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Mount Manunggal: Why Getting Lost Is Never A Waste Of Time
There’s a fine line between adventure and disaster. Lost in the middle of nowhere after our Mount Manunggal climb, I was walking that razor-thin line with a heavy backpack and two other hikers. There was a time in my life when being lost felt deeply uncomfortable, like I was completely out of my element. Yet, here on this hike with my new friends, I feel oddly at home. Instead of panicking, I felt calm. I looked at my companions, and I saw panic written all over their faces. And who wouldn’t be? With the sun beating down on us, our water bottles were running low, and unmarked trails, it had…
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Dalaguete: A Slow-Paced Town Where Life Is Still Simple
Why do the most peaceful places hold the loudest stories? Stepping off the bus in Poblacion, Dalaguete, flashes of exhilarating adventures from my younger days flooded my mind. While the bus stop wasn’t remarkable, it somehow felt like a portal to another time. Suddenly, I was transported to the days when Dalaguete, Cebu was a bustling tourist town. I remembered the days when people flocked to the town to witness the beauty of its mountains and discover its secrets. But as the sound of the bus engine faded into the distance, I was brought back to the present. Then, I realized Dalaguete wasn’t the town I once knew. The town…
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10,000 Roses: How Fake Flowers Led Me To Life’s Real Treasures
Where were you when 10,000 Roses took Cebu by storm in 2017? Did you rush to this cafe to witness its enchanting garden of LED-lit white roses come to life? Or were you content scrolling through the sea of dreamy posts flooding your Instagram feed? I can still remember the buzz when 10,000 Roses became a sensation years ago. Everyone was in awe, and it drew photographers, influencers, and curious wanderers from all over the island. And like most introverts, I didn’t jump into the frenzy. I waited patiently for the perfect time and moment to visit this garden cafe. While it did seem attractive, crowds tend to overwhelm me.…
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Inambakan Falls to Mt Hambubuyog: The Zombie Outbreak Escape
What would you do if you knew you’d die days from now? You’d stuff your face with all the sinfully delicious food that your heart desires, right? And you’d go on adventures and treks, like the hike from Inambakan Falls to Mount Hambubuyog. But what if I told you that we’re slabs of dead meat begging to be buried or burned into ashes? What if you realize that you’re a zombie with a broken spirit performing mindless tasks that you don’t like? And what if I told you that you’re a zombie manipulated by social media algorithms? The truth is, some people die at 25 and aren’t buried until they…
