February 21, 2024
This Astoria Palawan blog review first appeared on my column Down South on Interaksyon.com. I included more photos here to give justice to the beauty of this place. PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES—An egret ambled around my deck, peering through the glass wall of my own sanctuary. It must be looking for food. […]
February 20, 2024
One idea if you’re looking to get away is to head out on a road trip. It’s a great opportunity to explore new places and have some quality time with your passengers. It doesn’t mean you should just hop in your car and wing it. Instead, there are actions you […]
February 3, 2024
All four of us, all girls, coincidentally stayed in the same hostel. One is a courageous young Filipino-American woman, one is from Germany, who has a friend joining her, and this friend happens to Filipino-Swedish. What are the odds to have three Filipinas in a dorm by a coast in […]
January 18, 2024
One of the world’s best regions for scuba diving and paradisiacal beaches is to be found amongst the Thai islands, specifically the Chumphon Archipelago off the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. In that cluster of azure-watered coconut-palm fringed beaches lies the island of Koh Tao – a mecca […]
January 12, 2024
Often, Siargao Island is described as a tear drop-shaped island. But, meh, I don’t buy it. It is more like a rough diamond cut, which was really the case some years ago. Siargao Island, although many locals will say otherwise, is gradually taking the route most popular destinations take. In […]
January 12, 2024
I wrote a short story set in Malapascua. It failed as a story. Malapascua, located in northern Cebu, some four hours away from the city, was one of my favorite destinations in Cebu. Almost every month, I found myself aboard the Ceres bus bound to Maya. I made some good […]
January 10, 2024
If I want to avoid as many Hanoi faces as possible, I either go to Quy Nhon and Tuy Hoa for an affordable escape. This part of Vietnam is not too popular yet among expats, but most likely it is going to replace Da Nang and Hoi An for a […]
January 9, 2024
I think I’ve mentioned this countless of times that I love Moalboal so much that I bought a tiny piece of land somewhere between Bas Daku (White Beach) and Bas Diot (Panagsama Beach). I love it for several reasons: it’s quite close to Cebu City (my home back then), it […]
January 4, 2024
I moved to Munich, Germany in November 2021. Despite being three hours by train away, Paris never appealed to me and only traveled there in December 2022 to meet some dearly missed friends. Traveling to Paris in December has its own charms and pitfalls. I would love to visit the […]
January 3, 2024
As a poet, fictionist, and an essayist, it is ingrained in us that it is one of our duties to write about and write for our own people. My people, in this context, means my fellow Filipinos and their own brand of triumphs and sorrows. Perhaps I’m too individualistic or […]
December 29, 2023
When you think of Tulum, it’s not just the breathtaking beaches that steal the spotlight but also the delightful culinary gems scattered along the shore. Picture this: white sands, a fresh sea breeze, and the best part—Tulum restaurants on the beach. Venture beyond the city center, and you’ll discover a […]
December 27, 2023
Tulum is one of the best places to visit in Mexico, offering unique beaches, spectacular cenotes and watersports, breathtaking landscapes, and loads of things to do. But, the town also has a diverse and thriving food scene, which you can explore by visiting the best restaurants in Tulum. If you’re […]