7 Korean Street Desserts Guaranteed to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Fill up that tummy with all sorts of sweet goodies, from Bungeoppang to Patbingsu. One thing's for sure: you shouldn't leave Korea without indulging in their street desserts!
Ana B.
Ana is a writer and translator who is currently splitting time working and travelling between Europe and Asia. She enjoys mint-flavoured desserts, movies with subtitles and figuring out how different languages work.
You’ve probably heard all about the wonders of Korean street food, but once you’ve had your fill of kimbaps and tteokbokki, do you know what to look for in order to satisfy your sweet tooth? To help you on that quest, here are some of the most delicious desserts straight from the busy streets of Korea.
Bungeoppang is a hearty fish-shaped delicacy which is favourite among Koreans during fall and winter months. The original version is stuffed with sweet red bean paste, while the more decadent one is filled with custard. When you feel like having a fix to combat the cold, you can get a pack of two or three on pretty much every street corner.
If you still find yourself itching for bungeoppang during sticky summer months, you are in luck – the classic Korean sweet has also been adapted for hot weather! Instead of warm red bean paste, the summer variant of bungeoppang is filled with frozen yoghurt or ice cream. Once topped with chocolate syrup and a glazed cherry, it becomes the perfect summer dessert.
3. Hotteok
Nothing says winter in Korea like the alluring smell of hotteok. This sizzling street snack can best be described as a thick pancake filled with a lush mixture of honey, brown sugar, cinnamon and various types of seeds. It’s the ideal thing to buy when you want to feel warm and fuzzy inside in zero-degree weather.
This soft dessert usually associated with Belgium has in fact been enjoyed in Korea for decades – even the last king of Joseon Dynasty couldn’t hide his love of waffles! Walking the streets, you will find them in many different variations and with all sorts of delicious fillings; the ice cream ones seem to be especially popular during the scorching summer months.
These bite-sized treats can be found in most subway stations in Korea, which is great if you need a boost of sugar while on the go. Manju is made with super-soft dough and different types of stuffing – among the most popular ones are red bean, white bean, chestnut and custard.
These sugary mini-omelets with strawberries on top have been all the rage in Korea these days. And for good reason too: they are tasty, fluffy and incredibly addictive. You can usually get them in packs of 24, so it would be best to find someone (or several people) to share them with!
7. Patbingsu
When the humidity of Korean summers become unbearable, patbingsu is a legitimate life-saver. This shaved ice dessert is incredibly delicious and instantly refreshing. Upmarket coffee shops offer extravagant toppings like green tea ice cream, pistachio and tropical fruit. However, the best way to get acquainted with patbingsu is to try it from one of the mom-and-pop shops that will present you with this deliciousness in its original form – shaved ice, milk and some red beans on top.
2 Days Ilocos Norte Itinerary for Your Next Weekend Trip
Have an awesome vacation while learning about Philippine history in Ilocos Norte. Here's 2-day itinerary to help you plan your trip.
Robin Vinz Salvador
Robin Vinz Salvador is a part-time travel blogger, part-time digital marketing consultant, and full-time dreamer. He loves the photographic medium for expressing what he loves about life. He always finds himself lost during travel. But he loves unfamiliar territories and finding his way around. Aside from his taste for adventure, he loves two things while travelling -- meeting new friends and food. Learn more about his personal journeys at Vinzideas.com.
When I was jotting down all my goals for 2016, I was really excited because two of my major goals are to travel and write about my trips. I want to visit all the famous travel destinations in and out of the Philippines. But of course, travelling a lot means spending money in return for a priceless experience. Before the end of 2015, I planned ahead and saved money for my travels this year.
Two weeks before my trip, I found Astrokidd Travel Agency’s Ilocos travel promotion on Facebook. I phoned their agency right away, inquired and made a reservation. Without further ado, let me share with you my memorable experiences and my very first travel tour for 2016.
After a very long and tiring nine hours of travelling from Manila to Ilocos, we finally arrived at our first destination which is Vigan City.
Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from the Philippines, China and Europe, resulting in a townscape that you cannot find anywhere else in East and South-East Asia.
Plaza Burgos
There are two major plazas in Vigan -- Plaza Salcedo and Plaza Burgos. The latter is found just right beside Saint Paul Cathedral’s Bell Tower. While Plaza Salcedo was constructed to honour the foreign conqueror Juan de Salcedo, Plaza Burgos was built to remember the martyrdom of Father Jose P. Burgos, one of Vigan’s illustrious sons who was put to death by the Spaniards.
Crisologo Museum
The century-old family mansion of the Crisologos was turned into a museum. Floro S. Crisologo was the patriarch of the clan and a congressman known for his landmark legislations that did not only benefit his constituents, but the whole country as well. He authored the laws behind the creation of the North’s first state university, the University of Northern Philippines, and the establishment of the Social Security System, which is serving the whole working populace to this day.
Pagburnayan Pottery
Jars made from Vigan are being sought after by foreign and local visitors. This earthenware is called burnay. The industry of making burnays dates back to pre-colonial times when immigrants from China came to settle in Vigan. They practiced the craft of making earthenware using the grade A clay that was found in the Western area of Vigan. Making a burnay is done with just the use of the potter’s skillful hands, pottery wheel and kiln. Fine sand is used to temper the clay, which once fashioned into the desired shape is placed inside high-temperature ground kilns made from brick and clay. Compared to terracotta, people say that burnay is hardier.
The Baluarte is a must-see attraction for first-time visitors and even for those who have visited Vigan before. I can give you two reasons. First, it has a mini zoo with animals both endemic to the Philippines and from other countries. Second, it is owned by Mr. Chavit Singson, a well-loved son of Vigan and well-known to most Filipinos and foreigners who follow the Philippine political scene. The resort complex lies in hectares of land where the former governor’s multi-storey house sits.
Hidden Garden
No one would expect that a beautiful garden would lie at the heart of Vigan City. When tourists discover this garden, they are always amazed by its beauty.
Paoay Church
Saint Augustine Church (Spanish: Iglesia de San Agustín de Paoay), commonly known as Paoay Church, is a Roman Catholic church of the Municipality of Paoay. Completed in 1710, the church is famous for its distinct architecture highlighted by the enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the building. It was declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine government in 1973 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the collective group of Baroque Churches of the Philippines in 1993.
Day 2: Pagudpud and Paoay
For a non-morning person like me, the 6:00 AM call time was really an effort, but I complied for the sake of this vacation. We needed to be early because our next destination was a two-hour drive from our hotel in Laoag.
Before going to Blue Lagoon, we stopped over at the famous Patapat Viaduct to take photos. It is a viaduct at the municipality of Pagudpud, a coastal resort town on the northernmost tip of Luzon Island in the Philippines. The bridge is elevated 31 metres above sea level. It is a concrete coastal bridge that's 1.3 km long and connects the Maharlika Highway from Laoag to Cagayan Valley Region. The viaduct was constructed by Hanil Development Co. Ltd. under the overall management of DPWH-PMO-PJHK and was completed and opened for traffic in October 1986. It rises along the town’s coastal mountains, which is the starting point of the Cordillera Mountain Range. It is the fourth longest bridge in the Philippines.
Blue Lagoon
Boasting fine white sand and unbelievably azure waters that stun tourists every time, Blue Lagoon at Maira-ira Point is another unspoilt slice of paradise in Ilocos. Blue Lagoon emanates a feeling of isolation and tranquility with the area yet to be developed into a bustling tourist attraction. Those who visit there find adventure in taking a dip in the often notorious, sometimes still waters of Ilocos, while others seek solace in its undeveloped tropical allure. Up to this writing, I’m still missing this jaw-dropping scenery of Blue Lagoon. I extremely enjoyed the white sands and big waves.
Bangui Windmills
After our Blue Lagoon experience, we went straight to Bangui Wind Farm. I was really excited at that moment because I finally got the chance to see the famous windmills of Ilocos. The awe-inspiring Bangui Windmills were built by the North Wind Power Development Corporation to help put a stop to global warming. A feast for the eyes up close, the windmills are also visible from the beaches of Pagudpud, making it an even more breathtaking sight from afar.
The Kapurpurawan is an image that seemed like it came straight out of a magazine because of its grandeur and beauty. A huge white rock formation by the sea, it has been carved by the wind throughout the years. Reaching Kapurpurawan by foot is a tremendously satisfying feat. A wonderful site preserved by nature, it is indeed one of Pagudpud’s natural wonders.
Sand Dunes
The province of Ilocos is not only about the different historical sites and wonders of nature. It also offers extreme activities for thrill seekers. La Paz Sand Dunes in Paoay is a known site where you can experience the extreme 4×4 ride and sandboarding. Sand Dunes already gained popularity as one of the must-visit places in Ilocos Norte.
This was one of highlights of the entire trip because I got a chance to bond with my new found friends while eating and listening to music played by a live band. The place was really special because the evening setup had band instruments, lights coming from 4x4 vehicles and delicious food.
Day 3: Home-bound
After we packed up all our things, we left our hotel and went back to Vigan to buy souvenirs.
I will always treasure every memory and experience I got from this amazing vacation in the North. Ilocos is a perfect place for a fun and memorable vacation, studying the Philippine history, soul-searching and unwinding.
How I Spent a Day in Biliran with a Budget of Only PHP 1,533
A budget of PHP 1,533 in Biliran, Leyte is possible! You just need to know how.
Tiburcio
Tiburcio is a regular BPO employee and a full time dreamer. He dreams to become a full-time traveller. He is the blogger behind Istorya sa Laagan.
Biliran is one of the smallest and newest provinces in the Philippines. It was a former sub-province of Leyte and became an independent province in 1992. The province is composed of 2 major volcanic islands: Biliran Island and Maripipi Island; other islands are Higatangan, Dalutan and Sambawan Island. - Wikipedia
The small province surprisingly offers immense natural attractions. It boasts tremendously wonderful mountains and waterfalls as well as white sand beaches that will draw everyone to come back for more. If you have been thinking about outdoors, Biliran might be just perfect for you.
Our original plan was to go to Maripipi Island and Sambawan Island on the first day and go chasing waterfalls on the next day. But for some reason the itinerary was changed. This was the first part our Biliran-Leyte trip.
From the main town, Naval, you may charter a motorcycle to arrange a tour to places mentioned above or other tourist attractions.
How to get there?
By Air
If you're coming from Manila, flights are available daily to Tacloban. From there, you can ride a van bound for Biliran or Naval. Travel time is about two and a half hour.
By Sea
If you're coming from Cebu, you can take either Cebu-Ormoc or Cebu-Naval route. There are daily schedules via Ormoc. Travel time is about 5 hours from Cebu and 2 hours from Ormoc via Van.
There are only two schedules in a week if you take Cebu to Naval route. You may check Roble Shipping for the schedule or contact them for more information.
My Wife and I Travelled 4 Days to Dumaguete, Apo Island and Siquijor with a Budget of Only PHP 5,653 Each (All-In)
Where will your PHP 5,653 take you? To the rich wonders and hidden gems of Dumaguete and Siquijor!
Jayson Concepcion
Jayson Concepcion is a programmer by profession but has a soul of a traveller. Aside from his ultimate dream of travelling around the world, he loves to eat, drink, listen to music, talk about aliens and indulge in his occasional secret guilty pleasure of singing love songs in videoke. His favourite superpower is to teleport from one place to another. I guess you know why. Follow his latest pursuits on his blog, Facebook and Instagram.
When I booked roundtrip plane tickets from Manila to Dumaguete in one of Cebu Pacific’s seat sale, I really don’t have an idea what to see and do in Dumaguete. We were supposed to book a trip to Taiwan, but due to budget constraints, we thought it’s not yet time.
When the trip is getting nearer, I found myself researching for activities to do, how to get around, where to stay, etc. I found out that it’s possible to go to Siquijor and Oslob for whale shark watching. I was ecstatic. Siquijor looks mystifyingly beautiful and to swim with the whale sharks is a once in a lifetime experience. Then I also found out we can go to Apo Island and do some snorkelling and swimming with the turtles! It made me more excited but I didn’t completely include it to our Itinerary since I heard the boat ride cost PHP 2,000 for 4 persons (there are only two of us travelling). I was hesitant at that time but fortunately, Harold’s Mansion is offering a package tour to Apo Island (including food, water and snorkeling gears) for PHP 1,000 each! I thought that’s a better deal than DIYing the trip and take chances if someone can share the boat ride expenses with us.
Of course, not all Itineraries are followed. On our 3rd day after the Apo Island trip, we decided not to pursue with the Whale Shark watching in Oslob on our last day. First of all, we’re dead tired snorkelling, and second, we agreed that it’s much better if we just go to the Public Market, try some delicacies then buy silvanas at Sans Rival. And whatever silent debate there is in the Whale shark watching, we decided to just be neutral with it. I guess there will be some other time or place to try it.
In this post, we are sharing our itinerary, expenses, budget, guides and our amazing adventure in Dumaguete and Siquijor. Hope this can help you in your future trip there. Read on folks!
Our Itinerary
Day 1 (Jan. 22)
7:30AM – Depart from MNL to DGT (Supposed to be 7AM, flight’s delayed)
9AM – Arrive in DGT
10AM – Ride ferry from Dumaguete Port to Siquijor Port
8:15AM – San Isidro Labrador Church and Lazi Convent
8:45AM – Cambugahay Falls
9:30 – Salagdoong Beach
12PM – Check-out Charisma Beach
12:30PM – Boat ride back to Dumaguete Port
2:30PM – Check-in Harold’s Mansion
2:45PM – Eat at Neva’s Pizza
4PM – Quezon Park/Belfry Tower/ Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral
430PM – Eat at Sans Rival
4:50PM – Rizal Blvd (Tempura Eating)
Day 3 (Jan. 24)
7AM – Depart from Dumaguete to Apo Island
9:40AM – Start Snorkeling
5PM – Rizal Blvd again
6PM – Dinner at Jo’s Chicken Inato
Day 4 (Jan. 25)
7:45AM – Dumaguete Public Market
8:10AM – Silliman University Anthropology Museum
12PM – Check out Harold’s Mansion
12:10PM – Lunch at Foodnet
12:30 – 2PM – Standby at Rizal Blvd, 7-11, bought Silvanas at Sans Rival
2PM – Go to Sibulan Airport
5:30PM – Depart DGT to MNL
7PM – Arrive Manila
Transportation
Going to Dumaguete from Manila (and vice versa)
We booked roundtrip plane tickets from Cebu Pacific at PHP 1,476 each (including seat selection fee, no check-in baggage) during their seat sale. Both flights got delayed by 30 minutes or so. It’s the first time in our experience with Cebu Pacific that the flights got delayed.
From Sibulan Airport to the town proper, a special tricycle trip cost PHP 100 to PHP 120. Going around the town is just the standard PHP 8 tricycle fare or you can also just walk to your destinations. That’s what we did on some occasion.
There are also the Ceres Buses that can take you to other places in Negros Oriental like Bais and Manjuyod.
Going to Siquijor
Go to the Dumaguete Port and buy the earliest ride to Siquijor port. We took the GL Lines ferry boat for PHP 130 each plus a terminal fee of PHP 15 each.
We boarded a fast craft ferry boat to Siquijor owned by GL Lines
Going around Siquijor
Upon arrival in Siquijor port, there are tricycles waiting at the terminal willing to take you to your destination for a special trip. We really didn’t want to take it since it cost PHP 250 fare to San Juan Beach but they showed us their tariffs and it got us to agree. Upon arrival in Charisma Beach Resort, the receptionist told us that we should’ve rode a tricycle near the market where locals ride too. It will only cost us PHP 25 each to San Juan Beach (13KM). I guess for short distances, you will only pay PHP 8 for a tricycle ride.
For the Island tour, I’ll explain it later in the Tours section.
Going back to Dumaguete from Siquijor
Well, we learned our lesson from our first day and on our way back to Siquijor port from the resort, we just flagged down a tricycle and just paid PHP 25 each.
We booked the earliest ferry tickets at the Siquijor port (Orlines) for PHP 120 each. There’s a terminal fee of PHP 14.
Accommodation
In Siquijor
Charisma Beach Resort– 1 Night for PHP 1,400 in a beach front native bamboo fan room
I wanted to give my wife a laid back, lazy and comfortable stay in Siquijor. It should be like a mini-staycation for us. So when I found this room at Charisma Beach at an affordable rate, I immediately booked it.
The room was above our expectations! The queen sized bed is really big and there are two single beds outside our room ideal for taking a nap at the front of the beach. The toilet is clean and the water’s strong. During the night, it was sooo quiet and peaceful. Time really is slow at this part of the world and we felt like we slept for 12 hours or so.
They also have a pool where you can take a dip. It’s a nice addition to the resort so if you got bored beach bumming, then try relaxing in the pool.
The staffs are really friendly and accommodating too. We have no complaints whatsoever in this resort. Highly recommended!
We booked online through Paypal on their website.
Our room is a native hut made of bamboo.
In Dumaguete
Harold’s Mansion – PHP 800 per night for 2 nights (Private air-con room)
We didn’t have high expectations on our stay in Harold’s Mansion. For PHP 800 per night for a private air-con room, we just expect to have a nice clean bed to sleep at and a functioning air-conditioner.
Well it’s good that they have a LED TV, hot and cold shower, but we didn’t expect that they have free breakfast, too! Though it’s just bread, toast, tea and coffee… it’s still free! Plus, the drinking water is free, too. So you can fill your bottle or jug anytime.
Our only concern is the sink and the towels. The sink is clogged so we didn’t use it again. The towels we “rented” (for a PHP 500 deposit but refundable upon check-out) stinks of cigarette smoke. That’s what you get when you forgot to bring your own towel.
But it’s still a nice stay as it is cheap with very nice location and they have great affordable packages to Apo Island and others.
For booking, you can contact them at their mobile: 09173024455
Our Private air-con room in Harold’s
Tours
In Siquijor
We contacted Kuya Luloy as suggested by one of the members of Backpackers of the Philippines in Facebook for a half day Island Tour that consist of:
Old Enchanted Balete Tree (PHP 5 entrance fee each)
San Isidro Labrador Church and Lazi Convent
Cambugahay Falls (PHP 20 parking fee)
Salagdoong Beach (PHP 25 entrance fee each)
We explained to him prior to our trip that we require a tricycle for the tour, not a motorbike. But on his arrival at our resort, he still brought a motorbike with him. Good thing he asked a friend of his to take us on a tour in a tricycle.
After the tour, we told the driver that Kuya Luloy and I agreed with PHP 800, but I think Luloy told the driver it’s for P1,000. So we just haggled if he is okay with PHP 800. We’re thankful he agreed.
All the places above are very nice, but we love Cambugahay Falls and Salagdoong Beach the most. We wanted to stay more at those two places, but due to time constraints, we have to cut it short. We started the tour at 7:30 AM and finished at 10:45 AM.
Majestic Cambugahay Falls
Tip: If you have a whole day for the Island tour, I suggest you spend more time at Cambugahay Falls and Salagdoong, especially Salagdoong. When we went there, it was low tide so I didn’t get to jump at the cliff or slide down.
Salagdoong Beach
In Apo Island
We availed the Apo Island snorkelling package at Harold’s Mansion for PHP 1,000 each inclusive of food, drinks, land transfer (to/from Dumaguete and Dauin), boat ride (big boat) to Apo, guide and snorkeling gears.
The experience was amazing and it brought out the adventurous side of my wife again. She never thought she would be able to snorkel in deep sea in her entire life but she did it! All she needs is a little push from me.
We saw sea turtles, clown fishes (Nemo), beautiful corals and volcanic bubbles. But aside from snorkelling, what made it more fun is the overall vibe in the boat where we get to chat with other travelers, the staff and just had fun.
Hey there Raphael!
In Dumaguete
You can easily roam around Dumaguete either by walking or take a tricycle ride. Take a leisurely walk in Rizal Blvd, educate yourself at the Silliman University Anthropology Museum for an entrance fee of PHP 50 each (Photos are not allowed), listen to a mass in Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral or just simply eat around the city.
Neva’s Pizza – Great and affordable pizza and pasta! We ordered the Kuripot Italian Sausage pizza for just PHP 115 and a shrimp and mushroom pasta for PHP 85. The difference between the Kuripot pizzas and the special pizzas is the cheese. The Kuripot pizzas are sprinkled with cheddar cheese while the special pizzas are sprinkled with mozzarella.
Sans Rival – Yummy desserts! Everybody knows this. When you are in Dumaguete, be sure to take home some silvanas with you!
A slice of Sansrival is all you need
Jo’s Chicken Inato – Their Inasal is good, but admittedly, I found Mang Inasal’s inasal better. We also didn’t like their Halo-halo that much. Still a great choice for dining in! Maybe we’ll try other dishes next time as the price is also affordable.
Eat like a local
Around 5:00 PM in Rizal boulevard, there are vendors setting up tables and chairs for you to dine and eat tempura and balut. They offer kikiam (PHP 4), squid balls (PHP 4) and squid rolls (PHP 5). We particularly love the squid rolls. For PHP 4 to PHP 5 each, it’s a great merienda.
Just near Harold’s mansion, there is an eatery called Foodnet. We ate lunch there on our last day. The food is really affordable and tasty for PHP 30 to PHP 40 for one viand. You would know that the food’s good when lots of locals (especially students) are eating. That’s the case in Foodnet.
A trip to the Public Market is also nice. Try their Kabog (made from Millet) in the Painitan area where locals eat their breakfast. We also bought 1/4 of chicharon for PHP 120 which taste really great and not salty.
Try this at the Public Market!
Eat like a pauper
We didn’t plan to eat out in Siquijor so we brought our own food there like canned goods, bread and cup noodles. Our plan worked since the resort offers Western food at Hotel prices. We also didn’t want to go out of the resort just to eat so it’s a nice plan to just pack your own food and lessen the cost.
I’m just not sure if you can cook your own food at Charisma but maybe you can in other resorts.
Expenses
Here is a summary of our Expenses for our 4 days trip in Dumaguete and Siquijor. Please note that shopping items and souvenirs were not included as this may vary per individual preferences. Food and drinks are shared between the two of us.
Dumaguete Siquijor Expenses
For a total of PHP 11,331 (PHP 5,653 each) for this experience, it is very well worth the cost. You can lessen the cost if you’ll just stay at a dorm room in Siquijor or a non beach front room (But I tell you, the beach front room is fantastic). Also take the tricycles that are just passing by in Siquijor and insist for a non-special trip.
For souvenirs, a fridge magnet cost around PHP 35 to PHP 50. A bracelet with your name hand painted in it is PHP 20. A box of Silvanas is PHP 140.
Hope this post helps you and inspires you to go to these places. Be not afraid of the mystical island of Siquijor as it is very beautiful. Be brave to conquer Apo Island and swim with the turtles (they’re really cute!). Be yourself in Dumaguete!
Feel free to drop by a comment or ask questions and I’ll try to help you as much as I can.
Volunteer in the Philippines: 10 Reasons to Join Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge
Want to volunteer in the Philippines but don't know where to start? How about joining Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge? Here are ten reasons why you should.
Johanna Ella May Erroba
Johanna is a free spirit. She channels her energy through music, writing, surfing, and travelling. She expresses all of her musings on Camera and Cheese.
I have wanted to volunteer for Gawad Kalinga (GK) for such a long time. However, I was busy at school, I was preoccupied organising events for my org and even until I was already working, I always found excuses to not do it. Come March 2016, I was out of job. I did not have anything meaningful to do and I was always either wasting money or sleeping. I contacted a friend and asked if I could volunteer and he said yes. I did a little proofreading on some communications, edited photos for tarpaulins and made a poster; but the highlight was the Bayani Challenge 2016 in Hernani.
What is GK? The organization's website describes itself in the simplest words; that GK "is a Philippine-based movement that aims to end poverty for 5 million families, by first restoring the dignity of the poor." If you've never heard of them or if you are still undecided if you should join, here are 10 reasons why you should volunteer at Gawad Kalinga's Bayani (Hero) Challenge.
Disclaimer: This article talks about my own accounts of the event and why I think you should volunteer too. I am not a GK staff and I do not represent the organisation. This was my first time to join and I am not, by any means, claiming to be a "hero" or a saint. Haha. Just putting it out there.
1. Make new friends
I literally only had one friend. Yes, I knew some other people, they were familiar and I've met a few of them; but I did not have friends. Meeting new people is not really my cup of tea and I'm not exactly the most approachable person either. But in just a few hours, I was laughing and joking around with these girls from Cebu. And after a while, other people started talking to me which was weird and uncomfortable at first. What I'm trying to say is, if you come to volunteer alone, don't worry because you will make new friends.
2. Be one with the locals
The Bayani Challenge is a community-based initiative. That means, people from the community are active participants and all the programs of GK were based on what the community says. When you visit a site, you can immerse in the community and be one with the locals. You will be able to interact with them, learn about their everyday lives and listen to their stories while also exchanging yours.
3. Feel that you are part of something much bigger than yourself
Sometimes, we are too caught up in our own lives. We have tendencies of making ourselves the only heroes of our own stories. We forget that we are part of a bigger community. How about trying to be the hero of a much bigger cause? I admire the people who make up GK. They have the biggest hearts, and pure dedication and commitment.
4. Explore new places
When you volunteer for the Bayani Challenge, you don't only help rebuild the community, you also get to explore the hidden treasures of the sites. For example, we did a coastal clean-up at Barangay Nagaja only to find an astonishing view of the beach!
One of the activities during Bayani Challenge 2016 was the Paraisong Pambata (Paradise for Children). Everyday, you can choose to volunteer to help facilitate activities for children like sports clinic, dance class and art class among others. If you love kids, you'll definitely enjoy Paraisong Pambata.
Every night of the five-day event, there's a Kalinga Night a.k.a. talent show a.k.a. sharing night. Anyone, literally anyone can go up stage and present his/her/their talent/s. I remember seeing one boy who performed for three nights! Talk about confidence. Haha! Kidding aside, Kalinga night is dedicated for volunteers and even beneficiaries to relax, let loose and have fun.
7. Learn how to dance
I am not, by any means, a good dancer. I would say I am frustrated at it but I hate dancing in front of a crowd. My friends would know. However, when you volunteer for the Bayani Challenge, you will have to learn how to dance. Every year, there's a theme song for the Challenge and every year, a Unity Dance is choreographed. I can't remember how many times we had to do the Dance in one day; once in the morning after waking up, a few more times during activities, and a lot of times during Kalinga Night. If you'd ever feel embarrassed, don't worry, you're not the only one. Let's dance!
8. Step out of your comfort zone
When you volunteer, you have to be ready to sleep in a tent, or on the floor of an elementary classroom, there won't be any "clean" toilets and bathrooms, you won't find any chocolate cakes around the corner; okay this sounds like I'm talking to myself. But the point is, it's not going to be luxurious and you won't get paid. I hope I didn't discourage you. Don't worry, the best parts come right after this.
9. Be inspired
When I left for Hernani, I asked myself several times if it was really what I wanted to do. I told myself I would go "soul searching." I'm not even going to delve deep into that but I felt as if I was only escaping and not really facing my problems head on. But when I came home after four days (I had to go home early for some school work), I felt renewed. Chos. No really, I admit, I did not "find myself" but I did not lose myself either. I just felt more enthusiastic about life. I was inspired. Everyday not just when I volunteer, I am reminded that my problems compared to others are nowhere near unsolvable and there I was complaining about my life when other people didn't even have roofs over their heads.
10. Help end poverty
By 2024, GK will end poverty for five million families in the Philippines! Many would be too skeptical but the people who make up GK are clear in their mission. By volunteering, you can help end poverty for families who are in dire need.
There is a reason why they call it Bayani Challenge. When you volunteer, you help rebuild communities, you help put smiles on people's faces, you help them gain more faith and most importantly, you give them HOPE. With GK, you can be a hero too. Join the next Bayani Challenge! Ciao!
Know Your Philippine Presidentiables: What to See and Do in Their Hometowns
Get to know your Philippine Presidentiables by exploring their hometowns.
Charmaine Acha
Charmaine loves random weekend trips, technology and coffee. Guided by her travel mantra "chill and travel", she enjoys unplanned escapades without compromising leisure. Her free hours are spent reading a book, watching movies or thinking about her next possible adventure.
The national election in the Philippines is fast approaching, and I’m excited to go home to exercise my right to suffrage. Have you made up your mind as to whom you’ll vote as the next President of the Republic of the Philippines? Yes? Good for you. Not yet? Well, you better decide soon. Now, let’s take a look at the hometowns of our dear Presidentiables. Who knows, this might inspire you to research more and come up with a better voting decision.
Disclaimer: No specific candidate is endorsed. Names are presented in alphabetical order.
I bet you already know that Vice President Jejomar Binay was once the Makati City Mayor. I won’t talk about what he did for the city -- I’ll leave it as your homework. Let’s get into the heart of this highly industrialised financial centre of the Philippines. Think huge banks, multinational corporations, big department stores, foreign embassies, luxurious hotels and many business establishments; you can find them all in Makati!
The city could be pretty overwhelming especially for first time visitors. If you’d ask me about the things to see and do in this business district, I should say A LOT! If you’re a foodie, you must not miss the Salcedo Saturday Market and Legazpi Sunday Market -- there’s a wide variety of food that you’ll certainly be spoilt for choice! Feeling a little bloated after your food trip? Stroll around the Washington SyCip Park, Ayala Triangle Gardens or Greenbelt Active Park, and burn those extra calories. For the history buffs and bibliophiles, visit Museo ng Makati, Ayala Museum, Yuchengco Museum and The Reading Club 2000. Want more action? Try the Escape Hunt Experience, the City Kart Racing at Circuit Makati, or go paragliding, speedflying, power kiting and paramotoring with Air Sports Adventure.
There’s just so many things to see and do in Makati that it could take me forever to enumerate all of them. So plan your city trip now and experience Makati yourself!
Iloilo City is the birthplace of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. What’s so special about her hometown? Iloilo City is dubbed as the City of Love, and true enough, any visitor would fall in love with its timeless heritage sites, unique local cuisine, and of course, the warm, friendly locals. It’s a place you can certainly call your second home.
Head down to Calle Real and visit well-preserved heritage buildings including the Eusebio Villanueva Building, Javellana Building and Regent Building, which all date back to the Spanish colonial era. Then proceed to the districts of Jaro and Molo to marvel at centuries-old churches like Jaro Cathedral and Molo Church. You must visit their quaint ancestral houses too such as the Nelly Garden, Lizares Mansion, Casa Mariquit and Bahay Camiña nga Bato, to name a few.
If you love to visit universities and colleges like me, do drop by the Central Philippine University, University of the Philippines Visayas, West Visayas State University and University of San Agustin. You’ll be charmed by the old structures and wide green spaces of these schools.
You should definitely not leave Iloilo without trying their famous La Paz Batchoy at La Paz Market and the monstrous Peri Todds burger in Cuartero, Jaro. “Manamit gid!” (Very delicious!)
If you haven’t been to Iloilo, it’s about time you visit this charming city.
Rodrigo Duterte has been the mayor of Davao City for more than two decades. As to what he did for the city during his terms, I’ll leave the in depth research to you.
Aside from the fact that Davao City is the durian capital, and home to the Philippine Eagle and the highest peak Mount Apo, there are still so many unique things that await you there. Some interesting sites and streets in the city are only walking distance from each other, so you can easily do your own city tour.
Start your walking adventure at the vibrant street of San Pedro. From there, you may walk towards the famous attractions such as the San Pedro Cathedral, Museo Dabawenyo and the People’s Park. If you want to buy some souvenirs, go to Aldevinco Shopping Center in Roxas Boulevard. Then, freshen up your day with some fresh fruits, including the iconic durian, at the end part of Magsaysay Avenue.
A friend of mine who is local of the city wrote a comprehensive article about the top things to do in Davao City for first time visitors, complete with insider tips and vital information to make the most of your trip. So check it out if you’re planning to visit Davao City soon!
Grace Poe – Quezon City
Quezon City Memorial Circle | Image credit: Indra Gunawan
Senator Grace Poe’s biological origin is still uncertain, and she spent much of her adult life in the US, so let’s just explore her present location which is Quezon City.
Quezon City used to be the capital of the Philippines for almost three decades, and being once the national capital, it houses some of the important government offices and headquarters such as the Batasang Pambansa Complex, National Headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Camp Aguinaldo. The city is also home to two of the country’s largest TV networks, ABS-CBN and GMA Network, which are both located in Diliman. There are regular shows in those networks to participate in. Just make sure you’re willing to brave the crowd and the long queues. For foodies, go to Maginhawa and Tomas Morato Avenue, and you’ll find many restaurants, cafes and eateries ranging from budget-friendly to expensive ones.
After your food trip, breathe some fresh air at the city’s leisure parks like the Quezon City Memorial Circle, La Mesa Eco Park, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Diliman, Balara Filters Park near UP Diliman, Sky Garden in San Francisco del Monte, and N.S Amoranto Park in La Loma. For shopaholics, head to Trinoma, SM North EDSA or Eastwood City Mall.
Quezon City is so huge, a day is never enough to experience all its sights, sounds and smells!
Though Mar Roxas was not born and raised in Roxas City, the Roxas clan, including his father Gerardo Roxas and grandfather President Manuel Roxas, came from this place, so it’s still worth highlighting.
If Biyaherong Barat fell in love with Roxas City, there’s no doubt, you will too! Every seafood lover must visit Roxas City in their lifetime -- after all, it’s the seafood capital of the Philippines! Plus, you don’t need to travel too far to enjoy the beach. Just a few kilometres from the city centre lies Baybay Beach. Here, you will find the freshest seafood in town -- definitely a perfect place to have a romantic dinner with your special someone. Can’t get enough of the beach? Explore the nearby islands of Olotayan and Mantalinga, and go snorkelling, sailing, jet-skiing and scuba diving!
If you wish to experience the city more, walk around the Capiz Provincial Park, Roxas City Plaza and La Playa de Roxas People's Park. A trip to Roxas City would never be complete without paying a visit to the ancestral house of President Manuel Roxas -- the city is named in honour of him after all!
Instead of going to Philippine destinations people always rave about, why not spend your next long weekend in the underrated but undeniably alluring Roxas City instead? You’ll never regret it!
You see, the Philippines is truly beautiful -- it has a lot of potential for tourism and economic growth. So vote wisely, and choose the deserving leader who will love, honour and protect the country for our children and our children’s children!
8 FUNtastic Things to Do in Pampanga for a Weekend Outing
An entire weekend is not enough to explore all the charms of Pampanga. But these eight exciting activities are great ways to start.
Kimberly Chua
Sharing the common dream just like other adventurers, Kim hopes to travel the world one step at a time. Although a lady with her own share of hang ups, Kim knows that she has to conquer her fears to enjoy life and travel more. She's also a fan of reading as it opens a whole new portal of imagination. Join her in her quest of finding the right balance in life at Journey With Me.
Want to escape the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila this weekend but don’t know where to go? I suggest you go on a day trip to the province of Pampanga! It is just an hour ride from Manila, and reaching it is hassle free as you just have to pass along NLEX.
Pampanga is known as the “Culinary Centre of the Philippines” as Kapampangan cuisine is really one of a kind. But besides going on a food trip, here are FUNtastic things to do in this beautiful province.
When I was kid, my family used to go there for the summer. It’s a water park with big and long slides. They also have a river where you can hop on to an inflatable ring to cruise along. Kids would surely enjoy their enormous “pool” with wave feature -- it’s as if you’re playing in the beach!
Just this New Year, we stayed in Holiday Inn Clark. The feeling was very nostalgic since we used to visit the place often when we were young. The price for a standard room is very reasonable and it comes with a buffet breakfast for 2 already. They also have villas, a great option for big families or barkada outing. Going to this place is a breath of fresh air from your usual routine.
Happening every February, the Hot Air Ballon Festival in Clark is a must see! Witness creatively designed hot air balloons float in mid air. Visitors also have the option to ride up up and above with a fee. There are also other thrilling activities to try like tandem sky diving and tandem paragliding. You may check their website for more information.
Here’s something for the water sports enthusiast! Head on to Deca Wake to have an exciting wake boarding experience! Who knows you might discover a new hobby.
5. Conquer thrilling adventures at SandBox Alviera in Porac
Image credit: Harold Jay Reyes
Lots of interesting and unique activities await you in Sandbox. A day here would surely be full of adventure. It is the home of the country’s tallest swing -- it can fit three people! Their zipline also comes with a twist since it’s a roller coaster type wherein you’ll zigzag your way through a 180-metre course.
Want to experience bird watching and would love to do it soon? Head to Candaba Swamp and see different species of birds flying above freshwater ponds and grasslands. The best time to spot some migratory birds is from October to April.
7. Fly an ultralight aircraft at Angeles City Flying Club
Make your dream of becoming a pilot a reality even for a just a day! You can avail of Angeles City Flying Club’s trial instructional flight to experience ultralight flying. The club also offers flight training for those who really want to take it to the next level.
Just like the one in Tagaytay, Sky Ranch in Pampanga offers various rides to entertain adults and kids alike. They also have the biggest and tallest Ferris wheel in the Philippines, the Pampanga Eye.
Hot Summer News: ZoukOut Singapore Goes to Boracay This Labour Day Weekend
The iconic ZoukOut festival is coming to the Philippines! Save the dates on April 30 and May 1 and out to the country’s best beach party destination - Boracay.
Johanna Ella May Erroba
Johanna is a free spirit. She channels her energy through music, writing, surfing, and travelling. She expresses all of her musings on Camera and Cheese.
Where my party people at? Watch out fellow party goers and weekend warriors! ZoukOut Singapore is heading to Boracay, Philippines on Labour weekend!
ZoukOut is a Singapore-based annual dance festival and Asia's only sunrise beach party. This year, ZoukOut decided to expand to three other places in Asia with Philippines being the first.
You better hurry up because tickets are selling out. You can get one-day and two-day passes for PHP 3,000 and PHP 5,400, respectively. However, if you buy before the event day, you can get the tickets for only PHP 2,500 for the one-day pass and PHP 4,500 for the two-day pass. They also have VIP packages for a group of 10 ranging from PHP 68,000 to PHP 280,000.
Boracay white beach, 11 top-notch performers from all over the world, good food, best booze and NONSTOP.PUMP.UP.MUSIC! Seriously, what more could you ask for on Labour Day?
I Travelled 4 Days in Dumaguete, Oslob and Siquijor for Only PHP 5,827 (All-In)
3 destinations (Dumaguete, Oslob and Siquijor) for only PHP 5,827 (all-In)? Find out how this couple did it!
Aiko Pualengco
Aiko is a carefree person who lives life one adventure at a time exploring what is unknown to her. She faces each day with a cup of coffee and takes pride in her talent in latte art. If she's not basking in the sun, covered with sand and salt water, she is probably playing with her Chihuahua, Mochi. Follow her journey in The Lost Koy.
This blog is going to be loooooooong. My aim is to guide you and provide every necessary detail for this three-places-in-one-trip itinerary.❤
BUT. First things first. Here are some important details you need to do:
A. Book your airfare during seat sale. I was able to score a PHP 600 roundtrip airfare ticket per person when Cebu Pacific hosted a seat sale last June. Make sure to book the earliest flight to Dumaguete and the latest flight to Manila.
B. Book your accommodations in advance. I was lucky to spot a flash deal from Harold’s Mansion worth PHP 600 a night with PHP 200 tax (Original Price PHP 1,200/night). The room is good for two and comes with split type A/C, TV with cable, toilet and bath, towels (per request) and free breakfast. Surprisingly, the hotel room was nicer than we expected (and for its price, c’mon!). The hotel is located along Hibbard Ave., which is a tricycle away from the boulevard, and actually, almost anywhere in Dumaguete.
C. This whole itinerary is based on 2 pax, me and Anjo. Budget per person is PHP 6,000 (detailed expenses will be shown), but make sure to bring extra money if you plan to splurge on food and pasalubong! If you're travelling with 3 or more people, the budget might go lower.
D. Prepare for your trip. Bring your swim wears and underwater camera (and extra batteries!)
Ready?
Day 1: Departure from Manila
Our first day was intended for rest and food. We arrived at Sibulan Port at 8:30 AM. Good thing some guests checked out early, we were accommodated earlier than the check-in time. I noticed that the hotel offers diving classes and tour packages, where we plan to book our Apo Island trip.
We ate our lunch at J’s Chicken Inato, near the boulevard, which is quite similar with the famous Mang Inasal, except that there is no chicken oil in the condiments (I’m a chicken oil fan!).
Inato for PHP 98, comes with rice
We slept until dinner time and tried Lab-as Restaurant which is located in the boulevard. The restaurant offers fresh sea food and some local dishes. If you’re a coconut milk sucker like me, make sure to try Dumaguete Express!
With pork, shrimp, squid and coconut meat
At 8:00 PM, we headed back to the hotel and requested to be included in the Apo Island tour scheduled next day.
And then we slept early and set our alarm clock at 5:30 AM for Apo Island!
Here’s a quick recap of our expenses on Day 1:
Total expense for the first day is PHP 507.00 per person. Cheap, right?
Travel Date: October 6, 2015
Day 2: Apo Island
Apo Island is famous for its dive sites and snorkeling destinations. It is also popular for its giant sea turtles, locally called pawikan. That is why when I booked my Dumaguete trip, swimming with sea turtles is in my priority list!
As previously mentioned, good thing our hotel offers packages for different tourist destinations in Dumaguete. One of them is Apo Island which costs PHP 1,000 per person. The package includes:
Round-trip transportation from hotel to Dauin to Apo Island
Snorkelling device
Flippers
Life vest
Snorkelling guide (who are very much willing to take photos)
Tuna/Chicken/Cheese Sub
(Best part) unlimited coffee, tea, banana, jam and bread
This is already a good deal because the boat to Apo Island alone is PHP 2,000 (good for 4) or PHP 3,000 (good for 8), but this does not include food and transportation to Dauin.
I think the hotel’s tour packages are not limited to guests, because they own a diving centre where non-guests may also book. If you’re not staying at Harold’s Mansion, you may visit their diving centre and ask for schedules.
We woke up at 5:30 AM to prepare and eat breakfast. Call time for Apo Island tour is 6:30 AM. At 7:00 AM, we were all heading to Dauin Beach, which is the jump-off point to Apo Island, where our ferry awaits.
Dauin Beach
Ferry ride from Dauin to Apo Island is approximately 35 minutes even if the island is already visible from Dauin Beach.
We were able to swim and snorkel around Apo Island, the package includes three different snorkelling spots with 30 minutes to 1 hour interval.
The unlimited coffee, tea, bread, jam and bananas
We were able to see a lot of sea creatures like sea snake, blue jelly fish, sea cucumbers, trigger fish and of course, sea turtles.:) Sea turtles are so cute I want to hug them all!
SEA TURTLE! We were able to see four sea turtles around Apo Island
The tour ended at 3:00 PM when the captain announced that heavy rain was fast approaching. We headed back to Dauin and arrived at the hotel at 4:30 PM.
Since we were feeling cold and hungry, we decided to buy food and try the local tempura. It looks like kikiam but tastes like shrimp. It comes with five different sauces (1 being the mildest and 5 being the spiciest). Of course, I had sauce number 5 and IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOO SPICY I had to buy a litre of water and ice cream to wash off the taste!
Here’s a recap of our expenses for Day 2:
Total expense for day 2 is PhP 1,020 per person. Yes? Yes!!
Travel Date: October 7, 2015
When I booked my flight to Dumaguete, I didn’t know that Oslob, Cebu is just 45 minutes way! When I learned about this, I got really excited and included it in our itinerary. I wouldn’t miss my chance to see those gentle giants!
Yes! Oslob, Cebu is just 45 minutes away from Dumaguete city, compared to Cebu City, which is 4 hours travel time.
Tip: If you’re planning to experience swimming with the whale sharks, Dumaguete (Sibulan Airport) should be your flight destination.
Day 3 (Part 1): Oslob, Cebu
The next day, we woke up at 5:30 AM and prepared ourselves for our Oslob trip.
From Dumaguete City, we rode a tricycle for PHP 150 going to Sibulan Port, which is near the airport. At 7:00 AM, we were able to catch the ferry going to Oslob for PHP 62, and it took approximately 30 minutes to reach Liloan Port.
When we arrived, a bus going to Oslob was already waiting for passengers. Bus fare is PHP 15 per person.
Tip:When you purchase your ferry ticket, make sure to request for a seat number so that you’ll be able to sit. We weren’t able to do this but lucky for us, the trip only lasted 15 minutes so we didn’t mind standing.
Look at how clean their port is.
Also, make sure to ask the bus conductor to drop you off at the whale shark briefing centre because if not, they will drop you in one of the resorts and you’ll have to pay PHP 100 for resort entrance on top of the whale shark watching fee of PHP 500. Good thing the resort entrance fee includes free use of their shower, dressing rooms and a locker where you can leave your valuables. If you weren’t able to bring your underwater camera, they can lend you one with a fee of PHP 500 and will store your photos in a CD.
The resort where we were dropped off provided a multicab going to the Whale Shark Watching Site where we had a mandatory orientation. After that, we rode a small boat going to where the whale sharks are. Once we reached the spot, a whale shark eating alamang welcomed us.
As silent as possible, we dipped into the water and tried our best not to disturb them. The guide will tell you to swim underwater and will push you to swim deeper so he can take photos of you with whale sharks as your backdrop, this means you have to take off your life vest. They are amazingly huge and it freaked me out at first. But they are really gentle giants! Touching them is not allowed, but one of the whalesharks swam near me, my foot accidentally touched it! Amazing feeling!
The experience with whale sharks is only for 30 minutes which you’ll find is enough because it’s really tiring to swim and take photos! After sometime, we returned to our boat and enjoyed the view. I interviewed the guide feeding the whale sharks and he told me some interesting facts:
There are 215 whale sharks in Oslob
Their teeth are as soft as toothbrush bristles which is the main reason why they can’t eat you
I asked if the whale sharks have names because I’d like to name one but according to the marine biologist present and swimming at that time, whale sharks are distinguished based on their spots which are unique, like thumb marks for humans
The whale shark he was feeding that time is 204. Yes, their names are numbers
Their life span is 150 years (human years)
They can bear a baby whale shark once they reach 60 years old (human years) and can bear 1-2 babies. No wonder they are endangered
Death is not really expected, except, of course, due to old age
In some countries, the reason for a whale shark’s death is when a large ship hits them
They also have calluses
They love (and can only eat) alamang
Whale shark watching schedule is only until 12 pm
I asked the guide to throw the alamang near our boat so the whale shark will come closer, he reminded us not to touch them. Look!
After 30 minutes, we returned to the shore and took a quick shower to remove the alamang smell from our swimwears. We then rented the same multicab to bring us to Tumalog Falls, which is just 15 minutes away. The trip costs PHP 120 per person round-trip plus PHP 20 entrance fee. In the jump off point, a lot of motorcycles are available for rent for PHP 50 to bring you to the falls, but since the trek is only 5 minutes (which is by far the shortest trek to the falls I’ve visited) and the road is cemented, we decided to walk. When we arrived, we were amazed at how beautiful the falls is.
The water was cold and refreshing and the waterfall curtain is not impossible to reach because the water level is not that high.
After 10 minutes, we returned to the resort, showered and headed back to the port. We had a quick bite and rode a tricycle for PHP 150 back to Liloan Port and ferry for PHP 62 back to Dumaguete.
We arrived at the hotel at exactly 12:00 PM so we decided to go to Siquijor which turned out to be a bad idea. Haha! But believe me, the trip was fun!
Just a quick recap, here is the breakdown of our expenses:
PHP 1,254 per person for this experience? Not bad!
Travel Date: October 8, 2015
Even this part of the trip was not in our initial itinerary. I just happened to meet someone from Dumaguete who told me that I can also visit beautiful and unspoiled places in Siquijor.
Siquijor, the land of the healing, is the third smallest province in the country. The province is commonly associated with mystic traditions that the island’s growing tourism industry capitalises on.
Day 3 (Part 2): Siquijor
At 12:30 PM, we rode a tricycle from the hotel to Dumaguete port which is located at the far end of the boulevard, trike fare is PHP 8 per person.
From there, we rode a ferry going to Siquijor for PHP 210 and PHP 15 terminal fee. It is recommended to ride the Ocean Jet because they are faster, travel time is 1 hour.
Fare chart
Upon arrival, a lot of tricycles, multicabs and motorbikes are available for rent for you to take a tour around the mystical place. Since Anjo knows how to use a motorcycle and has brought a license, we rented one for PHP 350 which is good for 24 hours. You may also hire a tricycle for PHP 1,000 and a multicab for PHP 1,500. We just chose the motorcycle because we wanted to visit only two places and the guide won’t let us haggle the price – which we found fair because the trip was really far, approximately 40 kms.
At 2:00 PM, we were on the road to visit Cambughay Falls. Because it was really far, we had to have the motor tank full twice for PHP 40/ litre. Gasolines are available in almost every store but they are in soda bottles and called per colour – Green or Red.
During our motorcycle ride in Siquijor, we noticed that their means of transportation is motorcycle, which explains the availability of greens and reds in every store.
Believe it or not, we only saw one private car in Siquijor!
We arrived at Cambughay falls at 3:15 PM. There is no entrance fee, only parking fee of PHP 20 per motorcycle. A guide will show you the way to the falls where there is a bit of trekking (120 steps down to reach the foot of the falls).
When we arrived, the guide told us that the water is “brown” or muddy due to the rain earlier that day. Too bad we weren’t able to swim and try the “baging”. We just drank fresh buko, returned to the parking area and headed to Salogdoong Beach.
The second layer of the fallsThe first layer of the falls
We asked around for instructions on how to get to Salogdoong beach. According to the people we asked, it was only a 25 minute ride. But I think the ride was longer than that even if we were already driving at a very fast pace!
We arrived at Salogdoong beach past quarter 4:00 PM. We only had few minutes to swim so we can catch the 6:00 Roro back to Dumaguete (otherwise we’ll have to spend a night in Siquijor). We paid the entrance fee of PHP 15 per person and tried to enjoy the beach for a couple of minutes.
We noticed that a slide and a cliff diving spot are available for tourists but we were not able to utilise them because we needed to head back to the port.
At exactly 4:00 PM, we left the beach and tried to catch the last ferry back to Dumaguete as fast as we could.
Here are some of Siquijor’s famous tourist destinations we saw along the road:
AAAANNNNDDDDD We were successful! We arrived a little before 5:30 PM – But it felt like sand and air were all over our bodies because of the longgggggg motorcycle ride we took!
While walking to the port, beautiful Siquijor sunset bid us goodbye.:)
We rode the RoRo back to Dumaguete for PHP 100 per person with approximately 2 hours travel time.
Important: If you want to explore Siquijor and visit all the amazing sites, make sure to allot a full day. There are more than 10 destinations in Siquijor!
When we arrived in Dumaguete, we ate some seafood and grills.
Just a quick recap of our expenses for this trip:
PHP 746 per person for this adventure? Worth it!
Travel Date: October 8, 2015
Our fourth (and last day) was allotted for Siquijor, but since we squeezed it in our third day itinerary, our last day meant no more waking up early. WOOHOO!
We woke up around 11:00 AM, just in time for check-out. After leaving the hotel, with our backpacks and memories of this trip, we visited the famous Sans Rival – where you can have your lunch at their bistro and grab desserts. We ended our trip with their to-die-for silvanas (and coffee, perfect pair! )
Their butter silvanas are available for PHP 140 per box (10 pieces per box) or you can try their chocolate silvanas for PHP 180. Other sweets are available in their store.
We also visited a pasalubong centre to buy some biscocho and butterscotch.
At 2:00 PM, we were off to the airport to catch our flight back to Manila.
Here are some of the things I would like to share to those of you who would like to visit Dumaguete, Oslob and Siquijor:
Do bring your GoPro or any underwater camera with you because the best part of this trip is when you are under water! Make sure batteries are full!
It’s okay if you are not a good swimmer or can’t swim at all because life vests are always available and tour guides will help you (if ever you need them)
Tricycle fare from Sibulan (where the airport is located) to Dumaguete City is PHP 150. Tricycle fare around the city is only PHP 8 per person.
People in Dumaguete will talk to you in their dialect, make sure to inform them that you can’t understand so they can speak to you in Tagalog or English
They are accommodating when you ask them about directions, don’t be shy!
There is no need to bring extra clothes (and undergarments) for every destination because you can go to any destination and back to your hotel with your swimsuit and a decent cover up, of course not those see-throughs! Maybe an opaque dress or a shirt and shorts will do. I did quick showers after every water activity but real shower and cloth changing were done in the hotel.
Apo Island and Oslob whale shark watching should be done early in the morning that’s why it’s best to allot two different days for each activity
Siquijor trip should be a full day trip, or else, you’ll end up wasting your time on the road instead of enjoying the places. If you’re planning to have your Siquijor trip on your last day, it’s best to book the latest flight back to Manila.
Try Dumaguete Express in Lab-as Restaurant and Silvanas in Sans Rival
Other destinations you might want to consider are Sumilon Island, Manjuyod sandbar, Canyoneering and Zipline in Valencia – I will definitely go back for these!
Here’s a quick recap of our itinerary and expenses:
I hope you find this blog inviting that it will make you book the soonest flight to Dumaguete! I tell you, it’s really amazing to see beautiful places and creatures in one trip! I myself didn’t expect this trip to be so good! Totally one for the books!
4D3N Banaue Sagada Baguio DIY Itinerary and Travel Guide
When you plan to go to Sagada, include its neighbours: Banaue and Baguio. Here's a 4D3N DIY itinerary you can follow!
Jayson Concepcion
Jayson Concepcion is a programmer by profession but has a soul of a traveller. Aside from his ultimate dream of travelling around the world, he loves to eat, drink, listen to music, talk about aliens and indulge in his occasional secret guilty pleasure of singing love songs in videoke. His favourite superpower is to teleport from one place to another. I guess you know why. Follow his latest pursuits on his blog, Facebook and Instagram.
For a very long time, travelling to Sagada seems very unreachable to me. I always ask one of my uncles who frequent Sagada (they bring their own vehicle) when can I travel with them but our schedules don’t always match. I’ve always wanted to go to Sagada because of the cool climate, beautiful sceneries and the unique tradition and culture of the people there. This is even long before we watched the movie ‘That Thing Called Tadhana.’ So I told myself, I shouldn’t put any more hopes on travelling with my uncle. I then finally scheduled our trip this cold December not only to Sagada but to Banaue and Baguio as well!
Initially, it was supposed to be just my wife and me but our friend from Abu Dhabi tagged along the trip since she will be on vacation to the Philippines. The more the merrier! It was all our first time in Sagada.
In this post, you will get to know our itinerary, expenses, travel guides and our wonderful experience in culture rich, simple but amazing Sagada. Read on folks!
Itinerary
We really wanted to have a relaxed itinerary. Just chillin’ and knowing the culture is enough for us. No extreme cave spelunking or mountain hiking.
Day 0 (Dec. 2)
10:00 PM – Depart from Manila to Banaue via Ohayami Bus
4:00 PM – Supposed to walk to Lake Danum at 3PM but we overslept and woke up at 4PM!
Tried to walk to Lake Danum but failed so we ended up at Sagada Pottery.
6:00 PM – Streetfood for dinner and shopped a bit
Day 3 (Dec. 5)
7:00 AM – Travel to Baguio
1:00 PM – Arrival in Baguio / Lunch at Good Taste Restaurant
2:00 PM – Check-in Hotel Veniz
3:00 PM – Souvenir Shopping at Good Shepherd and Mines view Park
5:30 PM – Dinner at Ketchup Food Community
Day 4 (Dec. 6)
6:00 AM – Breakfast buffet at Hotel Veniz
7:30 AM – Shopping at Baguio Public Market
10:00 AM – Pack-up
12:00 PM – Check-out
2:10 PM – Depart to Manila (Victory Liner)
Tip: For me, it’s much better if you go to Sagada on weekdays rather than on weekends or holidays since it’s jam packed on those days. We had a calm and quiet trip on Sagada, just perfect.
We chose the Banaue-Sagada-Baguio route because we think it’s the most efficient and less tiring since we would be just chillin’ and buying souvenirs in Baguio.
Going to Banaue
We boarded the Ohayami Bus route at 10:00 PM from Sampaloc, Manila to Banaue. Travel time took 9 hrs with 2 stop overs.
Once in Banaue, there are drivers willing to take you to your destination whether it be in Sagada or your booked guesthouse in Banaue.
Going to Sagada
We boarded a van in Banaue for PHP 300 each. Travel time took around 2 hrs with a stop over in one of the amazing viewpoints in Banaue.
No words can describe how beautiful this place is. Breathtaking!
Many tourists also take the Banaue to Bontoc, then Bontoc to Sagada route riding at the topload of the Jeepney.
Going around Sagada
Walk.. walk.. walk… Sagada is all about walking but you can also hire a vehicle if you want to just like what we did in Kiltepan. We hired a vehicle for PHP 500 going to Kiltepan and met the driver at the Saggas tourist information office at 4:30 AM.
After Kiltepan, we decided to go to Rock Farm for Orange picking and breakfast. We just added PHP 150 for the driver to take us there and to the town proper after. It’s a good deal especially if you are too full because of all the oranges you ate.
No sunrise, but still awesome.
Going to Baguio
We boarded the GL / Lizardo Trans Bus at the Sagada terminal at 7AM. I believe the earliest bus leaves at 5:00 AM and the last one leaves at 12:30 PM.
The GL/Lizardo Trans bus we boarded to Baguio
Fare: PHP 220
No need for advance reservation. Just go there before your planned departure and buy your tickets at the bus conductor.
Halsema Highway has one of the most amazing sceneries I’ve seen in my entire life (no kidding). This is also the reason why I chose to go to Baguio from Sagada for our last leg. Too bad I don’t have pics.
Going back to Manila
We boarded the trusted Victory Liner from Baguio to Manila. At first we thought we won’t get a ticket out of Baguio by Sunday (We went to the ticket office at Saturday) as all the trips were fully booked but fortunately they opened new trip schedules. We boarded at 2:10 PM (just the right time out of Baguio) and arrived at Manila at 9PM.
Fare: PHP 460
Travel time: 7hrs
Accommodation
In Sagada
Residential Lodge – 2 Nights for PHP 300 per person per night
We booked this lodge since it has rave reviews on the internet. It didn’t disappoint. Booking is hassle free (deposited 50% down payment through Landbank) and the contact person responds back immediately for queries. It’s one of my main criteria on booking a place.
The owner and staff are really polite and helpful. The room is just adequate and cosy for those chilly Sagada nights. They have hot and cold shower and wifi in the main lobby. For PHP 300 per pax per night? This is a great deal.
Residential Lodge Living Room
Contact them at: 0919 672 8744
In Baguio
Hotel Veniz – 1 night for PHP 1395 Junior Standard room with no aircon plus PHP 500 for additional person.
Who doesn’t know about Hotel Veniz in Baguio? Right at the heart of the city, this Hotel is one of those bang for your buck accommodations since it’s relatively cheap but with complete hotel amenities.
We chose to book a hotel since we needed a mini-staycation that stays on our budget. We won’t need airconditioning anyways.
We didn’t join a group tour in our Banaue-Sagada-Baguio Trip since we wanted to go on our own pace. We went on a DIY trip where we just commuted from Manila to Banaue, then to Sagada, Baguio and back to Manila either by bus or van.
Upon arrival in Sagada, you can then go to the Saggas tourist information office and check the tours you wanted to avail. There are tours that you can DIY while there are some that is required to have a guide like spelunking in the Sumaguing Cave. If you’ll be going on DIY to some of the places, please ask the information officer in the Saggas office first if a local guide is required or not. This is very important! Safety and precaution first before doing anything stupid lol. For Kiltepan view point, you don’t need a guide but you can hire a vehicle since it’s a long walk from the town proper. All up to you though.
Before proceeding to the tour, you must register first at the Municipal Hall for the environmental fee for PHP 35 each.
We only availed the Echo Trail tour which you will visit the following places:
The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Sagada Cemetery
Echo Valley
Hanging coffins
Underground River
Bokong falls
Note that though these places are near to each other, you still have to walk and trek a lot up and down the trail. But don’t worry, our guide told us that the Echo Trail is one of the easiest trek in Sagada. I even saw old people doing this tour.
Guide Fee for this tour is PHP 600 but if you are happy with how your guide assisted you, then please give them a little extra. ?
Sagada Hanging Coffins
You can DIY the Echo Trail tour, but if this is your first time in Sagada, it’s much better to get a local guide to explain the history of the places and their tradition and culture
If you will just go to one place e.g. Echo Valley, then the guide fee is just PHP 200 for a group of 15 persons.
Sagada is not only known for its adventurous activities but it’s also known for its food. There are several restaurants to choose from but be prepared to shell out around PHP 150 to PHP 300 per dish as they cater mostly to Tourists. So how good was it? For us, it’s a hit or miss. We liked some dishes but the others are forgettable. Click here for our Sagada Food Trip.
Eat like a Local
If you are on a budget, but you still want to eat good food that the locals eat, then head to the basement of Centrum Building (a.k.a. Eduardo Gaudan Longid Centrum, besides the Sagada terminal). Our local tour guide in the Echo Trail tour suggested this to us as we are looking for good yet affordable food in Sagada.
Centrum Building. Go to the basement for the small restos.
We ordered fried daing na banugs (PHP 140), sinigang na bangus (PHP 90) and nilagang baka (PHP 100).
Yummy! Nilagang baka is sooo goood!
It was really good! Home cooked meals at its finest! The servings are generous too, plus we get to try the red rice of Sagada which the other restaurants we went to didn’t offer.
Eat like a pauper
On our last night in Sagada, since we wanted to save more on our budget, we decided to just eat anything we see on the streets. First stop, we saw this barbeque stall on our way home from Sagada Pottery. One stick of fine barbeque meat cost PHP 12.
Barbeque stand
Then next are all of Pinoy’s favourites – fishballs (3pcs for PHP 2), chicken balls (PHP 2 each) and kikiam (PHP 1.5 each). Last but not the least, sweet corn on a stick which cost PHP 35. A total of PHP 64 per person, not bad right?
In Baguio
One of the branches of Good Taste restaurant is just besides Dangwa terminal in Baguio where the GL / Lizardo Trans bus last stop is. This is our 3rd time to eat here and of course, it didn’t disappoint. For PHP 95 for a rice meal with ample servings and good taste (redundant lol), it’s definitely one of the best restaurants in Baguio.
After shopping for souvenirs in Good Shepherd, we went to dine in the popular Ketchup Food Community just right across Wright Park. Well, it’s popular because they really offer good food! We dined at Happy Tummy (Thai Food) and ordered Pad Thai (PHP 195), Chicken Satay (PHP 175), Sticky Mango Rice (forgot the price) and Lomo Pork Ribs (PHP 205) at Canto.
Happy Tummy’s version of Pad Thai
The Pad Thai was really good! One of the best Pad Thai we had outside of Thailand and I’m glad we have it here in the Philippines. The Chicken Satay with I think, is a turmeric sauce is nice as well. The Lomo Pork Ribs at Canto is to die for! The meat is tender and soft and is marinated nicely. For dessert, we had the Sticky Mango rice that looks like a sunny side up egg at first look, but it’s delicious!
Happy Tummy’s Sticky Mango Rice. Looks like an egg no?
Maybe I’ll create a separate post for my review in Ketchup Food community. Stay tuned.
Expenses
Here is a summary of our Expenses for our 4 days trip in Banaue, Sagada and Baguio. Please note that shopping items and souvenirs were not included as this may vary per individual preferences. Food and drinks are shared between the two of us. Some items like the Van to Kiltepan are shared between the 3 of us in the group. Kindly see the remarks column for more information. I also didn’t include the expenses for bottled water as it is too tedious to note.
Our Expenses for the 4D3N trip to Banaue, Sagada and Baguio
Let’s say we spent PHP 5,000 each. Still not bad for 4 days getaway in 3 different places right? Items that can be lessened here are the Van to Kiltepan (you can just walk, but we prefer to take a Van because it’s a long walk), not hiring a local guide in the Echo Trail Tour (but not recommended for first timers), not giving tips (also not recommended), eat packed food or streetfoods/carinderia all throughout (possible but really hard) and just stay at a guesthouse/inn in Baguio instead of a Hotel (we really need some staycation sometime).
Souvenirs in Sagada are also a little bit expensive but when you buy, just think that it’s a way of helping them in their daily lives and a way of saying thank you for such a wonderful visit.
I hope this post helps you in any way on your planned trip to Banaue, Sagada and Baguio. Stay tuned for more posts regarding our trip. In the meantime, feel free to ask questions and I will try to answer them as much as I can. Thank you!
Ano ang mga katangian nating mga Pinoy kapag tayo ay naglalakbay o nagbabakasyon? Kapag nabasa mo ito ay tiyak na matutuwa ka.
Johanna Ella May Erroba
Johanna is a free spirit. She channels her energy through music, writing, surfing, and travelling. She expresses all of her musings on Camera and Cheese.
Ang mga Pilipino ay napakabukod-tangi. Ilan sa mga palatandaang Pinoy ka ay kung ikaw ay maasikaso o hospitable, maka-Diyos, at proud na proud kay Manny Pacquiao sa boxing. Ngunit ano nga ba ang ating mga katangian kapag tayo ay naglalakbay o nagbabakasyon?
Marahil ay makakarelate ka sa iba o sa lahat ng mga nasa listahan. Maaring ikaw rin ay matuwa o mahiya. Pero ang mga nasa listahang ito ay totoo at base sa obserbasyon. Kung ikaw ay kabilang sa mga Pinoy na nasa listahan, huwag kang mahiyang aminin ito. Ikaw lang ang nakakaalam, sabay kindat.
P.S. Walang magagalit. Ito po ay para sa pawang kasiyahan lamang.
1. Lagi kang may dalang sunblock o sunscreen
Aminin na natin, takot tayong mga Pinoy sa araw. Gagawin natin ang lahat hindi lang tayo mangitim. Kaya naman, usong-uso sa mga Pilipino ang magdala ng sunblock o sunscreen. Minsan nga ay ginagawa pang kompetisyon kung sino ang may dalang may pinakamataas na SPF!
Si Haring Araw ang kalaban natin sa beach at kahit na naglagay na tayo nang makapal na layer ng sunblock, hindi iyon sapat para iwasan ang ating pag-itim. Ang solusyon? Maliligo ka lang kapag pagabi na, yung palubog na ang araw, para siguradong-sigurado ka talagang hindi ka iitim. 'Wag i-deny.
3. Game kang kumanta sa kahit saang lugar na may karaoke
Kilala ang Pilipinas sa buong mundo bilang isa sa mga bansang maraming magagaling kumanta at kahit sintunado, wala tayong pakialam basta lang maibahagi ang ating nadarama sa pag-awit. Kapag makakita ang Pinoy ng karaoke, sa simula kunwari ay nahihiya, pero kapag nakapagwarm-up na, tiyak sa umaga pa matatapos.
Sabi ng mga dayuhan, ang paraan daw ng Pinoy na bumati ay anyayahan silang kumain. Saan mang lugar tayo mapunta, kapag may pagkain, tayo ang bida. Hindi uso sa Pinoy and "sapat na" pagdating sa kainan at kung minsan, may kanin na, may pancit pa!
5. Madalas kang mahuli sa call time ng mga tour
Binansagan natin ang ating mga sarili nang mahilig sa "Filipino Time". Hindi tayo mahilig lumakad nang maaga dahil ang iniisip natin ay mahuhuli rin ang iba. Itong kultura ay kapansin-pansin lalo na sa mga tour. Kapag ang call time ay alas 5:00 ng umaga, darating tayo nang alas 6:00.
6. Lagi kang nag-uupdate ng location mo sa Facebook
Siguro ay takot tayong mamiss ng ating mga kaibigan at kamag-anak, kung kaya't lagi nating ipinapaalam sa kanila kung nasaan na tayo. Kaway-kaway sa mga mahilig maglagay ng "traveling to… from…" sa Facebook. Uuuuy, guilty siya.
Kahit kuripot ang Pinoy, lagi tayong nagtitira ng pera para may maidalang pasalubong. Ano sa tingin mo ang pinaka-usong bilhin ng Pinoy? Key chain! Hindi ka nagkakamali! Bakit? Dahil maliit para magkakasya sa bag at mura. Kailangan pa bang imemorize 'yan?
8. Parati kang nakangiti lalong-lalo na sa mga foreigner
Bukod sa pagiging maasikaso sa mga dayuhan, ang mga Pinoy ay laging nakangiti sa kanila. Bakit nga ba? Minsan talagang natural lang sa atin ang pagiging masayahin ngunit kadalasan ay hindi lang talaga natin maintindihan ang kanilang sinasabi at wala na tayong ibang maisagot kundi ang ating matamis na mga ngiti. Kapag tumawa ka, ibig sabihin totoo!
Sobrang dami ng mga Pinoy sa ibang bansa. Kung saan-saan lang tayo nagkakalat lagim. Pero ang kagandahan nito ay saan man tayo mapadpad, lagi tayong may makakasamang kasing bait at kulit natin. Malayo pa lang ay bubulong ka na sa kasama mo, "Uy, may Pinoy oh!" Sabay haba ng nguso.
10. Uubusin mo ang pera mo makapagbakasyon ka lang
Mas marami nang mga Pinoy ang mahilig maglakbay o travel. Kung dati, hindi masyadong mahilig magbakasyon ang mga Pilipino dahil masyadong matipid; ngayon, babasagin natin ang mga alkansya may maipang-gastos lang para sa matitirhan, pagkain at tour.
11. Gagawa ka ng paraan para maging positibo ang sitwasyon kahit saan ka pa mapadpad
Isa sa mga nagugustuhan ng mga dayuhan sa mga Pinoy ay ang pagiging positibo natin. Lagi tayong nakakahanap ng paraan para maging positibo ang mga problema.
12. Magpapa-picture ka sa mga artistang makakasalubong mo
Tayong mga Pinoy ay mahilig sa showbiz. Minsan, mas inaatupag pa natin ang love life ng mga artista kesa sa pagsaing ng kanin. Kaya naman, kapag may nakakasalubong kang artista sa daan, kahit di mo naman talaga alam ang pangalan, makikipagselfie ka pa. Para naman sa kunyari mahiyain, maglalabas na lang ng camera nang patago at gagamitin ang power of zoom, sabay post sa Facebook!
13. Sa harap mo isinusuot ang iyong backpack
Hindi natin maikakailang maraming pickpockets sa Pilipinas lalo na sa mga siyudad. Kaya kahit hindi magandang tingnan minsan, sa harap natin isinusuot ang ating backpack. Kung ikaw ay isa sa mga taong ganito, siguro marami kang pera, ano?
Karamihan sa mga Pilipino ay relihiyoso at dahil sa pananakop ng mga Kastila, nabiyayaan tayo ng mga luma't magagandang simbahan. Kaya naman kapag tayo ay nagbabakasyon, isasama talaga natin sa plano ang pagbisita sa isang simbahan para magdasal.
Kilala natin ang ating mga sarili. Madalas talaga ay hindi tayo sumusunod sa batas trapiko at kahit na may nakalagay nang "May namatay na dito," tatawid pa rin talaga tayo. Minsan, nadadala natin itong ating kultura sa ibang lugar o bansa.
Kung nagyari na ito sa'yo, malamang babae ka o kaya ay lalakeng may kasamang bata. Ilang beses ka na ba nag-excess baggage sa airport? At ilang beses ka na bang naghalungkat ng bag mo para ilabas ang ilan sa iyong mga gamit at i-hand carry? O, relate ka, 'no?
Sabi ng iba, ang mga Pinoy ay laging handa. Kapag nagbibiyahe, mayroon talagang isa sa grupo na laging taga para ng sasakyan para sumuka. Kaya ikaw, na laging handa, ay mag-aabot ng supot para magamit niya sa pagsuka, sabay tapon sa daan. Blech.
Alam mo bang ang Pilipinas ay kabilang sa kokonting mga bansa na may kanin kasama ng manok sa McDonald's? Kaya huwag kang magulat kapag napadpad ka sa Malaysia, halimbawa, at hindi ka makahanap ng Value Meal na manok at kanin.
19. Nakikipag-unahan kang tumayo sa eroplano pagkatapos nitong lumapag
"Manatililng nakaupo at hintaying mawala ang safety seatbelt sign". Pero hindi! Kailangan mo talagang maunang tumayo para kunin ang bag sa overhead compartment. Kailangan talagang mauna kang tumayo para hindi ikaw ang mahuling bumaba sa eroplano.
20. Lagi kang magsisingit ng #hugot lines saan ka man mapunta
Patok na patok talaga ang mga hugot lines sa mga Pilipino. Kung mahilig ka sa hugot, ikaw siguro ay single, sawi, walang pera o sadyang hindi lang talaga masaya. Pero kahit papaano, nagagawa pa rin nating magbiro sa panahon ng kalungkutan kahit saan man tayo mapunta. Lahat na lang nang bagay gagawan natin ng #hugot lines. "Sana ako pa rin. Ako na lang. Ako na lang ulit," sabi ni Basha.
21. At higit sa lahat, hindi kumpleto ang bakasyon ‘pag walang #SELFIE
Oo, huli ito dahil ito talaga ang unang hahanapin mo sa listahan. Sobrang hilig nating mga Pinoy kumuha ng mga litrato ng ating mga sarili. Binansagan na nga ang Makati na Selfie Capital of the World. At dahil sa gandang-ganda tayo sa ating mga sarili, kumpleto pa tayo niyan sa apps at equipment tulad ng selfie stick, VSCO, Snapchat at marami pang iba. Ito na siguro ang pinaka-bukod tanging palatandaan na ikaw ay isang Pinoy.
My Wife and I Travelled 5 Days to Puerto Princesa and El Nido on a Budget
Here's how you can see all the charms and beauty of Puerto Princesa and El Nido in just 5 days without breaking the bank!
Jayson Concepcion
Jayson Concepcion is a programmer by profession but has a soul of a traveller. Aside from his ultimate dream of travelling around the world, he loves to eat, drink, listen to music, talk about aliens and indulge in his occasional secret guilty pleasure of singing love songs in videoke. His favourite superpower is to teleport from one place to another. I guess you know why. Follow his latest pursuits on his blog, Facebook and Instagram.
Our DIY Puerto Princesa and El Nido, Palawan for 5 days on a humble budget.
During our trip to Palawan, I posted a picture in Facebook of me and my wife enjoying the beauty of Shimisu Island. Then a friend of mine (real friend, not just an FB friend) commented “Big Time” to which I replied “Di naman pre, budgeted lang. Sardinas nga lang kinain namin kahapon eh lol” (No dude, we’re on a budget. We even only ate sardines yesterday). Well, I can’t blame him for saying that we are “Big Time” since we are in a very beautiful place known to be visited only by those who have the “moolah”. And since I am the “Travel Debugger”, let’s try to debunk the stereotype in this post that El Nido (and Palawan for that matter) is only for the high rollers. My wife and I committed with a budget of PHP 25,000 (for the two of us) without sacrificing much of our comfort and our addiction to good food.
PS: This blog post is more on the budget breakdown of our trip to Palawan. Though I would post a summary of our itinerary, there’s not much stories here. I will write a separate post of our amazing trip to Palawan.
First things first
I very much advice you folks that you just DIY your travel to Palawan instead of booking your tour in with Travel Agency. For me, it’s cheaper, more flexible and sometimes, even easier. I have never booked a tour in a Travel Agency before because doing your own Itinerary is much more fun than being fed to you in a golden spoon. It’s very easy to DIY your tour in Palawan. Just do a little research and read some Blogs (like mine ;p) and you’re good.
We booked our roundtrip tickets for two from Cebu Pacific Air for PHP 7,053.68 (PHP 3,526.84 each) all in. It’s a little expensive than the usual since we booked it just a month before our trip. Reason is, this trip is something we didn’t plan months in advance. I was thinking of somewhere to go on our 2nd Wedding Anniversary on March and I swear I didn’t think of going out of town. What I just want back then was like a simple restaurant dinner or a road trip to Tagaytay. But then I thought that we should do something out of the ordinary or just go somewhere we have never been to for our anniversary. Then, frack it, let’s go on a trip out of town. It’s been 7 months since our last trip anyway (July 2014 in Vietnam was our last trip).
Going to Underground River
The Van transfer from Puerto Princesa to Sabang was part of our Underground River tour payment. More information regarding the tours later.
Going to El Nido
We initially planned to take the RoRo Bus to El Nido at night as I have read that sometimes the Van is too tight, crowded and does not have much legroom. Plus, if we ride the bus, I can stand from time to time to stretch. But since our Underground River tour guide told us the tour will be finished at around 1:00 PM, we decided to go ahead to El Nido from Salvacion earlier than we were supposed to (Salvacion is the junction to those going to Sabang or El Nido). I contacted Tay Miloy’s Inn to book us one night, plus he offered a Van transfer from Salvacion for 500 each. It’s a good deal and we left Salvacion at around 3PM and arrived in El Nido at 7PM. That’s just 4 hours! Thanks to our speed demon driver. And oh, the comfort level in the Van was just okay. We were still able to stretch our legs a bit.
Going around El Nido
A tricycle ride from the market terminal to El Nido town proper will cost you PHP 50. So if you are 4 in a group, you can share the fare and pay much cheaper.
Don’t bother riding a tricycle going around the El Nido town proper since it’s small. You can just walk around from one point to another. Plus, it’s good exercise.
You can also rent a motorbike or a mountain bike when you are in El Nido and go somewhere else if you crave for more adventure. I just didn’t take note of how much though since we didn’t avail it.
Northern Hope tours offered us van transfer from El Nido to Puerto Princesa for 500 each. I don’t know if that’s their rate for everybody or just because we booked all our tours with them. The going rate for Van transfers, as some say is around 700 to 800 per person but I think you can haggle or try to get it from the tours/hotel you booked in since they can give you a discounted price.
El Nido Terminal
Going around Puerto Princesa
A short distance tricycle in Puerto Princesa cost us PHP 10 per ride (PHP 20 for 2 pax). If a tricycle is charging you more than that, then they are being greedy and are ripping you off just because you’re “tourists”.
You can also ride a multi-cab to your desired destination. From Puerto Princesa proper to Mitra Road, our fare is PHP 15 each. I guess the minimum fare is the same in Manila, I’m just not sure. We managed to do a DIY tour of the city for PHP 80 each. More on that on the Tours section.
For our DIY Puerto Princesa Half day City Tour, click here!
Accommodation
For our first night in El Nido, we booked a fan room in Tay Miloy’s Inn for PHP 500. We just needed a place to crash that night, and luckily there is an available room for us even if we didn’t reserve days before. We just booked the room the same day.
For the succeeding nights in El Nido, we booked at Ricgem Hotel a month in advance for PHP 2,550 for 2 nights for a standard room with a/c and own restroom but no T.V. (You don’t need one anyways right?). Actually, I think the price of the room is just PHP 1,000 per night, but the price increased to PHP 1,250 because of the hotel tax and service charge (I booked the hotel through Agoda). So if you’re going to stay at Ricgem, you can just contact them directly to get a cheaper price which I should’ve done. Also, I very much recommend Ricgem Hotel as the room is clean and nice, and the owners were very polite and kind. I wrote a review about our stay here.
Ricgem Place Hotel
Tip: If you’re thinking of booking a beachfront hotel in El Nido for a higher price, you may want to think twice. A beachfront hotel is nice but is not a must in El Nido since it is not advisable to swim in the town proper’s seashore anyways. They dock their boats there, and it smells of gasoline.
For our last night in Palawan, we booked a fan room in Aniceto’s Pension in Puerto Princesa for PHP 550. Just like in Tay Miloy’s, we just need a place to crash so don’t expect anything fancy.
Tours
We booked our Underground River tour and Island tours with Northern Hope tours based in El Nido.
For the Underground River tour, we paid a total of PHP 1,400 each inclusive of buffet lunch (home cooked meals), air-conditioned van transfer, permit, environmental fee, boat transfers, paddle boat tour and a licensed tour guide.
For the El Nido Island tours, they offered us Tour A and Tour C which we happily agreed on. We paid PHP 1,000 for each tour per person plus PHP 200 each for ETDF (Eco Tourism Development Fee).
The Island tours are inclusive of a sumptuous lunch, snorkelling gear, life vest and tour guide. On our last tour (Tour C), we gave a PHP 100 tip to one of the tour guides (Kuya Bong) since he is very kind and assisted us especially my wife because she can’t swim very well.
Tip: They will offer you to rent a kayak in the Small Lagoon for PHP 300 for 30 minutes. I think this is not worth it since you can rent a Kayak for PHP 500 in the town proper for a whole day! You can even take the kayak in the tour boat and use it everytime you visit an Island or lagoon.
We didn’t rent a Kayak, because, well, we’re not up for it.
For the city tour in Puerto Princesa, you can hire a tricycle to take you around the tourist spots for PHP 600. But in our case, since we just would like to visit 4 places (Immaculate Conception cathedral, Plaza Cuartel, Mitra’s ranch and Baker’s hill), we opted not to hire a trike but just commute from one place to another. This is very doable and much cheaper. We just spent PHP 80 each for our customised City tour, and it really wasn’t tiring.
PS: You can walk from Mitra’s Ranch going to Baker’s Hill. Also, there are tricycles waiting at Baker’s hill, so don’t worry about the scarcity of transportation when you want to go back to the highway.
Wifey walking from Mitra’s Ranch to Baker’s Hill
For our DIY Puerto Princesa Half day City Tour, click here!
Food
This is where things got balanced. We ate in all of the types of food places. We ate in the streets, carinderias, mini restos and restaurants. When travelling, eating is one of our favourite things to do. We still keep an eye of our budget but at the same time, we don’t want to miss out on the cuisine or dishes the place has to offer. One type of eatery won’t provide all of our foodie needs. I’ll sub-categorise this section with the types of food we ate. Here it goes:
Eat like a pauper
We brought canned goods (sardines), bread, junk foods and mamon baked by my wife for those times that we just need to fill up our empty stomachs. We ate dinner twice in El Nido with just a can of sardines and steamed rice bought from the Hotel/Inn we are staying at for PHP 15. The price of mineral water ranges from PHP 20 to PHP 30. This is the cheapest way to go if you are very tight on budget. Just bring your own food and buy rice/water and you’re solve.
Eat like a local
Puerto Princesa and El Nido have lots of carinderias, eateries and street stalls to satisfy those empty stomachs in a cheap price.
In El Nido, we ate at Silog Republic which cost PHP 65 per order of a Silog Meal. There are also street stalls where you can buy pork and/or chicken barbeque for cheap. Don’t buy at those commercialised grill stalls where a stick of chicken bbq costs PHP 75, and it was not satisfying for its price. You can also check out the Women’s Cooperative eatery which sells home cooked Pinoy meals similar to our carinderias in Manila. We spent PHP 85 for an order of sweet and sour fish (good for two), 2 rice and a mineral water. We also ate at this Chao Long eatery in El Nido where we ordered Vietnamese beef stew, pork sisig and rice. The sisig was not great but the beef stew is close to authentic. We paid a total of PHP 195, a little costly than most carinderias but the bad thing is they have bad service and the food takes a while to be prepared. For breakfast or merienda, there is a bakery in El Nido named Midtown bakery where they sell fresh breads and pastries for dirt cheap. We bought 2 big Spanish breads and 2 piyayas for just PHP 30 total. You see, it’s not that expensive in El Nido like what others thought.
In Puerto Princesa, again, we ate at a Chao Long eatery called Bona’s Chao Long. You see, I love Vietnamese food (check my post here) and I would like to try if the dishes here are at par with what is served in Vietnam. We ordered one beef noodles (PHP 65), a French bread with chicken spread (PHP 35) and one softdrink (PHP 20) for a total of PHP 120. As opposed to the Chao Long eatery in El Nido, this one has good service and better noodles in terms of taste and serving.
Eat like a tourist
Let’s admit it, when we travel, we really like to go on a splurge sometimes or when we have remaining budget, we like to spend that money on something fancy. And food is one of the things we like to spend that on.
On our second night in El Nido, we met with a newly wed friend of mine and his wife in El Nido where they are spending their honeymoon. We both agreed days before that we will eat and drink in Squidos. Then off we went to Squidos, ordered seafood pizza, calamari and I don’t remember how many Pale Pilsens we ordered but it sure got us tipsy. We have a total bill of PHP 970 to which my wife and I shared PHP 470. Not bad for a fun night.
At Squidos with the newly weds!
Then the night after, my wife and I went to Pukka bar to enjoy some beer (PHP 50), fries and Reggae for a total damage of PHP 470. I love music and I can’t let it pass not to see local acts in a place called “Heaven on Earth”.
For the Island tours, Northern Hope tours prepared a sumptuous lunch for our grumbling stomachs. Nothing beats fresh seafood eaten at the beach.
Our delicious lunch in Tour C
For our last day in El Nido, we ate breakfast at the Art Café for a change. We were supposed to have breakfast in The Alternative but it was temporarily closed so we opted for the Art Café instead. Total damage was PHP 350 for a Tomato Omelet meal and Fried Eggs and ham.
Other touristy expenses include 2 halo-halos in the 7 Commandos beach for PHP 100 each and a Selecta cornetto ice cream for PHP 50 in the Helicopter beach. Don’t blame us, it’s hot out there.
In Puerto Princesa, we would at least like to try some dishes in one of the famous restaurants there. We chose the restaurant that’s near our hotel and that is Balinsasayaw restaurant. We ordered the Balinsasayaw express (PHP 175), Shrimp with green peas (PHP 175), Pineapple rice (PHP 110) and a Green Mango shake (PHP 69) for a total of PHP 529. Well the main dishes were good but the Pineapple rice is not that good. It was gooey and very far behind what we had in Thailand or even in local restos in Manila.
To summarise, please see below the breakdown of all our expenses on our trip to Puerto Princesa and El Nido. I will just itemise the expenses for one pax for clarity.
Transportation
Airfare – 3526.5
Van from PPC to El Nido – 500
Van from El Nido to PPC – 500
Tricycle from El Nido terminal to Tay Miloy’s – 25 (50 per trip divided by 2pax)
DIY City tour – 80 (160 total for 2 pax)
PPS Terminal fee – 150
Taxi from NAIA 4 to Pateros – 100 (200 total)
Transpo Sub-total: PHP 4,881.5
Accommodation
Tay Miloy’s Inn – 250 (500 per night)
Ricgem Hotel – 1275.005 (2550.01 for 2 nights)
Aniceto Pension – 275 (550 per night)
Accommodation Sub-total: PHP 1,800.005
Tours
Underground River tour – 1400
Island Tour A – 1000
Island Tour B – 1000
Tip to Tour guide – 50 (100 total tip)
ETDF – 200
Mitra’s Ranch maintenance fee – (20. This is optional since you will just have to pay if you want to enter the house)
Tour Sub-Total: PHP 3,670
Food
Squidos – 235
Pukka bar – 235
Art Café – 175
Silog Republic – 72.5
El Nido Chao Long – 97.5
Women’s Coop – 42.5
Bona’s Chao Long – 60
Balinsasayaw resto – 264.5
Others – 339
Food Sub-Total: PHP 1,182
PS: I did not include the cost of our “baon”. Items are posted per individual, meaning the total cost was divided by 2. I only highlighted the cost for the major eateries, the rest are all consolidated in the “Others” item.
For a grand total of *** drumroll *** PHP 11,533.505 per pax (PHP 23,067.01 for 2 pax)! Not bad for 5 days trip to Puerto Princesa and El Nido. It’s not cheap but it’s not that expensive also.
What increased the total is the airfare and food. For the airfare, of course, you should get tickets as cheap as possible. For food, you can eat like a pauper or a local and forget eating like a tourist. I’m okay with the price of our accommodation in Ricgem because it’s very reasonable, and the place was nice and comfortable. With that being said, you can imagine that it can be very much cheaper if you will just bring your own food, eat little or eat cheaper and book a cheaper flight with a budget airline. Much cheaper if you will book a fan room all throughout your stay.
So guys, don’t be afraid of going to Paradise because of the cost. I tell you, it’s all worth it.
How I Spent 3 Days in Coron, Palawan for Only PHP 4,950 (All-In)
Here's how to enjoy Coron for 3 days with a budget of only PHP 4,950.
Tristan Jay Correa
TJ is working as a program producer in a radio station but his alter ego “Travel Jock” keeps his feet uncontrollable as if wanting to explore the world with freedom and independence. His heart and mind are currently battling if he should stay on a stable career with limited vacation leaves or embark on a risky journey of travelling the world with no limits. He just started his simple blog The Travel Jock.
I have to warn you that I don’t have much vacation leave in the office that’s why I was bound to compress this amazing tour to three days and two nights. A pretty basic one, but I still enjoyed it a lot. I will not hesitate to come back!
Promo airfares
Raise your hand if you monitor promo airfares just like me! I got a Manila to Coron (Busuanga) round trip fare for PHP 700 via Cebu Pacific Air, while some of my backpacker friends got an unbelievable PHP 500 via SkyJet Airlines (not to mention they have champagne and mamon!). So for those who want to get promo airfares, try visiting their website every now and then. Philippine Airlines also offers Manila to Coron trips.
There are lots of backpackers lodge and good hotels to choose from. I tried the newly built 10-month old Haven 1916 Bed & Breakfast because of its good location. Plus, my friend really wants to stay there, so I really don’t have much of a choice, do I? Anyway, their standard rooms cost PHP 2,000 per night, and come with breakfast and airport transfers.
Contact: 0915-6818172 / (02) 9845628
Address: Calle Nueva Barangay Poblacion 4, Coron, Palawan, Philippines
Group tour packages
Since I don’t have the luxury of time, I only booked for a one-day tour. Our hotel arranged a “budget- joiner eco tour” charging us PHP 650 per person.
The tour includes 6 destinations:
Kayangan Lake
Isla Bulungan Beach
Hidden Lagoons
Twin Peaks Reef
Calachuchi Coral Eden
CYC island
Special inclusions:
Licensed Tourist Boat with Lifevest & First Aid Kit
Entrance Fees
Tour Assistant
Picnic Lunch
Complimentary Tropical Fruit and Drinks
The tour starts at 8AM and ends at 5PM. Don’t forget to bring enough water and snacks to last a day, underwater camera, towels, and a waterproof bag. I rented snorkelling gear, mask and aqua shoes worth PHP 250. There are also different group tours to choose from, so I suggest you make it 4-day trip so you have ample time to maximise this adventure.
There are few interesting spots in Coron Town aside from joining group tours.
1. Maquinit Hot Spring
This is a rare saltwater hotspring pool located 30 minutes away from where we stayed. To go there, you’d have to take a tricycle for is PHP 300. The driver will even wait for you and take you back from your pick-up point.
2. Mount Tapyas Viewdeck
Bring water and keep your breathing composure with this 700-step climb to Mount Tapyas viewdeck. As the highest peak in town, you’ll have a beautiful panoramic view of Coron.
3. Lualhati Park
Well to be honest, it’s not something to look forward to, but you can check out this bayside park where you can have a good vantage point of Mount Tapyas with Hollywood-inspired letters of Coron at the top. You can also enjoy the zipline ride that crosses above water. It’s also near the market, so you can check out some souvenir items.
This quiet town of Coron has some good drinking spots for a nightcap and chill nightout. We tried No Name Bar because of its cosy island feel and its good upbeat music in the background. The drinks are affordable and the owner is also very accommodating.
Where to eat
I must say that it’s expensive to eat in Coron. A number of restaurants like Carl’s BBQ offer a variety of delicious food, but they are not quite cost efficient. I also checked out Big Mama’s with a relatively fair budget in comparison. But, the most delicious I’ve tried is WG Diner with yummy seafood—very well cooked! Nonetheless, I suggest you eat on small eateries if you are really on a tight budget.
Itinerary
Your own itinerary will vary depending on your mood, time and interests. Here’s my sample itinerary for your reference:
Day 1: Arrival, City Tour
10:00 am – Check-in NAIA Terminal 4
11:30 am – ETD NAIA Terminal 4 – Busuanga
12:30 nn – ETA Busuanga Airport
01:00 pm – Arrival in Coron by van, check in at hotel
01:30 am – Late Lunch
02:00 pm – Start City Tour
02:30 pm – Walk around town and feel the vibe
03:00 pm – Maquinit Hot Springs
06:00 pm – Back to Hotel
07:00 pm – Dinner & Nightcap
Day 2: Coron Island Tour
07:00 am – Wake up call, Shower & Breakfast
08:00 am – Go to assembly point of the group tour
09:00 am – Start of the Coron Island Trip
05:00 pm – Back to Hotel
07:00 pm – Dinner & Nightlife
Day 3: Departure
07:00 am – Wake up call, Shower & Breakfast
08:30 am – Climb Mount Tapyas View Deck
10:30 am – San Agustin Church, Coron Municipal Hall, Lualhati Park ; Buy souvenirs & delicacies in Coron Market
12:00 nn – Lunch
01:30 pm – ETD Coron (travel by van)
02:30 pm – ETA Busuanga Airport
03:00 pm – Check in
04:30 pm – ETD Busuanga Airport
05:30 pm – ETA NAIA Terminal 4, Manila
Budget
Note that it’s my personal budget breakdown. All will actually depend on your budgeting skills and financial instincts. This is an estimated cost for 3days/2nights stay for two. You can cut cost if you choose to have a hostel for accommodation, and dine in small eateries.
NAITAS Travel & Trade Show 2016 is Definitely BIG!
Come 8-10 April 2016, the BIGGEST TRAVEL and TRADE SALE in the Philippines is here again!
Charmaine Acha
Charmaine loves random weekend trips, technology and coffee. Guided by her travel mantra "chill and travel", she enjoys unplanned escapades without compromising leisure. Her free hours are spent reading a book, watching movies or thinking about her next possible adventure.
8 April 2016: NAITAS Travel and Trade Show 2016 Opening Day
The 2nd NAITAS Travel and Trade Show officially opened on 8 April 2016 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City. The ribbon cutting ceremony was led by NAITAS President Wanda Tulfo-Teo.
Long queue at the registration areaNAITAS board members with Ms. Regine TolentinoRibbon cutting ceremonyMexican Ambassador to the Philippines, Julio Camarena VillaseñorSenator Alan Peter CayetanoDavao City Mayor Rodrigo DuterteQuezon's best products
All travel enthusiasts in the Philippines, brace yourself for the BIGGEST TRAVEL and TRADE SALE on 8-10 April 2016 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia.
Organised by the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies - Philippines, Inc. (NAITAS), Travel and Trade Show 2016 will once again showcase BIG sale packages, BIG discounts, BIG organisations, and even BIG personalities including the Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. and Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte – all in ONE BIG EVENT!
Mark your calendars now and be the first to grab the hottest travel deals and packages on offer!
Just a friendly reminder: Before heading down to NTTS 2016, make sure you already have some travel destinations in mind so you won’t be caught in a tyranny of choice.
10 Hottest Summer Destinations in the Philippines for Your Next Barkada Trip
Don't know where to go for your next barkada getaway? Take your pick from this list.
Charmaine Acha
Charmaine loves random weekend trips, technology and coffee. Guided by her travel mantra "chill and travel", she enjoys unplanned escapades without compromising leisure. Her free hours are spent reading a book, watching movies or thinking about her next possible adventure.
Summer is here again! It’s the perfect time to go outdoors and bond with your barkada (circle of friends). So where will you spend your next barkada getaway? When you’re reading this, I’m probably enjoying the scenic wonders of Cebu or basking in the Surigao sun with my friends. You see, there’s nothing quite like the happiness of doing crazy adventures with your barkada. So go out there and bug your friends to spend another memorable barkada trip at any of these hottest summer destinations in the Philippines.
El Nido definitely deserves the number one spot. Pristine nature, white sand beaches, breathtaking scenery, delectable seafood and hospitable people – your friends will surely fall in love with this stunning piece of paradise on Earth! Think El Nido is expensive? Well, think again! This group of friends travelled 5 days in El Nido for only PHP 6,730.66 inclusive of flights, food, accommodation and other travel costs. And here’s a 4-day itinerary to help you plan your trip there.
Of course, you should not forgo Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan. It boasts some world-renowned natural wonders that you just have to see for yourself. Enter the enigmatic underground river and go island hopping in Honda Bay. And don’t miss out on dining out with your barkada at the highly raved restaurants like Kinabuch’s Grill and Bar, Ka Lui Restaurant, Bilao at Palayok and Badjao Seafront Restaurant. Food always tastes better when it’s shared!
The long, butt-numbing ride to reach Calaguas is certainly worth it! This unspoilt paradise in Camarines Norte is a perfect destination to let loose with your barkada. There’s no signal on the island so you and your friends can all blissfully disconnect from the online world. Read the full exciting experience of this barkada who went there for 2 days with a budget of only PHP 3,900 each.
Hiking, camping, swimming and more -- San Antonio, Zambales offers your barkada an adventure you will never forget. Hike across Mount Nagsasa, camp and swim at Nagsasa Cove and go sightseeing at Talisayin Island and Capones Island. Be sure to get your camping and hiking gears ready! Read this San Antonio guide for a more detailed itinerary, budget and travel tips.
With summer’s scourging heat, taking a dip into a cold natural pool is sheer HEAVEN! Go to the municipality of Cavinti in the province of Laguna and beat the heat with its many falls, lakes, and rivers. Ride a bamboo raft and get a natural body massage on the basin of Pagsanjan Falls. And for an added thrill, follow the unpaved trails to Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex and to other majestic falls such as Nakulo Falls, Bayakan Falls and Bumbungan Twin Falls.
Chasing waterfalls not thrilling enough for your barkada? Bring the adventure to the next level by canyoneering from Alegria to Badian in Cebu! To give you a snippet of this exhilarating activity, watch this video:
Swim with the cute pawikans (sea turtles) and marvel at the beautiful corals of Apo Island, Negros Oriental. You can easily reach the island from Dumaguete City. After getting thoroughly soaked and sun-kissed, trek your way to the lighthouse. Tip: Don’t expect too much at the top so you won’t be frustrated. Just enjoy and savour the whole hiking experience!
Don’t be put off by Siquijor’s reputation as a place of magic, witchcraft and sorcery! This province is so beautiful, you might just end up coming back over and over again. Siquijor is pretty accessible from Dumaguete too, so why not hit two amazing destinations in one summer getaway? Here’s a Dumaguete to Siquijor 4-day itinerary to help you plan your barkada trip.
Camiguin Island is one of my absolute favourite Philippine destinations. Why? I can’t spell out all the reasons because there are just too many. You simply have to be there to experience its charm and majesty for yourself. Think volcanoes, waterfalls, springs and beaches – you name it, Camiguin’s got it!
Let’s veer off from the islands and beaches and explore an incredible city! Baguio City is the “Summer Capital” of the Philippines, and that being said, it absolutely deserves a spot on this list. Even during the sweltering summer, Baguio City still enjoys a relatively cool temperature, making it an ideal destination to chill out with your barkada. After visiting its top attractions like the Burnham Park, Mines View Park, Session Road and the Mansion, cap the day off with great food and drinks at the Secret Garden Resto & Cafe Co.
My Barkada Trip: 2 Days in the Unspoilt Paradise of Calaguas for PHP 3,900 Each
Ditch the crowded beach destinations and head to Calaguas Island this summer.
Aiko Pualengco
Aiko is a carefree person who lives life one adventure at a time exploring what is unknown to her. She faces each day with a cup of coffee and takes pride in her talent in latte art. If she's not basking in the sun, covered with sand and salt water, she is probably playing with her Chihuahua, Mochi. Follow her journey in The Lost Koy.
Calaguas Island is one of my 2015 priority destinations. Why?
Because...
Island view from our boat – one of the Calaguas Group of IslandsMy favourite shot
When I haven’t set my foot on this island, when all I can do was day dream about it, I google it. Really. Google images of Calaguas Island will mesmerize you. With its different shades of blue that gets bluer and bluer when you look at it while (imagine) resting your feet on the sand. Fine, white sand.
It also gives you a time to disconnect with your social media world and connect with yourself more as it offers zero mobile signal.
People say, it’s the unspoiled version of Boracay, like early 1990s.
With these, I started planning my Calaguas itinerary (and could no longer wait!)
There are many Calaguas tours being offered online for PHP 3,500 per pax inclusive of van from Metro Manila but they require at least 10 pax. When I tried to invite friends months prior the trip, only 8 confirmed, so we opted to go via DLTB bus. (But when the tour was almost a week near, two more friends joined!)
Please note that we had our trip during the APEC Summit holiday, November 16, 9:00 pm to November 19, 4:00 am.
One of my friends found a Calaguas tour package offering the below inclusions for PHP 2,300:
Roundtrip transfer from Jollibee Daet to Vinzons Port
Roundtrip Boat transfer from Vinzons Port to Calaguas Island
Tents (good for two per tent, depending on how many travelers)
Full board meals (with fruit dessert and gallons of drinking water
Tours
Assistance in buying bus tickets back to Manila
Water fee (CR usage)
Once we confirmed our tour package (they don’t require down payment), we reserved our Greyhound bus tickets going to Daet at DLTB Pasay at PHP 650 per person. Although there are cheaper bus seat options, we chose the Greyhound seats because it is reclinable and has a pull out foam for your legs, making it so comfortable. The trip will last for 10-12 hours and I wanna stretch my legsss, you know! It also has its own CR so no stopovers required! Tip: Reserve your tickets as early as possible, especially if you plan on going during declared holidays. Seats get sold out easily.
Things to bring
Swimwear
Basic Toiletries
Wet wipes
Blankets and jacket
Extra food and water
Underwater Camera and extra batteries (you don’t wanna miss those perfect momenst!)
Two sets of clothes (sleeping clothes and clothes going home, you’ll spend your day in your swimsuit, anyway)
Day 0
We arrived at DLTB Pasay at 9:00 pm with our backpacks, cameras and bus tickets. But since it was the start of APEC Summit, buses from Cubao could no longer pass by the stretch of EDSA. So one of DLTB officers instructed us to join the bus going to Batangas, where our bus will wait for us (just sharing our experience, don’t mind this!)
Day 1
Photo taken at Vinzons Port
At 12:00 am, our bus arrived shortly after we were dropped off in Batangas. We made ourselves comfortable by covering ourselves with blankets and jackets (Tip: the bus gets really cold, better be prepared!) I wasn’t sure what time I fell asleep but I woke up at 8:00 am when we arrived in Daet.
From Daet terminal, we rode a tricycle to Jollibee Daet as instructed by the tour guide. We had heavy breakfast to last until our next meal, when the tour guide arrived. He instructed us to ride a jeepney that will take us to Vinzons port, travel time is approximately 30 minutes.
When we arrived in Vinzons Port, we waited for our boat. We put our belongings inside huge plastic bags so it won’t get wet during the boat ride. Tip: Keep the plastic bags because you’re going to use it again.
The tour guides also collected the money amounting to PHP 650 to buy our bus seats going back to Manila. At 9:00 am, when everything was settled, we hopped into the boat with totally no idea how wild the waves will be.
It took us 3 hours to reach the island! The trip was so bumpy and we all got wet due to the strong waves we encountered, there were passengers who had to throw up, and some, like me, got dizzy. Tip: Take some motion sickness tablets 1 hour prior to your boat ride.
…..But the boat ride was all worth it when we had a glimpse of the island! It was so beautiful and unspoiled and inviting. Way better than those Google images I used to fill in my daydreams!
View from the boatIt might look like there are a lot of campers on the island, (looking at this photo, there are more than 20 pitched tents), but when we got there, it didn’t bother us at all!
At 12:00 pm, we alighted the boat and we were guided in our cottage where we rested. The tour package, even if in small groups, includes a cottage where you can stay and dine and drink and rest. After sometime, our lunch arrived.
First set of meal – Rice, Grilled Fish, Sinantolan and Sinigang na Hipon
Food was really good and more than enough for the 10 of us, half being boys with large stomach capacity. We even shared some of our food with Henry, a European backpacker who eventually joined us in our entire trip.
Meet Henry (The white guy waiving his hand)
At 2:00 pm, the tour guide instructed us that the first island tour will start at 4:00 pm. Some of us decided not to join because the island is so beautiful on its own, we just wanted to swim in it and play in the sand.
My sexy and beautiful friend obviously enjoyed her jump!
At 7:00 pm, dinner was served. Still, the food was awesome and more than enough for 11 of us!
At 8:00 pm, we stayed in the cottage and had some drinks. Good thing there are many stores in the island offering snacks, chips, coffee, chocolate drinks and booze. They also accept cellphone charging for PHP 50.
From the blogs that I read, they mentioned that at 12:00 am, lights will be turned off. But it was already 2:00 am when we decide to sleep in our tents yet, the lights were still on.
It is important to note that there are several comfort rooms on the island, unlike other campsites, Calaguas is already very open to modern-day campers. Water to be used for washing and cleaning is always available. For DIY campers, it has a PHP 70 fee.
Day 2
The following morning, I woke up at 5:30 am but the sun was already up. I wasn’t able to see sunrise, but at least, the island wasn’t crowded yet. I immediately changed in my swimwear and took a dip in the cold waters.
While I was resting on the sand, I heard the tour guide collecting campers who would like to join the second island tour. Only two from our group decided to join the tour, and they were back at 8:00 am.
At 10:00 am, tour guide started preparing our lunch. They went to our cottage to collect the tour fee. They also advised us to take a bath in Vinzons Port because our clothes might get soaked again during our boat ride back to the port.
At 12:00 pm, we had lunch and started packing our stuff. We inserted all our belongings again inside the huge plastic bag and at 2:00 pm, we loaded it in the boat. This time, the boat was smaller than our previous boat. The trip back to Vinzons lasted for two hours, one hour shorter than expected. The waves were calmer and we didn’t get wet at all! I guess, smaller boats are safer and more comfortable. It also just go where the waves go!
Lunch – Rice, Bicol Express, Calamares and Chicken
At 4:00 pm, we arrived at Vinzons port and took a shower. At 5:00 pm, we were ready to go back to Daet to wait for our 9:00 pm bus back to Manila.
We had dinner in one of the restaurants in Daet and at 8:30 pm, we went to the terminal to catch our bus.
At exactly 9:00 pm, the bus started moving and I didn’t realize I slept the entire trip that I woke up when we arrived in Pasay at 4:00 am.
Other food and drink expenses for in between meals – PHP 300
TOTAL = PHP 3,900 per person
Sir Noli in black The North Face shirt
That sums up our Calaguas Itinerary! Hope this is helpful and inviting enough for you to start inviting your friends to spend the next holiday in Calaguas!
If interested in the Calaguas tour package that we had, please contact: Noli Bajarin: +63917 959 5985
Will I come back? Definitely yes, with a heart! <3
Holy Week Family Trip: 3 Days of Basking in the Caramoan Sun
It's a Holy Week well spent with the entire family, exploring the beaches and sights of Caramoan.
Johanna Ella May Erroba
Johanna is a free spirit. She channels her energy through music, writing, surfing, and travelling. She expresses all of her musings on Camera and Cheese.
Price: Php 3,000.00 package tour (accommodation, food, boat, etc.) via Kuya Rico Salazar (0912 678 1930).
Companions: Family
Travelling with Family
On our way to Caramoan
My family loves to travel. We are used to driving, or rather sitting in the car while Papa drives, and we can survive road trips as long as 24-36 hours. During last year's (2015) Semana Santa (Holy Week), we opted to go north. Our previous (2014) Holy Week destination was in Sagada, and while that was really invigorating and very apt for the season of sacrifice, Mama wanted a different setting – beach!
Getting to Caramoan
Since there are seven of us, buying plane tickets would have been so much more expensive. So we rode aboard our Montero on the first of April. We drove to Allen, Northern Samar where the ferries are, and we had our car shipped to Matnog which is already part of Luzon. There are several ways to reach our destination but going there, we didn’t pass through Naga City until our way home. We arrived at Sabang port, a part of the municipality of San Jose then rode a two-hour boat trip going to Caramoan.
That boat trip sure was a memorable one! The waves were huge and we had to ride an improvised “ramp” from the shore to the boat that a few men had to push. The Php 10.00 “service fee” was worth it though.
The ramp express worth Php 10
That two hour boat ride
Tour package
Manong driver, the guide’s brother
Welcome to Caramoan
From the port of Caramoan, we had to ride a tricycle going to a Barangay called Paniman. Our rented place was a small bungalow with four rooms, all of which have their own bathrooms. We rented two since we surely won’t fit inside just one. The place was right in front of the beach where the boats would also dock.
All our meals were prepared by the guide, Kuya Rico and his wife. They were so nice and friendly. If you would go to Caramoan, skip the bigger travel agencies and hire Kuya Rico instead. It’s so much cheaper plus you’d also be helping him out. The boat rentals during the island hopping were also included in the package. When we got to Paniman, we literally did not spend a single peso and we had nothing to worry about. All we did were relax and have fun. I highly recommend that you get your own guide.
Nothing fancy, just healthy and delicious food
Exploring Caramoan
The beach where we stayed was not the white sand beach that I was dreaming of. It turns out that it’s only a docking area for boats that travel from island to island, where the white sands are. I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t list all the names of the islands that we went to, but boy were they awesome! I’m not one for island hopping adventures and I’d prefer a one-stop sort of beach but the experience was really great, much like a hop-all-you-can adventure. There were not as many people as I’ve expected and the islands were really preserved.
But the thing is, other than the pristine white sand beaches, there’s nothing else to see in that town. There were a few souvenir shops but they were too pricey. I didn’t buy any souvenir. Their “downtown” area was quite small but I liked the feel of it. On the afternoon, a day before we left, we asked the guide to take us to any snack place that served local food. He took us to a house-turned-eatery. I believe that they only served one kind of food – kinalas. We realised later on that kinalas was a specialty in the region. Kinalas is like a regular lomi (noodles) but with different and unique spices. It was really cheap and very tasty!
Kinalas ala Caramoan
Kinalas for only Php 25!
My family and I were so lucky that we went to Caramoan just in time before a storm hit Bicol region. On our last day, all the boats were not allowed to travel anymore so we had to ride a van from Paniman to Sabang which took about four to five hours. A lot of the tourists had to cancel their itineraries because of the storm.
Caramoan has its ups and downs but I definitely think that it’s worth checking out if you are a child of the sea. Our overall experience was great! I’d have to say though that I might not want to come back because the travel time going there was so long, and I think I could find similar islands here in Visayas, closer to where I live. I want to leave you with shots that I took during the island hopping experience so you can be the judge.
One of the floating cottages in one of the Caramoan islandsRock formation at Caramoan
The beautiful church at Caramoan
One of the souvenir shops in Caramoan
Loving my two piece rash guard bikini “Downtown” CaramoanStar fish! Fambam having fun Fambam enjoying the white sand beachCaramoan’s beautiful church groundsHave some halo-halo to cool you down
Home-bound
On our way home on the third of April, my mom insisted on stopping by the Cagsawa Ruins. Initially, we planned on staying one night at any place that offers hot and/or cold springs. By late afternoon, we decided otherwise and just headed home instead. We also stopped by CamSur Watersports Complex. I wanted to do wakeboarding but I was the only one interested and I didn’t want to enjoy while my family waited for me to finish the short experience.
Cagsawa Ruins
Group selfie with the Mayon Volcano
CamSur Watersports Complex
This ends my travel diary for Holy Week 2015. How about you? Where did you spend the week?
Why Every Filipino Should Be a Tourist in Their Own City
Filipino, travel the Philippines first, and start by exploring your own hometown.
Tin Mendez
Tin aspires to live a creative life every day. She likes to tinker with paper, wires and anything she can fabricate into something new. She is fascinated by stories of the past and years gone by, old pictures, abandoned buildings and wild nature. While her past work experience was in the field of design, currently, she juggles writing gigs about her travels while at the same time establishing her personal creative career.
I like how Merriam-Webster defines the word tourist -- One that makes a tour for pleasure and culture. Set aside how the internet has redefined the word “tourist” in comparison to the word “traveller”, or how it often markets the word “travelling” as a lifestyle. I would like to focus on the core definition of the word without any bias to its modern connotation.
If we expound more about it, it would mean “one that explores for his or her pleasure to learn about (the place’s) culture”. If we stick to this definition, then the word “tourist” would not only mean “someone who is rich, who can afford to go to luxurious places and who only stays in hotels” or “someone who is a visitor or a foreigner in a place”. It doesn’t even mean “someone who would rather spend on roaming around instead of what seems to be important things such as saving up for one’s future”. In this sense, I do believe that every Filipino should be a tourist in his or her own city because:
Contrary to common perception, pleasure does not always mean shelling out money
Of course, most tourist spots have entrance fees. Most of them are also far and require that you travel to get to them. But it doesn’t mean that tourist spots far away are the only places worth visiting. One of my favourite places in Davao City (where I grew up) is the Lon Wa Buddhist Temple. The only entrance fee necessary is that you respect the peace, quiet and cleanliness of the place. One of the most memorable activities I did in Cebu City (my home for 10 years) was a trek to Mt. Kan-irag, which only cost motorcycle and jeepney fares, snacks from a local bakery, and packed lunch from home.
On the way to Mt. Kan-irag Peak | Image credit: Rey BuayaSmiling Buddha greets and welcomes everyone at the entrance of Lon Wa Buddhist Temple
Because we have lived in the same city for years does not mean we know all about it
Often times, most people who live in a city for a long time are the ones who are clueless about the interesting places of that city; I was like that. We may hear about interesting places to check out but we always leave it for next time, “It won’t disappear anyway”. If we consider a place our home, isn’t it reasonable that we also get to know it like how we know every nook and cranny of our own houses?
Knowing about our hometown is the first step to knowing about our country
Every filipino can agree that the Philippines is truly a beautiful country. When we hear something negative about it, we cannot help but rush to its defense. It is ironic because, at the same time, we often hear ourselves say “this is the Philippines, this is not like [insert other country here]” as if to mean that we are worse than other countries. It’s also common for us to say “Wow, it’s as if it’s not in the Philippines” when we talk of the beautiful places found here. If we are so proud of our country and if we believe it is beautiful, how come our actions speak the opposite?
When we talk amongst ourselves, we talk about the Philippines we face everyday, like traffic and corruption, but when we talk about it to foreigners, we talk about the Philippines we see when we are on a holiday
However, we forget that like other countries, ours has both good and bad sides. We face most of the worst parts everyday, so it is only important that we also make it a responsibility to see or experience the good sides that we often leave for “next time”. The same with our home towns or the city we live in.
Now you might be wondering how you can become a tourist in your own city. In theory, it’s as simple as imagining yourself as a tourist as if you don’t know anything about your city. Just as how travellers make it their mission to explore the place they are travelling, you should also think of your city as a place you will be visiting. After all, both the end goals are the same; to get to know the place better. In practice, it might be more difficult, but the list below should be able to guide you as you start your travel journey:
Writer’s note: Below are lists of places / activities near me that I have been to or still have to try out. If you are also from Mandaluyong / Pasig border, check them out! Go team Shaw Blvd!
1. Read about things you can do in your city. Luckily, the internet will almost always yield results, from interesting spots to interesting restaurants, from the most popular to hole-in-the-walls. Try out some of those restaurants you have never been to, go to places that you haven’t explored yet. Visiting these places is not only a way for you to enjoy but also a way to support your local entrepreneurs who own or manage these places.
Takashi Japanese Cuisine in Pioneer Center serves authentic Japanese dishes for an affordable price. My favourites are their Hokkaido Miso Ramen, Yaki Gyoza and Crazy Maki Sushi. Be sure to also try out matcha ice cream from nearby Kissako Uji Matcha Cafe for a refreshing dessert which you can order directly while inside Takashi.
2. Start simple just as how most travellers often start with the most affordable or closest destinations and save up for the more expensive next time. When we are touring our own city, it’s also easier to try out the cheapest activities or the closest to us first because it gives you an idea of how things usually cost and you can better prepare for an activity that requires a bigger budget and entails more preparation. A step at a time and before you know it, you are already your friends’ tour guide around your own city.
Greenfield Weekend Market happening every Saturdays in Greenfield District. Check out ever stalls for nostalgic memorabilia, hand-made crafts and supplies, fresh fruits, and all-time favourite snacks while being accompanied by music and good atmosphere. Bring mats for your friends and family to sit on in case you run out of available tables.
3. Try out different kinds of activities just like when travellers vary their activities while in a new city so that they can experience most of what that city offers. It’s also good to try out different activities. It’s not only to try out what your city offers but also to find out which activities fit you best and eventually connect you to people who share the same interest.
Ice Skating in SM Megamall. Summer is coming and if you will have to be stuck in the city for work, a good way to cool down is to try ice skating in SM Megamall with friends or family. It’s quite tiny on weekends since it is more crowded, but if you are a newbie, like me, you’d probably just stay around the railings trying to remember your roller blading days. It’s still fun and literally cool!
4. Be open to making friends because they can sometimes give you the best advice. One of the best perks of travelling is meeting new people. We share our experiences, interests and knowledge with our friends just as they do with us. The more people we meet and get to know, the more stories and learnings we hear, and the more perspective in life we can learn from. Be it in your own city or travelling outside, be open to meeting new people.
Volunteer, donate or adopt a friend at Mandaluyong Animal Shelter. Some tourist also volunteer on the side; this is a way for them to make friends. But volunteering is also a good way for locals not only to meet new people and share their time and what they can give for a good cause but also for them to get involved in what is happening in the society they live in.
5. Lastly, always have an explorer mindset. If you have lived in a city for years, it is easy to feel you know the place very well that there is nothing left for you to explore, so you do not bother. This mindset is what is keeping you from enjoying all the things your city can offer. It’s keeping you from that new restaurant that serves the best ramen at an affordable price, or that breathtaking waterfalls just inside your barangay. It is keeping you from visiting that old building which unbeknownst to many, holds a very important part of our history or that church that has been standing for two centuries.
San Felipe Neri Church in Mandaluyong is one of the oldest churches in Metro Manila. Built in 1863, it served an important role for propagating the Katipunan in 1896-1898. It’s not only a place of worship but also of significant history especially for people of Mandaluyong.
There is a reason why in almost every city or town, there are always tourists. The Philippines is blessed with so many attractions and so much history scattered among the many islands and towns. It’s our home and it’s our responsibility to know our country just like we know our own family. And what better place to start than the city we live in?
How I Spent 3 Days in San Antonio, Zambales with My Friends for Only PHP 3,500 Each
Plan an exciting barkada adventure in San Antonio, Zambales! Here's how to do it for only PHP 3,500 each.
Shekinah Angiwan
Kai is a 20-something workaholic who loves the mountains, the seas, and everything in between. This moody cat-lover has a tendency to wander off for days at a time to explore new places and meet new people. She is the face behind A Wandering Cat.
Zambales is fast becoming one of the hottest tourist destinations in the North and rightfully so. When we visited Zambales in January 2014, I was blown away by the beauty of the mountains and white sand beaches. It is the perfect getaway because you can try different fun activities such as hiking across Mt. Nagsasa (or Mt. Balingkilat/Cinco Picos as seen on a sign or Mt. Bira-Bira according to our guide), camping and swimming at Nagsasa Cove, as well as sightseeing at Talisayin Island and Capones Island.
It’s been two years since then. Hopefully, the tourists and locals have maintained its natural beauty.
10:30 – departure from Nagsasa Cove; boat ride to Talisayin Island
11:30 – arrival at Talisayin Island; unwind on Canlas property
12:15 – departure from Talisayin Island via boat
12:40 – arrival at Capones Island; a bit of hiking to explore the lighthouse
14:30 – departure from Capones Island via boat
15:00 – arrival at Barangay Pundaquit
16:00 – departure from Barangay Pundaquit via van
16:45 – arrival and food trip at Olongapo City
11:45 – arrival at Baguio City
Expenses
What to bring
Personal
Clothes - Aside from your planned outfits to wear, make sure to bring a sweater or a jacket. It’s extremely windy in Nagsasa Cove and it can get cold at night.
Water - Bring at least 3L per person. It’s very hot during the day. You can buy water there, but it’s expensive. You can also refill water containers from their running water, but if you have a weak stomach, either boil the water first or buy it.
Toiletries - There are community CRs there, but bring your own shampoo, soap, toothpaste, sunblock, lotion, etc.
Flashlight/Headlamp - If you go at a good time, the sky is really clear, filled with stars, and the place is brightened by the moonlight.
Eating utensils - Bring tupperwares or reusable plates and cups to reduce waste.
Trashbags and extra plastic bags - You may leave your trash there. If you do, the locals go through them, segregate them, and sell the recyclables. But as much as possible, minimize waste.
Other personal stuff - e.g. extra money, sunglasses, camera, etc. Remember, if you’re going to hike, pack light!
Slippers
Group
Tent - Check the parts to make sure it’s complete: tent body, fly, poles, pegs, and groundsheet. It’s best to use an aerodynamic tent like a tadpole tent because it’s very windy in Nagsasa Cove; there are less chances for the poles to snap because of air pressure.
Sleeping gear - If you opt to hike to Nagsasa Cove rather than take a boat ride going there; and camp on the beach, bring a compact sleeping bag and a light blanket.
Rope - You can fashion a clothesline using ropes. You can also tie down your tents and other things to prevent them from flying away.
Food - Plan the meals you are going to cook in advance. Divide the ingredients among everyone joining the trip in order to distribute the weight fairly. There’s a sari-sari store by the cottages, but the items are a bit pricey because they have to be imported from the city.
Stove - There’s no electricity in Nagsasa Cove, so it’s best to bring a butane or multi-fuel stove for cooking.
Dumaguete to Siquijor 4-Day Itinerary: Top Things to See and Do
Dumaguete and Siquijor are just an hour away from each other. Hit these 2 places in one go with this simple 4-day itinerary.
Ramon Gahob Jr.
Ramon is a dreamer who lives by the motto ''I eat, sleep, travel, repeat". He believes that travel is the best investment a person can have that can make life rich with experiences and adventures, and can push the boundaries of how far one can go. He spends most of his free hours looking up where to go next, creating ways to make them happen, and reflecting on an amazing life thus far.
Dumaguete and Siquijor are two destinations in the Visayas region with many unique sights and sounds, and not to mention the warm, hospitable people. I’ve been visiting both destinations, and I must say that the number of tourists is increasing over the years.
If you are looking for a quick getaway or a long weekend excursion with your family and friends, Dumaguete and Siquijor are the perfect places to visit. With just about an hour away from each other, you can hit two destinations in one go with this simple 4-day itinerary.
Upon arrival in Dumaguete City, look for affordable pension houses or hotels. You can easily find one -- just ask any local or tricycle driver.
Once you are all set, take a leisurely walk at Silliman University, one of the Philippines’ most prestigious schools. Experience the “University Town”, visit some 20th century college buildings and simply enjoy the greenery sight with many acacia trees.
Continue your city exploration by visiting the old Belfry Tower and St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral, the oldest building in the city that has stood the test of time. Just right across the cathedral is Quezon Park, a public park that features a monument dedicated to Maria Clara and the Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal.
St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral | Image credit: Cristian Borres
Want to explore more greenery in this bustling city? Go to Freedom Park, now named the Aquino Park, located across the Negros Oriental Provincial Capitol. The park has a dancing fountain and a number of old trees.
You must try out the local food in Dumaguete city, especially their seafood. Make sure to try their delicious bodbod, a delicacy made of sticky rice, sugar and milk. The city is also home to the famous creamy Silvanas at Sans Rival Cake and Pastries. Definitely a sweet treat perfect for a pasalubong!
By sunset, walk your way towards Rizal Boulevard, a favourite hangout filled with lamps, hawker stalls, restaurants, bars, and people, while enjoying the view of the beach. You can even grab food here for dinner! For a taste of nightlife, proceed to Hayahay, a famous bar and restaurant with nightly gimmicks and live performances featuring Dumaguete’s finest bands. Sing and drink the night away with people having a great time.
A short day trip from Dumaguete City, Apo Island is one of the famous dive spots in the country. To get there, you may travel by car, tricycle or bus from Dumaguete to Zamboanguita, the jump off point to Apo Island. At Zamboanguita, you can rent a small boat to take you to Apo Island.
Upon arrival at Apo Island, you will have to register and pay the necessary fees. From there, it’s game on! You can go sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling. Climb your way to the lighthouse, and visit the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary and Protected Seascape. You can take your lunch under the shades of the tall trees. Bringing of food and drinks is not always necessary since there are restaurants on the island.
From Dumaguete City, hop on a boat or fast craft to Siquijor. First attraction to check out is the old Siquijor church just outside the port area. There are budget-friendly accommodations readily available in the town.
Side note: Check the schedule for the trip back to Dumaguete City, and if possible, buy tickets ahead of time to avoid any hassle, especially during the summer and holiday seasons.
If you want to go on an island tour, I suggest you rent a vehicle as it is more convenient and cost-efficient. From Siquijor city proper, move west to the town of San Juan and see the natural pool of Capilay Spring Park, just right in the middle of the town plaza. You can grab a bite there with tables and chairs made available for free. Swimming in the pool is free too!
Interested in resort-hopping? Siquijor has a lot of beach hubs you can stay for the night or stroll around for free. In San Juan, visit Coco Grove Beach Resort, a luxurious escape with white sand beaches and beautiful amenities. Celebrities invited to perform during the town festivities often check in here.
From San Juan, move on to the town of Lazi. Your feet tired from the long trip? Have a relaxing fish spa at the foot of a centuries old enchanted balete tree. Just give some amount to the caretakers as payment for the fish spa and donation to improve the place.
Then, check out the Lazi convent, one of the largest and oldest convents in the country. Just a few minutes away is Cambugahay Falls, a must-visit natural attraction in Siquijor. No effort in hiking your way to the falls; just go down a little and experience the falls first hand! Channel your inner Tarzan by clinging to a natural swing before plunging into the cool waters.
On your last day, head to the town of Maria to enjoy the white sands of the famous Salagdoong Beach. With its crystal-clear blue waters, it is an ideal spot for swimming and skimboarding. For thrill seekers, go up the rocky part and jump from the diving boards!
From Maria, continue your journey to the next town, Enrique Villanueva and then to the town of Larena. A food not to be missed is the delicious humba, a Visayan pork adobo which is short for “Humot na Baboy” because of its sweet, fragrant smell. I have eaten various tastes of humba in my life, but the Siquijor version is the best! Another thing to try out is the halo-halo in Cangbagsa, Larena. It is known to have the most delicious serving of the cool snack on the island.
Before ending your tour in Siquijor, chill out at Triad Cafe to enjoy a panoramic view atop a mountain. Another place to get a stunning view of Siquijor is Infinity Heights Resort, which has an infinity pool that overlooks the sea. There are a lot more beach resorts in Siquijor, so if time permits, feel free to explore them.
There you have it -- the best of Dumaguete and Siquijor in 4 days. I hope this itinerary helps, but please feel free to personalise your trip according to your budget and preference. Enjoy!
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We boarded a fast craft ferry boat to Siquijor owned by GL Lines
Our room is a native hut made of bamboo.
Our Private air-con room in Harold’s
Majestic Cambugahay Falls
Salagdoong Beach
Hey there Raphael!
A slice of Sansrival is all you need
Try this at the Public Market!
Dumaguete Siquijor Expenses
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Inato for PHP 98, comes with rice
With pork, shrimp, squid and coconut meat
Dauin Beach
The unlimited coffee, tea, bread, jam and bananas
Look at how clean their port is. 
Fare chart
Believe it or not, we only saw one private car in Siquijor!
The second layer of the falls
The first layer of the falls
While walking to the port, beautiful Siquijor sunset bid us goodbye.:)
No words can describe how beautiful this place is. Breathtaking!
No sunrise, but still awesome.
The GL/Lizardo Trans bus we boarded to Baguio
Residential Lodge Living Room
Book your stay at Hotel Veniz through Agoda here!
Sagada Hanging Coffins
Centrum Building. Go to the basement for the small restos.
Yummy! Nilagang baka is sooo goood!
Barbeque stand
Happy Tummy’s version of Pad Thai
Happy Tummy’s Sticky Mango Rice. Looks like an egg no?
Our Expenses for the 4D3N trip to Banaue, Sagada and Baguio
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Chillin’ in Shimisu Island
El Nido Terminal
Ricgem Place Hotel
Wifey walking from Mitra’s Ranch to Baker’s Hill
At Squidos with the newly weds!
Our delicious lunch in Tour C
A very happy couple atop the Matinloc Island 
Long queue at the registration area
NAITAS board members with Ms. Regine Tolentino
Ribbon cutting ceremony
Mexican Ambassador to the Philippines, Julio Camarena Villaseñor
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte
Quezon's best products
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Island view from our boat – one of the Calaguas Group of Islands
My favourite shot
The complete gang (The Bunks)
Photo taken at Vinzons Port
View from the boat
It might look like there are a lot of campers on the island, (looking at this photo, there are more than 20 pitched tents), but when we got there, it didn’t bother us at all!
First set of meal – Rice, Grilled Fish, Sinantolan and Sinigang na Hipon
Meet Henry (The white guy waiving his hand)
My sexy and beautiful friend obviously enjoyed her jump!
Breakfast – Rice, garlic longanisa, dried fish, salted eggs, scrambled eggs
Lunch – Rice, Bicol Express, Calamares and Chicken
Sir Noli in black The North Face shirt
On our way to Caramoan
Partido Riviera 
The gang, somewhere down the road.
The ramp express worth Php 10
That two hour boat ride
Manong driver, the guide’s brother
Welcome to Caramoan
Our home in Caramoan for two nights
Beach front accommodation
Nothing fancy, just healthy and delicious food
Kinalas ala Caramoan
Kinalas for only Php 25!
One of the floating cottages in one of the Caramoan islands
Rock formation at Caramoan
The beautiful church at Caramoan
One of the souvenir shops in Caramoan
Loving my two piece rash guard bikini 
“Downtown” Caramoan
Star fish! 
Fambam having fun 
Fambam enjoying the white sand beach
Caramoan’s beautiful church grounds
Have some halo-halo to cool you down
Cagsawa Ruins
Group selfie with the Mayon Volcano
CamSur Watersports Complex
On the way to Mt. Kan-irag Peak | Image credit: 
Smiling Buddha greets and welcomes everyone at the entrance of Lon Wa Buddhist Temple
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Nagsasa Cove © A Wandering Cat
Mt. Nagsasa © A Wandering Cat
Mt. Nagsasa © A Wandering Cat
Nagsasa Cove © A Wandering Cat
Nagsasa Cove © A Wandering Cat
Nagsasa Cove © A Wandering Cat
Talisayin Island © A Wandering Cat
Talisayin Island © A Wandering Cat
Talisayin Island © A Wandering Cat
Capones Island © A Wandering Cat
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Cambugahay Falls | Image credit: 
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