TravelBook.ph, the leading online travel agency in the Philippines, announced on their official Facebook page today their first Konnichi-WOW promo winner. Erwin Sarmiento from Quezon City is set to have an all-expenses paid trip to Japan.

Sarmiento’s prize is inclusive of round trip plane tickets, free hotel accommodation, and pocket money. He also has the option to bring one companion to his trip.

The Konnichi-WOW raffle draw was held last April 11, 2017 with the supervision of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Representative Rhoda Sevillino and Travelbook.ph Business Planning and Market Strategy Officer Mary Angeli Pasquin.

Sarmiento is the first of the three winners of TravelBook.ph’s Konnichi-WOW promo. The said promo was launched last March 10 in celebration of the company’s fourth anniversary and continues until May 31, 2017. Two more winners will be announced on May and June 2017 respectively.

Interested travelers can still join the next raffle draw simply by booking their next hotel accommodation through the TravelBook.ph website or the TravelBook.ph mobile app available in Android and iOS. 

For more details about the promo, read the full mechanics here.  

Back in high school, a good friend of mine told me that things have a way of working themselves out. It somehow stuck to me and it happened this September when I headed to Vigan for an Ilocos tour. I had initially planned trip to Buscalan for the weekend of September 15 but the trip was cancelled a week before. I really needed a time away from my usual routine. It had been months since I was on a trip and my wanderlust was creeping in. So when Metro Vigan Fiesta Garden Hotel invited bloggers I was excited to be part of it! Booked my ticket online at Partas (thanks to Biyaheroes) and I was good to go.

So let’s be honest. All you want is to lie down on a soft bed when you’ve just spent 12 hours on the bus from Cubao. We arrived in Vigan a little past four in the morning so I was tired and sleepy. Our bus dropped us off right in front of Metro Vigan Fiesta Hotel along the National Highway. The first thing that caught my eye as I alighted the bus was the beautiful carved door in front of me. Intricate carvings of Filipino traditions adorn the main door.

As we entered, the hotel gave that Filipino homey vibe. Sketches of Spanish Filipinas on the pillows will welcome you in the lobby as you put your bags down and get your room key. The whole hotel was quiet as we rang the reception bell. We headed straight to the room to get some shut-eye before our scheduled breakfast. My eye immediately caught the double bed waiting for me. I looked around our deluxe room and noticed the LCD TV mounted on the wall, two glasses beside a water heater, a mini fridge, and our cabinet with big mirrors as its doors. The mirrors cam handy when checking out our #OOTD before heading out for our tours. Two sockets were just beside my bed so I plugged my devices and headed to dreamland even for two hours.

We had our breakfast past 8 in the morning and met my fellow travel bloggers. We were then given a tour to see more of the hotel. It had 53 rooms in its two-storey building. Each room had this intricate carved door made by in Paete, Laguna. I enjoyed spotting the lechon, palo sebo, tinikling, and other fiesta traditions as we roamed around the halls. The bright yellow walls will add sunshine to your day! Their Executive Suite will make you feel like you’re living in your own space: a wooden bathroom interior with a bath, a king-sized bed with padded headboard, a dining table to entertain guests, and a sofa set when you just want to hang around with friends.

Door to Executive Suite

It was raining non-stop so the group decided to head to the plaza to grab some authentic Vigan empanada. Later that night we headed to the AMICI VIP Lounge to enjoy a hearty serving of Ilocos bagnet while getting to know more about each other. Trips become more memorable when you have the right bunch of people to enjoy the moments. The VIP Lounge turns into a videoke room for the Filipinos favorite past time! Enjoy a night of bonding, eating, and singing.

Source

Back when I was a kid, I followed what my brother did during his free time. This meant playing Diablo I and II on our personal computers. While my brother chose to go with barbarian class, I chose to go with the amazon. I always preferred the bow and arrow as my weapon of choice. Even for cartoons I always root for the archer. I was already building my amazon character named "Liria" to reach at least level 45 even before the time of Legolas and Katniss Everdeen. Being an archer was always a dream. I finally got to hold a bow and arrow last May 26 to check if I can actually be a real life archer.



One Monday afternoon, I paid a visit to Kodanda Archery Range in Makati Cinema Square which is just a few blocks from the apartment. Let's assess first my stats as an "amazon" based on Diablo's skills set but having the maximum at 100.




It is safe to assume I did not get a bull's eye nor did all my arrows hit the target. One even flew above the target, bounced on the wall then landed at the back of someone else's target. In a nutshell, I sucked BUT IT WAS FUN. I see myself going back to that fully air-conditioned archery range and trying it out again and again until I finally level up.

Normal recurve bow used by visitors versus professional customized bows (below)

Unique find: Customized bow worth more than Php100,000.00

The good thing is you don't need any membership fees and it is open to the public.  It won't break your wallet as they have an hourly fee that already includes range rental, use of international-standard equipment and protective gear, and coaching on archery basic from expert instructors. It's also easy to locate. If you're coming from Buendia/Gil Puyat, go down at Pasong Tamo/Chino Roces and ride a jeepney going to Magallanes. Stop at Makati Cinema Square then just head to the basement. It's quite easy to spot.

Photo from Kodanda FB Page

Our trip to El Nido was supposed to be from July 12 to July 14 only but Cebu Pacific called and cancelled our flights. So we had the option to rebook for free. Chose the first flight on July 12 then the last flight for July 16 making it a 5-day retreat. You know how people say there is always a grand scheme for everything? This trip was a proof of that. Glenda hit Manila on Wednesday morning so our original Tuesday night flight would have been affected. Thankfully we got to Talindak Cottages Tuesday morning and spent the whole day just chilling in our balcony. Waves were crashing hard and rain was pouring nonstop. No Nacpan beach as originally intended but got the time we needed to pause and reflect on our lives.


Here's a quick breakdown of our expenses. 

Day 1 (July 12)
Snack and water near PPS airport: Php130.00
Eula Joy van arranged by Skyline Inn: Php500.00/pax
Stopover Lunch at Bacuit Grill: Php80.00
Tricycle from El Nido Public Market to Skyline Inn: Php50.00
Toiletries at El Nido Town: Php88.00
Check-in at Skyline Inn for 3D/2N: Php500/night for a double fan room
Dinner at The Mezzanine (seafood pasta): Php320.00
Two bottles of beer at Skyline Inn: Php120.00

Day 2 (July 13)
Tour C c/o Caera Tours: Php1400.00/pax
Tour guide: Brandon
Environmental Fee (good for 10 days): Php200.00/pax
Snorkel plus mask: Php100.00/pax
Iced Coffee at The Alternative: Php79.00
Dinner at Aplaya Resto Bar: Php489.00


Day 3 (July 14)
Tour A c/o El Bacuit Tours: Php1200.00/pax
Tour guide: Leo
Snorkel and Mask: Php100.00/pax
Dinner at Coco Bar: Php310.00

Day 4 (July 15)
Check-in at Talindak Cottages: Php1000 for 2D/1N for fan duplex cottage
Lunch at Greenviews Resort: Php360.00
Dinner (liempo and rice bought at El Nido town): Php180.00

One of Talindak's Cottages

Day 5 (July 16)
5AM Van to Puerto Princesa: Php500.00/pax
Lunch at NCCC Mall Puerto Princesa: Php230.00
Terminal Fee: Php150.00/pax

 "Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience."

To help the teams on their quest, Cebu Pacific has tapped five noted personalities known for their love of travel, to play the role of Adventure Coaches. Volleyball star Gretchen Ho, Internet celebrity Bogart the Explorer, sportsman and TV host Paolo Abrera, champion surfer Luke Landrigan and travel writer Jude Bacalso are on board to mentor each team during the course of the challenge. They will stay in touch with their respective teams and cheer them on through social media. 




So what exactly is the "challenge"? The teams must have as many fun activities with their MYR800 (approximately PHP10,900) and PHP30,000 allowance, and win as many special fun challenges as possible. Do you think these youngsters have what it takes?

The Top Five Thrill-seeking Teams

Team Juanabees is made up of Cams Abandula (19, UP Diliman), Kirk Coronel (19, University of San Carlos Cebu) and Gian Paglinawan (19, UP Mindanao). This unstoppable trio representing schools in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are passionate about meeting new people, discovering new wonders, and enjoying every second of life. Giving them sage advice and travel tips is volleyball star and TV host Coach Gretchen Ho.


Paul Garcia (22), Kae Lao (20), and Jehanna Huyo-a (21) of Cebu Doctor’s University and Informatics Cebu make up Team Watermelon from the Queen City of the South. Always raring to try new things and explore their limits, this team believes that having the right mindset and being with the right people are all it takes to have a fun adventure. To help them make waves in the challenge, they will be mentored by Coach Luke Landrigan. 

For The Win

Curious about the prizes? The trio with the most number of fun activities out of their given budget, and the highest standing in the Special Fun Challenges, will win the competition and score awesome prizes to go on even more exciting trips. Prizes include 12 round-trip tickets to any Cebu Pacific international or domestic destination of their choice, plus over Php150,000 worth of other exciting prizes such as Canon Powershot SX510HS cameras, Vaude Sapporo Carry-On Trolleys, Vaude Hogan Ultra-Light Tents and a lot more.

Tito Tony Meloto and Clementine Turgeon during Tito Tony's talk on GK Enchanted Farm's beginnings

Philo Chua explaining how cocoa turns into chocolate