This is where I keep my collection of travel stories -- from my conquests of great peaks, to my explorations of secluded places and to my trailing of tourist tracks. Thanks for dropping by and before you leave, please Follow my Trail on Facebook.
Call for Bachang
(Published at Commuter Express, May 10, 2013)
Traditionally, a "bachang" (Ifugao word for bayanihan, pronounced as 'vfa-dchang) is called when a farmer needs assistance in farm chores or house repairs.
Now, the call for "bachang" is assistance extended to the whole country. Our Banaue rice terraces need our help. After all, the challenge of saving the rice terraces is not just the locals' concerns, but the whole country as well.
My friend, Mon Corpuz of the Black Pencil Project, is in close coordination with the Ifugao Cultural Heritage Office and the local government unit, in the spirit of bachang, to bring back voluntourists to Banaue Rice Terraces, specifically at Barangays Bocos and Viewpoint.
A Tale of two mountains
(published at Commuter Express, April 26)
I have climbed many mountains but there are two I am most fond of -- Mt. Apo, the country's highest peak and Mt. Pulag, Luzon's highest.
Of course, there is so much pride and joy in being to able to stand proudly at the country's rooftop. But, that is not the only reason why I fell in love with Mt. Apo.
It took us three days to traverse Mt. Apo, using the traditional Kapatagan to Kidapawan trail, but during those days, I was filled with awe marveling at different sights. We were treated to a variety of terrains like mossy forests, lakes, swampland and rivers. The boulders, which lead to the summit, were my personal highlight. Bouldering was difficult, especially with the stench of sulfur wafting in the air, but it was a really unique sight to behold. Plus, we got to pick and eat wild berries.
That Horrifying Hotel Experience
As a PR Consultant, I get to travel a lot accompanying clients, organizing press conferences and covering events.
Last week, we went to Tagum City, which is about an hour away from Davao City.
It was my client who arranged everything for this trip including my flight and hotel accommodation. When we got to the hotel called Raj, it looked pretty decent. Our check-in was smooth though hotel people lacked courteousness and knowledge of the tourism spots that members of the hospitality industry there should know.
My client went inside our room first and as soon as I entered, I noticed the disappointment in her face. Our Php 1,500.00 room was so small. It had one bed that is not even double, flushed at the corner with less than 3 square meter space left for us to move around.
A Paradise Called Matnog
(published at Commuter Express, April 12, 2013)
As a traveler, I always have this eagerness to search for the most secluded, most pristine and most serene. Subic Beach in Matnog, Sorsogon has always been there on my list. It is one of those beaches people often compare to Boracay. So it got all – white sand, crystal clear waters and a scenic island setting, less all the resorts, bars and restaurants.
So, when the opportunity came, meaning enough non-working days, I decided to head way down south, up to the tip of southernmost tip of the Bicol Peninsula, which is the entry way to Visayas and Mindanao, to finally experience for myself this elusive paradise.
I invited my wanderlust friends, Maria Aurora’s Tourism Officer Noel Dulay and long time travel buddy Atty. Augusto Macapagal, to join me in this trip. I figured, if I am to be lost, I would rather be with people who are good at being lost, like me.
As a traveler, I always have this eagerness to search for the most secluded, most pristine and most serene. Subic Beach in Matnog, Sorsogon has always been there on my list. It is one of those beaches people often compare to Boracay. So it got all – white sand, crystal clear waters and a scenic island setting, less all the resorts, bars and restaurants.
So, when the opportunity came, meaning enough non-working days, I decided to head way down south, up to the tip of southernmost tip of the Bicol Peninsula, which is the entry way to Visayas and Mindanao, to finally experience for myself this elusive paradise.
I invited my wanderlust friends, Maria Aurora’s Tourism Officer Noel Dulay and long time travel buddy Atty. Augusto Macapagal, to join me in this trip. I figured, if I am to be lost, I would rather be with people who are good at being lost, like me.
Voluntourism.ph
(My column at Commuter Express, published March 22, 2013 http://commuterexpress.nowplanet.tv/voluntourism-ph/)
In December 2007, instead of a birthday party, my friends and I decided to organize an outreach program in one of the isolated communities in Itogon, Benguet. We are mountaineers and we felt it was nice to give back to communities in the mountains, that have shown nothing but goodness to us mountaineers.
We presented a good proposition to our friends who we invited to join our first project. They got to see some of Benguet’s tourism attraction and got to help at the same time. Friends joined. Those who couldn’t, sent help.
In December 2007, instead of a birthday party, my friends and I decided to organize an outreach program in one of the isolated communities in Itogon, Benguet. We are mountaineers and we felt it was nice to give back to communities in the mountains, that have shown nothing but goodness to us mountaineers.
We presented a good proposition to our friends who we invited to join our first project. They got to see some of Benguet’s tourism attraction and got to help at the same time. Friends joined. Those who couldn’t, sent help.
This is why I can't stop raving about Whispering Palms
Every time I tell my friends about Whispering Palms, I really do not know where to start because there are just too many things to like about this resort in my mom's hometown, San Carlos City in Negros Occidental.
Anyway, I round them up here, in no particular order:
1) Too many photogenic sites
The very first question I asked the resort's manager / chef / receptionist Stefan is, "which is your favorite spot in resort?" He answered, all of it.
He is right, actually. There are so many beautiful areas here.
Exploring Cam Norte
Daet usually is just a jump off point for us, to and from Calaguas. Bagasbas is the place where we freshen up before we head back to the city and the only other place we go to is the shop that sells toasted siopao.
Anyway, Calaguas was not in our itinerary. We were there to celebrate two special occasions, a 65th birthday cum retirement party and another birthday celebration.
So, the good thing about traveling with fellow wanderlusts is that we are all are not happy settled in a hotel.
Our host booked us is in a resort in Bagasbas, directly in front of the beach, so we were not sun and sand deprived.
But, we still decided to explore.
Anyway, Calaguas was not in our itinerary. We were there to celebrate two special occasions, a 65th birthday cum retirement party and another birthday celebration.
So, the good thing about traveling with fellow wanderlusts is that we are all are not happy settled in a hotel.
Our host booked us is in a resort in Bagasbas, directly in front of the beach, so we were not sun and sand deprived.
But, we still decided to explore.
A delicious summer awaits: Tour Flair brings back Food Safaris
by Tish Martinez-Castillo
 |
| Chef Sao del Rosario |
Sisters Dinty Barredo-Keating and Mindy
Barredo Perez-Rubio of luxury tour outfit Tour Flair are bringing back their
popular Food Safaris, just in time for food adventures this summer.
The Food Safaris are, in themselves, a
showcase of Philippine delights. “Not only do guests get to enjoy the country’s
natural wonders and learn about our culture by visits to heritage sites, they
also get to savor and experience gourmet Filipino cuisine prepared especially
by Tour Flair's signature chefs,” explains Dinty.
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