First-time Travels

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[…]

I have never expected that the almost year-long anticipation of my first trip to Tacloban would change at the last minute. Yet, it was for[…]

It was March of last year when I received a message from a fellow volunteer of Hands On Manila about a plan to go on[…]

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[…]

I get a lot of propositions in my First-time Travels e-mail every now and then. I read through them all and choose which best suits[…]

…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[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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.[…]

In December 2011, amid the holiday frenzy, the Philippines was struck with a challenge when typhoon Sendong (international name: Washi) suddenly took everyone by surprise[…]

I remember the time when I was called to a meeting for a big project to be initiated by young people. We just finished the[…]

My friends and I were touring Bohol, visiting the famous Chocolate Hills, Lobok River, and the Tarsier Sanctuary. We were wide-eyed as we took in[…]

I have visited the town of San Teodoro in Oriental Mindoro several times. But I have not ventured anywhere near the foot of Mt. Halcon,[…]