My 2017 Seven Churches for Visita Iglesia in Bohol

Christians have an annual tradition called Semana Santa to commemorate the passion of Jesus Christ. During this season, people do the Visita Iglesia - a tradition that is originated in Rome. It is known as a pilgrimage for penance. Traditionally done every Maundy Thursday, it is now practiced any day within the Holy Week before Good Friday comes. However, in my case, I usually do the Visita Iglesia every Good Friday with few friends and sometimes alone. 

Here are the Seven Churches I visited in Bohol

1. MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP (Locally known as Inahan sa Kanunayng Panabang)

This is actually a chapel and not a church, but one of the most visited chapels in Bohol located in Cortes, Bohol. 

Birhen sa Kanunayng Panabang Chapel

The Altar inside the Chapel

2. MARIBOJOC CHURCH

It is also known as Santa Cruz Parish Church or Holy Cross Parish Church. It was designated by the diocese as the Diocesan Shrine of San Vicente Ferrer. It was also declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum Philippines and a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. 

When a 7.2 Magnitude earthquake struck in Bohol and other parts of Central Visayas in 2013, the entire building crumbled to the ground, leaving only the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus standing. 

I, unfortunately, couldn't take any photos of the remaining statue for there were a lot of people during the time I visited. 

3. CALAPE CHURCH (The Epitome of Bohol Gothic)

It is a good example how colonial styles persisted. As to aesthetic view from outside, do not be fooled, Calape Church has a very fascinating external design that I do not normally see in other churches I visit in Bohol.

4. LOON CHURCH (it was dark already when I arrived so I couldn't take photos of the remaining buildings after the earthquake)

The Nuestra Senora de la Luz Parish Church (also Our Lady of Light Parish Church), commonly known as Loon Church. The entire church building and convent were reduced to rubble when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Bohol and other parts of  Central Visayas on October 15, 2013.

5. BIRHEN SA KALOOY (The Virgin that appeared from a shell) 

Aside to the waves of the sea in the silent area of Calape, Bohol, God chose a place to let people witnessed a miracle which is an Image of the Virgin of pristine beauty is mysteriously forming a shell. 

From a poor man's catch to an everyone's hope, the Birhen sa Kalooy continues to work miracles that reached far and soon in a national scope.

The Birhen sa Kalooy Chapel

Birhen sa Kalooy of Calape, Bohol

6. BIRHEN SA BARANGAY PARISH CHURCH

The Church known as the Shrine of the Birhen Sa Barangay is found in the Cogon District, one of the largest barangays of Tagbilaran City. Centrally and strategically located in this northern area, its imposing dome along Airport Road seems but a stone's throw from the highway towards Maribojoc town.

7. ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER CATHEDRAL

The cathedral of Saint Joseph the worker, the main seat of the Catholic faith in Bohol, sprawls on a wide area facing Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, the principal street of Tagbilaran City. Located in the central part of the city, the church has a picturesque setting. In front of it is the City plaza, famed for its flocks of doves and a haven for those who yearn to be alone to meditate, or to rest and relax, or to enjoy a tete-a-tete.

The Cathedral
(Photo courtesy of Google) 

We lit candles and offered a prayer as the last thing we did in Visita Iglesia 2017

It would be better if you would start your Visita Iglesia early so as to be sure that you will have ample time to visit all churches in your itinerary. Having your own car or motorcycle will be a big help.

Tuko Cafe

Here's another lovely "instagrammable" coffee shop in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. A few meters away from Bohol Quality Mall, escaping the noise and the traffic jam. From 9AM onwards, dive into their impressive menu. 

Tuko Cafe is located at ground floor of the new Limhong Khu Medical Arts Building beside Ramiro Hospital. This nice cozy place would make you relax for a little while. The theme of this cafe is a Gecko, which is locally known as Tuko in Bisayan term. The big yellow tuko footprint in their ceiling really compliments with the motif. Tuko replicas are also being placed all around the upper part of the walls of the cafe that makes more interesting. 

The cafe's interior design

This place describes the concept as a kind of upscale destination space, where customers can begin the day with coffee and other fresh-made food and drinks, sourced and prepared at the highest levels. 

You can see obviously the "Tuko" on the wall - cute!!!

This cafe has 2 stories, and I loved the color combination on the first floor. It is undoubtedly a great place to chill out with friends or just enjoy a good book in silence.

Here are some of the foods and drinks they served. 

Tuko Cafe's Signature Cake

Cold Dark Choco Nut, Mocha and Caramel Macchiato

Not a sweet tooth? Not a problem because they also serve Korean food and many others. Here's my experience with my friend, Alms. 

Bibimbap

Pretty Almie ^_^

and.. of course the prettiest me!!! hahaha kidding :D

Caffeine Coffee Shop

Address: 11 Celestino Gallares Street, Tagbilaran City, Bohol

Contact #: (038) 422 8204

Opening Hours: 7AM - 11PM from Monday - Sunday

WIFI: - Y E S !

Photo Courtesy by Google

I have always looked at getting a great coffee wherever I am as a small road trip of mine. While I aspire to visit every worthwhile coffee purveyor, the sad truth is that there's not much money in my coffee coffers to make that a consistent reality, hehehe .. So until I get to a coffee shop, I'm more than content to breathe in their beans and slurp their brews.

During my college years, I would often stroll the area around the city looking for something to suit my emotion, something that is almost for free, haha! (student's life..sigh!) Only I could remember, in that era there were only few decent coffee shops until I finished university and stayed in Cebu for quite a long time. Now that I am staying here for good, I have noticed that the city has improved a lot that great spots began popping up here and there, making for a full turn around for the local coffee scene, and this is one of the few current spots I have visited yet.

Iced Caramel Macchiato

For coffee, they proudly serve different kinds of blended and espresso. In my most recent visit, I ordered this although I used to have hot one but since the temperature is quite high and already hot!!! so I got the cold one. 

It has a cozy atmosphere and its elite interior gives you that dainty notion due to its lights and furniture. Moreover, the crew was very approachable. 

I think there are still some coffee shops here in Tagbilaran city that I have to visit. Till then...

Civet Coffee Shop

Address: Ground Floor, Skyrise 4 building, IT Park, Apas, Cebu City
(Across The Yellow Cab Pizza)
Operating Hours: 7AM - 1AM Daily
Note: Opening Now

Photo grabbed from https://www.zomato.com/cebu/civet-coffee-lahug/info

Photo grabbed from https://www.zomato.com/cebu/civet-coffee-lahug/info

Why is Civet coffee considered as the rarest and the most expensive brew in the world?  Well, read my research about it and will be posted here soon.. Enjoy and visit the newly opened cafe in IT Park, Cebu City.

Potato - Mozzarella Sticks

Hello everybody! Welcome back to my homemade recipes and I am going to show you one of my favorite appetizers , The Potato - Mozzarella Sticks. These are cheesy and delicious! 

Of course you can order this in the restaurant but this time I am going to share you how to make this in a very easy, affordable and enyoble at home with your family.
So, let's begin!

Ingredients:

1 medium potato - cut into cubes
1 small carrot- cut into cubes
mozzarella- cut into strips
1 pinch of ground black pepper
1 pinch of salt
1 half white onion
2 gloves of garlic

Directions:

1. Place the cut potato and carrot into your pan or you can also use a rice cooker.
2. Add a pinch of salt in the vegetable.
3. Put 3/4 of water from the level of the vegetables (do not put water beyond the veggies) and boil it until it soften. (It takes 15-20 minutes)
2. Check the vegetables using a fork if it is soften enough and ready to mash.
3. Put the soften potato and carrot into a clean plate.
4. Saute the onion and garlic then mix to the vegetables.
5. Start mashing using a fork or a potato masher until it's perfectly fine.
6. Get 2 scope of mashed potato and flattened it on your palm, put the mozzarella stick at the middle and make it as a filling.
7. Cover the cheese and form it into stick. Then put it in your oven for 5-10 minutes, enough to melt the mozzarella.
8. Serve hot and chessy. ENJOY!

Avalanche Ice Cream Shop - The Smokin' Brownie in Cebu City

Address: Anita's Bldg, Osmeña Blvd. Corner, J. Llorente St, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu 

(Right next to Anita's Bakeshop along the way to Boardwalk Shop)

Phone:(032) 416 0345

Opening Hours:11AM–11PM

This is the upper part of the building where you can see right after Anita's Bakeshop 

Have you ever just looked at someone and said... SERIOUSLY?!!! Haha, that's me when I'm hungry.

It was a hot, sunny Monday noon when I went to boardwalk shop to get my order. Since it was lunch time and I felt starving, weak and really wanted to chow down anything as long as it cannot poison me, haha :D  So I walked around near the area from Boardwalk shop and I saw this simple building, the name sounds familiar and my internal organs were knocking in my empty stomach so I entered. 

This is located above the counter area

The Menu

These are their simple menu. As you can see from the left side menu, this is their Famous Creams and the price of all the icecream is P95.00 each. Next to it is their new and premium flavors for iceream including my favorite coffee flavor. Then the highlight of this cafe is the Smokin' Brownies as you can see above. 

While waiting for my orders, I took my time taking few photos of the cafe. By the way, I was the only customer at that time so I could do whatever I want. As I've said it is not spacious so I could capture almost the whole area.

The happy and bright yellow color that good for 4 people.

The center view which can accommodate 8 people if you are with your friends or family.

After 10 minutes they already served my orders and could finally devour. It was funny because I was expected that my Columbian Coffee that I ordered was a coffee drink but I was surprised because they served me an icecream, haha! Though it wasn't enough for my taste but I enjoyed because of the coffee flavor. 

I remember my funny experience here everytime I see this Columbian Coffee of mine, haha :D

Now, let's go to the highlight.. The Smokin' Brownies. Yeah, It's smoking literally so be careful when you eat this.. you might order more, haha! 

Can you see the smoke? Interesting, isn't it?

What is that liquid in the cup?

- It's a Nitrogen liquid that creates vapor-like bubbles.

How to eat the brownie?

- Dip the brownie into the liquid for 5 seconds then it starts to smoke as if you are boiling the brownie into the hot water. After 5 seconds, eat it and you will enjoy putting the brownie into your mouth while smoking.

Is it hot?

- No. The Nitrogen is a liquid that turns the brownie into frozen. So, do not soak your brownie for a long time or else you will eat a hard frozen brownie which has no taste anymore.

CAUTION:

Extremely cold liquid nitrogen

Never Try To:

- Dip your fingers or anything other than brownies

- Spill on anything or anyone

- Impress your friends by acting like you're a cryogenic expert

Although these meals aren't good as my brunch and I won't recommend you to do it so (it isn't good for the health) but I highly recommend you guys to stop by here with your friends and family for snacking and meeting time. You'll surely have fun and enjoy the taste. 

Me, enjoying the food

Me, holding the frozen brownie.

Excuse me for the big face. I took this to show you how it looks like when it goes to the mouth.

Don't forget to leave a finger print, haha! Just write something and post it here before leaving the place.

Opps! They don't have any comfort rooms or washing rooms so be prepared before going there. They even make the icecream beside the cashier. Hopefully soon they'll have another branch around the city and would improve the location. 

So guys, whenever you have a question please post it in the comment box below and share your experience. Have fun! Bon Apetit :)

White Water Rafting in Cagayan De Oro City

When the situation made us decide to spend our holy week in Cagayan De Oro City, one thing I looked forward to is to experience the ice cold water in the river and do the adventurous white water rafting. As I mentioned in my http://malurulida.blogspot.com/2016/04/holy-week-vacation.html blog that I got an illness so my doctor didn't allow me to do any heavy activities. I super envy with my travel buddy who really enjoyed the paddling, hehe.

We stayed in Rich Manor Pensione House where it is conveniently located nearby Centrio Mall, Gaisano Centre and Gaisano Mall. With its convenient location, the hotel provides the easy access of rafting agency named Kagay Whitewater Rafting. 

At first, we were wondering if he can do it since he was the only one customer at that morning. The staff told us to wait for another people who will book and he would join them to accommodate one raft. Fortunately, there was one group of 6 who just booked and he was happy to join them. For the solo traveler, this is your opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. I couldn't join the adventure so I was their photographer for the teaser photos! haha! Since they have an official photographer who joined them along the journey.

I waited them for almost 2 hours inside the jeepney that the Kagay agency used. It was a kinda boring for me so I did many things like; sleeping, wandering the nature, listening to the sound of the river flow... exciting, huh? When they came back, Sam was amazed the experience! The icy cool water, raging and angry, ready to throw out the unaware. According to him, the most challenging was when they jumped from river to river, haha! I agree because I saw the view along the downstream and I love it! Would definitely try it someday.

The tour guide said that it was not exactly an adrenaline filled adventure since summer season in the Philippines is not the best time to try the water rafting, just a little water and not so wavy. Best time to go there is during the rainy season in the Philippines from July to September if you really want to experience the scary - fun adventure. But they really enjoyed a lot. Meeting new friends that you get to enjoy the ride with, challenging rapids and enjoyable water that you can jump out of the raft, swim freely and feel the refreshing coolness of the water and the beautiful scenery around. You can refer to this agency:
Kagay Cagayan de Oro White Water Rafting
Corrales Avenue, Corner Rivera St. Cagayan de Oro City
email: dankaanimo@yahoo.com
mobile: 09177122442, 09187122323
office: (088) 852-1021
web: www.kagaycagayandeororafting.com

A contagious smile he shared before the rafting orientation.

The tour guide oriented them about safety and what to do in case they fall from the boat. To make the experience fun and at the same time it was safe. 

The Orientation

Started the Adventure

This is the only thing I could do while waiting for them, haha :D

The Final Destination

Luckily they did it safely and enjoyably. If you are planning to go to CDO, you must try this whether you are a solo traveller or in a group.