Dakak

First-time in Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines

Zamboanga del Norte is in the island of Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines. And when one mentions Mindanao, tourists suddenly cringe and take a turnabout-face, especially when travel advisories label this part of the country as dangerous. The name Zamboanga alone may cause goose bumps to travelers. Scary is the exact opposite …

Cagayan de Oro

First-time in Cagayan de Oro City

All of my trips to this southern Philippine city had always been for business. My first visit to Cagayan de Oro City, or CDO, as most Filipinos refer to it, was a decade ago when I was there to hold a training workshop with the local affiliates of the organization where I used to work …

Davao

First-time in Davao City

Davao 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. Davao is also the home of …

First-time in Camiguin: The Island of Fire

Setting foot in Camiguin for the first time. I browsed through the internet and read everything I need to know about Camiguin. It wasn’t a comfortable travel but the destination was a haven of solitude and peace. Here’s what I found about Camiguin when I first visited the place.