Category: Travel Guide

Travel Guide: Once Islas, Zamboanga City

Most tourists associate Zamboanga City with Sta. Cruz Island, famous for having a pink sand beach. But there’s a new eco-cultural tourism destination that you can check out in the area: Once Islas.

All drone shots courtesy of Escape Manila

This cluster of eleven mostly uninhabited islands and islets belong to the remote villages of Panubigan and Dita in Zamboanga City just recently opened to the public in July 2018. These unspoiled islands are ideal for low-impact activities like swimming, kayaking and trekking.

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10 Things to Do in El Nido, Palawan

El Nido is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines. This coastal town in Palawan is renowned for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs, and stunning limestone cliffs. Composed of 45 islands and islets, each with its own unique geological formations, El Nido consistently ranks as one of the best island destinations in the Philippines – and the world.

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10 Things to Do in Macau

Macau (officially Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China) is an autonomous region on the south coast of China. A Portuguese territory until 1999, Macau is a melting pot of diverse cultural influences. It lies just a mere 62 km across the Pearl River Delta from the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong and is easily accessible by direct flights or ferry, making it a popular day trip or overnight side-trip.


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Travel Guide: Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro

Most people associate the province of Oriental Mindoro with Puerto Galera. This party beach has long been a favorite summer destination for those based in the metro because of its proximity to Manila. While Puerto Galera is located at the northernmost tip of Mindoro island, down south on the opposite end lies a destination that will appeal to those looking for quiet and secluded spots for quality beach-bumming minus the crowds – Bulalacao.

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10 Things to Do in Auckland, New Zealand

For international travelers, Auckland, the largest city on North Island is the main entry and exit point to New Zealand. Traveling from Manila, Auckland was our first and last stop during our family trip / backpacking tour in 2016. This diverse and multicultural city is home to the largest Polynesian population in the world. It’s just one of the amazing places in the sovereign island country of New Zealand located in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean, which I consider one of the best places I have ever visited in the world

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10 Things to Do in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of those places that you probably won’t mind revisiting again and again. There’s just so much you can do. As one of Asia’s most popular international hubs with visa-free entry for tourists, it’s a favorite overseas travel destination for Filipino travelers. During previous visits to Hong Kong with my family, I enjoyed all the essential Hong Kong experiences for first-timers like the rides in Disneyland theme park, visiting Victoria Harbour and a day trip to Macau.

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5 Things to Do in Melbourne

Melbourne is the coastal capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria. Known for its vibrant culture and rich heritage, this Australian city certainly deserves a spot in everyone’s travel bucket lists. Consistently ranked as one of the world’s most livable cities, Melbourne has been a dream destination for a lot of travelers.

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10 Great Biking Destinations in Luzon

Manila is not the most bike-friendly city in Asia. But if you venture a little further from the metro, you’ll be surprised to find that the Philippines actually has some pretty spectacular mountain biking destinations. Ok, so it may take a little bit of time, effort and resources to get there, but for cyclists looking for bucketlist-worthy places to bike in the country, I think we have a few that we can be proud of.

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10 Things to Do in Siargao

Siargao is a top tourist island in the province of Surigao del Norte in the Philippines. The island’s coastline is marked by a succession of reefs, small points and white, sandy beaches. Best known for being “The Surfing Capital of the Philippines,” Siargao has attracted local and international surfers over the years for annual sports events and competitions.

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10 Things to Do in Taipei, Taiwan

Taiwan is best known for its hi-tech attractions, traditional Chinese temples, hot springs resorts and mountainous terrain. Its capital Taipei is a fusion of culture and technology, with historical attractions, landmarks and vibrant night markets, all easily accessible with highly efficient public transport systems.

Last month, I got to visit Taipei for the first time. Art was on a work assignment to cover Computex, one of the largest computer and technology trade shows in the world held annually in Taipei. He extended his work trip for a few days and I joined him by booking an AirAsia flight through Traveloka to take advantage of the Visa-free entry for Filipinos. My mother and nephew decided to join for a summer family vacation.

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