Cagraray Island: Bicol’s Underrated Paradise

BICOL Region is a favorite among Pinoy beach lovers for its two beautiful islands: Caramoan of Camarines Sur and Calaguas of Camarines Norte. But there is another beach paradise that is still under their radar.

This is Cagraray Island in Albay, which is home to Misibis Bay, a high-end resort offering a unique balance of luxury and adventure for all its guests.

Cagraray Island in Albay, which is home to Misibis Bay, a resort slash paradise

Thanks to a media familiarization trip by the Department of Tourism in 2016, Traveling Journo Ph has been fortunate enough to stay at the premier property and experience paradise.

Luxurious, indulgent

At the heart of Misibis Bay’s luxurious feel is a personalized service that begins at arrival. A friendly staff welcomes guests to the lobby and prepares for them everything that is needed for check in.

Then, guests are brought to their rooms via a golf cart. To fully settle in, they can ask for a complimentary foot spa from the resort’s trained therapists. This reception always leaves a memorable mark to Misibis Bay first-timers. As for returning guests, they will be treated just the same, and even better. This is because their needs are already anticipated by the staff.

As part of its welcome, the resort’s trained therapists give guests a complimentary foot spa after check in.

The resort creates more indulgences for all its guests. On top of the list is “Cocktails at the 5 Views” that takes you to a picturesque setting overlooks the Mayon, a lake and rolling hills. There, the resort sets up a cozy picnic place with its own private mini-bar where a personal bartender concocts signature cocktails.

The resort arranges a private dining at a secluded cove where a chef grills the freshest catch of the day.

While Cocktails at the 5 Views is perfect for couples, recommended for families is a private lunch at the secluded Luyang beach cove, which is accessible through a 15-minute motorboat ride. Here, a chef grills the freshest catch of the day, while waiters serves the newly cooked food straight to the plates. At the cove, kids swim while the adults lounge at the beach.

Fun, adventurous

Misibis Bay also encourages its guests to embark on adventures showcasing the best of Bicol’s eco-tourism, at the center of which is the majestic Mayon Volcano.

Start with a Legazpi day-tour that goes to Cagsawa Ruins and the Lignon Hill, the most popular vantage points to views the perfect cone volcano. There is also a thrilling choice, which is an ATV tour to the volcano’s famous lava wall at the Bonga Gully.

At the center of Bicol’s eco-tourism sites is the majestic Mayon Volcano.

After fully appreciating the beauty of Mt. Mayon, guests can continue with cave and waterfall explorations. Either go spelunking at Pototan Cave, or be enchanted with Vera falls. Why not do both?

During peak season, Misibis Bay can also arrange a whale shark interaction tour to the nearby island province of Donsol.

An array of activities like jet ski and para-sailing will keep the adrenaline of guests rushing. 

But even just inside the property, there is an array of activities that will keep adrenaline rushing. Ride the high-powered jet ski, balance while paddle surfing, leisurely paddle on the kayak, speed away at aboard the banana boat, and for the most challenging activity, try wind surfing!

By land, Misibis Bay takes guests to the Eco-Energy Park for an exhilarating zip-line ride. There is more room for play by going around the resort on board a Segway.

And so, this calls for extended summer! Time to head on to Cagraray Island and be treated at Misibis Bay.

(TEXT AND PHOTOS ©EUDENVALDEZ)

IN PHOTOS: Hoegaarden Brews Fun in BGC

FILIPINOS love their beer that is why they are up for exciting times with the introduction of local brews and the resurgence of imported labels.

Such as Hoegaarden that is fast becoming a household name among Filipinos in Metro Manila. It hails all the way from Belgium, particularly in its namesake village where brewing beer has always been an integral part of life.

The tradition began in the 15th century, when Begarden monks in the area started brewing Belgian white (or wit) ales. Since the previous wheat beers they brewed were sour, the monks experimented by adding orange peel from the colony of Curacao and coriander. This resulted to the recipe behind the original Belgian White Beer, the Hoegaarden Witbier – biere blanche.

Hoegaarden hails all the way from Belgium, particularly in its namesake village where brewing beer has always been an integral part of life.

Five centuries later, light and refreshing flavor of the Hoegaarden recipe is still loved the world over. Proof to this is its Gold award in the Belgian-Style Witbier Category of the 2016 World Beer Cup. It just bested 77 other witbier brands.

As an extended celebration, Hoegaarden Brewery’s exclusive distributor in the Philippines, Booze Online Inc., held a roof deck party at the Manila House in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

With free-flowing beer, arts and crafts, and groovy music, it was a truly festive event fit for Hoegaarden’s award. Just look at all the fun below:

The celebration started in the afternoon with arts and crafts that busied guests with fun thread art and bag printing. 

Air plant was also up for adoption with those with green thumb! 

Also set up for everyone was a very cozy and Instagrammable photo booth.

The author with best friends from the lifestyle press: Jopseph Garcia of Business World and Anton delos Reyes of Malaya Business Insight. 

As the day turned to night, funky music from local indie acts Moonwlk and Ransom Collective pick up the phase. 

Chester Cabrera, marketing manager of Booze Online, tells everyone to enjoy the night away with free-flowing Hoegaarden.  

Hoegaarden’s two variants, the award-winning White-Bier and the refreshin Rosée. 

(PHOTOS ©HOEGAARDEN PHILIPPINES/BOOZE ONLINE INC.)

VIRTUAL TOUR: Inside Angono’s Blanco Family Museum

THE first thing you will notice upon entering Angono’s famed Blanco Family Museum is its symbol—a bright orange carp that is peculiarly upside down.

It will make you ask, “What is the meaning behind this upside down fish?”

The answer is simple yet true to Blanco Family. Museum curator Michael Blanco tells Traveling Journo Ph that the symbolpays homage to his great grandfather Juan, a fisherman who was short, stout and bald. When resting in his boat at the shore of Laguna de Bay, he resembled a bloated dead fish locally called the bunggan.

Blanco Family Museum resident curator Michael Blanco tells TJPh the story behind their family’s peculiar symbol

The bungganhas stuck with the family so it naturally became the symbol for the museum, which was constructed and opened in the 1980s.

More importantly, the image also represents the family museum’s colorful and vibrant canvasses. Four-hundred paintings depicting and immortalizing the traditions of our Filipino ancestors from Angono and beyond.

Get a glimpse of the Blanco Family Museum through this virtual tour:

Meet the Blanco Family

The Blanco Family is Angono’s most celebrated family of painters led by the late patriarch, Jose “Pitok” Blanco. A graduate of Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas, Pitok lived during the heydays of Angono’s art scene—way before it was Art Capital of the Philippines. He was 20 years younger than National Artist for Visual Arts Carlos “Botong” Francisco, who was also a son of Angono. In fact, he used to follow Botong around, eventually being influenced by his works.

Just like most folks of lakeshore Angono, Pitok was also a farmer and a fisherman only he finished Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas. When he decided to become a full-time painter, he made it a point to personally train his seven children. They all naturally followed the footsteps of “The Father,” “The Teacher,” and “The Master.”

It was in 1978 that Pitok together with Glenn, Noel, Michael, Joy, Jan, Gay and Peter Paul held their first ever family exhibit at the National Museum! They were also invited to paint as family in China, Singapore and Malaysia, showcasing to the world the Philippines in their signature realist strokes.

Peter Paul, the favorite model

After familiarizing onself with the Blancos’ two generations of history and five decades of artistry, it is time to see their collection of artworks beginning from the youngest to the eldest.

The seventh child, Peter Paulwas the youngest to get into arts. At 11 months old, he was already drawing at the Blanco household’s walls! By the time he was 9 years old, he already already exhibited his works.

From left: “Tatay at Nanay” (oil on canvas, 1993); Right: “Doves” (oil on canvas, 1994) 

And because he was bunso, he became the favorite subject of his siblings! Thus, he appears several times in different paintings at the museum.

Gay Blanco, the youngest daughter

Gay is the youngest of two daughters. She painted at the age of 3 and her favorite subjects are mother and child.

From left: “Maglola” and “Madonna of the Banaue” (oil on canvas, 1998); “Gay with Paul” (oil on canvas, 1988)

Among her works are mother and child from Angono, Mindor, Samal Island and Ifugao.

Jan, and his love for birds

Of the Blanco siblings, Jan is the one who found liking in birds! He paints the feathered animals with much precision and passion. His made his first ever at the age of 15 and it showed Peter Paul and his roosters.

From left:“The Merchant” (oil on canvas, 1990); “Peter Paul” (oil on canvas, 1987”

At 18, during his family’s exhibit in China, he witnessed his favorite subjects in a different light—being butchered at a market. He was so affected that he sketched the scene before his eyes. Upon arriving home, he immediately went to paint what became a vivid and detailed piece of work titled “The Merchant.”

His attention to details is also exemplified in a “Smokey Mountains,” a massive oil on canvass depicting the sorry state of people living in the dumpsite 

Joy, and her southern tribes

Despite graduating from Business school, Joy chose to become a full-time painter just like her older brothers and father.

From left: “Gathering Rice Stalks” and “Lucban Mother and Child” (oil on canvas, 1987); “T’boli South Cotabato” (oil on canvas, 1979)

Prominent in her paintings are people, whether they are passing the day in the countryside or celebrating grand fesivals. She has also been fascinated by different tribes during her family’s many travels around the country. This has resulted to paintings of Yakan and T’boli women in their traditional garb with geometric patterns and colorful accessories.

Michael, the museum curator

Michael, the third eldest child, currently manages the Blanco Family Museum as resident curator. Before taking on the responsibilty, he has been known among the family to excel in portraits.

From left: “Portrait of Jan” (watercolor on board, 1978); "A close up of “Inang Elang” (oil on canvas, 1984)

Pitok himself told Michael to specialize in portraits after seeing his portrait of younger brother Jan, which he made at a young age of 12. He went on to prove his special skill at the age of 18 when he painted his grandparents Atang Mael and Inang Elang. He was able to capture the textures and colors of their age.

Needless to say, Michael also painted landscapes like “Beginning of a New Day,” his family in Batanes, or “Escape to Higher Ground,” the eruption of Mt. Mayon.

Top: “Beginning of a New Day” (oil on canvas, 2004); A close up of “Escape to Higher Ground” (oil on canvas, 2004)

TJPh has had the pleasure of meeting Michael who hopes to sustain the Blanco Family Museum not only through their family exhibit but also through exhibits of fellow Angono artists. They have unused space for such. The Blanco Family also gives back to community through the school it established just in front of the museum. Catering to pre-school to secondary school, it hones young students in academics and of course, the arts.

Noel, the lover of water

Noel is the second eldest son of the Blancos born on the eve of Christmas thus his name. He did not immediately went to learn painting but once he began, he became multi-awarded immedaitely.

Clockwise from left: “Isang Bakol ng Canduli” (oil in canvas, 1979), “Gantungan” (oil on canvas, 1981), “Naghihintay” (oil on canvas, 1986)

Just like his father and older brother, most of his works are murals of natural landscapes. However, those with bodies of water became his favorite. An example is “Gantungan,” an oil on canvass made when he was 17.

Glenn, and his lauded thesis

As the oldest, Glenn painted the longest among his siblings. He and Noel were also trained the most by Pitok. They would religously paint from 8 am to 5 pm in a day just to master the technique of realism. The eldest sons even had to finish a mural each as thesisbefore they were allowed by their father to exhibit solo.

“Anak ng Magkakaingin” (oil on canvas, 1988, 72”x120”)

Glenn’s thesis is a true testament to the family’s art heritage. Titled “Anak ng Magkakaingin,” it shows the Blanco Family’s mastery of Philippine landscapes of countryside.

Loreto, the last to paint

Loreto, the late wife and mother, always supported her family’s artistic endevours. She was present at home nurturing the talents of her husband and children, and she was with them at international giving them moral support.

So it was a suprise in the family when finally, Loreto decided to pick up the brush and paint later in her life. She painted portraits of women who were like her.

Jose, father, teacher and master

Last but not the least is Jose, or Pitok whose magnificent murals line up the walls of the museum. Start with his early works dating back to 1960s. Unfortunately, his very first sketches and paintings were stolen from the museum in the 1990s.

"Angono's Fisherman Festival" (oil in canvas, 1989, 96" x 178.43") is considered as Pitok's masterpiece

A true sight to behold was the “Angono Fisherman’s Festival,” a mural effectively showing the lakeshore heritage of the town. Four hundred detailed faces of Angono locals—young and old, women and men who are mostly fishermen—portraying different emotions as they fluvial parade made its way in Laguna de Bay. The festival is held every November in celerbation of San Clemente, the patron saint of fishermen, thus of Angono as well.

"Carabao Festival" (oil in canvas, 1977, 72" x 144")

Next to it is another mural of Angono’s festival, this time honoring San Isidro, the patron of farmers. It is the Carabao Festival celebrated every May.

"Lakeshore Wedding" (oil on canvas, 1985, 47" x 72")

More local sceneries from the olden Angono are painted, as well as tribal practices from around the Philippines are displayed.

Without a doubt, a tour of Blanco Family Museum is enough to tell one Angono’s rich heritage on arts and agriculture, as well as the beauty of the Filipinos all over the archipelago.

(TEXT AND PHOTOS ©EUDENVALDEZ)

RELATED STORY: 
More than just the Philippines' Art Capital

Malagos Chocolate of Davao Goes to Manila

Sowers of hope: Malagos Chocolate Owners Charita and Rex Puentespina together with local farmers 

DAVAO, home to Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines; the Philippine Eagle, the country’s national bird; the infamous fruit delicacy that is durian; and our President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Also, there is the multi-awarded Malagos Chocolate, which is shaping Davao to become the “Cacao Capital of the Philippines.” Made from single-origin cacao beans grown on farms in the foothills of Mt. Talomo, it is chocolate harvested from carefully nurtured trees and processed without the stain of child labor.

This coming May 19 to 20, Malagos Chocolate is launching their new line of “fruity and sustainable” couverture chocolates at the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines at the World Trade Center and Philippine Trade Training Center,

Friends from the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions of the Department of Trade and Industry shares this announcement:

“For this year’s IFEX, we’re developing products using local fruits to help promote sustainability and inclusive growth in our area,’ said Malagos Agri-Ventures Corporation’s sales and marketing head Rex Victor Puentespina. ‘Ayun din naman ang campaign ng government, to help development in the countryside so we want to use local products in Davao.’

Aside from their new product line, the Davao-based company will also offer neatly packaged dark chocolates ranging from varying rate of cacao concentration—100% Unsweetened, Malagos 85% Dark Chocolate, Malagos 65% and Malagos 72%. They will also sell roasted cacao nibs and dried fermented cacao beans, as well as quality cacao seedlings, seeds, scions.

Single-origin, ‘tree-to-bar’ chocolate

Malagos Chocolate takes pride on their single-origin chocolate production or what they call the ‘tree to bar’ process, which involves the planting, harvesting, fermenting, solar drying, roasting, and processing of the cacao beans into fine-flavored chocolates.

“Our chocolate is made from tree-to-bar. We grow the trees ourselves, we cultivate them, we take care of them, and process it to finished product - process it for fine flavored chocolates,” Puentespina said. “It sets us apart is that we have full control of our raw materials so we can meticulously watch over the whole process unlike just buying the beans from somebody else.”

Due to the quality of its product, Malagos Chocolate is currently putting Davao on the cacao world map. As of 2016, Davao is the source of 80% supply of cacao in the Philippines.

Despite its recent commercial launch in 2013, the Davao-based company has already bagged several prestigious international and local awards. On the same year, they were given the title ‘Best Product’ in the Philippines during the ASEAN Food Conference 2013.

They also won in the prestigious Academy of Chocolate Awards held in London, United Kingdom for two consecutive years - a bronze in 2015 and a silver in 2016.

The company’s Malagos 100% Pure Unsweetened Chocolate was awarded the First Runner Up for Best Product for Food Ingredients Category in 2015 Katha Awards Food.

Recently, they earned a two-star accolade (with 3-star being the highest) at the 2016 Great Taste Competition of the UK's Guild of Fine Food, which is considered the ‘Oscars’ of the food world.

‘What makes us exceptional is our new unique flavor profile. We do not intend to follow imported chocolates because we believe that we have a unique product. Our chocolates are fruity because of the influence of the environment we’re at in Malagos,’ he said.

With quality and food safety as top priority, Malagos Chocolate has already obtained certifications from the Philippine Bureau of Plant and Industry, National Seeds Council, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) under the Philippine Food and Drugs Administration, United States Food & Drugs Administration (USFDA), and HALAL under the Islamic Da’wah Council of the Philippines, Inc (IDCP).

Due to their international recognition, Malagos Chocolate is now exporting to various countries, such as Thailand, Singapore, US. Currently, Japan is their top export destination.

Puentespina shared that they met their buyers from Japan at IFEX Philippines and now they are exporting an average of 1,000 kilos of cacao-based products to Japan per month.

‘Our customers now in Japan, we met them at IFEX 2015. That goes to show that IFEX is a very effective marketing tool for exporters to meet serious and quality buyers,’ he said. ‘The event also gives us an opportunity to get feedback from the export market. Chocolate is food so you let people try it to get a very good feedback on the product we’re making.’

Puentespina said that they work with 60 to 80 farmers in the area, depending on the season, giving the local farmers livelihood. Malagos Chocolate’s continuous growth truly gives great economic impact in Davao. For every milestone they achieve, they give credit to Davao cacao farmers.

‘Our company Malagos Agri-ventures corporation is part of a family-owned grouped of businesses that have always worked with nature and local farmers. Today, we produce chocolate that is proudly Philippine-made. A single-origin fine flavor chocolate that is truly tree-to-bar,’ he said.”

(PHOTOS ©CITEM)

More than just the Philippines’ Art Capital

IT can be observed that in the Philippines, modernization and industrialization are creeping in even in the countryside. What were once farming and fishing villages are now developing cities and municipalities.

Take for example Angono in Rizal. This quaint, little town facing the massive Laguna de Bay is now a first class municipality thanks to trade and commerce. It has indeed come a long way from being a barrio of neighboring Binangongan.

But despite its progress, its people keep true to their agricultural roots and they do so in colorful canvasses, beautiful music, giant sculptures, and other forms of art.

Angono, after all, is the “Art Capital of the Philippines.”

This Traveling Journo Ph discovered and so much more in a visit on April 28 and 29.  

An art crawl

Angono has produced National Artists Carlos “Botong” Francisco for Visual Arts and Lucio San Pedro for Music and it continues to hone more artists—young and old, acclaimed or aspiring.

In return, these artists give back to their hometown by opening galleries and museums to showcase their talent to fellow Filipinos and even foreign visitors.

These establishments have made Angono a tourist destination. Start at the Blanco Family Museum that showcases two generations, or five decades, of paintings of the Blanco family starting from the late Jose “Pitok” Blanco down to his seven children. They are, from eldest to youngest, Jan, Joy, Michael, Noel, Glenn, Gay and Peter.

The Blanco Family Museum showcases two generations of paintings of the Blanco family
starting from the late Jose “Pitok” Blanco down to his seven children

A tour at the museum immediately gives visitors a glimpse of Angono’s agricultural past. Fishermen are reflected in the Laguna Lake, or with kanduli (catfish), the bounty of lake, while women are seen amidst lush crops and big trees.

Also prevalent are paintings of the town’s two major festivals: San Isidro’s festival every May that gives thanks to the farmers' bountiful harvest, and the town fiesta commemorating the fishermen’s patron, San Clemente, every November. The latter also coincides with the Higantes Festival that showcases the artistic bearings of Angono.

Artworks beyond Angono also showcase countryside scenery and festival revelry. In general, the Blanco museum depicts the Philippine culture in realist strokes and colorful canvasses.

The house of National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco houses his memorabilia and serves as the gallery
of the works of his grandson Totong Francisco

Not far from the Blanco Family Museum is the Botong Francisco Mural Street where the house of the National Artist still stands. Along the street, walls of the houses have been painted with the works of Francisco. However, these murals have been turned into concrete sculptures to last longer.

Guests may visit Francisco’s house to see his memorabilia including the National Artist medal, old books, paintbrushes, newspaper clippings, old photographs and so much more. It also serves as "The Second Gallery" of the paintings of his grandson, Carlos “Totong” Francisco, the only one in the family to follow in his footsteps.

The Nemiranda Atelier displays a wide range of paintings from the father of Imaginative Figurism,
Nemesio Miranda or Nemiranda for short

Both Blanco museum and Francisco house are found in poblacion area. Meanwhile, the Nemiranda Atelier and Balaw-Balaw Restaurant and Gallery are just a block away from each other in the uptown area.

Nemesio “Nemiranda” Miranda’s atelier is home to massive sculptures of Philippine folklore characters like Maria Makiling and Bernardo Carpio. It also displays a wide range of paintings from the father of Imaginative Figurism, as well as select works of artists from the Angono’s Ateliers Association. 

The lake’s bounty

Balaw-Balaw was established by the late Pedrigon Vocalan, who was as passionate in painting as in cooking. Today, his apprentice Dennis “Adonis” Almazar runs the restaurant and gallery as manager.

The late Pedrigon Vocalan, who was as passionate in painting as in cooking, thoughtfully made Balaw-Balaw’s menu
in such way that it proudly serves Laguna de Bay’s bounty

In an interview with TJPh, Almazar recalls how Vocalan thoughtfully made Balaw-Balaw’s menu in such way that it proudly serves Laguna de Bay’s bounty. On top of the list is the balaw-balaw, considered one of Angono’s most traditional dishes.

According to Almazar, balaw-balaw are small shrimps caught in the lake, which are fermented with cooked rice for one week. The paste is then sautéed and spiced. The restaurant produces and sells homemade and bottled balaw-balaw for P65 only.

This author with Dennis “Adonis” Almazar, Pedrigon’s apprentice who now runs
the restaurant and gallery as the manager

So how do you eat it at home? He shares a simple recipe of sautéed eggplants with garlic, onion, ginger and the balaw-balaw.

Other famous native dishes served by the restaurant include Kanduli sa Miso, Fried Itik, and fresh catch from the lake that day.

Once their appetites are satisfied, visitors then revel at the works of Vocalan, as well as of Almazar who still paints despite his full-time job.

Clockwise from top left: The Balaw-Balaw Specialty Restaurant and Art Gallery; Vocalan’s life-size sculpture
titled “Inang Kalikasan”; the rooftop garden; and a workshop for Angono artists

On the mezzanine are Vocalan’s earliest paintings, while on the second floor are his meticulously crafted sculptures in different sizes. There are life-size pieces that will sell for over a million pesos, reveals Almazar.

TJPh also observes the kinship and camaraderie among Angono’s artists. Almazar, for example, brings art collectors to other galleries if they don’t find acquire any piece from Balaw-Balaw.

A national treasure

Hidden in the mountains bordering Angono and Binangonan are ancient petroglyphs, proclaimed a National Cultural Treasure.

This ancient petroglphys are believed to be carved in the Neolithic Age,
or at least a millennium before the birth of Christ

Present at site was Ms. Esparanza of National Museum who readily briefs visitors about the Angono-Binangonan Petrolyphs. 

She shares that no less than National Artist Botong Francisco was the one who discovered the rock carvings in 1965. She continues that the discovery led to archaeological excavations by experts who believe that the petroglyphs were made in 3,000 BC. Stone tools unearthed around the site suggests that the petroglyphs were carved in the Neolithic Age, or at least a millennium before the birth of Christ.

Clockwise from top left: The man-made tunnel leading to the petroglyph’s site; Ms. Esparanza of the National Museum; the rockshelter measuring about 63 meters wide, eight meters deep and five meters high; Ms. Esparanza, Michael Blanco of the Blanco Family Museum; and Arts and Letters students from the Univeristy of Santo Tomas

The site of the rock art is a rockshelter measuring about 63 meters wide, eight meters deep and five meters high. All throughout this rockshelter, our oldest ancestors carved 127 animate figures like turtles, frogs and humans.

It was declared a National Cultural Treasure for historic, aesthetic, scientific and social significance. Thus, a trip to the petroglyps is a must when in Angono.

Laidback at the lakeshore

An immersive day for arts, food and petroglyphs calls for a leisurely ending. The perfect place for this is the Angono Lakeside Eco-park.

At the Angono Lakeside Eco-park, locals spend a laidback time among friends and families as they wait for the sun to set

Here, locals spend a laidback time among friends and families as they wait for the sun to set. The young ones set out for the playground, while the elderly sit and watch from the benches. Some fishermen catch fish as a hobby.

Visitors can pay P20 for a 10-minute boat tour in the lake that will surely take one back in time. As the capital's skyline looms in the horizon, a local harvests camote tops from his banca. The stark contrast of modernization and tradition is then painted crimson by the setting sun.

Clockwise from top left: The eco-park as seen from Laguna de Bay; line fishing as a hobby; a solitary fisherman on his banca; and tourists setting out for a Laguna de Bay, in the backdrop, the fiery setting sun

After enjoying this scenic view, spend the rest of the night at the "banchetto" dining. Street food like boiled sweet corn, dirty ice cream and cotton candy, and grilled turo-turo is everywhere, while specialty food like burgers, ice-blended drinks, sushi, and nachos is served in stalls.

To conclude, Angono offers a wealth of experiences that will enrich culturally. This accessible destination from Metro Manila is a sure-win fix for travelers.

***

The Office of the Mayor sponsored Traveling Journo Ph’s accommodation at Angono’s Scrapyard Resort. Visit its Facebook page for more information.

(TEXT AND PHOTOS ©EUDENVALDEZ)

RELATED STORY: 
VIRTUAL TOUR: Inside Angono's Blanco Family Museum

Catch a Musical Sunset at Mt. Makiling this May 6

LOVERS of mountain and music are up for a unique treat this weekend. By heading over to Mt. Makiling in Los Baños, Laguna, they get to experience a classical performance by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra while enjoying a scenic sunset.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines shares this press release about this exciting event:

“Bring picnic baskets and enjoy the sunset at the mountaintop venue as the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the country’s premier orchestra, serenades the public with classical strains from beloved operas on May 6, 2017, 5:00pm at the Tanghalang Maria Makiling of the National Arts Center in Los Baños, Laguna.  The event, presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc., is free to the public. The concert is the second of the Imelda Ongsiako Memorial Opera Concerts. 

Entitled PPO Sunsets at Makiling, the program includes selections from the opera Carmen (Bizet), Libiamo ne lieti calici from La Traviata (Verdi), Overture from William Tell (Rossini), Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni), Nessun Dorma from Turandot (Puccini) and Kay Tamis ng Buhay from Noli Me Tangere (F. P. de Leon), among other works. The concert’s Music Director and Vocal Coach is international Filipino baritone Andrew Fernando.

PPO Sunsets at Makiling is one of the CCP’s flagship outreach programs in the arts that bring the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) to audiences in Los Baños and other cities and towns outside Laguna for a rare experience of live orchestral music. Set in the beautiful backdrop of sunset in the mountains, the concert features light popular works written by the great Classical Music Masters. This year, the PPO will be joined by young talented opera singers in a performance of excerpts from well-loved operas.

Conducted by PPO Associate Conductor Herminigildo Ranera, the well-attended annual concert brings opera closer to its audience as it features up and coming opera singers including soprano Nerissa De Juan, mezzo soprano Ma. Krissan Manikan, tenor Lorenz Lapresca, and baritones Belford Mabunga and Joseleo Logdat.

An open theater located in the slopes of Mt. Makiling in Los Baños, Laguna, the Tanghalang Maria Makiling is a National Arts Center structure that can accommodate up to a thousand audiences complete with state of the art lights and sound system suitable for low, medium and large scale productions and performances.

Established in 1976 as a haven for young and aspiring artists, the National Arts Center is tucked away in mythical Mt. Makiling, Laguna. Its various buildings and facilities are scattered over 13.5 hectares of the Makiling Forest Reservation and also houses the Philippine High School for the Arts, a government-run secondary educational institution for gifted young artists. The NAC's unique location offers a perfect vacation hideaway and its laid-back and contemplative atmosphere sets the mood to relax, unwind and recharge one's energies.

Jeepneys to the National Arts Center will be available at the Baker Hall of the University of the Philippines Los Baños from 2:00 PM onward on May 6, 2017. Fare is Php50 (one way).”

(BANNER PHOTO ©GEORGEREYES/CC 2.0)