Dis Is It: My 2013 Top 15 Pinoy Travel Blogs in the Philippines

Yes, I finally list down My 2013 Top 15 Pinoy Travel Blogs in the Philipppines by Melo Villareal. I decided to look forward and list down those highly recommended blogs in the country which I love finding more inspiration before I became a travel blogger. I've been loving those blogs and I am HUGE fan of Pinoy Travel Bloggers Community. In no particular order, there you go: 

1. Chyng Reyes of http://www.chyngreyes.com

2. Mervs Marasigan of http://www.pinoyadventurista.com

3. Estan Cabigas of http://langyaw.com

4. Dong Ho of http://www.escapeislands.com

5. Claire Raborar-Blaxland of http://www.lakwatseradeprimera.com

6. Edcel Suyo of http://soloflighted.com

7. Ivan Henares of http://www.ivanhenares.com

8. Lois Yasay of http://www.wearesolesisters.com

9. Micaela Rodriguez of http://www.senyorita.net

10. Marcos Caratao of http://www.ambot-ah.com

11. Enrico Dee of http://www.byahilo.com

12. James Betia of http://journeyingjames.com

13. Ferdz Decena of http://www.ironwulf.net

14. Wendell Glenn Cagape of http://www.journeysandtravels.com

15. Christian Sangoyo of http://www.lakadpilipinas.com

Mt Polis Rolling Coffee Shop and Restaurant - Another Stop Over in Mountain Province

It was a foggy and cold morning with the group. We take a short break at Mt Polis Rolling Coffee Shop & Restaurant, it is along the road and the driver would usually stop by this area to get some coffee and food to eat. At the same time take some pictures at the signage in front of the coffee shop / restaurant. They are selling freshly brewed coffee and delicious breakfast as well. The highest part of the highway is located here. So it's time to go over the highway and proceed to our next destination in Bontoc, Mountain Province. We all excited to see the town of Bontoc and Sagada which is both located in Mountain Province. Travel time is about 45-1 hour. Check out my next blog post.

Statue of the Virgin Mary in Mountain Province

Feels like heaven! This was the giant 30 foot statue of the Virgin Mary along the road of Mountain Province. We suggest to our driver to have a stop over to this site and took some photos. This area is the part of the summit of Mt. Polis, a birdwatcher's paradise and home to tropical forest as some blogs about Mountain Province. It was a rainy day for us going to Bontoc and Sagada that day with a cold and foggy morning.  According to our guide this is the boundary of Ifugao Province and Mountain Province, you'll find this statue at the right side of the road heading to Bontoc or Sagada. I could not see anything though the road since thick fog covered the whole area of the summit. I want to explore more about the Mt Polis soon but this time I want to share some of my photos and experiences during my long trip from Banaue-Bontoc-Sagada. 

How to Get to Cutud in San Fernando Pampanga

Going to Cutud Pampanga from Manila or How to Get to Cutud Pampanga by commute. 

Here are the travel guide going to the famous site in Cutud during the holyweek. Take a bus bound to Angeles or Dau, Pampanga, located at Cubao or Pasay Bus Terminal. Travel time is about 1 hour to 2 hours depending on traffic situation , cost you is around Php 150 pesos. Take a jeepney going to San Fernando City proper, then    it will turn left under the San Fernando flyover to Mc-Arthur Highway. From there take a tricycle to Barangay San Pedro, Cutod where the site is located about 20-30 minutes away from the national road, the driver charge us Php 100 pesos back and forth for a 3 passengers. The local government of San Fernando City, install some signage and banners along the way, so never get lost from the area. Happy Trip Everyone - Bisayang Manlalakbay around the Philippines.

Maleldo 2013 - A Cruxifiction Site in Cutod, Pampanga

San Fernando in Pampanga is the most famous site during the holy week season because of the crucifixion reenactment in Cutod, San Fernando , Pampanga.My travel buddies Sally & Eds, decided to visit this famous site in Cutod. We can't able to see the actual crucifixion during that day, but I am fulfilling to visit this site. There are 3 cross at the hill side of the area and feel the burning heat of the sun. We took some photos within the area before going back to Manila, there are some tourist and local taking picture at the holy cross. Some children climbed up the cross to take photo by the tourist (so bad) and I hope you will forgive me for posting of those photos. As per our driver, about 2,000 crowd during the afternoon crucifixion in the cross and a lot of media in the whole day. Maybe, next time I would come early before the actual event. In Barangay Cutod, San Fernando Pampanga is known to be the " Holy Week Crucifixion Capital of the Philippines" to watch and take a part of the annual activities of the province. 

How to Get to Lucban Quezon from Manila via Pagsanjan in Laguna

Going to Lucban Quezon from Manila via Pagsanjan in Laguna, about 1 hour and 55 minutes away from Metro Manila and approximately 160 kilometers. Take a bus at Alabang City Terminal of Buendia Bus Terminal. You will pass to South Luzon Expressway, Calamba, Los Banos, Victoria, Bay then Sta. Cruz in Laguna. Cost about P220 - P180 pesos per passenger then ask the driver to drop you off at Sta. Cruz Laguna highway where the jeepney bound to Lucban is located along this road. Travel period is about 30-45 minutes depending on stop over of the vehicle passing through Cavinti, Lusinana and Lucban poblacion proper. The Sta. Cruz route is much more nearer than the Lucena, Quezon way. Please check this other routes to Lucban from Manila via Antipolo: Manila - Pasig - Cainta, Rizal - Taytay - Antipolo (1 hour drive) then Antipolo - Teresa - Morong - Baras - Tanay - Pililia, Rizal - Mabitac, Laguna - Famy - Sinoloa (1 hour drive as well) passing through Sinoloan - Pakil - Paete - Kalayaan - Lumban - Pagsanjan - Cavinti - Luisiana (another 1 hour) after about 20-30 minutes from Luisiana, Laguna to Lucban Quezon.