Day Trip at Lakawon Island Resort

Lakawon Island Resort and Spa has been receiving a lot of media attention recently. Based on the photos circulating the internet, it is arguably a well-kept island paradise in Negros Occidental. But based on the feedback from people who have been there, Lakawon has its highs and lows.

Out of curiosity, I gave Lakawon Island a shot during my short vacation in the Philippines last December. 

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Cool Instagrammable Cafes in Silay

My hometown hardly welcomes big national brands in the dining scene. I'm not sad, not even worried. Silay is one of those towns that proudly holds a striking balance between growth and cultural preservation. Popular dining spots in the city weren't franchised from the metropolis. They were created by the locals for the locals! 

One of the best things I have stumbled onto during my recent homecoming is Silay's booming coffee culture. There are plenty of new cafes, each with a different style and concept. And the bonus is, in this Instagram-era, most of those cafes are visually perfect. They aren't just spots for a caffeine fix, they are gram-worthy as well!

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Lunch at Punong Gary's Place in Silay

Tucked in the outskirts of my hometown - Silay City - in Negros Occidental is a little piece of paradise called Punong Gary's Place. It was once a secret culinary hideaway, but because of its uniqueness, it easily became the talk of the town, the world rather! Awesome places could never remain a secret in social media; hence, I already knew about it before Ed and I went home for Christmas!

The moment we got our flight tickets to the Philippines, I immediately placed a reservation for weekend lunch. Although Punong Gary's Place has gained popularity, it remained a hideaway as it is exclusive to guests with confirmed reservation.

I received a prompt reply in their Facebook Page. Getting a reservation wasn't as hard as I thought. I excitedly noted the important details: Sunday lunch. 11am to 3pm. Table for 10. 5-course meal. 750 Pesos per person. 

750 Pesos! Yes, that is not a typo. Punong Gary's Place is quite an expensive dining spot.

Is it worth it? 

Let me show you.   

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Travel Video: Sweet Escapes in the Philippines 2016

So, our YouTube channel has been on a hiatus for three long months! Sorry for that. But, today, we're making a comeback with a new travel video. And it's not just another video, it's a special one! We are happy to finally share the videos that we took during our homecoming in the Philippines last March. Yay! 

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4 Resorts to Visit or to Stay in Sipalay

During our homecoming last February, Ed and I had an opportunity to travel to one of the best kept destinations of my home province; Sipalay. The laid back coastal town in Negros Occidental is slowly making a name in the tourism scene. It is now fondly called as the "Jewel of the Sugar Island" because of its unspoiled white sand beaches and islets. 

Together with our family, we spent three days and two nights in Sipalay. Since the town boasts a scenic landscape, we decided to spend one night in an island resort, one night in a beachfront resort, and visited two other resorts which are known for stunning views.  

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Campuestohan Highland Resort: Fun in the Highlands

Nestled in the lush slopes of Mt. Makawili in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, is a 5 hectare mountain resort bustling with scenic views, fun activities and relaxation spots. With its uniqueness and world-class facilities, Campuestohan Highland Resort quickly made a name and became a premier tourist destination in the province.

During our homecoming last year, I never had the time to visit Campuestohan and I went back to Dubai with regrets. I'd cringe with envy every time I see photos of family and friends at the resort. Hence, three months ago, on our recent holiday in the Philippines, Campuestohan Highlands took the number one spot in my places-to-visit list!    

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The Ruins, The Romance and The Ristorante

Tucked in the midst of a sugarcane plantation is my home province's precious gem; a structure created out of love and ruined because of a war, but has lived to tell the tale! It is called The Ruins.

I have been there countless times. I have seen it in broad daylight, in the golden hour, under the night sky and from all possible angles. But there was never a time when I felt I had enough. I just have to go back and embrace its enchantment year after year!  

Perhaps I'm not the only one. 

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Silay: The Paris of Negros

Silay is a quaint town in Negros Occidental where heritage houses and historical landmarks are well-preserved. It is also famous for its homegrown artists and cultural shows. Thus, people call Silay "The Paris of Negros", while I call it my home. As years go by, Silay gradually transforms from a laid-back town to a busy city. Though a lot of major developments including an  International Airport have been made, Silay has its heart and soul perfectly intact.

When I went home for vacation, I explored the city like I have never been before!  It felt so good to see the sugarcane plantations again, to feel the vintage vibe and to be greeted with warm Silaynon smiles. Let me take you on a journey to a town close to my heart.

Things to do in Silay City:

* Visit the city's heritage houses. There are over 30 ancestral homes declared as historical landmarks in Silay, only 3 are open to the public.

• Balay Negrense - a museum that showcases the lifestyle of a sugar baron during the late 19th century. It was built in 1897 as a home to Victor F. Gaston , one of the pioneers of sugarcane cultivation in the province.

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Sights and Sundown at Bacolod Baywalk

Weeks before my flight to the Philippines, I saw several posts about Bacolod Baywalk on Facebook. The photos on the news feed made me so curious about the place. Bacolod Baywalk is the newest attraction in the city. It was inaugurated last February 14, 2013. The 2 hectare area at the coastline of Bacolod can be a dine-out spot for foodies, an entertainment venue for music lovers and a perfect place to watch the beautiful sunset for hopeless romantics.

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Pope John Paul II Tower: Bacolod's Sacred Landmark

It's the third week of my month-long vacation in the Philippines. My whole body, most especially my brain, is on a hiatus! As much as I need to write a vacation update, I didn't know how and where to start! Well, I guess I have to stop lazing around for I got a lot of escapades to share.

In case you don't know, I was born and raised in Negros Occidental, a province located in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. My hometown, Silay City, is known to be the "Paris of Negros". 21 km away from Silay is Negros Occidental's capital, Bacolod, also known as the "City of Smiles". The province's growth is in full swing. There's always something new to see every time I come home. Last week, I had the chance visit one of the prominent landmarks in Bacolod, the Pope John Paul II Tower.

I have watched the tower from afar the last time I went home for vacation. I wanted to visit since then, but didn't had the time since Ed and I were too busy with our wedding preparations. This time, I didn't let the opportunity pass.

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