Author: iAn L.

Cebu is unarguably one of the Philippines’ major gastronomic destination. People experiment on spices and try whatever is ostensible in the kitchen. And when it clicked, expect it soon in the eateries and eventually in restaurants. Local cooking includes larang, tuslob-bua, balbacua, dugo-dugo, paklay, lansiao, and many more. Some of these dishes were local version of Luzon’s famous staples with a slight deviation in terms of the preparation. Larang, for instance, is pretty close to sinigang sa kamias. The way it is cooked, however, is different. Larang includes sauteing contrary to that of sinigang. Cebuanos are discriminatory when it comes to taste but conscious when ... Read more

A college friend, Mico, and his girlfriend, Jessica, visited Cebu for a job-related event. It wasn’t really his trip but Jessica’s and he just tagged along, with explicit permission, I guess. Anyway, being based in Cebu, I was tasked to show them around and have them try a Cebuano feast. That time, I was fairly new in Cebu, so I asked my current officemates for recommendations. “STK ta Bay! Paolito’s Seafood House” was among the list. We decided to try it on our day 2 dinner. STK ta Bay! sa Paolito’s Seafood House What greeted us was a gallery of distinguished ... Read more

Being reachable only with private cars and taxis, Lantaw SRP isn’t really for everybody. Though perched within a not-so-inviting location, people frequent the place to experience their al fresco dining and taste the sumptuous dishes on their list. The restaurant made quite a buzz to the city’s working class, and our curious palates told us to try. When we got a chance, we dashed to the restaurant, tagging along our guest. Open Air Dining Area adorned with hanging paddle boats The location isn’t really noticeable, most especially if it’s your first time. In fact, we passed over the place without ... Read more

It was almost complete, and almost a mishap too. We weren’t completely unfortunate though. We finished our Cotabato-Iligan-CDO tour with all body parts intact and, luckily, with less injuries. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid, also known as the Grand Mosque of Cotabato The Creepy Ride from Cotabato to Midsayap The palpitations started when our PU driver/tour guide in Cotabato Grand Mosque offered to bring us directly to Midsayap and insisted to take the road along the MILF territory. Though we followed all his warnings not to take photos and not to look at them in the eyes with utmost obedience, we couldn’t set ... Read more

Freedom Wall partners with Gearbest to give out gifts to our lucky readers. We will select 5 lucky readers. One will receive a 35-liter Pentagram outdoor backpack and four readers will get one (1) Suaoki solar panel camping LED lantern each, courtesy of Gearbest. Gearbest is a trusted premier online shopping mall selling outdoor products which you can use in your next getaway. You can find variety of travel and sports accessories, outdoor equipment, and even great deals at Gearbest. You don’t need to worry about payments since they accept major credit cards and even PayPal. Shipping is also available ... Read more

Adorned with four tall spires or minarets in the major corners of the main chamber; domes crowned with crescents; walls, doors, and floors crafted with Islamic designs; and array of stunning arches, the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid or the Grand Mosque of Cotabato looks really magnificent for every spectator. The mosque, which stands in a well-landscaped and gated compound west of Cotabato City, is funded personally by Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, whom the mosque was named after, to help the emerging Muslim population in Mindanao. The US$48 Million mosque is the largest of its kind in the country when it was ... Read more

We missed whitewater rafting when we visited Cagayan de Oro (CDO) and Camiguin in 2013. So, when the group returned to Mindanao two years after, we could not afford to skip the activity for the second time. First thing we did when we reached CDO was look for Kagay, the most popular white water rafting organization in CDO, and booked a slot for 5. Despite the sun burn and aching feet we got when we visited Asik-Asik Falls in Alamada, Cotabato, and Tinago and Maria Christina Falls in Iligan, everybody anticipated with enthusiasm. In preparation for the big event, we ... Read more

When things become really difficult, I kick the normal weekend routine and spend some quality time somewhere else, a place outside the metro but would not deprive me from the basic stuff such as the internet, a good place to eat, and a private place to relax and think over my decisions. The Harvest Hotel in Cabanatuan was one of the places that interest me. It was fairly new at the time and was advertised on a huge discount at Agoda. Without having any second thoughts, and also to avoid overthinking, I booked a standard queen for a night. The Harvest ... Read more

Upon finding our way to escape from summer heat, we found Aquaria Beach Resort in Calatagan, Batangas. It was all good, if we take out the time wasted for the long transport from the equation. To get there, we chartered a bus which brought us directly to the gate of the resort. To commute, hop on a Calatagan-bound bus or van from Pasay and then hire a trike to the resort. It isn’t hard to find anyway. Aquaria Beach Resort pool side Overnight accommodations weren’t available at the time – I think until now – since the development are still on-going. So, we had no other ... Read more