PAHIYAS FESTIVAL 2014 Schedule of Activities, How To Get There, Things To Do and Suggested Itinerary

Are you ready for this year's celebration of Pahiyas Festival? If you love colorful festivals, Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon should be on your bucket list! Held every May 15th, it showcases the town's abundant harvest with a grand display of colorful rice wafers (kiping), fruits, vegetables and handicrafts adorning every house participating in the festival. Considered as one of the grandest thanksgiving festivals in the Philippines, it is a celebration of a bountiful harvest in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the "Patron of Saint of Farmers". Every year, thousands of foreign and local tourists from different parts of the globe flock to Lucban, Quezon to join the annual Pahiyas Festival.

WHERE TO EAT IN BAGUIO: Ketchup Food Community's Rancho Norte and Happy Tummy Thai-Filipino Restaurant

Ketchup Food Community features home grown food concept-restaurants in Baguio that make up a "food community" of dining places in one area. Located along Romulo Drive near the Wright Park, the community is composed of Rancho Norte, Happy Tummy, Canto, Rumah Sate, and Green Pepper. The best thing about this place is you can order from any of the restaurants, stay in another restaurant and they will deliver the food where you chose to be seated.

WHERE TO STAY IN DINAGAT ISLANDS: Rose Pink Lodge, "an Affordable and Nice Place to Stay in San Jose"

San Jose, the capital town of Dinagat Islands is a small and sleepy town. If you're planning to explore the islands, San Jose is the most recommended place to for you to stay as your base. The town has a few hostel, lodges and pension houses to choose from. Aside from the more popular Bahay Turista Mini Chalet at the tourism office, you may also check out Rose Pink Lodge located at the Poblacion of San Jose where we stayed for a night during our visit to Dinagat Islands.

WHERE TO EAT IN BAGUIO CITY: Le Chef's Breakfast Buffet at The Manor, Camp John Hay

Having enjoyed a visit to the Le Chef at The Manor last year, I was ecstatic when I learned that they will be hosting us again on this edition of Baguio Food Tour 2014. Le Chef is The Manor Hotel's all-day dining restaurant inside Camp John Hay. The restaurant, hailed as one of the best fine-dining restaurants in Baguio is known to offer appetizing Filipino and international cuisines set in a refreshing log cabin atmosphere.

Surprise surprise!

If we’re talking surprises, for me, the best surprise out there would be a weekend away. Of course, a week away would be even better, but I appreciate that could be rather difficult to organise!

A Traveler's Indulging NESCAFÉ Cappuccino Coffee Experience

Great news coffee lovers! Your favorite cup of foamy coffee, NESCAFÉ Cappuccino, is back in the market! You can now have a delicious cup of coffee, barista style with foam similar to café style coffees in an instant. You don't need any espresso machine or a coffee percolator to have that awesome foamy cappucino coffee experience. One of the best things about NESCAFÉ Cappuccino is that it comes with choco sprinkles to add for extra flavor! The best part is, it's very handy especially when you're travelling so you could have your favorite coffee anytime, anywhere.

Sultan Kudarat: The Grand Provincial Capitol Building of Sultan Kudarat

Sultan Kudarat is a province in Mindanao located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region (Region XII). Geographically, it is bordered by the provinces of North Cotabato and Maguindanao on the north, Sarangani and South Cotabato on the south, Davao del Sur to the east, and the Celebes Sea to the west. Isulan is its capital, Tacurong is its only city and it has 11 municipalities. The province was named in honor of a powerful Muslim ruler, Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat who reigned the Sultanate of Maguindanao and hailed as a national hero and the most powerful Sultan in Mindanao during his time.

CATANDUANES ACCOMMODATIONS: Where to Stay in Virac Catanduanes?

This accommodation travel guide provides with useful information, reviews, and recommendations on Hotels and Resorts, Cheap Lodges, Inns, and Rooms in Virac Catanduanes. Soon, this will also be updated with more accommodation options in Catanduanes such as Hostels, Lodges, and Pension Houses, Homestays and Transient Houses.

If you're traveling to Catanduanes, the capital town of Virac has several accommodation options to offer. Be it a high-end hotel, a resort, mid-range pension house or a backpacker's hostel, you'll definitely find one that suits your budget. For tourists and travelers, there are many hotels, inns, hostels, pension houses in Virac as well as in Puraran Beach that will fit your specific needs. So if you're looking for where to stay in Virac Catanduanes, check out these accommodation options that I've personally tried.

Victory Liner Bus Schedule, Destinations, Online Reservation and Contact Numbers

Traveling by bus from Manila to Baguio has never been as convenient; thanks to the excellent service of Victory Liner. They serve 24/7 hourly trips to Baguio City from their terminals located in Pasay (EDSA), Cubao (Quezon City), Monumento (Caloocan), Sampaloc (Earnshaw) and Kamias. Travel time is about 6-7 hours (for regular aircon buses) or 4-5 hours (for first class buses). If you're coming from Baguio, Victory Liner Bus Terminal is easy to find as it is just within walking distance from SM City Baguio.

Dinagat Islands: Exploring San Jose in the Province of Dinagat Islands

The province of Dinagat Islands is formerly part of the larger province of Surigao del Norte until it officially became an independent province in 2011, making it the country's 80th province. It is one "off-the-beaten" destination that most travelers hardly visit. That's why when I got the chance to travel in CARAGA Region in Mindanao some time in 2012, I made sure that I include this province in my itinerary. Coming from Cebu, I took a 40-minute plane ride to Surigao City. Together with my friend who works in Dinagat Islands, we took a passenger boat bound for San Jose, the capital municipality of the province.

Where to Eat in Batanes: Vatang Grill and Restaurant in Ivana, Batanes

Vatang Grill and Restaurant opened in March 2011 along the national road in San Vicente, the town of Ivana. The restaurant boasts in their menu a variety of all-time Filipino dishes and traditional Ivatan cuisines that tourists and locals will surely love. Since it is located along the national road, it is one of the usual stops for Batan South tour.

Moriones Festival 2014 Schedule of Activities, Things To Do, How To Get There and Where To Stay

Moriones Festival is one of the major tourist drawers of the province of Marinduque. It is a week-long colorful festival during lenten season that starts from Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday with various activities happening around the island. Moriones is coined from the word "Morion", which literally means "mask", a part of the medieval Roman armor, replicating the garb of biblical soldiers roaming around the town searching for Longinus as interpreted by local folks. During the festival, the mighty Morions of Marinduque showcase their colorful Roman costumes, to the delight of the expectators.

WHERE TO STAY IN BAGUIO CITY: Azalea Residences, "Your Holiday Haven in Baguio City!"

With its classy details, elegant decors and homey vibe, Azalea Residences is definitely a great place to stay in Baguio City. It is one of Baguio City's newest all-suite hotel that boasts of excellent service, superb hospitality, first-rate facilities and top-notch accommodation experience to the delight of its guests. Upon arrival at the hotel, I was instantly impressed by its amazing structure that exudes vibrant and homey atmosphere. We were hospitably welcomed by the hotel staff and greeted us with a warm smile.