Category: Travel

Sipalay was a long ride from Cebu City. I had to wake up around one at dawn to hop on the 2AM bus that travels to the southern tip of Cebu Island, and then catch the earliest ferry ride to Dumaguete. Despite leaving early, it was already 5PM when I reached Sipalay City proper. That included my 2-hour stopover at our humble abode in Siaton. I actually celebrated my birthday on the road. Solitary and hungry. Because of the long trip, busy holiday traffic, and jam-packed terminals, I skipped some meals just to keep my travel arrangements and schedule. Sipalay ... Read more

When I was a kid, all I heard about Siquijor were tales of sorcery and witchcraft. Thus, even though we were almost a stone-throw away from the island and despite having close relatives residing in one of its growing communities, I never asked my parents to pay a visit. When the child’s mind has become mature and the adventurous genes are getting dominant, those stories have become a weaker hindrance. Just recently, I visited Siquijor all by myself. The beach near Siquijor Port Siquijor bestows an exquisite charm. Despite being a popular destination, the island retains the rustic ambiance and ... Read more

A marquee of ultramarine and viridescence rolls like phantasms. Images of sandbars, islets, foliage, water cascades, and streams are flashing back and forth, teeming my imagination. They are like unachieved dreams that toy with you every time they come to your attention. I could not help but to give in to the mystifying call of conquest, a call to find the underrated destination of the Philippines. Kansalakan Enchanted River in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental My itchy feet and thirst for adventure brought me to Guihulngan. I did not invite a friend to travel with. It was completely random, and I ... Read more

We decided to spend our weekend to go out for a quick adventure, and then found ourselves at the top of Mount Mauyog and Mount Manunggal. We happened to visit during a local fiesta celebration, so we had our lunch free.

Being stressed and angled for minutes, my elbow pit started to feel uncomfortable. My palms were itching too, yet I couldn’t let go of my grip. I could also feel my calf and feet trembling, but resting them was not among the choices. For some reasons, commuting was pretty difficult on that part of Samar on Holy Week. I was hanging at the back of the jeepney, breaking a leg, while on my way to Allen from Calbayog’s Maguino-o Pier. Since I shared space of the narrow metal extension with another passenger, my torment did not end there. I had ... Read more

The sky was perfect. It wasn’t all blue. The blinding-white clouds formed interesting figures and were moving at slow pace. It provided a minute shade every time it hovered above our smoothly-moving fast craft. The sea, on the other hand, was completely placid, reflecting the exact copies of the figures above it. The minor distortions created by the surface swimmers are very evident – I could see the finest ripple. It was our fast craft’s horn that woke me from that real daydream. We were approaching Liloan Pier in Santander, so I had to get myself ready. In a moment, ... Read more

Boodle Art & Beyond, and its sister, Dessert Studio and Restohaus recently opened their doors to Cebu’s discriminating palate, which added a unique spin to the already diverse and rich culinary options in the metro. The idea-turned-family-business originally started at an extra space at home. When the business gained traction and interests from neighbors, friends, and travelers, the home space could not accommodate the surge. The plan of expanding became perspicuous. Taking on the boodle challenge The family purchased an unused warehouse and converted it into a chic restaurant. The wooden shelving is made into fine furniture. The lighting fixtures ... Read more

The modern day Siem Reap, a home to 9th-century temples, is an archaeological haven. Antique enthusiasts flock to this humble yet vibrant city to witness the grandeur it once have. Though all that is left are empty structures and rubbles of the angkors (or temples), people from around the world are still interested and curious. Some scholars said that secrets lurk in every walls and corners of the temples in Siem Reap. The construction techniques and the murals talk about extraordinary assistance that shape these marvels. The sky was painted with all shades of orange and red as the sun ... Read more

Nayong Philipino transferred from a now mothballed building near NAIA Terminal 2 to Clark Field, Pampanga since November 2007. It now occupies the south to the southeastern portion of the Clark Expo (formerly Expo Filipino), the Philippine National Centennial Exposition and centerpiece for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Philippine Independence, featuring an amphitheater-type mega tent that can seat 35,000 people. Characters of the Popular Filipino legend (Malakas at Maganda) Nayong Pilipino Nayong Pilipino features some bits and pieces of Philippine History. The exhibits start with the old legend, such as Malakas and Maganda, telling the story of the ... Read more