Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
When it comes to beaches in Batangas, Calatagan is always among our top choices. It has fair sand and shallow waters, and it’s not as crowded as other beach destinations in the province. We recently returned to Calatagan to find out what has chan…
Author: Asta Alvarez
CLOUD 9 ANTIPOLO: View Deck, Hanging Bridge & Restaurant Guide 2021
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
Antipolo has flourished into one of the most popular weekend destinations near Manila; thanks largely to its proximity and accessibility. Although the city center is highly urbanized, its mountainous fringes exude a countryside vibe and rustic charm th…
2021 PINTO ART MUSEUM Travel Guide & New Normal Guidelines
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
Established in 2010, Pinto Art Museum was born from the art collection of its founder, neurologist Dr. Joven Cuanang, who wanted to open connections between diverse cultures and perspectives through arts, hence the name pinto, which means “door&#…
KAULAYAW CAFE ANTIPOLO: View, Menu, Hours & New Normal Guidelines
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
Kaulayaw Coffee, also known as Kaulayaw Café or simply Kaulayaw, is a rising homegrown dining and hangout place in Antipolo, Rizal. Throngs of locals and weekenders flock to the three-level building along Sumulong Highway for the breathtaking views, as…
2021 TWIN LAKES TAGAYTAY: Restaurants, Opening Hours & New Normal Guidelines
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
Twin Lakes Shopping Village, simply known as Twin Lakes, is one of the leisure centers that have been getting a lot of attention lately especially among Metro Manila residents. At first glance, it appears to be a simple collection of coffee shops and s…
20 Best CORON PALAWAN TOURIST SPOTS & Things to Do
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
When we think of Coron, the first thing that comes to mind are the towering karst cliffs that cloister pristine lagoons and lakes. These limestone walls have become iconic, but they’re not really unique to the area. Several other destinations in …
20 Best BATANGAS TOURIST SPOTS & Things to Do
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
If we are attending a tourism feast, Batangas prepares a grand buffet filled with exquisite and delightful options that fit the different preferences of the visitors — historical sites, mouthwatering dishes from homegrown restaurants, spectacular…
2021 BUS SCHEDULE: Manila to Baguio / Baguio to Manila via Victory Liner, Genesis & JoyBus
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
More and more popular tourist destinations in the country are gradually opening their doors again to visitors to help the economy bounce back. One of them is the Baguio. Of course, guidelines and protocols are still implemented and must be strictly fol…
30 BAGUIO TOURIST SPOTS TO VISIT & THINGS TO DO
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
Baguio has always been one of the top destinations in the Philippines. Because of its chilly temperature, pine-dominated landscapes, and overall romantic atmosphere, this mountain city has attracted tourists especially in summer and the holidays like C…
BENCAB MUSEUM: How to Get There from Baguio, Entrance Fee, Operating Hours
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
Bencab Museum is a personal project of Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, a Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts. It was officially launched and opened to the public on February 27, 2009. The museum is located in Benguet, particularly in the town of Tuba, …
25 HISTORICAL PLACES IN THE PHILIPPINES Mentioned in HEKASI / SIBIKA Books
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
The very first travel flame in my young mind was sparked by textbooks. My first intense desire to go places was lit by HEKASI — Heograpiya, Kasaysayan at Sibika (Geography, History and Civics). In grade school, I was so fascinated by the photos o…
12 DOs and DON’Ts Kung Uuwi sa Probinsya This CHRISTMAS
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
Christmas and New Year are just around the corner. And most of us spend the holidays with our loved ones. It has been a tradition for those working in big cities to come home to their respective provinces or visit family to celebrate the season with th…
25 TAGAYTAY TOURIST SPOTS & THINGS TO DO
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
When it comes to a quick escape from Manila, Tagaytay City is an easy choice. Its proximity makes it a default destination for the work-weary weekend warriors from Manila and other parts of Cavite, as well as neighboring provinces of Laguna and Batanga…
MANILA TO SANTA ROSA Integrated BUS Terminal (SRIT), Laguna: How to Get There
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
The pandemic has swiftly changed the way we travel. We are left with no choice but to adjust and keep up with the changing times, with the new normal. Now that the holiday season is nearing, some of those who’ve been separated from their loved on…
HOW TO CHECK RFID BALANCE ONLINE: EasyTrip & AutoSweep Balance Inquiry
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
So you finally have an RFID sticker. Congratulations! You now have your RFID account(s), the actial sticker tag, and a physical card. But is your load enough? Whether you are subscribed to one or both RFID service providers — AutoSweep and EasyTr…
Now Open: 12 RESORTS & THEME PARKS NEAR MANILA (New Normal)
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
This year has hurled us into a whirlwind of worldwide panic caused by the pandemic. And it left us all disoriented and derailed just as quickly. Plans changed, put on hold, shelved, or dumped completely. A lot of businesses have shut down and schedules…
How to Apply for RFID STICKER for NLEX, SLEX, CAVITEX, CALAX, STAR Tollway & More
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
Starting December 1, 2020, all expressways will be using a cashless payment system. Meaning, ALL vehicle owners and operators, public and private, need to get an RFID account for their vehicles if they wish to use these controlled highways. All of us b…
PAYMAYA TO RFID: How to Pay & Reload Autosweep & Easytrip
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
While our railway system is still limited and expansion plans are still developing, using the expressway is still the best choice for faster travel by land between Metro Manila and the provinces. Unlike highways, expressways have controlled entrances a…
GCASH To RFID: How to Pay or Reload Autosweep & Easytrip
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
Whether traveling for leisure or work, taking the expressway is still the fastest way to get from Manila to most of the surrounding provinces. These major thoroughfares have become the main arteries in the ever growing (and congesting) circulatory syst…
10 Easy KAKANIN RECIPES to Try at Home
Written by Asta Alvarez @ The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
Filipinos are big consumers of rice. It is an essential part of our cuisine and culture as a whole. We love it so much that a meal isn’t complete without it. Out of this love springs different types of rice: steamed and fried, white and brown, fl…