South Luzon Loop – Day 2: Our New Year’s Day ATV Adventure at Cagsawa Ruins
After celebrating and welcoming the New Year at PROXY by The Oriental Albay the night before, we were greeted on the very first morning of 2026 by the majestic view of Mayon Volcano in Albay, Bicol. I honestly couldn’t think of a better way to begin the year than by waking up to one of God’s most beautiful creations. When we first arrived at the hotel the previous afternoon, the summit was hidden behind thick clouds, almost as if Mayon wasn’t quite ready to reveal itself. So waking up to a perfectly clear view the next morning felt like a little reward after our long journey. I found myself staring…
South Luzon Loop Day 1: Manila to Bicol + New Year’s Eve at Proxy by The Oriental Albay
Road trips have always been one of my family’s favorite ways to unwind and escape the busyness of everyday life. My mom, especially, has always loved spontaneous drives and discovering new places. Over the years, celebrating the New Year together as a family has become one of our most treasured traditions, and every year, we make it a point to welcome another chapter side by side. This year, however, our celebration unfolded in a way none of us could have predicted. For months, my mom had been talking about visiting Albay, but it always remained just a plan—one of those trips we’d “hopefully” take someday. Little did we know that…
A Family Trip to Remember in Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Some trips are fun, some are beautiful, and some quietly become core memories you know you’ll carry for a long time. Our 2025 family trip to Puerto Princesa, Palawan was exactly that — a mix of laughter, peaceful moments, random chaos, good food, and the kind of memories that feel even more special when shared with the people you love. In the middle of busy routines and everyday life, this trip felt like a gentle pause where we could simply slow down, breathe, and enjoy being present together. One of the biggest highlights of the trip was staying at Astoria Palawan, which honestly made the entire experience even more memorable.…
Calaguas Island: Our Experience in This Hidden Paradise in the Philippines
We held our annual company outing from April 25 to 27 at Calaguas Island in Vinzons, Camarines Norte—also as a way to celebrate my mom’s birthday. It was one of the trips I had been looking forward to the most since our Boracay trip last year. From what we’d seen on Facebook, the beach looked incredibly pristine—almost comparable to the powdery white sands of Boracay—so I found myself wide awake and excited for most of the journey. The powdery white sand beach cove is more specifically known as Mahabang Buhangin (Long Beach), located on Tinaga Island, where the famous Calaguas is found. Its stunning “lime-colored” waters are said to be…
Baguio Family Escape That Somehow Ended Up in Sagada
The original plan was simple: take my parents’ newly purchased Nissan Terra out for a proper break-in drive, enjoy the cool weather in Baguio, eat good food, and spend some quality time together as a family. Since Baguio has always been one of our favorite quick escapes from the city, it seemed like the perfect destination for our first long drive in the new SUV. We packed our bags, planned to simply look for and check into any available hotel upon arrival, and looked forward to a relaxing getaway in the City of Pines. But as travel often goes, things didn’t quite go according to plan—in the best way possible.…
