(UPDATE: As of yesterday, November 8, 2011 I have un-retired and accepted a CEO assignment within the same advertising media industry)
BoyP recently retired from advertising and, after prodding by friends, decided to write a travel blog. He has been to most if not all of the 81 provinces in the country, but was never into photography. He makes it a mission to pass thru all of the roads within the highway system, whether concreted, asphalted, or rough.
Now he is on double time going to the places he has visited in the last 35 years to finally take photographs and provide travel tips to friends who look up to him as a resident travel agent.
In some instances, he makes do with photographs of Kodak prints from previous travels. And photos shared by friends he traveled with.
All reviews are objective and independent. BoyP pays for all his fares, hotel rooms, and restaurant bills.
HELP SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT AS YOU TRAVEL. DO NOT LITTER OUR FORESTS AND SEAS. DO NOT HARM OUR FLORA AND FAUNA.
Like him on facebook :
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Travel virtually thru 2 FUNtastic Philippines facebook travel-photography groups, or plan your holidays by getting a preview of various interesting spots in the country as posted by thousands of its members:
FUNtastic Philippines Fun Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FUNtastic.Philippines.FUNgroup/
We Are Funtastic Philippines :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/we.are.funtastic.philippines/
BoyP Lakwatsa supports Greenpeace
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/
https://www.facebook.com/greenpeace.international
boyplakwatsa is a member of the Philippine Bonsai Society. Visit Philippine Bonsai Society of facebook
LAKWATSA 
Great to view over and over — antidote to toxic office work
Glad you like my posts. Suggest you subscribe (doesn’t cost anything) so you can get email alerts when I post something new.
I luuuuuuvvvvvv your life, Boy P! If we don’t manage to visit the places that you do, I will travel vicariously with you.
Hi Boy P. Am Jo’s classmate in high school and have visited your beautiful home in Tagaytay!
Reading your blog is like traveling without leaving home! God bless all your trips!
Of course I remember you. Glad you liked my posts. I am in Ozamis, and will start drafting my post on Ozamis. Will most likely post it when I get to Dakak tomorrow.
Hi Boy! Thank you so much for the answer…I’ll take ur word for it…I’ve heard somewhere that Dakak isn’t as it was before, so maybe we’ll skip Dakak. I think i’m excited with Camiguin. Can u please tell me how to get there from Ozamis…that’s where we have to start. I like what u do…goodluck! U and blog will be very helpful to amateur travellers like us. God bless 🙂
From Ozamis, you take a Rural Transit bus to Cagayan de Oro. The fare should be P250 or less (I think, because Dipolog-Cagayan is P350). From the terminal, go to the other terminal called Agora where you take another bus to Balingoan. It is 80 kms from CDO. From Balingoan, you will ride a ferry on a one-hour trip to Benoni, where you can take public transport to Mambajao, where most resorts are. More tips from my Camiguin blog.
hey bro, i was just in mla couiple a days ago. saw tito e., where’s the best dimsum place in mnl and hongkong?
Hey Sam. hindi ka man lung bumusina. I am not a dimsum fan – – they seem to be the same in all Chinese restaurants.
come to think of it, busina was what i mostly heard while stuck in traffic where a 5km drive takes about 45mins. I was just intrigued by “travel channels tonyBourdain “food trip in HK lookin for streetfood dimsum..thanks
hey Boy i know this is a dream come true for you.just enjoy every minute of it. do take care. just enjoy.
Hi Mon ! yes, I am enjoying these travels. You sure know me well to say traveling without a purpose (lakwatsa) is a dream.
Hi Boy, Maybe you can visit “Our Place” Bed & Breakfast for an alternative experience in Baguio.
Take care…keep on trekking!
Hi Boy,
Visit the links below to get more info. Also, check out the “Our Place” Bed & Breakfast page in FaceBook. "Our Place" Bed & BreakfastPromote Your Page Too
Take care.
http://www.moveinthecity.com/accommodations/transients/transient4621851.asp
http://www.baguiobedandbreakfast.com/
have you gone around central mindanao? lanao del norte, lanao del sur, maguindanao, sultan kudarat, etc.?
great travel blog here. I write my own as well, though not as many entries (or travel experiences) you have here.
I ‘luv your site!!! it is very informative… i have browsed thru all your post and my favorite is your Camiguin trip… It wanted me to go to Camiguin in the next months to come…
Keep it up!!!
please visit my site too… thanks!
http://mymervin.blogspot.com
thanks din po sir… yeah, sa pagiging gala natin, we’ll bump into each other someday…
Have a great time po sa inyong Zambales and Ilocos Adventure…
Great photos!
I enjoy reading your adventures, BoyP. I hope you’ll continue your travel adventures soon.:) http://www.cdokay.com/
Nice travel blog! I love reading all your travel adventure…
Thanks for your blogs Boy.. I am returning to Pinas this May and am planning a visit to pagudpud. Your blogs were very interesting and made my planning easier.. Cheers from New Zealand
Dear boy! U r doing a great job by writing travel blogs. pLEASE WRITE ABOUT MY RESORT ALSO…it is at Kerala…God’s own Country. We need a lot many costumers in our resort. Please mail me when u see this.
Thanks for the comments on my blog! I will DEFINITELY be back to the Philippines. (So many more places to visit!) Next time, I want to experience more Philippine food. I feel like my husband and I played it safe at the resorts we were at and mostly ordered stuff we already knew! We only went to a very few local restaurants. I will keep reading your blog and will definitely contact you when we return!
nice to meet and talk to you po.. 🙂
hi!!! kua boy im a friend of kua joddy ogayre malabayabas….from radyo marinduque….
Lovely reading your page. x
im a novice in travel blogging, and i find blog sites like this very informative. it gives me idea of new places to visit in the future and essential info i would need like accommodation, fares, transportation, food etc.
bilib din ako sa mga tulad mo who chooses to follow their dream, which in your case is to travel and see the beauty of our country.
hope to see and read more of your blogs!
I am actually a novice blogger, too. I have been traveling since I was young and I have covered practically the entire country. But I started blogging only 2 years ago so I needed to revisit these places, and revisit other places I went to in the past. Blog or no blog, I enjoy traveling around our beautiful country. Hope to cross paths with you someday.
Just about to start reading your blog for some Philippines tips! A group of us have 3 nights in Luzon before heading to the south islands – where do you think the ONE place we should stay is?! Appreciate your advice 🙂 Nicole
You may want to visit nearby towns. You don’t have to go far if you are staying just 3 nights on the main island, because you will have to take off from Manila anyway for the southern islands. I suggest you stay a night or two in Tagaytay, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours from Metro Manila. It is a high-altitude place known for its cool weather and the ridge where you can see the world’s smallest volcano, Taal Volcano. It is an interesting sight. There is a lake on a volcano within a lake. While in Tagaytay, you can visit garden restaurants like Sonya’s Garden, famous for their salad, bread and dips, and pasta. Or arrange to stay overnight at Moon Garden, a Balinese-inspired garden restaurant with a bed & breakfast facility. Or simply have coffee in one of the restaurants on the ridge.
If lazing around in a mountain resort is not your cup of tea, then you may want to go to Laiya, in San Juan, Batangas. The white sand beach resorts there cater to all types and suits different budgets.
Or simply stay around Manila and explore Intramuros, a historic fort/garrison where you are guided around on a walking tour. And explore the world-class malls like Greenbelt in Makati, or the Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Of course there are museums you can visit if that is your type.
Alternatively, you can spend two nights in Subic and stay at SBMA, a huge rest and recreation area made out of what was then the USA’s largest military facility outside of continental USA. SBMA itself is huge, its land area is the size of Singapore. There are high-end hotels as well as budget accommodations. In Subic, you can do zipline, or ride the whales, or go on a safari.
You may read up on these (except Intramuros) in my blog.
Enjoy your visit.
Thanks so much for your advice! We have planned our Christmas in Tagaytay and very much looking forward to it! Nicole
That is a good decision. I myself spend Christmases in Tagaytay, and I even blogged about it last Christmas. You may want to see that post I entitled Merry Christmas. You may even want to drop by for coffee. Advise me beforehand so my family can welcome you.
I love your posts! They’re very helpful and your pictures make them more interesting to visit. I hope you make time to do another post about your Marinduque adventure.Im planning to visit the island on my birthday :))
The second (and third ?) parts of my Marinduque blogs are overdue, but I have to tell you now the places I will write about are the MORE BEAUTIFUL spots in Marinduque. When is your birthday? I may have to rush the post . . . .
I’ll be celebrating it second week of JUne :)) do you still have contact number of the your tour guide in Marinduque? Sounds like a good deal to me
😉
I don’t engage tour guides. I go around on my own. Best to have your own vehicle to tour the whole island in one day, and then plan the rest of your trip on the basis of what you see. I suggest you spend most of your time in the town of Torrijos where there are excellent beaches. A public beach, Pictoy White Beach, is nice. There are accommodations within the perimeter of the resort for P2,000 a night, aircon. You can also stay at Club Cagpo, owned by An Australian married to a Filipina (who is herself now an Aussie). She is a very nice lady who makes sure the guests are comfortable. You can google Club Cagpo for more. Or hop over to an island called Maniuaya, from the wharf in the town of Sta Cruz. It is an island with a few resorts now, and is developing into a major attraction of the province. You can even pitch a tent near the shore.
You can rent a van from Boac Hotel. They charged me P3,000 for a whole day trip around the whole of Marinduque.
Thanks for the tip! :)) Can’t wait to explore the whole island! 🙂
Hello there from one lakwatsero to another 🙂
Hello ! You mentioned in the Road Trip blog that you also do have a blog, and wrote about Biri. Please send me the link, or your blog address.
Hello again, BoyP 🙂 Thank you for finding my blog through google. And thank you, too, for the coffee session offer with Lean. He mentioned you were also interested in visiting Biri. I hope matuloy kayo one of these days.
Hi BoyP! I love reading your adventures! And I really love your travel blog. Hope to visit those places someday.
I am actually new in blogging and still undecided about what would I blog. (don’t have any blogs yet)
I read that you were from advertising field. I’m an Advertising & PR student in PUP.
In fact, we are organizing a seminar about print media. Just wondering if you are interested to become a speaker in the seminar? It would take place in Baguio City on October 17. It’d be great to have you in the event. Would be very much obliged if you reply to this. Thank you. 🙂
I have addressed the PUP Student Ad Congress, held in Baguio at the Brent (near Teachers Camp) twice. Print media is not my forte, but overall media strategies. That was the topic of my last (and 2nd ) talk. The first time I was invited, i talked about the rules on advertising content. If any of these topics is tabled, I could. Otherwise, print advertising, per se, is something I won’t be excited to discuss.
Hello Sir. Maybe you could discuss about the best creative media executions (for Print) here in the Philippines and abroad? The event will still take place at Brentwood.
Hello,
I am Erika from TravelerVoice, a new social network for travel bloggers.
I just found your blog and I really like how you described your travel story with beautiful pictures and assertive comments, especially one of your last post about Marinduque, I didn’t knew much about it and I was really interesting to learn more about that 🙂
It’s exactly the kind of writing we are looking for our Getaways section, please feel free to register 🙂
In the meantime I am running a contest to reward the most outstanding travel blogs on the web and I am still looking for new members 🙂 so please check it out at http://www.travelervoice.com/contest.aspx for further details.
I am looking forward to hearing from you 🙂
Cheers,
Erika.
Very nice travel log, hope you can get in touch with me thru me email. Regards !
Very nice travel log, hope you can get in touch with me thru e email. Regards !
hi this is lejan from la triel resort! i happened to stumble upon your yahoo answer about la triel resort and i am very thankful for your good review and your appreciation of our humble place! it was an honor having you as our guest, more power to you!
Your place deserves that good review. In fact, I was going to blog about it but I forgot my camera in the other car. I shall go one of these days to take photos so I can include it in my blog.
Hi, Boy!
Have you ever done Viaje del Sol? If so, do you have a blog about it! Would love to read it, ‘coz I really want to do Viaje when I go home to Pinas in Feb. Thanks. Btw I am also a member of CVMP just like you and I love all your photos. More power! Evelyn Rimando
Hi Evelyn, of course I know you from the CVMP pages. I have not done Viaje del Sol though. I normally target places and go solo. Mas gusto ko traveling on my own, on a very loose itinerary.
Hi! Boy, My friend and I planning to travel to Pagudpud and also want to see the Bangui windmill by bus. Please advise me a less expensive itinerary. Thanks.
Florida Bus goes to Pagudpud. My blog post on Pagudpud (search Pagudpud on my homepage) includes contact details of various accommodations, from the high-end, mid-range, all the way to homestays. If you want to visit the bangui windmills, I suggest you go direct to pagudpud, and plan your Bangui visit from there. Bangui is just the bext town. Or you could get off the bus at bangui, and then take another ride from Bangui to Pagudpud.
What a treasure find this is! Your blogging style is very thorough and precise…hence informational and helpful. I look forward to reading the pages. Next academic year, I am actually planning in moving my 3 children to the Philippines for full language and cultural immersion. I intend to do this by placing them in a traditional Filipino academic institution. I am considering Colegio de dan Agustin. Part of the plan is also to visit as many places in the Philippines as possible. It has only been recently that I have discovered the diversity of our beautiful country. Coming across CVMP was also a godsend because the astonishingly superb photos allow me to take a glimpse of places, traditions and cultures I have yet to encounter. See you around… 🙂
hi boy p, is there any not so popular beaches in san juan batangas? i mean yung cheap lang po..:)
There are several in laiya itself. They are not resorts, but beach accommodations from people who live in the communities. Just drive around and check them out.
Hi! Thank you for the positive review of Balai Resort Laiya! Yes, we already transferred to a new location, It is still in San Juan and we are sure you will also love the place 🙂 Come visit us sometime 🙂 like us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/BalaiResortsFanPage
Hi,can i ask the details regarding with rate @ Hardin ng Postema?like Day Rate for adult and child?what is the time of ur nightrate start how much is the rate also for adult and child?Cottage the Price? Family Rooms? And kindly send me all the restrictions. Thank you much…it will a big help to me.And can I ask any contact #’s @ that resort and who am i look for.You can send me all the details thru my email address.
Thank you much..
wiLma
Hello Wilma ! Many times I have been mistaken to be either owner of a place, or at least connected to it. Maybe because I give so much detail, unusual for bloggers. Sorry but I just went to the place and liked it enough to share with travelers like me. I have indicated the contact details and so please get in touch with the resort directly. They have amiable marketing staff.
Thank heavrns for boyp.
Read several of your blogs and enjoyed every destination.more!
Thank you. Many more photos waiting to be posted. And many more places to revisit so I can wrte about them
Glad to share my travel stories so that more people will be inspired to travel around the country. Truly, it’s more fun in the Philippines!
hi there! glad I found my way here! trying to gain inspiration to write…you just sparked my love for exploring…awesome site! :)…I would love to have a photo like the one in your profile 🙂
Hi, I have found your blog and its really interesting! If you don’t mind i would like to ask for your help or opinion 🙂 Me and my GF traveling in Asia and will arrive to Manilla on November 24 and would like to stay in Philippines for whole month and leave right before Christmas (DEC 23). We would like to stay in some beach town, more like backpackers style, just a bit better 🙂 Hot shower and internet is a must. Also would prefer that location would be easily reachable from Manilla. Currently I think my best bet is in Puerto Gallera, just bus ride and ferry from Manilla and it looks like pretty developed, I kinda find cheap hostels with internet and beaches looks nice in photos. What do you think? In other locations it seems like pretty hard to find accommodation i would like on internet (maybe just go there and find it on spot?). Are there better destinations than Puerto Gallera? Maybe I could ask for discount in hotels for almost a month stay? Also Christmas season wont be a problem?
Best regards
Ig
Yes, Puerto Galera will be interesting, primarily because it is on an island that has been declared, for the most part, a marine reserve. It also has a vibrant nightlife. It is the best “party place” after Boracay. Or if you choose to be lazy and just enjoy the island, you can just walk and swim and reas and eat and sleep. Unfortunately I have not blogged about Puerto Galera ( I choose not to blog about extremely popular destinations).
Alternatively, you may want to check out Laiya in San Juan, Batangas. Maybe google La Luz, a mid-priced resort (not backpacker though). Yet you can find more modest accommodations, too.
Between the two, I think you will find Puerto Galera more enjoyable. I have a natural bias for islands. Enjoy your visit. Drop me a line when you can hen your travel plans are finalized.
Your blog is so nice and simple. Ayos sir! gala pa tayo ng marami =)
Salamat sa papuri.
I visited your blog, too, and I love it. Sana magkabungguan tayo minsan sa galaan. I will look for a smoking man in white.
I am planning to develop a beach resort. Since u have traveled to 80 provinces in the Philippines, what would be the best option for an ideal high-end or luxury resort ?
I have traveled to all these provinces but that does not make me an authority on high-end beach resorts. Been to some, but not to all high-end resorts. What I do know about high-end resorts is the pride in the exclusivity of those who are able to go there. Take Amanpulo – – – it remains a dream for most because very very very few can afford the rates plus the plane fare. Yet everyone dreams of going there someday and have a chance to hobnob with the gliterrati – – – maybe have a chat with a prince, a princess, or maybe even Brad Pitt. Of course the amenities and the service must be more than 5-star. Guests want to feel important and pampered, without invading their privacy. Best of all, the resort must be in a location that does not look the same as their neighborhood beach resort.
hello sir BoyP just want to ask contact no. of the tour guide at SAMAL ISLAND DAVAO. thanks..
His name is Jun Dungog. On my phonebook, his number is 0910 341 1539. I got this number when I went there. Some people change sim cards every so often. Of this number has been changed, ask the guards at Paradise Island, they might know. He lives near the back gate of Paradise Island.
hi, sir. i have rrad your taal trip. is it easy to travel alone in taal without booking reservations with any of the tour groups? can you help me with the itinerary? is taal far from the puzzle mansion?
i will visit taal with a friend from taiwan and want to show her the beauty of phil
tnx
Yes, you can walk around Taal even without tour groups. Taal is a small town and walking on the main heritage street will take you through most of the sites I wrote about. The Puzzle Mansion is in Tagaytay and unless you are bringing private transport – – it is not a convenient stop. It is also not on the main street of Tagaytay, you will have to find it in one of the side streets.
Good day sir.
I am Rhick Lars Albay from Panay News, the largest regional daily in the country. I am an avid reader of your blog.
For the upcoming Iloilo Dinagyang, Panay News we’ll be publishing a Magazine supplement on all things Dinagyang, the topics ranging from the making of the festive costumes to tips on what to wear for the streets. I’m writing a piece on Dinagyang as a popular destination for travelers, photographers, and bloggers such as yourself. I’ve found out that you’ve been to Dinagyang before, and I would be greatly honored if I could ask from you a short blurb, quip, or an account of your Dinagyang experience from the previous years.
It can be as short as 4 to 6 sentences relating your own memories about Dinagyang (i.e. the sights, sounds, and places you remember; unforgettable experiences; the events and festivities you enjoyed during Dinagyang).
Beside your blurb, we’ll be publishing a few of your photos from previous Dinagyangs, as well as the links to your blog and social media.
The supplement is slated to be released during the Dinagyang weekend this coming Jan. 23
We hope to hear from you soon and that you agree to write a few words about Dinagyang, I look forward to seeing you for the actual Dinagyang festivities this coming Jan. 23 to 24, if you’ll be in Iloilo.
More Power to you.
Yes, I am booked for Dinagyang, and will be staying at Amigo Terrace Hotel. I will be delighted to share. Will email you.
Hi! May I have your email ad, sir? I would like to ask about booking at SESE brahmans ranch. We went there for a day tour in November. I wish to include who to contact for those who want to stay overnight. We would use the info for my guidebook Around Bicol in 7 Days. -Mavic
email me at xdyrboyp@yahoo.com with a text message to 09088869113 as I do not open my yahoo mail everyday
looking for a private place in tagaytay, pls. email me at ictan2000@yahoo.com, thanks
Sent you details
Hi BoyP,
Saw this article “https://boyplakwatsa.com/2010/04/19/laiya-in-color/” when I was looking around travel in Philippines, and thought is it possible if we take on an initiative to update this article or can we post a new article to your site if you are not comfortable of editing the post?
Please let me know if this is something you would consider.
Kind regards,
Joanne
I appreciate the concern since my article was posted 2010 yet. You can send me the draft and photos and I can post it with full disclosure that this is your contribution as “guest blogger”.
Hi BoyP,
How about a new article posting?
Please let me know if this is possible?
Here’s my email add. joanne.web.outreach.team@gmail.com, so we can talk about what am i looking forward too.
Thanks and have a great day.
Joanne
Hi Boy P.
I’m taking a trip to Masbate in 3 weeks but I am having hard time reserving a hotel. None of them have websites to view prices/rooms/accommodations, although they have Facebook pages with limited information. Contacting them and speaking to someone is next to impossible also. Can you give some feedback on how to reserve a room? No one has online portals.
Thank you,
Frank
They have a phone number
https://www.facebook.com/pg/RanchelleBeachResortKainanSaTabingDagat/about/?ref=page_internal
Hi Frank, I earlier gave you contact details for Ranchelle, my favorite in Masbate. But there are other options. My blog on Masbate hotels, with photos and rates and contact details might help.
https://boyplakwatsa.com/2016/03/09/20-masbate-hotels-and-other-accommodations-options/
Hello sir. I am a fan. I’ve been following your blog for probably a decade but I never got the chance to thoroughly read all your articles. I am now. I, actually finished about 95%.
Anyway, I hope you are doing fine po. I see that you haven’t updated your blog for a couple of years now. Probably busy with life and various transitions.
I envy you sir to be honest. How you get to travel and go to high-end accommodations and yet have the feeling for the “MASA”. That to me is very down to earth. I wish you and your family good health.
I have decided to keep your blog a handy reference for my own family’s future travels. Mabuhay po kayo sir.
Have not been able to travel much since I got preoccupied with bonsai. And then the pandemic came
Sir boy Balik ka ulit D2 sa cebu..