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2025 has rolled in and, in a week’s time, I am about to kick off my 2025 adventures. But before I let loose the explorer in me, let me share with you how 2024 was a blast that rolled off in Bohol and ended in Ilocos Sur. It had me enjoying off-beat destinations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Before my 2025 travels kick in, here are my Top 5 PH travel spots in 2024!  Subic Beach is my top destination for 2025. Subic Beach, Matnog, Sorsogon Subic Beach is one of the few pink beach spots in the country and I was one lucky traveler who got to enjoy it without the usual crowd. The shoreline looks white at usual glance but, when viewed from an angle, it has a light hue of pink. The hue is from crushed red corals that mix with the white sands of this beach spot. This beach spot is THE prime tourist draw of Matnog.  Subic Beach gave me a perfect spot to enjoy all by myself. I enjoyed the cove without the usual crowd. I got to enjoy the sun while walking along its sandy shores. I did find my own beach spot where I got to enjoy the spot all for myself. I got indulged with the sun, sand, and sea of Subic Beach while enjoying the serene and peace that the spot offered. Subic Beach was a real treat because of its beauty paired with a perfect weather.
Subic Beach slowed me down from the whirlwind that I was in. It offered me a serene evening watching the stars and feeling the breeze and a full-on sun escape the next day. It was a perfect spot to disconnect and just re-charge and organize. It is a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Check out my Subic Beach Travel Blog here: #GOT69Sorsogon: Talagang Matnog! Malapascua, Cebu Malapascua was another breather for me. This island, north of Cebu, is a popular diving destination known for its thresher shark. But let me tell you that this island also embraces non-divers. It allows them to enjoy the beauty of its beach spots and also what lies underneath its waters.  Enjoying the chill beach vibe of Malapascua. Malapascua is a rain or shine destination. It offers a lot of amazing activities that lets you enjoy its laidback island vibe. You get to enjoy snorkeling around a Japanese shipwreck and its coral gardens in the morning then enjoy cliff jumping and beach bumming in the afternoon. It is an island destination that opens its arms to any kind of traveler.
What was surprising with Malapascua was it was able to retain its rustic vibe despite the island’s popularity. We got to enjoy motorcycle rides on dirt paths that led us from cove to cove. We had a great time buying fresh seafood to grill for our meals. Evenings were subtle and early mornings were warm as we watched the sunrise. It was an island that allows you to escape with nature. Check out my Malapascua Travel Blog here: A Non-Diver in Malapascua You can also check out my YT Malapascua Travel video here: #ByahengOffTheGrid Malapascua Camotes Island, Cebu I have heard about Camotes Island as a tourist destination after a foundation featured it as part of their sustainable tourism project. It stuck to me so when an opportunity to explore the island came through, I did not hesitate. The island is an easy escape from the city of Cebu that offers an interesting adventure that lets you enjoy what is above and underneath the island.  Catching the drama of the sunset at Camotes Island. The caves of the island are the main tourist draw of Camotes. These underground caves are mostly located near the shoreline that saltwater flows inside these caves. The depth of these pools depends on the tide but you get to enjoy the beauty that lies underneath whether it is high tide or low tide. These underground caves have amazing collections of live stalactite and stalagmite formations formed through the hundred years. There are some cave that are still to be further explored and are believed to be interconnected.
There are a couple of beach spots where you can take a quick dose of your beach fix. Santiago Bay Beach offers one of the amazing beach views on the island. Access to the beach is also free. The island also offers an amazing sunset view with Cebu mainland as its backdrop. Camotes Island fuses island living and adventure perfectly. Check out my Camotes Island Travel Blog here: A Camotes Driver You can also check out my YT Camotes Island Travel video here: #ByahengOffTheGrid Camotes Tabuelan, Cebu Located along the western coast of Cebu mainland, Tabuelan is an unassuming tourist destination. This coastal is known for its spring pools and beach spots that has remained untouched. This is the reason why prices of commodities are still relatively affordable while you get to enjoy its rural vibe. The fusion of beauty and vibe makes Tabuelan stand out.  Enjoying the fresh and salt waters of Tabuelan. While most locals would find their spring pools as part of their daily lives, it was not for our case. We do not find these spots in the city so we get amazed by this natural wonder. The cold water spring, matched by a beautiful view of nature is enough to keep us giddy with delight, much to the amusement of the locals. Cantacoyan Spring is one that will captivate you for its amazing views as spring water flows downstream.
One thing that I really loved in Tabuelan was its laidback vibe which perfectly fuses with the simple beauty of the place. We found a beach spot that we had all for ourselves where we just enjoyed the peace and quiet that it offered. Time slowed down in Tabuelan and it helped us enjoy a simple weekend void of the usual urban buzz. It is a perfect place to disengage and commune with nature. Check out my Tabuelan Travel Blog here: An OG Tabuelan Weekend You can also check out my YT Tabuelan Travel video here: #ByahengOffTheGrid Tabuelan Alburquerque, Bohol Nothing beats traveling that will make you enjoy the beauty of the place and its well-preserved culture and traditions. This was the case of the salt-makers of Alburquerque in Bohol. It was the artisan salt-makers of “asin-tibuok” that brought me to this rustic town. It was not enough that I get to own one. I had to make sure that I get to meet, first-hand, the makers of this traditional salt that you can only find here in Alburquerque, Bohol.  Alburquerque in Bohol was fascinating for its cultural heritage and traditions. This artisan salt takes months to produce from the preparation to its actual cooking. Preparations start with coconut husk being soaked in saltwater for 3-4 months. The cooking process begins with the soaked husk being sun-dried before being set on fire using sea water to control the fire. The roasting process will produce burnt salted crusts which are stored in a container where it is poured with saltwater to produce a brine. The brine is then poured and cooked on a clay pot over a strong fire. The cooking process crystalizes the brine. The asin tibuok is deemed cooked when the base of the clay pot cracks open.
This well-preserved tradition remains because of a few families in Alburquerque that continues the practice the artisan craft. This tradition matched by the rustic vibe of the town creates a perfect immersion to travelers who want a different kind of experience. I just hope that this tradition gets more traction in local tourism to strengthen the practice. If you want a different kind of travel that focuses on actual tradition, Albur is the place to visit. Check out my Alburquerque Travel Blog here: Alburquerque, May Asin Ka Pa You can also check out my YT Alburquerque Travel video here: #ByahengOffTheGrid Alburquerque As we started 2025 with the Cebu’s Sinulog tradition and roadtripping in Bohol, let me share with you my #High5In2025 destination goals: Jomalig Island, Quezon - the golden sands of this island continue to lure me to visit this remote island in the province of Quezon. The real question is - Am I ready to take the 6-hour Pacific boat ride to explore this island? Catarmarman / Biri - The northwest side of the Visayas is waving again. This time I am ready to take it as I already have a ticket to Catarman. I am excited that I am finally crossing out another province on my #GOT82 bucket list SOON. Marawi - We have heard of the stories but I need the stories to come alive by visiting Marawi. The images when we see it may share a different side of the story and the learnings that came from its siege. Isabela - I am really looking into going into a road trip or backpacking trip to this region. Let’s see what stories and beauty this province can share to local travelers and the world. Lake Holon - I have heard about Lake Holon a few years back when I explored Lake S’bu. The lake is now starting to gain traction in social media and I am now more determined to chase it before it succumbs to commercialism.  Excited to explore more of the Philippines this 2025! We started rolling our #High5in2025! I have read in an article where they say that you should travel when you are still young. This is partly true but I would like to refine the statement to “travel when you still can”. Travel is for all ages and the earlier you start gives you the opportunity to experience more. As we grow older, our physicality starts to get limitations which can also limit our experiences. The great thing about travel is that it allows us to experience differently depending on our capacity. So go out there and experience the Philippines this 2025! Here is an advance #High5In2025 for your travels! 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. Thank you for being a part of my 2024 travel adventures!
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Marc del Rosario
I believe in education, entrepreneurship, and caring for the environment. 
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July 2025
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