September 15, 2019 Batanes, Philippines
When I'm traveling, I make it a point to not visit a foreign country or province during the wet season. I've never been a fan of the rain. So when the time came that I'll head to Batanes for vacation, it was really hard to think about the best time to visit Batanes because it's like the ground zero of typhoons before it hits the greater Manila.
But, does timing really matter?
Of course, and it will always be. So come June of this year, the start of typhoon season in the Philippines, I traveled to Batanes— on the season I'm most afraid of. Because of seat sale? No, in fact, I bought my one-way ticket two weeks before the trip.
But, does timing really matter?
Of course, and it will always be. So come June of this year, the start of typhoon season in the Philippines, I traveled to Batanes— on the season I'm most afraid of. Because of seat sale? No, in fact, I bought my one-way ticket two weeks before the trip.
Best time to visit Batanes
The best time to visit Batanes depends on your preferences. March to May is the dry season so you may want to make the most of your summer by visiting Batanes during this time since the province is frequented by typhoons. But if you want to experience Batanes at its finest, the best time to visit is in the last week of June for Batanes Day or Vakul-Kanayi festival.
I went to Batanes on June because it's the best time to visit Batanes as locals say. Every June, the locals celebrate Batanes Day— one should experience when in Batanes—where they hold fun activities, parades, sports fest, pageants, trade and food fairs for a week-long festivity.
One of the things I enjoyed during the Batanes Day was the Tatus Relay. Tatus means coconut crab. In this game, participants will race to finish line. The fun part here? They race backwards with their hands and feet on the ground like a crab. This sure was very entertaining both to locals and tourists.
The Miss Batanes 2019 finalists also paraded their beautiful faces wearing native dresses while on their respective floats.
And the thing that excited me most was the community lunch where people would line up for Vunung and eat it together. There were at least four trucks loaded with Vunungs for the locals and tourists to feast on.
TRIVIA: Vunung is the Ivatans' traditional way of serving food. They wrap the meal on Kabaya leaves. Usually, these are served on special occasions like weddings where people help hand in hand in the preparations without compensation.
Even the day was scorching hot, I lined up with the Ivatans to experience the famous Vunung. And for the first time, ever since I traveled, I felt like a local.
On the Vunung I ate, there were Luñis (Ivatans' version of adobo) and Supas (rice with turmeric pulp, garlic and pork bits.)
Indeed, Batanes Day was all sorts of fun. You'll find yourself smiling even for the simplest reasons there could ever be. When in Batanes, prepare for a wonderful journey waiting for you.
Key takeaways:
- The best time to visit Batanes: June
- Things to look forward in Batanes: Batanes Day, Rolling Hills, Breathtaking Views, and Friendly Locals
Photos by me and Hendrix Vargas
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
September 1, 2019
Zilingo, the leading commerce platform for fashion and lifestyle, announced its partnership with world-renowned designer, Avel Bacudio, and multiple award-winning actor Alden Richards for their latest capsule collection of affordable limited edition athleisure wear. Part of the sale proceeds will benefit children from the Northern Luzon Association for the Blind in La Trinidad Benguet, Philippines.
THE COLLABORATION COLLECTION GOT SOLD OUT AFTER 10 MINUTES OF BEING LIVE ON ZILINGO
The collection was launched at an exclusive fashion show last August 22 at Xylo Club in Bonifacio Global City.
The AvelXAlden collection brings to Zilingo’s customers an affordable line of clothing that combines comfort and functionality, suitable for different occasions.
“We are extremely excited to work with Avel Bacudio and Alden Richards to showcase and carry their very first collaboration on Zilingo,” says Edryan Lorenzo, PR and Influencer Marketing Manager, Zilingo Philippines. “Inclusivity is part of our DNA and we are pleased to have Avel and Alden onboard to provide our customers with fashion options from a collection that embodies the same values,” Ryza Dipatuan- Razo, Marketing Director, added.
The collection features jackets, tracksuits, pullovers and joggers in shades of black, maroon, navy blue, off-white and gray. These colors were specially chosen as they were the first colors Avel Bacudio could see after being afflicted with temporary blindness for a period of time.
“I’ve always been a fan of Avel Bacudio’s designs. He’s been a good friend of mine for the longest time. As such, I am really psyched to have my very first fashion collaboration with Avel Bacudio,” Alden Richards shared.
“With this collaboration, we go beyond providing affordable fashion options to our customers - we share the opportunity to contribute to the social fabric with the Northern Luzon Association for the Blind on-board as our beneficiary, a cause close to me heart,” Avel Bacudio said.
Zilingo is proud to be supporting the collaboration between two talented individuals with unique styles of their own. This is the first time a fashion line will be rolled out on stage and simultaneously made available for sale on the Zilingo website and app.
Fashionistas across the country can purchase AvelXAlden collaboration on the Zilingo website and app and have them delivered to their doorstep at no extra charge. Customers can also enjoy the convenience of multiple payment methods including cash-on-delivery.
As of writing some products from the collaboration collection went sold out during its first 10 minutes on the Zilingo website. Customers do not have to fret for Zilingo will restock in the days to come.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Edryan Lorenzo
PR and Influencer Marketing Manager
edryan@zilingo.com
+639164901076
About Zilingo
Zilingo is a commerce platform that is making the fashion and beauty supply chain more efficient through technology. With over 50,000 merchants on the platform, Zilingo connects businesses across the entire supply chain and empowers them with everything they need to run a business - from design, product development, fabric procurement, manufacturing, cataloguing, marketing, inventory management, distribution, billing, customer service, working capital & trend forecasting. With over two million product listings on Zilingo.com, users can effortlessly shop from a selection of indie labels, local designers, international and celebrity brands – all in one place. Founded by Ankiti Bose and Dhruv Kapoor in 2015, the company has offices in 8 cities globally with over 600 staff representing 20 different nationalities.
Zilingo is available for download for free on the App Store and Google Play across Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand.
For more information, please visit www.zilingo.com
August 24, 2019 Batanes, Philippines
I thought it would only remain a dream until June of this year, I found myself setting my feet on the solid grounds of Batanes.
Before going to Batanes, I've always thought why "Breathtaking Batanes" appears on geo tags on Instagram. I wondered if there's such place, but there's none.
When I saw Batanes, I finally understood why it's called "Breathtaking Batanes." Its vast greenery, hills, stunning sunset views everywhere, and crashing waves from the ocean surely take one's breath away.
Racuh A Payaman which many refer to as Marlboro Country is something I'd never forget. Once up there, there's an unexplainable pleasure you'll get that only nature can give. I've gone there twice, yet same feelings arose.
At Racuh A Payaman, you'll get a view of the Mt. Iraya, Diura Beach, Tayid Lighthouse and the Pacific Ocean.
At Racuh A Payaman, you'll get a view of the Mt. Iraya, Diura Beach, Tayid Lighthouse and the Pacific Ocean.
The majestic sunset view at Racuh A Payaman also known as Marlboro Country
I also noticed, there are no huge establishments, fast-food restaurants or malls in the province. Most of the houses and buildings are small. From my research, there were lesser structures back then than now. Some structures stand in the way, blocking views, but not tall enough to block the hills and clouds like in Manila.
Traffic is nonexistent here. The primary mode of transportation in Batanes is motorcycle or tricycle. If you know how to drive a motorcycle, it's better to rent one because it's cheaper than tricycles or vans.
Another iconic sign of Batanes is the lighthouse. They never run out of lighthouses. Some that I saw are the Basco Lighthouse, Sabtang Lighthouse, and Tayid Lighthouse. To me, the most beautiful is the latter.
The Honesty Shop is also a must-visit for the tourists. It's the famous coffee shop in the province where no one mans the store. Customers can buy food and souvenirs there and put the payment on the counter. What surprised me was there's a kubo and hammocks down the shop and in front of it is a serene view of the beach.
Basco Lighthouse
Tayid Lighthouse
The Honesty Shop is also a must-visit for the tourists. It's the famous coffee shop in the province where no one mans the store. Customers can buy food and souvenirs there and put the payment on the counter. What surprised me was there's a kubo and hammocks down the shop and in front of it is a serene view of the beach.
Although Batanes is not known for palm trees and beaches, they too, have beautiful beaches to boast of. One is the Morong Beach in Sabtang where you'll also find the Nakabuang Arch. The sand there is finer than other beaches in the province.
Add also to your list the Valugan Boulder Beach. Taking it from its name, the beach is full of boulders and less sand.
I'd also have to say that Batanes is very clean. Labeled trash cans are everywhere, locals' backyards are neat. I almost bowed to Batanes government for keeping the province incredibly clean, until I saw plastic wrappers lying on the sand and one floating on Blue Lagoon. But, these are not as worse as Manila Bay's trash.
Of course, no Batanes trip is complete without visiting the stone houses. Good thing the traditional Ivatan houses made of stones and cogon still exist. You can see more in Sabtang and only few in Basco, the province's capital.
I live in a small town dubbed as the place where everybody knows everybody. Same goes in Batanes. It's the smallest province in the Philippines after all so it's not impossible to know everyone. My relatives said, Ivatans are some of the nicest people in the country. And they're right.
I was told to greet the elderlies even if I don't know them, to show respect. Because this was something I'm not used to do, it was awkward for me but I had to so I did. Ivatans greet everyone by honking, waving and simply smiling to one another.
Words aren't enough how happy I was visiting Batanes because even for a short period of time, I was away from the urban mess and the pressures of modern life.
August 14, 2019
While others are drooling for chained and layered-necklaces, others love to have a more personalized necklace and this includes having their names on their accessories! However, customized accessories come at a price.
But on Get Name Necklace, you don't have to worry anymore. They are a jewelry manufacturer that offers fashionable yet affordable accessories. These include name necklaces, monogram choker necklaces and family pendants that have good quality without hurting your pocket.
You can buy necklaces with your photos and infinity pendants as well on get name necklace.
But if a plain infinity necklace is boring for you and you want to amp up your fashion game, the Birthstones Infinity Love Necklace is the answer. You can put a name and birthstone of you and your loved one on the pendant. Discretely declare your infinite love for your significant other with this necklace.
If you want a
simple and classy necklace, they also have the basic custom-made infinity name
necklace in sterling silver. You can get up to two words on each loop of the
infinity symbol, there are also diamonds on the central part of loop that makes
the necklace more sophisticated. This is the perfect personalized infinity
necklace to wear. This is perfect for your everyday wear, an office meeting and
a date night. You can check out this product 841 to fit your
needs.
And for a Christian who wants to declare faith through fashion, this infinity and heart cross necklace is perfect for you. Product 1026 comes in gold and silver.
Get your name and your significant other on this name necklace. You can also get the names of best friends, inspirational words, children, or anything else you can think of. This customized infinity necklace makes a great gift to give someone.
August 10, 2019 Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
I've always loved light and pastel colors but lately, I'm so into neutrals and earthy tones. Like in this case, I'm wearing colors that Mother Earth gifted us.
What I love most about Earth tones is how the palette strikes the perfect balance between cool and sophisticated. Like bold and pastel colors, Earth tones are also scenestealers but in a subtle way.
Top from Uniqlo | Trousers from Dresslily | Shoes from Topshop
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