The Traveling Kit

Marihatag is a laid-back but interesting municipality in Surigao del Sur where you'd like to spend a day or two in with your group of friends or family. It’s not as popular as Hinatuan where the blue Enchanted River is, but in the future, I foresee it will become another favorite stop for travelers exploring the northeastern part of Mindanao.  Marihatag's countryside Etymology of Marihatag There are interesting stories why the town is called “Marihatag.” One local shared that during the time of war, there was a plan to drop a bomb over the place. When the residents heard this, they ardently prayed to Virgin Mary for protection. On the day when the plan was about to be executed, the bomber decided not to push it through because what he only saw from atop was a field of beautiful flowers. The people rejoiced and said, “ Si Mari a nag hatag namo ug proteksyon! (Mary gave us protection!)" Kids playing at Marihatag's beach Another local share

Residents of temperate countries are lucky enough to experience the marvelous cycle of seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall. When I was a kid, I learned to remember them by heart because of James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend" song, but after living in Japan for a few years, I could say it's one of the miracles nature regularly reveals. Seeing a spot accessorized naturally with snow, flowers, green leaves or red tint just wows me.  Take for instance Hakodateyama Ski Resort in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. In winter, when clouds pour snowflakes, the resort is a favorite destination of skiers and snowboarders. When spring breaks, the resort plants lilies that become in full bloom in summer. When I visited the spot last year, the mountain was colorfully landscaped with flowers considered expensive in the Philippines.  We rode a chair lift to the summit where we saw hectares of lilies and a lot of Japanese loving them. It was a cloudy day but the we

From a distance, surfing "seems"  to be a simple hobby that consists only of three basic steps: paddle, stand and balance. When you're actually learning how to surf, however, you will realize it can be dreadfully challenging because of the fact that you are playing with surges of swirling waves, and the certainty that you will fall into the sea.  Let me emphasize it: you will be wiped out by the waves; that's a guarantee! For cowards like me, the learning experience can be less threatening if you're surfing at an even, coral-free spot, such as Mayon's Break in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur. It's located at the heart of the town, about three to five minutes from the bus terminal by tricycle or motorcycle. Facing the great Pacific Ocean, it has a long stretch of fine, gray beach where you can rest in between surfing lessons. Apart from Mayon's Break, there are other three excellent surfing spots in Marihatag, namely:  Squala / Speedwalk B

We must not expect happiness, Sayuri. It is not something we deserve. When life goes well, it is a sudden gift; it cannot last forever! -  Memoirs of Geisha If there's a perfect example of a life well-lived, it's the life of cherry blossoms. It's not the flower that blooms the earliest in spring but when it unveils its beauty, it marks the end of winter and early spring's biting cold. For someone who grew up in a tropical country, a cherry blossom is a natural sign of relief. Days get warmer so people clear away heaters and bulky jackets, leaving rooms and closets wider space. But it's not only the weather that changes when the blossoms are in full bloom (usually) in late March or early April. In the country where this flower is internationally famous for, it's also the beginning of the new fiscal and school year. Whoever synchronized this was a soulful man for he knew the cherry blossoms may greatly inspire people to start anew. The ch

When the plane from Davao City landed in Manila past 12:00 noon, Dan and I were already starving. We immediately went to the airport's ground floor to catch the free bus ride to Resorts World, where we will meet my high school buddy, Odette. We walked along the carpeted halls a bit, but for every step we take, our stomachs seemed to be screaming for food louder and louder.  I asked the clerk at a chocolate shop where the restaurants are, and she gave us two directions. We chose the closest one, and this decision unexpectedly led us to having Peking duck at Passion Restaurant.  As soon as we stepped into the restaurant, we instantly knew our rugged outfit and bulky, not-so-clean backpacks didn't match the posh, fine-dining ambiance. Perhaps the servers were curious what on earth were we doing at a place dominated by affluent Chinese people. While ALL the other customers were speaking Mandarin, we were proudly conversing in Cebuano dialect. Our demeanor, however, didn

Located in the northeastern part of Mindanao, the Enchanted River in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur has gained much popularity for the last four years. Unlike most, if not all rivers, it has magical, crystal clear, turquoise to midnight blue tint, captivating the tourists with its astounding beauty. It's 12 kilometers away from the main highway, and the limestone, rough road can give you a bumpy, dusty and undulating (in some parts) ride. It’s not that bad though; the place is readily accessible by motorcycles, vans and even trucks. Mystical Stories Stories have spread about its mystic nature. During our first visit in 2011, we heard that long before visitors have explored the area, otherworldly beings were spotted by locals. Some people also babbled about a foreign diver who was unable to reach the bottom of this brackish river; thus, nobody knows where the source of the cold water flowing to the Pacific Ocean is (Wikipedia says this is a myth, though). If you take your