April 18, 2021April 19, 2021

Intramuros and Binondo: A Tale of Two Districts

More than a month ago we revisited the walled district of Intramuros in Manila with friends. On the way there we passed by Binondo, Manila’s famed Chinatown, for lunch. It had been a while since last visited this bustling district of offices, restaurants, food stalls, groceries and herbal stores.
March 25, 2021March 29, 2021

Chasing Real’s Fish Stalls and Waterfalls, Part 2

In what could be our last trip for weeks or even months to come, we drove for the town of Real, Quezon, 2 weeks ago, visiting the first 2 cascades of Cawayan Falls.
March 13, 2021April 18, 2021

Real, Quezon: Chasing Waterfalls and Fish Stalls, Part 1

Although travel restrictions are slowly being eased in the Philippines, we chose to confine our trips to travel by land. Earlier this week we headed up to the coastal town of Real, Quezon.
February 28, 2021

The Art Gallery with a View

The Rizal towns of Antipolo, Angono and Binangonan are known for its art galleries. Even the oldest known art work in the Philippines – the Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs believed to be 4,000 years old – is located in the area. But an art gallery with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside?
February 11, 2021March 2, 2021

A Peek Into Siniloan’s Hidden Falls

Since this pandemic broke out we’ve been itching to head up to a white sand beach or trek to a waterfall. But it’s better to be safe than sorry so we chose to button up at home for most of 2020. A few days ago, however, we got the chance to visit some of the waterfalls at beautiful Siniloan in Laguna.
January 31, 2021February 15, 2021

A Walk Through Time at Intramuros, Manila

During 3 centuries of Spanish rule the 0.67 square kilometer Intramuros (Latin for “within the walls”) was considered the entire City of Manila and served as the political, religious, educational and economic center of the Spanish East Indies.
January 16, 2021January 17, 2021

Rediscovering Manila

Before this pandemic we would never have imagined doing a tour of the old city of Manila. Whenever visiting friends from other countries would inquire about what place to visit in the Philippines we wouldn’t dare mention Manila.
December 31, 2020

Travel in the Year of Quarantine

With the end of this pandemic seemingly nowhere in sight perhaps the best attitude for the New Year is summed up in what John Wooden, the coach with the most number of U.S. national collegiate basketball championships, once said: “Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”
December 25, 2020March 30, 2021

Cavite Beyond the Usual Spots

One thing we’ve learned during this year of quarantine is appreciating the beauty of places not too far from the metro. Our preference is for off-the-beaten-path destinations which often suggests travel to remote places far from home.
November 30, 2020

The Bicol Region in Our Thoughts

Within a span of 18 days, three powerful typhoons – one of them the strongest in the world in 2020 and among the strongest in recorded history – struck the major island of Luzon in the Philippines. Hard hit were the provinces of the Bicol region

Plaza Roma, Intramuros and Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz, Binondo

April 18, 2021April 19, 2021

Intramuros and Binondo: A Tale of Two Districts

Nonok Falls, Real, Quezon province

March 25, 2021March 29, 2021

Chasing Real’s Fish Stalls and Waterfalls, Part 2

Cawayan Falls in Real, Quezon

March 13, 2021April 18, 2021

Real, Quezon: Chasing Waterfalls and Fish Stalls, Part 1

at the topmost or 5th level of ArtSector

February 28, 2021

The Art Gallery with a View

hidden waterfall in Siniloan, Laguna

February 11, 2021March 2, 2021

A Peek Into Siniloan’s Hidden Falls

the Manila Cathedral, Intramuros, Manila

January 31, 2021February 15, 2021

A Walk Through Time at Intramuros, Manila

Manila Skyline

January 16, 2021January 17, 2021

Rediscovering Manila

Northern Blossom Flower Farm, Atok, Benguet

December 31, 2020

Travel in the Year of Quarantine

Pre-Eruption Taal Lake and Volcano

December 25, 2020March 30, 2021

Cavite Beyond the Usual Spots

Mayon Volcano viewed from Daraga, Albay

November 30, 2020

The Bicol Region in Our Thoughts

Sierra Madre foothills in Antipolo, Rizal

November 21, 2020April 18, 2021

A Whiff of Fresh Air: Rizal’s Highlands

bright sunset colors at Manila Bay. viewed from Harbor Square

October 14, 2020February 28, 2021

Harbor Square: The Rewards of Patience

Sugong hanging coffins, Sagada

September 30, 2020March 25, 2021

Sagada: Hanging Coffins and More

kebabs at a Middle Eastern restaurant

September 13, 2020March 17, 2021

Staying at Home and Mid-Eastern Cuisine

Subic Beach in Calintaan Island, Matnog, Sorsogon

August 26, 2020March 13, 2021

Sorsogon Beyond the Whale Sharks

Hikong Bente Falls, one of the Seven Falls

August 11, 2020February 11, 2021

Lake Sebu: A Look Back

Nanga Parbat, Pakistan

July 21, 2020July 29, 2020

Places to Revisit: Part 2

Duyos Beach in Basilisa, Dinagat

July 9, 2020January 31, 2021

Our Best Places to Revisit: Part 1

pork banh mi

June 30, 2020December 31, 2020

Our Vietnamese Food Encounters

betute tugak or stuffed frog from Pampanga, Philippines

Bizarre Foods: It’s in the Eye of the Beholder