Luneta Park: A Walking Tour

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Pit Señor! The Tondo Way!

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Revisiting the Walled City of Intramuros

After joining a 5K Marathon weekend in Hagonoy, Bulacan, JC and I decided to have a side trip to Manila before going back to Cabanatuan City the next day. 

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My DREAM Philippine Destinations

“Ayaw kong maging dayuhan sa aking sariling bayan.”

Since when I was a kid I dreamed of travelling the world. But as time goes by, I want to shorten my sight and just travel the whole Philippines first. From that realization I made a promise to myself that I will experience pearl of the orient more than the usual thing.

I listed wonderful (to me) places in the Philippines which I will visit in the future.

Topped my list was BATANES, I read several articles from Pinoy travel bloggers and backpackers about this majestic group of islands. I want to experience the “Marlboro Country” of the Philippines. Of course, will try buying at the Honesty Store and wear the famous Ivatan Headgear. I also dream to sleep under the concrete roof of their houses. Moreover, I want to taste the tranquil environment and have a date with Mother Nature in a romantic and picturesque backdrop of the ocean.

Next is PALAWAN, I can’t explain the magnet of this vast island to wanderers like me. Dubbed as the greenest city (Puerto Princesa City) of the Philippines and home of the UNESCO World Heritage Underground River, truly, Palawan has enough reasons to boast as an ultimate travel destination. 

BANAUE, not the one associated with the vast selection of automobile parts, just kiddingJ. For quite some time, visiting the Cordilleras and experience its rich cultural heritage is one of my biggest cravings in life.

I wonder why people smile. Then let’s visit BACOLOD – Philippines’ City of Smiles. From its steep cultural value to a street raving party during Maskara Festival, definitely a must visit site for those who wishes to wander and try food tripping in the south.

I choose ILOILO because of a very special reason (secret J). Aside from its gastronomic La Paz Batchoy, another UNESCO World Heritage Miag-ao Church and the mystical feelings of Spanish colonization era. The lovely and sweet Ilonggos compensate the longing for a wonderful vacation.

CAGAYAN DE ORO and DAVAO is my ultimate spots in Mindanao. I want to see before my eyes the beauty and splendid flora and fauna of the land.

So far, these are my dream destinations in my beloved country. I will not stop until I conquer all 81 provinces in 17 regions all over. Join me as I traverse the road less travelled – of being a Biyaherong Pinoy via LakbayNoypi travel journal. J

Travel Nostalgia Snapshot: Panglao Beach, Bohol

 My first Panglao Adventure with friends from Cebu, Manila and Nueva Ecija

Travel Nostalgia Series: Tagaytay in 2008

Young Parliamentarians: 

Bernard (Naga), Aian (Camarines Sur), Dindo (Makati) and Me (Cabanatuan)

In 2008, I was one of the hundreds young parliamentarians who gathered for the 7th National Youth Parliament. The said parliament was a biennial government mandated activity under the charter of the National Youth Commission (NYC) to formulate crucial youth policy and agenda. In 2008, it was held in Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) where the picture grove was located just across the street. There I met friends from all over the Philippines including those in pictures above. 

The famous Tagaytay Picture Grove. But the place looks deteriorating, I hope the City government will find time to restore the magnificent charm of the site.

After a week-long parliament thingy, my friends and I decided to stroll and feel the cold breeze of Tagaytay. We decided to visit "People's Park in the Sky" due to our curiosity. From DAP (7th NYP venue) we rode a tricycle to our next destination - The Park in Sky. Tricycle Fare: Php 40.00

 Welcome to People's Park in the Sky. 

People's Park in the Sky - An artful blending of natural and man-made attractions, poised on the highest point of Tagaytay City. It stands on a 4,516 sq, meters solid ground and overlooks four bodies of water – Taal Lake, Balayan Bay, Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay. It is located at Dapdap West and Dapdap East, approximately 6 to 7 km away from Silang Crossing. Tragically (and wastefully), however, in the past 12 years, this prize destination has deteriorated into a dirty, smelly, and ugly kind of place. The construction of a building of a weather station violates Proclamation no. 740 (s-1996) which states to preserve the ecological balance within one-kilometer-radius area around the People's Park in the Sky. (www.wikipedia.com)

 The picturesque landscape awaits traveler and backpackers who will 

visit the People's Park.

To me, Tagaytay is not an ultimate travel destination. But the place is for those who wishes a serene and  reflective atmosphere. If you want to have a date with nature in a cool environment, then, Tagaytay is the best place for you. 

my LakBayan Grade

A Grade of C from Lakbayan is not bad for a student-traveler like me. I am from Central Luzon so I frequently travel within the region. I'm looking forward to my graduation come April 2011, because after that I will embark on a back-packing adventure alone or with someone who's willing to taste the Filipino culture in the south. I don't want to be a foreigner in my own country so I made promise to myself that I will travel and explore the Philippines, taste its food, experience the hospitality of its people, capture the picturesque of its landscape and preserve its heritage by blogging its beauty and magnificence. I was saddened by many young Filipinos who doesn't know simple Pinas Geography. Nakakabadtrip lang na hindi nila alam ang mga lugar sa Pilipinas!.

Travel Nostalgia Snapshot: Japanese Imperial Palace

 The Philippine Youth Ambassadors to Japan in 2008 via the JENESYS Program.

Batch picture infront of the Japanese Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Thoughts on Blogging

Eto na naman ako, nangangahas na namang mag set-up ng isang BLOG, at take note, hindi lang basta Blog ang gusto kong gawain ngayon, kundi isang (drum roll please!!!) : TRAVEL Blog! yeheey! My apologies, kasi hindi masyadong grammar sensitive ang online travel diary ko na ito. Basta gusto ko lang ilabas lahat ng gusto kong sabihin sa world wide web. Nais kong ikwento ang mga karanasan ko  habang nakasukbit sa aking likuran ang aking bag, hawak sa isang kamay ang kamera at sa kabila ang aking notebook (kwaderno) at panulat (ballpointpen).

Sa totoo lang napaka dalas kong sumubok na gumawa ng Blog, pero sa simula lang ako kalaunan ay tinatamad na namana ako. Pero dahil 2011 na (ano ang connect? hehehe) ay pipilitin kong makatagpos at itaguyod ang online memory stash na ito.

Ano ang aasahan ng mga future readers ko sa Blog na ito?

Malamang yun ang magiging tanong ng mga makakaalam na may Blog (na naman) na ginagawa si Darren, hmm, ano na naman kaya ang laman nun? may pakinabang kaya un? 

Sa kaalaman po ng lahat ay ilalathala ko ang aking mga naging karanasan sa mga nakalipas kong paglalakbay sa Pilipinas at karatig lupain (wOw!) hehehe, pipilitin kong alalahanin ang mga detalye ng aking paglilibot at pagiikot para naman makatulong sa mga nagbabalak pa lamang na puntahan ang mga lugar na akin ng na explore. 

Salamat talaga sa mga mararangal na Pinoy Travel Bloggers/BackPackers na nakalista ngayon sa aking BlogRoll. Sila kasi ang dahilan kung bakit ako nainspired na naman na idokumento ang lahat ng aking trips! Kakaibang pakiramdam ang aking nadarama habang binabasa't sinisilayan ko ang mga blog posts ng mga iniidolo kong travel bloggers. Sino nga ba naman ang hindi nangangarap na bisitahin at libutin ang 17 rehiyon at 81 lalawigan ng ating bansang Pilipinas? Sa pamamagitan kasi ng mga tsismoso't tsismosang bloggers napupuntahan natin ang mga kakaiba at kaibig-ibig na mga tanawin sa bansa ng LIBRE! 

Maraming Salamat sa makakabasa ng unang Blog entry ko na to! Sana ay subaybayan nyo ang aking mga kwento mula sa pagsakay sa Tricycle paalis ng bahay hanggang sa pagbili ng pasalubong pauwi. :) 

MABUHAY ANG MGA BIYAHERONG PINOY! 

Tara na samahan nyo akong mag LAKBAY NOYPI!