Visayas

JoEd’s Lutong Hapon: Affordable Japanese Food in Cebu

Craving for some CHEAP Japanese food here in Cebu? I suggest you try JoEd’s Lutong Hapon in Mabolo.

I first read about this small eatery on Carla’s blog which was also what an office colleague also mentioned in random. I was able to check a thread of this store in a local forum on how you can really find value for your money because of how affordable the prices are.

Japanese Cebu
JoEd’s Lutong Hapon in Cebu

I’m not a big fan of Japanese cuisine but I like to try out different food places when they’re new; most especially when they’re cheap. So during our lunch break, my officemates and I headed to Juan Luna Extension from Asiatown IT Park.

california maki
California Maki – 65 Php per plate

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Philippine Blog Awards 2010 Travel Category

I received another email from the Philippine Blog Awards team saying that I was chosen as a finalist of the Travel Category for the Main Division. I was surprised again because I did not expect to be part of a list of very notable bloggers. I mean this blog used to be just a personal one, I never knew it would evolve into a Travel Blog. But when it did, I started embracing it which now got me hooked!

philippine blog awards badge

It’s nice when you get to help out other people by sharing your experiences of the places you’ve been to. In my own way, I hope to inspire people to get out of that comfort zone and start travelling! I am also honored to be lined up with very good travel bloggers. There are also other travel bloggers not listed but are great and these are people I admire. I’ll probably join the wagon and create my own series of interviews of them so I can learn more about the people behind these blogs.

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Rocks at Guisi Beach, Guimaras Island

I’ve developed a relationship with rocks during my short stay in Guisi beach in Guimaras Island. No, I haven’t gone psycho but I was feeling all adventurous when I climbed and felt good when I reached the top.

It was our last day of our five-day trip in Iloilo but we had to check out the beach in Guisi because of recommendations from fellow travel bloggers. We just visited the Guisi Lighthouse and Ruins (more of this on future posts) when we stopped by Kenyama Beach resort.

Kenyama Beach Resort
Guisi, Nueva Valencia
Guimaras Island

guimaras island
Guisi Beach, Guimaras

I have a penchant for doing extreme stuff during my travels so when the opportunity arose to climb some rocks, I immediately grabbed the chance and began climbing.

guimaras islands
man on top

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Beach Escape in UP Miag-ao

You want to take a break from your homework, school projects or even from your professor? Most students chill in hangout places for booze or rest under a shade of a tree. City ones go to malls and watch the latest movie flick or get some ice cold treat from the nearest vendors inside the … Read more

Villa Igang Pigeons in Guimaras

Villa Igang Beach Resort
Nueva Valencia, Guimaras Island

Pigeons, I saw a flock of them while we were having lunch at the Villa Igang Resort during our trip in Guimaras. Rude as it might sound, I stared at these creatures, took my camera and started shooting.

pigeon birds
pigeons

I wasn’t done eating but because I was fascinated by them, I stopped so I could get closer. My friends just wondered where I was going but later understood why I had to take a break.

pigeon
looking for food

I’ve always wanted to have a shot with these birds reminiscent of those in Milan. The thought of having them flying around was enough to keep me curious on how I was going to do that.

villa igang birds
another dodo creeping

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Big Red Ants and Cogongrass in the Island of Guimaras

Just spent half of the day in Guimaras Island. It was a blast! I joined Doi and Edwin for this sidetrip since the affair that we were attending (Visayas Blog Summit & Philippine Blog Awards 2010 – Visayas Leg) won’t be happening until the next day.

Guimaras Island
November 26, 2010

I didn’t know that Guimaras is big. I was thinking that this was just an islet! I guess this is the problem when you don’t research ahead of time and you just let your companions handle the tour. In another sense though, it’s actually a good thing. Your preconceived notions are thought wrong and there are no expectations set – you’d be surprised in the end. In this case, I was very happy with the outcome.

guimaras-and-a-tree

tree, grass and a dufus to ruin the scene

We headed to the province which boasts of producing the world’s sweetest mangoes. I’ve so many pictures and I don’t know where to start. Before I create a bunch of entries, let me post some snapshots when we were able to stop by a beautiful spot.

guimaras island
ready to attack

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Sands of Bantayan Island Cebu

Reminiscing one of the best beaches which is located at the Northern part of Cebu.

Sugar Beach
Bantayan Island, Cebu

I’ve only been to Bantayan once. I remember spending only 1,200 Php inclusive of fare, cottage and food for a 3D 2N package. It was a very good deal because I joined a group of people on their team building when I was still an agent. I remember how thick-faced I was to invite myself to their outing. Come to think of it, I’ve been to a number of places here in Cebu due to these group building activities. It helps because the expenses are divided among many people so you cut down on costs while enjoying the location. This happened in August 2007; back when I was barely legal (hehe).

Bantayan Island is located North of Cebu (around 4 hours – by bus and by barge) Can’t really give much specifics on how to get there as it’s been three years already. Maybe I should start my own backpacking series so I can provide more information on what to expect.

bantayan island
preparing for a photo op

After about 5 hours from Cebu City, I was met with this beautiful landscape. Green trees and white sand. The water did not disappoint either.

bantayan sand
sand in Sugar Beach, Bantayan

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Visayas Blog Summit and Philippine Blog Awards Visayas

I am bound for Iloilo! I already plotted my schedule at work and I was initially wondering how I was going to file for leave. But I’m glad that it’s all set and I’ll be flying on Thursday. I was able to visit Iloilo 10 years ago but that wouldn’t label it as a vacation. We boarded a plane for Iloilo and went straight to the pier to ride a ferry going to Bacolod.

I’m not also sure what to expect because of the budget – I haven’t allocated any funds for this trip and I’m still paying off some dues because of my recent trips abroad. Oh well, bahala na.

This Saturday, I will be joining the Visayas Blog Summit and the Philippine Blog Awards 2010 – Visayas Leg. This is pretty exciting because I’ll be able to meet other bloggers again from around the country.

visayas blog summit
Visayas Blogging Summit 2010 and The Philippine Blog Awards Visayas 2010

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Cebu Red Ribbon Crispy Chicken, Choco Fudge Cake and Black Forest

Pardon my ignorance but I thought Red Ribbon was only limited to cakes, pastries and some pastas. I know my older brother always ordered their Palabok platter whenever a special occasion arises. Little did I know that they also have rice meals available to whet the appetite of the Filipino eater.

red ribbon menuRed Ribbon menu at Cocomall branch

red ribbon store  Cakes and rolls display at Red Ribbon

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Cebu Zugboi Roasted Liempo and Roasted Chicken

If you’re in Cebu and you’re craving for some roasted liempo, I suggest you check out Zugboi Roasted Liempo and Roasted Chicken.

Zugboi Roasted Liempo and Roasted Chicken is owned and managed by Chef Alvin Kwan who earned his Culinary Arts diploma in Singapore. I arrived early and while I was waiting for my friends, Alvin, discussed about why he set up this business and his plans on expanding in the near future.

roasted pig liempo capitol
Zugboi Cebu at Capitol

cebu roasted liempo  chop chop.

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Seair and Microtel Boracay Bloggers Tour

September 11-13, 2010

Two days after my birthday, I had the privilege of joining a group of bloggers to spend three days and two nights in Boracay. I was chosen as one of the winners of Seair and Microtel’s Boracay Blogger’s Tour. I published an entry on why I deserved to be part of the eight people who should go to this ultimate destination and I was very lucky enough to be chosen by Seair and Microtel judges.

Here’s my write-up about it: I’ve been to Different Places, but I’ve Never Been to Boracay

Seair and Microtel Bloggers Tour winners (Mica, Brenna, Gervic, Gael, Gracee, Van, Darwin) with the Seair and Microtel heads (thanks to mica for the pic)

sand blogger
soloflightEd finally lands in Boracay!

I also wondered if I could take part of the event since I’m from Cebu and the rest of the winners were from Manila. After a few emails, I was booked a ticket from Cebu to Caticlan. It’s great that Seair has more options now in offering a ride from the Queen City of the South to this island paradise.

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SEAIR & Microtel Boracay Bloggers’ Tour Winners!

I won a free trip to Boracay through the SEAIR & Microtel Boracay Bloggers’ Tour promo!

Some time last week, I wrote my entry about why I deserve a trip to the ultimate beach destination in the Philippines – Boracay. It took me about 4 hours to publish the entry because of having to go through a horde of pictures in my hard drive from 2008 to the present just to showcase the different places I’ve been to in the Philippines.

See entry here I’ve been to Different Places, But I’ve never been to Boracay

boracay here i come photo credits: Nat

I’m really glad to win this contest and I wish to meet the other winners. Below is the list that Seair has posted in their Facebook page.

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Bohol and back to Cebu

The trip to Bohol was great. Although among the 16 people who confirmed, only 10 joined, I still had fun. I’m actually a bit groggy from the travel and I haven’t gotten enough sleep so I’m posting some pictures of the places I’ve been to in Bohol.

Will be posting more in the coming days but I’m not sure when I’ll be able to create a good write-up. I’m still high with all the drama that has been happening in life and outside these days.

Bohol pictures.

bohol picture
feeling lost but not quite. stopover lunch

alona beach
Alona Beach sand

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