White Christmas in Tinley Park, Illinois

Written in Snow

It's my first snow experience. It started as a flurry, then overnight it became a full-blown snow fall. Hope to experience more of this.

Rizal : Luljetta's Hanging Garden

Elise enjoyin' her Turon

One of the best places to treat your balikbayan family or friends is a day in Luljetta's Hanging Garden. Conveniently located just two hours away from Manila is this pampering resort where one can indulge in massage, savor delectable meals, as well as enjoy its many pools.

Michigan City, Indiana

Indy Indeed

A change of season is just a border away. From the cool flurry of Chicago to the sunny warmth weather of Michigan City. Lawstude says Hello.

Batangas : Marian Orchard

The Marian Orchard

About two hours away from Manila is a prayer park set amidst sprawling land reminiscent of European Gardens. With the Sacred Heart Tower and Church as its centerpiece, surrounded by picture-perfect sights such as Two Hearts Promenade, Garden Steps, Via Crucis Garden, Meditation Gardens and Mary Mediatrix of All Graces Prayer Hall, among others, this place will provide relaxation for the eyes and respite for the weary souls. 

Manila : Open House @ The National Museum of Natural History

The Tree of Life

The National Museum of Natural History held an open house last October 29, 2017 giving glimpse of a fascinating collection of the country's rich flora and fauna in the first museum in the Philippines dedicated to natural history.

Manila : Reflections... Identity... Audacity - The Medical City at 50

The Medical City Celebrates 50th Year

It was a night of tribute filled with music as The Medical City celebrated its 50th year anniversary at the Marriott Grand Ballroom last October 14, 2017. The event featured a musical dubbed "TMC Golden Journey" where homegrown talents of doctors and staff starred in the musical that tells the TMC story filled with milestones and music.

Abu Dhabi Sight Seeing Day Tour

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

About a year ago, I had a post about Abu Dhabi where I narrated that anyone can visit the place on a budget. Although I have never been to Abu Dhabi that time, I decided to share the post to show experiences of friends who have been there and to earn few bucks, (ok, that was a paid post haha), with the hope of going to Abu Dhabi someday.

Sorsogon : Nothing Wild in Gubat

Gubat's Lola Sayong

Gubat translated in english means Forest. While its english counterpart means a place covered by trees and plants and inhabited by wild animals, Gubat is more of a laid back place where one can choose to chillax or explore its many eco-wonders.

Sorsogon : Matnog's Pink Beach and Fish Sanctuary

Matnog's Pink Beach

Pink Beaches are rarity, so given chance to visit one, I excitedly said yes. From a residence in Gubat where we are staying, it was almost a two-hour ride to the pier of Matnog Public Market, the jump-off point to the Pink Beach of Tikling Island.

Sorsogon : Lake Bulusan @ Dusk

Bulusan Lake

When one speaks of Sorsogon, one attraction that comes to mind is the Bulusan Lake. As I remember when I was in grade school, this Lake is featured prominently with other Philippine natural attractions like the Mayon Volcano, Ifugao Rice Terraces, Maria Cristina Falls and the Hundred Islands. So, when I got the chance to explore Sorsogon, I made it sure to include a visit to Bulusan Lake.

Bataan : Revisiting Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

It was in 2008 when I first visited Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. I remember that it was barely open to guests and roaming from house to house is a d-i-y activity. Almost ten years after, a lot has changed.  The heritage and convention center with a battle cry of "Pride in the past, Hope for the future." has turned into this awesome themed place where guided tours for day trippers are offered.  

Rizal : Pinto Museum

Rodne and Elise

On the contrary, these are the kids that any parents would be proud of. Love 'em.

Quezon: Cagbalete Island Revisited

Isolated

One of the islands I have visited when I was new at travel blogging is Cagbalete Island. The trip back then brought some lasting memories... the long shoreline during low tide... the beautiful sunrise ...the captivating Bonsai Islets... and of course, traveling with "the" Dong Ho and meeting some other folks I have become friends with.

Pampanga : The Lahar-Sunken Church of Bacolor

San Guillermo Parish Church

San Guillermo Parish Church is one of the more popular church in the Philippines, thanks largely to Santino of May Bukas Pa Show. Only half of the original facade of the church can be seen today due to the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 which half-buried the church. 

Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights

If you are planning on flying home or to any other destination this Lenten Season, you are not alone. An estimated half a million Filipinos will travel international and domestic airlines during this time and all they really want is to get to where they are going ON TIME.

But it doesn't always work-out like that. Bad weather is a major cause of delay but there are also things like mechanical problems, staff sickness and certain regulatory problems like what is happening right now at the Bureau of immigration, which can hinder your timely travel plans. The best advice is to always get to the airport early because queues and check-in and security will suck. However, if things go wrong, if the flight is cancelled or delayed, you are entitled to help and sometimes even compensation.

Mountain Province : The Bontoc Museum

The Outdoor Museum

When traveling to the capital town of Bontoc in the Mountain Province, one has got to check out the Bontoc Museum. The Bontoc Museum began as a small collection of gifts from people in the different barrios of Bontoc, Mountain Province to Sister Basil Gekiere, one of the first Belgian sisters who began her missionary work in Bontoc in 1931. Many years later, a cultural worker who saw her modest collection suggested that Sister Basil put up a museum.

Travel Stories : Younger

It's not uncommon, when you're young, to gather together a few peso, strap on a backpack and spend part of a summer wandering through an unfamiliar place, searching for unknown adventure or merely trying to postpone the inevitable adulthood responsibility called "work". For those who have just finished college, wandering to an unfamiliar place, be it foreign land or local, beckons irresistibly from one's being, a powerful magnet to hungry seekers of romance or naive pretenders to what is considered self enlightenment. When I was young, I dream of conquering the world. That was then, but my stories are now!

Rizal: Pelilla Wind Farm

Pelilla Wind Mills

It is certainly a welcome relief from all those APEC-related traffic madness because 2 hours away from Manila, Lantaw, Ironwulf and I found ourselves dwarfed beside 27 wind mills measuring 125 meters high.

Zambales : Team Building in Anawangin

As a designated lakwatsero of the group, I was again assigned (for the 3rd year in a row), as the planner for our department's yearly team building activities. And like our first two trips, the group decided that it will be another camping trip... and this time we unanimously agreed to visit the popular backpacking cove of Anawangin.

Batanes : A Dozen Photos That Show Why I Love Sabtang Island

Why do I love you? Let me count the ways...

(1) your rugged yet refreshing beauty...

My Top 10 Travels of 2016

On the spur of the moment, nothing planned, just on the spur of the moment. That is how I describe my 2016. Compared to previous years where I find myself booking piso fares whenever there are seat sales not minding whether I have available vacation leaves, 2016 was somewhat different... nothing booked, nothing planned... ahead at least. Everything happened on the spur of the moment. 

Premiere Paradise

Eleven Years

Time flies so fast... more than half done but still too many places to go. Thank you to those who give their time reading and browsing thru this humble blog. Although traveling has taken the best seat, it will never be second best.