A Visit to Roxas City, the Country's Seafood Capital

Last September I was fortunate to visit Roxas City, touted as the seafood capital of the county. Any doubts as to its renown was laid to rest  when we were presented with our breakfast, pictured below. 

Note the coconut trees reflected in the spoon. How I wished our trip was
non-work related, but you make do with what you have

I did not post this right away, because when I was about to, typhoon Haiyan swept through the Visayas. I hope things are on the mend in Roxas. Please note that this was a couple of months before the storm, and I'm really hoping things are already okay.

When in Roxas, a trip to the Seafood Court at the People's Park in Barangay Baybay is a must.

The Seafood Court is where you get fresh seafood at ridiculously low prices. The baked scallops were divine. the place reminds me of Iloilo's Tatoy's Manokan and Seafood.

If Cebu has Taboan Public Market, Roxas City has Banica for danggit and other dried fish and seafood.

At Banica dried fish section, the danggit and the kraken are cheap compared to similar items at the mall or supermarket. Aside from producing dried fish, similar products from Bicol and the Visayas find their way in Roxas 

For fresh fish and seafood, the Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center is the place to go. 

My colleagues had their fill of scallops, shrimps, and crabs. 

Our event took place at the El Circulo Convention Center in Pueblo de Panay, a mixed used development located at the southern part of the city.

teenagers dancing the tinikling greeted us as we approached the seminar hall

At the tiangge, I scored these assorted cinnamon rolls from Cinnamonhauz. The bestseller is the ube variant (center of photo). They are located at Stall 43, Capiz Government Business Center, San Roque Extension, Roxas City. You can reach them at 0918-437-3819.

In my next trip, I plan to visit the island of Olotayan, Panay's mini-Boracay, pictured at the background. Olotayan is from the ulo (head) and tayan (torso) of a mythical giant that once roamed Capiz. And speaking of Bora, it's only a few hours bus ride from Roxas.

'Til my next post

Bohol's Flushing Meadows Resort and Playground

If you want tranquility and solitude in your next island getaway, consider Bohol's Flushing Meadows Resort and Playground located at Panglao Island. It is located about an hour away from tourist-heavy Alona Beach

Panglao is derived from "panggaw," a fishing device. Aside from being a tourism hotspot, Panglao is also a  marine biodiversity center after numerous species of crustaceans and mollusks were discovered around the island in late 2000s. 

Obviously the owner is a tennis freak--Flushing Meadows Corona Park is where the US Open Tennis Tournament has been held since 1978. Wonder no more why the facilities are named after tennis greats, i.e. the Graf Conference Room. 

even though it was raining when we arrived, i was impressed with the place

love the mural adorning the main door

closer look

i wanted to read a book in this corner

i was there for work, and this was my room

flipflops in summery colors

view from my door

golden papayas

what the frack?

geckos! they were ginormous, and everywhere 

from the conference room, to the beach

on the last day of work i woke up early to take some last shots of the resort 

a chapel inside the compound

the restaurant. nearby, obscured, is the pool

yonder looks interesting

crystal clear water--those specks make up a school of tiny fish

because of the rain, we missed having our meals here

money shot

Flushing Meadows Resort and Playground 

Brgy. Dao, Dauis, Panglao Island

Manila Office Contact No.: (+63) 02 892-4961

Half Day Bohol Tour Part 3: Mint Choco Hills

Let's continue with our quick trip around Bohol. Last time we visited the tarsiers in the newly built conservation area and considered some items in the Bohol Bee Farm's Gift Shop. For today we'll drive up the town of Carmen to view the Chocolate Hills. En route we passed by the magical man-made forest, comprised mostly of mahogany trees. Lately they have planted more indigenous tree species.

our faces lit up when we saw this sign

we passed by a few solitary hills, like this one, on our way to the viewing point

the hills are green during this time of year

to get to the viewing point, one can either take the stairs or the ramp

I've learned in my visits that the Boholanos are very religious. I don't know if this
has anything to do with the proliferation of papaya trees wherever we go. 

Bohol is usually spared  visits from typhoons, but during our visit the sky was overcast.
Luckily the sun appeared briefly for a few minutes.