Tour Guides and Contacts

So it all started when a friend asked for a contact in Pagudpud but turned out that i gave him my contact for Caramoan. Then i knew that this Database is overdue. 

DISCLAIMER: Though this so sounds like i am giving them this advertisement, i do not intend to make money out of this. Just plain sharing of my experiences. Feel free to express your quips or nods in the comments below. 

PAGUDPUD (updated November 2014)
Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Tryc Tour Guide Arnel Aguila - 0926 588 0666
Van Rental - Alvin Porameng - 0928 428 9346

Ilocos Norte is my very first solo backpacking trip.So imagine the bond i made with Kuya Arnel, my tryc guide. Kuya Alvin, his cousin,owns a van for group tours for a little price compared to established tour providers in the province. They can also take care of your accommodation needs. Heck even food trip recommendations. 

Glenmark Homestay - 0928 609 9699
Kapuluan Vista Resort - 0920 952 2528

Glenmark Homestay in Mairaira Beach (Blue Lagoon) is clean,cheap and nice for budget travelers. Kapuluan is for those who have a little  more money to spare. They're the first to introduce surfing in the area, not to mention one of the very first hotel resorts in the area. 

BATANES (updated July 2014)

Tour Guide Romy Merida - 0938 159 2721
CMJ Basco Lodge - 0999 990 7548
Pension Ivatan - 0919 211 7378
BATODA (Basco TODA) - 0929 703 8404

There's always Mr Ryan Cardona, the famous Batanes Tour guide from the provincial tourism office, but i also have Kuya Romy Merida whom i met in Sabtang Island when he gave us a free ride to the other side of that island paradise. Months later i saw him on TV as the local tour guide when Drew Arellano visited. Was like, yeah that's what im talking about. 

CMJ is one of the newest additions to the cheap homestays in the provincial capitol.I can say they're the warmest and kindest people, but it's just how every Ivatans are. 

CARAMOAN (updated March 2014)

Tour Guide Roy Barbin - 0919 534 5552
Isla Magayon Inn and Restaurant - 0908 191 9863

You will surely enjoy kuya Roy's company. He's an Elementary teacher in a nearby town and moonlights as a guide in Caramoan. He does packaged tours in which he'll take care of your accomodations,island tours, transfers, and food based on what your budget is. If you're not in the posh hotels, food is a little harder to find in the shores of this hungry town.  Case in point is Isla Magayon Inn of Marites Realce, who once owned an Inn that they turned into  a resto since, as she said, "wala pong kainan dito."

BANAUE (updated August 2013)

Banaue-Batad Tour Guide Jim Bumakel - 0906 159 9666

How safe are you with Jim's escort? Well, he's a PO1. Thing is, as of writing, i may have not been updated of his whereabouts since it's possible he's elsewhere. Last time we chatted, he's on his way to Taguig for a licensure kind of an exam for POs. 

Well, he took care of almost everything we need from Banaue to batad and back. He's way into nganga, just like everyone else in there, but he's cool. 

BUROT BEACH (updated April 2014)
Burot Beach, Calatagan, Batangas

Chocks - 0918 494 3958

Chock owns a tricycle that'll take you from downtown Calatagan to Burot Beach. I knew him from way back April 2013 but still texts GMs months after, which i find weird for his age, well, and his gender. LOL

Don't get me wrong. He's cool. Although having a guide in Burot is not really a famous idea. 

PADRE BURGOS (updated March 2014)
Padre Burgos, Quezon

Irma Saniel - 0918 604 8601

This contact is basically based in Borawan Is. But of course, can  take care of Borawan-Dampalitan-Kwebang Lampas Island Hopping.

ALIBIJABAN (updated May 2014)

Jin Jin - 0910 762 9271

Ate Jin Jin is the wife of a brgy official. There had been reports or should i say "chismis" of unfortunate things that had happened to visitors here so our guide being a brgy official is a relief for my jitters. This is also most probably the reason why this paradise is unheard of. For once i though of not sharing this to others but the again, the family where we stayed are very generously accommodating and i dont think i am in the position to keep them from a few more bucks of earnings from tourism. If you got a hold of them, please be generous with your tips, it's District 12 out there.  

SIQUIJOR (updated November 2014)

Tour Guide Tata Kitkit - 0921 599 4152

I met Kuya Tata at the Siquijor Wharf and offered me his tryc tour of the island. There's always this option to roam around the island via scooter but i am choosing to be with a local since i was travelling alone. This guy i should say is a catch. He made sure i am safe of my whereabouts (and for those who know me, i am bit everywhere like a 5 year old kid would) even until im checked in. I know this for a fact since i've compared him to other guides of other groups i'm with during that island tours. 

OSLOB (updated July 2014)
Oslob, Cebu

Pearl Evans of Costa Bella Travel and Tours - 0915 725 8578 / 0922 472 4244

You can always tour Oslob your way. Stay in the cheapest rooms in Tan-Awan. But i highly recommend, to the point of begging, you stay in Costa Bella. It had been one of the best stay in all my travels. The warmth of these people is beyond compare, like, if in case i'll turn this travelling hobby into a full blown business, they will be my peg.