Join me in this 7-week-long, island-hopping adventure to visit some of the must-see destinations around the Philippines. Continue reading »
Filed under Philippines …
It’s More Fun in the Philippines: New Video
7,107 islands, a fiesta every day of the year, the most perfect cone, a monkey-eating eagle, and much much more. It’s definitely more fun in the Philippines. Continue reading »
Plastic Usage in 4 Countries I Lived In
When it comes to environmental issues, I have a only one simple stand: the little efforts we make today are counted tomorrow and we are not only citizens of the present but also of the future. Continue reading »
The Beauty in Nuts & Bolts
There’s something unexplainably beautiful in strange things. Continue reading »
The Power Plants of Laguna
The authorized visit or field trip to these plants can be an eye-opening experience for people who wish to understand the importance of electricity generation and the responsibility of maintaining a sustainable environment while benefitting from the conveniences of modern life. Continue reading »
Weekly Photo Challenge: SUMMER (Summer Swimmer)
Summer, in the Philippines, means beaches. An archipelago boasting of 7,107 island, one will not run out of beaches to visit every summer. Continue reading »
West Nuk, Bataan: Finding Solace Up North
We arrived at night and it seemed like the whole resort was ours. We took a dip into the ocean and enjoyed the clear skies filled with stars. Unlike in the city, the sky was free of smog and the beach was naturally lit with the moon and stars above us. I floated on the cool waters for a while, then a little longer. After all, It has been a long time since I’ve seen such beautiful night sky. Continue reading »
Easy Steps: Applying for or Renewing a Philippine Passport
Everything is easier and more convenient these days, especially in obtaining important documents, thanks to the internet and other technological innovations. Gone were the days when you have to haggle with photobooth operators, queue up and roast under a covered basketball court, and spend endless hours, or even days, to submit a Philippine passport application to DFA. Continue reading »
The (D)Evolution of Philippine Tourism Ads
I remember sitting on our lounges with my classmates hailing from all parts of the world commenting that the Philippines has the best tourism videos they’ve seen so far. They are unique, witty and most importantly, inviting. However, the current administration is trying too hard to replace the previous one and is giving us a series of disappointments. We don’t need to replace something that is already beautiful and has lifted Philippine pride just to claim that we did something new or to merely add up to our list of unsubstantial achievement or to feed our gluttonous ego. Continue reading »
I Left my Heart in Davao City
Love at first sight. It does happen. Maybe not with a person but with something more profound than that. I fell in love with a place at first step, first breath, first sight. Continue reading »
Cotabato City: A Ship Could Launch a Thousand Smiles
I realized that it is not only thru weapon that we win a war, it could also be thru giving smiles, touching hearts and changing lives. Continue reading »
Iloilo: The Heart of the Philippines
One night, my boss called and asked me to pack my bags for a trip to Iloilo, a province smacked in the middle of the country, and is rightfully claiming as the heart of the Philippines. True enough, Ilonggos are known for being affectionate. Continue reading »
Not an Ordinary Day at the Park
It could have been an ordinary day at the park if I didn’t go rolling down the hill, zipped my way above treetops and drenched in afternoon rain. Continue reading »
Whitewater Rafting: Faster than the Rapids
I’m a sucker for speed and heights but I have never imagined that I could conquer my fear of deep waters and rushing rapids. As soon as I clumsily get into the raft, I think I have already screamed all the possible curses I have never imagined uttering before. Alright, that is an exaggeration. But my knees were seriously wobbly and I pictured my face with eyes bulging from fright. I have watched a lot of documentaries with rafters having their feet stuck in between rocks and swallowed by river whirlpools. Add to that the recent flooding of NatGeo and Discovery’s docus about fish monsters. The orientation which bombarded us with the possibilities of getting thrown out of the raft, hit by a paddle and even strangled by a rescue rope didn’t help either that I cannot count how many times I have thought twice of joining. I was dead scared! Continue reading »
Behind the Masks of Bacolod City
Behind the masks of Bacolod City are genuine smiles. This small city has a calming ambience. As soon as we landed on its newly renovated airport, I quickly felt a feeling of comfort and serenity. I find everything organized, simple and clean. At night, we strolled around the city square and there was something about the crisp evening air that made me draw an invisible smile of contentment. Truly, smile is contagious. Continue reading »
A Proper Salute – Clark, Pampanga
I am lucky to have worked for a great boss. When I was a researcher in AFP, he always challenged us to be forward-looking and creative. He backed us up whenever we want to pursue something we are passionate about be it language classes or dance lessons. More than a boss, he is also a … Continue reading »
In the Middle of Nowhere Lies a Lake
The isolation of this place makes me want to leave everything behind and live simply where I am closer to nature. The amazing clouds, the rustling leaves, the lonely boat, even the dirty path look like they came straight out of a painting where I want to blend with its hues. Continue reading »
The Friendly Flippers of Bohol, Philippines
Bohol is one of the very few places that look more beautiful in actual than in pictures. It is a paradise, and I am sure only one of the many, that makes the Philippines blessed with the many wonders of nature. I often prefer to explore beyond my country but Bohol made me realize that I need not go far to be in touch with nature and travel the best places on earth. Continue reading »
Bohol Day Tour: So Many Places, So Little Time
It is surprising that the small island of Bohol has so much to offer for curious travelers and adventure-seekers alike. It proves the cliché that “the best things come in small packages.” Continue reading »
At Peace in Panglao
It is a heavenly escape. White sand and blue waters are right in front of the resort. At night, only the lapping waves and puffing whales from afar chorus with the music of the shores’ tranquility. Continue reading »
Crossing San Juanico Bridge, Crossing out Poverty
The San Juanico Bridge in the Philippines may neither surpass the lengths of the longest bridges in the world nor exceed the pompousness of the most expensive ones, but it has its own story to tell worthy of miles of steel and immaterial wealth. Continue reading »
I was once a Military Researcher
Words, papers, humanitarian action, nationalism and idealism—these didn’t fill up my pockets but fed my wandering soul and led me to a purpose. Continue reading »
Mayon Volcano and the Perfections of Albay
I have never seen anything virtually perfect until I saw Mount Mayon…More than the perfection of Mayon, the spirit of hope and harmony with nature of its people are the more important perfections of Albay Continue reading »
Pundaquit, Zambales: The Cost of Development
Appreciating the wonders of our country gives us the responsibility to let those who will come after us appreciate these wonders the same way we did. The unselfish parading of our nature seeks not only our appreciation but our respect. It is easy and it can be done. Continue reading »
