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...

Manila is now officially one of the locations of the prestigious Boffi concept stores in the world.. Located at the Ground Floor of The Residences at Greenbelt, San Lorenzo Tower in Esperanza Street, Makati City, the new Boffi Studio serves as a valuable resource for architects, designers, as well as clients as it will showcase the brand’s full product line. The showroom will feature some of the brand’s most iconic and successful lines- from the simple and warm Aprile kitchen, to the industrial looking Xila; to the space smart K14 and K20;  for the bathroom, the subtle and graceful Sabbia bathtub to the high-impact Pipe shower; for systems, the Anthea partition systems to the St. Germain walk-in closet. Present at the launch were Boffi top executives led by CEO Roberto Gavazzi, Niccolo Gavazzi (Asia-Pacific Director) and Daniela Borgonovo (Export Manager), as well as Focus Global, Inc. management Stephen Sy (President), Loli Sy (Vice President), and Aline Lopez ...

Potato chips lovers, rejoice! Finally Japan’s favorite potato chips is now in the Philippines: Jack n’ Jill Calbee’s Potato Chips,  Pizza Potato and the Jagabee Potato Fries. Calbee, Inc., Japan’s leading snack brand in partnership with Universal Robina Corporation (URC) has successfully brought the best potato snacks experience  in the country. Kids and adults alike love to snack and love the sound of the crunch and the crispiness of potato chips which is perfect for movie marathons, mini reunions or simple summer hangouts with family and friends. Founded in 1949, Calbee assured that its  Potato Chips are made from high quality potatoes cultivated with care “by our farmers. Pizza Potato Chips are made with Calbee’s unique technology called “melt flake”. The technology create “Real Cheese taste” , melting cheese flakes on top of the chips. You can enjoy a real potato taste with “Innovative Crispy texture,” Calbee’s website said.   The two snack giants ...

Buying household items in small packages or sachets provide economic relief for most Filipinos who cannot afford to buy in bulks or wholesale. Unfortunately, these small plastic packages continue to choke Mother Earth as they always contribute to waste problem especially in Metro Manila. Millions of these sachets, containing shampoo, detergent, coffee, among other items, are sold and produced, but their disposal often poses the biggest problem as far as the environment is concerned. Good thing, many big companies now practice CSR  (Corporate Social Responsibility) and have taken to include caring and loving for Mother Earth   --taking it upon themselves to help de-clog the country’s drains, by implementing their own waste management solutions and bring a brighter future to many people not just in the country but worldwide. Unilever Philippines, through its Sachet Recovery Program, has been collecting Surf sachets, which are shredded and mix with other materials to t...