Forty-five hundred people. Thirty-something new friends. A grand opening session. This has been the biggest conference I have attended so far. This was the National Conference on Volunteering and Service (NCVS) 2009. It was a gathering of various non-profits, government agencies, and corporations all over the United States. So, why was Hands On Manila part of …
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It was my first time in San Francisco, California. In fact, it was my first time in the US. On a bigger scale, it was my first time across the Pacific. I went to the US to attend the 2009 National Conference on Volunteering and Service as a representative of Hands On Manila Foundation, an …
Davao is a place where fruit and seafood are delightful treats. Geographically, it is the largest city in the Philippines, with its hills stretched over the expanse of the city. However, the main commercial district is just a small area where the malls, offices, shops, and hotels are located. Davao is also the home of …
Albay is not your usual tourist destination. Located at the Bicol peninsula, about 460 km or 287 miles south of capital Manila, there are so many things that remain undiscovered in Albay. Albay came from the word Albaybay which meant “by the bay”. The first thing people picture when in Albay is the cone-shaped Mayon …
Sentosa is an island in Singapore that has been home to the tiny state’s major recreation spots. The once fishing village island was formerly known as “Pulau Belakang Mati” which literally means as “island”, “behind” and “death” because so many people died at the other side of the island during the World War. It was …
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With a stroke of imagination and a palette of vibrant words, let me paint for you the sprawling canvas of Cebu City. Imagine a tapestry woven from the threads of rich history and pulsating modernity, where the skyline dances with skyscrapers, and colonial remnants stand proudly as testament to bygone eras. The streets are the …
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The eastern side of the Mindoro Island—Oriental Mindoro—is known for the white sand beach at Puerto Galera. Apart from Boracay, it is one of the most sought-after beach destinations in the Philippines because of its proximity to the main island of Luzon. Despite its popularity, this writer, unfortunately, has not ventured anywhere this famous beach. …
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As you step into Bacolod City, a wondrous realm unfolds before your eyes. It is a place where happiness swirls in graceful pirouettes, emanating from the genuine smiles that grace every face. The air carries whispers of a city that has been shaped by a rich tapestry of colors, each thread woven with passion and …
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In Shenzhen, a bustling metropolis, I embarked on a transformative journey that revealed the world’s wonders within one city. It was an extraordinary voyage where time and distance seemed irrelevant. Shenzhen, a gateway to boundless exploration, offered travelers a unique chance to witness a kaleidoscope of global marvels in just a day. Shenzhen opens a …
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Our clothes clung to our skin, drenched from head to toe, as if we had just emerged from a monsoon downpour. The atmosphere crackled with excitement and the exuberant chaos of the Songkran Festival. From the charming city of Vientiane in Laos to the vibrant streets of Chiang Mai in Thailand, water was the reigning …
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More and more Filipino and foreign tourists are finding themselves on the road towards the exquisite beach called Anawangin. A hidden gem in the province of Zambales, Anawangin is about three to four hours from Manila, the capital of the Philippines. It was a place where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blurred, where nature …
When I posted online that I was embarking on a long trip and one of my destinations would be HCMC, so many asked me if I were going to Hong Kong and Macau. For the uninitiated, HCMC is Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. It is the biggest city of Vietnam and the …
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The little town of Siem Reap was filled with foreigners wanting to see Angkor Wat. Despite the incursion of travelers, it was still a small town as compared to the more progressive city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia‘s capital. Two nights spent at Pub Street and the Night Market was already a great deal for us. …
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As the first rays of the sun peeked over the horizon, casting a golden glow upon the sprawling landscape, I stood in awe at the entrance of the Angkor Archaeological Park. The air was thick with a sense of anticipation and reverence, as if the ancient spirits of the Khmer Empire were whispering their tales. …
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Coming from Kuala Lumpur and flying early morning to Siem Reap, the anticipation in the air was palpable. Flying over Tonle Sap Lake, the small houses and boats were first barely discernible until figures of Buddhist temples and typical Asian architecture came into shape that I realized we have truly arrived in Siem Reap, gateway …
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