CURRENT MISSION

Student for life!

ABOUT ME

I am a budget traveler. Me and my friends call ourselves "Poorristas (Poor Touristas)". Graduate studies is not a lucrative job by the way, more especially if you live in a poverty-stricken country. Some wouldn't even consider it as a job. But it's generally a little laid-back lifestyle! It's my career track to become a scientist someday. One thing I like about it is the more leisure time I enjoy as compared if I had to work in the industry. That means more time to travel like the semestral several-weeks-off school breaks that I spend for backpacking if I can find cheap air fares. And also, there are the occasional all-expenses-paid travels in attending research conferences.

The thought of wandering to distant places and learning about cultures fascinated me a lot when I was a kid but I never really thought I could go far and travel because it was very expensive to travel then. Today, it's getting more and more affordable. Thanks to air ticket promos, generous sponsors, and travelers and locals who are more than willing to share their stories to you that I made it to some of the most wonderful places and met amazing people and friends!

I am an introvert, not really very good with socializing.Friendly, but it's really hard for me to initiate conversations with strangers. I do not drink alcoholic beverages, and I don't go to clubs and bars. But I am an adventurer and obviously loves traveling. I'd rather go out for nature trips and food trips. I'm a food lover - I love cooking as much as I love to eat.

PHILOSOPHY

Too many to mention.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To share and learn.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Hosted Tony from Israel
Met Yin and Paul from Shanghai, and Anton and Love from Cebu and Davao in Vigan
Hosted Leandro from Sao Paolo and Justina from Lithuania
Hosted Aiyel and Vern from Davao, and Alvin from Toronto
Hosted Masha and Dennis from Moscow
Hosted Addy and Ardi from Jakarta
Meet-ups and activities with CS Manila and CS QC
- most unforgettable is CS Manila Summer Scramble 2012 as facilitator
-first CS experience was Ultimate Frisbee with CS QC in UP
Surfed Renwick's couch in Puerto Princesa
Traveled with Yuli in Beijing
Met Friska, and Ndi from Batam in Jogjakarta
Met Friska, Farid and 7 others from CS Jakarta in Manila
Met Ja and Kim in Manila

Interests

Traveling, Science, Research

• dining
• cooking
• drinking
• clubbing
• traveling
• socializing
• backpacking
• adventure races
• track and field
• science
• budget travel

Music, Movies, and Books

The Lord of the Rings

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Hiked the un-restored part of the Great Wall at Jiankou. It's actually forbidden but we managed to get in.

Teach, Learn, Share

I always travel on a budget, I do post replies in forums for tips and recommendations. Sometimes I can not host but I always find time to try to help travelers in my hometown.
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For June-March 2013, I will be staying in Vigan. Still busy with studies but I can now host travelers but maybe NOT on fridays and saturdays. I usually travel to Manila every Friday night and back to Vigan on Saturday nights. It's a 9-10 hours of bus ride each way. We can also go together if you want companions!
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I grew up in Vigan - a small town in Ilocos Sur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular destination among local tourists.
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Been busy lately.
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Relatively new.

Countries I’ve Visited

Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Philippines, Spain

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