• Mount Malindang: Embracing Unfiltered And Unexpected Moments
    Travel

    Mount Malindang: Embracing Unfiltered And Unexpected Moments

    Life has a strange and funny way of teaching us lessons. Society constantly tells us that we need to set expectations and goals and have dreams. But what if we let go of all those societal expectations? What if we embraced the world and life as they are and not as we hope to be? Doesn’t it sound liberating? As I hiked my way up the terrain of Mount Malindang Natural Park, I rediscovered a lesson that I had lost amid life’s chaos.  When you live without expectations, you’re at peace, constantly happy, and stress-free.  And you are free to enjoy things as they are.  Each cool mountain breeze, rustling leaf, mishap, and burst…

  • Mount Tabayoc: An Adventure Above The Clouds
    Travel

    Mount Tabayoc: An Adventure Above The Clouds

    Imagine you’ve just gotten off a dizzying, high-speed 9-hour overnight road trip after a flight. You’re tired, dizzy, and sluggish, and suddenly, you’re climbing the sixth-highest mountain in the Philippines – Mount Tabayoc.  Sounds like a recipe for disaster, right?  Well, not exactly.  With its steep, challenging “monkey trail”, I knew the hike to the top of Mount Tabayoc wouldn’t be a walk in the park.  And I could have skipped this part of our Luzon trip and relaxed on Lake Tabeo – the base of our Mount Tabayoc hike.  But guess what? There was no way I was passing up this opportunity.  I deserve a fun, memorable and challenging…

  • Mount Pulag: Chasing The Magical Sunrise
    Travel

    Mount Pulag: Chasing The Awe-Inspiring Sunrise

    Sunrises are a symbol of rebirth, mystery, and new beginnings. An unstoppable force of nature, sunrise is also comforting, giving us a feeling that our problems are small and temporary. And in Mount Pulag National Park, a magical sunrise gave me hope in a world that badly needs a dose of optimism.  Even at our darkest hour, I always believe the sun will rise again.  To me, the return of light after hours of darkness represents hope.  And the awe-inspiring sunrise in Mount Pulag brought a dash of hope to a new day filled with mystery and surprises.  Furthermore, it symbolizes a new beginning for me and an opportunity to…

  • Inambakan Falls to Mount Hambubuyog: The Zombie Outbreak Escape
    Travel

    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…