My photo biking in Intramuros in Manila is featured in National Geographic Magazine! Sometime in early 2023, one of the magazine’s photo editors reached out when they were looking for an image to represent new bike lanes being built around Intramuros in Manila. They found this photo with me and a Bambike from an article I published on this travel blog in March 2019 and asked if they could publish it. I took the photo of myself on timer mode inside the Plaza San Luis Complex after renting a bamboo bicycle from Bambike for a DIY tour. The same photo was published in National Geographic Magazine ..read more

Intramuros, the historic walled city of Manila, is one of the country’s top destinations for international tourists and locals alike. While most tourists visit mainly for the churches, museums, and historical sites, some dining spots also offer unique destinations to grab a bite or drink in between all that sightseeing. Along with classic restaurants serving Filipino-Spanish cuisine, a few new cafes have popped up in the past few years, giving locals a reason to revisit. Here’s an ultimate guide to the classic and new restaurants in Intramuros currently operational as of April 2024. Barbara’s ..read more

Eid al-Fitr, which literally means the “Holiday of Breaking the Fast” is the first of two official holidays observed by Muslims worldwide. The holiday marks the end of the month-long fasting of Ramadan. In the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is the ninth month of the year, and their holy month of fasting, which lasts from dawn to sunset. This year, Eid al-Fitr will take place on the evening of Tuesday, April 9, 2024 to Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in the Philippines. While traditions may vary in different countries, Eid al-Fitr usually features a few days of celebrations, including special morning pra ..read more

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. *New Sidequest unlocked* In many countries around the world ..read more

Planning to travel Northern Luzon soon? Whether you’re a seasoned road trip warrior or a travel newbie, NLEX Lakbay Norte Travel Guide is your new ultimate buddy as you hit the roads. NLEX Lakbay Norte Travel Guide is NLEX Corporation’s newest digital campaign showcasing what north has to offer. This travel guide is a trusty and reliable companion that will provide all the information you need for a smooth, enjoyable, and safe adventures. “Road trips are a fantastic way to experience the charm of Northern Luzon,” says Mr. J. Luigi L. Bautista, NLEX Corporation President and General Manager ..read more

La Union, the surfing capital of the Northern Philippines, has always been a popular destination for those coming from the metro, especially during weekends and holidays. There’s something about the magical sunsets and laidback surf life that attracts families, couples, weekend warriors, backpackers, digital nomads, and solo travelers, and keeps them coming back. With Holy Week coming up and summer months on the horizon, here are a few suggestions on where to stay in La Union to fit any budget.  Awesome Hotel Awesome Hotel is a newly opened luxury beachfront hotel located on the shorelin ..read more

Situated on the northeast tip of Luzon Island, the province of Cagayan is a paradise for nature lovers and history buffs. Cagayan was originally one of the earliest provinces established in the Spanish colonial period covering the whole northeastern part of the island of Luzon, so you can expect it to be rich in both heritage and natural attractions. While the capital city of Tuguegarao has kept up the pace with other modern regional hubs, much of the province’s attractions in the other 28 municipalities remain raw and rugged. Tourists are advised to take it slow and enjoy the journey while s ..read more

“I wish I had a beach house,” I thought to myself as I lounged in the air-conditioned comfort of a private beachfront cabin in Calatagan, Batangas. Who wouldn’t want to watch the sunset every night and wake up to the view of the beach every morning. There’s a laid-back lifestyle that comes along with living at the beach even if you have to work remotely from there. There’s no rush to go anywhere. You can easily go for a swim in the morning or evening after work hours, and people seem more friendly without being burdened by the stress of traffic and city living. I was only staying the night wh ..read more

Did you know that there are three Creative Cities in the Philippines officially designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)? In 2023, Iloilo was named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Before that, Baguio was named a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art in 2017 while Cebu was given the title of Creative City of Design in 2019. But what exactly does it mean to be a UNESCO Creative City and what activities can modern travelers do when visiting these places in relation to this distinction? READ MORE: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines What m ..read more

If you’re a frequent traveler in the market for a foldable smartphone that can be used for content creation or an all-around gadget for busy days on the road, the HONOR Magic V2 is a promising premium option. The Magic V2 is the world’s thinnest foldable smartphone, measuring just 9.9mm thick when folded, 4.7 mm when unfolded. Depending on the model, it weighs from 231 to 237 grams. I recently got to test out the HONOR Magic V2 during a recent trip to La Union. Years ago, during previous trips here, I lugged around a bulky SLR and various wide and telephoto lenses just to capture different im ..read more