Don Papa Rum

Negros Island aged Don Papa Rum

I recently attended an event by Don Papa Rum set in a beautiful garden  spot with the classic Ruins of the Mariano Ledesma Lacson Mansion at the backdrop and the night sky and glittering stars above us. Don Papa Rum or the Don, sat on the cocktail tables, looking at home in the island of …

volunteer travel

Charitable Institutions to Visit in Bacolod

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 …

Panda

Animal Encounters in Photos

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 …

Philippine beaches

Fly Straight to these Philippine Beach Destinations

Fly from Los Angeles, USA to Cebu, Philippines (or vice versa) Non-Stop With Philippine Airlines (PAL)! Wanting to go to a warmer place and enjoy the islands? Now, there’s a way for travelers from the US to fly straight to the heart of the Philippines — the Visayas region, where thousands of beaches and islands …

Putrajaya

Protect Yourself As You Travel

Traveling can be daunting. So many things happen on the road or while you’re in transit. Accidents are, well, unexpected. But it must not stop you from hitting the road and exploring the world. If it is any consolation, even in the comforts of one’s home, not so good things can still possibly take place. …

How to Secure Your Future While You Travel

There are travelers who have left their eight to five job and changed their cubicles into endless roads. While not everyone may cut out the same kind of path, wherein others stick to their jobs while going on travels every now and then, it is important that one must be prepared to secure the future. …

Hilltop Murcia

A Restobar at Murcia’s Hilltop

From Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, Philippines, we went via Sum-ag towards Brgy. Tabunan, Bago City to visit the OISCA silk-making facility. On our way home, we had snacks at the Hilltop Resto and Bar in the town of Murcia, which was totally unplanned and a spur of the moment decision. I was then with …

OISCA Bago

Silk Making at OISCA Bago

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) …

Hobbiton

Getting Tips for an Auckland Adventure

I am set to travel to Auckland, New Zealand in the middle of this year. Who wouldn’t be excited for an Auckland adventure? I won a travel blog contest from Globe Telecoms and they will be flying me to New Zealand. Instantly, the picture of Lord of the Rings and Hobbits filled my fancy. A …

Bacolaodiat

Bacolaodiat Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year is one of the celebrated occasions in the world, especially in Asia, and definitely in parts of the Philippines. Bacolod City, on its part, celebrates it through the Bacolaodiat Festival. It is a conjoined word from Bacolod (the City of Smiles in the Philippines) and Lao Diat, which is a Fookien …

20 Travel-Related Books In My Shelf

It seems that my thirst for travel is not just limited to actually going out and exploring the world. It also extends to my other interests, such as my postcards collection and the books I keep in my cabinet. I’ve found that apart from travel guides and language books, I have also accumulated a number …

Zoofari

First-time in Zoofari at SM Bacolod

There’s a zoo/safari inside a mall! SM City Bacolod recently opened its Zoofari, which is open from January 29, 2016 (Thursday) to January 31, 2016 (Sunday) at 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For an entrance donation of Php 50.00 (almost USD 1.00) per person, guests get to contribute to SM Foundation’s environmental projects. Interestingly, this …

Traveling and Worshiping

When one has a day job and has to take some time off to travel to some foreign destination, the journey is often scheduled near the weekends to make the most of it. That’s what I always do. Several times, I time my trips during the Holy Week when business in the Philippines are mostly …

Palmas del Mar

Palmas del Mar: 20 Years of Fun Under the Sun

For 20 summers, guests from all over the world have enjoyed this little piece of paradise in Bacolod, which is Palmas del Mar Resort and Hotel. Sprawled across five acres of land are 55 rooms and villas, function rooms, cottages and three swimming pools, plus other amenities. Because it is situated by the seaside, it …

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

2016 Travel Destination Lists

With the turn of the New Year, several lists of must-visit places for 2016 keep on appearing in my inbox and social media timeline. There are those that list only 10 countries, while others range from 16 to 50 places. Some focused on countries alone and there are lists that featured specific attractions and destinations. The …