Category: Luzon
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First-time in Sabtang Island, Batanes
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Among the three main islands of the province of Batanes, Sabtang seems to be the most interesting because of the old stone houses that have been part of the Ivatan culture. We rose early morning to catch the boat that would take us to Sabtang Island. Alas, waking up at…
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First-time in Batan Island, Batanes
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For years, I had my eyes set on the northernmost tip of the Philippines. It was a place that only few has conquered because of its isolation and unpredictable weather conditions. It was the closest place to Taiwan and surrounded by the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. This…
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First-time in You Jie Xiao Chao Restaurant
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…and Manila’s other hole-in-the-wall eateries It was another holiday in the Philippines as we commemorated the Day of Valor, celebrating the bravery of Filipino soldiers who fought during World War II. Supposedly, my friends and I were scheduled to go to Corregidor Island, the fortress of Japanese soldiers. Unfortunately, the…
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First-time Holy Week in Quiapo Church
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For a predominantly Catholic nation, the Philippines, time and again, has observed holy week religiously. Work often stops as early as midday of Holy Wednesday and everyone shifts to holiday mode. Even regular TV programming halts replaced with religious rites or spiritually-inspired shows. The workforce takes advantage of the long…
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First-time in Black Island
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Nothing prepared me for the surprise I’d find in my first-time at Black Island. Part of our Calauit tour in Palawan was some stopovers at islands around Busuanga. A short distance away from Calauit was Black Island, where the Slovenian franchise of Survivor, Survivor Srbija: Philippines, shot some of their…
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First-time in Bonito Island, Philippines
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The weather in this part of the globe is once again changing. The slight chill in the air has ebbed away and Philippine summer seems to be entering earlier than expected. It’s not really a sudden shift because, in our tropical country, weather conditions could be rainy, normal (dry and…
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First-time in Kusina Salud through the Viaje del Sol
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Getting out of the capital of the Philippines, Manila, to nearby cities and towns is not an uncommon occurrence among the urban dwellers. With friends and relatives from abroad visiting every now and then, it gives us more reason to escape the metropolis. But with the “Viaje del Sol”, Spanish…
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First-time in Calauit Island: A Sanctuary for Animals
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As Alex the lion, Melman the giraffe, Marty the zebra, and Gloria the hippo escaped to Madagascar and to Africa, we also had a little escapade of our own into a small island in the Calamian group in Palawan, called Calauit. It’s a wildlife sanctuary created by the Philippine government.…
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First-time in Coron: A Paradise in the Philippines
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Coron is one of the must-see places in my list of destinations within my home country, the Philippines. Together with Busuanga, Culion, and several islands, they form the Calamian group of islands in the northern tip of the Philippine province of Palawan. Though not as hyped as Bali or Boracay…
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First-time in Tagaytay: A City by the Volcano Lake
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This weekend I went to Tagaytay. I frequent Tagaytay a lot that I have lost count how many times I have returned since the first time I visited this city. That was in college when we stopped by to marvel at the views as we were passing through towards Batangas. Tagaytay City…
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First-time in Antipolo, Rizal
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Antipolo is one of the cities in Rizal, a nearby province from the Philippine capital, Manila. Situated in the hilly part of the province, it has a vantage point that overlooks the whole Metro Manila. Because of its proximity to the capital, most people frequent Antipolo. I went there this…
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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 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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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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Metro Manila: The Urban Symphony of Endless Adventure
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Metro Manila is the beating heart of the tropical paradise, called the Philippines. It blends concrete jungles with endless opportunities. Picture this: a symphony of neon lights, mouthwatering street food, and a cultural fusion that’ll make your head spin. The Metro Manila skyline stretches to the heavens, while jeepneys weave…