I always come prepared when I travel. And I also make sure that I have my first-aid kit and my over-the-counter medicine with me at all times. Of course, I also pack ready-to-eat snacks for emergency purposes. But on normal days, are you prepared to tackle any disaster-related situation when one finally strikes? Well, I am!
We all know that disaster strikes when we least expect it. The question is, are you willing to get caught in the storm unprepared? As for me, I don't want to take any chances. You can actually make a contingency plan by building your own "Grab Bag" for starters. A Grab Bag consists of basic items that should last you for at least 2 days. These essentials should be able to cover you until conditions (bad weather and other disaster-related cases) are safer.
Capiz, the Center of Seafood Trip Tourism in
the Country, was not an immediate destination in my list of places to see in the Philippines.
I’ve been allergic to crustaceans for as long as I could remember, so I delayed the idea of traveling to the province. But when an opportunity to visit the seafood
capital was offered to me, I just couldn’t say no. And it was one of the best
decisions yet, as exploring parts of Capiz showed me so many interesting places
and eats, several of which I would’ve missed if I overlooked the chance to explore the booming region.
One of the things that I gave priority to after getting married was my passport renewal. It was actually timely for a name change too, as my passport was about to expire in a few months (September 2016). I also decided to take on my husband's name, by choice of course, because (1) I've long wanted to carry his surname, and (2) having the same last name would help identify my husband and I as one family unit (i.e. easier endorsements when it comes to applying for visas, opening joint bank accounts, making loans).
Moving forward... if you happen to be newly married like me (married just last year!), or already married but haven't gotten the chance to change your last name on your passport yet, you can just refer to our infographic. Please note that the one I made is more applicable for Filipinas who are married to a local as well. The requirements and documents may still differ when it comes to your application type (i.e. for spouse of foreign national who would change their civil status from single to married, for married women who would like to revert to their maiden name).
TIPS WHEN SETTING AN APPOINTMENT
It was July of last year when I got my scheduled appointment online. I still didn't have a copy of our Marriage Contract at the time (the one printed on PSA Security Paper), but I still chose to book in advance despite the odds. Of course, I made a back up plan in
When I saw this deal online (2 years ago), I knew that I had to get it! I know, this post is super late. But it's better late than never, right? Anyway, see for yourself why I had to grab this deal from eBay's Kuponan.
If I were to describe my stay at San Rafael River Adventure (SRRA), it would be a safe haven. Imagine waking up inside a glass cottage, amidst a garden filled with trees and greeneries, and a gorgeous view of Angat River. You'd want nothing more than to stay and to experience the calmness that the horizon brings, as you embrace its enchanting setting. Truly, this lush sanctuary in Bulacan is an ideal place for that much needed rest and relaxation.
Getting tagged to come along a party on a chartered boat, even on short notice, was one for the books. It was one of those impromptu events that you’re likely to grab and go to because you rarely get an opportunity to experience it for free. So when my friend MJ got invited to attend a birthday celebration of a friend, she immediately asked Mane and me if we wanted to go with her. Of course, we said yes. We were with one another the entire day already, so what better way to cap off the day than to spend a lovely night onboard a beautiful catamaran boat.
It was only hours ago when I discovered Ed Sheeran's "Kiss Me" being played on Grey's Anatomy's latest episode. The love songs lyrics suddenly had me remembering my friend's recent wedding by the beach. She and her husband just turned one month today, after getting married in Boracay.
I've been to the island three times now. But my fourth time to step foot on this pristine and beautiful place felt like a different journey on its own. Not only did I get to travel with two of my closest friends Joanne and Ced, I was able to witness an intimate and one-of-a-kind union.
I've been to the island three times now. But my fourth time to step foot on this pristine and beautiful place felt like a different journey on its own. Not only did I get to travel with two of my closest friends Joanne and Ced, I was able to witness an intimate and one-of-a-kind union.
[Old post from May 2008] A friend of ours wanted to celebrate her birthday out of town. So just after a month from our beach getaway, we all decided to take her on a road trip up the mountains. The destination was BAGUIO.
DAY 1
A day before her actual birthday. We all decided to meet at the 7-eleven store by Roces Avenue around 12 midnight. As soon as everyone arrived, we rode the first available jeep to Cubao to catch a bus trip to Baguio via Victory Liner. The ticket was around PHP450/one-way.
It all came to me on a hot and humid August day, like a sudden rush of blood to the head. Finally, I had a business plan in mind that I could definitely see through in the long run --- something that I felt I'd be pursuing head on no matter what. I knew there would be a lot of risks, especially on the financial end of things. But I just knew that it was going to be worth chasing after.
Everything just came together. My love for traveling, my interest in meeting different individuals on the road and listening to their stories, discovering cultural treasures, and finding purpose in every trip that I come home from. I've always known that traveling, as one of my passions in life, would always lead me to some of the most fulfilling adventures. And exploring the Philippines, my home country, has led me to a venture that I instantly fell in love with --- LAKHAMBINI.
I haven't experienced a close encounter with any Philippine lake before. But I've seen several from afar. So I couldn't contain my excitement when we were getting ready to visit Lake Danao in Ormoc. Leyte's lagoon is said to be guitar-shaped and is of volcanic origin. What used to be called "Lake Imelda" (now called Lake Danao Natural Park) covers an area of around 148 hectares or 370 acres.
My husband and I haven't gone anywhere together since our Singapore family trip. Luckily, our friend MJ won Aquaventure tickets, to which she invited us to enjoy with her. Good thing our schedules were free, so we were able to enjoy an after dark pool party at Aquaventure Atlantis The Palm.
An unexpected family matter came up that had my husband and I rushing to Abu Dhabi for the weekend. And since we were on a tight budget, we looked for ways to make our trip comfortable without breaking the bank. Good thing we had The Entertainer app, which offered a variety of Buy-1-Take-1 deals ranging from food & drinks, everyday services, travel and more. Through this app, we were able to get a 2-night stay at the Intercontinental Abu Dhabi while paying for just one night.
The number of Likes, Shares, Retweets, and Recommendations were very overwhelming! Thank you to all of the readers of Youngblood for sharing this very important piece of my life's journey. Thank you for the wonderful compliments as well! ♥
2015 has been a rollercoaster of emotions: physically, mentally and financially. Nevertheless, I tried for the bad things to never get the best of me. Thankfully, I was still blessed with a few travels this year, some of which have helped rejuvenate my weary soul.
Siem Reap, Cambodia (May 2015) |
This year, I am grateful for old and new friends who I've met on the road and who've kept me sane. I am thankful for the people who've been around, especially when things got a little too difficult for me to handle.
As the year ends, I can't help but reflect on the incredible adventures and experiences that filled my 2023. This year has been nothing short of a whirlwind, with travels taking me across Asia, each destination offering a unique blend of culture, cuisine, and unforgettable memories.
In the words of Ramon Mariñas, the Managing Director of Bienvenido Travel and Tours, “you’ll be surprised to know that one does not need to go far for a quick rest and recreation, as Antipolo’s proximity to the Philippine capital offer its visitors unique guest experiences.” Known for being the “City in the Sky”, given its highly elevated location and its scenic views of the metropolitan area, Antipolo is also recognized for its centuries-old churches (the Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines), farms, gardens, resorts, spas, restaurants, delicacies (i.e. suman, roasted cashews) and many more.
Hey Biyaheras and Biyaheros! I just wanted to share this video from YouTube. The findings were pretty alarming for someone like me who likes to take pictures from my smartphone, which I upload online soon after (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram). It has been a routine for me, especially when sharing photos of certain family moments and of my travels. I'm sure you've all heard or used the services of Foursquare, where you log in your exact location when visiting a certain area. Well, there's an even bigger threat to posting or emailing your pictures without even accessing the mentioned app.
There will be an instruction on why you need to turn off the locations services of your phone at the end of the video. So please, please.. watch it until the end.
Explore & Be Free!
Mai
Working on a specific budget is a non-negotiable when it comes to planning my travels. So when I finally set my dates for my Bacolod trip, I started looking for accommodations that would fit my allocated savings. After making lodging inquiries online, and getting recommendations from friends, I eventually found The Hostelry.
Lakawon Island in Negros Occidental is quickly becoming a beach resort destination in the Philippines. With that, I knew that I had to see it in person to find out what all the fuss is about. And it wasn't long until I found myself traveling off the coast of Cadiz City, walking the white sands of the banana-shaped island, and setting sail aboard Taw Hai, the first floating bar in Asia.