The Backpack Adventures

Located in Tayabas City in the province of Quezon, Kamayan sa Palaisdaan is a restaurant known for its bamboo huts floating in man-made ponds. 

Kamayan sa Palaisdaan roughly translates to "eating bare hands at the fish pond". The idea came from the Filipino culture of eating using their hands. In a deeper sense when one eats with their hands it also show how one enjoy's the food that they're eating and they feel at home doing so. While palaisdaan refers to the place (and theme of the restaurant).
Established in 1992, Kamayan sa Palaisdaan is usually confused with another famous restaurant called Palaisdaan Restaurant which is also in the municipality. The said restaurant is actually owned by the family of the owner of Kamayan sa Palaisdaan hence the close resemblance with the theme and the name.

The restaurant is visited by foodies, tourists and curious alike for its native theme and of course its delicious food. Although used by other restaurants, the idea of eating on…

Our adventure today takes us 55 kilometers south of Bangued (Abra's provincial capital) and 267 kilometers north of Kilometer 0 in Manila. Join me as we visit the quiet remote town of Tubo in the province of Abra.



This would probably be the first if not one of the few blogs that you'd read about Tubo, Abra. To most, this place is like an uncharted island due to the fact that going to Tubo in itself is a challenge for those who want to visit it.

The town of Tubo is known for its beautiful forested and mountainous surroundings. It's also a perfect place for outdoor adventures. One of which is off-road driving. Due to its remoteness, most of the roads going to it are still unpaved (not to mention some "bridgeless" rivers). That's why 4x4 enthusiasts would surely call it paradise. On a side note, I got to visit Tubo when I joined a group of 4x4 enthusiasts on their medical mission.
Despite the challenging terrain, you will be shocked to find that the main town of Tu…

Located in front of Saint Paul's Cathedral in Vigan City in the province of Ilocos Sur, Plaza Salcedo is a very important and historical part of the Heritage City of Vigan.

Plaza Salcedo is named in honor of the Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo. He was the one who subdued the natives residing in the territory now known as Vigan City. Afterwards he established a colony named Villa Fernandina in the location in 1572.
Plaza Salcedo is specifically designed to show the typical the typical Spanish urban design. In the center of the plaza, you'd find the Salcedo Obelisk. A lagoon was added in the seventies not only for aesthetic purposes but for protection. As you can see, because most of the houses are made from wood, fire brings plenty of destruction to Vigan throughout history.  


The plaza served plenty of purposes during the Spanish Colonial period. It served as a parade ground for the Spanish troops, meeting venue for important announcements, and even as an execution site. Jus…