My Travel Buddies: Meet Robbie Bautista of TheTravellingDork.com

It all started with a shared taxi ride to Manila Ocean Park. We knew each other’s blogs, but we never really had the chance to meet in person ’till that one Saturday morning. He is already recognized as one of the emerging influential bloggers of 2010 and a part of me wanted to know him more. He was a bit shy, quiet and reserved. I wonder how it is like to go on a trip with an artist like him.

Robbie Bautista of TheTravellingDork.com (Photo by Winston Almendras)

I saw him once more in a food event and asked him if he’s interested to go on a group trip to Pangasinan with 8 other bloggers, whom he will meet for the first time. I’m glad he didn’t turn down my invitation because that turned out to be his first solo bus trip to a province he’d never been to and I think he realized the beauty of traveling through that trip.

Robbie Bautista a.k.a. The Creative Dork won the Best Lifestyle Blog in the Philippine Blog Awards last 2010, and he was recognized as a finalist in one major social media award-giving body. His presence made my 2011 trips light and happy because he is not afraid to go crazy if needed to. He recently opened a travel blog called The Travelling Dork and his stories never fail to my day. Kaloka lang hehe πŸ˜€

To start the ‘My Travel Buddies’ section for 2012, I present to you my dear Robbie! πŸ˜€

Duo shot from the first out of town trip (Pangasinan, November 2010)

When was our first out of town trip together? Describe it
Robbie: West Pangasinan, baby!!! I was still a newbie blogger and you invited me to be a part of the trip with other travel bloggers. Of course, I couldn’t say no and it was my first out of town trip with bloggers. I was shy pa then and you guys could not get a word out of me. Plus, I was sleeping 50% of the time. Hahaha. It’s still very memorable and I’m glad to be really good friends with everyone until today.

Mica: Oh yes! My favorite sleeping moment of yours is in Lingayen Beach. The four of us (Ada, Darwin, Estan and Me) were enjoying the breeze of the wind within the shoreline while you were enjoying your siesta moment =))

Robbie is a certified DFAT lover! Ka-gigil ever! (Davao City, 2011)

What are the Top 3 Destinations we’ve been to together that you consider the most memorable?
Robbie: My Top 3 destinations with you would have to be West Pangasinan because it’s the very first one. I was de-virginized there. Lol. Second is the DFAT tour in Davao. I think that’s the time we started becoming close and where I started to come out of the closet… este… shell. Hahaha. Plus, we had loads of videos there! The 3rd would have to be in Cebu because it was an epic and spontaneous adventure and everyone had a great time! =)

Mica: Those trips are precious… precious as you. Naks hehe πŸ˜€ I can spill some funny moments of yours from those trips HAHA =P

Jeepney Toploading in Sagada (October 2011)

What’s the worst event that happened in any of your travels? How did you manage to surpass that challenge?


Robbie: So far, I haven’t experienced anything too horrible that’s worth blogging about. I recently conquered the Cave Connection in Sagada and it was physically exhausting but I was able to finish it. In the end, you just have to take a step back and think of the situation before you continue to make sure you make right decisions.

Describe me as a travel buddy
Robbie: Probably one of the most spontaneous travel buddies I have which is important because it means that we are regularly having a good time. You bring a positive energy during trips because you don’t let any negative emotions get in the way of bringing the group down. =)

Mica: Same sentiments =) I also love how we click in preferences (accommodation, food, coffee shops etc.) whether or ‘sizzy’ or ‘teh’ mode. For better or worse, ika nga hehehe =D

Model-modelan mode while waiting

 

What are the three things you can never live without when you’re on a trip?


1. A camera (Heller. Model here. Hahaha.)
2. Laptop (Cause I need to get in touch with some clients)
3. My fox hat (Because it’s one of my signature items during travel)
Name three of the best hotel/resort accommodations.

Robbie:

1. Puerto del Sol in Bolinao, hands down!
2. Alba Uno in Cebu. Really good food, cheap rates but the room and service is awesome!
3. Ponce Suites in Davao, fitting for a creative like me. =)

Mica: I love Puerto del Sol and Alba Uno too! <3 I am quite curious with Ponce Suites hmmm….

Three of your favorite restaurants
Robbie: Ooooh this is a tough one but I’ll go with Lachi’s & Tiny Kitchen in Davao,Yoghurt House in Sagada, and Oh My Gulay & Cafe Sabel in Baguio.

Mica: Let’s move to Davao now! Food Food Food! <3

Any funny stories that you want to reveal that happened during one of our trips?
Robbie: I think nothing has surpassed the modelling videos that we did in Davao, yet. It’s my most defining (and embarrasing) video to date!

Mica: We need to shoot more videos! Mama Tyra must be proud of you hihi

Warla Mode ON! (Puerto Princesa, June 2011)

Did we have any misunderstandings while we’re on the road? Hahaha πŸ˜›
Robbie: I don’t think we’ve had any misunderstandings. Usually kasi magkakampi tayo. Wahahaha. If there are any, I don’t think it was too big or important to actually matter.

Do you have any ‘holiday romance’ story to share?
Robbie: Next question, please. Hahaha.

Mica: Not applicable… for now πŸ˜›

Moalboal-Trip81
Chill lang (Moalboal Cebu, December 2011)

Where are you planning to go next?
Robbie: I’m planning to go and see Mt. Pinatubo in January. Then I’m planning to move/live in Cebu, Bicol, and Davao for a month each in 2012 and explore the nearby islands/sites of each city. =)

Mica: Wow! I want to stay in Cebu and Davao too! I am still looking forward to more lakwatsas with you this year, Robx! =)

Message to the readers of my blog… message to me rin πŸ˜›
Robbie: Travelling really has changed my life and if it wasn’t for you inviting me to take part of that West Pangasinan adventure, I wouldn’t have met the awesome Bagets. It doesn’t take any tangible material for one to be able to travel, you just need to have the heart and thirst for it and you will make it happen for yourself. So for those who feel like they are lost in the world, travelling will help you find yourself in so many ways. =)

Mica: Thanks to you too for being a flexible travel buddy. You can make all your companions laugh with your wacky antics, but we can also discuss about serious matters when needed. May you continue to travel and grow as a person because you’re on the right track. Keep it up! πŸ˜›

19 Comments

  1. Ada Lajara said:

    ROBBIE ROX! Miss that dorky, and what he says here is very true, ” bring a positive energy during trips because you don’t let any negative emotions get in the way of bringing the group down.” NUKS

    January 9, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Miss ka na rin namin ni Robbie! Hehe have fun sa Pinatubo trip ninyo, teh πŸ˜€

      Yan din exact reason why I love traveling with the two of you. Ang bakla-bakla ng aura ng trip haha mwah πŸ˜€

      January 9, 2012
      Reply
  2. awwwww. heart.
    nasenti daw sa post… πŸ˜›

    great post,mica! πŸ™‚
    great legs, robbie! πŸ˜€

    January 9, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Thanks Eileen! We must travel soon na rin. Gusto ko either Boracay o Puerto Galera ang peg haha πŸ˜€

      January 9, 2012
      Reply
  3. I hope you got a great companion with you .. nice that you have mentioned about him in this post i hope he will be happy ..I thought you guys would give a thrilling reply for this question .. “holiday romance” .Atlast its a nice post ..So since you guys are from Philippians do you know Bodhidharma ??? If not do check my post ..

    January 9, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Hello Sheril! Actually, we have the same standards and interest when it comes to ‘Holiday Romance’, which never turned into reality LOL. Hmmmm will check your post out! Thanks for visiting! πŸ™‚

      January 9, 2012
      Reply
  4. killrfillr said:

    Lagi ko binabasa entry nya and magaling talaga sya magsulat! Robbie pwede pagawa ng logo?lol Parang hawig sya ni John Pratts.:)

    January 9, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Naks! Dancefloor Dynamite pala ang look ni Robbie! πŸ˜€

      January 9, 2012
      Reply
  5. chyng said:

    robbie is very generous, for the past 2 outreach that i organized, sya taga design ng banner ko. πŸ™‚

    pero – ayoko sya kasama sa trips. masyado syang magaling magpose. natatalbugan ako. chos!

    January 9, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      That’s my sizzy with a big…. heart hehe <3 Naku, wag ka mag-alala teh. Binibigyan naman niya ng chance ang iba na mag-shine sa kodakan moments hehehe πŸ˜›

      January 9, 2012
      Reply
  6. Robbie said:

    My chest is so smooth sa last pic! =))

    Thanks sizzy! Interview din kita for my travel blog pero matagal pa ata yun. =))

    January 9, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Thanks sizzy for being a fab travel buddy! More travels for us and I am hoping mahanap natin ang ‘the one’ sa road. Meganun?! Haha love you! πŸ˜€

      January 9, 2012
      Reply
  7. dong ho said:

    kailangan makita namin yung modeling video sa davao. hahaha… nice feature.

    January 9, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Haha naka-upload sa FB ko, Dom! Yun yung Mr. View Deck Part 1 and 2 =)) Kapag naka-tatlong trips na tayo, i-feature na rin kita weeee

      January 9, 2012
      Reply
  8. Renz Bulseco said:

    HAHAHAHAHA I really love this interview! Parang nagchichikahan lang kayo!!! Woohoo, anyway, kayo ang pinakaspontaneous na traveler na nakilala ko. Swear and I love you both for being spontaneous (Spontaneous person here!!!).

    See you soon sa DFAT! And I’m expecting MORE EPIC videos. And oh, special guests kayo sa travel show namin! πŸ˜›

    January 9, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Awww thanks Renz! Kaya siguro gusto na rin kitang kaladkarin on the next trips hehe kung Davao-based na sana kami waaah and yes, looking forward to the travel show! Make us proud <3

      January 9, 2012
      Reply
  9. Kaiz Belga said:

    John Pratts daw si Inang Dyosa oh! Natatawa ako sa SIZZY moments niyo. Parang sizzling! πŸ˜€

    January 10, 2012
    Reply
  10. Christian | Lakad Pilipinas said:

    Yun naman! Galing ng jump shots nyo hehe

    January 16, 2012
    Reply

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