There’s only one option when going to Bukidnon from Cagayan de Oro, and that is the scenic route. Knowing about this from earlier visit to the province, I tried my hardest staying awake throughout our ride.  As soon as I saw the mountain ranges leading to the summit of Mount Kitanglad, I knew we were close to breathing the cool air and smelling the fragrant pine trees and the rest of the verdant Bukidnon forest.

The woven works of the Tagolwanen weavers mirrors the vibrant culture of Bukidnon

Negros Occidental is home to another destination held up as an exemplar of ecotourism and community development, much like Danjugan Island in its southern part. Sagay City, perched on the northern tip of the province like an ice cream cone overlooking the Visayan Sea, is home to a number of eco-tourism hotspots that does wonders for both its community members and its natural environment.

Carbin Reef

After getting a glimpse of the province last year when I visited Ticao Island for a couple of days, I immediately regarded Masbate as vastly underrated despite its central geographical location as gateway to Luzon and Visayas. That brief tryst had me making a vow of returning soon. As good fortunes had it, I was able to go back recently for a more extensive journey that took me to the mainland of Masbate, Burias Island and at Ticao once again.

Animasola Island is formed like a fortress with a triangular sandbar

Unbeknownst to many, the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines (TPB), the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), has been conducting workshops on marketing enhancement with community-based tourism (CBT) stakeholders from several communities nationwide.

Some of the CBT participants with TPB's Alberto Gadia Jr.

I’ve been fortunate to have stayed in two amazing properties during my previous trips to Samal Island. Chemas by the Sea captivated me nearly 15 years ago with its bungalow accommodations surrounded by a well-kept garden, a tiny pool, and a private beach. Last year, Pearl Farm, one of the island's well-known resorts, satisfied my long-standing desire to experience its brand of hospitality. 

The layout of the resort appears like a Y from the air. You can go around the property on a golf cart.

After a late night of revelry to mark the conclusion of the 2023 Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX), held in Cebu City over the course of three days, I awakened at first light on the day of our departure to get ready to leave the Fili Hotel at 6:30 am.

White water rafting is always the highlight of any CDO trip

If the walls of the gleaming convention halls at Fili Hotel at Nustar Cebu could talk, they would recount the incredible numbers that provide a vivid picture of the phenomenal success of the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX 2023) this year. There were 164 Filipino vendors, 88 international purchasers, 296,000,000 pesos in negotiated transactions, and unending, positive word-of-mouth praise for the Philippines.

Tabletop meetings resulted in record deals for both buyers and sellers

When discussing Philippine Festivals, several traditional revelries come to mind. These include the lively and energetic Sinulog in Cebu, the primal and rhythmic Dinagyang in Iloilo, the captivating drumming beats of Ati-Atihan in Kalibo, the vibrancy of Masskara in Bacolod, the flowery appeal of Panagbenga in Baguio, the cultural allure of Zamboanga's Hermoso, and the equally joyous celebration of Kadayawan in Davao, and the list goes on. However, upon further exploration, one can easily discover numerous jovial celebrations in smaller cities and even towns throughout the Philippine archipelago.

8 Contingents performed for the street dance competition

For over a decade, Epson, a global leader in innovative and sustainable technology solutions, has been organizing an annual thanksgiving gathering with members of the media — particularly those in the tech beat. This year, the 14th season of the brand’s Fusion event took place on Lagen Island in El Nido, Palawan.

This article first appeared on BusinessMirror

It has been over a decade since my ex-girlfriend, a friend, and I embarked on a memorable long weekend castaway trip to Calaguas Islands’ Mahabang Buhangin. During that time, the island was known only to avid backpackers. I vividly recall the confused expression on the fisherman's face when we approached him in the town of Paracale and shared our plan to journey to the island.

Why so pretty?

The world of flying these days can be highly luxurious, with business and first-class seats offering a highly pleasant experience. However, the full potential of flying still needs to be explored, and one way to enhance a journey would be the addition of a casino to a custom Boeing 777. From exquisite dining and unrivaled exclusivity, coupled with a wide array of games and special offers, it is surely only a matter of time before a flying casino becomes a reality.