The first thing that strikes you about Olongapo City isn't the visual – it's the energy. As our jeepney rumbles down Magsaysay Drive, the main artery of this bustling port city about 80 kilometers northwest of Manila, the vibrant pulse of street life emerges against a backdrop of mountains and sea. Once home to the largest U.S. naval base outside American soil, Olongapo has transformed itself from a military outpost into a dynamic Filipino city … [Read more...]
About Junfil Olarte
http://www.amazon.com/author/creativewriter78
Junfil Olarte has spent over two decades exploring the hidden soul of Southeast Asia—uncovering the stories where ancestral traditions, regional flavors, and modern wanderlust collide.
His travel writing brings global attention to overlooked corners of the Philippine archipelago and beyond, capturing the essence of place through deeply personal essays and comprehensive guides. His work has been featured in Things Asian, Go World Travel Magazine, and numerous print publications over the years.
After leaving a successful aviation career in 2004, Olarte joined Dave's Travel Corner in 2008. He is a member of England's International Travel Writers Alliance, connecting with travel journalists and photographers worldwide.
Chasing Sunsets in Zambales
The minibus wound its way along the National Highway, leaving Manila's concrete jungle behind as the landscape gradually transformed into a tapestry of green fields and distant mountains. I was headed to Zambales, a province on the western coast of Luzon that had long captured my imagination with promises of pristine beaches and hidden coves. After four hours of travel, the familiar salt-tinged breeze of the West Philippine Sea welcomed me to … [Read more...]
Kalinga: Reflections of an Ancient Way of Life
The morning mist clung to the steep rice terraces as our jeepney wound its way through the mountain roads of Kalinga province. We had departed Tabuk City, the provincial capital, before dawn, aiming to reach the remote village of Buscalan by midday. The journey was as much a destination as the village itself—every hairpin turn revealed breathtaking vistas of emerald terraces carved into mountainsides, a testament to the agricultural ingenuity … [Read more...]
Abra: The Hidden Charms of Highland Culture
The morning air carried the scent of pine as our jeepney navigated the winding roads of Cordillera. My destination, Abra Province, remained largely unknown to international travelers—a hidden gem in Northern Luzon, Philippines. As we climbed higher into the mountains, leaving behind the tourist-filled streets of Baguio City, I found myself wondering what secrets this remote province might hold. Abra sits nestled between mountains and rivers, … [Read more...]
Ifugao: Terraced Legacy
The morning mist clung to the mountains as our car wound its way up the narrow road from Banaue town. I pressed my face against the window, eager for my first glimpse of what UNESCO had declared a World Heritage site, what locals had farmed for over 2,000 years, and what many call the "Eighth Wonder of the World"—the Ifugao rice terraces. The province of Ifugao sits in the Cordillera mountain range of Northern Luzon in the Philippines, a … [Read more...]
Benguet: Echoes of the Cordillera
The mist clung to the mountainsides like a reluctant lover as our vehicle navigated the winding road from Baguio City deeper into the heart of Benguet province. I pressed my forehead against the cool glass of the window, watching as the landscape transformed with each passing kilometer. The Philippines has many treasures, but the highlands of the Cordillera region hold a particular mystique that draws travelers seeking respite from the tropical … [Read more...]
The Laid-Back Charm of La Union
The morning sun casts its golden rays across the South China Sea, surfers dot the horizon at Urbiztondo Beach, their silhouettes dancing atop the waves that have made La Union the undisputed surf capital of Northern Philippines. Located approximately 280 kilometers north of Manila in the province of La Union, this coastal paradise has transformed from a quiet fishing community into a vibrant beach destination that perfectly balances rustic charm … [Read more...]
Vigan: A Journey Through Time
As I stepped off the bus and onto the cobblestone streets of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, I felt as though I had traveled back in time. The air was thick with the scent of old wood and the sound of horse hooves echoed through the streets. I had heard stories of Vigan's charm, but nothing could have prepared me for the enchantment that awaited me in this ancient city. Vigan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the few places in the Philippines where … [Read more...]
Tarlac: The Heart of Central Luzon
The morning sun cast long shadows across the sugarcane fields as I made my way north from Manila along the MacArthur Highway. Like many travelers before me, I had always seen Tarlac as a place to pass through – a mere waypoint on the journey to more famous destinations in the Philippines' northern reaches. But something made me stop this time, drawn by whispers of historic haciendas, sacred mountains, and a culture that blends the Kapampangan, … [Read more...]
Albay: A Splendid Volcano Province
Nestled in the Bicol Region of the Philippines, Albay Province stands as a testament to nature's raw beauty and human resilience. This remarkable destination, approximately 450 kilometers southeast of Manila, offers visitors an extraordinary blend of natural wonders, cultural heritage, and culinary delights, all under the watchful gaze of the perfectly cone-shaped Mayon Volcano. The province's crown jewel, Mount Mayon, locally known as … [Read more...]
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