Wednesday, March 18, 2020

2 Nights in Siargao, The Quick Escape

Siargao is gaining popularity as one of the most favoured destinations in the Philippines.  Last February me and my best friend Teddy Manuel managed to squeeze a quick escape within our busy schedule to celebrate his birthday.  It only permitted us 3 Days and 2 Nights.

To maximise the trip, we  solicited the help of a tour guide to plan our itinerary and hired @metro.siargao for our photos.

Day 1 

12:00 pm                    Sayak Airport
12:30 pm                    ETA Del Carmen Tourist Center (Lunch at Nearby Resto)

Straight from the airport, we were met by our guide Jake Encarnacion, including our van for the transfer.  From the airport, we went to the Del Carmen Tourist Center for a quick lunch.  Afterwards, our guide arranged our boat and fees for Sugba Lagoon.  We changed to our swimming clothes and proceeded after.

1:30 pm                      ETD Sugba Lagoon

Sugba Lagoon, is 30 minutes boat ride away from Del Carmen, passing by the protected Mangrove Forest.  The lagoon is surrounded by limestone karst similar to that of El Nido and Coron of Palawan.


2:30 pm                      ETA Sugba Lagoon


A man made 2 story structure is created for activities catering to visitors.  Tables are available for lounging and snacks. Kayak, Bamboo Raft and paddle board rentals are also available.  What makes the area popular is the makeshift diving board that sets you plunging to clear waters approximately 15 feet high.




4:00 pm                      ETD Back to Del Carmen
5:00 pm                      ETA Tourism Office

Before going to our accommodation in Gen. Luna, we made a stop on the Coconut Plantation Deck 
to appreciate the expansive farm.



5:30 pm                      ETD Going to Gen Luna
6:30 pm                      ETA Gen Luna (Isla Cabana)

We arrived at Isla Cabana earlier than scheduled because we did not spent too much time at Sugba Lagoon.  We were able to check out the views and amenities of our resort.  Isla  Cabana is among the top beach side resort, conveniently located within the town center of Gen. Luna.  Just outside the reception you will find rows of themed restaurants and souvenir shops and the bars are just walking distance.



7:30 pm                      Dinner (Isla Cusina)

For dinner, we opted for Isla Cusina, owned and operated by the same resort we're staying!  They serve a mix of local and international dishes.


9:00 pm                      Free Time Bar Hopping Explore

Since, its our first night, we tried to sample the night life in the Island.  In Siargao, they follow a schedule on which bars to go to depending on the days.  This allows bar owners to share on the tourist arrivals. Our guide accompanied us to Bravo, and allowed us to taste Enkanto, the beer.  Just hop on to any tricycle and ask where the happening for the night is held.


Day 2 (Monday Feb 17)

6:00am                       Wake Up Call
7:00am                       Breakfast

The next day, we had breakfast at the resort's beach side restaurant.  Since it was a bit gloomy, we asked that our Island hopping be moved in the afternoon when the weather improves and  just use the time to take a dip in the pool and swim at the beach fronting the property.

Our photographer arrived around noon and were off after having lunch.

1:00 pm                      ETD for Island Hopping Private ( 3 Islands Daku, Guyam, Naked)

Our guide asked us to meet him at the Boulevard Market, the jump off to the boats that will take us to three islands.

1:30 am                      ETA Naked Island


Naked Island is a sand bar, with little to no vegetation, hence the name.  It is completely submerged during the monsoon seasons, but we were fortunate to see how two opposing waves crash on its shore.


2:00 pm                     ETA Daku Island

The next island we visited is Daku, translated as big, being the biggest of the three.  There are a few Instagram nook at the resort that operate in the island, but we just opted to try out the swing and less frequented spots.

Photo by: @metro.siargao
Photo by : @metro.siargao

2:30 pm                      ETD Going to Guyam Island

The last island we visited was Guyam, translated as small, being the smaller of the two inhabited island.  It was here that we got to taste the Spider Shell.  A local delicacy enjoyed by the island dwellers.

3:00 pm                      ETA Guyam Island

Photo by: @metro.siargao

4:00 pm                      ETA General Luna Boulevard
4:30 pm                      ETA Cloud Nine for Sunset Shoot

The most iconic attraction in Siargao would be the boardwalk and wooden tower of Cloud 9.  Its mainly used by surfers and enthusiasts to reach the waves conveniently from the shore.


Photo by: @metro.siargao
Seated is our Photographer Wendell Good of @metro.siargao, Our guide Jake Encarnacion and Puti, Me and Teddy

5:30 pm                      ETD Going Back to Hotel
7:00 pm                      Dinner ( Mama's Grill)

After the long day, we made a stop to Mama's Grill for dinner.  Here, you pre order your meats on skewers by the counter and wait until they're grilled to perfection.  This would be the more reasonable restaurants and is popular both to locals and tourists.



8:00 pm                      Free Time 

After dinner, we went back to the resort and resisted the temptation to go out.

On our last day, we had breakfast at the beach side restaurant of Isla Cabana again and just prepared our things for check out.  We were suppose to go to Mapupungko Rock Formation, but decided to just sleep longer in time for Check Out.  We availed of the hotel transfer to airport instead of the private van.  Before our service arrive, we went for a walk along the main road to look for a place to have a  light lunch.

We were drawn by the cozy decor of Kook Cafe, and enjoyed their set meal of shakes and sandwiches.




After lunch, we went back to the hotel and just waited for our ride to the airport.

We hoped we had more time exploring Siargao, but that just gives us a reason to come back.

Contact @jakeencarnacion12 for tours and surf lessons.

Saturday, March 14, 2020

Pasig City Bucket List Challenge


Pasig City is one of the city in Metro Manila, that when you visit it's old center has kept its  provincial charm with its old  houses, narrow streets and century old establishments.

Make sure to visit these attractions to get a glimpse of the culture and taste of the city.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Metro Manila Bucket List Challenge


Exploring the country especially all of the 81 provinces can be overwhelming and expensive.  For the city residents like me, lets start by exploring our environs. 
For a person that lived in Metro Manila all my life, its only very recent that I have explored areas outside of my place of residence and work. 

Metro Manila Cities

  • Caloocan
  • Las Pinas
  • Makati
  • Malabon
  • Mandaluyong
  • City of Manila
  • Marikina
  • Muntinlupa
  • Navotas
  • Paranaque
  • Pasay
  • Pasig
  • Quezon City
  • San Juan
  • Taguig
  • Valenzuela

Metro Manila Municipality

  • Pateros

Have you been to all the cities and municipalities of Metro Manila?

Comment below!

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Metro Manila and 81 Provinces of The Philippines Bucket List Challenge

Tourism was hit hard because of the current pandemic spread of the NOVID CORONA Virus.  Being in the tourism industry for the past 2 years, we are currently feeling the effects of the flight cancellations and international travel vans.

As a country, we need to take this opportunity to explore the provinces of the country with the current direction to promote local tourism with discounted fares and reasonable accommodations.

Tourism bucket lists have became viral, but the one broken down into provinces is yet to be promoted.  I am on a personal journey to complete this myself, and is making this my 2020 goal.



  1. Abra
  2. Agusan Del Norte
  3. Agusan Del Sur
  4. Aklan
  5. Albay
  6. Antique
  7. Apayao
  8. Aurora
  9. Basilan
  10. Bataan
  11. Batanes
  12. Batangas
  13. Benguet
  14. Biliran
  15. Bohol
  16. Bukidnon
  17. Bulacan
  18. Cagayan
  19. Camarines Norte
  20. Camarines Sur
  21. Camiguin
  22. Capiz
  23. Catanduanes
  24. Cavite
  25. Cebu
  26. Cotabato
  27. Davao De Oro
  28. Davao Del Norte
  29. Davao Del Sur
  30. Davao Occidental
  31. Davao Oriental
  32. Dinagat Islands
  33. Eastern Samar
  34. Guimaras
  35. Ifugao
  36. Ilocos Norte
  37. Ilocos Sur
  38. Iloilo
  39. Isabela
  40. Kalinga
  41. La Union
  42. Laguna
  43. Lanao Del Norte
  44. Lanao Del Sur
  45. Leyte
  46. Maguindanao
  47. Marinduque
  48. Masbate
  49. Misamis Occidental
  50. Misamis Oriental
  51. Mountain Province
  52. Negros Occidental
  53. Negros Oriental
  54. Northern Samar
  55. Nueva Ecija
  56. Nueva Viscaya
  57. Occidental Mindoro
  58. Oriental Mindoro
  59. Palawan
  60. Pampanga
  61. Pangasinan
  62. Quezon
  63. Quirino
  64. Rizal
  65. Romblon
  66. Samar
  67. Sarangani
  68. Siquijor
  69. Sorsogon
  70. South Cotabato
  71. Southern Leyte
  72. Sultan Kudarat
  73. Sulu
  74. Surigao Del Norte
  75. Surigao Del Sur
  76. Tarlac
  77. Tawi Tawi
  78. Zambales
  79. Zamboanga Del Norte
  80. Zamboanga Del Sur
  81. Zamboanga Sibugay

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