TRAVEL GUIDE : How to Get to Caramoan Islands via Catanduanes

Caramoan islands is a famous tourist destination located in the farthest coast of the province of Camarines Sur. Well-known for islands and islets, as well as white sand beaches, lagoons, limestone cliffs and rich marine life, Caramoan can be reached via Sabang port in the town of San Jose, Camarines Sur which takes about 1 hour of travel from Manila by plane and another 2 hours by bus from Naga City and another 2 hours to the islands by boat from Sabang Port.

Marinduque - Provincial Capitol Building

Marinduque is a heart-shaped island situated south of the island of Luzon. Considered as the smallest province in Southern Tagalog (Region IV-B), it is composed of six municipalities, namely Mogpog, Sta Cruz, Torrijos, Buenavista, Gasan and the capital town of Boac. One of the many tourist spots in the island is its 1927 provincial capitol building.

Climbing Tip : Mt. Cabuyao and Mt. Timbac - How To Get There, Tips & Reminders, Itinerary, Expenses and Contact Details

This Climbing Guide and Tip will help you plan a "Benguet Twin Hike Adventure". It provides basic information on how to get there, things to do, suggested itinerary, important reminders, guidelines, general expenses and contact details that will guide you through your adventure. If you're new to climbing mountains, these two peaks in the Cordillera is a perfect training ground for you. Enjoy!

Abra and Apayao, my 62nd and 63rd Provinces

This is a 3-day trip in Northern Luzon that happened last May 26-28, 2012. Together with my friend, we visited the provinces of Abra and Apayao, my 62nd and 63rd provinces! We also had a side trip in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte as we go along this trip. We had fun trying out local delicacies, visiting churches, ancestral houses, parks, capitol buildings and meeting new friends. Plus, I also had a chance to surf at the blue lagoon beach in Pagudpud. Woohoo!

Benguet - A Quick Stopover at the Halsema Highroad Point, the Highest Point in the Philippine Highway System

As I descended Mt. Timbac and almost reaching the jump-off point, a truck stopped by the road and let me hitch a ride. I hopped at the back of the truck almost losing my balance and asked if they will pass by the "highest point marker". One of the passengers answered yes, so I requested that they just drop me there.

Benguet - Into the Caves of the Fire Mummies of Kabayan

photo courtesy of Gabriel Malvar
The main reason I climbed Mt. Timbac is to see the fire mummies of Kabayan Benguet. Unlike the cave that we visited in Mt. Cabuyao, the mummy caves in Mt. Timbac are well guarded by a locked fence. So you need a guide to enter it to be able to see the mummies. From the house where we stayed for a while, we descended to the caves via the concrete stairs.

Benguet - Hiking Mt. Timbak (Timbac/Singakalsa), the 3rd Highest Mountain in Luzon

I managed to wake up early on my 2nd day in Baguio despite being tired from my Mt. Cabuyao day hike the previous day. Feeling refreshed and excited, I'll be traveling today for 2.5 hours to the town of Atok via the Halsema Hi-way to climb Mt. Timbak, the 3rd highest mountain in Luzon.

Surigao del Norte, my 61st Province on my 32nd Birthday

I had my 3-day birthday celebration (April 21-23, 2012) in Surigao del Norte, my 61st province. Arriving in Surigao City (via Butuan) on the day of my birthday, we just had a walking tour around the city and met with other friends in the evening for dinner and some booze at a bar. On the 2nd day, we proceeded to Siargao Island, to meet other friends and to surf.

Benguet - Mt. Cabuyao, my First Hike in the Cordilleras

On one Friday night, I hopped into a Victory Liner bus that brought me to Baguio City after about 6 hours. My restless feet led me to the "City of Pines" because of one reason: to train for my Kota Kinabalu climb; which unfortunately I wasn't able to do because I got sick. My first stop is Mt. Cabuyao, I allotted one day for it since it will just be a day hike.

Ifugao, Mountain Province and Kalinga, my 58th, 59th and 60th Provinces

I spent Holy Week and Araw ng Kagitingan holidays (April 5-9, 2012) with my friend in 3 provinces of the Cordillera Region - Ifugao, Mt. Province and Kalinga, my 58th, 59th and 60th provinces! We also had a side trip in Tuguegarao and Peñablanca, Cagayan before we head back home to Manila. We had fun exploring these provinces, trying out the food, learning new things about its culture and meeting warm and accommodating people.

Travel Tip : Start Traveling to your Childhood Dream Destinations

Remember those days during our grade school years where our teacher would teach us the different tourist spots in the country? Oh yes! Those lessons in Social Studies or Sibika at Kultura where we had our first glimpse of the wonders of the Philippines! I could only dream then. But I made it as a motivation and promised myself that someday, I will be able to see them up close.

Catanduanes, My 57th Province!

Last March 24-26, 2012 I went on a journey with my friends Billy, Cris and Edmund to Catanduanes, my 57th province! Since all of us haven't been to Caramoan Islands, we also visited the islands and islets closest to Codon port. We really had an awesome time just hanging around and exploring the stunning sights of this island province in Bicol region.

Climbing Tip : Taal Volcano Hike - How To Get There, Tips & Reminders, Itinerary, Expenses and Contact Details (Updated January 2016)

Hiking Taal Volcano is easy. One need not be an experienced mountaineer to do it. You can actually reach the crater lake by riding a horse. Hahaha! Located approximately 65 km south of Metro Manila in the middle of Taal Lake, it is considered as the smallest active volcano in the world. Taal Volcano’s charm is indeed magnetic. Seeing its crater lake is truly worth the hike.

Batangas - Conquering Taal Volcano with First-time Hikers

Taal Volcano is a popular tourist attraction in Southern Luzon. I've seen it several times from the ridge in Tagaytay City but I haven't really got near to it. So, when my brother asked me if we could climb it, I quickly said yes. Joining us on one Sunday morning were my father, an uncle, 2 aunts and some cousins. We headed to Talisay Batangas, the jump-off point for the hike which is just 1.5 hours away from our home via Tagaytay City.

Travel Guide : 3-Day Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino & Isabela - Summary, Things To Do, Accommodation, Itinerary and Expenses

This 3-day trip to Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Isabela happened last March 2-4, 2012. I travelled by land in going to these provinces and took a flight back to Manila from Cauayan City, Isabela on the 3rd day. Being a first timer in these provinces (except for Isabela), I got to experience a different adventure while learning a lot from the places I've visited. Here's how it went...

HOTELS IN ISABELA: The Hotel Amancio, a Nice Place to Stay in Santiago City

I really don't have any accommodation in mind when I arrived in Santiago City, I just need a decent room where I could stay for a night. But, upon arriving in the city, I saw this tall hotel building - The Amancio Hotel. I certainly like the hotel's prime location, it's near the business, shopping and entertainment district of Santiago City. Food chains, internet shops, supermarket, drugstores and other commercial establishment is just a few meters away.

Quirino - Chasing Maddela Waterfalls

Maddela is considered as the most progressive and is the commercial center of the province of Quirino. Unknown to many, this town boasts to have a 7-staged waterfalls known as Maddela Waterfalls. Located in Brgy. Dumabato Sur, the falls offers shimmering catch basins perfect for swimming. They also have some picnic huts available for a group or family gatherings.

Quirino - Spelunking at the Aglipay Caves

Quirino province may not be a usual tourist destination, but it certainly has a lot to offer especially for adventure seekers. One of the major tourist drawers of the province are the Aglipay Caves. Surrounded with several hectares of pristine forest in the heart of the province, the cave system can be found in Barangay Villa Ventura in the town of Aglipay. It is composed of 37 caves, 8 of which have been developed as tourist spots recommended for camping activities and other outdoor functions.