Bolinao's shell

Got this from Bolinao, Pangasinan at a souvenir shop just outside the town parish church. It is a carved shell from the Patar Beach located on the town's premises. Me and a friend just searched on the internet how to get there by commute. It was like a 6-7hours bus ride from Cubao. Then going to the resort (Solomon's Paradise - which is really cheap and the couple are very accommodating) we took a tricycle for about 45mins (~Php300). This is also the same tricycle we contracted to tour us around the next day and is referred by the resort owner. The resort also did provided us our meals during our stay and just priced accordingly. Overnight stay there was worth it. We felt the calm winds from our nipa cottage coming directly from the ocean. It was peaceful and serene. I'm looking forward inviting more friends to come over there.

the nipa cottages taken from the rooftop of the main house, secluded that is

Patar Beach

Mystical Cave

Basey, Samar's Sohoton National Park and Caves

Golden River, Basey, Samar

I got this key chain during our trip to the town of Basey in the province of Samart last August 2010. The Golden River on the key chain's print was the gateway to the fascinating Sohoton National Park which is declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage (or something similar). Travel time from the town's port to the park took us around an hour by 4-seater banca. It was a long ride but you would be surely amazed of the view along the river. You'll get to see how people on these rural areas do their living.

the Golden River of Basey, Samar in actual

our banca parked at the Sohoton National Park

I am very proud of this place. I never thought there is something like this hidden on the Samar Island and I bet there are more unspoken great places there!

Davao's durian

got this from my former officemate

bought this outside Davao Crocodile Park during my second visit

bought this from a mall in Davao (forgot the name) during my first visit

Here are three different versions of Durian keychains I have from Davao City. The middle one is a preserved fruit; dried then preserved according to the salesman. Actually, I don't like the taste and aroma of Durian but uncannily I love their milk candies! You should try those when visiting the city.

Vigan's Kalesa

Vigan is a well-preserved city on the northern region of the Philippines. It's a city with a lot of history and many old-tradition houses way back from the Spanish era has been preserved.

Seeing this key chain from a local store immediately catches my attention. It's colorful and it's uniquely Vigan as Kalesas on this city is known due to it's heritage appeal.

Here's a photo I got form the net. This is one street in Vigan that truly signifies the city.

STRAA 2003

This is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) member of my key chain collection...

This was given by my classmate on my Fourth Year in High School. She was then sent to the Regional sports meet. She was our representative in chess and lawn tennis; I just forgot if both. FYI, STRAA means Southern Tagalog Region Athletics Association. It was nice of her that she gave everyone in our class, with our names on the other side of the figure. This is a guitar-shaped key chain.

Cagsawa Ruins

I think the second to my favorite is this one...

The Cagsawa Ruins in front of the Mayon Volcano. I got this during my weekend (very short) trip to the province of Albay (part of Bicol Region) last August2009. It was the first time of my dad to drive there, approximately 10-12 hours of drive from our home (Laguna Province). What makes this unique is that it was made up of pebbles or particles from the ruins itself, as what the store owner claimed. Well, i hope it is indeed true!

I've been to Bicol several times but I just don't know why my feet are automatically dragging me to this region..

Banaue's Rice God

i would like to start my collections list with my favorite...

I got this when I went to visit the World's 7th Wonder - the Banaue Rice Terraces. As the locals say, this is the Ifugao's Rice God. It was marvelously handcrafted-carved on wood and cost my only ten pesos!

For sure I'll go back to this amazing place!

the Banaue Rice Terraces