It's More Fun the Philippines (The Traveling Havaianas version)

The moment I read in the tweets and heard the buzz going around the latest Department of Tourism campaign, It's More Fun in the Philippines, it got me really excited because I KNOW for myself why it is so. It's something I could relate to. As a travel photographer, blogger, and advocate, my feet have taken me to different places in and outside of the country. Yes, many have impressed me and I've had a great time in them but needless to say, there's no place like ours. It is home. This place is just... FUN.

As what Atty. Ted Te in his commentary said, "Ask any Filipino who has ever stayed away from the Philippines involuntarily.  Ask them why they choose to look for Filipinos when they get to whichever part of the world they are in;  why there are community gatherings;  why there is always the inevitable search for the Filipino store.  Ask why we choose to carve out a small patch of PH anywhere we find ourselves in.  Because it IS more fun in the Philippines."


I'd like to thank the DOT for jumpstarting this open invitation to all to find out why the Philippines is more fun. For reminding us that despite its eccentricities, we have a country to be proud of. For igniting once again, unity, to have one spirit, one soul, and for striking a chord in us that this place, where we are born, makes us truly alive.

I have my own share It's More Fun the Philippines memes. I encourage you to make your own. HAVE FUN! :)

My Awesome Planner for 2012.

I've long quit collecting stickers for the Starbucks 2012 planner (and collecting calories from their toffee nut latte frappuccino). I've decided I won't join the bandwagon and get pressured buying coffee just to have this planner--which almost everybody else has. ;)

But... I got this really Awesome Planner which I think suits me! It's designed for the foodie and travel lover. Thanks to Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet who came up with this planner. :)

(Photo from Anton Diaz.)

Cover of the Awesome Planner 2012. 

Suggested travels perfect for each month. 

The monthly calendar which contains the 2012 Philippine holidays,
festivals, fiestas, and other events. It also has weekly pages.
(Photo from Anton Diaz.)

One of my favorite sections. The travel vision board, where you
can post your dream destinations for the year.

The vision board. (Photo from Anton Diaz.)

The planner also features different road trip destinations for each month and also a directory of 100 go-to restaurants. I'm already looking forward to filling this up throughout 2012... :) 

For more details of the Awesome Planner and how to order, check out www.facebook.com/AwesomePlanner. 

2012 is Going to be Legendary and Full of Breakthroughs!

The ancient Mayans have foretold it.

Nostradamus has predicted it.

The Carpenters sang and asked, "Don't they know it's the end of the world... it ended when you said good bye?"

Jay Sean and Nicki Minaj told us to party like it's going to happen.

Not intending to sound apocalyptic, if you knew that this is going to be your last year, how would you live differently? What would you change?

Whether or not you believe that 2012 will be end of the world, I believe it's time to live it as if it were your last. You have to make everything you do count. Be more authentic and more deliberate about how you spend your time. There's no turning back.

Here's my own prediction or declaration for 2012. It is going to be legendary. Unless you believe in those doomsday theories, everyone else I know have that glimmer of hope and anticipation that the coming year is going to be more awesome and full of BREAKTHROUGHS. I believe it and I claim it so too, in each area of my life.

Below is how I've envisioned my 2012 would be. I'm saying it in pictures that I'm going to experience life to the full this year. :)

Dreamboard: Legendary 2012 by Libby Malibiran :)

I believe only God knows when the world will end. For our part, let's live a no-regrets life and make the most out of every moment this 2012... Cheers!!! :)

* * * 

"Live Passionately... living each day as if it were your last.
Love Completely... showing others love that transcends and transforms.
Learn Humbly... growing through your problems and pain.
Leave Boldly... creating a legacy that will impact generations."
--From One Month to Live book
by Kerry and Chris Shook

"I'm not a tourist."

"I’m not a tourist."


"I don't wear socks with sandals."


"My adventure doesn’t stick to a schedule."


"I stand where empires rose, fell, and rose again."


"I travel for the little details." 


"You’ll never know if you like something until you try."

Here's my blog's video for the day featuring G Adventures' ad campaign. It's my sentiments exactly on how I want to travel. :)



Earth from G Adventures on Vimeo.

* * * 

G Adventures organizes travels and adventures to all four corners of the world (and everywhere in between).  Their trips embrace authentic accommodation and local transportation to bring you face to face with the world’s most fascinating cultures, customs and awe-inspiring wildlife. You don't merely see the world; you meet it, shake hands with it and get to know it on a first-name basis.

From their site: You'llNeverForgetIt.com, they're currently holding a contest where in you can send creative submissions featuring your own 'unforgettable moment'—a time when you broke out of the typical tourist 'bubble' and made a real connection with the world at its boldest, brightest and most beautiful. If you're chosen, you'll be one of three winners to embark on an unforgettable trip to one of the hundreds of destinations served by G Adventures. You'll be joined by a videographer and photographer who will chronicle your adventure which will be featured in print and online as part of the next G Adventures campaign. They're accepting entries until December 31, 2011! I have to think, think, think now! :)

The Longest Way...

I came across this guy who traveled from China to Germany just by walking, back in 2007. He called this project "The Longest Way"--as it is the longest way from a daydream to a dream.

Based on his blog thelongestway.com, he did walk about one third of the initial way, from the first day (of his 26th birthday) until the downfall about a year later. Then he stopped. He got a haircut and shaved off his beard, and took a plane home.

Then he came up with a new plan: go back to university, get a degree, didn’t think about walking for a while. (Check his plan here).

His name is Christoph Rehage. He got numerous awards from film festivals across the globe and his video has been going viral since 2009. Here's his travel from Nov. 9, 2007 to Nov.13, 2008, on foot, 4646km through China, unlimited beard and hair growth, condensed to a 5-minute video.

It doesn’t matter what dream you choose to follow, as long as you have one. Go follow your dream, and laugh while you’re doing it! --Christoph Rehage

Long weekends, portraits, and a lake...

The past two weeks gave us two consecutive long weekends--non-working Mondays at that! It gave me time to rest and... well, do just about nothing. I don't remember being pre-occupied by anything, which is good. That's how I like it.

The first long weekend also particularly gave me the time to celebrate my birthday with my lovely girlfriends. Away from the city, by a calm lake, overlooking a volcano. I don't remember getting busy throwing a party, which is good. That's just how I like it.

I'd just like to take this space by sharing some of the travel photos I took in this birthday get-away and the portraits of my beautiful friends. They're a beauty inside out. :)

Photos taken in Club Balai Isabel, Talisay, Batangas:

 

 

TRAVEL... while we're young, wild, and free... :)

A number of my friends in Facebook recently shared a link to this article about reasons to travel while you're young. We couldn't agree more with what Jeff says:

1. Traveling teaches you to live an adventure
2. Traveling helps you encounter compassion
3. Traveling allows you to get some culture

True, true, and true!

"Yeah, but..."
The writer says that these words never were more fatal words spoken:

Yeah, but… what about debt? Yeah, but… what about my job? Yeah, but… what about my boyfriend (or dog or car or whatever)?

“Yeah, but…” is pernicious. Because it makes it sound like we have the best of intentions when really we are just too scared to do what we should.

It allows us to be cowards, while sounding noble.

Most people I know who waited to travel the world never did. 

I have always marveled at people who were courageous enough to quit their jobs and travel. They are definitely past that "yeah, but..." stage. I've been reading about their fascinating stories in a Couchsurfing forum. I met someone in my travels who actually did. I've also encountered several people who were on their "gap year." (A gap year, according to Wikipedia, means taking time out to travel in between life stages. It is also known as sabbatical, time off and time out that refers to a period of time. They take this time to travel, engage in volunteer work overseas or undertake a working holiday abroad.) I think such a thing hardly exist in the Philippines.


Here are my own "buts"...
I envy those who can take a sabbatical or gap year with reckless abandon. Most of them have let go of their excuses. "If not now, when?" someone told me. Good for them! For my part, I still can't get over my concerns:

But what about my budget...? Taking a time off to travel for long period means you need a lot of cash. LOTS OF IT. (How does one break a bank?!) It's not easy saving up for the big haul given my current Philippine monthly income (I learned from a backpacking talk before that a Round-the-World (RTW) trip costs around US$ 25,000!) and if I were able to gather already, I'd probably be not-so-young anymore.

But what about the bills I have to pay and other personal matters? Monthly bills are always there and I also have personal family obligations that would be hard to leave for a long time. I'm not sure if I would understood. You see in the Philippines, young ones stick with their family up until before they get married. I know that's odd for other cultures, but that's how we honor our parents and family relations.

But what about my next job...? So let's say I did it, who would take me in once I get back? I'm in a good company now, would I be able to get the same kind of job in a prestigious company when I return? It would be a huge risk for me.

In the meantime...
Though I have these what you may call "excuses," my dream to travel the world hasn't been buried in the deepest of my heart; it still remains afloat. But I figured I'll only remain dreaming if I don't do something about it.

Meanwhile, I'm still going to travel. Occasionally take a vacation leave. (Maybe not for a year yet or RTW). Do travel photography and blogging. I'll continue to save up. Start looking for other things where I can invest in and grow my income. Research. Talk to people who have done so. Prepare like it's really going to be done.

There is no “I can’t” anymore. I'm in charge. The only thing holding me back is me.

"A journey to a thousand miles starts with a single step." 

--Lao-tzu, The Way of Lao-tzu, 

Chinese philosopher (604 BC - 531 BC)

Manila to Hanoi is back! Hello, Halong Bay?

Good news from Cebu Pacific Air! They're bringing back the direct flight to Hanoi, Vietnam starting March 17, 2012! This is terrific since this was one of our options for the On-The-Spot shoot (OTS) of our camera club this year. Since there weren't any direct flights then, we also weren't able to include Hanoi in our last backpacking trip and it really would've cost us a lot.

Manila to Hanoi (without direct flight)
From one of my friends in the camera club, he said that these would be the rates (without direct connection):

1) TG (Thai Airways) US$ 595.00 (valid until Sept 2011):
Manila - Bangkok - Hanoi - Bangkok - Manila

2) CX (Cathay Pacific) US$ 700.00 (valid until Dec 2011 for June ticketing):
Manila - HK - Hanoi - HK - Manila

3) Vietnam Air US$ 530.00 (valid until March 2012):
Manila - Saigon - Hanoi - Saigon - Manila

Food and hotel accommodation in Vietnam are fairly reasonable. However, with this itinerary, airfare budget with connecting flights is a concern. Should you opt to do a cheaper travel, you would have to travel by land from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in the south, to Hanoi located at the north of Vietnam. You can buy a ticket for the Open Tour aircon bus that can get you from HCMC to Hanoi, and travel at your own pace (at US$ 35). You can actually hop on and off the bus at any city along the way without holding you to any schedule. (You can hop off first in Nha Trang (beaches), Hoi An (World Heritage Ancient town), Hue, etc. before arriving to Hanoi). You can buy this everywhere especially in traveller cafes, local agencies, or any backpacker haunts.

That's generally the idea if you have the luxury of time (and budget) crawling through Vietnam.

Manila to Hanoi (with direct flight)
And now? It's around US$ 20 one way from Manila (or PHP 888) through a Cebu Pacific promo. Uncomplicated!

Aside from slurping a fine pho (beef noodle soup) in the morning, staying at the bustling Old Quarter and strolling around the Hoan Kiem Lake, what I'm looking forward to is making my way to the northeast--in Halong Bay where the surreal happens. Imagine 3,000 or more incredible limestone islands erecting towards the sky from the emerald waters of Gulf of Tonkin. This Unesco Heritage Site paints a breathtaking picture in the horizon. I just have to board a Chinese style junk, lie on top of the boat, enjoy the scenery and slowly cruise around the scenic landscape.

Images from New 7 Wonders image gallery

Blogging about this excites me and I'm crossing my fingers that I could go back to Vietnam next year. Let's see how it goes. ;)

The sad news: We're driving tourists away...

Being a passionate traveler myself, my eyes would brighten up everytime I talk about the beautiful places in the Philippines to foreigners I've met. I could randomly help a traveller here and would go to a Lonely Planet mode, giving info and tips about the places that I think are worth recommending. One of my friends even branded me as “Ms. Mabuhay Philippines” because of that (hahaha!) and I guess you could see that enthusiasm in this travel blog. “If tourism were just about all the beautiful things that a country had to offer, we would be top on any traveler’s list–because we DO have EVERYTHING that a tourist would want to enjoy on a well-earned vacation.”

Having said that, it just depresses me to hear news such as Ninoy Aquino International Airport being voted the worst airport “for sleeping in” on the same week that Air France-KLM announced a phasing out of its Manila-Amsterdam route. I couldn’t agree more with Nina Terol-Ziacita’s article when she said that while our country has the perfect touristy allure, “we also have MANY of the things that would drive ANYONE away from ANY country: an inefficient bureaucracy, a horrible public transport system, heavily polluted streets, chaotic urban areas, beggars and street urchins loitering on the streets, crime, corruption–name it, we probably have it.”  That's why come news broadcast time at night, I would step out of our living room because I'm seeing the same kind of bad news over and over (and we all get so numb of it already, and that's another sad story). They've just become the usual icebreaker if you find yourself striking up a conversation with someone on the street.

*Sigh* The problem of the Philippines, as Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez himself had pointed is that, "We haven’t really acted like a tourism country. We’ve got an airport that doesn’t look like it wants to welcome visitors and make them stay; we’ve got a terrible public transport system and public infrastructure that discourages people from exploring any town or city in this country; we’ve got a tax regime and a business climate that discourages investments; we tear down historical landmarks instead of preserving them; we’ve got corruption; we’ve got garbage. In short: aside from our innate creativity, our laughter, and the genuine warmth of our people, we’ve given foreigners many reasons to stay away from us, from the level of policy formulation all the way to policy execution. It’s poor governance over the last few decades that has made us a weak tourism brand."

I don't only look forward to what Sec. Jimenez "rockstar of advertising" can do to our tourism industry, not only for President Aquino and his administration's projects to finally take place... I'm waiting for the whole country to get our acts together! Nope, I shouldn't just wait. I'll do something to make Philippines a little bit better in my own way. I hope you also do. We've just got to want this change SO BAD. 

*Some places I'd like to visit in the Philippines next year:*

Bantayan Island, Cebu. From Eric Brian Ouano, Flickr. 

 Batanes. From Anton Diaz, Our Awesome Planet. 

Coron, Palawan. From Anton Diaz, Our Awesome Planet. 

My photo in Backpacking Tips Asia: Farmers' Working Hands in Laguna Bay Loop

Lately, I've been submitting my photos to a couple of photo contests. I've joined two so far. First is the KLM On Assignment: Europe sponsored by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for their 60th anniversary. The winner gets a chance to go on an all-expense paid trip to Holland, Netherlands and will be featured in the Lonely Planet Magazine Philippines, among other prizes. When I read this, I told myself, “This is it, this is one great opportunity for me waiting to be seized!” Looking at all the submitted photos and pitches in the Digital Photography Philippines forum, I was so overwhelmed by the talent and creativity that were showcased. I should be discouraged actually, but then I remembered Lonely Planet’s philosophy "All you've got to do is decide to go and the hardest part is over. So go!" I remembered my potential, I remembered my past experiences, so there, I took my chances--I submitted my pitch and my portfolio (Post number #486, page 49). Best of luck to me, I'm crossing my fingers… ;)

Second is Backpacking Tips Asia's Online Photo Contest. The contest theme must reflect Asia in some way. For my entry, I submitted my "Working Hands" photo, shot in the rice plains of Mabitac, Laguna. The photos are judged by other visitors to my photo page in Backpacking Tips Asia. The visitors will have the opportunity to click the social buttons of Facebook ('Like'), Twitter ('Tweet') and Stumbleupon ('Submit'). So... hope you visit my page and click away... :) Click HERE to see my photo. :)

I'll never know 'til I try, right? :)

Signs that you still haven't moved on (from your recent trip)

It's been exactly one month since our homecoming from our amazing race. And the hangover still lingers!

I guess it's now embedded in me. It seems that I'd always find something that I associate with our trip. There's always something to relate with our backpacking experience. It feels like coming from a break-up that everywhere you go, everything just reminds you of your ex. That I'm-still-not-over-him-and-I-just-want-to-reminisce kind of feeling? Yeah, that one.

Perhaps you're like me, you can tell that these are some signs that I still haven't moved on (from my trip, that is):

• Experiencing the non-stop rains lately reminds me of our Vang Vieng days...

• Waking up in the morning looking for banana pancakes... Then buying groceries to make one the next day.

• Going to a Thai restaurant to satisfy the craving for Pad Thai and Thai milk tea. (And complaining to my travel buddies that in Thailand, it was only 20THB for the milk tea...).

• Having a "backpacker's nook" BBM group with my travel buddies and just randomly reminiscing about the anything about the trip at any given day. (And we still memorize EVERY detail of it).

• Playing songs from our backpacking soundtrack, watching movies, reading books that have the setting of the countries that we went to.

• Having the usual conversation with your other friends and will suddenly insert, "Oh, in Cambodia, it used to be like this...", "Oh, in Laos, it was like that..."

• Preaching to friends who plan to go backpacking about our tips, ideas, and anecdotes.

• Changing my Facebook profile picture every several days or a week or so, and every photo is still from the trip.

• Getting green with envy everytime I hear others who are still NOT finished with their backpacking trip having a great time.

• Procrastinating about preparing for my next "minor" trip (local and not backpacking). Planning for the next BIG one may be highly unlikely to push through soon, so I just hang on to those past memories...

• STILL blogging about THE trip one month after.

To celebrate our happy monthsary from our homecoming, let me end with this song:

"I walk along the city streets you used to walk along with me,
and every step I take reminds me of just how we used to be.
Well, how can I forget you, girl?
When there is always something there to remind me."

Please vote for Puerto Princesa Underground River to be part of the New 7 Wonders

I was in Puerto Princesa, Palawan for my birthday back in 2009 and got to hop on a bangka (a small boat) to navigate the Subterranean River. From afar, the huge limestone mountains landscape can already be seen. We were led to the mouth of cave which has a clear lagoon where the journey through the world's longest underground river began. Though travelers are not allowed to navigate the entire river (because it IS long), we've seen a great share of stalactites and stalagmites formations inside the cave chambers. It is indeed a wonder!

Now that our Department of Tourism is in full swing promoting this to be part of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, I'm also doing my part in campaigning for this. Here's some of my photos so hopefully you'll believe it deserves to be included in the wonders of nature. ;)

Puerto Princesa Underground River was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in December 4, 1999.

The rest of Puerto Princesa, Palawan is lovely. What I loved about it: fresh air, total log ban, no cigarette butts everywhere, friendly people, funny tourist guides, fresh and affordable seafood and exotic food (I ate Tamilok - a wood worm!), the white beaches, surprise visits of dolphins in the bay, the blue sky, perfect weather, the surrounding mountain ridges, of course the next New Wonder: The Underground River.

Vote in New 7 Wonder's website or vote via SMS: text PPUR, PPUR7, or PPUR15 to signify your number of votes them send to 2861 (for all networks in the Philippines). If you're voting from another country, you can vote via SMS by typing PPUR then send to the following: For Canada (77077), Australia (19788555), UAE (3888), South Korea (001-1588-7715), South Africa (34874), Poland (write PUERTO and send to 7155), Taiwan (write N7W PPUR and send to 55123). We only have until midnight of November 10,2011. Thanks for your support! :)

Same Same But Different

From Urban Dictionary, "same same but different" is a phrase used a lot in Thailand, like in an attempt to sell something but it can mean just about anything depending on what the user is trying to achieve. Example:

Q: "Is this a real rolex?"
A: " Yes Sir, same same but different."

His point? It seems similar but different in some ways. I've heard this expression in Thailand, which stretched 'til Cambodia and Vietnam where we saw this shirt.

I just can't get over these playful words. I know in some ways, after our whole trip, I'm same same but different. I came back still the same person but somehow now having different perspectives, thoughts and behavior.

I'm still the same traveler who loves to go to a lot of places and take numerous photos but I'm now the type who would like to immerse further in the environment I'm in. Our 14 days definitely was not enough for immersion. People said that 14 days for 4 countries IS a crazy idea (unless we liked sitting on buses and trains), but I say, hey, no regrets! Our strategy then was to take in as many places as possible and enjoy each place while we can given our tight schedule. Next time I travel, I just don't want bragging rights on Facebook with my travel photos, I'd like to know and tell MORE fascinating stories about the local people, the places, and the culture. I want to be absorbed by staying longer in one place, immersing, having meaningful conversations, deep thoughts (and perhaps by doing solo travel... but that one, I haven't gathered enough courage--yet!). So yeah, I guess I'm same same but different.

I'm still the same finicky person that you know, but my tolerance and patience really grew stronger after our trip. As a business traveler in my line of work (I train people in different parts of the country), I tend to be picky about the places I'm staying in. But outside work travel, I'm the tried and tested cowboy. I love sleeping in business class hotels but I can also sleep in shabby guesthouses. From bathing in infinity pools and clean bathrooms, I can take a shower in train stations. From dining in savory restaurants, I can gobble in hawker stalls. Yeah, I'm same same but different.

Normally in the Philippines, I don't strike up a conversation with just anyone (unless really needed with a stranger). We tend to stick to our own cliques. But having experienced the backpacker lifestyle, I got to tear down those walls and just opened up and let loose. Everyone is friendly with everyone. If I used to shut myself off from the world during bus rides, I'm glad during our trip that we easily carried conversations with our seatmates, locals and backpackers alike. Same same but different.

I have a little separation anxiety with my BlackBerry, laptop, internet and admittedly I realized, TV. I'm not a flashpacker (one who travels with these gadgets) so I had to leave them behind. But after the trip, I realized that being away from it all can be liberating. I like the experience of the freedom from the daily routine, the freedom of not knowing the time or the day, forgetting your to-do lists and how my work desk looks like. It is disorienting. Yet it is liberating.

So how did our backpacking trip change me? I'm still same same but different.

Where I got the best photos... :)

I recently contributed a Trip Report in Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree and I was asked by one of those who replied where I got the best photos from my recent backpacking trip.

Well, I took HUNDREDS of them and I'm consolidating my favorite ones here. I'm so glad I brought my wide-angle lens (for my Nikon camera) with me on the trip. You know how I love taking travel photos! With a lot of picture perfect moments, I can never go wrong with a wide-angle lens. The world looks so much bigger.

In Siem Reap, Cambodia:

The ancient halls inside Angkor Wat.

Intricate designs of the temple.

I wonder when these scattered stones were here.

The reflection of sunrise in the pond.

Lazing in the green fields of Prasat Kravan.

You can rent a canoe to explore Angkor.

Getting lost inside Bayon.

Get tangled with nature in Ta Phrom.

Climb on top of Phnom Bakeng to get an aerial view of Angkor.

And now, in Ayutthaya, Thailand:

Biking around the wats and exploring the city.

The 3-bell shaped chedi in Wat Phra Si Sanhet.

See crumbling structures around...

The beaches in Phuket, Thailand!:

The long-tail boats in Ko Phi Phi Don Island.

With this kind of days, sometimes you wish it'll never end.

Fall in love with the color paintings in the sky during sunset in Phromthep Cape.

Hope you enjoyed some of them. From your traveling shutterbug, Libby. ;)