On the Road in Palawan (Part 1): Of Mat Weavers and Accidental Farmers of Brooke’s Point

June 24, 2025
 

“It’s a no-go.” Words I had hoped not to hear from our tour coordinator as I waited for an update on our planned trip to the Balabac group of islands. “The coast guard still won’t allow boats to leave port,” Ash informed us, moments after speaking with contacts on the ground at Port Buliluyan in Bataraza, the southernmost town of Palawan and the gateway to Balabac.

A detour had us learning more about the Jama Mapun banig weavers

A Tourism Workshop Brings New Attention to Isolated Itbayat Island in Batanes

June 23, 2025

 

Organized by the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines, the workshop focused on destination resiliency, signaling renewed support for sustainable tourism in one of the country’s most secluded islands.


Let’s get one thing straight: Batanes isn’t your average beach-and-bar-hopping Philippine getaway. It’s remote, like seriously remote. Located far in the Philippine Sea, over 160 kilometers north of Luzon, it’s a destination that shrugs off convenience. Ships don’t carry passengers, only cargo. Flights are few, and when the weather decides to be unpredictable, which happens often, cancellations are a given.


Marga Nograles
The workshop participants, media with members of the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippine (TPB)

Beyond the Ink: Learning More About Kalinga’s Culture, History and Cuisine

June 23, 2025

 

Far from the tattoo trails of Buscalan, a richer portrait of Kalinga unfolds in sacred rituals, heirloom recipes, and the coldness of mountain villages.


Despite years spent crisscrossing the Philippine archipelago, a few places have continued to elude me. Chief among them: the mountain village of Buscalan in Kalinga, home to Apo Whang-Od, centenarian, cultural icon, and said to be the oldest traditional mambabatok (Kalinga traditional artist) of her generation. Using a thorn, soot, and indigenous ink, she etches ancestral symbols into skin, each mark a living archive of identity and cultural symbol.


Krisma Rodriguez
Sunrise over the mountains of Lubuagan, Kalinga is a great reason to wake up early

2025 GameZone Tablegame Champions Cup (GTCC) winners

June 22, 2025

 

In a powerful testament to the strength of friendship and family, 62-year-old Benigno De Guzman Casayuran from Candelaria, Quezon Province rose as the Grand Champion of this year's GTCC (GameZone Tablegame Champions Cup). But more than the trophy and the prize, it was the road he took to get there that truly touched hearts.


Tatay Benigno holding his trophy

Mt. Apo: My Labored Ascent to the Rooftop of the Philippines

June 09, 2025

 

Having climbed my fair share of mountains during my college days, I knew well enough that when a guide says, “Just 10 more minutes,” what they really mean is that a good hour or more separates you from the summit. By the time I reached the boulder face of Mount Apo, I was already battling a sea of massive stones. These boulders, remnants of an undocumented ancient eruption, lay scattered like imposing obstacles one has to hurdle with both hands and feet, and an impressive balancing act, before reaching the peak.


Marky Ramone Go
A clearing and a sea of clouds

At Gumaca’s Araña’t Baluarte Festival, Agri Bounty Hangs High Until the Fun Drop Begins

June 08, 2025

 

Growing up, the game of pabitin was a familiar presence during town fiestas and children's parties. A bamboo rack, laced with small toys, snacks, and other prizes, would be hoisted above a crowd of eager children. As the rack was lowered and raised again, the children would jump, reaching for whatever they could grab.


Charisse Tumlos
Farm and garden produce are all displayed in colorful Baluartes during the Festival

Lucban’s Pahiyas Festival: A Celebration Woven in Color and Community

May 25, 2025

 In this town in Quezon Province, residents transform their homes into dazzling tributes to faith, harvest, and heritage.


Growing up, the word bayanihan reminded me of a painting of neighbors carrying a wooden house on their shoulders. It was a scene representative of a time when homes were built light enough to carry and communities close enough to do so together. But beyond the literal meaning of bayanihan, the term has since signified something greater, a collective effort, of people coming together to help one another in times of need.

Tagay sa Tagumpay

Philippine Experience | Why Batanes Remains a Must-Visit Destination for Culture and Nature Enthusiasts

May 03, 2025

 

They say the third time’s the charm. But in Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines, each of my three visits has carried its own distinct magic. My first trip, over a decade ago, involved pedaling halfway across Batan Island on a rented bicycle. It happened to coincide with a town fiesta, and my friends and I were warmly welcomed into local homes, where we feasted on traditional Ivatan dishes and experienced generous hospitality.


Batanes Travel Guide
Postcard-images at every turn of the head

Capiztahan 2025 Puts Spotlight on Capiz's Rich Culture and Culinary Heritage

April 24, 2025

 

Most festivals in the Philippines zero in on street revelry, and why not? Who wouldn’t want to strut to the sadsad steps of the Ati-Atihan while shouting “Hala Bira!” through the sweltering streets of Kalibo, Aklan? Or stomp to the thunderous drumbeats of Iloilo City’s Dinagyang, where every rhythm pounds the ground like a heartbeat? Both celebrations, this writer’s two most favorite festivals in the Philippines, light up Panay Island with an energy that’s hard to resist.