Project Gora

Yesterday’s adventures were an absolute whirlwind, in the best way possible!

I’ve been to Sorsogon four times already, but this was my first visit to Prieto Diaz… and honestly, I regret not coming sooner.

As someone who absolutely loves mangrove tours, this municipality completely stole my heart.

Even though our time there was short, it was more than enough to soak in the magic and learn about the incredible community behind it.

We heard the story of how the mangroves were devastated for decades by harvesting wood for uling (charcoal), leaving the area nearly depleted.

Then came the turnaround, thanks to dedicated rehabilitation efforts by the DENR starting in the 1990s, combined with strong community involvement, the mangroves have been brought back stronger than ever.

Today, Prieto Diaz boasts one of the most thriving mangrove ecosystems in the Philippines… a true testament to what sustainable, community-led conservation can achieve.

If you’re heading to Sorsogon, make Prieto Diaz a must-visit, especially the Mangrove Forest. You won’t regret it!

Bonus pic from Consan’s Beach Resort, still in Prieto Diaz! 🌊🏖️

More stories, photos, and details from the trip coming soon on the blog. Stay tuned! 🌿🛶


Sorsogon Provincial Tourism, Culture, and Arts Office

Day 1 in beautiful Sorsogon! 💛

Huge thanks to the Province of Sorsogon, under the leadership of Governor Jose Edwin Hamor, and Sorsogon Provincial Tourism, Culture, and Arts Office led by Tourism Officer Bobby Gigantone for making this trip possible.

This is just the beginning of discovering why Sorsogon truly lives up to its tagline “Beautiful Sorsogon” 🌴🏖️🌋

just dropping a quick hello! 💛

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Philippines Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors (2026) Explore the Philippines like a local with this Philippines Travel Guide—must-see destinations, and practical tips from a Filipino traveler.

magkano mag Iceland for 7 days? eto na yun!!!

save this post or send it to someone you want to go on an Iceland road trip with you! ❄️☃️

here’s a budget-friendly guide you’ll definitely want to save! from the full itinerary, how much a self-drive Iceland trip costs, and which activities to book.

this one’s a 7-day trip along Iceland’s Golden Circle, Snaefellsnes Peninsula and the South Coast, perfect if you want to maximize your chances of catching the northern lights… yes, aurora borealis!

✅ if you want to read the detailed itinerary and all the travel tips, the post is in my blog https://projectgora.com/iceland-itinerary/. 🙂

✅ baka mag taka kayo bakit 12K lang airfare ha. Iceland kasi was part of our 1-month Nordic adventure. So yung flight na yan was from Finland na. if you are curious how much it costs to fly to Reykjavik from Manila with two layovers, papatak ng 50k pesos or more.

sana gising pa kayo kasi meron na naman piso sale si CebPac! bilisan nyo ang dami pang seats for Manila to Sapporo and Manila to Tokyo for only 4.6K pesos RT!!!

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i’ve been to South Korea a few times in winter and grabe, sobrang lamig talaga! back then, I had very limited idea about proper layering and winter skincare. kaya ending, gininaw ako sa labas and I kept running into cafés or malls just to warm up. my skin got super dry, to the point na nagka-cracks at sugat pa.

after a few winter trips in South Korea and other countries, I finally figured out what actually works. so here are the tips that helped me survive the cold and enjoy the trip without freezing or ruining my skin. i hope it helps! ☃️

𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗿 & 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀
before anything else, get good-quality thermal innerwear. this layer keeps your body warm, so it matters the most. my uniqlo heattech from 10 years ago still works perfectly, so investing in quality really pays off.

✅ buy thermals in South Korea if you want to save money. cheaper and more options.

✅ Heattech tights - you can layer them under jeans, trousers, or even wide-leg pants.

✅ thermal leggings – they look like regular stockings under a skirt or pants, but are thick, warm, and super comfy. perfect pang awra! I reco the 300g thick option. https://s.shopee.ph/9fDWIdO8Wv

𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿
the middle layer helps you adjust to winter without freezing outside or overheating indoors. this goes between your thermal innerwear and your jacket. what works best:

✅ lightweight sweaters – knits, cotton or Merino wool (kung may budget)
✅ heattech turtlenecks
✅ fleece sweaters

𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗿 (𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘃𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀)
your outerwear depends on where you’re going.

for city winter trips:
- lightweight puffer jacket or wool coat
- warm but easy to remove indoors
- water-resistant for light snow/rain

for snowy or outdoor activities:
- heavier puffer or proper winter/ski jacket
- insulated, waterproof, windproof materials

𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆-𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗿
outerwear can get pricey, but there are easy ways to save:

✅ try ukay-ukay / thrift stores – most of my winter coats and puffers are thrifted. super cheap compared to buying brand new, and you can find really good quality pieces.

✅ check instagram thrift stores – lots of curated jackets in great condition. here are some of my suki instagram thrift stores:
https://www.instagram.com/coatsphl
https://www.instagram.com/coatsonthego2
https://www.instagram.com/coatsbaguio
https://www.instagram.com/thecoatontheact

✅ buy during off-season sales – winter gear is way cheaper during spring/summer

𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱
✅ for city trips with clear, dry roads, your comfortable sneakers are enough. no need to buy special winter shoes if there’s no snow.

✅ but for places with snow or icy paths, get winter boots with good grip. look for something waterproof, insulated, and with anti-slip soles. this keeps you warm and helps you avoid slipping.

✅ pang awra, you can go for knee-high boots. warm na, stylish pa. personally, I stick to UGG boots because they’re super cute and insanely comfy for walking around in the cold.

𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗺
accessories are small but they make a huge difference in winter. these are light to carry and can instantly level up your warmth.

- scarf
- gloves
- beanie or earmuffs
- hat

𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲
korea’s winter air is cold, dry, and unforgiving, so your skin will need a little extra love while you’re exploring.

face 👉🏽 stick to whatever skincare routine you already use. no need to complicate it, but make sure you don’t skip your moisturizer!

body 👉🏽 right after you shower, while your skin is still damp, apply a mix of apollo pure glycerin + distilled water (50:50). let it soak in for a minute, then lock everything in with your favorite moisturizer. I personally swear by CeraVe moisturizing lotion when I travel in winter.

hair 👉🏽 winter air can make your hair dry and frizzy, so use a leave-in conditioner or hair oil before heading out. here’s my reco Fino hair oil 👉🏽 https://s.shopee.ph/7plx539EkT

Don’t forget these essentials in your everyday bag!

✅ lip balm with SPF
✅ hand cream
✅ sunscreen
✅ heat packs
✅ face mask during the day — wearing one outdoors actually protects your skin from harsh wind and prevents chapping

𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘀
winter clothes are bulky, so packing smart makes a huge difference:

✅ use vacuum-sealed bags + a small pump — total lifesaver for puffer jackets and thick sweaters. it compresses everything! here’s what i use: https://s.shopee.ph/9zqOyYq7jA

✅ bring 1–2 outer layers and just rewear them since they don’t get dirty easily

✅ choose neutral-colored outerwear so it matches all your outfits

✅ pack layering pieces instead of super thick sweaters

ayun! sana this helps! share in the comments if you have more tips! 🥰

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save this post or send it to someone you want to go on a safari with you! 🦁🐘

here’s a budget-friendly guide you’ll definitely want to save! from the full itinerary, how many days you actually need, how much a safari costs, and which local tour operators to book.

this one’s a kenya–tanzania combo safari, perfect if you want to maximize your chances of catching the great migration… yes, the iconic mara river crossing!

The past few days have been hectic, so forgive me for this late Day 6 report about our Great Migration experience in Tanzania.

We originally hoped to witness the Great Migration in Kenya, but luck wasn’t on our side there. On Day 5, we crossed the border into Tanzania with high hopes. Our plan was to head straight to the Mara River in the Northern Serengeti, but heavy rains made the river impossible to see. Our guide, Mohammed from , advised us to turn back and check in at camp instead, promising we’d try again early the next morning. He said there was no point pushing through that day. We wouldn’t see anything.

The next day, we woke up early, did a short game drive, and then headed for the river. Mohammed said, “We will see the migration. That’s what we’re here for.” Sure enough, when we arrived at the Mara River, a massive herd of wildebeest was already gathering at the riverbank, waiting for the first brave one to leap.

Less than an hour later, it happened. One jumped, and the rest followed. Mohammed quickly drove us to a perfect vantage point. Close enough to witness the action but without blocking the herd’s path. What followed was absolute chaos. Wildebeest plunging into the water, swimming across, and clambering up the opposite bank. We saw a big crocodile waiting for his next meal. It was raw, intense, and unforgettable. The circle of life playing out right before our eyes. No photo could ever do justice to the energy of that moment.

After the crossing, we saw some wildebeest resting under the sun while others continued their journey deeper into the Serengeti in massive numbers.

If the Great Migration is on your bucket list, I truly hope you get the chance to see it in person one day. It’s an experience that will stay with you forever. 🙏🏽