Madayaw na adlaw! Today I will hark back good old memories about my hometown of Cateel through the vivid snapshots I compiled from my frequent trips to my birthplace long before it is ravaged by Super Typhoon Pablo. Some of these photos are unpublished; some have already been featured in this blog, magazines and even books. These are my personal … Read more
MOUNTAINS
CLIMBING THE SCENIC MUSUAN VOLCANO
Musuan, abode of Central Mindanao University, is not only renowned as the … [Read More...]
WATERFALLS
REDISCOVERING MAHAN-OB FALLS
Had it not been for Super Typhoon Pablo, I wouldn't have gone chasing … [Read More...]
CULTURE
SPENDING CHRISTMAS IN MY HOMETOWN CATEEL
Merry Christmas! Today, I write this post straight from my hometown Cateel … [Read More...]
BEACHES
FALLING IN LOVE WITH OLANIBAN ISLAND
It was the reverberating sounds of flying fox bats that wakened me up that … [Read More...]
FESTIVALS
KADAYAWAN’S INDAK INDAK SA KADALANAN 2012
Twenty contingents coming from different schools and communities in Davao … [Read More...]
FEATURED PHOTO
FEATURED PHOTO: In the Eyes of a Manobo Child
"SMILE baby! Smile!" That was already a repeat plea. We were aiming to … [Read More...]
RECENT TRAVEL STORIES
POSTCARDS FROM CATEEL
Madayaw na adlaw! Today I will hark back good old memories about my hometown of Cateel through the vivid snapshots I compiled from my frequent trips to my birthplace long before it is ravaged by Super Typhoon Pablo. … [Read More...]
VISIT SAMAL. STAY AT PUNTA DEL SOL BEACH RESORT.
If you are in Davao City and you have an instant itch for the sun, the sand and the sea – worry not, the Island Garden City of Samal is just within reach. If you need a place to unwind and chill out savoring Davao … [Read More...]
BUDGET TRAVELS: The Travel Teller’s Way
Most of my friends and those who followed me on this blog would often ask how rich I am to afford an unceasing and unstoppable travels. They would always think I have enough resources to finance this weekend travels … [Read More...]
REDISCOVERING MAHAN-OB FALLS
Had it not been for Super Typhoon Pablo, I wouldn't have gone chasing several waterfalls scattered in the mountainsides of Cateel, Davao Oriental. These cascades were once hidden in the verdant hills and thick forest … [Read More...]
MY PHILIPPINE’S TOP 20 BEACH DESTINATIONS
My deep love for the beach and my passion for island living brought me to see the numerous coastal wonders of our country. The aqua marine waters, the glorious sunsets, the feel of sand in-between my toes – these send … [Read More...]
ALIWAGWAG FALLS: Four Months After Typhoon Pablo
Where there’s water, there’s life. Great proof to that is my hometown’s pride – our precious Aliwagwag Falls, the highest waterfalls in the Philippines. Four months after Super Typhoon Pablo hit my … [Read More...]
MACO’S MAINIT SULFURIC HOT SPRING: One Unique Destination To Visit
Aside from Lake Leonard, another must-see place in Maco, Compostela Valley is the one-of-a-kind Mainit Sulfuric Hot spring. Home to Mt. Leonard Kniazeff, one of the 22 active volcanoes in the Philippines as identified … [Read More...]
THE UNTAINTED BEAUTY OF MACO’S LAKE LEONARD
My quest to explore the many hidden natural wonders of Mindanao led me to discover more and more fascinating destinations here in our own Davao Region. The itch for more adventures and new experiences fronted me to see … [Read More...]
WHY CHOOSE GUMASA
Imagine you're on the beach idly sitting in a lazy chair sipping a chilled watermelon shake while listening to your favourite Café Del Mar music on your iPod. The sun is up scorching but you couldn't care less. You are … [Read More...]
FALLING IN LOVE WITH OLANIBAN ISLAND
It was the reverberating sounds of flying fox bats that wakened me up that early dawn as they all flew back to the tall old trees in the hillside of Tuke Maklang in Sarangani Island. It lasted for almost an hour … [Read More...]
EXPLORING BALUT ISLAND AND SARANGANI ISLAND
The sea was calm that early morning. The dawning of the day was dramatic. While the sun mightily rose on the east, the moon on the opposite side was slowly devoured by the daylight. As the fresh morning sea breeze … [Read More...]
JOURNEY TO THE SOUTHERNMOST ISLANDS OF DAVAO REGION: The Photo Preview
Sunkissed. Sunburnt. Suntanned. I am writing this post today still bearing the ache of first degree sunburns I’ve got from a long trip I made to one destination in my Island Mindanao that I have long wanted to visit. … [Read More...]
EL SALVADOR’S DIVINE MERCY SHRINE
El Salvador, not the Latin American country, but the small city in the province of Misamis Oriental here in Mindanao is the home the 50 foot Statue of the Divine Mercy that is said to be tallest of its kind not only in … [Read More...]
LAMARAN MOSQUE OF BANAYBANAY, DAVAO ORIENTAL
I once confessed I have a huge fascination for mosques. There is inner peace and sublime godliness whenever I see them. I have visited and toured around the grandest and most beautiful mosques in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia … [Read More...]
PANGYAN FALLS OF LUPON, DAVAO ORIENTAL
In the outlying mountainous side of the Municipality of Lupon in the province of Davao Oriental there lies a refreshing series of waterfalls known to locals as Pangyan Falls. In my search for a new and … [Read More...]
CATEEL, CATEELEÑOS AND TYPHOON PABLO: Tales of Survival, Resilience, Hope and Compassion
It took me more than three months to finally go back writing again. Honestly, I don’t know where to begin, what to talk about and how I am going to write down every single detail of what I've gone through along with … [Read More...]
THE TRAVEL TELLER’S VALENTINE BIRTHDAY REFLECTION
“I am grateful for the kind of life that God has designed for me. In my humble journey, I’ve met different people and experienced the so called life’s ups and downs that molded me to become who I am now. When I … [Read More...]
SAWASDEE PATTAYA
Davao ✈ Manila ✈ Bangkok. It was an awesome flight summing up to five long hours from my home in Davao City, Philippines to Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok. The night before we left the Philippines, I was … [Read More...]
AMAZING THAILAND: A Travel Series To Cherish
Three days. Three Nights. Three Cities. One amazing country. The Kingdom of Thailand. This is The Travel Teller’s recent travel series. Bangkok. Pattaya. Ayutthaya. These are three of the most important destinations … [Read More...]
IRISH BEACH: Not Your Ordinary Beach
Not all beautiful beaches are made of glistening white sands, lined up palm trees and posh beach hotels. Sometimes, pretty beaches are those least frequented and underrated but teem with hidden allure and infectious … [Read More...]
LOCAL FOOD TRIPPING DURING ARAW NG CATEEL
If there is one thing I love about “special celebrations” in my hometown of Cateel, that would be our special and hard-to-find delicacies and cuisines prepared and served during such occasions. The recently concluded … [Read More...]
PHILIPPINE’S BEST ISLAND DESTINATIONS: The Travel Teller’s Pick
Recently, I’ve gotten loads of emails from readers from across the globe asking for The Travel Teller’s pick of the best island destinations in the Philippines. Honestly, I have been to different towns and provinces … [Read More...]
FOOD FROM HOME: Straight From My Plate To Yours!
One of the best things I love about going home back to my little charming town of Cateel, be it a long vacation or a short one, is the food delicately and delectably prepared before us. These are the kinds of cuisines … [Read More...]
7 FUN ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES IN MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Traveling the world as a family can be one of the greatest experiences in a lifetime. Creating unforgettable memories with your children will be something that you will all remember as you grow together. While it may not … [Read More...]
BURIAS ISLET: The Secret Gem of Banaybanay
Had I not spent my weekend at Bonhomie Leisure and Resort in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental, I would have missed discovering a secret local haven truly a gem of its own – the Burias Islet. Not known to many, the town of … [Read More...]
BANAYBANAY’S BONHOMIE LEISURE AND RESORT
I was stuck in the city for three weeks away from my usual weekend escapes. The busy days at work coping up with deadlines and obligations made me halt from being a weekend warrior for awhile. And so after those hard … [Read More...]
KADAYAWAN’S INDAK INDAK SA KADALANAN 2012
Twenty contingents coming from different schools and communities in Davao City and nearby provinces assembled in the city’s downtown district to compete and be hailed prestigious winner of this year’s Indak Indak sa … [Read More...]
MANDAYA AND DAGMAY WEAVING AT KADAYAWAN 2012
For someone like me who was born and raised in one of the far flung towns of Davao Oriental, seeing the showcase of what my province has to offer featured in the metropolis is such great delight. There is a sense of … [Read More...]
KADAYAWAN FIESTA AT THE APO VIEW 2012
Five years ago, the Apo View Hotel which I consider my second home here in Davao City celebrated its 60th Founding Anniversary as the city's Premier Hotel and the second oldest in the Philippines. In line with that grand … [Read More...]
THE TRAVEL TELLER COVERS KADAYAWAN FESTIVAL 2012
The Ten Tribes of Davao City will once again converge in One Vibe this week for the annual celebration of Kadayawan sa Dabaw. Join the ten indigenous tribes of Ata, Matigsalug, Ovu-Manuvo, Klata-Djangan, Tagabawa, … [Read More...]
THE SAN GUILLERMO DE AQUITANIA CHURCH OF DALAGUETE
The Municipality of Dalaguete in Southern Cebu is also a destination of its own. I discovered this when we hurriedly toured around the town before ascending to Osmeña Peak. The town in itself is a heritage site to … [Read More...]
IF TRAVELING IS A VICE, I’LL BE ADDICTED TO IT FOREVER
"If traveling is a vice, I’ll be addicted to it forever!" This has always been my sweetest answer to the endless question why I seem so unstoppable from this incessant travels. I’ve been asked several times how … [Read More...]
