Santa Clara University is not to be missed if you are in California

Mission Santa Clara de Asis was founded by Fr. Junipero Serra in 1777, the 8th of 21 California missions. Originally settled along the banks of the Guadalupe River, the mission was relocated to this site in 1822 because of natural disasters such as fires, earthquakes and floods. In 1926, the original adobe was destroyed by

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7 Things You Can Do in Sorsogon in 2 Days.

Sometimes two days are all you’ve got. Quash the travel time, you are plunged into maximizing your short vacation. If you find yourself in the proximity of Sorsogon, you can take what my family took in March 2018. If you are coming from Naga City to Legazpi City in the Bicol province of Albay, you

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The Breadth of Bukidnon

Bukidnon has a special place in the heart of the Philippine Jesuits. Almost all of Bukidnon has been established by Jesuit missionaries. Sprawling towns at present have been mission areas in the past. This mountain province of Mindanao is thus home to me. I visited Pangantucan a few days ago with Fr. Neo Saicon SJ,

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Ilocos Norte: What your eyes see will feed your soul!

Note: This is the second installment of three parts of my trip to the North of the Philippines. Thanks to one of my closest friends, Peewee Ligot, who brought me there. Check out Part I: Ilocos Sur here and Part III: Ilocano Food here. Tip: I am promoting an in-depth, immersive traveling, so take time to

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Ilocos Sur: When traveling to Northern Philippines, you will regret it if you don’t see these.

Note: This is the first of three parts of my trip to the north of the Philippines. And I have not exhausted all of its beautiful sights. Since I do not want a very long post, I have divided my adventure into three posts: The views along the way to Ilocos Sur (Part I), the

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7 Places To Visit When in Bolinao, Pangasinan

When Mrs. Ems Fausto invited me to Bolinao, Pangasinan to join her and some parents from Ateneo High School at their beach house, I readily said yes. I seldom visit the north and Pangasinan was towards northern Philippines. So, with my packed bag in tow, I headed to Bolinao, and I did not have any

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Discover Camalig: a 16th c. town, a lake, and food as fiery as its volcano.

See Camalig, Albay: a 16th c town, Sumlang lake, ancestral houses and authentic Bicol dishes.

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In Daraga, you will find a café you’ll fall in love with: Café 528 Ilawod.

About the Featured Image: The Parish Church of Our Lady of the Gate, Daraga, Albay. This church of stone was built by the Franciscans in 1773. Its design is baroque after the skills of the labourers during the Spanish Period. When Mayon Volcano erupted in 1814 and destroyed the Cagsawa church, it became the refuge of

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If You Want To Be Alone, I Know A Place: Mirador

High above the mountains of Baguio City is my favorite place to pray. Mirador Hill occupies a special position in all the hills of Baguio. In 1876, Don Manuel Scheidnagel, Governor Politico-Militar of Benguet, gave this hill its name because one could see the South China Sea, Lingayen Gulf and the Ilocos coast on clear

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Stunning Sta. Barbara, Iloilo

The municipal town of Sta. Barbara is quaint and quiet. When the jeep drops me off at the curve of the town’s Victory Plaza, the first thing I notice is its landscaped park. Despite the town’s historical past, there is a certain newness about its central features. The plaza has been redesigned, the Centennial Museum

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A Day In Iloilo Is More Than Enough

I have a day to spare. After the Jesuit Basic Education Commission meeting about focusing on Mindanao as the way to go for the Philippine Province Jesuits and reflecting on translating into concrete actions Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si, I decide to explore Iloilo. I know there is much to see and learn from the

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In Oslob, it’s either depth or height, or maybe both.

The prospect of swimming with the butandings or whale sharks excites me. Nothing can beat being one with the huge and gentle sharks that do not include us in their diet. Whale sharks are large fishes that grow around 40 feet, weigh approximately 20 tons, and has a life span of a hundred years. I

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I Am Falling In Love With You, Taal.

They call it mysterium tremendum et fascinans – in the face of great mystery, we are both terrified and fascinated. It is like coming face to face with celebrities of great talent: you are tremendously intimidated that you shy away from them and at the same time, you are intensely magnetized that you want to

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Dumaguete Will Not Burn A Hole In Your Pocket

Dumaguete is lovely. I take a panoramic photo of the city from the ferry. I hear a bell signaling us that it is time to prepare for arrival. This is Dumaguete from the Bohol Sea. I arrive in mid-afternoon. The sun is up and the weather is windy but humid. The port is bustling with

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Part IV. Why You Will Love Siquijor – The towns of Enrique Villanueva, Larena and Siquijor

The trip to the town of Enrique Villanueva is enjoyable. Along the road is the Cang-isok House that dates back to the mid-1800s. However, seeing its present state, I know that this is probably the major disappointment of the coastal tour of Siquijor. Cang-isok house, Brgy. Libo, Enrique Villanueva. Its name comes from the seaside

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