TOP PICKS: 16 Exciting Adventures to Experience in the Philippines (PART 2)

It's always an awesome and fulfilling experience to try some extreme activities once in your lifetime. As they say, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." Go out and explore outside of your comfort zone and try these exciting adventure activities this 2016!

8 Best Things to Do in Basey, Samar (A Destination That Should Be On Every Traveler’s Bucket List)

The province of Samar is one of the unsung tourist destinations in the Philippines. It truly has been blessed with so much in nature for its locals to be proud of which is slowly getting recognized not only by Filipinos, but also from other nationalities. One of the must-visit places in Samar is the town of Basey. If you’re one of those who have yet to experience this beauty, then here is a list of what you shouldn’t miss out on.

TRAVEL GEAR REVIEW: Millerton Aquaventure 20L Dry Bag, "Keeping your Travel Gadgets Safe and Dry"

One of the must-haves when traveling in the outdoors is a dry bag. It's an important and useful travel essential that I always bring on my travels and adventures. Be it climbing a mountain, kayaking, spelunking, island hopping, beach bumming, boating, chasing waterfalls, river crossing or just about any activity that there are chances that I would get wet.

TOP PICKS: 8 Reasons Why You Should Experience the Torpedo Boat Extreme Ride in Paranas, Samar

Ulot river in Paranas Samar is every adventure junkie's ultimate playground. Experience Samar's longest river with an exciting and thrilling boat ride that will definitely feed your craving for an andrenaline pumping ride. So, are you up for a nerve-wrecking yet breath-taking adventure? Experience the torpedo boat extreme ride in Paranas, Samar!

Tara na sa Samar! Discover Samar with #SparkSamar and #SummerSaSamar!

Spark Samar tourism campaign is an initiative of the Provincial Government of Samar headed by Governor Sharee Ann T. Tan and by the Department of Tourism Region 8 headed by Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes. The campaign started off with a grand launching of the Spark Samar and Summer sa Samar 2015 campaigns as a kick off event to position Samar as a prime tourist destination in the country.

15 Wondrous Waterfalls In The Philippines You'll Want To See Before You Die (Part 2)

Did one of your favorite waterfalls in the Philippines made it on the first part of this series? Now, I'm sharing to your the 2nd and final installment of the 15 of my most favorite waterfalls in the Philippines that you should visit before you die. Just in case you missed part 1, it's HERE.

SAMAR TOURIST SPOTS: Kandongos Falls in Marabut, Samar

A not so popular and basically unknown waterfall in Samar is Kandongos Falls. Located in the municipality of Marabut, it is hidden in a lush forest near the hi-way. A short trek of about 50 meters from the hi-way is required to see this lovely waterfall. Don't worry, it's just an easy trek of about 10 minutes.

Revisiting Tacloban and Palo (Leyte), Basey and Marabut (Samar) and Balangiga (Eastern Samar) few months after Typhoon Yolanda

Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) has always been one of my favorite regions. I've been here several times and it doesn't fail to amaze me every time. Last March 27, 2014 I was fortunate to be invited as one of the vounteer-tourists for "The Do Good Project". It an initiative spearheaded by Leyte Gulf Travel and Tours in partnership with the Department of Tourism Region 8, Bangon Tours and some kind-hearted sponsors. The project aims to bring people together to help the survivors of typhoon Yolanda in any way possible.

Voluntourism: "The Do Good Project" for ST Haiyan (Yolanda) Survivors

With our busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. But it only takes few days off your work to do some good deeds to Yolanda affected places in Eastern Visayas. Why not join The Do Good Project? It's an initiative spearheaded by Leyte Gulf Travel and Tours in partnership with the Department of Tourism Region 8, Bangon Tours and some kind-hearted sponsors. The project aims to invite guests and tourists seeking for a way on how to help the survivors of typhoon Yolanda. It fosters "voluntourism" by bringing people together to help in any way possible to prove that the power of working together in a fun and social environment will make a difference.

WHERE TO STAY IN CALBAYOG CITY, SAMAR: Ciriaco Hotel and Resort

Looking for hotels in Calbayog City Samar?

Beautifully located on a seafront property along the Maharlika Highway, Ciriaco Hotel and Resort is one of the finest hotels in Calbayog City. On my recent trip to the city, we were fortunate to have a complimentary overnight stay at Ciriaco Hotel and Resort. Located just a stone's throw away from the busy city center, Ciriaco Hotel and Resorts is just 5 minutes away from the bus and van terminal. Since it's not in the city center, one can assure a top-notch accommodation experience in a peaceful and quiet environment.

Samar-Leyte - Catching the Sunset at San Juanico Bridge

After my quick afternoon trip to the town of Basey in Samar where I visited the town's centuries-old church and found the banig makers, I hopped on an ordinary bus bound for Tacloban City. I wanted to reach San Juanico Bridge in time for the sunset and to walk along the bridge again. I alighted the bus before reaching the foot of the bridge at the Samar side. The trip took just about 40 minutes from Basey to Sta. Rita, Samar.

Samar - Basey's Colorful and Well-Crafted Banig

After offering my short prayer at Basey's centuries-old church, I went down the stairs leading to the road. I asked the locals on how to get to the banig makers. As they say, Basey has the finest and most intricate weave of the banig having unique designs that is different from the usual mats made from other banig producing towns in the country. I won't leave the town without seeing a banig.

Samar - Basey's Centuries-Old Church, "One of the Most Beautifully-Preserved Churches in Samar"

I've been to Samar in 2011 but failed to visit the town of Basey (pronounced as "basai or basay"). That's why on my recent trip to Tacloban City for the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival 2013, I planned to have a quick visit to this town known for its church, banig-making industry and the famed Sohoton Cave. Upon arrival in Tacloban City via TigerAir Philippines, I had lunch and settled in our hotel. I fixed my things and readied for my visit to Basey.

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.

TRAVEL GUIDE : Catbalogan, Samar - Things To Do, Itinerary, How To Get There, Accommodations, Getting Around, Expenses and Contact Details

THINGS TO DO

Calbayog City Tour
Visit the different interesting sites in the city. You can go to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary grotto located on the shores of Malajog Beach, then proceed to Mondejares Beach Resort in Brgy. Saljag, St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Brgy. San Policarpo known for its "veneration of saints", then to the St. Vincent de Paul Seminary at Dagum Hills. Go to the city center and visit Samar's biggest church, the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral and visit the tourism office at the Handumanan Building. To read more, click here.

RESORTS IN SAMAR: Caluwayan Palm Island Beach Resort, One of Samar's Best Vacation Spots

Another must-visit resort in Marabut Samar is the Caluwayan Palm Island Beach Resort. Considered as one of the best vacation spots in Samar, it also offers breathtaking view of several towering rock formations and islets. Just like the Marabut Extreme Experience, it also lies on a cove facing San Pedro Bay along the shoreline of Brgy. Caluwayan.

Samar - I found Serenity and not Extreme Adventure at Marabut Extreme Experience Resort

After spending 2 hours in Balangiga, Eastern Samar, I decided to continue my journey, this time to the town of Marabut in Samar. This coastal town is known for its clusters of minute jagged limestone islets that are visible from the coastline. I hailed a public van bound for Tacloban City and paid 100 pesos for a 1 hour trip to Marabut Extreme Experience Resort in Brgy. Osmeña.

Samar - Catbalogan City Tour and My Attempt to Swim at Kinabut-an Springs

Without any concrete plan, I took a van from Calbayog going to Catbalogan City. I still don't know what to expect or see there. I didn't even bother to book for an accommodation. All I know is I'll be spending the night there. I just want to be there... I want to experience Catbalogan City...

Samar - Calbayog City Tour and Meeting the City's Tourism Officers

This is another "let's-see-what-happens" trip that I had during the last quarter of 2011. I really had no plans of exploring Calbayog City, I just intend to make it as an entry point to the province of Samar. Good thing that a few days before my trip, I was referred by Josiah of lakas.com.ph to DOT region 8 for assistance on this trip. I was contacted by Patrick, a staff of the said office and he told me that he has already endorsed me to the tourism office of Calbayog City.

SAMAR & LEYTE TOURIST SPOTS: San Juanico Bridge, "A Walk To Remember"

Whenever I travel, time constraint has always been my dilemma. If only I have all the time in the world to just sit at the beach and watch the sunset, I would love to do that. But I have a job in Manila and I need to be back. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I've been roaming around some parts of Leyte and Southern Leyte for two days already and it's just so hard to believe that it's about to end.