A explained further that before we embarked on a tour of the island, there was work to be done first. We would form part of her family’s rural bank team tasked with distributing stipends to qualified individuals who meet the DSWD’s Pangtawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. In a nutshell, the government hopes to replicate Brazil’s successful social welfare program targeted at alleviating the conditions experienced by extremely poor households.
Yes, I was very interested to visit Camotes with A.
Not only was this a chance to see why there was a growing interest in the tourism potential of Camotes (visions of rocky and barren fields passed through my mind. Impressions formed from many stories of how poor and insignificant this group of small islands lying between Cebu and Leyte) but this was an opportunity to help and witness first hand the implementation of the government’s program.
1st day itinerary
4:30AM take a 30 minute drive to the Danao port to get on a barge for San Francisco, Camotes
5:30AM barge leaves Danao port for San Francisco, Camotes
7:30AM arrive at the Consuelo pier of San Francisco, Camotes
8AM Breakfast of fried eggs, rice and paksiw na danggit (so very fresh)
8:30AM Arrive at the Municipal Gym to a sea of people (almost 3,000 recipients not counting their children, other family members and friends)
10AM Break: visited the near by St Joseph church across the Gym
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| Facade of St Joseph Parish Church |
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| Inside St Joseph Church |
12:30PM Lunch break (rice, fried GG, adobong pusit ( oh so black!) and nilagang/linat-an na baboy- YUM!)
1PM Back to the Gym—less people now
3PM Last claimant served
4:00PM Boho Rock Resort in Poro, Camotes - a Cliff-side resort
4:30PM Mangodlong Rock Resort
5PM Chilling at Santiago Bay (http://www.camotesresorts.com.ph/home.htm )
View of the Bay
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| One of the many restos the line the Bay |
7PM Dinner (Tinowang Isda)
9PM Settle down at the Pink house located at the center of town
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| Yellow would be a better name : ) |
6:30AM Wake up and check out the sights from the balcony
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| Lady selling catch of the day |
7:00AM buy bread and walk along the board walk
8:30AM Breakfast (can't have enough of paksiw na danggit)
10AM View of Lake Danao from a house at an elevated distance
10:30AM at the water's edge: Danao Lake
11:00AM Return to Consuelo Port for barge back to Danao
12:30PM Sail back to Danao, Cebu
2:30PM Arrive in Danao and took a VHire to SM, Cebu City
3:30PM Enjoyed a chicken croissant sandwich at French Baker, SM Branch
The end to an enchanting visit!
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Impressions and Reflections
San Francisco, Camotes reminded me of many past quaint towns (Cebu City included) I visited before tourism took innocence away and replaced it with the harshness of commercialism.
San Francisco, Camotes is clean and green—so much recycling and garbage segregation going on. Mode of transportation is the motorcycle (Habal-habal) —wished they were bicycles instead.
San Francisco, Camotes does not have any Malls. Entertainment is a jump into the clear waters, a run on a long stretch of white sand and perhaps a banca ride around the lake.
On the PPPProgram: I am glad that there is such a program. Even if it has flaws, I would rather that the poor get the funds to buy some ice cream, notebooks, a pair of pants at the ukay-ukay and a bag of bread than for the funds to end up in bank accounts of some politicians. Learn more about the program: click http://pantawid.dswd.gov.ph/
There were a lot of volunteers from the barangay level at the gym making sure that the crowd was managed in an organized and orderly fashion. Sometimes it only takes willingness to give of your time, your expertise, your heart.
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Travel not only expands horizons but is a great avenue for meeting interesting people. Take for example Manang Mohing. Not only did she cook up all the delicious meals for us while in Camotes but was glad to share with us her life story. Suffice to say that her positive attitude helped to keep her spirit from breaking. It’s that attitude that makes her get up every morning and dress up in coordinated splendor.
Linat-ang Baboy ni Manang Mohing
1 k pork spare ribs (chopped)
1 lemon grass stalk (the white part only)
1 thumb-size ginger, sliced
1 small bell pepper, sliced
1 small onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, sliced
5-8 whole pepper corns
1 sili espada (the one you put in your sinigang)
Some spring onions, sliced to about 2inches long
2 cups of cubed squash
2 cups of sliced cabbage leaves (about 4-6 leaves)
Salt and pepper to taste
Wash the chopped ribs and place in a pot. Add the lemon grass, ginger, onion, and garlic. Add water to cover the ribs. Bring to a boil and then simmer. Spoon off the scum that floats on the surface.
When pork is tender, add the sili espada, squash and the spring onions. Continue to simmer until squash is soft. Season with salt and pepper and add the cabbage. Simmer until cabbage is just wilted.
Serve with lots of steaming rice. Have some fried danggit or dried fish on the side and you have a winner!
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