Explore Philippines - December 2015 - January 2016

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Whether you are in the process of opening a bottle of pinot noir in your PJs at home, or with loved ones at some fancy hotel, or on top of Mount Pulag with newfound hiking buddies, saying farewell to 2015 and hello to 2016, it’s deeply comforting to know that how one starts off Day 1 of 366 (yup, 2016 is a leap year) won’t necessarily be the be-all and end-all of how you will run the rest of your life.

In this issue, we hope we could provide you with some really sound suggestions for reaching your goals and achieving your personal triumphs in travel and, perhaps, also in life.

For you adventure junkies, we have the ever-exuberant model, actor, and host Mikael Daez on the cover, exclusively leading the way in and around the lush forests, besieging mountains, and pristine beaches of Hamilo Coast where Mt. Pico de Loro is near. Adding to that, we have rounded up our top travel must-try activities, must-see views, must-book resorts, and must-meet rare beings in the Philippines to keep you preoccupied all year.

For the infectious revelers who like to bring some company everywhere they go, we list the best travel gifts for their favorite travel companions. We have also invited some of today’s most sought-after Pinoy chefs, with their ultimate Christmas grub to fuel that goal-orientedness even more.

For the downright visionaries who can see more than meets the eye, we hope to further inspire them with our stories on the dynamic duo behind local brands Float and Ere Plants, mixed-media sculptor Impy Pilapil, and the Juan Portrait movement, among others.

Again, starting is half the task. The other half is one’s ability to follow through. Sure you have set the bar high for yourself this 2016, but should you only come close to working on a couple of items in your to-do list, remember that what’s more important are the discoveries and breakthroughs from within.