From my experiences traveling the Philippines, I’ve gone on to observe a wide range of tourism practices, with several reaching exemplary levels, while others unfortunately less so. What stands out in memory, however, are those that are done right, particularly those that prioritize the well-being of local communities. After all, it’s the people who live closest to these destinations who should, above all, have a say in how they are managed.

Walking thousands of steps in the midst of a sunny afternoon would be taxing under normal city conditions. Well, up in the highlands of Ifugao and in the middle of Mayoyao's rice terraces, this kind of undertaking looks like something out of a well-shot film.

Though I may have been too young to fully comprehend the Doña Paz tragedy at the time, subsequent news stories about it left an indelible impression on me. I grew up rationalizing that sea travel is a perilous undertaking—particularly in a country where antiquated vessels are commonplace.

Whenever one thought of Sorsogon, the gentle giant whale sharks of Donsol first came to mind. However, upon further exploration, one would learn that the province offered a plethora of delights that included beautiful beaches, heritage towns, and other natural gems comprising waterfalls, quaint lakes, firefly-laden rivers, and sleepy volcanoes. From the rich flora and fauna, colorful culture and traditions, and platefuls of delicious local cuisine to everything that ticked every intrepid traveler's checklist, it was no wonder each time a visitor departed Sorsogon, heaps of memorable experiences were left behind.

“Every lake belongs to the quietness desired by the swans,” poet Munia Khan wrote. Her description mirrored what we collectively sense about these bodies of water existing under the shadows of big-swell oceans and streaming rivers. Lakes dished a different vibe far from the seas we were accustomed to visiting in our geographically gifted, archipelagic country. The stillness of their natural pools of freshwater provided a tranquil atmosphere coupled with the lush greens that usually surrounded them. Therefore, if you were wandering around the Philippines, a jaunt to one of these lakes would instantly give you a memorable travel experience.

Did you know that staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the best ways to fight the virus? Healthcare workers referred to people staying at home as “our wartime air and artillery support. The more people who stay at home, the more chances we have to contain and fight the virus.” Stopping the spread of that deadly disease meant pushing the pause button on daily lives. It was a sacrifice everyone had to make to “flatten the curve” of infection. However, and understandably so, many suffered anxiety because they could not go out and help. Unfortunately, as the virus continued to spread, leaving home only invited more risk than it produced much-needed help for the public.

Clark International Airport was where I took my very first airplane ride in 2007. Yes, just like with dating, I was a late bloomer to plane rides. Similar to going out, I made it up with air travel—big time. Countless flights later, and I still vividly remember walking over the hot paved tarmac of Clark Airport one sunny May morning to an Air Asia plane warming up on the apron area. I dredged up thoughts of vowing to myself to “do this more often.”

Amid the many hidden gems of Manila, the city also provides a strategic location from where a traveler can set out to explore nearby destinations for a day. 'Day trips'—as most would call them—are a popular activity among travelers pressed for time and young professionals seeking to escape the toxicity of work. Surrounded by a number of provinces dotted with scenic countryside, rolling mountains, and fine sandy beaches, you can never run out of day trip locations to choose from. To help you plan your next quick escape from the city, here are some of the best day trips from Manila.

In this age of the #MeToo movement, heaps of douche-bag sexual misconduct and abuse have been unearthed not only from the entertainment industry but also from various other facets of our society. We now come face-to-face with a chilling reality—to which most of us have turned a blind eye for years—that sexual harassment happens in every aspect of our daily lives.

For solo female travelers, the risk of being subjected to different kinds of harassment on the road dips the scale toward high probability. It is difficult enough to find oneself in an unfamiliar place; being subjected to catcalling, groping, and flashing by perverts definitely adds a layer of danger to women travelers all over the world.

One doesn’t need to be a hardcore mountaineer to enjoy the spectacular highland sceneries located all over Luzon. Just because you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views doesn’t always mean it will involve crazy calf-burning hikes or grueling six-hour-long treks! Without further ado, here are some easy, accessible hikes in Luzon that will instantly give you beautiful, postcard-worthy scenic backdrops.

The former site of a United States Air Force Base and once the most strategic military position of America in the Far East, Clark, Pampanga, has successfully morphed into a highly developed city within a city. Known today as the Clark Freeport Zone, it currently houses modern infrastructure serving as a major hub for tourism, business, aviation, education, manufacturing, and other leading industries. The robust development—which rapidly started in 1995 after years of neglect brought on by the departure of the US Military and the destructive eruption of Mount Pinatubo—helped the Clark Freeport Zone quickly become the premier leisure, entertainment, and gaming center in Central Luzon.

As a travel writer, I always find myself needing to book a flight or an accommodation almost spontaneously. Most of the time, when I am on the tail-end of a travel writing assignment, I extend my trip in order to cover more places. And every single time, I always score myself cheap flights and hotels via Traveloka—which I now consider my go-to travel app.

There are often apprehensions whenever a traveler books a flight through a third-party app rather than a standalone airline website. I completely understand where those doubts come from, but I guarantee that I have never experienced even a single problem with my numerous bookings made via Traveloka.