Susan Calo-Medina, My Travel Influencer

Photo: CTTO

More than 20 years ago, I remember staying up late on a Thursday night to watch episodes of Travel Time.  It introduced me to destinations like Boracay, and Pagudpud where very little development was done in those areas that time.  But it was her ending message that resonates to me up until now.  "Huwag Maging Dayuhan sa Sariling Bayan" or Do not be a foreigner in your own country.

It was because of her feature of Taal, Batangas that influenced our thesis proposal in Architecture to propose a Tourism Development Within the Volcano Island.  During our site visit, we didn't know the duration of the trek, but we opted for the one that would take us to the actual crater navigating through lava formations and black sand dunes.  Unprepared, and with limited cash, we we're literally gasping for water once we reached the crater lake.  Once were back to the town of Talisay, came the challenge of commuting for the return ride back to Manila because we missed the last bus.  I remember, me and my partner Michelle Ramos (Now Michelle Cunanan) hitched a ride at the back of a pick up truck intended for produce going up to Tagaytay.  It rained the middle of the journey and we were soaked to our skin once reaching the top.  It was the monsoon season that time, and the rain continued flooding the roads entering Manila.  We ended up walking on flooded streets just to get home.  This was before mobile phones we're invented and our parents we're worried sick about us.

Susan Calo-Medina and her show Influenced my love for travelling although it was expensive during those times.  When eventually I started working, whatever is left of my pay check is usually spent on exploring different destinations.  My only regret was that there was no social media to document these adventures.  Otherwise, I would have been a popular travel influencer myself.  Back in the days, we were so focused on finishing the degree, making a career and your real life passion was sidelined.

I was able to visit Coron when the only affordable way to get there was through a 15 hour ferry ride.  I visited Boracay when boats were still allowed to dock on the white beach and the boat men literally carry you to the shore so you wouldn't get wet.  Those were fun memories.

It took 20 years, when I finally decided to make a living through travel and tours.  I retired from my corporate job in 2016, then spent the last 2 years figuring what future plans would be.  I chanced upon Airbnb experiences and made good money out of it until the start of this year.

It was only last year that I was able to come back to Taal Volcano.  This time, I was taking foreign guests to visit the volcano as part of the experiences I was selling.  My last visit just 5 days before it erupted.

Now, my experiences we're put on hold because of the COVID 19 Pandemic.  Just when I thought I was gaining momentum.

But I have no regrets.  I feel that my life skills prepared me for this.  I just need to re think my strategy so that when the travel ban is over, we're going to come out stronger.

My ultimate goal now is to look for experience hosts on all of the Philippine destinations, beyond areas serviced by the Airbnb platform.  With the availability of information on the internet, tourists are more keen on immersing themselves in the culture.  Instead of sight seeing and just tasting local delicacies, why not teach the guests how to make it themselves.  Would you agree if I suggest that on top of seeing Calle Crislogo in Vigan, making your own Vigan Empanada would make your visit more meaningful?

Not only will this revive the local tourism industry, it would also create additional income to the local hosts.  An empanada vendor would probably earn the same if she sells them the whole day for 20 pesos per piece as compared to teaching tourists to make them for 1 hour.

I just need to figure out where to get my resources.  I should probably start a Go Fund Me campaign.  But should you have connections, or this would be the same area you want to explore, or just maybe your also one of those people influenced by Susan Calo-Medina, please drop a message on the comment section.

RampaDora the Explorer Maiden Voyage

Today I am officially launching the 1st tour package for RampaDora the Explorer Tours.

I want to cater mainly to the LGBT market offering affordable packages of road trips I have experienced myself.  I want to customise trips according to our lifestyle and interests, creating a balance of adventure, art and culture.  

What would set our tour group apart from the others is our attention to details.  

Playlist

Every road trip would have a playlist of songs depending on the destination and guest preferences.  

I wouldn't want be stuck on a 4 hour ride listening to rock and 80's new wave, or worst the Porkchop Duo Concert.

VANity Kit

We know how expensive it is to maintain that perfect skin complexion and we would not to destroy that.  Each van is equipped with sun protection essentials from sun blocks to umbrellas (in pink). We also have alcohol, wet wipes and toiletries to keep you feeling fresh.

Interactive

This is something I have observed from other tour groups.  Some function like a transport service bringing you from one point to the other.  With us, we will ensure that all guests will experience everything that the place has to offer and be immersed with the local culture.  Before each trip, we will research on the Must Visit, Must Eat, and Must Do!

I have chosen Taal Heritage Town as the first destination because of its rich history, unique landmarks and places to visit aside from the many activities you can do within the town.

Taal Heritage Town (June 28, 2014)
Pic Pac Package
(Pic Pac Package are for destinations suited for photography and sight seeing.  It can also be a festival)

06:00 AM Meet-up
07:00 AM ETD for Taal Town
10:00 AM ETA arrival in Taal Heritage Village

Day Tour

Museums
Leon Apacible House
Marcela Agoncillo House

Lunch
Tampuhan Cafe

House Hopping
Villa Tortuga
Casa Villavicencio with Snack
Galleria Taal housing the biggest collection of old cameras

Church Tour
Basilica of Saint Martin, the biggest church in Asia
Our Lady of Caysasay

5:00 PM  ETD for Manila

Inclusions:
Transportation, Guide Fees, Entrance Fees, Lunch and Snack.
Optional:
Photo in period costumes at Villa Tortuga (200php)
Climb the Bell Tower of the Basilica (50php)

Rate:
1500/pax minimum of 10

Email me at omarpalero@gmail.com for reservation and payment details.

Kasalan sa Taal, Batangas

Hindi ito ang aking unang pagbisita sa bayan ng Taal.  Madalas ko na rin itong mapuntahan, mula ng akoy nag-aaral pa lamang ng Arkitektura noong Kolehiyo.  Marahil ay maaga pa lamang, talas na akong lakwatsero.  Di pa uso ang mga digital na larawan nuon.  Ang tanging preweba lamang  ng aking pag bisita ay ang aking ala-ala, at mangilan-ngilang larawan na nangupas na rin.

Kaya't lubos na lamang ang aking kaligayahan, ng maimbitahang makibahagi sa kasalan ng aming kaibigang si Marj na isang abogado, at si Benj, na di ko na nalaman ang propesyon dahil sa mabibilang lamang naming pagkikita.

Ako ay naatasang maging tagapangasiwa ng palatuntunan kasama ang isa ring kaibigan na si Chum Guerero.  Sa araw ng kasal, maaga kaming tumungo papunta sa bayan ng Taal, ng sa gayon ay, malibot kong muli at makita ang bahay, na di ko nasilayan ng huli kong bisita, dahil sa limitadong oras.

Sa tapat mismo ng pamahalaang bayan namin inilagak ang aming sasakyan.  Di na ako nag aksaya ng panahon at unang tinungo ang Basilica ng San Martin de Tours.  Dahil may dalawang oras pang nalalabi bago magsimula ang kasal, tinungo ko muna ang mga lupon ng kabahayan sa tapat ng simbahan.  Ito rin ang mga bahay na  natatangi naming napuntahan ng huli, kayat nilakad ako ang isang kalye at dito ko nadaan and mga tahanan ng bayani ng Taal.

Narito ang mga larawang aking nakalap:

Muntik ko ng makalimutan na kasalan pala ang aking ipinunta, kaya't matapos ang aking paglilibot at tinungo ko na ang bulwagan na pag-gaganapan ng salo-salo, and Escuela Pia.

Mapalad akong naunang makita ang bulwagan mula sa ibang bisita. Sinamantala kong kilalanin ang mga ikakasal sa kanilang mga larawang inilagay sa mga lamesa. Di matatawaran ang ganda ng hapag na, ginayakan pa ng mga puting rosas, lampara, at personal na koleksyon ng mga libro.  Ang mga pangalang pantukoy ng upuan ay sulat kamay mismo ng ikakasal.  Ngayon lang ako nakibahagi sa kasalan, na ang imbitasyon ay di lamang sa kasiyahan, ngunit sa ganitong paraan, ay para na ring paanyaya sa kanilang buhay.  Ipinakita nila ang kanilang hilig, sa pagbabasa, pagsusulat, at pagmamahal sa buhay na ibinahagi nila sa katumbas ng 20 taong larawan.

 

Matapos and aking pag-iikot sa Escuela Pia, ay tinungo ko na ang simbahan para sa nalalapit na simula ng kasal.  Habang naghihintay, ay di ko mapigilan ang aking sarili na abangan ang babaeng ikakasal, at makita ang kanyang pagdating lulan ng karwahe.  

Nagsisimula na ang paglalakad ng mga abay, ng humaharurot na dumating and karwahe.  Mapalad akong makakuha ng larawan bago siya bumaba, ngunit hindi ko pa mailalagay ang larawan ng walang pahintulot.  Pumasok na ako sa loob ng simbahan para dito naman tunghayan ang mga magaganap.

Napakaganda ng kanilang napiling oras. Ang pilak na altar ay nagkulay ginto ng buksan ang pinto sa pagpasok ng ikakasal na babae. Dinulot ito ng pag tatakip-silim na sinag ng araw na wari'y nais makibahi sa kanilang pag-iisang dibdib.

Sa huli ko na lang nalaman, ngunit katulad ng ikakasal na lalaki, kami ay naging emosyonal sa pagpasok ng nakakasilaw na liwanag, na sa pagsarang muli ng pinto, ay naglantad ng isa pang mas magandang pangitain.  Suot ang pasadyang puting terno na binalot ng burda at makikinang na bato, maingay na lumakad ang natatanging babae ng hapong iyon patungong altar. Iyon na ang naging hudyat at patunay ng kasabihang, sa hinaba haba man ng prusisyon, sa simbahan din ang tuloy.

Itutuloy....

Historical Taal, Batangas

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The first time I’ve heard about the Taal Heritage Village was when I was doing my thesis in college.  We need to come up with our thesis proposal, and since I love traveling, we decided to focus our project on tourism development and have chosen Batangas as our project site due to its proximity in Manila.

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We came across Taal Heritage village as one of the major attraction of Batangas.  On our first visit in 1997, we were immediately drawn to the Ancestral houses as an architecture student.  The imposing Church at the center of town is a Landmark in itself being the widest Catholic Church in Asia.

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We did not pursue a tourism complex in area; instead our thesis took on the much challenging Taal Volcano Island as our site.  In 2011, I was once again reminded of the charm of the area.  Coming from Puerto Galera, we were meeting friends in Tagaytay, and took the coastal route from Batangas City, passing the towns of Taal and Lemery.  That was such a short encounter that prompted my visit again this year.

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I carefully planned my route using the navigator on my Iphone.  From STAR Toll way, I took the Lipa exit and follow the route passing Cuenca and Alitagtag.  Road signs pointing the direction of the Taal Heritage Town is visible from the highway after Santa Teresita.

 

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We are tempted to make stops on the Ancestral houses along the road but the streets are so narrow that it would cause traffic.  We finally found a parking spot in front of the Municipal Building just across the church.  

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Since it’s a Sunday, we came to visit the church first admiring the imposing façade.  The interior recreation of fresco paintings is good, making it a recent version of the San Agustin Church Interior in Intramuros.

 

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Next, we went on a walking tour to appreciate the ancestral houses.  Had we arrived the day before, we could have visited all the houses that are open to the public for free.

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Since we are already in Batangas, we are in search of the local favorites.  A cup of Barako and Lomi were the things that came to mind.  I searched foursquare for trending places in the area.  Casa Conchita appeared on the search list under the Café category.  We asked for directions from the tricycle drivers and pointed us to a small gate along the road very near the church.  The place is still new, with no signs except for a streamer against the wall along the road.  According to one of the owners, this used to be the ancestral house of Ogie Alcasid.

The place was very charming with dining areas on the balcony and the ground floor area.  The house shows influences from different periods.  The Gallery is reminiscent of the ground floor bahay na bato.  The 2^nd floor Bed and Breakfast  is an American Period Improvement of the Spanish Sala and Bedrooms.  Although now made smaller to accommodate guests.  If you really want to immerse yourself in living in an ancestral house, you can sleep here for 600 php that comes with breakfast.

They did not have our cravings, but instead, was treated to something different.  We tried their Kamias and Malunggay Shake.  The Kamias Shake is a balance of Sweet and Sour similar to a green mango shake.  The Malunggay is refreshing with a bitter sweet after taste.

 On weekends, the small street connecting the town hall turns into a night market serving street food.