Blog My Town 2017: Sibuyan Island, Province of Romblon

Discover the hidden wealth of the "Galapagos of Asia" - the Sibuyan Island in the Province of Romblon. Aside from its natural resource of "marble", Romblon offers stunning tourist attractions and found in Sibuyan. You can explore the crystal clear blue seawater of Cresta de Gallo, and other beautiful falls and rivers in the main island, including its majestic mountain, Mount Guiting-guiting.

The video was shown in "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, Channel 7-GMA last May 14, 2017.

A day tour in Moreton Bay, Queensland (Australia)

Brisbane Festival - Sunsuper Fire 2015

2014 and moving forward

WOW! ITS BEEN MORE THAN A YEAR that I did not post travel stories in my blog. It does not mean that I did not travel in 2014. It is just that I was busy with other things especially with work. Well, I do travel and regularly post in my mother portal site (My world is getting smaller every day).

So, what happened to me in 2014? This was the time that I joined a government organization after 8 months of no regular job. Not really jobless, I have my parttime teaching load at the university and it fully occupied my time. My job until now provided the opportunity to visit my hometown in Sibuyan Island (Romblon), including other islands in the country. My job also offers local trips in Metro Manila and nearby urban centers, including attendance to special events in the metropolis.

One of the highlights of last year was my unexpected trips to the capital town of Romblon as well as my hometown, Sibuyan (together with the Miss Earth 2014 winners).
Aside from Romblon, we had the office staff's team building in Pamalayan, Mindoro with more than 100 participants. We also visited interesting nature attractions such as water falls, carabao riding and crossing several rivers. It was a tiring but fun experience.

I also started learning the art of floating on waves in San Juan (La Union), and the educational tour in the biggest mixed-use theater in the world, The Philippine Arena (Bulacan) with my students.

Towards the end of 2014, I attended the AIT Alumni Grand Reunion in De La Salle University and the General Meeting held in Pan Pacific Plaza Hotel. It coincided with the 55th anniversary celebration of the Institute in providing post graduate degrees in Asia and hundreds of Filipinos benefited from it. For the third time, I met again the former Philippine President, Fidel V. Ramos. Former Pres was the guest speaker and donated some of his latest books to the organization.

By the first month of 2015, the Philippines was fortunate to have Pope Francis for five days that inspire Filipinos more to strengthen their faith in God. I do have my personal close encounter with the Pope - so close but yet so far! Indeed, a rare opportunity to see Him in person and received his blessing.

Picture perfect... remembering few images in Europe

The glass dome of Louvre Museum (Paris)

St Peter's Square (Vatican)

Inside Louvre Museum (Paris)

Beside Van Hogh painting (Paris)

Travel guidebooks... getaway to different cultures, festivals and sporting events

PLANNING TO TRAVEL ELSEWHERE? These books are excellent guides to places and events for us to enjoy. Despite its thickness and weight (almost one kg for each book), these publications provide invaluable source of information for travelers and the like searching for future escapades or looking for another getaway to experience different cultures, festivals and sporting events.

About Philippines: Did you know that?

RAINS are now pounding the country for several days and as usual, more Filipinos will be affected by traffic due to flooded streets in the metropolis and neighboring provinces. Some of them are panicking for possible evacuation especially for those living along rivers and creeks.

One of the major causes of traffic and flooding in Metro Manila is over-increasing population in the urban centers which accounts for 13 percent of the Philippine population even it only shares 0.18 percent of the total land area of the country.

The population of the Philippines in 1896 was around 6.26 million but this figure excludes non-Christians. In 2010, the country population reached 92.34 million.

DID YOU KNOW THAT ... the 2010 census shows that the city of Manila has the highest population density of 66,087 per square km with the population of 1.65 million. Following the capital city is Mandaluyong and Pasay with the density of 35,344  and 28,062 persons per square km, respectively; while Pateros is the least populated area in the metropolis with 64,147 people and population density of 6,168.

Barangay 176 in Caloocan City is considered as the biggest village in the country.

DID YOU KNOW THAT... there are villages in the country with no people living or residents in the area? These villages include: Barangay Fuentes in Iloilo and Barangays Guinsaugon and Punta in Southern Leyte.

Quezon City is considered as the biggest city with the population of 2.76 million, while Kalayaan in Palawan is the smallest town with only 222 people living in the area.

Cavite is considered as the biggest province with the population of 3.09 million people and Batanes is the smallest province with 16,604 population.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Region IV-A - Calabarzon is the most populated region with 12.6 M people, followed by Metro Manila with 11.86 million population and Region III - Central Luzon with 10.13 million people.

Note: Statistics were extracted from Philippine Daily Enquirer with an article entitled Talk of the Town published on 12 August 2012.

San Juan (La Union): Philippines surfers' paradise

SURFING IS BECOMING a popular sport or sort of a hobby in the Philippines.Having more than 7,107 islands, the Philippines offers a lot of places where the waves break for surfing enthusiasts. There are several best surf spots in the country, mostly unexploited and giving surprises to surfers around the world.

One example is San Juan in La Union, located in western part of Luzon. San Juan is considered as a perfect location for surf beginners or even for those who wish to do it for the first time. This surfing spot has a lot of resorts and surf schools which provide minimal fees for surfing lessons and equipment rentals. It is very accessible via bus transport and it takes 5-6 hours from Manila.

The best months to experience good waves are between November to March and July to October. There are other alternatives surf spots in the Philippines for all year round especially for professional surfers such as in Baler (Quezon), Daet (Camarines Norte), Siargao (Surigao del Norte), Nasugbu (Batangas), Borongan (Eastern Samar) and many others.

Summer Trek in Mt Pulag (Benguet, Philippines)

Five degrees C at the camp base of Mt Pulag. One-and-a-half hours to reach the summit and  witness the sea of clouds on top of the mountains. Mt Pulag is the second highest mountain in the Philippines and also declared as a natural park.

Surfing paradise in the Philippines

Coming soon... in the northern part of the Philippines. 
6-7 hours from Manila by bus.

Blog My Town: Sibuyan Island (Romblon, Philippines)

Blog My Town:Grande Island, Subic Bay (Philippines)

LAST WEEKEND TOGETHER WITH MY OFFICEMATES, we had a wonderful time in one of the islets in the north part of Luzon. A former American naval base, Subic Bay has something to offer for those who love nature and this is because of Grande Island. From banana boating to trekking, and from birdwatching to historical walk tour, the island will always bring excitement and surprises for everyone.

GRANDE ISLAND IS not only for group tours, but it is also ideal for honeymooners and family get-together. The accommodation has the amenities to enjoy – a free wifi connection, hot/cold shower and free-flowing coffee and especially for those units fronting the beach area facing the bay.

Discovering Calatagan (Batangas)...I found Stilts Beach Resort

PART OF MY OFFICE WORK is to engage with other employees. In the corporate world, it refers to Employee Engagement (EE) which provides programs that allow employees to take part and share their time, skills and other resources to have fun and to help other people who are in need (particularly in time of natural disasters). My present work entails organizing events and activities that make employees enjoy their jobs or have time to relax and mingle, interact with other employees (not within their unit/department or business line).

Two weeks ago, together with the EE core team, we visited several resorts in the south of Metro Manila. One of them is situated at the south-western side of Taal Volcano - Calatagan, Batangas. It takes 3.5 hours to reach the place via the curvy-scenic roads from Tagaytay area - overlooking the stillness landscape of beautiful volcano, Taal Volcano and surrounded by a lake!

Unexpectedly, the place is so beautiful as our eyes looking straight to the crystal clear greenish water where the cottages are standing! Stunning and perfect scenery for people who reside in Metro Manila. This is a perfect place for the employees, just to spend overnight and enjoy the company of others thru team building activities. I dont know if the guests have time to sleep, as the place is really inviting to stay awake all the time, not to miss the white sand and the star fish ready to be touched just few steps away from the coast!

STILTS (Calatagan Beach Resort) is the name of the beach resort. Originally, the resort is not accessible to everyone - which means that it is exclusive for members. With the present management, it is invitational and no "walk-in" guests. I really admire the way the place is operated and maintained... with the amenities and its natural landscape, definitely a place to be discovered and explored!

If our corporate outing will be approved, definitely visiting the beach resort in March 2012 will be something to be remembered - another travelling experience to be treasured and shared in my blogsite. So, for those travellers out there, there is no reason not to miss this resort in Calatagan while visiting Manila especially this summer.

INSTEAD OF VISITING the busy coasts of Boracay and El Nido (Palawan), stay in Stilts and you can still enjoy your vacation without really travelling far from Manila!

On A Rainbow: join on the journey to London 2012 Olympics

Free visit to Japan...but blog it!

TWO WEEKS AGO, IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT JAPAN TOURISM AGENCY (JTA) is giving out 10,000 free tickets to travel to Japan next year. After the earthquake devastation early this year, Japan is offering free roundtrips to boost its tourism industry which is badly affected by the fear of radiation and regular earthquakes.

But there is a twist! Applicants are required to write in details their travel plans, including an explanation what they expect from the trip. Selected applicants are expected to finance their own meals and accommodation. Finally, they are required to blog or post on line a review of their travel experiences. Aspiring applications could begin signing up as early as next April 2012.

For more details, regularly check the official website of Japan Tourism Agency.

UPDATES: (Source - JTA 04 Feb 2012). This program is not approved by the Japanese government. Read more: Visit Japan.

UPDATES: (Source - JTA, 14 October 2011). According to JTA, this initiative still under review of the Japanese government and no definite approval yet. If this iniative is approved, JTA will officially announce on its website and thru the local Japan National Tourism Organization on Facebook (http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/fb/index.html) . It is also reported of some frauds related to this promotional travel.

A moment in time - with the beautiful ladies

INSPIRED BY ONE OF THE BLOGGERS, this is sharing my special moment, a time to reflect of the rare moments in the past, something special or extraordinary that I wanted to share with my readers.

Some people are really lucky to have beautiful bodies, and with talents as well. I had the chance to meet the reigning Miss Philippines- Universe 2011, Shamcey Supsup during our alumni homecoming last May 2011. Her mother is one of the alumni of my postgrad university, Asian Institute of Technology. She was invited by her mother to be the guest in our raffle draw promo. Shamcey was also chosen as the 3rd runner-up in the recent Miss Universe 2011 held San Paolo, Brazil last 12 May 2011.

Another beauty is the 2010 Miss World, Ms. Sandra Mills from USA. I was in PICC for the regular Sunday church service when I met this tall, slim beauty holder. She was there in the preparation for this year's Miss World Philippines pageant where she is one of the guests of the show held last weekend (September 18).

These are rare moments with the beautiful people... But remember that being beautiful or gorgeous is not based in our physical appearance alone, our inner personality also counts. We are beautiful people in our very own special way!

My homecoming... a new local travel opportunity

THIS IS MY FIRST JOURNAL AFTER MY return to my home country, the Philippines last May 2011. After 5 years living abroad, I decided to go back to Manila and continue to practice my profession in the protection, conservation and preservation (even utilization in a sustainable way) of the country's natural resources.

I joined an American firm that provides consulting services in various sectors: mining, construction, real estate, government, etc. For the past three months, I have already involved in different projects that focus on mining exploration, watershed management, water and air quality monitoring, water and waste utilization.

I already toured around Metro Manila and its neighbouring towns and cities. Visiting the Philippine islands is exciting - meeting with interesting people; encountering new culture; exploring stunning landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes; watching live entertainment events/shows; and most importantly reconnecting with relatives and old friends!

My current officework entails travels to other regions in the country and I will feature some of them in my future journals. Expect more images of my local travels!

TITANIC turns 100: truly made in Belfast (Northern Ireland)

THIS YEAR IS THE CELEBRATION OF THE 100th anniversary of the liner. Titanic 100 is part of the annual festival launched on 31 March 2011 and will end in 31 May. The main highlight of the festival includes an exhibition showcasing the work of RJ Welch - the official photographer for Harland and Wolff (the company who built the ship), where huge framed photos on display in the ciy hall grounds of Belfast.

Belfast is the only city in the world that celebrates significant centennial anniversaries/events in relation to Titanic. Aside from the launch of RM Titanic on 31 May 1911, the other two anniversaries include: the opening of the Thompson Dry Dock (1 April 1911) and the launch of Nomadic (25 April 1911).

This 2-month festival also features SS Nomadic with a second exhibition at the city hall that focuses on the ship's contruction and the current restoration programme, including rare artefacts from both the tender and the White Star Line.

The Titanic Memorial is also found within the ground of Belfast City Hall which is dedicated to those people (1,517) who died in the disaster on 14 April 1912.

DID YOU KNOW THAT (source: Northern Ireland Tourist Board)... the first class cuisine on Titanic matched the world's finest restaurants and hotels. First class diners enjoyed 11 course meals, with wine served for nearly every course. You can enjoy a recreation of the last first class menu at the Rayanne House guesthouse in Holywood (Northern Ireland) and discover its fascinating link to Titanic. In addition, a state-of-the-art 6-storey building, Titanic Belfast will be opened in April 2012 - the centennary celebration of the ship's maiden voyage!

If you are interested to find more of the forthcoming events, visit GotoBelfast and DiscoverNorthernIreland websites.

The Catacombs: An underground tourist attraction in Paris

PARIS IS WELL KNOWN AS THE CITY OF LOVE, CITY OF MADNESS and the City of Lights. But on the other hand, it is also the city of secrets - it has a darker side that lies beneath its surface.

The Catacombs occupies abandoned quarries located 20 metres beneath the ground of the city. It served as an alternative burial location when the city suffered from serious diseases and famine in the years leading up to the French revolution. Between 1785 and 1787, remains from various cemeteries were removed and then skeletons were sorted and neatly stacked according to type. The transfer of human remains from other urban burial sites continued until 1870s and the Catacombs became the final resting place of an estimated 6 million former Partisans.

Paris Catacombs is modelled after the Roman Catacombs covering a surface of 11,000 square metres, the labyrinth of corridors open to the public is 1.7 km long, but the collective reach of the networks of underground tunnels is approximately 300 km. To date, it is a popular tourist attraction which opens from Tuesday to Sunday (10am to 5pm, 4pm is the last admission) with a minimal entrance fee.

I visited Paris in September 2008 and the Catacombs is one of the must-see tourist attractions at the City of Lights!

FOR MORE INFO ON PLACES TO VISIT IN PARIS, PLEASE CLICK HERE...