CAGBALETE ISLAND - THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE : HISTORY (part 1 of many)

Aerial View of Cagbalete Island from Nilandingan Cove by JJ Maghirang

TRAVEL

 Cagbalete island is a 1,640 hectare property inside the vicinity of Lamon Bay. 

....And I'm sure you've already read about this and other facts about the island from various blog posts and Wikipedia. You've also probably heard about Cagbalete Island one way or another. May it be a blog post, an ad you saw on facebook, casual mentions or a friend who has actually been to the island and back. I have been going to the island as a kid and have called it Home for about 3 years straight. Living on the island like a local and exploring what it has to offer made me forget the comforts of urban living. With the influx of tourists to Cagbalete, I've been thinking of making the ultimate guide, the road less traveled, the off-beaten path so to speak. I'll take you on a journey so that you would get to appreciate the Real Cagbalete. It's not just the shift of tides that make it special. The History of the island, the Flora, the Fauna and the People all contribute to the distinct charm that sets Cagbalete apart from the other island destinations in the country.

Cagbalete Island from a Distance (shot from Cagsiay I)

And so we begin..

The 1868 document that shows the signatures of Don Benedicto, Don Jose and Father Manuel

History :

In 1859, 3 enterprising brothers, Don Benedicto, Don Jose and Fray Manuel Pena (a priest of San Juan de Dios Hospital, mentioned in the 1868 document) decided to purchase Cagbalete Island from the Spanish Government. Through research by the family Historian, Tito Mirlo Pansacola, it was found out that the Pansacolas were actually descended from the Native American Indians that populated the Northwest Coast of Florida (Ever heard of Pensacola Bay?) and that they found themselves in the Philippines through the Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade route. They were of direct Spanish descent and this was where the special privilege accorded them to be able to purchase land from the "la Reyna de Espana" came from. 

A Supreme Court document in the 1950's stated that the contract to purchase the island was signed in San Rafael, Bulacan leading some to surmise that the family was indeed from there and settled in Mauban after. But I was able to browse through the documents mentioned and saw that the English Translation of the 1859 document began with the Brothers stating that they were in fact Natives of Mauban in the Province of Tayabas (the old name of Quezon Province) and that the document was signed before a certain "Don Rafael". This might be where the confusion came from, whether the 3 letters before Rafael were actually Don or San.

In 1868, the 3 brothers decided to include as heirs the children of their deceased brother Don Eustaquio who lived in the posh districts of Manila (Ermita/Malate). The island of Cagbalete was divided into 4 equal shares. 1/4 of each share to each brother. For those wondering what happened to the 1/4 share of Fr. Manuel, who inherited it? Interesting to mention that he actually had heirs (6 in fact with 5 different surnames) and it was discovered that he was their Father. He even had a child that, like Jose Rizal, was exiled by the Spanish to Cagayan de Oro for being an "ereje". Fr. Manuel was actually a good provider and ensured that his children had a living. Talk about a very colorful family history diba? For the Ateneans, did you know that the great historian Fr. Horacio dela Costa (Yes, the building that houses the Dept. of Social Sciences and the road in Makati) also came from the Pansacola line? He even left a property in Cagbalete Dos to the Jesuit Congregation.

The 1868 document mentioned that the brothers had already paid the price decided upon by the high tribunal in the amount of 125 Pesos. Yes you read that right, P125, which was quite a sum of money at that time. Talk of inflation, what could buy us a Big Mac meal nowadays was enough to purchase an entire island in the 1850's. This also put in the sharing of work by the brothers. Don Benedicto will be in charge of bringing in animals and clearing/cultivating the island, Don Jose will be filing the application of purchasing the island while the nieces and nephews will share in the cost of purchase.

Though the intent to buy the island was first expressed in a document executed in 1859, the 1868 document provided a date as to when the Brothers first exercised their possession of the island. The date mentioned was August 11, 1866 which makes next year special being the 150th year that the island has been under the Pansacola family. Yeay, looks like a special celebration or a mass must be at least held to honor this special day. Imagine how hard it was for the Pansacolas to journey to Cagbalete without the luxury of motorized boats. Tito Mirlo said that they used large sailboats to go to the island. The trip would normally take weeks as from Mauban, the boat would then be blown towards the town of Perez in the island of Alabat (main reason why the Pansacolas also own tracts of land in Perez), and then the winds would blow again and bring the boat to the area occupied now by the Quezon Power Plant (Barangay Cagsiay I) and lastly the winds would bring them to the area near present day Sabang and/or Daungan (inside the San Jose river) which at that time was teeming with saltwater crocodiles. Now that's the REAL Adventure.

My Great Grandmother Milagros and her husband, Leonila Villabona's heir, Dr. Bautista del Banco

My great grandmother, Milagros and my Lola, Lynnette during her debut at the Wack Wack Country Club

On our side of the family, Don Benedicto Pansacola had only 1 daughter named Atanacia who married a Villabona. Atanacia had 2 daughters, Leonila and Maria. Leonila married Don Remigio del Banco who became one of the first Mayors of Mauban at the turn of the century. (His portrait still hangs in the Mauban Municipal Hall) Leonila is the great great grandmother of my Lola, Lynnette del Banco who owns one of the newest resorts in the island, Nilandingan Cove. Maria Villabona married Don Silverio Taino (of Pagsanjan, Laguna descent and later also became Mayor of Mauban) and they had 7 children, some whose names are now immortalized in the names of Resorts, Choleng (Dona Choleng Camping Resort), Noe (Villa Noe), Joven (Joven's Blue Sea) and Cleofas (Villa Cleofas).

Now, the island has been easily divided into 2 Barangays, Cagbalete Uno and Dos. Cagbalete Uno has the properties of Don Benedicto and Don Eustaquio while Cagbalete Dos has the properties of Don Jose and Fr. Manuel. Most of the resorts are found in Cagbalete Uno though there are also Interesting areas in Cagbalete Dos which I hope to also include in this Guide.

A local, "Jerrick", playing his makeshift toy boat during lowtide in Nilandingan Cove

(Part 2 : Wildlife...to be continued)

RUN FASTER : BATTALIA ROYALE

The Battalia Royale Survival Kit (Sold at the Venue for only P100)

RUN. RUN FASTER.

Okay, I'm having trouble trying to write this entry because I don't know where to start. There are so many things to say and the hoopla has not yet subsided. I'm on an Artistic High, A Creative Orgasm so to speak. All this because of 2 words, Battalia Royale.

All of us have watched plays i presume. In a regular play, we (the audience) sit down and wait for the curtains to come up. We clap at every dimming of the lights and watch as the actors move around their own world apart from us, and see scenes happening at the play's own time. Some scenes might be happening at the same time but for the sake of presenting a chronological timetable based on importance, we figure that they must be happening right after the other. Imagine all of this go to nill, nada, wala. Imagine yourself thrust inside a movie, as if you're not just watching but a part of the story. You're a Ghost, a floating persona inside their world but in another dimension. You can see them but they can't see you. Run.

The Lobby. Get your tickets validated here. Walk-ins also bought here

The story is about a class of 4th year High School students from a fictional school (Our Lady of Guadalupe High School, Manila) who thought they were going on a field trip, but was sedated on the way and was diverted to an arena where they will be forced to kill or be killed in 8 hours. A plot we are all familiar with because of Suzanne Collins' (Hunger Games) toned down version of Koushun Takami's Battle Royale. In these 8 hours, you have the people who decide to take the game seriously and play it, and those who decide to just wait it out. I will not talk much about the plot because I want my readers to go experience it themselves.

Earlier this year they staged it at the abandoned Victoria School in Cubao and the CCP. This week's production was held at the Museo Pambata and your stage is the whole area. A lot of things are happening at the same time and there are times that you get to choose which story you would like to follow. It's like a choose your own adventure book but it all leads to one ending. Brilliant!

In marketing, we have something which we call IMC (Integrated Marketing Communications) wherein all marketing communication tools you have are married to speak a single thought. From tv to posters to new media (website/facebook). I especially liked that the people behind it thought about doing an IMC by bringing these characters to life via facebook. You have to check out the Battalia Royale facebook page, and the School page so you can check out all the characters' individual pages. This will prepare you and give you a backgrounder on the different personalities involved before you even meet them. Genius, just plain Genius.

As an actor myself, I know the process that goes through these productions and I am amazed at the talent we have in this particular one. The scenes were all so seamless. Everything was so natural, you see it in how they speak, you see it in their movement, you see it in their eyes. Their soul radiates the character and you can see that at that particular point in time, they aren't actors but the characters themselves. Sometimes the acting space is so limited that you will be forced to have a fight scene inches away from the people sitting down or standing up watching. You have the random jaunts here and there but the actors just keep on going. They are in their zone, their own dimension that you can't take that moment away from them. WOW. I saw noone drop his or her character and that was just amazing. Even if the spotlight wasn't on them, even if there was a particular bigger scene happening somewhere else, when you glance by their direction they are still playing out their role. This just shows how strong their train of thought is, the thread that connects their whole character throughout the entire play is that solid and well-constructed. The show is unbelievable that it's as if there was no script at all, the feeling and the illusion of REALITY was great. The lines were well delivered and were said from the heart. Okay I'm rambling now.

One other aspect that I was utterly happy and proud of was that these guys really lived by the #1 rule in Theater. "THE SHOW MUST GO ON!". The rain was pouring and these guys were all drenched and really wet but that did not change how they played their roles. The dead people were bathing in puddles of water (some for 10 minutes) and the live ones just pulled out some rain coats that blended with the scene. The marshalls were all doing their jobs well, add to that the magnificent scoring by The Radioactive Sago Project. How could anything appear to be going wrong? Even though the weather was obviously not cooperating, the audience didn't feel that. The rain even contributed in the total atmosphere and ambiance of the scenes. It gave Battalia a different feel that night.

I just deleted the part where I try to commend the actors playing their parts cause I realized that I couldn't single out just a few. Everyone was Excellent in their portrayal to say the least. From the guys trying to short-circuit their collars, to Jessica and the Band of Girls (and some guys) who grouped together in a shelter, to Basti and his group of bad girls, Rhae and crazy Calibugan guy, The poor girls murdered because of Justin Bieber, The guy the audience killed, Ina and Cai, Cai and Victor. Victor and Kalil. Wow. The list just goes on and on and on. All scenes were great. I seriously enjoyed watching and was really surprised at everything.

BRAVO! BRAVA! From the Writers to the Directors, to the Production team, Cast and Crew, This whole production was revolutionary, innovative and refreshing. With this group of people, I can safely say that the Arts (Even if it lacks Governmental support) is going strong. We have to support these productions and individuals because they are the future of Theater in our country. And it looks like we have a BRIGHT FUTURE ahead of us.

Congratulations Sipat Lawin Ensemble! Maraming Salamat at muli niyo na namang binuhay ang hilig at dugo ko sa Teatro. In my own humble opinion, your group deserves the ticket prices offered by "The Phantom of the Opera" because as their production has more machineries into it, yours has more Heart. And every theater play/production always has just one goal.. and that is to tell a story. Whether by musical form or a straight play, a performance is judged by how well you sent the message across. And your play, your script, your acting did the job Extremely Well.

To all the people, friends or random blog-hoppers who come across this page, I ask you, No. I implore you to spend time in watching this production of Battalia Royale. This will be the best P350/P450 you will ever spend. It is a quorum of the country's youngest and freshest thespians who will give you a show that you will remember. Because this isn't just a show, this is an Experience. I'll see you in the next production because seriously.. I'm now a FAN. Bite me.

Please visit these pages to learn more and to get tickets for Battalia Royale :

Battalia Royale Fanpage
Our Lady of Guadalupe High School Fanpage 
Sipat Lawin Ensemble Fanpage 

Tangkilikin natin ang mga Produksyong Filipino. Wag Maging Dayuhan sa Sariling Bayan! (Don't be a stranger in your own Country!)

Getting Ready for the Experience. Picture-taking during the play isn't allowed. The production is Underground and they plan to stay there. Post and be Hunted down.

Francis Ong is a Search for a Star in a Million II Grand-finalist as well as a Pinoy Pop Superstar contender. He owes his love for theater to his High School drama club director Ms Ginny Natividad of La Salle Green Hills' Cue drama club. He has trained under the tutelage of Ms Ginny Natividad, Lionel Guico, Freddie Santos, Soxie Topacio, Tony Espejo and Vince Tanada. He has been nominated twice in the Aliw Awards for Best Stage Actor in a Musical Category for his role as Matsing in "Ang Pagong at Ang Matsing" (2008) and for his role as "Prince Frederick" in "Cinderella-The Musical" (2009). He is now taking a sabbatical from the stage as he pursues a career in Marketing. Francis Ong is currently a Sabungero and a proud member of the audience.

Our Lady of Caysasay : Of Apparitions and Mystical Wells

The Mystical Well of Santa Lucia. Site where Our Lady was again found in 1611

TRAVEL

Bicol, Vigan, Polillo are some of the places I was meaning to visit during the last 4-day long weekend. But due to my cursed foot problems, I wasn't able to go to any of those destinations but rather found myself doing a mini tour of nearby Rizal Province. I'm a history geek, so being around so much History and culture excites me. If I can't go to Vigan, I would go to the next best thing.. Taal.

While researching about where to stay, places to see and what to do in Taal, I saw entries about Our Lady Of Caysasay. What I read immediately got me hooked into it. An old church, a heritage town, a mystical spring in a structure that looks like it came from an Indiana Jones movie, Looks very promising.

I spent that week in Tagaytay for some brand-planning for 2013, but because of my foot problem I had to leave my car in Manila and just ride with my trusty officemate Bonsai. Saturday came and we drove down so I can get my car. Even as I was driving past the last toll gate in the SLEX, I still had no idea where to go. I was thinking of going to Mauban and probably spending a day in my family's island retreat or I was thinking of pursuing the trip to Taal that didn't materialize the weekend before. I was nearing the Sto. Tomas exit, the point of No Return. I had to decide before I reach it because if I take a right turn towards the exit, I would find myself in Quezon, but if I go forward, I would find myself going to Taal. My radio was tuned in to my favorite radio station DZRH, (Yes I'm a PROUD AM radio listener) and the newsbreak came up with a robbery in Lucena City that happened just a few minutes ago. I figured it was God's way of telling me, so I went straight onto the Lipa exit towards the town of Taal.

Archway to the Town Center of TAAL

I will talk more about the Taal trip and will go straight into Our Lady of Caysasay. I'm actually writing this and skipping some other blogs I have to do about Balaw-Balaw (Resto and Art Gallery) because I'd want you guys to consider visiting Caysasay this coming weekend. So after finding myself in Taal and making a short stop at the Biggest Church in Asia, St Martin de Tours or the Taal Basilica, I asked around for some directions on how to go to the Caysasay Church. From the main road that passes in the middle of the town plaza and the ginormous Church, you just drive straight and wait for a sign on the right side of the road that points you to take a right turn to Our Lady of Caysasay. From there, you just drive onwards and find yourself entering the courtyard of a small church. You can park anywhere there and wait for the local kids to swarm your vehicle asking you to purchase candles from one of them.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay

A set of candles (3 maroon candles and 1 human shaped candle figure) sells for about P15 each but don't hesitate to pay a little extra for the kids. Outside the Church was painted in a very modern yellow hue with a clean flat facade, but inside you'd be surprised to find yourself in a very quaint yet classic edifice. On the left side of the wall you would find a painting of how the image was found by a Juan Maningcad in the Pansipit river on the year 1603.

Painting of Juan Maningcad and his finding of the image in 1603

 In the year 1603, Juan Maningcad went fishing and instead of casting his net on the sea he threw it on a nearby river. When he raised the net he saw a small image caught in it. A small statue of the Immaculate Conception was found and he described it to have a heavenly lustre and its face twinkled like a star. News spread and the parish priest went to Juan Maningcad and requested the image be venerated in Taal. A certain Madam Maria Espiritu was tasked to take care of the image and she had a special urn built for it. She noticed that at night the urn was empty and in the morning would find the image back. She immediately reported her worries to the parish priest and together tried to get answers. They hid that night in the same room where the urn was and they were surprised to see the urn cover move and out came the image of the Virgin. The parish priest brought the image back to the church and the same occurences continued until one day the image did not come back.

Then in 1611, two women by the names of Maria Bagohin and Maria Talain was collecting firewood in the area where the image was originally found. They saw the image reflected on the spring water. When they looked up, they saw the image atop a sampaga bush with two lighted candles on each side and casay casay birds (Kingfishers which Spaniards at that time pronounced as caysasay) guarding it. The townspeople then decided to erect a chapel for her on the spot where she was found. It was also in 1611 that Our Lady of Caysasay appeared to a near blind woman named Juana Tangui and to about 30 other people. Juana Tangui was cured of her blindness when she bathed in the waters of the spring where the two women found the image reflected. The image then talked to Juana and this series of Apparitions was the first documented in the Philippines.

Devotion to the image was heightened then, such that the Galleons which sought refuge in Taal lake from the storms that hit Manila bay, gave canon bursts to honor Our Lady of Caysasay when they would pass in front of Her shrine. On December 8, 1954 the image was canonically crowned by Cardinal Quiroga representing Pope Pius XII and she was given the title "Queen of the Archdiocese of Lipa".

View from the door of the Shrine

The "Pulpito" (Where the priest says his "sermon" during the Spanish times)

Details of the Domed ceiling.

The Altar (notice the Grills below and the painting of Our Lady atop a Sampaga tree)

Close-Up of the Altar with Our Lady of Caysasay in the middle (Viewing Window)

 The Shrine of Our Lady has changed little over the years. A friend from Batangas told me that this is because the locals wanted to keep the devotion to Our Lady as simple as possible. Inside the church, the clean marble floor juxtaposes itself wonderfully against the white walls and the paintings that lend color and depth to the interior. The metal railings that seperate the kneeler from the altar lends a grand old-world feel.

Back of the Church leading to the "Pahalik"

Our Lady behind the Metal Grills. You get to touch her through the two round openings

Exit at the right side of the altar and find your way to the back of the Church where you will find a flight of stairs leading to the "Pahalik". At the top you will enter a small room and in the middle of the wall there is a metal gate with two holes that can fit your arms so you can touch Our Lady. Before exiting, buying a small image of Our Lady and some Novenas to share with friends and family back home is possible. The purchase will help the Church build and renovate.

The San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps

After praying, I went down again and was greeted by my "tour guides", the kids who sold me candles when I arrived. They carried my small package of Novenas and led me to where I can light my candle. I heard the lay woman telling the kids to let me pray first before leading me to the Santa Lucia well. The kids then led me to the right side of the Church where I found a long flight of granite steps called the San Lorenzo Ruiz steps. It's best that you let the kids (locals) guide you towards the Well as from the steps you will have to enter a residential area to get to it. There are no signs anywhere to point you to the location of the well, but I do remember a sari-sari store on the left side where we turned and we also passed a house selling spiced vinegar. 

Nearing the "Banal na Pook" (Holy Place)

While walking on the dirt path, one of the kids "Arman" told me the story of the Well. These kids really do know their history as the story connected to what I read on the internet. The kids were describing to me what the casay casay bird looks like when something flew over us. Two casay casay birds flew and perched on the branch of an old tree nearby. The kids all happily exclaimed that I was lucky that a casay casay bird came and showed itself to us as if welcoming me.

The Sta Lucia Well

The Kids and the local Getting Water from the Wells

Closer look at one of the Wells, This is the left one for Baptizing

An old rock church facade greets you as the "Banal na Pook" (Holy Place as the locals call it) or the Santa Lucia Well comes into view. I lighted another candle on the grotto beside it and went down to the well. A local was there to assist me in getting some water. There were 2 holes, the left side was for baptizing and the right was for relief from aching parts of the body. The local first gave me water from the left side and he left me there to sprinkle some on my head and my face, after doing that he then reached into the right hole and gave me some water to wet the parts of my body that ached. I wasn't able to wet my foot then because I was wearing socks and slacks and probably that was the reason why my left foot did not get the healing properties of that water.
                                        
The kids led me to the church where I went inside for a last prayer and left with happy thoughts and a feeling of blessedness.

View from the Altar

Maybe God didn't want my other trips to pursue because he wanted to send me to Our Lady of Caysasay. If I was able to do any of the things I planned, I would't find myself on the internet searching about Taal, Batangas and I wouldn't have come across Caysasay. Most of us Catholics in Luzon have visited Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan, or learned about the colorful fluvial procession of the Penafrancia in Naga and the extravagant Flores de Mayo for the Nuestra Senora la Naval at Quezon City. Maybe its high time that you also visit and pray to Our Lady of Caysasay which is in almost the same gravity as that of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. The first time Our Holy Mother appeared and made herself known to Filipinos is in this small place almost hidden by obscurity. It would be a pleasure to be one of the tools to increase devotion to Her. 

Inside the "Pahalik" The back of Our Lady of Caysasay

In this small quaint Church lies a rich and colorful History that Filipinos should not miss. Its not too late. The trip to Taal Batangas takes only 2 hours from Central Manila. Next weekend, I hope you bring your family there so that you can experience the richness of our culture and be blessed by Her.

Further Up the San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps

 Wag maging Dayuhan sa Sariling Bayan! (Don't be a stranger in your own country)

The Expert Tour Guides of Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine

My Cursed foot and the Angono Petroglyphs

The Companions : Mommy, Abby, Kelly (Yes Kelly's a dude)

TRAVEL

I was prepared to travel and go around Luzon last super long weekend break. Eid 'l Fitr and Ninoy Aquino day fell on a Monday and a Tuesday respectively plus it was a No Work Saturday. Perfect! I spent the whole week before that planning. Should I go and visit Polillo Island? Maybe Our Lady of Penafrancia in Bicol? Baguio perhaps? There were a lot of options and I was really ready to just jump into my car and drive.

But, with all things very promising, My left foot had to act up. Sometimes I feel as if it's my curse. My feet really knows when to attack to make sure I don't enjoy my trips. All my dreams for that weekend suddenly went down the drain and I had to lie down and drowse myself up with meds to prepare for my Wednesday-Saturday Brand Planning trip at Tagaytay.

That Monday afternoon, I suddenly got an urge to go and visit Taal and see Our Lady of Caysasay so I called up my ever faithful cousin Abby. The day after (Tuesday), we would make the trip with my Mom and Dad. And just like my cursed foot, the weather had to act up. Typhoon Igme entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and was causing some disturbance with the southwest monsoon. Shucks. Everything was against a trip.

Tuesday Morning, I learned that one of my Best buddies in Bacolod figured in a car accident. His car tumbled three times but he was lucky enough to get out with just minor wounds. The TV also announced that the body of DILG Sec Jesse Robredo had already been found 180ft underwater. I told my mom I had to go to a church and pray and she suggested Antipolo. I bought the idea and called my cousin Abby and prepared for the trip. I didn't care if my foot still hurt a bit but I just really had to go and offer a prayer for them. 

The Parking Area

On the way to Antipolo, we suddenly decided to visit the Angono Petroglyphs which can be found inside the vicinity of Thunderbird Resorts in Binangonan. We passed by my Lola's house in Maia Alta to pick up our trusty guide Kelly. Kelly then showed the easier way to Thunderbird. The last time we went to the Petroglyphs I went down Antipolo to Taytay then drove to Angono and then up that very very steep mountain. That mountain road was scary, as if the climb was never-ending. I felt my engine starting to feel the stress of climbing in 1st gear all throughout that 2km rise. When we got there, we were surprised to find out that the petroglyphs was just a little bit past the Resort. I made a mental note to never pass there again and the easier route through Antipolo was better. Coming from the Sumulong highway, you go straight a bit and past the Ynares Center (Rizal Capitol), and then when you see Shopwise turn right towards Lores. Just drive straight and find your way to Thunderbird. Easier way, no climbs, just a straight drive. Tons better.

The Tunnel Entrance

Watch out for that small marker on the road that leads you to the tunnel entrance to the petrogylphs, It's very easy to miss. We parked near the bushes and  walked towards the cave entrance. The way to the site is easier now as you pass by a man-made cave. You can see on the ground parts of the big blue pipe that winds its way towards the Resort. Before, if you wanted to get to the petroglyphs you had to pass through the mountain route. Might be more scenic and exciting, but dangerous as well. Inside the tunnel/cave, the air was really cool. The wind blowing echoes as you walk towards "the light" at the far end of the tunnel.

The "Light" at the end of the Tunnel

What Lies Beyond the "Light"

Paradise

The view at the end of the tunnel is spectacular, as if you're in a tribal settlement waiting for the indigenous Tabon people to jump out. You walk down that path and find yourself in a small structure that serves as a satellite of the National Museum. It was a Holiday that day so the entrance fee was waived, but then the museum was closed. We found only the guard there without the curator. We still gave him the equivalent of the entrance fee "pang-kape" and I just took the helm and toured my cousin and mom. Normally the fee is just P25 per person which includes the curator touring you.

Angono Petroglyphs in Binangonan? Huh?

National Musem Satellite

 

The Viewdeck

Kelly looking for the Resident Owl pair.

Must be cool to go inside that small cave

The Rock Shelter

The Old Way to the Site. (Pass of Cirith Ungol harhar LOTR Geek)

The Angono petroglyphs was discovered by the late National Artist Carlos "Botong" Francisco. During the 1950's when he was out with Boy Scouts, they took refuge underneath a rock shelter inside the Angono, Binangonan mountains that was a known shelter for the World War 2 Filipino Guerillas. When he looked up, he saw scratches on the wall and realized that they were humanoid images with stick drawing hands and feet with a primitive quality. He immediately reported it to the authorities and asked around. The old locals knew there were drawings on a rockshelter inside the hills but did not give it any significance. After verification by the National Museum, it was then declared as the earliest form of Art in the Philippines. Dated to 3000bc, it showed lizard-like and frog-like Humanoid figures in some ritual. According to the tour guide, these Prehistoric people lived near the lake and only went there for rituals and offerings to their Gods. There are a total of 127 figures there and sadly some vandals also took advantage of the lack of security. The Angono Petroglyphs is already recognized and listed under the World Inventory of Rock Art under UNESCO and was declared as a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines.

The Petroglyphs

Lizard-Like Humanoid stick figures

Some visible Vandalisms.

The Angono Petroglyphs is proof of the rich History we Filipinos have. The site is just about 35km away from Central Manila and is highly accessible through the route i mentioned but it was sad though that we were the only people there on a Holiday when families are known to be outside exploring. The drawings are still exposed to the elements and could anytime be eroded unless the National Museum makes some serious effort to preserve it. Everyone should appreciate and see it while we still can. Before we start visiting other countries, and other islands even, I think it's just right that we get to know what's inside our own backyard.

Exiting the Viewdeck

Waiting Sheds on the way out

 Wag Maging Dayuhan sa Sariling Bayan! (Don't be a Stranger in your own Country!)

Exiting through the tunnel -slash- cave

Ramen Cool : Modern Japanese Cuisine

Ramen Cool : Modern Japanese Cuisine

FOOD.

Yesterday was another work Saturday so lunch time had to be something extra special.

My constant eating friend, Bonsai, promised me that he'd come with me to the main branch of Michelle's Homemade Putong Ube (which i will write about). On our way out, 3 other officemates, LM (Logistics Master), MA (Master Artist) and SD (Sexy Doc) asked us where we're going. So we mentioned my quest for the Putong Ube and said Lunch after was still "wherever". So they hopped in the car and joined us. 

After buying and munching on the Putong Ube, the daunting task of selecting where to have lunch began. We found ourselves heading towards Greenhills for Balkan Express, and then someone wanted Mexican food so we took a turn somewhere and headed towards Ristra's. The thought of the extreme traffic (Edsa-Ortigas was closed due to the Anti-RH bill rally) had us mentioning Persian food at Persiana, and then someone wanted wings and burgers so we drove towards Charlie's. Anyway, it took us 30 minutes of driving around and around until we finally found ourself at the entrance of Ramen Cool.

The Interiors

The place was sleek, obviously minimalist and presented itself as a modern Japanese resto. We took one of the cubicled seats and immediately we were each handed a copy of their menu. 

The Menu

By default whenever I'd go to a new Japanese restaurant the first thing I will order is something that has to be good. A staple in any Japanese place, my test always falls to a decent order of Katsudon. This rice topped meal sounds simple enough but is actually quite hard to serve to a very discerning patron. The vegetables on top of the deep fried breaded pork should be crisp enough to indicate freshness. The egg should be cleanly placed on top, it should appear to have been cooked there because of the heat from the tonkatsu. The deep fried breaded pork should be crunchy, the soy based sauce should wet it a bit, but not too much for it to come out soggy. The rice should be perfectly cooked, each grain apart from the other, moist but not wet.

Me and MA both ordered Katsudon, Bonsai got the Gyudon. LM got the chicken teriyaki-don and SD got a Spicy Chicken-don. We also got an order of California Love sushi and Sukiyaki to share.

California Love Maki (P195)

The California Love first came out. Aside from the regular california maki, I think the "Love" part was the concoction of mango, kani, cucumber and kewpie mayo that they placed on top of each sushi. It was refreshing and put more flavor on the regular maki. Often we are served California Maki that seems to be lacking ingredients and could use a little more Japanese mayo, mango or crabstick. The additional topping eliminates that chance and makes sure that everyone gets a taste of the ingredients inside.

The sukiyaki came out next. It was surprisingly plenty for its price (P215). The server then placed the raw egg on top. . The sukiyaki tasted okay but then the glass noodles were just so long and we were having a hard time getting it in our bowls. The beef was plenty and tender. All 5 of us shared the sukiyaki and we all felt we got just the right amount. The soup could need a little toning down though. The flavor was so intense that after drinking a few spoonfuls of the soup, I felt I had enough.

Katsudon (P180)

The main dishes came out next and each of us had a bowl of rice and viand to enjoy. I enjoyed my katsudon. It tasted like what I would've wanted it to taste like. It was also nice that each table already had the different sauces and what-have-you that you would need. I usually ask for some chili oil and powder and I was glad to have it right beside me already and not ask the waiter to bring some over.

Convenient Condiments

I think the bottomline was all 5 of us enjoyed our meals and had nothing bad to say about anything. If you want Japanese food that tastes authentic and not fast-food-ish but with a pricetag that's not as expensive as the restaurants you would find in Makati, I think this Kapitolyo establishment can offer you something that you would like and enjoy. The service was good, I think I had 5 water refills and everytime I asked for it, the server would be back in a jiffy. All in all, eating at Ramen Cool was a good choice. All 5 of us agreed and left the place contented and a few pounds heavier.

Ramen Cool can be found in 25 East Capitol Drive, Brgy Kapitolyo Pasig City. When you enter through the Kapitolyo gate that passes in front of Cafe Juanita, just go straight and then make a left turn at the first crossing. It's the corner establishment on the left. ENJOY!