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Tarlac is one of the provinces that is located in the north part of Metro Manila.  It seems one of the places that Filipinos have heard so much about, thanks to our President, who hails from this province, but still a place that not everyone knows much about, much less know about the gastronomic gems that it hides in its interiors.  So it is with curiosity and excitement that I joined the Tarlac Food Tour last July 05, 2014.  The Tarlac Food Tour is one of the projects that the province of Tarlac is promoting to encourage more visitors to the province and also a way to showcase the different towns in the province and each town's specialty.  We went to two towns in this tour to visit some establishments that produce some delicacies worth-noting.  The first stop was Mary Ann's Kitchen located near the Provincial Capitol of Tarlac.  Here we were treated to spicy chicken prepared ala Bon Chon-style with a little twist that suits the...

Nagcarlan is probably one of the towns in Laguna that is earning some attention now because of the  historical landmark that people are gradually learning about.    It is the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery.  It is probably Nagcarlan's equivalent to the hanging coffins of Sagada.   We Filipinos seem to have a fascination for cemeteries or coffins.  There's also the Sunken Cemetery in Camiguin that tourists may view and include in their travel itinerary.   The underground cemetery in Nagcarlan, is part of what was originally the Catholic Cemetery of the town.       There are three areas to see.  The crypt which is found within the "kapilya" or chapel.  There is a passage on the right side upon entering the chapel in order to go down the  underground cemetery. And then there is the external cemetery, which is more like a burial wall, and the chapel.  The cool part is that, the facade of the chapel w...

    One of the reasons that tourists go to Mt. Mayon in droves is the ATV Adventure.   This activity allows tourists to go to the foot of Mt.  Mayon and see the beauty of this great lady up close by means of an all-terrain vehicle.  Up there, visitors can also enjoy the view of the city of Legaspi.  They can also savor the scent of the clean mountain air and get lots and lots of photographs amid the verdant background.  ATV stands for all-terrain vehicle.  This transportation is especially built to enable riders to get past all kinds of terrain , may it be rough, rocky, watery, sandy, muddy, hilly, etc.  It is basically automatic, but it also has gears (I wouldn't know when to use them, if you ask me.)    Before I started my three-hour drive to the foot of Mt. Mayon, I had a quick dry-run just to test if the machine was working well.  Also I made sure that  I was wearing all the necessary gears to keep me sa...

   If you are in Davao , always include Samal Island in your destinations as there are so many things to do and enjoy in this island which is just off the coast of Davao City,   Samal Island is an hour away by a large "baroto" or local canoe .  First, I took a cab from Royal Travel Hotel for Sta. Ana wharf which cost me P60 only.  Now, that was the fastest way to get to Sta. Ana wharf from downtown.  You can also go to Sta. Ana wharf by any jeep that goes to Magsaysay Park.  At Magsaysay Park, you will see lots of fruit stalls selling durian, mangosteen and marang and other local delicacies.  It will only cost you P8.00.  In Sta. Ana wharf, you can ride a big bangka going to and from Kaputian Wharf.   This is the schedule of the large bangkas that can accommodate over 50 people for only P60.  If you want to stay longer in the Island, go at around 8 am so that you can get your money's worth. Palbros 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. ...

Indeed, it is more fun in the Philippines.  After watching this video, I got convinced that the Philippines has a lot to offer in terms of tourist destinations and attractions.  There are many interesting and exciting things to see and do here.  Please take a look at the Official Video from the Department of Tourism (DOT) Click on the uppermost title of the video to see the official link.                    

Davao City is one of the top tourist destinations in Mindanao because of the many things that it can offer to travelers, tourists, backpackers or just simply those who want to get away from the busy city.  Well, after spending a weekend in Davao, here are some of the things that would really make me come back to the city again and again. 1.  The people are incredibly honest and kind.  Taxi drivers, for instance, do not haggle with their passengers who are going to the airport, unlike in other big cities, that  it is such a refreshing experience.  It's as if it's a crime to even hint for a tip.  2.  Fresh, tropical fruits such as mangosteen, durian , marang, pomelo.  Davao is known for all these and also, you get them at very low prices.   These alone will make you fall in love with the city.  So while you are here, you can indulge in the freshest fruits to your heart's content. 3.  It probably has ...