TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE DIARIES

I have been sick while on holidays but the worse so far that I have ever experienced was last November 2014 when I went to Japan and the Philippines for my yearly Asian holiday. I didn’t get to see much of Tokyo (go here: Sick and Lost in Translation in Tokyo, Japan: At the Doctor's Clinic and Pharmacy ). I missed out on Yokohama. I missed out on Manila as well, as I was supposed to stay here for a few days. Lastly, I spent a week in a hospital in Cebu. The diagnosis: Pneumonia. The lobby of the hospital I stayed for a week in November 2014. All ready for the Christmas holidays. This sickness is a such a bitch because your whole immune system is literally down. I barely had the energy to move around and I just want to sleep all day. I was also wheezing and coughing the daylights out of me which worried my GP. She said there is something very wrong with the tune of my cough, and moreover, no phlegm was coming out. I also didn’t respond to antibiotics and medications for ...

So now we are on our last 2 stops for this Cebu South road trip. It has been great so far reconnecting with the island where I was born. My mom once told me, which the Dutchman loves to remind me from time to time — Wherever you are and no matter what circumstances you are in, you will always remain a Filipina, a Cebuana =) Argao’s Famous ‘Torta’ When I was young and when I think of Argao, I think of Argao Beach Club (changed name and owners already), Tableya (chocolate tablets for chocolate drink and porridge) and Torta. Argao’s Torta though is more popular than the Dalaguete Torta but if you were to ask me which I would set my heart on? I would pick Dalaguete’s, not because it is the underdog, but because it is lighter, waaaay lighter and fluffier as well. While the Argao Torta is heavy, thick, creamy and oily and interestingly, many Filipinos prefer this blend which comes not as a surprise really because the Filipino taste bud lean towards greasy. The greasier, the bette...

Just like Oslob, my mother told me that Boljoon doesn’t really have any local food specialty. She said that the town is mostly known for its scenic promenade and waterfront which I quite agree. I however did a little research and it looks like they have calamay, the sticky sweet dessert, and since I am not into sweets, it was not so bad to have missed it. Boljoon website: Boljoon  Boljoon Promenade Now I hope the local officials will further develop this promenade by maintaining its natural beauty and view, and not give in to careless development and reckless capitalism, such as placing a Jollibee store in the middle of it (like what happened to the Minglanilla Plaza). Ooops! I caught both in the act! Boljoon Church and Museum The Patrocino de Maria Church in Boljoon is said to be the oldest remaining stone church in Cebu. I did not go inside anymore because the rest are waiting for me in the car. Here is what I learned so far: There is a Museum beside the church ...

When I am travelling, I am always looking for that local specialty in town, and some culture as well. Last year while we were in Cebu, I made a pact with the parents, as well as with the Dutchman that we will be stopping by the main towns in the south of Cebu on our way back. The goal is to buy a local delicacy and see a bit of culture. My mom was totally into the plan because she likes anything that is food =) Now, this is going to be rather brief stops as we can’t have 2 men waiting impatiently inside the car, unless of course they want to join in, then I am lucky. These are the town centres that we will be stopping by – Santander, Oslob, Boljoon, Dalaguete, Argao and Carcar. Since it is impossible for me to put them all into 1 blog post, I will divide them by two’s. In search of Tostado in Santander, Cebu Trivia: Did you know that tostado is the main delicacy of Santander? It is that toasted biscuit in floral pattern. The town even has a festival called ‘Tostado Festival’...