F&F Friday Postcard - Dumaguete to Manila | Waterfalls, Culture & New Friendships - May 1, 2026 - Video

This week on our Family & Friends Friday Postcard, Tran and I explored the beautiful island of Negros Oriental and spent time in the charming “university town” of Dumaguete.

We enjoyed wandering the city, soaking in its relaxed vibe, and then took a fun and memorable tuk-tuk day tour to Valencia. Along the way, we visited several natural highlights including Pulangbato Falls, the unique Red Rock Hot Springs, and the peaceful Forest Camp. We also experienced the fascinating geothermal activity at the sulfur vents in Valencia.

One of the most meaningful moments of our week was attending Mass at St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral. While the Mass was in English, the songs were beautifully sung in the local Bisaya language—an unforgettable cultural experience.

After Negros Oriental, we flew to Manila for a few days to explore more of the capital. Highlights included visiting Fort Santiago, the historic San Agustin Church (the oldest surviving stone church in the Philippines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and Casa Manila.

We also had the pleasure of reconnecting with Filipino friends we met earlier in our travels. They took us to the vibrant and upscale Bonifacio Global City, where we enjoyed wonderful meals - a traditional Filipino meal at Manam and a Japanese meal at Izakaya Geronimo - and great conversation—truly a highlight of our time in Manila. Oh, but first we had dessert at ice cream at the Farmacy Ice Cream and Soda Fountain.

From waterfalls and hot springs to history, culture, and friendship, this week was a perfect reminder of why we love traveling the world.

Thanks for following along as we continue Living Our Best Life!