Postcard map

Map of My Postcard Collection

It’s 2016 and I’m rearing to visit new places, whether they are within the Philippines or outside of it. I’m hopeful that this new year will bring me new experiences. I consider this as another transition year for me after a devastating tragedy I had to go through in 2015. But apart from traveling to a …

Bantug Lake Ranch

Family Getaway at Bantug Lake Ranch

At the outskirts of Bacolod City, Philippines, towards the upland portion at the eastern side of the city, lies the Bantug Lake Ranch – a beautiful hideaway that is suitable for weekend picnics or family getaways. The land, which used to be a sugarcane plantation and orchard poultry, is now a lush landscape with a …

Metro Inn Bacolod

Metro Inn Bacolod: A Perfect Holiday Staycation

This holiday season, when relatives are coming home for reunions and gatherings, it is fun to take a break from the daily routine and give yourself a pause from what you have been doing the whole year round. Apart from parties, it is a wonderful experience having a relaxing staycation in a local hotel. Metro …

Restaurant

Global Food Trip in Bacolod Restaurants

Whenever friends visit my city, they always ask me my recommended places to eat. Bacolod City, capital of the province of Negros Occidental, the sugar bowl of the Philippines, is known for its rich culinary delights, especially its desserts. And when it comes to local and international cuisines, Bacolod has a long list for you …

Sabor Victorias Cook-Off 2015

Sabor Victorias Cook-off at the Kalamayan Festival

“Kalamay” means sugar in our local language. Victorias City is home to the famous Victorias Milling Company (VMC), which has been producing sugar since 1919. It is, thus, no surprise why Victorias City has started with its Kalamayan Festival last year. Every Kalamayan Festival, the city government of Victorias, along with VMC and its sister …

Negros Bloggers Christmas Party

Christmas Treat Ideas from the Negros Bloggers Christmas Party at L’Fisher Hotel

When the Christmas spirit is in the air, expect gatherings, parties and celebrations left and right as people are wont to bring the holiday cheer through laughter and gifts. The Negrense Blogging Society, Inc. (NBSI or Negros Bloggers) is no exemption as it gathered its active members for its annual Christmas Party. L’Fisher Hotel was …

Make the best happen

Make the Best TRAVEL Happen

There’s a new website that recently caught my attention. Not only does it talk about my main interest – traveling – but it also provides me with a support system on how to make my travel experiences a lot better. This is part of the new campaign of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) …

Balaring Silay City

First-time in Melkens Balaring

It was a bright sunny day and the noontime heat would probably be unbearable if not for the windy breeze. The sea has moved back and the row of tilted restaurants fill the shore of Balaring in Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. I was with members of the Negros Blogging Society, Inc. (NBSI), or the …

Silay City

Negros Bloggers go on a Silay Heritage Walk

There I was again traversing the streets of Silay City, Negros Occidental, and re-acquainting myself to the old structures that spoke thousands of stories. I have walked Silay City’s heritage district several times since my  move back to the family’s nest last year as a heritage mapping assignment for a Wikimedia Foundation project that I took part …

Taipei Eats

Taipei Street Eats

Of all my Taiwan posts, I think this one on the Taipei street eats would be a lot interesting. Whenever I travel to a new place, I try to taste the local food, not just those in known fine-dining restaurants, but also those served in small eateries and along the streets. Our first few hours …

Taipei 101

Taipei 101 and Din Tai Fung

As soon as the sun was about to set, we rushed via MRT to Taipei 101 to see this popular Taiwan landmark transform from daytime to nighttime. The 508-meter, 101-story structure was the tallest in the world when it was inaugurated in 2004. Its reign ended in 2010 when it was surpassed by Burj Khalifa …

Rau-Ram Cafe

Rau-Ram Café: three years of Vietnamese cooking

I haven’t been to Saigon Café’s humble beginnings but I have witnessed it become what it is today – Rau-Ram Café. I wrote about their opening, which happened earlier this year. This authentic Vietnamese Restaurant in Bacolod City celebrated its third anniversary and we were the special guests by the owners.   It was also …

Taipei Zoo

First-time in Taipei Zoo

Our first order of business when we got to Taiwan was to see the panda. It’s not everyday that we see it as there are no pandas in the Philippines. I have seen it twice but I wanted to see it again. So off we went to the Taipei Zoo. It was easy to get …

Welcome Home Foundation Garden Cafe

Welcome Home Natural Garden Cafe

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 …

Shifen Sky lantern Taiwan

The Sky Lanterns in Shifen

Releasing wishes to the heavens through a sky lantern is a popular tradition in Asia. In fact, it has also slowly becoming a trending group event in the Philippines. In Taiwan, there is a Sky Lantern Festival and even when it is not the season for the festival, locals and tourists alike converge at the …