Manuroyta!

            Every time someone mention La Union, beach and waves comes to my mind.  I normally chase waves in Zambales but La Union is not a bad choice, in fact, its equally adventurous and beautiful.  This quiet place is located in Ilocos Region and its name literally means ' the union of towns from different provinces'.  Its surrounded by different equally famous and beautiful places: Benguet  , Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan .              I am ready to experience surfing in La Union's (L.U.) wave but I am so glad one of my office mate invited us (me and my office friends) to try surfing in LU and stay overnight in their vacation house.  What is better than to get a free vacation with your friends in a secluded and awesome beach, right?             We hired an urban van that accommodate eighteen (18) of us and off we travel to this land of rice, tob...

            A mere mention of Dive Link Resort , one may think of scuba diving right away.  Well, you got it right!  The resort offers a lot of services and water sports and activities but mainly scuba diving, thus, the name was derived.  Its our first time in Coron , Palawan and stayed in Dive Link Resort .  Its located in Uson island and only 10minutes away from Coron town by boat (Bangka).  It is near, yes, that you can even see the resort's "little" pier and walkway from Coron's mainland.              It is raining when we arrive, hence I was not able to capture the resort's beauty in daylight.  This type of weather makes me curl up in our twin-sharing air conditioned room and just sleep my day away.  But hey! I didn't travel 1hour (by plane) away from Manila and took a bumpy ride on board Cebu Pacific Air (we are travelling when typhoon Quiel hit the country) just to sleep rig...

            The first stop in our Padre Burgos Adventure Tour is in Mag-asawang Bato Island .  You bet, it's a two side by side boulders or should I say Islands of boulders facing Padre Burgos coastline.                The locals call it "Mag-asawang Bato" or "married rocks", though I don't know why.  These rocks are not really close to each other, when we are still on our bangka - we thought these two boulders are in not-so-close distance you may think they are just "acquaintance". Hehehe             

            My friend Mitch and I wanted to get out from the city and just do some sunbathing and a lot of swimming.  I may not be sure if I'll call it luck or a mere coincidence when we receive a Facebook invitation from a mountaineering club YABAG .              They will be having their 2nd Padre Burgos Adventure Tour and their scouting anyone who are interested to do some mountain climbing, caving/spelunking, rappelling, island hopping, camping on the beach and a simple 'beachineering'.  The mentioned of "beach" turns us on and off we join.              Borawan Island is just one of the Islands that we can enjoy as part of our Padre Burgos Tour.  It offers a wide beach shore that allows campers to build their small and huge tents alike.  The boulders and mountains surrounding it keep the tents from blowing away by the strong wind.

           Me and my friends do go out...most of the time.(Hahaha!)  On one of our busy week, we manage to pull-out ourselves from the four corners of our office and lead our feet to Tagaytay City .  Over the cup of coffee in Starbucks, the famous Tagaytay mushroom burger and the delicious bulalo in Tagaytay public market - we talk about how beautiful and enchanting Tagaytay City is.              Tagaytay City is located in   Cavite . Some says its part of Batangas because its lies on top of Tagaytay Ridge which is the highest point in Batangas.  The ridge provides an awesome view of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake in Batangas.  Its 55km away from Manila via Aguinaldo Highway.  I normally go to Tagaytay thru this route: Star Mall EDSA, FX is only P60-P80/pax to Balibago, Laguna.  Then I will take Jeeps or tricycle to take me to Tagaytay.  Tricycle will cost you around P100-P200...

            I wonder why Coron in Palawan is rather famous for adventurers and loner alike when it is Puerto Princesa that's considered Palawan's capital city.  Last October 1st, aboard Cebu Pacific Air , my friend Mel and I landed for the first time in Francisco Reyes (Busuanga-Coron) Airport .  Other airlines also fly guests from Manila to Coron: PAL express and  Zest Air.  Fetched by Dive Link Resort van from the airport, we went straight to Coron's pier located right next to Coron Public Market and one of the famous and new hotel in town - Coron Gateway Hotel . Though ours are free, if you are alone van rental may cost you P150/pax or around P1,500/whole van.  Ten minutes away from the pier, by boat, is our resort - Dive Link Resort , where we will stay for 3 exciting days to explore this under populated but popular place.               Coron, I may say ...

            Do you think you've explored Tagaytay and know all about Batangas ? Think again. One week day, my friend and I decided to visit the place one of my office mates talked about: Amansinaya Mountain Resort .  I was informed the place is far from Manila and its not as developed as Tagaytay City or other part of Tagaytay nor Batangas but it's so beautiful and breath-taking. Wanted to see it for my self, we decided to packed our bags and off we go.              As instructed by the receptionist who answered my call couple of days prior to the trip, we took an FX ride from Star Mall at Shaw Blvd - EDSA around 8AM (P180/pax) to Lemery , Batangas. After 2hrs, we were dropped-off Tamayo Road, Tamayo, Batangas to ride a motorcycle (P130/pax) up until we reach Laurel Town, Batangas.  The ride? Oh, a roller coaster I may say (I mean, if I may write!).  As expected, more of a dirt road  ...

            Batangas is known for its white sand beaches and "kapeng-barako".  One of the nice beach area I've been to is in Nasugbu, Batangas - where you will find beach resorts that offers different water activities for different types of clients. One of the best option for a public resort is  Munting Buhangin Beach Camp .              The beach was created for adventure-seekers for it great outdoor setting.  The area can suit up to 5,000 people and you have a choice to book an exclusive or semi-exclusive accommodation. Or you can camp on the shore or inside the resorts safe forest camp site.  Accommodations includes air conditioned cottages (P4,000-P8,000 for 4-15pax); tree-houses (P2,500-P2,900 for 2-10pax); nipa/umbrella/picnic hut (P900-P1,100 for 8-15pax) and different sizes of tents with comfortable cushions, pillow with case and blanke...

            Known as the largest city in the world by land area, approx. 2,443.61 square kilometers, Davao City is where the highest peak of the country is located at:  Mt. Apo . Located at the border of Kidapawan City and Davao Del Sur , Mt. Apo offers a sanctuary to the almost extinct Philippine Eagle .             Now called the Metro Davao   , it comprises of Davao City , Tagum City , Panabo City , Island Garden City of Samal , Digos City and Sta. Cruz and Carmen .  Recently, in the year 2014, a new province was created now called Davao Occidental which is composed of Saranggani, Santa Maria, Malita, Jose Abad Santos, and Don Marcelino.  The city is typhoon-free, so you'll get to enjoy the weather anytime you want to visit the place.  So, what you'll get to enjoy in the city of Durian ?  For adventure seekers, Davao offers a variety of activities:  Davao ...

            I was asked once by a friend where in Visayas Island should I visit first if given a chance, I immediately answered:" If not Siquijor or Boracay, then I'd go for Panglao beach and Chocolate Hills!". Why should I not, I've only seen those places on the books and in my dreams. But not long after that, I've seen myself as one of the passengers of Cebu Pacific Airlines bound for Tagbilaran City , capital of Bohol.                          Along with my five friends, we checked-in at Dumaluan Beach Resort in Panglao Island .  The resort offers standard rooms, standard deluxe rooms, superior deluxe rooms, suite room and presidential suite. Each room offers air-conditioning and private toilet and bathroom and refrigerator, bath tub and cable TV for other higher accommodations. They also have a swimming pool with a jacuzzi, bar and...

            Looking for tranquility, peace of mind, and an adventure of some kind? What about a beach for serenity? Or a cave for peacefulness? Perhaps the jungle will do? What about a look back to your beloved country's history? I believed I knew what you are looking for: Corregidor Island.              This tadpole-shaped island is a ferry ride from Manila Bay .  Beach bummers will truly enjoy the quiet beach in the south of the island known to the locals as South Dock.  Concrete benches are made available for beachgoers.   Corregidor Inn offers different beach activities you can do alone or with your friends: Sunset viewing, sunrise viewing, beach volleyball, tug-o-war, bonfire, camping by the beach, fishing in Corregidor North and South Dock, and doing some rock picking for your rock collections or simply laze on your beach towel by the beac...

            Many to mention, that’s going to be your answer when friends will ask you what they can do in Subic.  Friends who love beaches, animals, shopping and art.  This is the venue of all the venues of various vacation activities - name it,they have it.  When they first heard the place, I bet they thought that they can only get to enjoy the scenery and activities by checking the worldwide web.  They might think that’s it too far from Manila and it is expensive.  But it will change once they read this.              You can reach Subic by air though domestic service is limited from Manila to Subic.  You can also arrange a charter service from Manila though you will need a budget to have this luxury.  Another way is thru ferry.  A ferry service from Manila CCP's terminal is available...