Yuma and I left Cebu by ferry to Bohol, and after one night at a hostel in the city we headed for the southern island Panglao where we were planning to spend a couple of laid-back days in the area of the idyllic Alona beach.
After arriving at Reggae Guest House where we had booked a bungalow for the next couple of days we strolled down to the beach where we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening.
Alona beach does have a relatively big number of visiting tourists, but we still felt that the place was not too touristy yet. Not to mention that it was great to finally get away from the noisy and dirty Cebu city.. It was really perfect to just spend some time walking in the sand at the beach.
You can find a lot of small and cozy restaurants, bars and shops along the beach too, and in the evening many of them offer live music that you can enjoy while eating your dinner. For people interested in diving there are also a large number of diving companies offering diving trips to Alona's many surrounding diving spots. There is also a countless number of masseuses all along the beach who offer one hour of massage for 300 pesos.
And then I have to mention that on the west end of the beach you can find an almost vertical palm three! A great spot for romantic pictures. These are some of the pictures we have taken at Alona beach:

After having greeted the new year by relaxing on the beach in Mactan it was time for Yuma and I to begin our backpacking adventure. We had already bought a trip to Oslob south in Cebu where we had heard that it would be possible to see the great whale sharks, and because we wanted to leave for Bohol in the afternoon we had scheduled an early departure for Oslob with pick-up at the hotel at 3:30 am. The next three hours of the morning were spent sleeping in the car. Good thing the roads were relatively good, unlike the roads I experienced last year in Bolivia on my way to Salar de Uyuni..

We arrived in Oslob around 6:30 in the morning, and after a short briefing by our guide we were led down to the beach where a boat was prepared for us, I have to admit that I did wonder if we really would be able to see any whale sharks at all, but after leaving the shore it did not take many minutes before we could see the big creatures moving underneath us in the sea.

Whale sharks are huge, but they don't harm humans. Look at it, isn't it cute?? ^^

Me with one of the whale sharks

Hi again from the Philippines! The last week has been really busy in an awesome traveler's way, and I have experienced so much in these few days. After coming back to Cebu on Sunday afternoon I checked into my hotel room for the next couple of days, and waited there for my boyfriend's flight to arrive. Finally he also had gotten his holiday, and after a night in Seoul he was finally on his way to the Philippines. Since I have been living in Korea the last semester we have only had the chance to see each other a couple of times, but now that it is holiday I get to spend a whole month with him before school starts! :D
After a laid-back day on the beach we spent the last day of 2012 clubbing in an area of Cebu called Mango Avenue, which is known for its bars and clubs. It was a memorable and fun evening with a lot of dancing!
Now it seems that we are facing yet another new year, let's hope 2013 will be as great as 2012.
My goals for the new year includes: 1. Mastering Korean, 2. Finish both my thesis 3. Pass my school's comprehensive exam, 4. Graduate, 5. Find a job!!! 화이팅!
I do also hope that I get the chance to continue experiencing interesting adventures, and I hope you'll stay in tuned with my blog and read about what I'm up to in the big world.
I wish you all a happy and prosperous new year! ;D

• All blogposts from Southeast Asia
• All blogposts from the Philippines
• Volunteering in the Philippines with Rise Above Cebu
• Volunteering with Rise Above in the Philippines: Dental Mission!
• Christmas at Ayala Shopping Center with the Rise Above Foundation
• Sightseeing in the Philippines: Swimming with Whale Sharks in Oslob
• Sightseeing in Bohol: Day-trip to the Chocolate Hills & Tarsier Watching
• Diving in the Philippines: Balicasag - the Diver's Heaven and the Marine Sanctuary
• Sightseeing in the Philippines: Weekend Trip to Iloilo!
• HumanHeartNature: Filipino Ecological Skincare!
• New Year Greeting from the Philippines!
• [Hotel Reviews] Philippines: A night at an aquarium - Hotel H2O

Thank you for reading! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below
- Anette

After two weeks of volunteering for the NGO Rise Above I decided to take the weekend off, and visit my GIP friend Ace who lives in the idyllic and historical island Iloilo. With a cheap flight from Cebu with Cebu Pacific Air I reached Iloilo a couple of hours later, and was met by my friend at the airport. We had already agreed that if the weather was bad we would go restaurant hopping instead of island hopping, and since it was already late Friday afternoon we decided to start with the restaurant hopping. According to Ace, people in Iloilo don't live long because all there is to do in Iloilo is eating. And not to mention that they have a lot of greasy food too! Haha..

By the beach in Jordan, Guimaras

Visiting Jordan, Guimaras

Although the weather forecast had predicted a possible typhoon for Saturday it seemed like we had avoided it after all, and the good weather made it possible for us to go Island hopping! We left Iloilo by a small ferry heading for the neighboring island Jordan, and were picked up by a jeepney (local bus) reserved by my friend. It took us to a beach on the other side of the island where we got into a small Filipino boat. From there we visited many small islands in the area, and had the chance to swim in the crystal clear water. On one of the beaches we stopped by I got to take pictures with a sea turtle, and on another island we visited a sort of traditional Filipino house.



When we came back to Iloilo after our little island hopping adventure Ace drove me around in Iloilo and showed me all of his city. Iloilo is a very historical place with many old and pretty buildings dating back to the years of the Spanish colonization. Unfortunately most of these buildings have already been destroyed, and the remaining ones are not being kept very well either. I hope for the future that the government sees the value in these historical buildings and do a better job in conserving them for the future generations and possible tourists.


The rest of my stay in Iloilo was spent eating delicious foods and desserts..



On Sunday morning it was time for my flight back to Cebu. I had a great weekend much thanks to my friend Ace who took so good care of me and showed me around, and not to mention his family who let me stay at their place. I hope I get the chance to visit Iloilo again some time in the future!

• All blogposts from Southeast Asia
• All blogposts from the Philippines
• Volunteering in the Philippines with Rise Above Cebu
• Volunteering with Rise Above in the Philippines: Dental Mission!
• Christmas at Ayala Shopping Center with the Rise Above Foundation
• Sightseeing in the Philippines: Swimming with Whale Sharks in Oslob
• Sightseeing in Bohol: Day-trip to the Chocolate Hills & Tarsier Watching
• Diving in the Philippines: Balicasag - the Diver's Heaven and the Marine Sanctuary
• Sightseeing in the Philippines: Weekend Trip to Iloilo!
• HumanHeartNature: Filipino Ecological Skincare!
• New Year Greeting from the Philippines!
• [Hotel Reviews] Philippines: A night at an aquarium - Hotel H2O

Thank you for reading! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below
- Anette

My friend Jenny recommended me a brand called Human❤Nature that specializes in ecological skin care products in the Philippines. This brand work for the development of the community at the same time as they utilize only natural and local ingredients in their products. The result: products that your skin will love!
In addition, the products are really cheap because the company reduces own profit in order to ensure that poor Filipinos also can afford their products. Not to mention that their profits help to develop local communities in the Philippines!
As a Conscious Consumer I always try to think about the choices I make when it comes to own consumption. This brand is great for me, because it allows me to consume in a way that is better both for the environment, the local people and for me!
You can learn more about Human❤Nature on their home page: http://www.humanheartnature.com/

• All blogposts from Southeast Asia
• All blogposts from the Philippines
• Volunteering in the Philippines with Rise Above Cebu
• Volunteering with Rise Above in the Philippines: Dental Mission!
• Christmas at Ayala Shopping Center with the Rise Above Foundation
• Sightseeing in the Philippines: Swimming with Whale Sharks in Oslob
• Sightseeing in Bohol: Day-trip to the Chocolate Hills & Tarsier Watching
• Diving in the Philippines: Balicasag - the Diver's Heaven and the Marine Sanctuary
• Sightseeing in the Philippines: Weekend Trip to Iloilo!
• HumanHeartNature: Filipino Ecological Skincare!
• New Year Greeting from the Philippines!
• [Hotel Reviews] Philippines: A night at an aquarium - Hotel H2O

Thank you for reading! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below
- Anette

Merry Christmas to all of my dear readers, friends and family^^
I've been spending a nice Christmas here in the Philippines, and now I'm prepared for a couple of days of studying before my travels in the Philippines begins. I'm planning to visit my friend Ace in Iloilo this weekend, and on Sunday my bf is coming to Cebu to enjoy one week of vacation with me here. After celebrating the new year in Mactan we are going to Oslob to swim with the whale sharks, and we are also planning to spend a couple of days in the island paradise Bohol! I'm sure we'll have a great week here.
How have your Christmas been? I hope you've had a wonderful time＼(^o^)／
Lastly, here comes my favorite Christmas shot for 2012^^

It is only a couple of days left till Christmas, and here in the Philippines everyone is getting ready for the big celebration. In addition to our trip to the poor areas of Cebu to deliver Christmas presents from the Rise Above Foundation's sponsors I have also had the chance to come along to one of the local shopping centers where Elisabet and Flemming dressed up as mr and mrs Santa and entertained the kids with stories and christmas gifts. Here is a picture from the event, which I made by using the application Instaframe:

• All blogposts from Southeast Asia
• All blogposts from the Philippines
• Volunteering in the Philippines with Rise Above Cebu
• Volunteering with Rise Above in the Philippines: Dental Mission!
• Christmas at Ayala Shopping Center with the Rise Above Foundation
• Sightseeing in the Philippines: Swimming with Whale Sharks in Oslob
• Sightseeing in Bohol: Day-trip to the Chocolate Hills & Tarsier Watching
• Diving in the Philippines: Balicasag - the Diver's Heaven and the Marine Sanctuary
• Sightseeing in the Philippines: Weekend Trip to Iloilo!
• HumanHeartNature: Filipino Ecological Skincare!
• New Year Greeting from the Philippines!
• [Hotel Reviews] Philippines: A night at an aquarium - Hotel H2O

Thank you for reading! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below
- Anette

Christmas is drawing near, and as a result the streets in Cebu are filled with christmas lights and christmas songs can be heard all over town. The christmas spirit is here to brighten up the days for the people of Cebu too.
But unfortunately the difference between people is very big, and a lot of the citizens here do not have the chance to enjoy a nice christmas dinner or give and receive presents because of their lack of income.

Visiting the poorer areas of Cebu

A typical home where the whole family share one room and one bed.

Entrance gate to one of the homes

The NGO that I work for here in Cebu (the Rise Above Foundation) has with the help from sponsors from all over the world gathed christmas gifts for families from the poorest areas of Cebu. I had the chance to come along on a trip around the city on Sunday to deliver christmas gifts to some of the many poor families that live here. We talked with many of the local people here, and they told us their stories. One lady was the mother of ten kids, and she told us that last year there had been a fire burning down her house. She had managed to save nine of the kids, but forgot about one of her daughters as she was trying to bring the others to safety..
One thing that seems to be the standard among the poor families we visited, is that they all have large families with many kids but with only one (or none) working parents. One of the girls we met was only nineteen, but she already had a two-year old daughter.



Marie has just given out gifts to one of the families.

We saw a lot of poverty during our trip around Cebu's slum areas. The families living close to the river were especially unfortunate, because everytime the river overflows the water would flood their houses.


There are so many cute kids living in the slums of Cebu.. I believe that helping them all to a better life will be hard, and it will definately be impossile without the help of people from outside. Rise Above does a really valueable work in the community here, because they give children the chance to get an education and improve their health through the NGO's many programs in the community. The Family Care Center where I'm working as a volunteer give the children the opportunity to get out of poverty through their educational programs, at the same time as it gives their parents the chance to work. All this is possible because of all the hard-working people within the Rise Above Foundation, and because of sponsors contributing from all over the world. By supporting this organization you can be a part of empowering local women, and you can ensure that the kids in the slums of Cebu gets an education.

My two first weeks here in Cebu I am planning to spend most of my time working as a volunteer in the NGO Rise Above's family care center. The family care center is a place where sponsored children are taken care of by Rise Above workers and volunteers, where they take part in both fun and educational activities while their parents can use the opportunity to work. At the family care center the kids get to take a shower in the morning when they arrive, and put on a nice and clean uniform with the Rise Above-logo on which they use until the end on the day. In addition to the shower, they also are taught how to brush their teeth. Apparently many people here drink a lot of sweet drinks with a lot of sugar, but unfortunately they do not pay enough attention to their dental health. It is thus quite a lot of kids who already are having problems with their teeth here. After this first session the kids are divided into groups depending on their age, and they are having a couple of hours of regular classes with math, English and other subjects.

When I opened the door to the car outside the center I could already hear the voices of laughing and playing children. They all looked very happy to see us coming, and they greeted us one by one by taking our hand and lift it up to touch their forehead. We had arrived at the family care center just in time for lunch, and all the kids soon lined politely up to get their servings.
This day was quite a special day, because one of the local workers had brought a bunch of friends along who wanted to help out making some fun activities for the kids. After dinner we gathered the kids and our guest entertained them all with some funny games. The kids also contributed to the entertainment with a round of Gangnam-style, which seems to be their favorite dance.
The kids are so cute, and I'm looking forward to spending more time playing with them. I'll be back with more posts from my stay here, in the meantime, check out Raise Above's homepage at http://www.riseabove-cebu.org/