Relaxing at the ATV with the full view of Daragang Magayon! Traveling for two decades as a travel journalist, Bicol has always been on my bucket list. I want to see the world-famous perfect-coned Mayon Volcano for myself up-close. But the nearest I could get to Bicol was a travel in Daet, Camarines Norte back then when Mayor Tito Sarion was still single and a certified bachelor. Thus, when the chance to travel to Albay for free finally came – through the invitation of the office of Gov. Joey Salceda , the Daragang Magayon Festival Committee, and the local Department of Tourism -- I readily grabbed the opportunity despite some odds at work and in the homefront . In fact, I willingly shouldered the re-book of my fare ticket at P3200+ because I came quite late and the Cebu Pac staff who assisted me wasn’t good enough. Traveling alone for the first time Anyway, I made it to the 12:30 pm flight, and that was the first time that I travel by plane alone. Despite some glitc...

Lush greens, mountains and virgin forests, majestic and natural caves and rock formations, breathtaking views of the seas and islands and islets, vast body of inland fresh water, rare birds and other species – this is Samar. A short visit to Samar mid April gave this writer these impressions – and the hope that it should be promoted along with the country’s popular destinations. Good thing, the provincial government of  Samar has poised it to become Visayas region’s prime tourist destination. Taking advantage of the Department of Tourism’s “Visit Philippines 2015” campaign as well, the province recently launched its own brand of tourism campaign. Samar's tourism billboard featuring Marabut, Paranas and Basey The ambitious tourism launch branded as Spark Samar brought in celebrities, media and government officials together at the Capitol Park of Catbalogan City on April 18 with a thanksgiving mass followed by a cultural presentation of songs and dances of the Sam...