El Nido, Palawan Trip | Summary and Expenses
Most direct flights to EL NIDO, PALAWAN are expensive. Getting there via Puerto Princesa is A LOT CHEAPER but that means spending 5-6 hours on the road. That's the thing about El Nido --- it's playing hard-to-get. But it's the kind of destination you'd want to marry. When you're in this paradise, you will never want to leave. El Nido is pure beauty.
Singapore Weekend Trip | Summary and Expenses
Singapore has a special place in my heart. It was the first city outside of the Philippines that I set foot on. My first time was almost two years ago and it was on that trip that I met some of friends. That's why when I was thinking of a trip for me and my mom, it was easy for me to decide to head back to Singapore and share with my mother what it has to offer.
I Found My Childhood at Casa San Pablo
We packed our bags, drove to San Pablo City, Laguna and checked in to Casa San Pablo. We weren't blown away. No, not blown away. What was there was a whisper, a gentle breath reminding me of the things I had lost.
Hong Kong Family Trip | Summary and Expenses
Although it wasn't my first time to travel abroad, it was my first time to travel out of Luzon with my family. When they announced that the plane was ready, I had to literally cover their mouths because the kids won't stop shouting.
Borawan and Dampalitan Island Camping Trip
This was no ordinary trip. More than anything, this trip was a reunion. My college friends and I had not met one another in years and it was the first time that all of us would be going on a trip together. Needless to say, the trip was bound to be memorable primarily because of the people I was with.
Camiguin Weekend Getaway | Summary & Expenses
Camiguin is the smallest province in Mindanao and the second smallest in the Philippines. Yes, Camiguin may be small but it is big in beauty and wonder, making it an ideal destination for a weekend getaway.
Anawangin Cove Camping Trip | Zambales
It’s like Baguio and Boracay in one place. This dark yet inspiring history makes Anawangin Cove very, very special. It is a reminder to everyone of the sheer beauty and immeasurable power of nature.
Bacolod–Negros Occidental Trip | Summary & Expenses
This trip is probably one of my favorites! I enjoyed every single second and every single thing I experienced in Negros Occidental --- from the gastronomic treats in Bacolod, to a welcome history lesson in Talisay and Silay, to a much greater appreciation of nature in Cauayan. Negros Occidental is a gem.
BOHOL Getaway | Summary and Expenses
Our energy level isn't really proportional to the beauty of this island province. Touring Bohol is really exhausting but every calorie we burned and second spent was worth it.
Tacloban-Marabut Trip | Summary and Expenses
Tacloban, Leyte and Marabut, Samar are beautiful destinations. I just wish the weather was not that killjoy when we were there. We weren't able to drop by many spots in Tacloban and we also failed to visit Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park because of the strong river current. Although we had a great time, I take all the things that went wrong in this trip as a sign that, well, I shall return.
Movie production trucks and service vans lined up in the area beside the Cape Santiago Lighthouse like giant wheeled gates that separate us from this towering structure. Apparently a horror film by Regal Entertainment was being shot when we arrived and the lighthouse had been closed. It was already late afternoon and according to some of the residents watching the [...]
My grandfather used to call it Balayang. “Balayan po,” I would always correct him. He wouldn’t budge. No matter how many times my cousin and I told him that the town is called Balayan and not Balayang, he would insist that the town’s name was Balayang. Now that I’m a grown-up, I learned that my grandfather wasn’t that wrong after [...]
Taal used the be the capital of the province of Batangas. It used to be located in present day San Nicolas but the whole town was forced to move to a safer elevated location, farther from the Taal Volcano after the disastrous 200-day 1754 eruption (May 15-December 1, 1754), the biggest eruption of this small volcano in recorded history. The [...]
One hundred and twenty five steps. Yes, we counted. Coming from the Taal Basilica, we passed by several ancestral houses to reach the San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps, which led us to the Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay. This giant staircase conncects the Caysasay Shrine to the center of the town. Originally made of adobe stone, these steps were replaced [...]
Madam Maria Espiritu was tasked by the parish to take care of a small image of the Virgin Mary. She had an urn made where she kept the image. It wasn’t long until Madam Maria noticed that every evening the urn turned empty and the image missing. As if that wasn’t odd enough, the image would return, back in the [...]
A giant scaffolding made of bamboo rose right before the basilica’s altar at the point where the nave and the transept meet. Apparently, the church’s interiors were undergoing a minor renovation. The top of the scaffolding reached to the ceiling of the dome which was being painted. I could not imagine how difficult it was for the painters given that [...]
It was the best halo-halo that I ever tasted in my life. The Poor Traveler and his poor friend stared at each other as we had our first spoonful. And with the kind of smile that cut across our face, we knew having a stopover at Casa Rap for breakfast was totally worth all the time and the trouble. Casa [...]
Darkness was slowly blanketing when we emerged from the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Batangas City. The rain had just ceased but the city continued with its active business. Just when we thought the day had ended as soon as darkness fell, the Plaza Mabini and its surrounding streets came to life anew as street food vendors sprung out, [...]
Prince Harry stood by the entrance to a dainty cafe at the heart of Batangas City. Well, it wasn’t really Prince Harry but a life-size standee that seemed to welcome visitors. Beside him was a faceless bride that can be anyone who wishes to take a picture beside the wooden, inanimate prince. If that wasn’t quirky enough for us, we [...]
A young boy and a young girl lit candles as they stood in the middle of the candle racks. They then closed their eyes, said a silent prayer, walked towards the series of pews that filled the nave of the basilica, and joined their parents who were both deep in prayers of their own. The Poor Traveler is not really a [...]
I didn’t spend a dime on this trip. Or maybe I did. I remember buying a piece of kiping, a local delicacy made from ground cassava, for P10, bottled water, and fresh buko juice. But other than that, I just enjoyed the 3-day 2-night tour without spending on anything. This tour was a birthday gift to me from a not-so-poor [...]
Disappointment was painted all over my face when I found out that the room we got was not facing the sea. Not that I am a sucker for beachfront rooms but the view of White Island lying just a few kilometers from the shore would have been the icing on the cake. Regardless, our 2-night stay at Paras Beach Resort [...]
Constant fear is probably what one who resides near an active volcano has to love with every day. That’s especially true when one is in the company of seven volcanoes. Perhaps for the people of Camiguin, though, it has become part of their everyday lives. After all, danger is everywhere no matter where we are and the best way to [...]
Laughter filled the air as little children ran around the Old Guiob Church Ruins while pushing their toy wheels with a wooden stick. It was a delightful, charming sound. It reminded me of my own childhood days when small toys and games were everything that mattered. It reminded me of the past. But this place has a past of its [...]
Faith is not something we always see in tropical island destinations. The island of Camiguin, however, is different. After all, in a land where seven volcanoes lie, faith goes a long way. The faith and devotion of the people of Camiguin is apparent in many of its most popular attractions such as those in Catarman — the Walkway to the [...]
