Marky Ramone Go
December 18, 2019
My not-so-fond memories of
passing through Jones Bridge was always associated with grinding traffic, that I
never appreciated the bridge’s neo-classical design by architect Juan M.
Arellano, nor the three arches resting on the two piers.
First constructed in 1920 spanning the Pasig River to connect Binondo
district to Padre Burgos Avenue in Ermita, the bridge has undergone numerous
reconstruction. The most tedious of them all was in the aftermath of the
Liberation of Manila during the tail end of WWII. Another restoration was done
in 1998 but still, the bridge remained an afterthought to most pedestrians. It
was only in 2019 when Manila Mayor Isko Moreno injected 20 Million pesos for a
redevelopment of the Jones Bridge.
Inside the Athlete’s Village and the Controversial New Clark City | Tarlac
Marky Ramone Go
December 12, 2019
For two days, I experienced
what it’s like being inside an athlete’s village. Ever since I started
following the Olympics, I became curious about what’s it like being in such
place. Fortunately, I got invited as part of a small media team to spend a
night at the one the Philippines built for the 30th South East Asian
Games held at the New Clark City in Tarlac. Although this sporting event is a lot
smaller in scale, I am hoping that we can further expand our sporting infrastructures,
so we can host the Asian Games and then the Olympics someday.
National Museum of Natural History | Manila
Marky Ramone Go
December 10, 2019
The renovated 1940 neoclassical
Agriculture and Commerce Building wowed everyone when it re-opened as the
National Museum of Natural History in May 2018—thanks to an arresting design
element addition. Not even a week later, social media were flooded with
photographs of the museum’s imposing atrium that resembles a DNA figure.
Architect Dominic Galicia and Interior Designer Tina Periquet collaborated to bring the tree
of life as the centerpiece of the new museum.
Where to Eat in Baguio City | A City of Pines Culinary Tour
Marky Ramone Go
December 01, 2019
Some of my fondest memories
of Baguio City always include food—well, and the company I was with. There’s
Sarah giggling non-stop at Oh
My Gulay, my former girlfriend Lauren giddily explaining to me the
ingredients of Spinach and Chicken Galantine at PNKY Café
(now closed already) and the heavenly face of another former girlfriend Monette, as she
was finishing her plate of lomo ribs at Canto.
These are just a few of my wonderful memories of Baguio where a foodie joint,
café or a craft brewery played an important role. It seems that
whenever I visit the City of Pines, going out on a food tour will always be my main
agenda. To help you create amazing memories of food next time you head here,
here are some where to eat recommendations in Baguio City.
Foggy Mountain Cookhouse
This Salmon Pie was one of the standout dishes in Foggy Mountain Cookhouse |
Jpark Island Resort Cebu Celebrates 10th Year with a Bang
Marky Ramone Go
November 17, 2019
After numerous trips to the
province of Cebu and skipping the opportunity to stay in the island of Mactan,
I must admit of never hearing about Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark before. I
have my assumptions managed to a middling level when I joined fellow travel and
lifestyle writers on a media trip celebrating the resort’s 10th year
anniversary.
Have a Guilt-free Meal at these Vegan Places in Teacher’s Village, QC
Marky Ramone Go
November 11, 2019
More and more people are
choosing to embrace the vegan lifestyle not only to become healthier but also to advocate cruelty-free eating. Doing so, believers of
greener dining habits are shattering previous misconceptions about veganism:
“vegan food doesn’t taste good”, “there aren’t many vegan options” and so on.
Thanks to them and the growing number of vegan places in the country, more
people are learning that vegan food isn’t that bad at all. In fact, it has
spawned creative dishes that provide memorable gastronomic experiences.
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Known Vegan traveler Celine Murillo of Celineism shows off sticks of Vegan Isaw |
10 Reasons why you should visit Siargao Island
Marky Ramone Go
November 07, 2019
Facing
the mighty swells of the Pacific Ocean, the teardrop-shaped island of Siargao
has garnered numerous accolades in recent years; including being voted as the
"World's Best Island" by Conde Nast Travelers—an esteemed travel and luxury magazine—and a number of widely-read travel sites. Despite the
growing popularity of the island, Siargao still retains its remote vibe
even in the face of increasing development. Therefore, more travelers are now
opting to go to Siargao over other more touristy islands like Bali in Indonesia
and Phuket in Thailand.
Witnessing Hushed Bartering Scenes at Bulungan sa Pandawan
Marky Ramone Go
October 22, 2019
Every morning with daylight
yet to ooze from the sky, a multitude of motorboats is heard roaring off the
coast of Mercedes town in Camarines Norte. Buoyed by a prayer and a resolve to
provide for their families, fisher folks head out to the abundant waters of San
Miguel Bay intent on taking home boatloads of fresh catch. Providentially, the
body of water that opens to the mighty Pacific Ocean isn’t called the “fishing bowl” of Bicol Region for
nothing—as each day, the fish market of Mercedes becomes a bustling scene of fish
trading activities.
Crates and crates full of the freshest catch can be seen at Mercedes Fish Market |
A Taste of Maa To Ro’s Bagobo-Klata Heritage Cuisine
Marky Ramone Go
October 11, 2019
As a melting pot of
crisscrossing cultures, Mindanao is a land of diverse heritage, where one can
savor a myriad of cuisines each distinct to every region. In Davao City, where
there are 11 known tribes, a culinary movement aimed at promoting olden
traditions of preparing food is slowly partaking in the local gastronomic
scene.
Where to Eat in Iloilo City
Marky Ramone Go
September 28, 2019
Iloilo
City is one of the known gastronomic haven in the Philippines where the
cuisine culture is best represented by a fusion of traditional and modern way
of cookery. Situated around the throwback downtown and the modern bustling part
of the city are a number of establishments that serve both old and new
favorites. A day or two in the city should present you a variety of food
choices to guarantee a satisfying gastronomical experience. To help you plan
your food trip, here are our some of the places I’ve tried dining in the city
of love.
Nueva Ecija | Spectacular Wow atop Mount Sawi
Marky Ramone Go
September 23, 2019
In this age of Filipino ‘hugot’ culture one can easily assume the
name of this mountain was coined as a reverence to such Filipino movies like “Camp Sawi” and “This Thing Called Tadhana”. The real story behind it though stems
from a tragic suicide that happened a few years back right on top of the
mountain. A woman—as the story goes—after experiencing a heartbreak, hanged
herself at one of the tree branches of the now mowed down Balete tree. Locals
originally named the mountain Mt. Sawing Balete, as a reference to the sad fate
shared by the fallen tree and the lovelorn soul.
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The panoramic view from the peak of Mt. Sawi |
AirAsia’s In-flight Celebration of 600 Million Passengers Milestone
Marky Ramone Go
September 22, 2019
We were flying at above
30,000 feet for about half an hour when a flight attendant of the AirAsia
Davao-Manila flight started speaking over the public-address system. “Ladies and gentlemen, because we are
celebrating a momentous occasion, we have prepared a short program for you”.
The short program she talked about consisted of a dance performance by two
pretty FA’s who twirled to the tune of “señorita”
and a trivia contest that awarded six lucky winners with a round-trip domestic
ticket.
Things to do in Da Lat, Vietnam
Marky Ramone Go
September 01, 2019
At
almost 5,000 feet above sea level, Da Lat dishes a chill vibe—both literally
and figuratively—that appeals to travelers. The cool weather coupled with an
array of nature and man-made attractions—make this city in Central Vietnam—an
ideal place for wanderers crisscrossing the land of Pho, to make a pit stop for several days. To
give you an idea on what to do in Da Lat, follow some of the things I did.
River Tubing and Kawa Hot Bathing in Tibiao | Antique
Marky Ramone Go
August 17, 2019
As my companion’s “ooohs” and “aaahs” synchronize with the sloshing sounds of the rapids of
Tibiao River, I would stare at the blue sky while my tube
swirls me endlessly. Lying relaxed, I then just let the movement of the water send my consciousness to a Zen state of mind. Occasionally, I would look ahead to see the nearing
rapids. Our guide would holler “hold on”
up ahead the stream to let us know we were approaching what they refer to as “washing machine zone”. Every time we
pass a rapid, I would hear my friends Karla and Erica’s crescendo
voices—this time in a chorus of joyous yell.
One Fine Autumn Day in Nikko | Japan
Marky Ramone Go
August 15, 2019
As I stare at the carved
maxim of the three wise monkeys pinned on an overhead panel at Tōshō-gū, the
proverbial mantra it personifies was made apparent to me almost immediately;
"See no evil, hear no evil, speak no
evil". Recognizing where I stood at that very moment, surrounded by
temples—concealed under a canopy of autumn leaves—I couldn’t fathom how any of
my senses can conjure a negative energy.
Developing a Liking to Tainan’s Street Art and a Fondness for Her | Taiwan
Marky Ramone Go
August 07, 2019
My memory of this vibrant
neighborhood of Tainan revolves around the pleasing smile of Emily—the EVA Air manager who traveled with our small media group to Taiwan. Mirroring the
captivating cobalt art installations at Blueprint Culture and Creative Park,
her stares rapid fires into me with invisible arrows arresting my full attention. To save myself from (an expected) heartbreak, I remember ignoring her as we crossed the street by focusing my eyes on the vibrant wall
paintings adorning the side of the buildings nearby.
Cebu Pacific Kicks-Off the 2019 Juan for Fun
Marky Ramone Go
August 01, 2019
It has been eight years
since Cebu Pacific Air introduced “Juan For Fun”—a backpacker challenge participated
by university students. Since then, Juan for Fun has evolved from an Amazing Race-like challenge, to a
platform where one will not only discover the wonders of travel—but also use
traveling as a springboard to spread one’s advocacy, understand different
culture and broaden horizon.
Hiking to the Mist-Veiled Peak of Mount Pha Daeng | Nong Khiaw, Laos
Marky Ramone Go
July 05, 2019
At the foot of Mount Pha
Daeng, a sign reads “Unexploded Bombs,
Still in this Area. Dangerous!” remains
a chilling reminder of the horrors of the Vietnam War. Collectively
unmindful of the warning, we reckoned every bomb ordnance buried along the
trail stretching to a radius of a few kilometers, were all swept clean already. Laos—by
the way—is a vastly different nation now compared to what I first read in
history books.
Dipping (sans Brooke Shields) in the Blue Lagoon of Datu Odin Sinsuat | Maguindanao
Marky Ramone Go
July 04, 2019
Despite expecting Maguindanao's blue lagoon to be concealed deep in the
forest reachable by at least an hour or two of trekking, I still expected a good ole surprise. When I stepped out of our van and saw a few
kids dripping wet, I simply figured they came frolicking from a nearby stream. Our friend Jeff told us “I think these kids came from the lagoon”. I
was already standing at the mouth of a wide trail on the elbow of the Shariff
Aguak Road when I heard him. “You mean, the lagoon is just nearby?” Claire asked. Jeff’s reply sounded like music to my ears—as I was in no mood for a lengthy hiking activity
that day— “just less than 200 meters
ahead”.
Calayan Island | A Sweet Hereafter Return
Marky Ramone Go
July 02, 2019
Not missing the blustery
7-hour lampitaw ride of my first
journey here, I stepped out of the plane—moments after it made a historic first
landing on the island—buoyed by a feeling akin to rekindling a tryst with a
former lover. Calayan Island has that effect on me. It could be because last
time, the place served as a background to my memorable hilltop and beachside
frolics with my then girlfriend.
Exploring Poblacion in a Sober Mood | Makati
Marky Ramone Go
July 01, 2019
Despite witnessing Poblacion's transformation from a seedy quarter to an exciting neighborhood, I mostly visit to get drunk and dine with friends. So when I heard that Meaningful Travels PH is organising a Poblacion Makati Discovery Tour, I jumped at the chance to discover the neighborhood's other hidden gems without the constraints of inebriation.
A Brief Travel Guide to Istanbul, Turkey
Marky Ramone Go
June 15, 2019
Situated
in between two continents—and former capital of two empires—the city of
Istanbul teems with diverse cultural influence and a storied history. This
alone make the city a must-visit for travelers in search of fascinating
discoveries. Add on the fact that Istanbul also boasts of a robust art scene,
mouthwatering cuisines and a medley of activities that tickles one's fancy and
senses, there’s almost an endless list of things to do and places to see in
this vibrant capital of Turkey. To help you plot your itinerary for your trip
to Istanbul, here some important facts and helpful travel tips you can follow.
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Photo credit: Hege from Flickr |
2019 Spartan Race SEA Series in Lima Park | Batangas
Marky Ramone Go
June 06, 2019
Founded by adventure racer
Joe DeSena in 2007, the Spartan Race has grown to become the world standard for
endurance and strength races. A total of 240 races are now being held in 25
countries every year including the Philippines. The first leg of the 2019 Spartan Race Southeast Asia Regional series held in Lima Technology Center in Batangas on May 3-4, 2019 attracted more than 4,000 participants.
Kumarakom Lake Resort: A Charming Backwater Haven | Kerala, India
Marky Ramone Go
June 05, 2019
Fresh from spending a
night in a fancy houseboat which cruised the famed backwaters of Kerala, our #KeralaBlogExpress2 crew headed to our next destination: the City of Kottayam. Set against the backdrop
of Vembanad Lake—the largest lake in Kerala—the Western Ghats on the east and
the lush rice fields of Kuttanad on the West, Kumarakom is also where one can
find the charming backwater village of Kumarakom.
The Meandering Pool Villas of Kumarakom Lake Resort |
The Raviz Resort & Spa | Kollam, Kerala | India
Marky Ramone Go
June 03, 2019
A cheery welcome capped by a fun banquet highlighted Kerala Blog Express' stay at this hotel
I've had many great
memories of Kerala Blog Express 2 surrounding the great camaraderie formed
among 30 travel bloggers from around the world, the organizers and of
course—our jovial new friends from the hospitable industry. The Raviz Resort& Spa in Kollam was one of the many hotels that made us feel at home.
Mirroring the glitzy setting of this palatial lakeside resort—the service,
hospitality, architecture, food and over-all vibe made our brief stop here
truly memorable.
Revisiting Marinduque
Marky Ramone Go
June 02, 2019
Whenever people ask me how
I fell in love with traveling. I always tell them I got inspired by Jack
Kerouac’s “On the Road” novel. An
autobiographical narrative of Kerouac’s post-war road trip across the United
States amidst the background of poetry, jazz and the emerging beat culture.
Thinking back now, I realized the birth of my wanderlust occurred during my
college years. This was a time when my friends and I journeyed to the province
of Marinduque every holy week, to partake at the island’s iconic revelry---the
Moriones Festival.
Scenes from a Weekly Market and a Local Village | Seoni, Madhya Pradesh | India
Marky Ramone Go
May 15, 2019
“Ask them what their names are”, a father manning a street food stall gently commands her young daughter of not over ten years old. The beaming but shy little
girl obliges, “What is your name?” she inquired staring wide-eyed at my friend. “I am Karla and
this is Marky and your name is?” answered my ever responsive friend. The young girl
smiled before telling us her name “I’m
Amara”.
Inaul Festival Celebrates Maguindanao’s Traditional Weaving Art
Marky Ramone Go
May 05, 2019
“Life
is a loom, weaving illusion” [1] and
in Mindanao’s storied sundry of woven heritage, a diverse weaving art scattered
across the region abounds with dream-like patterns and fascinating backstories. Anecdotes encompassing
historical origins and local legends shaped the roots of the various cloth
creations of the Dreamweavers’ T’nalak of
South Cotabato, the Langkit of
Maranao, the Dagmay of the Mandayas, the
Tausugs's Habul Tiyahian, the Inabal of Davao del Sur’s
Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe, among others—and in this case, ushering a festivity called the Inaul Festival.
A Fine Morning of Swimming and Drone-ing at Calatagan Sandbar | Batangas
Marky Ramone Go
May 02, 2019
After waking up with a terrible hangover—no thanks to the previous night’s drinking game—to a beautiful moonset and a hearty breakfast by the beach, we hurried up renting a small boat for a side-trip to a nearby sand bar. It appears during low tide a few clicks off the coast of Puting Buhangin and Burot beach. It goes with a couple of other names: Starfish Island and Little Boracay, but I prefer calling it with its simple but apt name of Calatagan Sandbar. The boat trip going here from where we're staying at (Aquaria Waterpark and Crusoe Cabins) takes around half an hour and sails on the ridges of the waters of Verde Island Passage.
Pursuing Wildlife in India with Pugdundee Safari
Marky Ramone Go
April 18, 2019
Like leafing through the
pages of "Man-Eaters of Kumaon"
– Jim Corbett’s memoir of his experiences hunting man-eating Bengal tigers in
India’s Kumaon region, I find Chinmay’s tales of these wild beasts’ sightings
very engrossing. Unlike Corbett’s experiences, fortunately today in this part
of India, man has known better to let these animals roam freely.
Maiden Flight Makes Historic Landing on Calayan Island
Marky Ramone Go
April 10, 2019
Onboard our chartered
30-seater Dornier aircraft from Platinum Skies, I steadied my eyes towards the
window as our plane circled Calayan Island. I quickly gazed at the azure
colored waters of Cibang Cove, recognizing it instantly from memories of my
first visit here four years ago.
To the Batu Caves | Malaysia
Marky Ramone Go
April 10, 2019
Other than the Petronas Twin
Towers, the Batu Caves is the other place I wanted to see in Kuala Lumpur when
I started plotting the itinerary of my trip to the capital of Malaysia way back
in 2007. That was my very first airplane ride courtesy of my brother who let me
tag along with him. Coincidentally, that journey was what kick-started my
wanderlust. A few days after arriving home, I quickly wrote a short narrative
about it on the new defunct Multiply blogging platform.
Of Fireflies Night and Quaint Vibe of Mararison Island | Antique
Marky Ramone Go
April 06, 2019
Memories of my first visit
to Mararison Island played vividly on my mind as we approach it aboard a
motorized boat from the port of Culasi. I could still hear in my head, the angelic
voices of the Mararison Children's choir belting out a harmonious Kinaray—a traditional welcoming song.
Known all over Antique province where they perform frequently in numerous
revelries, its members whose ages ranges from 6 to 13 thirteen years old have become
the island’s cultural ambassadors. It was more than a year ago when I first
heard them croon. One and a half lap around the sun later, I find myself en
route back to Mararison—not only to listen again to the youngsters’ divine
voices but also to embrace the enthralling setting of Mararison.
Aquaria Waterpark and Crusoe Cabins | A Cool Hidey-hole Beach Destination
Marky Ramone Go
April 01, 2019
Also,
a great place to have a fun shindig with friends.
All I could remember from
the night before was me crawling to my upper bunk bed inside the cabin I shared
with fellow travel bloggers Mujee and Joel. I recalled vomiting violently on
the toilet – no thanks, to losing consistently on our little drinking game that
got a bit out of hand. Meaning: all us guys ended up wasted on the veranda
while the girls stood victorious and the last ones standing, laughing at how squandered we
look.
Postcard Series: Maiden Flight | Calayan
Marky Ramone Go
March 29, 2019
When I said "yes" to
an invite to join the Calayan-Batanes media famtrip, I never expected the
historic firsts happening on the beautiful island of Calayan. We arrived aboard
the first ever plane to land on the island to inaugurate their airport—and
today—we also become the first set of passengers to depart Calayan en route to
another destination: Batanes. The same crowd of locals who welcomed us also bid
as goodbye as we boarded this Sky Pasada jet (smallest plane I've flown so far).
This Year’s #LakbayNorte8 Highpoints Must-see Places in Clark, Subic and Baler
Marky Ramone Go
March 25, 2019
Now on its 8th year, Lakbay Norte once again concluded a media familiarization
tour participated by travel writers from online and print publications. It is
organized by the North Philippines Visitors Bureau in partnership with Victory
Liner as a way of promoting Northern Luzon as a premier tourist destination. This year's itinerary took
the more than 20 travel writers and photographers to the places of Subic and
Clark in Pampanga and to the surfing town of Baler in Aurora. Here’s a quick
rundown of all the places highlighted by #LakbayNorte8 as possible destinations
for travelers heading to this part of Luzon.
Where to Stay in Luang Prabang, Laos | Satri House
Marky Ramone Go
March 19, 2019
The narrow entrance of
Satri House betrays the gem of a place hidden inside: A stunning collection of charming colonial
buildings inspired by Lao architecture and culture. Adding a layer of lure are
the quaint corners and the lush gardens surrounded by towering trees. As the female
staff briefs me about the property, my eyes wandered everywhere. "Satri House was first built in 1904 as a
royal house by the parents of Prince Souphanouvong, the first President of Lao
People's Democratic Republic. This property was refurbished in 2002 by Mrs.
Lamphoune Voravongsa - now the current owner" she tells me.
A Beautiful Glimpse of Egypt
Marky Ramone Go
March 07, 2019
Egypt was the last of the
triumvirate of nations which consist the Holy Land tour I joined. After kicking off our trip in Jordan and spending
almost a week in Israel, the last leg of our journey took us to the land of the
Pharaohs and Cleopatra. Along the way we passed by endless stretch of deserted
valleys and mountains until the azure waters of the Red Sea signaled the
approaching border crossing to Egypt. It was here where we
followed the trail of Moses and the Holy Family when they fled Israel after
King Herod Antipas issued a marching order to execute all infants in Israel.
Where to Stay in Luang Prabang: Lotus Villa Boutique | Laos
Marky Ramone Go
March 05, 2019
It was starting to darken
when I arrived at Luang Prabang causing me to hurry my pace in locating my hotel. Guided by my Google Map, I walked pass the main street of the city's historic district. It was a lovely surprise finding out a few days before, that Lotus Villa Boutique Hotel situates right smack in the UNESCO Heritage area of the city.
Established in 2008, this small property houses 15 soothing rooms and 2 suites –
all designed within the fervor of the architectural style of Laos’ colonial
past.
Cebu Pacific Air Highlights Some Must Things-to-do in and Near Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia
Marky Ramone Go
March 04, 2019
As
one of the major hub in Southeast Asia, Kuala Lumpur is often overlooked by
some travelers as a mere pit-stop just to have a sumptuous meal of Nasi Lemak before flying a connecting
flight to their final destination. Bad travel take.
Kuala Lumpur, as it turns out, and as my more than half-dozen visits to the city have proven, hides a wealth of intrigue in the shape of the city's diverse culture, cuisine, and history. Recently, I joined a Cebu Pacific Familiarization trip to explore new areas as well as revisit old favorites in and around Kuala Lumpur. As a result, there are many more reasons to return and, perhaps, explore other regions of Malaysia as well.
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Cebu Pacific Air media famtour participants. Out to explore some of the best of KL |
Dolphin Spotting in Bais, Negros Oriental
Marky Ramone Go
March 01, 2019
Alighting out of a bus
from Dumaguete, I arrived at the quaint town of Bais at the flinch of sunlight.
This idyllic municipality was a bastion of 19th
century barons who spearheaded the raw sugar boom Negros Oriental came to known
for. As I took my first strides around the town, I quickly noticed the
miscellanies of its storied past evidenced by the run-down but still charming
pre-war colonial homes.
Postcard Series: Mount Lobo | Batangas
Marky Ramone Go
February 27, 2019
Despite
being dog-tired from the Maguindanao trip, I wouldn't miss our monthly hike for
Ferbruary. Vegan meal + Buhawi craft beer + fun conversations + sleeping under
the stars and pulling off a lackadaisical-planned trip—I was the assigned
organizer for this month—equates to another memorable weekend. Missing a few of
our 'monthly chill hiking' crew though.
Lakbay Norte 8 | Baler without the Surf Board
Marky Ramone Go
February 25, 2019
Thrice in the past spread
over a decade, I found myself in Baler always tugging a surf board. Despite failing
to achieve consistent long rides over the waves, I recognized the cherished vibe
reigning in this sea-side town. There is this inexplicable vibrant sub-culture
that continue to attract an expanding list of friends and acquaintances of mine, into re-rooting themselves amongst the surfing community here.
Postcard-Pretty Slideshow of Catanduanes
Marky Ramone Go
February 06, 2019
One after the other the
rumbling sound of the waves remained on a continuous loop. Each time, a blast
of sea water splashes violently towards the natural pool where our group were dipped
soothingly. The sight and sound may appear perilous but the magnificent rock
formations jutted from underneath the sea, sheltered us safely from the
torrents of the Pacific Ocean. Such is the lure of Tuwad-Tuwadan Lagoon, a
secluded tidal pool situated at the foot of Cagnipa Hills facing the monster swells
of the Pacific.