2024 is another year of travel for me and another year of learning, experiencing, and visiting different places, not just in the Philippines, but the rest of Asia as well! Crossed fingers! It has been a whirlwind year because I have got to visit 28 Provinces, 36 Cities, 52 Municipalities, 6 Festivals, and 4 Countries.

Here are some of the highlights of my 2024!

JANUARY 2024

Sinulog Festival 2024 (Cebu)

Read also: My Sinulog 2024 Festival Experience

Prititit! Kicking off my 2024 in Cebu! It is my first time to celebrate the Sinulog Festival in the province of Cebu and it was really as festive as it sounds. Held annually during the 3rd Sunday of January in celebration of the feast day of the Child Jesus (Santo Niño), Sinulog is the grandest festival in the island of Cebu. Will definitely come back in the coming years! Viva Pit Senyor!

Dinagyang Festival (Iloilo)

Hala Bira, Dagyang na ta! It is my second time celebrating Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo and the festive mood is just infectious. Considered to be one of the most popular festivals in the Philippines, Dinagyang surely does not disappoint. It is a mardi gras on its own. I am just in for the drumbeats and the festival choreography that keeps Dinagyang its identity.

Guimaras

Read also: 1000 Peso Challenge: Guimaras

Being the 27th province I have visited in my personal #Project82PH, Guimaras is known for the sweetest mangoes on the planet. It is also the first place in the Philippines to be registered in the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines as a Geographical Indication. I missed visiting this province waaay back in 2017 and a lot has changed since. I just tried their famous mango pizza at Pitstop Restaurant when I visited, as a side trip to my visit for Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival.

FEBRUARY 2024

Tawi-Tawi

Going back to my 17th province in my personal #Project82PH is just a feat on its own. Because when I first visited Tawi-Tawi in May 2016, I visited it on my own, and now that I have revisited the southernmost province in the Philippines, I still visited it on my own, including the farthest towns of Sibutu and Sitangkai. Not to mention, I also have visited the southernmost island in the Philippines – Sikulan Island.

The 24th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (Capas, Tarlac)

After years of hiatus, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is back! Now on its new and better location in the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta and #AWeekendOfEverythingThatFlies got bigger and better this 2024. Though my visit to the annual hot air balloon fiesta was short, it was definitely sweet! Will definitely come back next year!

Panagbenga Festival (Baguio City)

Read also: My Panagbenga 2024 Experience

Coming back to my home turf in Baguio City and celebrating the 28th edition of Panagbenga or the Baguio Flower Festival has never been sweeter. For years, Panagbenga has become one of the major festivals in the Philippines, with millions flocking the streets of Baguio to witness the Grand Street Dance and Grand Floral Float parades.

MARCH 2024

La Union

Read also: La Union 1000-Peso Challenge

La Union is one of 4 provinces comprising the Ilocos Region. It connects the Ilocos provinces with Pangasinan, hence the name. During my visit in La Union, I have done (and repeated) my #1000PesoChallenge and visited numerous sites and tried some local delicacies along the way.

Some of the highlights of my trip was when I went to the MaCho Temple, visited Urbiztondo Beach in San Juan, picked grapes at the Grapes Farms in Bauang, and tried Halo-Halo in San Fernando City! Read more on the link above to know about my 1000-Peso Challenge.

Marinduque + Moriones Festival

A unique way of celebrating my 32nd birthday this year is celebrating it in the “Heart of the Philippines” – the island province of Marinduque. Being the 58th province in my personal #Project82PH, it is just fitting to celebrate my birthday, which happens to be on a Maundy Thursday this 2024, during the province’s Moriones Festival. It is also a first for me to celebrate my birthday alone and reflect on the past year. My Moriones experience for my birthday is one for the books!

One of the highlights of my Marinduque Trip was also visiting the Geodetic Center of the Philippines, literally the “Heart of the Philippines.” It is located in Luzon Datum of 1911 in the town of Mogpog, a few kilometers away from Balanacan Port. Literally at the geodetic center of the Philippines, my 32nd birthday was a memorable one!

APRIL 2024

Sulu

The province of Sulu is the 59th province on my personal quest for #Project82PH. Part of the informal “ZamBaSulTa” group, Sulu is surprisingly refreshing to the eyes. Its untouched nature and unspoiled beaches are some of the best I have seen through my Project 82 journey. As the province is previously known to be dangerous, I have proved it otherwise. This peace-loving province is full of things yet to be discovered by travelers! I recommend you visit Sulu even once in your life!

Basilan

Basilan is the 60th province on my personal quest for #Project82PH. This is also part of my ZamBaSulTa trip, completing my journey in this island province. Basilan is also blessed with good nature and nice people. Though completely warm for most months every year, Basilan also boasts nice and iconic white sand beaches and good food, too!

During my trip, I have visited some of the iconic spots to visit on the island province, namely: the Tulips Garden and Bulingan Falls in Lamitan City, the Basilan Provincial Capitol and Malamawi Beach in Isabela City! I suggest that you visit Lampinigan Island, too! (Will go back here soon!)

JUNE 2024

Laguna Falls Hopping

Chasing Waterfalls has been my kind of thing nowadays and chasing 4 waterfalls in one day sounds fun! During my revisit to the municipality of Luisiana, I have (re)visited Talay Falls, Hidden Falls, Hulugan Falls, and Aliw Falls. These falls are just adjacent to each other and you can visit them in one go! This famous waterfall tetralogy in Luisiana is best visited during the rainy season so you can see the cascades of water from these falls.

JULY 2024

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

Read also: Brunei Darussalam Travel Guide

Brunei Darussalam is not common in everyone’s travel bucket list. This Southeast Asian nation is one of the richest countries in the region, but its tourism industry is still in its infancy stage. What I like about visiting Brunei is that there are a few tourists around the area, especially in the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan. Aside from having its own Jollibee branch, there are also a lot of Filipinos who work there. The tourist spots are just near each other (in the capital proper) but their transportation system is quite unreliable since nearly 80% of the population have their own cars. If you want an out-of-the-ordinary vacation, you might want to consider adding Brunei to your bucket list.

Turista Boy tip: They also accept or give Singaporean Dollars as change or payment as they have similar ForEx values.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Being the 5th country I have ever visited outside of the Philippines, Malaysia is a surprise for me. From literally getting lost in their subways stations to getting awestruck by their tall buildings, its capital, Kuala Lumpur is bursting with color, culture, and flavor. From their delicious Nasi Lemak to visiting the mysterious Batu Caves, and exploring the wonders of the Petronas Towers and Merdeka 118, there is more to exploring the outskirts of Malaysia – this is a country I would definitely come back for more!

AUGUST 2024

Zamboanga Del Norte

Zamboanga Del Norte is my 61st province on my personal #Project82PH. Visiting the twin cities of Dipolog and Dapitan is memorable for me because it gave me one of the best sunsets I have seen throughout my travels. Specifically in Dipolog Boulevard, you can have some “me time” while watching the sun set and indulge in local food in a nearby food park afterwards. The City of Dapitan is also historical as it was the place of exile of Jose Rizal during his final years. You can also have a short trip to the famous Dakak Beach Resort and enjoy nature at its best.

Zamboanga Del Sur

Read also: Zamboanga City Travel Guide

Pagadian City is also a surprise for me as it is one of the more laid-back cities in Mindanao. Being the capital city of Zamboanga Del Sur, Pagadian City is also a thriving capital known for its 45-degree tricycles and warm people.

Zamboanga Sibugay

Zamboanga Sibugay is also one of the younger provinces in the Philippines. Established and separated from Zamboanga Del Sur in 2001, my 62nd province is known for its natural beauty – one of which is the not-so-hidden Tagbilat (Malagandis) Falls in the municipality of Titay.

SEPTEMBER 2024

Davao Del Sur

Davao Del Sur is one vibrant province with a bustling nightlife through its night markets. Its capital Digos City is light to the eye and its environment is just warm and welcoming. You can also have a break in one of their popular shorelines, Dawis Beach.

Davao Occidental

My 63rd province in my personal #Project82PH, Davao Occidental is a province waiting to be explored. Though its tourism infrastructure is still in its infancy stage, the province has a great potential in becoming one of Davao Region’s best kept secrets. There are a lot of potential sites for tourism and I can’t wait for it to be recognized and be developed. During my excursion here, I visited the new and bigger Davao Occidental Provincial Capitol, some 10 kilometers south of its capital, Malita.

Davao Del Norte

Davao Del Norte is also one of the bustling provinces of the Davao Region. Located approximately 2 hours from Davao City, Tagum City is also a metropolis full of culture. The city is also home to the “Biggest Rosary in the World” found within the Christ the King Cathedral’s premises. The province is also known for its palm tree-cladded streets and avenues.

Davao Oriental

Davao Oriental is one of the region’s more popular provinces. My 64th province is home to some notable tourist attractions such as the Mati Park and Baywalk, Dahican Beach, Sleeping Dinosaur Viewdeck, and the easternmost point in the Philippines – Pusan Point in the municipality of Caraga. There is so much more than meets the eye and I will come back for more to see its natural beauty!

OCTOBER 2024

Lanao Del Norte

Home to some of the most majestic waterfalls in the Philippines, the province of Lanao Del Norte will never disappoint. This province is where you will find the famous Maria Cristina Falls, Tinago Falls, and Mimbalot Falls, among others. You also have to try their famous pater dish!

Lanao Del Sur

My 65th province – Lanao Del Sur, is an up-and-coming tourist destination in the country. Still rising from the ashes of the Marawi siege, its capital Marawi City is now one of Mindanao’s best kept secrets. Being an Islamic City, the religion is strictly practiced throughout the city and Friday is their prayer day (where establishments are usually closed during lunch time for prayer). Being the “Heart of Mindanao,” this is where you will find “Kilometer 0.000” where it is the origin point of all highways in Mindanao. You also have to visit the Marawi Grand Mosque, Marawi Ground Zero, and the Marawi Peace Park. The city is also home to the biggest Bo’s Coffee Branch in the Philippines! There is also a link between Lanao Del Sur and Misamis Occidental through the Panguil Bay Bridge – the longest bridge in Mindanao to date!

Misamis Occidental

Misamis Occidental or “MisOcc” for short is the 66th province on my personal #Project82PH list. This province is small but still has a lot to offer! From its bustling cities of Ozamiz, Tangub, and Oroquieta, the province is also home to some natural wonders such as the U River (or Bigaan River) in the municipality of Balingao. There are also some historical sites in the province, one of which is Cotta Fort and the Birhen sa Cotta Shrine in the City of Ozamiz.

NOVEMBER 2024

Vietnam

Visiting two of the bustling cities in Asia is an adventure for me! Landing in Ho Chi Minh City and departing in Hanoi is an adventure on its own. Vietnam is a food haven and you can find a hawker cart in every corner of each city. From their aromatic Pho, hearty Bun Cha, and iconic Banh Mi, you will never go hungry here. What I like about Vietnam is its friendly people, too. Despite the language barrier sometimes, they would gladly help you when you get lost (like I did)!

I also had the chance to visit and know the history behind the Cu Chi Tunnels – its contribution to the Vietnam War and how it affected many Vietnamese people even up to this day. I also got to visit Uncle Ho in the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – one of the most visited sites in Hanoi.

Cambodia

One of the biggest surprises I encountered this 2024 is a visit to the Angkor Wat Complex. My November trip was initially planned for Thailand, but things didn’t work out as planned so I went for a Plan B. Cambodia is a simple country that made me feel at home when I visited. I always told my sister that I was just like visiting our home province when I was in Siem Reap. Take note, too, that when visiting Cambodia, you can interchangeably use US Dollars (US$) and Cambodian Riel (KHR).

DECEMBER 2024

Benguet – Going back to Mount Pulag

Going back to my mother mountain – Mount Pulag – where I first climbed here in 2015. Needless to say, the rooftop of Luzon Island is still magical and still calming at the top, especially during sunrise! The sea of clouds is just jaw-dropping and I did not but to take a million snap shots of the view from above!

Ifugao

Ifugao is one of the provinces I long to visit again because during my first visit in 2017, I have not taken as many photos and videos and just enjoyed the moment of being busked around the beautiful rice terraces, left and right. During this re-visit, I made sure that I would be able to document every bit of Ifugao’s untouched culture and to capture its scenic landscapes!

2024 has been a whirlwind of adventures and stories! Happy New year, turistas! Here’s to more travels this 2025!

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