Travel Guide: 6 Must-Do Activities in Baguio City

Baguio never gets old. This city perched on the cold mountains of the Cordilleras is one of the most-visited summer destinations in the country. It entices many of its visitors with a chilly weather perfect for those lazy bones. It is a home to some all-time favorite tourist spots that show a glimpse of its past dwellers (established by the Americans in 1900) and that of the mountain people's rich life and culture; a haven for shoppers and bargain-seekers; and a magnet for food lovers. For these reasons, just like many, I’ll never grow tired visiting this city. 

To fully enjoy a getaway in Baguio, I'm sharing with you some of the things that you can do while in there. I've also added tips that might be helpful to plan your trip. 

Puerto Princesa Adventures

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River 

March 20-22, 2011

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

I was feeling grumpy days before our trip. I wasn’t my usual jumpy and excited self. But then, the idea that I’d finally stop wondering what it feels to be inside the Underground River gave me some comforting thoughts. I. Must. See. It.

Kidd and Cha inside Ugong Rock

Beach, Books, Ben Afflecks, Boracay!

Devoid of many expectations, I packed my bags for Boracay without doing my usual pre-travel duties such as drafting an itinerary and researching the what-to-see-and-where-to-go-there stuff.  I was ready for anything. I cared less whether it’s a great place or not. I will be there to relax, to escape the city, to chill.

My pre-Boracay thoughts were that this place reeks with sun-kissed tourists, loud party-goers, over the top expensive hang outs, hardworking locals asking for massage services, a pocketful of sunshine, and yes, white sand beaches.

A bit of Albay

Oct 23, 2010

If Pinatubo became beautiful after the disaster, Mayon will always be the disaster-threatening beauty of Albay. It is the constant view that no one can escape from. Always there. Always a welcoming sight.

Along with my sisters Cha and Loi, we had a quick stop in Albay before heading to our own province, Catanduanes. We arrived in Bicol with clouds scattered and some isolated showers.

The 24-hour Negros Escape: Bacolod, Silay, Talisay, Manapla

Negros may not have the mighty mountains of Sagada nor can its beaches be compared to the ones in Palawan but its sugarcane plantation in the countryside is amazing and overwhelming. Even from the aerial view, one can already see the sprawling greens of sugarcanes, and true to what I already know, Negros indeed is a sugarlandia.

Known as the Land of the Sugar Barons, Negros Occidental is a good spot to learn the heritage and lifestyle of its opulent residents during their heydays. We visited some of its heritage houses and mansions, and from the stories of the people we met there, it was like stepping back in time when these landed people were living high and languid. Before the sugar industry crashed in 1980s, we were told about their grand balls, the carriage pulled by mighty horses, and their other excesses in life.

Foodtrip Pilipinas: Best Tastes of Binondo

Binondo, also known as the oldest Chinatown in the world, was established in 1594 as a settlement for the Chinese migrants arriving and trading in Manila. Although dominated by Filipino-Chinese merchants nowadays, Binondo become a cultural melting pot for many other migrants, like Muslims and Spaniards, which makes it an interesting cultural place to visit... and to sample food. 

Dong Bei dumplings

Frog legs 

Tea egg 
Lord Stow’s egg tart

Sugarcane juice

Fried siopao

Liver steak

Raspberry

Iced brewed coffee

Kiampong rice

DJC Halo Halo, Tiwi, Albay

There's so many things that make me want to go back to Legazpi again and again -- old friends, food, Mt. Mayon. And every trip to Legazpi is never complete without a stop for the good old favorite DJC Halo Halo.