If Metro Manila is the brain of the Philippines, then Cebu City is its heart – and the heart, as we know, sometimes does things the brain simply cannot explain. It beats, dances, loves, and sings. You can only find its rhythm when you stop searching and simply let yourself be. I have a problem…
Tag Archives: Philippines
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helmi
helmi
Let’s take a look beyond the border, into a parallel world that is everyday reality for most Filipinos but utterly baffling to those of us perfectly comfortable inhabiting just one reality at a time. In the Philippines, all kinds of supernatural beliefs are woven into daily life and culture. Some Filipinos will firmly deny believing…
12
helmi
helmi
In the early 2000s, the Philippines made international headlines after two high-profile kidnapping cases involving Western tourists. From that moment on, the words PHILIPPINES and KIDNAPPING became inseparably linked in the global subconscious, reinforcing the image of a lawless and dangerous country. Then you arrive in Manila… One of the first things a visitor notices…
30
tammi
tammi
What is it about motorbiking that’s so addictive? At first glance, it looks suspiciously like an attempt to reach a personal tipping point between self-preservation and self-destruction. The only things arguing in favor of survival are the rider’s real – or imagined – skills, and their remarkable ability to deny reality. That said, the Philippines…
05
tammi
tammi
The Philippines is a tropical paradise where the sun always shines, locals with smiles as serene as a yoga instructor after meditation, and mojitos cost less than a cup of coffee back home. Everything looks picture-perfect until you realize that your trip can fluctuate between a dream and a nightmare in the blink of an…
20
marras
marras
In the previous post, I listed the most common (yet often completely wrong) stereotypes about the Philippines and Filipinos. But that was only half the story. So here’s the rest – another five stubborn misconceptions that sometimes contain a grain of truth but collapse like a poorly built sandcastle when applied to an entire nation…
19
marras
marras
Is the Philippines truly a place where you can live like a “king” on a thousand dollars a month? Is it inherently dangerous? Is every Filipino genuinely happy, all the time? Many of the assumptions Westerners hold about the country – its cost of living, safety, or the nature of its people – are due…
05
marras
marras
When a marriage involving a Filipino falls apart, a pressing question arises: are the couple condemned to remain legally wed forever, given that the Philippines is the only country in the world that has never legalized divorce? After Ireland (1995) and Malta (2011) legalized divorce, the Philippines became the only country without a divorce law….
09
syys
syys
In my previous Philippines Tourist Destination post, I explored Philippine destinations where the end of the world feels like just the beginning. Now, it is time to switch gears and head toward sunnier shores – places that are on the verge of becoming major tourist destinations. Beyond the classic beach getaway, the Philippines offers a…
08
kesä
kesä
You think you’ve discovered a secluded paradise, but instead, you find yourself trapped in a swarm of tourists, all scrambling to snap the perfect selfie. It’s time to take a closer look at the destinations that no longer deserve a spot in the Philippine tourism hall of fame. In the first two parts of this…
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