PostCard Series| Five Hours Before New Year's Eve

Alabang Fruit Market

ON PHOTOWALK|  Alabang Fruit Market. Nakumpleto niyo na ba ang 13 Prutas sa basket para sa New Year's Eve?
7:00PM December 31, 2012
Alabang, Muntinlupa City

PostCard Series| Three Hours Before Christmas

Farmers Plaza

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!" Charles Dickens  

Travel Diaries| One Laiya in Batangas

Want to take a break and forget your busy/fast-paced metro life at least for one or two days? More reasons? Ok. You don’t need to travel long, not so far-flung from Metro Manila, and very accessible. A BEACH!

Laiya, Batangas 3

Travel Diaries| Falling In Love with Cantilan

"Each morning in Cantilan creates unique photograph of beauty and inspiration. Subject? Choose from breathtaking sunrise, perfect clouds, unspoiled beaches,  amazing waves, beautiful people inside and out… "

cantilan 22

FEATURE RELEASE | Calamity Season Underscores Need for Readiness

I was in Cathe Pacific - Cottage by the Beach of Ms. Cathe Duero in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur with fellow travel bloggers (journeying james, love mindanaoescape manila, and wandering soles) when I heard/read the news about super typhoon"Pablo" expected to hit Philippine Area of Responsibility specifically Mindanao this week. Timely, I received this helpful PR  about Disaster Preparedness from Eveready Philippines. Have time to read and please do share. IBA NA ANG LAGING HANDA!
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The height of the wet season in the country isn't getting much help from the spate of other natural disasters like earthquakes and a string of typhoons. While such upheavals may be considered normal because of our orientation along the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, there’s the even larger context of climate change whose impacts are felt all the way around the world.
Climate change or global warming has become evident in recent years as regions experience extreme climates, from warm seasons hitting record-high temperatures to wet seasons exhibiting massive precipitation. This is precisely the reason why organizations from both the public and private sectors call for extra vigilance.

disaster preparedness

The 8th Philippine Bird Festival

WBCP Press Release|

The 8th Philippine Bird Festival, the country's largest celebration of avifaunal diversity and bird lore awareness, takes wing on December 7 in the City of Manila and will bring attention to Manila Bay and the important role this plays in the East Asian Flyway.
Themed "Birdwatching. It's More Fun in the Philppines" this year's festival will highlight the Little Egret, a common migrant that congregates in the Coastal Lagoons on the southern coast of Metro Manila during the northern winter, and the endemic Philippine Duck, whose remnant population in the Philippine capital is threatened by reclamation and property development plans in that part of Manila Bay.

wild bird clup of the philippines 

Travel Diaries| Crossing the Philippines' Longest Wooden Bridge

Just imagine the feeling while walking and crossing the two islands by wooden footbridge - breathing the freshest air; witnessing the majestic blue and green view that surrounds; and the excitement every-time the waves strike below your feet... Sarap!

Travel Diaries| Mabua Pebble Beach

Philippines is an archipelago of more or less 7107 interesting islands. Pristine beaches and amazing islands best describe my tropical country. 

Yeah, when we’re talking about Philippine beaches we usually associate the words “fine and powdery white/blackish sands”. But one beach/ coastal area in Surigao City has unique offering. Instead of white/ blackish sands, pebbles (usually round or in oval shape) composed the long beach area of Mabua and Ipil Area

Win a Panasonic LUMIX DMC-S1 Camera!

Do you want to own a FREE Camera? Good news as I-Click Digishop has partnered with Traveling Morion in giving away a Panasonic DMC S1 camera! 

Morion's PhotoTravel Diaries| Lolong- The World's Biggest Croc

Lolong is the world’s biggest/largest crocodile in captivity as declared by Guiness Book of World Records- measuring 20 feet and 3 inches (6.17m) from snout to tail. Lolong is a saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) also known as Indo-Pacific specie. November 2011, Lolong was confirmed as the largest crocodile ever caught and placed in captivity after Dr. Adam Britton of National Geographic measured him  in his corral.

PhotoTravel Diaries| Three Paradise Islands of General Luna, Siargao

I travel to Siargao Island - at least once in a month. To work, to travel, to explore...

Siargao Islands not only completes my whole month's usual itinerary and work accomplishment, my frequent visits have beautiful and interesting stories to tell. "Kaya nakaka-excite bumalik!" 


Morion's PhotoTravel Diaries| Dakak Beach Resort of Dapitan

Here’s the continuation of my Zamboanga del Norte Escapo...

After more or less two hours of touring and doing PhotoWalk in Rizal Shrine, we then proceed to our main destination for the day- the Dakak Beach Resort.

The beach resort is less than 30 minutes travel from the Rizal Shrine. We paid the 500 pesos (per person) entrance fee -day tour fee ba tawag dun?   Good to know that the payment includes complementary “one meal of your choice” in Il Patio - an Italian Restaurant. Since it’s around 1:00 pm (that time), we decided to avail the complementary meal before exploring and enjoying  the infamous beach resort.

GUEST POST| Last Minute Half Term Holidays: Top 5 Watersports Destinations

The first day back at school has been and gone and the half term holidays are upon us. Why stay at home, dealing with the capricious English weather, when you could book a last minute holiday to a sun-filled overseas destination? Keep the whole family entertained with active holidays all over Europe and beyond, whether it is a retreat to the mountains or a sun-soaked beach that takes your fancy.
The English favorite for a holiday on the beach, the Spanish Costas, aren't the only place to escape to if a holiday by the water is your preference. Explore Europe and opt, instead, for a land you haven’t had the chance to visit yet. So many destinations offer watersports holidays that can encompass many water-based adventures for you and your children to try, to ensure that their half term is a memorable one.

Bonok Bonok "Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival" of Surigao City

Time check: 2:00pm of September 09, 2012. Crowded streets of Surigao City. My ever reliable P and S camera. with Ding of thepinoyexplorer, Dennis of Lovemindanao and Nathalie of wanderingsoles. What’s happening? Already heard the word Maradjaw/Karadjaw? Or Bonok-Bonok? Sounds interesting? 

Travel Diaries| Jose Rizal and His Shrine in Dapitan

Hindi pa pala kami pagod kahit 8:00 am na nagising at halos 9:00 na nag breakfast! So we decided to leave Dapitan City at 4:00pm na lang instead of 9:00 am.

After breakfast  in Harohoy sa Baybayon, we agreed to visit Rizal's Shrine in Talisay then proceed to the infamous Dakak  Beach Resort! Kapag nababanggit ang Dakak, naaalala ko bigla ang Eat Bulaga jejeje. Of course you can’t go straight to Rizal Shrine and Dakak kapag hindi ka dumaan sa historically-significant Rizal's Landing Site in Dapitan Boulevard. Picture-taking! Sakin tawag ko Photowalk basta piktyuran, yun na yun! Jejeje.


Morion's Travel| My Zamboanga Peninsula Journey

This post is PART 1 of my five (5) provinces- Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Zamboanga del Norte; eight (8) cities- Butuan, Gingoog, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Ozamis, Oroqueta, Dipolog and Dapitan City; and fifteen (15) long hours- Northeastern passing Northwestern Mindanao going to Zamboanga Peninsula Journey!

Morion's PhotoTravel Galleries| My 7 Super Shots

I would like to thank Bonzenti of Contourblog , Ding Fuellos The Pinoy Explorer ,  and Joel  Travelling Balance for tagging me in this viral net links of Hostelbookers 7 super shots game. I am not a professional photographer but I have tons of good and inspiring photographs that makes it hard for me to choose the Best. Courtesy of my ever reliable and beloved P and S Camera I am humbly presenting my 7 Super shots!

Takes My Breath Away| Zamboanga del Norte
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Photograph taken on: May 19, 2012
"Dakak Escapo"

Morion's PhotoTravel Diaries| Waves of General Luna: The Surfing Capital of the Philippines

"kapag tinanong ako ng anak ko kung saan ang Siargao madali kong masasagot dahil napuntahan ko..." -travelingmorion

This PhotoTravel Diary features photographs taken during my first visit to the most famous town of Siargao Island. 
General Luna is the municipality next to Dapa (going east). From Dapa Port travel may take 30-45 minutes (Habal-habal ride). Accommodations, from cheap to first class, are available and easy to find- don't hesitate to ask the locals.

Morion's PhotoTravel Diaries| Eskapo to Socorro, Surigao del Norte

"the weather is good, the sea breeze invites me to explore this interesting island town"



Socorro is one of the municipalities of Surigao del Norte province and neighboring island of Siargao. It covers the whole island of Bucas Grande and surrounding islets. Three to four hours passenger boat travel from Surigao City Boulevard and less than an hour if from Dapa Port of Siargao Island. The Island town is known for its Sohoton's "swim with majestic groups of sting-less jellyfish", caves, white sand  beaches, vast mangrove forests and amazing rocks formations. 
Going to the Island, we decided to hire a motorized banka at Dapa Port that will take us to the Island - "dahil ang next scheduled trip ng passenger boat bound to Socorro ay 4:00 pm pa so baka gabihin kami pa-balik ng Siargao kung alas-kwatro pa aalis".
We expected smooth sea travel since the weather is good. Unluckily, 30 minutes before arrival at Port of Socorro, strong huge waves struck us! Thanks God, after all the shouts of my lady colleague (asking for God's help :)), we reached the Port area. We arrived at around 2:00 pm- and no time to waste, hired a tricycle to roam around the town.

Morion's PhotoGallery 101| Amazing Pineapple of Del Carmen, Siargao Islands

Is Pineapple plant with multi-headed fruit common or this was just my first time to see this kind? These Photographs were taken in Bo. Quezon, Del Carmen- Siargao Islands on June 14, 2012. I've posted one in my facebook wall and got comments usually  like this  "Hawaian ba yan?". Even the owner doesn't know the variety and she denied propagating "crossbreed". "Common or local variety man dong ang gitanum nako", she said in local dialect and doesn't know why her two pineapple plants come-up with multi-headed fruits.
MOBILE PHONE PHOTOGRAPHS
First Fruit

Morion’s Travel| Don’t you dare to explore Dinagat Province...without Me!

The weather is good when the passenger boat departed in Surigao Boulevard. That is around 6:00 am and one hour ahead of 7:00 am scheduled trip. We're heading to Port of San Jose of Dinagat Province...

We arrived in Port of San Jose at exactly 7:30 am. Just dropped my backpack in our staff house at San Jose then hunt for the cheapest habal-habal ride going to Basilisa. That day my schedule/itinerary is to visit our newly-established office in the said municipality next to San Jose- the capital townBasilisa is 30 to 45 minutes travel  from San Jose. Habal-Habal  is the primary mode of land transportation in the province. There  is also one jeepney traveling from San Jose to Libjo passing the town of Basilisa (vice-versa) but with 2 scheduled trips only.  "Minsan wala pa pag sira ang makina o daan"- that's is according to one of the locals I talked with. The road is still under construction, habal- habal is  the only mode of transportation that can tolerate the muddy and rocky road of the province.

While on the road going to Basilisa- at the top side of the mountain, I saw the majestic view of the lake and the beautiful islets surrounding the province- eye-catching and picturesque! Expect the amazing rock formations and the beauty of the red mountains along the highway.

"Living Dinagat"

Morion's PhotoGallery 101| Featuring Surigao City's Public Market

PhotoWalk at Surigao City's Public Market, one Saturday Morning of April 2012.
first time to see this kind of lobster, dunno the name

Morion’s Travel| Siargao: The Surfing Capital of the Philippines

I arrived in Surigao City Airport on March 12, 2012. Good to know that our Regional office/staff house- where I am going stay every weekend, is just meters away from the airport. I was welcomed with new working environment and beautiful people- “walang pagkakaiba sa iniwan ko sa Cebu!”
Got the key to my room, arranged the things inside the backpack and 3 other heavy bags (full of books and magazines hehehe) and went to the neighboring Gaisano Capital Mall (bought toiletries and personal stuffs) - ready to start working and exploring Mindanao the following day!

Included in my first 3 days itinerary is to visit the newly-established 3 unit offices and monitor its’ initial operation in the Island of Siargao.
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TRAVEL GOING TO SIARGAO ISLANDS

5 minutes after leaving Surigao Port

Morion's PhotoGallery 101| "Guyabano"


"Guyabano" 
Featured shots were taken on March 17, 2012 at Surigao City, Surigao Del Norte using GE x500 Camera.

TRIVIA: Soursop (English) /Guyabano's scientific name is Annona Muricata. The wonder fruit known as The Natural Cancer Cell Killer is  native to Philippines. Scientific studies proved that Guyabano tree's bark, leaves and fruits contains one chemical that is 10,000 times the potency of the chemotherapy drug Adriamycin.

The heart-shaped fruit's flower

Morion's Travel| South Cebu plus Negros Oriental Get-away!


 
FEBRUARY 25-26,2012| After doing all the necessary extended works on Saturday such as selection interview, consolidation of reports and remittances, I immediately dialed Richard's number (best buddy since college days) to confirm if they (He is with two wandering ladies- Eunice and Zarah) already arrived in Cebu Airport from Manila.

The original trip was planned last month after I posted in my Facebook wall that Mr. Ron Perry invited me to spend my weekend at Virgin Beach Resort of Daanbantayan. In return I am going to feature his resort in this blog. Eunice and Richard wanted to join so they booked airline tickets going to Cebu on that day. Unfortunately, the trip wasn't pushed through due to my bucket list of works/activities and vacation in Manila. Not to disappoint the two plus one as they have already invited Zarah (long time friend ko na pla sa FB jejeje) , I decided to change the supposed to be North Cebu Trip to South Tip of Cebu plus Negros Oriental travel Get-away!

So this is it...

Morion's PhotoTravel Diaries| Bantayan Island for the Second Time

Since this trip is officially for work, my time for “Suroy-suroy” was limited. I spent my  three days (January 17-19, 2012) stay in this paradise island doing reports and monitoring. Exploring places of interest is  my side trip (consolation hehehe).


How to get there
·    The Island can be reached from Cebu City via Bus and then ferry at Hagnaya Wharf of San Remegio . The terminal is at Cebu North Bus Terminal near to SM City.  From Cebu North Bus Terminal ride in a bus going to Hagnaya Wharf of San Remegio (fare costs 150 pesos for aircon and much lesser if ordinary).  Last scheduled trip of ferry going to  Port of  Sta. Fe of Bantayan Island is  4:30 pm (ticket costs 150-200 pesos). Going to different places of interest at Bantayan Island is as easy as 1-2-3 by renting a motorcycle/scooter (cost ranges from 300-500 pesos per day) or simply by commuting (habal-habal, tricycle and multicab). The foods are fresh, locals are very accommodating, the place is truly beautiful - a paradise!
Sunrise while leaving Hagnaya Port of San Remegio

First Glimpse of the Sugar Capital of the Philippines, Negros Occidental

The Ruins of Talisay, streets of Bacolod City, The Capitol, Bacolaodiat Festival, sugarcane plantations, rice terraces, the majestic view of Mount Kanlaon, Inasal...- The Sugar Capital of the Philippines has a lot more to offer than what I've expected!

Yes.I have been already explored Negros Occidental! 


This trip was planned last year after I've transferred here in Western side of Cebu -job assignment reshuffling :). Full schedule and long vacation/rest in Alabang(MM) due to major operation (acute appendicitis) caused some delays. I am currently staying here in Toledo City that exploring Negros Occidental is very much possible and less time effort. RORO ships and Fast-crafts going to neighboring San Carlos Port are available every 30 minutes. Traveling via RORO may take 1.5 to 2 hours and 30-45 minutes via fast craft.

Morion's PhotoGallery 101: Alive Sinulog Festival 2012!


Photographs taken on January 15, 2012 along the streets of Cebu City during Sinulog Festival Grand Parade. This is my second time to experience Sinulog fever and still the feeling of being part of the celebration in honor of the Senyor Santo Nino  is truly marvelous!
These snapshots shows the different sides of the festivity in the eye of Traveling Morion while joining the sea of devotees in the streets of Cebu City
 "Everyone, everything’s Alive! "

FAITH AND SPIRIT, ALIVE!

TRAVEL NOTES| December and January: Food, Places and People

Travel NOTES: Unpublished Photographs from my "cheap" P and S camera. These Photographs were taken during long holiday vacation - on third week of December up to the second week of January. Li'l bit personal but part of my 7107islands journey.

December 17, 2011| Starbucks at SM City Cebu enjoying free wi-fi while waiting for colleagues who are busy shopping for exchange gifts.



Still waiting for more than one hour. After finishing regular size Starbucks cold coffee drink, I transfer to Gelatissimo stall  and tried one of their "Gelato ice creams."