Aboard a van running at moderate speed, we reached the municipality of Estancia, the ideal jump-off point for Sicogon Island, an hour after leaving Roxas City Airport. As we waited for our speedboat at the port, I ventured into the fish market and marveled at the vast array of dried seafood being sold across numerous stalls. Our guide Melanie Ortega informed me that Estancia is renowned as the hub of commercial fishing in the country, drawing comparisons to Alaska in the early 1900s due to the extensive fishing activities in the area brought about by the large presence of marine life in the waters of Visayas Sea.

Home in the island: Huni Sicogon with Mount Opao in the background

Witnessing the raw beauty of the Dinagat Islands left me completely in awe, despite being at odds with how I would perceive the backwardness of the province in terms of infrastructures. As a potential eco-tourism destination, its rugged and bare surroundings can be a boon, but they could also be a bane, as other provinces have simply left it behind in terms of development. This leaves the province in an ideal situation as it has the opportunity to opt for a development suited for sustainable tourism, which will put more emphasis on taking care of the province’s natural gifts.

The mystical Lake Bababu

As the year 2024 arrived, there were still a few Philippine provinces I’ve yet to visit: Apayao, Sulu, and Dinagat Islands. Out of the three, the latter is the one I knew the least about. Ever since it gained independence from Surigao del Norte and established itself as a separate province in 2006, information about this island province has been scarce. However, there was one particular parricide case that captivated the nation and also the one that first caught my attention about the island in the early 2000s.

What an impressive view

Cutting through the mountains and hillsides of Samar from east to west, the 90-kilometer Ulot River, the longest river in Samar, is a thing of beauty. Surrounded by verdant forest and limestone karsts featuring dramatic rock formations, clear cascading waters stream through a setting that conceals a vast network of cave systems, including the Langun-Gobingob Cave, widely regarded as the biggest in the country and itself, the river once known as a distribution channel for illegal logging has now become an emerging adventure tourism destination.

Group shot at Deni's Point of Ulot River

Most of us, perhaps unknowingly, catch a glimpse of New Manila from the window of LRT line 2 as it passes by Gilmore station. Then teasers of it until the next two, when we hear the catchy announcement of "paparating na sa Betty-Go Belmonte," which marks the boundary of the former Mariana administrative division in Metro Manila, the Magdalena Estate, and now New Manila.

The eerie Villa Caridad ruins

The town of General Nakar is a place that most people may be familiar with but likely have limited knowledge about. This rings true in my case. As I packed my stuff for the trip, I took a peek at its location on Google Maps and observed that it faces the Pacific Ocean and runs parallel to Polillo Island. Studying its position and knowing the geography around, it struck me that this town likely boasts a wealth of outdoor attractions, nestled as it is in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range. 

River tubing in General Nakar, Quezon can get wild and so much fun

In what has become an annual tradition between technology giant Epson, a renowned global leader in innovative and sustainable technology solutions, and members of the media covering lifestyle and technology beats, this year's 15th edition of Epson Fusion saw us enjoying three days of fun under the sun in Shangri-la Mactan in Cebu, a property teeming with verdant foliage and surrounded by clear blue seawater.

The 15th Epson Fusion is the second one I participated in

Despite being politically autonomous from the province of Pampanga, where it is geographically located, Angeles City preserves every bit of Kapampangan culture, tradition, and history, as well as the famed cuisine that has made the province a top foodie destination in the Philippines.

Sumptuous lunch spread at Apag Marangle,

Returning to Romblon with warm recollections of my first visit a decade ago had me on the verge of excitement. Instead of the stomach-churning 12-hour ferry voyage from Batangas, I'm flying with Air Swift this time.

The jaw-dropping sand bar of Cresta de Gallo

The city of Iloilo is likely home to the most number of museums in the country. Within its roughly 79 square kilometer area, one can find several museums that will satisfy one's curiosity about arts, heritage, and history. These include the Museo Iloilo, the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Philippine Economic History, the National Museum of Western Visayas, the Museum of Philippine Maritime History, and even the University of San Agustin campus in the city, has its own archives and museum.

Originally the Ayuntamiento or town hall of Iloilo, it became part of the UP Visayas campus in 1947.

The scene was reminiscent of a disaster movie, with gloomy skies, heavy rain, and dozens of us huddled together on a floating jetty made of plastic pontoon cubes, waiting for our boat. Everything I imagined from experiencing a pleasant morning on the island seemed to have a near-zero chance of happening.

The island covered by towering Agoho trees and surrounded by snaking sandbars