PRESS RELEASE | Live and Be Well with Taiwan Excellence

Live and Be Well with Taiwan Excellence Products

Rapid technological innovation has paved the way for better healthcare and medical solutions. Older people can move around with ease thanks to e-motors and scooters, people monitor their  physical activity with handy trackers, and surgeons are able to perform more efficient and safer operations with smart surgical solutions.

These are just some of the breakthroughs of Taiwan Smart Healthcare products. Bearing the Taiwan Seal of Excellence—a mark accorded only to the highest quality brands— these revolutionary products have guided people toward healthier and safer lives.

DIY Wedding Guide for the Hands on Couple PH | Supplier Review

It's been a while since stokedtraveler last posted. I miss my travels as much as sharing the stories behind them. However, just this year, I've started on the greatest adventure a man can ever have in his lifetime - getting into married life. 

After spending a full year of planning, saving and spending, the stokedtraveler and his wife finally tied the knot last Sept 2017. There are stories to share but let me begin with a supplier review to help future couples with their search for the right team for their big day. 

All Hands Beach Resort, Subic | An Alternative Family Beach Getaway in Subic

Stokedtraveler has featured Camayan Beach Resort a number of times now. Lately however, he hasn’t booked a stay in that resort. For one, the booking rates have gone absurdly high. An overnight stay for 2 during their peak months goes as high as Php 7,700.00. Extra person charge of Php 1,000.00/head to a max of 3 adults per room. Just imagine how much that would add up for an extended family beach outing. Recent talks with some locals also revealed that an armed eviction of the previous employees also happened when the new owner/management decided to forcibly take over. Looks like new management have their own idea of what Camayan Beach Resort will be in the future. Whatever it will be, with the absurd rates they currently have, Camayan Beach Resort will not be in the stokedtraveler’s beach destinations for now.

This is where All Hands Beach Resort comes in. The first time we stayed here was on a Labor Day weekend. The place was jam-packed and there was even an ongoing company outing that booked the venue. The venue wasn’t very pleasing and the beach itself looked like it could use some rest of its own.

This year, we went on a Holy Tuesday (Holy Week), the place looked so much nicer and the beach so much cleaner. In fact, it reminded of Camayan Beach Resort minus the budget busting rates. 

All Hands Beach Resort, Subic | Hands up for All Hands Beach Resort

Summer is almost over but if you're still looking for a quick get away near the metro, All Hands Beach Resort might just be the place for you and your family. Located in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, All Hands Beach Resort is just a 2 and a half hour drive or maybe shorter from Metro Manila. The place is ideal for friends and family gatherings.

Although smaller compared to other beaches, All Hands nonetheless won't disappoint you. Its calm and crystal clear water will definitely pull you into swimming at the beach right away.

READ MORE: at Newroads by Katherine Castro

Hotel Luna, Vigan, Ilocos Sur | Staycation Worthy and Vigan's History in One

Vigan, Ilocos Sur is considered to be one of the country's surviving historical cities. It offers not only mesmerizing views and mouth - watering food but it also gives you the feels that you're being transported to a time when Jose Rizal was still alive and kicking.  This is also where you can find the only museum hotel in the Philippines. 

Hotel Luna, one of the local hotels in Vigan is definitely one of the best hotels the city has to offer.

Stokedtraveler: "Hotel Luna External Facade along the historic streets of Vigan"

Tambobong White Beach, Dasol, Pangasinan | Pangasinan's Secluded Beach Paradise

Tambobong White Beach and Colibra Island has clear calm waters and creamy white fine sand beach that can compete with the best beaches in the country.

Photo by: Chris | Colibra Island

Though located in a very remote location, Tambobong White Beach doesn’t disappoint travelers who are beat from the 9-hour drive (7 hours if non-stop). The group of 4 friends took a Toyota Yaris for a spin and it delivered perfectly without issues. Just be sure to pass through the paved roads in Dasol. Bobonot Barangay hall is the key landmark to remember because it is only a few meters away from the entry to the long road that leads to Tambobong. Also, gas up in Alaminos to be sure you won’t run out of gas for emergencies. The Dasol route will let you drive through rolling hills and sharp blind curves but it being the paved way makes it better than driving through Burgos. The Burgos route leading to Tambobong is still a rough terrain and is not recommended to tourists even by the locals.

Your home away from home is Tambobong White Beach Resort (09105641382). Nanay Benilda, the owner, wasn’t around to meet the group but her staff was more than accommodating. They will cook for you at a very minimal fee and even take care of your every housekeeping need while you’re there. It’s just like you are staying in with one of your far relatives –very homey. (Tip: Bring your own toiletries and bring a mosquito repellent, there’s too many mosquitoes at night)

Baler, Aurora | 5 Mistakes You Won’t Mind Making in Baler

In every out of town trip, most travelers would be looking forward to doing new things, going to new places and tasting new food. It usually all boils down to how unique we want our experience to be so we can come home and share as much envious photos and stories we can to our friends and followers in social networking sites.

The stokedtraveler is not an exception to this. A travel itinerary for him includes going to all the usual tourist spots, tasting local delicacies and finding new things to share. This is “usually” how things are supposed to go.

On his second trip to Baler, he learns that traveling with a less hectic itinerary can just be as fulfilling as accomplishing a long to-do list on your trip. Here are five mistakes you’ll surely consider making in your next trip to Baler:

Sagada, Mt. Province | Day 2. A Chilly Chillax Experience

Kiltepan Sunrise and the Sea of Clouds

One of the high points from the stories that the stokedtraveler read and heard of Sagada was the Kiltepan Sunrise and the sea of clouds. Pictures of this in the web was simply breathtaking and to experience it personally would be surreal.

No sunrise nor a sea of clouds

The group woke up early and took their pre-arranged van to bring them to Kiltepan peak which serves as the viewing point for the sunrise. There were just too many tourists that the van had to drop them off farther than needed because of the traffic (imagine manila traffic brought to Sagada). They took a 10-15 trek through the dark forest. Remember to bring your own light to guide your way or else you’ll be at the mercy of the closest person next to you to mark your path.

Sagada, Mt. Province | Day 1. The journey to Sagada Bonfire Festival

Sagada, Shangri-La of the North

Most commonly dubbed as the Philippines’ Shangri-La of the North, Sagada is a sure hit for any traveler who is looking for cold climate, laid-back living, fresh produce, and awe inspiring natural landscape. It is definitely as remote and beautiful as how the novel Lost Horizon (1933) by James Hilton depicted Shangri-La. It is nestled in a valley enveloped between the Cordillera mountain range and the Ilocos range. The road leading to it is both scenic and perilous due to its geography. Although faraway, visitors going to Sagada will not be faced by uncomfortable living conditions. The local community has made it possible for tourists to have decent bed & breakfast and even offer dining options to suit a food lover’s taste.

Tuguegarao-Sta. Ana, Cagayan | Day 3. Caving and the Search for the very elusive Tuguegarao Longganisa

Day 3 is the final day of this long weekend adventure for the Stokedtraveler. Two things remained to be done, take a bite of the famed longganisa and go spelunking on the even more popular Callao Caves.

Before this day came, the group bid farewell to their luxurious private villa stay at Sun City and transferred to a more reasonably priced nearby accommodation – Country Inn & Resort.

Country Inn & Resort

The group took a tricycle from Sun City to Country Inn. They passed through some local houses and went deeper until they reached the location of this humble yet very homey place to stay.

Photo credit to owner

To the Stokedtraveler’s amusement, they were warmly welcomed by wide smiles and assisted to their room by the resort staff wearing colorful flowery headdresses. J Such hospitable reception is a rarity in this part of the country. Having dealt with difficult locals in the past days, staying here felt like being in an imaginary bubble separating this tiny spot from the rest of the non-tourist friendly locals.

Tuguegarao-Sta. Ana, Cagayan | Day 2. Surviving Cagayan

Day 2 was planned for the trip’s highlight. Everyone had to make sure they rested well to keep up with all the island hopping, hiking and spelunking that was in store for them.

Engano Cove, Palaui Island, Cagayan

Securing that green pass for the island hopping tour was a hassle. Avoid negotiating directly with boatmen or anyone presenting themselves as tour guides. Just go directly to the ‘Visitor’s Center’ located in San Vicente Port and ask assistance from there. The standard tour which will bring you to the destinations listed on this blog will cost P3,500 for the boat rental for a group of 6 persons. There will be other fees on top of the boat rental (i.e. island passes, guide fee). You can also skip the fee for the snorkeling guide and snorkeling gear. Just bring your own snorkel gear. After all, there isn’t so much reef life to experience at least in the places the Stokedtraveler’s group visited. Do not leave the visitor’s center without that ever so important ‘green pass’ and remember to bring it with you on the day of your tour.

Here’s the breakdown of the whole day island hopping itinerary:

Day 2

8am-5pm – Island Hopping (Cape Engano, Punta Verde, Crocodile Island, Anguib Cove)

5pm-6pm – Boat ride from Anguib Cove to Sun City

6pm – Check-in at Country Inn and Resort

Tuguegarao-Sta. Ana, Cagayan | Day 1. A Long Journey's End Leads to the Sun

“Mula Aparri hanggang Jolo, Saan ka man halina kayo…”, One can’t help but hum these lines from the popular noon time show “Eat Bulaga” when the sign “Aparri” first shows up on one of the many UV Express Vans shuttling passengers from Tuguegarao to other points of destination within Cagayan. Just seeing this sign board immediately creates that feeling of being so far away from the Manila or anywhere in the central or southern parts of the country.

Cagayan is the northeastern most province in Luzon facing the Philippine Sea. There hasn’t been much buzz about this province since until the reality TV show ‘Survivor’ started filming a few of its seasons in a few of its outlying islands. In fact, this claim to fame is the primary reason the Stokedtraveler was convinced that the trip to this far off place is worth the time.

Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas Islands, Camarines Norte | Bicol Region’s Not-so-hidden Paradise

Calaguas is a group of 17 islands in the province of Camarines Norte. Tinaga Island is where the famous long beach called Mahabang Buhangin Beach (locally known as “Halabang Baybay”) is located. The secret to its beauty is probably its ability to protect itself from man-made destruction. Being one of the provinces in the Bicol region, Camarines Norte in general is one of the most storm beaten provinces in Luzon.

This photo doesn't give justice to the actual beauty of the island

A shot of paradise. The water is sooo clear and blue!!

What to expect:

• Turquoise clear waters and powdery white sand partnered with green hills and lush landscapes.
• Long and tiring travel by land and sea. (Sea travel can be death defying depending on the season)
• Sumptuous seafood cooked fresh. Ask your bangkero or tour operator in advance.
• Not-so-comfortable tent accommodations.
• If you plan to travel DIY style, bring everything you need (i.e. wet bag for gadgets, gallons of water, light, food, mosquito repellent, tents, umbrella, safety kits etc)
• Cellphone signal is almost negligible. There are claims that there is cell signal on the island. There may be but it is so weak that it will just drain your device’s battery trying to connect to it. Just keep your devices turned off or in airplane mode when not in use.
• There are claims of a market on the island (must be verified on next trip)
• Get sunburned! You know you can’t resist swimming on those waters for hours!

Camayan Beach Resort-Ocean Adventure , Subic Bay | Creature venture, sea creatures galore!

One benefit of taking a lot of pictures from your trips is having the chance to late-post your blog entries.

It was back in the month of January when the stokedtraveler went back with his family to Camayan Beach Resort in Subic Bay, Zambales. Lucky for them it was within the nesting season of the sea turtles. Nesting season usually starts around early October and may extend all the way to January.

Subic Bay like many other nearby beaches serve as nesting grounds for various species of sea turtles. Camayan Beach Resort is no exception. All around the resort you will see many of these enclosures with details of the type of sea turtle, nesting date and expected hatching schedule.



While the stokedtraveler failed to see live hatchlings being released to the wild during the Pawikan Festival in Morong, Bataan, they were fortunate enough to have a close encounter with one Olive Ridley turtle.

Olive Ridley sea turtle encounter in the wild

It was already dark and the ocean view has already faded into pitch black. Only distant lights drew the line of the horizon. On the other side of the beach, the resort guests were already settled in and ready to call it a night. It was probably the mixture of these elements falling into play when the stokedtraveler was gifted a sighting of one of nature's most graceful creatures. He rushed back to their room to call in the rest of his family to the occasion with.

Sta. Rosa, Laguna | Enchanted Kingdom : 10 Kid Friendly Activities in Enchanted Kingdom

For the past 18 years, Enchanted Kingdom (EK) in Sta. Rosa, Laguna has always been on the Filipino family's list of places to visit during the holiday season. Its proximity to metro manila and other nearby provinces make it a convenient choice for a family roadtrip. Kids, teens and even thrill-seeking moms, dads, aunts and uncles continue to love this world class themed park south of Manila. Currently, Enchanted Kingdom enjoys the reputation of being the "Disneyland" of the Philippines.

The stokedtraveler has already been to EK a couple of times. It hasn't changed much since his first visit except for some minor additions to park rides. The layout of the theme park remains the same. The park features still look like they are well maintained. Even after more than a decade, EK still looks almost the same as it was when it first gained popularity back in the 90's. A feat that is not very common for locally managed parks/tourist spots.

Cebu City, Cebu | A Food Lover's Retreat with a Touch of History

For many of his travels, the stokedtraveler would create schedules and plot out activities. Which places should he visit and what things should he do are usually on top of his itinerary for his trips. That was his only way of travel. That was until his recent Cebu trip.

Travelling without any travel plans can also be fun. Never expecting what to expect and doing what you feel doing for that day can free you of worries and keeps you amazed of things that come. This may not always be the best way to travel but for as long as you are with good company then everything is going to turn out alright.

Read through the stokedtraveler's day-to-day highlights in Cebu as he joins two of his great friends on their first time in the queen city of the south.

Day 1. Failed flight, Apt accommodation and a well-deserved authentic Filipino dinner!

Day 2. A bit of history, indulging in Cebu's lechon and some R&R
Day 3. Greatest ribs, Sky experience and Pasalubong shopping

Cebu City, Cebu | Day 3. Greatest Ribs, Sky Experience and Pasalubong Shopping

Casa verde
No doubt the best ribs in sugbu! For only P208 you get to taste Brian's ribs. (That's right, you get to taste the stokedtraveler's ribs :P)

 "If you taste me, you'll never forget me". That's what was said on the menu for Brian's Ribs. Who knew Brian's ribs tasted that good! :P

The ribs look small in the photo but the rice there is regular sized and the plate is just equally super-sized

 The serving was huge and could easily be good for 3 people on a normal diet. The stokedtraveler and his two friends had 3 orders of Brian's ribs and one salad. The marinated ribs were so flavorful and satiating that they were already too full just halfway through their meal. 

There's no question why this restaurant ranks high on tripadvisor's recommended dining experiences in Cebu . This is definitely a must-eat-at place while in Cebu. Reserve a seat in advance on their original store (not the one inside the mall) to get that authentic home cooked experience.

Cebu City, Cebu | Day 2. A bit of history, indulging in Cebu's lechon and some R&R

Magellan's cross

It was only a 6-minute walk from their hotel to the historic site were Magellan's cross was first erected. While the walk didn't take very long, it was a painful one because of the sun. Remember to bring an umbrella if you plan to walk around the city. People used to living in the northern Philippines and even in Manila may find walking under the sun in Cebu challenging.

The endless supply of candles bought for Php 100 only to be offered back to the altar. Probably only to be resold the next day :)

Magellan's cross had a lot of wooden support all around it that time. 

The aged women dancing the sinulog and offering prayers for tourists (for a fee) said that wood was to strengthen the structure and secure the cross while it was still uncertain if the aftershocks from the recent 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit cebu-bohol just a month or so ago was already over.

Chanting in the local dialect and dancing the sinulog dance

In his previous travel the stokedtraveler learned that the cross here is no longer the original cross but instead is just a replica. While the sign at the foot of the cross reads that the tindalo wooden cross encases the original cross that Magellan erected, there is no historical evidence that the original cross survived after Magellan's death. There was also no record of it ever being recovered by the succeeding spanish expeditions to the island of Cebu.

Praise!

Cebu City, Cebu | Day 1: Failed flight, Apt accommodation and a well-deserved authentic Filipino dinner!

A Failed Flight Schedule
Airasia, without notice, decided to change the departure schedule of the Stoked Traveler's MNL-CEB. The changed schedule was 1 hour later than planned yet still was delayed another hour. All these resulted to a CEB arrival time of 6 PM from an original ETA of 2pm. This was by far the worst delay the stokedtraveler had flying on a domestic airline.

The trip from the airport to Cebu city proper was already heavy with traffic around that time. The surroundings was reminiscent of night time manila. The cab driver hastily drove past traffic and into detours which made the stokedtraveler a tad uncomfortable. In the end the metered taxi only costed around P200. Atleast the cab driver was honest to give exact change.

Hotel Fortuna

Hotel Fortuna is a 3-star hotel situated on a busy section of Cebu city. Hailing taxis or jeepneys will not be difficult for city travelers. It isn't much to look at from the outside but the inside is so much better than what one would expect from a boutique hotel. They have very courteous staff and this adds to the homey feel of the place. They provide free drinking water to guests too! (An often forgotten necessity when staying in hotels). They stayed at the standard room which is more than sufficient for their stay in Cebu City. The stokedtraveler recommended this same hotel to a group of people travelling to Cebu on the same dates. They too liked how the hotel was!

Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu

On the first night of their stay, they went to the Terraces, Ayala Center to look for a place to dine at. Ayala Center in Cebu was nice but is relatively small compared to Ayala Malls in Manila. It had a wide garden space that creates a soothing ambience within the malls grounds.

Morong, Bataan | Pawikan festival | The Trip, The Beach, A few Turtles and a lot of Politicking

The two-day festival this year was scheduled from Nov.30-Dec.1. Brgy. Nagbalayong in Morong, Bataan played host to the main event because it is where the Pawikan Conservation Center can be found. Morong's beaches are used as nesting grounds by the endangered sea turtles. People who used to be poachers turned into protectors of these sea creatures through the Pawikan Conservation Center.

The stokedtraveler has always been amazed by these gentle sea creatures. Not only are they graceful swimmers but they are also one of the oldest living reptiles in the planet. One of his goals this year was to finally have a face to face encounter with one. He was also looking forward to witnessing the the majestic event when hundreds of pawikan hatchlings are released into the sea.