Valencia Negros Oriental - Cata-al World War II Museum

I visited Cata-al World War II Museum in Valencia, Negros Oriental last time. The Museum displays old and vintage collections of World War II artifacts. 

photo by Roel Hoang Manipon of Lakbay Pilipinas

It was the late Porferio Cata-al, Sr. who started collecting these priceless memorabilia. He was a private of the Filipino guerrilla movement when the Japanese took over Valencia, Negros Oriental. It was during his funeral wake last November, 2012 when I discovered that Cata-al WW II Museum existed in Valencia, Negros Oriental. 

photo by Randy Anderson of Pinoy Topics

His son, Felix Constantino Villa Cata-al, helped his father in gathering WWII collections. The museum is part of their modest two-story house. Visitors are free to see the artifacts and relics, but a donation box for maintenance can be considered.

Mr. Felix Cata-al showing us this old phonograph

phonograph during World War II

old typewriter machine during WWII

old water container

The place is easy to find. It's even listed in Dumaguete City Tourism office as one of the attractions in the province. Mr. Cata-al (son) told us that he was offered with considerable money by many antique collectors. 

But he wouldn't agree if collectors only wanted to buy a piece of the artifacts. He intended to sell all of them in one price. He has a point, and for the mean time, all these are still in their family's possession.

I was really amazed Cata-al Family's fashion over these precious antiques. I hope it will stay in Valencia, Negros Oriental for many more years. 

Till here. I'm gonna be busy the entire month. I hope you wouldn't get tired visiting my space. I'll be working in a new city, and I'm starting from the scratch. I don't even have my own place yet, and still staying with a friend. 


Just me, 
Phioxee

Valencia Negros Oriental - Trip to Casaroro Falls

Last November 1, 2012, I shared a tragic incident that happened in Casaroro Falls HERE. That post was not intended to discourage people from visiting the mighty waterfalls in Valencia, Negros Oriental.

Casaroro Falls - source

Valencia, Negros Oriental - The Forest Camp

I am not busy, but I was just consumed with a lot of things these past few days. I got a short vacation back to my hometown. My company offered a new position for a new job here in Dumaguete City, but I already decided to settle in Cebu. My mind is fixed. I have to move on. My ex asked another chance, but I just realized, there's plenty of fish in the sea.

The Forest Camp

Valencia, Negros Oriental - Japanese Shrine Adventure

Together with Walter and Sue, we went to see the Filipino-Japanese Amity Memorial Shrine. Located in the hilltop of Valencia, Negros Oriental, the shrine marks the place where both Filipino and American soldiers especially the Negrosanon guerilla units (people in Negros Oriental) fought against the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. 

three-sided obelisk symbolizing Japan, America, and Philippines during the war

Sta. Catalina - Mansanagan Waterfalls

Mansanagan Waterfalls is located in Mansanagan, Kabulacan in the municipality of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental. It's not a known waterfalls, and I didn't even know about the name until I made this blog post. Let me share to you the beauty of the hidden waterfalls in Sta. Catalina.

Mansanagan Waterfall

Sta. Catalina - Out of Town with Friends

We went to Sta. Catalina to escape from the hassles and bustles of the city. It’s a first-class municipality of Negros Oriental province in the Philippines. The specific outing destination is a friend’s native rest house in Mansanagan, Kabulacan, Sta. Catalina. Thanks a lot Sam for the invitation and the ride! Lemme show how relaxing the short vacay we had. 

Azalea Restaurant - Most Romantic Place in Dumaguete City

Azalea Restaurant may not be a popular bistro in Dumaguete City, but with the ambiance and panoramic view, you'll definitely have a gratifying meal. Though the foods are not that gastronomic, still, I found the place the most romantic restaurant in Dumaguete City. 

Azalea Restaurant

Apo Island - Exploring the Island's Beauty

Another post about Apo Island guys. I just wanted to clarify that Apo Island is different from Apo Reef in Occidental Mindoro. The island is in Negros Oriental, and it's really an island not a big series of coral reefs. And, FYI the latter is more famous for its beautiful contiguous coral reef system compared to the former.

Apo Island

Mabinay Spring Resort - Kayaking

Mabinay Spring Resort is such a natural paradise. With the icy cool water in the spring that forms like a lagoon, kayaking is definitely an adventure you will never miss.

Mabinay Spring Resort click to enlarge

Tambobo Bay - Road Trip with Boo Boo

Happy hearts everyone! Most people find it depressing if you we don't have dates on Valentines Day, but, it's not depressing at all. We have friends and families. Even if I have a partner, I spent my Valentines Day with my friends. My partner has to go to work, and we already had a make up date before Valentines Day. We're not so clingy with each other, and we meet up once a week or three times a month.

Tambobo Bay

Manjuyod White Sandbar - A Perfect Valentine Group Date

Valentine's Day is coming. I love to be with a partner on a date, but I usually prefer to be in a group date. I find it more fun and cool. My mother often told me before that you would get to know a person when he's surrounded with his friends and families. That I can never forget from my mom. And that is often true.

Sumapao Shoal during low tide - source Google

Valencia Camp Lookout - An Unexpected Trip

For almost six years here in Valencia, Negros Oriental, I never thought that I'd reached Camp Lookout this late afternoon. This is used to be a favorite hangout place during the early 1980's, but since it's now privately owned, it's no longer maintained for tourism purposes. Though the place is really beautiful and still continue to provide panoramic view of Dumaguete City, the gate is usually closed and restricted.

Valencia Camp Lookout

Tirambulo Highland Resort - Journey to the Center of Mabinay (Part 2)

In the late 1980's, an ex-Mayor of Mabinay, Negros Oriental, Philippines, developed his property and named it Tirambulo Highland Resort. The small pond of Mr. Cristito Tirambulo's property was made into six large man-made lake. The largest one is named Lake Cristito.

Mini-waterfalls in Tirambulo Highland Resort

Tirambulo Highland Resort - Journey to the Center of Mabinay (Part 1)

One of the famous resorts in Mabinay, Negros Oriental is Tirambulo Highland Resort. Situated in the uptown area, the resort's remarkable feature is its six man-made lakes. I would be more than happy to take you guys to the vast expanse of Tirambulo Highland Resort.

Tirambulo Highland Resort (photo SOURCE)

Mabinay Crystal Cave - Spelunking for the first time

Mabinay is a 1st class municipalities situated in the central part of province of Negros Oriental. From Dumaguete City, the capital of the province, it would take 1.5 hours drive. Another means of getting there is by bus. From Ceres Terminal (Vallacar transportation company), the bus bound for Bacolod City via Mabinay would take you for only Php 60.00 to Mabinay, Negros Oriental. The estimated travel by bus is only 2 hours.

Crystal Cave

Bacong Treehouse Beach - Family Bonding

I've been here in Dumaguete City for more than five years now. My relatives here has become my closest family next to my immediate family in Trento, Agusan del Sur. If you would like to check out my place in Agusan del Sur, CLICK HERE.

Bacong Treehouse Beach

Ocean 24 Resort - Let's Get Hot!

Yes! You're thinking right! I literally meant HOT. Since the weather is starting to get cold, swimming activities are no longer our options to spend out getaways with friends and families. Mostly, we do indoor parties and hang outs. 

There are two swimming pools - adult and kiddie pools.

Pulangbato Falls - Road Trip to Nature

Thank you so much for all your comments on my Twin Lake Exploration post. I was inspired to write about another road trip that recently happened. This time, we're a group, so it's more enjoyable. I am also sorry that it took ages before I could post another one. I went to join Buglasan Festival in Dumaguete City and Masskara Festival in Bacolod City. I had a very busy week. 

Let me share to you how I enjoyed my roadtrip to Pulangbato Falls in Malabo or Ocoy Valley.

This is the first fall in Ocoy Valley known as Pulangbato Falls. Photo by: Walter Grapa

Huiz Pool Swim Park- Loving my "Caregiver" Friends

 I visited Huiz Pool Swim Park last 2010 during our Culmination on my first month in Caregiver training. The resort is 7000 sq m good for occasions like gatherings, getaways, weddings, birthdays, and the like. The place was new then, so I was so excited to visit  it. You would really find "paradise away from the hassle of city life" when you get to visit the place. Let me tell you briefly about how I came up with Caregiving course and enjoyed with Caregivers at Huiz Pool Swim Park.

Photo from Huiz Pool Swim Park

Bahura Resort and Spa –Barkada’s Summer Outing

Who could say no for a summer outing? NO ONE! The fun under the sun could be very memorable, especially if we spend it among our friends.  So despite the hectic schedules we have, my friends and I really find a way to meet up and catch up with each other in Bahura Resort and Spa.

Bahura Resort and Spa