Travel – jessejake.com

Juan Effect: It’s time for Bohol

jessejakedaan — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 18:38:22 +0000

Cebu Pacific Air launched a sustainable tourism advocacy called “Juan Effect” two years ago. This is to educate and encourage travelers and locals alike to help preserve the environment.

Tourism is one of the Philippines’ major economic driver. More than just presenting and showcasing what our country has to offer, tourism generates employment opportunities and creates an atmosphere conducive for businesses to thrive. This means a huge chunk of our fellow Filipinos have tourism as their main source of income. Take note, ‘main’ source of income.

We simply cannot afford to just let our beautiful destinations degrade. This is where Cebu Pacific Air’s “Juan Effect” advocacy comes in. It’s quite simple yet makes a huge impact if we all join the bandwagon. The idea is to do at least one simple daily habit done consistently. May it be throwing your trash accordingly in trash bins, or bringing your own refillable tumbler, or bringing an eco bag and refusing single use plastics. One small act done collectively makes a huge difference.

Ofcourse, Cebu Pacific Air, the Department of Tourism, and partner establishments is here to help us. They started with Boracay in 2018 which was followed by Siargao in 2019. They have put up recycle signages for us to be mindful and they have also installed trash bins in famous tourist destinations. These are just a few of their “Juan Effect” initiatives.

This year, it’s time for Bohol. We are so blessed that most of our islands and tourist destination are still very well kempt. Bohol is definitely one of those islands. It is also one of CEB’s most popular destinations. Still, that is no reason for us to be complacent. There is still time for us to preserve this beaut.

Juan Effect Bohol launched with an information campaign through signages installed in Bohol’s most popular tourist attractions like the Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier Sanctuary, and the Loboc River Cruise. These multi-lingual signages, made out of recycled wood, carry reminders of simple things to do or behaviors to observe while visiting these attractions.

“It is important to strike a balance between growing the tourism industry and preserving the very assets that attract tourists,” said Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience at Cebu Pacific. “Bohol has seen its tourist arrivals grow in the past year. We are adopting it as a Juan Effect site to do our part in reminding our travelers to conserve its ecological and cultural treasures.”

Join Cebu Pacific in keeping the Philippine islands clean and beautiful by making a pledge at www.juaneffect.com.

Top 5 Attractions in Singapore

jessejakedaan — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 01:17:00 +0000

Singapore has a mind blowing amount of attractions left and right. It can get very confusing. If you are for only visiting for a couple of days you should already have your itinerary set and get ready for a trip filled with activities. We were there for five (5) full days and we weren’t even close to completing the list of places we wanted to visit. So, here are my top five (5) attractions in Singapore which I highly recommend you should prioritize.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SINGAPORE

To be honest, Universal Studios Singapore was not on my original list of attractions to visit. I was gullible enough to believe Sophia that they have a Central Perk Cafe, from the famous ‘Friends’ sitcom, inside USS. I totally forgot that ‘Friends’ was made by NBC and not Universal Studios. Haha Well that false pretense turned out to be the best decision ever!

I had so much fun at USS. You can’t even imagine how happy I was and how the experience still make me chuckle and smile to to this day. Well I guess you can see it in my photos. Haha

When we got in the theme park, we were immediately greeted with this huge Trolls themed arch. It literally put a smile on my face. We were in perfect timing because they were featuring Trolls and Sophia and I love Trolls. Haha Don’t you worry, there is something for everybody here.

They have Transformers, Madagascar, Shrek, and many more. It’s said to be the smallest Universal Studios theme park in the world but it is jam packed with so much activities, rides, and sights. Hey I did not think it was small at all.

I also got to meet Marilyn Monroe, Elmo, Branch, Princess Poppy, and the cast of Madagascar when we were there. Trust me in this one. I am a very difficult person to please (at least that is what Sophia says) and visiting Universal Studios Singapore is worth every single cent. You can spend the whole day there. Also, you will never run out of OOTD spots there too. Haha

I suggest you visit USS on the your first day. Just because it will set your mood for the whole trip. It’s a happy and joyful experience full of fun and thrills.

S.E.A AQUARIUM

This one hits me on an emotional level. Not that I have visited the aquarium before and have memories about it, but simply because of a YouTube video.

There’s this video of a large single aquarium viewing panel in Japan that I keep on watching when I need to calm down. I forgot how I stumbled upon that video but it does the trick. It’s just a steady video with accompanying music. Whenever I stare at that video, I just zone out and it calms me down. It might sound weird but I went through a lot of crazy stuff with the help of that video.

Sophia knew how I felt about that video and so she told me that we should visit S.E.A Aquarium because they have the exact same panel. It turns out their panel was much bigger than that of Japan’s. The moment I finally saw the panel I immediately zoned out in eternal calmness. All my worries, stress, and heavy baggage were lifted. I just wanted to stop and stare. It was breath taking! My photos do not do any justice to the aquarium and that is why you have to see it for yourselves.

S.E.A Aquarium in Sentosa Island is the 3rd largest aquarium in the world according to worldcitiesranking.com. They also have the world’s largest collection of Manta Rays which includes an Oceanic Manta Ray. You can easily spot the Oceanic Manta Ray because that thing is enormous! Our jaws dropped when we saw that one.

I have no idea why S.E.A Aquarium makes my feel a gush of emotions being there but it is definitely a must visit. It is very interesting specially to marine life enthusiasts. You also get to learn a thing or two there.

GARDENS BY THE BAY

We can all agree that those super trees in Singapore are very iconic. It is revolutionary in both landscaping and engineering. Gardens by the bay is a very big property. You can walk leisurely around the 101 hectare garden. It can get a bit hot under the scorching sun so we decided to head to the domes.

There are two domes at Gardens by the Bay. These are the Cloud Forest Dome and the Flower Dome. These domes are already a sight to behold from the outside. The architecture is just stunning.

Since it was getting very hot outside we decided to get into the Cloud Forest Dome first. Sophia told me that it was cool inside. Indeed, she was right! It was pretty cool in both temperature and sight! As soon as you enter the dome you will immediately be greeted with the world’s highest indoor water fall. It is truly amazing.

Walking around the dome truly feels like you are on top of a cold mountain in a tropical region. It also feels like walking inside the world’s largest terrarium. The dome is like a perfect marriage of man-made ingenuity and mother nature. That is not an exaggeration. It is jaw dropping. You also get to walk on suspended canopies to get the 360 experience of the dome.

After the Cloud Forest Dome, we then headed to the Flower Dome. I was very excited because the first dome set a very high expectation. I was not disappointed at all. The Flower Dome was simply beautiful. There are no words to explain but the endless variety of plants and flowers was very refreshing. It will also consume a lot of memory space from your camera.

We also enjoyed the different themes they set around the dome. Like just like the Japan themed garden. It felt like I was in Japan with the cherry blossoms in full bloom. No kidding.

You should never miss getting close to the super trees. Those trees are jaw dropping. Don’t forget to bring your OOTD game because everything here is a picture perfect background. The balance between man-made structures and nature at Gardens by the Bay is the literal visual interpretation of what you will experience there. You eventually connect right back to nature.

PRUDENTIAL MARINA BAY CARNIVAL

I actually did not know that there was a carnival in Singapore until I was scanning through the activities available on Klook. I looked into it and it sounds like a lot of fun. I just wanted to ride the Star Flyer which is in the photo above. It will bring you up to a height of 35 meters. When we went there, we got more than what we asked for!

We booked our Prudential Marina Bay Carnival token cards on Klook. Take note, you cannot play or ride any of the 40 plus games and rides without the token card. The token cards we booked from Klook already has SGD 35 worth of credits each. So we have a total of SGD 70 worth of credits to burn! Hurray! You think that’s a steal but there’s more!

The token cards we booked on Klook also include two (2) drink coupons each. Now that is a steal, right? Well, not yet! haha When we got there, we were give four (4) drink coupons each! Yes! not 2, not 3, but 4 drink coupons each. That is a staggering eight (8) drink coupons in total for free. Haha Now that is a steal!

Games here had prizes that are licensed by Marvel and Pixar. There are also games in which guarantees a win. However, if you want to get the big stuffed toys. You are going to need luck to be your best friend. Based on how lucky we were in booking with Klook, luck was on our side. Haha

We played the ring toss game because Sophia really wanted to win that 3 kilogram pink unicorn. I was very skeptical because the game was packed with people and no one was winning. Okay, there were a few who won but it was close to impossible rare. Haha Then I thought, it looks fun and I’m here to have fun so we decided to give it a go.

When we played, I noticed that we can get the rings around the rim of the bottles but they always end up bouncing off of it. So, I thought maybe I can intentionally bounce it off on a random bottle and hopefully it ends up on one of the countless bottles. I did that and lost myself in focus of wanting to win. Haha I was so focused that I did not even notice I won. Good thing Sophia was quick to notice. She was so happy that she could barely say a word! Haha So there you go. We won Trixie. yes, we named her Trixie because it was very tricky to win that game! Haha

There are a couple of rides which are definitely for the thrill seekers like the 55 meter high Mach 5. It spins at a crazy 96 km/hr. They also have the classic Jungle River. The lights, sounds, games, and rides will surely elevate the fun factor of your trip.

MARINA BAY SANDS SKYPARK

Marina Bay Sands Skypark has an observation deck which is open to the public. Yes! You do not need to be a guest of the hotel to get here. However, you do need to buy a ticket. We bought ours via Klook. When we claimed our tickets we were pleasantly surprised that vouchers we bought also includes one (1) day free FunVee Hopper Pass each. I suggest that you claim the tickets early on so that you can make use of the FunVee Hopper Pass.

Marina Bay Sands Skypark was the perfect way to cap our 5 day trip. We were standing on one of the world’s largest cantilever. It hangs 67 meters long from the Marina Bay Sands third tower. It’s an engineering marvel. I grew up watching how they build Marina Bay Sands on Discovery Channel and I finally got to visit.

I thinks this is the best way to end our trip because we got to see the places we visited. It offers a spectacular view of the city. We saw Gardens by the Bay in all it’s glory and its even more breath taking from there. We saw the whole Marina Bay, Prudential Marina Bay Carnival, Singapore Flyer, and the city as far as your eyes can see. I heard the sunset was amazing there but we didn’t get to catch it. Maybe you can!

The best thing about these attractions is that you can book all of these through Klook! You don’t have to go through the hassle of lining up just to buy your tickets and/or token card. Klook has the best price out there. You also get to enjoy discounts and freebies! So that sums up my Top 5 Attractions in Singapore. Go now and enjoy Singapore!

You can download that Klook app on both App Store and Play Store.

Singapore: Travel Budget Tips

jessejakedaan — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 01:33:00 +0000

Singapore! It has been dubbed as the most expensive city in the world. However, visiting the lion city doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. For the thrifty Filipino, there’s always a way to enjoy traveling on a budget. So here are my Travel Budget Tips for Singapore.

TIP NUMBER 1: PROMO FARES

Ofcourse, you are going to need a flight to get to Singapore right? Like duh?! Haha. We all know the notorious promo fares that our airlines usually have from time to time. I know it feels like you really need to be lucky to be able to book any of these flights but you can actually book one with proper planning. Funny but it might just work!

Mostly, these promo fares happen on special holidays like Independence day, Labor day, Christmas day and what not. These maybe announced but the good ones are never announced. So take note of the holidays and prepare to stay up late at night. These promo fares start exactly at twelve (12) midnight. Lately, I’ve been booking my promo fare flights at three (3) AM and all of these bookings went through without a glitch. Smooth like butter! Also, try booking the last allowable travel date of the promo then work your way backwards when looking for these hide and seek promo fare flights. I even booked a flight that is as low as Php 272 one way all in.

TIP NUMBER 2: STRATEGIC LOCATION AND BOOK AHEAD

You are going to need a place to stay. This is very important as it should save you, more than just money, time. Let’s face it, you are just going to need a safe place to sleep in, bathe, and leave your baggage. After all, you are going to be exploring the city for the majority of your trip.

There are a ton hostels in Singapore. These are the most budget friendly accommodations you will find. I highly suggest you take this option. Make sure that you know which attractions you will be visiting in Singapore. Like literally pin these places on an actual or digital map and see which accommodations are in between these destinations. Why? You are going to want to get there as fast as you can and staying in between your destinations will save you time and money.

Book your accommodation ahead. The prices may not vary but the hostel you are eyeing for will be fully booked as soon as your arrival date. If you lose that booking, you might end up settling for the more pricey option. Singapore is one of the hottest tourist destinations in Asia. Yes, these accommodations are selling like hotcakes. Speaking of hotcakes, you should opt to get an accommodation which already already includes breakfast. That way you can just eat and go start your adventure! There are hostels that accommodations with free breakfast. Also, research for vouchers or codes that you might be able to use for discounts.

TIP NUMBER 3: TAKE THE REGULAR EZ LINK CARD

The transportation system in Singapore is amazing. It is no hassle to understand. It’s easy and convenient. Now, you are left with an option of whether or not you should purchase the Tourist Pass Plus or the regular EZ Link Card. Tourist Pass Plus will grant you unlimited access/use of any MRT, LRT, and Bus for three (3) days at SGD 38. On the other hand, you can get the regular EZ Link Card for SGD 12 with SGD 7 worth of credits and just top up a few dollars. Tourist Pass Plus’ unlimited offer sounds enticing right? Well, I beg to differ in this one.

If you opt to get the Tourist Pass Plus, that means you are going to have to spend as much as SGD 38 worth of MRT, LRT, and/or Bus rides in three (3) days. This is for you to make the most out of your money. SGD 38 for me is a lot. This is where I felt like I made a mistake. Sophia and I spent five (5) full days in Singapore. We bought the Tourist Pass Plus and just topped up after the 3 days unlimited access expired. For the two extra days, we only used less than SGD 10. That is already for 2 days with more frequency in rides.

Here’s the math. The average fare is right around $1.40. This means your SGD 38 can get you 27 rides in total. I highly doubt you can get that turn out in 3 days. That’s 9 rides per day to make your Tourist Pass Plus worth it. On average you will ride the MRT, LRT, or Bus around 4 to 5 times per day. So, I strongly recommend for you to get the Regular EZ Link Card instead.

Tip number 4: Book your tickets with Klook

Entrance fees can get expensive. Ticket lines can get very long. You don’t want to get to all that hassle. It’s a waste of money and time too. Yes! Klook is the most budget friendly and most convenient way to get your tickets and vouchers for Singapore’s amazing attractions.

Vouchers and tickets on Klook have the best prices out there and are always cheaper than buying them on site. You also get to earn points which you can use for your next booking.

Sophia and I went to Gardens by the bay, Prudential Carnival, Universal Studios Singapore, Marina Bay Sands Skypark, and S.E.A Aquarium. We were even surprised when we got to Prudential Carnival and when we claimed our tickets for Marina Bay Sands Skypark because we got more than what we paid for. You’ll know what I’m talking about when you click this link.

We booked all our tickets and vouchers on Klook. Make sure to print out your vouchers or keep a digital copy of your vouchers. I printed out our vouchers and it was hassle free getting into these attractions. You just present it at the the entrance and get in. That’s just it. Sophia knows that I hate falling in line and this really made my experience in Singapore so much better. We definitely saved a lot of time and money. You can’t even imagine the savings!

You can download the Klook App on both App Store and Play Store. Make sure to like their Facebook page and Follow them Instagram. These accounts will keep you updated on the latest promos, discounts, and offers. Just knew that they will be at Travel Sale Fair in SM City Cebu from April 20-22, 2018. They will be at booth 29 in Cebu Trade Hall.

Tip number 5: Eat like a local

Singapore’s food scene is heaven for your taste buds and that is an understatement. The city is just sprawling with food options. You can always go for the usual restaurants but you will surely pay a hefty amount just for a meal. Hey! There also restaurants which are quite affordable too.

The best way to go is to head for Hawker Centers. These centers are everywhere and they are cheap. There are also food parks which offer the same price range. What’s amazing about it is that you get a wide array of food. From Chinese, to Indian, to Mexican, to Filipino, and a lot more. You will never go wrong.

I have to be honest, I was a bit scared going there because I did not have a big budget. However, I ended up with so much to spare at the end of the trip. Singapore will never fail to surprise you. There are activities and attractions left and right. Some are even free! With proper research and timing, you can definitely go to Singapore on a budget. Just be wise in spending both time and money.

5FootWay.Inn

jessejakedaan — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 13:24:00 +0000

Whenever Sophia and I travel, I always tell her if we can stay at a hotel and not a hostel. I don’t know why but I am just uncomfortable of the concept. Well things are about to change.

Visiting the most expensive city in the world takes a lot of budgeting. Thus the option of hostels. Singapore has a ton of hostels but 5FootWay.Inn caught my eye. They have multiple branches within the city. It’s probably the best decision we made specially for a first timer like me. Let me tell you why.

We stayed at 5FootWay.Inn Project Boat Quay which was located in the middle of all the attractions we were going to visit. Trust me, if you will be visiting Singapore this is the place to stay in. You will be just 5 to 7 mins away from the nearest bus station and just 30 to 40 minutes away from your destination. Plus, there are already attractions at a walking distance like the National Gallery, Old Hill Street Police Station, and Clarke Quay just to name a few.

When we arrived, I can immediately tell that the area was going to be great. The place is surrounded by a ton of establishments. There’s a river with bridges and boats casually passing by right in front of the hostel. Come night time, I was right! The place came alive with just the right amount of people, colorful lights, and restaurants waiting for you. Everything was just amazing. A feast for my curious eyes!

It felt like a charming hostel with a lot of history to tell. I’ve always wondered what those row houses in Singapore look like inside. Now I sort of get an idea and it’s definitely a feat in space planning.

The hostel was very much like a hotel. They have a reception area and a concierge right beside it. They also have a common area where you can watch TV and/or iron your clothes. Yes! You can iron your clothes. Finally! You don’t have to worry about how crumpled your clothes are from you jam packed luggage! Mind you, majority of the hotels out there do not have irons in the rooms or offers them at a hefty amount. I was also amazed that they have a self check in options right before the reception area.

I was quite skeptical about common shower and toilet areas. I was surprised because I did not mind at all. Their shower and toilet areas are separate for men and women. These areas are very clean and also quite spacious.

They also have a pantry where they serve free breakfast when you stay there. They serve cereal and toast. You can also just hang out at the pantry and get some work done. It opens up to a balcony with a stunning view of the river and Singapore’s skyline!

Sophia and I stayed in a very cute Standard Triple Loft Private Room Non-Ensuite which was good for three people. It was all I imagined it to be. Okay, I did my research so I know how it looks. Haha However, it was more than what I expected when we got there. The beds were comfy and each bed was provided with a universal outlet and a light bulb. I really like the blue wall by the way.

What I love about 5FootWay.Inn is how tourist/traveller conscious they are. They know what you need and need to know. So when you ask them a question, they are quick on their feet and explain at the most efficient way.

I know I don’t have any other hostel to compare 5FootWay.Inn with but I surely know that I started with the best of the best hostel out there. I bet 5FootWay.Inn Project Boat Quay is going to be difficult to beat.

If you guys are planning to visit Singapore, stay at 5FootWay.Inn and use the code “SS10.” Get a 10% discount when you book directly through 5FootWay.Inn at marketing@5footwayinn.com. Promo code is valid only until September 2018. You can also visit their website and facebook page for more details!

Juan for Fun 2018

jessejakedaan — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 13:32:00 +0000

Juan for Fun is back and, this time, the mechanics has been made more accessible. Our next generation of travelers now have the opportunity to join in on the fun!

For 7 days, 5 winners with two friends each will go on a fun adventure to any destination in the Philippines for free! Apart from that, this will instill responsible traveling among the youth. The week long all expenses paid trips around the Philippines will commence from May 23 – 29, 2018.

Before the winners will take on their adventures, they will be guided by Juan for Fun travel coaches. These coaches are – Becoming Filipino’s Kyle “Kulas” Jennerman; celebrity and travel vlogger Bea Binene; celebrity and social media personality, Baninay Bautista; YouTube vloggers and personalities Wil Dasovich and Kimpoy Feliciano; as well as our very own, fellow Cebuano, travel writer Jude Bacalso.

This year’s Juan for Fun 2018 Epic Trip stands true to Cebu Pacific’s slogan, “Now every Juan can fly!” This will show the youth that travelling is now within reach.

To participate in the adventure of a lifetime, nominees have to be Filipinos aged 18 to 23 years old, and currently enrolled, graduating or new graduates. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/CebuPacificJFF.

Don’t miss this chance of a lifetime! Join now! Submission of entries end on March 31, 2018

Pinto

jessejakedaan — Thu, 25 May 2017 11:25:00 +0000

The thing I like about visiting Manila is meeting and catching up with friends. I think I have already mentioned that here on my blog. Anyway, we also get to visit new places with them. This one is not really new but it was our first time visiting Pinto Art Museum. So I dare say it’s new! Haha. Kim, Jed, Sophia, and I went on a mini road trip to reach the museum and boy did we have loads of fun. I don’t know why but whatever we do with these guys. We always have a blast!

Funny thing when we went there is that we bumped into someone who was also wearing overalls like I did. Different manufacturers and different styling, though. I mean, what are the odds of two guys wearing overalls in the same place at the same time? Haha

Photos by: Sophia Sanchez

Sunglasses: Aldo

Overall: 21 Men

Button Up: Topman

Shoes: Bershka

The place was awesome and we had so much fun to and from the museum. We enjoyed the day with paintings, sculptures, installation art, architecture, food, and friends! You can never go wrong to the places you go as long as you are in good company. Thanks again, Kim and Jed! =)

I don’t know if you guys have noticed but I had this time when I really want to wear overalls. It was difficult looking for overalls for men. Luckily, I found some and now I have three! Haha I have yet to blog about the other one so that will be for another post.

Overalls, for me, are very functional! The pockets on your chest are very useful for almost anything you want to get a hold of as fast as you can. You also do not have to worry if your pants drop down an inch or something. I just love it! It was easy styling the overall. I just wore a white printed button up shirt. I made sure the print was in black and consistent all throughout so as not to make the combination messy. Topped the whole look with a medium brimmed fedora and round specs to complement the shape of the fedora. The white slip on shoes were automatic to balance out the white from the black. By the way, my hair was still gray when this was shot so I managed to maintain the look in monotone all throughout. I didn’t play with color since the look already played with an uncommon silhouette for men. =)