Returning from a trip to Iloilo empty handed is not an option – a friend told me before I left Boracay a couple of weeks back. For Pinoy’s, a pasalubong is a gift you bring for family or friends after you return from someplace. While at first the obligation can seem overwhelming, in fact it’s now something that I look forward to. Being me, I try to make my pasabulongs as unique and outrageous as possible. In Iloilo City, believe me – that’s not hard.

Panaderia de Molo

As I was wandering down Guanco Street in Iloilo City and just enjoying doing a bit of window shopping, I was really enjoying the surprises that keep popping up in the pasalubong shops and stalls I saw. There was no shortage of the distinct flavors, smells, and odd looking delights that you find throughout the Philippines, but the real interesting things are pure Ilonggo. Continue Reading

Another year has passed and as early as now, Dinagyang Festival goers are already preparing for the bigger festival next year in Iloilo.

Festival Dancer in Dinagyang 2011

Aside from delicious Pancit Molo and Lapaz Batchoy, tourist from all over the world are also visiting Iloilo to watch the colorful street dancers and to experience the rest of activities in Dinagyang Festival 2011. Continue Reading

Can we now proceed to UR? the driver asked us after our short stop in Nagtabon Beach. In Puerto Princesa, “UR” means Underground River” specially for those who works in the tourism industry. Palawan is really filled with wonders that’s why its called the Philippines last frontier. And speaking of pristine beaches and other wealth of wonders, there is definitely no better place to visit in the Philippines other than the island of Palawan!

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

While in Puerto Princesa with fellow travel bloggers, We visited the famous Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park courtesy of Microtel Puerto Princesa. This is actually my second time visiting this newly recognized “New 7 Wonders of Nature”.

Inside the Underground River

To get there, it took us more than an hour and a half drive to Sabang via a tourist van courtesy of Ellen’s Travel and Tours, all the way to the Northern side of Palawan. The park is extensive and is a huge ecotourism destination which is home to fifteen species of endemic birds and 165 other bird species.

Facing the South China Sea

There are also thirty species of mammals from pigs to porcupines , bats, reptiles, and amphibians. The mountainous rain forest have unique species found nowhere else in the world, and of course, the underground river is totally incredible. The Subterranean River National Park was a finalist for the 7 Natural Wonders of the World competition and after seeing it again, I think it deserves to win. Totally mind blowing specially now that I saw a lot of improvement in the park.

Palawan Underground River Park

Formerly known as St. Paul Subterranean River, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park flows about 50 kilometers north of Puerto Princesa City. There are a lot of underground rivers in the world, but this one has over eight kilometers of navigable length in huge limestone karst caverns filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and massive columns.

Pinoy Travel Bloggers with Microtel in Puerto Princesa

UNESCO has recognized it as a World Heritage Site and it has the reputation of being the world’s longest underground navigable river though according to what I found on the web, it is actually the second longest. No matter though, the boat trip through the caverns was totally surreal but I almost gave up at first with the unpleasant smell of bat poop after entering the underground river. Surprisingly, as you go along with the river tour, you will soon forget the unpleasant smell and will instead mesmerized with the the natural wonder.

Puerto Princesa Palawan Underground River Tour

The limestone shapes inside take on crazy images in the dim lighting and it’s easy to see why some have been given names like ‘The Holy Family’, ‘Face of Jesus’ and ‘Big Bacon’. The boat ride inside the underground river took about thirty minutes and was worth ten times the price of 200 pesos.

There are unpleasant things that you will experience in each journey but that is an integral part of the trip. Learning new things from each trip is education in its highest form… Just learn how to smile and be thankful for having new friends, experiences and pictures… pictures and lots of pictures… Travel Safely everyone:)

Sometimes I just want to get away from all the touristic activities and get some time to really enjoy the Philippines. It’s not hard to do if you know where to look. One place Ive been wanting to visit is Buenavista in Guimaras. It’s a small town located on Guimaras Island located between Panay Island and Negros Island.

Roca Encantada Heritage House

Two weeks ago, I finally got the chance to visit Guimaras during my short stay in Iloilo. Its actually easy to reach the place, just pay for the boat fare, sit down and in just about 30 minutes Voila! you are already in Guimaras – the producer of the Worlds Sweetest Mangoes. Continue Reading

Just when you think you’ve seen everything that the Philippines has to offer, that’s the time you find a great place that makes you never want to leave. That’s probably why I’ve been here for so long in the first place.

Cold.. Really Cold Springs

If you head into Aklan Province and go to Nabas, you will find one of the coolest alternative summer destinations in the entire country. The gushing waters of the Gibon River bring life and adventures to the local and foreign tourists alike. Continue Reading

Puka means hole and while you may have thought that it is a particular kind of sea creature that lives in the puka shell, that’s not right. A puka shell is simply a small shell with a hole in it. Also known as Yapak Beach, this area was popularly known as Puka Beach due to abundance of puka shells bleached white under the mighty sun.

Puka Beach

So a puka shell necklace is a necklace made from shells with holes in them. The reason I am telling you this is because when I was up at Puka Beach on Boracay a few weeks ago, I heard an American girl ask her boyfriend “What does a wild puka look like?” Continue Reading

I never stop being amazed at the antiquity of the churches in the Philippines. It feels like they shouldn’t be able to be so old, but in fact they are.

San Isidro Labrador Church in Guimaras

Take for example the San Isidro Labrador Church in Navalas, it dates all the way back to 1880. The name can get a little bulky to say again and again, so please forgive me if I do as the locals do and refer to it from this point forward as the Navalas Church. This massive church built from native coral and stone is in Buenavista and just a short trip away from Roca Encantado. Continue Reading

One of the things I love about traveling in Palawan is that it’s easy to find directions and the locals are tourist friendly. Most people come to Palawan because of its beautiful beaches and relaxing pace of life. Just like I do.

Nagtabon Beach : Secret Revealed

After having dinner near the pool, Norsan Barilea – Microtel’s Marketing & Communications Manager discussed to us our next day itinerary. We are still waiting for our confirmed schedule for the Underground River tour and while having coffee in the hotel lobby, we explored for other places to visit after or before the “UR” trip. Continue Reading

Kadayawan Festival 2010 is an annual festival in the city of Davao in the beautiful island of Mindanao. Just like all harvest festivals, Kadayawan is a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and serenity of living.

Kadayawan sa Davao Festival 2010

This internationally renowned festival is a weeklong celebration that has been transformed into a festival of festivals. Being celebrated every 3rd Week of August, Kadayawan’s festivities are highlighted with floral floats, street-dancing competitions and exhibits that showcases the City’s tourism products and services. Continue Reading

Along with fellow travel bloggers Anton, Winston, Eric, Ferdz, Mica and Dongho, We were invited by Microtel Puerto Princesa to experience one of their newest property in Palawan. From the airport, a van sponsored by Ellen’s Travel and Tours brought us to the resort directly from the airport after few short stops in some tourist spots along the way.

Microtel Puerto Princesa Facade

While the “micro” makes it sound like it is a tiny resort, Microtel in Puerto Princesa on the island of Palawan is pretty big. It’s only been open for a little over a year and as I sit under the coconut palms in front of my suite room it’s pretty hard to imagine and describe a better place to stay in Puerto Princesa (If theres one!). Despite the fact that Puerto Princesa is sorrounded by beautiful beaches, Microtel is the only beachfront hotel in the entire City. Continue Reading