gerryruiz photoblog

30/04/2026

30/04/2026

First time for me to navigate the pedestrian overpass at Marasbaras LOL!

26/04/2026

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
- DYLAN THOMAS

26/04/2026

𝑭𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒐-𝑨𝑺𝑬𝑨𝑵 𝑫𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆

Yesterday, we had our first ASEAN Dégustation experience in town!

I had to look it up and be tipped off in advance: Degustation - in case you’re wondering - is the careful, appreciative tasting of various food, focusing on our sense of taste and the senses, and high culinary art. It involves sampling small portions of all of a chef's signature dishes in one sitting.

In celebration of Filipino Food Month, the Department of Tourism 8 organized and hosted a first in the local culinary scene: a Filipino-ASEAN Degustation Experience held 25 April 2026 at Pasqualino's Ristorante Italiano across San Juanico Strait in Sta. Rita, Samar.

With this year's Food Month’s theme, "Connected by Taste: The Filipino Food in the Flavors of ASEAN," the degustation featured a thoughtfully curated multi-course menu created by selected chefs from local specialized restaurants, namely from La Maison Punjab (Filipino-Malaysian), Kitchen 2K (Filipino-Singaporean), Miyara Patisserie (Filipino-Thai) and Pasqualino’s Ristorante Italiano (Filipino Vietnamese).

The event showcased novel dishes highlighting the shared culinary influences between Filipino cuisine and our ASEAN neighbors. Each course featured local dishes “reimagined” in the flavors of ASEAN, blending tradition with creative interpretation.

24/04/2026

𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒔 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑭𝒆𝒔𝒕 2026
1st Day (of 2-day) EV Street Food Festival 2026
24 April 2026
Magsaysay Blvd., Tacloban City

24/04/2026

𝑹𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝑹𝒉𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒎𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔

Rural vistas - river life in the highlands of Jipapad, Eastern Samar
16 April 2026

22/04/2026

𝑫𝒂𝒚 4 𝑯𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔: 𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝑺𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒓 𝑻𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒎 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒕

From Arteche to Sanizi Falls, Jipapad.

Eastern Samar
16 April 2026

21/04/2026

𝑫𝒂𝒚 3 𝑯𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔: 𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝑺𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒓 𝑻𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒎 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒕
15 April 2026
Oras: HaraFehaFun, Bangus and Crab Pond, Barangay Paypayon Crab Trappers Association
San Policarpo: Apiton Island, Inkheria’s Farm
Arteche: Seaweed Chips Center, Vicentina Beach Resort

21/04/2026

𝑮𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑭𝒓𝒖𝒊𝒕 𝑩𝒂𝒕𝒔!

The Giant Golden-crowned Flying Fox (Acerodon jubatus), found in various Philippine islands, is one of the world's largest bats, boasting a wingspan of up to 5.6 feet. These endangered, gentle giants are fruit-eaters, also feeding on figs, and are critical for seed dispersal. They are highly threatened by habitat loss and hunting.

They thrive quietly at the Island of Apiton, San Policarpo, Eastern Samar.

15 April 2026

19/04/2026

𝑫𝒂𝒚 2 𝑯𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔: 𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝑺𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒓 𝑻𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒎 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒕
14 April 2026
Taft: Courtesy call on Mayor Gina Alzate Ty
Taft: Malihiaw Cold Spring
Maslog: Courtesy call on Vice Mayor Zacarias Santiago
Maslog: Hanging Bridge
Oras: Huli Mo, Luto Mo - Mangrove crabs & fish pond
Oras: Courtesy call on Mayor Roy Ador
Oras: Lobster Nursery with community-based organization