My Dream Balicasag Island Trip

It has been a week now and I can still vividly remember how my recent trip to Balicasag Island ended. It was pitch black, the wind was howling like a danger is coming after us and the thick darker clouds were hovering above us like we can't escape it anymore. Our boatmen had to kill the motor of our boat so as not to hit the corals below - yes, it was low tide too. And though, our boat was moving, I can sense the tension in the sealed mouth of ours. This is not how I dreamed of my first-ever Balicasag Island trip, this is not a dream to start with, it was some sort of a nightmare.

To most of us when we heard of Balicasag, the first thing that comes right up in to our minds is its pristine white beach barely touched or abused by people. Considered as a Panglao, Bohol's pride, my recent trip to this paradise has almost turned differently if not for the determined Panglaoanon guides who tried all their best to bring back us to the Panglaoshore safe and sound.

On the second day of my coverage of Panglao International Dive Fiesta, we were invited by our host - the Panglao Tourism Board - to see and experience one of the hottest dive sites in the country, the Balicasag Island. Boasting with rich marine life that has been attracting foreign divers, Balicasag is actually in my must-visit list here in Bohol.

The First Ever Panglao International Dive Fiesta

In an island surrounded by beautiful beaches with pristine white sands, Panglao, Bohol is now ready to take a different kind of challenge that aims to make their municipality a must-visit place in the world. World, say hello to Panglao International Dive Fiesta.

Boasting with thousands of unique underwater species, which can be seen in 16 famous diving sites off the pristine and captivating Bohol’s crown jewel, Panglao hosts the first ever International Dive Fiesta that is set to showcase the province’s well-kept and protected gems beneath its clear, blue seas.

Started today June 12, this 4-day event, which consists of diving training and seminars, search and rescue capability exercise, exhibit, underwater photo contest and food market among other will last until this Sunday, June 15.

Cintai Corito's Garden: Balinese Escape at Balete, Batangas

Flowers are in bloom, pastures are green as ever, different species of birds chirping and clucking and trees swaying along the refreshing breeze brought by the nearby Taal Lake – it feels like I am dreaming my great Bali dream, but actually, I am not. Everything was real and the only thing I was asked to do is savor every minute of my stay at Balete, Batangas' Cintai Corito's Garden.

If you Google the word “Cintai” (pronounced as Chin-tai), you'll see how this word is related to romance, passion and love. In Indonesia, where this place got its inspiration, Cintai simply means love. A place that is actually made out of love – the love of the children to their mother and the love of a husband to his wife – Cintai Corito’s Garden is overflowing with love that is set to captivate every guest’s heart, soul and mind.

When I visited the place with some friends a few days back, we were surprised to see such beauty exists just around 2 hours away from Metro Manila. Specifically located at Sitio Pandayan, Malabanan Balete, Batangas, Cintai Corito's Garden is currently managed by Paramount Property Management Company, the same group that handles Microtel Philippines.

The La Loma Lechon Festival 2014

Proving that La Loma, Quezon City still holds the title of Lechon Capital of the Philippines, on this year's festivity, La Loma offered more than just the typical lechons in costume parading down the street - they offered the start of a new beginning for La Loma Lechon Festival!

This year, the Tourism Board of Quezon City injected more activities to this filling celebration that gives guests and locals a reason to smile and weigh more. From the traditional Lechon Parade, last Sunday's festivity also includes Drums and Lyre Parade, Boodle Fight, Culinary Competition, Street Dance, Band Performances, Fireworks and more that made 2014 La Loma Lechon Festival more memorable.

I got there around lunch time, where I witnessed a crowd all gathered up at N.S. Amoranto Street. With drums and dragon dancers entertaining some of the town's guests, La Loma Lechon Festival also host a cooking contest that gave a new meaning to lechon eating.

The Outdoors we call Camp N by NUVALI

Nowadays, we barely see kids or young adults having a great time basking under the sun and enjoying the wonders of the outdoors, which til all of them are having a hard time catching their breath, both because of running and laughing so hard.

Good thing, just two hours away from Manila lays a well-developed property which is thriving and evoliving - NUVALI. An Ayala Land Inc. development, NUVALI recently opened to the public its latest sports zone complete with activities set to challenge one's heart, mind and body - Camp N.

I was lucky to be at its opening day last April 26, together with a number of media personalities, who are excited as I was to try the amazing challenges that are put up for Camp N. This newest spot here in this lovely NUVALI community boast up with Obstacle Course, Aerial Walk and Rope Courses and Camping Ground that are purposely built to promote healthier and more balanced lifestyle.

My Suicidal Trip to Banaue Rice Terraces

Whenever I see postcards of this wonder of the world, I can't help but to get astounded over its wonderful steps and simply fall in love over its breathtaking view, lush greenery and artistic waves. Banaue Rice Terraces or the Ifugao Rice Terraces is definitely a must-see before you die. But make sure that you don't die because you went here wearing the wrong outfit! Hahaha!

Me wearing shorts and slippers 
on a 20-degree Celsius temperature!

December 28, a day after my friend's wedding in Nueva Vizacaya, I and another friend, decided to go uphill to see the glorious and heart-stopping beauty of Banaue Rice Terraces. I never thought that it would be that cold in Ifugao, going there was not part of our plan. I never thought I would survive that cold; we were so stupid to forget about the weather. I never thought it would be that challenging to go up there, but I'm glad we've made it. IT WAS SO MUCH JOY TO BE THERE.

Tayo na sa Antipolo!

It's been more than a decade now since I started doing Station of the Cross or Via Crusis, and during those years, I usually barefooted people walking on the street, who look  like they are going out on a field trip. 

Well, They are actually on a field trip, but instead of taking bus, they are all walking. I only discovered that they are all heading towards the mountain when I started discovering the churches in the eastern part of Metro Manila. Yes, during Maundy Thursday, pilgrims are all heading to Antipolo - to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage or Immaculate Conception Parish and then take on separate routes as they leave the place on the morning of Good Friday.

If you'll have a chance to visit the churches in the eastern part of Metro Manila - churches in Pasig, Mandaluyong, some parts of Quezon City and Makati - on Maundy Thursday, you'll notice this great number of people walking barefoot. There are some who are wearing uniformed shirts and yes again, they are all heading to one direction. Mostly youth, these people are doing an old tradition of hiking up to Antipolo for the annual pilgrimage to Lady of Peace and Good Voyage .

If I'm not mistaken, my first and last pilgrimage to the Church of Antipolo was when I was still in Primary School. I was so young then and I was with my old aunts and old neighbors, so we didn't walk, rather we hired a jeepney to take us up to Antipolo.

Kamay Ni Hesus: Lucban's Holy Week Destination

Just in case you have no plans of going out far this Holy Week, but still wanted to see the country in a different way - a church and healing center in Lucban, Province of Quezon has been becoming a popular Holy Week destination since it was opened to the public in 2004. Fr. Joey A. Faller and some of his friends are behind this majestic Risen Christ grotto that you can only see at Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church.

I've been eyeing to visit this place since I heard of its miraculous works and truly inspiring story, and luckily, last year, I finally had the chance not only to see but do the Station of the Cross or Via Crucis by climbing its 305-step Via Dolorosa Grotto, where the world's 3rd tallest Risen Christ is standing. It is 50 feet in height, to be exact - and overseeing almost the whole lot of Lucban and its neighboring cities and municipalities.

But before we proceed to the Grotto, let me take you first to the other places of interests that you could find here inside Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church.

DIY Glamping with Coleman Philippines

Believe it or not, I cannot remember when was the last time I camped out. Since I'm not that good in setting up tents and I find it inconvenient too, since most of "camping" trips mean no toilets and bathrooms, I'm honestly saying that it is one of my least favorite thing to do outdoors. But last week, when I finally said yes to Coleman Philippines' invitation to try out "glamping" trip - glamorous camping, as they say it - my perception towards camping has changed, hence I can't wait for my next "glamping" with them!

If you think glamping is camping with different spelling only, you are so wrong! Because with "glamping", Coleman proved that we don't have to give up our familiar conveniences just for the sake of enjoying the outdoors; Coleman proved that we don't have to spend so much energy and time in setting up tents; and lastly, Coleman proved nothing beats a "real" human interaction than spending a day or two with your love ones in a cozy and fun tents using friendly and easy-to-carry Coleman products.

Last week, at Pico de Loro, Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas, Coleman Philippines marked the start of a fun and rekindling summer with the launch of their latest products ready to cater the "Glamping "trend in this side of the world. Categorized into three "Glamping" related outdoors themes, Coleman Philippines put us all in excitement mode as they started presenting these colorful and inviting "glamping" setups, I bet you all will love!

Bangkong Kahoy Valley: The Beauty In-between

Appreciating the beauty of the two mystical mountains - Mt. Banahaw and Mt. Cristobal - right in the middle of them, the beautiful and peaceful valley of Bangkong Kahoy in Dolores, Quezon possesses a unique fusion of the two mountains and served as our sweet hideout from the busy metropolis a few weeks back for the first Organic Bloggers Gathering for the year 2014.

Three hours away from Manila, Bangkong Kahoy Valley is nestled at the adjoining arms of two mountains offering a 56-hectare well-kept private land inside the Mt. Banahaw Protected Area. Owned by the family of Mr. Dionisio "Dion" Pulan since 1920, Bangkong Kahoy Valley has been considered as one- if not the greatest - treasure by the family providing tranquility and relief to each and everyone of them.

The whole lot, I must say, looks really well kept. With some transient houses that guests can rent out for a night, a week or even a month, Bangkong Kahoy caters to students who are there to discover the wonders of Mt. Banahaw and Mt. Cristobal, to families and barkadas who seek refuge from the crazy metro life, up to the farmers who wanna know the latest invention and discoveries in organic farming.