Tuesday, December 31, 2013

A Retrospect with the Last Sunset of 2013

Sunset at Basco Port, Batanes
It rained for the past two afternoons in Basco making shooting sunset not possible. But on this last day of 2013, the weather was more promising. Although, dark clouds scatter in the horizon, still, the sun shone brightly while intermittently hiding itself from these clouds. Thou I hope that the sun will uncover itself again, the dark clouds prove to be unforgiving. It was not a perfect sunset but definitely hundred times better than the days before. And just like the year 2013, this sunset echoes hope and promise for a better day... or a year ahead!

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Iloilo: Angelicum in Lights


Lights and the holiday season are like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - they look good together. Just imagine lights without anything else and you have something that is bland. Or imagine holiday season without lights and you have a misnomer.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

4D/3N Coron Adventure


Pardon the travel agency-like title but this post will chronicle my 4D/3N solo backpacking trip in Coron, Palawan. Coron boasts of scenic natural attractions topped by the twin lakes of Kayangan and Barracuda. For budget travelers, the cheap/Piso flights to Coron are one of the most sought-after flights where schedules are usually gone within an hour after the airlines' announcements. Luckily, eight months ago, I was able to book a two-way flight to Coron for only around Php 1,100.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Pork and Squid Adobo

My Favorite Camping Meal

Adobo is oftentimes referred to as the most popular Philippine dish. Every Filipino has his own version of this delectable meal and I, for one, has my own. My version of adobo consists of squid and pork and I cook in such a way to have it last for almost a week. With this adobo in tow, camping with friends is much more fun.

Saturday, December 07, 2013

Coron : Views from Mount Tapyas

Town Below

The Cross of Mount Tapyas is one of the most prominent features of Coron. At day time, you can see this white structure from the town proper and at night, it is all lighted-up that seems to symbolize protection for the islands. There are 742 steps leading to the top with many pit stops in case you need to catch your breath. Once on top, you will have magnificent 360 view of Coron and nearby islets and islands.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Yolanda


Typhoon Yolanda is one, if not, the biggest disaster of our generation. Its grim aftermath was beyond comprehension. Dead people, destructed villages, unprepared government, suffering… all depressing.

But Yolanda somehow triggered the macrocosm of our society straight towards our face. She painted to us how we are as a people facing this fate of adversity. Our polarized criticisms, support system, political bickering and failure of systems are clear manifestations of our collective thoughts as one society. We may be facing all forms of disputes, especially our trust and faith to our government and its leaders but everything is part of a nation's dynamism.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Coron: Banol Beach

Banol Beach, Coron, Palawan

Coron is one of the towns badly hit by the recent Super Typhoon Yolanda. And if you happen to see images of the havoc of the typhoon, you will be disheartened by its aftermath. In fact, I do have doubts of featuring places recently hit by calamity because the photos I have taken depict images that was taken before the typhoon. And seeing images on the net and tv of how they look now is definitely far-cry on how it looked before.

Friday, November 01, 2013

The 10 Most Haunted Philippine Provinces


It is the time of the year when ghost stories are delegated to heightened proportions. And when travelers congregate, there are places which they have visited that seems to be haunted more than others. And although the present time is the age of zombies and the walking dead, still, the old allure of white ladies or headless priests or even those things unseen but make their presence felt make up the pieces of every travelers' haunted place.  

Sunday, October 27, 2013

The City of Angels : Sex Sells, Still!


“Hi, I’m Ana” she said in a very thick accent. She extended her hands to me but her scantily-clad young body certainly does not make any effort not to touch mine. “I’m John” I said. I offered her the seat in front of me, but she preferred the seat close to mine. She is Number 112 on the stage and for her, tonight is just all in a day’s work.
 
Search the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” slogan on the web and chances are you will see more than a couple of addresses in the list that promote the Philippines as a sex-tourism destination. Although prostitution is illegal in the Philippines, you don’t have to be a detective to find it being practiced. The red-light district of most big cities operates openly and freely and no administration from the Marcos Regime to the present Noynoy Administration could stop them. They are in Manila, Subic, Cebu, Baguio and in Angeles City to name a few.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Coron: Barracuda Lake


Barracuda Lake is named after a big, territorial fish that used to inhabit the place. It is one of the two famous lakes of Coron Island that is often visited by tourist. It is a freshwater lake but its proximity to the sea makes it brackish and a bit salty.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Coron : Kasadyaan Festival 2013


Painted bodies adorned with colorful ornaments take the center stage as they sway to the beat of the festival music. This is Kasadyaan Festival 2013. And as they wait for their turn to showcase their presentations, I happened to be on the crowded sidelines trying to take some snaps. However, the almost barren tropical scene of the sea awaits me that day so I have to leave the revelries behind. Here are some shots:

Friday, October 11, 2013

The Traveling Mom


Ever wondered where I get my insatiable thirst for traveling? Well, as of this moment, my mom is painting California red. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM, I LOVE YOU and I MISS YOU! See you soon :) YOU ARE THE BEST!

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Coron : Lake Kayangan

Footpaths @ Kayangan Lake

Lake Kayangan pockmarked a fortresslike jungle-clad rocky escarpments of a primary tourist destination, that is, Coron Island. It is dubbed as the cleanest lake in the Philippines, and I would have to say that such title fits Kayangan Lake to a "T". Approaching the lake, we were mesmerized by the view of limestone cliffs surrounded by lush foliage of small trees and greens between and among its crevices. And looking at the clear lake, you could see fishes and rock formations even if these were about twenty-feet below.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Coron: Santino's Grill

Garlic Prawns
Ask any traveler in Coron where is the best place to dine and almost simultaneously, they will say Santino's Grill. Therefore, I wasted no time checking-out the place to see what the fuzz is all about.
 

Sunday, September 08, 2013

Another Leaf Has Turned!

Our birthdays are feathers in the broad wing of time. We tend to celebrate it merrily as we can with friends and family. Gifts wrapped in fancy papers as well as cakes lit-up with candles are normally given to celebrators. And to surprise you are special messages in posters made specially on your special day. Here are some of mine:
 

This is my first birthday at my new workplace in the Medical City. I must admit, the depiction of me as a body builder is one of the weirdest one I had but I truly appreciate the efforts and the greetings of my officemates at Legal Service Department in particular and to the Finance, Admin and Management Support Services Group in general.
 

Thursday, August 01, 2013

Bataan : Bagac Sunset

 
If the sky is a canvas and I have the palette, I will paint the sunset exactly as this... somber... glowing... melancholy! But the sky ain't my canvas and the colors is at nature's mercy so all I can do is wish that I be a witness to something as spectacular as this.

Monday, July 01, 2013

Nagsasa Cove Sunset

 
Sometimes there are great arrays of colors, too many colors that you can define. Shades of primary colors... blue, red and yellow and just everything in between. Sometimes its more subdued... a monotone of varied hues... mostly golden, such as the case that time at Nagsasa Cove.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Nagsasa Cove : A Perfect Backpackers' Weekend Getaway Place

Nagsasa Cove
Much has already been written about this little piece of paradise off the coast of Zambales. Although not as popular as Anawangin and may not be as interesting as Capones, Nagsasa Cove hold it's own as one of the most scenic and at the same time laid-back place where you could easily get lost to its beauty and not mind anything at all.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Tabuk City 5/5 : Impressions


I maybe the last one in my blogging comrades who have not set foot in Kalinga. My good friend Dong Ho has several posts about Kalinga and his story about the place fascinates me. And lately, another good travel buddy Lantaw has ventured in a photo-journey in Kalinga taking with him awesome photos of the last tattoed women of Buscalan.

Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Tabuk City 4/5: Love On Top

 
As the lyrics of the song in this blog's title goes "I can see the stars all the way from here. Can't you see the glow on the window pane? I can feel the sun whenever you're near. Every time you touch me I just melt away. Now everybody asks me why I'm smiling out from ear to ear..."
 

Saturday, June 01, 2013

Tabuk City 3/5 : Holy Run

 
Contrary to the notion that Tabuk is a mountainous area, this capital of Kalinga Province is a flat, sweltering town on the banks of Chico River. A prominent structure at the town center is St. Williams Cathedral just in front of St. Williams Academy. Although it's facade is typically modern and not as fascinating as some century-old churches the region is known for, still, this Roman Catholic Church has its alluring appeal with its semi-open-type walls where church-goers can feel the air passing through it. 

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Tabuk City 2/5 : Of Waterways, Roads and Bridges

This sight of two men walking the spillway of Chico River made my trip to Tabuk more interesting. For one, it provided a nice subject for a photo-op incorporating human element to an already picture-worthy spot. But more importantly, it transcends to the thought of what folks in Tabuk would do just to go to the other side of town, risking their lives and limbs by crossing the river thru walking in a slippery spillway.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Tabuk City 1/5 : A River Runs Thru It


To the uninitiated like me, whenever I hear Tabuk in particular and the Kalinga Province in general, what comes to mind are mountains and tribal people. These were probably brought up by the fact that when I was much younger, my grandfather used to bring me to Isabela and Benguet where terrains dramatically shift from lowlands to highlands and the farthest we usually end are city centers. And what’s beyond there is left only to my young imagination fuelled by stories as well as the ethnic-sounding nomenclature of the place.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Yakimix Food Trip

Ready to Eat
Team Tax Comp @ Yakimix Podium is a perfect match made in heaven. An array of gastronomic delights against a group who is very much willing to take any sumptuous challenge... as Maki would say... "Bring it on!"

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Sagada Weekend Market

One of the places I like to visit whenever I travel to another place is their local market because local cultures and tradition can best be observed there. It was a good thing that our visit to Sagada included Saturday because we were able to witness the Weekend Market therein. Makeshift stalls lined-up the streets from the Town Plaza all the way-up to the entrance of Saint Mary's Church. Just almost everything is offered for sale in this Saturday Market. Freshly harvested produce from local farmers dominate one area in the market where hospitable lady sellers will give you a real bargain and would even let you sample their local fruits including the famously large Sagada Oranges. Lots of delicacies are also offered like local-version of corn-in-a cob, sticky rice cakes, sesame balls, boiled peanuts and the interesting halo-halo with macaroni.

Saturday, May 04, 2013

Mongkok Food Trip


It has been two months since I left my previous company to work for another one. I worked there for a little over two years and I was fortunate to work with some of the most dynamic persons I have known. I headed a team there composed of young, cheerful and down-to-earth individuals and collectively, we are known as "Team Tax Comp" - one of the better teams of the Company.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Cagayan: Thousand Bats Over Pinacanauan River

Serene Pinacanauan River

They say a journey of thousand miles begin at a single step. But for these bats of Pinacanauan River, the journey starts with a single flap of their wings and it happens always everyday at dusk or between five to six in the afternoon.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Cagayan: Penablanca's Callao Cave

The Altar
What is wet, smelly, dark, has opening and if you enter it you will be near heaven? If you answered the Callao Cave in Penablanca, Cagayan - then, you are absolutely correct.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Palawan : Port Barton's Bigaho Waterfalls

The Enchanting Bigaho Waterfalls
To continue where I left off (oh boy, that was a long time), let me feature the second waterfalls I have visited in Port Barton - the Bigaho Waterfalls located in, well, Sitio Bigaho.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Palawan: Port Barton's Pamoayan Waterfalls

Port Barton's Pride
Port Barton has a couple on interesting Waterfalls that can spice-up your visit. One can be reached by trekking for a little over an hour on a lush forest while the other can be reached by boat and a short trek. And since I do love chasing waterfalls (no pun intended), I visited both. I will feature the former here and the latter in my next post.

Saturday, February 02, 2013

Palawan : Port Barton... Paradise!

Surrender in Paradise
I have been to paradise... even for just a couple of days. Going there is hard but leaving it is much, much harder. I only have good things to say about Port Barton and I feel that even what I say would not justify the beauty of the place. It is paradise in its simplest sense.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Lazada Online Shopping, As Easy As 1-2-3!

The advent of technology made multi-tasking so easy. Who would ever thought that there wil come a time that you could work and shop at the same time? Before, you need to get out of your 9-5 job and rush to the nearest mall just to shop and get the things that you want. But now, a ten-minute break (or less) from work is all you need to do your shopping and without breaking a sweat, everything is done with lots of time to spare. But wait, there is more...

Saturday, January 26, 2013

The Corregidor Walking Tour: Of Bombs, Big Guns & Lost Gold!

I first met Ivan Man Dy in 2009 when he invited me along with several travel bloggers in a tour in Malacanang Palace. It was an educational tour where we do the walking and Ivan do the talking. It was an informative day highlighted by the fact that we actually met and was greeted by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. So when Ivan sent me an e-mail for another Walking Tour, this time in Corregidor, I instantly said yes.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

My Top 10 Travels of 2012

"It's more fun in the Philippines." A traveler's slogan that may seem overused but nevertheless true in its every sense - from the places we visit, the people we meet and the memories we experience. And when it comes to fun, the year 2012 gave me some memorable fun in traveling and that I am blessed to have record such fun through my photography. And among, the places I have visited around the Philippines in 2012, here are my Top 10:
I consider my trip to Palawan particularly to Port Barton and San Vicente as my top travel for 2012. I had high expectations of the place from what I have read on-line and in books/magazines so I really made an effort to visit the place. Lonely Planet described it as "a kind of place where after just a few strolls down the beach you feel you don't want to share this tranquility with outsiders". And it certainly holds true as if I am the one saying it. But Port Barton offers more than just beaches for there are couple of Waterfalls in there that were worthy to explore.

Tuesday, January 08, 2013

Travel Factor New Year Party


Travel Factor, the leading adventure travel company in the Philippines, is celebrating its 6th year with its annual New Year Party!

Saturday, January 05, 2013

7 Years of Blogging - From Journeys To Island


Today this blog turns "Seven". Lucky Seven if I may add because I never thought that this blog will last this long. I mean, back in the infancy stage of this blog, there were only few photo-travel bloggers around that having a travel-blog back then was already an accomplishment by itself.