Author: Ian Limpangog

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

Getting on a bus that would bring you to all of the popular destinations in Kuala Lumpur using a single ticket is a genius idea. Aside from the comfort of getting a public transport, no tourist would get lost. The Kuala Lumpur Hop-on Hop-off bus will get you to your desired destination within the city boundaries. Hop-off to explore—and when done—wait for another bus to hop-on. With the 30-45 minutes bus arrival frequency, you won’t get tired of waiting and you have an ample time to take your best selfie. The proponent of this wise transport project strategically positioned their 22 ... Read more

I couldn’t beat my acrophobia if I won’t challenge it. Though slight, it is still bothersome to some situations. When in Kuala Lumpur, I decided to take on the challenge. After recovering from minor leg twitches, I immediately obtained the discounted Menara KL (Kuala Lumpur Tower) observation deck voucher ticket from the hop-on hop-off bus. That wasn’t part of the plan, though I had in mind to clobber the highest reachable height of Petronas Twin Towers. KL Tower, ticket, and elevator lobby Menara KL sells observation deck tickets for MYR49 (₱600) per person but I got mine for only MYR41 (₱500) from the hop-on hop-off ... Read more

Indulged with unprecedented and captivating charm, Sagada remains as one of the top choices for those who are looking for a tranquil getaway. The temperate climes, the towering massifs, the awesome caverns and rock formations, the appetizing dainties, the perpetuated traditions, and the accommodating locality melded perfectly to give you a memorable stay. If you want to experience a piece of Sagada’s splendor, then below details may be a handful. Main attraction of the Cave Connection: The “curtain” of Sumaguing Cave How to Get There From Manila, you can take any bus to Baguio or Banaue, and then transfer to an ... Read more