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.

If my massive desire for travel were a symptom for some serious addiction, then 2012 would have been the year when I have become a complete junkie. Travel junkie, that is. The burning passion to be always on the road, the insatiable craving to go someplace, the irrepressible yearning to take off - they've gone very persistent this year. I had no choice but to cave in. This travel addiction isn't a sickness but at some point, it felt like one. The only cure was to simply travel; there was no other way around it.

But where has this wanderlust taken me? Were those travels worth every penny, time and effort? Did they make me a better person?

In a literal sense, this wanderlust has led me see and experience several destinations, some of which I've already been to before. Eye-opening experiences and life-changing realizations make every centavo, time and energy well-spent (I had no problem with time and energy, it's the money part that was a huge bump). I can't say for sure that these travels have made me a better person but they have let me see things with clarity and view life in a different perspective.

2012 was a year with so many firsts. It was my first time to travel solo, first time to climb a mountain and first time to go back to the same destination within the same year. It's also the year when I met friends who share the same passion as mine (traveling, what else?) both in the real and virtual world. Last year I made a list of my travel experiences, and in keeping with the tradition, I created this travel-round up, which is basically another list of travels I have embarked on for the past 12 months.

One of the things I avoid doing when I go out of town is eating in a fast-food resto. It's a travel sin in my book. But Biggs Diner is an exception. Besides, it's not your usual fast-food restaurant. (Read: not your usual Jollibee, KFC or McDonald's). In fact the only thing that makes Biggs Diner a fast-food resto is its pay-as-you-order system. Everything else - food choices, service, interior design, ambiance - hardly falls under the fast-food category. And the only thing that's mainstream about this famous homegrown diner is it's a must-eat place in Bicol. They say skipping Biggs Diner makes your Bicol experience incomplete. But does it really?

Disclaimer: This is mostly a positive post about CWC so don't be turned off by the seemingly unflattering title.

The thing about having low expectations is that there's less room for frustration. Because there's nothing to meet and almost nothing to lose, you just try and go for it without worrying about finding the whole thing a complete waste of time or money. With such mindset, you're predisposed to see the negative side so you're quite surprised when you experience something delightful.

That's more or less the case with my Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC) experience. You see, I wasn't really psyched to try wakeboarding. Not exactly sure why, I guess it just didn't tickle my fancy. Or perhaps it's too mainstream for my taste and me having a tendency to be little anti-populist sometimes kind of saw it rather unappealing. Other than the fact that CWC attracts a lot of tourists and that it features an exciting activity called wakeboarding, I knew so little about this cable park.
More concerned with the possibility of being touted as a buzzkill for skipping wakeboarding, I kept my personal opinion about CWC to myself. My friends' excitement was too palpable I was afraid I'd ruin their mood if I rained on their parade.

We were kind of scrambling on Day 3 of our stay in Caramoan. Trying to catch the 9AM boat trip from Guijalo to Sabang, we had to wake up early. But even though we were running on a tight schedule, we did everything in a slow pace. We took time to pack our things and even breakfast became a sluggish affair. The sluggish breakfast was merely due to the fact that we were actually waiting for prawns to be served. Unfortunately, we were already approaching the shore in Sabang when it arrived (late delivery lang ang peg). After stuffing our stomach with protein (lapu-lapu and dilis), we finally bade goodbye to the compound that served as our home for 3 days.

Outside, the sun seemed to lure us to extend our stay in Caramoan. The weather was simply perfect for another day of island hopping. But we couldn't afford an extended stay. We had to get back to Manila where work was waiting for us, and colleagues were expecting for some provisions. And so we dropped by at a pasalubong store in Centro and bought shirts, key chains and pili candies.

Getting free access to Gota Beach, known for its expensive cabanas and luxurious island-life accommodation, was not by all means accidental. I knew for sure that we'd get in despite it being temporarily off-limits to public and non-guests. (Technically, island hoppers can still drop by at Gota Beach as long as they pay an entrance, which is Php300 per head, and that's just for swimming on its beach.) The owner of the resort we stayed at in Caramoan has connections with big shot resort owners (of Gota Beach and Tugawe among others) so I pretty much surmised that it's just a matter of perfect timing and doing some calls before finding ourselves in one of the most expensive beaches in Caramoan.
True enough, as we were having fun time at Cagbalinad Island, a snorkeling site near Gota, Ivan (our tour guide) shared with us the good news: we're going in Gota Beach, which was just across from we were at that time. As much as we'd want spending a little more time at the island, we needed to jump at the opportunity before the governor, whom they personally called to ask permission, changed his mind. So we scurried back to the boat and cruised our way to the beach, feeling excited.

There are two interesting versions I heard on the legend about the lone milk fish in a hidden lagoon in Matukad Island. The first version was relayed to us several months back during my first trip in Caramoan. I don't remember who told it to us but I suppose it's one of the boys who helped us climb the steep rock formation to see the famous, huge milk fish. In the first version, there was a fisherman who went fishing but didn't catch anything. In an act of desperation, he decided to catch fish the easy way out by taking the milk fish. He brought it home, cooked it, the whole family ate the fish and they all died - apparently from poisoning.