March 14, 2024
Living in Cebu City for almost ten years, I tagged Moalboal and Badian as my personal retreats, away from my metropolitan woes and responsibilities. But Moalboal, for its many conveniences and locals, draws me more. I made several friends here and saw some kids grew up. And while I left […]
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. […]
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 […]
November 29, 2023
Small countries like Singapore have a certain charm that big countries lack. For a young nation like Singapore, its economic growth is incredibly rapid, making it one of the most expensive countries to travel to. But budget travelers, take heart—hawker culture, affordable cafes, and budget accommodations make Singapore worth at […]
November 20, 2023
This is the most updated Malapascua Island Cebu, Philippines Travel Guide 2024 Snobbery is an unlikely character of a wanderlust. A traveler opens not only their heart but also their mind to the intricacies and complexities of a place. It is inevitable, however, that there are places I considered too […]
November 4, 2023
This Apo Island Travel Guide covers all the top things to do in Apo Island Dumaguete, Philippines. It also covers all the travel essentials you need to make your stay more memorable. A little note: Apo Island is different from Apo Reef in Mindoro. Apo Island is a little island […]
October 30, 2023
For us who lived in the urban and not too jungle a city called Hanoi, the quickest respite from its stifling humidity, poisonous air, inescapable scooter congestion, and noise pollution is Ba Vi National Park. Or Ninh Binh. But Ninh Binh is a weekend affair while Ba Vi is our […]
October 30, 2023
Well, the secret that is Siargao Island is pretty much out. But compared to the world-renowned Boracay Island or Cebu, Siargao still has that idyllic charm and vibe small islands have. While there are surprising changes. Most of General Luna’s coconut groves give way (to put it mildly) to resorts […]