Coron is one of the must-see places in my list of destinations within my home country, the Philippines. Together with Busuanga, Culion, and several islands, they form the Calamian group of islands in the northern tip of the Philippine province of Palawan. Though not as hyped as Bali or Boracay or Phuket or any beach …
This weekend I went to Tagaytay. I frequent Tagaytay a lot that I have lost count how many times I have returned since the first time I visited this city. That was in college when we stopped by to marvel at the views as we were passing through towards Batangas. Tagaytay City is about two hours from …
I’m not referring to a town in Rizal Province in the Philippines. Rather, this is San Mateo, one of the suburbs near San Francisco, California, USA. It’s 20-30 minutes away from downtown San Francisco and about 10 minutes away from SFO airport. We could even hear the planes as they land or take off. So, before …
“LA is great big freeway…” so the song goes. And big freeways, indeed, fill the Los Angeles landscape. Next to rows of palm trees, of course. My good friend Cathy was kind enough to host me all throughout my LA trip right after the conference which I attended in San Francisco and take me to …
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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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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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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