I drew a blank for every futile attempt to blog about our two-day excursion in Tibiao, Antique because I’m always at loss for words.
But how could I not? Its enchanting, pristine beauty has held me hostage and left me utterly speechless.
Tibiao is a large expanse of open fields, lush greens, verdant mountains and relaxing tropical scenery.
It is a wonderful respite for all those who seek serenity outside the hustles and bustles of everyday life.
There is just something about the beauty of nature that can have a profound effect on our senses.
The tranquility of silent rivers calms the cluttered mind.
The invigorating fresh air enhances mood and revitalizes the body.
The stillness of the mountains brings peace and healing to the weary soul.
Happiness can be found outdoors and so I invite you to come to Tibiao to reconnect with nature.
HOW TO GET TO TIBIAO, ANTIQUE Tibiao, Antique is a great travel destination for nature lovers, soul searchers and budget backpackers. It is located in the heart of Antique province and can be reached by plane via Caticlan or Iloilo.
From Caticlan From Caticlan Jetty Port Terminal, walk to the bus terminal nearby and take a bus that is bound for San Jose. It will pass through several towns before it reaches to Tibiao. Average travel time is 2 hours.
From Iloilo
From Molo Terminal, take a bus or van that is bound for Culasi or Caticlan. Just ask to be dropped off at Tibiao. Average travel time is 2-3 hours.
WHERE TO STAY
I recommend staying at Kasa Raya. I will talk more about it in another post soon.
The one thing I hated when traveling in Panay is commuting on the road. I once expressed my disdain about it here. But that has changed since I found out about Southwest Tours.
Southwest Tours provides a simple, affordable and hassle-free vehicle transfer service from Kalibo to Boracay. For only 650 PHP, you get a one-way door-to-door transfer inclusive of the terminal, environmental and other miscellaneous fees.
After payment is made, Southwest Tours will take care of everything so there’s nothing else to do but to just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride to Boracay.
Stationed at Kalibo Airport, they have buses that go to and fro Caticlan every day. You can check their bus schedule here.
I must point out that their air-conditioned buses are clean and modern. I love how everybody gets a seat!
About midway in transit, the bus makes a short stop at Ibajay Rest Area so passengers can relieve themselves, stretch or buy snacks.
Thanks to Southwest Tours we didn’t have to go through the hassle of registering and paying fees upon arriving in Caticlan. We were given access to an Express Lane and just breezed through all the lines as we presented our Southwest Tours badge and tickets.
They also have a chartered boat transfer from Caticlan to Boracay. Absolutely convenient!
Upon arriving in Boracay, a van was already waiting for us and we were then dropped off to our designated hotels door-to-door.
Southwest Tours made our trip easy, comfortable, seamless and stress-free! Their excellent service and unbeatable prices make me wanna travel with them again. I highly recommend them!
Do note that airline rates vary daily from airline to airline so I suggest checking Skyscanner to score the best deals.
HOW TO GET THERE BY SEA
As far as I know, Kalibo has no major ports. However, there are other ports within Aklan that are only about an hour or less away from Kalibo. These said ports are in Caticlan and Dumaguit. Check out Romblon Shipping Lines (formerly MBRS), Moreta Shipping Lines and 2Go (formerly Negros Navigation) for more information.
HOW TO GET THERE BY LAND
From Iloilo
Go to Tagbak Terminal and take a bus or van that is bound for Kalibo. Fare is more or less 230 pesos. Average travel time is 3 hours.
From Roxas
Go to Pueblo de Panay and take a bus or van that is bound for Kalibo. Fare is more or less 120 pesos. Average travel time is 1.5 hours.
From Antique
Go to San Jose Terminal and take a bus that is bound for Kalibo. Fare is more or less 250 pesos. Average travel time is 5 hours.
Actual fares may vary without prior notice.
WHERE TO STAY
There are a lot of factors involved when it comes to finding a place to stay and that includes the location, your budget and the type of amenities you are looking for. I recommend that you check the following websites to find out what place would suit your needs best:
Agoda
I’ve booked hotels through Agoda a couple of times and I love it. They have a great network of hotels to choose from at competitive prices.
AirBNB
I’ve also booked through AirBNB and this is a personal favorite. AirBNB offers the most unique travel experiences that can perfectly suit your budget and needs.
Booking I personally haven’t used Booking before but they also have good deals and a wide selection of hotels to choose from.
All of the websites I’ve mentioned are secure, fast and easy-to-use. It is highly recommended that you book several months in advance. Not only will you get good value for your money, you will also have more and better options. The last thing you want to happen is settling for a shoddy place or worse – not be able to find a place to stay at all!
WHAT TO WEAR
Rule of thumb: Wear something comfortable. Remember you’ll be out in the streets all day long so wear light, airy fabrics (something you don’t mind getting soiled) that allow you to move freely and shoes that are made for walking.
WHAT TO DO
Plan Ahead Familiarize the site, know your routes and set a schedule of your activities.
Charge Up
Make sure to charge all your batteries and carry extra battery packs for your gadgets with you if you can. You don’t want your phone or camera dying on you, right?
Stay Connected Should you be traveling with friends, make sure to obtain their phone numbers and set up meet-up rules in case you get separated during the festival. But if you’re traveling solo, let some people around you know about your plans, make friends along the way and store emergency contact details.
Beat the Heat
Keep yourself protected from nature’s death ray a.k.a. The Sun by wearing a pair of sunglasses/cap/scarf and putting on some sunscreen.
Stay Hydrated Drink lots of water and have a bottle of water with you at all times to avoid dehydration and nasty hangovers (if you’re drinking that is).
Drink Responsibly Should you drink, drink sensibly, pace yourself and make sure to know your limits. Never get black-out drunk because you then get to miss out on all the fun.
Eat Well
Going out on an empty stomach is always a bad idea. Eat energy boosting foods that can help sustain you for the entire day. Trust me, you’ll need it.
Stay Safe Although Ati-atihan Festival is the safest festival I’ve been to, it still pays to prepare for the worst. Use your common sense, secure your belongings, always be aware of your surroundings and know where to get help in case of emergency.
Carpe Diem
Social media updates can wait. Enjoy and live in the moment.
Relax
When you’re feeling tired, take some time out to cool down and rest.
I hope you found this post helpful! If you haven’t read my Ati-atihan blog nor seen the vlog yet, you should.
Disclaimer:
Some images used on this post are taken from the web and believed to be in the public domain. Credit is given where it is due.
Boracay is all about having fun with the 3 S’s: sea, sun and sand. And I think the best way to enjoy all three of them is to be a mermaid! Yes, you read that right!
They have a team of experienced and professional mermaids who can teach you their fabulous “mermaiding” ways with strict adherence to safety standards, of course.
You can rent out a mermaid tail for only 500 PHP an hour (there are a lot of colors to choose from by the way). But if you want to learn how to swim in them, you’ll need to shell out 1500 PHP.
Being a mermaid is a lot tougher than it looks. With both feet locked together, it can feel a little constricting and any movement which involves the lower extremities would become unnaturally difficult. But with proper instruction and practice, it gets a little easier.
It was so much fun being a mermaid that I won’t mind doing it all over again!
If you like to see me mermaiding in action and the rest of our Boracay adventure, please check out our vlog:
Five months ago, my boyfriend and I had another epic adventure in the island of Panay. Our first agenda: Kalibo, Aklan.
For the first time, I was able to experience Ati-atihan Festival – the oldest festival in the Philippines which goes all the way back to the 1200′s and has been celebrated for more than 800 years now.
Coined as “the Mother of all Festivals”, the Ati-atihan Festival is held annually in January to commemorate
Sto. Niño, the patron saint of Kalibo. But before the Spanish colonization, it was originally a pagan festival to honor an anito god of the Ati people, the first inhabitants of Panay Island.
Ati-atihan means “to be like the Ati people”. If you’re Filipino, you know that word repetition may denote roleplay. Think “balay-balay” or “bahay-bahayan”.
The major streets of Kalibo were filled with an endless sea of people participating with what the locals call “sadsad”, a nonstop parade of street dancing and merrymaking as a thanksgiving devotion.
The steady, rhythmic pounding of the drums and xylophones never stop. Echoing late into night till the sun rises again – it literally goes on for days. The beat is so intoxicating that one cannot help but just dance away without care.
Adorned with elaborate, colorful costumes, the blackened street dancers also parade and dance to the beat along the streets of Kalibo.
Unlike other festivals we’ve been to, Ati-atihan allows everyone to be a part of the joyous, colorful parade and not just be mere spectators.
If drinking is your thing, be ready to take free shots from strangers in the most unconventional ways possible.
And yes, that guy is drinking beer right out of a plunger. Don’t worry. That’s clean and brand new, of course, in case you’re wondering.
Night and day, day and night… It is unfathomable how the people of Kalibo are able to sustain such festive momentum. The flow of their energy is unparalleled.
Popular practices on Ati-atihan festival include dancing, parading, costume play, feasting and many more.
Ati-atihan festival is like a cosplay convention, gay parade and Mardi Gras rolled into one. It’s definitely my favorite Philippine festival so far!
Just when think you’ve seen everything, you haven’t. Check out our vlog to see more of this year’s Ati-atihan Festival. The video may not be viewable on some mobile devices.
We strongly recommend that you use a conventional PC or MAC.
If you like seeing more of our videos, please give us a thumbs up on YouTube. Enjoy!
Cafe Noriter is a Korean coffee shop franchise based in Cebu City.
Noriter is actually a Korean word which translates to “playground” in English.
Aptly named, there are two-story play dens inside this unconventional cafe where customers can nestle in and enjoy coffee.
The vibrant and colorful interior is very appealing to young people like us who want a cozy place to hang out and have a good time.
Everyone is free to stick photos and personalized notes on the ceiling, walls, shelves and just about anywhere which add to the playful and carefree vibe that Cafe Noriter exudes.
I find their menu rather limited in choices though. The prices are a tad steep (150~180 PHP) yet I can’t find any reason to complain. Considering the ambiance, free WiFi, friendly wait staff and terrific service, the prices are (in my mind) well-justified.
My boyfriend and I managed to score a spot in one of their elevated play dens which gave us a wonderful bird’s eye view of the entire cafe. I secretly love people-watching. But I guess that’s not a secret anymore. 😉
Before we actually got settled, one of the wait staff prepped our spot by vacuuming the teddy bear, fixing the clutter and making sure the deck was absolutely clean in the littlest time possible. Now that’s service!
As we were waiting for our order, I was surprised to see my college classmates taking the spot next to us. The world is small indeed. 🙂
Okay, finally, our orders! On the left is Caramel Frappuccino and on the right is Java Chip Frappuccino. The Caramel Frappuccino wasn’t very memorable for me (to be fair I’m not much of a caramel fan myself)… However, Java Chip is definitely a must-try.
I loved how our beverages were served in glass jars for that extra homey touch.
For food, we tried their Ciabatta. Basicallly, it’s a grilled ham and cheese sandwich served with pickle relish and spiced mayo. It was alright. I like it.
We should have tried their Honey Bread too though. I heard a lot of people singing praises about it. Too bad we missed it. At least we have another reason to go back here when in Cebu. 🙂
And of course, I couldn’t leave Cafe Noriter without trying their Green Tea Frappuccino. This did not disappoint! I would have ordered another serving if only my tummy allowed.
Cafe Noriter is a place for fun, creativity and photo-ops. They have reinvented “cafe experience” for all lovers of coffee and tea like us.
If you haven’t been here yet, I highly encourage you to indulge your inner 9-year-old self and give this awesome place a try. I guarantee happiness and Instagram-worthy photos!
If you want to book an upscale hotel stay in Cebu City, Radisson Blu is the place to be.
Ranked 13th in the Top 25 Hotels in the Philippines in the 2014 Travellers’ Choice Awards by Trip Advisor, this exceptional 5-star hotel exudes an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere that is perfect for a pleasure or business trip.
Welcoming every hotel guest is a vast contemporary atrium lobby which serves as the focal point of the hotel.
As someone who has never been in a ritzy hotel before (promdi represent!), I was in sheer awe as my eyes scanned the glamorous expansive space. The lobby is so spacious you can drive a car inside (but obviously this is not permissible).
Outside the hotel is a terrace which offers a view of the city attractions and leads out to the Pool Bar.
The Pool Bar is an ideal venue for alfresco dining. They offer a fantastic selection of cocktails, beverages and mouth-watering dishes.
My boyfriend and I were lucky enough to get an invitation to indulge in a lavish feast of local and international dishes.
I didn’t know where to start digging in… Everything was utterly divine!
Salads
Fresh Seafood
Desserts
Japanese
Chinese
Look at those siopaos! Too cute to eat!
Local
International
As we dined, we listened to a live band, watched a pyro show and soaked with the city’s atmosphere. It was an experience like no other.
I can’t wait for us to go back to Radisson Blu… But next time, we better stay for a night or two.
Radisson Blu Cebu is located at Serging Osmena Boulevard, Corner Juan Luna Avenue, Cebu City. You may call them at +63 32 402 9900.
This restaurant is popular among locals and tourists for their charm and the unique dining experience they bring.
Adorned with beautiful trinkets and ornaments, Abaseria has that homey atmosphere that you’d always want to go back to.
Abaseria actually takes its name from the Spanish word “abaceria” which means grocery store. Interestingly enough, most of the things displayed (if not all) inside the restaurant are up for sale. Yes, even the decors are for sale too!
Some of the many things that you can buy from Abaseria are food items like preserved goods, local delicacies…
And even fresh fruits.
They also have an array of local crafts that you can choose from. Such as home decors, baskets, bags…
and fun fashion accessories.
By the way, Abaseria also provides on-premises catering service for intimate parties such as anniversaries, birthdays and the like.
Here’s a teaser of some of their most popular dishes…
Manggang Hilaw (green mangoes) with uyap (bagoong) The uyap was sooo good!
Smoked Fish with Itlog Maalat (salted egg) I miss this already! I didn’t know how much I like smoked fish until I had this. I ate most of the salted eggs by the way. Guilty as charged.
Fried Chicken The chicken wasn’t moist (I’m sure you can tell just by looking at the photo) – flavorwise it was alright.
Steamed vegetables with Special Dip
Didn’t get to try these. My boyfriend devoured them all before I had the chance.
Lechon Kawali My boyfriend kept filling up his plate with these bad boys. I had to stop him at some point.
Adobong Bangus Belly The fish was fresh, tender and delicious. Certified crowd-pleaser.
Sabaw na Monggos (Mung Bean Soup) This one got us all excited. Monggos is one of my personal faves. Although I like my soups thick, this one did not disappoint. I refilled my bowl too many times to count.
Happy and full. Thanks Jude for the wonderful treat!
Abaseria is truly a one-of-a-kind restaurant that should not be missed when in Cebu. They offer delicious meals at reasonable prices – it’s no wonder why they’re popular! Open daily:9:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Monday through Saturday and 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM on Sundays. For reservations, call them up at +63(32) 234-4160 or +63(32) 233-8339.
On top of that, it is only about 30 to 45 minutes away from the Mactan Airport.
Rates are reasonable and the staff are friendly and helpful.
When we entered our room…
I was surprised to see two hats already sitting on the bed…
Upon closer inspection, attached on one of the hats was a hand-written note from M Citi Suite’s management and staff. Very sweet and thoughtful!
Just my sister and I trying the hats on.
I’m not of a TV person… But if that’s your thing, they do have cable TV with number of channels to choose from.
Apart from air-conditioning, there are two main amenities that I look for when staying in a hotel: Hot and Cold shower and WiFi.
Thankfully, they got that covered. There’s me trying to fit in one of their cabinets (because I can and might have been cat in my past life) whilst trying to type in their WiFi password so I can be connected through my phone.
It is also worth noting that their housekeeping service is very discreet, reliable…
And artistic too!
Look at how cute and glorious the fresh towels look! We couldn’t resist taking photos of it.
They also have their very own restaurant called Mmm Cafe which operates around the clock.
Complimentary breakfast is served from 6AM to 10AM (please forgive my fugly I-just-woke-up face). And of course they serve lunch and dinner as well.
Clean, modern and comfortable are three words that would describe M Citi Suites best. I would definitely stay there again when in Cebu. It’s like home away from home.
Thank you M Citi Suites for making our stay a memorable one! For more information about their rates and amenities, you can check on their website or click here.
Back in August, when I heard that Backyard Burgers, my favorite burger joint from Davao was going to CDO to host a “Patilaw” event… I flipped!
Patilaw means “to taste” or “to sample” in our dialect.
Being the thick-faced self that I am online, I had to drop Backyard Burgers a message on Facebook…
I was very flattered and honored to exchange messages with one of the owners because I never thought I’d get any response at all! Let alone a FREE burger!
My boyfriend was very supportive about the whole going-to-CDO-for-a free-BB-burger experience that he drove us all the way there…
Just kidding. We don’t have a car… At least not yet. 😉
Backyard Burgers was not a struggle to find. They were stationed just right in front of Centrio which, I must say, was a very strategic location. It’s not exactly someone’s backyard but the ambience was definitely reminiscent of their rustic setup back in Davao.
As big clouds of billowing white smoke were floating in the air, I can smell the delicious aroma of grilled meat wafting my way from where I was standing.
It was really nice to see how our burgers were done right in front of us.
The scent was inebriating I kid you not.
Some final touches at the burger assembly line station…
And ta-da! Look at those bad boys! It was exactly how I remembered their burgers to be… Massive, fresh and sinfully delicious!
I’m here with one of the owners, Rica (right) and her friend (middle). It was really a pleasure to meet both of them. And yes, my hair looked like a rainbow puked on my head. Haha!
Rica and Juan (her husband) were so kind to also give my boyfriend and I cute keychains for attending their Patilaw event. Thank you thank you thank you! 🙂
Once again, they have proven to me that their burgers really are the best! Check out their page here for more details about Backyard Burgers.
