Approaching Mantigue Island
UPDATE: Contest Ended. Winners to be announced on January 23, 2009
Happy New Year everyone! I’m still out traveling at this time but would want to greet everyone a Happy New Year! The past year is one of the best years in my travel. Aside from the number of adventure travels I had in 2008 there’s a lot to be thankful. I’ll reserve my Best of 2008 when I get back. 2009 brings lots of new opportunities for travel and what better way to start the new year but with a mini-contest.
Ironwulf XWrap – Ballistic Armor Wrap
This is just something to give back a little to the my blog readers for making 2008 a great year. Mechanics are just simple. Just blog the answers to the following questions and trackback/comment them back on this post Just comment here answering the questions below. Make sure you have a valid email address so I can contact you in case you won.:
1. What is your Dream Destination in the Philippines for 2009 and why?
2. What are the top 2 Philippines Destination would you like Ironwulf to visit/cover next in 2009 and why?
Simple eh? I just thought it would be interesting what my readers would like to visit next. On the second question, while I may have some ideas on where to go like what I did last year, it would be real interesting to know what my readers would like to see and read about here in Ironwulf.net. So feel free to comment on the Philippine destinations that you would want me to cover for 2009. It doesn’t matter if the destination has been featured here before and I’ll try my very best to visit the place as long as my resources allow it.
Ironwulf Snap Watch Series II
To make things a bit interesting, I’m giving away 2 items to Two Winners.
Raffle Prize – An XWRAP 45 Ballistic Armor Wrap: I personally use this item and it’s very handy. Anything can be wrapped here not just your photographic gears like your DSLR and Lenses. Compact cameras, Video Cameras, MP3 players, PSP and even your Netbooks can be wrapped. The XWRAP is made of Tough and Water Repellant “1680″ Ballistic Nylon outside and a smooth Soft Satin inside. There’s a strong Hook n’ Loop adhesion to keep your items intact.
Best Comment Entry Prize – Waterproof Snap Watch Series II: I mentioned this item before. I really liked this Snap Watch that I’m willing to give a piece. It’s a Go-Anywhere Watch made up of Climbing Rope snapped together on a waterproof watch.
The XWRAP 45 Ballistic Armor Wrap will be raffled off randomly while the Snap Watch Series II will be given to the Best Blog Entry I have read and I will read each one. Only Philippine Residents or with Philippine Representatives are eligible to enter. I hope you guys like the prizes and hopefully I can get bigger ones in the future. Prizes will be shipped to the winners.
Deadline of the contest is on January 16, 2009.
Once again, Happy New Year everyone! Thank you very much for the great 2008 I’m sure 2009 would be better. More blessings for the new year!
UPDATE: Contest Ended. Winners to be announced on January 23, 2009
hey ferdz! just wanted to drop you a line he he he!
request lang kung saan man yung pupuntahan mo na interesting this year please dont forget us. sure miss the lakbay with you guys. of course the favorite was apo reef… sige na nga will answer the questions… would love to explore “my island ” Cebu more have not been to malapascua, sugod and the likes. and that is the answer to question number two also… if you havent been there, i would love to lakbay with you guys there soon! would love to dive and see those beautiful giants of the sea
Thank you very much guys! Keep em coming
i want to visit BATANES in 2009. the most unusually beautiful and the northernmost part of country is no less than intriguing. (next 2009 agenda would be coron!)
for your next travel destinations, i’d have to be biased. first would be my hometown, ILIGAN. the challenge is to see all 20+ waterfalls, and avoid random bombings of rebels hehe
second would be this place i heard long time ago, PALAUI. i’m not sure if you’ve been there, but would love to hear your thoughts before my friends and i explore the place. remember, you were one of my consultant when my friends and i travelled to caramoan years ago!
sabihin ko sana australia, kaso philippines lang pala hehe. i would love to hear your take on the great ocean road, the blue mountains, and of course the big cities of sydney and melbourne. i love country a lot and would like to know what you think, and of course see photos in your perspective!
happy new year ferdz!! cheers to more travels in the future!
finally im back from the trip. here’s my entry:
1. What is your Dream Destination in the Philippines for 2009 and why?
>>> this year my dream destination is Batanes. because it’s the farthest islands from Basilan and it’s on my list of places that i need to visit before i die. making it there this year will be a blast!
2. What are the top 2 Philippines Destination would you like Ironwulf to visit/cover next in 2009 and why?
>>> this is diificult knowing ferdz that you’ve already been to the many places here in the Philippines. but it would be great if you’ll be able to feature a visit in Tubbataha reef. it’s actually on my list of places that i need to go before i die. i don’t know when i’ll be able to go there but i’m sure it would be great to see you there this year! next destination that i would love to see you go this year would be one of the spratly islands. sounds difficult but with a traveler like you, going there is definitely not impossible.
looking forward for your journeys this year ferdz!
1. I want to visit VIGAN. The old houses are just full of history. I’m an addict for stories (even ghost stories!). From the photos I’ve seen so far, Vigan is like Batanes in an artistic sense—there’s just something beautiful to photograph everywhere you look. Marc and I are planning to have a roadtrip there this year, but we’re just having trouble leaving work. Syempre dami stop-overs diba? We’d like to take at least two weeks off our work sched just for this
Sama kaw? 
2. a. CARAMOAN. And I’m hoping sama ka with us!
Don’t know when pa kami punta, pero it’s one of our destinations this year. Caramoan seems to be a really beautiful place, seen it in magazines.
This is another one place I’d like to visit also, but work dictates I can’t go out of town too often than once or twice a month 
b. SIQUIJOR. They say there are a lot of “magic” there. Not sure if you believe in things like that, but doesn’t that just adds mystique to a place?
hello ferds!
Gusto kong mabisita ngayong taon ay Batanes din! Curious kasi ako sa paraan ng pangingisda nila (yong na-fature sa segment ni Howie Severino) last Oct ata yon or Nov, about sa Batanes. Halos parehas lang kasi yong isdang nahuhuli nila gamit ang maliit na bangka eh sa amin naman ay bangkang de-motor at minsan wala pang nahuhuli at tulad din ng batanes, pacific ocean din naman ang pinupuntahan ng mga mangingisda sa amin…
#Wala nga pala sa Phili Top Destinations ang gusto kong ma-feature sa mga travel mo at isa lang.. ito ay ang bayan ng Palapag sa Northern Samar, makasaysayan sya kung pagtutuusan ng pansin ang pananaliksik tungkol sa lugar, kahit kasi sa mga old documents ng mga unang historian ay nababanggit ang Palapag o di man ay yong Cape Espiritu Santo na nasa Palapag. Sana masali sa travel list mo ang lugar na ‘to.
1. Underground River in Palawan. Hurdling the first round of voting of the New 7 Wonders competition is no easy feat, and this subterranean destination has certainly stirred the patriotic passions of many Filipinos. My curiosity is sparked, because I’ve never been to Palawan, the so-called “last frontier” of the Philippines. I would love to be enthralled by the surprise and magic that the Underground River holds.
2.
a. Dumaguete – I was fortunate enough (because of work) to stay in the City of Gentle People for six months last 2008, and I am aware that Ironwulf has already visited the place, but it would be interesting how you would see it AGAIN. This is one of my favorite destinations ever, with its delightful restaurants, the pleasant Boulevard, the charming townsfolk.
b. San Juan, La Union – Because I’m a full-blooded Ilocano promoting my neighborhood, haha! But seriously, you must visit the Surfing Capital of the North before it becomes too commercialized. Experience this beach paradise while it’s still relatively pristine and there isn’t too much of a crowd. And do sample our sumptuous Ilocano cuisine when you come over!
Cheers!
1. What is your Dream Destination in the Philippines for 2009 and why?
~ I wanted to see Batanes. I wanted to get away as much as possible from city living and experience a slow and simple life.
2. What are the top 2 Philippines Destination would you like Ironwulf to visit/cover next in 2009 and why?
~ [a] Baguio. Yes, Baguio is a popular summer destination and I have been there twice. I was hoping that on my third time there, I would experience a different side of it. Hoping you have some good suggestions.
[b] Cavite. Seeing how culturally rich Ilocos is made me want to make an “experience Cavite” travel itinerary. Sadly, I dont know much about our province. I am hoping that Cavite have more to offer aside from historical monuments and markers.
basta ba galing sa isang photography guru, kahit na anong item makikipaglaban ako ng patayan. joke! hehe.
well, i hope youll like my answers (as much as i wanted to have a souvenir from a photo blogger who i look up to).
1. What is your Dream Destination in the Philippines for 2009 and why?
-Actually so long before pa, it is my dream to have an actual look and experience of batanes. much i desire when i saw photos of it from the blog of ogie/lagal[og]. Me, the islander (insulare in french), always wanted to meet and greet and for atleast once in my life experience to live with the “true insulares” wearing those vakul headdress in their rock-built abodes. Now i am dreaming.. Hayyy..
2. What are the top 2 Philippines Destination would you like Ironwulf to visit/cover next in 2009 and why?
-My place Surigao is a complete 2 Philippines Destination package for you.
Suhoton Cove and its paradise-like bounty is a must-try destination that i can recommend to you. Then a connecting trip to the infamous Siargao Island which is gaining the international spotlight because of its cloud 9 surfing waves. Learning our very own Surigaonon dialect is an additional credit.
Why? Because i believe with your expertise in the art of photography and this influential blog, you can give justice to the place. Suhoton Cove is underrated. And as much as i wanted it to remain unexplored to avoid being exploited, i want to see it landing in the collection of Ironwulf.
So there, di man ako manalo, sir baka pwedeng magrequest ng isang autographed photo nung award-winning mong photo na praying monk on a high. online will do. thanks. JP/The Islander
I hope a tagalog answer would suffice your queries..
1. Nais kong makapunta sa Coron-Busuanga ng Northern Palawan. Nangunguna ito sa aking listahan kahit noong pang mga huling tatlong buwan ng 2008. Nakakamangha ang pagkakabuo ng mga limestone cliiffs sa lugar ( karstic formation) at lubhang napaganda ng pagkakalathala ng mga ads nito, kahit sa internet man o pahayagan. Nagtratrabaho ako ngayon sa isang landlocked na bansa sa Asya, at masasabi ko na kulang ang isang karstic formation ng mga limestones na ito kung wala ang dagat. Pwede na rin ang ilog, minsan>> hehehehehe
2. Sana ay makapagsulat kayo tungkol sa Calicoan Island, ito ay nasa Southern Samar, na ngayon ay umuusbong bilang isa sa mga Dream Destination sa PIlipinas. ” Its a great place to visit, where an adventure awaits every visitor. Breathtaking is an understatement”.. Baka magiging isa ito sa mga sikat sa destinasyon balang araw.. ( sorry sa english, d mapigilan)
Batanes, isa din sa mga nais kung puntahan, kaya gusto kung mailathala ulit dito sa iyong blog. siguro mayroon pang ibang kakaiba sa Batanes mailaban sa pagiging kakaiba na nito.. ” Its a must see in the Philippines, and it will always be”.
salamat!
excellent photos you have here. I hope i can learn from a great professional like you! Mabuhay ang Pinoy photogrpahers
Choosing a single dream destination for this year is rather difficult simply because it’ll be much more fun to keep an open itinerary.
But of course, I have to pick the most likely one. Based on the comments above, it seems that many will be boarding (or have at least booked a flight) going to Batanes. So considering the limited number of seats and frequency of flights, it’ll be possible that I shall be seated to one of you guys on one of these flights. That would be lovely of course, but I guess, I’ll reserve a Batanes trip for a special someone. *apologies for that* So for the moment, I’d pick a destination that is no less lovely yet equally interesting, and that is Coron. This part of Palawan is closer to Manila that travel tickets are relatively easy to secure. Another plus side to that would be that an overnight trip aboard *****ferry with budget-conscious friends could actually commence the adventure.
As for future spreads here, I strongly recommend (and in no particular order) the Cordillera and Palawan. These places probably bundle up both cultural and natural diversities Philippines has to offer.
The Cordillera and its people are among the most interesting subjects to document, IMHO. Equipped with this new medium some people call community journalism, “exposure” to the rich Cordillera traditions via photographs may inspire a larger audience to rediscover and treasure its rare heritage.
Palawan is another charming frontier that should attract more locals. It has stretches of roads without any sight of littered garbages. Pristine beaches line its coasts without the noisy crowd. Fresh and dried seafoods, pearl accessories and woodcrafts are ridiculously cheap. Authentic chao long are as common manila’s fishballs. And contrary to popular beliefs, a Grande-size coffee in Starbucks is actually more expensive than a day’s food allowance in Palawan. So essentially, a road trip across the peninsula is the way to go. And who else could keep an excellent account of this adventure and give justice to the flavors, sights, and sounds of this last frontier but an intrepid traveler like ironwulf? Seriously.
Anyway, any other place you set your feet on this year would still be awesome. So thank you for sharing and please keep on posting. Have a great year ahead!
Hi Ferdz!
1. My dream destination for this year is Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park. It is located in Kalinga. To get there you need to go Tabuk (Kalinga’s capital), 10-12 bus ride from Manila; another 4 hour jeepney ride going to Balbalan and another 2 hour ride to Balbalasang. Can you imagine how long the trip will be? They say that this is the New Zealand of the Philippines and the New Sagada. The place is very mysterious / exciting to me because there are no decent information of the place in the internet that is why I want to visit it ASAP (remember, I texted you last night whether to push the trip today or not. Ha! Ha!). I want to go here to enjoy the beauty of the place, interact with the locals but also to promote the place, document the information and take pictures so that I can share it with others who also want to visit the place.
I also dream of visiting Batanes too but this is one is close to reality because the cost is cheaper. haha!
2. a. I want you to visit Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park. I know you can do mercy documenting the place since this is your expertise and you can promote it more because you write well, shoot good photos and not to mention lots of fan reading your site.
Pag pumunta ka at hindi pa ako nakapunta eh sama mo kami ni Oggie. Joel Garcia din para todo document. Hahaha!
b. I really can’t think of other place here in Philippines that you haven’t visited yet. Maybe an underwater photo safari in Tubattaha reef or in polar regions to capture Aurora Borealis.
1. What is your Dream Destination in the Philippines for 2009 and why?
>>My Dream Destination is definitely Sagada. I’ve heard a lot of good things about that place, and I’ve been planning to go there for a couple of months now, but it hasn’t panned out yet. I already have an itinerary and all; all that remains is the “when.” I’m hoping to finally push through and discover this place soon.
2. What are the top 2 Philippines Destination would you like Ironwulf to visit/cover next in 2009 and why?
>>First, Bacolod, if only because of the little bit of provincial pride I have. While I didn’t grow up there, my family is from there, and I always get something positive when I go there. There’s a lot I still don’t know about that place, but the little I know and love, I’d like to share with as many people as possible.
>>Second is a nearby, accessible location like Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, or Cavite. Somewhere that doesn’t require an overnight bus trip or a plane ride to get to. I think it’s interesting to find nearby travel destinations for those moments when you just want to get up and leave for the weekend, without making such a big fuss about it. I’d like to see more destinations that I can just go to on a whim without breaking the bank.
1. What is your Dream Destination in the Philippines for 2009 and why?
Not much of a destination but I would like to visit Marawi City in Lanao to explore and understand better our Muslim Filipino countrymen. Also, I heard that Marawi is situated in the highlands, kinda like a mini Tagaytay, that translates to cool weather(!)
2. What are the top 2 Philippines Destination would you like Ironwulf to visit/cover next in 2009 and why?
a. So as not to burn a big hole in your pocket, I hope you can visit and cover Manila’s under appreciated destinations, her museums. Check out the grand National Museum buildings (Museum of Filipino People and National Gallery of Art), the cute and well-presented Bahay Tsinoy Museum in Intramuros, the glitzy displays at the Ayala Musuem and the recently restored Malacanang Palace museum. Tip, the National Museum is free on SUndays but even so, I would gladly pay the P100.00 entrance fee to support its maintenance,besides, I think its worth it.
b. I hope you can visit Bantayan Island in Cebu. The town proper is a hidden heritage gem with its collection of Period homes (think Pila in Laguna and Silay in Negros). Also, I hope you get the chance to GORGE in what probably is the BEST buffet deal in the Visayas region. Think all you can eat Chili Crabs. Grilled Liempo. Giant Clams.Succulent Fishes. Adobong Manok. Pako Salad. Kinilaw. Ampalaya Salad.Seafood Bikol Express. Pansit Canton. Eschabeche. Squid Rings. Eggplant Salad. Crispy Pata. All you an drink iced tea. The list goes on to FIFTY (yes, 50!) dishes…..
All for the bargain-basement price of P295.00!!!! What a deal!!
I swear, you’ll be in culinary heaven after this!
1. I would like to spend a week in Caramoan and discover the beaches and the islands… I have friends who went there before and swore up and down that it is more beautiful than Boracay, Pangalao island and El Nido combined. I also a travel special on TFC (I live in San Francisco, California!) about the place and I was enthralled and dumbfounded that this place is not as crowded as the afore-mentioned places!
2. I think the Babuyan Islands up north and surrounding area (including Cagayan) is also stunning. But Tubbataha Reef in Palawan is the best place to see why we need to care for our environment. This place just puts everything in perspective…
Hello! Kailan po ang announcement ng winners? Thanks!
im late. hehe pwede pa bang humabol sa pag answer =(
i know its too late to write an entry but i still want to suggest anyway.=)
1. i would love to got to Anawangin Cove and Capones island(as well as the camera island) i stumbled upon your blog about it the other day as i was looking for a place to go that wont go south past manila. i was captured and could not believe that it was taken in the philippines.and i love that fact that there are pine trees in the beach?!?! i live in baguio so i know that they are supposed to thrive in cold climate,so seeing them in a beach would be something!
2.—–i would suggest an adventure trip here in Benguet! heres a site about some adventure trips done in Tuba, Bokod, Ambuclao and La Trinidad. pmttp.multiply.com (Philippine Multimedia and Tourism Theme Park corp) they do white water/open water kayaking,river rafting,river surfing,rappelling,atv,caving,camping etc…. i think there is also a program about the 3day hike up to mount pulag which is i think the 2nd highet mountain in the phil and the 1st in luzon.that would go past 3 lakes along the way which are also considered the cleanest lakes…i was planning to take try these activities this weekend but decided to got to zambales bec of your blog about it.hehehe!
—–another is in Dau,Pampanga…Ultralight Gliding adventure where you would take this super super small plane that will go over the scenic view of the fields and stuff.this is also featured in the site i mentioned earlier .
—-third suggestion.hehehe =) Cacupangan Cave in Mabini,pangasinan..and tambobong beach in pangasinan too..some places i would like to go to also but i have no time since i will be leaving to work abroad by mid feb=( saw i site about it too…pasyalan.net/places/cacupangan-cave.php
Thanks you so much for your site.i found it just two days ago.its like stumbling upon the treasure map to all the places of paradise in the philippines.
too bad i wasn’t able to beat the deadline! i like the snap watch.