Philippines Travel

Maps have their own value. But when road-tested, they really are just a piece of paper. The easiest way to get lost in a new territory is to plunge ahead without knowing which end is north. But to a (independent) traveler, this is a goldmine of opportunity to interact with …

Transportation, along with food and lodging, makes the Big Three of any travel expenditure. And what better way to “squander” spending money than to “throw” it around on rented air-conditioned vans that cost an arm and a leg? (Of course, if you are the type who goes on a holiday …

In Filipino folk culture, if you want someone to fall in love with you, or if you want to cause someone harm to avenge an offense, you go to a sorcerer who brews a potion to your desired effects. (Or, if you want to put live fish to sleep so …

Why is it that some of the most beautiful on earth are also among the most dangerous? The perfect-coned Mayon Volcano in the Bicol Region of northern Philippines is one fine example, having recently caught unawares mountaineers on the way to its summit. There was no warning (from PHIVOLCS) that …

Philippine beaches get more than their fair share of media attention worldwide, and rightly so. But this is not even scratching beneath the surface. If the Philippine beaches blow you away, wait until you get underwater to get the full measure of the beauty and bounty of the country. The …

Now that you are convinced enough to get around on foot, tricycle, multi-cab or bus (loaded with squealing pigs, clucking hens, and crying babies), or any combination thereof, here’s the skinny on Puerto Princesa public transport. Just like any Philippine province, public transport in Palawan consists mainly of tricycles, jeepneys …

As a rising tourist destination that will soon eclipse all other destinations in the Philippines, Palawan does not come cheap in certain places, especially with the omnipresent travel agencies and tour companies that make a living out of your travel budget. So before you sign up for a 600 peso …

The Department of Tourism’s slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” could, well, do better, but to their merit, there are indeed more novel ways to enjoy your time in the country apart from just lounging on the beach and paryting hard after sundown. Temperatures are soaring and don’t show …

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is a marvel of nature, but your visit to Palawan will not be complete without dropping anchor in El Nido, an equally magnificent work of time and elements that rise out of turquoise waters in karstic pillars and framed with white beaches that are too …

Most of the people I met during my journeys were surprised to learn that there are (female) people who travel solo. My trip to Palawan was no different. People I met there have yet to warm up to the idea that women do make trips by themselves without the usual …

If you prefer DIY tours, then knowing how to haul yourself and your stuff from one point to another via public transport helps a lot. It’s economical and allows you to touch base with everyday people which makes travel realistic and multi-dimensional. In the Philippines, public transport can be a …

Having a row with the neighbor occasionally happens, and that’s what has been happening to Malaysia and the Philippines lately (although the “fight” is more like between the Filipino heirs of an ancient sultanate and the Malaysian government). The two countries are presently involved in a territorial dispute concerning Sabah, …