2014 Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival at Puerto Galera

If you are looking for a truly different kind of music festival that combines modern and ethnic vibes in a majestic mountainside called Malasimbo, check this out which will b held on February 27th to March 3rd 2014.

The Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival only started in 2011 but it is now dubbed as the first international music and arts festival of its calibre in Asia. Imagine listening to local and international musicians in the middle of a tropical garden of Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro. 


It is advised to please book in advance your tickets and accommodation for your convenience. 

2014 Philippine Friendship Balloon Festival at Clark, Pampanga

Screenshot source: Philippine Hot Air Balloon website

Good news everyone! The 2014 Philippine Hot Air Balloon is pushing through! The Department of Tourism will now take over the management of this event to be held on Apr. 10 - 13, 2014. Remember the post I wrote about last November, that the Clark Development Corporation announced there is no hot air balloon festival next year because "it is to soon"? Well, please disregard it! 

Due to the overwhelming plea of the public, Department of Tourism Region III Director, Ronnie Tiotuico said that "we don't want to break the tradition / legacy" so this has to happen. The Department of Tourism is actually the pioneer organizer of the ballooning event 18 years ago before it was transferred to another group.  

My 2013 Travel Blogger's Christmas Wishlist

Ever since I got bitten by the travel bug years ago, I was able to control buying unwanted or luxurious things. Call me exaggerated but whenever I check the price tag, I tend to compare the product or the service to a flight ticket or a round trip somewhere. And it works pretty fine though especially now that I am a bootstrapping entrepreneur - making money out of promoting tours and festivals. I can now work anytime and anywhere - at home, in the beachfront or at the coffee shop et cetera!

This location - independent lifestyle though brought so much changes to my needs and wants. Above all my top priorities  nowadays is to always keep connected via mobile and online to my travel business partners and clients anywhere I go.  My world now revolves to joining events and meeting awesome people that are into to travel, blogging, social media, tourism, startups  and entrepreneurship.

A Glimpse of Circus Vargas in Manila

They say if you want to create a
memory that lasts a lifetime, go watch a circus. That's what I am yet to prove to myself because I have never watched such aside from those local performers during fiesta as a kid. 

For a cheap amount of ticket, I got to see simple tricks that entertained me for about half an hour. That's it. 

That is why I am really excited to join the press conference for Circus Vargas, an internationally - known travelling circus group that will perform here in Manila this holiday season.

Avoid the Morning Rush: Take the morning plunge with Nestea RTD

Do you go through your mornings in one big blur?  Do you find yourself racing from one task to another without enough time to breathe? 

The morning rush is something we have grown accustomed to and we no longer question if chaotic mornings are the only way to go. But peaceful and blissful mornings are possible if we take the plunge the night before. 

A great day starts with good night’s sleep, making the morning plunge a relaxing dip into your day.  

So here are a few things to do the night before to finally avoid the morning rush.

Bangon Tour: Department of Tourism's Project Aid to Typhoon Victims

If you are looking for a tour package and the same time aiming to help victims of the recent typhoon Haiyan / Yolanda, check out Bangon Tour. This is one of the many initiative courtesy of the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board to boast our domestic tourism industry. Of course the Bangon Tour project will assist the government's eforts to typhoon survivors. 

Accredited travel agencies and other private sectors that are part of this are encouraged to voluntarily share a percentage of their net income to help fund local foundations and charitable institutions. 

Sixteen tourist spots are featured: Ilocos, Tuguegarao, Baguio, Batangas-Puerto Galera, Manila-Tagaytay, Puerto Princesa, Baler, Bicol, Cebu, Davao, Bohol, Iloilo, Boracay, Siargao, CDO-Camiguin, and Batanes.

So next time you plan a trip, I suggest you avail any of the Bangon tour packages. Not only you had fun when you get home but you became a part in rebuilding lives and businesses. 

For more information, you may click here to view the official website of Tourism Promotions Board Philippines.

FREE Travel for Writers, Photographers and Graphic Designers

Travelibre, a website that promotes tourism of the Philippines by producing contents related to adventure, trip planning to on and off - the - beaten path has a volunteer program that gives anyone to travel free! In return, a write - up, photograph or graphic art should be produced in order to be published to Travelibre. 

I am echoing this awesome opportunity to travel junkies who happen to be writers, photographers and graphic designers. This is one of the best free avenues to learn travel writing, photography and design right at the moment!

They also get to connect with other travel junkies: this is what I love the most because the opportunity to collaborate and just being in the company of people who share the same passion is incredibly fantastic! Volunteers will have a free inside scoop to places and otherwise inaccessible to tourists and the most important is the chance to get published! 

Batu Caves in Malaysia

Me and Lyn my travel buddy

Do you know that I have been to Malaysia for one day only? Yeah pretty short really because we spent 2 days in Singapore prior and we should have booked our flight back to Manila via Malaysia.  If you want to know how we did a Singapore  - Malaysia trip for 4 days only, please click here.

Anyway lessons are there to teach us what to do next time! So here am I giving you the 1st part out of the 3 reasons to visit Malaysia if you only have a day!

The Batu Caves is a popular tourist attraction which features the world's tallest murti (consecrated statue) of Sri Murugan Swami, a Hindu deity. It is located 13 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur and believed to be around 400 years old! K. Thamboosamy Pillai, an Indian trader was inspired by the V - shaped entrance of the main cave so he decided to build a temple to Lord Murugan within the caves. 

The Glamour and Sacrifices of a Freelance Life

At the Rockwell Makati Mall. Thanks Eve for the pic 

Whew! I just opened my Facebook 2013 Year of Review biggest moments and it gave me fluffy eyes because most of those are very true indeed, on top is me getting published in a local magazine last March (photo shoot and interview done in December 2012).  If you want to see what I have been through at least those I can share online, you may click here.

Today I am kind of celebrating my third month of being a freelancer and finally had the courage to take my first few steps to a loaction - independent lifestyle. 

This new chapter in my life was once described by a buddy as "nothing more than a career suicide". I replied back saying "I just  killed an old self who is no longer happy to what I am doing over the years". 

The truth is there are a lot out there working in a job that they don't like and they are well - paid but they just can't quit because they fear they will starve to death, won't be able to support their family or they are just too coward to make life changing decisions. I am one of them before. 

Circus Vargas Presents "Magikaria" in Manila

Christmas is just around the corner! We want the holiday season more enjoyable and memorable with the arrival in Manila of Circus Vargas troupe, one of the world's biggest travelling circuses. Dubbed as "Magikaria: A Fantastic Magical Experience", viewers will witness  a production filled with gravity - defying flights, flashy costumes, fun - dance routines and other deliriously delightful antics.

With thoughts of their past performances seen by millions of people worldwide, Circus Vargas will once again showcase their astonishing athleticism, physical beauty and acrobatic prowess of the men, women and children behind this. 

Circus Vargas promises to bring back the old school circus entertainment mixed with modern twists. There’s the fabulous fluidity of the aerial ballet that uses streams of chiffon material hanging from the ceiling. There’s also Zorro Low Wire who leaps and flips over various obstacles in his way, and other acrobats doing some fun trampoline style tricks.

2014 Sinulog Festival Schedule of Activities

Photo Courtesy of Facebook Fan Page Sinulog 2014

Sinulog Festival is a yearly event held every third Sunday of January in Cebu to celebrate and honor  the Santo Niño or Child Jesus. 

The highlight of the celebration is the Sinulog contest or the Sinulog Grade Parade on the ninth day where competing groups in bright colored costumes dance to the rhythm of drums, trumpets and native gongs.

5 Tips To Maximize Your Adsense Earnings

Can you see those two rectangular ads located on top of my blog title? These are advertisements from Google Adsense. Every legitimate clicks each of them receives has a corresponding dollar amount usually (less than a dollar) and when it reaches a minimum of $100, I will get paid! Yesterday, I just received my first paycheck worth $102.99 or Php 4, 407.56 via Western Union Money Transfer.

Google Adsense is the advertising platform obviously from Google where publishers and advertisers are its main components. Publishers are websites that show advertisements from Adsense. Advertisers are businesses that pay every time their advertisements are clicked through Adsense.  

Grand Marian Procession of 100 Images of the Blessed Virgin

Grand Marian Procession of 100 Images of the Blessed Virgin

Every first Sunday of December, Intramuros celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion with the  Grand Marian Procession of one hundred images of the  Blessed Virgin, a tradition that started in 1619. 

Organized by Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion Foundation and Intramuros Foundation, hundreds of images of the Virgin Mary will be showcased coming from different parts of the country.

The Grand Marian Procession will start in front of the Manila Cathedral, 4PM on Dec. 1, 2013. It is expected that this will cause a bit of traffic along Andres Soriano Jr. Ave (Aduana) so motorists are advised to take P. Burgos Drive and Bonifacio Drive as alternative routes.


For more information you may check the Facebook Fan page of Intramuros Administration here. Yes this is not only for religious Catholic personas but this is also for culture and heritage buffs. 

2014 Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Cancelled

Screenshot source: Philippine Hot Air Balloon website

The Hot Air Balloon Festival 2014 is officially canceled according to Noemi Garcia, Clark Development Corporation Tourism Office Manager. The reason cited according to the Hot Air Balloon Festival organizers is "too soon" and they don't have enough time for the preparation. However, she assured that in 2015, it will resume with a lot of added fun activities and sights to see.

Good news! The Philippine Hot Air Balloon has resumed. It is now named as 2014 Philippine Friendship Balloon Festival at Clark, Pampanga. Please click here for more details.

The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon is a yearly event held in Clark, Pampanga which gives a spectacular view of colorful hot air balloons, aerial shows and other exhibitions from participants around the world.  This is the biggest aviation sports in the Philippines and the longest running balloon event in Asia. 

Quipo's Feast of the Black Nazarene 2014 Schedule of Activities

The Black Nazarene procession in Quiapo is an event held every 9th of January. It is a day - long festival that started during Spanish time thus it is also known as "Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno".  

Every year, millions of devotees form a long unimaginable thick line through the streets included in the processional route with the city of Manila. This "Pista ng Itim na Nazareno" in Filipino to commemorate the Traslacion 0r the transfer of the image of  Black Jesus on a carriage pulled by the devotees to its shrine in Quiapo Church, Manila.   This is an act they believe that will either strengthen their faith or fulfill their "panata" or vow. 

My Mobile Festival 2013 Review

Me at the Mobile Festival 2013

First, I want to thank Wheninmanila.com for the free pass at Mobile Festival 2013 -  the country's first mobile conference - expo. They had a raffle a week ago and I am one of the 10 lucky winners! I prayed to win this because Mobile Festival is not a free event and as a bootstrapping entrepreneur I am trying to live within my means now and below if I need to.  I even blogged about this event though this was not asked from the raffle mechanics! 

What pays my bills, rents and food is this blog. What gives life to this blog is digital marketing. But I did everything in opposite! I veered away from the usual notion of successful blogs:  building communities and connecting to online influencers. I skipped those and did paid search engine marketing. This is the only thing I have invested heavily so far!  

GdayX Philippines: FREE Event from Google Philippine

This travel blog and shop is nothing without Google. I am nothing without Google!  That is why I always see to it that I am always updated with any of Google's events. There is one coming tomorrow (so sorry for the late notice, I have been busy big time!).  I even blogged about 10 Google's Productivity Tools You Can Use In your Business and Women On The Web Summit by Google Business Club Manila.

The Google Business Group Community will have a free event called Gdayx Philippines on Saturday November 23, 2013 8AM - 5PM at the Angelo King Multi-Purpose Center, Xavier School. 

This Google event as  described in their official blog " aims to connect, inform and inspire business owners, entrepreneurs and business students on the latest business technologies."  This is perfect to fellow entrepreneurs especially the bootstrapping one because Google has lots of free and affordable business tools to you. 

Singapore Tour and Itinerary Details

Visiting Singapore is like going to China, India and the world! My two days is certainly not enough to see this country entirely but I can say that they have a very - well developed tourism industry.  

They were able to retain the many identities of their culture and heritage. Their famous architectures and landscapes around the world all speak of their advancement in terms of technology. 

That is why I cannot blame a lot of Filipinos are very much willing to work in Singapore even giving up their citizenship because I can literally see everywhere the countless opportunities!

My Blogapalooza 2013 Review

My Blogapalooza ID

I cannot count how many blogging events in Manila I have joined since I started to blog in 2009. Among them, Blogapalooza 2013 is noteworthy because this is the very first time that in a whole - day activity I was not rushing to go back to work. 

Having a full - time job at the same time running a travel blog and shop has put my health at risk. I had shorter sleeping hours and my productivity in my previous company is suffering because my attention is divided. 

So I followed what my heart says and I quit my job! I am now a full - time blogger and a bootstrapping entrepreneur aiming to follow the path of a location - independent style.  I make sure that I am updated with the trends and events in the Philippine blogosphere more so that I know what is going on and who are the persons that make it going!

Blogapalooza 2013 is one of the biggest blogging events in Manila this year. Four hundred plus bloggers, dozens of brands and a handful of online personalities convened to make this a reality. Again this is not the first time I have been to an event like this so pretty much I have an idea of what are the usual topics that will be tackled like social media ethics, building online influence and working with brands so on and so forth.  

BATAAN HERITAGE TOUR + SUBIC Day Tour Itinerary

Photo courtesy of St Michael Explorer Travel and Tours

One Day BATAAN HERITAGE TOUR  

and 

SUBIC TOUR

Package rate:

Php 1750/person for a minimum of 11-12 pax

Php 1850/person for a minimum of 10 pax

Php 1950/person for a minimum of 9 pax

Php 2250/person for a minimum of 8 pax

Php 2400/person for a minimum of 7 pax

Php 2600/person for a minimum of 6 pax

Php 2800/person for a minimum of 5 pax

***Different rate will apply during during
holidays and peak season

Travel Dates: 2013-2014

Target slots: 12-14 participants

Van Capacity: 12-15 Seater Nissan Urvan or Toyota Commuter

Korea Tourism Organization's Win A Trip to Korea 2013 for a Family of Four!

Win a Family of Four Trip to Korea!

Do you dream of travelling to Korea with your family for free?

Well this is for you!  

Organized by Korea Tourism Organization, the family of up to 4 members will go on trips to certain winter festivals, ski or sled programs.  

This Korean trip package  for family is $6, 500 worth. This includes the flight, accommodation fees etc. 

Winners will be announced on Dec. 10, 2013  

ILOILO - GUIMARAS TOUR PACKAGE AND ITINERARY

Guimaras and Iloilo Tour

The Ruins in Talisay, Bacolod: The Taj Mahal of the Philippines

It's been a year since I backpacked solo to  Bacolod, Iloilo and Guimaras Island. I love the blue - gren colored beach in Guimaras, I and that local pizza store in Iloilo. In Bacolod I still want to drool when I think of that chicked adobo at Chicken Deli's and most of all this old house actually a replica because the original was burned years ago. This is  The Ruins in Negros or also called The Taj Mahal of the Philippines. Why? Because the love story behind the two are almost the same. Both wives of the owners of Taj Mahal and The Ruins died while delivering their babies. Their husbands buit these houses in memory and love for them. I first knew about this when I attended a travel mart few years ago and  it got featured in an inflight magazine. I said that time I will come and see this myself!   So here's the copy of my blog post (I already deleted the original) to give way for the photos I took myself:

Malacanang of the North

Ilocos is the place up North I have visited thrice already. The most recent happened  last October was a free trip. I also brought my mom with me to tour her for 3 days and 2 nights. 

I have majestic photos of Ilocos captured when I went there last year, if you want to check it out, you may click here. 

Having said this I decided to share  to my readers the places of Ilocos that I keep on coming back and also inviting them to see these places themselves too. 

This is the third out of Ten Reasons to Visit Ilocos post I will share today.  To view my second in  Ten Reasons to Visit Ilocos"  you may click here.

FREE Flights/Seats for Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan Relief Drive Volunteers

FREE SEATS for Yolanda Volunteers

We all knew how the damages of the typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan were beyond words to our fellow kababayans in the Vizayas particularly in Tacloban, Leyte, Samar, parts of Cebu and Palawan. 

They need help so much from food, to shelter, water, clothing and prayers etc...

It is such a good news that AirAsia Zest is giving free seats/flights to the volunteers from Nov. 11 - 24, 2013.  

Wanna share this as well: a very concerned citizen also made a blog specifically for a compiled list of Volunteer Repacking Sites in Metro Manila, you may click here.  If you need to find where you can help repack from any of these locations in ALABANG, MAKATI, MANDALUYONG, MANILA, NAVOTAS, PARANAQUE, PASAY, PASIG, QUEZON CITY, TAGUIG, VALENZUELA. This is perfect for you!

Baler Surfing Tour Package and Itinerary in Quezon

2D1N SURFING TRIP & TOUR TO BALER
Package rate:
Php 2690/person – quad sharing
Php 2990/person – triple sharing
Php 3250/person – twin sharing
***Different rate applies during holidays and peak season      
Travel date: Every Saturday to Sunday of the month Target slots: minimum of 12-14 persons Van Capacity: 12 Seater Nissan Urvan or Toyota Commuter/Hi Ace  Baggage Allowance: 1 luggage per person not more than 5kgs for your convenience.

For details please email mariarona.beltran@yahoo.com or thru mobile 0998-989-3921

1. Number of people are joining
2. Contact number (landline / mobile)      

                                                                                     

3D2N Caramoan Tour Package and Itinerary

Best Rates for 3D2N Caramoan Tour
BEST DEAL: Php 3,800/pax for a group of 5-6 persons!

Package rate:
Php 4000/person Quad sharing
Php 4200/person Triple sharing
Php 4400/person Twin sharing

***Different rate will apply during holidays and peak season

The Hidden Garden of Vigan

Ilocos is the place up North I have visited thrice already. The most recent happened  last October was a free trip. I also brought my mom with me to tour her for 3 days and 2 nights. 

I have majestic photos of Ilocos captured when I went there last year, if you want to check it out, you may click here. 

Having said this I decided to share  to my readers the places of Ilocos that I keep on coming back and also inviting them to see these places themselves too. 

Bantay Church, Bell Tower and its Hidden Chapel by the Ruins

Ilocos is the place up North I have visited thrice already. The most recent happened  last October was a free trip. I also brought my mom with me to tour her for 3 days and 2 nights. 

I have majestic photos of Ilocos captured when I went there last year, if you want to check it out, you may click here. 

Having said this I decided to share  to my readers the places of Ilocos that I keep on coming back and also inviting them to see these places themselves too. 

Mobile Festival 2013 in Manila

Our mobile phone is no longer just a tool for communication. It has evolved into a platform that any business should know how to maximize its unprecedented capabilities. Mobile Festival 2013 is a great event I definitely would recommend to fellow entrepreneurs, startup founders,  wannabees etc. They have fantastic line of speakers whom I am sure that no one will go home without picking at least one idea that can inspire them to expand their brands and start something out via mobile technology. I myself is very curious about what is the current local mobile industry and how I can use it for the benefit of my travel blog and shop. 

Two Well-Known Filipino Entrepreneurs with Humble Beginnings

Starting a business is not for the faint of heart. Entrepreneurship can be challenging as it takes perseverance and hard work to achieve a high level of success. 

Whether you already have an enterprise or are looking to open one , it pays to learn from those who have already walked in your shoes and managed to build something amazing out of obscurity.

2014 Panagbenga Flower Festival Tour Package

Photo courtesy of St Michael Explorer Travel and Tours

Rates:

Package rates:
Php 2,800/person  (minimum of 4-6 in a room)
Php 3,050/person  (triple sharing)
Php 3,250/person  (twin sharing)

Travel Dates: Feb 23-24, 2014

Target Slots: 12-14 clients 

Van Capacity: 16 Seater Nissan Urvan/Toyota Commuter/Toyota Hi-Ace

Accommodation: Transient house type

Baggage Allowance: 1 luggage per person not more than 5kgs for your convenience.

Philippine Public Holidays 2014 Official List

Malacanang Palace has already released the Philippine Official Public Holidays  for 2014 signed by Pres. Aquino last Sept. 25th.  This list comprises of least 18 public holidays and 4 long weekends. Referred to as Proclamation No. 655, it declares that all holidays except religious - related should be moved to the nearest Monday. However in cases of Eid'l Fitr and Eidul Adha, the dates for the proclamation shall be according to the Islamic calendar .

6 Tips To Start As A Bootstrapping Entrepreneur

There are a lot of reasons why I hurried back to Manila after staying for more than a month in Bicol my hometown: I brought my mom for a free trip to ilocos courtesy of one of my travel partners for a job well done by yours truly (I have another free trip coming in Sagada), I have to get my backpay from my previous company and my application abroad is still hanging in the air. 

Most of all, I felt strange and so detached to the place where I was born and raised. Maybe because for the past ten years of my life I have learned to live far and independent from my family. I want to stay longer with them but I feel like I left my heart somewhere and I need to find it.  If not I will end up regretting I never bothered to find what makes me happy.

Puerto Princesa City Tour Package in Palawan

Activities:  Visit to Puerto Princesa's landmarks and historic sites, souvenir shopping and photo shooting

Tour length: 1:30PM - 5:30PM (may vary depending on the permit schedule)

Transfers: By air - conditioned van and paddle boat

Tour inclusions:    Light snack, service of licensed tour guide, permits and entrance fees, travel insurance and service of a licensed tour guide 

For Puerto Princesa City Tour Package inquiries, please email mariarona.beltran@yahoo.com or thru mobile 0998-989-3921

1. Let us know how many people are joining

2. Your complete flight details: TIME and DATE of arrival and departure

3. Your contact number (landline / mobile)       

Firefly Watching Tour Package in Puerto, Princesa

Activities:  Night touring, river paddling, firefly watching and dinner

Tour length: 5:300PM - 9PM (may vary depending on the permit schedule)

Transfers: By air - conditioned van and paddle boat

Tour inclusions:   Tourist boat, life vest, cottage rentals, 1 set of dinner, service of licensed tour guide, permits and entrance fees, travel insurance 

For Firefly Watching Tour Package inquiries, please email mariarona.beltran@yahoo.com or thru mobile 0998-989-3921

1. Let us know how many people are joining

2. Your complete flight details: TIME and DATE of arrival and departure

3. Your contact number (landline / mobile)       

Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour Package in Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Activities:  Snorkeling, swimming, beach walking, photo shooting, relaxing etc.

Tour length: 8AM - 4PM (may vary depending on the permit schedule)

Transfers: By air - conditioned van and boat transfers

Tour inclusions:  Buffet lunch, services of licensed tour guide,  travel insurance, government fees and air - con van for all land transfers, life vest and tourist boat

For Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour Package inquiries, please email mariarona.beltran@yahoo.com or thru mobile 0998-989-3921

1. Let us know how many people are joining

2. Your complete flight details: TIME and DATE of arrival and departure

3. Your contact number (landline / mobile)       

Irawan Eco Park Tour Package in Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Activities: Zip line at 1.3 km. long, is the longest zipline ride in Asia.  It is approximately 300 m high from the canopy of trees and gives a chance to get a glimpse above of the Irawan river 

Tour length: 9AM - 12PM (may vary depending on the permit schedule)

Transfers: By air - conditioned van and boat transfers

Tour inclusions:  Safety gear, set lunch, services of licensed tour guide,  travel insurance, government fees and air - con van for all land transfers

Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour Package

Activities: Boat cruise inside the cave, photo - shoooting, beach walk, sight - seeing of free ranging wild life.

Tour length: 8AM - 4PM (may vary depending on the permit schedule)

Transfers: By air - conditioned van and boat transfers

Tour inclusions: Tourist boat, life vest,cottage rental, buffet lunch, services of licensed tour guides, environmental fees, travel insurance, government fees and air - con van for all land transfers