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 …
No longer familiar with the city where I grew up, I relied on my sister and Google in plotting our Visita Iglesia, or the traditional church visitation every Holy Week, around Bacolod. Since we have not visited that many churches in our own hometown, we thought of going to churches that were new to us, …
I recently brought with me to my home province my vast collection of postcards. As I opened the container where I kept all my postcards, I remember the places I have visited and those which I yearn to visit one day. Many of the cards were bought in places where I visited, because they’re handy …
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This year, I will be taking one of the greatest travel challenges I’ll ever have in my lifetime. It is what I call my #RoadTrip2Home. After so much prayers, spiritual discernment, consultation, and self-reflection, I have come to accept that for me to embark on a life abroad I need to go back to my …
Ever overheard a conversation between travellers? It becomes clear within minutes that the most popular stories revolve around “having dinner in a local family’s home” or “discovering the hidden gems away from the beaten track”. When roaming the internet looking for nice travel initiatives, I came across this new website called Withlocals.com. I was quite …
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Four ladies decided to brave Manila’s Chinatown in Binondo, said to be the oldest Chinatown in the world that was established in 1594, for the Chinese New Year festivities. Some friends forewarned us that Binondo would be crowded and we have to stay away from firecrackers. But it was really our day. The first day …
General Douglas MacArthur was a celebrated World War II hero that played a significant part in Philippine history as he led the American troops against the Japanese army. I read about General MacArthur in the pages of history books but I haven’t so much paid attention to his life in the Philippine soil. But through …
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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 …
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The Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum, located at Tacloban’s Real Street, is one of the city’s jewels that houses the antiques and valuable collections of the Marcos family. It is also situated in one of the badly hit areas by typhoon Yolanda when we visited it during our volunteer trip to Tacloban. Almost lifeless …
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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 good, because with the recent onslaught of typhoon Yolanda that ravaged Tacloban and other parts of the Eastern Visayas region, it would be hard to have an itinerary that entirely …
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 a trip to Tacloban, Leyte in January 2014 through a seat sale promo by an airline. Tacloban is known for landmarks, such as the MacArthur landing site and San Juanico …
Bacolod: the City of Smiles; the capital of the sugar bowl of the Philippines, Negros Occidental. It comes as no surprise to find so many sweet delicacies and great eats in this beautiful city in the Negros island because Bacolod is filled with smiling people, sweet pastries and delectable food. [UPDATE 2023: Some of the …
Read more “Eat is Bacolod! Must-visit restos in the City of Smiles”
Yes, Christmas is for the children. And also for the children at heart. So, on Christmas day, our family – from our grand aunt, uncle, aunt, cousins, nephews, and nieces – we trooped to one of the latest attractions in Negros Occidental, the Campuestohan Highland Resort in Talisay City. But from our home, it was …
Baler is a place of mystery and adventure. I stepped my right foot in between two rocks, not visible to my eyes as the raging water covered everything underneath my feet. After walking through a narrow pebbled pathway and crossed three flimsy bamboo bridges, we came to a point when land was no more in …
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Our arrival at Costa Pacifica, a beautiful resort in Baler, Aurora, was greeted with a slight drizzle that threatened us to a day full of rain. The hot, citrus-flavored tea that Costa Pacifica offered as our welcome drink was perfect to ward off the cold and the tiring seven-hour drive (on normal times, Baler could …
Read more “First-time in Costa Pacifica Resort in Baler, Aurora”