Vigan City in my mind. With the heat and humidity in Manila, I might just as well visit this beautiful city with its age old houses, cobbled streets, pottery tradition and old church.

Rugged, wild and raw. Vertical rock faces, cliffs, natural rock arches, caves, cavities and rocky outcrops and assemblages. It was the side of Boracay Island off Caticlan that I wasn’t familiar with.

The waterfalls is just beautiful, located within a forest. One can even sit behind the cascade, a rare thing in most waterfall and the pool is just thigh deep. Perfect for children. The water is also good as a hydro massage.

A beautiful cascade, Mabnang Falls is just located a couple of kilometers from Claveria town center, near the border with Sta. Praxedes, the last town before Ilocos Norte. A small waterfall, the barangay is building a pool directly infront where the water will fall.

Is this still Boracay? I couldn’t believe my eyes. What beach is this? Where is this place? I asked my companions with bewilderment. PUKA BEACH was the answer.

Buluan Island, a gem of a piece of land off Barangay Buluan in Zamboanga Sibugay’s municipal capital of Ipil is beautiful. And that is even an understatement.

It’s just six feet long, eight feet wide and six feet tall but as much as 50 to 60 men were crammed inside the wooden boxcar with steel roofing. This is the Bataan Death March boxcar that transported those who survived the 105 kilometer walk from San Fernando rail station to the former Camp O’Donnel, now the Capas National Shrine.

Araw ng Kagitingan, Day of Valor. It is celebrated every 9 April in the Philippines. This series is my homage to the heroes of war.

La Union and Ilocos Norte in Region 1 still offers the adventurer, foodie and heritage fanatic old but reliable staples that make these two provinces perfect places to travel this summer.

One thing that really captured my attention during Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival were the native handicrafts that the tribespeople were wearing: Beads, bags and even brass belts and bells.

Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival is way beyond colors, steps and costumes. Its all about encountering and learning about these indigenous people that have contributed to what Bukidnon is today.

A whirlwind of bus trips, as much as 10-12 hours on the road, amazing sceneries and cities, great places and food that only Mindanao can offer. This, through my northern and western Mindanao sojourn.

An eco house in the middle of a self contained/self sustaining compound that is a showcase of eco and sustainable living

The plane hovered as I was roused from my sleep. Peeking out the window, lo and behold, Taal Volcano inside Taal Lake in Batangas unfolded. Morning mist hasn’t yet disappeared, giving a gorgeous view of Taal.

Pangasinan is such a big and beautiful province and the few days we were there was not just enough. There’s good food, beautiful architecture, beaches and resorts.