Jao Island - Talibon, Bohol

Finally Made It to Jao Island! 

Fun fact: "Jao" was the last name of my high school computer teacher—so I never imagined it was also the name of a beautiful island in Talibon, Bohol!

I've been dreaming of visiting this place for what feels like forever, and on May 4, it finally happened. 

 

The island is just a quick 20-minute boat ride from mainland Talibon. The fare? Only Php25—and the best part? Kids ride are FREE! 

 

Here’s a little tip: if you're planning to visit in the afternoon, make sure you have a backup plan. If there aren't enough passengers for the return trip, you might need to hire a private boat back to the mainland for Php350. Since it was May and school’s out, that scenario was pretty likely in the late afternoon. To be safe, try to go in the morning and head back between 3–4 PM.

The water at the dock was amazingly clear—perfect for a swim, and yes, the kids definitely took full advantage! 

 

There's also a charming boardwalk where the boats dock. It’s a great spot to relax and enjoy the island vibe.

If you’re anywhere near Bohol, Jao Island is totally worth the visit!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Close To Home ~

 

Inflation.

Kids.

Caregiving role.  

 

These are just one of the reasons why I can't always go fast to where I want to be.

But then, there is always the chance if we are intentional about it. 

A short glimpse of my favorite place. 

Singapore, To Escape ~

 My trip to Singapore in March 2010 was born out of a rebellious spirit.

I was already living in Luzon for 8 years. Six was spent in Laguna, and almost two years in Paranaque.

I was 29 years old, tired of being a breadwinner for almost a decade. I have been living in Paranaque for almost two years, call center-hopping, and was already working at a Franchising company when I decided to go to Singapore.

I sent a message to a friend Jen who has been living in SG for quite a while, and I asked her for some details and information on how to be a tourist in Singapore.

My flight was through Zest Air, I tendered my resignation so I can come to SG. My friend even advised me not to resign yet. But I did not listen to her (I was stubborn!) 😉

I left and took my flight with very little money in my hand, and a hostel booking.

Social media was not as famous as it is now. It was the early year of Facebook and I only log at FB like once a month. I don’t own a smartphone, I did not even have a camera with me when I went there.

Looking back now on how I navigate my travel, and how I did it, I would be a likely target for the Immigration Officer’s intense questioning. LOL. 😂

I have even stepped on Johor Bahru, for just a few days. This place is already a part of Malaysia.

A stamp on your passport outside of Singapore will increase your days of stay to SG upon re-entry.

Now I realize, there is so much in Singapore that I haven’t seen. I was only able to experience the SMRT, Orchard (where I have so many funny experiences), some malls, Marina Bay, and Merlion.

Three things that shocked me when in SG were:

- the presence of restaurant servers who looked like they were already 70s or going 80s. Most of our Lolo and Lolas are not anymore working by this age, but just the same, some Filipino parents at this age are looking after their grandchildren at home. Well 😉

- their Mcdo Hamburger was full of cabbage... like overflowing, or was it lettuce? 🤣 rice was not available 😁

- their drivers drive at the right side of the car/taxi 😍 

My sisters and I plan to cross to Singapore last June while in Malaysia. However, due to our travel time from Cameron Highlands, we need to recover physically and give Kuala Lumpur enough time to enjoy it.

Until next time Singapore, when the time is right, I hope to be delighted with what’s new with you from many years ago 😉

Go Hiking At Trinidad, Bohol!

 

Bohol is an island province, yes. 

It can be famous for Chocolate Hills and beaches, but very seldom are its hills and mountains being explored by locals.

However, recently, people are doing just that. We do have ample hills to explore in Bohol, and there is one in the town in Trinidad too :)

How about these greens?! Along the way and up to the top!

Too excited to see this one? Hill, oh majestic hill!

Or wait for sunset?

You need to pass by this part first, and if it's a rainy season, you will have a challenging walk to reach the place.

Farms, here and there :)

Mangoes, rice, corn, peppers are saying "Hi!" :)

My adorable model ;)

Opps, good for my eyes :)

At peace and not complaining, is this little girl Jenjen :)

At your service, as your guide. Lol :D

 

Longing for a place like this, from time to time :)

When you're lucky to stay longer to see this :)

Just like Marzel :D

This is for now, until you see it for yourself :)

In order to hike at this place you need to go to Trinidad, Bohol.


You can start at Dao Bus Terminal in Tagbilaran City.
Take a Ceres bus for Talibon via Carmen for Php180 and tell the driver that you'll stop at 'Eskensa sa San Vicente", from there, take a habal-habal and tell the driver you will be going to TTIFA at Purok 7 Annex for Php60.00. It would be best if you have your own car or motorbike for convenience.

There.

Enjoy hiking at Trinidad!

#Hugotpamore at Hugot Road, Loon, Bohol

What with the present pandemic, many people felt bored. It took me a long time to feel bored since I'm actually a homebody. I sleep a lot, any chance I got. So not having the chance to go anywhere is not really a problem with me. 

However, 166 days have passed since we mostly isolate ourselves from the rest of the crowd and I feel like I miss something. It's not that I just feel like I miss something but the reality hits me:

'What if we cannot see other places for the whole 2020?'

'Are we really deprived of seeing even just a bridge?'

'Can't we really do nothing at all? At all?'

After five months of just City-Work-Home routine, I decided to claim my life back. I asked my cousin to join me in visiting Hugot Road in Loon, Bohol. And she invited her friend Renzo to go with us  as well. It was indeed good for our mental health.

For the information of a Non-Filipino person, hugot is a Tagalog word, which became widely used recently via hashtags and shared for fun. It literally means 'to pull out' or 'drawing emotions from somewhere deep'.

People used 'hugot' lines or create a quote or phrase that can be attributed to a 'hugot' out of pain from broken friendships, relationships, failure and some do it for fun. 

One example of 'hugot' is "UNTA LAMOK NA LANG KO PARA MAKAPAAK KO NIMO", which means "HOW I WISH I AM JUST A MOSQUITO SO I CAN BITE YOU". :D

This indeed made me smile :)

So it was not just the road, or plainly those 'hugot' phrases, but the mangroves area are exhilarating too. Just look around. Feel it. Breathe in. When you do that, you'll know what I meant. 

And the 'hugot' quotes begin :)

Cousin MJ. 

Bikers whom we met there. They requested us to take a photo of them all. I told them, that it should just be my cousin because she can capture great photos than me. 

This part is kind of tricky. Only those who know how to capture pictures well can manage to have this too. I'm glad I was with these talented two :)

                                           Rinso, MJ's friend was all smile here too. 

In the end, it was a trip made in spite of covid, while traveling responsibly. That is, keeping our distance and wearing our face mask and face shield while inside the jeepney and during times when we were with strangers.

This present time may be different and challenging, BUT we still have a choice to move again, responsibly, following government protocols and safety measures. Embrace the NEW normal.

It doesn't mean, it is the end of the things that makes us happy.

So, GO!

How to get there?

From Tagbilaran City, take a tricycle to Cogon Bus Terminal for P15.

Take a jeepney or bus going to Sandingan, Loon  for P70 and tell the driver that you'll stop at Hugot Road.

Carpe Diem! :)