157
philippines
trip journal
PHOTOS: LESTERLEDESMA (BUTUAN&OZAMIZ)
DIPOLOG
“Dipolog isasafe,peaceful
city. Itsbeachesareclean,
and theenvironment is
smoke-free.Overall, forme
it’saveryrelaxing location.”
Hopover toGrandma’sBest
Restaurant&Bakeshop (ArellanoSt cor
Mabini St, Barra) to try their signature
beefThai rice for onlyPHP130.
Take
ahikeup the 3,003 steps to the topof
LinaboPeak,Dipolog’s highest peak, or
go for a stroll alongDipologCityBlvd,
the longest boulevard in thePhilippines.
Gettingaround town is easyona
motorcab for onlyPHP8or habal-habal
for PHP20.
AREACODE
+65
TOUCHDOWN
DIPOLOG
AIRPORT
GETTOTOWN
TRICYCLE
BUTUAN
“Butuan ismyhomenow.
Ivalue itsrichcultureand
history, andIcontinue to
learnabout itasI immerse
myself in the localwayof life.”
Thedesserts atMargie’sKitchenonJ.
C.AquinoAvenueareverypopular among
Butuanons— try the cookiemonster, nelusko
and, of course, their almond-laden sans rival.
Visit theBalanghai Shrine, where large
remnants of our ancestors’ boat homes
and communities, the
balangay,
areproudly
displayed.
Thebestway to seeall the
historic sites andmuseums is tobook a tour
witha local guidewho can share insights into
Butuan’s richpre-Spanishhistory.
AREACODE
+85
TOUCHDOWN
BANCASI
AIRPORT
GETTOTOWN
JEEPNEY,MULTICAB,
HOTELSHUTTLE
OZAMIZ
“Even thoughI’m from
OzamizCity itnevergets
old forme. I love that it
offers theconvenienceofa
metropolis,butwithout the
usualhustleandbustle.”
CheckoutGat’sBar andRestaurant
if you’re into chillingand listening togood
musicwithabeer inhand. You’ll swoon
over their tasty chickenfingers (PHP125).
Your tripwill not be complete
without visiting theCottaShrine, where
the feast ofOur LadyofTriumph is
celebratedannuallyonJuly 16.
Drop
by the secondfloor ofOzamizCity
PublicMall, whereamongother bargains,
you can scoreapair of designer jeans for
just PHP100.
AREACODE
+88
TOUCHDOWN
LABO
AIRPORT
GETTOTOWN
TRICYCLE (PHP30
PERPERSONTOCITYPROPER)
Janibelle
D.Elledo
Officeadmin/hospital
sales representative/
freelancer
AntonetteS.
Montalban
Neurosurgeon
Carmelle
Fuentes
CorporateEnglish
trainer
