The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), hosted the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2019, the country’s largest annual travel trade event, and invited foreign tour operators and buyers to experience of what the country can offer as a tourism destination through post tours.

I'm very fortunate to  be part of the PHITEX 2019's post tour featuring La Union and Sagada. Foreign participants who joined the tour were from Japan and Bahrain. We're accompanied by representatives from Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and Shroff Travel. 

If you are planning to visit  Agusan del Norte, you can stay at the Ocean Bloom Beach Resort, a family-run boutique resort that fuses Mediterranean and rustic Filipino design. It's around 15 to 20 minutes drive from Butuan City airport ( Bancasi Airport ).

Located in the quite town of Buenavista, Ocean Bloom Beach Resort is one of the nice beach resorts in the province. It's a beach front resort that features spacious and comfy rooms, a main villa, an open air rooftop aptly named “Ocean View”, open cottages and a "Santorini" inspired structure.

I stayed in a Deluxe Room. From my door, I can the see the beautiful Santorini inspired structure with background of the open sea. The view is very relaxing. My air-conditioned room comes with queen size bed and a single bed with complete bedding, flat screen tv with cable channels, refrigerator, coffee/tea maker and wooden cabinet. The bathroom has shower facility, a spray bidet, fresh towels and complimentary toiletries. WIFI is only available in some areas.

The open cottages and beach area are open to all. Even you don't book a room, you can still enter the resort. Pay the entrance fee and you are allowed to go around. If you come with your family and friends, there are available rustic “Bamboo Houses” that can accommodate 10 pax each or “Open Cottages” for rent w/ a barbecue grill area.

Please be advised that their beach area has grayish sands and blue waters. It has simple yet serene beach area. It's a great place to chill especially when the weather is hot or during summer season.

At the moment, the resort has no restaurant. It's advisable to bring your own food. There's a "Karinderya" near the resort that sell Filipino dishes. There's also a mini store inside the resort that offers instant noodles, chips, juices, soda, bread and a lot more. 

For events, there are several open spaces such as the Lanai deck and extension, and the newly built “Love Dome”, that make the perfect setting for weddings, team buildings, reunions and other special occasions. The ‘Love Dome’ in particular, a Santorini-inspired structure with a circling veranda and large stage, has slowly become the landmark by which the resort is becoming famous for.

Overall, I love the serenity of the resort. It's far from the crowded city, pollution and traffic jam. I also love its green design and eco-friendly operations. Ocean Bloom Beach Resort  is surrounded with various types of flowers, plants and trees, as well as proper solid waste management/segregation, energy-saving light bulbs, naturally well-lit and well-ventilated rooms. 

Ocean Bloom Boutique Beach Resort
Location:Purok 4, Manapa, Buenavista, Agusan Del Norte, Philippines
Contact Number: 0918 449 0932
Email Address: oceanbloomphil@gmail.com

Mad Monkey Hostel is one the coolest and hippest accommodation in Siargao. The hostel features a beautiful swimming pool, a nice restaurant and comfy rooms. WIFI is available throughout the resort.

The hostel is one of the backpacker's favorite when it comes for a budget-friendly accommodation. Compared with other hotel rooms in the area, Mad Monkey Hostel is much affordable. The air-conditioned room can accommodate up to 8 pax. Each bed comes with comfy bed with white bedding, a small fan, and charging ports.

Maybe some of you are not familiar with Butuan City. Even me, I don't know what to see and what to do in the city. I know it is the home of the famous Balangay (formerly synonymous with Butuan boat), but other than that, I have no idea with Butuan City. So I decided to stay in the resort and to enjoy its amenities and facilities.

Have you seen a swimming pool inside a cave? There's a unique spot in the quite town of Carmen in Agusan del Norte that features a man-made pool inside a cave. Let me introduce the Vinapor Cave Pool.

The cave pool is inside the Blue Water Beach Resort or more known locally as Jurassic Beach Resort. It is nestled along the coastal cliffs of Barangay Vinapor, less than two hours drive from Butuan City and three hours and thirty minutes drive from Cagayan de Oro City. The landmark going to the resort is Tagcatong Elementary School where you can ride habal-habal or tricycle. No need for a reservation, walk-in and day tour are allowed.

Fun event filled with over flowing drinks, entertainment and music after the launch of RELX in the Philippines, happened on Friday, September 20 at XXX Bar in Makati City.

Everyone were treated with unlimited drinks and cool entertainment. The bar served array of delicious cocktails which were designed to match the flavor of the RELX pods. It's my first time to party in XXX bar and I'm surprised with its set up. It’s a great place to spend the night with good company, cool drinks and, of course, to listen with party mix music.

Located at the S Maison Mall, Conrad Hotel, the Desert Museum is a must visit in Manila specially for those looking for instagram-worthy destination. It's one of the most unique museums in the Philippines featuring 8 mouth-watering themed rooms.

The Dessert Museum is an interactive eat as you play and learn experience where the sights are just as delicious as the sweets. You will gobble your way instagrammable rooms of sugar-filled happiness. There are only two things on the menu - sugar and selfies.

Upon entering the museum, we're welcomed with cute ladies wearing a cosplayer costume. One of them assisted us and gave some information about The Dessert Museum. The tour started through the big Donut Hole and into the Donut Room. We slided down to enter the room. We're overwhelmed on the hanging donuts inside the room. They're super cute! These donuts are very inviting to eat but hey, these donuts are not real. For your eyes only! lol

Featuring elegant accommodations, a Filipino restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool, The Legend Villas is ideally situated in Mandaluyong City, a few steps from Robinson Mall, SM Light Mall and Boni MRt Station. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, free WiFi in all property and free private parking.

Recently, we booked a Deluxe Room at the The Legend Villas. The air conditioned room comes with two (2) double beds, telephone, cable TV, hot and cold shower, refrigerator, hair blower chair and work table. Our room is spacious and beds are comfy. The interior combines elegance and style. Almost everywhere has cozy wooden accents, along with with warm-toned, vintage furnishings.

You can find a lot of capsule hotels all over Japan.  It's also known as a pod hotel in Western World that features capsule rooms of individual pods. Did you know there's already a capsule hotel in the Philippines? Yes, you read it right! Let me introduce Dormitos.

Located at the bustling Cubao area, you can find the Dormitos. It's less than kilometer away from Gateway Mall, Farmers Plaza and MRT stations. It offers yet functional rooms with clean bedding, lights, fan, usb ports, and a portable table. When you open the lights, it feels like you are living in a sci-fi movie or somehow you are in a time machine. LOL!

Aside from the Japanese Inspired Capsule Room, Dormitos also has locker area, a communal bathroom and and a shared lounge, along with free WiFi throughout the property.  It also features 24-hour security system. At the reception area, you can find  tables and chairs where you can eat, chill and relax.

Food is not allowed inside the room but you can stay in the reception area and eat your own food. Forgot to bring food? No worries, they sell instant noddles, chips, biscuit and many more. Smoking is also prohibited in all area. Shoes is not allowed in the room as well. You can put it in the shoe track located near the locker area.

Each room can only accommodate one person. It's spacious enough to move freely. I recommend to put all your things inside the locker.  If you’re claustrophobic, you’re not going to enjoy this room.

Dormitos rate is the same as with a hostel. Their rooms are now on 50% off.  It's P800 and you can get a bed for the night and nice shower in the morning.  Another good thing about the capsule room, you can adjust the lights and fan. There's also a portable table if you want to work with your laptop.

Walk in is only allowed only during work hours. It's advisable to book online to make sure there's a available room.

Overall, I enjoyed sleeping inside the capsule room. It's truly a unique experience. I recommend you to try Dormitos. You will surely love their Japanese style capsule room.

Dormitos

Address: 115 Harvard St Cubao Quezon City, Philippines
Contact Number: (02) 729 4950. / Email address:  cubao@dormitos.com
Website : http://www.dormitos.com

The simple bario of Liw-liwa is one of the famous surfing spots in the province of Zambales. Its laid-back, off-beat vibes and amazing waves attract a lot of travelers from around the world. This small coastal community is truly a perfect sanctuary for backpackers, wanderlust, beach lovers and surfing enthusiasts.

In our recent trip to Liw-liwa, we found a newly-opened resort called Kwentong Dagat. It's the first Vegan Beach Resort in Zambales! Their food menu is 100% powered by plants. Yes, you read it right! They serve 100% plant based dishes. Shout out to all of my Vegan friends!

The province of Batangas has many beach destinations, and yet many still flock to the same beaches in Calatagan, Laiya, and Nasugbo. Did you know that there's a beautiful island called Isla Verde. It's a secluded paradise located between Luzon and Mindoro.

Described as center of center of the world's marine biodiversity, Isla Verde features crystal blue waters and powdery white sand dotted with some coconut trees. There’s something for everyone, be it diving, swimming, trekking, or camping. This secluded beach will surely bring you a good dose of vitamin sea.

There's no question that international travel can truly be a life-changing experience, and for people who add volunteering to that mix to make sure they're doing some good along the way, that impact can be even greater. What's better than seeing the world while also making a difference? 

Volunteering abroad has become an incredibly popular option for high school graduates wanting to take a gap year that looks good on the resume, college students wanting to make a difference while also having more world experience, or even individuals looking to make a difference and do something different for a while.