It was Christmas Day when I got a text from Gail asking if I’ll be joining the food tour the day after Christmas. Since I didn’t have to go to work, I decided to join fellow food bloggers and Plurkers on our first out of town Plurk Fiesta called Plurk Lakbayan 08.

Tagaytay is known for its cold climate and wide selection of restaurants that offer gourmet food for people with discerning palates and cultured tastes.

Tagaytay Picnic Grove

Tagaytay is also known for fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables thats why we love eating in most Tagaytay Restaurants. Fresh and quality ingredients are definitely each restaurant’s secret to a perfect plate which explains why their customers keep coming back. Continue Reading

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Are you raring to go out of Metro Manila to take advantage of that long holiday break? There are many destinations in the country that might just spice up your vacation this holiday season. So, pack your bags, go on a road trip and explore the beauty of the Philippines.

For beach lovers, Melo Villareal, owner of travel blog Lakbay Pilipinas, recommended beaches in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite down south.

Villareal said some beaches in Batangas, particularly in San Juan, are comparable to Puerto Galera. New resorts in Cavite, on the other hand, are also worth checking, he said.

Everlasting Garlands – Baguio City

Up north, Baguio is still the favorite destination among Filipinos especially this Christmas. The province of La Union is also worth visiting especially for some surfing adventure, Villareal added.

Pangasinan’s Hundred Islands and the province’s sea foods are worth that five-hour trip from Manila. Continue Reading

I thought it was a bad news when I learned that our flight to Romblon was cancelled but being the reputable airline that they are, Seair gave us another option; fly to Boracay first then go to Carabao Island by boat the next day since the island is just 15 minutes away from Boracay in a good weather. Did they think I’d complaint? Hell no! (LOL)

Bird’s Eyeview of Boracay

I usually arrive at the airport two hours before my actual flight, I learned my lesson from a previous catastrophic experience where I arrived at the airport 5min after the plane left… too bad:) After checking-in, I went to the restaurant outside the airport to meet Gail, Nina and Marc to have breakfast while were waiting for Eric.

Boracay Sunset

As they say, ‘a single trip to Boracay is never enough’. Pristine beaches, 7 kilometers of white sand beach, beautiful landscapes, hospitable people, fantastic food choices and shopping for local arts and crafts always gives you a good excuse to rediscover Boracay… indeed.. the possibility is endless. Continue Reading

Metro Manila will glitter with lights and sounds when the Department of Tourism (DOT), through its National Capital Region (NCR) office, mounts a traditional lantern-making and display competition as a Yuletide season project for the public.

Dubbed as “Paskong-Pasko Sa Metro Manila 2008,” the project is organized by the DOT-NCR office as part of promotional efforts of attracting more tourists during this festive season.

Now on its second year, the event is set to be held Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Kilometer 0 in Rizal Park, Manila.

The event will highlight a series of activities showcasing the best Filipino Christmas traditions of NCR’s local government units (LGUs) such as Christmas lantern- making and display competition, Christmas lantern street dance competition, and the recently concluded Christmas choral group competition held at the Clamshell Intramuros. Continue Reading

Carabao Island

2008 has been a busy year for me but unlike previous years, my out of town trips are fewer this year since I currently have a day job. I was able to visit Boracay and Baguio twice in the past couple of months, I also visited Davao for 2008 Kadayawan Festival, Cebu for the 2008 Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival, Batanes and several destinations here in Luzon.

This weekend, I’ll be flying to Boracay and stay for a night then the next day I’ll be visiting Romblon, particularly Carabao Island in San Jose to discover the different wonders of Romblon. Carabao Island is part of San Jose town located in the southernmost tip of Romblon. The Island is a 15-minute boat ride from the smaller but equally beautiful island of Boracay. The island has the same white-sand beaches and pristine waters that can be found in Boracay but the island offers more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere.

The island is also a divers paradise that offers beautiful unexplored dive spots like Lanas slope, West Wall, Devils Boulder, Gentle Wall, Tunnel Dive, Cathedral Cave, Channel Dive, Cemetery Wall, Village Reef and Lobster Wall. Continue Reading

After a sunny day, I found myself in a hammock waiting for the sunset in the resorts beach front. That was an amazing day, I got the chance to have a close interaction with a huge whale shark and the best part is…. I don’t know how to swim but thanks to our guide since he practically guided me all the way LOL.

Sunset in Donsol

Donsol in Sorsogon, Fastly being recognized as the ‘Whale Shark capital of the world’ is a small rural community that have changed their way of life from fisherman’s to divers / tourist guides! Snorkeling with the whale sharks is Donsol’s prime tourism underwater activity which is being regulated by the local Department of Tourism office and being closely monitored by WWF.

I took this photo two years ago when I covered Butanding Festival in Donsol Sorsogon.

I will definitely visit Donsol next summer. This is my official entry on my friend and fellow travel blogger’s Travel Photo Contest :)

While most provinces in the countryside have caught up with the wave of modernization and the comforts of modern living, Ilocanos continue to enjoy the simplicity and charm of Ilocos life.

Yet, the Ilocos province today has come a long way from the harsh conditions of the land – a mixed landscape of coastal waters and agricultural lands straddled by sand dunes, riverbeds and hardwood forests. The hardy and assiduous Ilocanos have built their character upon the same cruel landscapes marked by a prolonged dry season and by generally rocky and sandy soil.

Understandably, the difficult conditions of early Ilocos life are reflective of the Ilocanos’ distinct character as frugal because produce was limited to what the land and the sea could churn out. The local’s penchant for salty dishes is influenced as well by the stretch of sea beds scattered across Ilocos towns.

Ilocos Norte for example remains a destination of choice for most tourists looking for traces of the genteel past which is still etched even in province’s nerve center in the capital city of Laoag. Continue Reading

Are you looking for a place to stay in Pagudpud on your next vacation?

Homestay facilities in scenic Pagudpud town continue to mushroom because of the steady stream of local and foreign tourists flocking to the seaside town – the home of pristine beaches and a stretch of white, soft and powdery sand.

Homestay structures are either concrete or made of wood capped by anahaw leaves while the rest are former residences that were converted by home owners as accommodation for tourists who are left with nowhere to stay when most hotels and resorts are occupied during peak season.

Milagros Gonzales, provincial tourism officer of Ilocos Norte, said most homestay facilities in Pagudpud have been accredited by the Department of Tourism following completion of a training-seminar in tourist-handling. The homestay structures also complied with accommodation requirements such as comfort rooms, bedrooms and adequate water, ventilation and lighting. Continue Reading

This year will be Kaadlawan Festival’s second year of celebration in Tanauan Leyte. The festival activities will be held at the Skimboarding Site at the Bantay Dagat Area at Barangay Sto. Niño.

The entire two-hectare area has been decorated with Christmas lanterns. Kiosks are scattered all over the area, huge tents to provide shelter for the spectators and the stage with the sea as its backdrop, provide a conducive atmosphere to this year’s Kaadlawan Festival.

The Nightly activities will start on December 2, and will continue until after Christmas to tie it with the 5th National Skimboarding Competition which will also be held in the area. On December 20, it will be Acoustic Night at the Skimboarding Area which will feature the best acoustic groups in the Region.

December 21 is the Kaadlawan Festival, an array of performances presented by the town’s young talents in colorful Christmas costumes, from the selected kindergarten and elementary pupils, high school and college students, faculty and professional singing groups. Continue Reading

When you speak of Baguio, you think of the cool weather that clips to a cooler but still bearable 14 degrees Celsius, although sometimes it comes down to a shivering 10 degrees Celsius; a zigzag drive up in its main access route — Kennon Road, rugged mountain shrouded in fog; a clump of pine trees here and there; an early morning mist; the pleasure of taking a leisurely walk without sweating, and a chance to wear clothes like sweaters and jackets.

It means walking down Session Road, hiking through forest trails, putting up 202 steps to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, pony riding at Wright Park, golf and steak barbecue at Camp John Hay (CJH), sitting by the fireplace, waking up to the sound of birds chirping, listening to the buzz and silence, buying “pasalubongs” from the public market, the Good Shepherd or Mines View Park, or just going to the SM mall to relax and stroll.

People continue to flock to the city in the clouds because it is the country’s favorite destination for honeymoon, summer conventions, schools field trips and clean adventure. Many students prefer to study at the Baguio campus of the University of the Philippines, or at St. Louis University, and, of course, the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

During the latter part of 1899, American forces in search of Filipino forces found their way up to these mountains of Benguet. They quickly fell in love with Baguio, which was then called Kalagway. Continue Reading