5,000 Kilometers, Two Wheels, and a World of Discovery

September 09, 2025

Motorcycle tourism remains a relatively novel concept in the Philippines, despite the prevalence of two-wheeled transport as a mainstay of daily life. Yet, for many, the notion of long-distance motorcycle touring conjures images of large groups of riders thundering through quiet provincial towns, engines roaring at 1,200cc, leaving disruption in their wake.

On the Road in Palawan (Part 4): Spotlight on Aborlan: Palawan’s Overlooked Coastal Town

September 05, 2025

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.

Lihim Resorts, El Nido | A Secret Worth Uncovering

August 05, 2025

Fresh from nearly a week traveling from Puerto Princesa to Aborlan and back, we hit the road for more island hopping in the coastal town of El Nido, a place I’ve visited several times but still couldn’t get enough of. Each visit feels increasingly like an exploration of the best places to stay. This time, it did not disappoint: the property that would be our temporary home for a few days offered glimpses of a wonderful escape, something taken from the setting of the White Lotus series, as I had seen on Google.

From Rails to Art: Discovering Lopez’s Skates and Artisan Communities

July 31, 2025

For much of us, we were made to believe that the communities that lined the aging Philippine National Railways tracks were nothing more than squatter settlements; clusters of improvised homes said to be occupied by people who stole steel from the rails themselves. There was a widely repeated story of a segment of track sawed clean off, halting the Manila-Bicol line years ago, and it became an easy picture for the way many of us viewed those who lived beside the railway: as troublemakers, the batang riles, or drifters, or people who existed beyond the rules that governed everyone else.

On the Road in Palawan (Part 2): Waterfalls, islands, and the footsteps of the Tabon Man, in Quezon

July 29, 2025

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 Road in Palawan (Part 1): Of Mat Weavers and Accidental Farmers of Brooke’s Point

June 28, 2025

“It’s a no-go.” Words I had hoped not to hear from our tour coordinator as I waited for an update on our planned trip to the Balabac group of islands. “The coast guard still won’t allow boats to leave port,” Ash informed us, moments after speaking with contacts on the ground at Port Buliluyan in Bataraza, the southernmost town of Palawan and the gateway to Balabac.

Beyond the Ink: Learning More About Kalinga’s Culture, History and Cuisine

June 27, 2025

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.

A Tourism Workshop Brings New Attention to Isolated Itbayat Island in Batanes

June 25, 2025

Organized by the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines, the workshop focused on destination resiliency, signaling renewed support for sustainable tourism in one of the country’s most secluded islands. Let’s get one thing straight: Batanes isn’t your average beach-and-bar-hopping Philippine getaway. It’s remote, like seriously remote.


Located far in the Philippine Sea, over 160 kilometers north of Luzon, it’s a destination that shrugs off convenience. Ships don’t carry passengers, only cargo. Flights are few, and when the weather decides to be unpredictable, which happens often, cancellations are a given.

Mt. Apo: My Labored Ascent to the Rooftop of the Philippines

June 09, 2025

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.

At Gumaca’s Araña’t Baluarte Festival, Agri Bounty Hangs High Until the Fun Drop Begins

June 08, 2025

Growing up, the game of pabitin was a familiar presence during town fiestas and children's parties. A bamboo rack, laced with small toys, snacks, and other prizes, would be hoisted above a crowd of eager children. As the rack was lowered and raised again, the children would jump, reaching for whatever they could grab.

Streamline Your Travel Workflow with a Virtual Address

June 03, 2025

Do you dream of living and working from a laptop at any location in the world? Want a professional-looking business without the hassle of sorting mail and looking unprofessional? Traveling while running a business may seem like a wonderful way to combine work and freedom, but as anyone who's actually tried it will tell you, without the right tools and tricks it quickly becomes a logistical nightmare.

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