Author: Kara Santos

"Hassle-to-bring-Home" Pinoy Pasalubong

Updated September 2014

I was at my desk at work when Arvin, an officemate, arrived carrying a long bulky item wrapped in brown cardboard and masking tape.

“Ay naku, galing akong Baguio nung long weekend. So syempre may nagpabili ng walis.” (I just came from Baguio during the long weekend, so of course someone asked me to buy a broom).

This scenario got me thinking of items that are really such a hassle to take home as pasalubong (souvenirs), but we still buy for the sake of friends and family when we travel.

BAGUIO BROOMS

baguio brooms

Continue reading “"Hassle-to-bring-Home" Pinoy Pasalubong”

Bewitching Balay da Blas

After our adventure-packed afternoon Sandboarding and riding a 4×4 all over the La Paz Sand Dunes during the Lakbay Norte Media 2 tour, we were treated to a night of socials at Balay da Blas. Aside from being a cozy and affordable place to stay the night, the charming pensionne house in the heart of Laoag, Ilocos Norte is also perfect for intimate gatherings.

The top floor serves as a function room, where one of the first things you’ll notice is the interesting patterns on the ceiling covering the recessed lighting and vintage ceiling fans, which give the place a whimsical vibe. Continue reading “Bewitching Balay da Blas”

Searching for Dr. Seuss (stuff)

I am currently obsessed with searching for any merchandise related to Dr. Seuss for my nephew Eli’s upcoming 2nd birthday party. While stores in the US seem to have everything (from party paper plates to mini-stuffed toys of the Cat in the Hat, Horton, etc.), sadly these items do not seem to be available here in the Philippines. My search in Toy Kingdom and department stores has been futile. I’ve given up asking store attendants if they have any Dr. Seuss stuff, since the last two I asked pointed me to a doctor’s set and to a book called “Dr. Sue.” Here are some of the items we’ve found so far:

Continue reading “Searching for Dr. Seuss (stuff)”

Sandboarding and 4×4 Ride in Ilocos Norte

When I was a kid, I always looked forward to riding the giant slide in local fairs or carnivals. There was something about sliding down from such a height that was so thrilling. Another favorite was the roller coaster, with it’s slow uphill ascents, loops, lurches, and sudden drops.

Trying out sandboarding and riding a 4×4 off-road vehicle around the La Paz Sand Dunes during the Lakbay Norte 2 media tour earlier this year brought back the thrill of these childhood amusement park rides, but amped it up to the next level. Continue reading “Sandboarding and 4×4 Ride in Ilocos Norte”

Postcards from Waterworld

A photo essay I did for the Asian Center for Journalism (ACFJ)’s photojournalism course is currently featured in ANINAG.org.

The online photo magazine ANINAG (which means to see, to be visible) was formed by Filipino photographers Estan Cabigas, Buck Pago and Gigie Cruz under the guidance of veteran photojournalist Jimmy Domingo. According to the founders, while documentary photography has long been a tradition in the Philippines, opportunities for publication and exhibition of such works remain limited.

The idea of forming a platform for Philippine Documentary Photographers came independently to yours truly and Buck. Both recognize the importance of internet communications technologies that can be utilized to showcase the works of Filipino photographers as well as to encourage documentary photography in the country. – Estan Cabigas, Aninag.org

Check out the gallery of previous work, which shows rich documentary stories like Estan’s dwindling flagellants of Infanta, Brad Feliciano’s portraits of gay senior citizens living in a “Home for Golden Gays” and Cheryl Baldicantos’ closer look at the dancing prisoners of Cebu.

Cliff Climbing in El Nido

While island-hopping and spending time at the beach are the more common activities in El Nido, Palawan, the  scenic limestone cliffs don’t just serve as a backdrop for your photos – they also offer another great activity in the areas – cliff climbing.

Here are some things you should know about cliff climbing in El Nido: Continue reading “Cliff Climbing in El Nido”

Manila by Motorcycle

Mention Manila and the most common image that comes to mind is heavy traffic, smoke-belching jeepneys, swerving buses and congested streets. Our country’s capital city hardly seems like an ideal place to visit, and even more so by motorcycle.

But if you give Manila a chance, it may just surprise you. On a Sunday morning ride, when the traffic was relatively light, I found it extremely satisfying to be able to zip along Roxas Blvd. and visit various tourist spots and cultural and historic landmarks. Though I wasn’t expecting it to be a great ride, I have to say, Manila does have a unique charm. Here are  just a few scenic spots you can easily ride to and a rough guide of what you can do there. Continue reading “Manila by Motorcycle”

10 Travel Lessons I’ve learned from Video Games

My blog just turned five months old today! To celebrate, I’ve compiled a few travel tips I’ve learned from years of playing video games, which apply to real-life travel.

Continue reading “10 Travel Lessons I’ve learned from Video Games”

7 Budget Travel Tips & Tricks

Check out today’s issue of Sunday Inquirer Magazine for the full article on budget travel tips. Some of the tips are a bit extreme for first-time travelers (ex. hitchhike on a truck full of goats), but am sure a lot of people will find the tips useful.

Here’s a shout out to all the cool backpackers and budget travelers of the Pinoy Travel Bloggers (PTB) who shared their tips. Check out their individual blogs below (in alphabetical order):

Backpack Traveler / RV Escatron

Budget Travel Tip: TRAVEL BY BIKE OR MOTORCYCLE

“There are some hostels in Cambodia which offer complimentary use of bicycle. At the very least, a minimal rental fee. I grabbed this chance. Whenever I can, I rent a motorcycle wherever I go. I tried this in Chiang Mai and in Siquijor. For an average of P500/day, that excludes fuel, I can explore places at my own pace.” Continue reading “7 Budget Travel Tips & Tricks”

Kapurpurawan Landscapes

Surreal. Otherwordly. Almost alien.

These are just a few words that come to mind when seeing Kapurpurawan, a natural white sandstone formation carved by sea and wind,  in the town of Burgos, Ilocos Norte. Words can’t fully describe how I was amazed by the place and how it felt like I had just set foot on another world. Here instead are a few images of the masterpiece of Mother Nature in our midst.

Continue reading “Kapurpurawan Landscapes”