Cruise Control

I’m on the cover of Cruising Magazine’s March 2012 issue!

The cover story by Julius Vicente features Lingayen, Pangasinan. Cover photo was taken in El Puerto Marina Resort by Rudy Liwanag. Lingayen was also previously featured in Manila Bulletin last year.

Snapshots: Lingayen, Pangasinan

This time last year I was on my first trip of the year to Lingayen, a coastal town in the province of Pangasinan. Below are a few of my favorite photos of the town dubbed as one of “the most romantic places in the Philippines.”

Continue reading “Snapshots: Lingayen, Pangasinan”

"Hassle-to-bring-Home" Pinoy Pasalubong

Updated September 2014

I was at my desk at work when Arvin, an officemate, arrived carrying a long bulky item wrapped in brown cardboard and masking tape.

Ay naku, galing akong Baguio nung long weekend. So syempre may nagpabili ng walis.” (I just came from Baguio during the long weekend, so of course someone asked me to buy a broom).

This scenario got me thinking of items that are really such a hassle to take home as pasalubong (souvenirs), but we still buy for the sake of friends and family when we travel.

BAGUIO BROOMS

baguio brooms

Continue reading “"Hassle-to-bring-Home" Pinoy Pasalubong”

Postcards from Waterworld

A photo essay I did for the Asian Center for Journalism (ACFJ)’s photojournalism course is currently featured in ANINAG.org.

The online photo magazine ANINAG (which means to see, to be visible) was formed by Filipino photographers Estan Cabigas, Buck Pago and Gigie Cruz under the guidance of veteran photojournalist Jimmy Domingo. According to the founders, while documentary photography has long been a tradition in the Philippines, opportunities for publication and exhibition of such works remain limited.

The idea of forming a platform for Philippine Documentary Photographers came independently to yours truly and Buck. Both recognize the importance of internet communications technologies that can be utilized to showcase the works of Filipino photographers as well as to encourage documentary photography in the country. – Estan Cabigas, Aninag.org

Check out the gallery of previous work, which shows rich documentary stories like Estan’s dwindling flagellants of Infanta, Brad Feliciano’s portraits of gay senior citizens living in a “Home for Golden Gays” and Cheryl Baldicantos’ closer look at the dancing prisoners of Cebu.

7 Budget Travel Tips & Tricks

Check out today’s issue of Sunday Inquirer Magazine for the full article on budget travel tips. Some of the tips are a bit extreme for first-time travelers (ex. hitchhike on a truck full of goats), but am sure a lot of people will find the tips useful.

Here’s a shout out to all the cool backpackers and budget travelers of the Pinoy Travel Bloggers (PTB) who shared their tips. Check out their individual blogs below (in alphabetical order):

Backpack Traveler / RV Escatron

Budget Travel Tip: TRAVEL BY BIKE OR MOTORCYCLE

“There are some hostels in Cambodia which offer complimentary use of bicycle. At the very least, a minimal rental fee. I grabbed this chance. Whenever I can, I rent a motorcycle wherever I go. I tried this in Chiang Mai and in Siquijor. For an average of P500/day, that excludes fuel, I can explore places at my own pace.” Continue reading “7 Budget Travel Tips & Tricks”

Discovering Bontoc in Batangas

After covering a biodiversity expedition in the Verde Island for a news story, I got to visit this really cool diving resort called Bontoc in Batangas Bed and Breakfast (BBBB) to interview Romeo Trono of Conservation International. The cozy resort definitely warranted a feature of its own. For more information on the place itself, please read the feature published in Sunday Inquirer Magazine, Bontoc or Batangas? Both! Below are a few more photos of the place.

View of Mt. Gulugod-Baboy from the BBBB’s balcony Continue reading “Discovering Bontoc in Batangas”

A Garden Wedding at Casa San Pablo, Laguna

About a month ago, environmentalist friends Rina and Don tied the knot at Casa San Pablo in Laguna. I found their wedding venue so great that I ended up interviewing owner Boots Alcantara after the dinner reception for this article published in Sunday Inquirer Magazine.

It was our first time to visit Casa San Pablo, which is one of the destinations in the famous Viaje del Sol route, a popular art, culture and foodie destination tour. Continue reading “A Garden Wedding at Casa San Pablo, Laguna”

NORTHBOUND: Adams, Anuplig Falls and an Exotic Meal

Check out NorthBound’s latest issue featuring “100 Reasons to visit Pangasinan.”

The eighth issue also includes a short article I wrote about our trip to Adams Village and Anuplig Falls during the Lakbay Norte 2 Media tour earlier this year. I also wrote about the  trip highlights for SIM  and will be doing a series of more detailed posts on this here.

 

The handy magazine (which includes a calendar of festivities and directory of places to stay) is published by the really cool people of North Philppines Visitors Bureau (NPVB), a non-profit group promoting tourism in the Northern provinces.

For more information or to download previous issues, check out their site here.

5 Unexpected Food Mashups

The Philippines is no stranger to bizarre food. One of our delicacies balut (boiled, fertilized egg) is considered Fear Factor-worthy, while other seemingly scary snacks like adidas (grilled or sauteed chicken feet), betamax (solidified pig’s or chicken’s blood) and isaw (skewered chicken intestines) are regular fare for most Pinoys. Continue reading “5 Unexpected Food Mashups”

Rose-Red City of Petra

Travelife Magazine’s Feb-March issue features “Old Rose-Red,” my trip to the stunning city of Petra in Jordan. The elaborate stone carved entrance to the Treasury is probably best known for being the “entrance” to the final resting place of the Holy Grail in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989).

Continue reading “Rose-Red City of Petra”