Food Trip in Cebu and Zamboanga

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Jana and I spent a few days in the Philippines a couple of weeks ago to be with family and to accomplish some tasks. After having been in Dubai for 4 years, there was a lot of catching up in terms of responsibilities and planning for the future. What was once a travel for travel (or travel … Read more

Cebu Trip: Snorkelling at Tuble Marine Sanctuary in Moalboal

My friend, Edwin, was negotiating with boatmen in Moalboal, Cebu, while Doi, Gael, and I, set up a table for lunch. Arriving from the night before, we stayed in Basdaku/White Beach in order to spend a day of snorkelling in the Tuble Marine Sanctuary. Tuble Marine Sanctuary Moalboal, Cebu September 05, 2011 Swimming in Moalboal … Read more

5 Luxury Hotels to Stay in Boracay Island, Philippines

Boracay, despite the crowd, is still a great destination to have some sun and sand while you travel to the Philippines. With its powdery sands and pristine water and various beach activities, you can definitely do a lot of fun things in this island. As this is a touristy area, you have plenty of options … Read more

Fun Dive at Apo Island in Negros Oriental

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During a trip to Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, I brought Jana to Apo Island for a fun day at the beach and some snorkelling. However, when we arrived at the island, the marine sanctuary was closed due to earthquakes and typhoons that affected the area. They had to close it to let the coral reefs recover. … Read more

Sunrise in Malapascua Island Cebu

It’s been a year since I first visited the island of Malapascua in Cebu. Up to now, I haven’t written a good blog entry about it sans for the time when I was able to jump off a 50-foot cliff – read article here.

I don’t think I’ll be able to write a better account any time soon so let me just share one of the good things that happened when I spent a day on this island. On a December, I witnessed a beautiful sunrise.

cebu malapascua photo
getting ready to steer the boat

Woke up at dawn as I worked on some freelance tasks to beat a deadline my employer imposed. After finishing the job, I stepped out and decided to take a dip. However, I ran back to our room and grabbed my camera when I saw a stream of light surfacing behind mountains from afar.

malapascua photo
peek-a-boo.

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Cebu: Afternoon in Basdako White Beach, Moalboal

After Kawasan Falls,  we went back to the main road in order to hail a bus. We were to find a place to eat in the town proper as it was already lunch time. We would be heading to another tourist place in Badian for an afternoon hangout session in Basdako (White Beach), Moalboal.

Basdako Beach (White beach) in Moalboal
Badian, Cebu
November 13, 2011

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Basdako Beach, Moalboal in Cebu
Basdako means “Big Sand”

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Travel Bloggers in Cebu White Beach Moalboal
alin ang naiiba? hehe.

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Cebu: Revisiting Kawasan Falls

From the Sunday morning market in Mantalongon, Dalaguete, we were able to hire two motorbikes (habal-habal) to Kawasan Falls in Badian. It’s faster than having to ride back to the Dalaguete intersection and wait for a bus. We tried to haggle, but we still paid around 150 Php per person for the motorbike ride.

Mantalongon to Kawasan Falls
Badian, Cebu
November 13, 2011

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Kawasan Falls in Cebu

It was an off-road motor adventure and it was dangerous considering that some areas are not yet paved. But the view, I tell you, is just refreshing! Even if it drizzled for awhile, the beautiful landscape made me forget about getting wet from the rain.

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road

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habal-habal to Kawasan Falls!

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Cebu: Mantolongon Sunday Morning Market

Waking up in the morning at the barangay hall in Mantalongon, Cebu, we hurriedly took our turns in the bathroom to fix ourselves. Even if I was a little tired from the trek to Osmena Peak, I still had a good night’s sleep especially when I didn’t have to pay much (50 Php) for a sleeping bunk.  hehe.

Mantalongon Sunday Morning Market
Mantalongon, Dalaguete, Cebu
November 13, 2011

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gymnasium cum market

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a short walk from the barangay hall

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Osmeña Peak Cebu: Descending in the Dark Night

It was already cold to be standing on top of the Osmena Peak in Cebu. Waiting for the sun to set became a little uncomfortable because the temperature became cooler. Good thing I brought a jacket. It was also great that we still had some leftover bread so we could fill our stomachs with food … Read more

Cebu Osmeña Peak: Two-Hour Trek to the Peak

We arrived at the Mantalongon Market and asked the townsfolk for directions to Osmena Peak in Cebu. The locals advised to go straight and just turn left on the first intersection. Afterwards, they said we only needed to follow the path to get to the destination. We didn’t have a difficult time understanding the instructions … Read more

Cebu Osmeña Peak: Stopover at Boljoon

Friday night, I was going over my duties in the office when I received a message from one of my travel buddies about going to Osmeña Peak the morning after. Prior to the climb, we were to drop by the municipality of Boljoon in South Cebu.

Cebu Osmeña Peak: Stopover at Boljoon
November 11, 2011

boljoon landmark
If you see this view when you travel South of Cebu, you know you’re in Boljoon.

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Side Trip to Singapore and Boracay

During the third month of my backpacking adventure, I made a side trip to Singapore and Boracay. I was supposed to be in Chiang Mai or Laos but there were sudden changes of plans that I had to reroute the destinations and go home earlier than expected.

I told myself that I’d be gone for at least six months; however, it wasn’t really something I wanted to carve in stone. The point of this whole digital nomad lifestyle gig is to show to others that it is possible to bring your work with you and travel at the same time. I think I’ve done fairly enough to say that it can be done.

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leaving Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok

Singapore

Singapore was not set until the first week of August. I was going to visit the country when I had more money in my bank. I knew that this was going to be an expensive place given that this is a First World country so I wanted more time to save before I check out its attractions. Due to circumstances, I arrived here too soon.

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Merlion Singapore

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Cebu Trip: Whale Shark ‘Butanding’ Encounter in Oslob

I hurriedly finished my work and delegated tasks to my peers. I also made sure that all my client sessions were in place before I left. I clocked out early so I could meet up with my friends outside. We were going to see the whale sharks (butanding in Tagalog or tuki in Bisaya) in Oslob, Cebu!

Whale Shark Sighting in Oslob, Cebu, Philippines
December 23, 2011

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Butanding or Tuki Encounter
photo by Doi

I’m really lucky that my day job has a little flexibility when it comes to special requests whenever the need arises. So long as I don’t compromise the deliverables, then all is well.

We arrived at the South Bus Terminal station around 3:30am and the bus left after 15 minutes. It was only a 3-hour ride – a quick nap that wasn’t even enough since I didn’t have any rest.

whaleshark oslobEntrance to the resort in Cebu’s Tanawan, Oslob, for whale shark watching

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Cebu Trip: Reaching Osmeña Peak

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A few more steps and I was already at the Osmeña Peak in Cebu. Actually, it was a few hundred more but it didn’t seem much as I was in a hurry to get to the top. I left my friend, Doi who was resting her swollen leg down below. I would’ve stayed with her but she advised me to catch up with our other companions before it turned dark.

I needed to deliver the tripod plate that was attached to the base of my camera. The tripod body was already with Dom but it was useless without the integral part of the device that was with me.

Osmeña Peak,
Mantalongon, Dalaguete, Cebu
November 12, 2011

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Edwin already at the top

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green

We’ve been trekking for over two hours and although we paused at times, I felt my legs weakening at every step. I wondered why my strength was failing on me. I realized I haven’t been doing my rounds of exercise at home so my body was caught off guard due to the sudden physical activity. However, it didn’t stop me from continuing the trek.

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view from Osmena Peak

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