The Beginning

2011 will finally end in a couple of hours.

2011 has been a great year for me!

The year has been truly amazing and I am very grateful for that.

This is the year when I finally completed my degree at University of the Philippines. This is the year when I finally decided on what I REALLY want with my life.

And, this is the year when I experienced myriad of emotions which made me wiser and stronger.

Day 6: The 2011 Ligligan Parul Experience

Holiday rush.

Highways and avenues were filled with cars, buses and jeeps even at twelve midnight. People were still rushing to the nearest malls for their last minute Christmas shopping. Streets were illuminated with bright and colorful lights as children sung to the tune of classical Christmas songs. Christmas in the Philippines has never been this colorful and unique!

In line with that, the last day of my 6-day backpacking trip was spent at the Christmas Capital of the Philippines - San Fernando, Pampanga to celebrate the 103rd Ligligan Parul Festival!

Day 5: Conquering Mount Samat, Bataan

I have had enough with beaches (and bitches).

Memorial Cross of Mount Samat

That's the reason why on the fifth day of my backpacking trip, I flew north and climbed one of the country's most prominent landmarks which commemorates a particular part of Philippine history.

Day 4: Where to Eat at IT Park, Cebu City

Eating is my favorite hobby. Okay scratch that. Eating is everyone's favorite hobby. I wouldn't mind spending that MUCH on food, as long as it is worth it. There are only a few restaurants here in the Philippines that offer delicious food with big servings at a reasonable price.

Nomnomnom adventure

In Cebu City, two restaurants at Asiatown IT Park surely answered my gastronomic demands (yes, demands talaga) for a reasonable price!

Day 3: Sojourn in Bantayan Island

Slip away from the seemingly crowded city streets of Metro Cebu for a leisurely day tour at Bantayan Island where life is much simpler than the bustling regional center of the island.

Sugar Beach, Bantayan Island

Day 2: Island Hopping at Malapascua

I was feeling a bit groggy when my friends woke me up at around 6:30 in the morning. Yesterday, we had arranged an island tour along with our transportation to Bantayan Island later that day.

Cliff diving at Malapascua Island

It was almost 8:30 in the morning (an hour and half behind schedule) when we finally sailed to Malapascua Strait.

Day 1: Start the Year-end Trip at Malapascua Island

As the plane started to gain altitude, I looked at the window for a while and took some photos of the clouds before going to sleep. It was rather a smooth flight, thanks to the sunny weather. An hour later, I was awakened by the loud thump of the plane. Touchdown Cebu. I honestly do not know what was in store for us in the next four days, knowing that the places that we were about to visit were at least three and a half hours away from Metro Cebu.

But nonetheless, we remained optimistic in the entire trip, hoping that we will enjoy and have a great time.

Beautiful sunset at Malapascua Island, Cebu

Cebu has been blessed with wide ranges of beaches, Spanish fortresses and historical landmarks. On our first day, we drove our way north to Malapascua Island.

How to Get a Philippine Passport

If you are planning to have an Asian Cruise in Singapore or to have a great time with some Disney characters at Hongkong Disneyland, you need to secure a valid Philippine passport first!

Finally got my passport today!

Here are the requirements and ways on how to apply for a legit Philippine passport or renew an old one.

Lost in Iloilo

Actually, the primary objective why I went to Iloilo last April was to study medicine at West Visayas State University (WVSU), but I didn't make it to the final cut... which was actually a good thing!

Jaro Church, Iloilo City, Philippines

But despite that, I was able to tour Iloilo with my cousin. A DIY tour, actually. In our first day, we went to the beautiful island of Guimaras and it was an awesome trip. But the succeeding days were more epic.

This Is How We Celebrate Christmas in Davao!

Christmas in the Philippines is pretty much different compared to other countries. While some countries celebrate it with only three dominant colors namely, red, gold and green, Philippines celebrates Pasko with a myriad of colors!

Pasko Fiesta at People's Park

Just recently in People's Park, Davao City, the local government officially launched the Pasko Fiesta sa Dabaw where Davaoeños, as well as visitors, can enjoy several Christmas events that will happen in the city for the whole month of December.

My Travel Wishlist

Since December has already begun a few days back, I'm going to join the bandwagon and create my own travel wishlist!

I won't be wishing simple things like "world peace" or "good vibes all over planet Earth" though because haler Hitler! If I am going to make a wish, it has to be big!

Ika nga, Dream Big, Kapamilya!

Blogfest 2.0 and Philippine Blog Awards Experience

I do not know what was in store for us in the Blogfest 2.0 and the prestigious awards night of the Philippine Blog Awards which was held at the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, General Santos City. But anyway, I still signed up and paid $5.00 via PayPal last September (or was it early October?) and hoped that it would be an awesome experience.

The excitement escalated when I learned that I was one of the finalists for the Philippine Blog Awards Mindanao (Travel Blog Category).

But wait, there's MORE!