THINGS TO DO IN KALINGA: Meeting the Tattooed Women of Tinglayan

Going to Tinglayan, all I wanted is to see a tattooed woman; those that I only read on text books during my school days. History tells us that these women have their tattoos as ornaments which signifies beauty and makes them more attractive to their suitors. Some have it like a necklaces and full sleeves on their arms. While for the men, it is a sign of bravery as warriors who have killed their enemies.

THINGS TO DO IN KALINGA: Exploring the Villages of LupLupa, Old Tinglayan and Ambato Legleg

After fixing our things at Luplupa Riverside Inn, we asked for a guide to help us explore the place. Going to Tinglayan, we actually don't have any itinerary, all I know is I want to see the remaining women with native Filipino tattoos. Upon asking at the riverside inn, German, a son of one of the guides of the Inn, volunteered to show us around the villages of Luplupa, Old Tinglayan and Ambato-Legleg. So, what's to see in Tinglayan?

Kalinga - En Route to Tinglayan

After wandering around Bontoc where we visited some interesting sites and witnessed the parade during the Lang-ay Festival, we hopped into the bus bound for Tabuk in Kalinga province. It will pass by the town of Tinglayan where we plan to spend another night. The bus is full of locals and foreigners heading to their destinations. It’s good to see foreigners exploring not just the usual tourist attractions in the Philippines but also the remotest villages.

Camarines Norte - Mercedes Fish Port, Cayucyucan Beach, Catandunganon River and Top Loading on a Tricycle

On my 2nd day in Daet, my friend suggested that I go to Cayucyucan Beach in one of the islands in the town of Mercedes. From the hotel, I took a jeepney bound for Mercedes, after about 15 minutes I reached the Mercedes fish port. As it was still very early in the morning, the fish port is so busy with fishermen arriving with their fresh catch. I was able to witness what they call "Bulungan sa Pandawan", a trading practice where bidders whisper to the fish broker his price and whoever bids the highest gets the fish.

SAGADA TRAVEL GUIDE: 11 THINGS TO DO IN SAGADA (Tourist Spots, Attractions and Things To Do and Experience)

Sagada Budget Travel Guide

Looking for Sagada Travel Guide Blog with list of Tourist Spots, Attractions and Things To Do and Experience? What are the travel requirements to visit Sagada?

Sagada is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Dubbed as the "Shangri-la of the Philippines", there are a lot of activities that can be enjoyed here. You can do trekking, spelunking, waterfalls hiking, visiting historical sites, food trip and a lot more. As first-timers, we enjoyed the peace and serenity of the place, the rusty idyllic atmosphere, it's cool climate and most especially, the friendliness of the people. You can find many places and do many things in Sagada. ON this Sagada Travel Guide, I listed of some of Sagada's must-see tourist spots, attractions and things to do and experience - especially for first-timers.

Mountain Province - Stopover at Bay-yo Rice Terraces in Bontoc

Another stopover that shouldn't be missed when you're traveling to Sagada, Mountain Province from Banaue, Ifugao is the Bay-yo Rice Terraces. Located in the village of Bay-yo in the town of Bontoc, this lush green rice terraces in the southern slope of Mt. Polis is truly exceptional compared to the rice terraces I've seen in Banaue.

Ifugao - Seeing the Banaue Rice Terraces, "A Childhood Dream Fulfilled!"

The Banaue Rice Terraces are the wonderful works of our ancestors in Ifugao province. Carved into the mountains some 2000 years ago, it is still being used to plant rice, vegetables and other crops. It's "a childhood dream come true" for me to see it as I grew up learning it from the Social Studies books I have in grade school. I am delighted to finally see it for myself.

Ifugao - Wandering Around Banaue

It took us about 9 hours to reach Banaue, the gateway to the world-renowned rice terraces of Ifugao province. Upon getting off the bus, cold weather and stunning view of the town welcomed us. The sun just started to shine, and the thick fog had begun to break. Awesome! It's my first time here and I'm so excited to finally set foot in Ifugao province!

CATANDUANES TOURIST SPOTS: The Marvelous Cascades of Maribina Falls

After visiting Bato Church, we proceeded to our next destination - Maribina Falls. Also located in the municipality of Bato, it is one of the most popular and most accessible waterfalls in the province. The falls is about 5 meters high with marvelous gushing rapids of crystal-clear waters.

THINGS TO DO IN CATANDUANES: Visiting Bato's Charming Century-old Church

Bato is a small, quaint town located on the southwest part of the island of Catanduanes. It is probably well-known for its century old church built on a small hill facing Bato River and greets everyone upon entrance to the town. It took 53 years and six different parish administrations, from 1830 to 1883, to build.

WHAT TO DO IN CATANDUANES: A Quick Stopover at the Newly-built PAGASA-DOST Weather Radar Station

Inagurated by President Noynoy Aquino last May 2, 2012, the PAGASA-DOST Weather Radar Station in Barangay Buenavista, Municipality of Bato, Catanduanes is considered as one of the most advanced radar station in the world. It is the eighth radar station installed in the country at an estimated cost of 500 million pesos with fundings from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Catanduanes Tourist Spots - Puraran Beach, the Surfing Capital of Catanduanes

On our 2nd day in Virac, we were fetched in our hotel by Kuya Chris, the owner/driver of the car we rented for a whole day tour around the island. Our first destination is Puraran beach, a "world renowned surfing site" located in the town of Baras in Catanduanes. Facing the pacific ocean it is home to the so-called Majestic waves.

Where to Eat in Virac Catanduanes - Sea Breeze Restaurant

After exploring Caramoan Islands and seeing the Survivors, we went back to Virac, Catanduanes and checked-in at Catanduanes Midtown Hotel. After fixing ourselves it's time for us to have dinner. As per suggestion from the hotel staff, we walked towards the port area and dined at Sea Breeze Restaurant located along Virac's seaside boulevard.

Camarines Sur - Caramoan Island Hopping Adventure and Seeing the Survivors

Popular among local and international tourists, Caramoan is a favorite location of the hit reality TV show "Survivor". The islands has been featured in several seasons which was shown in Serbia, Israel, Bulgaria, Sweden and France. Just recently, the 25th season of the US version of the show finished filming and is set to premiere on September 2012 entitled "Survivor Philippines".

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.

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.

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.

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.