• Mount Tabayoc: An Adventure Above The Clouds
    Travel

    Mount Tabayoc: An Adventure Above The Clouds

    Imagine you’ve just gotten off a dizzying, high-speed 9-hour overnight road trip after a flight. You’re tired, dizzy, and sluggish, and suddenly, you’re climbing the sixth-highest mountain in the Philippines – Mount Tabayoc.  Sounds like a recipe for disaster, right?  Well, not exactly.  With its steep, challenging “monkey trail”, I knew the hike to the top of Mount Tabayoc wouldn’t be a walk in the park.  And I could have skipped this part of our Luzon trip and relaxed on Lake Tabeo – the base of our Mount Tabayoc hike.  But guess what? There was no way I was passing up this opportunity.  I deserve a fun, memorable and challenging…

  • Mount Pulag: Chasing The Magical Sunrise
    Travel

    Mount Pulag: Chasing The Awe-Inspiring Sunrise

    Sunrises are a symbol of rebirth, mystery, and new beginnings. An unstoppable force of nature, sunrise is also comforting, giving us a feeling that our problems are small and temporary. And in Mount Pulag National Park, a magical sunrise gave me hope in a world that badly needs a dose of optimism.  Even at our darkest hour, I always believe the sun will rise again.  To me, the return of light after hours of darkness represents hope.  And the awe-inspiring sunrise in Mount Pulag brought a dash of hope to a new day filled with mystery and surprises.  Furthermore, it symbolizes a new beginning for me and an opportunity to…

  • Ngipon sa Ilaga and the Quest for Perfection
    Travel

    Ngipon sa Ilaga and the Quest for Perfection

    I’m a train wreck perched precariously in Ngipon sa Ilaga. Full of flaws and limitations, every inch of me is a mess and chaotic. I’m a short-tempered, careless, immature, clumsy, stubborn, and disorganized nonconformist. And I embrace every flaw and mistake I have made.  That’s why society hates me.  The modern world thinks I’m an outcast and a nutcase.  Yet, as I stand at the top of Ngipon sa Ilaga, I feel fabulous and free.  I don’t feel the pressure of being imperfect.  I don’t feel inadequate, exhausted, and frustrated with my messed-up life.  And I’m enjoying every second of this imperfect, unplanned, and spontaneous nature trip.  As I soak…

  • The Mesmerizing Toledo Lakes And My Infinite Adventure
    Travel

    The Mesmerizing Toledo Lakes And My Infinite Adventure

    We all yearn to live in a reality where the adventure never ends. We venture into foreign lands and exotic places, hoping to be dazzled by exquisite sights. And, we climb steep peaks to appease our wanderlust and create moments that we’ll cherish for a lifetime. But, sometimes, you don’t have to travel far to experience the most rewarding, eye-opening and mind-blowing adventures. With a go-with-the-flow attitude, a can-do drive and the right recipe, exploring your home soil often leads to an endless series of adventures to places like the picturesque Toledo lakes.     With a total land area of 4,993 square kilometers, Cebu isn’t exactly a humongous island to explore.…