GADING SIALLAGAN is an old man, probably in his 70s or even 80s, who sports silver hair that is neatly parted sideways. His facial features are refined but what strikes are his eyes, deep set with wisdom as a Batak of Northern Sumatra in Indonesia.

In his prime years, Siallagan was an aerospace flight control engineer, which made him see the world from Asia to America to Europe. He also became an educator in a top Indonesian university.

Today, the well-traveled Batak is settled in his hometown, particularly in Huta Siallagan in Samosir Island at the heart of Lake Toba. At 1,145-square kilometer and 450-meter deep, it is the largest volcanic lake in Southeast Asia, as well as one of the deepest in the world.

In his namesake settlement--huta literally translates to village—Siallagan now heads a tour guide association. Such a humble job he accepted after his retirement but with it came a bigger responsibility.

(Conclusion)
Chasing Time, Going Home

DO you know that feeling when you’re chasing time to something very important, like a concert or a flight, but suddenly luck isn’t on your side? With every ticking of the clock, you’re tummy is also turning. You need to make it, no matter what.

There wasn’t any concert in the mountains or a flight back to Manila, but we were indeed chasing time on our last day at Kibungan. To be exact, chasing our bus ride back home. It was still in the evening but we already knew how limited our time and resources were. The chase was on. 

(Continuation)
Crying Mountains to Tacadang

HOW does one prepare for a journey to someplace one has never been before? Often, a traveler relies on research and recommendations. 

For us mountaineers involved in community work, communication among locals and leaders are required. It is them whom we based our itinerary and estimations on trek time. Often, if they say it takes them one hour to summit from jump off, then we double it for ourselves.

This was the case for our Kibungan circuit, in which half was to be spent on unfamiliar trails despite RAK Ph Mountaineers’ regular outreach activities in the mountainous province. We were aware that coming from Sitio Lanipew, all of us would technically be “first-timers” going to Barangay Tacadang proper on Day 2.

Thankfully, we were rested, albeit, not fully restored.

Still, we had already accomplished our mission to conduct an ocular and interview with Lanipew locals for our solar project, which had been in the pipeline for over a year already.

Now, we had to continue our journey. 

(First of Three Parts)
Rainy Assault at Almasi

IMAGINE assaulting a steep trail with small steps carved from a mountain’s solid surface while being exposed to the forces of nature—behind you is the open mountain range covered in white. You realize you’re actually inside the clouds or the fog, whichever, for it is raining and every now and then, the wind blows sharp, cold stings. Below, you see the endless and tiresome steps you just took but not the bottom.
 
Now imagine arriving at the top of such the arduous ascent only to be faced with a new peak, beyond it, a silhouette of yet another peak. It feels and seems like there is no end to this assault.

​This was the infamous Almasi trail of Kibungan’s mountain range of high summits, deep gorges, thick forests and countless waterfalls. For its very steepness and length, the trail isn’t part of Kibungan’s commercial circuit for hikers. Despite this, it was the access we took to reach Sitio Lanipew in Barangay Tacadang, the site of RAK Ph Mountaineers’ next potential solar project and outreach.

BO MANCAO is not just a diver by heart but also by blood—if there's such a thing. After all, he was born into and raised by a family of divers from Cebu, one of the most renowned dive destinations in the Philippines.
 
The country being an archipelago teeming with marine treasures, Mancao naturally ventured out of his hometown, discovering other sites in nearby and faraway island provinces. Camiguin was one of them. He was still young when he first discovered and explored the waters of Camiguin together with his father back in the 90s.
 
Today, he has over 30s years of experience diving and has always returned in the island province, which is located off the coast of Mindanao’s Region 10. In his many visits, Mancao got to meet the local divers of Camiguin, one who would become the region’s tourism director in the future. 

PUERTO GALERA is the first destination that comes to mind whenever thinking of traveling to Oriental Mindoro. However, the town famed for its beaches has its significant share of tourist arrivals from both the country and abroad.

It’s time to discover what else lies beyond Puerto Galera, going south and throughout the province of Oriental Mindoro—especially with the newly launched #ByahengOrMin campaign.

A project of the Provincial Tourism, Investment, and Enterprise Development Office (PTIEDO), #ByahengOrMin is just the beginning of province’s long-term goal to become the leading agri-eco-tourism destination in MIMAROPA by 2025.

From its capital city and 13 municipalities bounded by the mountains and the seas, here are three new sites that best showcase Oriental Mindoro as an agri-eco-tourism destination: 

IT was barely two weeks before the set dates and we at RAK Ph Mountaineers were still deciding on a destination to climb—this after months of trying but failing to form a team for a major climb.

It had to be something easy, something we can accomplish in a weekend. Yet it had to be in the Cordilleras, home to our most loved mountains in Northern Luzon.

​It had to be a “chill climb”and Mts. Kupapey and Fato in Brgy. Maligcong, Bontoc town in Mountain Province fit the bill. We would sidetrip to the community’s Maligcong Rice Terraces too. 

LOCATED off the coasts of Bataan and Cavite, right at the mouth of Manila Bay, the island of Corregidor served as the focal point of naval defenses of the Philippine and American forces against Japanese troops during World War II. After days of bloody battle, the former surrendered Corregidor to the latter in 1942, heralding Japan’s reign in the country.

With such remarkable history, many have come to Corregidor lured by tales of ghosts and haunting. After all, its storied ruins and defunct armory tell of turbulent battles; while its dark tunnels form shadows and reverberate with echoes.

But beyond the history that it bore witness to and the remnants of this gloried past, what is Corregidor’s charm to us today? ​
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WINTER is not the best time to hit the beach, but the sight of it waters—turning almost teal in this season—is enough to charm. 

Last December during a media familiarization tour of Gangwon province in South Korea, this author saw how Youngjin Beach remained busy from tourists. It's a bit popular for the fact that it served as setting to the global K-drama hit “Goblin” featuring the famous Gong Yoo. In one of its many breakwaters, an important scene took place and many locals and foreigners were trying to recreate it. 

But this wasn't what really caught my attention. Back inside the bus, the window tint gave a natural filter to the coastline as we traveled to the next destination, the fishing village and port at Sodol Adeulbawi Park. The park itself is rich in tradition and history for Korean couples go here to wish for a child. (Read more about this here.)

The scene going there gave a different perspective of the coastline and countryside, and of South Korea's quaintness too. I didn't let the chance to capture this go past me. Here are the photos through the tinted window of a moving bus: 

NEXT to Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, South Korea is fast becoming a favorite Asian destination among Filipinos young and old.
 
This trend came along with Hallyu, the global Korean phenomenon that has transformed countless Filipinos into fans of K-pop and K-drama. Many of these Filipino fans want to feel closer to their idols so they travel to South Korea to see what their idols see, to do what they do, to eat what they eat, and the likes.
 
Most of the time, these Filipinos want to return and look for something new. The Korean Tourism Organization (KTO) in the Philippines is pushing for a winter experience in their country. And not just in Seoul, but somewhere they can truly immerse in the season of snow.
 
This is at Gangwon province, which is two hours by bus or one hour by train from the capital. This countryside of mountains and trees covered in snow can truly make one dreamy. There are two key places to discover: PyeongChang County and Gangneung City. ​Here are 10 destinations not to miss: