In most situations, having access to credit is a good thing. For instance, if credit is used to cover emergencies or leveraged to achieve milestones like earning degrees or setting up a viable business, then credit can be good, if not essential.

Now, as average incomes continue to rise in the Philippines, credit has become more accessible than ever. This increased access made working Filipinos more familiar with the nuances of responsible credit use. Indeed, online searches like "best credit card Philippines for starters" have also surged year over year, signaling a real appetite for personal financing among the wider population.

However, while good credit products are widely available to business owners and long-time workers in the mainstream economy, students and fresh graduates have relatively few high-quality credit options available to them. Similarly, those who have worked informal jobs or those who have only started working may not be able to access the loans and credit cards they want. Fortunately, many financial institutions now offer virtual credit lines that cater to these underserved individuals.

Whether you're a freelancer, microbusiness owner, or a new employee who needs safe lending options, this new wave of easy-to-access loans can be a game-changer.  Here are a few key advantages of having an easily accessible virtual line of credit.

We’ve visited Bohol numerous times before—with different partners, when LP and BG haven’t crossed paths yet; as a couple, when our paths finally did cross; and now as a family, with Kid A in tow. Each visit was definitely different. This time, we both decided to stay at Panglao’s Alona Beach—a first for us both—to see what this so-called Boracay-esque area of the island has to offer.

KID A AND BG ENJOYING BEST WESTERN PANGLAO’S POOL

After spending four days in the sleepy town of Anda, we thought of staying another five days in Bohol before going back home to Manila. Since we’ve previously toured the province’s tourist spots, we thought of doing nothing but frolic on the beach, eat out, and enjoy our hotel. Well, maybe check out the Chocolate Hills and see the tarsiers too, for Kid A’s sake. But what we really wanted was a staycation by the beach. And our staycation place of choice, Panglao’s Best Western Plus The Ivywall Resort.

►CHECK AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN BOHOL HERE!

BEST WESTERN PLUS: THE IVYWALL RESORT PANGLAO TABLE OF CONTENTS ~ WHAT’S INSIDE? Arrival Rooms Our Room: Superior Room Our Room: Deluxe Room Food Experience Hotel Facilities Premier Location Final Thoughts

►BOOK DISCOUNTED TOURS IN BOHOL HERE!  USE DISCOUNT CODE LAKADPHKLOOK 

 

 

ARRIVAL

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Coming from Anda by ordinary bus, we were dropped at the DAO Bus Terminal in Tagbilaran. From there, we boarded an air-conditioned bus that loops around Panglao Island. Fare was at ₱70.00, and travel time took about an hour. Not bad. And I was actually surprised that there’s now decent and regularly scheduled public transportation that goes around Bohol. Definitely a big improvement over our last visit.

We went down just before the Alona Beach junction, and from there, it was just a couple of minutes’ walk to Best Western Resort Panglao.

Well, it would’ve been an easy two-minute walk if we’re hauling backpacks, but since we have two rolling luggage with us, it took more than a few minutes since the road wasn’t paved. I guess it’s better to call ahead once you’re in the area so the resort staff can help you with your luggage, or you can hail a tricycle to get you through that last 200 meters—just make sure to clarify the fare before boarding as tricycles in Panglao can get expensive.

►MANILA TO BOHOL VIA 2GO TRAVEL

WAITING AT THE LOBBY

Another option is to avail of Best Western Plus The Ivywall Resort Panglao’s shuttle service (₱900.00 per van, good up to nine persons), which can fetch you directly from the airport, or even Tagbilaran, to the resort’s front door. Note that the airport is only ten minutes away by car from the resort.

THE RESORT’S ELEVATOR AREA

Once the staff saw us coming, they hurriedly took over our bags. One of the things we’ve come to love about the resort is how genuinely kind and helpful their staff is.

Check-in was swift and painless, and we were soon heading to our room.

►CHECK FOR THE CHEAPEST FLIGHT TO BOHOL

 

 

ROOMS

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LOVING THE ROOM DOOR DETAILS

Best Western Plus Panglao is a four-star resort that has 80 well-appointed rooms divided into four types—Superior Rooms overlooking the town, Deluxe Rooms with a view of the sea, Premier Rooms, which have balconies with direct access to the swimming pools, and Family Rooms, which can accommodate up to four adults and one child.

►CHECK AGODA DISCOUNTED RATES HERE!

 

 

OUR ROOM: SUPERIOR ROOM

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BEST WESTERN PLUS PANGLAO’S SUPERIOR ROOM WORK DESK, CLOSET, FRIDGE AREA

We were initially billeted in Ivywall Resort’s Superior Room on the fifth floor. The door opens on a mini foyer, where the mini fridge, coffee and tea-making facilities, closet, luggage table, and the entrance to the toilet and bath are located. Inside the closet, we found rubber slippers and and a beach basket which we can use for trips to the beach.

TOILET AND BATH

The toilet and bath are amply spaced and equipped with hot water and modern appurtenances—yes, it also has a bidet. We love how the resort is making an effort to be environment-friendly, not only with their refillable body wash, shampoo, and conditioners, but also with their plastic-free toiletries.

PLASTIC-FREE TOILETRIES

The main room is spacious and warmly decorated with wooden floors, soft lamps, and colorful banig motif above the beds. It has two double beds with a shared bedside table, a workstation, a sitting area, and a 43-inch flatscreen smart TV with cable channels and YouTube.

BEST WESTERN PLUS THE IVYWALL PANGLAO’S SUPERIOR ROOM

It doesn’t have a balcony, but it does have an expansive floor-to-ceiling window that looks out over the town of Panglao.

ROOM GREETINGS

We absolutely love how they made a Maayong Pag-abot greeting on the bed, which means a warm welcome in Boholano, made from coconut leaves—very island vibe, indeed. But what got Kid A’s attention though was the starfish plushie—their mascot, Ivy—a really nice touch for kids staying on the resort.

►CHECK KLOOK DISCOUNTED RATES HERE!
  USE DISCOUNT CODE LAKADPHKLOOK 

 

 

OUR ROOM: DELUXE ROOM

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BEST WESTERN PLUS THE IVYWALL RESORT PANGLAO’S DELUXE ROOM

We transferred to a Deluxe Room the next day. It’s almost exactly like our previous room, with the exception of having a balcony overlooking the sea. It was fantastic.

DAY TIME VIEW FROM THE BALCONY

The balcony was our go-to place for early morning coffee, afternoon snack (and coffee, again), and late-night beers. Plus, it’s a great place to dry our sea-drenched clothes, lol.

NIGHT TIME VIEW FROM THE BALCONY

 

 

FOOD EXPERIENCE

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TERAZA VIEW DECK BAR AND LOUNGE

Best Western Panglao has two bars and one in-house restaurant—Teraza View Deck Bar and Lounge, Agos Pool Bar, and Alon Restaurant.

ALON SECOND FLOOR LOUNGE RESTAURANT

AGOS POOL BAR

We can usually be found at Alon Restaurant during the early mornings, partaking in their complimentary breakfast buffet. I love how vibrant the resto’s decors are, but we almost always choose to sit outside—there’s nothing like a hearty Filipino breakfast by the beach.

ALON FIRST FLOOR DINING HALL

I love their selection of Filipino, Asian, and Western fares. A few of the notable dishes we tried were their Korean fried chicken, soy braised beef, chicken tocino, and pork sausage stew, among others.

BREAKFAST BUFFET EGG STATION

Their beef giniling picadillo, by the way, really goes well with a sunny side up egg on a pandesal. Perfect to pair with brewed coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. I usually gravitate to their hot choco, which has a really rich flavor that’s almost similar to Baguio’s Choco-Late de Batirol.

KID A ENJOYING HIS BREAKFAST

Kid A, on the other hand, feasted on eggs, fruits, and waffles. Yes, he gets to pick his breakfast during buffets.

A HEARTY BREAKFAST BY THE BEACH

Alon’s breakfast regulars, like their eggs Benedict, crisply fried bacons, danggit, and dilis, were also really good. We’re also a fan of their dim sums—can you imagine feasting on siomais, braised pork, pinsec frito, crispy wantons, sushi rolls, and chicken feet early in the morning? Lol.

►BOOK BOHOL COUNTRYSIDE TOUR HERE!
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HOTEL FACILITIES

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KID A AT THE GAME ROOM

Best Western Plus Panglao has a spa, gym, game room for kids, and an outdoor swimming pool. They also have a business center, ballrooms, and meeting rooms for events.

BEST WESTERN’S GYM ROOM

What we really enjoyed at Best Western Plus Panglao, well, besides the food and our room, was their pool. After our daily morning swim at the beach, we’ll usually finish it with a dip at the kiddie pool. Yes, the kiddie pool.

SWIMMING AT THE INFINITY POOL

While Ivywall’s pool is divided into an adult and kiddie pool, we usually stay at the latter since we need to accompany Kid A, and well, it’s just more fun with its variety of showers, water cannons, and water buckets, lol.

ENJOYING THE IVYWALL PANGLAO’S SWIMMING POOL

I also love how Best Western was able to solve the sun problem by installing a movable sun shade that can be adjusted depending on the time of the day.

►BOOK PANGLAO ISLAND HOPPING TOUR HERE!
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PREMIER LOCATION

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AFTERNOONS AT ALONA BEACH

But what really makes a good resort great is its location. And Best Western Panglao indeed does not disappoint on that aspect. It sits right in front of Alona Beach, with restaurants and bars spread along either side.

ALONA BEACH JOLLIBEE

The main road is within walking distance, where you can find more places to eat—from roadside hawkers and cheap eateries to posh cafes and expensive restaurants; heck, there’s even a Jollibee and a McDonald’s right next to each other. The area is so busy you can even find 7-Elevens and full groceries to shop on.

►BOOK PANGLAO CITY TOUR HERE!
  USE DISCOUNT CODE LAKADPHKLOOK 

 

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

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RELAXING STAY AT THE BEST WESTERN PLUS PANGLAO

To say that we enjoyed our stay at Best Western Plus The Ivywall Resort Panglao would be an understatement—we enjoyed our stay so much that we forewent the Bohol Countryside Tour, lol. What we had was five days of nothing but comfort and relaxation. We love it!

~ BIG THANKS TO BEST WESTERN PLUS FOR HOSTING OUR STAY. VIEWS & OPINIONS ALL MINE

 

Best Western Plus - The Ivywall Wall Resort Panglao ►ROOM RATES
Address: Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol
Contact Number: +63 (917) 832-2248
E-mail: resa@bwplusivywall-panglao.com
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Best Western Pet Policy: Not Allowed

In a bid to strengthen regional research and development, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) established the Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER) Program, a crucial initiative under the Science for Change Program (S4CP). This initiative funds universities and research institutions across the Philippines to drive innovation and economic growth tailored to local needs.

To showcase recent developments of the NICER program, DOST, through DOSTv, one of the flagship programs of the Science and Technology Information Institute (STII), has officially launched its newest and much-awaited TV program, Science Pinas. It is being aired on GTV every Saturday at 9:00 AM. These centers are also the highlights of the Science Pinas TV Show, where each episode explores groundbreaking research and innovations happening across the country.

Come and get to know these centers more and share this piece of information with your family and friends.

What do you eat when you’re in Malabon? Well, pancit Malabon, of course.

The birthplace of pancit Malabon, there are numerous panciterias offering this noodle delicacy in the city. But where can you actually get the best pancit Malabon in Malabon? And what if you don’t live there, are there panciterias offering pancit Malabon that are at par with those in Malabon City? As a kid who actually grew up in Malabon and has tasted innumerable bilaos of pancit Malabon for every occasion—and still wants more—let me share the best pancit Malabon I’ve tried, not only in Malabon itself, but in the whole of Metro Manila as well.

A TYPICAL BILAO OF PANCIT MALABON

To be sure, there are still pancit Malabon restaurants that I’ve yet to try. So, I will definitely update this article from time to time as I try new pancit places in the city. If you also have suggestions for the best pancit Malabon, just drop a comment and I will try my best to visit it too.

Note that this list is not in any order. My advice is to try each one out, as they almost always have something unique to offer.

Manila is the premier gateway for travelers wanting to explore the Philippines—be it foreign backpackers or local travelers wanting to see the rest of the country—most of the flights that connect to the rest of the archipelago can only be accessed from its airport. Metro Manila itself is a colorful and vibrant city, but not everyone really wants to stay long in Manila.

Nevertheless, some of Manila’s tourist spots—like Intramuros or BGC—can be easily visited if you have a layover in the city or if you still have time to spare before your flight. But what about your baggage? Are you actually going to drag them all throughout the metro? Can you actually leave your baggage somewhere?

With Bounce, yes, you actually can.