Elal Lasola Travel & Photography: 4/1/12

Photograph | Lovely Nagsasa Cove

Postcard from Nagsasa Cove, Zambales

Taken last January 2012

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Elal is a traveler, student of life and photography enthusiast who wants to experience and capture what is raved and not raved about. For more about her travels, subscribe here, email at elal.lasola@gmail.com, or visit her portfolio.

Camarines Norte : Calaguas Island - Bagasbas Beach - Malatap Falls Itinerary

The great Camarines Norte : Calaguas Island - Bagasbas Beach - Malatap Falls experience of mine is coming soon. But first let me share to you our itinerary and expenses to those who also want to visit the panoramic and breathtaking Mahabang Buhangin Beach of Calaguas Island, surfing beach of Bagasbas, Daet, and the accessible yet beautiful Malatap Falls, Labo! Plus side trips to Paracale Church, Saint John Parish and the first ever Rizal Monument all found in CamNor!

Mahabang Buhangin View, Calaguas, Camarines Norte

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Burot Beach, Calatagan, Batangas: Frugal Summer Getaway

Who says summer fun in the beach from Metro Manila would be so far away or cost much?

Burot Beach, Calatagan, Batanga

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Story of Mrs Fields and Going to San Jose (Occidental Mindoro)

Mrs Fields at the Airport

I am someone who loves to go to different places, take loads of pictures and enjoys every single bit of opportunity given to travel. But ironic as it is, I am also a person with motion sickness especially with air-conditioned rides. Sad as it is, I am fighting every bit of urge to puke in every travel I have. And riding a taxi from Quezon City to the airport last February was definitely not an exemption! It was the time I when I have to catch a plane to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro and I was forced to buy an overly priced milk at the airport (see picture above) just to make me feel better. Tsk tsk

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How to Get to The Great Sta Cruz Island, Zamboanga

Red Organ Pipe Coral, The Great Sta Cruz Island, Zamboanga

The Great Sta Cruz Island, also known as Pink Sand Beach, located in Zamboanga in the southern region of the Philippines is popularly known for its white sand beach with a touch of pink coralline from the residues of the red organ pipe coral commonly found in the place. It is the only beach in the Philippines known for its pink sand beach.

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Baguio: Stroll in the City and The Mansion

After late dining at 50's Diner, we directly strolled to SM Baguio to buy some things before heading off to our first stop, The Mansion.

While strolling, we passed through the different caricatures/statues at Barrio's Fiesta that depicts different stories including the Igorot.

Stroll in Baguio

Statue at Barrio's Fiesta

Igorot is the collective name of several Austronesian ethnic groups from the Cordillera, Northern Luzon, Philippines. The word "Igorot" is archaic Tagalog for "mountain people". It is derived from the prefix i- ("dweller of") and golot ("mountain range"). The word has been variously spelled during the Spanish colonial era as Igolot, Ygolot, and Igorrote. The names Ifugao or Ipugao (also meaning "mountain people") are used more frequently within the Igorots themselves. (Taken from wikipedia)

Statue at Barrio's Fiesta

With friends at Baguio

Statue at Barrio's Fiesta

It was drizzling when we arrived at SM Baguio and took some shots including this bird's eye view of the city.

View taken from SM Baguio

Flower vendors, Sidewalk Baguio

We hailed a taxi going to the place from SM Baguio to The Mansion which costs around 40 pesos. And of course, pictorial in the place followed.

The Mansion is the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines. It is located on the eastern part of the city along C.P. Romulo Drive (formerly a part of Leonard Wood Road) and right across from Wright Park. The Mansion is older than the city itself, and easily one of the most visited and photographed landmarks of the City of Pines. (Taken from gobaguio)

The Mansion, Baguio

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Subic | Seafood Island

Dagupan's Pride Boodle: Pork Barbecue

Breakfast at Subic Homes was all sweet and homey but all of our energies were drained during the tour at Zoobic Safari, that is why when we went to Seafood Island, our last and final stop of our restaurant-hopping in Subic, our hungry stomachs were very much pleased with the boodles (Filipino style of eating especially in rural areas where the food is laid in banana leaves and you'll share the meal with your friends or family on the boodle itself) that were on the menu.

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Zamboanga | Mano-Mano Restaurant

Filipino platter

When I told my new found friends in Zamboanga, Chuck and Almin, that my friend, Gino, is having his birthday, they suggested for us to celebrate and dine at Mano-Mano sa Greenfield [Mano-Mano in Greenfield]. There are actually two branches, the other one is found in Paseo del Mar but they told us that the ambiance at the original branch was better.

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Mindoro Plaza Hotel, San Jose, Occ Mindoro

Unfortunately when we visited San Jose, the only available place there is Mindoro Plaza Hotel. We tried the others, including Sikatuna Hotel and Sikatuna Beach Hotel but all the rooms were already booked. We stayed at the Mindoro Plaza Hotel, it was nothing grand but for someone who is on a very tight budget, it would be good enough for just a night of stay. After all, the island hopping will be pushed through even with the not so sunny weather.

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How to go to Baguio and 50's Diner

One of the longest bus rides that I've ever experienced is this trip to Baguio. Well, I am not fond of air conditioned bus and its motion sickness effect to me but I was pretty happy that I was not affected during that trip because I slept most of the time. Thanks to the head wear that I borrowed from my friend. I bought one after that trip having known its usefulness to me! :)

Going to Baguio with friends

Going to Baguio with Jepoi and Mark

Going to Baguio with Sarah

Upon arriving at Baguio we checked in to our place near the Victory Liner Terminal and directly went to this 50's Diner because we were famished when we arrived at around 12:30 pm. The diner is located at 92 Upper General Luna Road, Corner Brent Road, Baguio City, Baguio City, Philippines. We hailed a taxi because it was the easiest way to get there which costs around 40 pesos. I pretty much love the vibe of the place especially because of the pink lights, the 50's feel that you can get from the different framed pictures of celebrities or events during that time, the waitresses in their cute pink uniforms and the red hot sizzling car right outside the diner.

50's Diner, Baguio City

With Sarah at 50's Diner, Baguio City

We enjoyed our food that is pretty much in large servings and is very helpful since I was trying to regain my energy for my first tour in Baguio City!

50's Diner, Baguio City

Large Sandwich, 50's Diner, Baguio City

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Mooon Cafe at Robinson's Place Dumaguete

Mooon Cafe, Dumaguete City

Dinner after the nice afternoon stroll in the city is what I miss most especially when I'm spending my time with my sister dear. Whenever I go home, which is usually twice or thrice a year, I never try to miss these one of a kind bonding. I don't need to tell you how we love the camera, that's something in common you'll see from our dinner snapshots last Christmas(pardon us). So food plus us is definitely present in this post.

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Walk Around Dumaguete City: Silliman University and Bell Tower

An afternoon spent with my sister dear, we walked around the city proper (Silliman University to Rizal Boulevard and the Bell Tower), took some shots and boom it was a laid back blast that I truly miss in my home town.

We started walking in Silliman University Church and took some shots of the place and of course, portraits shots of ourselves too.

Silliman University Church, Dumaguete City

SILLIMAN CHURCH

Silliman University Church traces its roots to the early Presbyterian mission that laid the cornerstone of Silliman Institute in 1901.

Yours Truly at Silliman University Church, Dumaguete City

Then walked nearby the Silliman University Portals in front the SU Portal Building.

Silliman University Portal Building, Dumaguete City

Silliman University Portal, Dumaguete City

Silliman University Portal Building, Dumaguete City

Finally, I took some shots of the famous Silliman Hall facing Rizal Boulevard.

Silliman University Hall, Dumaguete City

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Keep the Fire Burning for Your Dream Destinations!

Social networks or the internet virtually bring you to places via pictures of different beautiful scenery that various places could offer. I, for one, am constantly amazed by the pictures I have seen especially to those where I've never been.

One of my ultimate dream destinations is England! Why does it have to be England? We'll basically that dream to go there sparked when I was still in college and I met an inspiring college Math professor who is from that place. Who wouldn't fall in love with a place where you can constantly hear the British accent from the locals? And not to mention the picturesque places I've been dreading to take a glimpse of. The architecture, the language, the places, the culture... At one point, I wish I was rich enough to pursue post graduate education there and immerse with their culture to fully understand and learn. But then real life came after graduation and I was faced with more challenges that I have never imagined. The spark that has once shined so brightly was slowly fading. It was one the lowest moment in my life where I lack inspiration that almost made me lose hope.

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Azalea Residences, Baguio City

Visiting Baguio's popular tourist places can leave you dread tired at the end of the day. That is why a great accommodation in the city is a treat for yourself that you can never go wrong.

One of the finest, grandeur and contemporary places you can find in the city is the Azalea Residences. The name Azalea is taken from a flowering shrub that is commonly found in Baguio and in fact, found right at their entrance.

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7 Churches for Visita Iglesia around Manila

Visita Iglesia, which means "Church Visits" in Spanish, is observed during Maundy Thursday of the Lenten Season or Holy Week practiced by the Roman Catholics.

Being a newbie in the metro, I was not really familiar with the churches around the city. So when a friend of mine invited me to join their Visita Iglesia last year, I eagerly agreed.

Here's the list of the churches we've been to:

Twin Churches.

Also known as Twin Churches of Bustillos: Church of Our Lady of Loreto and the Church of St. Anthony of Padua

The Franciscans built the Church of Our Lady of Loreto in honor of Nuestra Señora de Loreto in a land donated by Don Pedro Chaves who, along with his wife Doña Ana de Vera, financed the construction of the church in 1613. The Our Lady of Loreto Church was rebuilt after World War II on the foundations of the old one destroyed by fire and earthquake.The Church of St. Anthony was originally built in Paco in 1619, but was relocated in Sampaloc in 1783.Despite their close proximity, the two churches have had harmonious relations. Instead of competing for the patronage of churchgoers, they continue to work together to serve their parishioners’ spiritual needs.

Twin Churches of Bustillos

San Sebastián Church

Also called as Basilica Minore de San Sebastián is a Roman Catholic minor basilica in Manila, the Philippines. It is the seat of the Parish of San Sebastian and the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Completed in 1891, San Sebastián Church is noted for its architectural features. An example of the revival of Gothic architecture in the Philippines, it is the only all-steel church or basilica in Asia and claimed as the only prefabricated steel church in the world. In 2006, San Sebastian Church was included in the Tentative List for possible designation as a World Heritage Site. It was designated as a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1973. San Sebastián Church is under the care of The Order of the Augustinian Recollects, who also operate a college adjacent to the basilica. It is located at Plaza del Cármen, at the eastern end of Claro M. Recto Street, in Quiapo, Manila.

San Sebastián Church

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Snapshots from Zamboanga: The Asia's Latin City (Part 1)

Great Sta. Cruz Island, Zamboanga

Zamboanga City, an urban city located in the southernmost tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula in Mindanao, Philippines. It is also known as The Asia's Latin City (Ciudad Latina de Asia Zamboangueño Language or Chavacano) mainly because of their a strong Hispanic or Latin influence. The city, today, which has an international airport also serves as the entry point in the Philippines to many destinations in Southeast Asia.