You know what I miss right now? It's waking up early in the morning, then enjoying some freshly-baked pandesal dipped in hot coffee while having a little chit-chat with the family... at the beach. For almost a week, that's how our mornings were spent during our vacation a few mon…

If there is one positive influence I have on Jan, it has got to be this. This is his second time to summit the Philippines' highest mountain. His first climb without me (yep, partially bummed because I couldn't go) and probably his worst hiking experience by far—with plans almost…

For the first time in 486 years, we were finally able to do something fun outside our house. We took a breather at Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort —probably the most expensive and most magastos one-night getaway we ever had. But it's definitely worth it (and bitin ). We went there…

It's weekend and I still have a lot of incomplete tasks needed to be done at work but I'm still having a hangover from the holidays and I can hardly function. So before I totally ditch blogging about our year-end trip (like what I did to the other trips), I'll throw in a few s…

Davao City — Ever thought of trading the hustle and bustle city life for a day or two of unplugging without having to go too far? There’s no bad time for a relaxing escape to the Tengoku Japanese House . Situated not too far away from Eden Nature Park, this charming two-bedroom Japanese-…

This is a long overdue post. And since I convinced myself that I am busy, I never really got to post about the weekend that was well spent in Manila. We only have a little more than 48 hours and it was Red's first time in the metro so we did all things toursity! Here's how w…

Jan and I have been eyeing Dahilayan for a long time. But since we see transportation a potential problem (going to Bacolod or Cebu was easier), it always gets to the bottom of our must-visit list. But not until we had Bill . Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon is by far our  Jan's longe…

I knew I should have just rolled this Gov. Gen. and Mati trip into one long  blog post . I realized that after coming home late at night from a 2-leg road trip and waking up really early the next day for Easter Sunday service, I'm too drained to churn out something coherent.

I don’t feel so good about myself, and I don’t think my body likes me much. The brain hasn't really been active at night but I'm still fazed how its idleness can still keep me awake at night. I haven't had enough sleep daily for the past month. This isn't new. And usua…

Right now, I am writing this blog 1076 kms from where I usually write while I try my very best to sum up my most relaxing vacay, yet. I love that we didn't have to wake up early in the morning and cram as many activities as we can to seize the day. We have more than enough days …

Yesterday was our baby's string of many firsts. First, we named our baby, Bill. I know Bill doesn't have anything to do with a car. Unlike others, I didn't name it after its color, it's performance, or whatever's under its hood. I could come up with Silver Bullet, S…

Ilocos Norte is the farthest we've been to in the Philippines ( maghintay ka lang Batanes ). And like every eager first time visitor, we did almost everything touristy! But also like every thrill-seeking adventurer, we just had to do something that can turn on the rush. Honestly,…

I tried to be a regular blogger. Hence, the lame attempt to strike those blogger poses in the quaintest street I've ever been to: Calle Crisologo. It wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be. So I thought it's a perfect time for photo ops while Jan and I wait for our tumm…

After enjoying the top tourist attractions in Pagudpud , we had our lunch at past 1:00 in the afternoon and headed to Burgos for our South Tour. HOW TO GET AROUND ILOCOS NORTE If you are going for a DIY tour, the best way to get around Ilocos is to ride a tricycle. You may opt for…

Before we landed in Laoag City, we HAD a planned itinerary. The weather forecast app warned us about heavy rains and scattered thunderstorms. So we had it all planned out. Let's do Plan A. If weather does not permit us, we'll do Plan B.  But traveling does not always work that…

One of the reasons why I was so excited about this trip is because I would finally be reintroducing myself to my roots. I am an Ilocano. Both my parents and most of my relatives from both sides are Ilocanos. But since I was raised in Davao, I never really got to know my roots. The only …

Just when I thought there won't be any travels for me in the next two months , the curse month really has its way of telling me that things will never go my way because I just found myself traveling to the easternmost point of the Philippines only to have my breath be taken away b…

I think scaling mountains on our anniversary is an unspoken thing. It's never in our intention to  hike every anniversary , but it happens all the time. I guess, part of it is the need to pause from climbing the corporate ladder and have a breather. Another part is simply because w…

I wonder how many pieces of my heart have I got left because I keep on leaving them everywhere I go. This time, I left my heart in El Nido . El Nido wasn't really part of our travel plans this year. Yes, we've always wanted to go to El Nido but not anytime soon. I guess, lu…

Whew! That's a long title. But not as long as the road that we took just to get to this paradise. Situated more than 40kms away from Babak, Samal, the Island Garden Resort in Pangubatan is not known to many (at least for me). I've never heard about this resort until Jan'…