Yes, Christmas is for the children. And also for the children at heart. So, on Christmas day, our family – from our grand aunt, uncle, aunt, cousins, nephews, and nieces – we trooped to one of the latest attractions in Negros Occidental, the Campuestohan Highland Resort in Talisay City. But from our home, it was …
Pristine white-sand beaches, clear blue-green waters, fresh air, friendly ambiance — all these spell the beautiful island of Bantayan, a paradise found in the northern part of the Cebu province in the Philippines. Seeing photos of friends who have spent their vacation in this wonderful part of our archipelago, I have long yearned to visit …
Travel brings a world of joys and delights, igniting a sense of adventure and opening doors to new experiences. It is a catalyst for personal growth, broadening our perspectives and deepening our understanding of different cultures. The thrill of exploring unfamiliar landscapes, tasting unique cuisines, and connecting with diverse people creates memories that last a …
Smiles. Laughter. Fun. Whatever the circumstance is, Filipinos always find a reason to inject humor or joy into it. And with the catchy campaign “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”, I’d like to share several videos why it’s truly fun to come to my country.
I was eight years old and I was standing in front of my mother’s office right across the city plaza watching with awe the crowd gathered along the side walk. I squeezed my tiny head in between two adults so I could get a glimpse of the MassKara Festival parade and street dancing. Men and …
Read more “Behind Masskara’s Smile: The beginnings of MassKara Festival”
“Panaad” or in local language (Hiligaynon), it is about a vow and fulfilling it. For 19 years, the province of Negros Occidental has been fulfilling its vow of celebrating its spirit of jubilation and friendship through the Panaad sa Negros Festival, highlighting the various products, attractions, history and culture of its 32 cities and municipalities. …
Going around the Panaad Park, visiting the booths of all 32 local government units can be a bit taxing, though entertaining. But I decided to write a separate blog for the towns and cities south of Bacolod, which I frequented when I was still a kid. Bago City Bago City is the home of Gen. …
Having visited Mambukal Resort when I was still a toddler, I have so little recollection of what it’s like in this mountain resort. Everytime I go home to my province, I always wanted to visit Mambukal. Mambukal lies at the foot of Mt. Kanlaon and is the gateway to the Kanlaon National Park. The resort is about …
Calauit seemed to be a forgotten island. It had its share of fame during the Marcos administration when it was developed as an animal sanctuary. Yes, animals roam freely here and they have a Savannah where they can gather during the day. It’s a long boat ride to this island and not many animals are …
It was a challenging weekend – three consecutive mornings spent in three different airports, in three different cities. This is the upside and the downside of business trips. They come for free but expect less or no sightseeing in the itinerary. I was going back to two southern cities — Cebu and Cagayan de Oro — …
While excitement at work kicked in pretty hard for me in 2011, it also hindered me to do a lot of exploring outside of my job description and workplace. It’s a good thing though that despite the demands of my job, I was able to do a bit of traveling last year. First off, I did …
Mt. Kanlaon is shrouded in mystery. I grew up hearing tales of hermits, fairies and other enchantments that happen around the tallest peak in the island of Negros. This same volcano divides the eastern part of Negros from its western counterpart, represented by the two provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, creating two worlds …
My trip this year to Cebu, particularly to Mactan, brought back memories of a luxurious stay I did three years back in another resort within the same island. It was a press event my former office organized for a client. We gathered media people from various countries in Southeast Asia and booked them in Shangri-la’s …
I have three best kept secret islands found in my country, the Philippines, but I’m letting these out of the bag. With more and more people traveling nowadays, getting to a place where others have never been before has become quite a challenge. As I become more connected with other travelers, I observe that those …
Read more “A First-time Traveler’s 3 Best Kept Secret Islands”
The Plantation Bay Resort and Spa always grace the pages of travel magazines. I’ve seen photos of friends who stayed in this luxurious resort located in Mactan Island, Cebu. I’ve been part of contests that gave out a few nights stay for free in this popular relaxation place. Sadly, I’ve never set foot in Plantation …