PHILIPPINES

The Philippines is our home. It’s where we were born and raised and where we presently live. The Philippines boasts an abundance of natural beauty and is frequently lauded for having the best islands and beaches in the world.

Toyo Eatery: The Most Inventive Filipino Restaurant in Manila?

Metro Manila / PHILIPPINES / THE WORLD'S BEST / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 12, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Nationalistic in his cooking approach, Chef Navarra is known for his playful and inventive takes on classic Filipino dishes like lugaw (rice porridge), relyenong pusit (stuffed squid), and pork bbq. His presentation may be contemporary but the dishes themselves – and ingredients used – are staunchly Filipino.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Sagada, Philippines (2019)

Mountain Province / PHILIPPINES / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 12, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

As much as Sagada has changed over the last two decades, one thing remains the same – it's still the blissful mountain enclave that made me want to escape to it so many years ago. I still do.

Oslob Tour: Swim with the Whale Sharks and Visit Tumalog Falls in Cebu, Philippines

Cebu / PHILIPPINES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Oct 23, 2018 JB & Renée Macatulad

It may have been my third time to share the ocean with these beautiful creatures but the experience didn't hold any less wonder than the previous two. It's such a privilege to swim alongside these gentle giants, an experience you can only have in select parts of the world.

Luxury Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Unlimited Booze in Cebu, Philippines

Cebu / PHILIPPINES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 12, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

To be honest, Ren and I aren't the biggest fans of boats. Ren easily gets seasick and I find the experience to be a little confining. But throw in the promise of unlimited booze and a stunning sunset and it becomes en entirely different story.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to La Union, Philippines

La Union / PHILIPPINES / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 13, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

San Juan in La Union has been making waves lately as a hip surfing destination in Northern Luzon. Its proximity to Manila makes it a popular weekend getaway, especially for people looking to do a little more than lay around on a beach.

Gallery by Chele: One of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Revamped

Metro Manila / PHILIPPINES / THE WORLD'S BEST / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 12, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Gallery by Chele is the newest restaurant concept of Chef Chele Gonzales and Chef Carlo Villaflor. In many ways, you can look at it as the second coming of Gallery VASK, Chef Chele's award-winning restaurant that was ranked as high as number 35 on the list of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants.

La Union Food Guide: Where to Eat in San Juan

FOOD GUIDES / La Union / PHILIPPINES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 13, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

San Juan is a sleepy town in La Union province that's become famous for two things – its surfing and its food. If you're looking to go surfing and food tripping in San Juan, then here are a few restaurants for you to visit.

Dessert Museum Manila: 8 Themed Rooms to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Metro Manila / PHILIPPINES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 15, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

The Dessert Museum isn't really a museum but a pastel-hued attraction dedicated to candy and sweets. It boasts eight themed rooms, each inspired by a different confection like donuts, marshmallows, and gummy bears. If you like sweets and Instagram, then you're going to love this place.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Bohol, the Philippines

Bohol / PHILIPPINES / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Nov 14, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

As beautiful as the Philippines is, many destinations offer mostly sand and surf. But not Bohol. Apart from its many white sand beaches and world-class dive sites, Bohol is known for unique attractions that you can't find anywhere else in the Philippines. Curiosities like the Chocolate Hills and the Philippine Tarsier come foremost to mind.

The First Fusion Cuisine: 3 Reasons Filipino Food is the Next Big Culinary Trend (Plus 4 Dishes that Show You What We Mean!)

FOOD GUIDES / PHILIPPINES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 12, 2019 Pamela Sanchez

What’s referred to as Filipino food is actually an umbrella category for all the different kinds of food located throughout the Philippine archipelago. And because the country is built the way it is – three groupings of islands spread north to south – the various peoples who populate the country have very different approaches to food.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Manila, Philippines (from a Local)

Metro Manila / PHILIPPINES / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Nov 14, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Many travel bloggers have come to Manila and fallen in love with my city and its people, so much so that some of them are actually considering moving here. And they all said the same thing – when you're here, you're family.

Poblacion Food Crawl in Makati, Philippines

FOOD GUIDES / Metro Manila / PHILIPPINES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Nov 14, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

The Poblacion area is trendy. It's becoming increasingly popular as a food and arts hub in Makati. Cultured but unpolished, hip but a little seedy, it reminds me of what Malate in Manila used to be.

Boodle Fight Manila. Kainan Na!

Metro Manila / PHILIPPINES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 20, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

A boodle fight is a Philippine military tradition where a central mound of food – typically consisting of white rice and a variety of viands, fruits, and vegetables – would be piled high on banana leaves for soldiers to share. Gathered around the table, diners are meant to eat while standing without the use of cutlery.

La Casita Mercedes: Where to Stay in Manila, Philippines

Metro Manila / PHILIPPINES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 20, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Ren and I prefer boutique hotels over large chains which is why I was instantly drawn to La Casita Mercedes. It's exactly the type of place we look for on our travels.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Batad Rice Terraces, Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines

Ifugao / PHILIPPINES / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 12, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Batad is a remote village of around 1,500 people in Ifugao province. It's said to be home to the best and most well-preserved rice terraces in the Cordillera region. These terraces are between 2,000-6,000 years old and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

Discovering Filipino Street Food: 17 Street Food Dishes to Try in the Philippines

FOOD GUIDES / PHILIPPINES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Oct 23, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

If you're familiar with our blog, then you already know how much we love eating local food when we travel. A lot of that traveleating involves street food, which in many countries, has a reputation for being less than sanitary. The Philippines is one of those countries.

The Masungi Georeserve Survival Guide

PHILIPPINES / Rizal / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 25, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Masungi Georeserve is a geological park and conservation area in Baras, Rizal about an hour-and-a-half away from Manila. There you'll find a hiking trail featuring rope walls, hanging bridges, and unique viewing platforms suspended over limestone karsts and a lush tropical rainforest.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Davao City, Philippines

Davao del Sur / PHILIPPINES / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Nov 1, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Davao is a model city. It's one of the most progressive cities in the Philippines and one of the safest in Southeast Asia. We got to experience this first-hand on our trip to Davao and with this guide, we hope you do too.