hi, i’m monica!
I am a Pinay traveler, writer, and the storyteller behind The Boho Travels.
So far, I have traveled to 30 Philippine provinces and 15 countries in Asia and Europe – and I’d love to explore more new places and immerse myself in their local cultures!
To manage my anxiety, I do extensive research and plan my travels meticulously.
I’m on a mission to visit as many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, meet indigenous communities, and tell their stories.
I hope that my well-researched travel guides, tips, and stories will inspire you to travel and create beautiful memories – so that when life gets tough, you’ll have a reminder that life is short, but you’ve lived it fully!
a little bit about me…
With a degree in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines, I spent the earlier part of my career in political and development work.
I love the beauty of beginnings and second chances. I have worked with a newly-formed local NGO as project staff, a startup social enterprise headquartered in DC as an associate, and as a remote destination manager + global recruitment manager and HR business partner for a high-growth startup online travel agency headquartered in Amsterdam.
During a two-year sabbatical for what could be called a quarter-life crisis, I went on a quest to go back to my roots and did a backpacking trip to visit indigenous communities in the Philippines. As a result, I started this blog, The Boho Travels, where I share my extensively researched travel guides, tips, and stories.
I love indigenous weaves and Pinoy-made designs and have been an advocate of #supportlocalph and #buylocalph even before the hashtags existed.
where i’ve been
📍 Brunei: Bandar Seri Begawan
📍 Belgium – Brussels
📍 Cambodia – Siem Reap, Phnom Penh
📍 Czechia – Prague
📍 Indonesia – Bali, Yogyakarta, Surakarta (Solo), Central Java
📍 Italy – Rome
📍 Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur, Penang
📍 Myanmar – Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake, Mandalay, Taunggyi
📍 Netherlands – Amsterdam, Alkmaar
📍 Philippines – Metro Manila, Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Palawan, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Benguet, Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, La Union, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Rizal, Tarlac, Zambales, Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Samar, Aklan, Misamis Oriental, Davao, Bukidnon, South Cotabato, Camiguin
📍 Singapore
📍 Taiwan – Taipei, New Taipei City, Yilan
📍 Thailand – Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Ayutthaya
📍 The Vatican – Vatican City
📍 Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An, My Son, Danang