• 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.…

  • Manutu River: Memoirs Of A Que Sera Sera Adventure
    Travel

    Manutu River: Memoirs Of A Que Sera Sera Adventure

    Was it simply luck that had caused me to turn down this street? Or, was it a fabric of the grand tapestry that the universe had in store for me? As I walked down this street in Gaas with my friends, I wondered what the eventualities are for this random, unplanned hike. Will it end with a breathtaking view from an untouched mountain? Are we going to see the photogenic boulders and waters of Manutu River? Will we get wonderfully lost again in the middle of nowhere in Cebu’s highlands? Just like everyone else in the group, I was completely clueless on how this hike was going to end. As…

  • Lake Bensis: Beauty That Launched A Thousand Ships
    Travel

    Lake Bensis: Beauty That Launched A Thousand Ships

    When I was little, I would think of a million ways to find my own version of Helen of Troy. At the school library, I’d spend hours reading Greek mythology, hoping to find clues on the whereabouts of my own Helen. Of course, I had no plans of marrying an adulterer or an enchantress like her. The truth is, I was just so curious and eager to see a face that could launch a thousand ships. And, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I’d discover her in a remote area of Toledo, Cebu. As the fresh breeze was gently blowing in my face, I gazed at the…

  • Guinkamote Peak And The Beauty Of Getting Lost
    Travel

    Guinkamote Peak And The Beauty Of Getting Lost

    It was a blistering, sunny afternoon. Lost in the heart of Toledo’s scenic highlands, the only sound I could hear was my heart beating as loud as Lars Ulrich’s drum. There was no house, local farmer or even a livestock in plain sight. Standing on top of a hill, I soon saw trails branching into different directions. Unsure of where to go, we felt officially lost in the middle of nowhere, following our hike to Guinkamote Peak. And, guess what? It was a moment of bliss for me. The thing is, I’m addicted to getting lost, especially in highlands like Guinkamote Peak. Untouched mountains like Guinkamote Peak are, to me,…