A lot of travellers are also corporate employees who spend their weekends and vacation leaves out of town. Young urban professionals or “Yuppies” who have spending power and choose to explore the country when they can.
Episode 11 of my Podcast Interview Series
Chyng of ChyngReyes.com
Chyng Reyes is an urban nomad who blogs about her personal life on her site with the title “No Spam, No Virus, No Kiddin’!” She is one feisty woman who is not afraid to travel by herself. Her blog is a light read and she also takes beautiful photos. One trivia is that she comments first on her blog posts before anybody else does!
I admire how Chyng engages herself with her readers. She has organized vacation tours in groups with her avid followers which is something I haven’t tried myself. She also gives back to the community by creating and organizing Outreach programs during the Christmas holidays.
This was a fun interview as we were joined by other travel bloggers: Ron, Upper, and Nina in Bonifacio High Street. I even had to practice my Tagalog, and failed. haha
Interview Location: Bo’s Coffee Club, Bonifacio High Street
Surfing in Baler
Please click the 'Play' button to listen to the Podcast:
What is your primary goal why you set up your travel blog?
Initially, I started blogging because I was bored. I ran out of things to do while waiting for the anti-virus (I used to work for an anti-virus company) to complete a scan. So there, my blog “No Spam No Virus, No Kidding!”was born.
I’m just a blogger who travels. I still consider my blog as personal. But I made my travel entries very detailed because I want my friends to stop asking and bugging me about my itineraries, accommodations, and total expenses of my previous trips.
Mayon VolcanoWhat do you do outside blogging?
Many! Blogging is just a hobby; just a past time. Other hobbies include splurging at hotels and trying out different Japanese and Thai restaurants. On a more serious note, I’m currently working in an R&D company at Global City, The Fort, as a software QA Engineer.
You go to different hotels and review them in your blog, do you get invited to these places?
Basically, I get invited by friends; not by sponsors. Lucky me for my set of friends, they always treat me for hotel accommodations and hotel buffet experiences. I have many friends who are very generous. =)
Can you tell us more about your red trolley bag instead of a backpack?
I've got two words: OLD AGE! My body is weak, I can't carry a 40L or 15-kilo backpack for a whole day. Besides, I don't want to look like a hardcore backpacker.
Apo Reef, Balicasag
You went to Indonesia and you were held at the Immigration office because of being alleged as drug traffickers. That incident caused a big controversy nationwide. How's it been?
After that, we're traumatized. The moment we stepped in Manila and the news about my blog really exploded all over, it became stressful for the two of us. Especially the media, other people, detractors, and supporters were all the way to message me and gave me comfort about the incident. But after that, my friend and I were okay. It’s just an incident. We’re not going to Bali anymore but there are many other countries.
Before, I used to Google search for pictures, my itinerary, expenses. But now, I consider the crimes or the fears that a backpacker or a traveller might encounter in that place. So it’s really a learning experience for the both of us.
Siargao
Are there any tips you'd like share to those who are hesitant to go out and explore the world?
I need them to stop wishing that they have the guts, the time, and the money. Because if you want to make it happen, you will do something. As the little prince said, "A goal is just a plan without a wish."
But as a tip, they can start maximizing their sick leaves and vacation leaves in the office.
———————-
On a side note, Chyng is included in the PHL360º project. This is a fusion of reality TV and travel show composed of travel advocates, bloggers, photographers and cinematographers. PHL360º is the country’s first ever reality travel web series where eight different kinds of travellers will be doing four extraordinary trips in four different destinations in the country (north, south, east and west).
4th from the right.
Check for updates on their pages:
Website: phl360.com
Facebook: facebook.com/PHL360
Twitter: twitter.com/PHL360
Thanks for the interview, Chyng!
Check out my podcasts with other bloggers below:
- Episode 001: Gael of ThePinaySoloBackpacker.com
- Episode 002: Estan of Langyaw.com
- Episode 003: Brenna of PhilippineTravelogue.com
- Episode 004: Mica of Senyorita.net
- Episode 005: Ron of FlipTravels.com
- Episode 006: Flip of FlipNomad.com
- Episode 007: Chichi of WeAreSoleSisters.com
- Episode 008: Doi of TheTravellingFeet.com
- Episode 009: James of JourneyingJames.com
- Episode 010: Nina of JustWandering.org
- Episode 011: Chyng of ChyngReyes.com
Please don't forget to confirm your subscription by checking your Inbox.
soloflightEd.com is a travel blog by Edcel Suyo. He enjoys performing headstands and crazy stunts during his trips in the Philippines and the rest of Asia. He just started his backpacking trip across Southeast Asia in order to live as a digital nomad. Read more about the beginning of his delusions of grandeur here.
For updates, Like his page on Facebook or Follow him on Twitter.
For questions, advertising, and other concerns, shoot an email to edblogs@yahoo.com.
killerfillers May 14, 2012 at 1:40 am
I've been a follower of her blog for a year now. Napansin ko din un first syang nag-cocomment sa mga post nya.haha
Ryan Mach l Pinoy Wandering Boy May 14, 2012 at 2:11 am
Ang sassy lang ni Chyng. Sarap pati basahin ng blog niya.
soloflightEd May 14, 2012 at 2:14 am
@killerfillers: kaaliw basahin ang blog nya di ba? hahaha.
@Ryan Mach: thanks for listening Ryan!
Supertikoy May 14, 2012 at 2:29 am
great interview! galing na rin ng pag kaka edit naks! ayus na ayus na! congrats!!!
Joey| Boundfortwo.com May 14, 2012 at 2:29 am
I've come to know Chyng when that incident in Bali spread like fire in the media. She was an epitome of Matapang na Pinay ( Hinde atakbo). We would been scared to death if that would happen to us. (Knocking on woods).
Surely Eds, you had a great time interviewing Chyng. Kanus-a kaha mi nimo interview. hehehe.
chyng May 14, 2012 at 2:54 am
- im trying to be the 1st to comment because I dont have the time to reply to other commentors. pansin mo? haha im not a snob, tamad lang ako magreply. ^_^
chyng May 14, 2012 at 2:56 am
thanks Ed, it's a pleasure to be part of this series.
and big thanks for including our PHL360 project. attend ka sa launch ha.
soloflightEd May 14, 2012 at 3:13 am
@Supertikoy: thanks jerome! daming exclamation nyan ah! haha
@Joey: yep, that Bali incident was really something. next time, will need to buy a recording device kay naguba ang phone na akong ginagamit! hehe.
@chyng: kakatuwa lang talaga ang first comments mo. haha. thanks also for taking the time Chyng! yep, sana maka attend ako sa launch nyo. excited na ako sa PHL360!
Donnie Ray May 14, 2012 at 3:17 am
oo, ikaw na!
ang arte ng boses. ang arte! kainis! eeeeee! kainis talaga!
^_^
rizza May 14, 2012 at 3:31 am
galing ate chyng! narinig ko din boses mo finally!
))
soloflightEd May 14, 2012 at 3:43 am
@Donnie Ray: haha. thanks for listening!
@rizza: glad that you finally heard ate chyng's voice.
Jeng May 14, 2012 at 3:45 am
naaaaks naman Chyng! anong sunod? tv interview na kita na ang mukha?
hi Ed! a frequent reader of your blog here. just subscribed to your blog para di na makalimutan pag may bagong post
WANDERSHUGAH May 14, 2012 at 4:10 am
ang cute mo mgtagalog!
and yay chyng! totally enjoyed this podcast interview! 
soloflightEd May 14, 2012 at 4:15 am
@Jeng: tv interview na yan sila sunod! hi Jeng. thanks for subscribing! appreciate it!
@wandershugah: ey, hahaha. naabutan jud ang tagalog part? haha. thanks for listening!
ihcahieh May 14, 2012 at 5:24 am
First time to listen to this podcast series of yours. I'm amused, really. It's like listening to a radio show. Pang radio DJ ang boses mo Ed. Alternate career! LOL
Mike Masangya May 14, 2012 at 9:13 am
The fun part's the Tagalog challenge! Hehehe… Keep this up, Ed! Enjoying all the podcast sessions!
soloflightEd May 14, 2012 at 9:25 am
@ihcahieh: thanks a lot! pang 11th episode na toh. hehe
@Mike: i really didn't see that one coming. i was caught off-guard. thanks for listening, mike!
Micamyx|Senyorita May 14, 2012 at 10:26 am
Gusto ko na makasama si Chyng na mag-travel, pero hindi nagtutugma sked namin
rdsean May 14, 2012 at 11:20 am
so nice to hear from chyng, more power on the future travels..
soloflightEd May 14, 2012 at 12:17 pm
@Micamyx: haha. one of these days, baka makapagtravel tayong lahat.
@rdsean: yep, pinay na pinay!
doi May 14, 2012 at 12:25 pm
alam ko ang totoong reason bakit gusto ni chyng pumunta ng Japan. wohohoho!
Dys May 14, 2012 at 1:31 pm
I am a suking joiner ni Chyng sa open trip nya…
Cool to hear a jam packed interview Ed! Thanks!
janet May 14, 2012 at 6:01 pm
tours with her followers?! wow that is so sweet!
u think you can do the same thing soloflighted? 
i will definitely join! 
janet May 14, 2012 at 6:21 pm
ahahaha! i super love your tagalog!
first time i listened to a blogger's podcast. and yeah you should try radio! 
your voice is really so cute! 
soloflightEd May 15, 2012 at 12:12 am
@doi: PM me doi! haha
@Dys: thanks for listening Dys! sana sa susunod, makapagjoin ako sa trip nya.
@janet: yep, I think she's done it twice na ata.. or i could be wrong. hehe. for this site? there are a few people who have PMed me. I would want to try doing so. just don't have the time for now. hahaha. lol at the tagalog. Chyng gave me one heck of a challenge! hehe
Byron May 15, 2012 at 3:16 am
Naks! galing talaga ni chyng! Gulat ako sa kanya actually nung una ko sya nakasama. Angliit lang ng bag niya na dala compared samin nung nagstaycation kami =) And she does carry herself really well. Very classy
kura May 15, 2012 at 4:42 am
wahahah! ang dami kong tawa sa last portion. kung di man ako ma-nosebleed magkaka-hematoma ako sa yo ed. hahaha! ang lala ng tagalog mo. pareho kayong na nosebleed no? lol! naks naman si chyng, hindi talaga nagpakabog. ayos! very entertaining indeed.
soloflightEd May 15, 2012 at 4:54 am
@Byron: di ba? naks, chyng oh. the classy chick! hehehe. salamat sa pagpakinig byron!
@kura: haha. may "so that the readers can hear you speak fluently.." pa si chyng! lol. hehe onga eh. di ba. natutuwa ako kay chyng kasi game na game at handang-handa sa mga tanong ko. thanks uli for listening! next time ikaw naman! haha.
ian|going places May 15, 2012 at 2:41 pm
hindi sya nag-rereply sa comments pero nag-vivisit sya ng blog at nag-iiwan ng message… I'm a fan reader of her blog and I say her travel stories and photography were superb and lively.
dong ho May 16, 2012 at 2:05 pm
definitely one of my favorite travel blogger. kakatuwa kasi sigurado marami ang gusto marinig ang boses ni Chyng aka "Jing". tama si Ed. ipakilala mo yung mg kaibigan mo sa amin para makinabang kami sa mga magagandang hotel accommodations. hahaha
soloflightEd May 16, 2012 at 2:55 pm
@ian: yep, dami kasing nagkocomment sa blog ni chyng kasi daming nakakarelate sa kanya. isa-isa na tayo dun.
@dong ho: wow, Jing pala si Chyng? hehe. i remember ambait ni chyng nung first time syang nakapagblog hop sa site ko. hehe. welcoming din when we finally met!
ai May 18, 2012 at 3:57 pm
super nice blog!! @chyng dinownload ko pa podcast mo!
mervz | pinoyadventurista.com May 20, 2012 at 2:49 am
gusto ko din pumunta ng Japan… i've heard nga na super nice ng mga tao dun…
hahaha! ginagawa ko din yun, hindi ko muna bina-blog pag naka-file ako ng SL on certain dates, na alam nila na may sakit ako pero nasa travel ako…hahaha! i usually change the date… hahaha! or just put, let say January 2012, hindi specific… baka mahuli ng boss at ka-work… hahaha!
ang cute mo mag-tagalog Ed! good job! eto na ang pinaka-FUN mong episode… cheers!!!
soloflightEd May 20, 2012 at 1:10 pm
@ai: thanks for visiting and listening to the podcast!
@mervz: haha, mga techniques talaga mervz! hahaha. salamat sa pagpakinig! ayos na ayos kasi andaming tao sa session na toh.
Christian | Lakad Pilipinas May 22, 2012 at 11:38 am
ang cute pala ng boses ni chyng
at shempre ang galing mo pa rin mag tagalog haha
Mitch May 29, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Nag iisa ka talaga sa pag compile nang mga hardcore bloggers! I luv Chyng! Her works and adventures! She is one of the best and reliable bloggers I know in blogosphere.. Two thumbs up, Good job!
soloflightEd May 29, 2012 at 1:10 pm
@Christian: hahaha. loko talaga yang Tagalog na challenge na yan. di pala kayo nagmemeet ni Chyng?
@Mitch: salamat Mitch.
marami pa nyan, di ko lang napopost. hehe. reliable is a great word to describe chyng 
thanks!