This is my first article for the Filipino – Canadian magazine, Living Today, co-written with Yul Baritugo that focuses on the different sights and experiences in Cebu. Destination Philippines will be a regular feature in this publication which will be my contribution.

I was told point blank that the ticket is already invalid since it was canceled for refund! What? A shocker! There I was, seeing red. What is this madness? Have the heavens conspired against me? Should I devote my Holy Week to some flagellation in Infanta?

Unless they’re robots or high on drugs.

Ilocos Norte is just more than churches, gigantic wind turbines and empanada. At it’s western coastline, a desert like landscape awaits the traveler who is bold enough to go to this out of the way geographic wonder. But once you get face to face with the Ilocos Norte Sand Dunes as it unfolds before you, just prepare to be bowled over.

My Busuanga aerials that I featured before will be in a unique exhibition. Entitled Earth & Art, this is Net 25’s Tribe offering for the environment. As one of the featured artist/photographer, I will be showing my work, “Busuanga: From Forests to Farmlands.”

Last January 2010, I was invited by the North Philippines Visitors Bureau to join a media tour of travel writers and bloggers to experience North Luzon for seven days starting in Cagayan province all the way to Pampanga to sample the various local cuisines and experience the attractions offered by the various provinces along the route.

Titillated at the Manila Ocean Park? It’s possible but that’s going ahead of the story…

I immediately confirmed my participation to visit the Manila Ocean Park upon the invitation of a friend for a media tour. Even if it has been open for sometime, I still haven’t been there since I was procrastinating time and again. When I did made the tour, I was wide eyed with wonder.

Finally arriving in San Carlos City, I was just too tired and accepting of my fate spending the night here. Two hours and a half hours ago, the last ferry bound for Cebu left and during that time, I was still tracing the meandering mountain highway in Don Salvador Benedicto.

The Murcia – Don Salvador Benedicto road is my highway of dreams. It’s one of the best highway experience that I’ve had in the country that kilometer after kilometer, I can’t just help but be in awe at the natural scenery unfolding before me. Stunning mountain ranges, cool weather and the scent of pine trees make this a trip to remember.

Credit it to forgetfulness, nay, time chasing, that a meal of 70 pesos ($1.50) almost left me broke in Iloilo City as I was en route to Cebu via Bacolod City. Good thing, technology and the internet coupled with the wonders of Western Union played important roles and saved the day. So to speak.

This leg of the trip cost me much time that later affected my plans of reaching Cebu on the night of the second day. Just imagine, four hours of waiting for the bus to finally go, as promised by the driver but then, even promises are made to be broken.

I was at it again! This time, not the full loop as what I did before. When I was going home for the holidays from Makati to Cebu last month, I decided to go via the torturous and draining western land route. While shorter than the trip via Bicol, it’s no less than tiring.

Just a few days before the much awaited, grandest of all Cebu’s and one of the country’s biggest event, the Sinulog, departing passengers who have hand carried baggages at the domestic departure waiting lounges have to open their bags for manual inspection. All because of a passenger’s coffee.