The Queen's Escape

Storie of connection from the summits to under the seas.

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  • Sambawan Island DIY Travel Guide (Budget + Itinerary) 2026

    January 3, 2026 / 0 Comments

    Our trip in Sambawan Island, as I would describe it was a full circle moment. We departed from Kawayan for the island one sunny morning in November with the rain clouds catching up on us from behind casting a beautiful rainbow above Maripipi with our day concluding the same way but with a sun starting to set. It was its way, we suppose, of saying hello and bidding farewell to us – as if it knew I’d write about this spectacular scene. Sambawan island had its way of showing us that whatever the season its, the experience would be lovely regardless. It rained and shine (literally multiple times) that day…

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    Anne Elizabeth Gumiran

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  • 2026 Tablas Island DIY Travel Guide (Budget + Itinerary)

    January 1, 2026 / 2 Comments

    Just when we thought that we’ve seen so much of Romblon province during our adventure to Cresta de Gallo in Sibuyan Island and Romblon, Romblon, Tablas island surprised us with so much more with its unrivalled landscape to its unexplored underwater scene! It was just as marvelous yet unique as the previous islands and attractions in the province that we visited. If you’ve been eyeing it as well for a while now, here’s a detailed Tablas Island DIY travel guide for you including a sample itinerary and budget! About Tablas Island Nestled between the Sibuyan Sea and Tablas Strait is the largest of Romblon’s roughly 20 islands called Tablas. It…

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    Anne Elizabeth Gumiran

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    The Langkawi SkyCab Experience 2025

    January 3, 2025
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    Balabac, Palawan Ultimate DIY Travel Guide 2025 (Itinerary + Budget)

    January 1, 2025

    CORON PALAWAN TRAVEL GUIDE (Budget + Itinerary) 2026

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  • Ilocos Norte Travel Guide cover photo with wind mills

    2026 DIY ILOCOS NORTE TRAVEL GUIDE

    January 1, 2026 / 5 Comments

    Hopeless due to the countless failed attempts to travel with friends in this province, I have set aside my plans in coming to Ilocos Norte in the past years. Come 2022, when it reopened in the time of pandemic; I was finally able to set foot in this province. At last, I get to see and experience its raw island and beaches, the sprawling sand dunes, historical and cultural heritage sites, explore and savor the taste of the Ilocano dishes and more! If you wish to go down the exciting path that we took, here’s a detailed Ilocos Norte Travel Guide to help you with! About Ilocos Norte Far from…

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    Anne Elizabeth Gumiran

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    July 11, 2017
    Nordic Homes Resort: A New Instagram-Worthy AirBnB Near Tagaytay City

    Nordic Homes Resort: A New Instagram-worthy AirBnB near Tagaytay City

    July 24, 2021
  • Cresta de Gallo travel guide photo cover

    CRESTA DE GALLO DIY Travel Guide 2026 (Budget + Itinerary)

    January 1, 2026 / 0 Comments

    Our journey to Cresta de Gallo began long before we set foot on its pristine shores. Upon our arrival at Batangas pier, we just learned that the scheduled trip to Sibuyan for that day had been canceled. Our only option was to embark on a circuitous route: from Batangas to Odiongan, then to Romblon, and finally to Sibuyan Island. This involved a grueling 17-hour trip involving sea and land travel (20 hours if you include the journey to the island itself), marked by interrupted sleep, hunger, and exhaustion. Yet, as we neared the stunning island of Cresta de Gallo, we realized that the trip was merely a small price to…

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    Anne Elizabeth Gumiran

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    Top Places to Visit in Sagada, Mountain Province

    January 19, 2024

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    March 3, 2026
  • Sagada Travel Guide Cover

    Sagada Travel Guide with DIY Itinerary and Budget 2026

    January 1, 2026 / 37 Comments

    It was 2019 when we decided to go on a North Luzon loop road trip. We were supposed to drive to Ilocos Norte from Cagayan but the road was impassable, so we took a detour. The next thing we know, we’re chilling as we walk down the streets of Sagada one evening in flowy, summer dresses that my mom and I was supposed to flaunt in a dinner by the beach. The next morning, we embarked on an adventure that made us fall in love with Sagada in a heartbeat that we swore to heavens, we’ll definitely come back for it. So I did. As I spend more days in…

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    Anne Elizabeth Gumiran

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    Top Places to Visit in Sagada, Mountain Province

    January 19, 2024

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    Bubblemaker Dive and Beach Resort: A Water Fun Hub in Mabini, Batangas

    April 30, 2021
  • APO REEF NATURAL PARK TRAVEL GUIDE 2026

    January 1, 2026 / 2 Comments

    For four years straight, the World Travel Awards has recognized the Philippines as the Asia’s Leading Dive Destination. Indeed, the country is a home to rich marine life not to mention that it’s a home to the center of center of Coral Triangle and the second largest contiguous atoll-type reef in the world. Among the dive sites that Philippines boasts and that you shouldn’t miss is that of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro’s Apo Reef Natural Park. About Apo Reef Natural Park Apo Reef Natural Park is considered to be the largest atoll-type reef system in the Philippines and second largest in the world next to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. It is…

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    Anne Elizabeth Gumiran

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    Freediving in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines

    January 19, 2024

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    March 28, 2026
    Shipwreck in Pangasinan

    Balinmanok Cove: Home of a Shipwreck in Pangasinan

    March 15, 2021
  • DIY Travel Guide to Sta Cruz Island: Pink Beach of Zamboanga

    January 1, 2026 / 0 Comments

    Our ZamBaSulTa (Zamboanga – Basilan – Sulu – Tawi-Tawi) backpacking adventure kicked off with a flight from Manila to Zamboanga City, bringing us straight to our first destination— the Great Sta Cruz Island Pink Beach. As expected, it did not disappoint. The long stretch of white beach complemented by the clear waters under the midday sun dazzled and got us excited to sink our toes in the sand and bless our skin with the brine. It was a scene straight out of a postcard. If you also look forward to seeing and soaking in the beauty of this island with your own eyes, this comprehensive DIY travel guide will walk…

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    Anne Elizabeth Gumiran

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    2026 Bukidnon DIY Travel Guide (Budget + Itinerary)

    January 1, 2026
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    La Palmera Mountain Ridge: A Captivating Gem of Sultan Kudarat

    January 19, 2024
  • Batanes Travel Guide 2026 (Budget + Itinerary)

    January 1, 2026 / 16 Comments

    Traveling to Batanes is like stepping into my dream and having it brushed onto reality — each stroke of nature’s palette meticulously creating a living canvas. Indeed, it took me a lot of pinching before I came into my senses and believed myself that I have finally traveled to one of my top dream destinations in the Philippines. If you’ve always wished to visit this paradise in the northernmost region of the Philippines, here’s an ultimate Batanes Travel Guide to help you plan out your most awaited trip! What You Need to Know About Batanes Batanes is located at the country’s northernmost point, where the West Philippine Sea and the…

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    Anne Elizabeth Gumiran

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    Best Resorts to Visit in Batangas During GCQ

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    2026 Complete Romblon Ferry and Boat Schedule

    December 25, 2025
  • Aerial view of Itaytay Beach, Port Barton, San Vicente, Palawan, Philippines

    2026 PORT BARTON SAN VICENTE, PALAWAN DIY TRAVEL GUIDE

    January 1, 2026 / 2 Comments

    Every town in Palawan has a distinct charm that is incomparable to the other. I beg not to compare them as they are indeed special in their own ways. This just shows how Palawan could make you fall in love in in its various faces and ways, too. Recently, I set foot in one of the tourist hotspots of this blessed province – Port Barton. I’ve always been curious about it since the foreign tourists that I met in El Nido would never miss it in their short stay in the country. I came with no expectations but this small and quiet village in the town of San Vicente has…

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    Anne Elizabeth Gumiran

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  • An aerial view of a white sand beach called Babu Santa

    ULTIMATE SAMAL ISLAND DIY TRAVEL GUIDE 2026 (Budget + Itinerary)

    January 1, 2026 / 1 Comment

    While the Philippines is renowned for its islands featuring long stretches of bone-white sand beaches fringed with towering coconut trees, it is still quite a surprise to be captivated by the same scene in a different one. This was precisely how I felt about Samal Island. I honestly thought it would be just another island but it wasn’t. For some inexplicable reason, it exudes a unique captivating charm and atmosphere that sets it apart from the others I’ve visited in the past making our experience truly distinctive. If you also wish to explore the island garden city and a true gem in Davao region, here’s an ultimate Samal Island DIY…

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    Anne Elizabeth Gumiran

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THE QUEEN’S ESCAPE

Hi! I’m Queenie Anne Gumiran, the storyteller behind The Queen’s Escape, a Philippine travel and diving blog that celebrates wanderlust, culture, and sustainability. I started this space to share stories that go beyond pristine beaches and scenic peaks — from hidden islands and local eats to my adventures in scuba diving, freediving, and sustainable travel. Through every post, I hope to inspire you to explore the Philippines meaningfully, fall in love with its underwater and island beauty while protecting them, one escape at a time.

Recent Posts

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