The Island Explorer

Who would have thought Manila would be in the shortlist for Best City in the Wallpaper Design Awards? With competitors like Chicago, Hamburg, Tokyo and Paris, it's already an  honour to be part of the list. I  do hope we win though. The caption writes: With foreign investment pouring in, a president tackling corruption and talented overseas Filipinos returning home, Manila is a city rising fast, in every sense. Many of its major players are homegrown, from the ambitious architects dreaming up the shiny towers to the creatives behind new restaurants and galleries. From Jordy Navarra to Carlos Garcia, there’s no shortage of talented local chefs, while designers and artists such as Ito Kish, Cesare and Jean Marie Syjuco have all opened showrooms across the city.   Read more at  http://www.wallpaper.com/design-awards/2015#mSV4kgXBxQEOgjE8.99

2015 was lean season for me in travel especially in the local scene. I have made more international trips though last year and continued to visit Hong Kong, my world's top city and Singapore, my second home. Though Boracay was a hit for me last year, Puerto Galera proved to be the surprise winner. This year, I plan to visit more local destinations, beginning with what is becoming to be a yearly tradition that is the Malasimbo Arts and Music Festival in Puerto Galera. I am not anticipating 2015 to be travel intense though, as I am also expecting a big change in my life this year. So, without further ado, here is my list, the destinations that I will try my best to visit in 2015.

The reason for my inactivity in the past 5 months is attributed to the loss of my laptop, which contains all my pictures. You see, my laptop bag was stolen from my car and along with it was my back up drive as well. In an instant, memories of my travels have been wiped out. Good thing, I posted my travels on Instagram. At least, it wasn't a total wipe out. But I haven't posted more than a year of travels, mostly abroad - from Ha Long Bay to Tasmania to Scotland. It's such as shame that I couldn't share all of them anymore. I am still trying to ask for copies of my pictures from my travel mates.  Though my memory is faulty, I still have a list in mind for 2014. So, without further ado, the best of 2014 in no particular order and with the help of Instagram.

So it's the last day of the year. Funny how time flies these days. You really don't feel the change. My last blog post was on July, and it seems that waking up today still felt like it was July. Well it's the last day of the year and 5 months have passed. I'm pretty sure a lot has changed - a lot has happened. But why don't we feel different? Realizing I was falling into some sort of routine, where life seems normal and dull, I set out on a journey that would bring back the explorer in me. You see, I am that kind of guy - never wanting to settle, never wanting to be contented with what I have. Some may think it's wrong and could potentially lead to some sort of unhappiness, but I think otherwise. Exploring keeps me alive. It's seeing new things, breathing the air from different places, meeting unfamiliar people and actually making connections with them. It's that sort of living that makes me feel different every morning I wake up. Earlier, I ...

Summer is here in the Philippines. And to those who still haven't been to our lovely islands, now may be the best and worst time to go. Because Filipinos love to travel, the beaches are most likely to be packed with revelers - packed to make Boracay seem like Mall of Asia. But it is also at this time that you can travel to most hidden islands, given the nice sea conditions. Take a look at some of my choices for this Summer - some of which I have not been on to.

The recent events of the Philippines has crippled its tourism industry beyond imagination. From the Bohol earthquake to the devastation of Leyte, Malapascua, Bantayan and Coron. Good thing Boracay was relatively spared. I call all my friends to plan their trips to these beach havens and contribute in their rebuilding. We will not any storm or earthquake impede our beauty. The Philippines has the BEST ISLANDS, BEACHES and LANDSCAPES in Asia. We have the best beaches in the world. Let us make this known.  This is our time to show the world the beauty of the Philippines. This is our time to RISE.

Finally, one dream has come true. This June 14 to 17, I will be personally leading a tour in my most favorite destination in the Philippines - Surigao del Sur.  If you have read my blog entries on Siargao and Surigao, you will see why this destination is truly something that should be in your bucket list. And, to make it extra special, I will be with renowned travel photographer George Tapan who will guide us in capturing every angle of Surigao's hidden beauty.  This tour includes photography sessions with George Tapan and tours to Sohoton Caves and Jellyfish Lake. It costs only P26,000 per pax for 4D/3N. The price is inclusive of full board and water cottage accommodations (triple sharing) in Club Tara, roundtrip airport transfers from Surigao airport. Airfare not included, but can be arranged by iTravelerAsia, my newest travel agency. All taxes and other surcharges are already included. Airfare to Surigao airport can be costly though at around P6,00...

Before anything else, HAPPY 2012 everyone! I have just arrived from a wonderful trip in South Africa for the holidays, so I haven't really written anything since Christmas. It was also just today that I knew about the new tourism slogan of the Philippines, after checking my Facebook. I was actually in shock when I saw the campaign for the first time because I didn't expect it. I thought, what was this tagline going around with all the weird images attached to it. I was actually confused at first, so I searched further and discovered the REAL slogan.

On this day, December 20, I was expecting smiles and a lot of fun from our Mindanao Christmas party in a lovely resort in Jasaan.  Today, we visit them with smiles to cheer them up. I have come to love Mindanao, and CDO has been special to me this year. This is what Emily Homes looks like now, which is reminiscent of Ondoy's wrath in my former home in Provident Villages. It has happened again, and will happen again soon.  Help CDO and Iligan and all the other affected areas of Sendong, by donating in whatever way. We are here to help.

If you read the title, how many of you would think this post is a rant? I guess, a majority. But I'm not going to write about how useless our government is. I am here to share a recent experience. I was on flight 5J 143 bound for Manila from a recent 5-day 3 country tour. I was with my 10 year old daughter who would be leaving for the US the next day. We arrived at midnight, and we breezed through immigration and baggage collection. We had to pass the customs desk, so I gave the declarations form to the officer. I checked the electronics part, since I bought a Mac Book Pro in Hong Kong. I've always bought my macs in HK, and I have probably brought in 4 pieces already in the past 5 years. I was supposed to buy an iMac, but settled for a Mac Book Pro since it was just really such a hassle to bring home.  Because of my intention to buy an iMac, I asked a friend who knew someone from the Customs if it was indeed legal to bring in an iMac. I mean, a laptop could be easily be kep...

And so it begins. Cebu Pacific finally opens their 50th route to the southern most province in the country, Tawi-Tawi. I've been wanting to go back to this elusive group of islands, given its remoteness and charm. Of course, one cannot discount the security concerns, but as long as you keep close guard, Tawi-Tawi is relatively safe. So, time to escape to Tawi-Tawi. I'm not a fan of Cebu Pacific, but I just want to congratulate them for opening a whole new era of tourism for the province. With Sitangkai, Simunul and even the Turtle Islands on its realm, Tawi-Tawi is indeed the new Batanes. Time to explore! Read more on Tawi-Tawi from my previous entries here .

I hope it's not to late for me to present my wish list for this Summer of 2011. I have been seeking the best island escapes in the Philippines and South East Asia for 6 years already, and I have not been to these ones yet. I hope to make it before the rainy season begins. 1. Bukas Grande (Surigao del Norte) My number 1 choice is a place that I wasn't able to visit when i went to Siargao. I believe that the islands of Surigao (Norte and Sur) are the next hotspots - may I say the next Palawan. When Dedon Island Resort hopefully opens this June in Siargao, I will definitely make the trip. Photo by: siargaoislands.blogspot.com 2. Calicoan Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar I've always wanted to go, but its isolation meant I needed more time to get there and explore the place. But this picture of ABCD beach just makes me drop everything and leave. I'm not a surfer, but hopefully, I will be able to learn at the much talked about Surf Camp. 3. Bitaog Beach, Dinagat Islands...

It's my 300th post, so I want to make this special. And since we've begun a new year, I've come up with a list of travel trends for 2011. I still have a lot to write about from last year, but since work doesn't permit me, I haven't shared as much as I did. 2010 was a landmark year for the Philippines in terms of travel. We increased our tourist base to 3.45M already, around 19% from 2009. Even though we had the hostage crisis and other travel warnings, we still managed to grow. Not surprising, and the government should be happy about it, since Asia will keep growing. What we need is a drastic increase, spurred by an overhaul of promotions and focusing on new travel trends. Here are 3 of my takes: 1. Secluded and Unique Luxury More and more exclusive and luxurious resorts are opening in Asia. But the most significant ones are those who offer the most secluded locations. Take 4 Rivers Floating Ecolodge in Cambodia for example. It is a floating luxury camp on a r...

2010 was a whirlwind year for me. One, I was too busy with work, which means I visited more places. It went to the point that I didn't keep track of where I was. It was also a year of new discoveries, and expanding horizons. I finally made it to Basilan, which means I have been to the entire ARMM. Basilan though was not a notable travel experience for me, except for the fact that I lost my Blackberry there. Two, I felt I was getting older, thus, my needs for travel started to change. I looked for more relaxing places, if not luxurious. However, there were still times that I yearned for a backpack adventure. I had a memorable journey to the Lombok and the Gilis in Indonesia. I also made it to Europe this year, hence the delay in my posts in December. 2010 was definitely not my ordinary year in travel. 10. Thunderbird, Poro Point, La Union From Pangasinan, we decided to take a quick side trip to La Union, since I really haven't been there to explore. We ended up staying a nig...

As soon as I received the email from Tripadvisor, I got another link to CNN, which touts the island of Marinduque as one of the next tourist hotspots in Asia. Of course, this is attributed to the beautiful Bellarocca Resort. The article also enumerates the plans for the island to grow tourism. We do hope Marinduque revives itself in the near future. Read the article here.

Finally, a much deserved promotion on the Philippines. Tripadvisor, one of the most informative and reliable travel blogs in the world has come out with the 2010 Travelers' Choice Awards with 3 destinations in the Philippines landing in this coveted list. Boracay has landed on the top spot for beach and sun destinations in Asia, beating the Maldives and all the other islands of Thailand. It is also no. 9 for beach and sun destinations in the world and no. 9 again for Relaxation and Spa in Asia. Interestingly, I found out that I have no entry on Boracay in this blog. Weird. Though I haven't been back to the island since 2008. This is the longest time that I haven't been back. I hope to revisit this June, and finally, have a comprehensive series on this tropical paradise. Then, the two wonders of Palawan, El Nido and Coron, land on 5th and 6th spot respectively for Outdoor and Adventure destinations in Asia. El Nido also landed no. 8 in beach and sun destinations in Asia. Pa...

Summer is definitely here. I've been so busy since the year began, so I missed out a lot on my travels that usually happen the start of the year. Seems like I will be traveling more this Summer, as trip to the Camotes Islands, Leyte and Korea are on schedule. Plus, I am planning to go back to Camarines Norte, to explore the other islands the beautiful province has to offer. So, as always, here are my recommendations for destinations this summer of 2010. 1. WEEKENDER BEACH: MORONG, BATAAN Why not travel 3 hours to Morong in Bataan. This is where Anvaya Cove is nestled, plus a string of affordable resorts stretches the coastline near the town. You could even visit a turtle sanctuary and explore the hidden coves with a unique view of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (don't worry, no radiation here). 2. REDISCOVER: GUIMARAS If you've been to Iloilo, it may be unwise not to stop over Guimaras, or better yet, spend a night or two there. Guimaras is the home of the sweetest mangoes ...

I'm a fan of the Intercontinental Group, because they really do offer value for money. And this promo exemplifies this trait. Imagine, rates as low as P2,000 a night for Holiday Inn and just P2,500 for Crowne Plaza. Plus, if you confirm your bookings before Aug.2, you get 50% off on all buffet meals at their restaurants. This is certainly an offer you cannot resist. So go and splurge for less at any of the hotel of the Intercontinental group.

I couldn't believe the picture. When my friend Donna shared this link in Facebook, I was astonished indeed. This is great PR for our country. But really, the Chocolate Hills never looked this surreal and otherworldly. Wow! The name of these unique mounds comes from the fact that the green grass covering them turns deep brown during the annual dry season, but is does not hurt that they bear a striking resemblance to Hershey Kisses. The stunner is how perfectly uniform each of the conical hills are, and inevitably, first time visitors simply cannot believe they are not man made. However the scale of this construction project was best left to Mother Nature: There are too many of the hills to count—estimates range from over 1,200 to 1,700! See the entire list here .

The rainy season is NOT a reason for you not to travel. This season is actually the cheapest time to explore, with a lot of resorts and hotels dropping their rates to fill in their vacancies. Though airline sales are already over for this season, you can still get great deals from PAL via their Econolight Fares (can only be transacted online) or from Zest Air (though I'm weary about their safety protocols). Cebu Pacific will have relatively higher fares, as their system increases prices as the seats fill up when the departure date is nearer. You can still get cheap fares even with one week or less to go before your spontaneous vacation. But before that, where can you go in the Philippines at this time? Here are some of my top monsoon destinations. 1. Davao The southern city actually gets relatively less rainfall, and typhoons rarely pass through this region. The waves may be rougher though than during Summer, so island hopping around Samal will be shortened and confined during the ...