Visayas – Travel Up

Siquijor by Scooter | Where to stay: Republika Beach Bar & Baha Bar

Glittering blue-green waters and lush hills welcome visitors to the island of Siquijor. Formerly shrouded in stories of occult and witchcraft, Siquijor has a way of leaving travelers spellbound in a different way.

It’s been over a decade since I first visited and motorcycled solo around ‘the mystic island.’ Yet visions of the lonely tree-lined forest paths, the quiet coastal roads and empty beach coves still linger in my mind.

LIST: MICHELIN Guide to the Philippines | Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026

The MICHELIN Guide has finally arrived in the Philippines, with nine restaurants in Manila and Environs & Cebu earning prestigious Stars, including one earning Two MICHELIN Stars in its debut year. The first Philippine edition for 2026 includes 108 establishments, including 90 across Manila and Environs and 18 in Cebu.

Two MICHELIN Stars: 1
One MICHELIN Star: 8
MICHELIN Selected: 74
Bib Gourmand: 25

This is a huge deal for the Philippine food scene. Whether or not you agree with the selection, if you like eating out, you’re probably curious to try some of the restaurants that were recognized and wondering where they’re located.

Scroll to the end for a savable and shareable list on social media for easy reference.

UNESCO Creative Cities in the Philippines

Originally published March 2024, updated November 2025

The Philippines now has five cities that are part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Dumaguete City has been designated Creative City of Literature, while Quezon City was named Creative City of Film, following its application to the UNESCO Creative City of Film Network in 2023.

Previously, Iloilo was named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2023, while Cebu was given the title of Creative City of Design in 2019. Baguio City was the first Philippine city to join the UCCN network, having been named a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art in 2017.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines

Around the world, you can find landmarks and tourist spots that have that distinction of being called UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These spots are selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as having high cultural, historical, scientific or other forms of significance, and become legally protected by international treaties.

Lonely Planet Philippines 2024 guidebook is now available

If you got bitten by the travel bug before the digital era, chances are you’ve relied on Lonely Planet for your explorations.

For the past five decades, globetrotters have considered Lonely Planet’s classic guidebooks a “traveler’s bible” to help plan in-depth country trips and pick the best things to do, where to stay and where to eat in each country.

5 rainy season destinations in the Philippines for nature lovers

It can be tough to plan trips during the rainy season in the Philippines. There’s a lot of uncertainty when traveling by air and sea, especially if a typhoon hits. Once you arrive at your destination, overcast skies and seasonal downpours can be a downer during sightseeing and typical outdoor activities like going to the beach.

But this doesn’t mean hitting the snooze button on travel. Some places around the country come alive once the rainy season sets in. Natural landscapes like waterfalls look their finest and mountain scenery is at its greenest. The fog in mountainous areas can make places look more captivating.

Kilometer Zero markers and landmarks in the Philippines

We’ve all got to start from Zero.

Sometimes, a visit to one landmark can spur you to get out of the house and give you a reason to travel somewhere. If you follow this blog, you know that I like to collect random things or visit specific reference points during road trips. One new travel quest I want to do in the future is to loop some of the many islands in the Philippines by motorcycle (the larger ones) or by bike (the smaller ones). And the best place to start in each island would be the Kilometer Zero markers on the road.

Tours to BARMM, Spratly Islands up for grabs at the PH Travel Mart 2023

Looking for inspiration for your next local trip around the Philippines? Travel and tour packages from emerging destinations such as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the Spratly Islands will be up for grabs in the Philippine Travel Mart happening this weekend, from September 1 to 3, 2023 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

The event organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), the 34th Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) is the biggest and longest-running annual tourism fair that aims to promote popular and rising tourist spots in the country.

Six destinations simplify travel: Cebu, Pagadian, Negros Occ, Guimaras, Tacloban, Butuan

Vaccination Card or Medical Certificate accepted

PRESS RELEASE – Cebu Pacific announces that there are now six destinations in its network that have simplified their travel requirements, namely, Cebu, Pagadian, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Tacloban and Butuan which no longer require RT-PCR or Antigen test.

Travelers bound for Cebu Province must present a medical certificate stating that they do not exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 issued within 24 hours of before arrival in Cebu.

Cebu Pacific all set for domestic travel recovery in Q4

Cebu Pacific will increase its flights in October to tourism havens Siargao, Boracay, and Bohol as the country’s leading airline push for domestic travel recovery, following the easing of quarantine restrictions.

In October, the airline will expand its flights to Siargao from five times to six times weekly; raise its frequencies to Boracay from four to five times daily; and bump up flights to Bohol from nine to 10 times weekly.

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