Philippines is an archipelago consisting of 80 provinces. As of my last counting I have been to a total of 40 provinces ever since I started to travel last 2007. The count includes places which I have live in, pass by or visited.
After high school graduation, I left my home town Daet which is in Camarines Norte. I finally need to leave my home for 16 years and it only means that I can go home only during breaks. My province is 341 kms away from Manila and going home is not easy but I still managed to go home 17 times for the past 3 years. Christmas and Holy Week vacations were the longer ones. Been home twice due to death in the family. We are so conscious in practicing our Rights to Suffrage that is why I went home twice too. The rest are usual visits for leisure and rest.
I was a proud Bicolana but I have been to 4 provinces only. Aside from Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur is the second on my list on the number of visits. Next was Albay which I've visited twice and Sorsogon once.
I have been to the north a few times, Baguio City in Benguet got the most number of times. My Visit in Cagayan was memorable. I got also the chance to pass by Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija and Bulacan. My Visit to Sagada gave me the opportunity to see the beauty of Mountain Province and Ifugao. A trip in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur with my high school classmates was fun too. I have visited La union to attend a wedding and went to Pangasinan for a family-related visit. Pampanga visits is short but memorable too which is also the same with Bataan, Tarlac and Zambales.
Going down south is a usual destinations too. Laguna, Cavite and Rizal were the most frequent. Everytime I go home I need to pass by Quezon. A viist to Batangas and Oriental Mindoro means going to the beach most of the times.
Palawan is the most beautiful place I've been to the country and I can't wait to see Coron soon.
After visiting 26 provinces in Luzon, I believe I still have a way to go. There are 38 provinces in Luzon and I still have 12 more left to conquer. Abra, Apayao and Kalinga in CAR is in my list. Quirino and Batanes from Region 2 and Aurora from Region 3. For Region 4 I still have Romblon, Marinduque and Occidental Mindoro. Last on my list is Bicol which leaves me Masbate and Catanduanes in the list.
I was amazed by the beauty of the Visayas. There are only 16 provinces composing Visayas but I have been to only 8 provinces.
A visit to Bohol and Cebu was a very good birthday treat for me. I can't wait for my second visit with my family. Negros Occidental was as picturesque as the whole Visayas.
Guimaras which is near the Panay Island catches my heart too. And who would forgot the Boracay Island in Aklan and the rest of the provinces in the Panay Islands including Iloilo, Capiz and Antique.
I am a beach person that is why I always wanted to go back to Visayas and explore the rest of the region. I still have more to discover and see.
The 8 remaining provinces in my list includes Siquijor and Negros Oriental from Central Visayas. I have yet to visit Eastern Visayas which composes of Biliran, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Northern Samar, eastern Samar and western Samar.
Mindanao is the least explored place in my list. There are 26 provinces in Mindanao and I only been to 6 provinces.
My visit to Zamboanga del Sur was the most memorable among the rest of my travels because I was given the chance to ride a Military Simba. We also wen to Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental during the visit.
Marbel in South Cotabato was a fulfilling visit because I've got to see my college best friend and her family.
When I went to CDO our sidetrip was Camiguin and I've got the chance to have my picture taken to a place on the border of CDO and Bukidnon.
The remaining 20 provinces from Mindanao is still a long list and I know I still need more time to visit it. Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte is in Region 9 and Lanao del Norte from region 10. The whole Davao region is in my list including Compostela valley, davao Oriental, Davao del Sur and Davao del Norte. For Soccskargen of Region 12 Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato is still on my waiting list. The whole Region 13, which I do have relatives is still unexplored. The list includes Agusan del Norte and Agisan del Sur, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. The last but not the least are provinces that has the least possibility on my travel plans are part of ARMM including Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.
I am thankful to all my family and friends who has been part of my journey to conquer Philippines. I am looking forward in adding a few more provinces in my list before I turn 30.
Tara na biyahe tayo! =)
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