10 New Philippine Gems Unveiled! -- The Country's Next Mainstream Tourist Destinations

BAYANIHAN REPUBLIC:

Last year, I started foydi's Treasure Hunt which launched my search for life's real treasures which included our country's natural wonders.  It documented my journeys to Batanes, Tubbataha and recalled my trip to Bohol, where Panglao Island is.  And it was a wonderful experience for me as it immortalized my life changing experiences in this places.  If you've been reading my blog since I started, you'll know that I am passionate about championing our country's heritage - nature and culture.

That's why the Philippine Gems campaign of Isla Lipana is close to me.  (To know more about the Philippine Gems campaign, please click this http://digitista.blogspot.com/2013/07/join-search-for-philippine-gems-next.html). It just matched what I am really passionate about.  And I was very happy to witness its culmination where it finally announced the winning 10 Philippine Gems that the public voted, the country's next mainstream tourist attractions.

Treasure Find 32 -- There's More in Ivana's Honesty Store

BAYANIHAN REPUBLIC:

Honesty Store.  At first, it sounds strange to me.  But when I saw it on TV,  heard it on radio and read it on newspapers, it fired up my soul to pursue my life long dream of going to Batanes and search for that wonderful place. 

And when I finally made it to this heavenly place, I made sure that visiting the "legendary" Honesty Store will be part of the itinerary!  So right after my journey to Sabtang Island, we went to Radiwan, Ivana where the said store was located.  And finally, I found the Honesty Store!

The Honesty Store / Coffee Shop is owned by Ms. Elena Gabilo.  The difference of this store with the rest of the sari-sari stores in the Philippines is that the customers can buy from the store without the storekeeper / owner.  The customer just needs to serve himself, either prepare his own coffee, buy goods and put his money in a box.  In fact, he can even make a change himself.  He just needs to write down on a notebook what he bought from the store.

Pasalubong (and you can get some from foydi's Treasure Hunt!)

BAYANIHAN REPUBLIC:

Pasalubong (Homecoming Present).  It's in the blood, vein, heart, soul (and whatever body part you can think of) of every Filipino. So if a Pinoy came from elsewhere, abroad, or a distant province, or a nearby town, it's in his system to bring home something from that place.  

You can win these shirts!  :)

And it need not be expensive.  As what the cliche says, it's the thought that counts!  :)  So back off to those who want to ridicule Pinoys for spending (a little) despite the hard life!  :)

When God Created the World, He Gave His Best in Batanes (Da Best Sa Batanes part 5)

Treasure Find 24:

Two days have been spent... everyone else is tired... but Batanes is not yet through unfolding its mystique.

And on the third day of our exploration, our experience, I could say, reached an optimum high...

Batanes is indeed a living evidence how great God is...it's God's best creation!  And let me quote once more (and use it as this blog post's title) Mandy Navasero: "When God created the world, He gave his best in Batanes."  And I couldn't agree with her more.

Treasure Find 23 -- Journey to the "Lost" Island of Sabtang (Da Best Sa Batanes part 4)

BAYANIHAN ISLANDS:

Batanes...blessed or cursed?  Its isolation from the rest of the country preserved its pristine beauty but at the same time somehow kept it away from progress and life's advancement. 

There's no doubt, Batanes is among the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful, places on Earth.  The prehistoric violence on Earth's soil and the province's eventual geographic location molded the magnificent beauty it possesses now.  As it's away from the the effects of too much modernization and the wrath of pollution, Batanes was able to keep its natural gifts and the peaceful way of life of its people.

But while they are isolated, some things are left difficult to do.  Going back and forth to Batanes is costly, on the average, one must allocate around PhP 30,000.  Sometimes, one may have the money but the goods are not available in the islands.  If the weather is not good, boats and ships won't dare sail the sea and go to their place to bring the things they need.

Treasure Find 21 -- Breathtaking Batanes (Da Best Sa Batanes part 3)

BAYANIHAN REPUBLIC:

Breathtaking.  That's Batanes in one word.  It's been more than a month but I can still smell the cool fresh breeze, see the magnificent view and feel the heavenly blessing at the islands of Batan and Sabtang.  

Vulugan Boulder Beach

On our first day, right after the going through the Japanese tunnel and seeing the sea of hills surrounding the historical spot, we went to the Valugan Boulder Beach.  Instead of sand, the beach is covered with large stones.   Yup it's not the usual sea side we go through but seeing this is something I will cherish for a long time, if not for eternity.  It's just so marvelous!  It's like the photos / images we see in spiritual and inspirational books.

Click here to read full story > Treasure Find 21 -- Breathtaking Batanes (Da Best Sa Batanes part 3)

The Big Jump! (Da Best sa Batanes part 2)

BAYANIHAN REPUBLIC:

In exploring life and the endless possibilities wrapped around it, I would like to believe I am adventurous, brave and daring enough.  Well, not on all aspects hehe.  Though I think I am such, there are things I don't do because I feel uncomfortable doing or I think I don't want the public to see me in such an awkward way.  Let's say, I won't dance in front of many people (unless am with friends and people I'm comfortable with) or dress up in a very eccentric way. 

But during my recent trip to Batanes (you may read Da Best Sa Batanes part 1 here), there was one thing I did which I was hesitant to do in the past.  It's doing the jump shot!  :)  During our trip to the Marlboro Hills, when we were scheduled to do the jumpology, I just took my inhibitions away and did the BIG JUMP!  :)

And as you can see, if I did not let go and held on to my restrictions then I would have not enjoyed the moment and have this kind of awesome and unforgettable shot!  :)  I guess this is Treasure Find 19, dropping the doubt, seizing the moment and enjoying life!  :)

Thanks to Imelda Acidera of etceteraetcetera for taking this photo.  :)

Da Best sa Batanes! (TaDi Goes to Batanes Series)

BAYANIHAN REPUBLIC:

"When God created the world, He gave his best in Batanes,"  -- Mandy Navasero

With that quote alone I bet you can already visualize how beautiful the place I will be talking about.  Batanes.  Considered as the smallest province in the Philippines, in terms of land area and population, Batanes is a group of islands located at northern Philippines and south of Taiwan.  It has 10 islands but only 3 are inhabited, Batan, Sabtang and Itbayat.

Marlboro Hills

So what really hooked me in going to Batanes?  It was a magazine article I read years ago when Filipino photographers voted / declared Batanes as the most photogenic place in the Philippines!  I saw the pics and I was just amazed and got intrigued with the beauty of the islands.  Wrongly, I told myself, and my friends that it just looks like New Zealand!  Why did I say wrongly?  Well, because Batanes has a beauty of its own, comparing it with another place is a mortal sin.