My trip last October 2009 was my second time in Cebu. A few years ago, I was only able to catch glimpses of the island’s landmarks, as my travel group was only there en route to Bohol. But last October, we held in Cebu the Visayas leg of the Philippine Blog Awards for the first time — and I finally got the chance to fully appreciate touring the island without hurry.

Cebu is a long, narrow island west of Bohol. One of the most developed provinces in the Philippines, it can probably be considered the center of commerce in the Visayas. It’s quite easy to find ATM machines in Cebu, and most of the city’s establishments have credit card facilities so you wouldn’t have to worry about carrying a lot of cash unlike in other provinces. From this, it’s easy to assume that Cebu is very similar to Metro Manila. Well, it is in terms of development, but Cebu has an island charm that you can’t find in Manila (the beaches are just a stone throw away) and a monumental role in the history of Christianity in the Philippines. More…

Right along the commercialized main road of Sucat in Parañaque is an oasis not many know it’s there. Its facade is typical of Bio Research pet shops—you’d think the place is just one huge pet warehouse—but inside is a four-hectare garden of plants and animals.

I first heard of Lost Eden from my friend Jayvee, a fellow animal-lover. I honestly had a few reservations about going all the way to Parañaque to check out the place. Unlike him, I’m not an avid fish hobbyist (I prefer animals with fur, specifically dogs). But my husband Marc is. So together with our friend Juned (who also happens to be a huge fish fan like the two), we set forth on a day of nature tripping and pet shopping in the South’s hidden oasis. More…

For our second wedding anniversary, my husband Marc and I treated ourselves to a three-nights-four-days relaxation at White Beach in Boracay, which is part of the province of Aklan. Boracay is famous for its beaches—white crystal sand and clear blue waters—and White Beach is the most popular of all.

No wonder it’s a popular tourist destination. Even in non-summer months, people still flock to Boracay; some for its sea-side night life, others for its beautiful beaches. Marc and I went there during the last week of November (which isn’t supposed to be peak season), and yet we still saw quite a number of people at the beach. More…

The Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City is home to the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), one of the most powerful—and one of the largest—eagles in the world. Its local name is banog, and also known as “Haribon” or “Hari ng Ibon,” which means “Bird King.” In 1995, under Proclamation No. 615, President Fidel V. Ramos named the eagle as the national bird of the Philippines.

Unfortunately, poachers and deforestation pushed this magnificent bird into being critically endangered. The Philippine Eagle now have to be bred in captivity. Their cages are built with more than enough space in order to mimic their natural habitat, which would help them adapt easier when they’re released into the wild. More…

Racuh A Payaman is a protected location in the island of Batan in Batanes. The breath-taking view from the hills makes it a photographer’s dream location: even the most inexperienced photographer can probably come up with awesome photos just because the place is incredibly beautiful already by itself. Dubbed as the “Marlboro country” of Batanes, Racuh A Payaman makes you wonder that such a place still exists in the Philippines.

The photo above is the first thing you will see as you enter the gate leading to the trail. My travel buddies and I were fortunate that the weather was agreeable that day—the sky so blue and the green hills vibrant with life. More…