Up North: When in Laoag

The Ilocos Region, especially Pagudpud, has been on my bucket list because I like the beach and a bit of  Spanish Era feels (and because of the pictures posted online!). And when Cebu Pacific had a sale I didn't think twice and booked our tickets for Ilocos to fulfill my bucket list. This will also be a celebration for my parents birthdays! We stayed in Ilocos Region for 4 days and 3 nights and I tried to squeeze in all tourist destinations of Laoag City and its surrounding towns, North and South Pagudpud, and Vigan! Whew, it was exhausting but it was all worth it!

around Aurora Park, Laoag City at night

FILIPINO STREET FOOD: INASAL, ISAW, and the many others

Wherever you go in the Philippines, hunger will always be satisfied. There are lots of sari-sari store, karinderia/turo-turo, local fastfood, and of course the never absent street food vendors. I myself love street food because it's more economical, fun, and admittedly flavorful. And take note, there are those inasalan who became well-known and are linked to a destination because of their tasty food.

Pork inasal and chicken skin

Campuestohan Highland Resort

Negros Occidental is known to be the "Sugarbowl of the Philippines", where sugarcane is planted and harvested in its rich and vast plains. The region is also blessed with mountains, and with these comes the many resorts which made the beauty of the mountainside accessible to those who want to enjoy the scenery. One of such resort is the Campuestohan Highland Resort in Talisay City.

 

BALESIN ISLAND CLUB: Ultimate Indulgence

It's popular among the stars - numerous weddings, pre-nups, and maybe a quiet getaway, and recently this place has made headlines because of its "Yaya Meals". But one thing's for sure, once you've seen and experienced the beauty of Balesin you'll always be forever mesmerized and daydream about this place. I know because until now I can't get over this jewel of an island!

chartered plane from Alphaland's private hangar in Pasay

Rainy Dabaw: A 3-day itinerary

When Cebu Pacific had their seat sale, we grabbed the opportunity  to book and visit the most disciplined city in the Philippines, where else but Davao City. It was our family's first time in Mindanao and tough it was raining, our spirits weren't dampened. I tried to squeeze all the must-visit and must-do but alas, due to the rain and time constraints we weren't able to do all. It was so bitin! But still we had fun and memories (our favorite Tito was there to guide us). Check-out our trip for 3 days and 3 nights.

Davao's famous durian

SANDBAR RESORT: Back to basics

My sister was home and she wanted to go to the beach. It was (un)timely because the father of our cousin's wife E recently passed away and the wake and burial will be at Concepcion, Iloilo. And because the said place is home to some of the popular islands of Northern Iloilo, we headed to Sandbar Resort in Bolobadiangan Island to stay overnight and have a chance to attend the burial scheduled the next day.

PLAYA DE PARAISO: Continuation of Paradise

Playa De Paraiso was such a paradise that I will surely be back here to relax and unwind. Check the rates below and see how affordable their prices are.

PLAYA DE PARAISO: Another Paradise within Paradise

The heavens have connived: schedule and weather permitted us to have a taste of paradise on Ghost Month (that is August, where there will always be rain and typhoon lurking around the corner). And so one hot hot afternoon, we head to Buenavista, Guimaras and traveled to Playa de Paraiso.

Playa de Paraiso

BALING HAI BEACH RESORT: Your quiet spot in Boracay

Baling Hai Beach sunrise

BACOLOD CITY: FELICIA's Pastry Cafe

Every time I search for things to do in Bacolod City, the name Calea always pops-up. It is famous for its chocolate cakes and cheesecakes. But since I was not satisfied the last time I've eaten a Calea chocolate cake I've decided to try out another brand.

A friend who has lived in the City of Smiles for over a year recommended Felicia's in Lacson St. She said their chocolate cake tasted better than Calea's so I told K to take me there before we enjoy ourselves in L's wedding. 

BACOLOD CITY: AIDA'S chicken

Bacolod City is well known not only for its sugar but also for its chicken inasal (grilled chicken). A trip to the City of Smiles is not complete without having a taste of this famous inasal, where else, but in Manokan Country.

BACOLOD CITY: The City of Smiles Half Day Only

It was one of my bestfriend's wedding, and we have no choice but to travel to Bacolod for it. Hehehe. Prior to this day I already researched on what to do in the City of Smiles (which as many says to be about food and old houses), but unfortunately because of time constraints (and Filipino time of being late) we haven't done so much sightseeing so I will share of what little we did there ^_^.

Masskara smiling face

BONIFACIO HIGH STREET in BGC

In television especially in talk shows, and in magazines  I could often hear or read something about this and that store in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) being advertised to be a must visit, or this restaurant in BGC is a must-try. Well, I was wondering what BGC looks like at that time. And before I went home to our hometown my sister brought me to Bonifacio High Street for a change from the usual malls around Manila. And as I step down the cab, I was full of wonder. I couldn't get enough of the sights of stores with popular brands and those not yet known but with pretty store fronts! I was like let loose in the candy store :)

PH-INDONESIA RORO TRIPS THIS 2013

According to ABS-CBN News, a Philippine roll-on, roll-of (or RORO) will start its trips which will utilize the Davao-GenSan to Bitung, Indonesia route to start in the middle of this year. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce stated that this project between the two countries will improve trade, tourism, and connectivity. This is also our country's first RORO service to an ASEAN country. The project was pursued after a memorandum of cooperation between Davao City and Manado (Indonesia) chambers of commerce was signed last November.

RORO, en.wikipedia.org

SARIWON KOREAN BARBECUE: An nyoung!

It was my friend's birthday and we wanted to eat out for a late lunch. It was a Saturday and we wanted a place where there will be minimal traffic and people: where else but in Bonifacio High Street. We decided to try Sariwon Korean Barbecue.

from Sariwon's official Facebook page

WHEN SOMETHING STINGS: A guide on bee/wasp sting

I was busy tending my farm in Farmville 2 at 2 AM in my room, when suddenly, something landed near me and I reacted quickly! For you know, I don't like any insects crawling around my bed because it could get inside my ears! What I saw was an unfamiliar visitor in my room, a wasp. 

Small but terrible

SOUTHERN ILOILO CHURCHES: MIAG-AO CHURCH

The province of Iloilo in Western Visayas has always been a part of Philippine history, one way or another. The Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi even moved his headquarters from Cebu to Oton, Iloilo. Thus as the leading province during this period Iloilo is widely known for its old-world architecture especially the grand Spanish colonial churches, which can be seen in almost all towns of the province.

Iloilo, maps.google.com

SOUTHERN ILOILO CHURCHES: TIGBAUAN CHURCH

The province of Iloilo in Western Visayas has always been a part of Philippine history, one way or another. The Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi even moved his headquarters from Cebu to Oton, Iloilo. Thus as the leading province during this period Iloilo is widely known for its old-world architecture especially the grand Spanish colonial churches, which can be seen in almost all towns of the province.

Iloilo, maps.google.com

SOUTHERN ILOILO CHURCHES: GUIMBAL CHURCH

The province of Iloilo in Western Visayas has always been a part of Philippine history, one way or another. The Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi even moved his headquarters from Cebu to Oton, Iloilo. Thus as the leading province during this period Iloilo is widely known for its old-world architecture especially the grand Spanish colonial churches, which can be seen in almost all towns of the province.

HOW TO save money while traveling

No this is not a post about budget travel, but on how to additionally save while traveling. I got this idea from two of my friends, which both involves the 5 and 10 peso coins.