Traveling Is Not Just About Exploring, It’s About Freedom And So Much More

Why do people travel? What is it about traveling that many people would go crazy about? Why do people spend so much money or are willing to go through all the dirt and small spaces for the sake of seeing a new place? The short answer to these questions is, of course, there's no single answer because it has a different meaning for everyone.

For some, they travel to escape the hustle and bustle of their everyday lives, while some do it to find themselves, and some travel to find the perfect location to settle one day. There's an endless list of what travel really means, but one thing's for sure: traveling is not just about "exploring."

Lumina Homes asked three travel bloggers what traveling means for them, and their answers are interesting. Read on to know what they had to say:

1. Patricia Veronica Jasmin of I Eat and I Wander Misses Beach Resorts as her Travel Escape.

"Traveling gave me the freedom to get to know myself more."

Patricia Veronica Jasmin, or Nix for short, works as a Recruitment Specialist and a Korean English Tutor while blogging at I Eat and I Wander. She created this blog to share her adventures both in food and exploring the world. 

What was the bravest thing you've ever done as a traveler?

I can say the bravest thing I've ever done was to travel solo. At first, I thought it would be hard, but the first time I tried doing it, it kept me wanting for more which led to more solo trips.

What's the most rewarding thing that traveling has given you?

Freedom, I guess? It gave me the freedom to get to know myself more, experience another culture, and meet fellow travelers that I share the same interests with.

What was the smartest thing you've ever done to save money during your travels?

Back in 2017, I was on a graveyard schedule, and when I reached home in the morning, I just spent a few hours doing nothing before sleeping, so I thought of using that free time and earn extra money. That's when I started accepting part-time online jobs (VA, Social Media Manager), and all the money I earned from those part-time roles, I was able to save as my travel funds. And when it comes to traveling, here are some of the things I do to save:

PROMO FARES/PISO FARES: I always make sure that I get notified on their best deal promo fares from different airlines to make sure that I get the cheapest deal possible.

RESEARCH. RESEARCH. RESEARCH: I want everything organized so I make sure that I create my own itinerary from start to finish, from places I would want to visit, how to get there the cheapest possible way, to even where I would eat so at least I'll have an idea on how much money I should prepare.

HOSTELS AND DORMS ARE MY BEST FRIENDS: Since I usually travel alone. I only stay in hostels or dorms as one of the cheapest ways to save money on accommodation as it would just be a place for me to sleep and take a bath as I would always be out.

If you could go anywhere right now, where would it be and why?

If I could go anywhere right now, I would go to South Korea. I was supposed to visit the country last April 2020 with my other blogger friends to experience the spring season, but we had to postpone the trip due to the pandemic.

How will this current pandemic affect the way you travel?

Traveling has been my escape. Whenever I feel stressed, I travel to the beach or even just somewhere outside the Metro City to relax. While I can't travel yet, I am trying my best to look for other outlets to relieve stress while at home.

What are your future travel plans?

I believe that traveling outside the country won't be allowed anytime soon, so I am thinking of checking my bucket list of visiting different provinces here in the Philippines. It's time to explore our own.

If there's one place in the Philippines you could settle in, where would it be and why?

Baguio City without a second thought. Growing up in a tropical country, I've always dreamt of moving somewhere cold, and I think Baguio would be something achievable and everything is already there, and it would still give me the chance to easily visit my parents in Manila from time to time.

What is the best traveling guide or advice you can give for travelers?

For first-time travelers – Just do it. Explore. Get to experience what's out there, and I guarantee you it's something that you'll thank yourself for.

For frequent travelers – We'll get back to what we love doing SOON. See you, eh? 

2. Jose Eduardo Marron of The Creed Guy Thinks About Round the World Trip.

"Travel whenever the opportunity arises. It may be frightening at first, but it will be all worth it in the long run."

If you're wondering who The Creed Guy is, it's Jose. His blog features a wide array of topics, from food and health to travel. Indeed, this versatile blog manages to give what people are keen to know of.

What's the best thing about traveling?

Traveling can broaden our perspective in life and enable us to step outside of our comfort zone. It also brings inner peace, enjoyment, growth, and experience into one's life.

One of the best parts of traveling is learning. When traveling, you get to immerse yourself, learn a new dialect or language, eat an exotic dish, experience local art and culture, and see flora and fauna up close, which we can only see in books, videos, or photographs.

Along the way, we could find self-discovery through traveling, which opens up new possibilities. So, go out there and discover the world; it will continue to amaze you how vast and diverse our planet is. Travel whenever the opportunity arises. It may be frightening at first, but it will be all worth it in the long run.

What is the best travel advice you can give for travelers?

Travel with an open mind all the time. It is because the world is a diverse place with many cultures, religions, and people.

Take a deep breath and embrace something new.

Finally, before embarking on a longer or more distant journey, start small.

When traveling is allowed again, will you take a trip immediately?

With the travel industry on hold and no clear timelines for when things will return to normal, one thing's certain: traveling will not be the same after the pandemic.

And I can state unequivocally that I have no plans to travel at the moment. At this time, we must all pursue the goal of preventing the virus from spreading to protect our family and friends and the most vulnerable. If we try to avoid unnecessary travels, we could be able to control the contamination more easily, which will result in a positive return.

What are your future travel plans?

When things return to normal, my future travel goal is to visit new places and explore the world on a regular basis. This pandemic has taught me that life is too short, and I don't want to spend my life without seeing every corner of the world. 

3. Scene Zone Squad Talks About Travel Inspiration for Budget Travelers.

"Adventures fill your soul."

Scene Zone Squad is a group of friends that decided to create a blog to promote their hometown by sharing their travel adventures and goals unlocked to inspire other people. In short, they are your squad goal buddies who will be with you on every journey through their blog.

What's the best thing about traveling?

The best thing about traveling is collecting moments not only with myself but also with my loved ones. Since we only live once, we have to make the most out of it and live with no regrets. I believe adventures fill your soul. Traveling is more than seeing the sights. It is a change that goes as deep and permanent in the ideas of living. – Step Acerdano

The best thing about traveling is you get to explore with your loved ones. – Syrell Yaba

What are the best travel guides or pieces of advice you can give for travelers?

Either frequent or first-time travelers, we all need to have to plan ahead, prepare, and double-check everything before heading to the top attractions of our preferred destination. This will contribute to fulfill our travel goals safely and enjoyably. Since you will be in a place not familiar to you, planning ahead increases self-confidence and opportunities for you and great time saving as well.

Secondly, always bring a Plan B. You must also be familiar with the culture, official languages, and resources of the place you'll go to so you can have a chance to live like a local. If you can, bond with the locals because one of the best things about traveling is knowing other people's stories, whether it is about the place or some personal stories of the locals. Experience life there firsthand as if you're a local!

Lastly, please take nothing but pictures; leave nothing but footprints! - Ronald Allan Estuita

What do you look forward to the most about traveling after the pandemic?

Walking around with no social distancing with my friends and breathing outdoor air without using a mask. I missed watching sunrise and sunset while on the beach or mountain. – Step Acerdano

Looking forward to seeing stunning views of nature and feeling the breath of fresh air without any restrictions. – Syrell Yaba

I am thinking of having a simple family reunion, maybe over a simple dinner or a family visit to art museums or even any nature trip, since all of these is a short trip within my hometown, Rizal. – Giselle Cruz

Traveling is on hold, but if you could go anywhere right now, where would it be and why?

If traveling isn't on hold, I'll go atop the summits of Bukidnon right now, specifically in KD2M (Mountains, Kitanglad, Dulang-dulang, and Maagnaw). I want to experience firsthand the mystical aura of Mindanao's northern part forest, the fascinating jungle covered with moss and clouds, the wintry temperature even during the daytime, and the bonsai-like trees with spiraling branches covered lichen and white moss, giving the forest the ancient feels. And, of course, I want to feel that great satisfaction after finishing this beautiful yet one of the most challenging climbs in the country and set foot atop the 2nd (Mt. Dulang-dulang), 4th (Mt. Kitanglad), and 9th (Mt. Maagnaw) highest mountains in the Philippines. Definitely a dream climb! - Ronald Allan Estuita

How will this current pandemic affect the way you travel?

Personally, this pandemic greatly affects my outdoor activity. I've been inactive since the start of the pandemic. During this pandemic, I'd been limited to go local, exploring only the mountains and best beaches in my hometown and home province. Yes, trails are opening up already - a piece of very good news to outdoor enthusiasts, but protocols are needed to be observed, and for me, personally, I'm still not comfortable with the idea of going out to the mountains outside the province. - Ronald Allan Estuita

What are your future travel plans?

Some travel plans that I have in mind for the future include an island getaway and mountain climbing. I also want to go to beautiful places that I've never been to and explore their culture and meet new people. – Step Acerdano

I want to come back to La Union and, this time, spend a long weekend trip with my family. In these challenging times, we all want that time to relax, enjoy, and a proper dose of Vitamin Sea. – Giselle Cruz

I want to hike and explore the beauty and hidden gems of Rizal, and I want to go to my hometown, Quezon Province, to swim endlessly. – Syrell Yaba

Travel, indeed, means so many things for different people. But if there's one thing we've learned from these bloggers, travel means to live fully, to learn in every aspect you can, respect and accept other cultures, and to allow the world to make you into the best person you could ever be.

Call for Entries: "Vlog-a-Palooza: My Hometown Vlog"

Now that traveling is on pause due to the pandemic, we know many people are itching to feed their wanderlust already. While we can't travel long-distance yet, why not explore your hometown and get a chance to win up to P10,000 through Lumina's first-ever Vlog-a-Palooza!

Whether you're a veteran vlogger, a newbie, or an aspiring vlogger, you can join this contest as long as you share your best travel vlog featuring the most attractive destinations and activities in your hometown.

Here's how to join:

1. This contest is open to all vloggers or aspiring vloggers residing in the Philippines.

2. You can create your video in either English or any Filipino dialect. Just make sure to include English subtitles if you decide to use Tagalog or your local dialect for your video entry.

3. Your video should not be longer than three (3) minutes.

4. Only one (1) valid entry is allowed per participant, so make sure to give your best on that vlog.

5. Deadline for the vlog submission is on April 24, 2021. You need to email your entries to [email protected]. Please also make sure to include the following in your email:

• Title of Vlog

• Full name of the author or vlogger

• Mobile number

• Address

• Short vlog description

6. The shortlisted vlogs will be uploaded to Lumina's Official YouTube channel on April 30, 2021.

7. The announcement of winners will take place on May 8, 2021.

Meanwhile, here are the criteria for judging to find the lucky winners of "Vlog-a-Palooza: My Hometown Vlog" contest:

Content Story 30 %

Visuals and Technicality 40%

Overall Impact 30 %

The judges will choose the Top 3 vlogs for this competition. The 3rd Placer for this contest will receive Php 3, 000 while the 2nd Placer will have Php 5, 000 all in cash. If you will be the lucky 1st Place Winner, a Php 10,000 cash will be waiting for you!

Find affordable house and lot in Lumina Homes

Whenever we're traveling, there's always one place that will make us feel at home. And in some cases, travelers end up buying their own townhouse or house and lot in the Philippines because they fell in love with the place they've visited.

But we all know that houses and lots for sale don't come cheap. With Lumina Homes, every Juan can have their dream home on a budget. Lumina Homes is the affordable housing arm of Vista Land, the Philippines' largest homebuilder known for housing brands, including Camella, Lessandra, and Vista Residences, among others.

It offers low-cost housing with an exclusive subdivision lifestyle featuring a 24/7 guarded entrance, roving security, and shuttle service. You can also enjoy cool amenities like a play area, gazebo, mini gardens, and more. Plus, it is also close to establishments like wet markets, malls, convenience stores, travelers' hotel, restaurants, and schools.

Curious enough about what Lumina Homes has to offer? Read on for more details:

If you are looking for an affordable pre-selling house and lot near the Metro, check these properties in Bulacan and Rizal:

• Lumina San Miguel

• Lumina Baliuag

• Bulacan Residences Calumpit

   

But if you are looking for RFO, meaning ready for occupancy house and lot units, you may check:

•  Lumina Pandi

• Lumina Plaridel

• Lumina Binangonan

You also have an investment option to have a budget-friendly condominium in Cavite or an affordable house and lot in Tanza, Cavite through Lumina Tanza.

And if you are looking for an affordable house and lot for sale in the Philippines, we also have housing units in North Luzon. You may check the Lumina properties in Zambales, Lumina Subic; house and lot for sale in Tarlac, Lumina Tarlac; house and lot for sale in Pangasinan, Lumina Manaoag; house and lot for sale in Nueva Ecija, Lumina San Jose, and Lumina Cabanatuan; house and lot for sale in Isabela, Lumina Cauayan; house and lot for sale in Cagayan, Lumina Tuguegarao; house and lot for sale in La Union, Lumina San Juan; house and lot for sale in Bataan, Lumina Pilar, and The Balanga Residences. 

Lumina Homes also has housing properties in other parts of the Philippines available for pag-ibig home loans. See below for the list:

With Lumina, you will never run out of choices whether you want to go north or south. We have house and lot for sale in Laguna, Lumina Calauan; house and lot for sale in Batangas, Lumina Rosario, Lumina Bauan, Lumina Tanauan, and Lumina Lipa; house and lot for sale in Quezon, Lumina Sariaya, and Lumina Quezon; house and lot for sale in Camarines Norte, Lumina Camarines Norte; house and lot for sale in Legazpi, Lumina Legazpi; house and lot for sale in Sorsogon, Lumina Sorsogon; house and lot for sale in Cebu, Lumina Carcar; house and lot for sale in Bacolod, Lumina Bacolod East; house and lot for sale in Iloilo, Lumina Iloilo; house and lot for sale in Negros Occidental, Lumina Sagay, and Lumina Silay; house and lot for sale in Capiz, Lumina Capiz; house and lot for sale in Bukidnon, Lumina Valencia, and Lumina Malaybalay; house and lot for sale in Davao del Norte, Lumina Tagum; house and lot for sale in Agusan del Norte, Lumina Butuan; house and lot for sale in Misamis Occidental, Lumina Ozamiz; house and lot for sale in Zamboanga del Sur, Lumina Pagadian; house and lot in South Cotabato, Lumina Polomolok.