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Philippines
TravelTuesday Picture of the Week: Giant Lantern (San Fernando, Philippines)

TravelTuesday Picture of the Week: Giant Lantern (San Fernando, Philippines)

This is an annual festival featuring 20 feet high Christmas lanterns. The Giant Lantern Festival Competition will be held on Saturday, 17 December 2011, 6pm at Robinsons Starmills.
Visiting Home

Visiting Home

After nearly two years since moving to Singapore, I'm finally flying home. But this isn't a tourist trip; it's almost strictly a social visit, with its own challenges and perks.

TravelTuesday Picture of the Week – Seaside at Rizal Boulevard (Dumaguete City, Philippines)

Dumaguete is the capital city of Negros Oriental, a province in the Visayas region of the Philippines. The city is a laid back college town, anchored by Silliman University, the first Protestant and American private school in the Philippines. The seaside city has a sizable expat community, and is a popular launching pad for destinations...

TravelTuesday Picture of the Week: Inside Binondo Church (Chinatown, Manila)

This is the interior of Binondo Church, whose facade was the Picture of the Week a couple of weeks ago. It may not be as grand as other churches, but it’s still beautiful. That was this week’s TravelTuesday Picture of the Week. Enjoy the rest of TravelTuesday on Twitter and follow me @hyperren. Come back...

TravelTuesday Picture of the Week: San Diego Pro-cathedral (Silay City)

This is the San Diego Pro-cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of San Diego de Alcala. It is located in the heart of Silay City in the province of Negros Occidental in the Philippines. The pro-cathedral was designed by Italian architect Lucio Bernasconi, and was completed in 1927. Bernasconi took his inspiration from churches in...

TravelTuesday Picture of the Week: Binondo Church (Chinatown, Manila)

Binondo Church, also known as the Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, is situated at the heart of Manila’s Chinatown district. The church was founded in 1596 by Dominican priests to serve converts from the Chinese community to the Catholic faith. The original building was destroyed in 1762 by the British during their brief occupation...

TravelTuesday Picture of the Week: Slums Along Pasig River

The slums are a sadly common sight in Metro Manila. Whether it’s riverside (as in this picture), along railroad tracks, or within spitting distance of urban areas, slum communities can be found practically everywhere. Most of the people living here left the provinces to go to Manila hoping for a good life here, or are...

TravelTuesday Picture of the Week: Guadalupe Bridge and Pasig River

One week ago, my friends and I decided to try the Pasig River Ferry. It was something that intrigued us, so we headed down to the Guadalupe ferry station in order to take the ferry to Intramuros. While waiting for the ferry to arrive, I started snapping pictures along the Pasig River. This picture shows...

TravelTuesday Picture of the Week: NBA Hoop Dreams in Vigan

This week’s TravelTuesday Picture of the Week isn’t about the usual must-sees on one’s travels; it’s about the little things that spark your interest, no matter how seemingly mundane. On our first day in Vigan, my friend Didang and I simply walked around, exploring the city and taking it all in. We snapped pictures wherever...

TravelTuesday Picture of the Week: Calle Crisologo at Night

It’s another TravelTuesday in the Twitterverse (follow me @hyperren), which means it’s time for another TravelTuesday Picture of the Week! Calle Crisologo is perhaps the most iconic place in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. This well-preserved street is one of the fine examples of why Vigan has been declared a World Heritage Site. Calle Crisologo is...

TravelTuesday Picture of the Week: Kalesas Outside Vigan Cathedral

It’s TravelTuesday in the Twitterverse (follow me @hyperren), and I thought this would be the perfect day to do a Picture of the Week feature on this blog. I’ll post one photo that hasn’t been featured on this site yet, and include a brief story about it. My first entry on the blog was about...

Negros, Here I Come!

In a few hours, I will be boarding Cebu Pacific flight 5J 477, departing at 1:45pm and arriving in Bacolod at 2:55pm. Yup, I’m on the move again, this time to the beautiful island of Negros in the Visayas. I’m actually going to be there with my family, as we have a big clan reunion...