Top 30 Favorite Spots in the Philippines: 1. Batanes

Thirty days before my 30th birthday, I'm going to let myself down the memory lane and recount my top 30 favorite spots around our country. I'm sharing random photos of places I've visited while I was completing my 80 Before 30 challenge. This is my 30Before30 Project.

The first of this 30-day series will be from one of my favorite provinces-- Batanes, an amazing province located in the northernmost part of the Philippines. Known for its splendid landscape and seascape, Batanes is definitely a dream destination for many. During my visit in 2011, I enjoyed many of its unique attractions. I specially liked my falowa ride from Batan Island to Sabtang, the one-of-a-kind shopping experience at the Honesty Coffee Shop, tried donning the native Vakul (Ivatan protected headgear), walked along the UNESCO Heritage nominated site stone houses at Chavayan, and was amazed by the sunset at Naidi Hill or the Basco Lighthouse. 

There's quite a lot to love about Batanes, but the one that stood out for me was the experience I had when I first saw the gentle rolling hills that this province is famous for. The grazing cows and the carpet-like verdant grass! It was a dreamy April afternoon that stayed with me for a long time. One crazy thing I did while I was there was...hmmm... well... roll down the hill. Yes, literally! haha :)

Check out more of my Batanes stories here.

Rolling Hills of Batanes

A lot to be grateful for

A "Religion of Gratitude," as what my friend calls it, is what we probably need nowadays in this totally imperfect world. Our mantra would bear no more than two powerful words recited in the most precise and passionate patterns... thank you, thank you, and thank you. 

And if words are not enough, allow yourself to send a warm and sincere smile to whoever needs it.

Yes, despite of life unfolding in some ways that we sometimes find less amusing, we can still have more and more reasons to be thankful for. And I am grateful, too. For a lot of reasons.

Sending out a big thank you from the top of Bud Bongao in Tawi Tawi!

Just recently, I have completed what I consider a big milestone in my life, that of having seen 80 of the 81 provinces of the Philippines before I turn 30 years old. It was a three-year challenge that I've pursued and that has ended last weekend, November 23. A month before my 30th birthday, I set foot on to my 80th province, in the southernmost province of the country, Tawi Tawi. It was one of the most thrilling and fulfilling adventures I had, which I'll blog the full details very soon.

I know I wouldn't have accomplished this goal if not for the many people who had been with me throughout this crazy journey.

To my parents, who despite not being totally permissive of my notorious escapes, still supports me and constantly texts me "ingat ka " and to my sisters and brother who have been my default cheerers and "supporters"... thank you!

To old friends and the new ones I've made while on the road, who had continuously inspired me to search for new and challenging paths... thank you!

To Anchi, who have been my sole partner in exploring more than 30 beautiful destinations around the country, for the massive love, support and understanding, beyond words... thank you.

To the hardworking tour guides, boatmen, bus/cab/jeepney drivers, souvenir vendors, and the many people I met while traveling... and to the kind universe... thank you.

To God... for the blessed opportunity you had given to be able to experience the many wonders of our country... thank you.

For everything, to everyone, I am grateful. Always.

#LUVisayas: How to help the victims of Typhoon Yolanda

I'll keep this short. Please read: URGENT! 

Our kababayans in many parts of Visayas are in desperate need of our help, and in response to this grave extraordinary situation, my friends from BookSail and I are collecting donations of  food and supplies. 

Since children and women are the most vulnerable in situations like this, we would like to prioritize their needs. 

Children's special needs

clothes

 diapers

biscuits (not too sweet)

vitamin C (generics also accepted)

Women's special needs 

clothes

napkin

disposable panties

soap
vitamin C

Food: 

Rice

canned goods

noodles

bottles water

Supplies:

clothes

blanket

towels

Hygiene kits:

shampoo

soap

toothpaste 

toothbrush

For cash donations, please forward the money to Philippine Red Cross. Once deposited, please let me know so I can document and acknowledge your donation here in my blog. Thanks!

A boy survived the wrath of Yolanda in Tacloban, Leyte. Photo credit: www.ibtimes.co.uk

How to help:

Please contact us so we can arrange meet ups to collect your donations:

Che Gurrobat (Pasig) 0917-745-4538
Eph Aguilar (Quezon City) 0929-785-9633
Jha Bobis (Makati/Muntinlupa) 0919-982-7908


All donations that will be gathered from this relief effort will be forwarded on Sunday, November 17, to GMA Kapuso Foundation for distribution to the affected areas. 

How to Support:

Follow our Facebook page #LUVisayas, and your post UNSELFISH SELFIE with the sign #LUVisayas which will be our statement of love and support for everyone affected by this massive devastation. 


They need us now, not tomorrow, now. Please help!

Thank you very much,

Che Gurrobat

blogger l www.backpackingpilipinas.com

Ilocos Sur Heritage Tour: Vigan and Beyond

A Mang Inasal in Calle Crisologo doesn't seem to fit right in. That was my first impression as I was strolling along this famous cobblestone street in Vigan during my visit last January. Don't get me wrong, I devour Mang Inasal's tasty chicken often too, but I would have wanted this modern fast food chain to have stepped back a bit from this site, or at least should have followed the existing old and vintage architectural theme rather than taking a pervasive modern look. In its stead, I would have wanted a local shop selling burnay jars or other native products in that spot. 

A UNESCO Heritage Site, Calle Crisologo is among my favorite spots in the country, but I'm a bit concerned seeing how this old-charm city seemed to have caught up with the modern time. 

The thing I have with visiting Vigan is that each time we meet, something new is added and something old is lost. As I look at the old photos I took back when I first visited it in high school, I can see how this historic city have changed -- the commercial establishments around and the number of visitors strolling by obviously increased. 

While I understand that nothing stands still and that change and development are inevitable, I feel that some of our cultural heritages are at risk of a slow demise, and Vigan, a so-called "living museum," should not succumb to this kind of fate. The key lies in the active pursuit to preservation and conservation. 

Vigan is one of the cities that inherited a beautiful heritage by default. In the 18th and 19th centuries,  Vigan or Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan is said to be the third most important city after Manila and Cebu. The sights we see there today -- the museums, cathedrals, plazas, and the food that are depicting Hispanic influences --  are the treasures left of the bygone days of Spanish colonial power in the north.

Although Vigan changed through time, I still feel that it's one of the places in the country that has retained much of its history and a place definitely worth visiting! I've noted here some of the places I recommend while in Vigan and other parts of Ilocos Sur.  

Vigan City is among the 'New 7 Wonders' finalists

Our very own Vigan City has been shortlisted as one of the 28 finalists in the campaign for the 'New 7 Wonders Cities' of the world.

Vigan, a vibrant city located in northern Philippines, is a prime tourist destination and home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heritage Village. A gem of Ilocos Sur, Vigan showcases the rich Spanish heritage through its many well-preserved architectures and ancestral homes. It's also home to old museums, tasty local dishes, and a heritage church. A true world- class heritage city, indeed.

Heading North: A Guide to Ilocos Norte's Top Spots

The Ilocos provinces are two of my favorites in the country. Both are like one-stop destinations for tourists who are hunting for historical landmarks and heritage churches, or looking for beaches with amazing sunsets, or those chasing waterfalls, and beautiful natural and man-made structures.

Ilocos is a wonderland that had consistently amazed me during my last four visits. I feel almost apologetic that I've overlooked blogging about it in the past years. Given its many notable attractions, Ilocos rightfully deserves a spot in Backpacking Pilipinas.

This post will focus on the gems of Ilocos Norte, the other half of the Ilocos provinces. I'll be sharing some of my personal favorite attractions to give you an idea of what to see and expect on your next trip to the north.

Here are the top spots you may check out while in Ilocos Norte:


Bangui Windmills - Also known as the Bangui Wind Farm, these 20 giant wind turbines that stretch along the coastal town of Bangui is worth a visit. The first in the Philippines and considered the biggest in Southeast Asia, I like how this renewable energy wind farm provides electricity to Bangui. These turbines are visible even in the coasts of Pagudpud, but nothing beats getting near them up close. 

I highly recommend going there during the sunset as the sea breeze gets colder and the windmills provide a perfect backdrop that's great for photography. 

How to get there:

Take the Laoag to Cagayan route, then ask the bus driver to drop you off at Burgos. Check the marker on the left side of the road that leading to the Bangui Bay. From there you could already see the windmills. Follow the road leading to the bay which leads straight to the windmills.

Travel time from Laoag to Bangui is approximately 1.5 hours.

Fare:
Laoag – Bangui BUS: P50.00
Tricycle within Bangui: P20.00 – P30.00

Backpacking Pilipinas 101:Travel Tips for Every Juan

We all want to travel once in a while, right? Whether we choose to scale a mountain, or go to the beach or learn history, there's always something that seduces us to traveling. For some it has become a way to escape a chaotic daily grind; some find pleasure in exploring the off-beat paths; some for the simple reason of spending some precious downtime moments with love ones; some want adventure; some wants to challenge their capacities; some want to experience the culture and bring home lessons and experiences they will live by forever. For whatever reason you have, I think our innate desire to be mobile is the root of this bug called traveling.

When I started backpacking Pilipinas in 2009, my reasons were to simply run away from the city life every once in a while. But over time, when my travels increased from rarely to  monthly, this whole backpacking trip has become more of a passion, something that I want to share to many who reads this blog.

After visiting 80 of the 81 provinces in the Philippines, I learned some practicalities that I feel worth sharing. I hope this list will help or inspire those who want to travel but haven't started yet, and those who are already on the road. :)


1. Travel within your means. You should not rely on your credit cards that promise the "travel now, pay later" mentality. It is best if you have available funds that would actually finance your trips. Relying heavily on your plastics would cause more headache long after the trip is over. Lesson: Save up!

2. Be a poorpacker. I consider myself a poor tourist not really because I'm financially depleted but because I find some work-around in my budget to accommodate my micro-vacations. I wait for budget airlines seat sales, I sleep in cheap accommodations, I do DIYs instead of hiring a tour guide, and I walk a lot. I prefer to go low on accommodation and allot most of my funds on food and tour.

3. Visit a museum. I notice that not so many people I know are fond of museums, and I think they are missing out on a wealth of information because of this. My museum visits around the country taught me a lot about our rich history, culture, and traditions that are often not seen in our textbooks or taught inside our classrooms. Some of my favorite museums are in Batanes, Zamboanga City, Dumaguete City, Marinduque, Dapitan City, Marawi City and Manila.