Counting Down From Up High (New Year In Sagada)

Solano, Nueva Vizaya

Ayuyang bar was just calling it a night when we started to pack our bags from its 2nd storey residence. Having just concluded a 5-day post-Christmas hairpin road trip of North Luzon with PALMC, Larry and I decided to push the envelope and head to Sagada to welcome 2009.

The night is young in Ayuyang bar

I set my alarm to 4:00AM, but I was well awake before that, desperately trying to accumulate more minutes into what one could loosely call sleep. After a quick (and freezing shower), we thanked Sir Ely (the bar owner who's also a fellow mountaineer) for allowing us to camp upstairs. We then set to the town center on foot.

Bohol City Tour Itinerary

A wonder of nature, no wonder!

Backpacking | Bohol City Tour Itinerary
Bohol Island Province, Philippines
Hours: whole day tour
Specs: Historical churches, river cruise, lunch buffet, Tarsiers, chocolate hills, souvenir shopping, ATV adventure, first time essential destinations.

Rock Climbing in Cantabaco, Cebu Itinerary: 1 day

Vertical crawl

Rock Climbing | Cantabaco, Cebu Rock Climbing Itinerary
Sitio Silangan, Cantabaco, Cebu
Hours from Cebu City: around 1 hour
Specs: Rock climbing on bolted limestone wall, 5.6 to 5.14 difficulty walls, rappelling, freshwater river, possibility of caving

Ultimate Northern Exposure Itinerary: 9 days

Northern Luzon holds a treasure trove of adventure destinations waiting for eager trod seekers. Seat sales left and right, everybody's heading south of Manila. When was the last time you did a road trip up North?

On January 22-30, 2012, the North Philippines Visitor’s Bureau (NPVB) in cooperation with Manila North Tollways Corporation and Victory Liner will be holding Lakbay Norte 3. A 9-day Media Tour of North Philippines.*

The event is 100% sponsored and SIX LUCKY BLOGGERS CAN JOIN THE TOUR!!! Simply fill out an application form and send it to info@northphilippines.org . Be sure to read complete blogger contest mechanics, too.

A whole feast of activities are lined up including rappelling in Bulacan, biking/kayaking in Laoag, white water rafting in Kalinga and Jungle Survival in Subic. The tentative itinerary is posted here. Psyched yet? I know I am! The last day of submission is on October 31, 2011.

New7Wonders Bid: Puerto Princesa Underground River

The voting period for the New7Wonders of Nature is nearing its end. In 15 days, 7 natural wonders around the world will be given the official title. The Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan is among the 28 finalists, and it is now upon us to cast our votes and put it to the top!

HOW TO VOTE:
1. Visit www.new7wonders.com/vote-2
2. Text PPUR to 2861
3. Phone vote (instructions here www.new7wonders.com/vote-by-phone)

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) is home to a wealth of natural gifts - the 8.2 km Underground River is only one of them. It boasts of a rich ecosystem from land to sea (and undersea), whose forests are among the most diverse in Asia and waters considered to be the last frontier of the Philippines.

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is hidden under a distinguishing landmark, a limestone karst believed to be around 16-20 million years old. Water from the Cabayugan River is carried down Mt. Bloomfield, providing water to small farms and then passing through Mt. St. Paul as an underground river whose cave system is among the most complex in the world. This fully navigable river flows directly to the sea, a feature only a few underground rivers have.

Here is a short video about Puerto Princesa Underground River:

Watch live streaming video from ppurtv at livestream.com

Positioning our country as having one of the Seven Wonders of Nature will mean a lot for the people of Puerto Princesa, the Philippine tourism, and most importantly - the biodiversity conservation efforts in PPSRNP.

Indie Escape supports the Puerto Princesa Underground River bid for the New Seven Wonders of Nature!


Video and photo taken from www.puerto-undergroundriver.com

Mt. Makiling Traverse Itinerary: day hike

We're on top of Los Banos!

Hiking, Mountain Climbing | Mt. Makiling (Maktrav) Traverse Itinerary

Jumpoff: Barangay San Bartolome, Santo Tomas, Batangas City

Trail end: UPLB Campus, Los Baños, Laguna

1103 MASL (Peak 3); 1092 MASL (Peak 2)

Specs: Strenous trekking, boulder rock sections, rain forest, wild flora and fauna, limatiks (tropical leeches), UPLB, mud spring, hot spring side trip.

Trekking time: 11+ hours

DIY: Boracay Packages

More than 5 days of non-stop rain got me dreaming about summer. I miss walking barefoot on the beach, having a drink and waiting for the sun to set. I definitely miss Boracay, having been there only once, I think it's about time to go back!

Boracay packages are easy to come by when you approach any local travel agency. This tropical paradise has one of the highest tourist turnovers each day, even during off-peak months. If I may say so, I think there's a plane arriving in Boracay's Caticlan airport every hour!

Sagada via Banaue-Bontoc Itinerary: 2+1 days

Early morning hike in Echo Valley, Sagada

Backpacking, Spelunking, Hiking | Banaue, Bontoc, Sagada City Tour Itinerary
Sagada, Mountain Province
Specs: Scenic bus route, rice terraces, Highest highway, burial cave, hanging coffins, spelunking, waterfalls, food, souvenir shopping.

Mt. Kanlaon Itinerary: 3+1 days

Mt Kanla-on's Margaja valley and Makawiwili peak

Hiking, Mountain Climbing | Mt. Kanlaon Traverse Itinerary via Mananawin-Wasay Trail
Jumpoff: Sitio Mananawin, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental
Trail end: Wasay trail to Mambukal Resort, Murcia, Negros Occidental
2435 MASL (Crater Peak); MASL (Makawiwili Peak); 2300 MASL (Oriental saddle campsite)
Specs: Strenous trekking, at least 8 hours per day, mostly assault; Margaja Valley (old crater), new crater, Makawiwili peak, mountain lagoons, bird watching, Mambukal hot spring resort.
Trekking time: 1 day to base camp; 2 days descend.

PNR Train to Naga City starts operating tomorrow!

PNR city commuter train

The Philippine National Railway (PNR) is formally re-opening its Manila-Bicol line starting tomorrow, June 30, 2011. This is really great news for commuting travelers! It is also very timely for the MFPI Luzon Summit in Bagasbas, Daet!

Cebu Mactan and Olango Island Tour Itinerary

Watch migratory birds in Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary

Backpacking | Cebu City Tour Itinerary – Day 2
Mactan Island, Olango Island, Cebu Province, Philippines
Hours: Whole Day Tour
Specs: Mactan Island, Lapu lapu City, Plantation Bay, Lapu-lapu monument, Olango Island Bird Sanctuary, souvenir shopping

Fête de la Musique MANILA 2011 - Fort Strip, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

An annual music retreat

FÊTE DE LA MUSIQUE 2011 - MANILA, PHILIPPINES
June 25, 2011
with special participation of Rock Band Merzhin
4pm onwards . FREE
Bonifacio Global City
Main stage: Arts in the City (26th., corner 7th avenue)
and indoor pocket venues at the Fort Strip

See band lineup below.

INCUBUS: IF NOT NOW, WHEN? - LIVE IN MANILA 2011

INCUBUS - If not now, When? World Tour 2011
Live in Manila
July 28, 2011 - Thursday - 8:00 PM
Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City MANILA, Philippines

After 5 years of hibernating (Their last album, Light Grenades, was released 2006), Incubus is now back on tour for their new album "If not now, when?" which will be officially released on July 12. I am a fan of Incubus since their experimental Fungus Amongus and S.C.I.E.N.C.E.days. Their melodies and musical catharsis hit my senses deeply. I am glad that Incubus has decided to visit the Philippines for the 3rd time. 

Callao Caves Penablanca, Iguig Calvary Hills, Cagayan North Itinerary: 1+1 day

Explore huge chambers of limestone and rock

Backpacking, Spelunking | Iguig Calvary Hills + Peñablanca Callao Caves + Pinacanuan River Itinerary
Iguig – Peñablanca – Tuguegarao, Cagayan (North) Province
Hours from Manila: around 11 hours
Specs: Spelunking, river tour, circadian flight of bats, colonial church, Cagayan River, life-size Stations of the Cross, cathedral inside a cave, Mororan.

KYLIE MINOGUE LIVE IN MANILA 2011

Kylie Minogue - Aphrodite Tour 2011
Live in Manila
July 5, 2011 - Tuesday - 8:00 PM
Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City MANILA, Philippines

"Experience the true icon and witness how Araneta Coliseum turns into a Greece inspired musical venue!"

Review: Crown Regency Hotel & Towers - Cebu

Hotel Review | Crown Regency Hotel & Towers
Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City, Philippines

Sky high in Crown Regency Hotel

Currently the tallest building outside Metro Manila, the Fuente Tower 1 of Crown Regency Hotel is an eye catching landmark easily spotted even after sundown thanks to its LED lit exterior.

When you think you've seen all of Cebu City, it's time to go beyond your eye level. 

MILEY CYRUS LIVE IN MANILA 2011

MILEY CYRUS: GYPSY HEARTS/CORAZON GITANO TOUR 2011
June 17, 2011 - Friday - 8:00PM
SM MOA Concert Grounds (SM Mall of Asia Complex), Pasay City, Philippines

Featuring performances by Sam Concepcion and Elmo Magalona (?).

Myth Of The Human Body Exhibition EXTENDED - Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila

Myth Of The Human Body Exhibit
October 15, 2010 until April 17, 2011 Dec 4, 2011
Neobabylon Building, 9 Bayani Road, AFPOVAI (Fort Bonifacio), Taguig City Metro Manila
Open Daily: 10:30AM - 8:30PM

Baler City Tour Itinerary: 2 days

Baler: where it all began

Backpacking, Beach, Surfing | Baler City Tour Itinerary
Baler, Aurora Province
Hours from Manila: around 6 hours
Specs: Pacific coast beach, islet hopping, surfing, waterfalls, oldest Balete tree, historical landmarks, shopping, sightseeing.

Review: The Cliff Royale Subic Resort, Olongapo

A relaxing beach escape in the heart of Subic bay

Resort Review | The Cliff Royale Subic Resort
Km 133 National Road, Bo. Barretto, Olongapo City

Out of the many beach resorts in Subic-Olongapo area, The Cliff Royale stands out - literally and figuratively.

Myth Of The Human Body Exhibition - Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila

Myth Of The Human Body Exhibit
October 15, 2010 until April 17, 2011 Dec 4, 2011
Neobabylon Building, 9 Bayani Road, AFPOVAI (Fort Bonifacio), Taguig City Metro Manila
Open Daily: 10:30AM - 8:30PM

This is your last chance to see a unique exhibit of the human body. Examine the impressive dead bodies that underwent a groundbreaking technology of preservation called "PLASTINATION". See actual dissected human body parts up close and expand your knowledge about the human anatomy.

Indie Tip#5 | Travelling to the Philippines: 10 New Filipino Food Pasalubong Gifts To Take Home

Bagoong, anyone?

Whenever there's a chance, kababayans (fellow countrymen) abroad put in a favor to those traveling to the Philippines for a visit. They ask for Filipino food delicacy pasalubongs (take home gifts), even making a list of their favorites.

Aside from basketball and videoke, Filipinos are known to love food. We eat 5-6 times a day - breakfast, midday snack, lunch, afternoon snack (merienda), dinner and sometimes a late night snack. This gastronomic lifestyle is what Filipinos abroad and foreign visitors usually miss when they think about the Philippines.

Although Asian and Filipino stores carry many of the well-known food products from the Philippines, people still continue to hand-carry them when they travel. Maybe because the price is cheaper when bought locally, or the stocks are more recent than what they can source abroad.

You probably already know the usual Filipino food pasalubongs to bring like Mama Sita cooking mixes, dried mangoes, Choc-nut, instant pancit canton, bagoong and sampaloc sweets. So here are my top 10 new pasalubong suggestions that will surely delight your friends and relatives abroad:

Stone Temple Pilots: Live in Manila 2011

Stone Temple Pilots
Live in Manila
March 9, 2011 - Wednesday - 7:30 PM
Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City MANILA, Philippines

10 Tips For The 2011 Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival

Hey man, you dropped your beer!

A number of people have asked me about this year's Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark, Pampanga. They are planning to go to the event but have no idea what to expect. Since I was there last year, I can play the expert on the subject matter.

The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival has become February's most-awaited event because nowhere in the Philippines can one witness such a spectacle any other day. So here, I compiled 10 tips to help make everybody's trip easier and more fun. Hopefully these will answer all the questions left unanswered before you leave for Clark.

2011 Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark, Pampanga

16th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
February 10-13, 2011
Air Force City, Clark Special Economic Zone, Angeles City in the province of Pampanga

Balloons of curious shapes will awe watchers of all ages!

A weekend of everything that flies!

Entrance fee: P150
Hot Air Balloon ride: Starts at US$150 (first-come, first-served)
Parking fee: about P100

Be sure to check out my 2011 Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (festival) survival tips here.

See schedule of events and driving directions at the bottom this page.

Review: Bayview Park Hotel - Manila

Hotel Review | Bayview Park Hotel
Roxas Boulevard cor. United Nations Avenue, Ermita, Manila, Philippines

We flopped straight to bed, so there's no 'empty bed' shot

Aside from being the most convenient hotel to stay at the night before your US Embassy VISA appointment, Bayview Park Hotel has more to offer.