Two Thousand Thirteen,

A year that had been.

2012 in Review

Of earthquakes, landslides, typhoons and devastations,

Of Scarborough Shoal’s disputes and allegations,

A defeat in the Ring, and a death of a King,

Plus the conviction of a reigning Chief Justice.

But of course, let it not be forgotten,

We also triumphed back then.

With Jessica Sanchez, Janine Tugonon, Nonito Donaire, and Pedro Calungsod.

That made us all glued.

 

With the epic fail December 21 End of the World prediction,

Are you saying #Amalayer?

I hope not for I did not plagiarize,

Why not just rejoice and take a look of The Year Like We Traveled Like It’s The End of the World PTB Year Ender (Part I and Part II)?

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January 2013 PTB Blog Carnival

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Now that yesteryear’s done,

2013 has come,

And to make this year more fun,

I’m bringing to you the Pinoy Travel Blogger’s Blog Carnival!

 

But to make this year stand out from the rest,

Let this post not be of paragraphs and sentences,

But of poetry, prose and wild, wild west,

Seeking to bring out the best for what we store within our vest.

 

And so, this month’s theme is about New Beginnings

Of men and women in blue jeans,

Most in loved with coffee beans,

In front of their computer screens.

— Enough with the rhymes,

But what’s sure is their love for the Philippines.

 

So let’s not wait any further,

It’s getting darker from where I’m writing,

There are mosquitoes biting,

And it’s never delighting.

 

This month of January,

The month that I loved the most,

My birth month, in winter atmosphere and heavy frost,

I want nothing but the best for this post.

 

To host this Carnival, I’m not aware,

A dream come true –  That, I’m aware,

But war’s been declared,

And so I present to you 34 Travel Bloggers,

All with their twist and turn love affairs.

 

Affairs with travel, adventure, wanderlusts, and more.

Let’s get to know them one by one,

As they talk about their NEW plans, NEW projects,

NEW resolutions, NEW mindset, and even a NEW love life!

 

To you I bring,

On this side of the ring,

This post of NEW BEGINNINGS

For this year to come – 2013!

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13 New Beginnings For 2013

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1. New Travel Buddies

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2013 opens with the birth of new travel writers,

Fellow itchy feets

Welcomed in blazing PTB trumpets,

And fancy carpets.

 

First is Yaj Abellera aka rjdexplorer,

A study about tourism and to interview foreigners,

Visit 20 provinces this year,

And meet more travel bloggers.

 

That’s just some of his 2013 travel list,

Read the rest at Yaj Abellera – Time to Step Up: Areas to Work on for 2013

 

A year to open our hearts to new and exciting possibilities,

Exploring and knowing our very own places,

Like how she prides her beloved City of Iloilo,

Is what 2013 for Antoine will be.

Read the rest of his post at Antoine Greg – 2013 – I will continue to put my heart & soul into my Photos.

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An inquisitive story of a little girl in her little world of fantasy,

An observer of storytellers and wanderers of places this and that,

Witness how she steps out ready to combat in the real world,

Read here as her story unfurled — 

Nathelle Lumabad – Not-so-little Beginnings | The Little Girl Goes Places

2. Travel Wishes, Fortunes and Astrology

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No tarot reading nor astrology prediction,

Will deter Mich’s convictions,

More mountains, beaches & island hopping ahead,

Visit her post to have your fortune read.

Mich Borlagdan , Chasing Philippines: Keep Calm and Keribels: The 2013 Travel Plans & Predictions

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For a person born in the year of the snake,

This year will surely be ‘snake’y for Armie,

A handful of dreams, plans and hopes,

An outreach program, a healthy year ahead, and more.

Armie Abigania – DREAMS, PLANS, and HOPES for 2013 YEAR of the SNAKE

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Seeking to make his 2013 a little less lonelier,

The Lonely Travelogue wishes more meet ups with fellow wanderers,

Plus plans on climbing Mt Pulag,

And monetizing his blog.

Read more of his plans at Jherson Jaya – Lonely Travelogue: My Traveling Life 2013

3. Tales and Trails of Growing Up

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A year packed of ambitions and aspirations,

That’s how Regine sets her mission,

To dream and aspire in childlike eyes,

Visit her post to be surprised.

Regine Camille Garcia – People Love Ambitious Travelers

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A line in French,

A drink to quench,

And a man who sat by the bench.

 

This is how Reiza opened her post.

A year of immersion this year will be at most,

More talks with the local folks,

More mingling and people watching,

All parts of growing in traveling.

 

See a wanderer who travels – for real, here – Reiza Dejito – The Wanderer Grows Up

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Bye bye baby steps,

And hello to Solo trips,

That’s what Sarah has in her 2013 travel wish list,

Find out more if she’ll be brave enough to face this feat.

Sarah Grace Callanga – wandering potpot: 2013 A Year of Solo Travels

4. Of Travel Pairs and Love Affairs

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Missy started her scribbles for the snake with a hiss,

With plans that this year she’ll travel less,

She’ll no longer be a lass but soon will be a bride,

Is this for real or are you in for a bribe?

Find out more: Missy Penaverde – Scribbles for the Snake

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Despite last year’s disappointments and failed bookings,

The Pinaythrillseeker’s still celebrating,

A dream wedding and a honeymoon,

In a place many longs to be,

Find out where in her romantic and moving post here

Cris Reyes Galang, the PinayThrillSeeker – 2013: Just Dreams. Not Plans. Except for One. 

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Mhe-anne Ojeda sure got this year planned already,

With love plans of settling down,

You’ll see her this year in her wedding gown,

More love tales and motherhood plans at 

Mhe-anne Ojeda  – A Peek At My 2013 Planner: That “One And Only” Thing To Do Monthly !

5. Endless Travel Plans

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An Open Letter to 2013,

Is what Marj Garra has in her pen,

Attending a music festival, and plans of diving and trekkings

Are some of her new beginnings.

Marj Garra – An Open Letter to 2013

 

This 2013,

It’s a different story for Nikka and Owen,

With sharks and sea turtles in it,

Read the rest of how they’ll take a dip and its every bit.

Nikka Corsino and Owen Ballesteros – Sharks and surprises: 2013’s first month so far

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Kaiye and Endette on the other hand aims to really save up this year,

Although plans on going on solo trips exist,

But surely they will still travel as a pair somewhere,

To explore and learn something from every destination,

Aside from the usual what, when and where.

Kaiye Pallarco and Endette Mendoza – Wherever The Wind Takes Us

6. Get Up and Get Going Travelogues

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A year that is brighter than ever,

Is how Paula views 2013,

Believing that when things don’t go as you wished for,

Traveling is the best remedy there is.

Paula Anntoneth O – Off To A New Start

 

Mimai may not have the perfect start of the year, but who cares?

She sure still have the remaining 360+ days to do what she dares,

To explore, shoot, and discover

See more of her plans here.

Mimai Cabugnason  – What To Do This 2013?

7. An Around the World Travel Path

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An end and a beginning for Josiah is what 2013 will be,

The end to a promise not to travel outside his country,

And the beginning of his first footsteps outside his native land,

Read here what he has in hand

Josiah Sicad – 2013: Starting off where my promise ended

Bitten by the travel bug this 2013,

A travel wish list is set for Catherine,

Journeying through Morocco, Germany, Slovakia, and more –

Include to that a plan to see Iceland’s Aurea Borealis,

Her post you really shouldn’t miss.

Catherine Iblan – Travel Wish List for 2013!

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After thrashing out the end of the world belief,

To walk over new grounds is how Marky sees himself,

From the far bending corners of the Philippines to Indonesia, Laos, and India,

And to far away Montreal in Canada.

 

It sure do doesn’t hurt to dream for this traveler! Read the rest of his 2013 plans on 

Marky Ramone Go – Post End of the World Travel Plans

8. Unplanned Beginnings and Random Wanderings

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Travelers with no specific plans,

To how this year they’ll dance,

Rest be assured they’ll make a blast,

For 2013 they’ll still travel amassed

 

No specific travel plans,

No pre booked promotional tickets,

No bucket lists,

Just letting all else unfold in time –

Go with the flow this 2013 with Riz in

Riz Baldivia – Whatever happens in the year of the Snake!

 

After backpacking Europe for 70 days,

And a travel interview that set her trails ablaze,

Aleah’s not committing into any new year’s resolutions,

“It’s not where you’ve been that matters, but it’s where you’re going,” she says.

Read more at Aleah Phils – Of Meaningful Travels and Other Resolutions

 

A story about ‘Plan’ and its cousin called ‘Dream’,

Is how Rain beamed his blog opening,

Read the rest of her story as she takes you on a year of dreaming big,

And planning vague on 

Rain Amantiad-Campanilla  – 2013: Will Travel

9. Selfless Travel Deeds

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To give and serve more along the way,

As she commits to travel far away,

Learn new things, and make room for surprises,

Are some that comprises Claire’s 2013.

Claire Madarang – Designing A Life Of Adventure This 2013

 

2013 will be a time to get a pen,

Write the things that we want to put in the bin,

Include to that plans and dreams for his ministry,

These and many more of what 2013 will be

Know more about Ephraim’s The Adventist Adventurer: New Year. New Beginning. New Plans.

 

Held back by a teacup Shih Tzu named Kimi,

Regin’s cutting his travels this year,

Yet need not fear,

For he’ll still be trotting this land,

From the Himalayas, Malaysia, and Thailand,

And a Ministry work to end,

This surely won’t be the end.

Regin Reyno – Regin’s Travels: 2013 Travel Plans

10. Fearless Adventures

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There is no holding back for Pinay Travelista,

As she packs this year with pledges to work,

Travel, Live, and Love more for Lisa.

Read her narrative at Lisa Marie Mirasol of Pinay Travelista, 2013 | No Holding Back

 

Take a peek of what’s in store for Journeying James this 2013,

Plans of surfing and joining competitions,

To Dive. Hike. Rest. Invest. And more Collaborations.

Journey with him and see the rest of his compilation.

Journeying James – What’s In Store for JourneyingJames this 2013?

 

This 2013 there’ll be more for Ervin,

More trails to like,

Mountains to hike,

All for the love of adventure and the like!

Ervin Malicdem – 2013 Schadow1 Expeditions Outlook

11. Travel Giveaways

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Driving in Australia in day two of 2013,

Setting plans on going places they’ve never been,

For by next year they’ll surely be anchored somewhere,

As preschool welcomes their daughter.

 

Not just that, Gay’s been so happy and gay,

To share her happiness with us as she begins 2013 with a giveaway!

Check out her blog to find out more! 

Gay Mitra-Emami – Dawn Of 2013: A Giveaway

12. Massive Travel Projects

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To complete her 80 before 30 project,

Visit places no one will expect,

The less touristy and some off beaten destinations,

Is Che Gurrobat’s 2013 expectations.

Che Gurrobat – 2013: Go Somewhere You’ve Never Been and Do Something You’ve Never Done

 

Now on his 5th year of traveling around the Philippines,

Pinoy Adventurista laid out his plan for this 2013,

A visit in Batanes and Sulu to complete his #80PHL Challenge,

He also wishes to venture on more adventures, attend more festivals, and organize group tours

For all of us to experience how it is to travel ‘The Pinoy Adventurista’ way..

 

Head on to his blog at to read the rest of his plans:

Pinoy Adventurista – Things I Want to Accomplish on my 5th Year of Traveling around the Philippines

 

Surely a massive year for Glen this 2013 portrays,

A plan to circle the Philippines in 50 days,

The launch of his PHL50 Travel Project,

Of many will really expect.

 

Join him as he travels the Philippines overland non-stop from Mindanao to Visayas and Luzon and back to Mindanao for 50 days.      Glen Santillan – PHL50 : Around the Philippines in 50 Days.

13. Not a World End but a Beginning of a New One

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And after all that’s been said and done,

It’s now my turn to have my take on this one,

Glad to have reached the end,

I hope your eyes I could still lend.

 

It’s been quite a long journey up there,

Countless lines, limitless prose – of that we are aware,

Now you’ll ask what’s 2013 for me will be?

Need not fret, for I won’t flee.

2013’s a new beginning –

Another year for sightseeing,

My bucket list will be needing another filling,

After this 30 for Adventuroj  — for 2013.

30 for me  – – – for 2013

1.        Go firing guns in a shooting range

2.        Water rafting

3.        Spelunking

4.        Hike as many mountains as possible

5.        Camp out in a far away non touristed outcast island

6.        Go where my feet or wheels will take me until i get lost

7.        Do something I’ve never done at least once a month

8.        Do more surfing and really learn the art and craft of it!

9.        Diving (again) and take oohh-some underwater photos

10.     Buy a new mountain bike and take that loooong bike ride

11.     More lazy days and rainy days

12.     More movies to watch

13.     More music to jam

14.     To cook more and eat less

15.     Read more good books

16.     Enhance my photography skills

17.     Go back to the gym, play badminton, and do boxing

18.     To travel within my own province and nearby places, blog, and tell the world how beautiful it is to be here

19.     Be able to make my own Adventuroj logo (and print out shirts =)

20.     Start out a not your ordinary travel blog of photography and poetry

21.     Start a travel YouTube channel

22.     To start my quest for a nonstop around the country backpacking adventure around all 80 Philippine provinces (while working online)

23.     To invest more and help others learn the art of saving pennies for rainy days

24.     Provide more budget travel tips and tricks to help everyone travel as cheap as possible

25.     Get to know and meet more wanderlusts – people who share the same passion and love for travel and adventure

26.     To make a difference to whoever i meet to wherever i go

27.     To be able to “nurse” a soul and more soles that I’ll come across my travels (especially those living in far flung communities)

28.     To trek the road less travelled, going into places not yet discovered

29.     To inspire more Filipinos to travel the Philippines and love it first and foremost before other foreign land

30.     To be MORE in every word, action, deed, and thought, and MORE of who I am.

 

So that’s it!

I know there’ll be more,

But I guess you’re already bored.

 

And now this is the time for parting,

And our time is at an end,

The rest of your life is starting,

And we have no time at all to spend.

 

Until next adventure then,

Thank you for your time, a minute or ten,

Happy New Beginnings I wish to you,

For 2013, what beginning would you do?

Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.  – Winston Churchill

– – –This is the 27th Edition of the Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ (PTB) Blog Carnival with the topic “2013 New Beginnings”. It is my second blog carnival participation, a new beginning for a new beginner I should say. It is a great honor and pleasure to be the host for this January 2013’s blog carnival as it was one of the things I looked forward to even before being a part of PTB, but more than that, I hope this not so ordinary blog post would be able to live up to its purpose of inspiring all of you to pursuing whatever new beginning you have. Happy 2013! Check out the carnival’s archive as compiled by Estan Cabigas by clicking the Logo below 🙂