Author: iAn L.

I hardly forgot those footprints I left at the edges of Camiguin’s White Island. It was probably erased by the tide now, but the memories are still fresh and apparent. It constantly reminds me to get out and plunge into a clear waters somewhere else. It is summer time again, and I should keep my ass off the office ergo seat. The White Island isn’t the only attraction you’ll find in Camiguin. There are majestic cascades, hot and cold springs, interesting underwater wonders, remarkable pieces of history, among others. The White Island, Camiguin Camiguin is one of those amazing places in the ... Read more

Seating on the edge of a volcanic mountain range of Zambales, Anawangin seems out of place. The white strip, the verdant pine tree amalgamation, and the clear aquamarine water make the cove superficially foreign to its surroundings. However, Anawangin makes a stunning contrast to the mountain ridges encompassing it. When you are looking for a place to escape from the fast city life and routinary activities, then Anawangin is one of the humble options. There’s nothing more noteworthy than living simply in a beach camp, sharing stories with friends, cooking for yourself, waiting for the sun to slowly disappear from the horizon, ... Read more

Here comes summertime and people from the metro swarm the closest water bodies to ease the scorch. One of the places frequented by the city folks is Daranak Falls in Tanay, Rizal. The waterfalls offers a natural cooling effect, venting out unnecessary body heat of every patron. Since it is one of Manila’s closest, the falls vicinity usually gets crowded for the month of March to May. The cascade splits and becomes thinner too. However, if you are game to join the rumble, then continue reading this article for you to prepare for your next getaway. The crowded summer in ... Read more

The Island Garden City of Samal or IGaCoS is city that floats off the Davao Gulf. It is composed of the islands of Samal and Talikud including the surrounding islets. Though classified as a city and despite being part of Davao Metropolitan Area, most of IGaCos’ territories are rural. This isn’t a downside though – perhaps a good thing – for the natural habitat is not threatened from rapid urbanization. Nature is safe in IGaCoS. Pear Farm Beach Resort and the surrounding islets in Samal However, we couldn’t tell if the situation will remain the same in the future, thus ... Read more

Three weeks before my Davao, Samal, GenSan and Lake Sebu trip, my father was rushed to the hospital due to heart complications. He spent 10 days in the ICU, costing us a fortune, hence I thought of cancelling the anticipated jaunt. However, I couldn’t simply scrap everything—I got all my plane tickets and hotels paid. In the end, I pursued the trip with very minimal cash at hand. My first day wasn’t really special. I just spent the day and night at Tune Hotel Davao, went out only to eat, checked out the following day, and then headed to Davao City’s Santa ... Read more

Looking at Map, you will find Sohoton Bay as another thick and dark-green plat, seating on the southwest portion of Bucas Grande Island. White strips dot the edges to its islet conglomeration. There are also blue lagoons and shallow areas reflecting a turquoise shade to the satellite cameras. And yes, by merely looking at the map, I couldn’t stop my thin arm hairs raising for excitement. Sohoton Bay boat station Sohoton Bay is a real stunner in Mindanao. It emanates a pixie world vibe. The conglomeration of karst massifs that seems floating on the shallow yet mysterious waters of Bucas Grande are covered with verdant ... Read more

What I immediately noticed when I visited Punta Isla Lake Resort are the sweet sound of the tree dwellers. Singing an un-arranged lullaby, the Eurasian Tree Sparrows, the Chestnut Munias, the Pied Fantails, the orioles, and the swallows emanate a music that was so fresh to the ears. Listening to these songs while wandering along the flower-filled alleys, the rustic stairways, and the healthy greens of the resort really feels extraordinary. Almost every corner of the resort is ornamented with natural flora, in which some are seemingly of foreign origin. Lake Sebu as viewed from Punta Isla Lake Resort The ... Read more

I had been to some great destinations around the Philippines. Palawan is a top choice, then there is also Mountain Province, Ifugao, Cebu, Camiguin, and a lot more. I had been to some random southeast Asian destinations too. To mention, I backpacked Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam in 2013 followed by Indonesia–Singapore–Malaysia series in 2014. [Related Post: 15 Interesting Places in the Philippines to Spend the Long Weekend] You might be wondering how I managed to pay all these travels despite being a middle-income employee. Well, to tell you honestly, I only have three secrets: I plan a year ahead to get promo airline tickets, ... Read more

Around the later week of December 2014, I checked Siquijor before going home to spend the New Year with my family. When I am about to board a Dumaguete-bound ferry, the coast guard halted all sea-based trips – a pesky storm visited the Philippine islands again. Uh! That was a major buzzkill! I tried to eavesdrop on local travelers’ conversations, hoping for possible runaway options, however, I heard it was too risky. Both the pump boat operator and the passengers may face fines if caught. So, I booked a room at the closest hostel and stayed for night. The following day, the ... Read more