Parola De LABUAN Do's and Don't (Zamboanga City)

I tried to go up but then my fear of height creeps in like I want to throw up as I am going up. So that's the best shot I can offer you but its a great place and its getting crowded already. On our way back I saw people bringing their babies and some are wearing scrub suits and casual wear after the rain and Hell, its slippery. So wear whatever you please.

How to Go To Parola De Labuan

From Integrated Bus Terminal:

1. Ride any jeep going town proper

2. You can ask people around where is the Labuan Terminal or

3. From Town Proper go to OK Bazaar Department Store then walk your way to City Radio beside it, the terminal.

4. EASIEST: Ask the people around.

FARE as of November 2, 2016 is 40 pesos per way.

Note: Present your student ID to the checker to avail discount not when the bus is already away from the terminal.

From Town Proper

1. Just follow step 2 to 4

AT LABUAN

Alight at the BIEL TERMINAL and you can ride a habal habal going to the PAROLA. I am not sure how much the fare.

REMEMBER

1. Entrance fee 5pesos prior to going to the Parola. Its private property.

2. At Parola pay 10 pesos for maintenance.

3. LABUAN is a safe place and they are already used to people coming but best to go to the POLICE first and registered.

4. WEAR APPROPRIATE Hiking attire. BEST to go there during DRY SEASON. The trail can be slippery during rainy season. My sister and nephew fell along the trail.

5. Its bit stiff going to PAROLA as of this writing but the care taker said they are already planning to put stairs.

6. Snacks are available.

Parola De LABUAN Do's and Don't (Zamboanga City)

I tried to go up but then my fear of heights creep into me like ghost. So that's the best shot I can offer you but its a great place and its getting crowded already. On our way back I saw people bringing their babies and some are wearing scrub suits and casual wear after the rain and Hell, its slippery. So wear whatever you please.

How to Go To Parola De Labuan

From Integrated Bus Terminal:

1. Ride any jeep going town proper

2. You can ask people around where is the Labuan Terminal or

3. From Town Proper go to OK Bazaar Department Store then walk your way to City Radio beside it, the terminal.

4. EASIEST: Ask the people around.

FARE as of November 2, 2016 is 40 pesos per way.

Note: Present your student ID to the checker to avail discount not when the bus is already away from the terminal.

From Town Proper

1. Just follow step 2 to 4

AT LABUAN

Alight at the BIEL TERMINAL and you can ride a habal habal going to the PAROLA. I am not sure how much the fare.

REMEMBER

1. Entrance fee 5pesos prior to going to the Parola. Its private property.

2. At Parola pay 10 pesos for maintenance.

3. LABUAN is a safe place and they are already used to people coming but best to go to the POLICE first and registered.

4. WEAR APPROPRIATE Hiking attire. BEST to go there during DRY SEASON. The trail can be slippery during rainy season. My sister and nephew fell along the trail.

5. Its bit stiff going to PAROLA as of this writing but the care taker said they are already planning to put stairs.

6. Snacks are available.

The famous Parola de Labuan and the Bridge of Limpapa Zamboanga City

Have you seen the post circulating around social media in Zamboanga city? The white  Parola (lighthouse) and the ever famous bridge of Limpapa circulating around Facebook lately --ofcourse you have. Halos lahat ng friends ko sa FB me iconic post sa infamous landscape that is located in the west costal area, the last barangay of Zamboanga City.

   



What's with all the hype and where did it all start? I have no clue but for sure, am going there to experience Labuan and its bounty.

My God gives us good weather this coming Sunday, October 30, 2016. It will be the first ever (as far as I Know) guided tour that we have coordinated with the local police and the locals in support for promoting its famous landmark and beauties.

The Plan is we will be visiting new potential tourist attraction around Latap, Masalag, and of course the 2 famous sites.

Will Update this blog ASAP!!!!

Photo credits : @callmekhadija via #instagram

The famous Parola de Labuan and the Bridge of Limpapa Zamboanga City

Have you seen the post circulating around social media in Zamboanga city? The white  Parola (lighthouse) and the ever famous bridge of Limpapa circulating around Facebook lately --ofcourse you have. Halos lahat ng friends ko sa FB me iconic post sa infamous landscape that is located in the west costal area, the last barangay of Zamboanga City.

   



What's with all the hype and where did it all start? I have no clue but for sure, am going there to experience Labuan and its bounty.

My God gives us good weather this coming Sunday, October 30, 2016. It will be the first ever (as far as I Know) guided tour that we have coordinated with the local police and the locals in support for promoting its famous landmark and beauties.

The Plan is we will be visiting new potential tourist attraction around Latap, Masalag, and of course the 2 famous sites.

Will Update this blog ASAP!!!!

Photo credits : @callmekhadija via #instagram

Why I don't recommend Pagna't Saka Travel guide (Mt. Pulag)

 I always wanted to go and see Mt. Pulag and yes, did some research and Google always suggest Pagna't Saka for the Mt. Pulag adventure. With all the high 5 rating and good reviews, jumped in and reserved a slot with them for our March 2015 climb. Below are the reasons why I don't recommend them.

 Problem 1. Lousy customer service:

10:00 AM till 5:00 PM: A day before the climb, keep calling them but all I got was voice prompt generated answer from network operator saying not in service or out of coverage area. So instinct, naloko na. Na scam ako? Panic set in.

Solution: Since lahat ng contact info di ma kontact, we decided to go to the office at 10 Ferguson Road. Surprise! Surprise! Surprise -THERE IS NO PAGNA'T SAKA OFFICE in the address they gave sa website. The Land Lady told us it doesn't exist and we are the 2nd group asking about the travel agency. Other address was at Melvin Jones? Melvin Jones Grandstand? Naloko na

MY GOD! SCAMMER! ring, ring, ring

http://www.pagnatsaka.com/

Trying to be hopeful, I tried calling again around 6-ish using other number not mine -Oh boy, Alfa (owner) picked up saying they are in Sagada and just need to proceed to the rendezvous place and someone will contact me by 4AM or 3AM.

So fine I got an answer after trying for the nth times.

Also, they are so quick in answering if you are going to join and asking for the bank info for the payment, a bonus? whahahah. Other than that, None, most of my text are unanswered.

Problem 2. They leave us hanging and they are nowhere to be found even a representative from them, as in NONE.

The 1 who handled the trip was B.O.T not Pagna't Saka. The guide told us if the DENR asked us about the name of agency use B.O.T and not Pagna't Saka. WTF! Parang pinagpasapasahan lang kami. Dawud and Alfa are in Sagada both of them. Gee, why not 1 of them joined us cos we signed up for them but then again, dahil konti lang kami, hindi kami mahalaga. They don't want returning customers and referrals.

Problem 3. Package A (All in) What?

Not true, never avail the complete package because we end up paying for the tent. 1 headlight was provided for the 3 of us. My Gosh, we all availed the complete package..Damn! All the equipments are not satisfactory. Manipis na sleeping bag, tent are what? hays buhay.


Problem 4. Rude, rude, rude Alfa.

Lunch at the BOT house and he told us that we are going to stay in his house and not in Camp 2. Why? Only 150 persons are allowed to camp in Camp 2. Somebody called up Alfa and asked for explanation. We are all hungry, tired and whatnot.

Phone conversation:

Camper1: Scammer pla kayo.. I'll file a complain sa pulis.

ALFA: Sure go to the pulis. Gusto mo samahan pa kita mag pa blotter.

The nerve ng babae, so is this a syndicated scam? Tapang nya.


My Opinion:

Madami pang magandang tour agency na pwde ninyo salihan but not with this kind of treatment. We all paid everything cash and kakalungkot lang, me mga tao parin ganito. The cycle will continue. If they communicate to us and handled us well, or told us changed of plans.. Okay lang sana but Surpise tlg kmi. These people all cared about sinong madaming participant and money.

I am not against those people rating them 5, its your opinion and experience and these are mine.

Ate Yas' cheap homestay at Baguio (worth it)

Just completed my trip to the summer capital of the Philippines last March 05-11, 2015 and boy, lots of experience that will always be treasured. It's my 1st time in the city of pines. So indeed, was quite thrilled to experience the cold breeze. Let's talk about where do we hit the night for snooze. Glad, I stumbled after reading some blog looking for cheap and homey stay in Baguio.

Ate Yas' homestay: Located near the Lourdes Grotto or to be exact its in Lourdes Subdivision. I'd give this a 5-star cos they are so hospitable and the basement where we stayed are superb plus its the coldest part of the house. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

The RULES

The Basement

Rooms:

3 bedrooms with 1 bedroom having double deck. So I think it can cater 10persons max.

Price: 350 per head.

Verdict: We are all satisfied and happy. We will surely come back

Contact Ate Yas at 0742441432 or 0915-993-2508 or 0917-783-3252

Levanta con No Te Vayas De Zamboanga City ( Stand up n Do not leave ZC)

OMG! My last entry was like 2 years ago. Wow, so long. Now lang namulat uli sa blogging. After that Siege last September 09, 2013 and the Yolanda in November..ang daming happenings. I was blogging about Rio Hondo in 2012 and currently its under renovation along with Sta. Catalina, Lustre, Sta. Barbara where intense fighting took place between the MNLF and the troops.

The IDP's or the Internally Displaced People are sheltered temporarily in Grandstand (Sports Complex) and some other sheltered areas throughout Zamboanga City namely: Taluksangay, Rio Hondo Elementary School, Tulungatung, and other areas that I can't remember.

The local government are trying hard to meet deadline for this IDP's to go back to their respected homes but as of this time, there are only few housing project finished but well, its a great start already. Kudos to all Zamboanguenos for getting back on track. Let just be 1, not divided but as 1 as a Filipino! Good vibes, Bismillah and Via Con Dios!

                                       
Some rally by the IDP's last 12/10/14

I am hoping that all the help, the money will go to the project intended and again kudos to all of us. It's not rocket science but we take it slowly but surely Zamboanga City!!

P.S. credit to the owner of the last 2pics (Muhtadz Arip)