5 Easy Steps to get UMID (Unified Multi-purpose ID)

UMID(Unified Multi-purpose ID) is the single ID card for GSIS, SSS, PAG-IBIG and PHILHEALTH. One of the useful ID if you don't have any passport or any other primary valid ID's.

*REMINDER: Bring black ballpen with you and xerox of one or two valid ID's that you have, just to be safe xerox atleast two of your valid ID's. 

APPLICATION FORM <--click it for lists of valid ID's and to download.

1. Either find an SSS branch near you or else you may go to SM Malls Government Services, get your priority number and wait for your number to be called. (my suggestion is go to SM Malls more convenient, faster and it's not too hot)

2.  Fill-up the form that they'll give to you. (They will have example there as your guide for sure, so please make sure to have all the information correct, use capital letters, black ballpen and no erasures.)

3. Submit the form that you filled-up along with the xerox of your valid ID/s, and wait until your name is called.

4. Verification of your details: Name, Address, Father's name, Mother's maiden name. You will be asked to sign on an electronic signature pad and have both of your thumbs and index fingers scanned.

5. Photo capturing: earrings and smiling are not allowed, long hair must be tied up or kept behind shoulde (for ladies and gentleman who have long hair). After photo capturing staff will ask you to scan your right thumb again to save your picture and they will give you your claim stub.

*it takes 2-3 months maximum to get your ID. Wait it on your mailbox or you can check it at a POST OFFICE near you.


-I'll keep you updated once I get my UMID.

Vigan, Ilocos Sur Philippines - What I See.. (New 7 Wonder Cities of the World)

*this trip is March 2014

Calle Crisologo

The famous street in Vigan Ilocos Sur because of it's classic old houses and structures. You will never feel the Vigan vacation inside you if you never walk or get to see this street. It seems like when you say Vigan this is the picture you will imagine on your mind.

Calle Crisologo (Day time)

During day time this is what you can see on this famous street, little knick knacks shop/ boutique where you can buy your souvenirs or presents for your loved ones back home. Kalesa(carriage) that you can ride roving around the Heritage City of Vigan.

Plaza Salcedo and St. Paul's Cathedral 

Every night  on this site they have a dancing fountain show to see at 7-8pm. One of the things you should witness as well while you're in Vigan.

dancing fountain

Just 1min and few seconds of video, more than 100mb of video is not allowed for posting here.(sorry)

Plaza Salcedo (daytime)

                 

St. Paul's Cathedral

BELL TOWER

lots of steps to Tower

brief description and welcome note

                                             

 It is really high, where you will pass through wooden stairs that is old as well I guess, so be extra careful when you go up there.

       

To visit things around Vigan there is some places that you might think that is far but not really or maybe it depends to where you are staying, we just walk from Calle Crisologo (where our hotel located) to Plaza Salcedo and St. Paul's Cathedral to Bell Tower. I guess walking is one thing you should have in mind if your seeking for an adventure or explore such things on your travel. It doesn't  just save you money from transportation but you exercise as well.

Holy Crystal Cave (Camotes Island)

" Keep nothing but MEMORIES. Kill nothing but TIME. Leave nothing but FOOTPRINTS.Take something but PICTURES. "

"Be prepared to be amazed, expect the unexpected" - Mr.Avito's line

Entering on this cave on your own is a BIG NO NO, based on Mr. Avito it is locked with latin prayers so no one can just easily go inside there without him(good to know ).

Cave history

Because of his passion and dedication on things maybe that's why he is the chosen one to discover such "gem" like this cave.                

Do's and Don'ts

Please do respect this Do's and Don't, don't be such "pasaway" disobedient, if it's not allowed to touch, DON'T. I know we humans is curious on lots of things, it's like "Adan and Eve's" curiosity about "Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil" fruit.

Entrance to the Cave

It looks tiny hole but you'll get in there fine.  :) Are you nervous now ? (ahaha)    

Human Bones

This is what Mr. Avito found inside the cave. (I apologize for the not so sharp image flash is not allowed he said upon entering the cave)          

         Stalactites with studded crystals and dripping water                     

Stalactites(it looks like rib of something)       

Sparkling Stalagmites

Geez!(expression) I am in love with the sparkly thing. 

     

Stalagmites and Stalactites 

They are about to join together into a single column.

Sto. Nino (like structure)

How to get to Camotes Island??

How to get to the Island of Camotes? (via Cebu). It's really easy to get there once you are here in Cebu since port of Danao is accesible from here.

                                         

You can ride a bus from NorthBus Terminal to port of Danao or you can ride jeep for Danao in Highway Maguikay for 30 pesos. May I suggest that, book or reserved a ticket early when it's peak season it is really crowded, some people go there in the morning and availability of their travel is afternoon.

From Port of Danao to Port of Consuelo
                -Roro Vessel( Jomalia Shipping)  - 180 pesos for non-aircon(economy) and 200 pesos for aircon(tourist)
                -It takes 2 hours approximately.

Once you are in Port of Consuelo there is lots of habal-habal(motorcycle) it cost 50 - 100 pesos it depends on your destination or where you will stay. I suggest renting a motorcycle/scooter for 500 pesos a day. It is because habal-habal is too pricy, I will not blame them because tourists spots there is really everywhere and far.

Enjoy your stay in Camotes Island, there is places I didn't discussed on my previous post of Camotes Island. We are not able to visit them, lack of time, we just stayed there overnight.

*note that prices and schedule is subject to change without prior notice

If there is anything I can help you with feel free to comment or email me at: xandraferrera@gmail.com

Here's the schedule:

Time         Port of Origin      Port of Destination      Vessel

MORNING

5:30AM    Ouano Port       to      Poro              Ave Maria pumpboat
5:30AM     Danao Port            Consuelo      Jomalia Shipping*
6:30AM     Danao Port            Consuelo       Super Shuttle Ferry
8:30AM     Danao Port            Consuelo       Jomalia Shipping*
9:00AM     Pier 1(Cebu City)   Poro              Golden Shipping Fastcraft
11:00AM     Danao Port            Consuelo       Jomalia Shipping*
10:30AM    Danao Port           Consuelo       RJR pumpboat

AFTERNOON

1:00PM     Danao Port     to        Poro             Super Shuttle Ferry
2:00PM    Danao Port              Consuelo     Jomalia Shipping*
5:30PM     Pier 1(Cebu City)    Poro            Golden Shipping Fastcraft
5:30PM    Danao Port              Consuelo     Jomalia Shipping*

9:00PM (Friday,Sat, Sun ONLY)    Danao Port              Consuelo     Jomalia Shipping

*Jomalia Shipping  schedule and Fare- updated as of April 9, 2015
Fare is 180 for Economy and 200 For tourist

Contact Number for Jomalia Shipping - 032 346 0421

*credits to CamotesBestPhotos for schedule information.

Camotes Island, Cebu Philippines

Sun Rise over Camotes Island (I don't know if you can see from there)

Camotes Island is one of a few islands that you might plan to visit. The island is located east of Cebu. Travelling to this island is pretty exciting for me because I always love to travel or when I can I guess. I can be your little sweet explorer while your reading this, but don't expect me to bring you somewhere that is not on my topic( hahaha ). But, let's move on, I'll discuss on my next blog how to get there, for now I'll discuss places I have visited. It would'nt be a lot of places that you can see on this post but for me my trip there was worth it even though its just an overnight trip.

Where I(with friends) stay?
Aliyanarah Lodge  is a reasonable and affordable place if you want to save some money for your vacation. Don't expect too much I hope, you get what you paid for this kind of lodge/hotel. But I am happy with my stay there. Staffs are friendly and accommodating.

front of lodge

rooms view 1

rooms view 2

It is located in Poblacion, San Francisco Proper which is heart of Camotes. This place is accessible to eatery, Agora Market and Baywalk. So probably you won't starve when you stay there. It is 30 to 45 mins. ride from Consuelo,Camotes Port so my suggestion(if you like) is to rent a motorcycle/scooter. They don't have much public transportation available for people or you may bring your car/s or scooter/motorcycle with you. Advantage of having transportation with you is you can go anywhere you want without a hassle of commuting.

                                                        Baywalk                                                           

Baywalk2

As you can see the road is clean, it is one thing you would love about the place.

Lake Danao Park

Lake Danao Park also known as Lover's Lake it is situated within town of Campo and Union, north of Santiago Bay and Mangodlong, it's a perfect place for family as well as groups and of course for lovers. They have such activities you can do such as : Kayaking, Boat Paddling, Zorb and Horse Back Riding. You can spend your leisure time having a picnic or just simply relax on the shades and with a cool breeze.                                   

                                                  must try activites                                                                   

Fish boat

El Gamma Penumbra (Asia's Got Talent Grand Champion)

El Gamma Penumbra from the Philippines

            "This is a dream come true"- as one of the members said. Every time they are on stage with their touching and meaningful performances make it came true.They're not only entertain their audiences but they also inspires us to do good things in our lives. They showed us how to love our nation, our country and our Mother Earth as pay back for what kind of wrong doings we have done. 

              We are on a better place let us take good care of it and not abuse it. It is good to live a life where we can find peace, love and happiness. 

               Congratulations El Gamma Penumbra you really deserve it.

              

CAMIGUIN PHILIPPINES : Tourist Spots/Destinations

White Island (photo credits to Hunny Iliga)

Your feet might itch once you heard trip, journey or vacation. Raise your hands if your not(haha). I know it is immune to us(humans) that getting out of our places, country, town or just simply going outside of our home to have a walk or sight seeing is beneficial. Our system need something to just simply relax or be idle at the moment like not thinking about job or work, even robots need some rest.  So PLAN, set and go!

                         WHITE ISLAND of CAMIGUIN

White Island, Camiguin Philippines

One of our major destinations it's an Island without any trees in it. So make sure you put sunblock with high SPF with you, if you don't want to get burned by sun too much. There is no such cottages to rent there, the only available is table with umbrella but i don't think that is enough to stay under the sun for long. Have some "sun kissed" and enjoy the beach.  
Environmental fee- 20 pesos per head.
Pump Boat- 450 good for 6persons (it is all up to you if you want to give a tip to driver).
Life jacket(optional)- we get ours for  120 pesos good for 6 person (negotiable if you know how).

KATIBAWASAN FALLS

Katibawasan Falls

The only falls we visited, there's a lot to choose from but we prefer this one because it's more convenient from where we stayed at, water is so cold and refreshing like I can bathe there for couple of hours but I prefer not too because it is really cold(brrrr). You can see how high it is from the ground I don't know if you can see people at the bottom of the picture. I have to adjust myself to get the picture of the whole falls.

Habal-habal Ride(single motorcycle)- for only 25 pesos from Mambajao (where we stayed at).
Entrance per head - 30 pesos

 Thats how our first day went, but there's more. One of my friends knew somebody from Camiguin so it didn't cost us something for a tour guide in fact she tour us around the Island by motorcycle. It takes almost a whole day to round the Island of Camiguin, not bad for tourist.

Walkway to The Old Volcano and Station of The Cross

Walkway to the Old Volcano and Station of the Cross

Our first stop on our road trip,it's like  a stair way to heaven(ahaha), a lot of steps to count until you can see what view would be like on the top of it. Unfortunately we  just reached 5th station. There is photo below that shows the view from 5th station.

stairs going to every station of The Cross

Stairs going to every station of The Cross. It can be beneficial for those who love to exercise or maybe extreme cardio.

View from the 5th Station of The Cross

A view from Fifth Station this is as far as we can get, I guess it takes 30 - 45 minutes until you reach the top of it.  It's not a lot of view to look at from this station you should go higher. Its worth it , we never know.

Sunken Cemetery

Sunken Cemetery

 Cemetery started to sinked because of volcanic eruption based on what I've read online. Lots of tourists are diving under the cemetery to get the closer look of how it was and some is just simply snorkelling just to see it from the top. You can have your picture taken there where locals will teach you what poses you should acquire to get the view of it.

Sto. Nino Cold Spring(photo credits:hunny iliga)

  Sto.Nino Cold Spring

Camiguin has a lot of cold springs and it is just one of them, this Island is pretty blessed with Springs and Falls, we just don't have much time to visit some of them.

me and my friend on a floater

We need to use a floater on that spring, water depth  is about 6 - 7 ft. but there is pool for kids as well but no matter what supervision kids is still necessary. 

Entrance fee - 30 pesos
Floater(optional)- 20 pesos

Motorcycle as transportation to visit places in Camiguin is a must, motorella(name of their tricycle like) can't make it to high ground location. But it is all up to you either you rent motorcycle or van/ multi-cab.

Rent of motorcycle(optional) manual- 250-300 pesos, automatic 500 pesos(negotiable if you know how) for 1 day.

CAMIGUIN : How to get there?

view from White Island of Camiguin 

Let me tour you to Camiguin, Philippines with my blog. Last April 16 -21 I've been to Camiguin with my friends. We've been planning this trip for few months and I'm glad we made it.

There are two types of transportation you can choose, it is either via Sea or Air. We chose via Sea because it is cheaper but you should have patience bring with you since travelling by Sea takes too much time. But the positive note of a long journey for me is we get to spend quality time together . I'll give you the summary of how we travel and costs but for other options I can't provide any costs(I am sorry) because I know plane ticket prices change every day.

inside cabin with aircondtion going to Cagayan de Oro

We departed from Cebu at 8pm and arrived to Cagayan 7am, it is almost 12 hrs (watta trip!). From Cagayan de Oro we rode tricycle going to Bus Terminal to port of Balingoan. From Balingoan to port of Benoni in Camiguin.

Port of Benoni Camiguin

From Port of Benoni,Camiguin we rode a jeep going to Mambajao.

Going back to Cebu we took the plane, it has been booked a month before the date of our departure so it's less than we expected.

Indeed it is a long journey just to be in a beautiful Island of Camiguin, its worth the trip going there as you get to experience new things.

Option1SEA: CEBU - CAGAYAN - CAMIGUIN

•  TransAsia Shipping Cebu to Cagayan de Oro -         http://www.transasiashipping.com/rates-and- promo/   - it takes almost 12 hrs.
•  Tricycle to Bus Terminal- 20 php.(I know its more cheaper but driver knew its our         first time)    -it takes 15 mins.
• Bus Terminal to port of Balingoan- 90-120 php.(we prefer Van more convenient for      120php)     -estimated time of  arrival almost 2 hrs.
• Port of Balingoan to Port of Benoni,Camiguin-  120-140php, it takes 45 mins to 1 hour.
• Port of Benoni, Camiguin to Mambajao - 20-25 php, it takes approximately 30 minutes.

Option2AIR: CEBU - CAMIGUIN

• Cebu Pacific to Camiguin -  it takes only 45 mins. (I can't provide the cost since airplane ticket is subject to change without prior notice.)

I hope this might be helpful for you. Thanks for reading

Check out my next blog about my experience and Tourist Spots in Camiguin.