The Backpack Adventures

Celebrated in Baguio every February until the first Sunday of March, Panagbenga Festival is one of the most anticipated cultural event in the Philippines. Dragon Float Angry Birds Float Star Wars Float Panagbenga is a Kankanaey term that means "season of blossoming, a time for flowering".  Although the festival is a month-long celebration, most people would come to visit what most people would dub the highlight of the festival, which is the floral parade held during the fourth Sunday of  February. The event opens with showers of rose petals along Session Road. Your eyes would then feast upon beautiful floral floats, synchronized marching bands, lively street dancers, and the occasional celebrities and politicians that pass through selected streets up until the Melvin Jones Grounds. March of the Cosplayers The Korean Taedaek Music Association Dancers wearing Starwars costumes Men in Black marching band When we attended the Panagbenga Festiv

Our adventure today takes us to one of the most famous volcanoes in the Philippines . Taal Volcano is one of the most active and destructive volcanoes in the country, not to mention the smallest in the world.  Dubbed as a lake within a lake, the volcano's location in the middle of Taal Lake made it one of the most picturesque places in the country. Taal Volcano Taal Volcano Details: Height:  311 m Major trailhead:  Talisay, Batangas Climb time:  40- 50 minutes Adventurers, locals, and tourists alike, most likely have with them the two greatest misconceptions about Taal Volcano . Taal Volcano - Batangas The first misconception where 6 out of 10 people would fall for is the location of Taal Volcano . When asked where you could find Taal Volcano , most people would answer Tagaytay City in the province of Cavite. Yes, the best view of the volcano is through Tagaytay Ridge but in reality, Taal Volcano is located in Talisay and San Nicolas in the province of Batangas.  Some

Located in Quirino Boulevard, Tamag, in Vigan City is the 80-hectare property of governor Chavit Singson, aptly named Baluarte after the Spanish word meaning, fortress or territory. Baluarte Baluarte details Baluarte was once a rest house, where Mr. Singson invites his close friends and relatives. However, having been elected as a political leader, people often visit him. Baluarte - Vigan City, Ilocos Sur Chavit's rest house Since his rest house cannot accommodate all those people, he decided to construct Baluarte . Due to his love for nature, Governor Singson added a zoo filled with domestic and wild animals. Most of these animals roam free during the day and some perform for the visitors. Animal performances and interactions are the main attractions of Baluarte. Ride around Baluarte on one of these mini-carriages.  See free-roaming ostriches, camels, and other animals Check out the animal show. That's a civet cat by the way. Mine's