Different people, different style, armed with their nicknames with thirst for adventure and fun, they explore the lovely islands of the Philippines (and beyond). Some travel in tight budget while some embrace the concept of luxury travel. Others are born mountain climbers and divers while others just simply hang out the beach and that's it, they become happy and contented.
They seek for adventure and the most delectable food. Some sleep with strangers, some stay in expensive hotels. Others travel by land and sea while others love flying up above the clouds but they are all one at heart.
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For the month of July (2012), I am honored to host the most read and much awaited travel post every month in the Philippines' Travel Blogosphere.
I know every reader of these wonderful travel blogs is curious how their favorite travel blogs started or came into existence. For this very rare moment, they will share to you their much kept secrets, feelings, experiences and even misadventures that gave birth to your favorite travel blogs that are truly inspiring.
For this blog carnival, let me give the first spot to our travel bloggers who are going to join this edition for the first time.

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"Starting this travel blog not only forced me to see places that I only read about but it has also brought me so much realizations... By a strange twist of faith, I boarded a plane ride back to my homeland for a very important mission. A mission that will require me to adapt a new and exciting, albeit temporary lifestyle."
It's Drew's debut for the PTB Blog Carnival!
Drew boarded back to the Philippines from freezing cold Canada to savor the fun of the country he once left.
He said that he was constantly daydreaming of the tropical beaches of the Philippines as he spent a part of his life in Canada. It was a journey going back to his homeland that made him a travel blogger and embraced a lifestyle that gave him many realizations -- realizations that allowed him to find the meaning of his existence. For Drew, it was a mission. Read Drew's official entry and be blown away on how he has written his inspiring entry passionately! Enjoy his random trippings in his travel blog!
For this blog carnival, let me give the first spot to our travel bloggers who are going to join this edition for the first time.
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[1] Random Trippings ni Drew
Andrew Mamangun | Pasig City/Tagaytay City
"Starting this travel blog not only forced me to see places that I only read about but it has also brought me so much realizations... By a strange twist of faith, I boarded a plane ride back to my homeland for a very important mission. A mission that will require me to adapt a new and exciting, albeit temporary lifestyle."
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"I dream and dare." |
Drew boarded back to the Philippines from freezing cold Canada to savor the fun of the country he once left.
He said that he was constantly daydreaming of the tropical beaches of the Philippines as he spent a part of his life in Canada. It was a journey going back to his homeland that made him a travel blogger and embraced a lifestyle that gave him many realizations -- realizations that allowed him to find the meaning of his existence. For Drew, it was a mission. Read Drew's official entry and be blown away on how he has written his inspiring entry passionately! Enjoy his random trippings in his travel blog!
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Official entry: When I morphed into a travel blogger: The beginning of my crazy travel life
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[2] Budget Biyahera
Mai Flores | Quezon City
"I whispered the words 'I miss you, dad. Wish you were here!' right when we set foot on this foreign country. But I was grateful for Kuya's sweet gesture. He knows my father would have done the same for me."
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“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain |

For Budget Biyahera, her PTB Blog Carnival Debut deserves a MMK episode, uh. My heart was pierced with million needles when I read her heart-tearing entry. After reading her entry, I immediately sent her a PM to give a virtual *hug*. Her passion to travel was molded by two men in her life, her father and her kuya. But when she was 11 years old, her dad passed away.
It was her Kuya who nurtured her like a delicate flower. Her Kuya served as her dad, treated Budget Biyahera for her first out-of-the-country trip, a thing that she believes her father would have done the same if only he was alive. With her kuya, they conceptualized Budget Biyahera, a blog where she documented her travels -- a blog born because of these two men in her life. Read Budget Biyahera's Official Entry!
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Official Entry: It all started with my father's wandering feet
_____________________________________________________ [3] Franc Ramon | My Thoughts, My Travels, My Runs
Franc Ramon | Makati City
Travel and blogging came to me at different times. I was a writer. I was a blogger. I was a traveler. These were different versions of me and yet there came a time when the traveler in me met the blogger in me and I became a travel blogger.
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"There's Always a Better Way." |

It's Franc Ramon's first entry for the PTB Blog Carnival! For Franc, he knows himself he is a writer, a blogger, and a traveler but these elements were three different things before his travel blog was born.
He said he is workaholic being an auditor working on a top audit firm in the Philippines. But yeah, his work has made him to love traveling, how? Well saan ka pa! He was sent to Paris and Amsterdam due to his work and for that opportunity, how come you can not love traveling? Ikaw na Franc! Of course, Franc also traveled within the country and his journey to Marinduque fused the three different elements of writing, traveling and blogging into one - thus, he considered himself a travel blogger. How Marinduque made him a travel blogger? Read Franc's official entry.
He said he is workaholic being an auditor working on a top audit firm in the Philippines. But yeah, his work has made him to love traveling, how? Well saan ka pa! He was sent to Paris and Amsterdam due to his work and for that opportunity, how come you can not love traveling? Ikaw na Franc! Of course, Franc also traveled within the country and his journey to Marinduque fused the three different elements of writing, traveling and blogging into one - thus, he considered himself a travel blogger. How Marinduque made him a travel blogger? Read Franc's official entry.
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Official Entry: When Traveler Met Blogger
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[4] Boy Palaboy: A Journal of Journeys
Rey Casia Idpalina | Davao City
"It does not limit on the first journey itself but a series of amazing and unforgettable trips I had that gave birth to Boy Palaboy travel blog."
"It does not limit on the first journey itself but a series of amazing and unforgettable trips I had that gave birth to Boy Palaboy travel blog."
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“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain Note: I apologize because some parts of this post is missing. We hope that we could fix this glitch very soon. |
Well for Rey, aka Boy Palaboy, he has already traveled a long way before he started his travel blog. For him it was his trip to the beautiful province of Palawan that awakened his soul to travel more and discover the beauty of the Philippines and beyond.
Rey's travel blog was born a year after his Palawan trip. So, read Rey's official entry and learn how he was amazed by Palawan. That province signaled the start of more travels and eventually his travel blog Boy Palaboy.
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Official Entry: The Journey that Started it All
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[5] Traveler on Foot
Glenn Martinez | Las Piñas City
"It stems from a belief that God has given us a beautiful country and I believe He wants every Filipino to experience it."
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"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a SINGLE step." |

His travel blog was born of traveling by foot, as the blog name implies. That walking tour was the beginning of more journeys, and eventually a new lifestyle and a travel blog that showcases the rich culture and heritage of the Philippines. Check out Glenn's official entry and learn who are the PTB members who inspired him and on how that single step was followed by a journey of thousand miles. You may also want to browse the whole blog and fall in love with our rich heritage! Glenn, welcome to the Blog Carnival! Cheers to your advocacies!
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Official Entry: The Journey that Made me a Travel Blogger
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[6] Kalimbonisan
Joseph Ian Macalino | Porac, Pampanga
[6] Kalimbonisan
Joseph Ian Macalino | Porac, Pampanga
"I thought I'm missing on a lot, and there's no better time to explore than when I am young."
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"We are our own heroes, we are our own god." |

His idea of coming up a travel blog started with uploading his travel photos on facebook wherein his friends were asking the details of his trips. He used to put captions on those photos until he realized delimiting those information to his facebook friends by putting up a blog wherein everyone can see. Check out Ian's official entry and learn how it all began and what is the meaning of limbonis. Well, welcome to the PTB BLog Carnival Ian!
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Official Entry: Trails of Limbonis
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[7] The Geek Travels
Renz Bulseco | Davao City
"Everybody thought that I'd become a medical doctor. But unlike most of my batch mates, I decided not to pursue that road... Many thanks to those who didn't believe that I will be successful in this kind of career. Well, you guys motivated me to push harder."
Renz Bulseco | Davao City
"Everybody thought that I'd become a medical doctor. But unlike most of my batch mates, I decided not to pursue that road... Many thanks to those who didn't believe that I will be successful in this kind of career. Well, you guys motivated me to push harder."
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"It is not the strongest nor the smartest one that survive, but rather the one most responsive to CHANGE." |
For the the blue travelers, I will make it first for Renz Bulseco whose blog has just celebrated its first birthday.
For Renz, it was actually a tough journey but he chose to start and deal with a travel blog instead of dealing with human anatomy and physiology. As everyone thought he will become a physician, he has chosen a career that raised the eyebrows of some.
However, he is always thankful to those who didn't believe in him. Thanks to his college field trips, among his first entires, that later on made him blossom as a travel blogger, met travel buddies and traveled even more. It was a life journey with no regrets. Read Renz's journey in his official entry.
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Official Entry: What a Journey it has been
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[8] Juanderful Pinoy
Mark Chino Pantua | Manila
"I am deeply in love with an adventure with a purpose and hoping to make a difference to the community in my own little way."
Official Entry: Ridiculous Ponderings and a Bit of Wanderlust
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[9] Adventure Accounting
Loraine Gallevo | Quezon City
Like other PTB members, Loraine is another accountant-blogger who travels. It seems like accountants are made to travel, lol!
[10] My Comings and Goings
Mhe-Anne Ojeda | Valenzuela City
"This blog is created so I can account and show to families, loved-ones, relatives, friends and colleagues, my journey through life ...through written words and photos of special event, trip and accomplishment".

Mhe-Anne, the hip lawyer of PTB, has started jotting down her travel stories as early as 1989 with her notebooks that until now, still surviving. She has a record of all her travels written on her journals now all stored in her bookshelves. Sosyal!


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[13] Nomadic Experiences
Marky Ramone Go | Meycauayan, Bulacan
"I figured years later that, one will never ran out of stories to tell when traveling. It was then that I branched out to travel blogging"
[14] Epic Potato
Lauren Gaile | Quezon City
"...there’s that realization that I’m just doing it because I irrevocably love traveling… and writing."
For Lauren, it was her epic solo sojourn to Sagada that gave way for Epic Potato, her travel blog. From that Sagada Trip, she got to travel with a PTB member then eventually became a member of that group. Her travel itch worsened until fortune (not really fortune, she really deserve her achievements) came that gave her opportunities online through her blog.
Before the birth of Epic Potato, there was another blog she used to maintain. Remember Pandelicious? It was the blog Pandelicious that according to Lauren, her first formal weblog. If you'll read her official entry, you will learn what is the role of Ragnarok (online game) to her travel blog and of course what are those fortune I am referring to.

[14] Pinay Thrillseeker's Love Conquers All
Cris Reyes | Valenzuela City
"Because I think that I'm already living via a gift of second life from God, it would be such a waste if I don't get to share my adventures and misadventures to the world if ever I get in the same situation again."
[8] Juanderful Pinoy
Mark Chino Pantua | Manila
"I am deeply in love with an adventure with a purpose and hoping to make a difference to the community in my own little way."
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"Life is what you make it." |
Chino's travel blog started as a personal journal, but for that personal blog, he has been documenting his travel memoirs until he decided to transform it to a travel blog.
Chino's blog was born because of a broken relationship - with God, family, and friends. January 2011 was the date when he became a member of the cool Pinoy Travel Bloggers Group where he found out individuals who have the same passion in life. For Chino, he came up with many realizations in life because of traveling. Read his official entry to learn about his thoughts heart to heart.
#Official Entry: Ridiculous Ponderings and a Bit of Wanderlust
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[9] Adventure Accounting
Loraine Gallevo | Quezon City
" I wanted to share my approach how I balance being employed and traveling. I am a normal employee, with a salary and a lot of dreams. I want to invest in my future and invest in memories as well."
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"Work hard, play hard." |

For Loraine, coming up with a blog name wasn't instant since she had to choose from 20 subdomain names before coming up with her present blog name. And again, it is Palawan (Coron) that allured her to create her own travel blog. Mabenta talaga ang Palawan sa birth ng mga travel blogs, hehe. The name Adventure Accounting is also about maintaining "balance" in life. Loraine is an employee like many of us here. So, she has to maintain a balance between work and adventure. Read her official entry and learn why her blog started with exasperation.
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Official Entry: It All Began with Exasperation
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Mhe-Anne Ojeda | Valenzuela City
"This blog is created so I can account and show to families, loved-ones, relatives, friends and colleagues, my journey through life ...through written words and photos of special event, trip and accomplishment".
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"[Learn] Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms. (Doctrine and Covenants 88:79)" |

It was on October 11, 2008 when she started her blog, not actually a travel blog but 'twas just a personal blog until a PTB member added her to the group which made her blog travel-niched. Her travel blog was also influenced by her spiritual faith, thus giving way to her My Comings and Goings. Read her official entry because she has written the evolution of her travel blog in detail. You'll also know where she has been for her first travel journal on 1989, but it doesn't mean she's old, haha. Check out how young she is the way she writes her entry, you'll surely enjoy!
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Official Entry: My Travel Blog Journey
_____________________________________________________[11] Regin's Travels
Regin Reyno | Bangkok, Thailand
"And since that trip was so memorable, fun, and, so meaningful, I decided to write it, and also to share information to other travelers who want to trample that trail."
"Travel and be a blessing to others." |

Regin's travel tales started to be known through blog when he traveled to 3 countries in 9 days - Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam. He said the trip was so memorable and was filled with stories worth sharing. Those travel experiences made him decide to create a travel blog.
But upon starting a travel blog, he became stagnant after posting his first two posts. Until one day, he came across a PTB travel blog, one of the best of that group. He was inspired to blog again, the passion was reignited until he kept blogging his travel stories. Check out Regin's official entry and learn how this 9-day, 3-country trip made him a travel blogger.
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Official Entry: Regin's Travels: How it all Started
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[12] Lakwatserong Tatay (Meet the X-Plorers)
Brian Aballe | Antipolo City
"...if I really want to talk to my nanay, go for some heights...like mountains."
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[12] Lakwatserong Tatay (Meet the X-Plorers)
Brian Aballe | Antipolo City
"...if I really want to talk to my nanay, go for some heights...like mountains."
"All my travels is for my nanay." |
If some travel blogs here were born because of a near-death experience, Brian's (a.k.a. Lakwatserong Tatay) blog was created after his mother's death. It was his mother's death that revolutionized him to travel more, unleash despair, and to talk to his mother by reaching the summit of the mountains.
Brian has climbed a lot of mountains and seen most parts of the Philippines. A father, happily married, blessed with three adorable kids, the passion for outdoor activities remains in shape. He is just one lucky father to have a family that even pushes him to follow his passion in life. Well, how Brian started as a blogger? His entry was written with passion, humility and no traces of pretention. Read his official entry and learn how the death of his nanay transformed him as a passionate traveler.
Brian has climbed a lot of mountains and seen most parts of the Philippines. A father, happily married, blessed with three adorable kids, the passion for outdoor activities remains in shape. He is just one lucky father to have a family that even pushes him to follow his passion in life. Well, how Brian started as a blogger? His entry was written with passion, humility and no traces of pretention. Read his official entry and learn how the death of his nanay transformed him as a passionate traveler.
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Official Entry: It All Starts with Backpacking
[13] Nomadic Experiences
Marky Ramone Go | Meycauayan, Bulacan
"I figured years later that, one will never ran out of stories to tell when traveling. It was then that I branched out to travel blogging"
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""Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don't be sorry." — Jack Kerouac |
Marky has been blogging since 2003 via Multiply sharing his random experiences in life but it was only on 2007 when he started sharing his nomadic experiences.
Marky mentioned his passion for outdoor activities. He was a member of the UST Mountaineering Club that made him more excited going outdoors than attending class (many of us can relate here I'm sure, hehe). His love for traveling was rediscovered when he traveled to Malaysia and Singapore. But later on he realized that he has to explore his beautiful country first before setting out to see the rest of the world.
That time, "Nomadic Experiences" was born as his desire to travel was re-ignited making him constantly planning for future trips that will surely give his readers more stories to enjoy as he shares his narratives and images of being on the road. Check his About Me Page to learn more. That is his official entry by the way.
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Official Entry: About Me
_____________________________________________________[14] Epic Potato
Lauren Gaile | Quezon City
"...there’s that realization that I’m just doing it because I irrevocably love traveling… and writing."
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motto: /def/ a random bunch of words with a slight evocative meaning that sounds smart but it has no bearing on how I live my life whatsoever. |
For Lauren, it was her epic solo sojourn to Sagada that gave way for Epic Potato, her travel blog. From that Sagada Trip, she got to travel with a PTB member then eventually became a member of that group. Her travel itch worsened until fortune (not really fortune, she really deserve her achievements) came that gave her opportunities online through her blog.
Before the birth of Epic Potato, there was another blog she used to maintain. Remember Pandelicious? It was the blog Pandelicious that according to Lauren, her first formal weblog. If you'll read her official entry, you will learn what is the role of Ragnarok (online game) to her travel blog and of course what are those fortune I am referring to.
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Official Entry: Etymology
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Cris Reyes | Valenzuela City
"Because I think that I'm already living via a gift of second life from God, it would be such a waste if I don't get to share my adventures and misadventures to the world if ever I get in the same situation again."
"Love Conquers All." |

This travel blog was born of a near-death experience. As I read Cris' post, I was more than thrilled to know that she conquered the Philippines' highest peak, she conquered death and conquered all because of love.
She said she almost died trekking non-stop to the deadly, muddy and slippery trail with all the rain, chill and exhaustion for straight 14 hours up, going down is a different story. But above all, the blog was born because of conquering the peak of Mt. Apo in search for her "leading man," which I must say, the Mt. Apo Love Story, that made her believe that love conquers all, hence the blog. Curious? Read her official entry.
She said she almost died trekking non-stop to the deadly, muddy and slippery trail with all the rain, chill and exhaustion for straight 14 hours up, going down is a different story. But above all, the blog was born because of conquering the peak of Mt. Apo in search for her "leading man," which I must say, the Mt. Apo Love Story, that made her believe that love conquers all, hence the blog. Curious? Read her official entry.
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Official Entry: Oh Yes! "Love Conquers All" is a Travel Blog!
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Violy has been traveling since childhood. She never exerted any effort to travel because the opportunity to travel is coming to her all the time. In her early years, she has experienced how to live like NPA (No Permanent Address). When she studied from elementray until college, she has to live to different provinces until she started working. Her work made her able to tour the world. Uh, ikaw na! See? No effort at all. For Violy, it is both a destiny and a luck.

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[16] Rakistang Nars
Rain Amantiad-Campanilla | Auckland, New Zealand
"Years passed and I went on traveling. I went on until things began to be more traveling than writing; more of the present than the past; more creating than mending."
[15] Vivi's Random Ramblings
Violy Vallester | Olongapo City
Violy Vallester | Olongapo City
"We went sailing one day and a near death experience while sailing made me promise to God that if I survived that ordeal I will blog about my adventures!"
“Be the change you wish to see in the world"- Gandhi |

However, her travel blog was born because of a deal with God. She almost embraced death while traveling before. She called upon God for help and promised to blog about her adventures if she survives. Read Violy's official entry and learn why she is lucky to have a destiny of traveling the world with ease.
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Official Entry: A Traveler by luck... or Destiny?
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[16] Rakistang Nars
Rain Amantiad-Campanilla | Auckland, New Zealand
"Years passed and I went on traveling. I went on until things began to be more traveling than writing; more of the present than the past; more creating than mending."
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"There are far far better things ahead than any we leave behind." |
This nurse-writer-traveler in one just got married recently. Congratulations! Well, Rain has been a blogger since 2004, but was not (specifically) a travel blogger yet that time. That year, she discovered her unearthed passion for writing.
She practiced her profession in New Zealand but it doesn't mean she has to set aside her first love, writing ♥ However, aside from her congenital disease of writing-itis and her chronic ailment of hyper-writing-omy she was infected with another virus, uh-oh, the vagabonding virus severely and she acquired it in New Zealand when she started earning well making her confident to travel everywhere. From there, those ailments were fused into one making it a pandemic phenomenon that is now making every reader crazy. The infectious syndrome was quarantined at rakistangnars.com. Read her entry to understand what I am talking about. Fellow nurse, keep r0ckin' \m/
Yes it is Karen and not Gina, just kidding. If this blog carnival is Ms. Universe, I will chose Karen's passionate view for blogging as Ms Universerse Blog.
Her blog is her souvenir, and she won't dare stop blogging even if no one reads it. Karen, marami kang fans, hindi mo lang alam, hehe. Anyway, that is the heart of a fighter, and that's what we call a passion for blogging. Karen is a Multiply and Friendster girl. She started blogging with those (now almost gone) platforms.
He gained readers from her Multiply time to present until individuals she know are already asking her "tips" from her travel experiences. Because of those queries, she decided to create Tips 'n Travels where she shared her travel tips. Read Karen's travel blog evolution in her official entry. You can also read her travel tips too.
She practiced her profession in New Zealand but it doesn't mean she has to set aside her first love, writing ♥ However, aside from her congenital disease of writing-itis and her chronic ailment of hyper-writing-omy she was infected with another virus, uh-oh, the vagabonding virus severely and she acquired it in New Zealand when she started earning well making her confident to travel everywhere. From there, those ailments were fused into one making it a pandemic phenomenon that is now making every reader crazy. The infectious syndrome was quarantined at rakistangnars.com. Read her entry to understand what I am talking about. Fellow nurse, keep r0ckin' \m/
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Official entry: Blog Carnival | Wander, Wonder
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Being the host of this Blog Carnival edition, I don't know how to introduce how my blog started because I am overwhelmed with all the great stories of these travel bloggers. hehe. It started as a personal blog. I have been doing a motorbike ride to different towns up North before I became a travel blogger (well, technically, I call myself that way) because before I have stumbled to several travel blogs, traveling the whole Luzon with a motorcycle has been a dream.
[18] Kurapengpeng: Tara Usap Tau!
[25] Journeying Pinay | Authentic Islander
Hazel Ramos | Manila
It was a realization that this is exactly what my physical and emotional being had been looking for. Get drenched, dripping wet, with salt water. And be immersed with nature. And feel it. By my skin. By my heart. I was shouting joyously. And I just knew then in my heart that this is just the beginning of my journey.
From that journey, she became more hungry to experience more islands in the Philippines, determined to capture further and strong-minded to touch down to every island and become an islander. Check Journeying Pinay's official entry for this blog carnival edition and how the islander in her was born.

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[27] Tips 'n Travels
Karen Valdez | Pasig City
"But I've promised myself I will keep this blog even if nobody reads it. For me, my travels and the memories that came with it will stay here in my heart, in my mind and in my humble blog!"
[17] EDMARATION #TownExplorer
Edmar Guquibb | Vigan City
"Because of this motorbike ride, I said, 'I want the world to know about this experience,' thus, EDMARATION came into being. It all started with a motorcycle ride."
"If others can, why can't I?" |

But the idea of transforming my personal blog to a travel blog popped out upon a successful motorcycle ride to the town of Cervantes (crossroad to Benguet and Mt Province), a remote town that every rider up north wants to reach, wherein we reached with my bro without any group or riding buddies, just the two of us with one motorbike. They consider it risky but we just did! From there, I wanted the world to know that we were able to do it bravely, no convoy, or riding buddies to support you when you get in trouble along that empty mountain trail. Then more motorbike travels came until I deleted my first posts which are mainly personal to give way for a travel blog. Read my official entry to learn more."
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Official Entry: The Travel Blog that Started with a Motorbike Joyride.
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[18] Kurapengpeng: Tara Usap Tau!
Maricar Villanueva | San Mateo, Rizal
"I really don't care if someone will read it or not. I just need to write it down because it's what makes me happy. And I thank those who made my blog their stress reliever too. I truly appreciate it."
"I really don't care if someone will read it or not. I just need to write it down because it's what makes me happy. And I thank those who made my blog their stress reliever too. I truly appreciate it."
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"Expect the worst, hope for the best." |
Ok, ok, fasten your seat belt because the PTB's funniest is coming. Sino? Sino pa nga ba kundi si Kura, in short kurapengpeng. Ipagpaliban muna natin ang Inglesan dahil sa trabel-blag ni Kura, araw-araw ay buwan ng wika, hihi... aba maganda 'yon! ♥ na ♥ ni Kura ang ating wika na dapat nating tularan :)
Kung paano nga naman nagsimula ang trabel-blag ni Kura ay madali lang naman. Maliban kay Boy Abunda, Adobo Magazine at kay pareng C2 na wala naman talagang kinalaman sa umpisa ng makati niyang paa, nag-umpisa ito sa kuwento ng mga insekto! Insekto? Oo, hindi mo ba nabasa. IN-SEK-TO ('yung parang komersiyal ni Caridad Sanchez na gamot, hehe, korni korni). Medyo Rated SPG nga lang ng MTRCB ang kuwento niya. Sige na nga, hindi ko kaya ang pawers ni Kura dahil kapag ako ang nagsulat, gusto ko iiyak ang mambabasa, haha. Kura is Kura, Ayan basahin niyo ang opisyal na kontribusyon ni Kura para malaman kung paano nabuo si Kura mula sa mga insekto.
Kung paano nga naman nagsimula ang trabel-blag ni Kura ay madali lang naman. Maliban kay Boy Abunda, Adobo Magazine at kay pareng C2 na wala naman talagang kinalaman sa umpisa ng makati niyang paa, nag-umpisa ito sa kuwento ng mga insekto! Insekto? Oo, hindi mo ba nabasa. IN-SEK-TO ('yung parang komersiyal ni Caridad Sanchez na gamot, hehe, korni korni). Medyo Rated SPG nga lang ng MTRCB ang kuwento niya. Sige na nga, hindi ko kaya ang pawers ni Kura dahil kapag ako ang nagsulat, gusto ko iiyak ang mambabasa, haha. Kura is Kura, Ayan basahin niyo ang opisyal na kontribusyon ni Kura para malaman kung paano nabuo si Kura mula sa mga insekto.
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Official Entry: Sino si Kurapngpeng?
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[19] Untied Escape
Gladys Sydalg | Muntinlupa City
"I then was able to find my guts to explore and realized that it wasn’t only me who aspire to see the world and that will only happen if I’ll work on it and pursue it."
Gladys is a self-confessed blog hopper before she became a travel blogger. She is also a Multiply and Tumblr girl before where she wrote random stuff which all turned out-dated until she decided to close those accounts. Until one day...
_____________________________________________________[19] Untied Escape
Gladys Sydalg | Muntinlupa City
"I then was able to find my guts to explore and realized that it wasn’t only me who aspire to see the world and that will only happen if I’ll work on it and pursue it."
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"Know what you want, and claim it. Live your life to the fullest as you'll never know when your last day will be." |

One of her blogging inpirations invited her to a trip in Anilao. From there, she discovered what she really wanted and she decided to maintain a travel blog where she documented all her travels. Aside from that Anilao trip, she was also inspired by some of the best travel blogs in the country. Well, how did this Anilao trip transformed Gladys into a travel blogger and who are those bloggers that inspired her to blog? Ok, read her official entry and I'm sure that for newbie travel bloggers like me and Gladys, these bloggers always lead the list of our inspirations.
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Official Entry: Why Blog? Why Travel?
_____________________________________________________[20] Marxtermind: of travel + adventure
John Marx Velasco | Pasig City"I've experienced different adventures and embraced diverse cultures. That's how so far this travel blog gave me. Indeed this blog is a gift, a gift which I will always recall on how this journey began."
Marx has been to several parts of the country before he started his travel blog. But it was his journey to Zambales that gave him the guts to start a travel blog, and embraced a different perspective on traveling.
Marx said that he wasn't aware that there is a thing called travel blog until he stumbled to great blogs of PTB where he started following, as a fan, as a reader. He has followed their steps until he became a travel blogger himself. Marx further said, "Then a thought came into my mind, 'why not blog as well?'. Share my experiences, share my stories and share my journey. Though I wasn't professionally ready for blogging, my passion and inspirations lead me the way to my blogging journey." Read his official entry and learn how Marx was inspired by other bloggers to create his travel blog.
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"Live life to the fullest." |

Marx said that he wasn't aware that there is a thing called travel blog until he stumbled to great blogs of PTB where he started following, as a fan, as a reader. He has followed their steps until he became a travel blogger himself. Marx further said, "Then a thought came into my mind, 'why not blog as well?'. Share my experiences, share my stories and share my journey. Though I wasn't professionally ready for blogging, my passion and inspirations lead me the way to my blogging journey." Read his official entry and learn how Marx was inspired by other bloggers to create his travel blog.
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Official Entry: How the Journey Began?
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[21] Lakas ng Trip
Josiah Sicad | Palawan
"Ang gusto ko talaga ay lumakbay ang mga tao sa probinsiya para makatulong sa mga tao." - excerpt from Josiah's podcast interview

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[24] Mandaragat. Mamumundok. Lagalag
Renevic Amago | Jurong West, Singapore
Like some members of PTB, Renevic is also based overseas but he sees to it that whenever he has the chance to explore the Philippines, he will.


[21] Lakas ng Trip
Josiah Sicad | Palawan
"Ang gusto ko talaga ay lumakbay ang mga tao sa probinsiya para makatulong sa mga tao." - excerpt from Josiah's podcast interview
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"Kung alam mong mapapahiya ka na itodo mo na." |
It was with this radio interview that made me learn more about the endeavours of this Lakas Tripper.
His contribution in this edition of the blog carnival is the longest. I mean, you have to listen for the podcast interview for about 30 minutes to learn about how and why his travel blog exists.
As you listen to the podcast, you will learn about a "swimming cow," and if Josiah wants to become a politician someday, Uh.. More... Where to travel with a money from 2K to 5K and why farmers are great people in his view. Without too much adieu, check out his official entry to learn his style. You will surely smile :)
His contribution in this edition of the blog carnival is the longest. I mean, you have to listen for the podcast interview for about 30 minutes to learn about how and why his travel blog exists.
As you listen to the podcast, you will learn about a "swimming cow," and if Josiah wants to become a politician someday, Uh.. More... Where to travel with a money from 2K to 5K and why farmers are great people in his view. Without too much adieu, check out his official entry to learn his style. You will surely smile :)
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Official Entry: Radio Interview with DZAS
_____________________________________________________[22] Flip Nomad
Plif Damon | South and Southeast Asia
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" Life is short so enjoy it while you still can!" |
But because he wasn't able to maintain it, he just deleted the old. With this, everyone deserves a second chance and it is sweeter the second time around when his travel blog metamorphed to be one of the most popular travel blogs in the country.
Coming back home after backpacking abroad, he decided to create a travel blog where he can store his travel stories and share travel tips as well. Ok, hurry up. Check out Plif's entry and learn how his blog should help him for his next adventure. I know you're so much curios now!
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Official Entry: blogging ?!?
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[23] Brownman Trips
Ian Dela Peña | Valenzuela City
"My blog started to take shape and direction and most of my posts were travel related. Thanks to my new found friends who influenced me to travel more."
Ian Dela Peña | Valenzuela City
"My blog started to take shape and direction and most of my posts were travel related. Thanks to my new found friends who influenced me to travel more."
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"Life is unfair... Deal with it." |

For Ian, his journey to travel blogging has a process. It started with an overseas trip. His experience with that trip was so memorable that made him constantly thinking about it... and to turn emotional. Ian said, it was like a movie. So to unleash those emotions away, he decided to create a blog, but was not yet a travel blog.
Since Ian has been traveling just before the existense of his travel blog, he tend to browse travel blogs and he noticed that "badge" that is present to every travel blog he was reading. What he did? He followed the source of that badge until he stumbled to that group of Pinoy Travel Bloggers. Since then, he was inspired to create a new blog -- a travel blog. Learn more about that process by reading his official entry.
Since Ian has been traveling just before the existense of his travel blog, he tend to browse travel blogs and he noticed that "badge" that is present to every travel blog he was reading. What he did? He followed the source of that badge until he stumbled to that group of Pinoy Travel Bloggers. Since then, he was inspired to create a new blog -- a travel blog. Learn more about that process by reading his official entry.
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Official Entry: The Birth: Brownmantrip's Beginnings
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[24] Mandaragat. Mamumundok. Lagalag
Renevic Amago | Jurong West, Singapore
"I’m very grateful that until now, I have the chance to explore the world and share my treasured experience through this blog and hoping that I have inspired every reader to find time to travel also"
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"All our dreams can come true - if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney |

It was a summer of the year 2011 when Renevic was planning for a trip to his home country. While planning for his itinerary, he stumbled to some of the coolest travel bloggers of PTB upon searching for a hiking destination in Southern Tagalog.
From then on, he got excited to create his own travel blog. Renevic further said " I intend to travel into jungle, islands, water, and in most remote areas of the country. I found peace in these places that’s why this is my topmost choice but not to limit myself in urban areas. That’s why I chose the name “Mandaragat. Mamumundok. Lagalag.” for this travel blog. (Sailor. Mountaineer. Nomad.)," Read Renevic's official entry and learn how his travel blog was born.
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Official Entry: RenevicAmago.com How it all Began?
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[25] Journeying Pinay | Authentic Islander
Hazel Ramos | Manila
It was a realization that this is exactly what my physical and emotional being had been looking for. Get drenched, dripping wet, with salt water. And be immersed with nature. And feel it. By my skin. By my heart. I was shouting joyously. And I just knew then in my heart that this is just the beginning of my journey.
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"Enjoy Life!" |
Journeying Pinay's love for the islands started with her hundred islands journey in Pangasinan. She said she has been going to this part of the country but never had the chance to experience these islands. Until one day...
Journeying Pinay rented a boat to finally experience the islands. With that journey, it was her first time (again), after many years to get soaked with beach water. She was overjoyed and enthralled with her experience with the caves, the pools and the beaches of those islands.
From that journey, she became more hungry to experience more islands in the Philippines, determined to capture further and strong-minded to touch down to every island and become an islander. Check Journeying Pinay's official entry for this blog carnival edition and how the islander in her was born.
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Official Entry: 100 Islands, the beginning of more than a thousand journeys
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[26] The World Behind My Wall
Alvin Sabay | Makati City
Alvin Sabay | Makati City
"The curiosity can take you to places you never dreamed possible. And as I continue on with this journey, I intend to continue writing these travel stories and share it through this online memento - The World Behind My Wall."
Alvin has been discovering the world behind his wall just before he decided to create his own travel blog. But there is this certain journey that made him a travel blogger. It was his second out-of-the-country trip actually to Bandar Seri Begawan.
This trip was very memorable for Alvin because as he said, the art of backpacking was very new to him that time, a newbie in budgeting and it was his first time to stay in a hostel. While having a sip of coffee in that place, the idea of creating a travel blog popped out his mind. A week later his Brunei trip, he created his travel blog. Well, his blog name was derived from a song. Read his official entry and learn how a song influenced his blog name and dig how his travel blog began with that Brunei trip.
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"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer." |

This trip was very memorable for Alvin because as he said, the art of backpacking was very new to him that time, a newbie in budgeting and it was his first time to stay in a hostel. While having a sip of coffee in that place, the idea of creating a travel blog popped out his mind. A week later his Brunei trip, he created his travel blog. Well, his blog name was derived from a song. Read his official entry and learn how a song influenced his blog name and dig how his travel blog began with that Brunei trip.
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Official Entry: The World Behind My Wall: The Beginning
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Erratum: ponderingpaodaolei.com should be ponderingpaodaolei.net (my apologies) |
[27] Tips 'n Travels
Karen Valdez | Pasig City
"But I've promised myself I will keep this blog even if nobody reads it. For me, my travels and the memories that came with it will stay here in my heart, in my mind and in my humble blog!"
Carpe Diem - 'Seize the day!' |
Her blog is her souvenir, and she won't dare stop blogging even if no one reads it. Karen, marami kang fans, hindi mo lang alam, hehe. Anyway, that is the heart of a fighter, and that's what we call a passion for blogging. Karen is a Multiply and Friendster girl. She started blogging with those (now almost gone) platforms.
He gained readers from her Multiply time to present until individuals she know are already asking her "tips" from her travel experiences. Because of those queries, she decided to create Tips 'n Travels where she shared her travel tips. Read Karen's travel blog evolution in her official entry. You can also read her travel tips too.
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Official Entry: Looking back and how it all started
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[28] Pondering Paodaolei
Paola Anntoneth O | Santa Rosa City
"...it was a trip of many firsts. It was also the travel that played a big part of what I am doing today. "
"...it was a trip of many firsts. It was also the travel that played a big part of what I am doing today. "
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" It hurts to love someone and not to be loved in return. But what's most painful is never finding the courage to let that person know how you feel. Don't expect love in return, just wait for it to grow in their hearts, but if it doesn't, be contented it grew in yours." |

Yes you read it right. It is like a Titanic story (in a different version). Paula was with a man whom she considered as a very special man in her life. They were together for only 20 hours but the emotional attachment between them has been established so well from Bacolod to that big white ship bound for Manila. They have to depart, the separation anxiety was there. They stay connected through phone but the sad thing is she found later that her special man perished on board another ferry in 2008 due to typhoon Frank. The moment Paula was traveling with that man was already the first and the last. Read Paula's official entry!
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Official Entry: 20 Hours with Him
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[29] Journeying James
James Betia | Los Baños, Laguna
"Because I was doing what I love doing, I felt no pressure. I was smiling. Opportunities came, lots of and I continued to find of ways to improve and up the ante until I finally reached one of my dreams- to travel the whole Philippines. "
"Because I was doing what I love doing, I felt no pressure. I was smiling. Opportunities came, lots of and I continued to find of ways to improve and up the ante until I finally reached one of my dreams- to travel the whole Philippines. "
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"Follow your passion and make your dream come true. It will not happen if you don’t start it NOW" |

So how it all started? For James, it started with a realization that he is not getting any younger. Encapsulated with a dream, he left his employed life as a teacher. Yes, you can call him Sir James, teacher James, or simply Journeying James (choose which of them must fit, hehe). Anyway, with his last fund of 4, 000 pesos, guess what he did? He was already unemployed that time. He did not invest that for business or any networking business but instead, embarked into a journey that changed his life forever. It was an investment without any known bright ROI, but James has broken the rules, he made it this far! Check out how this budget traveler started his journey to stardome (talagang stardome ha, hehe) by reading his official entry.
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Official Entry: In the Beginning or How Journeying James Came into Being
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It is an honor that I hosted this month's edition of the PTB Blog Carnival. It truly inspired me a lot, made me more mature and feel so blessed. Every story is worth sharing. If we will become much older, let us show our children and grand children how we have spent our lives when we were young.
This is the July 2012 edition of the Pinoy Travel Bloggers Blog Carnival with the theme:
"The Journey that Made Us a Travel Blogger:
Hosted by: Yours Truly
Edmar
www.edmaration.com
#TownExplorer
Check out the previous editions by clicking the image.
See you for the next blog carnival Town Explorers! Share the Love!
Great job Ed for compiling and hosting this month's Blog Carnival. I like the originality on this one. Me and Lauren hope to beat the other teams especially the "PINK" team led by James. It was great reading when and how everyone started their own travel blogs.
ReplyDeletePara dito pala yung favorite color. Effort. :D
ReplyDelete@Marky, it is an honor to host this especially that I am a fan for some of these blogs, while some blogs are my first time to see and it is truly rewarding to discover them. Thanks!
ReplyDelete@Cris: Oo, hehe, sana havey, lol!
Yey ang bilis mag-edit ng pic! Havey na havey ka talaga, Edmar, pak na pak. Lol! ^_^
ReplyDeleteGreat Job Edmar!!! Truly proud of you -- super creative ng compilation mo. So ang debutants ba, lahat fave color eh Purple? :) And thank you for sharing na first time ko sumali..hehe!
ReplyDeleteI must admit, naka-relate ako to some of our fellow PTB members, when it came to 'death' related beginnings. Truly, we are all born again because we've been awaken to do something that we're more passionate about this time around.
Kudos to everyone who joined! :) Astig kayong lahat! :)
Wow Edmar, parang gusto ko maiyak sa post mo! Thank you! :-) (Note: www.ponderingpaodaolei.net po yung link ko ha,,, .com kasi yung nakalagay mo sa PINK Team)
ReplyDeleteI love the Color-coding scheme :-)
I cant help but get teary-eyed the way you described all...especially mine..sniff sniff..:-)
Great compilation!!!!
@Mai: Thanks for joining! Yup, nakakarelate rin ako sa mga stories natin. I love PTBloggers.
ReplyDelete@Paola, yep. Thanks for joining. Placed an erratum na, hehe.
ReplyDeleteGaling! Teka isang oras ko ba to binasa? :D Haii I am inspired and always will be. Thanks to these individuals stories. nakakaiyak and super relate :)
ReplyDelete@Wannder Shugah! hahaha.. That's what we call passionate reading, lol..
ReplyDeleteThanks for having a time to read. appreciate it. But of course, this post became possible because of these AWESOME travel bloggers!
Congratulations for coming up with a fresh and unique compilations this time. Galing galing. Will take time to read all the entries. Congratulations ulit. Nakakapressure naman sa mga susunod na host haha.
ReplyDelete@Chino, I always tell this, it is an honor to host. Thanks for sharing your wonderful story to this blog carnival :)
ReplyDeleteGreat sum up Edmar!!! I'm glad that I participated in this month's blog carnival. It's also nice to read about other people's story on how they ended up as a travel blogger. Looking for more blog carnivals to come. More power to Edmaration.com and all the Pinoy Travel Bloggers.
ReplyDelete@Franc. Thanks for those wonderful word and thanks for sharing your story. It was indeed a rewarding task, :)
ReplyDeleteI hope there will be another season or next batch of travel bloggers who will make it on the list =) Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Natawa naman ako sa Ms.Universe Blog! Thanks for a very nice and one of a kind compilation! I hope mag comment sa blog ko ang madami kong fans! Haha! Thanks again! Happy travels! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a very nice compilation, Edmar! Sayang nakasama sana ako sa teams kung nakahabol entry ko hehe
ReplyDeletewow ang galing ng compilation....i do hope my mother can see this and how i really missed him....para dun pala un colors...thanks po sir edmar..^_^
ReplyDeleteNice work Ed! Ayus! Thanks for hosting the Carnival... =)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on this project, Ed! I'm honoured to be part of it. Really struck a chord in me. I'll be giving a big portion of my weekend to read each and every entry because the excerpts and descriptions are so good! And wonderful idea you had to add quotes. They are all meaningful. I liked most of all Josiah's and Ian's. Made me like them even more now hehe!
ReplyDeleteAwwww I love this edma! Well worth the wait! Congratulations and Thank you! ;)
ReplyDeleteJon, Karen, Aleah, Brian, Ian, Drew, Violy. Thanks to all. It would not be possible without you guys :)
ReplyDeletehats off to effort poured into this.
ReplyDeletemore towns for your to explore edmar.
thanks for hosting, i know you will not do this again, haha pressure mag-host. very very nice compilation
ayiii! natuwa naman ako. It was actually my second time joining blog carnival. Iniisa isa ko na sila ngayon. Bwahahah! Parang bruha lang. lol! Ibang level ka ha. Kinarir. Clap clap clap ka para sa sarili. hihihi! Sa totoo lang, ang tunay na rason kung bat ako may blog ay dahil lang sa inggit. chos! hahah!
ReplyDeleteingat sa pagmo-motor ha! Cheers and congrats! Job well done. Pressure sa next host. ^_^
Really will not get tired of reading this post. Can we have like a PTB BLOG Awards? Like BEST PTB Blog Host! :-D
ReplyDelete@Wrey, yep, all the bloggers are stars in their own way...
ReplyDelete@James, thanks for sharing yours. It made us think that traveling isn't a luxury, indeed you are an inspiration to many :)
@kura, uy thanks! We love your blog, nakakakompleto ng araw!
@Paula, ayiii... yeah, hindi talaga nakakapagud basahi dahil ang gaganda lahat ng contributions niyo :)
Woot! Ngayon ko lang nabasa to. Kaya pala you asked our fave colors... for teams pala! GALING GALING!!! Enjoyed reading everyone's posts!!! Iba't iba talaga ang stories namin. Very interesting. Woot, kudos for hosting this month's blog carnival! :D
ReplyDelete@Renz... Thanks. I appreciate you guys for sharing your stories :)
ReplyDeleteI'm still bummed I wasn't able to make it to this month's blog carnival. :( You did a really fantastic job with this one, Edmar! You're a real trooper!
ReplyDelete@reisa, awwww naman.salamat. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being the host! :D
ReplyDeleteSo many travel bloggers! I've wanted to pursue being a travel blogger as well since I love travelling but my budget doesnt have any openings for travelling anymore. T_T
@Grysh. thanks!
ReplyDeleteNo you can, take it from me, I travel in a shoestring budget. :)
I even tried traveling to 3 provinces in 1 day for 1500, just plan it ahead, at tamang diskarte! :)) Check out the previous carnival hosted by Journeying James where these travel bloggers shared how they fund their wanderlust. Just click the blog carnival logo at the end of this post and you'll see the previous compilation!
Kaya yan Grysh!
masaya pala ang blog carnival... can't wait for a second entry.. yay!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW ulit!!! Yeah na enjoy ko pag babasa! great compilation po!
ReplyDeleteAko din lagi naka motor...angkas sa motor... haha!
@Ian, yup! Join ka ulit next time! :))
ReplyDelete@Gladys! Ride on Girl!!! Ang saya kaya mag-backride! hahaha! :)
hey thanks for dropping by at my blog www.nboi.blogspot.com and to answer your inquiry yes i am a true blooded Ilokano amateur blogger heheh and how about you ed? catch you up later, anyways cool site you have, kudos! don't forget to drop by again in my site thanks..
ReplyDelete^^ Yes I am an Ilocano too. I got interested when I saw your blog featuring different places in Ilocos that's why I asked if you were an Ilocano. Great! Hope we could meet up someday over coffee or travel together someday and explore our homeland!
ReplyDeleteGreat compilation Ed! It's nice to read the stories of people transpired to be Travel Bloggers. Hope we can join in the blog carnival if we're invited by PTB.
ReplyDelete^^ Yup! Thanks for dropping by :)
ReplyDeleteHope to see you in PTB soon!
great compilation ed! glad to be part of this blog carnival. si ian limbonis pa lang nakakasabay kong magtravel dito sa list. hope to travel with the others soon! :)
ReplyDeletevin, thanks bro. cheers for more fruitful travels!
ReplyDeleteVery good information you write it very clean. I’m very lucky to get this information from you
ReplyDeleteInteresting post and thanks for sharing. Some things in here I have not thought about before.
ReplyDeleteIt is a so cool and informative post.I really like it .Thanks for this sharing.Each people all have own pursuit, the pursuit of different things, although the process is cruel, but if there are good results, before suffering is always worth it.
ReplyDelete