New Travel Finds while Wandering around the Philippines in 2024

I missed traveling around my country, Philippines. Because I have plenty of free time in year 2024, I finally found the opportunity to explore more new destinations. And I traveled hard, not only around the globe but also around the country!!!

January 

In January 2024, I opened the journey in Quiapo's Feast of the Black Nazarene, during my birthday. Then a series of birthday parties in our residence in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan and in my bestfriend Ruth's mansion in Paranaque City, Metro Manila.

Pista sa Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila

Birthday Celebration with friends at Ruth's Mansion in Paranaque City



Birthday Celebration with family & relatives at San Jose del Monte Bulacan Residence


February 

In February 2024, my bestfriends: Ruth, Jacqui and Jessie, and I went to Calatagan, Batangas to celebrate the long Valentine holidays  with our immediate families. We enjoyed camping and spent half day tour on a floating cottage. We continued our family bonding at the new Pasig River Esplanade and the refurbished Jones Bridge in Manila City. Ruth's boys: Marti and Tristan, and sister Rose, joined me in partaking our very first Spartan 5K Race in Lipa City, Batangas. 





Dropping by Nasugbu, Batangas


Night stroll at the Pasig River Esplanade

The Donut Station during Xavier's 9th Birthday at Go's Party Mansion

The Go Team's first Spartan Race at Lipa City, Batangas

March 

In March 2024, I reconnected with my rich cousins (in my father's side) in Manila City to attend the debut party of my god-daughter (who only realized I am her godfather that time). Manang Maribel Japzon's daughter had turned 18 that year. The posh celebration was held at Admiral Hotel.   





April 

In April 2024, during the Day of Valor, me and my sister's family (husband Jun and baby Wanwan) spent the long weekend in Baguio City and reached new attractions in the province: the Northern Blossom Flower Farm in Atok, Benguet, and the Igorot Stone Kingdom in Baguio City. 









At Igorot Stone Kingdom in Baguio City


Meeting Bes Magel at Burnham Park in Baguio City

When my nephew, Keith visited us in the metro, we went to another flower farm in the south - the Perlas ng Silang - in Silang, Cavite. 





Within the same month, I have been to Canlubang Golf Course twice to play golf (a new sport) with friends Maan and Mae Ann.



May 

In May 2024, the Surigaonon friends in Metro Manila reunited for Cinco de Mayo celebration in Ruth's party mansion in Paranaque City. Then Marti and I joined another Spartan 5K Race again which was held in Angeles, Pampanga. 





My highlight in this month's roaming around the country was the coronation night of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant. I shared the moment with bestfriend, Jessie Saguran.





June 

In June 2024, I was roaming around Mindanao, from Surigao del Norte to Davao de Oro and Cagayan de Oro. 

Me and my family went home to Anao-aon, Surigao del Norte to attend two major events in our Gastardo Clan: the ordination of my cousin Fr. Allan Gastardo to the mission of the Holy Trinity, and the first Grand Family Reunion of the Gastardo-Gasta Clan. 






While I have my Aunties in town, especially Auntie Tina from Tacloban City and her complete family, I treated them to a day tour to Tinago Island Resort in Taganaan, Surigao del Norte.




I did a solo travel to the south of Mindanao with the intent of visiting my long-time-no-see couple friends, Mr Jose and Mrs Jojie Perez in Maragusan, Davao de Oro (formerly known as Compostela Valley). I worked with this couple in the 2000s when we worked together in a project under the Department of Agrarian Reform. This was my first time to be in the mountainous area of Davao, and to be in the home residence of my friends. And I was blown away by the exquisite attractions, from waterfalls to highway restaurants, from sea of clouds to tranquil lake. I stayed in the mountains for 4 days.

Welcome to Maragusan, Davao de Oro

My gracious host - the small family of Joy & Jojie

At Tagbibinta Falls

At Lusaran Mountain Garden



At Odyson’s Mountain Resort


At Mount Patong Mountain Resort

The majestic Sea of Clouds



At Lake Leonard

Then I went to the direction of the eastern part of Mindanao in the capital of Cagayan de Oro City. I reunited with cousins by my father side, Bro Kair & siblings; Ann Pangilinan-Chan and her husband, Mike; with my former fellow consultant, Maris Dahan; and, with my high school classmates Mr Charlie and Mrs Merlita Febra. Cousin Ann brought me to Claveria mountain restaurants, Ultra Winds Infinity Restaurants atop CDO, and the Divine Mercy Shrine in El Salvador City.


With cousins, Kair & siblings




With cousin, Annie & hubby's family



With Annie & Mike

With HS Classmates, Charlie & Merlita



With former fellow consultant, Maris Dahan



At the Divine Mercy Shrine in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental, with cousin Annie



Also in June 2024, I had a fitness-conscious month. I watched the VNL semifinal tournament at the SM MOA Arena and joined a funrun in UP Oval.




Funrun at UP Oval with Sis En

July 

July 2024 was Family Month for me. My immediate family gathered in Surigao to commemorate the death anniversary of our Mother Dulcing on July 7th. 







Then on July 14th, the Gastardo Family in Metro Manila reunited for a swimming weekend in Calatagan, Batangas.








November

When I visited the Philippines in November 2024, I met up with Golf Friends and had games in Calumbang, Laguna and Intramuros, Manila. 








I met up with friends and colleagues also for Thanksgiving celebration, the Filipino way.







December

To close the year 2024, me and my sister's family spent our weekend in December at the wonderful Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan. It preserved the Spanish-Filipino heritage with an evening spectacle of Filipino Folk Dances. 
















Then we flew to Cebu City to spent our long Christmas Holidays driving around Cebu Island until the New Year.

























Location: Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Pilipinas

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