Ever since Chinese New Year was declared a Philippine public holiday last 2012, the festival has drawn more spectators. Last year, we joined the guided tour hosted by Lawrence Chan not only to visit temples but also to secure our chances of having a place […]
Tondo In Contrast: Sto. Niño Fiesta 2016
Banderitas (buntings) lined the streets and videoke music blasted from large speakers as people from in and out of Tondo enjoy the merriment. It is definitely fiesta time again to start the year 2016. Games were being held simultaneously in different areas as other people tread the […]
Snapshots: Sampaloc Lake
A man carrying his boat paddle passed me by as the first rays of daybreak shone, reflecting on the dark waters of Sampaloc Lake. I was fidgeting as I set up my camera and tripod to take his photo. Wearing tight-fitting pants with metal studs and a pair of high-cut […]
Snapshots: The Lonely Road to Oregon
The slippery roads were lined with dark, towering trees. The branches seemed to reach out and grasp us in darkness. I was dreaming of a white Christmas when I scheduled my US trip during the winter, but instead I arrived in a weather where it was bitingly cold […]
Lang Dulay: Re-living the Dreams of a Master Dreamweaver
Lang Dulay’s eyes were occasionally shut, as if going in between sweet slumbers while we were taking her photos. She was still noticeably sleepy when we met her that morning to see her home, a museum of sorts to her works doubling as a weaving center of […]
Semana Santa and the Infanta Flagellants
Just a few people roamed the dimly lit streets of this sleepy town when we arrived at Infanta at about 4am. Thinking we arrived early, we were not in a hurry to prepare our photography gear. We were surprised when we suddenly heard a clacking and swishing sound and […]
The Last Adventure of Arvin “Tado” Jimenez: Life Begins at the Mountain
“Sir, gusto mo samahan ka namin kay Fang-od, yung traditional tattoo artist sa Buscalan.” I said. One way going to Buscalan is via Bontoc, the route Tado’s group has taken. “Ay, punta din ako dun this week, naimbitahan ako ng kaibigan ko pumunta.” said sir […]
2013 Hapipaks Christmas Greeting
Happy 2013 Christmas to all travelers and backpackers! Cheers to more worthwhile travels in 2014! *Photo taken at the busy Orchard Road, Singapore.
Dumaguete on Foot
Dumaguete is a small city in the heart of Negros Oriental and popularly known as a “City of Gentle People”. But with about 30% of its town predominated by students and the structures of Siliman University, it also aptly called as “University Town”. The city […]
Sharing the Urban Soul Experience
We passed by the shop of Mang Sonny – the tailor, as we walked through Rosemary Lane in Pasig. The nooks of his shop are surrounded by colorful cloths (retaso) and garments for mending, up front is his vintage sewing machine which seemed to have aged […]
Going Solo: Guimaras Island Experience
The trip from Ortiz wharf to Jordan wharf became one of the longest 15-minute boat ride I had experienced. I was on an afternoon trip going to Guimaras, and with my big bag, my first instinct was to sit on the front row for convenience […]
Mt. Pulag Experience: A Sweeper’s Stagger to Heaven
“Baka picture kayo ng picture di nyo alam natulo na pala sipon nyo, tapos ipo-post post nyo pa sa facebook!”, “Di pala kaya ng katawan nyo, tpos sasabihin nyo – mind over matter, mind over matter – di pede ganun sa bundok!” I was laughing […]
