Exploring the Bagobo-Tagabawa Cultural Village and Honoring the Legacy of Salinta Monon

Bagobo-Tagabawa Cultural Village

Nestled at the foothills of the mighty Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines, the Bagobo ethnic group thrives. During our journey to Davao del Sur, we had the privilege of immersing ourselves in the culture of the Bagobo-Tagabawa, also known as the “People of the South.” This subgroup, residing in villages like Tibolo and Bansalan, provided us with a glimpse into their rich heritage, with a special focus on the Bagobo-Tagabawa Cultural Village and the legacy of Salinta Monon.

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Buhi: Of Rinconada, Lake, Handloom Weaving, and the World’s Smallest Fish

Buhi Camarines Sur

I learned about Buhi, Camarines Sur through Bidibidi when we visited her workshop in Baao. BD would often joke that her art style is Buhi-mian (a play on the word “bohemian”) because Buhi is one of the sources for up-cycled materials used for her handicraft. Before this, Buhi was under the radar for me when we talk about Bicol. My inquisitive self was glad to get invited recently by Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) to Buhi. It was one of TPB’s recipient areas for their project to boost the livelihood of local communities by lending some resources and training them in marketing their products. …

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Walks In The Parks: Taking a Breather After The Pandemic Lockdowns In Metro Manila’s Best Parks 

Arroceros Park paved pathway

After more than two years of the pandemic and its seesawing mandates on lockdowns, it’s literally a fresh idea to literally go out once again in the open to the freedom of your nearest park.  Imagine how we all coped staying put and working (studying for those still in school) at home, going out only on the most exigent errands. 

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Beltfishing Experience in Santa Ana Cagayan

Beltfishing experience at Santa Ana Cagayan

We found ourselves at the shores of Diora-Zinungan in Cagayan Valley at the break of dawn. Boats were already lined-up at the beach awaiting to take us to sea. The coastal town had been practicing beltfishing for more than two decades and it has become one of their main source of livelihood. Department of Tourism Region 2 recently spearheaded a program where tourist can experience their unique way of fishing. And we’re here to try our hand on their way of fishing.

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Real Arabian adventures for the intrepid traveler

Tuwaiq Escarpment

Beyond the sleek urban high-rises, ultra-modern shopping malls, and the cosmopolitan attractions of its capital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia can be an intrepid explorer’s destination if one is willing put in the effort and look beyond the sand and dunes stereotype.  The opportunity to discover storied places, some dating back to ancient times, certainly make visiting Saudi Arabia as a traveler out for a real, honest-to-goodness adventure, a worthwhile thing to pursue.  That there are inexpensive Riyadh to Manila flights ticket available sweetens the pursuit all the more.

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Dinagat Islands: Divine Master’s Shrine and Islander’s Castle

The Divine Master's Shrine

I wouldn’t want the weather to spoil my exploration in Dinagat Islands. I’m thankful I was able to visit Pangabangan Island and Lake Bababu, but I felt I wasn’t able to maximize my boat rental for the places I visited. With the weather showing no signs of letting up anytime soon, I decided to take a road trip toward the east instead. Escaping the habagat winds to a much, hopefully, fairer weather at the municipality of Cagdianao. Rex of JBN Inn managed to find me a habal-habal service for the road trip. The plan was to stop by interesting places along the way. Just within town are the Divine Master’s Shrine and the Islander’s Castle atop the scenic hills, our first few stops.

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Enter the Trippy World of Mirror House in Kuwait

The Mirror House in Qadsiya

For many culture, a broken mirror means bad luck in the unforeseeable future. But for Italian-born contemporary artist Lidia Qattan, seeing her daughter with scattered glass shards on the floor sparked a creative idea. To minimize her daughter’s wall doodling, Lidia started to place the mirror pieces on the wall with artistic patterns. This was the start of decades of work to transform her humble home in Kuwait as the only house in the world covered in mirror mosaic – the Mirror House.

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