Palaui

Off the coast of San Vicente, in Sta. Ana, Cagayan Province is the rugged, beautiful island of Palaui. It is accessible via 11-hour bus ride away from Manila and less than an hour boat ride from San Vicente Port. It boasts of white sand beaches, hills, and Cape Engano Lighthouse, an old lighthouse which is as mysterious as it is gorgeous.

I gazed at the lush mountains as the wind softly teases. I marveled at the beauty of the deep blue sea, as waves crash violently against jagged rocks. Time stood still, as my feet dangle over God’s sweet panoramic creation.

I could easily get lost in the crowd, but have I told you that I would rather get lost in the midst of a beautiful uncertainty? And yes I love it… because even in the farthest of horizon, I don’t see any crowd.

Ciudad Real de Acuzar

There was Intramuros.
There was Vigan.
And now, Ciudad Real de Acuzar.

On the shores of Bagac, Bataan, lies a quaint and lovely Spanish colonial village called Ciudad Real de Acuzar.

The village is composed of several ancestral houses, heritage homes and bahay na bato, which the owner Gerry Acuzar acquired all over the Philippines, and reconstructed to its original structure and grandeur. The houses aren’t replicas but the original structures, painstakingly built, brick by brick, plank by plank, tile by tile.

Among the famous houses include Taberna del Señor Pepe with beautiful interior murals, Escolta Hotel adorned with sculptures of Greek women garbed in flowing robes, homes of the Novicios and Equivels, and the imposing University of the Philippines’ first Fine Arts school building.

Kuwebang Lampas

I hated the day because of lack of sleep from travel. I hated the dozen dogs scattered all over the beach… at first. I hated the day because I wanted to swim and discovered that there is no potable water or tubig-poso where I could take a bath after dipping from the saltwater.

Nonetheless, the beauty, serenity and the rejuvenating wind of the place blew all my odium away. Not to mention the hike going to the beach where you will pass by the Team Energy Power Plant, a mini-forest and bakhawan, and encounter friendly goats along the way.

A small strip of private white-sand beach with beautiful rock formations and a cave, Kuwebang Lampas in Ibabang Polo, Pagbilao, Quezon is a secret weekend getaway not too far from Manila, just awaiting to be discovered.

Palawan: The Last Frontier

Who is Puerto Princesa?

Legends attribute it to the appearance at certain time of the year of a princess with a rare beauty who would roam around the bay at night.

Others insist the name was derived from the geographic value of the place as a port, being naturally protected by inclement of weather all year round and sufficient in depth to allow ships of all sizes to anchor. It is truly a “Princess of Ports”, or in Spanish “Puerto Princesa”.

History however, signifies that the name was given in honor of Princess Eulalia of Spain who was born to the reigning monarch, Queen Isabella II and her consort, Dr. Francisco de Asis.

But the one I like best was the story about a princess who died waiting in the port for the Spanish soldier she ever loved.

Puerto Princesa is considered as the largest city in the country in terms of political territory.

Camiguin

Sunken Cemetery

Old Volcano Walkway (Via Cruzes)

Hibok-Hibok Ardent Hot Spring

Sto. Niño Cold Spring

White Island

White Island

Coin Divers

Katibawasan Falls

An island born of fire is wonderfully hot.

Ilocos Norte and Sur Adventure

"Since I grew tired of the chase and search, I learned to find;

And since the wind blows in my face, I sail with every wind."

- Nietzsche

Bangui windmills

Kangkang Windmill Cafe

Patapat viaduct

Bagong Lipunan Lodge ruins

Paoay

Vigan

Baluarte

Blue Lagoon

Kapurpurawan

Be awed with the allure of history, culture and nature of Ilocos.