San Guillermo Church, Bacolor, Pampanga

There are days when I really feel the urge to connect: to my roots and my religion. And there's nothing more calming than praying inside a Church where its peaceful and quiet so I go places whenever I have the chance.

Fun Baler Itinerary: Jampacked 2D1N Stay!

Let the surfing frenzy begin! It's true what they say, you can't brag that you've been to Baler unless you've danced with the waves! If you don't already know, the best time to surf is before or after every storm when the winds and current are strong.

Oasis Pub & Maranao Grill, Angeles City, Pampanga

I've long recommended restaurants in my city, but then while pondering a while ago, I realized I haven't posted one of my favorite pubs yet. That feel-good bar and, a perfect place to cap down a busy week.

Tugawe Cove, Caramoan Peninsula, Camarines Sur

For my 2014 year end post, I thought I'd share the best resort we recommend you should visit for the year (and years) ahead. This is not a place for loners, but romantically designed for lovers...and friends. A big shout-out to Coco for hooking us up in heaven! Love you :)

This is for the semi-adventurous, beach lovin', walks on the beach, sunrise, sunset, romantic breakfast/lunch/dinner type of people. If you find yourself saying yes to all I just mentioned, then go ahead and scroll down... get jealous! haha kidding :)

Lahos Island, A Bright, Sunny Day in Caramoan

After our enchanting trip to Matukad Island, our next target was the infamous Lahos Island, which was where the international reality show "Survivor" was held at some parts of the show.

From afar, you can see a low, horizontal arrangement of islands. I was wondering how it would look 'cause I have this expectation in mind since it's been chosen as one of the locations for the well known show.

Matukad Island, Caramoan

Caramoan, one of the must-see destinations in the Philippines. Thing about it is it's not just one destination, but a collection of beautiful islands to make up the whole of peninsula of Caramoan. Today my friends, I'm going to expose one of its many precious islands: The Enchanted Matukad Island.

Baler Lighthouse & Dicasalarin Cove, Baler, Aurora

I don't think I'll ever get tired wandering and searching for the best destinations in the Philippines. But I do get tired being told by peers to go travel overseas already and see the rest of the world, I'd just smile. Not that I don't want to, (and although the expenses may relatively be the same) they just don't understand my lifelong love affair with the beauty of my country, it's culture and traditions. To make it short, I love the Philippines! :D

This summer, my friends and I chose to visit Baler. And I, being a travel freak, researched on a short amount of time to plan a packed itinerary. It didn't go as planned though (blame it on the weather). Anyways, this entry is about the cream of the crop of our trip - Dicasalarin Cove and Baler Light House.

Fun Couple Moments at Shiphaus, Bohol

Fresh from the Chocolate Hills, we now pay one of Bohol's uniquely themed house, Shiphaus. It's been added to travel itineraries of tour packages in the island and have also been featured in local and nationwide TV shows before.It also accepts lodging for tourists at very competitive prices.

Shiphaus from accross the street

The Ultimate Time Travel at Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar

For my year-end post, it definitely has to be the grandest and the best place I'll saunter with you all this year: Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar. A massive monumental display of 27 (and counting) Spanish Colonial palacios salvaged from all over the Philippines then rebuilt in exactly the same fashion, with the exact original pieces of every mansion you'll witness within the next few minutes.

Truly, this is a day to remember. For this was the day I walked on homes, mansions, buildings, whatever you'd like to call them, that paved history of my country as well, some of these were once inhabited by Teodora Alonzo, our national hero's mother and even former president Manuel Quezon himself graced presence within the walls of one of these Casas.

La Bella Teodoro: Italian Restaurant (Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar)

Just another feel-good afternoon, fresh from a historical morning tour at Las Casas. It was a bit of an exhausting tour, just because it was hot and humid plus my eyes wandered nonstop enjoying and savoring the views. Even after the tour ended, I was still so excited to be in Las Casas. 

There were two main restaurants offered in Las Casas: Spanish and Italian. Our taste buds craved to go Italian this trip, and so we chose La Bella Teodoro.

This was the rest of the restaurant, us being seated at the middle of this thoughtfully designed restaurant from ceiling to floor. Vintage items are also seen everywhere. My mind blasts away, so quaint this restaurant fits perfectly suits me!

Yakimix with DnK

Ready for some mouthwatering experience yet again? I know I am! I know, a lot have tried this before, but you gotta taste this the way we did. Give us a chance! It was my first time at Yakimix, and so did most of my friends! 

Chocolate Hills, Bohol

Welcome to the Chocolate Hills! 

Location: Bohol, Philippines!

Probably counting as many as 1,700+ hills, they rank as one of the original Seven Wonders of the Earth!  As a first timer, you might wonder how they got the name. Generally, they are covered in green grass, but during the dry season, the grass naturally dry up and turn brown, hence the name "Chocolate Hills" would be an obvious yummy name.

Serene River Cruise at Loboc, Bohol

One of the things worth spending the time in Bohol is definitely a river cruise in Bohol. I absolutely enjoyed every minute of it. A lunch date coupled with a romantic cruise is all we needed to relax from the busy schedule we had for the day.

Baclayon Church, Bohol

It truly is an honor to step foot on one of the oldest Churches in the Philippines & in Asia Respectively. Baclayon is in fact, the second oldest stone Church in the country & the oldest Coral Stone Church in the region, being built in 1595 by Spanish Jesuits. In 19th century however, a group of Augustinian priests added additional stone structures that surrounded the building, and a modern facade. 

Hitch-hiking in Bamban (2009)

My Thesis Life back in 2009. Is truly one of the most exciting and equally exhausting last phase of finishing college. Those are the days when you'll need all the help and support you can get from mentors, friends and family to finally march on and graduate with the degree of Bachelor in Science in Architecture, a full five year course which sounds as many math subjects you don't want to think of.


Taking out one day from it, I with some of our friends helped out do a site visit in Bamban, Tarlac, along the boundary of Clark and Tarlac. Didn't know what I was getting myself into, it was very random and I'm always up for an adventure :)

Straight from a hidden paradise in a remote area in Gawad, Kalinga, Bamban, Tarlac

Experience Asian Buffet Dinner at ABC Hotel, Angeles City

Another get together night celebrating the Christmas season in 2012. This particular night, we chose to put on some casual clothes and dine in a lavish hotel at Angeles Beach Club Hotel, more commonly known as ABC Hotel for locals.

Note: Vari Asia isn't usually packed but you might want to make a reservation if you're planning to dine here on holidays, else you might end up frustrated. Be sure to have your second option if plan A doesn't work out. 

Caleruega Church, Nasugbu, Batangas

Finally! Romantics and soul searchers this one's for you! A candidate for the most favored wedding destination in the Philippines or simply one of the most sought-out pre-nuptial shoot location because of its refreshing beauty of commingled influences in Architecture. This multi-function complex also serves as a sanctuary for families and friends. Although it takes a bit of effort to reach its best kept secret at the top, it's all well worth the hike!

I know, this is not located anywhere in Tagaytay, but it pretty much is along the boundary between Tagaytay and Batangas and is in proximity to most of the places I've shown you in the previous series. 

Green Ats Bulalohan, Tagaytay

Tagaytay is well known for serving the best tasting Bulalo (Filipino Bone Marrow Stew) in the whole of Philippines. It might have even originated in Tagaytay, no one really can say where this dish started but definitely it's from the south, either Batangas or Tagaytay.

To end our merry day, Ian took me to a good Bulalo Restaurant, Green Ats. A comfortable indoor/outdoor dining experience where you can have a beautiful view of Tagaytay and overlooking the roadside (Aguinaldo Highway) on the other side. 

Tierra De Maria, Tagaytay

Welcome to the home of Mama Mary's 50-foot image standing tall welcoming everyone with her arms wide open at a quaint corner along Tagaytay-Calamba Road in Tagaytay. Such a serene and heavenly place, I felt blessed and spiritually cleansed by the time I left. It has garnered thousands of devotees all over the Philippines and describes itself as a HOME for everyone, meaning "Heaven Of Meditation and Enrichment".

Picnic Grove, Tagaytay

There are only a few spots in the Philippines offering you a good view combined with a favorable temperature. One of the best is no less than Picnic Grove, located at Barangay Sungay in Tagaytay. It has more to offer than just the two features I've mentioned above..

A pretty sight: Taal Lake right in front of us