The Tourist Gaze

The Tourist Gaze

A Traveling Outsider Looking In

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  • Laguna Field Trip: Factories, Nuvali, and Enchanted Kingdom

    Laguna Field Trip: Factories, Nuvali, and Enchanted Kingdom

    Our school holds its annual senior high school field trip, this year exploring Gardenia and Monde Nissin factories, Nuvali, and Enchanted Kingdom. I join once again as an adult member of the administration team, alongside students and teachers, rediscovering the unexpected joys and challenges that make a full day of learning unforgettable.

    jayexiomo

    November 25, 2025
    Philippines
    Calabarzon, Enchanted Kingdom, Field Trip, Laguna, SPCS
  • Pasay: A Future Flight Attendant’s Day in the City of Travel

    Pasay: A Future Flight Attendant’s Day in the City of Travel

    Carla, a tourism student aspiring to be a flight attendant, spends a day in Pasay City. She explores some of the city’s sights, such as Mall of Asia and Star City, discovering why the self-named City of Travel reflects her dreams.

    jayexiomo

    November 15, 2025
    Philippines
    City, Mall of Asia, Metro Manila, Musings, Photoshoot, Star City
  • Maragondon, Cavite: A Town That Saw Andres Bonifacio’s Last Stand

    Maragondon, Cavite: A Town That Saw Andres Bonifacio’s Last Stand

    Maragondon, Cavite is the unassuming town where Andres Bonifacio faced his final reckoning. On a weekend, we visit the shrine near Mt. Magpatong, as well as the trial house, the riverside, and the centuries-old Jesuit church in the town center, confronting the Revolution’s questions.

    jayexiomo

    November 10, 2025
    Philippines
    Andres Bonifacio, Calabarzon, Cavite, History, Southbound Quickies, Weekend
  • Tayabas, Quezon: A Heritage Road Trip and the Joy of Seeing Again

    Tayabas, Quezon: A Heritage Road Trip and the Joy of Seeing Again

    Through Tayabas, Quezon’s colonial streets, iconic basilica, and the timeless Puente de Malagonlong, we embark on a heartfelt road trip that becomes my mother’s first after cataract surgery. It’s a journey of healing, gratitude, and rediscovery through family and faith.

    jayexiomo

    November 2, 2025
    Philippines
    Calabarzon, Culture, History, Quezon, Road Trip, Southbound Quickies
  • Sariaya, Quezon: How a Forgotten Blog Led Me to the Town’s Heritage Houses

    Sariaya, Quezon: How a Forgotten Blog Led Me to the Town’s Heritage Houses

    Beneath Mount Banahaw’s gaze, the heritage houses of Sariaya, Quezon, tell stories of a bygone era. Moved by a blog that fell silent years ago, I wander through the town’s Art Deco mansions, pondering how preserving heritage mirrors our struggle to keep meaning from fading.

    jayexiomo

    November 1, 2025
    Philippines
    Architecture, Calabarzon, Heritage Town, History, Musings, Southbound Quickies
  • Quezon City Unfinished: A Day Exploring the Legacy of the Man Who Started It

    Quezon City Unfinished: A Day Exploring the Legacy of the Man Who Started It

    Quezon City is defined by a grand vision that went largely unrealized. Despite that, it is still alive and evolving. I spend a day exploring parts of the city—from the anachronisms in Elliptical Road and Quezon Memorial Circle to the chaos of Cubao—tracing the ironies in Manuel L. Quezon’s ambitions and legacy.

    jayexiomo

    October 21, 2025
    Philippines
    City, History, Metro Manila, Urban Planning
  • Pinsal Falls and Santa Maria Church: Exploring Two of Ilocos Sur’s Hidden Corners

    Pinsal Falls and Santa Maria Church: Exploring Two of Ilocos Sur’s Hidden Corners

    The turquoise cascades of Pinsal Falls and the hilltop UNESCO-listed Santa Maria Church are just two of Ilocos Sur’s treasures beyond Vigan. On a scenic detour from Abra, our group visits the striking falls and heritage church, embracing the unhurried moments together. It’s a pleasant coda to an adventurous trip.

    jayexiomo

    October 14, 2025
    Philippines
    Church, History, Ilocos Region, Joiner Trip, Nature, Waterfalls
  • Abra in a Weekend: A Group Adventure Through Bangued and Beyond

    Abra in a Weekend: A Group Adventure Through Bangued and Beyond

    A weekend adventure takes our group through Abra’s sights—from the green waters of Lusuac Spring to Bangued Cathedral, weaving traditions in La Paz, a modular bridge, and scenic Victoria Park views. Along the way, shared laughter, jokes, and camaraderie turn the journey into a memorable experience beyond the landmarks themselves.

    jayexiomo

    October 10, 2025
    Philippines
    Cordillera Region, Culture, Joiner Trip, Nature, Weekend
  • Kaparkan Falls: Abra’s Terraced Waterfalls Are Hard to Reach—And It’s a Good Thing

    Kaparkan Falls: Abra’s Terraced Waterfalls Are Hard to Reach—And It’s a Good Thing

    A bumpy truck ride, a forest trek, and a splash into icy water—reaching Kaparkan Falls in Abra is no simple weekend getaway. But that’s part of its magic. Here’s how one weekend trip turned a rough ride into a rewarding adventure at the edge of the Cordilleras.

    jayexiomo

    October 6, 2025
    Philippines
    Adventure, Cordillera Region, Joiner Trip, Nature, Outdoors, Waterfalls
  • #Blessed in Bocaue, Bulacan: Influencer Skylar Jade Talks Travel Amid Flood Control Woes

    #Blessed in Bocaue, Bulacan: Influencer Skylar Jade Talks Travel Amid Flood Control Woes

    TikTok star Skylar Jade Valencia brings her signature #Blessed energy back to her father’s hometown in Bocaue, Bulacan. From half-finished flood embankments to local street food, she shares travel hacks, outfit triumphs, and canal-side adventures, turning overlooked provincial spots into Instagram-ready stages for her influencer lifestyle.

    jayexiomo

    October 1, 2025
    Philippines
    Central Luzon, Creative Writing, Influencer Culture, Satire, Travel Writing Parody
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