Tag: Southbound Quickies
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Maragondon, Cavite: A Town That Saw Andres Bonifacio’s Last Stand
Maragondon, Cavite is the unassuming town where Andres Bonifacio faced his final reckoning. On a weekend, we visit the shrine near Mt. Magpatong, as well as the trial house, the riverside, and the centuries-old Jesuit church in the town center, confronting the Revolution’s questions.
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Tayabas, Quezon: A Heritage Road Trip and the Joy of Seeing Again
Through Tayabas, Quezon’s colonial streets, iconic basilica, and the timeless Puente de Malagonlong, we embark on a heartfelt road trip that becomes my mother’s first after cataract surgery. It’s a journey of healing, gratitude, and rediscovery through family and faith.
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Sariaya, Quezon: How a Forgotten Blog Led Me to the Town’s Heritage Houses
Beneath Mount Banahaw’s gaze, the heritage houses of Sariaya, Quezon, tell stories of a bygone era. Moved by a blog that fell silent years ago, I wander through the town’s Art Deco mansions, pondering how preserving heritage mirrors our struggle to keep meaning from fading.
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24 Hours in Los Baños with Maria Makiling: A Buwan ng Wika Journey
What if Maria Makiling descends from the mountain in Buwan ng Wika? She visits UP Los Baños, explores the town, and gazes over Laguna de Bay. Los Baños, Laguna becomes the venue where folklore and the idea of “wika” come alive.
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Lipa City, Batangas: A Barako Coffee-Fueled Day Trip Through Culture, Lomi, And A Big Red Barn
Lipa City is often seen as just a stopover on the way to more popular destinations in Southern Calabarzon. On a weekend, we give it the attention it rarely gets, visiting its heritage structures, trying its barako coffee and lomi, and exploring its quieter pockets of nature like the scenic Old Grove Farmstead.
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Calamba, Laguna: Walking in the Footsteps of Young Jose Rizal
Calamba, Laguna, the hometown of Jose Rizal, is an easy day trip from Metro Manila. On a weekday morning, I visit his ancestral house, the church where he was baptized, the iconic Calambanga pot, and the calming Calamba Baywalk—all while experiencing the city’s everyday life.
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A Maundy Day Trip to Laurel, Batangas
Laurel, Batangas, is an underrated day trip destination from Metro Manila. This lakeside town has great views of Taal Lake, cozy cafés, and peaceful resorts.
The Tourist Gaze 