Category: Philippines

Top brass Filipino travel bloggers? Here’s my list in no particular order: Lakwatsero Ask Angel everything about travelling around the Philippines, and then he will give you complete and precise travel guides with matching important notes, tips, and reminders. He mastered writing do-it-yourself (DIY) guides that do not only include “how to get there”, “where to stay”, and “what to do” but also stresses cultural significance, community impact, and environmental preservation. I tend to copy his style (Sorry, Angel!) but I could not do better. And yeah, Google always put Lakwatsero on top of search results. Pinay Solo Backpacker Before Lakwatsero ... 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

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

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

I could feel the biting chill as we whisked along the narrow passage to Salagdoong beach. The morning sun was barely peeking through the amalgamation of leaves and branches forming an archway. Passing through the man-made Molave forest felt like royal. According to my habal-habal driver, the man-made forest is 60 years in the making and stretches nearly two kilometers. The forest offers comforting shades and exhibits a relaxing ambiance to all beach goers. The man-mad Molave forest going to Salagdoong beach Salagdoong Beach Resort The other end of the engineered woodland is Salagdoong Beach Resort. The government manages the area ... Read more

I had been hearing Cebu Canyoning or Canyoneering activities since 2011 but I never got a chance to try it. Yes, not even as of this writing – and that is because of the pesky storm which prompted my guides to cancel the activity. However, instead of going completely broke, I decided to peek on the multiple cascades of Kawasan Falls, which, at that moment, was still accessible. Kawasan Falls Kawasan Falls is more than a kilometer away from the highway. I had to endure a 20-minute trek on an easy trail before I could get a perfect vantage of ... Read more

I could see the reefs in the seemingly shallow deep. From a afar is a mangrove-forested shore shielded with a concrete dike. On the other end are few houses overlooking the rock cliffs. Few seconds later, I heard the ships honked, signalling that we are approaching the port. Yes! In few moments, I could finally set foot in Siquijor. I missed the fast craft so I decided to hop on a Roro vessel. It wasn’t a bad choice since my resort is closer to the Roro’s port compared to that of the fast craft. Fastcrafts enter Siquijor island via the ... Read more

Standing on Marian Hill of Barangay Simala in Sibonga town of Cebu province is officially called the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist. Locals called it “Birhen sa Simala” or the Miraculous Mother Mary of Simala. They don’t give it a new name for no reasons. In fact, many can attest to the miracles or granted prayers after their devotion. Proofs of these miracles are displayed in the walls inside the prayer hall. The panorama of the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist I arrived at noon in the Monastery after my early morning visit at Santo Niño Church and Magellan’s Cross from Cebu City proper. ... Read more

I’d been to Cebu on Several occasions but I never got a chance to visit the monument that represents the city’s long history and establishment: the Magellan’s Cross and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño. The Shrine of Magellan’s Cross The Magellan’s Cross was brought to the Philippines, Cebu specifically, by Spanish-commissioned Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan on March 15, 1521. The Cross was seated on its current site by Magellan himself on April 21, 1521. The original cross is now encased in Tindalo wood to protect it from those people who chipped away part of the cross for souvenirs. There ... Read more