Things to Remember Before You Visit Manjuyod Sandbar

When travel vlogger Lost LeBlanc declared his admiration for Manjuyod Sandbar and fondly called it as The Maldives of The Philippines, I was stoked! The natural beauty is in MY HOME ISLAND - Negros! And it is only a 5-hour drive from my home town.

So, in spite of having a tight vacation schedule last December, my aunt and I made it a point to bring the family in this newly found gem. We were able to squeeze a 3-day Dumaguete family getaway with a side trip to Manjuyod Sandbar in between the holiday rush and Christmas reunions.

Internet-famous, but still an offbeat destination, Manjuyod Sandbar is definitely worth a visit. 

But wait! 

Before you pack your bags, here are 5 things to remember when planning for a trip to the place they call The Maldives of the Philippines.

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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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Family Getaway at Bluewater Maribago Cebu

Fond memories of my childhood include traveling to Cebu during summer. I was in grade school on my first visit. It was already called the Queen City of the South; a metropolis with huge shopping malls and lavish beach resorts. It is basically a far cry from my quaint hometown, hence I considered my short summer vacations in Cebu as EPIC!  

It has been a while since I traveled to Cebu with the whole family, more than decade I guess. So, when a plan of having a reunion surfaced, I was ecstatic!

Just like the old times, the family decided to have a get-together in one of the beach resorts in Mactan Island. We booked an overnight stay in Bluewater Maribago and it turned out to be another memorable family getaway. 

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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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The Lucky Juans: First Batch of UWInners

By now, you have probably heard the great news! You have read the contest mechanics and have probably submitted an entry or two already! Clueless? Then you must have been too busy at work, or have been anti-social(?!), or have been living in a cave(duh!). Seriously, if you haven't checked the news feed lately, here's something every Filipino Expat in the UAE should know: Cebu Pacific is giving away 100 Dubai-Manila round trip tickets! If you are a Kapuso (GMA Pinoy TV Subscriber) and a huge fan of Cebu Pacific Air, all you have to do is to join the 100 Lucky Juans contest at Cebu Pacific's Official Facebook Page for a chance to fly home for free. 

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