bound to Bacolod then Dumaguete to Manila. This 5 days trip would cover the 3 provinces- Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

The Ruins in Talisay, Negros Occidental

Day 1

• arrived at the Bacolod-Silay Airport
• explore the heritage city of Silay
• dine  at El Ideal Bakery
• glimsed of yesteryear at The Ruins in Talisay
• tasted the famous Bacolod chicken inasal
• checked-in at Bacolod Pension House
• roamed around the City of Smile-Bacolod City

Day 2

•  jogged at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol grounds
•  hop a mini-bus bound for Mambukal in Murcia
•  explore the waterfalls of Mambukal Resort
•  checked-in at Ong Bun Pension House

San Isidro Labrador Church in Lazi,Siquijor

Day 3

• travelling from Bacolod to Dumaguete
• arrived at Dumaguete City seaport
• boarded a ferry boat to Siquijor
• arrived at the Island of Fire- Siquijor
• eat lunch at the Diamond de Siquijor Beach House restaurant
• rested from the long hours of travelling

Day 4

• explore the whole island of Siquior

Siliman University in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental

Day 5

• jog with the locals at the Rizal Boulevard in Dumaguete
• roam around the City of Gentle People-Dumaguete
• from sweets to streets foodtrip

A STORMY TRIP TO CAGAYAN VALLEY

Despite the typhoon hitting the Cagayan valley I pushed through with my plans of travelling the north. I was in the middle of traffic jam along EDSA boarding a bus going to Victory Liner terminal in Kamuning QC when my officemate texted me what she heard in the news. I replied to her to pray for my safety and my bahala na si Batman attitude rules.

It was raining when I left Manila that evening. After 8 hours of traveling I safely reached Santiago City in Isabela. I eat in one of the fast-food there to fill my stomach for the rest of the day adventure. I strolls the city even if it’s raining. I don’t want to waste a single minute of my time.

Places I visited:

•         Balay Santiago
•         Magat Dam
•         Callao Cave
•         Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral
•         Lady of Piat Church
•         Buntun Bridge
•         Cagayan River

Food I eat:

•         Pancit patil-patung
•         Pawa
•         Chicharabao

I stayed at Hotel Candice.

My original plan is to navigate the northern Luzon loop, from Isabela to Cagayan down to Ilocos Norte and back to Manila. But due to the typhoon some of the bridges that connecting Cagayan valley and Ilocos region were damaged so I have no choice but to go back to Manila boarding a bus from Tuguegarao.

Spending two days in Cagayan Valley is a memorable trip that I will try again soon. Hopefully the weather would cooperate with me the next time! :)