Manoling Martinez - Philippine Travels

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Exploring UNDERRATED spots in the 🇵🇭
🗺 53/82 Provinces visited (Project 82)
💵 10% OFF Agoda w/ code: MARTINEZ82
Apo Reef Guide: https://philippinetravels.ph/apo-reef
Links: https://linktr.ee/manolingmartinez

27/08/2026

Send this to your travel buddy if you don't like crowds 😆

Here's how to get to each from Manila

1. Dinagat Island
📍Right beside Siargao!
✈ Fly to Butuan, bus/van to Surigao City, bangka to Dinagat
🏖 Best for untouched beaches / amazing nature spots

2. Carabao Island
📍Right beside Boracay!
✈ Fly to Caticlan, take a bangka to Carabao Island
🏖 White sand beaches with no crowd!

3. Biliran
📍Connected to Leyte by bridge
✈ Fly to Tacloban, van to Biliran
🏖 They call it the "Hawaii of Philippines" because of its towering mountains, waterfalls, and amazing beaches

4. Limasawa Island
📍On the southern end of Leyte
✈ Fly to Tacloban, bus/van to Sogod, van/jeep to Padre Burgos, bangka to Limasawa
🏖 History, turtles, freediving, and the windiest hill i've been on

5. Masbate
📍Island in between Bicol region and Cebu
✈ Flight from Clark to Masbate, or bus to Pilar (Sorsogon), ferry to Masbate
🏖 Rodeo capital of the Philippines! Also has waterfall that empties straight to sea

6. Catanduanes
📍Island north of Bicol
✈ Flight from Manila to Catanduanes, or bus to Tabaco, ferry to Catanduanes
🏖 Similar to Batanes for the rolling hills, and Siargao for the surf (but with no ppl)

7. Balabac Islands
📍Southernmost tip of Palawan
✈ Fly to Puerto Princesa, join an organized tour to Balabac
🏖 Tbh, the BEST beaches I've ever seen so far

If you have more question, just ask away!

And don't forget to follow for more underrated destinations from around the Philippines!

Cebu hikes - Nomolas TrailThe next Starbuks?With so many rumors that the famous Mt. Starbuks is going to close "soon," t...
26/08/2026

Cebu hikes - Nomolas Trail

The next Starbuks?

With so many rumors that the famous Mt. Starbuks is going to close "soon," this might be the next popular trail in Cebu City.

Jumpoff is also Paseo Arcenas. It's slightly longer and steeper than Starbuks, but still very beginner-friendly.

Right now, it's empty. I literally did not see a single other hiker on the trail today.

There's a kapehan at the top, but it was closed (probably because they don't expect anyone on weekdays).

Really enjoyed it though!

There's something about being alone in nature that's so relaxing.

25/08/2026

⬇️ Updated Requirements 2026

📍 Mt. Guiting-Guiting, Sibuyan Island, Romblon

⛰ 2,058 MASL, 2-3 day climb (day hikes NOT allowed)

Requirements:

⚕️ Medical Certificate (fit to climb) (7 days validity) (e-signature not allowed)
Tip: You can get your medical certificate at the Magdiwang Rural Health Unit in Sibuyan (this is where I got mine)
⛰️ 2 Prior Major Climbs (climbing certificates or photo evidence at summit)
❌️ MANDATORY Day 0 (you're NOT allowed to start climbing on the same day you arrive in Sibuyan Island)
🪪 1 Valid ID
👮 Police Registration + Tourism Receipt (you do these in Sibuyan)

💸 Entrance Fees
- php300 Romblomanons
- php700 Filipinos
- php1,500 ($25) Foreigners

🥾 Guide Fees (3 days)
Php4,000 per guide
Php4,000 per porter
(1 guide + 1 porter required for every 3 climbers)

How to Get to Sibuyan

From Manila
🚌 Bus to Batangas Port
⛴ Ferry to Sibuyan (Starlite Ferries)

From VisMin
✈ Fly to Ilo-Ilo
🚌 Bus to Roxas City
⛴ Ferry to Sibuyan (Starlite Ferries)

Disclaimer:

Requirements/fees are subject to change! Please contact the Official "Mt Guiting-Guiting Natural Park PAMO" page for more information.

One of my favorite childhood memories was driving up the mountains of Cebu and eating corn and budbud.Idk where to get t...
22/08/2026

One of my favorite childhood memories was driving up the mountains of Cebu and eating corn and budbud.

Idk where to get the budbud anymore, but the sweet corn is still in the same place!

It's in Barangay Taptap, 45 mins - 1hr up the mountains from Cebu City. And there are rows of vendors selling cooked sweet corn.

Plus, just 2 mins away feom the vendors, there's a cozy overlooking spot (Abay's Place) where you can park, eat your corn, and just enjoy the view.

Entrance is just php10/head!

Super fun, quick roadtrip

Cebu hikes - 6 Towers LoopOne of my favorite things about Cebu's trails is that there are still no entrance fees or mand...
21/08/2026

Cebu hikes - 6 Towers Loop

One of my favorite things about Cebu's trails is that there are still no entrance fees or mandatory guides. Just grab your shoes and start walking.

6 Towers is a really nice training hike.

It's accessible, not too long (only takes about 3 hours), but still more challenging than the 2 main "beginner" hikes (Starbuks / Kan-Irag).

But most of all, I love how quiet it is.

It doesn't really have a "wow" factor. Sure, there are some really nice views of the city (but there are easier ways to get to these viewpoints).

Plus, the STEEP incline to towers 1 and 2 scares casual hikers away.

The result?

Quiet trails, all to yourself.

18/08/2026

Pick ONE!

📍 Carabao Island
✈ Fly to Caticlan, Tricycle to Port, Bangka to Carabao (30 - 45 mins only)
🏖 Spots to visit
- Said white sand beach (Boracay vibes w/o crowd)
- Tagaytay Viewpoint (can see Boracay)
- Jungle Adventure Park (ride carabaos)
- Cathedral Cave (cliff jump)⛴
- Lanas Beach (sunsets)
🏆 Best for people who want Boracay without the crowd

📍 Tablas Island
✈ Fly from Clark to Tablas (Sunlight Air), or Boat from Batangas or Caticlan
🏖 Spots to visit
- Binucot Beach (sunsets / freediving)
- Pili Beach (nice resort)
- Looc Fish Sanctuary
- Cabaliwan Peak (empty grasslands)
- Blue Hole (island hopping in Calatrava)
🏆 Best for slow travelers

📍 Romblon Island
⛴ Boat from Batangas or Lucena (9 hours)
🏖 Spots to visit
- Kilometer 2 marble shops
- Marble factories
- Romblon shopping center (Marble souvenirs)
- Bonbon Beach (38th best beach in the world)
- Fuerza San Andres
🏆 Most unique / best culture

📍 Sibuyan Island
⛴ Boat from Batangas or Roxas City
🏖 Spots to visit
- Mt Guiting-Guiting (9/9 difficulty major climb)
- Cantigas River
- Cresta de Gallo
- Lambingan Falls
🏆 Best for nature lovers

Unless you have a LOT of time, visiting all 4 isn't realistic.

Popular combos are:
- Carabao + Boracay
- Carabao + Tablas
- Tablas + Romblon
- Romblon + Sibuyan

Follow me Manoling Martinez | Philippine Travels for more Philippine local travel and Project82 content!

14/08/2026

⬇️ Mini travel guide

This is the island hopping from Romblon, Romblon, to San Agustin, Tablas Island!

This is a very customizable tour (you can choose your stops), so here's what you need to know:

📱Island hopping organized by Papa Gabs Travel and Tours

⛱ Spots We Visited

- Takot Reef (cliff jumping, snorkeling)
- Cobrador Island (WHITE sand and crystal clear water)
- Biriangan Islet (Best snorkeling / freediving stop)
- Blue Hole (Mysterious blue hole in the sea floor, super fun to dive into!)
- Lapus-Lapus Islet (Nice beach and snorkeling area with a steep drop (nice for freediving too)

❌ As far as I could find, there are no regularly scheduled joiner tours. If you're traveling solo, you'll have to timing a tour, or go for a private tour instead.

💸 Island hopping tours cost PHP2,000 - PHP4,000/head depending on inclusions

⛴ How to Get Here

- Bus from Manila (PITX, etc.) to Batangas Port
- Ferry from Batangas to Romblon, Romblon (takes 9 hours)

Once you arrive in Romblon, Romblon, most tours start at the pier.

Since these island hopping tours are mostly customizable, you can end either in Romblon, Romblon, or go to Calatrava in Tablas (which is what we did).

Follow me Manoling Martinez | Philippine Travels for more underrated spots around the Philippines! #

10/08/2026

⬇️ Mini travel guide

The marble capital of the Philippines!

About 80% of 🇵🇭 marble comes from this one small island (and it's exported all over the world!)

It's also home to the RARE green onyx marble (which can cost a LOT)

⛴ How to Get Here

- Bus from Manila (PITX, etc) to Batangas Port
- Starlite Ferry to Romblon, Romblon (takes about 9 hours)

🚶‍♂️Getting Around

- Romblon town is so small, you can WALK everywhere!
- If not, just hire a tricycle. It shouldn't cost you too much because everything is so nearby
- There are several motorbike rentals for php500 ($9)

🏨 Where to Stay

We spent 2 nights at Hotel Naer, which is right in town (walking distance to everything)

Use my Agoda code MARTINEZ82 for up to 10% off on your stay!

⛱ Things to do

- Watch the marbleistas at work beside the road (pin "David's Marble Products" in Google Maps)
- Visit a marble factory
- Check out the marble souvenir shop (so cheap their marble products (or expensive if you want the green onyx marble)
- Visit the Romblon museum to see all the types of marble they have
- Chill in Bonbon Beach! (voted 38th best beach in the world). High-tide, there's 2 islands here, but low-tide a sandbar connects the islands
- Walk around town (sooo many stuff to see like the old church, fuerza san andres, the port with GREEN water, etc)
- Go island hopping to Cobrador island (more in my next reel!)

📱 For tours, contact Officialpapagabstravelandtours

And follow me Manoling Martinez | Philippine Travels for more underrated spots from around the Philippines!

07/08/2026

⬇️ Mini travel guide!

📱 Who to contact

For tours, contact Officialpapagabstravelandtours !

⛵ How to get there

- Ferry from Caticlan to Odiongan, Tablas
- Ferry from Batangas Port to Odiongan
- Bangka from Caticlan to Santa Fe, Tablas
- Bangka from Carabao Island to Santa Fe
- Flight from Clark to Tablas (this one is new, but pricey)

🛵 Getting Around

This is the BIGGEST challenge with Tablas. Public transportation is limited, so you can either:

- Hire a motorcycle taxi (called "Single" here) to take you around
- Try to rent a motorbike (there are some rentals in Odiongan, the main town. In Binucot Beach, some locals will also rent their bike to you)

🏨 Where to Stay

HIGHLY recommend staying in Binucot Beach!

It's super isolated, making you feel FAR away from the busy world.

There are several resorts in the area, I stayed in Kokonut Hut Retreat for about php800/night.

Other popular resorts are

- Pili Beach Resort in Santa Fe
- FAAS Lofts in San Agustin
- Footprints Beach Resort in San Andres

If booking on Agoda, use my code MARTINEZ82 to get up to 10% off!

🏖️ Things to do

- Snorkel in Binucot Beach reef
- Chill far away from the world in Binucot Beach
- Swim with 1,000x fish in Looc Fish Sanctuary
- Watch the sunrise at Cabaliwan Peak
- Watch the fiery sunsets at Bel-At Point (beside Binucot)
- Island hopping at San Agustin (and dive at Blue Hole)
- Visit Odiongan's market and pasalubong centers

Follow me Manoling Martinez | Philippine Travels for more from the Romblon Islands!

04/08/2026

⬇️ Mini travel guide!

⛵ How to get there

- Fly to Caticlan
- Tricycle to Caticlan Jetty Port
- Don't go inside the terminal! Turn right to the reclamation area (that's where bangkas to Carabao leave)
- Bangka to Carabao Island! Takes 45 minutes and costs PHP250 ($4)

There are about 3 trips a day. Ask your accommodation for updated schedules because it changes all the time.

🏨 Where to Stay

San Jose and Lanas are the main towns to stay.

1st trip, I stayed in Kameo Lodge in San Jose. Cost php500/night, and was right beside Said Beach (the Boracay-like beach in the vids)

2nd trip, we stayed at Carabao Island Beach Camp in Lanas. Quieter, better amenities, and yummy breakfast.

If booking on Agoda, use my code MARTINEZ82 to get up to 10% off!

🏖️ Things to do

- Swimming in Said Beach's crystal clear water
- Cliff diving and spelunking at Cathedral Cave
- Riding a carabao or ATV at Jungle Adventure Camp
- Relaxing at Tagaytay Viewpoint (you can see Boracay from up here)
- Buy local-made slippers at Karbao Slippers
- Stargaze at the BIGGEST telescope in the Philippines
- Biking around the whole island (I rented a bicycle at Kameo Lodge)
- Party boat!

🛵 Getting around

- Hire a habal-habal to take you around for PHP 500 ($9)
- Rent a bicycle
- Look for a motorbike rental (some locals allow you to rent their bikes)

📱 Who to contact

Officialpapagabstravelandtours for tours!

Address

Cebu City

Website

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