• Fort San Pedro: A Beguiling Game Changer In Philippine History
    Travel

    Fort San Pedro: A Beguiling Game Changer In Philippine History

    Somewhere, inside my mind, a different version of Cebu exists. Energetic, diverse and youthful, this personal adaptation of Cebu dazzles with an endless string of mesmerizing attractions. In fact, it beckons thousands of travelers annually, thanks to its majestic waterfalls and photogenic peaks. But, unlike our universe’s Cebu, my version barely has any Spanish churches and historic sites, like Fort San Pedro. Instead, it boasts a wondrous blend of eye-catching Hindu temples, colorful mosques and elaborate stupas. With a mosaic of ethnic communities, this fictional Cebu somehow reminds me of the multifaceted Singapore and Bangkok.   And, there are no famed Spanish-era Cebu tourist spots here, such as Basilica del…

  • The Unplanned Sweet Escape At JVR Island In The Sky
    Travel

    The Unplanned Sweet Escape At JVR Island In The Sky

    A warm ray of light woke me up on a fine and easygoing Saturday. And, even with the blistering summer heat, I felt like it was going to be a beautiful and fruitful day. Moments later, I found myself standing on a crossroad with two roads leading to different directions. The road on my right was the gateway to hours of binging, blockbuster movies and Facebook soap operas showing pilot episodes every five minutes. And, the other road was a blank canvas. As tempting as the first option was, I had to go with the blank canvas. Like an abstract painter, I prepared my tools and made my first stroke.…