Jump to: About Eastern Samar | How to Get There | Top Tourist Spots | Suggested Itinerary | Travel Budget | Where to Stay | Travel Tips
Eastern Samar is a province in Eastern Visayas facing the Pacific Ocean, known for its scenic coastlines, historical sites, and laid-back atmosphere. It offers untouched white sand beaches, historic ruins from World War II, surf spots, and warm local hospitality.
Boracay is a gorgeous island in Malay, Philippines; it is unique because it is described as one of the world's most beautiful white sand beaches. It is famous for its fine white sand, crystal clear waters, spectacular golden sunset, and remarkable water activities. Recently, I received inquiries from foreign readers on how to get here, what activities can be tried, and asking for hotel recommendations.
"Batok" or traditional hand-tapped tattooing. She became prominent because she has been featured on some local TV shows, international documentaries, magazines and others. Photos below will show the beauty of Buscalan, Kalinga and their traditional "batok."
Mount Pulag is one of the highest peaks in the Philippines, measures 2,922 MASL. It is also one of the most beautiful mountains in the Philippines, therefore, you should include this on your list. On the other hand, on its summit, hikers can witness the famous “sea of clouds," a majestic phenomenon where visitors are literally above the clouds.
Lussok Cave is one of the prides of Apayao and the Cordillera region. This cave is composed of four chambers, with artistic limestone formations. Not only that, it offers a remarkable caving experience because of the spectacular sceneries that can only be seen in the small caverns. Also, did you know that the countless bats residing inside Lussok produce the most expensive fertilizer called "guano?" With our Lussok cave experience, I learned that motto: "kapag ang pumatak sayo malamig, that's Holy water, but if it's warm, that's holy sh_t."
Social media sites and travel blogs helped Kaparkan Falls become one of the top destinations in the North. It is situated in the Municipality of Tineg, Province of Abra, part of the Cordillera Administrative Region. Traveling from Manila to Bangued, the province's capital, is more than 8 hours. Plus, another 2 -3 hours off-road to Sitio Kaparkan - the jump-off of Kaparkan Falls. As I always say: "time is just a number," but the reward will be a breathtaking and stunning body of water - the majestic Kaparkan Falls!
Inasakan Beach is one of the paradises in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. Upon getting off the boat, I was stunned by the texture of the sand, and it’s definitely the top 1 or top 2 of the finest sand I’ve ever seen so far, competing with Bitaog Beach in Dinagat Islands. Maybe 200 to 300 meters long, this small stretch of fine white sand greets all visitors with its perfect panoramic view of the mountains, coconuts, quaint cottages, bamboo, and other greens that preserve the tranquility in the area. Of course, the beach cannot be complete without the calm crystal clear water. WATCH MY VIDEO
Jump to: About Marinduque | How to Get There | Top Things to Do | Sample Itinerary | Budget and Expenses | Where to Stay | Travel Tips
Marinduque, located in the heart of the Philippines, is known as the “Heart of the Philippines” both for its shape and warm hospitality. This island province is famous for its Moriones Festival, untouched beaches, historic churches, waterfalls, caves, and offshore islands like Maniwaya and Tres Reyes.
Now, I'll bring you to one of the unrated paradises in the entire Bicol region - the Apuao Island - one of the Mercedes Group of Islands small islands. This deserted island has a lot to offer, from the cool and crystal clear emerald waters, wealthy underwater, breathtaking landscape, tranquility and relaxing ambiance, and, of course, the good people. Travel time is about 7 to 8 hours from Manila to Mercedes via private van, but I was able to see and experience that remarkable beauty.
Jump to: About Sumaguing Cave | How to Get There | What to Expect | Suggested Itinerary | Travel Budget | Where to Stay | Travel Tips
Sumaguing Cave, also known as the “Big Cave,” is the most popular spelunking site in Sagada, Mountain Province. This natural limestone cave features massive rock chambers, underground pools, slippery tunnels, and jaw-dropping stalactites and stalagmites. It's perfect for adventure seekers looking for raw and thrilling experiences beneath the earth’s surface.
Jump to: About the Hanging Coffins | How to Get There | Cultural Significance | What to Expect | Nearby Attractions | Travel Tips
The Hanging Coffins of Sagada are a unique burial tradition of the Igorot people, specifically the Kankanaey tribe. Instead of burying the dead underground, the locals placed coffins on high limestone cliffs in Echo Valley, believing it brought the dead closer to the ancestral spirits. Some coffins date back hundreds of years and are still visible today.
It is the most iconic tourist spot in Mountain Province. The photo above shows a unique way of putting the local's loved ones to their final resting place. Their way of saying "Goodbye" is challenging, agree? How do they prepare? The elderly would carve their own coffin out of a log but if they are ill or too weak, their families prepare it instead. Not only that, they place the body in a fetal position as they believe that the spirit would leave the world in the same position as they were born. The coffins are also small, so they would break the bones to fit the body into the coffin. Lastly, they tucked them into crevices or stacked them inside the caves. The height at which coffins are placed also symbolizes their social status.
Jump to: About the K-Drama | Plot Summary | Main Cast | Episodes | My Review | Where to Watch | Trailer | Final Thoughts
Mercy for None is a gripping 2025 South Korean crime-thriller drama that explores justice, vengeance, and the emotional cost of retribution. Set against a gritty urban backdrop, it tells the story of a prosecutor who uncovers a web of corruption linked to his past. With fast-paced action and intense emotional depth, this K-drama is earning critical acclaim both locally and internationally.
KDrama Review: A Good Day to Be a Dog | Synopsis, Cast, Schedule, Rating
High school Korean literature teacher Han Hae Na (Park Gyu Young) suffers from an extremely unusual curse: If she kisses a man, she is doomed to turn into a dog every night, although she returns to human form in the morning. There is only one way to break the curse – and that involves receiving a kiss from the same man who kissed her...while in dog form!
Jump to: Synopsis | Main Cast | Episode Guide | K-Drama Review | Where to Watch | Behind the Scenes | Final Thoughts
The Matchmakers is a 2023 historical romantic-comedy K-drama set during the Joseon dynasty. It follows a young widow and a young widower who become unlikely partners in arranging marriages while navigating their own complicated emotions. The drama mixes humor, historical tension, and slow-burn romance with colorful traditional settings.
It's a 400-year-old watchtower that faces the West Philippine Sea and serves as a watchtower for pirate attacks and other dangers by the sea. Originally made of adobe and coral blocks, today, it's covered with lighter bricks but still looks stunning. By the way, after Namacpacan, we got in the van, and we traveled 30 minutes to the coastal area and we arrived at Loa Mending’s, a fantastic restaurant with a great view of the beach. Had coffee and their own version of Tapsilog. The food tastes really good but it's 40 minutes before it is served - just too bad! Then, we walked by the beach and discovered the beauty of the Pebble Beach and Baluarte Ruins.
Jump to: About Bato de Luna | How to Get There | What to Expect | Nearby Attractions | Estimated Budget | Travel Tips
Bato de Luna, also known as Pebble Beach, is a unique coastal destination located in the town of Luna, La Union. Unlike the usual sandy beaches, Bato de Luna features smooth, multicolored pebbles along its shoreline, shaped naturally by the tides over the years. On the other hand, the Bato de Luna Art Gallery or Bahay na Bato started a rest house in 2000. The owner commissioned Mr. Kim to create an art gallery that showcases artistically carved stones, wood carvings, and other materials. Every image is colorful yet unique, making it perfect for Instagram.
You can't complete your La Union itinerary without visiting and tasting their locally produced grapes. Some of the farms opened their gates (for free, some are not) and started offering "grape picking" for tourists. Vineyards are surrounded by greens while the breeze is cool and fresh, so you will really enjoy your day here. Anyways, aside from the remarkable experience and gorgeous photos, of course, with grapes in the background, farm operators sell wines not just from grapes but also from locally harvested fruits such as Guyabano and Bignay.
It is one of the biggest Taoist temples outside China. With an elevation of 70 meters above sea level, the Ma-cho Temple is located on the hill downtown with a perfect view of the West Philippine Sea. Its attractions include the Majestic Five-Door Gate, the Bamboo Garden, the Liang Thing Pagoda, 2 circular pools or ponds, the golden emblem of a dragon, the Bell Tower, and the Drum Tower. What's good about this stunning temple is that they are open to non-worshippers visitors.
Talikud Island is located on Samal, Davao del Norte. This is a paradise in the Davao region that bears fine white sand beaches and is surrounded by emerald and crystal clear water. On the other hand, the underwater has a sanctuary of colorful flora and fauna. The shoreline is landscaped with trees and quaint cottages. The ambiance was made perfect because of the cool wind blowing. We didn't do anything for a couple of hours, just staring at its beauty and golden sunset. This paradise was our post-climb destination after the tiring hike on Mount Apo.
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| Photo: Sebulan Dulay weaving. |
A special visit to the house of Lang Dulay in Lake Sebu was epic. She's a former National Living Treasure Awardee for the T'nalak Weaving which the designs were based on her dream, so she was called the "Dreamweaver." By the way, T'nalak is a traditional hand-woven fabric made from refined abaca fiber. This type of fabric got attention worldwide because it is done through a manual process but the finished product has amazing and unique patterns. The picture above is Sebulan Dulay, the successor, with portraits of Lang Dulay.
Jump to: About the T'boli Museum | How to Get There | What to See Inside | Cultural Significance | Nearby Attractions | Travel Tips
The T'boli Museum is a traditional house-turned-museum in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato that showcases the history, culture, and traditions of the T'boli people — one of Mindanao's most vibrant indigenous groups. The structure itself is an authentic Gono Bong (traditional T'boli house) made of bamboo and cogon, preserving centuries-old architecture and identity.
Jump to: About the Lotus Farm | How to Get There | What to Expect | Suggested Itinerary | Visitor Budget | Where to Stay | Travel Tips
The **Lotus Farm** (aka Lotus Garden) in **Lake Sebu** is a breathtaking spot where thousands of pink lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) bloom on the lake’s calm waters at dawn. Paddling a traditional T’boli **owong** canoe while wearing authentic T’boli attire connects you to both nature and Indigenous culture.
The Ozamiz Cathedral houses the city's most significant relic and patroness - the Our Lady of Misamis, also known as the Virgin sa Cotta, The Blessed Virgin of Cotta, and Birhen sa Cotta. Initially, the statue of the patroness was set up outside the walls of Fort sa Cotta, but Fray Jorge Carcabilla moved it to this church. 1975, the statue was stolen and returned on December 8, 2017. Also, Ozamiz Cathedral is the home of the second largest bamboo organ in the Philippines, after the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ.
