Kara Santos

DOT makes RT-PCR Test more affordable for tourists

Here’s some good news for domestic travelers! To restore confidence in safe travel and support the gradual reopening of specific domestic travel destinations, the Department of Tourism (DOT) will be subsidizing 50 percent of the P1,800 cost of RT-PCR testing cost administered by the PGH, bringing down the cost to just P900 for qualified Filipino tourists.

The DOT through the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines has signed a deal with the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) to subsidize the COVID-19 swab tests of qualified tourists. According to DOT, the high cost of getting Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction or RT-PCR RT-PCR tests is one of the major deterrents preventing people for traveling, but presenting negative results is a requirement to visit many destinations around the country that have reopened.

Philippine Travel Destinations that have reopened to Domestic Tourism

After months of living under the longest lockdown in the world, many people who live in Metro Manila are eager to travel once again. Different destinations are slowly opening their doors to domestic tourists for “non-essential” leisure travel. The cautious reopening is part of government efforts to kick-start the tourism economy that has suffered from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020.

Travel Guide: Biking in Batanes

Bike tourism has really boomed in the Philippines during the pandemic. While most of us living in cities have had to content ourselves with urban rides the past few months, there are loads of beautiful places in the Philippines perfect for biking. The thought of being able to bike through coastal and mountain roads in island provinces is something I’m looking forward to doing once we can all travel freely again. The sad lack of green spaces to bike around Metro Manila got me reminiscing about some of the most amazing destinations in the country that I’ve had the chance to explore by bike, particularly Batanes.

Ultimate Souvenir Guide to the Philippines

The Philippines has a very rich pasalubong culture. The term literally translates to “something for when you welcome me” and shows the giving spirit of Filipinos when it comes to bringing something from their destination for friends and family back home. Whenever I travel, I try not to skip the usual t-shirts and magnets, but look for something unique to the place. It could be anything from processed food, a local delicacy you can only find in that place, arts and crafts or home decor.

Garden Venue: Jardin de Miramar, Antipolo

A lot of couples have had to postpone their weddings this year because of the ongoing pandemic. Destination weddings have become more difficult with all the hassles of air travel and checkpoints at certain borders. Now that the quarantine restrictions have eased up, events are slowly getting back to normal though celebrations understandably have to be scaled down. Outdoor weddings and receptions in wide open spaces and garden venues are now preferred to prevent the spread of the virus.

Go on a Virtual Scavenger Hunt through Hong Kong

The last time I was in Hong Kong was in 2018 for a solo 3-day trip, I enjoyed walking around the gardens in the city, navigating through the city to hunt for IG-worthy spots and street art, and chowing down on amazing street food and craft beer. Before that, it was on a family trip to Hong Kong Disneyland with my mom, sister and nephew. Hong Kong is just one of those destinations that you don’t mind visiting again and again because there’s always something new to discover.

Casa Santa Museum in Antipolo

Need a bit of Christmas spirit and cheer in your lives? Or maybe you’re looking for a fun Christmas ride destination for biking or motorcycling near the metro for the weekend? Casa Santa Museum in Antipolo offers a fun Christmas-themed museum for those who want to experience the magic of the season all year-round.

Australia 2019: Brisbane Highlights

Brisbane is the capital and the most populated city in the Australian state of Queensland. One of the oldest cities in Australia, Brisbane was founded upon ancient traditional lands. The city was named after the Brisbane River on which it is located, which in turn gets its name from Scotsman Sir Thomas Brisbane, the Governor of New South Wales at the time of the city’s founding.

Gear Feature: Streem Open Face Motorcycle Helmets by SMK

Motorcycle taxis in the Philippines have been given the go-signal to operate again. However, passengers now need to bring their own helmets. In the past motorcycle taxis would provide helmets for passengers. But with the ongoing threat of COVID, passengers who want to back ride need to provide their own helmets for health reasons.

Review: The New Honda BeAT Street

The Honda BeAT is one of Honda’s most popular scooter models in the Philippines. This line continually gets upgraded with advanced features and technology with each new model. The 110 cc scooter aims to be stylish, modern, and accessible to everyone. With its low-seat height, distinct urban vibe and reliable performance, the Honda Beat will appeal mostly to the younger riding demographic as well as the business segment.

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