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Created by Eugene Villar.

SITMO - Save The Ifugao Terraces Movement

If you are traveling around Ifugao, I suggest that you contact these two cool tour guides...


They are trustworthy and funny...


For more information about Ifugao tours, you may contact:

Jonathan Martin (+639061075933) or
Jovin (+639182829839)
Email: sitmo311@gmail.com

Thank you Benefactor! :)

This past weekend I was in Albay, specifically in Legazpi City. I was worried the whole time last week kung anong gagawin ko since I was gonna go there by myself. I actually have never toured a place by myself. It's either I go there and meet some friends or I go with friends. Eh kayalang, this time I didn't have a choice. Luckily I found Bicol Tours and Adventure. I HIGHLY Highly recommend this agency cuz Mercy and Kevin are really really nice. Mercy tried talaga to give me discount since ako lang mag isa.

Nung una kasi, she was giving the package tour for 5,500 pesos, whole day na daw yun. Eh of course, I'm not made of gold. I'm made of debt nga! :)

So ayun, I explained my situation, the fact na ako lang mag isa and if she can try to give me discount. That's what I realized here in the Philippines, yung mga package tours hindi pang single travelers, which I find kinda weird. I understand the concept of package tours pero syempre they have to realize din na not all travelers come with barkadas...diba?!?!

Pero in the end, she gave the tour for 3,500 pesos. It was good narin, marami narin nabawasan. So if you're going to Bicol, try Bicol Tours and Adventure and contact....

Mercy (agent)
09185626347 or 09223323278
mercy.bicoladventure@gmail.com

Kevin (driver and tour guide)
09166982283

Anyways, here are some pictures and where I went...

Just landed...I felt scared...it looks so majestic...introducing magayon (magandang) Mayon


Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave (in Tagalog, "ihip ng hangin")
Surprisingly, this cave is privately owned by 3 families. Malaki daw yung cave, pero dun sa second level lang kami pumunta. The other cave daw may water where you can swim pero it's a long trek daw. Hopefully hopefully next time...
Btw, the 3 families use this cave kapag may bagyo. Dito daw sila nag tutulog kapag malakas yung bagyo.




Busay Falls
Unfortunately hindi ko dala yung bathing suit ko. Sayang! Pero next time talaga...as in!




I ate the famous Pinangat (laing in gata) and Bicol Express...super spicy talaga. By the way, I learned na yung Bicol Express pala, Bicolanos eat that on the side lang with ulam. Hindi kagaya in Manila, they think it's ulam. Hindi naman pala ganun.

Sorry I don't have a picture of Bicol Express...i-Google nyo nalang...pero here's Pinangat....super sarap...meron pang tuyo sa gitna...


Cagsawa Ruins
Unfortunately, the weather was bad, I didn't even really see Mt. Mayon...buwsit na clouds!





On top of Lingnon Hill...you can see the entire Legazpi City and full view of Mt. Mayon. Kayalang yung half lang nakita ko...as in covered talaga ng clouds yung Mayon. Sayang nga, I wish may kasama ako, meron din silang zip-line for 200 pesos. Sayang talaga. Gusto ko nga sana...kayalang I changed my mind narin kc it felt too lonely just by myself and Mt. Mayon wasn't visible anyway...






Japanese Tunnel





Real artifact...


Daraga Church...





Tabaco City...known for their "itaks" 
This is one of the churches in the city. I noticed most of the churches in Albay have tower bells at the side of the church...



Highlight of the day...
I told Kevin gusto kong makakita ng mga abaca products and then sabi nya meron daw syang alam na abaca factory. Good thing he remembered and asked the locals kung saan. The business is owned by the Morin Family. The one that guided us through the factory was so nice. He showed us all the designs.

First, a sample rug..



Dyed abaca...


Two colors, black and white...


Flat abaca, used as wallpaper...



And finally my favorite, new technique daw...abaca and wool...wool is imported from States...



Raw abaca...



This place is the best kept secret. I bought 3 place mats for only 130 pesos each (6 pieces). So super cheap right? As in!!! Grabeh, kung sa Manila mo lang bilin yan, double the price na, mga 300+ pesos na.

Kayalang the only downside sa trip...eh kc super nakikitipid ako...so ayun I didn't realize na yung hotel kung saan ako nag check-in is hostel type pala. Nyek! As you know, super maarte ako when it comes to hotel rooms and hotel banyos...mah gosh! I survived naman pero hIndi ko kinaya talaga!!! Shet!!! Benefector where were you?!? :)

Closet type room :)


So-called bathroom...


Anyways, shut up na...ang arte ko talaga! In fairness meron naman cable and aircon.
***Note to self: check room first before paying or bring a Benefactor.