Nomadic Experiences

Underground Tombs and Nature Trails: Long Weekend in Nagcarlan, Laguna

2026-06-01T17:18:00.000-07:00

Laguna / Calabarzon / Lakes

Underground Tombs and Nature Trails: A Long Weekend in Nagcarlan, Laguna

By Marky Ramone Go • June 2026

The Calabarzon region of Luzon, comprising Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, is known for its heritage and historical trails, as well as its local cuisine and crafts. The province of Laguna alone boasts a number of destinations where one can spend a long weekend filled with learning and exploration.

Nagcarlan's tales from the underground crypt

Although it was not my first time, I was glad to find myself en route to the town of Nagcarlan for a long weekend with a small group of lifestyle media, upon the invitation of Approche Hospitality Management (AHM), a hospitality management company overseeing the Green Nature Resort and Leisure Park in Nagcarlan. The trip was a curated weekend exploration of the town’s attractions.

Nagcarlan Discovery Day Trip

After settling into our respective rooms in the new wing of the Green Nature Resort and Leisure Park—a five-hectare property featuring a water park complete with a wave pool and water slides—we found the newer expansion to be set apart from the main water park area, offering a more private space dotted with gardens, a large T-shaped swimming pool, and several dozen rooms in a two-story structure. It is just a few steps away from a conference hall, an outdoor dining area and cafe, and the reception.

The pool of Green Nature Resort. They also have a bigger water park next to this property

As tempting as it was to simply retreat to the bed for an afternoon nap, a tour around Nagcarlan awaited us. I was glad that, after more than a decade, I would once again be able to explore the heritage trail of this Laguna town.

Our first stop: the underground catacombs with a story to tell.

After a recent restoration, entering the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery now feels lighter and appears brighter. Sunlight filters more gently through the chapel and descending into the crypt no longer carries the heavy gloom I sensed during earlier visits.

Inside the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery

Built in 1845 under the supervision of Fr. Francisco Velloc, the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1981. The site bore witness to Philippine history: first as a burial place (the underground crypt for friars, while the above-ground niches were for the public), then as a refuge for Katipunan members during the 1896 Philippine revolution, and later as a hideout for guerrillas during the Japanese occupation.

Recent conservation efforts have focused on preserving the structure while making it safer and more accessible. These included cleaning the masonry walls, reinforcing them with lime and mortar, improving natural light and air circulation, installing unobtrusive lighting, and adding a small museum near the entrance.

At the back of the Underground Cemetery, past a narrow passageway beside the new museum, we meet Nanay Carmen, the founder of Amie’s Espasol.

“Amie is my daughter. This espasol business is already over 30 years old. She was still little when I started,” Nanay Carmen tells me in Tagalog.

In her extended kitchen, a trio is busy rolling espasol dough for a bulk order that arrived that morning. They offer us a few bites. After tasting a couple of pieces, I walk away with two boxes (20 pieces each), costing only 120 pesos per box.

One of the espasol makers at Amie's Espasol

Nearby is the St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church, which was first constructed in 1583 using light materials under the order of the Franciscans and Rev. Tomas de Miranda. A second version, built in 1752 using brick and stone, strengthened and expanded the structure, while a church loft was added in 1845 under Rev. Velloc.

Although parts of the church were destroyed in a fire in 1781, and it later endured the wear of time, a four-story bell tower was eventually added after the fire. The church underwent restoration in the 1990s, preserving much of its 18th-century structure.

This Baroque-style church continues to stand in grandeur to this day, even serving as one of the main shooting locations for the hit early-2000s television series “Kampanerang Kuba” on ABS-CBN.

Visiting Two of the Seven Lakes of San Pablo

San Pablo, Nagcarlan’s neighboring town, boasts seven lakes scattered across its landscape. Two of them, particularly Lake Yambo — the twin lake of Lake Pandin, separated only by a hill — lie almost halfway within Nagcarlan and are easily accessible via the town’s highway.

Lake Yambo from the top

Geographically also part of Nagcarlan, it was a no-brainer to include the lake in our itinerary so we could enjoy a dose of nature-based activities, such as feasting aboard a bamboo raft, swimming, jumping into the water while clinging to a rope set up by locals on a wooden platform, and riding a giant swing tied to a towering tree.

Hang on a rope like Tarzan

After our fun on the water, we went on a five-minute hike up the hill that separates Lake Yambo from Lake Pandin. Almost identical in size, the same activities are also available on the other side of the lake.

Chill on a bamboo raft

This morning excursion provided a wonderful way to cap off our long weekend in Nagcarlan, as we spent the remainder of the afternoon unwinding back at Green Nature Resort and Leisure Park until dinner, enjoying good food and lively socialization.

or take a refreshing dip

This quick trip also serves as a reminder that one doesn’t have to board a plane or embark on a half-day road trip from Metro Manila just to enjoy nature. Just a couple of hours away in the province of Laguna, travelers can already find a variety of destinations where they can immerse themselves in nature while also learning about local culture and history. Nagcarlan and San Pablo City alone offer plenty to explore, and if you have extra time, nearby towns such as Liliw — the country’s tsinelas capital — make for a great side trip for café hopping and footwear shopping before heading home.

This article first appeared on BusinessMirror.

How to Go on Luxury Trips Without Emptying Your Savings Account

2026-05-31T02:22:00.000-07:00

Lifestyle / Travel Hacking / Finance

How to Go on Luxury Trips Without Emptying Your Savings Account

By CondeNomadic Contributor • May 2026

A week on the Amalfi Coast in July costs more than $800 a night for a decent room. The same room in September falls to around $400. That gap, repeated across flights, hotels, and meals, is the entire difference between a trip that drains a savings account and one that does not. Luxury travel has a real price, but most of it is paid by people who book at the worst possible time. The travelers who plan around the numbers stay in the same hotels for half the money.

The view from the top: Navigating luxury by numbers instead of rack rates

The Real Cost of Peak Season

Peak season exists because most people can only travel when schools are out and the weather is reliable. Demand spikes in July and August and around the winter holidays, and prices climb to match. The penalty is steep in more than money. A traveler who insists on the first two weeks of August pays top rates for sold-out restaurants, long lines at every attraction, and the most crowded version of a place. Luxury hotels charge their highest rates precisely when the crowds are worst, which means peak-season travelers pay the most for the least pleasant version of the trip. The high-season version of a destination is often the one worth avoiding. Booking on autopilot, at the same time everyone else does, is what makes luxury travel feel out of reach.

Luxury on an Ordinary Budget

The central misconception about luxury travel is that it requires luxury income. It does not. You don't have to be a sugar daddy to stay in a five-star hotel or turn left when boarding a plane. The gap between a first-class trip and a budget one is mostly a gap in planning, loyalty programs, and timing. A salaried professional who books deliberately can travel better than a wealthy one who books late and pays the rack rate for everything.

The Boutique Hotel Advantage

Hotel choice is a lever on its own. Boutique and independent properties often deliver more personal service than the global chains at a fraction of the nightly rate. Small Luxury Hotels of the World lists member properties from around $100 a night, and design-forward independents in second-tier cities routinely undercut the famous names while offering a better stay. Chain loyalty points are worth holding for free nights, but for paid stays a boutique hotel usually buys more comfort per dollar. Reading recent guest photos and reviews, rather than trusting a star rating alone, separates the genuine finds from the merely cheap.

Timing the Trip

The single largest lever is timing. Traveling in shoulder season, the windows of April to June and September to November, can cut the cost of a luxury trip by 20% to 40% on hotels alone. Airfare to Europe in those months is roughly 37% below peak summer, and international fares overall fall about 33%. The Amalfi example holds across destinations, with boutique hotels charging close to half their August rate in May or September. The weather is usually still good and the crowds thin out, so the savings buy a longer stay or a nicer room. A domestic round-trip that averages $297 in summer can fall to under $200 in the fall. Shoulder season is the one adjustment that lowers the bill and improves the trip at the same time.

Booking the Flight Right

Patience and flexibility pay off on flights. A 2026 Expedia analysis named Friday the best day to book both domestic and international flights, 14% and 8% below Sunday, the most expensive day. The deeper savings come from when a person flies. Shifting a departure by a day or two, or choosing a Tuesday over a Sunday, can cut hundreds off an international fare. Booking 31 to 45 days ahead for domestic trips, and a few months out for international ones, puts most travelers near the bottom of the price curve. Anyone willing to stay flexible about dates can capture these savings without insider access.

Points and Miles as Leverage

Loyalty programs are where the largest premium-cabin savings hide. The fastest way to bank travel reward points is a credit card sign-up bonus, which can deliver 60,000 to 100,000 points for meeting a spending target a careful budgeter would reach anyway. The second skill is knowing the sweet spots, the routes where points buy outsized value. Booking ANA first class through Virgin Atlantic's program, for instance, costs far fewer miles than the same seat through a US carrier. A traveler can also buy an economy ticket with miles and apply an upgrade, cutting 60% to 70% off the cost of a premium cabin bought outright. The rule that makes it work is paying the card in full every month, since interest erases any reward. Most major airlines and hotels run loyalty programs that credit each stay or flight, and transferring points to partners can speed the path to a premium seat.

The Best-Value Destinations

Geography is the last lever. The same budget buys far more in some countries than others, and the affordable luxury destinations of 2026 cluster in Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and southern Portugal. Vietnam remains the standout, where a traveler can live well on $25 to $35 a day and a Ha Long Bay cruise costs $45 to $75 a person. Portugal's Algarve offers cliff-top resorts and world-class golf at rates far below the French Riviera or the Amalfi Coast. Thailand, Hungary, and Poland deliver five-star service for half to a third of Western European prices. A traveler willing to look past the obvious capitals finds five-star comfort at three-star prices. Choosing the destination by value stretches the same budget from a weekend of luxury into a full week.

A Smarter Approach to Luxury Travel

Smart positioning: Stacking leverage across time zones and seasons

Every one of these moves runs on planning, lead time, and a willingness to travel in May instead of July. Stack a few of them together and a trip that looks like $10,000 can be done for a fraction of that. The people who travel in genuine comfort on a normal income are simply organized, and the organization is learnable. The savings account stays intact, and the photos look exactly the same.

Hubei Tourism, Philippines Tourism Stakeholders Launch Familiarization Trip to Strengthen China–PH Travel Ties

2026-05-15T21:34:00.000-07:00

China / Hubei / Penvill Travel

Hubei Tourism, Philippines Tourism Stakeholders Launch Familiarization Trip to Strengthen China–PH Travel Ties

By Marky Ramone Go • May 2026

A new chapter in China–Philippines tourism cooperation is unfolding as Hubei Tourism, in partnership with Philippine travel agency Penvill Travel and Tours Corp., launches a familiarization (FAM) trip aimed box-showcasing the central Chinese province’s cultural and natural attractions to Filipino travelers and content creators.

Welcome to Wuhan City, Hubei, China

The initiative, led by Penvill Travel and Tours Corp. president Pen Villanueva, brings together travel industry stakeholders and digital content creators for an immersive journey through Wuhan and the mountainous Shennongjia region in Hubei Province.

Villanueva, a veteran figure in the Philippine travel industry known for her role in expanding Cebu Pacific’s airline connectivity from Singapore and the Philippines in the 1990s and early 2000s, described the project as a “new challenge” in her four-decade career.

“In many ways, this is about building bridges again, this time through tourism and cultural exchange,” Villanueva said. “We hope to replicate the same success we once saw in airline travel growth but now focused on people-to-people connection between China and the Philippines.”

She added that the long-term vision is to increase travel frequency and volume between the two countries through strategic tourism marketing, storytelling, and product development that highlights shared cultural understanding.

Send-off at NAIA Terminal 3

The delegation was formally sent off at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, where they departed aboard China Southern Airlines. Representing the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Philippines was Zhu Bei, Third Secretary for Cultural Services, who underscored the importance of cultural exchange programs in strengthening bilateral relations.

The embassy’s participation highlighted the growing emphasis on tourism as a soft power bridge between the two nations, with Hubei positioned as one of China’s emerging destinations for international travelers.

Discovering Wuhan and Shennongjia

The itinerary, based on a curated travel program featuring Wuhan and Shennongjia, offers participants a contrast between urban modernity and untouched natural landscapes.

In Wuhan, the group explored East Lake Scenic Area, one of the city’s largest urban freshwater lakes and park systems, alongside historical and cultural sites that reflect the city’s evolution as a transportation and economic hub in central China.

Our train slash hotel accommodation in Shennongjia

From there, the journey moves to Shennongjia, a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve known for its dense forests, alpine landscapes, and seasonal snowfall, an increasingly rare experience for many tropical travelers.

The itinerary also includes curated cultural experiences such as local culinary showcases, performances inspired by historical themes like the Three Kingdoms era, and immersive community interactions designed to highlight everyday life in Hubei.

Testimonials from the journey

For Filipino content creators on the trip, the experience offers both personal discovery and professional storytelling opportunities. Video content creator Bob Fabayos described the duality of the destinations:

Bob Fabayos of @TravelTayoPH experiencing snowfall in Shennongjia

“Both Wuhan and Shennongjia are beautiful. As a nature person, I enjoyed Shennongjia. Despite the cold, the snow made it extra special,” he said. “Wuhan vibe: chill city, mix of modern and nature. My favorite is the East Lake because of its vast size perfect for a day of chilling with nature.”

Fabayos also highlighted the local cuisine and cultural performance as standout experiences. My favorites were the egg and tomato dish and the spareribs with lotus root. The Banquet of the Three Kingdoms was also really great, the performances while dining were excellent!”

Marco Esplana aka The Pinoy Traveler in front of the Yellow Crane Tower

Meanwhile, travel creator Marco Dennis Esplana emphasized how the trip reshaped his perception of China as a travel destination. “Visiting Wuhan and Shennongjia gave me a different perspective on China. It’s clean, modern, and filled with amazing and unique tourist attractions,” he said. “I’m excited to explore more cities and provinces in China.”

For fellow creator Frances Cabatuando, the trip also highlighted the social aspect of group travel organized through established agencies.

“I joined a group tour to Shennongjia China not knowing a single soul, but now I’ve found friends from all over the Philippines, from Pangasinan to Cebu to General Santos City,” she said. “We shared barbecue over bonfire, foggy mornings, and even braved a snowstorm atop the mountains.”

Mayora Frances, founder of FB Communities Home Buddies and Hangout Buddies

Cabatuando described the experience as an example of “slow, bespoke travel” that fosters deeper connections. “This is the beauty of slow, bespoke travels. Less shallow trips, more soulful retreats. I wish more people would experience this,” she added.

Partnership formalized in Hubei

A key highlight of the familiarization trip is the signing of a memorandum of agreement between Penvill Travel and Tours Corp. and Hubei Tourism officials. The agreement aims to strengthen tourism flows between Hubei and the Philippine market through joint marketing efforts and curated travel programs.

Villanueva explained that the partnership is anchored on the concept of “Zhiyin,” a Chinese term describing deep understanding and emotional connection between people.

“Zhiyin speaks of people who understand and connect with one another, even across borders,” she said. “In many ways, it reflects the enduring relationship between the Philippines and China. Through this partnership, we will bring ‘Zhiyin Hubei’ closer to Filipino travelers.”

The agreement also outlines initiatives such as destination promotion campaigns, travel product development, visual storytelling, and targeted engagement strategies aimed at making Hubei more accessible to the Philippine outbound market.

Opening new travel pathways

For Hubei Tourism, the collaboration represents an opportunity to tap into a growing Southeast Asian travel market, while for Philippine stakeholders, it expands the range of international destinations available to Filipino travelers seeking cultural, culinary, and nature-based experiences.

As the familiarization trip unfolds, both sides are banking on tourism not just as an economic driver, but as a platform for long-term cultural exchange: one that brings Wuhan’s urban energy and Shennongjia’s wilderness closer to Filipino travelers.

For China tour packages, please contact Penvill Travel and Tours Corporation for a more affordable tour package since they work directly with tourism suppliers in Hubei. Use my code "Penvill Marky" for a discount rate.

Building a Reliable Financial Toolkit for Life Out of a Backpack

2026-05-15T04:00:00.000-07:00

Finance / Lifestyle / Digital Nomad

Building a Reliable Financial Toolkit for Life Out of a Backpack

By Marky Ramone Go • May 2026

Living out of a backpack sounds pretty romantic, right? Sunsets in Bali, coworking in Lisbon, weekend trains through the Alps. Oh yes, but what most people don't see about the glamorous nomad lifestyle is... A financial setup that seamlessly works in 12 countries without completely falling apart.

The unglamorous foundation of remote work: Bulletproof borderless banking

The reality is most travellers don't realise this until it's too late. You get your card blocked. A transfer gets lost. Your bank flags your account for "suspicious activity" at 11pm when you're trying to book a hostel.

The best news? Assembling a solid financial toolkit is simple. You just need some helpful tools and a fundamental knowledge of keeping your money secure while you travel.

Here's the rundown:

Why nomads need a different financial setup
The core tools every backpacker should pack
Why regulatory compliance matters for your money
How to avoid common financial mistakes abroad

Why Nomads Need a Different Financial Setup

The financing plan that sufficed at home... won't suffice when you are relocating internationally.

Why? Because old-school banks were designed for stationary humans. When you start jumping borders, you'll rapidly encounter:

Foreign transaction fees that eat into your budget
Cards getting blocked for "unusual activity"
Bad exchange rates that quietly drain your account
Limits on how much you can withdraw or transfer

And the trend is growing. Today there are 50 million digital nomads worldwide. That number is increasing every year. Imagine all those people trying to move money internationally without proper infrastructure.

Wait, there's more: Travel scams are increasing as well. Research has found that fraud increases by 28% during peak times for holiday destinations frequented by tourists.

Having the right toolkit doesn't just make things easier. It actually ensures your money stays in your account. So pick providers who prioritize safe money transfers and compliance over pretty UI designs.

The Core Tools Every Backpacker Should Pack

Before you book that one-way flight, sort these out:

A Multi-Currency Account

The cornerstone to any solid nomad setup is having a multi-currency account. Allows you to hold balances and spend in multiple currencies without getting crushed by conversion fees whenever you use your card.

Look for an account that offers:

Real exchange rates (not marked-up ones)
Low or zero foreign transaction fees
A debit card that works globally
Quick top-ups from your home bank

Use a provider who is licensed in the areas you will be visiting. That license is your assurance.

A Backup Card

Never rely on a single card. Ever. In case your primary card is lost, stolen or blocked, you should have an alternate one. Store your alternate card COMPLETELY separately from your primary card. In another bag.

Two-Factor Authentication on Everything

This is non-negotiable. Set up 2FA on:

Your main bank account
Your nomad-friendly account
Your email (because that's how account recovery works)
Any crypto wallets

Prefer authenticator apps over SMS when available. SMS text messages can be intercepted, particularly if you live in a country where SIM swap attacks are prevalent.

Why Regulatory Compliance Matters for Your Money

Here's something most travellers ignore until it's too late... Not all money apps are created equal. Some apps appear legitimate but exist in legal grey areas with little regulation.

Why does this matter?

If you're sending money internationally, regulations are there for your protection. Regulated providers should:

Verify customer identities (KYC checks)
Hold customer funds in segregated accounts
Follow anti-money laundering rules
Report to financial authorities in each country they operate in

That last point is huge. Someone besides yourself has the authority to help if something goes sideways. Contrast that to a non-regulated app. If your funds get lost, you essentially have no recourse.

It's also very real. Synthetic identity fraud is expected to cost $23 billion by 2030. And that's just one form of fraud. There are many more. Regulatory compliance is your first line of defense.

When you're picking a provider, check:

Are they licensed in your home country?
Do they verify ID (this is a positive thing)?
Do they have a clear address and customer support?

When a service seems too good to be true or requires no form of verification... Think scam, not FEATURE.

How To Avoid Common Financial Mistakes Abroad

Even with the right tools, travellers still trip up. Here are the most common mistakes and how to dodge them:

Mistake 1: Using Public Wi-Fi For Banking

Airport Wi-Fi is free. It's also one of the simplest ways for someone to steal your login information. Whenever you're doing anything financial, make sure you're connected to mobile data or a VPN. Research indicates that travelers who aren't mobile connected are 3x more likely to be scammed. Get a local sim or eSIM before you arrive.

Mistake 2: Not Telling Your Bank You're Travelling

It seems simple but people often overlook. Banks will typically freeze your card upon first use in another country if they receive no notice. A 30-second notification through your banking app can save you hours of stress.

Mistake 3: Carrying Too Much Cash

Large sums of cash attract attention. They are also irreplaceable if lost or stolen. Bring enough cash for a day or two, then use reputable ATMs to refill. Skip currency exchange booths at airports -- they charge awful rates.

Mistake 4: Skipping Travel Insurance

Travel insurance feels like a waste of money... Right up until you need it. A good policy includes theft, fraud, medical emergencies and trip cancellation. With about 20% of international travellers getting scammed once or more per trip, it's one cost you really don't want to cut corners on.

Tying It All Up

Creating a financial toolbox for life from your backpack doesn't mean you have to have the coolest apps... Access to software and resources that work where you are. Availability when you need it. The ideal combination of both is:

A multi-currency account from a regulated provider
A backup card stored separately
Strong 2FA on every account
Travel insurance you can actually claim on
A bit of common sense around Wi-Fi, cash, and sketchy services

The road is full of surprises. Your money setup shouldn't be one of them. Prepare your toolkit in advance, verify compliance with every provider and you'll be enjoying the view a lot more -- and talking on your phone to the bank a lot less.

In Hoi An’s Old Town, Coffee, Lanterns and History Cast a Lasting Spell

2026-04-28T13:29:00.000-07:00

Vietnam / Hoi An

In Hoi An’s Old Town, Coffee, Lanterns and History Cast a Lasting Spell

By Marky Ramone Go • April 2026

Ordinarily, I’m not the kind of traveler who circles back to a place. Like many, I’d rather put the cost of airfare flying abroad toward discovering a new city or country. But something about Hoi An’s Old Town lingered with me, an appeal that made the idea of returning feel less like repetition and more like certainty.

I first spent five days there, ringing in the New Year of 2018 during a two-week journey across Vietnam that took me from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat, Hoi An and Da Nang. A month ago, I finally returned, urged on to accompany a friend from Europe who had never been to Vietnam, and guided, in my own mind, by the lingering pull of the old town.

Rows of beautiful shophouses like these fill the streets of Hoi An's old town.

Oi, Oi, Oi Hoi An

No Doubt’s cover of the Vandals’ original song “Oi to the World” looped in my head, not only because it conveniently rhymes with Hoi An, but because it captured that holiday-bright feeling of returning to a place in Southeast Asia that, after all these years, still ranks among my favorites.

When my friend and I arrived at our hotel, we slipped easily into a spacious room with a bathtub and a balcony overlooking the Thu Bồn River. River Suites Hoi An Hotel sat just 200 meters from the Old Town, close enough to view the lantern-lit boats cruising over it every night. At 1,200,000 VND, or about 2,600 pesos, the deal felt almost too good to be true (when compared to hotel prices in the Philippines). With free breakfast buffet on a riverside corner, an indoor pool, and that view stretching out toward Hoi An’s historic center, by all measures, it was a steal.

The Japanese bridge, which dates back to the 16th century, is a popular photo spot.

We wasted no time, even with four full days in Hoi An, quickly unpacking, changing into comfortable clothes, and setting out for a walk through the Old Town.

View of the river in the Old Town from the balcony of our hotel room.

Coffee Culture

Beyond the familiar iced milk coffee or a black brew, Hoi An offers a world of coffee to sip. There’s coconut coffee, egg coffee, even salt coffee, each made from beans ranging from Arabica and Robusta to the elusive civet variety.

Paired with local delicacies: white rose dumplings, fresh spring rolls, Bánh mì, or sweet treats like tapioca pudding and assorted cakes, the ritual becomes a slow pleasure. Sitting on to a low chair, cup in hand, and just people watching, especially observing the rhythm of cyclos passing by—those three-wheeled rickshaws with a passenger seat upfront and the driver pedaling behind—feels like the perfect way to spend an hour or two.

Trying out which is better: egg coffee or coconut coffee?

A Culinary Maze

Hoi An’s Old Town is a treasure trove of cafés, restaurants, galleries, and boutique shops with about hundreds of them, winding along narrow streets and alleys. For foodies, it’s less of a question of “what to eat” but of “how many days will it take” to sample the best, discover hidden gems, and stumble upon the random surprises that appear around every corner.

Cao Lau Ba Le, tucked deep in a narrow alley, rewards the determined with its signature noodles and tender barbecued pork. Madam Khanh, known as the Bánh Mì Queen, has been serving the Old Town since 1975, and under the guidance of the founding couple’s daughter, offers six variations from pork and sausage to egg and chicken. Across the town, from street-side stalls to small eateries, Bánh Mì appears at every turn, each one as good as the next.

In Hoi An, you can randomly select a place to eat and leave satisfied.

For lighter fare, Hoi An boasts White Rose Restaurant for its delicate dumplings, and a string of cafés: U Café, Mót Hoi An, Poison Café, Hoi An Roastery, The Espresso Station, Rosie’s Café, and Reaching Out Tea House invite leisurely pauses. Whether it’s a cold Bia Hơi or a hot cup of coffee, getting a seat with a riverside view makes the Old Town unfold like cinema in real life.

I found myself constantly converting Vietnamese Dong to Philippine Pesos, tempted by souvenirs from T-shirts and fridge magnets to small artworks, but each time, I decided to spend most of our money on food and coffee instead.

The appeal extends beyond cuisine; history is woven into every street. Among dozens of century-old heritage structures are sites like the Hoi An Museum of History and Culture, the Cao Dai Temple, the Hoi An Museum of Trade Ceramics, and Precious Heritage by Réhahn. One such residence, the Tan Ky House, bears a stark reminder of the town’s relationship with the Thu Bồn River: markers on its wall indicate floodwaters that have previously exceeded seven feet.

Riding a boat through the Thu Bon river is another way of exploring Hoi An.

Lanterns & Light

What makes strolling through Hoi An’s Old Town after sunset particularly captivating is the explosion of colors from countless lanterns, their varied shapes casting a warm, romantic glow across every street. The back-and-forth glow of yellow and neon lights highlights the patterns of the heritage architecture, making every detail come alive.

Once a bustling port, Hoi An welcomed traders from across China and Asia, later absorbing influences from Japanese settlers and French colonizers. The result is an intriguing patchwork: yellow-washed facades, narrow winding alleys, Indochina aesthetics, and Chinese-style merchant houses.

The effect is both timeless and modern: for Gen Z travelers armed with cameras, it’s a dreamlike Instagram backdrop; for the culturally curious, it becomes a living classroom. Every carved door, tiled roof, and lantern-lit corner offers lessons in history, trade, and design. It’s a tangible narrative that still appeals to me. And yes, a third visit is not too far in the future.

Let these lanterns guide you home.

Oh Hey, Snow | China

2026-04-28T00:49:00.000-07:00

China / Postcard Series

A Frozen Milestone: First Snow Experience in Shennongjia

By Marky Ramone Go • April 2026

My first time in mainland China, my FIRST time experiencing snow. Don't stop chasing your many firsts.

Hep, hep, Hubei.

Postcard Series is a digital throwback to the good ole days of sending postcards to your love ones back home. It consist of a single photograph and a brief narrative of less than 100 words.

6-Day Wuhan - Shennongjia Itinerary in Hubei | China

2026-04-15T03:06:00.000-07:00

6-Day Wuhan - Shennongjia Itinerary in Hubei | China

A curated six-day narrative from the city of Wuhan to the cool mountains of Shennongjia in the Hubei province of China.

Day One

Wuhan Arrival

Arriving in Shennongjia, a group tour organized by Penvill Travel and Tours

Morning Flight from Manila via Guangzhou (via China Southern Airlines), arriving in Wuhan around 11:00 AM. Begin the journey with a stroll through the historical Tanhua Lane.

Afternoon & Evening Marvel at the engineering of the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge. As night falls, board the Yangtze River Night Cruise to see the city skyline illuminated.

Day Two

The Mountain Ascent

Tianyan Scenic Area

Daytime Board the bullet train to Shennongjia. Explore the Tianyan Scenic Area and cross the dramatic Feiyundu Bridge.

Evening Check-in at the unique Old Train Hotel. Celebrate the mountain spirit with a traditional bonfire and barbecue party.

a vestige of China's coal-powered trains is now repurposed into cozy accommodations

Day Three

Shennongjia Scenic Wonders

Its gotta be May but still snowing in this part of Shennongjia

Full Day Explore the Shennongjia Scenic Area. Visit the mirror-like Da Jiuhu Lake and ascend Shennong Peak. End the day in the charming Muyu Town.

Day Four

Return to Wuhan & Imperial Banquets

Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan

Morning Bullet train back to Wuhan. Refuel with lunch at the bustling Hubu Lane.

Afternoon Visit Douji Camp and the legendary Yellow Crane Tower. Explore the immersive Zhiyin Hall.

Evening Experience the Banquet of the Three Kingdoms, a theatrical dinner featuring historic performances.

The immersive dinner experience

Day Five

Modern Vibe

Morning Experience the future with the Optics Valley Skytrain—a suspended monorail offering unique city views.

Ride and watch the skytrains from below

Afternoon Relax at the expansive East Lake Scenic Area, the largest urban lake in China.

Day Six

Hankou Citywalk & Departure

The Panoff Mansion at the historic Lihuangpi Road

Daytime More learnings into Hankou’s history: Li Huangpi Road, Ba Gong Houses, Ping He Packing Yard, and Xian’an Lane. Walk the Hankou Riverfront and shop at Jianghan Road.

Night Transfer for your flight back to Manila via Guangzhou. Arrival in Manila at 2:00 AM.

Travel Notes

Expenses: The tour package we booked at Penvill Travel and Tours was approximately USD 899 (~PHP 55,000). Additional costs included the China Visa (PHP 1,600) and Philippine Travel Tax (PHP 1,620).

Connectivity & Payments: Alipay is essential—set up your account before departure to ensure a seamless trip. However, carry a small amount of cash (approx. PHP 2,000) for minor convenience store purchases.

Highlights: The unexpected snowfall in Shennongjia was a major milestone. Staying at the Old Train Hotel and the Day 2 bonfire party are must-experience moments.

Hospitality: Accommodations throughout Hubei are exceptional, clean, and typically offer extensive buffet breakfasts.

How Hearing Glasses Improve Outdoor Adventures

2026-04-14T06:57:00.000-07:00

Outdoor adventures rely on more than energy and good weather. They depend on awareness. Whether you are hiking, cycling, walking through a new city, birdwatching, or spending time near water, you are constantly taking in what is happening around you. You are listening for movement, voices, changing conditions, and the small details that help you stay connected to the experience.

It Takes a Village of Artists to Keep Butuan’s Balangay Repertory Theater Alive

2026-04-14T01:46:00.000-07:00

Cultural Spotlight / Butuan City

It Takes a Village of Artists to Keep Butuan’s Balangay Repertory Theater Alive

By Marky Ramone Go • April 2026

To outsiders, Butuan is a place travelers pass through when flights to Siargao tip into the unreasonable rate, since its airport serves an alternative only two hours from Surigao Port, where one can hop on a ferry to the island. But for those traveling with deeper curiosity, Butuan reveals stories that held more significance.

Production poster credit to: Balangay Repertory Theater

In 1976, within a stretch of land a kilometer wide, archaeologists unearthed balangay boats, plank-built wooden vessels now regarded as the oldest known ship in the Philippines, and the first of their kind excavated in Southeast Asia. Eleven in total, some carbon-dated to as early as 320 C.E., they paint Butuan as an ancient trading hub.

The remains of the Balangay boats spoke of movement, trade, and a community already established centuries before Spanish colonizers arrived. The succeeding digs only expanded the story: ceramics from across Asia, Chinese pottery from the Tang and Song dynasties, ivory seals, death masks, woven sashes, burial jars, and golds. There is a big reason why the National Museum of the Philippines has a branch in the city.

With a history dating back to pre-colonial times, it is only fitting that the city’s artistic traditions also run deep. It came as no surprise, then, to encounter a theater group whose performance would strike anyone, art enthusiast or not, as exemplary.

Scene from their performance held during the National Arts Month celebration in Butuan.

The group, Balangay Repertory Theater Inc., staged its original production, “Bagani Hong Lawod,” to a packed audience during February’s National Arts Month celebration at the city’s FSUU Gym. Already known among locals and theater enthusiasts in the region, this particular performance further elevated its profile to a wider audience.

The Artists Behind the Curtains

Many would say that maintaining a theater organization is easy, given that several cities and universities across the country have their own. That couldn't be further from the truth. Staging productions that feel world-class despite being backed by a meager budget, speaks volumes about how this particular theater group in Butuan conducts itself.

It turns out that Balangay Repertory Theater Inc. is far from a ragtag group assembled to put on a show. Rather, it is a community of artists, both seasoned and emerging, united by a common goal: to use theater as a platform for advancing the history and artistic traditions of Butuan.

Butuan hosted the Arts Month Festivities in Mindanao in cooperation with National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

There’s Sai Collado, a former member of Sining Kambayoka, the theater group of Mindanao State University (MSU), and a recipient of the Japan Arts Foundation scholarship in Performing Arts. He now serves as the founding artistic and managing director of Balangay Repertory Theatre Inc. “This was conceived in 2018,” he said, emphasizing the significance of heritage-based theater. “It means a lot since this has been a longstanding dream—to mount a heritage-based theater production.”

Sai Collado. Photo Credit: Balangay Repertory Theatre Inc.

Under his guidance, research, accuracy, and artistic expression converge: “We do research for accuracy, and the rest is our artistic expression aiming to provide a compelling story to capture the heart of the viewers.” He views theater as a tool for transformation: “When you considered Theater Arts not just for entertainment per say, but rather a device for social transformation, then it is vital, so to speak.” Collado’s leadership ensures that theater plays such as their own Bagani Hong Lawod not only entertains but also strengthens cultural identity, civic participation, and community engagement.

“Bagani Hong Lawod,” an original play, depicts the brotherhood and rivalry aboard a Balangay.

The artists that comprises the Balangay Repertory Theater comes from diverse backgrounds even ones without early theater background. One such artist is Cherrie B. Beluan. 45 years old, an HR freelancer and mother of three, Beluan joined Balangay Repertory Theatre when she was casted to play the role of Khayam in Bagani Hong Lawod, she described the experience as personally transformative. “It is a great avenue for everyone. It is very important to keep the culture and history alive especially for the young Butuanons,” she said.

Beluan reflected on how the play reshaped her sense of possibility: “The lines I recited were somehow significant on me personally.” She describes her theater journey as “Wala ko kini damha sa tbuok kong kinabuhi.” It means that I never imagined this all my life. Who would have thought that at my age I can still be part of this talented artists in Butuan City.” Beluan also highlighted how the play allowed her to balance her identity as a mother, wife, and productive member of society while actively contributing to the arts.

Cherrie Beluan

One of the youngest members of Butuan’s Balangay Repertory Theater, Angel Antiquina did not stumble upon performing arts intentionally. Instead, it came via her devotion: through youth activities at her parish, where theater plays were part of it. By 2018, it ignited a yearning for performance arts. Joining the repertory company, she began to shape her craft within a model that put importance to heritage as much as artistic expression.

Considered as one of Kulture Revival’s ‘babies,” Angel says she feel like she had grown through the theater group’s culture-driven principles. Growth, in her case, is not just the result of experience. It is personified, as shown by her performance in Bagani Hong Lawod, staged during Butuan’s National Arts Month celebration. Onstage, she exhibited great teamwork with her fellow ensemble cast. Offstage, she now speaks of culture-based creative processes as a calling, one that allows her to use performance as a language for social awareness and change.

Angel Antiquina

The community of artists that makes up the group came in different stages of the members’ lives. One of those who got into Balangay Repertory Theater late is Josephine Gabor-Cajoles. “My engagement with Balangay Repertory, started with the musical play, Bagani Hong Lawod when I was cast as Bae Diwa” Cajoles, a 61-year-old retiree, says.

“In my elementary years, I have been exposed to acting in a local radio station (DXBC)” she adds. Her acting exposure was widened by short program every Sunday. “My Grade IV teacher was my first acting coach,” she recalled. Her acting experience continued through college productions based on Butuanon stories such as May Kabag-ohan ba ang Pasko and Juan Tamban, formative experiences that sharpened her craft. “Back then in the 80s, community theatre started to become an avenue to express and make people understand and make an action of social issues confronting the society,” she said.

For Gabor-Cajoles, she hopes that the production of theater plays grounded in localized stories and art, such as Bagani Hong Lawod, will stir the community, the academe, the local government, and other sectors to collaborate and align, if not, to fully institutionalize community theater, then at least to establish stronger support for it in order to keep local culture and the arts alive.

Josephine Gabor-Cajoles

One of the veteran stage performers in the group is Richard Dian Vilar, who brings four decades of theatrical experience to the production, having performed in almost every Sining Kambayoka production, where just like Collado, Vilar is also a part of. “Beyond that home stage, I found another family in the Kaliwat Theater Collective, where I joined almost every production and took part in numerous domestic and international tours,” Vilar added.

“The stage, it seems, was not done with me yet,” Vilar reflected. His career has spanned directing, storytelling, playwriting, and design, earning him the Kambayoka Gador Award in 2000 and, more recently, a 2024 recognition for Outstanding Cultural Work in theater and Storytelling. “Call it a call for a continuing practice—or perhaps, destiny,” he said of his role in Bagani Hong Lawod, where he served as director and main storyteller, underscoring theater as a vessel for preserving and communicating local identity.

In addition to being one of the pillars of Balangay Repertory Theater, Vilar also serves as the head of the Tourism and Cultural Development Division of the City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department of Butuan. This role strengthens his desire to promote Butuan’s history as a core part of the city’s identity, with theater being one of the most effective mediums to achieve this.

Richard Dian Vilar

The village of artists that comprises the Balangay Repertory Theater illustrates the relevance of theater as a cultural force. Each curtain call celebrates the city’s heritage and establishes the important role of artists in keeping both local culture and creativity alive.

Fifty years after the unearthing of the remains of the balangay boats, the success of the Balangay Repertory Theater demonstrates how theater can connect generations, bridge gaps in understanding, and promote a unique cultural identity.

Hanoi – Sapa – Halong Bay 5-day Itinerary

2026-04-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

5-Day Itinerary of Hanoi, Sapa & Ha Long Bay

A curated five-day journey through the atmospheric heart of Vietnam's capital, the terraced mountains of the North, and the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay.

Day One

Arrival + Hanoi City Tour

A walk around the Old Quarter is one of the best things to do in Hanoi

Destination: Hanoi Arrive in Hanoi and settle into your hotel in the Old Quarter, the atmospheric heart of the Vietnamese capital where scooters weave through colonial-era streets lined with cafés and street food stalls.

Suggested Afternoon City Tour Hoan Kiem Lake (Start with a relaxed walk around the lake, one of Hanoi’s most iconic landmarks)
Ngoc Son Temple (Visit the small temple connected by the famous red bridge)
St. Joseph's Cathedral (A neo-Gothic cathedral reminiscent of old French Indochina)
Train Street (Time your visit carefully to catch the train passing inches away from cafés and homes)

Watch a cultural show at the Water Puppet Theater

Evening Explore the Hanoi Old Quarter night market. Try local dishes: Pho, Bun Cha, Egg Coffee. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day Two

Hanoi Cultural Tour + Transit

The sleeper train from Hanoi to Sapa is very comfortable

Morning to Afternoon Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
One Pillar Pagoda
Temple of Literature (Vietnam’s first national university)
Hoa Lo Prison

Evening Take an overnight sleeper bus or train to Sapa. Recommended: Sleeper bus for convenience and lower cost. Travel time: around 5–6 hours. Overnight transit.

Day Three

Sapa Trekking & Mountain Villages

Hike through the scenic mountains of Sapa

Suggested Activities Trek through: Cat Cat Village, Lao Chai Village, Ta Van Village. These villages offer encounters with Hmong and Dao communities, terraced landscapes and mountain scenery.

Optional Ride the cable car to Fansipan, known as the “Roof of Indochina.”

Evening Enjoy the chilly mountain atmosphere and local barbecue stalls in Sapa town. Overnight in Sapa.

Day Four

Morning in Sapa + Return to Hanoi

Morning Relaxed morning in Sapa: Coffee with mountain views, explore the local market, optional short trek or photography walk.

Afternoon Return to Hanoi via sleeper bus or limousine van. Arrive in Hanoi by evening.

Evening Suggestions Rooftop café hopping. Beer street at Ta Hien Street. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day Five

Halong Bay Day Trip

The many karst islands on Halong Bay

Morning Depart Hanoi early (usually around 7:00–8:00 AM) for a full-day cruise in Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its limestone karsts rising dramatically from emerald waters.

Typical Day Cruise Includes Scenic cruise through limestone islands. Visit to caves such as Sung Sot Cave. Kayaking or bamboo boat ride. Seafood lunch onboard. Viewpoints and island stops. Return to Hanoi around evening.

Late Night Departure Flight Departure: 1:00 AM from Hanoi. Since your flight is very early morning: Consider booking a hotel day-use room or arranging late checkout on day 5. Leave for Noi Bai International Airport around 9:30–10:00 PM depending on traffic and airline check-in requirements.

Travel Notes

Distances: Northern Vietnam covers diverse terrain. Expect 5–6 hours between Hanoi and Sapa, and 2.5–3 hours from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay.

Weather: Sapa and Ha Long Bay are weather-dependent. Fog can obscure mountain views and rough seas can affect cruise schedules; always maintain a flexible mindset.

Pacing: This itinerary is fast-paced. For a more sustainable rhythm, consider adding an overnight stay on a Ha Long Bay cruise or an extra night in Sapa.

A 9-Day Palawan Itinerary: Puerto Princesa to Balabac Islands

2026-04-13T04:27:00.000-07:00

Palawan / Itinerary

9-Day Southern Palawan & Balabac: The Last Frontier Expedition

A curated nine-day expedition through Southern Palawan & Balabac.

Day One

City Immersion

There's more to Puerto Princesa than just a pit stop to the Underground River

Morning Arrive in Puerto Princesa. Check-in and drop bags to begin a slow-paced introduction to the island.

Afternoon Explore Plaza Cuartel and the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. End the day with a Baywalk sunset walk and pasalubong shopping.

Evening Return to Puerto Princesa city center for dinner. Top choice on where to Stay: The Dome Hotel

Day Two

The Subterranean

Sabang Mangrove Forest

Morning Travel to Sabang for the Underground River boat and cave tour, a protected UNESCO Heritage site.

Afternoon Lunch in Sabang Beach. Optional Mangrove Forest paddle boat tour or the jungle trail zipline.

Sunset Watch the fireflies at Iwahig River.

Day Three

Cradle of History

From Sibika at Kultura to actuality. Explore one of the Tabon Caves

Daytime Travel south to Quezon. Enjoy island hopping at Sidanao and Tataran Island.

Late Afternoon Visit the Tabon Caves archaeological site and museum. Overnight at Pandora Glamping near Tumarbong Falls.

Day Four

Nature Reset

Recharge here for a day.

Daytime A slow morning at Tumarbong Falls. Swimming, nature photography, and a long lunch at Café Atreyu.

Day Five

Coastal Culture

Culandanum weavers

Morning Transfer to Aborlan. Visit Apurawan Beach, dip at Tangod Falls, and drop by Ethnos Farm or Rooted Farm Coffee.

Afternoon Meet volunteers at Blessie’s Cove and discover Culandanum handicrafts. Late lunch at Green Mango Guest House. Stay at Surya Beach Resort.

Day Six

The Deep South

Meet lola Talmala and the other Jama Mapun banig weavers

Morning Head to Brooke's Point to refresh at Sabsaban Falls.

Afternoon Visit the Jamma Mapun weavers in Bataraza for a cultural exchange and handicraft shopping.

Day Seven

Balabac Frontier

Full Day Boat expedition to Balabac Island. Navigate sandbars, snorkeling spots, and remote, undeveloped islands.

Day Eight & Nine

The Return

Day Eight Boat back to mainland and long land travel back to Puerto Princesa City for a final night of rest.

Day Nine Free morning for coffee or last-minute shopping before your flight departure.

Travel Notes

Distances: Southern Palawan is vast. Expect 3–5 hours between Puerto Princesa and Quezon, and 4–6 hours from Quezon to Brooke’s Point.

Weather: Balabac is weather-dependent. Rough seas can delay boat trips; always maintain a flexible mindset.

Pacing: This itinerary is exploratory. For a sustainable pace, add a rest day before the Balabac expedition.

Saay Cold Spring in Camiguin

2026-04-12T07:38:00.000-07:00

Camiguin / Postcard Series

Clear Waters of the Mountain: Sa-ay Cold Spring

By Marky Ramone Go • April 2026

Rode my rented scooter to this part of the mountain where Sa-ay Cold Spring, surrounded by trees, lured me in for a dip.

The twin natural pools are so clear you can spot several small fish swimming, the upper one is a bit deeper at 8–10 feet, while the second is around 4 feet. There were only a few local kids swimming when I got there. Two of them took turns jumping into the deeper pool.

Sa-ay Cold Spring, Camiguin: A crystalline sanctuary

Postcard Series is a digital throwback to the good ole days of sending postcards to your love ones back home. It consist of a single photograph and a brief narrative of less than 100 words.

6-Day Vietnam Itinerary | Da Nang - Ba Na Hills - Hoi An

2026-04-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

Vietnam / Itinerary

6-Day Vietnam Central Coast: Da Nang, Ba Na Hills & Hoi An

A curated six-day narrative through the limestone peaks of Da Nang, the mist-heavy hills of Sun World, and the silk-lanterned soul of Hoi An.

One of the many heritage shops in Hoi An's Old Town.

Day One

Da Nang Arrival

Views from the limestone peaks of Marble Mountain.

Morning Arrival in Da Nang. Begin with a spiritual ascent at the Marble Mountains, exploring grottoes and sanctuaries carved into limestone.

Afternoon Embrace the coastal rhythm with "beach bumming" along the Da Nang Boardwalk and My Khe beach.

Evening Witness the Dragon Bridge fire breathing (during weekends) and stroll the Love Lock Bridge.

Day Two

The Mountain Ascent

The Gothic cathedral inside the French Village at Ba Na Hills.

Daytime Depart for the clouds. Navigate Sun World: the French Village, the world’s longest cable car, and Fantasy Park.

Late Afternoon Explore the Linh Ung Pagoda and the manicured Le Jardin D’Amour flower gardens.

Day Three

Golden Bridges

Transcendence at the Golden Bridge before the crowds arrive.

Sunrise Catch the sunrise at the Golden Bridge (Cau Vang). The giant stone hands emerging from the fog is the ultimate travel moment.

Afternoon Depart for Hoi An. Head for the Ancient Town to watch the silk lanterns illuminate the river.

Day Four

Lanterns & Sanctuaries

The ancient Champa ruins at My Son.

Morning Navigate the Cam Thanh Coconut Village in a basket boat, followed by a culinary cooking masterclass.

Afternoon Explore My Son Sanctuary during golden hour, returning via a scenic sunset boat cruise.

Day Five

Coastal Leisure

Lantern-lit boat rides on the Hoai River.

Morning Slow down at An Bang Beach. Enjoy fresh-caught seafood at a seaside shack.

Evening A final toast by the river in the Hoi An Old Town.

Day Six

Departure

Morning Enjoy a slow Vietnamese coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da) and last-minute shopping before the transfer back to Da Nang International Airport for departure.

5-Day Sorsogon Itinerary (Balanced Adventure & Culture)

2026-04-12T02:22:00.000-07:00

Philippines / Itinerary

5-Day Sorsogon: Whale Sharks, Pink Sands & Coastal Heritage

A curated five-day itinerary through the Bicolano heartland.

Day One

City Exploration

The historic architecture of the Sorsogon Capitol.

Morning Arrive via Legazpi City and transfer to Sorsogon City. Check-in and refresh.

Afternoon Visit the Sorsogon Capitol and explore Museo Sorsogon. Head to Barcelona Church & Ruins to see the Spanish-era remnants.

Evening City plaza stroll followed by dinner in Sorsogon City.

Day Two

Sharks & Heritage

An ancestral home in the quiet streets of Juban.

Morning Early departure for Donsol for a morning whale shark snorkeling encounter.

Afternoon Return via Juban to explore the Heritage Houses.

Evening Visit the 16K Blue & Pink Roses at Plaza Escudero in Casiguran.

Day Three

Pacific Swells

Surfing the swells of Rizal Beach, Gubat.

Daytime Transfer to Gubat for surfing lessons and beach relaxation.

Afternoon Kayaking and mangrove exploration in Prieto Diaz.

Day Four

Matnog Waters

The pink sands of Subic Beach, Matnog.

Morning Travel to Matnog for an island-hopping tour.

Full Day Visit Juag Lagoon and lounge on the shores of Subic Beach.

Day Five

Lakeside Calm

The serene emerald waters of Bulusan Lake.

Morning Paddle boating on Bulusan Lake and a side-trip to Kambal Busay Waterfalls.

Afternoon Final packing and transfer back to Legazpi City for your departure.

Tracing History, Art and Flavor Through George Town's Mural-Lined Streets

2026-04-10T02:38:00.000-07:00

Malaysia / Penang

Tracing History, Art and Flavor Through Georgetown's Mural-Lined Streets

By Marky Ramone Go • April 2026

My first visit to George Town, some years before the pandemic, was little more than a quick fix; a shore excursion on a cruise that sailed along the Malaysian coast before returning to Singapore. I had barely three hours on land, just enough to sense the outlines of something intriguing: the smell of spices and coffee in the air, the pastel shophouses, the street art that tells a unique story. Ever since, the city has lingered in my mind like an unfinished conversation or an itch I’d been meaning to scratch.

Being playful with the murals on the streets of George Town.

As karma would have it, I eventually returned. This time I came not as a visitor in transit, but as a traveler with a few days to spare and no itinerary beyond walking. George Town, that storied mosaic of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and colonial influences, revealed itself slowly as a city layered in color and time.

Angkas

Along with Melaka, it forms part of the Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where stories doesn’t rest behind museum glass but spills, richly, into the streets.

From Colonial Port to Cultural Intersection

The capital of Malaysia’s Penang state, George Town, began as Britain’s first foothold in Southeast Asia, a modest trading port established in 1786 by Francis Light, the English explorer who also founded the colony of Penang. Located strategically along the Strait of Malacca, the city offered promise of commerce and survival to immigrants from all over Asia.

Soon, Malays, Chinese, Indians, and those from European countries with colonization aspirations tangled into the society of George Town leaving bits and pieces of influences into its culture, architecture and daily life. By the time Britain’s rule faded and Malaysia gained independence in 1957, Queen Elizabeth II had already declared George Town as the nation’s first city.

The streets of George Town in Penang is a street photographer's wet dream.

Today, after centuries of cultural mingling, George Town stands as one of Malaysia’s most visited destination. It is a city where history is told through every narrow lane. Its UNESCO World Heritage Site core, a labyrinth of light-hued shophouses and street art, draws travelers eager to sample its renowned mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian flavors, and to wander through a living museum of colonial and local heritage.

Heritage buildings are well preserved as well.

Of Street Art, Strong Coffee, and Timeless Flavors

We touched down in Penang on an early evening flight from Da Nang, Vietnam. After a quick check-in and a moment to shake off the travel fatigue, curiosity got the better of us. We wandered toward dinner near the Central Fire Station, a historic building standing at the intersection of Beach and Chulia Streets. Built in 1908, the building wears its history with flair, an unlikely but elegant blend of Mughal, Edwardian, and classic architectural styles. More than a century later, it still claims its title as Malaysia’s oldest operational fire station.

But first, some Nasi Yummyness.

After a filling plate of Nasi Lemak Ayam and Beef Rendang for my friend Katie, we ended our first night in George Town at a place we stumbled upon called “China House.” It stretched deep beyond its narrow entrance: desserts at the front, tables framed by an art gallery and a small library farther in, then a quiet garden, and finally, a dim bar where live music intertwined with recitation of poetry. “I love the artsy vibe of George Town already,” I told my friend, not yet realizing how much more the city would reveal the next day.

Notes from George Town: A City Told in Painted Walls and Pastel Houses

Covering 259.42 hectares (109.38 in its core and 150 in its buffer) George Town’s heritage district holds 4,665 historic buildings, each a testament to centuries of cultural exchange that began with Penang’s earliest settlers. For someone from a country that has long struggled to preserve its own architectural past, the scale of such conservation is almost difficult to grasp but amazes me at the same time.

Cafes, shops and restaurants housed in heritage structures like this are aplenty in George Town.

If in Vietnam on our earlier destination between Da Nang and Hoi An, my friend and I logged 20,000 steps a day, in George Town we reached 25,000 with ease. Every street and alley seemed to pull us in, a coffee shop here, a thrift store there, an art gallery, a Michelin-starred or Bib Gourmand restaurant, or a wall alive with murals. Our first morning’s goal was simple; to find and photograph the city’s celebrated street art, much of it created by the Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic.

You will never know what the next corner will bring you.

Many of the city’s most recognizable murals cluster around Armenian Street such as Zacharevic’s Kids on a Bicycle, Boy on a Chair, and Girl and Her Brother among them. Others appear nearby: Indian Boatman by Siberian artist Julia Volchkova, Brother and Sister on a Swing by local artist Louis Gan, and a scattering of whimsical sculptures tucked into street corners. Together, they lend a distinct liveliness to already storied streets of George Town.

From gourmet restaurants to simple dining nooks and charming cafes to street food, George Town's culinary scene is something to explore widely.

Between meals at the half-dozen eateries we tried, we paused to cool off with Penang’s famed Teochew chendul, especially at one stall so popular the line seemed never to end. The dessert, a mix of shaved ice, coconut milk, palm sugar syrup, red beans, and pandan-flavored green jelly noodles, offered the perfect balance of sweetness and relief from the afternoon heat.

Ernest Zacharevic’s “Little Children on Bicycle” Mural.

George Town, ever the city of curiosities, is home to an eclectic mix of museums. Along our walk, we stumbled upon several and among them the Ghost Museum, the Upside Down Museum, the Wonderfood Museum, the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, and the Indian Heritage Museum, each one providing a small window into the city’s layered art and history.

City Hall

Getting around never feels like a chore here. The sidewalks are wide and safe, the rows of muted-colored shophouses turn every walk into a presentation of history and architecture, plus a free bus loops through the heritage district with clockwork precision.

The waters of the Strait of Malacca offers a picture of calm.

“If only we had a heritage quarter this well preserved back home,” I found myself thinking. But as so many of our own historic buildings have slipped away, George Town stands as a reminder to us and to travelers from everywhere, that within its walls and timeworn establishments, the past continues to speak, to be reimagined, and to persist.

Where to Stay in Legazpi City | P & B Residences

2026-04-09T23:30:00.000-07:00

Where to Stay // Albay

P&B Residences Legazpi: A Simple Refuge in the Shadow of Mayon

In my travels, I’ve found that when it comes to accommodation properties, some try to be everything at once. The result is a mixed bag: some succeed, while others fall flat. Then there are those that take a simpler approach, creating a space that is exactly what a traveler needs. P&B Residences Legazpi belongs to the latter.

P&B Residences

This bed and breakfast appears more like an ideal home-away-from-home than a checklist of amenities. Upstairs, a handful of rooms—fewer than fifteen—offer a stay that feels private and more personal.

The property has less than 15 rooms

I have always leaned toward smaller properties, the sort that trades dozens of hectares for character. Here, that preference is rewarded with a vibe that recalls an ancestral home in the province—the kind I experienced growing up, when we would visit my grandmother; that feeling of having somewhere to return to each summer.

Making you feel more private

Downstairs, everything you need is within sight. At Seadog Diner, the menu doesn’t overwhelm you with choices. A simple scan leads you to their artisanal burger, which does not disappoint, along with a few other options that go well with offerings from next door, Oragon Craft Brew House.

Oragon Craft Beer House

Here, the owners of P&B Residences Legazpi pour their own brews, crafted to their taste and rooted in their expertise in beer appreciation, best enjoyed without ado after a day outside.

Let their in-house brewmaster pour you a craft beer

What makes the place particularly refreshing is how self-contained it feels without ever seeming small. FunDiveAsia, their in-house diving shop, handles dive excursions with efficiency, while Bicol Beyond Travel and Tours (one of the region’s more trusted travel operators) can arrange everything from Bicol road trips to cultural journeys. FunDiveAsia, however, caters to guests with a penchant for diving, guiding them to the best dive sites in the region.

Fun Dive Asia

On my first night here, I met again Junery, one of FunDiveAsia’s dive masters and guides. He told me he is set to bring a group of Italians to Ticao Island for ten days of non-stop diving with the manta rays

Inside Seadog Diner

Step outside, and the landscape reminds you exactly where you are. Mayon Volcano can be seen on a clear sky in near-perfect symmetry just a short walk away. On two of the three nights I stayed, I watched lava trace its descent from the crater.

The rooms has a simple, industrial, minimalist and appealing look

P&B Residences Legazpi also shares a theme with its sister-properties: Casa Simeon, an ancestral home reimagined in the neighboring town of Bacacay, and Ticao Island Resort, a favorite among divers who prefer their escapes laid-back and simple.

at night

Staying here means being near the remnants of Cagsawa Ruins, the view of Daraga Church foregrounding Mayon Volcano, and the greenery of Lignon Hill Nature Park. But even as you spend most of the day exploring, you still look forward to returning to your bed.

My new home whenever I'm in Legazpi

Because returning feels easy. Before you sink into rest, dinner here becomes a quiet ritual, paired with a cold craft beer. In a city that moves at its own pace, it’s rare to find a place that aligns so naturally with your own. I suspect I already know where I’ll be staying the next time I’m in Legazpi.

Meet the Man who Visited All the Towns in the Philippines

2026-04-03T00:46:00.000-07:00

People Profiles / Philippines

Meet the Man who Visited All the Towns in the Philippines

By Marky Ramone Go • April 2026

On social media, it has become a badge of honor to flex visiting all 82 provinces of the Philippines. But Arvid Marius “Marco” Puzon has taken this personal travel goals to its extreme: every city and municipality in the country.

When a plebiscite in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on April 13, 2024 created eight new municipalities in North Cotabato, bringing the national total to 1,642, Puzon, who already step foot on the 1,634 cities and municipalities, did what he has vowed himself to do. He packed a bag and went back on the road. To him, this is not about a boast or a bucket list. It is about giving attention to places most travelers pass through, to towns that barely register on a map.

Mr. Puzon in Lawak Island, Kalayaan Group of Islands, West Philippine Sea, Palawan.

The Early Case of Itchy Feet

Travel, for Puzon, was not a late-life ambition but something that began in childhood. Summers were spent in his parents’ hometowns in Northern Luzon, weekends at once-popular beach resorts in La Union, and frequent trips to Baguio.

“In my adult years, my different former professions required tons of travel and field work,” he said. “I worked as a DOT-accredited, German and French-speaking guide in the mid-1990s to show them the chaos of Metro Manila and accompany them on package tours.” By his mid-20s, he had visited 19 provinces including what was then Kalinga-Apayao. He calls this his “Early Travels Era.”

Batan Island, Rapu-Rapu, Albay. Puzon also travels with a small plushy toy he named Elmo. “I like to believe many other travelers have their plushy companions,” he said. “Elpo appears to have a traveler’s itch of his own, and he has been a witness to thousands of miles and moments.

“From September 1997 to June 1998, I went on a series of solo backpacking trips across the country,” he said. “I traveled to festivals, to remote towns, and re-explored provinces I had already visited—it was my ‘Tour Guide/Backpacking Years.”

His wanderlust was already growing. But the shift from provinces to municipalities came later, sparked by a desire to explore and learn each province more.

Lahi-Lahi, Tuburan, Basilan.

From Provinces to 1,642 Towns

In 2010, Puzon found himself in Barobo, Surigao del Sur for work. He never left the seaside resort where the activity was held. He did not see the capital, Tandag. On paper, he had visited the province. In spirit, he felt he had not. That unease planted the seed.

“Would I be able to say that I had been to Surigao del Sur when I was not even able to visit the capital city or other places apart from the venue?” he recalled.

By 2012, during what Puzon refers to as “my NGO Years and in my early 40s”, he had visited all but six provinces even the short-lived province of Shariff Kabunsuwan. After being laid off in 2013, amid what he describes as an existential crisis, he began the project: to visit all 1,634 municipalities and cities then recognized in the Philippines. At first, he aimed only for Luzon’s 771 towns and cities.

Mr. Puzon in Pahamuddin, with long time friend and colleague, Amor Pendaliday, Ed.D, and his cousin. No. 1642/1642 reached.

He began in San Ildefonso, Bulacan. Within a year, he had covered 569 towns and cities in Luzon and Cebu City. A career shift to microfinance expanded his reach to the Visayas and Mindanao. By the end of 2018, he had visited 1,579 of the then total of 1,634 towns and completed all 81 provinces. (the 82nd Maguindanao del Norte was formed in 2022).

From an outsider’s point of view, his travels may seem something straight out of an epic travelogue written by a Paul Theroux or a Pico Iyer, but what others don’t know, there’s grind that comes with it. He once visited 15 towns in a single day, tracing a route from Sta. Catalina in Ilocos Sur to Bangar in La Union. At other times, reaching a single municipality required two days of travel.

"Sometimes it took me two days to reach towns like Calanasan (Apayao), Tinoc (Ifugao), or even longer for Pangutaran (Sulu).” Puzon said. “My longest travel waits were a week to Cagayancillo in Palawan, and Mapun in Tawi-Tawi. Thankfully, friends who shared my goals got me a ride to Taganak, Turtle Islands, aboard the BRP Ivatan in July 2017”.

The Road Obstacles

Not all obstacles were logistical. In July 2016, the bus he was riding from Bicol to Manila was involved in a fatal accident in Quezon Province. A young passenger died. Puzon survived, but the experience forced him into a four-month pause from travel. The incident reinforced his belief in safer travel and exposed systemic weaknesses in road safety enforcement.

Brgy. Tee, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao del Sur.

“Although I did somehow think whether my 1634 PH goal was worth it, the event ruined my zero accident goal,” he said. Then came March 2020. He was six towns away from completing the list when the pandemic halted the world. Stranded in Lapu-Lapu City for three months, he considered stopping at 1,628. “After all,” he said, “I don’t think anyone has ever made it as far as I have.”

Sterling Inn, Pajac, Lapu Lapu City (where Puzon was stranded for 3 mos during pandemic).

But curiosity proved stronger than fatigue. When travel resumed, so did he. He speaks of places as unexpectedly beautiful not for their landscapes alone but for their people: “There are so many ‘unexpectedly beautiful places’ in the Philippines and what makes these beautiful beyond scenery are its people,” he said.

A father caring tenderly for his daughter at a waiting shed in Nagtipunan; an elderly balikbayan revisiting her island hometown of Araceli in Palawan, perhaps for the last time; electric cooperative workers who let him hitch a ride between Agutaya and Cuyo; local officials in La Paz, Abra who offered lunch upon learning of his quest.

“I didn’t have any moments in my travels that made me wonder whether obsession had overtaken joy,” he said. “But there were periods that I would describe as very difficult.” He has been treated unwelcome, too, dismissed by local tourism officials. He remembers a few telling him this waterfall or that island were “very far” when they were not, blamed for not coordinating earlier despite finding no contact information online. Oftentimes, he found habal-habal drivers or police officers who proved more willing and helpful guides.

“I observed that there’s a large push towards annual festivals and celebratory events, complete with pageants and booths showcasing what the town or city offers,” he said. “But I am thrown off by the difficulty of finding accommodations and frustrating commutes.”

He observes that many local governments lean heavily on festivals and borrowed monikers; “the Switzerland of this,” “the Boracay of that,” catchy ones but lacking narrative. The strength of a tourism office, he notes, depends largely on the support of its mayor.

Completion of a Passion Project

When Puzon arrives in a town, he makes one thing nonnegotiable: a visit to the municipal or city hall. For him, it is the center of every town, the plaza, the old and new buildings, the monuments, the markers, all combine to tell a hint of the town’s history. “I would never consider myself having been to the town or city if I have not been to the municipal or city hall,” he said.

Blos River, Maconacon, Isabela.

He admits that completion has been a powerful motivator. Finally, after Puzon returned to the road to visit the eight new municipalities, he became the first on record to complete visits to all 1,642 cities and municipalities by February 14 of this year spending Valentine’s Day in Pahamuddin, a newly-formed municipality in the Special Geographic Area in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, doing what he love the most.

But he insists that curiosity matters just as much. “There is always something new to visit and learn,” he said. Beyond that, another list awaits: the country’s 150 largest islands. He has visited 113 so far, with 37 of the largest still left to go. He has not traveled abroad since his NGO years, when he was sent to countries from Thailand to Colombia. Despite arguments that international trips can be cheaper, he still prefers the Philippines.

An ordinary day on the road, he said, begins and ends with prayer. In an age when travel is often filtered into highlights and hashtags, Puzon’s project feels almost old school. It is not about the spectacular, nor even the scenic. It is about showing up at the far edge of an island or any random locations and refusing to let a place remain a blank space on the map.

Celebrating Women Who Preserve Philippine Culture

2026-03-20T04:14:00.000-07:00

National Women's Week / Philippines

Celebrating Women Who Preserve Philippine Culture

By Marky Ramone Go • March 2026

For National Women's Week, we celebrate women who do exemplary work in promoting our local culture. From a long list, this writer has selected six women from a pool of countless equally impressive individuals who have contributed - and continue to contribute - to our society’s rich cultural heritage. Here are some of them.

Celebrating these women and their contributions to Philippine culture.

Magdalena Gamayo

It is a rare privilege to encounter a national living treasure, and few personify that distinction like Lola Magdalena Gamayo. When I met her, she was 99 years old; she became a centenarian in 2024. Even at that age, she continues to weave inabel, the traditional handwoven textile of Ilocos Norte, while mentoring a new generation of artisans.

A recipient of the prestigious Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) award in 2012, Lola Magdalena is one of fewer than 30 Filipino artisans honored with this recognition. She actively participates in workshops at the Pinili Inabel Center in Nueva Era, sharing her mastery of patterns, techniques, and the cultural stories embedded in every thread.

101-year old and still weaving tradition. That's lola Magdalena Gamayo.

During my visit, I watched her complete a piece featuring the Kusikok or Kusikos pattern, a swirling motif believed to ward off evil spirits. Even after nearly a century of life, her hands move with precision, weaving not just cloth, but the living legacy of her people.

Rowena Gonnay and Lola Kum-as

In the highland town of Pasil, Kalinga, the Philippines’ first Indigenous Slow Food Community, I met two more female cultural bearers. Rowena Gonnay has rallied her neighbors to cultivate organic produce in backyard gardens, preserving heirloom recipes and serving healthy dishes to locals and visitors alike. “From seed to plate, it’s all labor and legacy,” she says, a philosophy evident in every harvest.

Lola Kum-as, the village’s oldest living potter

Nearby, Lola Kum-as, the village’s oldest living potter, reminds the community that even cookware carries history. Pasil’s earthen pots are shaped entirely by hand, without wheels or machines; a practice passed down through generations. During a brief demonstration, Lola Kum-as showed us the meticulous craft behind the pottery, as her smile radiates the warmth of a doting grandmother.

Rowena Gonnay, preserving heirloom recipes in Kalinga

Gloria Aduana Cocson

Bearers of Filipino culture also include those from the culinary world. Travelers often do not leave Batac without stopping by the famous row of empanada stalls in front of the church. The oldest stall still frying up empanadas is Glory’s Empanada, founded by Gloria Aduana Cocson, now 83, who began making empanadas at 15.

Aling Gloria Cocson showing off some of her delicious empanadas.

Over the years, she perfected her ingredients and technique, turning her empanadas into Batac’s most beloved snack. Becoming a single mother at a young age, Lola Gloria persevered, eventually supporting her seven children through her business. Her dedication has earned her recognition among Ilocos Norte’s most celebrated culinary figures, including the Kalipi Award and the Gameng Lifetime Achievement Award.

Erlyn Alunan

Those who have visited Iloilo and perhaps all of Panay Island and hired a tour guide would know Erlyn Alunan: a woman who carries the history of the island like a walking book. She is filled with endless tales from each town’s traditions, backstories, characters, epic legends, and beliefs ranging from the religious to the superstitious - as well as her experiences as a young tour guide in the 1980s, showing around the likes of Aga Muhlach and Richard Gomez.

Veteran Iloilo tour guide Erlyn Alunan

Tour guides like her are why I always recommend hiring a local guide to gain a deeper understanding of a place. People like Erlyn Alunan not only preserve local culture but also retell stories worth sharing about our country.

Jhomaica Panangon

The youngest person on this list, Jhomaica is a recent college graduate now working as a staff member of Mayoyao's Tourism Office. Despite her youth, she is already capable of serving as her town’s cultural ambassador, as she is knowledgeable in singing the Ifugao Hudhud chant.

Jhomaica Panangon, a young keeper of the Hudhud chant

The Hudhud, listed on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is composed of narrative chants that the Ifugao people have traditionally sung since as early as the 7th century. It consists of hundreds of chants recounting traditional practices, ancestors’ religious beliefs, epic tales of warriors, customary law, and history. In the past, these chants were usually sung or recited by elders holding significant positions in the community, such as historians or preachers, and completing a full recitation could take several days.

Culture Talk and Performances Highlights National Arts Month Celebration in Palo, Leyte

2026-03-17T03:30:00.000-07:00

National Arts Month / Leyte

Palo, Leyte Hosts Insights and Performances for National Arts Month

After a dazzling opening salvo of National Arts Month in Luneta on February first, and a series of parallel celebrations in Davao City, Butuan, and the various Art FriDates across Angono, Rizal; Bulacan; Biñan, Laguna; Quezon Province; and Muntinlupa—each organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in cooperation with local arts stakeholders—the Visayas took its turn in Palo, Leyte. There, the event matched up the energy and creativity of the other events, showcasing the town’s rich cultural talent while hosting an insightful dialogue on the ways in which local arts might be further nurtured and championed across the archipelago.

Palo shows that local arts program benefits the youth as evidenced by these amazing performances from various homegrown artist groups

Capping February’s National Arts Month, a cultural showcase titled “Pagsalin-urog” brought together homegrown artists and performers from across Eastern Visayas, offering audiences an evening of music, dance and visual expression rooted in the region’s heritage.

Theater groups from schools in Palo also performed

The program highlighted the depth of the Visayan arts scene while giving local audiences a chance to see their own cultural traditions interpreted onstage. For visitors, it offered a glimpse into the region’s artistic identity through Waray songs and dances.

Performers from various festivals in Leyte also participated

Music anchored the evening, with performances by ensembles including the Leyte Kalipayan Dance Company musicians, the Palo National High School Rondalla, LNU Dumagsa, Palo Cathedral Grand Choir, LNU Philharmonic Singers, the Palo Ambassadors Orchestra and Brass Band just to name some. Dance groups such as the Leyte Kalipayan Dance Company, the Leyte Dance Theater, Shadow Arts Theater of Palo, and the Leyte Normal University Dance Company added movement and narrative, joined by performing arts groups and secondary schools across Region VIII.

You will be amazed about the thriving arts program in the province of Leyte

The program unfolded in four segments: Paglingi (“Looking Back”), Pagpukaw (“Awakening”), Pagtindog (“Standing Up”), and Pagpadayon (“Moving Forward”). Inspired by the experiences of communities that endured the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, the performances reflected memory, resilience and renewal, a reminder of how culture sustains communities long after disaster has passed.

Insightful Art Talk

Before the night’s performance, an informative talk was held, hosted by the local government of Palo and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), with participation from students of various local schools. The invited speakers included Dr. Maria Alexandra Chua, NCCA’s Head of the National Committee on Music and Dean of the UST Conservatory of Music; Jenelyn Garcia, member of Katig Writers and representative of the National Committee on Literary Arts; Dr. Dennis Montera, former Head of the National Committee on Visual Arts; and Mr. Victor Hao Cuenco, who delivered a talk titled Staging a Dance Production.

Visual Art Bridges Past and Present

One is struck not only by the iconic MacArthur Landing Memorial cast in bronze but by the stories it carries. “They do not simply commemorate an event,” said Dennis “Sio” Montera, a practicing visual artist and educator. “They transform history into form, gesture, and presence.”

Dr. Dennis Montera, visual artists and educator

The Philippines’ visual culture, from precolonial tattoos to Spanish-era churches, reflects a deeply ingrained sense of meaning. Tattoos, once symbols of courage and rites of passage, “were not merely decoration. Every ink or image represents a ritual passage, a lived experience,” Montera explained. Bestowed from adolescence to elderhood, these markings charted both personal and communal identity.

The speakers Dr. Dennis Montera, Dr. Maria Alexandra Chua, Jenelyn Garcia and Victor Hao Cuenco

“Objects created in the past were not merely for decor but for purpose,” he added, pointing to early Chinese trade and ritual objects. These artifacts, now displayed in several museum in the country, connect Filipinos to centuries of cultural memory.

Jenelyn Garcia, member of NCCA's National Committee on Literary Arts

The colonial period introduced new forms, particularly in religious architecture. Churches across the archipelago, with cruciform designs, grand altars, and retablos, served as visual sermons. “Faith is something that cannot be seen,” Montera said, “but man needs proof. When you need proof, you build this—an edifice, a painting, a sculpture.” Art became a vehicle for belief, community, and continuity.

Montera also highlighted contemporary artists from Leyte who continue to shape the nation’s visual vocabulary. Works by Rico Palacio of Palo and Dante Enage of Tacloban, whose Patterned Paradise represented the Philippines at the 2025 Art Biennale in Beijing, show that local creativity is alive and globally recognized. “Art began as meaning, not decoration,” he concluded.

Rethinking Music in the Classroom

Music education in the Philippines has been steadily curtailed, folded into the broader MAPE curriculum and often limited to a single monthly session. “Music is being put as part of MAPE, wherein you meet once a month, that is a very limited level of training,” said Dr. Maria Alexandra Chua. Students rotate between music, arts, physical education, and health, leaving little room for practice, exposure, or mastery.

Dr. Maria Alexandra Chua, Dean of UST's Conservatory of Music

Yet Filipinos remain passionate listeners. A recent survey found the country leads the world in daily music-listening time, averaging 126 minutes. “Music in the Philippines serves as a rich source of cultural and creative capital, nurturing generations of musicians and performers,” Chua said.

We have many talented kids who will excel in the arts for sure

Access, however, remains unequal. Lessons in piano, violin, or voice are often reserved for those who can afford them. “Not everyone can afford piano lessons or violin lessons. Access to music should not depend on income,” Chua emphasized. Untapped talent is lost not for lack of ability, but opportunity.

From theater, painting, sculpture, music and more

Compared with neighbors like Singapore and Malaysia, where music is core to early education, Philippine students face a shortened experience. “When you remove arts, you remove music, you remove our own identity,” Chua warned. “Creation is the highest level. We must create our own music.”

Starting em young is the key

Music is more than a subject: it is identity, culture, and imagination. Neglect it, and both talent and heritage go unheard.

Reasons to Celebrate Philippine Arts more

In a session designed to spark creativity, Jenelyn Garcia encouraged students to write freely, urging them to produce fiction that she would gladly critique. She also highlighted the works of Merlie Alunan, the Visayan writer nominated this year for National Artist for Literature, offering a tangible example of literary achievement from the region.

Meanwhile, Victor Hao Cuenco presented a master class titled Staging a Dance Production, delving into the complexities of festival planning. He emphasized the critical role of production elements and the ways choreographers and festival organizers can elevate their craft, ensuring that performances resonate authentically with the communities they represent.

Invest more in Philippine arts, talk more about Philippine arts, support more the Philippine arts

The talk concluded with a lively Q&A, showing that the students’ curiosity had been piqued by the speakers. To wrap up the discussion, Montera asked why many Filipinos seem to know more about artists from other countries, such as Vincent Van Gogh. He explained that it is because other countries produce more writing about their artists, while the Philippines has very few writers focusing on its own. “That should change,” he said, “as we find more reasons to celebrate our artists.”

NCCA, DOT, DA, PCHM gear up for 2026 activities

2026-03-12T07:07:00.000-07:00

Culinary Heritage / Philippines

Filipino Food Month 2026: Celebrating Culinary Heritage and ASEAN Flavors

By Marky Ramone Go • March 2026

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), together with partner agencies including the Department of Tourism, Department of Agriculture, and the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement, will lead the nationwide celebration of Filipino Food Month in April 2026 under Presidential Proclamation No. 469.

(IN PHOTOS L-R: DOT Director Paulo Benito S. Tugbang, M.D., DA Assistant Secretary Atty. Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra, NCCA Chairman and Executive Director Eric B. Zerrudo, Ph.D., NCCA Deputy Executive Director for Administration and Support Services Marichu G. Tellano, PCHM Founder/President Jose Antonio Miguel ‘Jam’ Melchor)

Observed every April, Filipino Food Month — also known as Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino — highlights the richness of the country’s culinary traditions while promoting Filipino cuisine as an important expression of national identity.

This year’s theme, “Connected by Taste: Filipino Food in the Flavors of ASEAN,” underscores the Philippines’ shared culinary heritage with its Southeast Asian neighbors while celebrating the distinct flavors, traditions, and stories behind Filipino food.

For 2026, the Iloilo City will host the national launch and major activities of the month-long celebration. Recognized by UNESCO as the Philippines’ first Creative City of Gastronomy, Iloilo is widely regarded as one of the country’s leading culinary destinations and a fitting venue for discussions on food heritage and regional cuisine.

Events throughout April will include food festivals, cultural presentations, and academic discussions organized by national agencies, local governments, and culinary groups across the country.

Among the major events is KainCon, scheduled from April 16 to 18, and Hapag ng Pamana, which will take place in Zamboanga City and Marawi City later in the month.

Several regional festivals will also be held as part of the celebration, including the Balikutsa Festival in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, the Halo-Halo Festival in Sultan Kudarat, Philippines, the Taraon Festival in Infanta, Pangasinan, the Viva Binatbatan Festival of Arts in Vigan City, and the Kanen Festival in Urbiztondo, Pangasinan.

The Department of Tourism will also mount “Karabasalicious” on April 13, highlighting regional food traditions through culinary showcases and heritage talks.

Meanwhile, the NCCA will hold special cultural events at the Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls, including Food Fridates featuring local governments from Mabalacat City and Samar Island, as well as Esplanade ThursDates on April 30.

Ahead of the official launch, the Department of Agriculture will organize a Kadiwa Pop-Up Store on April 2, promoting local agricultural products and supporting Filipino farmers and food producers.

The month-long celebration will culminate on May 2 with a closing ceremony and turnover event.

Organizers say the initiatives aim to deepen public appreciation for Filipino culinary heritage, support local food producers, and position Filipino cuisine within the broader cultural landscape of Southeast Asia.

Along the Coast of Bulacan, Climate Change and Corruption Raises Questions about the Costs of Progress

2026-03-04T04:55:00.000-08:00

Environment // Bulacan

Along the Coast of Bulacan, Climate Change and Corruption Raises Questions about the Costs of Progress

By Marky Ramone Go • March 2026

As climate change accelerates coastal flooding, a vast land reclamation project backed by a corporate giant is reshaping the shoreline and may be hastening the ground’s descent. A small cat padded cautiously across the wet concrete, a tilapia nearly half its size dangling from its mouth. Behind it, heaps of fish lay scattered across the wet floor of a low-roofed shed that serves as the Panasahan Fish Port in Malolos, Bulacan. At the edge of the Kalero River, one of the narrow waterways that thread through Bulacan before emptying into Manila Bay, a motorized boat eased into dock. Its catch was hoisted into a metal container by three fishermen and slid across the floor toward the shed.

The sunken Santo Niño Church in Sitio Torres.

Moments later, another boat arrived, this one carrying not fish but passengers, a reminder that in this part of the province, water remains a vital thoroughfare as much as a source of livelihood. “They probably came from Pamarawan,” said Jing Ordona, our guide and the lead organizer of the coastal tour. His ManiLakad curated tours focuses on history, local culture and community life. Pamarawan, he added, was our next stop.

Daily bustle at Panasahan Fish Port in Malolos.

Para-Paraan in Pamarawan Island

We boarded a lantsa (a motorboat without outriggers) which our boatman said could carry more than 30 people. Our group of 15 sat comfortably, one or two to a row. I had the sense that the boat was designed for this purpose: to ferry residents between barangays now living in island communities off the coast of Bulacan mainland.

Our group navigating the waterways of Bulacan.

As we passed through a narrow channel flanked by mangroves, I imagined its potential as an eco-tourism site. Our boatman, Nicole (a man with a traditionally feminine name) told us the area is home to several bird species that stop by during migration season.

A long row of mangrove trees line up the river bank, bringing an eco-tourism site potential to the area.

So far, aside from social workers and government staff assigned to various projects, very few visit Pamarawan as tourists. Most passengers, he said, were residents, their relatives, or others with personal reasons to make the trip.

Residents from the small islands use these boats for daily transport.

After half an hour, we arrived at the island home to more than 3,300 people and walked across the community to the other side of town. A local resident pointed out evidence of a long-running road-elevation project. “Look at the original level of the road,” he said, gesturing toward a classroom door now nearly half-buried by layers of concrete.

You can see stilt houses similar to the ones prevalent in places like Tawi-Tawi.

Another resident explained that seawater reaches the streets during high tide, a daily occurrence. “Ankle-deep when it rains lightly, knee-deep when it rains hard, and waist-deep and up during a typhoon,” she told us in Tagalog.

During migration season, several bird species also can be seen here.

The Sunken Sitios

While the people of Pamarawan contend with constant tidal flooding, former residents of Sitio Pariahan and Sitio Torres in Barangay Taliptip, Bulakan, Bulacan, have faced an even harsher fate: resettlement. Many of these communities has been submerged by rising waters, the result of climate change compounded by inadequate flood control measures.

Someone from our group tells us her mom used to attend mass here during visita iglesia back in the early 2000s.

After decades of gradual land sinking, the area met its final turning point in 2011, in the aftermath of Typhoon Mina. Today, the eerie remains of the abandoned Santo Niño Church in Sitio Torres and the Sta. Cruz Chapel in Sitio Pariahan stand as solemn reminders of what the sea has claimed.

Abandoned Sta. Cruz Chapel in Sitio Pariahan.

Our motorboat journey continued to another island called Binuangan. Along the way, we passed the area designated for the planned new Manila International Airport, where tracks and massive tractors moved busily across the site.

With lodi photographers Marboy Sayno and Bien Bacarra.

At Binuangan, we spotted a hilltop that appeared snowy, only to learn from a local that it was actually the Navotas Landfill. Along the community’s shore, heaps of trash had been carried in by the tides. At the island’s church, the Nuestra Señora de Salambao Mission Parish, we saw a collection of church bells from sunken churches, including those of Sto. Niño and Sta. Cruz.

The Land Reclamation Dilemma

One thing our Bulacan Coastal Tour taught me is that you can’t really reclaim land from the sea. While Manila’s coastline has extended along Roxas Boulevard, the opposite is happening along Bulacan’s coast. Much of the water we cruised through on a motorboat yesterday was still farmland just a few years ago.

Drone shot by Marboy Sayno showing the vast expanse of the Bulacan coastline.

Yes, these areas used to flood easily. Today, however, large portions are completely submerged—accelerated by yet another major reclamation project: the planned Manila airport in Bulacan. The eye test and the lived experiences of local communities tell the real story.

A Glimpse into the Subculture of Plane Spotters

2026-02-26T02:09:00.000-08:00

Subcultures / Aviation

Watching Them Soar: A Morning with Manila’s Plane Spotters

By Marky Ramone Go • February 2026

While covering Philippine Airlines’ event marking the arrival of its newest aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000, I couldn’t help but notice that the occasion also doubled as a gathering of a devoted subculture: aviation enthusiasts, more commonly known as “avgeeks.”

Philippine Airlines' newest plane, the Airbus A350-1000

As interesting as it was to witness Southeast Asia’s first Airbus A350-1000 and learn about its new features, I found myself drawn instead to this community of aircraft spotters, individuals whose passion for aviation immediately piqued my curiosity.

Some of the plane spotters awaiting PAL's Airbus A350-1000

They are easy to spot, usually a small group gathered near an airport runway, cameras mounted on tripods, eyes alternating between the sky and their phones as they track arrivals through the Flight Radar app.

The new features of Airbus A350-1000

Most of them can identify an aircraft by silhouette alone, distinguishing what Boeing or Airbus model before the wheels touch the tarmac. They speak in the language of fuselage length and engine thrust, of delivery routes and fleet configurations, with the fluency others reserve for sports statistics.

For someone like me, who boards a plane without noting whether it is a Boeing 747 or an Airbus A380, my encounter with them was an eye opener.

Peak Community of Aviation Enthusiasts

“I would say the Philippine plane spotting community is, in aviation terms, ‘top of climb,’ or at its peak right now,” said RM, who goes by @runwaymanila.ph on Instagram. RM described it as “a niche community coming from all walks of life united by the love of aviation.” Some spotters, he explained, are deeply knowledgeable about specific aircraft types, while others specialize in photography. “Connecting with others is essential because it builds a better community — sharing insights and experiences with each other.”

@planespotteej shooting a plane flying overhead

That sense of openness echoed across the runway. “It’s really a diverse community consisting of people of different ages and backgrounds,” said @PlanespotTeej. “But the common interest is simply loving seeing aircraft. Nothing limits you for being a ‘plane spotter.’ Whether you’re using an entry-level camera phone or have professional camera gear, or just simply admire watching planes, you can be in as long as you respect and learn from each other.” Another plane spotter, who runs the Facebook page Just Plane Things, described the community as “enthusiastic and encouraging,” adding that through it, “you can make connections with people who love aviation and learn more about the aircraft’s history and other information.”

An A380 about to take-off for Dubai. Photo @planespotteej

The event drew us to the Lifestyle Achiever’s Hub along C-5 in Parañaque, a favored vantage point just a few hundred meters from one of NAIA’s runways. From there, aircraft descend low enough to rattle windows and stir applause. Many in attendance had been tracking the jet’s journey from Toulouse, France, through flight-monitoring applications watching its path arc across continents before its final approach to Manila.

@planespotteej in action

For first-timers, the advice is simple: “Just enjoy the moment,” RM said. “Plane spotting doesn’t necessarily require a camera. Soak in the sights and sounds and let your dreams take flight.” RM recommends the Shell C5 Airplane Observation Deck as an accessible starting point: “It offers the best view of NAIA, regardless of which runway is active.” Meanwhile, @Planespotteej prefers that day’s event venue, Eldan Cafe + Bar. “It provides a clearer view of the runway, and the cafe strikes a good balance between work and leisure.”

An Air France plane captured by JustPlaneThings

RM added a note of caution: “Point your cameras to the aircraft but NEVER point lasers. Flash photography is also a big no-no. Drones are also forbidden, for obvious reasons.”

Favorite aircraft vary among the many plane spotters. “It’s gotta be the Airbus A380,” said @PlanespotTeej. “It actually got me started on plane spotting because I wanted to see it in person when I learned it comes here in Manila for maintenance. I love giant engineering marvels hence this is one amazing feat.”

How their Love of Planes Took Flight

For many, the fascination begins in childhood. RM grew up in Rizal, where planes regularly passed overhead. “I remember hearing the roar of the engines and looking up to the sky with amazement how that huge metal thing can fly,” he said. Childhood visits to NAIA Terminal 1 to see off his uncle, an overseas Filipino worker, left a lasting imprint. Though he once dreamed of becoming a pilot, financial realities intervened. Plane spotting, he admitted, became “my coping mechanism to my frustration of becoming a pilot.” When he is near a runway now, he says, “I feel joy. I am at peace. I am brought back to my childhood.”

A350-941 PR153 LAX-CEB. Photo by @airplanegirlPH

For Angela of @airplanegirlph, the turning point came during a difficult period in 2019. Sitting at a rooftop restaurant facing a runway, she watched flights land and depart for hours. “It must be nice to fly out and leave home for a while,” she recalled thinking, an imagined escape. She began noticing the details: “the landing gear retraction after take-off, the actual rotation of the aircraft, the liveries, the lights.” The first aircraft she clearly remembers spotting was “an AirAsia A320 donning the Allstars livery — totally unexpected!” That surprise sent her researching special liveries and airline branding, eventually chasing them across Cebu. What began as casual photography practice became something steadier. Plane spotting, she said, is “something that makes me happy and excited and keeps me sane.”

Republic of Korea Royal Airforce Black Eagles at a Singapore Airshow Photo by @airplanegirlPH

Their fascination extends well beyond takeoff and landing. They photograph aircraft with telephoto precision, catalogue tail numbers, dissect engineering features and debate cabin configurations. For them, aviation is not merely transportation but a science, a blend of physics, design and engineering.

Back at the balcony of Eldan Café, where the PAL event was held, I noticed the crowd was composed of members from different generations. Teenagers and Gen Z’s stood beside working professionals; one boy, no older than 14, excitedly identified each departing aircraft to his mother, calling out models with confidence. The hobby of plane spotting is fast growing, it seems.

As the A350-1000, fresh from the factory floor in France, glided down the runway, cheers erupted from the group. In that moment, the aircraft felt less like a celebration of a new Philippine Airlines acquisition and more like a shared triumph for everyone. The reaction was contagious. Goosebumps followed.

It was a reminder that every plane that lands carries not only passengers, but also the wonders of human innovation - and, for some, like this subculture of plane spotters I met on that morning, a steadfast enthusiasm for watching it soar and return home again.

Bà Nà Hills and other Pleasant Side Trips in Vietnam’s Coastal City of Da Nang

2026-02-02T17:42:00.000-08:00

Vietnam // Da Nang

Bà Nà Hills and other Pleasant Side Trips in Vietnam’s Coastal City of Da Nang

By Marky Ramone Go • February 2026

As a war history junkie from an early age, I first stumbled upon the name Da Nang while reading over accounts of the Vietnam War. Not long after, a television series that aired in the Philippines in the early 1990s, entitled “China Beach”, taken from the moniker American soldiers gave to My Khe Beach, a slender stretch of Da Nang’s long and sunny shoreline, etched the city even deeper in my imagination.

Those early mentions of the city shaped my understanding of Da Nang: once a pivotal site in a violent conflict, now transformed to a coastal city humming with life and drawing travelers from around the world.

The Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills

A City Between Mountains and Sea

Da Nang’s story stretches far beyond the modern skyline that now defines it. Once part of the ancient Champa Kingdom, the city shared its roots with My Son Sanctuary, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an hour away from the city, where the remnants of Hindu temples, built between the 4th and 13th centuries, stand as remnants of a vanished civilization. Together with old cities like Hue and Vung Tau, these sites formed the heart of Champa’s once-prosperous realm along Vietnam’s central coast.

The long shoreline of Da Nang, Vietnam

Centuries later, Da Nang would find itself at the center of a conflict. During the Vietnam War, it became a strategic hub, home to an air base operated by both the South Vietnamese Army and U.S. forces. After the Fall of Saigon in 1975 and the hurried American departure, the city began its long metamorphosis from war-scarred outpost to one of Vietnam’s most dynamic urban centers.

Today, Da Nang’s long stretch of pale sand along the East Vietnam Sea beams with new life: high towers rise where army bunkers once stood, beachside boulevards pulses with energy, and the city’s beachfront appearance has invited comparisons to Miami, though Da Nang, with its unique culture, and a landscape that also includes a mountaineous area, is incomparable to any city in the world.

With a boardwalk perfect for walking, cycling and jogging

Bridges, Boulevards, and a View of the Marble Mountains

My friend Katie and I booked an Airbnb less than 200 meters from the beach, roughly midway along Da Nang’s 30-kilometer coastline. Each morning, we walked the boulevard, a wide pedestrian stretch lined with coffee stalls, food carts, and tidy rows of trees, that felt like a glimpse into what Manila’s Roxas Boulevard could have been, only if our city planners had urban foresight meeting sound city vision.

One morning while on our way to somewhere, our Grab driver proudly gestured toward a narrow bridge now used mostly by cyclists. “That small one,” he said, “was the only bridge in Da Nang back in 1991.” It was a simple detail, yet it spoke volumes about how far Da Nang had come; from a sleepy coastal town to a bustling coastal city attracting hordes of tourists from around the world.

Dragon Bridge at night

Speaking of bridges, on weekends the city’s Dragon Bridge, a six-lane, 666-meter-long structure built with an arch-beam-wire steel design and crowned by a dragon’s head, puts on a dazzling show, spraying water and shooting bursts of light to mimic the creature breathing fire. Crowds gather along the riverside promenade to witness the spectacle. During our weekday visit, the scene was calmer; we took a leisurely stroll across the bridge’s pedestrian lane, pausing to admire the magnificent sunset over the Han River.

Nearby, we crossed the Love Bridge, a short pedestrian walkway along the Han River where couples attach padlocks to the railings as symbols of lasting affection. At dusk, the scene turns notches cinematic as the heart-shaped lanterns cast a magical glow against the fading red sky, and the Dragon Bridge in the background flashes with changing colors reflected on the water below.

at the love lock pedestrian bridge

Whether it’s a stroll along the beach, a walk by the Han River, or a wander through Da Nang’s lively streets lined with cafés, art galleries, flea markets and restaurants serving delicious local food, racking up more than 20,000 steps a day feels less like exercise and more like pleasure. There’s so much to see and do on a whim, far beyond the usual beach bumming.

Long walks usually ends up with a food trip

The next day, we woke early to visit the Marble Mountains, located just half an hour from our Airbnb. Rising dramatically from Da Nang’s flat coastline, the Marble Mountains are a cluster of limestone and marble outcrops steeped in myth and Buddhist devotion.

The view from one of the higher decks in Marble Mountains

Pagodas crown the peaks, while caves reveal altars illuminated by shafts of sunlight and veiled in incense smoke. The site serves as both a place of pilgrimage and a panoramic lookout over Da Nang’s rapidly developing urban landscape. From Da Nang’s beaches, we headed next to the mountains.

Inside one of the caves in Marble Mountains

The whole Marble Mountains covers an area dotted with temples, pagodas, caves and gardens

Above the Clouds: The Charm of Bà Nà Hills

Whenever I visit a mountaintop destination, I make it a point to stay fully awake while passing through the scenic zigzag roads. The journey to Ba Na Hills offered a bit of that, but the main route unfolded not on land, but in the air - via an extraordinarily long cable car ride. To call it picturesque would be an understatement.

The scenic cable car ride to Ba Na Hills

We boarded the main cable car from the reception area to Sun World Ba Na Hills; a theme park perched atop the mountains. Stretching 5,801 meters, the line passes over waterfalls and a dramatic sweep of limestone ridges and sheer drops. It holds the world record for the longest non-stop single-track cable car.

The half-hour ascent unfolded like a slow-motion journey through weather itself: one moment, the sky was clear, the next, the air covered in fog. My friend Katie and I shared a cable car with a family of three from India, visiting Ba Na Hills for their holiday.

A Gothic-styled replica of Saint Dennis Church in Ba Na Hills' French Village

After the usual exchange of where we were from, I couldn’t resist pitching the Philippines as their next destination. “I’ve heard the beaches in Palawan are great,” the father said. “They are,” I replied, “and there’s even more to see if you have the time to explore.” When I mentioned my past trips to India, his face brightened. “We’re from Rajasthan, in Udaipur,” he said, his wife smiling beside him. “We’re glad you enjoyed your experience there.”

Whole families will enjoy a stroll around Ba Na Hills

Traveling in places like Vietnam, which only trails Malaysia and Thailand in international arrivals in Southeast Asia, often means meeting strangers from across the world in brief but insightful ways. Even short exchanges offer small lessons in understanding. We didn’t know it then, but as our cable car glided toward the mountaintop, we were about to join the crowd of countless visitors converging from every corner of the globe.

Night life in Ba Na Hills is another wonderful experience

Sun World Ba Na Hills stands on the site of an old French hill station, first established by French colonists in 1919. From this height, the view stretches across a rolling expanse of mountains and, beyond them, the distant glimpse of the sea.

Inside a temple

The park is divided into several zones, but the heart of it, the one that draws the crowds, is the French Village, a carefully constructed homage to Vietnam’s former colonizers. Here, a Gothic Cathedral rise above cobblestone lanes, framed by country-style villas, manicured gardens, and fountains that lend the place a certain olden European vibe. It is a make-believe village, but one rendered with such precision that, for a moment, you might forget where you are.

Less crowd during the night making an overnight stay at Bana Hills a good idea

Shops, cafés, and restaurants line its streets, and even the hotels sustain the illusion. We stayed at one of them, a Mercure property that exuded the same air of European charm my friend, who has been to France and elsewhere in Europe, could attest to -making the entire park feel part theme, part nostalgia.

Charming and quaint cafes are all over the side roads

On our first day, we simply walked and walked stopping for a few beers at one pub, coffee at another, and beef skewers from a charming outdoor stall. We even rode the alpine coaster, a self-driven two-seater that winds along a roller-coaster track through the hills.

Our small but lovely room in Ba Na Hills

A lovely dinner with wine and a fancy dessert capped our foggy first night in Ba Na Hills, as we eagerly prepared to rise early the next day. The following morning, we woke before 5 a.m. and for good reason. We wanted to visit the famous Golden Hand Bridge before the crowds arrived, since it becomes packed with day-trippers as the morning wears on.

The landscape of Sun World Ba Na Hills

The Golden Bridge is a feat of architecture and imagination: a 150-meter pedestrian walkway seemingly held aloft by two colossal stone hands, as if the mountains themselves were lifting a piece of jewelry toward the sky. It’s both dreamy and spiritual, a design meant to evoke the “hands of God” cradling the bridge.

True enough, when we arrived a few minutes after 6 a.m., we had the bridge almost to ourselves, sharing it only with a couple of dozen other visitors. The weather was perfect, which made the experience even better. We walked back and forth across the short span, taking in the atmosphere and the surrounding gardens until we were happily exhausted and craving a good cup of coffee.

We came early in the morning thus the almost zero crowd

Touching the skies.

Touching the skies

From the Coast to the Clouds, why Da Nang is a Worthy Place to Visit

After spending a night in Ba Na Hills, we ended our short but rewarding five-day stay in Da Nang with a promise to return. On the drive to Hoi An, the charming, lantern-lit old district about an hour and a half away, I found myself looking back on the city with a sense of wanderlust satisfaction.

High four!

Da Nang’s appeal lies in its balance. The city offers the easy pleasures of a coastal escape, such as its long stretches of beach, good coffee, and equally good food, but also a growing appeal that attracts remote workers and long-stay travelers. You can spend a morning swimming or surfing, then spend the afternoon in a café overlooking the Han River, watching the city move in what some says the “Vietnam pace”, hectic yet cinematic.

There’s more beyond the beaches, of course. Da Nang holds traces of its rich history and culture through numerous sites, many of which we didn’t have time to visit on this trip, along with newer attractions like the family-friendly Ba Na Hills.

at a random cafe in the streets of Da Nang

Along the way, we met a few Filipino travelers who seemed having a wonderful time just like us. When we asked one why she chose to visit, she simply said, “It’s affordable, the food is good, and the beach is nice.” It’s hard to argue with that. And I’ll add more positive points for Da Nang.

Exploring the varied zones of Sun World Ba Na Hills

NCCA Opens 2026 with Santo Niño Exhibit, Sets Sights on National Arts Month

2026-01-23T22:34:00.000-08:00

Visiting Intramuros, I’m reminded once again that its walls hide a vast classroom. Every visit brings new insights. Early this week, I returned to cover the opening of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Gallery’s January exhibition, Enero: Buwan ng Balaang Bata: Devotion to the Holy Child in the Philippines. And once again, I left with fascinating new discoveries.

Sto Nino collections of various sizes and appearances

The Bali Blueprint: How Culture, Cuisine, and Connectivity Shaped Asia’s Nomad and Holiday Haven

2026-01-21T01:30:00.000-08:00

Indonesia // Bali

The Bali Blueprint: How Culture, Cuisine, and Connectivity Shaped Asia’s Nomad and Holiday Haven

By Marky Ramone Go • January 2026

Surf, sun, beaches, shopping, food, and culture, or, as Elizabeth Gilbert wrote in Eat, Pray, Love, a place of healing. Yet even if you add it all up together, they will still fall short of capturing the essence of Bali and the reason it has become Indonesia’s most popular destination. There is something about this island that must be seen with one’s own eyes, felt through the senses, and stored in the vaults of memory.

Personally, Bali had me caught in its web. Three visits have left their traces: the first, a solo backpacking trip nearly a decade ago; the second, a weeklong holiday with my then-girlfriend; and most recently, a media tour with fellow travel writers, organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Manila. Each time, I found myself wishing I could have stayed longer.

Sunset and chill at Seminyak Beach in Bali

What is it about Bali that seems to check nearly every box for a traveler like me? Despite its touristy reputation, the island still exudes a vibe suited to a family holiday, evident in the growing number of families romping along its shores. At the same time, it caters to backpackers, with plentiful choices for affordable accommodation, food, and activities, and to those seeking a deeper understanding of local culture, such as an introduction, in Bali’s case, to Hindu spiritual teachings and traditions. Layered atop its jaw-dropping natural beauty, these qualities keep the island firmly in the minds of anyone planning a journey.

On this piece, asianTraveler takes a closer look at what makes Bali click.

with fellow travel writers, content creators and friends from the Indonesian Embassy

at the T-Rex Viewpoint at Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida Island

Broken Beach in Nusa Penida Island

Bali Beyond the Beaches: (Kecak) Dances, Temples, and Bustling Streets

Beyond the beaches of Kuta and Seminyak, where I spent most of my time on my first two trips to the island, and the Instagrammable appeal of Nusa Penida, a smaller island southeast of mainland Bali, the waterfalls, rice terraces, and countryside scenery while almost similar of those in the Philippines, carry a distinctly Balinese atmosphere. Balinese architecture, women in ceremonial dress, and men in colorful batik polos punctuate everyday life while the island’s many temples and heritage villages, continue to preserve their character, tradition, and culture.

Viewing the majestic cliffs of Uluwatu

In Uluwatu, it’s easy to be distracted by the playful long-tailed macaques, whose intelligence matches their mischief. They pose for photos, charm visitors, and occasionally run off with a water bottle or an iPhone from the unsuspecting tourists. Yet beyond the antics of these mischievous monkeys rests a place of deep reverence: the Pura Luhur Temple, perched high on a cliff and regarded as one of Bali’s spiritual foundations. With its sweeping views of the rugged coastline and the relentless crash of the ocean below, Uluwatu is a place not to be missed.

Not even the rain can stop the audience from watching the Kecak Dance

One of the most mesmerizing cultural performances I’ve ever witnessed unfolds each day just before sunset, atop the cliffs near Pura Luhur Temple. It’s called the Kecak Dance, an entertaining spectacle that begins with a hypnotic chorus of men chanting “cak-cak-cak,” their voices merging into an impactful rhythm.

the monkey God Hanuman surrounded by other characters of the Kecak cultural show

Around seventy men form a living orchestra, encircling the lead performers who take on the roles of the wise prince Ayodra, his noble heir Rama, their parents Dasarata and Sita, the monkey god Hanuman, and the demon king Rahwana.

The show is made more spectacular by the sunset in the background

Rooted in the old trance ritual of the “Sanghyang,” where dancers channel ancestral spirits, the Kecak Dance has evolved into both art and prayer, a bridge between myth and theater. Twice each night, an audience gathers in a small amphitheater overlooking the cliffs, the setting sun, and the sea, not only to be entertained but to witness the art of Balinese storytelling.

Ready for my close-up

At Penglipuran Village, founded in the 13th century, you’ll find a living example of where Bali’s spirit lives on through daily rituals, bamboo-lined lanes, traditional houses, and age-old customs. Home to more than 250 families, this highland community became a designated tourist village in 1993, following preservation efforts that began a few years earlier. The move has provided residents with extra income to help maintain their ancestral homes and way of life.

Tradition here feels authentic, pulsing with the beat of everyday Balinese life. A stroll through the village reveals another facet of the island, one where nearly every home offers something to take back: hand-carved masks, woven baskets, wooden crafts, traditional clothes, painted bamboo, and local artworks, each piece a peek into Bali’s creative heart.

Traditional abodes abounds in Penglipuran Village

Apart from glimpsing Mount Batur from a restaurant built along a ridge during my first visit, I had never gotten far into Bali’s highlands until now. At Lake Beratan, more than 4,000 feet above sea level, stands one of the island’s most revered sites: the Ulun Danu Temple. Dedicated to Dewi Danu, the Balinese Hinduism goddess of rivers, lakes, and water, the temple appears to float when the tide rises, its reflection gleaming beautifully on the surface of the lake. Surrounding it is a serene park of manicured gardens, a candi bentar gateway, and sculptures that together create a picture of calm Hindu devotion.

The scenic and misty Ulun Danu Temple

On our second day, as darkness begins to bite at the remaining daylight, we raced toward Tanah Lot Temple, hoping to catch the temple against the backdrop of the setting sun. Fortunately, we made it in time to see the temple in silhouette against blue waters, impressive rock formations and foamy white waves, as it sits atop a jagged rock that, which just like Ulun Danu, seems to float when the tide rises.

Since it was low-tide, we were able to walk to its base. A pujari or a Hindu priest greeted us with tirta or holy water that dripped cool coming from a small fountain. He pressed rice to our foreheads for prosperity and tucked a small flower behind our ears as an act of gratitude. In that brief, sun-fading moment, the wind, the waves, and the ritual merged into something deeply Balinese, and entirely unforgettable.

During my previous trip to Bali last year, we visited Pura Tirta Temple

With a full day, we weren’t able to visit another temple, the Pura Tinta Temple, so I’ll just recall my experience visiting it last year. I remember my then-girlfriend, Michelle, and I dressed in the appropriate sarong and sash, along with a sleeved top, lining up for almost an hour for a truly worth-the-wait experience: participating in a purification ritual (melukat) by bathing in the holy spring waters, after exploring the temple’s sacred grounds. The whole process took only a few minutes, but the effects was widely felt a long time after, having to feel not only physically but also spiritually refreshed.

Banyumala Waterfalls as seen from my drone camera

For a taste of Bali’s natural beauty, we squeezed in a short trek to Banyumala Waterfalls, which plunges nearly a hundred feet into twin streams below. Unlike some of the more popular falls on the island, Banyumala is relatively uncrowded, offering a more private swimming experience. One of many waterfalls scattered across Bali, it adds yet another reason to include “chasing waterfalls” on your island itinerary.

Come nighttime and enjoying some free time from our day-full media itinerary, I took to the streets to do one of the things I’ve grown to love about Bali: exploring its bustling art, market, and shopping districts. From narrow lanes to broad avenues, there is no shortage of things to sift through, thrift stores, art galleries, souvenir shops, wooden crafts, vintage curiosities, and street foods. Each turn seems to reveal another interesting part of the island.

As the nightlife gradually stirs, the passing sight of a mobile bar, seven or eight people huddled around a tabletop in an open minibus slowly weaving through the streets, rooftop bars lighting up the skyline, the day’s lively energy seems to spill into the night. In Bali, sleeping early feels nearly impossible, as an irresistible curiosity invites you to explore even after darkness has fallen.

Rice terraces as seen from a random side of the road

How Food Keeps Bali on the Map

From Nasi Goreng (fried rice) to Sate, Nasi Campur (a platter of Indonesian food), Bebek Betutu (braised duck), Babi Guling, Mie Goreng (fried noodles), Sup Buntut (oxtail soup), and more, Balinese cuisine is a feast for the senses bursting with bold flavors, fragrant spices, and textures that keep every bite exciting.

While many visitors flock to Bali for shopping, I can’t wait for every opportunity to dive into the island’s culinary scene. Known for its masterful use of lemongrass, chili, turmeric, and the fiery kick of sambal on the side, Balinese dishes strike the perfect balance between heat and flavor, leaving your lips feeling burnt with spiciness while fully satisfying your palate, even for the most discerning foodie.

From bustling street stalls to family-run warungs to upscale restaurants, every meal offers not just a taste of Bali, but a glimpse into its Hindu culture—where some dishes are lovingly prepared as offerings for deities during festivals and special ceremonies.

Textures, flavors and colors fills each plate

Bali’s culinary culture thrives by staying true to its roots, creating dishes without losing sight of tradition. Even without Western accolades like Michelin stars, the island stands tall as a food destination in its own right. Thanks to abundant farmland and a thriving marine ecosystem, fresh ingredients move swiftly from fields and seas straight to the chopping boards of kitchens, ensuring every dish bursts with flavor and faithfulness to the island’s flavors.

Crunchy fried duck

Laptop in Hand, Feet in the Sand: Bali’s Digital Nomad Evolution

Beyond its status as a leading holiday destination, Bali has been expanding its appeal to a growing middle class in India, making Indian nationals among the top three foreign visitors to the island. The island also draws wellness enthusiasts, including yoga practitioners, as well as travelers with interests in surfing, food, shopping, history, and the arts. Increasingly, it has become a hub for remote workers or the so-called “digital nomads” who set up temporary bases here.

With laptops in hand and feet in the sand, these work-on-the-road travelers blend work and leisure, choosing Bali as a brief home in part because of its robust infrastructure: fast internet, affordable accommodations or short-term rentals, and coffee shops that accommodate hours of work while also showcasing the island’s growing coffee culture.

Aisa, James, Kaiz, Lois, Tony, Kara, Aileen, Mia, and the list goes on, just mentioning the names on top of my head, of people I personally know drawn by its digital-nomad–friendly atmosphere. As a freelance writer myself, I can’t help but imagine doing the same in the near future. (Fingers crossed.)

Beach bumming and surfing in Kuta Beach

Bidding Goodbye (for now) to an Island That Welcomes All

With a heavy heart and kicking myself for not extending my stay, on our last day, we wandered the grounds where the 121-meter Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue, which towers over Jimbaran Bay, stands.

The Garuda, Indonesia’s national emblem, is an eagle-like figure and a deity in Hinduism, regarded as the king of birds. The Garuda Wisnu Kencana continues this story: Vishnu, one of Hinduism’s principal deities, rides atop the Garuda in search of the amrita, the potion of immortality.

Completed in 2018 after more than 28 years of construction and at a cost of $100 million, the statue dominates the 60-hectare Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, which also includes the Lotus Pond, the site where G20 leaders gathered during the 2022 G20 summit.

Approaching the soaring Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue

In the few remaining hours of our Bali visit, I strolled through the park, risking sunburn under the brilliant blue sky, letting the afternoon breeze cool me. And as I looked up at the soaring statue, I promised myself that this farewell was not the end but merely a pause in my wanderlust affiliation with the island. As I walk away, I smile at the idea that not long from now, I know I would return to Bali, eager to immerse myself more fully in the island’s captivating vibe.