Category: Thematic
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The Trick-Eye Museum in Seoul: Fun Photo Sessions
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If you think museums are boring, think again. There’s one where you will have fun taking the most unusual shots. Seoul’s Trick-eye Museum is a place to whet your photographic appetite. Be part of an artwork as displays and designs leave room to the imagination. The Seoul Trick-Eye Museum is…
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First-time in Seoul: An Adventure into the Heart of South Korea
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Our Seoul jaunt was a trip to remember and one for the books. My cousin-friend Corr and I flew to Seoul, South Korea with mixed emotions. For about four months, we were planning our Seoul trip with excitement and enthusiasm. With some influence from Koreanovelas and K-pop, we’ve wanted to…
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Tagaytay: Taking a Pilgrimage at Nature’s Scenic Splendor
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As a Christian nation, the Philippines regard Holy Week as an important part of the calendar. On a Black Saturday, my friends and I embarked on a short pilgrimage to the city of Tagaytay. Because of its cool weather and relaxed setting, Tagaytay has become a location of choice of…
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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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Suzu Kin: A Delicious Japanese Food Discovery in Makati
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Suzu Kin was not on my list of places to eat in Makati, yet a taxi driver unexpectedly led me there. I have always believed that some of the best places to eat come through local recommendations. Sometimes, the most memorable discoveries happen when someone simply says, “Try that place.” That…
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Chinese New Year in Manila Hotel: A Fan-filled Celebration
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Chinese New Year arrived with a bang, beginning with firecrackers that shattered the quiet and chased away evil spirits. Then came the dragons and lions, weaving through the crowd to a lively, unmistakable beat. Their colorful bodies moved with energy as they followed a trail of red envelopes and offerings. I…
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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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First-time in Sarangani
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What’s good about business trips is that you get the chance to visit places at short notice. The downside is that you spend most of your time doing work that you get no chance to fully enjoy the place. It was a day trip to Sarangani, home to the magnificent…
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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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Ostrich and Roasted Pig in CDO
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So, I had been travelling to and from Cagayan de Oro five times in 2012. And it was not yet even half of the year then. All these trips were business-related and not one was for leisure. The most leisurely thing I’ve done in this southern city in the Philippines was a haircut…
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To Donsol and Back
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There’s something about Donsol that wants you to come back. So, after seven years of taking pleasure on its natural attractions, I’m back with a few friends. It’s a long drive, so think before embarking on this trip. If you take a vehicle, better hire a van with a driver…
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First-time in Vitton Beach Resort
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After a gruelling 18 hours on the road, including several stops for breakfast, sightseeing, shopping, and lunch, arriving at Vitton Beach Resort was a welcome respite from the long land trip from Manila to Donsol, located more than 500 km south of the capital. A replica of the whale shark…
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Twinkling Trees, Enchanting Fireflies
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A romance to remember. Tiny bits of light glitter in a synchronized manner as if a Christmas song is played in the background. But these are not Christmas lights but a colony of fireflies taking residence in one of the trees along the riverbanks of Donsol River. One of the…
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Tips When Swimming With Whale Sharks
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“Look down!” our guide shouted. There he was, in all his splendor and beauty, with his white spots that marked him distinctly as a whale shark. The whale sharks, or butandings, were discovered to have frequented Donsol, a quiet town in the province of Sorsogon at the Bicol peninsula, in…
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Helping Lek Save Her Elephants With One Click
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Today, I found a wall post on my Facebook page from a friend who is now working in Thailand. I’ve known him as an elephant lover and I wasn’t surprised to find him post a link in change.org asking people to help a Thai woman, named Lek, save her elephants.…