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 …

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 …