Mabuhay ang mga indie travelers! (Long live indie travelers!)
I’m so happy on the outcome of Kara David’s interview with me earlier today at GMA News To Go about the journey I just finished last Thursday (May 10, 2012)- 100 Days of Backpacking the Philippines, the Cheapest Way Possible.
If you were not able to catch it this morning, worry not, here’s the video (please don’t mind the ‘antok’ face on the screenshot, I wasn’t able to sleep properly the night before because of too much excitement) :
The interview is about:
- How much I spent during the 100-day trip?
- What are the not-so touristy places that you visited?
- Where did you stay?
- What did you discover about the country, yourself during the journey?
- Some tips on starting an adventurous trip and more.
Here’s my report after the journey: ISANGDAAN Journey, The Most Epic Travel Challenge in the Phillipines- A Success!
To my family, friends and dear readers: Thanks for all your congratulatory notes, I’m so inspired and encouraged to explore more. But for now, let me take some rest so I can start writing the book soon.
If you are keen to back-read you can check out UPDATE 1 / UPDATE 2 / UPDATE 3 / UPDATE 4 /UPDATE 5
#ISANGDAAN is a personal journey and challenge to backpack around the Philippines the cheapest way possible for 100 days.

Congratulations James! Woohoo excited na ako sa book (ituloy mo ha!) and waiting for your next move. Ano na, SouthEast Asia? India? China? Europe? 😀
yes, i want to finish the book before this year ends.
next move? keep posted! haha
Well deserved! Congrats James! 🙂
what an achievement, congrats james!
Congratz James!
congratulations james! you did it! 🙂
Amazing only Php 49k for 100 days! Galeng! Naiyak ako na mi miss ko na po ang mag travel! Gaya mo madami din akong na met na malalaki ang puso at sobrang babait sa pag iikot ko noon ng mag isa. Parang nagkaroon ako ng extended family sa mga iba’t ibang lugar mula Polomolok, Lake Sebu, Gensan, Davao, Palawan, Tacloban etc.
Pak! ikaw na! hehehe Congratulations James! 😀
ikaw na pre!
ang galing..spectator ako ng mga travels mo and i think first time ko tong magcomment dito hehe 🙂 idol kita..awesome.. congrats 🙂
thanks for being a spectator! hehehe
now i thank you for ceommenting, thanks sendo!
I saw the entire interview and it was great. You were able to impart the message that indeed travelling on the whole archipelago of the Philippines is relatively safe. Congrats!
Directions on Web
thanks! i hope many will get that message
CONGRATZ to you bai! #ISANGDAAN is epic!
of course! salamat din sa pagkuha ng vids while in south cebu.
Wow naman congrats James! buti na lang katukayo kita.haha From now on fan mo na ako pre!:)
I’ve watched it this morning and became interested to see your website and blogs. I am now your big fan! keep it up! 🙂
thanks for your interest sir! hope you can share the blog to your friends.
Congrats James!
Wish I could do what you’ve done bro… Malupet ka!
kahit 10days lang sir! haha
thanks budz!
Congratulations James! From John and me… 🙂
thanks ms.lea for being part of the journey when i was in davao city, say my reagrds to sir john!
Astig ka James……good for you.
Way to go James…..more challenges to come! Congratulations you made it!
Congratulations James! Aabangan ng marami yung libro mo. More travels, more excitements and more blessings to come.
Mr. Philippine Tourism Ambassador! 🙂
thanks teammate! i really hope to finish the book this year.
Grabehan!!!! Galing talaga!
Enjoyed reading your blog! Congrats on your “ISANGDAAN: The Most Epic Travel Challenge in the Philippines”. I really believe you have the opportunity to be the “Rick Steve of the Philippines”, I hope you grab it and run with it!
wow! being compared with rick steves is quite flattering. but i just want to be journeyingjames
“Rick Steves of the Philippines”
james, yeah, yeah, hehehe *peace! asteeg! this is it! way to go james! I knew it!
W.O.W!
Pa autograph naman.. 🙂
Congrats Journeying James!
thanks ching!
Congrats Bro!.. grabeh! MAGAZINE, RADIO at TV talaga? You oredy!… hahaha .. 🙂
ok ra? OKRA! salamat sa mga katuload nyo na nagpatuloy sa akin
Way to go James…
That’s the spirit of a traveler…
hataw! some of my classmates are also updated of your whereabouts. i try to promote it as much as possible. hehe
really? cool! kaya pala may europe traffic, thanks kit!
weeee congrats James!!! Ikaw na and I am super happy for you! I am 100% sure na meron pang mga susunod na interview. You´re a celebrity in the making James! And I am already excited about the book. Keep soaring high and thanks for the inspiration. God bless you more.
🙂 sana nga marami pang interview at may travel show narin! haha
congrats! =)
Congrats James! I’m proud of your journeys! This capped interview is one well-deserved!
Hands down na po ako sa inyo boss… LOL!!!! ngaun ko lang napanood fully… Congrats!!
salamat sayo rhye, laki kaya ng tulong mo lalo na sa MSU at Tawi-Tawi, those destinations are the best!
during all the travels you had, are all plane fare on promo sale? or mixed, promo fare and regular fare? how about the accommodation, are all paid out from your pocket, or are there Xdeals or free accom? how about your transpo, all of it again you paid for it? Because you spent less traveling in many places w.x is less than 50K.
i have 4 flights
MNL-CEBU and CEBU-MNL is a sponsored trip.
I bought my ticket 2 days before the flights (regular fare):
Taw-Tawi to Zamboanga and Puerto Princesa to Manila.
i slept on my hammock and used couchsurfing.com most of the times.
i got free accommodations too, about 3 hotels. all are paid by me, transpo, food etc. yes, ive been doing this for 3 years now.
Congrats idol! Bigtime ka na gyud……
salamat po! di po ako bigtime, 😉 just doing what i love to do
Kudos James! kahanga hanga ang iyong pakikipagsapalaran. Maganda ang pagkakahabi ng konsepto ng iyong paglalahad ng pakikibaka sa buong bansa may puso, may tikas, may hubog. Saeamat gid nga Abo.
salamat jade! lalim ng tagalog mo
The best!!!!
thanks ice! ice ice baby?
Wow it’s amazing!!! You only spent less than 50k for 100 days and 60 provinces 🙂 I want to explore around Philippines one day and will definitely use your blog to gather information 😉 Well done!!
yes marj! sure thing, welcome in advance to the Philippines. i know you will enjoy your stay here
Thanks james!
Got so many tips from you… I have just started mine this year… Thank you for the many help! 🙂
congrats for starting a new travel blog po.
hope you can write and update more.
see you around sir!
tumatayo balahibo ko sa kaka “yeah yeah” mo james. Magtagalog ka na lang. Nagmumuka kang social climber. At nga pala., akala ko ba gusto mo lahat ng pilipino makapagtravel gaya mo na kulang ang budget pero bakit mo pinagkakait yung details ng mga npunthan mo o route ng buong pilinas. anong masama kung magaya ng tao?