Whatever Happened to the Girl Who Left Everything to Travel Around the Philippines?
You think of travelers as bold, but our guilty secret is that travel is one of the laziest ways on earth of passing time.
-Paul Theroux-
- Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur
6 months ago, I left my job to do a long-term travel around the Philippines. And today, I am on the road for 3 months and 3 days. It’s long overdue, the original plan was way back in 2010 – to travel long-term around South East Asia. But I realized, why not explore my country and promote it first, before thy neighbors? There is nothing wrong about traveling abroad, and I am NOT saying you should travel the entire Philippines before going out. I am just saying, I believe we should never forget our roots. It is a part of who we are.
Dinagat Island
Looking back, I was really ecstatic to finally live one of my dreams, to finally be free. I left without a definite plan, without enough funds, without a fixed route, and with one rule in my mind – SPONTANEITY.
Cotabato City, Maguindanao
Pardon my lack of updates, but I did not do it so I can write and let the world know how lucky I am to quit my job and live a nomadic life. I am not trying to defy society’s norm, and I am not trying to fit in either, I hate labels. I know not all of you will understand why I do this unless you are going through that crazy phase. The moment when your life seems okay, but you feel like there is that big hole and you want to fill up that emptiness but you don’t exactly know how. It is more of a spiritual journey, like being on a sabbatical leave. I want to find my purpose in life. I want to live and not just exist. And I guess, a lot of us wants to. As for me, the best way to find out is by leaving everything that used to matter in my life, to start all over and live without those comforts and finally face my fears. I am not planning to do this forever, because I know one day, I will settle.
Iligan, Lanao del Norte
Traveling feeds my soul. I want to know how it feels to be rejected by strangers, to fail, to live on the edge, to be penniless, to be homeless and to stand alone. I want to enjoy the moment of seeing places that I thought only existed in my childhood dreams, of trusting strangers, and feel the joy of meeting all kinds of people and being accepted even if they don’t know me. And more than that, I want to inspire and make a difference in someone’s life. For me, success is not all about what you achieved in this life, it is about what you inspire others to do. If you inspire even just one soul, then I believe, your life is a success. So keep inspiring others and be inspired!
I started a project called Happy Philippines, and I am thankful for my PTB Bagets friends. I did not promote it heavily as I know I will have a hard time carrying everything on the road. But I want to continue it and make it my advocacy. I will be allotting more time for it when I get back to Manila and will be writing about it soon.
Saranggani
I have stayed in different houses, hostel and inns. I have witnessed both tragedies and happy occasions. I have played with kids, talked with teens and sat down with old souls. I have traveled in groups, but most of the time, I traveled in solitude. I learned a lot of things, embraced differences,survived being penniless, and live with the pain of falling.
Jolo, Sulu
I cried, I smiled, and I laugh a lot like there is no more tomorrow because if I won’t, sadness will eat me alive. I’ve been blessed but I’ve also been broke. I have lost hope. I have failed. But I want to tell you it is possible to live this life. It is possible to break free. But you must learn to endure everything that will come along, because it is not easy. I may be penniless, but I am happy because I’ve finally come to know how it feels to live like this.
Do not just exist, live the life you want! Dream big and live your dream whatever it is! Go and drop your fears and as Thoreau once said, “find eternity in every moment”, because we only live once.
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About the Blogger : Gael is a Filipina solo adventurer, a dream chaser and a student of life. Her (mis) adventures are documented in this blog. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
For advertisement, partnerships and sponsorship, click here. or email me at thepinaysolobackpacker(at)yahoo(dot)com.
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Hi ThePinaySoloBackpacker, I felt guilty reading your blog because I’ve travelled outside the Philippines but havent finished my own country. I’ve started writing blogs and writing about my travel experiences recently writing first about trips abroad :/ Looking forward to travel around the Philippines! Got inspired with this one!
hi arvin! =) it’s orayt to travel outside, just never forget your roots. you dont really need to travel around the philippines at ubusin lahat ng provinces. maybe just explore a few places in the Philippines.
yes. I’ve actually explored some of the famous places in the Philippines
looking forward for more travels! happy traveling din po 
Hi sis,
Grabe, ikaw n talaga ang idol ko.. I hope someday magawa ko ang mga bagay na tulad ng mga ginagawa mo like helping thise kids.. U have such a big heart… And ang tapang mo..bilib talaga ako… Until now, im still looking forward sa pagkkita natin… Takecare always. And godbless
Marie
thank you din Marie!
just paying it forward, m sure you’ll do the same. madameng mababaet na tao na tumulong saken, so pasa natyen kabaitan nila. 
i’ll see you in Manila, thanks in advance s mga lapis.
I’m proud to say that even for a few minutes, I was able to carry the backpack of The Pinay Solo Backpacker.: )
HAHAHA natawa ako sayo Earl!
hahaha!!!
glad to journey with you on the road in mindanao gael! just continue!
maraming salamat sa lahat ng tulong James! bless you more!
Hi Gael, i’m so happy for you..finally you are doing what you love the most and giving your full time..I told you before to start writing your own travel book..we are here to support you 100%..We miss you and be safe..God bless
thank you Jan sa suporta.
Way to go Gael! Hope you still remember me. Keep traveling, keep inspiring!
haha kahet walang apelyido, at kahet dame kong kilalang George, m sure you’re the George I met in Malaysia na asa SG based.
salamat ng marami George! Yngat ka parate! 
Glad to read posts like this one again
I’m happy na at least you took the risk kahit na very challenging talaga ang life sa road physically, emotionally and lalo financially toinks. Hinihintay ko na lang magkwento ka dito na you met someone in the road na eventually magiging kayo. Ayiiii 
See you soon, Ate GaeL 
hahaha ang kuleet mu Mica!
salamat salamat! oh well papel, wala eh. sana nga! hahaha
You really inspire me. I’m very happy for you and hope to follow your footsteps.
God Bless you and always be safe 
thank you so much Regine. m happy to hear that. bless you more!
Hi Gael! I am so happy for you. You are very inspiring. God Bless
maraming salamat Mia.
bless you po!
Kebs na sa labels, basta mag travel nalang kung gusto! I’m so happy for you Gael!
uy Nina, thank you s suporta! it means a lot!
This is very inspiring Gael!
Sana magawa ko din to soon! 
super love ko ung ending ng post mo. 
thanks Riz! kaya mu din yan, kung anoman ang dream mu go for it!
wow.good job.
btw, san location nun last picture?
thanks ayan. sa Timbak, Benguet po.
heartfelt..
slow claps for your journey. im very impressed. super thumbs up for you girl!
..and oh, it reminds me to read that book for paul theroux.
binigyan ka din ni Dom ng same book noh?
It is an honor to host the one and only Pinay Solo Backpacker of the country. What a humbling gesture to realize that she is at my HUMBLE ABODE while writing this piece. Gael, truly you are an inspiration. Love na love na love kita. My home is your home now. Mwah. Thank you for sharing your laughter and tears with me. I will treasure it forever.
thanks for being my home in Davao.
love love din kita! hugs!
I feel so happy for you..you..being able to reach these places and encounter those unforgettable experiences…this is already a big achievement and I am so inspired to do the same
keep travelling po ^.^
thank you hana! live your dreams!
I heard about the time when you left the office, for good!
I admire you for being so brave, taking that leap and following your dream. I wish I can do that soon
Be safe Gael! looking forward to see where you’re going next!
hi Rachel! thanks so much for your support.
i envy you for being able to just drop everything and go – experience, taste, feel, see, hear.
it’s not everyone’s lifestyle i know – but many wish it was!!!!!
yeah, it is not for everyone. and i dnt plan to do it forever but m happy i tried it. thanks po Ms. Maria.
Not so long ago, i left everything too.. I traveled with a purpose and i never felt more free than when i was living the normal routine.
But like Paulo Coelho said, the price of freedom has its scars.. and we should wear these scars like our medals ^_^
I’m taking a breather from traveling with a purpose but I salute you for continuing to do what you Love to do. God Bless ^_^
thank you for the inspiration!
Very inspiring! Good luck. Will continue to follow your journey.
Gudjab. Spontaneity always seasons memories and happiness of course. I love to do what you’re doing but too many priorities right now.
Congrats Gael! I love the photos! And I love SPONTANEITY! Take care wherever you are!
One of the sincerest blog posts I’ve read so far, Gail.
Just follow what your heart dictates you to do –your passion and your advocacy. Remember what I have told you during our breakfast meeting last time, which I may called it as, “A date with a Pinay Solobackpacker”. Continue the spirit of humility. Having Good virtue, wealth will just pours freely.
I learned a lot and know you more Gail with that meeting. The true “internal color” of a pinay solobackpacker. If I had a little kid sister, I may consider you as one.
Good luck to you.
gael, you bring out the best not only in our country but also in yourself.. enjoy and always take care..
Was glad to travel with you to Cebu last March, its admirable especially how low profile and humble you live this phase of your life, but still spread that fervor and zest to further explore and learn to your readers and friends.
Ate Gael! Loving this post. Napaka-inspiring and heartwarming for a traveler din like me to take risks and get out of the comfort zones to get more out of life. Hope to see you again soon!
This post is so inspiring ate Gael. I am also hoping that someday, I will classify myself to belong on this “species” of free people
Gael, you’re one of the persons that I’d really like to meet, so I can tell you in person how awesome you are and how I admire you for not only doing what you love, but also for inspiring others to do so. And your work with the kids, it says a lot about your caring spirit. I pray we meet soon!
I can relate to your thoughts as I am on the same phase right now. Although I cannot afford to do exactly as you did, I am also into my own transition now. Also uncertain but very sure that I needed to go and follow my heart. Thank you for inspiring me as I do something for myself naman. Most people need this but just don’t know how and when to start. Keep shining! =)
You left your job, travel long term without an itinerary and WITHOUT sufficient funds to follow your dream…what a daring female adventure! I wish you well. Stay on the safe side always.
awe inspiring ms gael! thanks for sharing! handsdown to your courage. I wish to do the same as i do love travelling so much.
)
Very inspiring. will continue reading your adventure. Take care and be safe
Oh Ms. Gael you’re an inspiration. I really want to go back writing. I used to write before but I’ve lost interest and now reading your blogs, I wanted to go back… Writing blogs and be inspired like you. I hope and I will find time to start again to write. And one more thing if I would go back in my roots, I am looking forward to travel with you.:) Keep on inspiring people like me. God bless you Gael. Thanks.
Glad you already know the purpose of your existence (praying for the same thing). I salute your courage and perseverance. Thank you for sharing your adventures.
Amazing! Great blog entry!
I support you all the way ate Gael.
What you do certainly does not raise any eyebrows. It inspires us. Whenever Im alone, I always think how life should be lived and I have come to realize that it should be lived in a manner of spontaneity and I always tell this to my friends. Life today has become so much of a routine that we are starting to forget that we are humands, capable of doing pretty much anything. I admire you for your courage to go against the tide and do what your heart desires. we will be following whatever updates you post and we will support you along the way. God bless you ate Gael!
Exploring your own country first can be such an eye opening experience. It’s funny how it helps you see things from a different perspective.
Happy travels!
June 13, 2012
Hello Pinay Solo Backpacker!
I am a regular Philippine backpacker for two years now and I have been to so many provinces in our country, trying to visit all of their well-known and not so well-known tourist destinations. Based on what I have notice during my back packing and a search in the internet, there are very few Filipino backpackers in our country. Usually I saw foreigners but for our countrymen, it’s almost zero.
I am a tourism professor in a university in Manila and have been part of the tourism industry for two decades now. I have seen all the problems and challenges our industry faced for the past decades but the Philippine tourism is still stable as it was. One thing that I have learned as a professor is that the mind set of Filipinos when it comes to tourism is that traveling is expensive so they lessen their travel. In my class alone, consensus is, you need a large amount of money if you want to travel especially to provinces far from NCR. This is a common misconception as you know it.
I was somehow down in terms of the number of Filipinos traveling in their own country as they can travel more if they know how to. In view of this, I think it’s time for us to help promote the country as a destination in which you do not really need to spend more just to explore. I would like to invite you if we can form a group of Philippine backpackers which the primary mission is to encourage Filipino to travel around our country and promote backpacking instead of the usual expensive traveling and touring. I already have registered the Association of Philippine Island Backpackers in the Securities and Exchange Commission but the paper work is still in progress since it need name of founding members. I am really hoping you could be one of the founding members of this organization for us to push through with its mission. I know you are already doing the promotion of our country with the same mission but having an association will make us stronger and achieve the mission and make it inevitably a success. I have seen your website and your heart of sharing your knowledge to others so I hope we backpackers stick with each other since we are sharing a common heart.
I am in high spirit that everything will be positively accepted. Please do contact me. I hope you can be available for a meeting anytime soon. Hoping for your positive response.
Thank you very much Pinay Solo Backpacker and take care.
Truly yours,
“Jim2x” Nidea
Hi Jim, that has changed. There’s a lot of budget travelers in Pinas already.
Thanks for your comment, i really appreciate it.
please share to us on how to travel without spending much…
hmmm…that’s a good topic. okay, will be writing a post about that in the future.
please do..would really love to know too…was about to ask you how you do it and I just stumbled on jpentacle’s comment
will be waiting for your post…Good luck and God bless you always
))
Hi Sir Jim,
I am so grateful to hear that there’s an ongoing movement to promote our country. Bless your heart.I truly support your vision and I hope I can participate in that mission in any way.
I hope The Pinay Solo Backpacker would say yes.
Hello Jim2x Nidea,
I was just searching google about backpackers association dito sa atin, but unfortunately wala nga yata.
Sana naayos na yung application mo sa SEC.
Hiker enthhusiast din ako, kaya lang, sabi mo nga, karamihan ng alam ko sa travel ay ito ay napakamagastos, but looking at other backpacker’s feedback from other country, it does not seem that expensive.
I am planning to backpack sa buong bansa soon, I hope maka-travel ko kayo and eventually be a part of the association.
regards and God bless!
Richard
very inspiring post! luv the emotions and inspirations here:) nganga ako sa ganda, kulay at timpla ng mga larawan huh! will keep on following and stalking this blog, more powers Gael the pinaysolobackpacker-hope to meet you soon…
hi gael,
its been 2 months since we last seen each other pero naalala ko pa rin ang pagbaba mo sa RORO para samahan ako sa Ozamis! hehehe thanks for that.
you sound different, sabi nga nila once nakapag travel ka na and na experience ang mga bagay-bagay na kasama ng travelling in the end you’ll be a different person. Congrats Gael!
I hope to see you once you get back sa Manila or sa Muntinlupa? hahaha
God bless you Gael. You really have pure intentions kaya hindi ka Niya pababayaan. Goodluck! Nakaka-inspire ka talaga. ^_^ papaulin ako ng nanay ko pag ginagawa ko ang ginagawa mo. hahahah!
wow
pangarap ko din yan to quit my joband just travel all over
makaipin nga muna
hehe
good luck sa lahat trips mo
update mo naman kami!
We indeed only live once. I’m so envious Gael, siguro minsan magagawa ko rin yan pero right now, I’m afraid of the expenses and of emptying my savings haha. Go Gael!
the last phrases are so inspiring……. i quoted you on my fb stat… i hope that’s alright…. goodluck on your travels….. you are so brave to do all of this….
hi Janet, no problem, you can use the quote.
thank you also for dropping by. 
happy travels!
Hi Gael,
You are where you are right now because that’s where God wants you to be. For you to grow as a person. And for you to inspire all of us who read your blog.
When you’re married already and have children, there will be other priorities then. So enjoy your state of life now and the blessings that come with it.
See you in Davao soon!
Lea
your story is very amazing…..traveling a lot means spending money also…. how did you do that? unless you get financial support.
travel doesn’t have to be expensive dear.
share ur guts and strength to us Gael! As long as u have that guts and dreams, you can do whatever you want. Keep it and live ur soul to the fullest! Envy you… hehe, I salute you for all ur achievements!
hi mam,
ang ganda talaga ng pilipinas!
sana i could go with you also exploring the sights and wonders of our dear native land.
kunti pa lng ang natravel ko sa pilipinas but i love travelling!
ingats ka po mam gael sa travels mo.
God bless you!
hi Jape, thanks for dropping by. really appreciate it. that’s fine dear, konte lang din ang na travel ko a few years ago, now ko lang tlga iniikot ang Pinas. one step at a time, kaya mu din yan. happy travels! take care!
wow!!..just as when this thought came to me after concluded an 8-day trip in Visayas today, i stumble on this post of yours…is this a sign? this thought was actually triggered by flip’s southeast-asia backpacking ebook plus a wonderful laid back weekend in Boracay after traveling thru from Bacolod…I had quite a strange feeling earlier before my flight back here in Manila…anyway, wishing you the best of your sojourns. God bless!!!
hey, just follow your heart and your instinct. if you have the funds already, then go. enjoy! happy travels!
Hello Gael,
Thank you for sharing your insights. I am truly inspired with this post! It´s a shame on my part to have left Pinas without exploring it first. Hope to explore it when I come home for vacation. Keep travelling and keep safe always. Keep inspiring us.
Thank you Julai! =) YOu can always explore naman once you come home for vacation. Be safe too. Happy travels!
I´ll be adding you to my blogroll after this Gael.:)
Nice Gigi….
lumelevel up ka na talaga!!
Di ko pa rin nakakalimutan ang pinatubo and anawagnin natin dati na siyang nagbuhay ng pagiging outdoor enthusiast ko…
God Bless =D
haha oo nga, pero mukhang mas adik ka mag-travel saken eh! pati kamanghod ko nahahtak mu eh d ko nga nasasama yun s lakad ko eh. LOL God Bless man simo and congrats ky sa wakas my girlfriend ka na! hihi
Hi… i also plan on traveling the Philippines before i reach 40 years old. im already turning 31 and naka 24 pa lang ako…. oh my… buti ka pa…nakarami na… inggit ako… somehow i dnt hve the resources (financial) to travel and now that i’m married na…mejo mahirap magtravel ng naiiwan ang asawa sa bahay…hindi na gaya ng dati na buhay dalaga makakaalis anytime. im following your blog…. godbless
hi, thank you for your kind words. that’s fine, at most you have a family, ako naman wala pang family so quits lang tayo. hehe i’m sure one day makakaya din yan. mejo matipid lang kase trips ko nakaya naman somehow pero yes, mahirap din tlga lalo na pagkulang ang budget, sobrang nagipit din ako while on the road. I pray na one day, matupad mu din ang dream na yan. bless you more!
thanks so much for dropping by. just believe that you can do it, happy travels!
Planning to do solo backpacking too! the sooner!
excited for you!
happy travels!
You really inspire me. Right now I think I’m starting to feel what you’ve stated in this post – I wanna be free too! But right now I can’t because I still don’t want to leave my other responsibilities (family, i am the breadwinner) behind. But I know time will come that I will finally be able to do what I want to do. I am starting to travel late last year and I should say we have the same way of thinking. Explore my country first before thy neighbors.
Keep it up Gael! I know there are a lot out there like me that is inspired by you. Thank you and God Bless!
thank you for your kind words. you don’t need to quit your job to travel.
Wow!!! I can feel you in this blog. I’m also going through that crazy phase in my life na I’m looking for something yet I can’t figure out what exactly it is.But since I am the breadwinner of the family, I cannot leave and travel just like that. However, I am making plans, research and nag iipon na din. After that Aurora getaway with a new found friend, mas lumakas ung urge ko to travel, to see how beautiful GOd’s creations are, to meet new people, and learn more. Thanks for being an inspiration. Kitakits nlng (wish ko lng) hahaha! =)