Tag: Philippines
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Preparing for a grand #RoadTrip2Home
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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…
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Binondo Walk: A Lucky Chinese New Year Adventure
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Some trips happen because of careful planning. Others unfold because everything seems to fall perfectly into place. Our Chinese New Year adventure in Binondo felt exactly like the latter. Many friends warned us about the crowds. They reminded us to expect traffic, packed streets, and endless lines. Some even advised us to…
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Encountering The Trails of General MacArthur in the Philippines
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I first encountered General Douglas MacArthur in the pages of history books. As a celebrated World War II hero, he played a major role in Philippine history. He led American and Allied forces against the Japanese army. However, I never paid much attention to his life and experiences on Philippine soil. That…
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Our post-Typhoon Yolanda Volunteer Trip in Tacloban and Basey
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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. However, our group of 17 Hands On Manila volunteers embarked on this post-Yolanda relief trip to help affected communities. Moreover, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the generous donors…
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First-time in the Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum
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The Sto. Nino Shrine was not the first thing that caught my attention when we arrived in Real Street in Tacloban. Instead, I noticed the palm trees. Their trunks stood battered and bare, with only a few leaves clinging to them. They looked like silent witnesses to the fury that had…
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First-time in Tacloban City, Leyte: In The Aftermath of Yolanda
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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…
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Eat is Bacolod! Must-visit Restaurants in the City of Smiles
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Bacolod: the City of Smiles; the capital of the sugar bowl of the Philippine province of Negros Occidental. It offers many sweet delicacies and great eats. In this beautiful city on Negros Island, Bacolod holds smiling people, pastries, and delectable food. [UPDATE 2023: Some of the restaurants listed here have…
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Campuestohan: A Christmas Adventure in the Highlands of Talisay
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Yes, Christmas is for children. But sometimes, it is also the perfect excuse for the children at heart to have some fun. Campuestohan Highland Resort in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, was where our family decided to spend Christmas Day, turning the holiday into a fun-filled highland adventure. Our group included my grand…
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Baler: Exploring Aurora’s Waterfalls, Rocks and Hills
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Baler is a place of mystery and adventure. I stepped my right foot between two rocks. They were not visible to my eyes as the raging water covered everything beneath my feet. After walking through a narrow pebbled pathway and crossing three flimsy bamboo bridges, we faced the river. Land…
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Costa Pacifica: A Rainy Welcome to Baler’s Beautiful Coast
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Costa Pacifica greeted us with a light drizzle when we finally arrived in Baler, Aurora. After a tiring seven-hour drive from Manila, the cool weather almost made us wonder if rain would ruin the rest of our day. Normally, the journey to Baler takes about five hours. However, traffic and road…
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Baler, Aurora: Chasing Waves, History, and Adventure
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The first rays of sunlight slowly pierced the morning sky as our van climbed the winding roads toward Baler. Below us, a thick blanket of white clouds covered the villages, creating a dreamlike valley that seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon. I wanted to capture the breathtaking view with my…
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The road to Bantayan Island, Cebu
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Pristine white-sand beaches, clear blue-green waters, fresh air, friendly ambiance — all these spell the beautiful island of Bantayan, a paradise found in the northern part of the Cebu province in the Philippines. Seeing photos of friends who have spent their vacation in this wonderful part of our archipelago, I…
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Visiting 5 Pilgrim Churches in Metro Manila for the Year of Faith
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While scrolling through Facebook one evening, I came across a notification from a friend with a link from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila website, where Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle designated five churches in the city as Pilgrim Churches for the Year of Faith. Pilgrim churches are sacred places…
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My 5 best first-time travel experiences
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Travel brings a world of joys and delights, igniting a sense of adventure and opening doors to new experiences. It is a catalyst for personal growth, broadening our perspectives and deepening our understanding of different cultures. The thrill of exploring unfamiliar landscapes, tasting unique cuisines, and connecting with diverse people…
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First-time in Legoland Malaysia: from toy blocks to theme park
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Lego is a global brand that is popular with children and adults alike. This popular toy blocks that are being put together trace its roots from Denmark and has made its way all over the world for over 80 years. Now, the Lego brick builds not just a small house…