tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post114770418896486954..comments2008-05-12T17:02:25.416+08:00ivanhenareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952639023631049082noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post-24120179545369393122007-10-30T16:27:00.000+08:002007-10-30T16:27:00.000+08:002007-10-30T16:27:00.000+08:00You're so lucky to have the opportunity to travel around our country. I do believe that before we go out touring other countries, we should get to know local wonders first. It's also good that you're sharing your travel experiences with those who are not so lucky. :) congratulations on a job well done!Cielohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235772660369833468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post-40312919001330224102007-09-01T07:35:00.000+08:002007-09-01T07:35:00.000+08:002007-09-01T07:35:00.000+08:00This is fantastic, Ivan! I'm so happy that your efforts are being recognized this way. You've come such a long way! (Random memory: I remember walking to your house from Sara's when we were in high school...I'm not sure if we actually saw each other or we were just being toured around Posadas...)<BR/><BR/>I keep reading your stuff, living vicariously through you. God, how I miss home! Thanks for showing me and everyone else the real face of the Philippines. :-)<BR/><BR/>-Katz N.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post-36676205824051337872007-08-24T16:18:00.000+08:002007-08-24T16:18:00.000+08:002007-08-24T16:18:00.000+08:00I find your site equally informative and inspiring. My beau and I have also developed a passion for travelling. Our blog has become a great way to chronicle our adventures and showcase our photographs. <BR/><BR/>I admire your passion for advocating tourism and national heritage. I hope that this site will help start a trend in backpacking. <BR/><BR/>It's nice to see that the DOT has made some significant moves in promoting our tourism such as amplifying online presence and regulating fees and transportation in many tourist locations. An example of which I've seen would be Boracay and Pagsanjan. There's still a long way to go, but at least there's improvement.<BR/><BR/>Best regards!einah de guzmanhttp://eihnah.multiply.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post-75861794274554296012007-06-23T02:06:00.000+08:002007-06-23T02:06:00.000+08:002007-06-23T02:06:00.000+08:00My latest camera is a Sony Cybershotivanhenareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952639023631049082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post-65838426467180395172007-06-22T23:23:00.000+08:002007-06-22T23:23:00.000+08:002007-06-22T23:23:00.000+08:00Ivan, great blog! Just want to ask, what camera are you using? You got really great pics! Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post-13490030520662123182007-04-23T06:06:00.000+08:002007-04-23T06:06:00.000+08:002007-04-23T06:06:00.000+08:00Hey Ivan, My wife and I have promoted backpacker, budget tourism, relocating and retiring to a simple fullfilling life here in the Philippines for the last 20 years but have yet to meet a kindred spirit until now. YOU are the first outspoken Filipino person who GETS IT, really share our views and attitudes. We have noticed over the last 5 years that with the Lakbay Bayan TV travel programs a new birth of budget, adventure travelers among Filipinos in their 20s and early 30. Though we've noticed this new crowd emerging we have not had a lot of contact with them, maybe because of our age differences ( we're both 53 ). Ever since arriving the first time in the Philippines when I was 25 years old back in Jan. 1980 heading for the Ati-Atihan festival to PARTY I have been IN-LOVE witht he Philippines and the Filipino people. Hope our paths cross sometime while living "life on the road". Bill and LornaBill and Lorna Collingshttp://asiabill.pages.web.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post-1161313072774068832006-10-20T10:57:00.000+08:002006-10-20T10:57:00.000+08:002006-10-20T10:57:00.000+08:00your backpacking idea is good. I like the philippines, but I wonder if you have a good enough control of crime for backpacking to become a norm?<BR/><BR/>that is my only concern.<BR/><BR/>otherwise, the philippines is great in my eyes.<BR/><BR/>personally, I had one alaskan friend who got murdered when he went hiking in the mountains around angeles city. he was a big guy too.<BR/><BR/>still, I like your dream, and hope it will come true for you someday.<BR/><BR/>there are so many places in the PI that I would love to check out. and if not for the criminal/rebel element, I would.<BR/><BR/>good luck!james deannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post-1147956015131846412006-05-18T20:40:00.000+08:002006-05-18T20:40:00.000+08:002006-05-18T20:40:00.000+08:00ivan,<BR/><BR/>i am fascinated by your travels and interest in seeing different cultures. i agree with you that the country has so much to offer but there are just so many obstacles for tourists to come and see it. Recently, one of the biggest newspapers here in the UK had a full size SUnday spread on the Philippines. It was a really good article, saying how the country is truly off the beaten track and has so much to offer. The article even said that it is so different from thailand in that the latter is oversaturated with tourists. Here, when the subject of travelling to southeast asia comes up, immediately people think of thailand, or malaysia, or Cambodia, or Vietnam or Indonesia. When you suggest PHilippines, they immediately think it;s dangerous. I think the Philippines should work on its image a bit, then intensify tourism efforts. Why is Bali still so popular a tourist destination when Indonesia has its share of muslim-extremist related troubles? Why has Thailand continued to bring in tourist after the tsunamis of 2004? WHat should the Philippines be doing to get its share of the market which it rightfully deserves? ~Sigh. Ivan, i think YOU can do something to help. You're passionate about tourism, you have national pride, you're very much a people person and quite driven to ensure a project is successful. Please help the DOT.rgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post-1147791372967549572006-05-16T22:56:00.000+08:002006-05-16T22:56:00.000+08:002006-05-16T22:56:00.000+08:00Congrats for the interview!Sidneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023284412252407609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post-1147782941340891332006-05-16T20:35:00.000+08:002006-05-16T20:35:00.000+08:002006-05-16T20:35:00.000+08:00Hey tokayo! I should be saying the same thing to you! Hehe!ivanhenareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952639023631049082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post-1147775610151787932006-05-16T18:33:00.000+08:002006-05-16T18:33:00.000+08:002006-05-16T18:33:00.000+08:00Can I fit into your back pack on your next trip?manilastreetwalkerhttp://www.manilastreetwalker.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post-1147753452939386282006-05-16T12:24:00.000+08:002006-05-16T12:24:00.000+08:002006-05-16T12:24:00.000+08:00Nah, that's one of my frustrations since I was an undergrad in 1997. Hehe! I don't think I would survive the time trials around the acad oval. Haha! Maybe if I get a little bit thinner. I'll consider it when I do my Ph.D.ivanhenareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952639023631049082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post-1147750739492957532006-05-16T11:38:00.000+08:002006-05-16T11:38:00.000+08:002006-05-16T11:38:00.000+08:00Great article. I actually envy you for being able to travel a lot in our country. Though I still manage to get around, I'm more of a city person and there's work and... (I know: excuses, excuses.)<BR/><BR/><BR/>Were you also a member of U.P. Mountaineering? (Not that I was. I kinda just figured you were... ;))banzai cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18144585058487973826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post-1147745614735953352006-05-16T10:13:00.000+08:002006-05-16T10:13:00.000+08:002006-05-16T10:13:00.000+08:00Yes, I agree with that. The way the situation in the Philippines is being portrayed abroad is far from real. And our local media has a lot to do with the way the international media sees us.<BR/><BR/>The Philippines is indeed a nice place to visit. No doubt about that! :)ivanhenareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952639023631049082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post-1147730699261537442006-05-16T06:04:00.000+08:002006-05-16T06:04:00.000+08:002006-05-16T06:04:00.000+08:00I keep trying to convince people to go and backpack in the Philippines but the common themes that come up again and again are the fact that it is off the kangaroo trail to Asutralia from Europe. Most people transition in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore rather than Manila and the other perception is that it is a dangerous place for tourists.<BR/><BR/>I have been to Manila and Boracay and compared to my home city of Dublin, Ireland Manila is safer at night. Without question. the risk of assault is lower and the people are friendlier. In Dublin you are likely to get robbed or get into a bar fight quite easily. <BR/><BR/>I think that the Philippines main problem is a problem of perception by tourists rather than actually hwo the country is. I found it to be beautiful, with warm kind people who do not realise what a beautiful and potentially lucrative tourist destination the Philippines could become.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15647147.post-1147723922909841192006-05-16T04:12:00.000+08:002006-05-16T04:12:00.000+08:002006-05-16T04:12:00.000+08:00Great write up! Congratulations to you and Ajay :-DJMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01217941032371450987noreply@blogger.com