The first thing you'll notice in El Nido is the abundance of foreign tourists. They're literally all over the place. The chance of not seeing a foreigner when you're in El Nido is close to none. Whether you're walking down the beach in Bacuit Bay, or having a stroll along Calle Hama or Rizal, you're bound to meet and see White people, that's for sure. So if you're the type of person who's afraid of foreigners or have something against them, you better think twice before going to El Nido because they dominate the place. Not in a bad way though.
When you're alone in a far-flung but beautiful town like El Nido, it's hard to play the I'm-alone-so-don't-talk-to-me game. I traveled here all by myself but having been surrounded by hundreds of people who were mostly foreigners, I didn't feel so alone anymore. Despite the unpleasant part of my stay at La Banane, I don't regret the fact that I spent two days at the hostel. If anything, it let me meet cool foreign travelers and mingle with them. I threw the introverted persona in me out of the window and let my guard down. In a place I didn't know a single soul, there's a danger of becoming out of my element but there's also an exciting possibility of experiencing something different - something that I wouldn't have gotten to experience if I were with a company of friends.

I met Den at a friend's wedding in Lopez, Quezon late last year. He traveled to the town solo, which wasn't a problem with him since he likes hitting the road all by himself. He could have joined us on the way back to Manila but he preferred taking the bus alone so he went off with only his bag and phone for company. Den is no stranger to solo traveling because he has in fact gone outside the country on a number of occasions alone. He has been to Thailand twice. Just recently, he spent a 7-day holiday in Phuket.

For the latest edition of Meet the Young Blood Traveler Series, Den shares with us his itinerary and experience in Phuket. 

It's my second time in Phuket and I'd say that overall it has been an absolute fun. Philippines and Thailand are like twin sisters and so Thai hospitality reminds me of our Filipino hospitality. Phuket is famous for its beautiful beaches, its wild (and sleazy) nightlife and exquisite scenery but there's definitely much more to this island than that. Its plush history has left a legacy of vibrant temples, spicy foods, and those familiar warm smiles all wrapped up with Thai’s mixed and tolerant culture.

Okay. So it's the month of love and your heart is broken. The timing couldn't have been more dramatic. I mean it's fine to have your heart broken on some random days of the year but certainly not this month, right? Just the thought of spending Valentine's Day all alone is downright sad and simply depressing. Ah... what are you going to do on the 14th, eh?
Telling all these may feel like putting salt in your fresh wound. My apologies. It's not my intention to hurt you. To hurt someone who's already messed up is sheer cruelty. What you need right now is some cheering up because you look like you're in terrible pain. Listen, let's pretend I've been down the same road before and I know how hard it is to be in the same situation as yours. Makes you want to do all sort of crazy stuff that only a depressed person can think of. But don't you ever lose it - the pain, the heartache, it will go away. It will just do. I'm not sure when and how but believe me, it's just temporary. You'll get over it. And someday, you will reminisce this whole thing with a smile on your face.

I prefer staying at hostels when I go out of town alone because I don't really feel comfortable sleeping inside the hotel room without any living company. My previous solo escapades forced me to spend a night or two inside a room all by myself. First was during my solo trip in Legazpi and the second was when I went solo in Boracay. Both stays were possibly the loneliest experiences I've had so far. While I enjoy every peace and quiet I get from spending some alone time inside a silent space, the absence of noise can be painfully deafening and an unpleasant reminder that going solo does have its drawbacks.
Staying in a hostel is an adventure in itself because you get to mingle with its occupants, especially if you're staying in a dorm. My 2-day stay at La Banane, a relatively new hostel in El Nido that's already making a buzz among travelers, was quite an experience, not necessarily the great kind. The people I met, the staff I interacted with and the hostel per se were all part of such adventure, making my El Nido sojourn highly memorable.

I was able to mingle with the hostel guests all right, but I also had an unusual experience, which I'm calling an adventure, with one of the hostel staffs. It started with an inquisitive greeting ("Yes?" instead of "How may I help you?") when he saw me standing near the gate of La Banane. He was sitting on the steps in front of the reception area. At first I thought he was a she, because he wore a dress (and a revealing one at that). His deep and husky voice soon told me he wasn't a woman. Right from the get-go, I could sense his indifference toward me.

When D, a traveler I met in El Nido, told me he wanted to see the Manila Chinese Cemetery, I wasn't sure I was ready to jump on board. Seemed like a sad, creepy site but after doing some online research about the place, my curiosity suddenly got tickled. D's flight back to Amsterdam was scheduled at around 12 midnight so he had a few hours to spare. He certainly didn't want to spend his free time doing nothing. We met at Robinsons Mall in Malate where we deposited his stuff. From there, we took a cab to the cemetery.
[An elaborate mausoleum]

I initially planned on going to the Chinese Cemetery by taking the train, so D can also experience how Manila trains work but a little hiccup he encountered at Terminal 1 took some of his precious time so we opted for a much faster transport option. En route to our destination, D shared with me his awesome experiences traveling in the Philippines (mainly Palawan and the Visayas region). He only had great things to say about the country - friendly people, great beaches and cheap but decent accommodations - which made me so proud about my homeland that I almost cried (kidding).

Ipil Beach was dominated by young and energetic holidaymakers that lazy afternoon. You could see them having swell time by simply lazing on the sand, reading books and listening to music. I think our arrival on the island might have momentarily disturbed their reverie. Like beavers peeking out from their lodge, they looked at us with faint interest and once the engine had died, they went back to what they were doing, doing nothing, that is.
The beach was ideal for this type of activity or more aptly, the lack thereof. You can take a spot on the beach, just sit or lie there, do absolutely nothing and you'd still feel great. I tried mimicking what the others were doing but the ADHD in me simply couldn't stay put in one place. The less crowded part of the beach looked interesting and worth-venturing out.

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 hit a bump, water splashing in all direction, though mostly directed toward our face. I tried giving our boat captain a look of warning that bordered on an expression of disdain - a feeble attempt to let him know that his precarious navigational exhibition wasn't funny, but he pretended like he never saw me. What with all the gleeful sighs he'd been receiving from his delighted passengers, stopping a show was a terrible idea.
[Getting to Cadlao Lagoon was no mean feat]

So instead of mellowing down, he went full throttle - his toy boat now running on full speed, slicing through the waves with a frightening velocity. Oh boy, he was on a roll! It was just a matter of perfect current collision before the boat succumbed to a deadly overturn. Fortunately when Leo, our sensitive tour guide, advised him to slow up, he finally took his pace a few notches down. But he would still increase his gear from time to time. Whether he liked to put on a good show or he liked me seeing freaked out, I had no idea. If anything, his sense of urgency played a huge factor in getting to Cadlao Island on schedule, even if we really didn't have any schedule to follow.

"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 sand was powdery white although littered with logs.

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 option. I was sold hook line and sinker.
[Helicopter Island, it turned out, was the only island off Tour C that we were able to visit]

Each tour starts at 9AM, although some begin a little late depending on the time tour hoppers show up. Someone from Clydenike & Guenkuen, the tour company I chose, picked me up at La Banane fifteen minutes before nine. We walked towards their office located right in front of Bacuit Bay where various boats were parked. The guide asked me if I had brought a bottle of water with me. Apparently, they don't provide water supply for the tour.

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 your toes into powder-soft sands and soaking up some warm Caribbean sun.

If that sounds like your idea of heaven, then you’ll be simply spoilt for choice with the range of luxury holidays on offer. Take Cuba for instance. This fabulous island serves up a delectable slice of Caribbean life that’s as far removed from the stresses and strains of the daily grind as you can get. All inclusive Cuba holidays are perfect for those that like to relax with food and drink provided on-tap. These hotels make up the bulk of package holiday accommodation on the island, but you can also find half board or bed and breakfast options if you prefer to eat out or spend days away from the hotel.

Taking a package option is certainly the easiest way to jet off to paradise. For instance, holidays with Thomas Cook include return flights, nightly accommodation and local transport to the hotel. You’ll also get the services of a locally based holiday representative who will happily provide advice and guidance on how to make the most out of your holiday.

If you don’t fancy an off-the-shelf style of holiday, you can go one step further by planning your own special trip to paradise. Most tour operators will help you to book a bespoke holiday by tailoring the flights and arrangements to suit your wish list. For instance, why stay in Cuba for two weeks when you could spread your time across half a dozen Caribbean islands? It’s just one more way to enjoy a holiday in paradise and take home many wonderful memories that you’ll never forget.

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 and musicality, was an evocation of the good old days of my childhood when listening to radio dramas was still our favorite pastime. We didn't speak Ilonggo in the province but we grew too familiar with the language since our transistor radios had always been tuned in to Bombo Radyo, a broadcasting company based in Panay whose regular programming featured voice drama of different kinds - love story, magic, comedy and horror.

Coming to the City of Smile, I was quite ready to practice my limited Ilonggo, which wasn't so bad, modesty aside. The moment I heard a local speak in local tongue, I found a way to butt in, in a non-intrusive way. The local whom I first conversed in Ilonggo was the driver of a van from Silay Airport to SM Bacolod.  I merely asked him how far we were from the destination. The driver glanced at the mirror, slightly surprised to hear a tourist speak in Ilonggo. I secretly gloated at my own simple accomplishment.

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 is to interview locals or a lonely soul looking for a different kind of 'fun, then you're not expected to meet people, or even talk to them. But you're bound to interact with them, one way or another.

Meeting people, some of them complete strangers, can take your journey into a whole new level, especially if you are able to make meaningful connection. My Dumaguete escapade was unforgettable because of the interesting people I met there.

A simple act of kindness, a heartfelt conversation, a scary encounter - here are some tales of memorable people I encountered on the road.

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 question like it was a big joke. My old man must have dropped his expectation of me having kids. Apologies, father dear. Maybe someday.
I know I'm not getting any younger but marriage is not yet part of my journey into adulthood and maturity. I'm happy for my friends and colleague who have decided to settle down by tying the knot, so to speak. And I'm glad that they invited me to witness their special occasion. Just a month ago, two of my friends marched to the altar to seal their fate (kidding!). No, I'm not bitter, I simply have a terrible humor. Their wedding ceremonies were nothing short of awesome. It's nice to see them march, with oh-so-happy faces, towards  marriagedom (don't look it up, I just made the term) where a nice house and cute little kids await them.

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.

It's funny how some vernacular words when translated in Filipino, or more specifically Tagalog produce a different meaning altogether. Imagine an Ilocano guy uttering this completely innocent statement - "Sarap ng utong niyo ah!"- being frowned upon by a shocked group of non-Ilocano speaking women.

I've gathered a few interesting words that are sexual in nature and off the wall if taken out of context. Most in the list were taken from  that funny book of Chico and Delamar; others were from a forum; while some, especially the Visayan terms, come from the author of this blog himself. Rule of thumb - don't use these terms in other language apart from the original language they belong to, otherwise you'd be in trouble. Haha!

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 deep and make a recycled pact that next year will be much better. You'll be a better person.

Truth is, you don't really need a new year's resolution to change or improve some things in your life. Change can be done any time, any day of the year. But we all know that creating a new set of promises at the beginning of the year is more dramatic, not to mention inspiring. If anything, it gives you a new sense of hope and a glimmer of light, as bright as those fireworks on New Year's Eve.

I'm not fond of doing New Year's Resolutions myself because I'm simply terrible at keeping them. I have to admit though that creating a list is fun. Such was the case when I made THIS last year. And since I was entertained by the mere act of creating one, why not do another list this time? Doesn't really matter if out of 6 resolutions made, I was only able to accomplish 3. Now, that's not so bad at all, is it?

Without further ado, here's my 2013 Resolutions, not just as a travel blogger or a traveler, but as a well-rounded individual as well.