Habitat for Humanity Philippines’ projects in Negros Occidental

Having worked with non-profits during my career, I want to dedicate some space here in my site for the good works they are doing, especially when it’s something that is happening in my province. One case in particular is Habitat for Humanity Philippines’ (HFHP) efforts in Negros Occidental to build homes for families in need. …

#makeITsafePH: How to make traveling enjoyable and safe

Our current world is made smaller and easier to navigate because of technology. However, instead of making the digital world enhance our lives, we have become too caught up with technology that it has consumed our day-to-day lives. For some of us, technology has become our masters instead of us to be masters of it. …

#makeITsafePH: No to Cyberbullying

Prevention is better than cure. Stop cyberbullying while in the early stages. Imagine this. Your friend posted something on social media. You commented, agreeing with your friend or presenting a different perspective. Suddenly, someone you do not know or not even a social media contact of your friend replied to your comment and “trash-talked” you. …

Rotary Day Care and Community Center

Rotary colors Day Care and Community Center in Bacolod

Coming from my previous article “Can You Make a Difference while Travelling?” you will read that one of the ways of making a difference while in another place is through volunteer work. With my career spent mostly working as a full-time staff in non-profit charities like international organization Habitat for Humanity, Points of Light Foundation …

Can You Make a Difference while Travelling?

The feeling of travelling the world is a glorious one; a feeling of wonder and excitement and a thirst for adventure that simply can’t be quenched. Whether you’re travelling to a new country, exploring a big city or getting lost in the wilderness, ticking items off your bucket list and getting to grips with new …

Kerala Blog Express

Thekkady and Kumily: A Blend of Wild and Spice

A white blanket of fog covers the surroundings, like clouds floating over still, quiet waters. Filling the landscape are uneven and leafless black tree trunks protruding from the water, while great cormorants (one of the bird species found in the area) are perched on their branches. We made our way slowly through the lake, avoiding …

Village Life in Kumarakom

Kumarakom: Life in a Kerala Village

The kids were intently watching our group — mostly foreigners — wandering in one of the backyards in their village. One shyly peeked through the plants and smiled as I eyed her. This was one of the scenes when we went for a responsible tourism visit in a local community in Kumarakom. It is located at …

Gift Giving to Bicol Residents and PGH Patients

Catanduanes is one of the destinations in the Philippines that I have always wanted to visit, but they were recently ravaged by typhoon, along with other provinces in the Bicol region. For those living in these areas who lost their homes and belongings to Typhoon Nina and for the children at the Philippine General Hospital …

Renewable Energy, Zero-Waste for a World In 2026

Change in weather conditions, extreme climates, depleting natural resources, and other natural disasters have become a recurring occurrence in various parts of the world. As such realities keep happening, and even worsening, how do we imagine our #WorldIn2026? My travels have allowed me to come face to face with the negative effects of climate change …

Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan

Vegetable Harvest at DSB with SM Foundation

The sun was up as we walked towards the harvest area. I could hear the laughter from the distance. When I got to the site, I discovered what kept everyone upbeat and jolly. The farmers were harvesting the vegetables and the watermelons they planted. This is the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Farmers’ Training Program for …

Victorias City Organic Market and Pasalubong Center

Victorias City opened its Organic Market and Pasalubong Center

Victorias City, known as The Sweet Green City, located in the northern part of Negros Occidental, Philippines, is strengthening its organic farming industry with the recent opening of its Organic Market and Pasalubong Center. The local government believes that when it goes organic, it supports: O – Okay for you R – Restores ecological balance …

The Bantay Lasang of Cauayan

Bantay Lasang (literally means forest guards) volunteers, a name given to those who patrol the forests of Negros Occidental, Philippines, eagerly waited at the Camalanda-an National High School in Cauayan for us to arrive. I joined the officers and executives of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE), Globe Telecoms, and the Ecological and Agricultural …

Negros Farmers Weekend Market

First-time at Negros Farmers Weekend Market

Since I moved back to my hometown, I have passed by in front of this property only a few times as our place is at the other side of the city. But I must admit that it has always piqued my interest. The words “Negros Farmers Weekend Market” mark the entrance of this place, located …

Agos Ram Pump

Earth Day: Agos Ram Pump for the Countryside

We started early in the morning coming from Bacolod City going through the Murcia-Bago road onward to La Castellana, Negros Occidental for the turnover of the Agos Ram Pump project of Coca-Cola Philippines, in partnership with the Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI), in celebration of Earth Day 2016. With several vehicles on convoy, we …

Lux Mundi

Murcia’s Lux Mundi Monastery & Catholic Ming Yuan College

When I tagged along with my DOT-accredited tour guide friends, Maricar and Artie, to Salvador Benedicto, they were talking about the Lux Mundi monastery in Murcia, a town between Bacolod City and Salvador Benedicto. They were planning to visit the monastery the day after but as we left Balokon Spring Resort earlier than planned, we …