Rajah Humabon, a brave leader of Cebu

Rajah Humabon, also known as Sri Hamabar, was a leader of Zubu (now Cebu) and was regarded as the wisest and bravest man on the island. While backpacking in the city, I found a monument near the Cathedral Museum stating that he was the first Filipino chieftain to embrace Christianity.  When Ferdinand Magellan landed in Cebu on Sunday, April 7, 1521, he made a blood compact with the Portuguese-born Spanish explorer as a symbol of their newfound friendship. Captivated by its noble teachings, on Sunday Morning, April 14, 1521, he and his wife, Humamai, and about 800 locals were baptized. This monument is just a few meters away from Cebu Cathedral.

READ: Location, How to Get Here, My Solo-Backpacking in Cebu

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Zamboanga Sibugay Tourist Spots

My first destination in Region 9 was Zamboanga Sibugay, 3.5 hours by land from Zamboanga City. Ipil, its capital, is the usual stopover for buses heading to the cities of Dipolog, Pagadian, and even Cagayan de Oro City. Like other municipalities, it's a center with big business establishments and busy streets. However, as a busy area, it hides something unique and is an Instagram-worthy tourist spot and attraction.

ZamBaSulTa, Zamboanga Provinces and Misamis Occidental

ZamBaSulta is an acronym given to Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi - the normal route, however, I made a twist and created ZamTaSuBa. Let me make it more extreme, my solo backpacking includes Region 9: Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Misamis Occidental part of Region 10. Details below is my actual itinerary for 9 days that covers 7 Provinces and the independent City of Zamboanga.

Negros Museum

This museum is almost in front of the Negros Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City. It serves as the provincial museum of Negros Occidental, which was opened on March 16, 1996, at the Provincial Capitol Building. In May 2003, it was transferred to its current location, which is the former Agricultural Building. The Agricultural Extension Building was built in 1941 and was renovated in 1991.

San Jose Church, Iloilo

San Jose Church is the first church in the city of Ilo-Ilo, built by the Jesuits around 1607.  But, on April 29, 1617, the Augustinians established San Jose, a house of the order. It was saved from being bombed by the Americans during World War II.  As the years goes by, some renovations were made.

Cinco de Noviembre

Cinco de Noviembre served as the drugstore and a hideout where Negrense Revolutionaries secretly helped plan the revolution against the Spanish Colonial Forces on November 5, 1898. Today, it is a small landmark in Silay City, but before, it played a huge part during the revolution. This is the perfect location where Negros Republic was created.

Tigbauan Church

After Miag-ao and Guimbal, around 6 PM, we passed by the Tigbauan Church. I already paid my fare to Ilo-Ilo City but I was amazed by the facade of the church, so I immediately got off the jeepney and had a very short visit in the church. In front is an open plaza and is just a few meters away from Tigbauan Municipal Hall.

Laki Beach and Five Fingers, Bataan

The breathtaking photos of Laki Beach and Five Fingers in Bataan spread online; those were the reasons why we traveled to this place to celebrate JP's birthday. When we were searching for an itinerary online, we're kept on getting stories about Attorney. Who is Attorney?? Until now, already witnessed the beauty but the question remains unanswered. What we remember are the gift, wealth, magnificent, and spectacular landscape of this beach.

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

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