8 things to do in Siquijor during Holy Week

I'll jump straight to the point. Siqujor Island, known to many as mystical and creepy, is by far the best island to chill during the Holy Week.

By virtue of its reputation, many local tourists would avoid visiting the island this time of the year. When one mentions Siquijor, the images of cauldron, boiling water, witches and voodoo always precede its white-sandy beaches with swaying palms, kind people and rich history.

Here are 8 of the many things one can do in Siquijor during the Holy Week (or in any given day for that matter).

1. Catch Siquijor's Stunning Sunset  

 tip: the best spot to see the dramatic sunset is in San Juan town. for the hopeless romantic, a dinner at the terrace in Villa Marmarine in Siquijor town is always a hit. for the cheapskate, the area behind San Juan Elementary School is perfect for pitching a tent!

13th IYAS National Writers’ Workshop fellows named

The IYAS National Writers’ Workshop of the University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City, has selected 15 Fellows for 2013, out of 82 applicants nationwide.

 The fellows for fiction are Leon Cedric Tan and Michael Aaron Gomez (English), Danilo Niño Calalang and Jay Jomar Quintos (Filipino), Manuel Avenido Jr. and Kareen Kristeen Bughaw (Cebuano).

The fellows for poetry are Stefani Patricia Kelly Tran and Roberto Klemente Timonera (English), Rommel Roxas and John Elmar Templonuevo (Filipino), Ma. Carmie Flor Ortego and Erik Enriquez Tuban (Cebuano), JP Anthony Cuñada, Winston Gallo, and Nikos Primavera (Hiligaynon).

Dreaming of Vienna

WOW! That late afternoon in 1986 when classes were cancelled and everyone at school was seated neatly in rows. Sweating while the earth breathed. Then, the betamax was fed. The screen lighted. It featured a meadow-- endless greens and rolling hills. Then, the first notes of the Sound of Music overture started to roll. ♫ The hills are alive... ♫ ♪ 

The Von Trapp family reunited after 45 years since the release of the legendary film The Sound of Music! Oh! How movies can tap interest in travel. Film tourism is carving a niche all over the globe. Because of this movie and Before Sunrise + Before Sunset, I want to visit Vienna then Paris. New Zealand is another country I am dying to visit because of the Lord of the Rings movie!

Balesin Island Resort, Philippines

Who wants to get stuck on this island 60 nautical miles east of Manila?

I was in awe looking at Juliette's album in facebook. It featured a stunning tropical island with an architectural design I've never seen anywhere in the Philippines. At first, I had the impression that it must be an island in Bali or Mykonos.

talk | by Magnum photographer Eli Reed

It was not until late last month when I stumbled upon a collection of black and white photographs taken by a Magnum photographer. In that photo, the strong natural light coming from outside the window is sifted through by slats of window blinds casting stripes of shadows on a naked woman's back. The woman's pose speaks volumes. Simple yet vivid and sensual. Raw and heavy. Perhaps post-coitus, after an afternoon filled with intense lovemaking? (Oh, well, that was how I interpreted it). Then, I got lost in that world of amazing images! 

From then on, Magnum takes on a different meaning for me. No longer a type of gun or a brand of ice cream but a collective of the world's topnotch photographers (which includes on its list Ansel Adams). Little did I know that in the weeks that would follow, one of its member would visit Dumaguete.

Thirteen Fellows Accepted to the 52nd Silliman University National Writers Workshop

The 52nd edition of the Silliman University National Writers Workshop is slated to start on 6 May 2013 at the Rose Lamb Sobrepeña Writers Village in Camp Look-out, Valencia, Negros Oriental.

Thirteen writers from all over the Philippines have been accepted as workshop fellows. 

cheap holidays in Crete

Crete is renowned across the Mediterranean as one of the sea's most attractive holiday destinations but there is more to the island than simply beaches and bars. The island is the largest, most populous and most southerly of the Greek islands and it makes a major contribution to the overall economy of the country. For centuries it was the centre of the Minoan civilization that had a hugely significant hand in steering the development of other Greek societies and ultimately that of modern Europe.

All of which is rather amazing if you take the time to dwell on it but don’t feel bad if you decide to head to Crete simply to kick back for a week or so in the sunshine and to indulge yourself with some hard-earned relaxation. Indeed, these days, relaxing is among the activities that the island is best suited to accommodate. With so many great resorts, pools, beaches and breath-taking vistas, there aren't many more fun places to be in the Mediterranean and perhaps even the world than Crete.

The good news for anyone on the look out for the perfect holiday deal is that there are plenty of cut-price but great value package offers on Crete available online right now. You should always check out Thomas Cook holidays if you're aiming to head to the Greek islands as their deals are usually difficult to beat, whether you're planning a party-filled few weeks in Malia or a family escape somewhere rather more serene. There are added discounts being offered this year to persuade consumers to start booking their holidays online so you can save yourself some extra worthwhile sums by doing so. And while the online holiday search and booking process remains something of a mystery to some, it really is rather straightforward once you get to grips with the basics of the process.

postcard series | Silliman University amphitheater

The sunken amphitheater (with Silliman Church as backdrop) is probably the second most popular landmark at Silliman University. Silliman Hall being at number one spot.

On its fringes are Hibbard Hall (my favorite building in the campus in terms of design aesthetics; high ceiling, vintage tile flooring, graceful curves, clean lines) and the Science Complex and Oriental Hall on the other side. The acacia-lined drive (with occasional skateboarders and bicyclers) and the frisbee field enfolding the amphitheater nailed the campus' laid back and youthful charm.

The amphitheater is a cultural and religious event venue and twice each year, the university's graduation ceremonies are held there.

postcard series | Dumaguete City

Silliman Hall and the Cathedral Belltower are two of Dumaguete's iconic landmarks.

Silliman Hall. Built in 1909, this building is considered the oldest wooden structure of Eastern Stick Style of American architecture in the Philippines. The ornate ceiling and iron cast posts were salvaged from a Broadway Theatre (New York). Location: Silliman University campus

Santa Catalina de Alexandria Belltower. Built in 1811, the Dumaguete Belfry is the oldest structure of its kind in Negros Oriental. Like any massive Spanish colonial era structure, it is made from coral stones which laborers took from the sea, cut into square blocks and "cemented" using lime and egg white from countless eggs! Location: Perdices Street fronting Quezon Park.

the most stylish cabin crew in Asia Pacific

I check-in 4 hours before my flight whenever I am in Singapore's Changi Airport or Hongkong International Airport for a delightful and odd reason: to people watch. Nothing short of spectacular in two of the world's most modern (and busiest) airports. I can sit at these airports for the whole day and still enjoy it!

top: cabin crew of Philippine Airlines and Asiana. bottom: Korean Air and Singapore Airlines

By far, the cabin and flight crew of Singapore Airlines top in my list as the most admirable breed. Regal in the way they carry themselves. The prettiest would have to be from Asiana and the best in-flight service I've experienced so far was in Philippine Airlines--from retired flight attendants: there was a super typhoon brewing somewhere that time and flight schedule went crazy. Our plane to Bangkok was already at the tarmac but the assigned crew were stranded somewhere. After waiting for 6 hours, we took off. The women FAs looked rather mature (in their 50s or could be older) but the way they served was fit for royalty! Graceful in the way they moved in the galley, the way they distributed the headseats to the way they bent to pick up something to the way they poured tea to my cup. The smiles were warm and genuine. What about the most stylish?