Both are temples, a Catholic church, and the other a Taoist (Chinese) temple. Both are equally interesting not only in terms of architecture but also the devotions done by their respective faithful.

Star Cruises is known for its huge fleet and holiday cruise travel around the world and for this AdvenTour, Filipinos can taste holiday cruise in Singapore and Malaysia aboard one of its vessels, the Superstar Virgo via AirPhil Express.

In a few days, I’m off to two other international destinations within Southeast Asia: Singapore and Malaysia. This is just after two weeks after visiting Hong Kong for five days!

I wasn’t just prepared to see a queue for branded items outside two of the brand name stores along Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong and I don’t know what to think or how to react.

The Philippine’s newest budget airline AirPhil Express now flies Cebu to Hong Kong everyday, their second international destination after Singapore.

It was my first maiden flight and didnd’t expect that it would be that eventful with speeches, dragon dances, and free breakfast at the departure lobby but I was more excited of flying, of visiting again Hong Kong.

I was invited by AirPhil Express to join them in their maiden flight from Cebu to Hong Kong and stayed for almost a week to explore, photograph and get to know more about this beautiful place south of the Chinese mainland.

The last time I was in Hong Kong was five years ago, invited to a butterfly meet. This time, I’m a travel blogger and will be there because of another invitation, now from AirPhil Express for their maiden flight from Cebu – Hong Kong. That is, barring any other hitches.

Philippine passport validity extension is possible but should only be resorted if all else fails. Extending it is really a breeze and not so expensive.

Looking farther along the stretch of beach, there are several more men and mound. Its really an industry here with the natural products probably making their way to construction sites in the city or beyond.

The costs of progress.

People have been raving about the Japanese style carinderia that is Joed’s Lutong Hapon with many blogger friends attesting to its tasty Japanese dishes at cheap prices that I got curious with it. Can tasty + cheap = Japanese cuisine go hand in hand?

Wow. In my entire life at airports, I’ve finally experienced being bumped off a booked flight which I paid for a few days ago. Shit happens.

What greeted me was disheartening. It has lost its balance, leaning on the sandy shores of Luna’s beach. Broken and probably left with no more tears to weep as the descendants of the ancestors that this structure protected from the Pintados from the Visayas, looking for slaves, left it under the merciless elements.

It was a no brainer. The ruins in Pindangan, a sitio in San Fernando City, La Union is old judging from the primitive construction technique of mamposteria, stones, placed one on top of the other.

One great thing about exploring the country’s many provinces is that there is always a reason to stop, gawk and be awed. This can be pristine beaches, spectacular rock formations or just scenic vistas. Taggat Bay, more like a lagoon, actually, in Claveria, Cagayan is one.

Clean lines, rounded corners and flanged rear that only recalls to mind the pop style cars and architecture of yesteryears and I was just stumped and smiling: 50′s retro!

It seems, I like going to North Luzon or North Luzon loves me. If one has to check this blog, one would surmise that I often go to this part of the Philippines as I have lots of posts devoted to the northern provinces. Lakbay Norte Redux starts a new series on travel to Cagayan and Ilocos Norte provinces.

It’s probably because I’ve been spending more time in North Luzon, Metro Manila and Cebu that, once again, the Lady is beckoning, calling out my name to visit her land once again. And I do feel the itch to pack up, and leave for Bicol, anywhere in that region as long as I’m there.

I admit, places I’ve visited in Calayan: Cibang and Caniwara Coves and Nagudungan were the most pristine I’ve seen and been to. Its just so beautiful, a piece of paradise. But will it stay the same for years to come?