The boat trip from Cagbatang Island  to Cadlao Lagoon was so wild and crazy that I let out a few loud sighs which almost sounded like an embarrassing gasp. The moment I caught myself squawking like a scared little kid, I immediately looked at my companions to see if they noticed anything weird. But alas, my stupid stunt went unnoticed as they were busy laughing every time the boat would...

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"You just snorkel then after an hour, lunch would be ready," our tour guide Leo advised as our boat moored at the shallow, clear water of Cagbatang, an island that's not really part of Tour C but the next supposed destination was too dangerous to visit. I won't say we're stuck in Cagbatang because it's a nice small beach that reminded me of Puting Buhangin in Quezon. The...

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With just one day to spend in El Nido, I had to choose the best island hopping tour available so I asked around for recommendations. Marj of Layover suggested I should go with Tour C which includes a visit to Secret Beach, Hidden Beach and Matinloc Shrine. The fact that it's the most expensive among the tours (Php900) is pretty much telling - it's gotta be the best...

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There comes a time - whether it’s for a honeymoon, anniversary or just because - that everyone feels the need to push the boat out and enjoy something seriously special. A holiday in paradise comes in many different forms. Perhaps it’s sailing the seven seas on-board a luxury yacht; maybe it’s exploring the wilds of the Canadian Rockies and staying in cozy lodges. Or perhaps it means sinking...

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Helicopter Island It is not just the distance that makes El Nido somewhat inaccessible. The seemingly expensive and luxurious hotels that line the panoramic Bacuit Bay keep most people, particularly Filipinos, from spending holidays on this remote yet beautiful town. But a number of travelers who have gone there has brought home some incredibly surprising and exciting news: El Nido can be experienced without spending an arm and...

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The road to El Nido is long and winding, relatively safe but can be a little boring. There isn't much to see outside although the varied mountain scenery can be a good distraction. If the countryside is your thing, then you might as well enjoy the vast fields and the rural backdrop, otherwise you can just doze the 6-hour bus ride off. Traveling to El Nido from Puerto...

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The UK’s second largest city, Birmingham, always does Christmas with style. Whether it’s the shopping opportunities, the evening entertainment or the festive events, this Midlands city is a hub for Christmas spirit. Spend the day here, or enjoy a longer stay and search for cheap hotels in Birmingham to keep prices low. Frankfurt Christmas Market is back between November 15th and December 22nd. Whether you plan to take...

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In the sprawling city of Bacolod, despite the various establishments that line the busy avenue, life can still be laid-back and slow, a total contrast from the bustling metropolitan life of Manila.  [Masskara-inspired souvenir] It was November of 2010 when I went to Bacolod City, a place that - at that time - held a special spot in my heart. The familiarity of its language, spoken with tenderness...

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Sometimes, traveling isn't just about the journey or the destination; it can also be about the people you meet on and down the road. There aren't many people who travel because they want to meet individuals. They go to a certain place for the place itself, or for the food and mostly always for the attraction. And that's completely understandable. I mean unless you're a journalist whose business...

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Before I reach the age of 30, I'd be happily married and have 3 cute kids. That's me dreaming eons ago when I was little and extremely naive about life. Oh the dreams we made when we were young! I'm now fast approaching the age that every 20-something dreads. I was once asked by my father when can he expect his apo from me. I snorted at his...

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My niece who was having a summer vacation in our hometown in Romblon told my other niece matter-of-factly, as they were helping my sister cut a few string beans for dinner, that they call them 'utong' in Ilocano. Everyone who heard her rolled on the floor laughing. This fun discovery led to a series of translations, though none of those succeeding words could top 'utong' as the funniest....

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New Year's Resolutions are overrated, lame and a mushy mash-up of reminders that you eventually abandon as the days of the year pass by. They're basically a list of things, some sort of commitment you're hoping to achieve but fail to act on. At the end of the year, when you look back, you sigh with regret because you have barely kept those promises. You take a breath...

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