Mount Isarog (2000m) is an ultra prominent volcano near Naga City, and one of the most boring hikes I've ever done in the Philippines.

Mount Arayat is a beautiful volcano in Pampangas, north of Manila. I've seen it plenty of times from the highway during the last four years, and finally it was time to climb it.

Mount Maculot is the highest point on the vast rim around Taal Lake. A new trail has recently been opened to replace the old trail, which is full of rubbish.

Mount Batulao (811m) is one of the most scenic and popular day hikes near Manila. The weekends crowds coming from Manila have a bad habit of leaving their trash on the trail.

Camiguin Island is almost like a Philippines in miniature. It offers a wide variety of attractions, from white beaches to volcanos and hot springs, not to forget the delicious Lanzones fruit.

Mount Timpoong (1630m) is the highest volcano on Camiguin Island, making it one of 29 ultra prominent peaks in the Philippines. Unlike its popular neighbour, Mount Hibok-Hibok, only a few hikers have reached the summit of this "virgin" peak.

Mount Hibok-Hibok (1332m) is not the highest peak on Camiguin Island, but it's definitely the most popular. After the hike don't forget to take a bath in the hot spring pools.

Before you go to this island, just make sure you got enough money, especially if you are a holder of an international visa card, otherwise you’ll end up like us.

The famous boxing champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao is from General Santos City and his favourite local beach is probably Gumasa.

Mount Matutum (2286m) is an ultra prominent volcano in Mindanao. It's an active volcano so we were a bit worried about spending the night on the summit.

We decided to take a few days away from the bustling city life in Cebu City, so we went to Bohol Island to do Mt Mayana (870m) and spend some time on the beach.

Mt Dulang-Dulang (2938m) and Mt Kitanglad (2899m) is the second and fourth highest mountain in the Philippines. The traverse is fairly difficult, so an experienced local guide as well as a rope will be needed here.

Mount Tapulao (2037m), named High Peak on most maps, is one of the 29 ultra prominent mountains in the Philippines. It's a long hike mainly on an abandoned mining road.

The annual Sinulog Festival in Cebu City is one of the biggest events in Philippines. But how would it be to celebrate it in Maasin City?

The Hanginan Trail is a popular hike in the green hills behind Maasin City. Emily has done this hike several times before, while this was the first time for me.

Osmena Peak (1015m) is the highest mountain on Cebu Island, the highest in the province of Cebu, and the highest in Central Visayas (Region VII). So obviously, this is a very important peak for Filipino mountaineers.

Malapascua, a tiny island north of Cebu, is said to be the next Boracay (whitest sand beach in Philippines), so we decided to check it out.

Before we arrived Ormoc City in the Philippines, we had done some research about Alto Peak (1330m), which is the highest peak in the Eastern Visayas region. Locally this peak is more correctly known as Mt. Mindieun, Amendiuen or Amindiwin (yes, a lot of variations over the same name).

Canigao Island is the hidden paradise of Leyte, and it has quite surely the best white sand beach in the entire Eastern Visayas. By hidden I mean it's spared from western tourism and development, but beware, the local "tourists" can be of much nuisance as well.

I missed my flight to Tacloban and my camera was stolen. Shit happened twice on this unlucky day of October 4.