Post-Holiday Hideaways
The Christmas holiday season may have died down, but true-blue leisure lovers will seize every opportunity to hie off to a hideaway, however simple it may be.
Surf and Glamp in Zamba
Provinces across the country are rebooting their post-pandemic tourism industry one after the other, and the charming northern getaway of Zambales is not to be outdone.
Crash Landing on Leyte
Just like the smash K-Pop TV series, crash landing in Leyte province is among the serendipitous experiences even the most jaded travelers will find exciting. Beyond Gen. Douglas MacArthur and the Allied Forces’s legendary return to its sleepy shores during World War II, its countryside charm has an irresistible magnet which can make you say your own “I Shall Return” vow 78 years later.
Eclectic Expressions
Mention Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar and immediately its famed 19th-century homes which evoke Old World charm come into mind. Situated at a coastal village in Bagac, Bataan, it is a recipient of the prestigious 2021 Historic Hotels Worldwide Best Historic Hotel in Asia and the Pacific by Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence.
Basket of Happiness
Happiness is among the top human pursuits, and journeying to stunning destinations is undoubtedly one of the means to attain this life goal.
Historical Reenactment: Making History Come Alive
In many historic tourist destinations around the world, it is a common sight to see reenactors garbed in period costumes portraying typical chores of the time to create a complete multi-sensorial experience for visitors.
Southern Gracious Host
Ask any jaded traveler on his favorite destinations, and chances are Cebu is one of them. Adjudged several times by prestigious global publications as among the best islands in Asia and the world, this province boasts of a rich diversity of nature, adventure and culture, and everything in between.
Northern Vibrance
Travelers en route to the Cagayan Valley will inevitably pass through this gateway province, which is a best-kept secret hiding under plain sight. Perhaps, in their haste to reach their destination further up north, people get to just breeze by the highway and miss the opportunity to savor the natural vibrance of Nueva Vizcaya.
Celebrating Cordillera’s culture and cuisine
The Cordillera highland region is arguably the most exotic in the archipelago with its majestic mountain ranges, rugged nature-based adventures, centuries-old indigenous cultures, and the iconic Rice Terraces, one of Unesco’s World Heritage Sites.
Coasting Along Paradise Island
The country’s idyllic string of islands is beckoning us to recapture the fun moments in the long, hot summer we lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic. One exciting island which has eluded beach bums for so long is Boracay, with its 8-month rehabilitation and almost two years of shutdown.
47th International Bamboo Organ Fest goes online this April
For the second year in a row in the pandemic era, the International Bamboo Organ Festival will go online to provide a continuing stream to the country’s longest-running musical event.
Exciting Restart in Bicol
The lowering of Covid-19 Alert Levels in most parts of the Philippines is undoubtedly the green light wanderlusts have been waiting for to resume their jetsetting lifestyles before the pandemic struck.
Sailing. Sun. Sea.
When pop icon Christopher Cross’s hit song “Sailing” hit the airwaves in 1980, every other baby boomer and Gen X-er was raring to hop on to the nearest boat and glide on the water. With a mesmerizing melody and enticing lyrics, who wouldn’t want to go sailing and rough it out in the sun and sea.
Hidden hideaways on Valentine’s Day
The proverbial “day of the hearts” is arguably the most-anticipated red-letter day for many Filipino romantics, despite it being business as usual. The Covid-19 pandemic, notwithstanding, Pinoys will continue to celebrate it, although this time with a tinge of caution particularly when it comes to the observance of the physical distancing protocol.
Beyond Gazing Mayon Volcano, Nearby Adventures await
For the longest time, Mayon Volcano has been among the country’s most iconic attractions of Albay province and the Bicol region which has graced countless tourism posters and brochures. It is best viewed at the postcard-pretty Cagsawa Ruins Church in Daraga town which was partly buried by a destructive eruption in 1812.
Hann Resorts opens Clark luxury casino
High-rollers and gaming aficionados have a new “millionaire’s playground” with the recent opening of the Hann Casino Resort, the country’s first integrated leisure complex, at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.
It’s Christmas Time in the City
The Philippines has arguably the world’s longest, most colorful and happiest celebration of the Christmas Season. Across the archipelago, local governments light up and adorn the public areas, while homes deck the halls with boughs of holly.
It’s time to return to Bohol
The recent dropping of the RT-PCR or antigen requirements in many domestic destinations was the best news quarantine-weary Pinoys ever heard, perhaps next to a visa-free entry to a bucket list country.
Hail to the chieftain
There is a lingering joke that the Lapu-Lapu, the Cebuano chieftain who first defied foreign incursion in the archipelago, is also the killer of the first recorded tourist—Ferdinand Magellan. With the yearlong national observance of the quincentennial of the epic Magellan-Elcano circumnavigation of the world, public spotlight has been focused on the historic Battle of Mactan.
Head to Southern Crossings
One of the exciting and enticing reasons to be in Central Visayas is the proximity of the idyllic islands where you can hop from one province to the next. The good news is Cebu province recently dispensed with the costly Covid-19 tests to lure visitors as part of its tourism reboot.
Dauin for the Win
Big surprises come in small packages. Much like this adage, the unassuming town of Dauin in Negros Oriental is a small bundle of surprise even to jaded travelers.
That southern punch straight to Sarangani
The recent title match and the throwing of the hat of Manny Pacquiao into the presidential derby have once again shoved the eight-division champ into the spotlight, as well as his home province of Sarangani. Much like its most famous son, this underrated province has virtually gone up several weight classes in terms of tourism and economic development since it was carved out in 1992.
Dumaguete eyes global township project
DUMAGUETE City, the provincial capital of Negros Oriental, is planning to build a 174-hectare, P23-billion global township, which is aimed at transforming it into a new economic powerhouse in central Philippines.
Bike, bite, drive & fly
WITH a land area of just above 33 sq km, Dumaguete City is surprisingly packed with a bevy of activities for a consummate journey in one of the country’s safe havens in this time of pandemic.
To be charmed by oriental splendor
The resumption of flights and gradual reopening of select destinations in recent weeks have enticed wanderers to seek the so-called revenge travel after the quarantine variants has locked down people in their abode. Negros Oriental is one enticing location which beckons with its streamlined requirements, so visitors can have more quality time touring the province.
Genteel city, gentle people of Dumaguete
“The City of Gentle People” is the enduring nickname Dumaguete has been known for, because of its amiable people and genteel way of life which has endeared it to visitors.
Resto Roundup on the Ridge
AS Metro Manila undergoes another two-week quarantine, its fringes beckon lockdown-weary urbanites for even for a fleeting family getaway. The mountain resort city of Tagaytay and its neighboring towns are a logical choice because of its proximity and the new dining choices that open up every so often.
Adrenaline-pumping Pampanga
Acknowledged as the country’s culinary capital, the mere mention of Pampanga is enough to send your adrenaline pumping with the gastronomic journey that awaits you. But beyond its mouth-watering traditional delicacies, and gourmet international and fusion dishes, the province offers a physical adventure that will make a food feast really worth the trip.
Culinary journey in the country’s food capital
Mention Pampanga and mouth-watering food instantly comes into mind. It is dubbed the country’s “culinary capital” with its plethora of delectable dishes cooked with the old-fashioned flair handed down across generations. As a proof of its rich culinary heritage, each town has a unique specialty to showcase.
A Ridge to Reef Retreat
The “ridge to reef” travel which seeks to connect mountain and sea destinations in one trip, or vice-versa, has been around for quite some time. Endowed by the Almighty with lush upland and coastal ecosystems in almost every part of the archipelago, this is an easy do-it-yourself concept for wanderlusts who want to experience the best of both worlds.
In Praise of the Abaca
Photos from Catanduanes Tourism Promotion Facebook page
WFH at The Farm
When the Covid-19 pandemic struck last year, the WFH acronym or “work from home” became a byword for many office workers. But long before that, The Farm at San Benito has been advocating a different kind of WFH among workers stressed by the urban jungle’s daily grind—Wellness, Fitness and Healing.
Bicol Bounces Back
Journey to a waterworld wonder
To beach bums, this body of water is the “Boracay of Mindanao” no less with its sun, sea and sand almost whole year round. Host to the country’s biggest beach party held every summer, it was among Asia’s Top 50 Beaches in 2018 in the prestigious Australia-based Flight Network.
Go straight to a Southern sanctuary
I am firm believer that not all hotels are created equal.
An Art Capital called Angono
A Jose Blanco mural stands proud at Blanco Family Museum Memo rab ilia of National Artist for Visual Arts Carlos ‘ Botong’ Francisco, one of the pioneer artists of Angono. The specialty dish Minaluto can be found in Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant and Art Gallery. NEMI Miranda (left) and Vice Mayor Gerardo Calderon at Lockdown Series Exhibit Orville Tiamson is a painter, musician and transmedia artist.
This rapidly-urbanizing town by the shore of Laguna De Bay has been regarded as the country’s “art capital” for the longest time. No less than then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo echoed this long-time claim when she visited the town and acknowledged the folks who are brimming with artistic talent in painting, sculpture, music, literature, theater, multimedia and other disciplines. While the official government declaration, and its corresponding budget allocation, is still being awaited since the 1980s, there is no disputing the assertion that Angono, Rizal is indeed the “art capital of the Philippines”.
Southern Secrets
A road trip to the Southern Tagalog Region has been a favorite pastime since time immemorial not just due to its proximity to the metropolis, but more so because of its exciting and diverse attractions.
Romantic Ridge Rendezvous
It’s this time of the year again when romantic Filipinos put their best foot forward in celebrating the most-awaited Day of the Hearts.
A Fortress of Family Fun
With the cool weather breezing in Metro Manila this Amihan season, we can perhaps hold off on our urge to hide off to the mountain resorts for a consummate family staycation. The Bonifacio Global City, popularly known as The Fort, boasts of open spaces, greeneries and master-planned community, which somehow lends a feel of an out-of-town feel within the megalopolis.
A walk in the parque
WITH the mercury dropping in the metropolis in the next few weeks, there might be no need yet to escape to the traditional mountain resorts for a lazy bed weather. Down in Alabang, which boasts of lush greeneries and open spaces, you can bask in the cool breeze and get a feel of countryside living within the big city.
Mabini, the diving heaven bounces back
MENTION Mabini, Batangas and instantly, scuba diving comes to mind. The municipality has been synonymous with scuba diving, being the birthplace of this underwater recreational sport.
The Walled City: The toast of Asian travelers
A foreign tourist’s trip to the nation’s capital almost always begins with Intramuros, a special historical district of Manila, which was the seat of government, center of religion, education and the economy during the Spanish period. Destroyed in most part in 1945 during the Liberation of Manila, its postwar restoration tried to recreate a throwback look and ambiance of the colonial-era way of life.
How the West was Won
Much like the Oscar Award-winning 1962 classic on the American Wild West frontier, there’s a stirring story on how our own version of the West—Western Visayas that is—won its fight over the Covid-19 pandemic.
Take Me to Tagaytay, Again
With the easing up of transport restrictions across the archipelago, travel-deprived Metro Manilans have been scouting for accessible, inexpensive, and hassle-free destinations.
Beach is Life
With the easing of the quarantine classification in most parts of the country and the partial restart of the tourism industry, lockdown-weary Filipinos are looking to the most sought-after refuge—the beach. Months after summer slipped through our fingers, travel bugs aren’t giving up yet in the prospect of basking in an authentic beach escapade for our mental health.
Find yourself in the Cordilleras
Story & photos by Bernard L. Supetran
Back to the Basics
Story & photos by Bernard L. Supetran
Hann’s bold journey
WHEN Dae Sik Han forayed into property development at Clark Freeport Zone a few years back, he must have been inspired by World War II motto—“Who Dares Wins” of the British commando force Special Air Service which took on daring missions behind enemy lines.
Romance on the Ridge
THE Day of the Hearts might be over, but love is still in the air in the mountain resorts because of the cool climate that lingers the whole year round.
Sorsogon Sortie
Story & photos by Bernard L. Supetran
Christmas south of the border
THE South is arguably among the most underrated getaways in the urban jungle called Metro Manila.
Dusit opens integrated college and hotel
THAILAND-based Dusit International scored a first in the country’s hospitality industry with the recent opening of the Dusit Hospitality Management College (DHMC) and dusitD2 The Fort, Manila, an integrated school and hotel at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.
‘No Te Vayas de Zamboanga’
Story & Photos by Bernard Supetran
Metro’s monsoon retreats
WHEN the unpredictable weather this monsoon season gives you second thoughts on your travel plans, the tendency is to look inwards to the proverbial urban sanctuaries which can mimic an out of town weekend experience.
SCG pushes mainstreaming of circular economy
Story & photos by Bernard L. Supetran
Let’s unveil Malungon’s golden surprises
Story & photos by Bernard L. Supetran
Albay’s August Allure
AUGUST, arguably, may not be an ideal time to go on travel because of the monsoon season and the proverbial “ghost month” superstition held by many.
The Magic of Mactan
Story & photos by Bernard L. Supetran
Freedom, Food & Fun
ONCE the capital of the First Philippine Republic, Angeles City teems with the unique blend of libertarian ideals, culinary tradition and a whole lot of fun. Just an hour north of the metropolis, this urban center at the heart of Pampanga hosted the pompous first anniversary celebration of Philippine Independence in 1899 presided by then-President Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.
‘SarBay’ Festival: Sand, sea, and sounds
THE Philippines has some of the world’s best powdery sand beaches, crystal-clear water, and most stunning panoramas—making them the perfect venues to stage musical productions and all-night partying.
‘Naturally Vibrant’ Nueva Vizcaya
Photos by Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Tourism Office
Executive escapes in Subic
SINCE the opening of the country’s first-ever free port in 1992, Subic Bay has come full circle—being one of the top tourist spots. From an American naval base, it has evolved into a duty-free zone, weekend family hideaway, a business and tourism enclave, a convention place and a theme park, among its many reinventions.
ComVal gets P1.2 billion in investments at confab
The province of Compostela Valley netted P1.2 billion worth of investments, surpassing its P500-million target, in the De Oro Business and Investment Conference held in March at a resort in Mabini town.
Stations of the Cruise
Story & photos by Bernard L. Supetran
Vivere’s Southern Comfort
Before you say “cheers!,” let me tell you at the outset that this feature isn’t advertising a well-loved American whiskey-flavored liquor. But just the same, you will surely offer a toast to this comforting southern getaway near the outskirts of the metropolis.
‘One Pine Day’
Story & photos by Bernard L. Supetran
A Sailing We Will Go
An archipelago of 7,641 islands with a 36,289-kilometer coastline, you can easily conclude that water sports is the hands-down national recreation in the Philippines.
Taiwan Excellence shines at Philconstruct
From the iconic skyscraper Taipei 101, smart buildings, high-speed trains, down to the household and office implements, Taiwan is synonymous to innovation and precision.
Hainan’s High Five
Story & photos by Bernard L. Supetran
Couple conquers hearts through Indian cuisine
Story & photos by Bernard Supetran
A view to a thrill
Story & Photos by Bernard L. Supetran
Manila Symphony Jr. Orchestra tops Vienna tilt
THE Filipinos’ artistry shone once more in the global stage as the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO) bagged the top prize in the 12th Summa Cum Laude International Music Festival (String Orchestra Competition Category) held in Vienna, Austria.
Lingering in Lingayen
Story & photos by Bernard L. Supetran
Kasumma Fest: Music, Mountains and More
PUT together majestic mountain ranges and centuries-old indigenous culture, then add the music of a Pinoy folk-rock icon for good measure, and you get a “heavenly” festival which is beyond the usual concert and street-dancing fare.
Samal: Island Garden City of the South
Story and photos by Bernard L Supetran / Special to the BusinessMirror
Gems of the Orient
THERE has been lingering historical gossip that the Allied Forces, led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, returned to the Philippines via Leyte during World War II not just for its strategic significance, but because of its innate charm. It was a place where he could laze around after kicking out the Japanese.
Calapan: A booming port city
Story and photos By Bernard L. Supetran / Special to the Businessmirror
Quirino: The lily of Cagayan Valley
Story and photos By Bernard L. Supetran
‘SarBay’ Festival: Southern sound-strip
IN an archipelago of more than 7,000 isles and an infinity of powdery beaches, good music enhances the island vibe and provides entertainment to the stranger on the shore.
Global honchos to grace local motoring confab
ABOUT 500 top motoring executives from all over the world will gather in the Philippines for the sixth edition of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Sport Conference set from June 4 to 6 in Pasay City.
Surface Interval in Davao
Story & photos by Bernard L. Supetran
Urban hideaways for the long weekend
After a long weekend this Holy Week, comes a three-day break to mark the Araw ng Kagitingan on April 9. Many who have undergone the gauntlet of the traffic jams in the expressways have decided to spend the holidays in the city for a relaxing getaway.
Tara let’s sa Antipolo
There was a time when the resort town of Antipolo was considered “out-of-town”, which lured Metro Manilans for a weekend getaway because of its cool climate, lush greeneries, rolling hills, and kasuy and suman.
The student condo gets an upgrade
THERE was a time when the typical student dwelling was either a sardine-like residential building or a cramped fire-trap dormitory.
Gen. Santos City’s kaleidoscope of cultures
Story by Bernard Supetran / Special to the BusinessMirror
Come Sail Away
THE American band Styx captured in its 1977 hit perhaps the best rock song about the age-old art of sailing. But that song applies better to the Philippines—an archipelago of 7,641 islands, a coast longer than that of the United States, and formed through centuries of maritime heritage.
Isabela’s dancing scarecrows…and more
Dubbed the “Queen Province of the North,” Isabela is regarded as the country’s agriculture powerhouse being the biggest producer of corn, the second-largest producer of rice and a host of other major crops. Sandwiched by the Sierra Madre and Cordillera mountain ranges, it boasts of vast fertile plantations as far as your eyes can see.
‘One Fine Day’ in the City of Pines
Story & photos by Bernard L Supetran
China to build Sarangani rehab center
SOON to rise in Sarangani province is a China-funded, P350-million regional Dangerous Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DDATRC), which broke ground on January 12.
Flying in style with FoilaFly
Story & photos by Bernard L. Supetran
Baybay City: Leyte’s new growth area
Story and photos by Bernard L Supetran / Special to the BusinessMirror
Tagaytay’s not-so-secret garden
WHEN the Koreanovela Secret Garden became a big hit in the Philippines a few years back, the TV series could have been referring to the pockets of green in the scenic ridge of Tagaytay.
Quirino province holds monthlong, IP-themed Paskuhan fair
THE province of Quirino recently opened the sixth Paskuhan sa Quirino, a monthlong Christmas variety fair and one of the most-anticipated Yuletide events in the Cagayan Valley Region. Held at the Quirino Sports Complex in the capital town of Cabarroguis, the fair highlights local craft, culture and tourist attractions of the provinced’s six municipalities.
Bicol ‘Pastores’: Reliving the song of the shepherds
Story and photos by Bernard L Supetran / Special to the BusinessMirror
Dive. Ride. Glide. Repeat.
FOR the longest time, Bohol has been synonymous to the Chocolate Hills, tarsier and Spanish-era churches.
Sarangani comes of age
Story and photos By Bernard L. Supetran / Special to the BusinessMirror
India, PHL share best practices in farm tourism
Story & photos by Bernard Supetran
Island in the sun
Story & photos by Bernard L. Supetran
Brazilian conquers Siargao’s surfs, Pinoys’ hearts
THERE’S definitely more to capoeira and samba that Brazilians excel in, as surfing star Raoni Monteiro scored a major surprise to rule the recent Siargao International Surfing Cup, the country’s biggest surfing event, held at Cloud 9 in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte.
Mövenpick makes Asia pivot
In 2013 the United States made a military and diplomatic “pivot” or rebalance toward Asia to tap into the vast and growing consumer base of the booming continent.