Have you ever tried camping or just thinking to plan one with your family and friends this year? Well, it doesn’t matter. For sure, you haven’t visited all of the camping and glamping sites here in the country. There’s just a lot of wonderful places to go to! Continue reading this article, start packing your bags, and bring everything you think you’ll need as you leave your house for a temporary home outdoor.
With the many fare promotions here and there this summer, you probably think you’ve been to almost all the cities in the country. But, have you been to Tacloban City, though? Did you even know it is the regional center of Eastern Visayas? Well, it also has much to offer when it comes to beaches, nature, and food, so you may want to add it to your list. Read on to know more about Tacloban and the many reasons you need to go pack, leave your house now, and see it for yourself!
Based on the 2015 census, there are 242,089 people living in Tacloban City and making it the most populous city in Eastern Visayas. Historically, it was the capital of the country for a brief period from October 1944 to February 1945. The destruction made to the city by Typhoon Yolanda not so long ago was all over the news, do you remember?
Good thing, Tacloban has recovered thanks to the naturally strong Filipino spirit and donations from compassionate brothers and sisters all over the world. It’s now back to being one of the most beautiful cities in the Visayas and the whole country.
Let’s start with some of the historical places the city offers. When in Tacloban, it is mandatory to cross the San Juanico Bridge and enjoy the scenery. Why not go live on Facebook and Instagram while crossing in this long bridge that connects Samar and Leyte? You can also cross with your bike or even more intense, run. There’s a lane for it – another item to add to your list of things to try, indeed.
Now, let’s go to that place where General Douglas MacArthur promised “I shall return” and did fulfill it. The original statues built at the park was destroyed by Typhoon Yolanda, yet immediately restored. Amazing to stand where it all exactly happened, right? When you’re in Tacloban specifically at The MacArthur Landing Memorial Park, stand in front of MacArthur’s team and imagine they’re walking towards you. If it doesn’t make you nostalgic, I don’t know what else can.
Other tourist spots you may also enjoy include the San Juanico Park Golf and Country Club for the 18-hole course found in the north and Balyu-an Amphitheater that feature the best shows. As for Calvary Hill, it features really large statues of Jesus Christ and other religious personalities. You may stroll there or see the Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum.
Celebrations represent the city. If you want to witness a festival when you visit the city, go and see the Sangyaw Festival – a religious and socio-cultural event in the country. Recently, it was revived in 2008 by the city government of Tacloban, Philippines. Wonder what Sangyaw means? It is “to herald news” in Waray language.
For most people and tourists, no trip is ever complete without going to the beach. Especially because the beaches in the country is far more outstanding than the rest in the world. The foreigners make sure that they’ve swum to as many Philippine beaches as possible. Among your options include San Pablo Beach, Tangkaan Beach, and Bituon Beach if you’re planning to indulge in some vitamin sea soon.
You may also want to go to the small paradise of Canigao Island in Matalom, Leyte. Once knows as the fishermen’s sanctuary in Matalom, it became a tourist destination in 2005. Are you Team 1: beach bum in the powdery white sand, or Team 2: down to snorkel to see the underwater world. Why not both?
Various festival participants from different parts of the country participate in this tribal procession. The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival is a merry-making event lasting a whole month, highlights of which include the Leyte Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals. Also the 17th Pintados Festival Ritual Dance Presentation, as well as the “Pagrayhak” Grand Parade.
So how do you get to Tacloban? From Manila, you can book a flight to Tacloban aka “The Gateway to Eastern Visayas” through the major airlines. Another way is to travel by ferry for approximately 36 hours. You may want to bring a friend with you to keep you sane if choose the latter, though. Enjoy Tacloban City!
More and more people are getting into hiking since 2017. This year, the list of mountains to climb has just gotten longer. There are new places discovered, but only a few are recommended for beginners.
People hike for different reasons. As for you reading this, you may wonder what it is with hiking that people are willing to take indirect heat from the sun. Why do hikers happily burrow their expensive hiking shoes into the mud? If you ask those who frequently do, their answers range from the usual physical fitness to moving on from a relationship that just ended. Hiking just gets more interesting by the minute, right?
Traveling—for the longest time, it’s been considered a privilege, but these days it’s more of an annual, if not quarterly, activity. All credit to budget fares, AirBnBs, and of course smart saving hacks, destinations don’t seem so far-off reach. Filipinos can attest to this, as Visa reported in 2015 that Filipinos are among the most-traveled from all the Asia Pacific countries. So it isn’t uncommon to see Filipinos leaving their homes to travel to strange new places.
I love it when Nanay comes to visit us, it’s an excuse for us to go to Tagaytay again, go to church and try one of the restaurants there. Last time, we ate at Cafe Voila after we went to Pink Sisters. This time, we went further to Caleruega and we chose to eat in another Thai restaurant in Tagaytay, Lime and Basil.
Lime and Basil Thai Restaurant is located in Alfonso, Cavite
If you’re a traveling professional, your packing process and itineraries are probably pretty streamlined. You’ve signed up for TSA pre-check, your schedule is packed, and your year is spent mostly at 30,000+ feet. But if you want to take your travel efficiency to the next level and make the most out of every business trip, you’re in the right place! We’ve got some helpful tips and tricks for every on-the-go professional. Read on for the top items you should have on your packing list as well as travel tips to promote you to expert jetsetter in a flash.
