Category: Luzon
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Holi Festival in Manila: A Colorful Celebration of Joy and Unity
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The Holi Festival transformed Manila’s Seaside Boulevard into a dazzling celebration of color, music, friendship, and fun. Braving the scorching Manila sun, my friends and I headed to the Seaside Boulevard of SM Mall of Asia. We were ready to discover a festival I had mostly encountered through Indian movies and television…
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MNL Boutique Hostel: A Backpacker’s Haven in Makati
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MNL Boutique Hostel is a backpacker’s haven in the Philippines that brings together fun and friendship into your travel equation. Backpacking in your own city — it’s not a new concept but it’s neither something that most people do. Recently, I tried being a backpacker in Makati, where I am…
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Solaire Resort: A Luxurious Oasis of Entertainment
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They are out to change the game. And I want to believe that they are a step into it. Solaire Resort opened its doors to the public today. Due to the hype, it was expected that a lot of people will troop to this casino resort. Solaire Resort and Casino…
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A Peek into Manila Hotel’s Suite Life
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One hundred years seem to be a pretty long time. When you enter the grand lobby of the Manila Hotel, it gives you a feeling of nostalgia as you remember your childhood memories here or imagine Filipinos a century past donning their ternos and barongs, dancing under the same beautiful…
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First Solo Trip to Vigan
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A Facebook post from a fellow traveler caught my eye and piqued my interest. There was an international conference on cultural tourism that will take place to the historic city of Vigan, an eight- to ten-hour ride from the capital of Manila. As I was in between jobs and had…
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The Nutcracker at the Manila Hotel
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Giant Nutcracker soldiers filing at the sides, wreaths hanging on the wall, candy canes set on table centerpieces – all these now fill the grandoise lobby of the Manila Hotel, bringing the Christmas spirit to every guest that enters its doors. At the end of the august hall is a Christmas tree with the Sugar Plum…
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First-time in Kamana Sanctuary
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The photo of their Casitas was enough for me to agree to a weekend getaway during the long holiday in observance of All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Kamana Sanctuary Resort & Spa was what I expected the weekend would be – full of relaxation and reassuringly stress-free. Kamana…
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Free Freedom Island
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…from trash and other ecological threats. Freedom. Such a powerful word, and something that is close to a traveler’s heart. For instance, I relate traveling to freedom – going beyond boundaries and being able to explore places, things and cultures. And, yes, traveling is getting free from the constricting space of…
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Dinner Cruise at Manila Bay
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Fascinating. This is how I describe our dinner cruise adventure at the Manila Bay. Onboard Prestige Cruises, my friends and I (we were about 20) decided to celebrate the July, August and September birthdays with pizzazz. Our party’s theme was fascinators, and we were dressed in the 20’s. The exciting…
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First-time in Star City
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Colorful shapes, fun games, and guiltless pleasures – this is the magic of childhood. And so I found my feet leading me to Star City, to revisit my childhood, along with cousin and aunt who was in town for medical purposes. Amidst the slight drizzle and heavy traffic, we headed…
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Tagaytay: the City I Love
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Tagaytay is a city like no other. No neon lights but only the stars in the sky. No towering skyscrapers but only houses on the hills. No subways but only horseback riding. Nature and serenity abound in this city. Situated at the elevated part of the province of Cavite and…
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Slow & Easy in Anilao
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Fishes of various colors and sizes swarmed around us as my friends threw in bits of bread into the sea. It was delightful to be in their midst, some of which kissed my fingers, hoping to get some food from there. This is Anilao, Batangas, home to many underwater species…
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First-time in Mabuhay Palace
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“We’re on the road We move from place to place” It was labor day. One must have minded working on a holiday. I would have. But since it was field work and I would be working with a Filipino music icon, I jumped out of my bed and proceeded to…
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First-time in Forest House
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“Can you take us to that restaurant with a good overlooking view?” one of my colleagues asked my officemate who grew up in Baguio City. And with a snap of a finger, Forest House came to mind. After some take-home shopping at Mines View Park and the Good Shepherd and…
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Finding Manny Pacquiao in Baguio
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“Ninong” is a Filipino endearment for a godfather, which usually connotes a person who generously gives out gifts, especially during the Christmas season. This is another alias that was recently added to boxing champ Manny Pacquiao because of his television show that awards fabulous prizes. He was the reason why…