Michi Photostory

My initial plan is Iloilo and Guimaras only but when I learned that I can go to Bacolod via fast craft for 1 hour only, I asked hubby to file 2 days’ vacation leave. Thanks to Airphil seat sale, I was able to book Manila to Bacolod for P2k+ for 3 persons.


Few days before our trip, the weather was not good and I always check the weather forecast of Bacolod and Iloilo and it always says, there will be rain shower and a chance of t-storm so I was really worried that we will not enjoy our trip. It was raining when we left the house until we arrived in Bacolod at 5:15AM but God is so good because when we start our tour, no more rain shower.

Since we can’t check-in early at Circle Inn, we went to McDonalds for breakfast, we stayed there until 7AM before we visit Capitol Lagoon and the Ruins. The first time I saw “The Ruins” pictures on Facebook and Internet, I was really amazed and how much more when you really see it up close.





"The Ruins of the Mansion of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson was built in loving memory of his deceased wife Maria Braga after her death in 1911. The mansion of Italianate architecture was designed to be a monument of their enduring love affair. In the eve of World War II in 1942, the mansion was torched by guerrilla fighters and was burning for 3 days leaving behind reminders of a glorious past."


There is a mini-golf course for a minimal fee. They also have a restaurant but we haven’t tried since we left before the opening time.


The place is really relaxing my only concern is there is no tourist guide that will tour you around the mansion and explain the history of it; instead you have to read the information posted on the wall which I find incomplete from what I’ve read before. P60 is the entrance fee so I find it expensive. But still, it is worth the visit, best location for pre-nup pictures or garden wedding.



Read: 31 Hours in Bacolod

How to get to The Ruins in Talisay: 

From Capitol Lagoon, we rode “Bata Jeep” and told manong driver that we’re going to “The Ruins”, (P7.50/pax). He dropped us off at the terminal of tricycle and then we took a tricycle to “The Ruins” (P15/pax). The tricycle driver asked me “Ma’m, sandali lang po ba kayo?” I said, “mga isang oras manong”. He said, ah, kala ko sandali lang.

But we stayed for almost two hours and when we left, I saw the tricycle driver waiting for us though I did not ask him to wait. Actually, we’re ready to walk around 500 meters just to reach the next terminal of the tricycle. I’ve read before that you could hire a taxi for P500 or you could ask the tricycle driver to wait for you P100.

The Ruins of the Mansion 
Hds. Sta. Maria, Talisay City,
Negros Occidental, Philippines 

A month before our flight I emailed one hotel in Bacolod to inquire if they still offer the promo rate on their website and she said yes. I replied to her email to reserve one room for us. Then a week before our flight I confirm my reservation with them but to my disappointment, the room was not reserved and she said they no longer offer promo rate and if we want to reserve the room please reply immediately because Feb 15-19 is their peak season. 


I did not answer back because I was really disappointed so, I searched the internet for possible accommodation; Circle Inn immediately responded to my inquiry and they told me the same thing.

“Please note that we are on peak season on Feb 15-19, 2012. We are requiring 50% non-refundable and non-rebookable confirmation deposit for the reservations we received within those dates.” 

I reserved a room immediately because I only have few days left before our flight. I also availed the airport pick-up for P500, actually, we can take a van from the airport for P100/pax but my husband wants to avail the airport pick-up because our arrival time is 5:25AM (yes, ganyan kaaga, yan ang natira sa promo fare.) 


Fast forward to our trip, we arrived at the hotel as early as 6AM, no early check-in so we just left our things and off we went to Capitol Lagoon to start our Bacolod Adventure. We went back at lunchtime and I was glad that they allowed us to check-in already. Circle Inn is a budget hotel so this is the room, twin beds, and bathroom. 



It was time for lunch but my husband wanted to sleep so my son and I just ordered at the hotel for our lunch. I ordered dinuguan, fried chicken, and rice. 


They have a pool too, my husband and son had night swimming while I was busy packing our stuff. 



I have no problem with our stay in Circle Inn; my only concern is the location. I did not check on their location, Circle Inn is two to three jeepneys away from tourist spots and restaurant so we’re having a hard time in commuting. We have to walk two to three blocks away from the hotel just to look for trisikad or tricycle going to Lacson Street. We could save more if we stay at L’ Fisher or Saltimbocca Inn because most of our food trip is located in Lacson Street.

Read: 31 Hours in Bacolod 
Food Trip in Bacolod

Circle Inn 
Lopez Jaena – Malaspina Streets, Capitol Shopping Center 
Bacolod City 6100 Philippines 
Telephone: 63-34-709-9111 OR 63-34-709-9009  
Telefax: 63-34-433-2538  
Mobile/Text Messaging: 63-917-445-9972  
E-Mail: bacolod@circleinnph.com

I’ve watched Eat, Pray, Love movie of Julia Roberts last year and this inspires me to create our own version of Eat. Pray, Love since we can’t afford to go to Italy, India and Indonesia. Last Friday we had another trip to celebrate our wedding anniversary, so we Eat in Bacolod, we Pray in Iloilo and we celebrate Love in Guimaras.

These are some pasalubong that we bought from each places though our Bacolod pasalubong did not reach Manila, it was gone in 24 hours. (except for muscuvado sugar)

BACOLOD PASALUBONG


Virgie's galletas
Muscuvado sugar, 
Pendy's meringue, 
Pendy's Napoleones 
Pendy's half moon cake

Bacolod is known for sugar plantations so it is not surprising if they love sweet foods. We went to Pendy’s for our breakfast and to buy some pasalubong. I will not leave Bacolod without tasting their famous Napoleones. We all love their Napoleones and too bad I only bought 2 boxes, I should buy at least 3 boxes, one for each of us. We also love half-moon, a simple cake with leche flan on top. So if you will visit Bacolod, don’t forget to buy Napoleones and half-moon at Pendy’s.

Read: 31 Hours in Bacolod

GUIMARAS PASALUBONG


Guimaras mango
Trappistine chocolate cookies
Mango yema
Mango cookies
Mango biscocho 
Mango otap





ILOILO PASALUBONG


I’ve tried Biscocho Haus butterscotch last year so this time I bought butterscotch at JD Bakeshop (P150 per box), some says that JD butterscotch is better than Biscocho Haus but to tell you honestly, I can’t tell the difference except for the size and packaging. For me, they both taste good.

Sad to say but this is the last day of our Ilocos trip, after breakfast, we went to St. William Cathedral, Tobacco Monopoly Momument, and Provincial Capitol. These tourist spots are all walking distance from UKL Ever Hotel, actually, there’s nothing special about this spot but this is part of my itinerary. 



We went back to our hotel to pick up our luggage and off we went to Laoag airport and that was the start of our Sunday mishaps.  End of my Ilocos series. =)

I had a second thought about including Kapurpurawan Rock Formation in our itinerary because I knew that we would have to walk around 500 meters just to reach the place. I have no problem in walking or trekking but we have kids in tow so I wasn’t sure if they will enjoy this place but since we are going to skip Kaibigan Falls, I included this in my itinerary.

I have no regrets because this rock formation is really amazing. I’m not good at adjectives so all I can say is WOW and I’m glad that I’ve been here though seeing it up close is not easy.





Kapurpurawan Rock Formation is really amazing and if we’re not in a hurry, we could stay longer here.




This is the view at the back of the rock formation.

Today marks the exact date of my first blog anniversary, and I can’t believe it’s already been a year! I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my post (and not “wasting your time,” haha). When I first started my blog, I never imagined anyone would be interested in reading it. Back then, I only had three readers: me, myself, and I. Then I told my mom and hubby about it, and they became my number one fans. Thank you both for your support—and thank you to all of you, too!

As I always say, Michi Photostory is like my online diary and a sort of “me time.” As a full-time mom, I need an outlet where I can freely write and express my thoughts. This blog has been so helpful in keeping me sane. I’m happy to share my experiences as a mom and wife, our travel adventures, our food trips, and more. You have no idea how happy I am to see my followers and subscribers growing. Most of all, I truly appreciate your comments and thoughts. Answering your questions and messages brings me joy because, in my own little way, I can help.

I never thought blogging could be so fun and interesting! I’ve learned a lot through blog hopping, discovered fascinating places around the world, and even found hidden “hole-in-the-wall” restaurants. Because of this, I now have a long list of “places to visit,” “must-see resorts,” and “food trip” destinations. I’ve gained new ideas, tips for parenting, and insights from other mommy bloggers that make me appreciate and enjoy motherhood even more. I might have even gained a few pounds from reading food blogs—your posts inspire me to try new recipes and restaurants!

Thank you to the bloggers who helped me plan my itineraries and trips. Thank you as well to those who gave me the opportunity to earn through my blog. It’s not much, but I’m grateful for the few paid posts and links I’ve received. One important lesson I’ve learned about blogging is: “Blogging isn’t just about earning; it’s about learning and gaining friends.” I’m glad to say that I’ve gained many online friends along the way.

I hope that someday I can meet some of you in person. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for following my blog. To show my appreciation, I will be giving a small reward—a Starbucks tumbler—to my top commentator. As of now, I have 359 blog posts and 2,122 comments, so it’s a bit difficult to track my top commentator manually. That’s why I added a widget last Sunday. Here are my top 20 commentators… (drum roll, please!)

this is the reason why I need to go to Starbucks last Tuesday. =)

We started our Laoag - Pagudpud tour at 8AM, Glenn was not available at that time so his cousin was the one who drove us to Pagudpud. The first stop is the Sinking Bell Tower. It is one of the tallest here in the Philippines. This is walking distance from our hotel, they say that you can see St. Mary image in this tower. Can you see the image?
Laoag and Vigan are like revisiting the past while Pagudpud is enjoying the nature and scenery so I’m not surprised if more people stay in Pagudpud than in Laoag and Vigan. It is 2 hour trip from Laoag and 4 hours from Vigan.

Let the photos do the talk.

Note: We're so busy taking pictures and we did not notice na may parating na malaking alon, ang layo namin sa shoreline pero inabot kami, nagulat na lang kami at nabasa na kami at natanggal ang slippers ng anak ko, so habol ni hubby yung slippers, then one lady is shouting for help, yung kasama niya paglingon namin, nakahiga na sa sand and basang-basa so takbo ulit si hubby and inalalayan and sinave din ni hubby yung slippers ni lola.