MATUKAD ISLAND, Caramoan

Matukad Island is special among the other islands of Caramoan group of islets because it is guarded by a majestic creature; plus it has a long stretch of fine white sand, crystalline water, surrounded by greeneries and the wind is delicate, cool and fresh. Instead of renting an air-conditioned room at Brgy. Paniman, we camped by the beach and stayed here for about twelve hours, enjoying its goodness.

TAC ATTACK 5 | Tanay Adventure Camp

If you're looking for an adventure, Tanay Adventure Camp is one perfect places you can visit, just two to three hours near Manila. In 2014, I was invited to join the TAC Attack, an annual anniversary celebration held at the camp. This year, a lot of activities were added to their itinerary, such as the ultra-marathon and outdoor cook fest. Since we a had problem with our availability, we opt to travel by 7 in the evening to Tanay and we arrived at the camp around midnight. Travel itinerary listed below.

AN ACTUAL SEGMENT OF THE BERLIN WALL, National Museum

After seeing on Facebook that the National Museum of the Philippines has FREE admission for the whole month of May 2016, we chose spending the whole day inside the museum than watching TV, with the hot election in the mainstream. It is better to be in front of the historical artifacts than listening to some people for their political agenda. 

National Museum of Fine Arts, Manila

A few days after my solo-backpacking at the Museum of the Filipino People, it is the second part for Oktubre ang Buwan ng mga Museo. These two buildings of the National Museum of the Philippines are just a few steps away from each other. Also, they both have historical values in the country and played a huge part in preserving and restoring the ancient and modern artifacts of the Philippines.

MARIKINA SHOE MUSEUM

The Marikina Shoe Museum was conceived in 1998 under Mayor Bayani F. Fernando on the assumption that the City, being the Shoe Capital of the Philippines, can be a significant venue for nurturing the historical and cultural values of its shoe industry. It was opened in February 16, 2001 and was initially called the Footwear Museum of Marikina. Information courtesy: Marikina City Website

Boracay Island, Backpacking and Commuting Tips

From the NAIA International Airport, take a flight bound for Kalibo International Airport, the travel time is about an hour. Beside Kalibo International Airport, there are different modes of transportation that you can choose to go to Boracay Island via Jetty Port. Instead of booking private transport, I asked the guards or sales ladies at the airport about the public utility vehicles to Jetty Port. As instructed, I rode in a van bound for Jetty Port for 200 pesos and the travel time is about 2 hours. On the other hand, another option is via Batangas Port where you can board with 2Go Ferry to Caticlan, travel time is within 7-9 hours.

The Sound of Las Piñas Bamboo Organ

If I am not mistaken, the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ was our topic when I was a in grade four in Sibika at Kultura. The subject was interesting, so the history of the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ remains fresh in my memory, even the long name of man who created this majestic organ. Fray Diego Cera Dela Vergin del Carmen, a Spanish missionary born on July 26, 1762 and was the first parish priest in Las Piñas during the Spanish era. He is the man behind this national treasure - Las Piñas Bamboo Organ. He actually came from Graus, now Huesca, a town in Spain, but still his heart loves the Philippines. F. Diego Cera is also a man of titles; he is a Musician, Architect, Organ Builder, Botanist, Physician, Painter and Geologist.

Fort San Pedro, Cebu City

The Fort San Pedro or Fuerza de San Pedro situated inside the Plaza Independencia, Cebu City. It is is a military defense structure built by the Spaniards and the locals of Cebu under the command of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, a Spanish conquistador. The date of its construction wasn't sure but there are claims that Jesuit Antonio Campioni built the fort in 1630. Like the other century old churches in the Philippines, there are a lot of major renovations in the 19th century for the structural improvements of Cebu.

Casa Gorordo House (Museum), Cebu City

The Casa Gorordo House, also a Museum, shows how a prominent family lives during their generations. From the floor, artistic walls, windows up to the roof top - it's really gorgeous. At the main entrance of this house, its historical background was written and here's what it says: "This house was built in the mid-19th century by Alejandro Reynes y Rosales and was bought by Juan Isidro de Gorordo, a Spanish merchant, in 1863. Four generations of the Gorordo family lived in this house, including Juan Gorordo, first Filipino Bishop of Cebu, 1910-1932.

Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, Cebu City

The Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House was originally owned by Chinese merchant, Don Juan Yap and Doña Maria Florido. It is one of the oldest residential house in the Philippines. It was built between 1675-1700 and was made from Coral stones, used egg whites as glue and "Tigas" or clay for the roof. The wooden pats of the house were made of "balayong" and "tugas" or molave which is the hardest woods in the country.