Throwback Story Time 1st Part: Journey before Backpacking Life

​“Do something today that your future self will thank you for.” - Sean Patrick Flanery

Throwback Story Time 01 (1999):

I took this state university entrance exam (PUPCET) directly with no review as an OSY (out of school youth) from the slums of Tondo for 2 years and as a fast food service crew. Passing rate is around 10,000 of around 70,000 examinees. I was invited only by a workmate to take this exam, I'm not even familiar with the school. I chose engineering course and continued being part-time service crew to support my studies financially. 

Throwback Story Time 01 (1999)

Throwback Story Time 02 (2000):

I was a contractual Production Crew in Dunkin Donuts on this picture. I'm employed in Jollibee and DD in Tondo, Sampaloc, Recto and Sta. Mesa. Employment was 5 months contract only and working until 4th year college. I graduated without failed grade on straight 5 years luckily and surprisingly.

Throwback Story Time 02 (2000)

2023 Chinese New Year Celebration in the World's Oldest Chinatown

January 22, 2023 Sunday Binondo, Manila, Philippines

Chinese New Year is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. In Chinese, the festival is commonly referred to as the Spring Festival as the spring season in the lunisolar calendar traditionally starts with lichun, the first of the twenty-four solar terms which the festival celebrates around the time of the Chinese New Year. Marking the end of winter and the beginning of the spring season, observances traditionally take place from New Year's Eve, the evening preceding the first day of the year to the Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the year. The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year

Every Chinese New Year starts a new animal's zodiac year.. There are 12 Chinese zodiac animals. In order, the 12 animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. 2023 is a year of the Rabbit. Your zodiac animal is decided by your birth year. 

A Chinatown is an ethnic enclave of Chinese people located outside Greater China, most often in an urban setting. Areas known as "Chinatown" exist throughout the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. The development of most Chinatowns typically resulted from mass migration to an area without any or with very few Chinese residents. Binondo in Manila, established in 1594, is recognized as the world's oldest Chinatown. 

2023 Chinese New Year in the World's Oldest Chinatown

​Budget Travel Tips on How to Save Money

You don't have to be rich to travel well.

01. Plan well your itinerary.

The primary and most important. If you know where, how and what to do, your budget is already lowered. 

02. Book flights as early as possible.

The earlier it was book, the cheaper you can get. Use the 3rd party booking sites also, way cheaper than the airline website. 

03. Bring cash and credit card.

Use credit card for booking and emergency only. Most of the time, paying in cash can provide discounts.

04. Take the public transportation.

Taking a taxi should be your last option and negotiate before agreeing. You should know the distance and taxi rate to avoid scam.

05. Blend in with the locals.

Don't overkill your travel attire, you are attracting scammers and touts. Most of the time, talking with the locals casually can save you a lot of time and money. 

​Budget Travel Tips on How to Save Money