First of all I would like to apologize for the delay in the announcement of winner for this month.. Its been a very busy month for Out of Town Blog.

Lets all Congratulate Rina Alcantara for winning Pacsafe Slingsafe 200 in our last months “How do you travel Safe and Light?” contest.

Pacsafe TourSafe Wallet

For this month we are giving away Pacsafe Toursafe Wallet for ladies – an accordion style checkbook wallet that is great for travel and for everyday use worth Php1,990.00. How to Join? Just share a story or your personal experience and tell us Why you need to invest on a wallet to twart pickpockets? Continue Reading

Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAIR), the Philippines’ premier leisure airline, will offer a “Buy 1, Take 1” Batanes roundtrip promo and up to 75% off on Boracay and Tablas roundtrip tickets at the 2010 Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) Sale on September 3-5, 2010 at Booths 108-109, SM Megatrade Halls in SM Megamall.

Batanes Sabtang Lighthouse

Travelers can purchase “Buy 1, Take 1” Batanes roundtrip tickets for only PhP 14,344 all- in for travel until December 19, 2010. Boracay and Tablas roundtrip tickets will be at PhP 3,500 all-in for travel until October 15, 2010, and PhP 4,463 all-in for travel from October 16 to December 19, 2010. Continue Reading

There is something I’ve noticed through the years of my travels. It’s not always obvious, but I guess it’s always true. The skin of people in industrialized places is usually lacking a certain glow than people who participate in rural life have. Not just the skin, but the shine of their hair, the gleam in their eyes. When you head to less urban areas like Banaue in Mountain Province, you find people with naturally glowing skin.

Organic Massage Oils

I know, not everyone can live the rural life. In fact in the past fifty years more and more of the world’s people are moving into cities and starting to live in industrial society. The shame of it is that after living in cities, people tend to start losing that energy that comes from using the most natural products and foods that make the rural lifestyle so much better for us.

Soaps made from Organic Materials

Luckily, we don’t have to lose it completely. On Puerto Princesa Palawan, We visited a secret garden in Irawan called Lawiswis. Managed by an Ilonggo native, Jet Sales communes with nature by producing soaps, lotions and herbal supplements using all natural ingredients that doesnt harm humans and nature.

Wooden Ornaments in Lawiswis Secret Garden

Whether you have a sunburn or just want to feel refreshed and energized after a shower, you’ll find that these products make you feel and look like someone who isn’t trapped in the grind of city life.

Lawiswis Organics

The truth is that our skin takes on what it comes in contact with and by using organically produced ingredients, these products protect you from the insecticides, oils, and chemicals that city life brings your way. I know this article looks like an advertorial but the truth is, Its Not!!! Time will come that we really have to go back to basics.. We should start using organically made products for wellness and to also to simply help our mother nature.

Stop contaminating yourself with more chemicals. Break your dependence on petroleum based products, pay a visit to Palawan’s Secret Garden at Lawiswis Organics and get some of that energy back into your life.

Lawiswis Organics
Iratag, Irawan, Puerto Princesa,
tel: +63 (920) 299 0956,
email: thegardenssecret@yahoo.com
http://thegardenssecret.multiply.com

I wasn’t paying attention the other day and I sat down on my camera. I was totally bummed out because I had smashed the lcd screen of my new toy camera and since it was touch operated, that meant I couldn’t perform any of the functions I loved about it.

Samsung NX10 Camera

Lucky for me, I happened to know that Hidalgo Street in Quiapo is known throughout the Philippines as the best place to buy or repair your camera. Some people are scared to go there since they have heard the stories about pickpockets , but I’m telling you, if you need a camera- go to Hidalgo Street in Quiapo, Manila. Continue Reading

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

Travel Freaks, The long wait is over! Its time to destroy your Piggy banks and go to the Annual Bodega Sale and avail great discounts of up to 80% off on selected items.

The Primer Annual Bodega Sale will be on on July 26 – 31, 2010. Due to last years popular demand, they extended the sale for another couple of days. I hope they will do the same this year:)

Get super discounted price of your favorite brands like Kickers, Delsey, Sanuk, The North Face, Jansport, Samsonite and other products.

Entrance fee of P50 to get you in, make sure to go there early since a lot of people are waiting for this yearly event…

Primer Annual Bodega Sale
July 26 (Monday) to 30 (Friday) – 11am to 7pm
July 31 (Saturday) – 10am to 3pm
G/F State Center Building (333 Juan Luna St. Binondo, Manila

The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Tourism will hold the 21st Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) at the Mega Trade Halls of SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City on September 3-5, 2010.

PTM 2010

Every year the PTM showcases top travel destinations in the country as well as other parts of the world. Philippine Travel Mart 2010 is still the country’s biggest travel, tourism and trade show in the Philippines and is spearheaded by the Philippine Tour Operators Association.

The upcoming tourism event is expected to be flocked by tourism industry players, particularly travel agencies, hotel, resorts, transportation companies, handicraft stores, and other tourism-oriented establishments and associations.

By visiting the Philippines Biggest Travel Fair, you can purchase discounted local and international tour packages, cheap airline tickets and avail various hotel promotions. 

For Inquiries you may contact :
Philippine Tour Operators Association
Unit 1806 18th Floor, Cityland10, Tower 1, H.V. Dela Costa St. Salcedo Village, Makati City 1227 Philippines
Tel. No. (632) 812-4513
Fax No. 632) 817-4608 Email: philtoagroup@yahoo.com
Website: www.philtoa.org

If you are a huge fan of Team Manila’s Pinoy inspired T-Shirts then dont miss your chance to buy your favorite shirt at a discounted rate.

Yearly Warehouse Sale

The much awaited and anticipated yearly Warehouse sale will be tommorow (May 15,2010 Saturday) at the Team Manila Warehouse at Unit 71 Ecoville Townhomes Metropolitan Ave., Makati City.

The place is near the Ayala Columns in Makati City:)

Note : This Contest is already closed -> Checkout our new Pacsafe Contest

Why do you love Pacsafe? Tell your readers Why do you love Pacsafe products and get a chance to win Wrapsafe Cable Lock.

WrapSafe is light and flexible cable lock that you can use to secure your luggage while in transit.

Pacsafe Wrapsafe Adjustable Cable Lock

Admit it, you want to make sure that all your things are secured while traveling right? If you are traveling with friends, you can loop the Pacsafe WrapSafe around everyone’s luggage to prevent theft in busy airports or bus terminals. Continue Reading

Guest Post -> by Mona Sabalones-Gonzalez

The Philippines is the bargain center of the world, and its malls are culture quirks. Malls for everybody, which will entertain every visitor no matter your tastes. A day in a mall offers a selection of restaurants, theatres, all types of stores, beauty salons, spas, clinics, play areas and wonderland rides for children, furniture shops, etc. under one roof. 

Asia's Biggest Mall by PaoloE-MontE of Flickr

Philippine traffic is legendary, and not in a good way, so you are better off to do your shopping all in one place rather than spend hours on the road. Because malls tend to have the same stores, boutiques, options, etc. I will first suggest the best or the best malls and describe their unique traits, then recommend stores to look for in them. Continue Reading