Author: Ian Limpangog

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

If that deep-blue river in Hinatuan defines “enchanted”, then Asik-asik Falls is probably the waterfall version of it, wherein the cascades drip from a seemingly unknown source. The lush vegetation that covers the entirety of the perpendicular ravine adds mystery as to where the water is coming. You will have an impression of multiple springs sprouting from the rock walls, unless you come really close to it. Fascinating cascades of Asik-Asik Falls Asik-asik Falls does not have the force that defines a majestic waterfalls, but it has a mystery that clearly emanates the meaning of enchanted, and, of course, a beauty that ... Read more

At one point of his life, Architect Jose Rizalino “Jerry” Acuzar, the owner of San Jose Builders, fell in love with art and culture. With this love and his sizable amount of fortune, he built Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, a heritage park that features centuries-old houses from all over the Philippines. Take note, the houses he built are not replicas. He collected the remains, parts, and ruins of these mansions and rebuilt them based on the original design within the Las Casas premise. The property started construction in 2013 and was only opened to public seven years after. Currently, the park is ... Read more

I’d been to Intramuros for several occasions already, since my college years, however, I always missed Fort Santiago. It was probably because it was a paid section of the fortress, or I had little interest with Philippine history during those times. It was only during my tax-paying years when I got this strong sense of nationalism. Unfortunately, by the moment my interest about our past surged, my time resources plunged. Inside Plaza Moriones Until recently, I was able to make time and finally experienced the one of the most significant remnants of our past. The admission fee is just ₱75 for adults and ₱50 for ... Read more