The Backpack Adventures

If you're a Catholic and you're living in Manila, probably the first thing you'd do is to head to the beaches this Holy Week. To most of us, especially the working class, the Holy Week is almost synonymous to summer vacation. However, to some it's a chance to visit Christ and show devotion to Him through Visita Iglesia . (and that's what I plan to do!) So join me and my family as we go around Manila and the neighboring cities of Las Piñas and Pasay to visit some of their historical churches. Since I live in the province of Cavite, I had to carefully plan the route that we'd take to maximize the number of churches that we could visit in a day. We originally planned to visit only the ones in Manila but I pointed out that since our route to Manila would pass by some old churches in nearby cities, we might as well visit them.   Las Piñas Church From our home, the first city that we'd pass is Las Piñas. The city is known for Asia's oldest

Good news to all my foreign friends!  Visa-Free Entry To The Philippines Update: Nationals of these countries can enter the Philippines visa-free Belize, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan based on the updated policy last April 2014. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced the new Visa policy last July 1, 2013 According to the DFA, the visa-free stay is an extension of the previous period of 21 days.  Qualified foreign nationals who wish to try out this generous policy simply need to present a passport that is valid for at least six months of their planned stay and an outbound ticket. The new policy will apply to the following citizens of the following 156 countries: Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Australia Austria Bahamas Bahrain Barbados Belgium Belize - NEW Benin Bhutan Bolivia Botswana Brazil Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde The Central Af

I know the province of Cavite like the back of my hand. Why? Because I live there. that's why it was no challenge when I was tasked with planning our annual Visita Iglesia. However, it would never be an adventure without challenges, so I added another province to the itinerary - Batangas. The goal for our Visita Iglesia is to visit as many old churches as possible in one day. The route that I plotted would take us from the City of  Bacoor heading southwards to Tagaytay City before exiting to the province of Batangas. Dasmari ñ as Church From our home, the first old church that we visited was the Immaculate Conception Parish of Dasmari ñ as or simply known as Dasmari ñ as Church . The church has an attractive facade. I found out that it was one of the most popular churches in Cavite for couple planning to get married. Silang Church Our next stop was the old church in the town of Silang - Nuestra Se ñ ora De Candelaria Church . Popularly called Silang Church , the b

UPDATE: Sadly, the Bono Tei branch in BF has closed down. There is however, a smaller branch near SM Bicutan. Our food trip today takes our adventurous taste buds to the land where educational institutions, wellness spas, and restaurants abundantly sprouts like wild grass. Inside this jungle of business establishments lies one eye catching restaurant that would be the subject of our praises and scrutiny. Fellow backpackers, join me as we visit Bono Tei Japanese Restaurant or simply Bono Tei in B.F. Homes, Paranaque City.  Bono Tei is located in B.F. Homes 333 El Grande Corner Jakarta Street, Paranaque City. If you have the eye for outstanding architectural designs then it wouldn't be a problem looking for this restaurant. If you don't, there would be plenty of people to ask from (so don't worry). When I first saw Bono Tei, it reminded me of a Japanese abode complete with a zen garden. However, the only reference that I have are the images that I see in magazine

Do you want to witness and be part of the exciting and colorful cultural activities in the Philippines in this month of  April ?  Then check out the list of popular fiestas or festivals happening this month. Rodeo Masbateno Festival Location:  Masbate City, Province of Masbate Details:  The festival is celebrated every 9th to 14th of April. Its highlights are the bull riding competition, lassoing, 2-4 carambola, and bulldogging. This festival showcases the "cowboy skills" of the Masbatenos. Kangayedan Festival Location:  Pagudpod, Province of Ilocos Norte Details:  The festival is celebrated every 22nd to the 26th of April. Its highlight is the parade of cultural dances. This festival's objective is to safeguard the ecological beauty from destruction and also to renew the vow of the townspeople to replenish and protect the environment.  Butanding Festival Location:  Donsol, Province of Sorsogon Details:  The festival is celebrated every 28th of April to the 5