Category: Travel

Freedom Wall travel logs, updates, guides, itineraries, and photo collections.

Things to do in Ilocos Norte

Thinking for a place to visit on your long weekend or vacation days? Why not check Ilocos Norte, the northwestern-most province in Luzon island. And if you are wondering how to spend your time there, here’s a list of awesome things to do. You can reach Ilocos Norte by a 10 to 12-hour bus ride or via a 45-minute flight. Church of San Agustin (Paoay Church) – Municipality of Paoay The Church of San Agustin or commonly known as Paoay Church is one of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines that is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The side of ... Read more

Majayjay Church: Another 16th-Century Parish in Laguna

The Saint Gregory the Great Parich or commonly known as Majayjay Church is one of the oldest extant Catholic church in the Philippines. According to the historical marker instilled by the National historical Institute (NHI), the original church, which was made of plywood, was built in the year 1571. It was, however, reduced to ashes five years later. Majayjay Church or Saint Gregory the Great Parish The church was then rebuilt under the supervision of the French Missionary, Fr. Juan de Plasencia, in 1578. For the second time, the place of worship was burnt in 1606. To avoid the repeat ... Read more

Liliw Church: Harboring 400 Years of History

After a quick tour along P. Burgos St., where the tempting sandal shops are situated, I then visited the Parish Church of Liliw. I was surprised that such a small town harbors a long piece of history. A solid proof is the church that was been there since the sixteenth century. St. John the Baptist Church Liliw Saint John the Baptist Parish Church, also known as Liliw Church, was founded in 1605 by Father Miguel de San Lucas. The original structure was built from wood. The edifice had been rebuilt using rocks from year 1643 to 1646. However, it was ... Read more

Resisting the Sandal Bargains at Liliw

Immediately after checking the Underground Cemetery in Nagcarlan, I boarded a Liliw-bound jeepney. Jeepneys with San Pablo – Liliw v/v route passes in front of the monument so things were easy on that random getaway. Within 15 minutes, I set foot in the town of fine sandal makers. Jeepneys usually drop passengers in the corner of P. Burgos Street, where various affordable footwear shops are located. P. Burgos Street – Liliw’s Sandal shopping district I was not there to shop. I just took the photos of the items on display with very irresistible prices. Quality sandals are sold for as low as ₱35. Good thing that ... Read more

Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery: Not a Creepy Encounter

I was so bored one Saturday morning so I packed my stuff and boarded a bus to San Pablo. I didn’t have any itinerary at hand. It was another “bahala na si batman” (leave it all to batman) trip, though I already had places to visit in mind. I was planning to check the 7 lakes of San Pablo, the Underground Cemetery in Nagcarlan, the shoe shops in Liliw, etc. However, when I reached San Pablo City, I had no idea where to start. The 7 lakes of San Pablo were spread out at various locations. It will take a lot of commuting ... Read more

Where to Stay in Tagaytay City: List of Tagaytay Hotels

Tagaytay City is one of the closest escape from Manila. Aside from a number of attractions perfect for your family and friends and good places to eat, it also features a very ideal climate. The surrounding temperature is very suitable in venting out the accumulated city (Metro Manila) heat. Taal Lake, A View from Tagaytay Tagaytay is located in the one of the premier highlands in the Province of Cavite, facing the scenic Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. So, if you are planning to get away from your normal daily routine, Tagaytay is the closest option for you. And, if ... Read more

Explore Amazing Adventure Sports in the Philippines

While some people like to spend their time away lounging by the pool or lying on the beach, others prefer to treat their vacation like an adventure. The Philippines is the perfect country for adventure sports, with all sorts of terrain across its 81 provinces. You can enjoy adventure by land or sea, and you’ll never run out of new places to explore. Travelers who are looking for a thrill will definitely find it in the Philippines, whether they want to go trekking, diving or mountain biking. Mt Pinatubo trek (Photo Credits: Kristel Pechon, on Flickr) Trekking If you enjoy ... Read more

Hinguiwin Falls Side Trip: Ventured Adventure

Fresh from our runaway camp in Borawan Island, we headed directly to Hinguiwin Falls without any idea what to see, what to encounter in the trail, and what to expect. A day before, while on board the minibus from Lucena to Padre Burgos, I happened to glance a “not-so-artistically”  designed banner – asking passers-by to pay a visit. It said that Hinguiwin falls is just a kilometer away from the highway where the banner is posted. Then I thought; why not give it a shot. [If you want to know how we enjoyed our tour in Dampalitan and Borawan, visit my other ... Read more

Things to do in Surigao del Norte

When you think of Surigao del Norte, Siargao immediately comes to mind. When you think of Siargao, there goes surfing. But Surigao del Norte or Siargao isn’t all about surfing. There are a lot of things to do in the northeastern province of Mindanao Island. That is aside from gliding with the waves. The below list is quite handy. Spend Some Good Time in Mabua With just 10-15 minutes away from the province’s capital, Surigao City, you can enjoy the clear waters of Mabua Pebble beach. However, instead of sand, you will experience a rocky shore, as the name suggests. This will desaturate ... Read more