Bohol post-quake tourism

I went to Bohol last week to check on tourism developments in the province 2 months after the earthquake. Though Bohol tourism is now back to normal, only few tourists visit Bohol even during the holiday season, which is usually a peak season.

It was my first time in the province, and I
must say Bohol is truly beautiful. Please visit Bohol to help the local economy. Tours, roads, hotels are all back to normal. And the Boholanos are very friendly and loving people.

Here are the reports I did for ANC and ABS-CBN.
Pls. click the link :-)

ANC
Part 1 http://t.co/JyL97mGTPa
Part 2 http://t.co/Uan5bnaE5p
Part 3 http://t.co/SHTkd2NNoN

TV Patrol http://t.co/aC6U8N8xYE

Read More

Iloilo Airport

I must say, Iloilo Airport is my favorite local airport in the Philippines.

It's the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo right now and it reminded me of the city's modern transportation hub. I have actually been to the airport only twice. Departing Iloilo in 2008, and arriving Iloilo in 2012. But both times, I was amazed with this airport. There's nothing very spectacular and great about this airport, but for a local airport, it really looks good and decent. What I like about this airport is that the departure and arrival areas have high ceiling, which gives a feeling of space. The departure area actually looks like a mini NAIA 2. The departure area also faces a mountain, a nice view to look at while waiting for the plane. And since it's new, there are several aerobridges, working baggage carousels, working elevators and escalators and also two pocket gardens. It also uses natural lighting, which means the airport is energy efficient. I wish all local airports would be similar to the one in Iloilo, especially since we all have to pay P200 terminal fee.

The airport is located less than an hour from the city proper. For those arriving in the city, there are several vans that can take you to SM City Iloilo and other parts of the city. There are many drivers stationed just outside the Arrivals Hall. Fare would be about P50+. Taxis are also available. 

Departure Hall

View from Departure Hall

Departure area. Photo from Wikipedia

High celing airport

Arrival area

Read More

Missing Cebu

view from our hotel suite

Haven't been blogging in a while, obviously.

I can't describe how February is treating me. But one thing's for sure, I had a super great time in Cebu last week. My college friends and I attended the wedding of Justin and Grace in Cebu City. Of course, we ate, drank, swam, slept, shopped all over the city. We didn't have prior plans whatsoever, but we ended up doing so many things and resting at the same time. Now that's vacation.

Aside from the wedding, highlights of the trip include:
-FREE stay at Waterfront Lahug Hotel (not the ordinary rooms, but the Ambassador Suite!!)
-FREE use of Ambassador Lounge, daily buffet breakfast
-drink/hang out at the awesome roofdeck Blue Bar of the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel
-drink/hang out at Moon Cafe, Cebu IT Park
-eat at Casa Verda, La Marea, Chika-an, Dong Juan, Siomai sa Tisa, Maribago Grill
-FREE swim/hot tub at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa

Our initial plan of trying the SkyWalk didn't happen, but at least we have a reason to go back.

missing you Cebu...

beach at Shangri-La Mactan

Read More

PAL's Fly Pinas Pass

Last month, I was enticed by a promo of Philippine Airlines. It's called the Fly Pinas Pass. For only P7K, you can fly all-you-can domestically for 7 weeks. Of course, there were other add on charges including taxes. I rarely take PAL because it is more expensive than Cebu Pacific or AirPhil Express. In fact, the last time I rode a PAL plane for a domestic route, aside from the July news coverage I had, was several years ago. So, I was tempted to purchase this promo package. And I did.

To avail the promo, you have to book all your flights one-time. You can't add more flights once you have booked all your chosen flights for 7 weeks. And every one-way trip, there is a corresponding tax. It's about P350-450 depending on the destination. So, for a round trip ticket Manila to Davao, for example, the tax costs about P900. It's basically still expensive than budget carriers, since the P900 is on top of the initial P7K. But of course, if you are really a jet setter and you fly weekly, then it's a good deal.

Anyhow, I booked my flights for September to October. I decided not to fly weekly, since I don't need to and I don't have money. I booked flights Manila to Davao, General Santos and Bacolod. I booked several flights to/from Bacolod, since it's my hometown.

I took my first PAL promo flight 2 weeks ago. I went to General Santos for the baptism of my godchild. I also visited my relatives there. The flight was ok. It was my first time to ride a wide-body aircraft on a domestic route. The meal served was crackers, peanuts and coffee.

Today, I'm going to Davao and next week to Bacolod. Excited for my trips, but my wallet is not.

Read More

trips with friends

Last week was one great week.
I was absent for almost a week and went to trips with high school and college friends.
Went to Hong Kong and celebrated my birthday there.
Then sailed to Macau for a day trip.
Then a few hours after I arrived in Manila, I was off to Kalibo again then to Boracay.
It was such a tiring but enjoyable mini vacations.

HONG KONG




MACAU


BORACAY

Read More