If I’m not tied down by anything or if my financial resources aren’t limited, one of the things I would do is spend some of my fortune to see the world. That obviously isn’t the case for me yet, but the promise of tomorrow and God’s grace make me look forward and trust that, in His time, I will get to fulfill the wanderlust within me. I haven’t traveled abroad yet, but I am not mad because God has allowed me to visit some of the best places in my beloved country, the Philippines. With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines is home to boundless wonders. I’m not just talking about the places, but also about the smiles of its people and the richness of its culture, which take my breath away.

As I blogged last year, 2025 has been exceptionally good to me, allowing me to visit some of our country's finest destinations. I revisited Bohol, Manila, and Palawan, and explored Baguio and Siargao for the first time. This blog is dedicated to the bliss I've experienced in Baguio City, often called the Philippines' City of Pines. Baguio is a highly urbanized, chilly, and creative city in the northern Philippines. It is commonly known for its sweater weather, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 23°C. These can drop to as low as 10°C to 13°C due to the northeast monsoon—or, from my experience, just before daybreak after a night of rain. While in Baguio, I once woke up before 6 a.m. to a temperature of around 11°C, which was probably the coldest I’ve ever experienced. 

Baguio's cold weather is one of its charms, and also one of the reasons why I love the place. Baguio is now one of my favorite cities in the Philippines, and if I could relocate for free, I would love to live there. I adore the noise and the upbeat life in Cebu, but there's just something irresistible about the peace and quiet Baguio offers. Sometimes, parts of the city get eerily quiet, rumored to be haunted. Let's just say, it could get chilly in Baguio, but if that bothers you a lot, you can always stay somewhere along the Session Road, where fun and sound are more alive. I prefer staying a bit far from the town proper, though, like I usually do when I travel. 

📌Baguio Bell Staycation Hotel

Address: Upper Westside, Crystal Cave, Foothill St, Baguio, 2600 Benguet

I traveled to Baguio DIY, which means I booked where I stayed and took care of everything else, such as my transportation and itinerary. Booking a travel tour would have been much cheaper and easier, but I like traveling at my own pace. I prefer going to places of my choosing, when I want, walking when necessary.
The best part is that it allows me to talk to the locals about the place and take my time savoring the little moments that fill me with awe. This includes simply looking at the flowers, the verdant mountains, and enjoying my cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

I booked a four-day, three-night stay at Baguio Bell Staycation Hotel. S told me it's probably not the best place to stay in since it could be a bit far from the town proper. But then, that's exactly why I like it, and based on the reviews I've read, it checked the box for what I'm looking for in a place. Baguio Bell is a hostel; not a hotel. It didn't have the amenities of a hotel, but it is very decent, and if I may be honest, it's a real bargain. The only downside about the place is that it's a bit far, probably 30 minutes far from the heart of the city, but that doesn't bother me. It also lacks a restaurant, cafe, or store, so you'll have to get your food elsewhere. Or, you can cook in their kitchen, which is great because you can always buy fresh goods in Baguio, and Bell won't even charge you for gas, and they all have the kitchen utensils you need. 

Another thing I love about the Baguio Bell is the peace it offers. It can feel too quiet or even a bit spooky at times, but I still love it. The view is scenic, and the place, though not fancy or aesthetically pleasing, is well-kept, organized, and clean.

The best part is that the staff and the owner, Mr. Young, are all welcoming and accommodating. They even let me use their laundry room to wash my clothes when I asked where I could have my soiled clothes laundered. Kuya Renee, who works with Bell, also gave me a free ride to the bus terminal going to Clark Airport.

I appreciate them so much, and honestly, if I had more dough with me, I would have stayed longer in Baguio; at Bell Staycation, of course.

FACT: I was their only guest during the first two nights of my stay, which is kind of funny and scary, having the huge place by myself. 

Some shots taken during my stay at BELL Staycation: 

📌 BenCab Museum 
Km. 6 Asin Rd, Tuba, 2603 Benguet

Whenever I travel, I always try to visit a museum wherever I go. One of the places I wanted to visit in Baguio is BenCab Museum, an art museum that houses the works of the Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts, Ben “BenCab” Cabrera. What makes the BenCab Museum a standout for me is its location and the scope of the artist’s oeuvre it offers every visitor. It’s located somewhere far from the focal point of the city, which would turn off some would-be visitors, but for me, it’s one of its hallmarks. The museum offers a panoramic view of the mountains. Combine it with the museum’s landscaping and interiors, and the result is visual art in itself.

It was raining cats and dogs when I visited BenCab, which I find cinematic. That probably won’t be the case for some, but the artist in me can’t spare the drama. The cold didn’t bother me much, since Café Sabel, the museum's in-house café, offers hot drinks, including BenCab’s Brew. It’s made out of Sir Ben’s coffee from his farm.

Below are some photos of my favorite spots and artworks inside the museum. 

One of the most interesting displays I found at the BenCab Museum is the Bulol Installation, installed on a gigantic wall spanning two to three floors of the museum. This is fascinating to me as a Cebuano, since we don’t have Bulol in our culture or traditions in my hometown. I’m not entirely sure, but the Bulol figures must be unique to the northern Philippines. The Bulols, by the way, are figures of spiritual guardians of fertility. In a way, the installation allowed me to appreciate a Filipino heritage distinct from my own.

Here's a better way of explaining the figures, which I took from the museum's copy: 

BULOL INSTALLATION
The lives of the Ifugao communities in the Cordilleras, the highlands of northern Philippines, center on rice cultivation. Thus, the bulols, or rice granary gods, are venerated through rituals that ensure abundant harvests and protection against natural calamities.
Hand-carved from hardwood abundant in the region, these primitive sculptures emphasize the male and female genitalia, representing fertility and abundance. The figures have a rich patina of smoke and sacrificial blood from years of ritual ceremonies during rice planting, harvest, and other celebrations.
The bulols, which can be several generations old and usually come in pairs, are depicted in various positions (standing, dancing, squatting), which help to identify their origin. They are treasured by their owners and passed down from generation to generation.

At a glance, this turtle-like carving might seem plain. However, looking closely, you'd see the art and function within it. This wooden carving serves as a container for preserved meat (itag). The container, called Tangongo, has a ceremonial value. Its lid features a lizard, a sacred symbol of wealth, nobility, and good fortune for the Ifugao people. Another interesting lesson, because ever since I've arrived in the Cordillera, I've been seeing a lot of lizard motifs, particularly in the art of the Ifugao people. Hence, my curiosity led me to read about its significance.

 It was past lunchtime, so I had lunch at Cafe Sabel. I had a simple pork barbecue and fries. I didn't feel like having any dessert, and just ended my meal with coffee. Everything was satisfying. Regarding the resto, it has a huge seating capacity, great views, and a broad assortment of offerings on its menu. 

Photographed above are some of Ang Kiukok's works. 

Visiting BenCab Museum is one of the highlights of my travel in Baguio. The place offers a broad perspective of artists from the Cordillera region, and why BenCab is one of the Philippines' finest. Whether you consider yourself a creative or not, BenCab is a must-visit place in Baguio. 

📌 Burnham Park
Jose Abad Santos Dr, Baguio, 2600 Benguet

I can't leave Baguio without visiting its blooming urban park—Burnham Park. The park is historically significant to the people of Baguio and was designed by American architect Daniel Burnham. It has a botanical garden, an orchidarium, a biking road, and a man-made lake, among its other notable features. I actually feel like I'm in NYC's Central Park while in Burnham, except that I know it's a miniature version of the one in New York. Going to the park is free of charge, but using or availing the services within it, like riding in the Swan Boat, costs a dime.

There were so many things to do at the park, whether you are visiting alone or with a group. I had the best time taking photos of the flowers and simply admiring their beauty. There were lots of them, especially roses in various colors. The park is also a paradise for bird lovers and photography enthusiasts. In fact, I've met some bird photographers in the park, and it was just fascinating to listen to how they got into their hobbies and to get the chance to see the lovely flying creatures that they have captured with their cameras.

The park also welcomes its local artists and provides them with an open space where they can show their art or sell it. This is another fascinating part of visiting Burnham. I got to meet the local artist Adelaida Guia, who is doing giant crochet mandalas. At that time, Guia was vying for a Guinness World Records title. I heard from the news that she was able to get the record, by the way. All hats and flowers to Guia! Mabuhay ang sining ng Pilipino!

As a flower child, I have to visit Burnham's Orchidarium, which houses towering trees, vibrant flowers, and sweet-smelling herbs. How I love to take everything home! lol

Even though the pond is man-made, exploring it with the iconic Swan Boats of Burnham is a great and calming experience. I love the serenity of going around the pond and saying hello to other tourists, who are just as fascinated and happy as I am. This is just one of the most breathtaking moments of my time in the park.

There were vendors all over the park who were selling the infamous strawberry taho (sweetened silken tofu) of Baguio. While we have taho in Cebu, we don't have the strawberry variant like in Baguio, so yep, gotta try it. Sadly, it didn't live up to my expectations. I love the hot classic taho better.

The taho didn't make me smile, but the strawberry-mango ice cream did. This one has a strawberry-flavored cone, which made me giddy like a kid. I think if I were a stranger looking at myself, I'd laugh at how happy I am.

I was about to cross the street to reach Session Road when I stumbled upon Solibao's. Solibao is a popular restaurant in Baguio, which sells hot and freshly made puto bungbong and Ilocos empanada.

Puto bungbong is a purple rice cake steamed in bamboo tubes. It is made creamier and sweeter with its cheese and condensed milk toppings. I'm familiar with puto bungbong in Cebu, but what made Solibao's version much better is their use of butter instead of the usual margarine. They also put a generous amount of ingredients into their delicacy.

Ilocos empanada is a deep-fried dough characterized by its bright orange shell. There are varieties of empanadas all over the Philippines, but Ilocos empanada, which comes from Ilocos (the northern part of the Philippines), makes use of garlicky Ilocos longganisa (pork sausage), whole egg, and vegetables as its fillings. Solibao's empanada is so good, and I can only wish they sold it here in Cebu, because the ones we have here don't come close to the ones Solibao offers.

I got to witness how Solibao prepared their Ilocos empanada, which is so cool because they prepare and cook all their street food in their booth.

The making of Solibao's Ilocos Empanada.

Solibao's buttery, creamy, and cheesy puto bungbong

My dreamy escape to the City of Pines didn’t end at Burnham Park. I strolled along Session Road and explored its indigenous heritage at Tam-Awan Village. This post would be far too long if I documented everything here, so stay tuned for Part 2 of my Baguio City escapade.

If you’re visiting the Philippines, be sure to add Baguio City to your list. I’d easily place it alongside Cebu as one of my favorite cities in the country. Let’s just say—I fell in love with it, and I would happily return to Baguio a million times over!

Stay blessed!
love lots,
Tin

Hey guys, happy New Year! I know this greeting might be a bit late since January has come to an end, but nevertheless, I still want to wish you all a happy New Year. A lot of things have been going on around the world recently, but I hope 2026 has been good to all of you so far. It’s normal to encounter a few bumps here and there, but I truly hope you’re all doing well and feeling good in general.

Anyway, I haven’t really gone through or posted anything yet for this year. I was actually already working on a couple of draft blog posts; one about one of my travels last year, and another about my favorite wellness products that I’ve been using for many years now. However, for this blog post, I want to start the year with something we can all reflect on, if you choose to read it. So this one is going to be about the ins and outs for 2026.

Some of you might have already seen influencers making TikToks or reels about this concept. The idea of listing your ins and outs for the year has been going around, and I find it really meaningful. That’s why I decided to turn it into a blog post.

Looking back and really thinking about it, I believe this is something we can truly work on. It’s a good way for us to reflect on what we want to continue, what we want to improve, and what we want to remove from our lives this year so we can grow and live better.

So first, I’d like to start with the ins.

Ins for 2026:

ദ്ദി( °ᗜᵔ) ✅✨Praying

I love praying. It puts my mind at ease and draws me closer to God. I haven't been "in touch" with God for quite some time, and since last year, I have wanted to make an effort to know Him more and have a good relationship with God. There are times when I feel down and lost, but I know I can always find my way back when I pray to God.

ദ്ദി( °ᗜᵔ) ✅✨Going to church and attending mass every Sunday

Going to church and being in a state of grace are among my goals for this year. Learning more about God and His wonders, I want to hear His word and make it a point to set aside time to glorify Him.

ദ്ദി( °ᗜᵔ) ✅✨Reading books

I've always believed that we learn more by reading more. There are many ways to learn these days, especially with the power of technology, but there's no denying the power of reading. Whether you are reading fiction or non-fiction, books have the power to enrich our minds and make us better people. It's crazy how some people think reading books these days is something performative. Regardless, reading is always a good deed. Also, I am trying to read at least 10 books this year. Wish me luck!

ദ്ദി( °ᗜᵔ) ✅✨Listening to music; discovering new songs and exploring different genres

I used to stick to musical genres that I felt comfortable listening to. Recently, I've been listening to random songs on Spotify and have discovered so much good music. I think it's always a matter of opening our minds to new things, like new music, that opens more doors for us to appreciate life a little bit more.

ദ്ദി( °ᗜᵔ) ✅✨Staying in touch with our friends

Most of the time, I am a lone wolf. I'm not a social butterfly at all, but for some reason, I always find friends wherever I go. Friendship is a wonderful gift, and our friends are blessings in our lives. Recently, I've been getting in touch with my friends—both old and new—and it always feels good to spend time with them and know that even when time passes, and everyone gets busy, you always have people you can count on apart from your family.

ദ്ദി( °ᗜᵔ) ✅✨Keeping our mental health in check

Our mental health is as important as our physical and emotional health. I've learned that even the strongest and wisest people also struggle mentally. It's normal to feel down sometimes, but we have to be aware when we need help and understand that it's nothing to be ashamed of. Every day, we are bombarded with things that can make us think negatively, but we are also surrounded by good things. I want to develop the skill of looking at things positively, especially when they don’t go the way I planned. I also want to encourage everyone to keep their loved ones' mental health in check. You never know what someone else is going through. Let’s all be kind to strangers as well.

ദ്ദി( °ᗜᵔ) ✅✨Exercising

I'm a heavy girl, and I know that it's healthier to have a normal weight. This is a long-term goal that I want to achieve by adding healthy habits to my daily life, such as eating healthier and moving more. I've been hiking and running these days as my form of exercise. I love these two because they are simple, achievable, and don’t require any equipment. Plus, they are free, and both allow me to see new places and breathe fresh air.

ദ്ദി( °ᗜᵔ) ✅✨Saving; building a stable and healthy savings account

Shopping feels good—let's admit it—but we have to know our limitations. I don't consider myself a huge spender, but I know I have to set aside a reasonable amount for my savings. We don't know when rainy days will come, so a stable and healthy savings account will help us navigate our lives and finances better.

ദ്ദി( °ᗜᵔ) ✅✨Preparing emergency kits and mini food banks at home.

Last year, the Philippines was hit by natural disasters. It was disheartening to witness others struggle and lose much of what they had invested in, whether material or not. It is never easy to experience loss in any form. I've been thinking deeply about this ever since the COVID-19 pandemic—that emergency kits and food banks are necessary. I'm not talking about what the government can provide, but about what we have to prepare within ourselves and with our families. These are practical and necessary, especially for those of us living in the Philippines, where tropical depressions are common.

ദ്ദി( °ᗜᵔ) ✅✨Staying hydrated

When was the last time you drank water? Pause reading for a moment and have a sip. I don't really have to say this because I think we all know how vital water is for our bodies. However, it's crazy how many of us neglect drinking enough water to stay hydrated and keep our bodies functioning properly. Never underestimate the value of drinking water, and don't forget to remind yourself and those around you to stay hydrated.

ദ്ദി( °ᗜᵔ) ✅✨Being grateful

Lastly, I want to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. I can be pessimistic sometimes, and during those times, I anchor myself in the blessings I've received and in what went right, no matter how small it may be. It's easy to get lost in negativity, but I know that when we learn to step back and appreciate the simple things that make our day—be it our job or the mere fact that we are alive and moving—things are bound to get better.

Now, moving on to the outs for 2026.

(ᗒᗣᗕ)՞ 👎Arguments

Arguments can be healthy if they’re handled properly. Sometimes they’re necessary so we can communicate our frustrations, but they should always end in a constructive and respectful way. What I want out of this year are explosive and unhealthy arguments, because I don’t think those do any good. It’s damaging for both sides of those who are arguing. People who are fighting with someone tend to have a negative outlook and often have trouble sleeping. We don’t want that. I don’t like seeing people arguing and don’t want to get involved in arguments. To be honest, I don’t like being angry. I still get angry—it’s a normal emotion—but I keep in mind to try not to dwell on it and do my best to brush it off and focus on other things instead.

(ᗒᗣᗕ)՞ 👎Occult practices

This includes anything related to New Age practices, Wicca, and similar things. I’m not particularly comfortable with them, and I don’t believe these are godly, so they are definitely out for me this year. I did read some astrology stuff before and have tried tarot reading for fun, but now that I know these things are against God, I’d rather pray and do something else that pleases our Creator.

(ᗒᗣᗕ)՞ 👎Extravagance

We need to practice frugality and learn how to maximize our income—whether we’re earning six digits or five. Building good savings is important. Here in Cebu City, we went through a lot last year—typhoons and other challenges—so having a stable savings account really matters.

(ᗒᗣᗕ)՞ 👎Too much sugar

Once again, all of this comes back to our health, because health truly is everything. Let’s try to be more mindful and intentional with the choices we make. I no longer put sugar in my coffee or drink soda. I’m also trying my best to eat fewer sweets and carbs, because those two turn into sugar, and having too much sugar in our bodies can make us sick. Actually, anything too much is not good, but you know what I mean. lol

(ᗒᗣᗕ)՞ 👎Unhealthy Connections 

Last thing on my outs this year is unhealthy connections, which include toxic relationships. I think that at some point, when something brings us more chaos than peace, we have to let it go. Not because we hold grudges, but because it’s our responsibility to keep ourselves sane. I want to let go of anything that brings more confusion than clarity, and anything that breaks my boundaries. I want to make an effort to become a better person, and I know that one way for me to achieve this is to build genuine connections with others, be it with friends or with potential lovers. It’s true what they say—if it costs your peace, it ain’t worth it. In this pragmatic world, I know that deep inside all of us, we all crave authentic and loving connections, which are more valuable than gold. I’d rather be alone or be with a few real ones than be with someone unsure or just up for games.

That’s it for now for my ins and outs of this year. I want this year to be intentional and grounded with purpose. We all have one life, and our lives are all precious. Also, I’ll try my best to keep blogging here. I write for a living now, and it’s kind of challenging sometimes to find time to write outside of work, but this is good. I love blogging. I love connecting with myself and with others. I’d love to hear your thoughts, too. I know you can’t leave comments here since I’ve turned off the comment section; I just got too tired of filtering out spam. lol But you can always email me and stay connected with me via Instagram, where I’m very much active.

love lots, 

Tin