Travel Stories
July 25th, 2010
by Florie Lyn Masarate
Armed with my ever-present camera and tons of Local Philippines business cards, I set off to Megamall last Friday, July 23, 2010, for the ITTE (International Tourism and Trade Expo) event, “7,107 Islands and Flavors of the Philippines”.
The event was being held at Mega Trade Hall 3. When I arrived, a lot of people were already registering at the ITTE booth. Others were waiting to be allowed to enter. Participants range from company representatives, business people to college students from different universities around Manila.
While waiting, I chatted with the Miss Tourism candidates who were positioned at the entrance to welcome the guests. The candidates were all pretty and accommodating. They posed and smiled when I asked to have their pictures taken. And readily answered my questions as to Continue reading...
Tags: 7107 Islands and Flavors of the Philippines, accommodations, albay, attractions, Bagiuo, Batangas, Cebu, cebu pacific, events, hotels, ITTE, Laguna, luzon, mindanao, Palawan, Philippine cuisine, Philippine culinary, philippine islands, philippines travel guide, philippines travel information, philippines travel tips, resorts, vacation packages, visayas
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July 13th, 2010
by Allan Merin
Since I spent a considerable length of time living and studying in Laguna, I was excited when I learned that I was assigned to do an ocular visit to a public resort in Pansol. A day after preparing for the task, me and my team-mate embarked on a day trip to the resort capital of the province.
After more than an hour of bus ride from Ortigas, we arrived in Pansol armed with cameras and notebooks like media reporters rushing to the scene of a breaking news. Our assignment took us to Purok 4, wherein we initially had a hard time locating our assigned resort. But after asking for directions from vendors selling local delicacies along the national highway, we finally knew how to get to Grand Bay Resort.
On the way to the resort, we were approached by hordes of pool agents offering what they claimed is the best Continue reading...
Tags: destination, destinations, grand bay, Laguna, Laguna resort, Pansol, philippine travel stories, Philippines, philippines travel guide, philippines travel information, philippines travel tips
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June 10th, 2010
by: Allan Leandro Merin
Several days after PAGASA declared that summer was officially over, me and some of my former workmates embarked on a two-day trip to Pangasinan. This west-central province is home to some of the country’s finest beaches and the world’s famous Hundred Islands National Park.
We left Manila at around 12 midnight. After a gruelling five-hour bus ride, we finally arrived in the municipality of Bolinao. We decided to stay at the Treasures of Bolinao Beach Resort and Hotel. The place, which claims that it is among the best vacation homes in the province, did not live up to our expectations. Poor service, coupled with the bad weather, ruined our first day in Pangasinan. But that did not dampen our spirits and we were optimistic that the next day would be bright and sunny.
Our prayers were answered Continue reading...
Tags: destinations, hundred islands, local philippines, philippine islands, philippine travel stories, Philippines, philippines travel guide, philippines travel information, philippines travel tips, Travel
Posted in Attraction, Destination, Hotel and Resort | 1 Comment »
June 4th, 2010
by Claire Ortega
AKA the Artful Hooker (http://www.artfulhooker.blogspot.com)
This year’s summer is the hottest I’ve ever experienced — and that’s saying something, since I live in tropical Philippines. Temperatures have reached up to 40 C in certain areas. That’s emergency-room-level fever for us humans!
So I was more than a little bewildered when our company announced that for our annual outing this May, we will be going to 88 Hotspring Resort in Calamba, Laguna, the hot spring capital of the country. Yes. It’s the hottest summer of our lives and we decide to take a vacation in a place where the only water existent for miles… Is hot. More surprising was the (comparatively) steep rate they offered us. About PHP 3,500 per person in our group, inclusive of 2 rooms and 3 buffet meals.
Despite my misgivings, I was more than up for it though. 
I really wanted Continue reading...
Tags: 88 Hotspring Resort, accommodation rates, accommodations, Calamba, destinations, Laguna, Makati, philippine travel stories, Philippines, philippines travel guide, philippines travel information, philippines travel tips, Travel
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January 7th, 2010
Bus to Lipa = P127.50
Jeep to San Juan = P58.00
Jeep to La Luz = P45.00
Trike back to San Juan to the San Juan-Manila van = P400.00 (You read that right.)
MEMORIES AND STORIES AND BONDING: PRICELESS
Needless to say, the fare prices are record-breaking. I’m never complaining about fares again! hahaha
My friends and I have long planned to take a much needed break to (relatively) nearby La Luz for quite some time, but as is almost always the case with my friends the planning didn’t start until 1 week before we were supposed to leave town. A friend called the resort we wanted to stay in, only to be told there were no vacancies on the date we wanted. Not a great start to our long-awaited weekend, not to mention we had a really tight budget. But we had Continue reading...
Tags: accommodations, Anilao, Batangas, destinations, La Luz Beach Resort, philippine travel stories, Philippines, philippines travel guide, philippines travel information, philippines travel tips, San Juan, Vacation, vacation rentals
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October 13th, 2009
There is nothing like blending adventure and romance into a vacation, and I found it with my girlfriend when we visited Coron in Palawan. We stayed at a very good resort named El Rio y Mar or the “River and the Sea”. It is a nice secluded place where you can spend quality time with your love. You are almost literally alone in the place since there are only a few cottages about where people can stay. The food was quite nice, and they even have nice packages for couples including a private dinner on a raft, and even an interesting option of being purposefully stranded on an uninhabited island for a day. (with food of course) Along with a nice hotel staff, it was really a very memorable experience for us at the resort.
But besides the romantic element at the Continue reading...
Tags: accommodations, Coron, destinations, El Rio y Mar, Palawan, Philippine travel guide, philippine travel stories, Philippines, philippines travel guide, philippines travel information, philippines travel tips, Vacation, vacation rentals
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July 16th, 2009
Of all the fun I had at Hotel Del Rio in Iloilo, what I remember most is the peacefulness of the place. It was not crowded, and thus we had a restful stay. The hotel employees were also polite, friendly, and helpful.When the morning came, the buffet breakfast was simple yet delicious. I actually had a pleasant
surprise.
I ordered hot choco, and was expecting to get a Milo or Ovaltine or Hershey’s melted chocolate, which I would often get here in Manila. But no! I got a tsokolate, the kind that is made from pure cacao. Yummy!
That made my day definitely.
My kids, for their part, could not get over the delicious clubhouse sandwich meal.
I highly recommend Hotel del Rio!
//
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Tags: Accommodation, destinations, Hotel Del Rio, Iloilo City, philippine travel stories, Philippines, philippines travel guide, philippines travel information, philippines travel tips, vacation rentals
Posted in Destination, Hotel and Resort | 3 Comments »
July 16th, 2009
I’ve been up to Baguio for at least four times last year, and well, maybe this year I’ll be going up north again. I may have had my dose of “Baguio Fatigue”, but, this place sure knows how to keep itself endearing to visitors.
The Burnham Park is always alive! The food stands, the fortune tellers, the jewelers, and of course the boats afloat the artificial lake all make this one of my favorite places in Baguio.You’ll see interesting things around the park. And, if you want to see the “faces of Baguio”, all you have to do is stroll and look around.
Minesview Park, meanwhile, gives you a bird’s eye view of the whole city, and even that of neighboring Benguet Province territories. Aside from the view that it offers, the park is also near souvenir shops. Add to that, it is within walking distance from the Good Shepherd Convent where Continue reading...
Tags: Bagiuo, Bagiuo attractions, Benguet, Burnham Park, destinations, Philippine travel information, philippine travel stories, Philippines, philippines travel guide, philippines travel information, philippines travel tips, Session Road, Vacation
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July 16th, 2009
Traveling around Samal is one of my greatest travel experiences ever. While coursing through Samal’s main roads, I was fascinated by the breathtaking view of Samal’s coastline.
The best thing about Samal is that resorts are virtually anywhere. In addition, there are even shorelines that do not have owners thus making some parts of Samal’s shores a free beach resort. In Kaputian, a district in Samal situated farther from the city proper, there are remote beaches that have crystal-clear sea water. You can still see some of the corals despite the depth of the sea.
Because the center of the island is elevated, traveling deeper into the island will give you a more panoramic view of the Davao Gulf. Traveling even deeper can lead you to the Hagimit Falls – with freshwater so clear that it’s aqua in color.
Overall, Samal is a good destination whether you’re spending money to get in resorts Continue reading...
Tags: destinations, Hagimit Falls, Kaputian, philippine islands, Philippine travel, philippine travel stories, Philippines, philippines travel guide, philippines travel information, philippines travel tips, Samal
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July 16th, 2009
It was morning when I found myself watching a parade in Davao’s city center. The city’s main streets were filled with people instead of cars. Dancers, bands, and representatives of different organizations were marching through. At the sidewalk you could see some taking advantage of the large crowd by selling products like soda, chips, and hand towels.
However, the celebration was not limited to the streets. Most major establishments in the city had their own ways to celebrate this event. Shopping malls had sales offering discounted prices to most of their products. Fast food chains, on the other hand, showcased performances by musicians. And who would forget the different celebrities who visited the city? Filipino celebrities like Robin Padilla, Matt Evans, and Rico Blanco garnered quite a crowd.
Araw ng Dabaw (literally translates to “Davao Day”) was quite an experience for me. What caught my attention was that the celebration Continue reading...
Tags: Araw ng Dabaw, Davao, destinations, Philippine travel information, philippine travel stories, Philippines, philippines travel guide, philippines travel information, philippines travel tips
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