Scrolling down my Facebook and Twitter timeline, I noticed that a lot of young people like me are…read moregoing to mountainous regions near Manila to try out hiking. I'm not really a fan of hiking or physical activities in general, but for some reason I got a bit jealous. I also wanted to go hiking with my friends as part of our yearly barkada goals. When my friend heard that I was interested in hiking, he immediately planned a trip to Tanay, Rizal. He told us that he knows this really cool place where we could hike. It took us 1 and a half hours to get to Tanay, Rizal. We first went to Brgy. Daraitan to contact a tour guide. When we finally found a tour guide for our day trip, we decided to head out to Mt. Daraitan. We only assigned one person from our barkada to take pictures, because we heard that a girl fell down the mountain while she was taking selfies (Yikes!). During our hike, there were many campsites and way points where we rested. There's also a super clean river down the mountain where some of my friends bathe in. If you want to visit an ecotourism site, you can take an alternate trail to Mt. Lugang, a beautiful mountainous region deep within Sierra Madre. This place will surely make you appreciate the beauty of mother nature. It was a very tiring adventure. At first, I was really scared, but the tour guide told me that I'll be safe as long as I follow all of his guidelines. This experience is definitely one for the books!

I was so amazed with how the river looks. Although the ride going to this scenic view is quite long…read moreand bumpy, its actually worth the wait. You have to go in groups though so you will not ripped off your pocket. Its also better if you have your own private car because the only means of transportation is trike going to barangay Daraitan. Just make sure the vehicle will endure the rocky road, literally its super bumpy and kinda steep. Also you have to pay for registrations, mandatory tour guide, bridge and so on.. that's why its better if you're in groups. Locals were nice and friendly though.

THE BIG: Located in the Batangas region of The Philippines. Supervolcano that has a concept out of…read morethis world. An island in a lake on an island in a lake on the Philippine island. Mind Blown. THE BLACK AND WHITE: We came here during the christmas vacation and it was packed! Beautiful caldera with Taal volcano slowly erupting in the background. Heard that the 2020 eruption evacuated many people and caused alot of damage. Otherwise it was a nice humid day and the people that make Taal volcano their livelihood shows with the fishing boats and tourists activities nearby. THE FINAL BAMBOO: Overall highly recommend coming here to see the concept in action. A great viewpoint of Taal Volcano and the lake is from Tagaytay.

This review is pre-COVID and pre-Volcanic eruption…read more Taal Volcano is located in Tagatay, it's a great getaway for folks from Manila and Laguna. Tagatay itself, is an awesome place for having a second home, like Wisconsin is for Chicagoland peeps. Upon arriving, you can grab breakfast at any of the fine restaurants looking down at lake Taal. Enjoy the food, coffee, breeze and wonderful views. The volcano sits in the middle of the lake. So we had to negotiate a boat ride to and from the volcano. Once there, for a fee, we were able to ride these really skinny horses up to the top of the crater. Wow, that was scary but we were there for adventure, right!! It was a hot day so bring a water bottle or two. I also noticed some tourists (either from Japan or Korea) hiking up to the top. We would have done the same thing but we had a spry but elderly person with us, so we decided to go with the horses. I hope to come back to see how things have turned out since the eruption. I just love Geology as a whole and the ruggedness of this outing. They just need to build some infrastructure like what we have in Yellowstone or Mount Zion, so even more people can enjoy this.

Beach is clean, mostly pebbles and coral so it's hard to walk barefoot on…read more Cabins are ok. Air conditioning works well, huge bathroom. Place is supposed to be "no smoking" but the people next door were smoking on the porch. Food: terrible. They could do better with what they charge. Road to the resort: terrible. We were so worried we'd get a flat tire. No TV (which is not a problem) and wifi connection was poor.

Two things I absolutely love about La Luz. First, the big rock that's perfect for both silly,…read moreimpromptu photoshoots, and thrill seeking if you dare to jump off of it! Second, it's an amazing beach to go snorkeling. The corals are teeming with colorful fish, even clownfish, which are honestly so rare at beaches with a high volume of people. This would be a great place to teach kids the joys of snorkeling since there's a lot to see. Oh god, this is the place when I wanted to go swimming around sunset with my dad, and he said no because it would probably be too dark to see anything...then when he comes back he yells at everybody, "I SAW A TURTLE!!!" Hashtag ForeverBitter. Just be sure to bring beach shoes though, as the shore is full of pebbles. Harsh on bare feet, but very generous towards your shell collection if you've got one; there are lots of gems lying in plain sight, literally right under your nose! Forget about building sandcastles here, you'll be too busy collecting shells. Or avoiding jellyfish. As a ten or eleven year old, I totally freaked out during high tide when jellyfish washed up on the beach. At least it happens during the hottest part of the day when nobody's really in the water anyway. Moving on to the rooms. My family of five (or four and a half at the time since my brother was just a toddler) plus a ninong, ninang, and their daughter who's practically a second sister to me stayed in this pretty cool room which was actually 2 floors. It was my first time to see and sleep in a loft area, so I had fun! Haha. As I remember, the bathroom was decent, although it's hard having only one for big groups sleeping over. I'd suggest maybe adding another one for those types of rooms. Sad to say that recently when my family went on a day trip here to snorkel, by taking a boat from another resort, the beachfront was crowded with rowdy, sketchy looking people. Hopefully during off season there'll be less of those unpleasant characters and enjoying the beauty and adventure of La Luz will still be possible.

This place is a great getaway by the ocean. Shuttle service to get you to the water less than 2 min…read moreaway. Breakfast is top tier. Service is exceptional and will go above and beyond. Nice beds that were clean. Even had a bowling alley that the family loved. Super peaceful and would go again!

Love the exclusivity of the place, clean beach, excellent service from their staff (very polite and…read morehelpful). Food and drinks inside are reasonably priced. Big plus that they serve alcohol by the beach. Only issue I have against the place is that we were only getting LTE speeds on our (SMART) devices. Our AirBNB who uses Globe Wi-Fi only had internet at night (in time for the evening news). I would suggest that you bring snacks/drinks before going here as there are no convenience stores (and Petrol stations) near by. They have an excellent (free) gym, billiards, bowling, basketball, badminton and padel courts - bring proper shoes as its annoying to play on running shoes!

One of my best friends grew up in Angono, Rizal, and she has always told me about this…read morearchaeological site that was discovered several years back in the nearby Binangonan town, which shares Angono's border. During one of their town fiestas, she took me up there to see it. Only roughly an hour away from Manila (and several minutes away from Antipolo) is the Binangonan Petroglyph site, which is a protected historical and cultural site. Apparently, the national authority for arts and culture have been testing the veracity and the authenticity of the site, but the marker from the National Museum must suggest that there has to be a certain level of credibility to the discovery Just a few minutes away from Angono's town proper, one would have to take a very steep mountain road to get to the developed uphill town near Thunderbird Resort and Casinos. Though the trail to the site itself is well-established, it is still recommended to wear your good hiking shoes because the dirt could be a little loose and rocky, especially during hot weather. There is a vast quarry that has a manmade, roughly hewn tunnel cutting through it which connects the highway to the other face of the mountain, where the Petroglyhs are located. With a minimal entrance fee, you will be able to see the Petroglyphs (stone drawings) which were apparently done by our cavemen ancestors hundreds of years ago, possibly even during the Neolithic age (broken vessels, remains and other artifacts were found in the site as well).The petroglyphs are known as the oldest form of folk art in the country. The said stone drawings featured tribal motifs for animals, humans and other natural objects, and they are etched to the faces of the rocks that jut out of the mountain. Some of the areas have been vandalized by people before the National Museum stepped in and built a barrier, restricting close access to the rocks. It is said that the cavemen who etched the designs onto the rocks are the ancestors of the people of Angono, who later on spurred an artistic Renaissance in the town, smaking it the Art Capital of the Philippines. Thankfully, preservation efforts have been done to keep the petroglyphs from being damaged by human activity and the elements. The site is also being petitioned to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

What do you think would be the oldest artwork in the Philippines? Definitely not the oil paintings…read moreon canvas or stone sculptures, but paintings too, or rather etchings on rocks, of our indigenous ancestors, long before civilization as we we know it was created. The Binangonan-Angono Petroglyphs are rock drawings of what looks like human and animal figures. There are about 127 still-visible drawings on a huge rock shelter on the hills bordering Angono and Binangonan. To get there, my travel companions and I rode up a hill before coming to an entrance of what seems like a cave. The guards told us to pass by the tunnel to get to the petroglyphs on the other side. We just walked straight and when we emerged out of the tunnel, we saw a structure that seemed like a house but which actually holds replicas of artifacts like stones and plates of baybayin, the ancient Filipino writing system. And then we went up a stone then wooded walkway to get to the rock shelter with the cave drawings. They do look like the real thing, though I read in some accounts that it is not yet proven without a doubt that the artworks are indeed authentic. But in any case, they indeed look beautiful and ancient, with some etchings deeper and more visible than others.

My friends and I love to travel. And during those times when we can't afford to use our leaves, we…read moreopt for places we can drive to and back in one day and hike. Mount Pico de Loro is a dormant volcano located in Maragondon, Cavite and Nasugbu, Batangas. It got its name from Spanish sailors who would use the monolith shaped like a parrot's beak as a signal to head east to get to Manila Bay. We went to Pico thinking it would be a breeze, considering we were able to Conquer Mt. Pulag. We were in for a surprise when we quickly realized that the climb was very different. You need a lot of time to climb Mt. Pulag, but the terrain was not too steep and the path very slowly escalates until you realize that you're at the top. With Pico, the climb was shorter but much steeper, especially when you get to the very top. The path towards the summit was mostly loose gravel so it was very easy to slip and fall. When we were on our way down we had to sit or else all of us would have fallen flat on our faces. The summit is different from the monolith. With the monolith, you have to go down the summit and up rappel up the monolith. It's very cool and a must if you're not too tired. Try doing something different this weekend. Challenge yourself and conquer Mt. Pico de Loro.

Due to one week of rain, we were not able to reach the main falls, but rather the smaller falls…read more Nature along the river was spectacular. But five stars rating belongs to all the hardworking Filipinos who made it possible for both locals and tourists to reach the falls as safe as possible. We highly recommend this place and will definitely come back!

The best experience so far on my trip in the Philippines. If you are looking for places to go or…read moreexperience in the Philippines, this would be just one of them. The waters come from the national falls of the Philippines. It's about two hours from Manila due to the traffic but still a good experience. Just a warning, there will be tons of people diverting you to go to their Pagsanjan Falls tour ride up the mountain but I would say go to La Vista Pagsanjan Resort instead for their tours. Just to let you experience what happened to us. We were recommended by the restaurant to go to La Vista and they gave direction but we got lost. When you ask for directions around and word gets out on the street you are looking for the Pagsanjan Falls tour, they will follow you and knock on your window to go to their location instead. The people can be pushy so don't give in. When we couldn't find the location, we followed this guide on a motorcycle but make sure to lock your doors since this is 'unfamiliar waters' here. On the same path we found La Vista. The guy on the motorcycle was upset that we didn't go to their location as I am sure they get a cut. There was a lot of us going. The tour was great. Good for kids and senior citizens or ones who cannot swim as you will not fall in the water. You will get wet so wear wet gear and bring extra clothes. You are provided a life jacket and hard hat. The two guides on the boat gave great information about the places when we asked but of course, we asked in Tagalog to make it easier for them to communicate. You will go through 16 rapids up the mountain. Up, you say?! This is fresh water from the mountain and not salty at all. The water was merky but it rained the day before. Usually, they say the water is clear. You will be pulled by a loud motor boat until it gets shallow. The two guides will tell you to continue to wear the hard hat to pass the check point. After, you can take if off. I felt bad for the guides as the rapids were strong and we were not light...hahahaha. We used the hard hats again when we went underneath the falls. You will go on a bamboo raft with two guides. There is a large rope that the guides use to pull them to the falls. It was strong but they didn't actually put us in the middle of the falls, only the side and that was strong already!! The falls was stronger when we went due to the rain. I could barely see behind the falls. No wonder, you need the hard hats!! I would recommend to bring another hat or vizier to wear underneath the hard hat so your eyes have cover from the splashing water. I wish I could have taken pictures inside as well but I forgot my underwater phone bag. They let you come off the raft to swim behind the falls. It was actually cool water but refreshing from the warm humid weather in the Philippines. I know people don't like to tip these tours or don't know you should but I would as if you see the hard work they do for us to go up the mountain. What is $5 (@ 250 php) or give what you think. They have to spilt this tip among the two guides...People here don't make much money. They get a cut with the business but it may not be much from them...no pressure. I am just giving my opinion. Make sure to bring your waterproof camera or phone bag so that you can take images. It's very beautiful there. You are surrounded by tropical plants and high mountains. We got lucky as when we left our tour, it started to lightly rain again! =} Recommended!!

Being stuck in the city kinda sucks. Seeing nothing but the greys of concrete can get a little…read moreexhausting, and even a walk in the park can feel a little artificial when smog still blankets the sky. "Detoxing" is a very popular term now especially in terms of dieting, but we all need a little away time from the city every once in a while to enjoy nature. One of the most accessible mountain treks near Manila is Pico de Loro. The mountain, not the SM development. Just a couple hours away, the walk is quite long and there are few areas with really great views. The path passes through a lot of dense forest, and it isn't until you reach the top that the view really opens up. The most important tips I can give would be to bring a mask since it gets a little dusty, and to bring shoes that don't slip. The climb up to the peak is a bit slippery, and those with no experience might slip and slide more than they'd like. A walking stick could help, and it's important to keep a buddy system to make sure nobody tumbles into a ditch.

The place is just an hour and half away from manila. You just neeed to take the South Express way,…read moreexit on Santa Rosa tollway, keep right as you exit turn right, then follow the National Road going to Tagaytay. After Vista Mall, you will see Nuvali on your left. What I like about Nuvali is that, even though it is an hour away, the environment is completely different from Manila. Apart from the malls and outlet stores, there are so many activities you and your family can enjoy while in Nuvali. You can bring your bike and ride their trails. You can jog with your family and have a picnic. Seda Hotel is also nearby so you and your family can stay over for a weekend gateaway from the hustle of the city. Right beside Nuvali is another mall called Solenad. Just walk over there and there's more to see and do especially during weekends. A day or two is good enough if you want to explore that area. Also, there is a huge pond beside the restaurants where you can sit, relax, and people watch. If you are with your kids, buy some fish food and see hundreds pack together when you feed them!

A few years back, my cousins and I decided to go on a road trip to Tagaytay on a weekend. Nuvali,…read morethen newly opened, was part of the itinerary. Since we left very early in the morning, we arrived there around the opening time. We had many other places to visit but we stayed in Nuvali for an hour or two. After having light snacks, we tried some lake activities - riding a boat and feeding fish in the pond. The school of fish in the pond were amusing to watch. Like a mob, they huddled in the area where fish feeds fall. The victor would then open its mouth - yes, you could actually see their mouths open - and eat the prize. But, the more exciting one of the two activities was riding the boats. Since it was very early in the morning, the wind was cool and fresh; I enjoyed how the wind touched my face as the boat transported us from one end to the next. After one roundtrip, we left Nuvali for we had to visit other places too. Our stay was only short but it was definitely fun.