Mountain Province : Chillax Mountainscape @ Maligcong

Maligcong Rice Terraces

For Gwen Estafani, the idea of a Sweet Escape is to recreate a place that is her own world where she could be his favorite girl. For me, I need not recreate my own world but instead just pack my bag, hop on a bus (twice), topload on a jeep and be in Maligcong - Mountain Province's heaven on earth.

Benguet : La Trinidad's Colorful House Murals

La Trinidad's New Attraction

La Trinidad's newest attraction is bursting with colors. Painted with the colors of rainbow and more, a clump of concrete houses in Barangay Balili in La Trinidad, Benguet turned into a huge, vibrant work of art. A place collectively called "Stobosa" (Stonehill, Botiwtiw and Sadjap located strategically between Baguio and La Trinidad were painted in various colors and patterns, as somehow inspired by the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Visiting Abu Dhabi on a Budget

Abu Dhabi is fast becoming one of the most popular places to travel, with an extremely glamorous and luxurious reputation, but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to have a good time in Abu Dhabi! If you have already removed it from your bucket list and written it off entirely, you might want to keep reading and find out what you are missing. 

Hearing from friends who have spent a lot of time in Abu Dhabi, I can tell you that you really can have an amazing time on a budget; you just have to know where to look. Luckily for you, I have gathered some information that will make it that little bit easier!

After your flight from London to Abu Dhabi you’ll probably want to unwind for a while and what better way to do that than to relax in Abu Dhabi’s largest and most picturesque park - Khalifa Park. For just a very small fee you can visit the aquarium, ride a train around the park, see the Museum of History of Abu Dhabi or simply relax and enjoy the beautiful fountains! It’s a great place for a picnic and you will definitely find many UAE residents doing exactly that.

5 Tips to Survive a Rainy Beach Getaway

Beaches are the perfect destinations when you are looking to have fun under the sun. However, the weather won’t always be in your favor. Even if the sky is clear and the sun is shining, it can start raining at any given moment. Nevertheless, there is no reason to let terrible weather get you down.

A lot of opportunities open up when it starts raining on the beach. Though swimming in the sea might have to get canceled, you can still enjoy your rainy beach getaway indoors. Here are just a few ways how:

1. Explore the Hotel Amenities

If you’re staying in one of many all-inclusive hotels in the Philippines, you can check online hotel booking  apps like Traveloka to look for the best deals. You can also expect all-around accommodations beyond just free Wi-Fi. This includes gyms, spas, game rooms, and in-house restaurants. With this variety, you’ll be able to enjoy staying in your hotel even when the rain ruins your trip to the beach. And because of that, everyone – no matter what age – can find something to do. If you want some time away from the kids, leave them in the game room while you have a relaxing massage. Think that you’ll miss out on your daily exercise routine? Then go work out in the gym. If it’s too dangerous to swim on the beach, take a dip in the indoor pool. When you’re in a nice hotel, it’s impossible to get bored.

Palawan: Island and Beach Hopping in El Nido

Paradiso El Nido

A trip to El Nido would not be complete unless you visit some of its islands and beaches where each of them has their own appeal. And to make it easier, economical and more accessible for tourists to venture in these islands and beaches, the Local Government therein promulgated four tour packages to choose from. These tour packages will take you on a journey to explore a specific part of the islands surrounding El Nido. You will discover beautiful and preserved islands, clear water lagoons, white sand beaches, snorkeling sites and their hundred of fishes and coral species.

Palawan : El Nido's Nacpan Beach

Nacpan's Twin Beach

Travelers often rate El Nido as one of the best island and beach destination in the world, and that beautiful Nacpan Beach with the iconic Twin Beach of Nacpan and Calitang is my personal favorite. The name El Nido means "The Nest" in Spanish and was named after the nests of swiftlets found in the caves of its 250 million year-old limestone cliffs. The tranquil, clear waters are very inviting for swimming, and it has one of the widest and longest stretch of white sand beach perfect for those who want to achieve golden tan.

A Definitive Guide in Settling The Estate of a Deceased Person

I - FIRST THINGS FIRST. Submit Notice of Death to the BIR within 2 months after death. The Notice of Death must be accompanied with Certified Copy of Death Certificate.

Take note that the Notice of Death must be filed with the BIR having jurisdiction over the residence of the deceased as indicated in the Death Certificate. Thus, even if the decedent is registered in Makati but he resides in Pasig, he must submit the Notice of Death in Pasig. Failure to pay Notice of Death within the required period will result in penalty which may amount to Php 50,000.

Shared on Instagram : Life Events, Travels, Foods and Just About Anything You Can Photograph

People love to tell a story and there is nothing better than a picture to tell a story. Instagram does that, it introduces itself as a fast, beautiful and fun way to share life events, travels, foods and just about everything with friends through a series of photographs. Just snap a photo with your phone, filter or edit to transform the look and feel, and viola! it’s photo sharing, reinvented. 

El Nido : Twelve Sunset Photos at Corong-Corong Beach

Sail Away

A day and a night cannot exist at the same time but they are linked in a way that one always gives way to the other. And when they meet, something magical happens that any witness knows to never waste any amount of time doing anything even if it is important because when there is sunset outside, you should do nothing but just sit under it.

In Between Pleadings

The pace here is so different... very much different from the chaotic world I left in Manila yesterday. Just after filing my Petition for Review with the Appeals Court in the afternoon, I hurriedly proceed to the airport to catch my almost midnight flight to paradise.

Having accustomed to the rat race of the legal profession and court room battles known as "pressure cooker", I wanted unfamiliar faces, fresh experiences, and a new self.

In El Nido, Palawan, after wandering through its idyllic streets and looking out over the beach from the balcony of a famous Cafe, I wandered westward towards the end of the beach, hoping to savor the scene I had imagined - foreigners in nothing but bikinis, beach side diners buzzing with conversation of languages I can barely understand.

A Day of Prayers at Monasterio De Tarlac

Jesus the Redeemer

As the song goes, it is a long and winding road. And once you left the city proper, the country side view of farmlands will greet you until you eventually ascend. And once you see biblical quotes beautifully planted on a road side, then, you are just few minutes away from the home of a relic from the holy cross - the Monasterio de Tarlac.

Compostela Valley : Eco-Tourism Wonders of Maragusan

Marangig Falls

Compostela Valley is the summer capital of Davao where the quaint, adventurous town of Maragusan awaits those willing to explore its wonder.

Compostela Valley : Highland Blooms of Maragusan

Batanes : Another Dozen Photos That Show Why I Love Sabtang Island

As if a dozen is not enough, here is another dozen photos that will convince you to book that dream travel destination to Batanes and head to Sabtang Island:

Biking at the Port and headin' to the Lighthouse at the Background

Davao Oriental : Mati's Dahican Beach

Future Champion

They start them young and they become world-class competitors. Kuya Jun's Amihan Team and female champ Lang can be seen almost everyday facing all the challenges that the waves of the ocean bring. Dahican Beach afterall, is not just their playground but a source of pride among us all.

Davao Oriental : Journey to Mati

Dahican Beach is Love

Traveling by myself was a dream that had always both excited and scared me a little. I was not so fearful of all the horrible things that could happen to solo traveler in an unfamiliar place : robbery, murder, sold into labor. No, I was afraid of much more scary stuff, like what direction to look when I ate dinner by myself. Could I have a beer in a bar if I wanted to, and not feel like a freak? It was a challenge I just had to put to the test. So, I pushed myself forward, organize everything I can and travel on my own to Davao.

Quezon : Borawan Camping Trip

Oman is an Island in Borawan

Borawan Beach is an affordable travel destination in the Province of Quezon and is about six to five hours away from Manila. Some claimed that Borawan is a blending of two popular places Boracay and Palawan, which I personally feel is an overstatement. I rather agree that Borawan came from the word "Bulawan" which means gold, for this beach showcases one of the best golden sunrise that this part of the country can offer.

Iligan City : Maria Christina Falls

Majestic Maria Christina Falls

As far as I can recall, Maria Christina Falls is the first waterfall that I have known. Not that I have personally seen it before but this Falls was prominently featured in our school books and has since been a barometer of what a Philippine attraction should be. Although it took me almost three decades to personally see this waterfalls, still, I was amazed by its grandeur and the power - just as I expected and more!

Zipmatch : Apartment Space-Saving Tips for Students

Before the beginning of the school year, most University students move into their own apartment in the metro. Getting your own apartment is one of the big steps to independence. You should never be discouraged from purchasing a small apartment. Follow these simple steps to increase your space and enable you to focus on enjoying your new, albeit temporary, home!

The Wardrobe

In your new apartment, it is almost certain that you will not have as much space for clothes as you are used to. So how can we save some space? 

It is extremely important to keep your selection of clothes seasonal. You won't need that thick jacket in the summer or that slinky little dress during the rainy season. It sounds so simple, but in the rush of moving away from home, many students are prone to over-packing. Rotate your clothing whenever you go home.

My Top 10 Travels of 2015

Someday, when the dust settles, I hope to find myself staring not at the pleadings on my desk nor the contracts that have to be reviewed and the tax assessments that needs to be settled... but to be in an unfamiliar place where I am lost in translation, trying to find my way out into the next destination. 

I am a corporate slave - not a choice but a necessity. A necessity to survive in this jungle city. I travel to escape. Traveling for me is a poignant reminder that I could simplify my life a little bit and just enjoy living. While traveling in 2015 was a constant debacle because of work, still, I got the chance to enjoy these places which I have included in my annual favorite list:

I wouldn't mind waking-up in Compostela Valley, my top choice for 2015. Considered as Davao Region's summer capital, this laid back province is an adventure in nature just aching to be discovered. Waterfalls, hot and cold springs, verdant hills and mountains - just about anything you want for that eco-adventure. 

Ten Years of Blogging

Oh Boy! What a journey it has been. It seems only yesterday that I shared posts about my life as a law student reviewing for the BAR. And of how this blog transitioned from a personal-law blog to a travel-photo blog. It has been ten years.

Happy New Year From Tagum City

Wherever you may be, however you may celebrate... Happy New Year!