Category: Philippines
REJUVENATING THE SOUL AT PULANG TUBIG WATERFALL IN PATAG
After spending some time in Ilaya Highland Resort in Patag, the kids and I decided to trek to Pulang Tubig Waterfall. Pulang Tubig is one of the beautiful attractions of Patag which is very popular for its beautiful surroundings and unspoilt nature.
You can hire a tour guide for 250php to go trekking to this fall which is about an hour’s trek from Patag.
Patag is a small village that is popularly known as the last stronghold of the Japanese Imperial Forces during the second world war. It is also known as the pre-war site of a hospital for recuperating patients suffering from tuberculosis. It is now the favorite destinations of locals and tourists alike. Due to its altitude the cool weather has remained a perfectly good reason for nature lover to hike to the cool mountains of Patag.
Trekking the fall is quite an adventure and fun. We had to trek through the jungle were a real sight to behold. I love rainforest and jungle. I could not imagine a world where I was not surrounded by the beauty of the trees.
The trek can be arduous at times we needed to wade through the cool water of a stream.
Jumped from one boulders to another. Some of the boulders are also very slippery so be sure to bring footwear with good tread.
Hurdled over green bushes and trees.
Had to be careful while walking along some pretty steep hillsides.
The trek is pretty demanding but manageable amid spectacular views as the scenery continuously changes, traveling to the impressive Pulang Tubig waterfall. After an hour of gruelling zigzag trek up a rewarding view awaits. One can not hear any sound other than the roar of the falling water. The sight of the water falling in great volume or from mighty height is a beautiful sight.
The beauty and charisma of this waterfall is so immense. Its natural beauty and soothing effect is always exceptionally terrific for almost everyone. I could feel the power, hear the roar of the grandiose waterfall hitting the river. The cool mist sprinkled my skin was truly an encompassing sensory experience.
The waters flowing over the cascade become so irresistible, and you can not help but get inside the waters just for a small dip at least. The entire scene is really hypnotic and pulls you closer.
Nature in its purest form is all we need to heal any worrying and ailing soul. Sometimes this is all we need…. to unplug and connect with nature.
YOUR BREATHLESS ESCAPE – ILAYA HIGHLAND RESORT
If you are looking for a quick getaway after a stressful and busy day check out the newly opened resort that’s quite popular already among Silaynon – the Ilaya Highland Resort.
Tucked away in the quiet country side just 40 minutes from Silay City proper Ilaya Highland Resort offers a total seclusion while remaining in easy reach of many famous tourist sights. The location of this luxury resort is nothing short of fabulous with the resort perched high up on a hillside overlooking the mountains surrounding Patag.
The resort is a perfect getaway for couples, friends and families wanting to enjoy time together in the countryside.
The infinity pool is one of the main attraction of the resort which offers a beautiful mountainous backdrop. It tends to get crowded especially on weekends and holidays.
Resort Policy:
- Outside food and drinks can not be brought into the premises of the resort. The resort has its own restaurant which serve a variety of food to please every palate.
- All persons entering the pool area will be charged an admission fee. Please present the ticket to the lifeguard at the pool. All swimmers must shower before entering the pool. The use of proper swimwear is strictly observed in the swimming pool. Lifeguards are authorised to enforce all safety rules and facility policies posted or otherwise approved by the management.
The resort is a work on progress so for the time being overnight stay is not available however the management has a future plans of building glamping pods and villas.
INHALE the fresh mountain air and EXHALE your worries. Received an inclusive EXPERIENCE you deserved only at Ilaya Highland Resort.
CHADA GID ANG NEGROS ( NEGROS IS BEAUTIFUL)
Negros is an Island in the Philippines which is the fourth largest in the country with a land area of 5,137.87 sqmi. Negros is one of the many islands that comprise the Visayas, which forms the central division of the nation ( source Wikipedia).
Negros is a beautiful island surrounded by rugged mountains, pristine beaches, beautiful underwater coral gardens that must be added to your bucket list on your next travel. Travelling and exploring the hidden gems of Negros is fun with friendly locals who are very accommodating and extremely welcoming. An added bonus, it is very cheap to travel in Negros, surely you will have a great value for your money 🙂
I am sharing this travel experience of a friend of mine “Pobreng Lagaan (The Poor Traveller)” around Negros. Check this out!
This restless soul of mine was delighted after our two days of tremendous quest of some Negros’ hidden gems. Those picturesque scenarios at Puncak Tan-awan, Balinsasayao Twin Lakes, Casaroro Falls and Forest Camp are just too few to showcase the real beauty of Negros Oriental but it already convince myself to say “Chada gid ang Negros Bai” ( Negros is Beautiful My Friend).
Getting around Negros was actually one of the most incredible experienced I had so far. It was Saturday when everyone was already set for our Negros adventure except me. Having a second thoughts I decided to go after them. It was almost 12:00 noon when I boarded the bus from Tabunoc going to Liloan Port. After four hours of travel with massive commuters from Baruganay to Show and Tabunok to Oslob) finally I arrived at my destination. From the port I bought a ticket and sailed in a fast craft going to Sibulan. It took me 45 minutes to arrive from Oslob port to Sibulan Port. It was very relaxing to feel the gentle sway of the boat but honestly I was a bit scared. I was anxious a feeling of fear where an emotion that evolved to keep us safe from danger. Good thing the boat did not sink haha.
I sighed in relief when finally I arrived at the drop-off point. I flag down a habal-habal ( a motorcycle modified to seat more than two persons. It is in use in provinces in the Philippines where jeepneys and tricycles cannot stand the rough, steep terrain and narrow roads) to bring me to Puncak Tan-awan. You need to register before you can get to the Peak. They offered to drive me going to the peak since it was already late. It would take me an hour and thirty minutes to reach the top of the peak but I opted to not to. Trekking is a healthy physical exercise that creates a wonderful experience. It provides me an opportunity to slow down and disconnect into the chaotic world. Besides it was fun and I love the stillness and calm of an empty trail. The trek to the peak was easy. It took me an hour to trek the peak but going uphill needed an extra precautions to avoid slipping.
When I finally reached the camp where my friends are I was extremely happy. It was a great feeling.
INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOTS IN SILAY CITY
Silay City my hometown, is a third class city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. It is often referred to as the “Paris of Negros because of its rich heritage history, well-preserved arts, cultures and Spanish colonial houses.
Aside from heritage houses, Silay has so much to offer both for tourists and locals alike. There are breathtaking sights to see which is perfect to put on your instagram profile!
So here are some of Silay City most-instagram-worthy spot. All you have to do is grab your phone or camera to capture the moment.
SILAY SPANISH COLONIAL HOUSES
https://travelistajournal.blog/category/follow-me-to-silay-heritage-houses
Silay Spanish colonial houses located along Cinco de Noviembre Street that have been long a sightseeing attractions for tourists. 29 of these ancestral houses considered heritage treasures by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
SILAY CITY MINI PARK IN FRONT OF CITY HALL
This is one of the underrated spot in Silay. This spot is located right in front of Silay City Hall beside the San Diego Parish church. Wear your OOTD and snap a picture at this iconic statues.
SAN DIEGO PARISH CHURCH
You don’t have to go to Rome to post for a picture of their famous churches. The San Diego Parish Church proves to have those structures comparable to Rome churches. This church is unique in Negros Occidental for being the only church in the province featuring a cupola or dome.
MANGROVE ECO PARK
Mangrove eco park is located in Balaring. The park consists of a long bamboo walkways that winds through a forest of Mangrove trees which the local government and residents have constructed for easier access. This is one of Silay tourist attractions.
Inside the mangrove eco park is so cool and calm, the shades will sparing you from the sun’s glare. The view is relaxing and admiring. It is a little sanctuary where you can feel serenity, tranquility, and a gateway, out into the open seas.
Mangroves play a vital role in establishing the slightest ecological imbalance. Mangroves not only help in preventing soil erosion but also act as catalyst in reclaiming land from seas.
BALARING THE SEAFOOD CAPITAL OF SILAY
Balaring is a small barangay or village located kilometres away from the city proper, with panoramic sea view, stunning sunset and an array of seafood restaurants.
Each one of us loves a good sunset. Balaring is an amazing place to sit back, relax and enjoy as the sun slowly bids goodbye to the day that is just flown by.
LANTAWAN VIEW SILAY
https://travelistajournal.blog/2017/05/21/majestic-view-of-lantawan-peak-at-lantawan-view-silay
The place is surrounded by greenery and fresh air. The scenery is so beautiful. You felt you are being transported into a paradise realm where the Earth is still pure and fresh and nourishing.
LANTAWAN ZIGZAG ROAD
The zigzag drive going to Lantawan view and Patag is very scenic. The landscape is very picturesque and the drive is definitely worth it. People stop here to take photos. I would say this is a dream destination for every photographers. So don’t forget to bring your camera.
PATAG THE SUMMER GATEWAY
Patag is a small village that is popularly known as the last stronghold of the Japanese Imperial Forces during the second world war. It is also known as the pre-war site of a hospital for recuperating patients suffering from tuberculosis.
Patag is know the favorite destinations of locals and tourists. Due to its altitude the cool weather has remained a perfectly good reason for people to hike to the cool mountains of Patag.
PUNONG GARY’S PLACE
https://travelistajournal.blog/2016/11/08/punong-garys-place-blissful-little-sanctuary/
The place is not far from the centre of Silay City but secluded enough for relaxing surrounded by nature. The place is a blissful sanctuary which reminds me of Bali Indonesia. The place is absolutely lovely surrounded with big towering old trees.
So the next time you visit Silay City, check out theses places and don’t forget to bring your camera to take nice photos and post away 🙂
HUGYAW SILAY KANSILAY FESTIVAL
Local and tourists alike flocked to the street of Silay City, Negros Occidental to witness the most grandeurs street dance competition in celebration of the city’s charter day. The Hugyaw Silay Kansilay Festival is the main highlight of the week-long celebration of Silay 60th anniversary which runs from June 6 – 12, 2017. The festival was derived from the story of Kansilay which also the etymology of the city’s name.
The festival is an annual street dance competition wherein participants from 16 barangays or villages wear a colorful costumes made from indigenous materials while they performed gracefully and lively in the tune of Asenso Silay. The streets filled with a festive atmosphere as the crowd cheer for their own bet.
After showing the dance steps in the streets, the contingents compete in the dance show down at the Silay City plaza covered court wherein they can showcase their creativity and artistry as they swinged and moved energetically to the rhythm of the music.
TRIVIA: KANSILAY a local legend tells of how Silay got it name. It is said that in the days of the datus and rajahs, there once lived a princess named Kansilay. An attack on the settlement by pirates thwarted when princess bravely led the people in the village’s defense. The fight was furious and the princess fought like a seasoned warrior. Murals that used to grace some of the city’s building depict her as a fierce fighter wielding a huge talibong, a short native single-edged sword. The pirates routed, but the cost of the princess’ life. Her paramour arrived in time to see her die. In grief, the people lovingly buried her. To their surprise, a tree grew over her grave, the first Kansilay tree, a final gift from the brave princess. (source Wikipedia)
TRIVIA: Silay became a chartered city on June 12, 1957 by virtue of Republic Act 1621.
The increasing popularity of the Hugyaw Kansilay Festival year after year is a testimony of Silay’s strength as one key player in the tourism industry.
KAON TA LIWAT SILAY FOOD FESTIVAL
KAON TA LIWAT Food Festival is part of the week-long celebration of Silay City 60th anniversary which runs from June 6-12, 2017. The food festival was launched in November 5, 2016 during the Cinco de Noviembre Commemoration. The said food festival showcasing the local homemade cuisines and food delicacies of the town help boost the tourism industry of Silay.
Aside from culture, arts and heritage, FOOD is considered as one of the major pillars of the tourism industry. Silay is not only a home for heritage houses but also a melting pot of sumptuous local cuisines and mouth-watering native delicacies.
Disclaimer: Video not mine taken from the Facebook page of Kaon Ta Food Festival
The food festival opens at 8:00 a.m. and run until night-time for two consecutive days (June 10-11, 2017) at Balay Negrense Museum ballpark displaying an array of delicacies and homemade cuisines. The said event is a good venue for family bonding and get together as well. Filipinos love to eat and food is the basis of our social life and is a huge part of Filipino culture.
Here are some of the photos that I took during the food festival this morning.
HOPIA SIBUYAS (ONION)
HOPIA is a sweet party with a flaky crust and filled with sweet mung bean or mongo bean.
KADIOS BABOY LANGKA (KBL)
KBL is a very popular Ilonggo dish and well loved cuisines known as KBL stands for Kayos (pigeon peas, Baboy (pork) and Langka (jackfruit)
Vinegar with chilli, ginger and garlic (dipping sauce / condiments)
OYSTERS
Filipinos like condiments and fond of dipping on or pairing anything with our dishes. Eating oysters would not be perfect without dipping it into vinegar with chilli, ginger and garlic.
Aside from food and delicacies there are also souvenirs items being sold made by local artists of Silay like ref magnets, key chains made of lutak or clay, wire sculpture of Ian Valladarez.
Ref Magnet
Key Chain made in Lutak or Clay
IAN VALLADAREZ amazing wire sculpture.
KAON TA LIWAT SILAY FOOD FESTIVAL is more than just an opportunity to try the Silaynon delectable food and learn about Silaynon culture. This is an invitation for the community and visitors to come, eat and be a part of the celebration. A great opportunity to come out and support our local food business industries as well.
Whether you are a serious foodies or just curious to learn more of the heritage tour this is the event that everyone must look forward to every year and something that everyone should come out and experience.
KAON TA! (LET’S EAT)
MAJESTIC VIEW OF LANTAWAN PEAK AT LANTAWAN VIEW SILAY
There is no better way to explore Silay City, Negros Occidental than our winding, curvy mountains road to Patag and to the majestic view of the Lantawan Peak. The road going up to Lantawan Peak is clean and surrounded by mountains of green, tall trees and sugar cane plantations that can be seen along the side. Negros Occidental is the Philippines’ major sugar producer, contributing over half to the country’s total production.
As you approach the top you will be in awe by the beauty and simplicity of rural life. It was a quiet scenic ride all the way up to Lantawan View Silay. At the top, there is a campground and a distance away is the forest seedling of mahogany trees. The mahogany tree (Swietenia mahagoni) is a large tropical tree with a semievergreen growth habit.
Due to its popularity and known for its view that overlooks the Lantawan Peak, the owner decided to put up an accommodation offering a tent-style accommodations and a basic cottages. The place has a bathroom for male and female where you can take a shower and a small store that offers small bites for snack. They have a wide space to park your 4 or 2 wheels service as well.
In preserving the beauty of the place, visitors and guests are not allowed to pick flowers and carving trees.
The best part of our road trip was seeing the majestic mountains of Lantawan Peak surrounded by greenery and fresh air was truly amazing. The scenery is so beautiful, no words can describe how I felt that day. I felt I transported into a paradise realm where the Earth is still pure, fresh and nourishing. The view was just so amazing that I stood glued by the beauty of the mountains. I was totally captivated by its grandeur.
Lantawan Peak is the northernmost peak of Mount Silay. The peak is largely uninhabited, especially its back country Southern side. Likely most of the peak of the mountain, Lantawan is largely covered by forest. The first recorded climb of the peak done by Joseph Victor Magdato, Mark Anthony Maja and John Paul Salcedo who scaled it on October 3, 2005.
Elevation (feet) is 3,442. Latitude: 10 49 58.44″. Longitude: 123 14’9.96″
It was almost late in the afternoon when we headed back to the city, as we descend I saw beautiful flame trees (fire trees, Delonix regia) along the side of the road. It is a flowering tree that grows in many tropical parts of the world, like the Philippines.
The leaves of the tree look like Fire. It is red, yellow and orange. So beautiful to see. How the shade and the sun connect. It makes me felt I was in a field of fire.
The sky turned into orange, yellow, red and blue and imagine strolling through these trees with leaves the color of fire. I just wish everything just stop. It was amazing. Orange, yellow, red all different colors really made me felt warm inside as I said goodbye to this beautiful country side of my home town.
I am going back someday…..
FINDING HERITAGE – HACIENDA ADELA CATHOLIC TRADITIONS
This is not a docu short about rituals of faith during the Semana Santa. I and Hannah did this story about a hacienda and a beauty queen. Hacienda Adela, a sugar plantation tucked between mountains and sea in the Philippine city of Silay – also known as the “Paris of Negros” island – the region’s cultural center. It is home to sacadas (migrant workers) and dumaans (originals), who have managed to preserve centuries-old Roman Catholic traditions, including saying chants in Latin, even by those workers who have not reached secondary school. Miss Culture World Rizza Paula Lacson is seeking to discover heritage worth preserving. When the past and present, old and new meet, and intersect, heritage reveals itself – Julius Marvels.
Holy Week in the Philippines is a significant religious observance for the Roman Catholic majority and most Protestant groups. It begins on Palm Sunday and continues Maundy Thursday, when businesses in the Philippines either shut down operations until Black Sunday or have the late opening and earlier closing times. Many communities observe Spanish influenced Catholic rituals such as processions, with many having been syncretized with pre-Hispanic beliefs. This is evident practices and many superstitions associated with the occasion.
The recitation of chanting of the Passion story of Jesus -the Pabasa ng Pasyon – is one of the oldest Holy Week traditions in the Philippines. Since 17th century believers have gathered that week to pray by singing or reading a story of the Passion of Jesus of epic singing that predates’s rise in the Philippines. In some urban areas in the Philippines, Pabasa ng Pasyon is a declining traditions, but there are always people who make a panata (vow) to participate and such practice remains strong in HACIENDA ADELA in Silay City, Negros Occidental. They are the living heritage. The folks continue to practice these oral traditions so that the younger generation can still experience them in the future.
EXPERIENCE SILAY CITY CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
Experience Christmas Village in Silay City, its joyful atmosphere with thousands of glittering Christmas lights, colorful lanterns or referred as “parol” in Filipino lingo, creative Christmas decorations and manger displayed all over the plaza that will truly bring you and your family into the perfect Christmas mood. A Nights of Shimmering Lights a great place to meet up with friends, stroll along with family, loved ones and take pictures.
What is Christmas Village?
The time of the year wherein the communities start making their Christmas lanterns, holiday decor and “Christmas arko” ( arko is a Silaynon symbol for welcome and the hope of the Silaynons for a more progressive future) being displayed in Silay City Plaza for the Yuletide Season to show their craftsmanship and creativity.
This year the participating communities and barangay who are vying for the awards expected to join the theme “Masanag nga Paskwa sa Pag-asenso sang Dakbanwa” ( A Bright Christmas For A Progressive City). Lanterns, Christmas decor and arko are made of recyclable materials and Mountain Dew plastic bottles.
Christmas Village has been a long tradition which started as early as 1840 with the aim to beautify the plaza and bring together the community during the Yuletide season which continually grown over the years.
Exactly 7:30 P.M. on December 11, 2016 the plaza illuminated with twinkling lights followed by the “Employees Christmas Extravaganza” a show that brings together favorite Disney heroes, princess and villains. After the show was the fireworks display shining in the sky. So beautiful to watch!
TRAVELISTA JOURNAL 
You must be logged in to post a comment.