AFTER COVID-19: LIST OF BEST PLACES TO RELAX (BY REGION)

When COVID-19 was declared by the World Health Organization as a global Pandemic, we were hiking Mt. Hamiguitan, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Davao Oriental. It was our second day when we passed by a small spot, along the trail, with a low reception but able to receive messages. Though we were still connecting the dots due to the lack of complete details because of the slow connection, one thing was precise, the president already declared the lock-down of the NCR. Instead of enjoying the beauty of Hamiguitan, we were silently walking on the trails and our minds were focused about going back to Manila. After the tiring and expensive travel to Clark Airport, today is the Day 11 of the community quarantine, with help of traveler and hiker friends, I am creating this list of tourist destination visit after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

MARCOS ANCESTRAL HOUSE, ILOCOS NORTE: TRAVEL GUIDE, ITINERARY, HISTORY AND HOW TO GET HERE

The first thing that captured my eyes when I entered the house was: on the right side of the ground floor, there was the old wooden staircase, covered with red carpet. On the left side, is the presidential table, with three armchairs. Then, the management provided mono-block chairs in front of the wide screen showing the history of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. Then, the whole second floor is divided into different panels, please see the photos below.

Pabua's Cottages, Camiguin

We stayed at Pabua’s Cottages for 1,500 pesos overnight. The room is wide, with its own clean rest and shower room, TV with cable, terrace, and three queen-sized beds. Since we were on a tight budget, we went to the market and bought our supplies. Cooked, served with happiness and then rested. You can contact them at 09064152557 or 09173210449.

MANARAGAT FESTIVAL, CATBALOGAN, SAMAR: TRAVEL GUIDE, ITINERARY, AND HISTORY

Catbalogan City celebrated last year its 400 years of establishment as the capital of the whole island of Samar, from a small fishing village before in 1616 and promising city now in Eastern Visayas. The Manaragat Festival of Catabalogan City is celebrated every year for the whole month of August to pay homage to its Patron Saint – Senyor Bartolome whose feast day falls on the 24th of August. Most of all, this festival is an ongoing call for people to remain resilient despite the odds and to keep moving forward. Info from Aliwan Fiesta Website

Balay Negrense

Balay Negrense is just one of the century old houses along Cinco de Noviembre Street, Silay City. This street is remarkable because of the historical value that transpires to the people. Its name is a Hiligaynon phrase; Negrense refers to the people living in the province of Negros and Balay or a House.

Kawa Hot Bath, Antique

Kawa Hot Bath is prominent and one of the must-tried in Antique. Most of the mountain resorts offering this kind of service are situated in Tuno, Municipality of Tibiao, 30 to 40 minutes travel from Culasi, Antique. It is an old style of warm bath that uses a “Kawa” or a gigantic wok that serves as a bathtub. Instead of using a heater, wood is being used to create a fire to heat up the water and then sprinkled with ornamental and medicinal plants for a relaxing experience and for fairer skin. La Escapo Mountain Resort is the perfect spot to experience this because of its geographical location. Not only that, extreme water tubing can also be tried.

Manggahan Festival, Guimaras

Guimaras is one of the small island provinces in the Philippines but with a huge and vibrant culture, breathtaking tourist attractions, and world-class mangoes. Having said that, the province created Manggahan Festival every May to showcase their gift. In this presentation, Binagtong, which means anything that is wrapped by a katsa or patadyong, will be featured to show its usefulness as an accessory to export mangoes and other products by using this piece of cloth in the hands, shoulder or head. To be included in the presentation are the unique and exciting countryside experiences for tourists  – from agri eco-adventure parks to bike circuits, historical sites, religious events and other cultural activities. Info from Aliwan Fiesta Website.

Apo Whang-Od Tattoo

A lady named Apo Whang Od (locals pronounced it as Fang Od) is 103 years old and she's the oldest mambabatok from the Butbut tribe in Buscalan, Kalinga, Philippines. The tattoos on her skin prove how powerful she was during her time.

Apo Whang Od (Kalinga Tourist Spots + Travel Guide)

In this generation, most of the people think that a tattoo has a negative connotation. It can even affect your career, regardless of the talent and education you may have. It was October, in 2014, in Philippine National Museum, when I saw a portrait of an old lady, with tribal tattoos on all over her body. In National Geographic, there were several documentaries featuring how significant the tattoos and pierces are, especially for the people in ancient times. Tattoos and pierces are proof that a tribe recognizes a person’s accomplishment, mostly on battles. There are several ways of tattooing around the world, depending on their geographical feature and culture. In the Northern part of the Philippines, in Buscalan, Kalinga, they call it as Batok. It is an ancient/tribal form of marking (tattooing) a warrior after a successful combat or ladies who brought pride to the tribe.

MT. TABAYOC, BENGUET: HIKING GUIDE AND ITINERARY

One of the most prominent mountains in Luzon is Mt. Tabayoc because it is the second highest mountain in Luzon (2842 MASL) and is one of the most preserved virgin forest in the Philippines, with a rich bio-diversity of flora and fauna. Your hiking experience will definitely be rewarded with a breathtaking beauty of sea of clouds, artistic view of the surrounding terraces, a cool weather, a relaxing green ambiance, and a life changing tranquility by the lake. Also, there are a lot of mouth watering at lost cost and fresh harvest vegetables in the area.