Part 1: Dangerous Places
Hey there, it’s Aksel! Welcome back to VibePinas. Today, we officially kicked off our massive road trip from the southernmost tip of Mindanao all the way to the north of the Philippines!Starting in Zamboanga, we navigated through some "Red Zones" with heavy military presence and checkpoints every few minutes. It was definitely an adventure, and while it felt safe for us—especially since many soldiers recognized Jessa—I wouldn't recommend others follow our lead! We skipped Basilan for safety but made it to General Santos (or "GenSan" as Jessa calls it) after a long, scenic drive through rice fields. We’re safe, exhausted, and ready for Davao! See you in the next one!
Part 2: General Santos To Davao
Hey there, it’s Aksel! Welcome back to VibePinas. Our massive road trip continues! Before leaving General Santos, we just had to visit the fish port. Seeing those massive export-quality tunas—some almost as big as Liam!—was incredible, even if we were a bit late for the main action.After a quick fuel stop (diesel prices are finally down!) and some surprisingly delicious seedless watermelon by the roadside, we hit the road for Davao City. The drive was smooth, though we passed several more checkpoints. We’ve arrived safely at our hotel, and it feels like we’re officially out of the "danger zones." Next stop: further North! See you in the next one!
Part 3: Davao To Surigao
Hey there, it’s Aksel! Welcome back to VibePinas. We’ve officially crossed Mindanao from south to north! Our latest leg took us from Davao City all the way to Surigao, and man, it was a long haul. I was awake for 25 hours straight driving and navigating, but seeing the beautiful scenery made it worth it.While Mindanao is stunning, I have to be honest—parts of the route still aren't the safest for tourists due to local conflicts. We've now hopped on a ferry to Siargao Island for a well-deserved week of relaxation, beach vibes, and camping before we continue our journey further north. See you in the next one!
Part 4: San Ricardo To Tacloban
Hey there, it’s Aksel! Welcome back to VibePinas. After a quick break in Cebu City, we’re back on track with our massive South-to-North road trip! We took a six-hour overnight ferry to Leyte and spent the day driving through some of the most beautiful, foggy mountain scenery I’ve seen yet.We stopped at a simple park for Liam to play with some "safari animals" and had the sweetest, juiciest roadside pineapple of my life! We originally planned to relax at Red Beach in Tacloban, but the lack of internet meant we couldn't stay to get our work done. The journey continues as we head further north! See you in the next one!
Part 5: Tacloban To Allen
Hey there, it’s Aksel! Welcome back to VibePinas. We’re continuing our massive South-to-North road trip, and today was a milestone—we crossed the San Juanico Bridge! It’s currently the longest bridge in the Philippines, connecting Leyte and Samar. The views were stunning, but the roads in Samar were a different story—super rough and exposed to the elements.After a long drive and a quick sleep in the car to save on hotel costs, we reached the Allen terminal. We even saw local kids diving for coins off the ferry! We’ve finally made it to Luzon, with Manila as our next major goal. The journey is long, but the scenery and local experiences make it all worth it. See you in the next one!
Part 6: Active Volcano Mayon
Hey there, it’s Aksel! Welcome back to VibePinas. We’ve officially made it to Luzon, but we’re still a long way from Manila. The big news is that Jessa’s Norway visa papers are ready for pickup in Manila, so we’ve decided to push through and drive straight there.On the way, we detoured to see the Mayon Volcano. I was like a kid with butterflies in my stomach—I’ve never seen an active volcano so close! It was actually puffing out smoke while we were there, and we later found out it had an eruption that very day. After a long, 25-hour overnight drive through Bicol, we finally reached our hotel in Manila, exhausted but ready for the next chapter. See you in the next one!
Part 7: The End Destination
Hey there, it’s Aksel! Welcome back to VibePinas. We’ve finally done it—we finished our massive South-to-North road trip at Pagudpod! The final leg from Manila was a bit of a blur, driving through the night to reach the northernmost tip of Luzon.Reflecting on the journey, it’s been an incredible adventure, from the military checkpoints in Mindanao to the stunning San Juanico Bridge. We even escaped a typhoon in Baguio! Now, we’re planning our next chapter! The road trip is over, but the next adventure is just beginning! See you in the next one!
