I love browsing photos of famous global landmarks in various websites. They look breathtaking in the morning and they even appear amazing at night. But each year, I like seeing pictures of these tourist spots from their dazzling night scenes to having their lights switched off. That’s the scene every Earth Hour. For an hour, …
Read more “Earth Hour 2016: Dim The Lights, Light the Future”
Locals and visitors alike who are interested to do some charitable work in Bacolod City, Philippines often ask me where they can volunteer or donate or visit to extend their help to those in need. You see, traveling is not just about seeing the popular landmarks or hanging out in the beach or tasting the …
Throughout my travels, I have seen various animals that caught my fancy. Some I saw in zoos, others I just encountered along the way. Not only they are cute and cuddly to look at, we must also be aware of their respective needs and help preserve their species by taking care of them and our …
I have heard of the popular silk making industry in Bago City, Philippines that is run by OISCA, or Organization for Industrial, Spiritual & Cultural Advancement. The organization started in Japan in 1961 and the OISCA-Philippines Chapter was organized in Manila in 1965. However, it was not until 1981 when the OISCA-Bago Training Center (OBTC) …
From the main highway of Lacson St. in Mandalagan, I turned on a road going towards Villa Valderrama. Before the entrance, my fellow blogger, Mea, told me to park underneath the canopy of trees and pointed me towards a small entrance at the side of the street. “Is this the Welcome Home Foundation Natural Garden …
As progress and development continue in the Philippines, the onslaught on the natural environment has also been going on for years. The combination of climate change and man-made disasters have created a huge dent in our ecosystem. The country’s forest cover of 27 million hectares was reduced to 7.2 million hectares (2011 statistics) over the …
Read more “Tree planting at Upper Caliban-Imbang Watershed; Adopt an Animal at NFEFI-BCC”
We travel for different reasons and purposes. Traveling is an activity that encompasses a lot of things that it’s even harder now to box it in just one kind. The constant debate and comparison between a “tourist” and “traveler” had always been interesting but my personal take on this, which has been echoed by several …
I’m entering my 12th month as a returning resident of my hometown, Bacolod City, in Negros Occidental, Philippines. I’m beginning to feel as if it’s a long-term travel. There are still more roads to take, more food to try (yup, yup!), and more leaves to turn as I continue to explore my own backyard. I …
Read more “Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation: Nature in the City”
It was the right call at the right time. A former colleague from the development industry gave me a ring one morning. “Claire, I’m in Bacolod!” she exclaimed. She was to attend the 8th International Conference and Scientific Meeting (ICSM) that was being held in Talisay City, the city north of Bacolod. A few hours before …
It was a trip to Camp Nelson Gerona in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia, a few meters from Mambukal Resort, to help organize a medical mission. After our activity, I heard from my companions that papaya and other vegetables are available for sale inside the camp. I immediately headed to the officer whom they said was in-charge …
Read more “Organic produce at the Negros First-Army Wellness Farm”
I must admit, having been away from my hometown for two decades made me miss on so many events and happenings. I was curious about a post I read in one of my Facebook groups. It was about the Organic Farmers Festival that will be taking place on November 19 to 23 this year at …
I’m now always looking forward to Tuesdays. Thanks to Travel Talk on Twitter or #TTOT, where I’ve been participating for quite some time. Taking part in this travel-inspired online Q&A had been fun and I found it a stimulating exercise that whets my travel appetite. I couldn’t trace how it all started but I just want to give a …
It was my first time to this location of a Thai Royal Project. I was standing there seemingly on top of the world as the cloud covered portions of the place where we were standing. Down below was just all white. The other side of that hill was different though. Plantations, roads, and houses were …
This is the first time that I am featuring authors of a travel site. You see, traveling and community service are some of the passions I have. Browsing through the worldwide web for leads that can somehow help me fulfill these passions, I chanced upon the site Global Help Swap, which shares stories and tips …
It was a memorable post-Yolanda Eastern Visayas trip and and unforgettable journey through Eastern Visayas after the devastating Typhoon Yolanda. Our group, comprised of 17 dedicated volunteers from Hands On Manila, embarked on this post-Yolanda relief trip with a mission to make a difference in the lives of the affected communities. First and foremost, we …
Read more “Our post Typhoon Yolanda Eastern Visayas volunteer trip”