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2025 was a definite high for both my local and international trips. I explored 2 new provinces, 13 local destinations, and went on 2 international trips this year. From doing DIY backpacking trips to going around Tokyo collecting Eki Stamps, I am beyond thrilled on how 2025 gave me new adventures.  We are getting ready to get more clicks of the Philippines this 2026! As always, I am starting my 2026 with my top 5 local destinations for 2025. These local spots gave me my travel highs last year, either from exploring it on my own, giving me that rustic adventure vibe, drowning me in its natural beauty, or all three. These spots simply gave me the high 5 this 2025. Mapanas and Palapag, Northern Samar These two Northern Samar towns tops my 2025 list. Both towns have kept itself under the tourism radar despite having a scenic seascape and a rich history to share. The natural beauty of the towns strengthen the province’s tourism draw that is largely anchored on its dramatic rocky landscapes. To sum it up, both towns are simply amazing.
Mapanas charms its way to the heart of the traveler with its beautiful and rugged seascape matched with its bucolic vibe. From a road curve to standing up close, these massive rock formations that dot its coast was simply majestic. These natural attractions, carved for hundreds of years by the Pacific, solidly grounds its branding in Philippine tourism. The dramatic views of its coast matched by its laidback old town vibe makes you slow down to just simply enjoy the moment.
The town of Palapag, on the other hand, will get you hooked by its rugged beauty interlaced with its history. This town was an important post during the Galleon Trade as it was the last “fueling stop” before the galleons start their trans-Pacific voyage. The town was also pivotal in the spread of an uprising against forced labor that was started by its local hero, Juan Sumuroy. At present, the town sits silently in the shadows of history and ready to share its story to travelers who take the time to stop by the town. #GOT71NorthernSamar You can read about my Mapanas and Palapag adventures here: Luna, Apayao Luna was an enchantress. The distance of this destination matched by the challenge of public transport has made its attractions a bit tricky to explore. I was lucky that a Baguio-based travel organizer, Napapagna, organized a stress-free trip that had us exploring the sights and sounds of this amazing town. We had a full weekend clambering through rock formations, cruising inside cave rivers, and paddling through the still waters of its main cave attractions.
You will be amazed by Luna’s untouched beauty. We clambered up Dupag Rock Formation to get that picturesque overhead shot at its peak while getting immersed by the magnificent view of the surrounding valley. We explored the underground river of Manacota and got amazed by the untouched gorge where the river runs through before going underground. We took those amazing shots paddling through the cave mouth of Lussok Cave. The town of Luna gives you a well-deserved breather with nature. It lets you breathe in its charm and makes sure that you never forget. #GOT70Apayao You can read more about my Luna, Apayao adventures here: #GOT70Apayao: Luna Rising Anda, Bohol Anda gives the best sunrise view while enjoying its powdery white sand. This is the best place to head off to if you want to enjoy island life without the usual tourist crowd. It fuses the island paradise vibe with the town’s rustic feel. You get to really immerse with its seascape vibe in a serene and peaceful vibe. It is a rustic paradise and an easy alternative for those who want a laidback white sand beach spot, away from the crowd.
But beyond its beautiful white sand coast, you also get your dose of adrenaline with its collection of cave pools. Cabagnow Cave Pool is its main draw. It is a huge cave with a deep pool at the bottom. You can get to jump into from its opening to enjoy a quick cold dip with that extra adrenaline rush. Anda starts you off with a chill morning, gives you a rush throughout the day, and relaxes you with a nice evening wrap. That’s how this Bohol town defines beach escape. Read about our Anda Escape here: #ShuTraRoadTrip: Grabe Naman Ang Ganda Anda! Jomalig Island, Quezon This island destination has been on my list for years and I am glad that I finally ticked it off in 2025. Jomalig Island is a full-packed adventure from start to finish. From the 4-hour boat ride to motorcycling around the island, it gives you the thrill of exploring the island rough and hard. The whole trip is not for the faint of heart. It is tiring but exciting.
Exploring Jomalig Island is like opening gifts during Christmas Eve. You unwrap each beach spot one after another with a lot of excitement. Each beach spot exudes a different character and travelers can find their own beach spot depending on their vibe. From beach bumming on white sand beach spots to watching the sunset on golden sands to out of this world coast, Jomalig got you worth it. You get to enjoy the island better with great company… yung hindi mga buraot. You can read about the gold of Jomalig here: A Gold Dig in Jomalig Boljoon, Cebu Just like Jomalig, Boljoon has been on my list for quite sometime now. The timing of my visit was perfect as it was just a few weeks after the treasured Spanish-period pulpit panels were returned to the Boljoon Church. Boljoon stands out from this selection for its history and story. Its well-preserved fortress church complex and the saga on its lost, but later on recovered, 19th century pulpit panels was enough to get me to visit and explore this town on the southern end of Cebu.
It was the beauty of its Spanish-period church that piqued my interest to visit the town of Boljoon. Little did I know that the story of its long-lost pulpit panels would get me more hooked to wanting to visit the town. The return of this panels to the church had me scrambling to visit it so I can see it for myself. The visit did not only give me the opportunity to see the panels in its rightful owners and place but it also allowed me to see the natural beauty of Boljoon face to face. You can read more about my face to face encounter with Boljoon in Cebu here: Tara Doon sa Boljoon! Moving forward to 2026, I have shortlisted 6 PH destinations that I am manifesting to visit this 2026. These spots are: Kalinga - From my Luna, Apayao trip, I found out that Kalinga is more than just a tattoo destination. I would like to check out the adrenaline rush that this destination offers. #GOT82PH Limasawa, Southern Leyte - This PH destination fuses colorful history and the beauty in nature in one which makes it more appealing to me. #GOT82PH Dinagat Island - Another #GOT82PH goal, I think this island is going to be beach heaven for me this year. Tondo, Manila - I am starting a new travel series that will focus on retrace the footsteps of Andres Bonifacio and the best place to start is his birthplace. Sambaoan, Cebu - Time to uncover the beauty of nature and history on this Southern Cebu town. Anini-y, Antique - This town was once the talk of the town of travelers. Time to check it out after the buzz has subsided. These are just some of my travel goals this year and I am excited that I will get to share with you my new travel stories. It will be a mix of new local destinations and revisiting old spots. I hope that by sharing my travel stories, you get encouraged to travel around the Philippines more. Cheers to more Philippine travels this 2026! #MahalinNatinAngPilipinas Shoutout to my travel buddies - HULL & STERN Dry Bags for keeping my stuff safe and dry during my travels and MAGWAI for their alternative and eco-friendly products for my local travels.
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Marc del Rosario
I believe in education, entrepreneurship, and caring for the environment. 
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