I still remember my first arrival here in January 2010. It was a joint birthday trip with Kristina, since we share the exact same birth date, when our friend Lot invited us to celebrate in her hometown of Cagayan de Oro. We spent an entire day ferrying to Camiguin and road-tripping around aboard a rented jeepney. Sixteen years later, I've come again to Camiguin—a bit older, a little wiser, a few pounds heavier, but still wide-eyed and endlessly curious about this enchanting volcanic island.

My first trip to mainland China gave me something I had waited my entire life to experience—the first snowfall I had ever seen. True to our cheerful chant of "Hep, Hep, Hubei" whenever someone called for a group photo, the trip became even more memorable for most of us in the group, many of whom had never seen snow before.

The Calabarzon region of Luzon, comprising Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, is known for its heritage and historical trails, as well as its local cuisine and crafts. The province of Laguna alone boasts a number of destinations where one can spend a long weekend filled with learning and exploration.

Voluntourism, which mixes volunteering and tourism, is rapidly gaining popularity among travelers eager to see the world while doing some good along the way. The concept appeals to those who want to satisfy their wanderlust but also feel the need to make a small difference, whether by teaching in far-flung schools, helping with environmental projects, or assisting in community development efforts.

After days of bouncing from Puerto Princesa to the southernmost town of Bataraza and everywhere in between, our bodies were reaching exhaustion level. Long drives, rugged trails, and back-to-back adventures had taken their toll.

I’ll admit it, part of my mind was still wrapped on our missed opportunity of traveling to Balabac Islands. I find myself mentally drifting over its impossibly white sands, the kind travel dreams are made of. They say it’s one of the most beautiful islands in the world, and I was ready to believe it.

On the journey back to Batan Island, I found myself fighting off nausea aboard a small faluwa, the traditional Ivatan boat known for its open deck, deep hull, and absence of outriggers, built to navigate the strong, unpredictable currents between the Batanes islands.

Despite years spent crisscrossing the Philippine archipelago, a few places have continued to elude me. Chief among them: the mountain village of Buscalan in Kalinga, home to Apo Whang-Od, centenarian, cultural icon, and said to be the oldest traditional mambabatok (Kalinga traditional artist) of her generation. Using a thorn, soot, and indigenous ink, she etches ancestral symbols into skin, each mark a living archive of identity and cultural symbol.

Having climbed my fair share of mountains during my college days, I knew well enough that when a guide says, “Just 10 more minutes,” what they really mean is that a good hour or more separates you from the summit. By the time I reached the boulder face of Mount Apo, I was already battling a sea of massive stones. These boulders, remnants of an undocumented ancient eruption, lay scattered like imposing obstacles one has to hurdle with both hands and feet, and an impressive balancing act, before reaching the peak.

For many Filipino travelers and weekend warriors, the usual stops in Quezon province tend to circle around the well-worn routes of Lucena, Tayabas, Lucban, and Gumaca, places already familiar to motorists en route to Batangas or Bicol.

They say the third time’s the charm. But in Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines, each of my three visits has carried its own distinct magic. My first trip, over a decade ago, involved pedaling halfway across Batan Island on a rented bicycle. It happened to coincide with a town fiesta, and my friends and I were warmly welcomed into local homes, where we feasted on traditional Ivatan dishes and experienced generous hospitality.

Often mentioned last when one converses about the Bicol region, the province of Catanduanes revealed itself with such unexpected surprise that it swiftly secured a place among my top five favorite provinces in the Philippines. Its unassuming surf culture, endless rolling hills unfolding into sweeping Pacific Ocean views, and surreal rock formations create a landscape both rugged and breathtaking. Mornings reveal scenic peaks wrapped in a sea of clouds, while waterfalls, hidden lagoons, and a winding coastline of powdery white sand complete the island’s charm.

Beyond its big city vibe and bustling shopping and marketplaces, it hides a wealth of nature spots and soulful activities.

Growing up in an era a couple of decades away from the advent of low-budget airlines, I saw our rich neighbors jet off to Hong Kong for shopping trips. At the start of every school year, I would listen to a couple of classmates telling stories of high-rise buildings and the video games they brought home. Since then, I have come to associate the place as where the affluent Filipinos go for holidays.

Cutting through the mountains and hillsides of Samar from east to west, the 90-kilometer Ulot River, the longest river in Samar, is a thing of beauty. Surrounded by verdant forest and limestone karsts featuring dramatic rock formations, clear cascading waters stream through a setting that conceals a vast network of cave systems, including the Langun-Gobingob Cave, widely regarded as the biggest in the country and itself, the river once known as a distribution channel for illegal logging has now become an emerging adventure tourism destination.

The town of General Nakar is a place that most people may be familiar with but likely have limited knowledge about. This rings true in my case. As I packed my stuff for the trip, I took a peek at its location on Google Maps and observed that it faces the Pacific Ocean and runs parallel to Polillo Island. Studying its position and knowing the geography around, it struck me that this town likely boasts a wealth of outdoor attractions, nestled as it is in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range.

Walking thousands of steps under the afternoon sun would be taxing under normal circumstances. But in the highlands of Ifugao, following narrow paths through the stone-walled Mayoyao Rice Terraces, exhaustion became part of the experience. This corner of the Cordillera is often overlooked by travelers heading straight to Banaue or Batad, yet a journey through Mayoyao reveals a landscape where rice terraces, remote villages, waterfalls, and centuries-old traditions remain deeply woven into everyday life.

Lake Holon, with its picture-perfect backdrop and spectacular natural features carved by Mother Nature over millions of years, is without a doubt one of Mindanao's, if not the Philippines', most beautiful destinations.

There was only one option when going to Bukidnon from Cagayan de Oro, and that was the scenic route. Knowing about this from earlier visits 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.