Author: Claire Algarme
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First-time in Los Angeles, California
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“LA is great big freeway…” so the song goes. And big freeways, indeed, fill the Los Angeles landscape. Next to rows of palm trees, of course. My good friend Cathy was kind enough to host me all throughout my LA trip right after the conference which I attended in San…
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NCVS 2009 with Michelle Obama and some Hollywood stars
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Forty-five hundred people. Thirty-something new friends. A grand opening session. This has been the biggest conference I have attended so far. This was the National Conference on Volunteering and Service (NCVS) 2009. It was a gathering of various non-profits, government agencies, and corporations all over the United States. So, why…
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First-time in San Francisco, California
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It was my first time in San Francisco, California. In fact, it was my first time in the US. On a bigger scale, it was my first time across the Pacific. I went to the US to attend the 2009 National Conference on Volunteering and Service as a representative of…
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First-time in Davao City
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Davao City is a place where fruit and seafood are delightful treats. Geographically, it is the largest city in the Philippines, with its hills stretched over the expanse of the city. However, the main commercial district is just a small area where the malls, offices, shops, and hotels are located.…
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First-time in Albay: A Volcanic Wonderland
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Albay is not your usual tourist destination. Located at the Bicol peninsula, about 460 km or 287 miles south of capital Manila, there are so many things that remain undiscovered in Albay. Albay came from the word Albaybay which meant “by the bay”. The first thing people picture when in…
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First-time in Sentosa: The Island Escape of Singapore
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Sentosa is an island in Singapore that has been home to the tiny state’s major recreation spots. The once fishing village island was formerly known as “Pulau Belakang Mati” which literally means as “island”, “behind” and “death” because so many people died at the other side of the island during…
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First-time in Cebu City: The Queen City of the Philippines
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With a stroke of imagination and a palette of vibrant words, let me paint for you the sprawling canvas of Cebu City. Imagine a tapestry woven from the threads of rich history and pulsating modernity, where the skyline dances with skyscrapers, and colonial remnants stand proudly as testament to bygone…
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First-time to volunteer vacation in Oriental Mindoro
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The eastern side of the Mindoro Island—Oriental Mindoro—is known for the white sand beach at Puerto Galera. Apart from Boracay, it is one of the most sought-after beach destinations in the Philippines because of its proximity to the main island of Luzon. Despite its popularity, this writer, unfortunately, has not…
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Bacolod City: A Vibrant Destination for Food and Festivals
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As you step into Bacolod City, a wondrous realm unfolds before your eyes. It is a place where happiness swirls in graceful pirouettes, emanating from the genuine smiles that grace every face. The air carries whispers of a city that has been shaped by a rich tapestry of colors, each…
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First-time in Shenzhen: Exploring the Wonders of the World
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In Shenzhen, a bustling metropolis, I embarked on a transformative journey that revealed the world’s wonders within one city. It was an extraordinary voyage where time and distance seemed irrelevant. Shenzhen, a gateway to boundless exploration, offered travelers a unique chance to witness a kaleidoscope of global marvels in just…
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First-time in Chiang Mai: A Unique Songkran Adventure
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Our clothes clung to our skin, drenched from head to toe, as if we had just emerged from a monsoon downpour. The atmosphere crackled with excitement and the exuberant chaos of the Songkran Festival. From the charming city of Vientiane in Laos to the vibrant streets of Chiang Mai in…
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First-time in Anawangin: A Coastal Wonderland
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More and more Filipino and foreign tourists are finding themselves on the road towards the exquisite beach called Anawangin. A hidden gem in the province of Zambales, Anawangin is about three to four hours from Manila, the capital of the Philippines. It was a place where the boundaries between reality…
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First-time in Ho Chi Minh City: a Harmonious Chaos
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When I posted online that I was embarking on a long trip and one of my destinations would be HCMC, so many asked me if I were going to Hong Kong and Macau. For the uninitiated, HCMC is Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. It is the biggest…
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First-time in Phnom Penh: A City of Contrasts and Charms
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The little town of Siem Reap was filled with foreigners wanting to see Angkor Wat. Despite the incursion of travelers, it was still a small town as compared to the more progressive city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia‘s capital. Two nights spent at Pub Street and the Night Market was already…
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First-time in Angkor Archaeological Park: Kingdom of Lost Temples
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As the first rays of the sun peeked over the horizon, casting a golden glow upon the sprawling landscape, I stood in awe at the entrance of the Angkor Archaeological Park. The air was thick with a sense of anticipation and reverence, as if the ancient spirits of the Khmer…