Slideshow: Truly Amazing Sablayan

On my supposed fourth visit to Apo Reef, the unfavorable sea condition made the trip impossible. But it turned to be a blessing in disguise for I have explored and rediscovered the town of Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro, a place I always overlook. Needless to say, Sablayan is more than just Apo Reef. The nearby islands of Pandan Grande and Pandan Pequeño, the beautiful sunset, the old church, the mountains and its endemic inhabitants and other inland attractions strongly prove... Read More

Quick Getaways Near Manila

I have been receiving a lot of inquiries over SMS, email, twitter, facebook, through my blog and even personally about places to go near Metro Manila that are ideal for a quick getaways so I thought of publishing my compilations of my usual answers. For those planning a quickie weekend or a day trip getaway but do not have the luxury of time and enough budget to go some place far away from Metropolis, here’s a list of places to consider. Tagaytay (Cavite) Points of interest:... Read More

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

Travel Guide: Bulalacao

The southernmost town of the province of Oriental Mindoro is a paradise on its own right. Endowed with unspoiled natural resources and amazing people, it is a promising getaway for those dreaming of nature and adventure with its forests and parks that are ideal for hiking and trekking, the numerous white sandy islands that are best for camping and beach bumming, the beautiful coves, hidden caves, waterfalls and lakes, and other surprises that await everyone. Hop in the islands... 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

Amazing Dives at Sabang, Puerto Galera

It was raining hard for two days prior to our scheduled dives and on the day of our trip, the sky continued to pour its seemingly endless tears. Batanes is not really for us this year. The unfavorable circumstances were enough reasons to give up our dream of visiting the land of beautiful lighthouses and rolling hills. There are reasons for everything and there maybe deeper reasons more than the weather, we thought. Strong rain and winds persisted as we arrived in the port of... Read More

Bulalacao’s Tambaron Uncovered

Tambaron Island Once in a while, it is best to deviate from where the crowd is going, explore the road less traveled and venture into the unknown to find your cradle of solitude. Whatever in store there is a sure piece of heaven. Along with my TFMWPP friends who love to explore the off-the-beaten-tracks, we explored Tambaron and its neighboring islands and islets in Oriental Mindoro. Located off the coast of Bulalacao, the southernmost town of the province, it is a place waiting... 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