It's more fun in the PH

Say what you like about our latest tourism campaign, but I am loving the "It's more fun in the Philippines" effort by our DOT. When you get usually critical Pinoys to enthusiastically participate and share their personal photos for the love of tourism, then you have a successful social media campaign.

Some genius created a "More fun in the Philippines" generator so it's easier and more fun to share your photos. Just add something witty and voila!

This only makes me want to travel more around the country. I'm already eyeing Bicol, Batanes, and more of Palawan!

Islands of Bacuit Bay, El Nido on a rainy boat trip

The lone guardhouse at Ca'alan Beach on the far end of El Nido

There's something about Boracay when it's off-season and the shore is all yours

Passing under the crack to get to the Small Lagoon on Miniloc Island of El Nido

Enjoying the fine sand of Panglao, Bohol

All for the love of secret beaches. The muddy one-hour trike/trek to Calingit Beach of El Nido

Boracay sunset on a paraw, best with beers

El Nido's helicopter island, it also looks like a whale :)

The Narnia-ish door in the middle of the beach at Laiya

View of the sunrise from Tagaytay's Manos Greek Taverna

My view while jogging from DLSU Sports Complex' seventh floor

Will always love how the fog and clouds settle over the mountains of El Nido

After a couple of beers and cocktails at Le Soleil, Boracay

The balsa in the middle of the sea at Laiya

The giant limestone rock at Entalula Island, El Nido

Literally one of the few people on Calingit Beach, El Nido's best-kept secret not on the tourist track

Are you still standing after 15 shots at Cocomangas, Boracay?

Lovely colors of Bohol's century old Baclayon church

The buko man of Bohol who can skin a coconut using his teeth

The end of the beach at Laiya where rock formations are breathtaking

El Nido sunset with the sun tucked between the mountains

During high tide at Virgin Island's sand bar, you can drink buko juice while wading in the beach

Baby pastel colors of Puka Beach, Boracay

Wishing candles outside Bohol's Baclayon church reflects the interiors of the church

Rewarding view on the road less taken while coming down from the viewing deck of Chocolate Hills

Dolphins and sea urchins

Our last day was probably the most exciting part of the trip: DOLPHIN WATCHING! We set out at 6-freaking-am to catch the dolphins swimming in the open sea. It was kind of hard to spot them since there were a lot of boats and they get scared easily, but we had our fill of the playful creatures since they were on their way to the open sea from the island of Balicasag. It was hard to take pictures, though. The waves were crazy!

Top from Cotton On, shorts from Zara TRF

After snorkeling in one of the best coral spots I've seen yet, we headed off to Virgin Island where you can eat fresh sea urchins! I've always been scared of urchins but I never knew how yummy they are! Nom nom. And also, we got to experience dining on urchins and fresh buko juice in the middle of the sea because the sandbar connects two islands together. Awesome! Only in Bohol!

Living in the countryside

It's too easy to fall in love with the charming town of Bohol. Everywhere you go, people are friendly and warm. The countryside is full of rustic cottage houses, bamboo fences lined with colorful flowers, narrow roads bordered by trees, and breath-taking views of the hills and mountains.

For once in my life, I did not spend my entire vacation frolicking on the beach. We took a whole day trip to explore Bohol and yes, we were left amazed and I had a particularly insistent nagging feeling of wanting to grow up there--in a place where there's no rush and stress, maybe grow my own garden on the outskirts of Panglao. Maybe.

Our jam-packed itinerary had eight stops, and every single destination was worth the time and money. Enjoy the lovely views of Bohol. :)

 On our way up to the highest peak of the viewing deck, it was mentally and physically exhausting--especially if you're clumsy. Haha!

 The view was worth it, though.

 After a tour of the butterfly sanctuary, they took us to the man-made forest where you are literally surrounded by giant trees forming an arch over the road.

 We braved two hanging bridges made entirely of bamboo stilts and a couple of steel pieces for support just to get to the other side. The view of the river and surrounding mountains distracted us from the reality of what we were doing. :-)

 Our reward! On the other side of the bridge is the Buko King of the Philippines! World-famous for his talent of skinning and holding a buko with his bare teeth! He's touring Europe next month. I know.

 Then, we went for a river cruise along Loboc with an awesome buffet. The views were amazing!

 We were treated to this rare sight at the end of the cruise: waterfalls!

 No trip to Bohol is complete without tarsiers! We weren't allowed to make noise or touch the sensitive creatures.

 They let me play with this baby monkey, though. :-)

 And after they made us cover our (indecent) selves with long scarves and skirts, we entered the 400-year old Baclayon Church.

 It's amazing how they were able to preserve its beauty.

 Breath-taking.

 Say a prayer, make a wish. <3

Bohol's Panglao beach

Any beach that gives me a pink sunset and a shore full of starfish is enough to make it my second favorite island, next to Boracay. I went on a Bohol trip and stayed at Panglao beach with my mom, sister, and friends last month. We had a blast swimming and looking for starfish and had a lot of fear-inducing moments when we thought we spotted some jellyfish swimming around.

  

Bikini from H&M