THE REVIEW OF COUNTRIES SUITED FOR YOU
Countries are definitely unique. We can not compare them. Their present civilization, culture or economic situations are actually a product of long historical struggle.
There are many reason why I travel,basically to gain cultural understanding.I look positively to what a country can offer me, particularly the experiences, priviledges and interests that I expected to enjoy much.
The factors in the priority of travelling includes 1. Experiencing Culture and Heritage, 2. Visiting Significant Historical Sites, 3.Nature Triping, 4. Malling and Shopping at Cities, 5. Buying Affordable Souvenirs, 6. Affordable Flights 7.Convenience and Public Comfort, 8. Cleanliness and Public Sanitation, 9.Beaches and Diving Sites, 10.Religious Practices 11. Food and Native Cuisine, 12.Functional Palaces,13.Safety and Security, and 14.Cost of Living 15.Adaptive Reuse and Restoration of Ancient Structures
I tried to categorize the countries that I already visited for the last 6 years. I personally picked top 3 countries in every category. These choices are based on my personal perspectives, experiences and special point of interests. The choices were limited in the actual countries that I visited. This review may be used as reference for future travels overseas.
I. Culture and Heritage
1.Ifugao,Philippines
2.Okinawa,Japan
3. Yangon, Myanmar
II. Significant Archeological and Historical Sites
1.Masada,Israel
2.Siem Reap,Cambodia
3.Okinawa,Japan
III. Natural Wonders
1.Dead Sea, Israel
2. Mt.Fuji,Japan
3.Hundred Islands,Philippines
IV. Shopping
1.Hong Kong
2.Japan
3. Taiwan
V. Affordability and Quality of Goods and Souvenirs
1.Japan
2.Israel
3.Taiwan
VI. Affordable Flights
1.Kota Kinabalo,Malaysia
2.Taipei,Taiwan
3.Macau
VII. Mobility, Convenience and Public Comfort
1.Japan
2.Hongkong
3.Singapore
VIII. Public Sanitation
1.Japan
2. Singapore
3.Taiwan
IX. Beaches and Diving Sites
1.Boracay,Philippines
2. Okinawa,Japan
3.Halong Bay,Northern Vietnam
X. Religious Practices
1. Philippines
2. Jerusalem,Israel
3. Siem Reap,Cambodia
XI. Food and Cuisine
1. Japan
2. Vietnam
3. Taiwan
XII. Functional Palaces
1.Kingdom of Thailand
2. Peoples Democratic Republic of Laos
3. Republic of China (Taiwan)
XIII. Safety and Security
1. Japan
2. Israel
3. Singapore
XIV. Cost of Daily Living
1.Siem Reap,Cambodia
2. Kota Kinabalo, Malaysia
3. Taipei, Taiwan
XV. Adaptive Reuse/ Restoration Practice of Ancient Buildings
1. Jerusalem, Israel
2. Singapore
3. Taiwan
I couldn’t choose which country can be above the rest. Because every country has something to offer the world. Every culture play a significant space in the diversity of the world.
Learning to accept and respect every country will enable our fibers to be woven into beautiful and colorful fabric that is worth uniting and appreciating.
CONQUERING THE BEST OF THE WORLD
In my lifetime, my heart desires to travel the world!
Every country in the world has uniqueness in terms of culture, landscape and traditions. These characteristics are very evident when you visit the traditional markets and ancient heritage sites. On the other hand, cities and skycrapers make similarities a common format to the modern world.
In the past, the countries are more pure and genuine compared to these days, where global collaboration has caused wide saturation and melting pot of several cultural influences resulting to better similarities among countries. The further development of infrastructures and line of faster mobility had encouraged many people from around the world to travel and create a two-way exchange of cultural practices.
I am very much fascinated with how people in the world uniquely live and interact in his own community. I am traveling because, I want to experience the life style of other society that I have not known before.
To be honest I really count the number of countries and special territories that I already travelled. I preferred staying for a short time like 2 days until 1 week, rather than staying for several months. If possible, I only wanted single visit depending on my purpose. Nonetheless, Japan and Israel are excempted from a single visit since they are considered as my second home for personal reasons.
What are the countries that I already travelled?
1.Republic of the Philippines
“Pearl of the Orient”
2.Japan
” Land of the Rising Sun”
3.State of Israel
“God’s Promise Land”
4. Kingdom of Thailand
5.Federal States of Malaysia
6.Republic of Singapore
7.Kingdom of Cambodia
8.Republic of Indonesia
9.Myanmar
10.Kingdom of Brunei Darussalam
11.Socialist Republic of Vietnam
12.Peoples Democratic Republic of Laos
13.Macau
14. Special Administrative Region of Hongkong
15. Republic of China (Taiwan)
“Fragrant Island” Formosa
I am looking forward to reaching and experiencing all corners of the world. The important gears I have are open-mindedness, resilience and optimism.
Every country has differences and similarities, a point of understanding to which we can be connected together as whole in a cooperative means.
International understanding promotion is very important to foster harmonious relationships, culture exchange, economic collaborations and peace in every regions.
We may be composed of independent countries but we belong to only one world.
What We Gain from Traveling…
6 Major Benefits from Traveling
Traveling creates wholesome and well-rounded versions of you because it is life changing and promising. In traveling you will be investing a part of your time and financial resources. Nonetheless, more than the cost of time and money, it enumerates many long-lasting advantages.
- Tokyo City is an advance science city that entails technological breakthroughs. Traveling here by yourself requires mindfulness with the rules and analytic about symbols that they usually utilize. However, if you are uncertain of things, do not hesitate to ask locals. Its better to be sure than being regretful. Bench-marking moments.
- 1.Benchmarking and Localization traveling entails observing the lifestyle and folk ways of other people. There are problems that they face that are almost similar to your local problems. Poverty, crime, inconvenience, sustainability are the perennial problems of the world. By simply immersing with them, you learn their basic and unique ways on how to solve problems. Therefore, when you get back home, you adapt their style in your own local ways.
- Ship for Southeast Asian Japan Youth Program event in Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore in December,2013. I am a delegate from the Philippines..
- 2.Open Mindedness-traveling creates an avenue of differences. Eventually you will meet people who are willing to study your culture and vice versa. With that sense, you will become able to welcome and accept differences whole heartedly.
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Cambodia’s continued quest to preserve the millennium old structures of unknown builders. 4.Resourcefulness and Creativity-traveling entails you to utilize your local materials and be innovative to create possibilities. 
MalacaÑan Palace. It was my first time to see the grandeur of our country. The seat of power and democracy in the Philippines. 5.Nationalism-travelling allows you to explore your own self and go deeper to your uniqueness. By being exposed to the different culture, you will learn to appreciate your own culture, your identity, your geography and your future.
6.Sharing Culture-travelling gives you opportunities to carry your flag and your heritage as a whole. There will be people who are very curious where you come from and basically ask about the Philippines. Be ready to answer questions about social, economical, and political in the most ambassadorial way. Whatever actions you show, it can be stereotyped. Therefore, act with utmost discipline and control temptation. Let us be proud of our Filipino culture with moderations to avoid xenocentrism.
The Gift Behind Discipline and Perseverance: His Journey to Greatness
“Serving humanity is not just an obligation; it is a choice, a culture, a lifestyle”
Dr.Erwin C. Llavore
An open hand willing to serve others without expecting anything in return. A man full of positivism and enthusiasm in embracing the culture of service above self. A man who believes that he can make great difference through maximizing his leadership potentials and establishing collaboration with others. A man who believes that his success comes from making others successful. These statements best describe Dr.Erwin Carbonell Llavore, a Secondary School III in Science in President Elpidio Quirino National High School in Agoo, La Union.
Touching lives of the future by being a teacher is truly what he wants to be. He is aware of the sacrifices and challenges behind the noble calling. Nevertheless, he choose to embrace this lifelong commitment and continue the legacy for generations because he believes that the future depends on teaching.
He possesses the significant qualities of being an effective teacher in the school and a well rounded member of the society. With his full dedication and passion, he devotes himself to teaching. Together with the youth, he stands and takes an active part in building a progressive Philippines. He always believes in the capacity of the youth in building positivism and brighter future of our nation. This vision actually motivates him in accepting the responsibility of bringing a quality education.
As a person, he is religious and God-fearing. He is aware of his moral obligations to help his fellowmen in the way he can by spreading the good values of discipline, honesty, humility and integrity which are very important virtues that every Filipino should posses. He has sensitivities to the feelings of people but not to compromise telling what is righteous and truthful.
He is a cheerful and a collaborative teacher. He works best with a diverse group of people. He believes that conflicts and differences enable everyone to learn from. Moreover, he considers that every personality has a salient role to the success of every goal. He put differences to a common denominator and handle problems that are related to human relations. He makes good judgements in spite of work pressure. These manifest to his good relationships to his fellowmen who motivate him to work better.
Mr. Erwin C. Llavore is an asset and brings honour to his school-President Elpidio Quirino National High School. This year, his dedication to teaching and commitment to community service were recognized by the President Elpidio Quirino Foundation when they adjudged him as Top 3 Most Outstanding Teacher in his category to the Guro to Pangulo National Award in 2015. Last school year, he was awarded by the Provincial Government as well as the DepEd Division of La Union as one of the Top Ten Most Outstanding Teacher in the province. In 2016, the Municipality of Agoo honoured him as one of the Top 10 Most Outstanding Teacher of Agoo.
Moreover, he bagged an award as Champion and Top 5 in several Module Writing Contests within the Division in 2010 and 2011. He also conducted action researches which he shares to his fellow teachers to solve difficulties in learning.
He believes that he is responsible in keeping himself competent. With this, he innovates and upgrades himself by pursuing higher studies like Master of Arts in Educational Management and Doctor of Education which he already graduated. Aside from this, he still hoping to pursue related courses in the future
Erwin Llavore is also an Advocate of Youth Literacy for Environmental Protection and Peace. He spearheaded the program Elpidian SWAT: as an initiative towards better waste management in the school in 2011. The program garnered 2nd Place in terms of best school initiative towards excellence or Project S.I.T.E. initiated by the Division of La Union. Up to the present, the project ideas are still functional and sustainable. He still manages the MRF and decomposing facilities. In like manner, he initiates means to extend the program to many communities.
He developed student leaders through establishing student groups. The Elpidian S.W.A.T. (Environmental Science Club) , the Interact Club of President Elpidio Quirino National High School sponsored by RI 3790, Rotary Club of Agoo and the Young Researchers Club of President Elpidio Quirino National High School. All these clubs are recognized by the National Youth Commission as functional school-based organizations. This year, he extended networks of student groups even beyond our school like the Interact Club of Agoo Montessori Learning High School Inc, Interact Club of Saint Mary’s Academy-Agoo, Rotaract Club of Philippine College of Northwestern Philippines and the Rotaract Club of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University.
A positive pride to our country was brought by Mr. Erwin Llavore when he represented the Filipino Youth to Japan and ASEAN communities as one of the Youth Ambassadors of Goodwill in the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japan Youth Program in 2013. This was sponsored by the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan. This had made him a better influence and had opened opportunities for international collaboration, cross-cultural understanding and community outreach programs.
As an Ambassador of Goodwill, he took an active part in implementing the Project S.H.A.R.E.( SSEAYP Helps Assists Rehabilitates and Empowers) a rehabilitation program for communities devastated by Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City and Municipality of Alang alang, Leyte in the year 2014. In the same year, he went offshores and attended as a Filipino volunteer to the “I Need Care Camp 10” sponsored by the Labor Rights Promotion Network and Thailand SSEAYP40 which intends to protect children and Myanmar illegal immigrants from human trafficking through awareness of the rights and education in Samutsakhon Province, Thailand. Therefore, he is not only concerned to Filipino youth but also concerned youth from the rest of the world. He is still connected to the program being an Alumnus to the Ship for Southeast Asian Japan Youth Program International Philippines ( SSEAYJP International Philippines) which aims to encourage and cultivate cooperation between and among members of the different youth in ASEAN and Japan towards the creation of a peaceful community.
Beyond teaching hours, he serves the community at his best. He is now a Director on Youth Service with Rotary Club of Agoo, and Scout Master of the Boy Scout of the Philippines. With these, he creates a bridge of collaboration with the different agencies, teachers and the student clubs to deliver and implement countless salient projects needed by the society. These projects are focused on areas such as Peace and Conflict Resolution, Disease Prevention, Water and Sanitation, Maternal and Children Health, Literacy and Basic Education and Economic and Community Development. Specifically, he benchmarked a “PROJECT INTERACTIVE SHARE” that focuses on community development through sharing knowledge, sharing life and sharing a smile. Its main goal is to develop optimistic outlook to the community while bringing hope and inspiration to the society. With this project, he established a profound partnership with the Interact Club of Montclair High School that is based in United States. They are the Interact club sending support through mutual project agreements.
Due to collective community efforts, he was awarded a Vocational Awards and Certificate of Merit from Rotary Club of Agoo, as well as Paul Harris Fellow Recognition and Presidential Citations to clubs from Rotary International. In like manner, he achieved a National Bronze Award from Boy Scout of the Philippines.
He is always willing to share his expertise and significant learning experiences from trainings and journeys abroad. He served as a Guest of Honor and Speaker at his Alma Mater, Macalva Elementary School likewise during the 2014 Recognition Program for Outstanding Students of College of Education in Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, as well as Resource Speaker during Job Placement Seminar Workshop in the same year. He had been a demonstration teacher utilizing different teaching strategies for numerous times in the division and regional level. Lately, he shared to his fellow teachers about action research writing during Learning Action Cell sessions for teachers in his school and other high schools.
To communicate the good deeds, he established a self-supporting and functional newsletter “The Elpidian S.W.A.T, where he develops student writers from the Interact Club of PEQNHS. This will help spread their advocacies and create an avenue for teamwork. Moreover, the students learn to become responsible while exercising their freedom to express their opinions.
When it comes to personality, he is blessed with a balance of initiative, competence and respect. Apparently, he is a person with good attitude-a balance of humility and courage to speak for the things he believes. A contented person who is goal oriented and willing to share for others. For him opportunities, improvements, honour and greatness are merely products of discipline, wise decision and good choice in life. He has a quality of a good leader who helps individuals realize their goals by working together. He is envisioned to create more significant projects for the coming years ahead.
In 2016, he was blessed more than what he worked for when he reached the Holy Land of Jerussalem and extended his global integration by qualifying to an International Science Scholarship sponsored by MASHAV. This is Israel’s government agency for international development cooperation.Aside from the scientific knowledge, breakthroughs and modern approach to education, he was able to live and interact with academicians whom he considers as windows to the different continents of the world.
Erwin Llavore is proud as a teacher who believes that teaching is a gift. Inspiring the youth is a privilege. Touching one’s heart to make a difference is a blessing. For him, teaching profession is not just a mission, but a choice, a culture, a lifestyle….He stands for a continued working and committing to excellence!
Teacher.Adventurer
About the Blog…
Teacher adventurer is a blog recounting my nostalgic experiences of my travel. I had visited many countries and territories already (about 17 nations) but still looking forward to navigating the world like a free bird- a citizen without borders.
Traveling for me is a wholesome stress relieving, a feeling that I exist like the wind, the water and a silt that go where they are destined to go, believing it will end up to certainties somewhere else.
Advocacy and Insights of Traveling
I am an advocate of peace and environmental protection through literacy. I promote environmental protection and peace through literacy and cultural understanding.
I look at the world as a wonderful and interesting thing more than one could imagine. The difference that unfolds every creature, every culture, society and people make it enthusiastic to learn and reflect from. Experiencing culture and heritage through travel and immersion is a complete learning deeper than what is read on the book and internet sources. Bringing yourself to another dimension of you and experiencing other’s unique ways make your learning everlasting. This goes like “If a picture paints a thousand words, immersion inculcates unforgettable memories”.
I am a teacher traveler by heart. I’m so much interested in meeting different people, seeing different places, trying different cultures and traditions. It’s through diversity that binds the world to be stronger and flexible. With this strength, I connect to promote peace and cultural understanding.
I travel without sacrificing my classes. In fact, travelling makes me a better person and more efficient and more motivated person. I am an inspiration to my students from the expedition I had. I teach them how to appreciate their own self and respect differences. If I had a chance, I would like to bring my classes to another dimension of traveling beyond what we learn from the corners of our room.
With all of these, whenever we travel we see vast nature which needs to be protected from exploitation. Whenever I travel, I take the advantages of talking to people and inculcating to them the significance of taking good care of the environment…
Financing my Travels.
I am not a high ranking teacher, but most people wonder why I am capable of travelling more than anyone else with same or higher position. Since 2013, I travel an average of 3-4 countries a year. So, how did I support my travels?
I got the chance of traveling through many possible ways like scholarships and state to state programs (Japan’s Ship for South East Asian Japan Youth Program in 2013 and Israel’s MASHAV scholarship in 2016 respectively).
MASHAV Scholarship held in Jerusalem, Israel on May 22-June 10,2016.
Moreover, I can visit many places by lifestyle modification thru cost cutting and saving some of my luxurious lifestyle (like using cell phone oppo instead of iphone).
Furthermore, I engaged myself to additional part time job aside from my DepEd teaching position (teaching in other private colleges during weekends) but prior to it, I seek approved teaching permit from DepEd for legalities.
Being flexible, I am doing good business like multi-level marketing.
At the same time, I can travel because of creativity and resourcefulness. I ensure that I travel at the lowest cost because I don’t travel if it is too lavish.
Therefore, scholarships, savings, extra income, multi-level marketing and innovation are my ways on how to support my travels.
teacher.adventurer 