2012 in Retrospect: ‘Twas a Blast

And just like that, it is almost February. But before I continue blogging the whats of my 2013, I guess it is only fitting to give closure to 2012 by looking back to the highlights of last year. To say that the previous year is good is an understatement. Let’s just say that it was a blast, if it is the right term for it! Honestly, it may not be as busy as the earlier years but it was certainly one of my best years. The experiences, adventures, misadventures and everything... Read More

Journey to the Depths of Philippine Underwater World: 100 Dives Milestone

I had a chance to dive in Apo Reef when we returned there last February. It was a memorable one not because it is one of my favorite places to dive but because it marked another milestone in my scuba diving career – my 100th dive! Cute Anemonefish in Moalboal Being a scuba diver for two-and-a-half years opened a door for me to a new dimension. It made me appreciate, understand and love the underwater world more than ever. It changed my life to become more responsible individual,... Read More

Weekend Bliss: Return to Apo Reef

It was a last minute decision and it seemed like a coincidence that Gael’s feature on Apo Reef was just published in Yahoo!Travel. Reading her piece along with some of my photos made me missed Apo Reef even more. Perhaps it was the sign. After all, if there are places worth coming back over and over again, Apo Reef is surely one of them. So for third year in a row I went to this paradise off the coast of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro and once again had a great time in this... Read More

Three Amazing Dives in a Paradise Called Apo Reef

“Woooooooh!!!”, we shouted as we surfaced after our third and last dive, it was almost dark. We descended a few minutes before sunset. If it was not because we were in this magical place, we could have cancel the third dive. But we were in Apo Reef and we had to make the most of our day to explore its underwater paradise. We proceeded with sunset dive without any hint of hesitation, even if the darkness was already enveloping the surroundings and we only had two torches,... Read More

Travel Guide: Sablayan (Apo Reef/Pandan Island)

Endowed with amazing and world class wonders, the heart of Occidental Mindoro, guarantees everyone with unforgettable rendezvous with its warm people, rich culture and diverse nature – welcome to the wonderful Sablayan! The biggest municipality and the top ecotourism destination of the province, Sablayan offers variety of activities specially to those adventure driven souls who want to commune with nature. The mountains and forests of Sablayan are home to diverse flora... Read More

Apo Reef and Pandan Island on a Budget (A DIY guide)

The weather that night was the same when we went to Culebra Island in Pangasinan on the last week of May – rainy with thunderstorms and there were no stars at sight. The government weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) already announced the official start of summer a few days ago, but  still there were no hesitations. Apo Reef trip pushed through as planned. Our last hurray for summer of 2010, our final bid to... Read More