Mga Bisaya in Manila who are constantly broke but are always ready to go on an adventure.

Monday, December 5, 2016

The Pink Sand is Real, and There's More to the Sta. Cruz Beach Than That




One of Zamboanga City's rising gems is the Pink Beach of Sta. Cruz Island. With over 28,000 visitors record for 2016, the island's red organ pipe corals, which brought the pink hues of the sand, has truly helped create this wonder.

But what attracts visitors most this year is the fact that the island has become more accessible, and getting there is systematic. The government unit is hands on for every tour, and they can surely answer inquiries and even give you some knowledge on the place's history and current statistics.

With only 50php per head, guests can head to the attraction and spend their time exploring the island. Overnights aren't allowed, as safety precautions.


In the island, Broke But Laagan met Rodel Rodriguez. It's not a surprise people come and visit Sta. Cruz, he says. For years, the island had been an intriguing area to many. While it has been deemed unsafe for a couple of years, everyone knows the wonders of the pink beach.


 


Rodel, our guide for the day, is no ordinary man. He's been a marine biologist for more than two decades. And now, he proudly talks of his new challenge as in charge of the Sta. Cruz tourism operation. "
Both Eco tourism ug environment program among girepresent. Kay dili pwedeng isa ra. Dapat balance," Rodel says in Cebuano. By the looks of it, his first language is Chavacano but hearing that our local tongue is Bisaya, he speaks to us in the same language.


Rodel represents the diversity of culture in Zamboanga City - the Chavacano, the Bisaya, the Muslim groups, and the occasional Tagalogs. He, too, represents the various needs of every tourist spot -- a body that cares both for its development as a tourist destination and its sustainability being part of an environment ought to be protected.

"Many others first thought that the place is unsafe. Pero karon, bisan wa ni namo gipublicize ah, naa ray mga tourist manganhi dayun ishare sa Facebook dayun ang uban makita, naganahan," he boasts. 


Tourism here is organic. And why wouldn't it be? For such beauty, it must be shared.


A photo posted by Katrin Arcala (@katrinarcs) on
A photo posted by Katrin Arcala (@katrinarcs) on

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Monday, November 28, 2016

Avoid the crowd, head straight to Talisayin Cove in Zambales



What do you do when you have two days off from the usual buzz of the metro life? Where would you go? Our answer: Talisayin Cove, Zambales.

It's the youngest among the gems of the Zambales beaches. And with the least tourist volume is an experience so tranquil that for two days, you forget about life throwing rocks at you. You just lay there on the fine, white sand and stare at the sky filled with stars.

What we bring home after the overnight trip are hearts full of stories shared under the shades of the nipa hut, or told while gathering around the bonfire. The two days may be short, but it was enough to refuel us before reality says 'hi' to us again.

Thank you for the dreamy weekend. Until we see you again, Talisayin.

Some photos of our Talisayin trip:

The cove by @lookneo:


A photo posted by Neo (@lookneo) on

On the way to Talisayin on our @brokebutlaagan instagram:

Quick write-up by Lala Magbuhat to accompany @katrinarcs image still OTW to Talisayin:
Layag

Layag, layag
Ating ilalayag
Mga damdaming
Di kayang ipahayag
Iiwan sa laot
Ang lahat ng poot
Malalim na hugot
Ng mga iniwang kirot


A photo posted by Katrin Arcala (@katrinarcs) on

Talisayin takeaway:

Mula sa Talisayin


Nais mawala upang mahanap
Nais mahanap ang nawala

Sa pagdayong ito
Mayroon nga bang patutunguhan?
Mga pusong pagod
At nahihirapan
At nagnanais
Na matagpuan
Ang mga bagay at tao;
Na maipahinga
Ang mga katawang
Biktima ng tadhana

Humayo.
Mawala.
Maghanap.
Bumalik.

 
A photo posted by Katrin Arcala (@katrinarcs) on


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Monday, October 24, 2016

And we think it's beautiful!

Traveling is such a wonderful thing. What other 'beautiful' quotes do you live by as jetsetters? 

Here are a couple of quotes which @BrokeButLaagan came up with...mostly as a product of jokes and quick rebuttals while in between our journeys. 

1. Budget travelers say - we got this!




2. As a result of number 1...



3. When you are hiking and you feel indestructible...



4. And hiking teaches (alternative) GMRC, too!



5. And after all...



6. So in every travel, there is no fear... just confidence.




Hit us up with some more? 

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@BrokeButLaagan).
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Saturday, October 22, 2016

#BrokeButLaagan: The Beginning


It all started with that little urge to go out.

They did not know where exactly. Anywhere will do, in fact. Anywhere can be a beauty.

They did not know exactly who is going to come. They came anyways. Every soul can be a beauty.

The small group grew and grew. More storytellers came. More stories were told. More journeys were immortalized in photographs.



And what is the journey for if it is not shared? Today, more than ever, Broke But Laagan is committed to share - from what it takes to take that first step for a trip, to the adventures and misadventures in between, and to the people that each traveler will become after their journey.


Behind the account are young professionals of different backgrounds, mostly from the Visayas and Mindanao region. Despite differences, it's the same passion for the stories on the road, the trail, and the waters that molded them eventually into a united collective.

From a little group which grew into a community of passionate young individuals who are seekers of the world's beauty (albeit on a budget), we hope to create Broke But Laagan's social media accounts as a melting pot of the itineraries, the beauty of each destination, and most importantly, the stories behind the place and the people we meet on the road.

Image may contain: tree, sky, outdoor and nature

And ultimately, we hope for this account to be a source of inspiration, so that more may travel and tell their stories.

To our fellow #brokebutlaagan, let's make the world a smaller place, one friend at a time.

Facebook: BrokeButLaagan
Instagram: @brokebutlaagan
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