by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 4, 2019 | Travel
With 7,107 islands, the Philippines offers bodies of water, with highly diverse marine wildlife and seascape, for all kinds of divers and dive enthusiasts to explore. This is making the country a popular major diving hub in Asia.
The Philippines has countless diving spots suitable for divers of different skills – from beginners who are simply looking for fun recreational activities, to intermediate divers seeking new underwater challenges to hone their skills and experts in search of new adventures.
Anilao, Batangas
At the top of the list are Anilao in Batangas and the Tubbataha Reefs in Palawan, with its impressive marine biodiversity and awe-inspiring vertical reef walls dropping to over 100 meters in depth. The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park was declared in 1993 a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for its high density of marine species and the different kinds of birds and marine turtles.
Tubbataha Reef photo credit to Trip or Treats
Anilao and Tubbataha Reefs diving spots, favorites of deep and open water divers, host different types of sharks, schools of fish, turtles and colorful corals.
Philippine diving map credit to scubadivingfanclub.com
For adventure-seekers and history junkies, the Philippines also has many exciting seafaring stories and countless sunken ships to explore such as World War II vessels, including Japanese freighters and gunboats that have now become homes to various marine species.
The country has ideal training spots to sharpen the skills of neophyte divers. Cebu has underwater caves, passageways and terrains teeming with marine life. Night diving is even possible in a few areas. The open water in El Nido in Palawan and in Cebu are favorite haunts of nocturnal creatures that look majestic in the moonlight.
The Philippines has the most number of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Heritage Parks and has been declared a Flyway Network Site, this refers to the network of important sites used by migratory waterbirds throughout the flyway.
The Philippines truly has so much to offer new and experienced divers, from Subic and Batangas in Luzon; to central Philippines – Cebu, Bohol, Negros Island and Palawan; and Mindanao – Davao and Camiguin, as well as points in-between.
Divers of varying skills will enjoy amazing underwater discoveries underneath the crystal clear waters of the Philippines. The Filipinos’ innate warmth and hospitality, as well as unique Filipino offerings, will make the experience more fun.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 2, 2017 | Discounts, Sales, and Giveaways, Travel
To stay on top of their game Grab has come up with some innovations to their services that patrons are sure to appreciate and enjoy.
Various payment options
In the past the only way to pay for Grab rides was via cash or credit card. Late 2016 they renamed their payment feature into GRABPAY and provided more payment options, such as:
- cash
- credit card
- debit card
- top-up credits
Top-up credits means you can reload your Grab account through online banking or via ATM.
Maybe someday they will also accept payments from GCash and Smartmoney 🙂
Live phone support
Whenever we have problems with our ridesharing app or service don’t we wish we could call someone? Sure email works but response takes too long!
Thankfully Grab now has Phone support. This means that we can call them if we have any issues we want addressed immediately instead of having to wait for an email. Hooray! Good work, Grab!
Grab rewards
Loyalty cards are now all the rage and Grab has introduced its own in-app version. Grab gives their riders more reasons to keep using Grab.
The more trips you take the more points you make! Grab now rewards it’s riders with free trips when you reach a certain number of points.
Not only that but, in addition, Grab riders also get discounts and freebies from their partners such as:
- Agoda
- Althea
- Flexiroam
- Fraser Place
- KFC
- Mister Donut
- Mrs. Fields’s
- Tokyo Tokyo
- Travelbook
- Zalora
Personally, I am quite likely to use the food rewards first. 😀
You can also check out how man points you’ve already made and how many points you need to reach a specific level. The levels they offer are SILVER, GOLD, AND PLATINUM.
Points are earned with every transaction you make with whatever Grab service you use.
For example, I booked Grabshare from my house to work and after the trip ended I received an alert that I now have an additional 38 rewards points. It’s that easy!
At the left are my rewards points. As you can see I still have a long way to go. To avail of even the P50 discount I need 600 points.
Grab offers its patrons an experience beyond the ride. Grab offers a lifestyle. Use my code to join Grab now: https://invite.grab.co/BFCC24
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 21, 2016 | Travel
I’m sure by now everyone is aware that Google invested in Waze and that ridesharing apps (such as Grab and Uber) use Waze to navigate around the city. But I bet majority of us didn’t know that Google maps is now integrated with these ridesharing apps, not just Waze. It’s true!
Let’s experiment
Google maps for mobile
Route mapped out by Google Maps
Let’s conduct an experiment. Open Google Maps on your phone. It should look something like what you see on the left whether you are on an android or iOS device.
If you have your GPS on it will automatically center on your current location. In the white box on top search for your destination.
For this example I chose SM Aura Premier as my current location and UP Town Center as my destination. Google Maps will now look like the image on the right.
As you can see Google maps shows us a recommended route on the map but did you notice the top part? You know, the part right after the location and destination. It displays 4 icons with text:
- travel by car
- travel by train
- travel by foot
- and then an icon of a guy hailing a ride … this is the icon for the ridesharing option.
Ridesharing apps integrates with Google Maps
Click on the ridesharing option and your screen will change, it will now look like this (see image on the right):
It not only displays the apps, it also shows the estimates for each type of ride, including the surge.
Side note: I don’t like the surge but I understand the need for it. I only wish it wouldn’t go up so high. But then, all it takes is patience. I just wait for it to go down to a reasonable amount and then I book a ride.
Click on any Uber link to open the Uber app
By default it will display the options for UberX and UberPool.
As you can see the rates are slightly different but close enough, really.
Side note: I often opted for UberPool when I am traveling alone or with just one other person unless I have several items with me, which means it will inconvenience other people when I have to load and unload which will take time. In that scenario I choose UberX.
I’ve never used UberHop … mostly because pickups and dropoffs are not to places I come from and go to.
Click on any Grab link to open the Grab app
By default it will display Grabcar sedan, but as you can see, we do have the option to still choose our ride option. The rate is slightly higher than the estimate.
Side note: Sometimes, Grab rates are cheaper … but it is really just sometimes. 🙁 More often than not they turn out more expensive but when Uber surges, BOY do they surge and at those times it is often wisest to choose Grab.
One other advantage to using Grab is they issue promo codes more often … from P50 discounts and up.
Conclusion
With the integration of Google maps and ridesharing apps choosing between Grab and Uber is now an easier decision to make.
Should I take Grab or Uber on my trip? I think I will let Google maps help me decide. How about you?
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 4, 2016 | Travel
Do you #lovetotravel? I do! I try to travel at least once a year and when I do I often find myself hitting the beach. Alaminos (Pangasinan), Bali, Boracay, Cebu, these are just a few of my favorite destinations.
Boracay is my daughter’s happy place. It is a place with many happy memories for her with her friends from college and later with her husband. It could be your happy place, too.
Time to hit one of the world’s best beaches with Citi Credit Cards. Book a room at the Tides Hotel Boracay from now until December 15 and get a 55% discount when you use your Citi Credit Card or a Citibank Visa Debit Card.
But that’s not all! You can also grab additional exclusive discounts such as:
- 20% off on spa services
- 15% off on food and beverages at Kaon Restaurant
20% off on spa services
15% off on food and beverages at Kaon Restaurant
But don’t stop there! Book your next trip to one of the most exciting vacation spots in the country and call (02) 722 9200.
To know more about this #LovetoTravel deal and other Citi promotions, point your browser to www.citibank.com.ph or call the 24-hour CitiPhone at (02) 995 9999.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 15, 2016 | Travel
Take a trip to your idea of paradise with Travelbook.ph!
With so many companies online that offer the same (or similar) services, it begs the question … why book with Travelbook.ph?
In 2012, TravelBook.ph, under the management of Summit Media, started as an online catalog catering to more than 4,000 hotels and resorts in the Philippines. The company was established by Recruit Holdings Company, one of the biggest media conglomerates in Japan, and specializes in classified advertisements, publications, and human resources.
To date, TravelBook.ph is the fastest growing Online Travel Agency (OTA) in the Philippines and boasts more than 2,700 hotel listings all over the country. Over the past three years, the company has achieved a record-breaking 200% growth rate and an average of 3,900 paid bookings per month.
With various offline and online marketing efforts, TravelBook.ph has gained exposure through media partners such as TV stations GMA NewsTV through programs like PopTalk and Biyahe ni Drew, CinemaOne, and radio stations Love Radio, Monster Radio, and Barangay LS.
TravelBook.ph also boasts increasing 1.6 million monthly page views, with 455,000 monthly unique visits, 52,000 registered members, and 299,000 newsletter subscribers.
Its social media presence also continues to grow: it has more than 540,000 likes in Facebook, while its Twitter and Instagram accounts have about 2,900 and 10,300 followers respectively.
Why Book with TravelBook.ph?
TravelBook.ph aims to cater to the needs of the ever-growing market, which is why it continuously develops and expands its strengths through various customer-driven initiatives.
Here are six good reasons to book with Travelbook.ph.
1. Convenient Booking
TravelBook.ph focuses on improving its offline bookings through 24/7 Customer Care that offers competitive room rates, promo plans, rewards points, membership promos, and GetGo promos.
TravelBook.ph also has a user-friendly mobile app that offers double rewards for bookings to make the service available for the growing number of smartphone users in the Philippines.
2. Multiple Payment Options
Since only about 5% of the whole Philippine population are credit card holders, TravelBook.ph has made sure that it has various online and offline payment methods to make booking hotels for every customer convenient.
Aside from using their credit cards, customers can pay via online and offline bank deposits or over-the-counter payments. They can also pay at 7-Eleven branches, Robinsons Department Store and SM Department Store branches, Bitcoin, and the newly launched Pay At Hotel, which allows the customer to pay upon check-in.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Alliances
TravelBook.ph has also partnered with top brands and companies in the Philippines, including Cebu Pacific, Robinsons Bank, Sun Cellular, Toys R Us, JG Summit, Robinsons Land, Robinsons Department Store, and Universal Robina to strengthen its presence in the business through various campaigns.
The company also has special partnerships with GetGo, BDO, Union Bank, Eastwest Bank, and Security Bank.
4. Tours
TravelBook.ph will soon launch its 359 Tour Package Plans to cater to the travel needs of its customers.
What vacation do you have in mind? Adventure, romance, educational, spiritual — so many options and Travelbook.ph is up for the challenge of creating a tour package to cater to your needs.
5. Affiliate Program
The recently launched Affiliate Program now has over 600 partner bloggers. Through this program, both seasoned and new bloggers are able earn income from the hotel bookings made in their websites.
6. Promotion of Philippine Tourism
More than just being an e-commerce company, TravelBook.ph aims to Philippine tourism by encouraging everyone to travel more in the country. The company believes that traveling should become a lifestyle as it promotes education, quality time, and bonding with families and friends.
TravelBook.ph also comes up with various creative campaigns to promote local tourism such as the recently concluded #Juanderlust, an international competition where travelers all over the world participated to be the lucky “Chosen Juan” who will embark on an 80-day adventure to 80 places in the Philippines. The winner, Mr. Dave Agbayani, traveled around the country to explore and experience the best things that the country has to offer.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 28, 2016 | Travel
TravelBook.ph is a top online hotel booking site in the Philippines. With over 2000 hotel partners, it ensures that travelers have the best options for accommodations no matter where their destination is.
TravelBook Philippines latest endeavor is the Blogger Affiliate Program which aims to help bloggers earn more while giving them the opportunity to travel, relax, and learn from various campaigns such as Blogger Getaways, staycations, trainings, and seminars.
As an Affiliate, you can earn as much as 65% commission for every successful bookings by referring your readers to TravelBook.ph with the use of their various marketing tools like banners, widgets, and hotel ad links.
The Travelbook.ph Blogger Affiliate Program Held it’s First Blogger Getaway in Caramoan
Recently, TravelBook Philippines hosted a 3 days and 2 nights Blogger Getaway in one of the most majestic places in Bicol – Caramoan, Camarines Sur. The 15 lucky blog winners were treated to an all-inclusive vacation. With two days island hopping, free accommodation, transportation, and full board meals, we’re that TravelBook.ph’s blogger affiliates experienced fun and adventure, all-in-one!
Here are some words from Travelbook.ph Caramoan Blogger Affiliate Winners!
Big heaps of thanks to @travelbookph for this wonderful Caramoan vacay! – Allan Bobis of
thefilipinorambler.comWe’re now heading home from the Caramoan getaway. A million thanks to the TravelBookPH team for their care! – Christian Lizardo Aligo of
capturingweekends.comLong weekend well spent. It’s a wrap! Thank you TravelBook.ph and TravelBook Blogger Affiliate Program for the awesome trip! – Charm Gamboa of
myscatteredthoughts.comI am surrounded with the best and the nicest people ever. The rest of the bloggers are so nice. I am having such a good time here. Thank you TravelBookPH. Hooray to new found friends and to more adventure! – Izza Glino of
savingspinay.com.phIf you want to experience how it is to be one of TravelBook.ph’s Blogger Affiliates, sign up now and be part of our program. Register at http://affiliate.travelbook.ph or email us at tr********************@***il.com.
In the past the only way to pay for Grab rides was via cash or credit card. Late 2016 they renamed their payment feature into GRABPAY and provided more payment options, such as:
Whenever we have problems with our ridesharing app or service don’t we wish we could call someone? Sure email works but response takes too long!
Loyalty cards are now all the rage and Grab has introduced its own in-app version. Grab gives their riders more reasons to keep using Grab.
You can also check out how man points you’ve already made and how many points you need to reach a specific level. The levels they offer are SILVER, GOLD, AND PLATINUM.
I’m sure by now everyone is aware that Google invested in 
By default it will display the options for UberX and UberPool.
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