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Explore the Philippines through audio walking tours by a Filipino anthropologist

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Rowegie Abanto, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Screengrab from izi.travel website." src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2024/tvpatrol/01/17/website.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Screengrab from izi.travel website.</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — After joining several walking tours abroad, Filipino applied anthropologist Raizel Pauline Albano was inspired to bring something similar back home.</p><p>While walking tours are already available in the Philippines&#x27; heritage districts, she said tourists often rely on transportation because of the country&#x27;s hot weather and insufficient walking spaces. </p><p>Over the past 6 years, Albano has produced 44 audio walking tours for locations in the Philippines, including Basco town in Batanes, Vigan, Baguio City, Cebu City, Puerto Princesa, and Siargao, among others. </p><p>They can be accessed through the storytelling platform <a href="https://izi.travel/en/9373-anthro-on-foot">izi.TRAVEL app</a>.</p><p>&quot;I wasn&#x27;t really thinking about foreign tourists when I started this project, but more on locals appreciating their own hometown,&quot; Albano, 34, told ABS-CBN News in an online exchange.</p><p>&quot;I also firmly believe that it’s about time that we gave honor to each other’s hometowns within the Philippines,&quot; she said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/travel/destination/01/15/24/these-ph-spots-are-becoming-popular-among-travelers">These PH destinations are becoming popular among domestic and international travelers</a></li></ul><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Photo courtesy of Raizel Pauline Albano" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2024/tvpatrol/01/17/unesco.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Photo courtesy of Raizel Pauline Albano</em></figcaption></figure></div><div><strong>TESTING THE WATERS</strong></div><p>In 2018, Albano developed a walking itinerary for Angeles City, Pampanga after finishing her research duties for a cultural heritage management project.</p><p>This was her first attempt at creating an audio walking tour, which was meant for personal use and to see whether her idea was possible.</p><p>She did the same for Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, her father&#x27;s hometown, when her family spent Christmas there.</p><p>Crafting the virtual walking tours for the two cities proved challenging for Albano, but her determination pushed her to keep going.</p><p>In 2020, when the pandemic hit, she focused on desk research and used online maps to check if an itinerary would work. </p><p>And as travel restrictions eased the following year, Albano continued with the project through her job that allowed her to explore different local towns and cities. </p><p>Now, 44 places in the Philippines can be explored through her walking tours without the need to travel physically.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/01/15/24/palawan-among-tripadvisors-trending-spots-for-2024">Palawan is among TripAdvisor&#x27;s trending destinations for 2024</a></li></ul><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Photo courtesy of Raizel Pauline Albano" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2024/tvpatrol/01/17/kid.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Photo courtesy of Raizel Pauline Albano</em></figcaption></figure></div><div><strong>UNCHARTED TERRITORY</strong></div><p>Audio walking tours were considered &quot;unchartered territory&quot; in the Philippines, according to Albano.</p><p>As a result, she doubted herself about pursuing the passion project.<br/>But she never questioned its potential, she said.</p><p>&quot;My motivation came from the fact that I felt deeply uncomfortable with the fact na ayaw ko siyang ituloy dahil mahirap pero na-prove ko na kaya pala siyang gawin,&quot; Albano said.</p><p>&quot;Literal na para akong binabangungot nung idea na &#x27;yun every time gusto kong ipagsantabi na lang ‘yung project na ito,&quot; she said. </p><p>&quot;So I guess it was this internal compass, and all the opportunities that came my way, that guided me towards this path.&quot;</p><div><strong>EXPERIENCING LIFE THROUGH TRAVEL</strong></div><p>The &quot;modern idea&quot; of traveling does not appeal to Albano. Instead, she loves traveling by allowing herself to experience life &quot;in its fullest form.&quot;</p><p>&quot;As I grew older, I realized that I wasn’t really in love with the idea of traveling, it was about the idea of experiencing life in all its forms, colors, and sizes,&quot; she said.</p><p>&quot;Kaya siguro nagiging life-changing experience ‘yung travel for many because it offers something so different from what we allow ourselves to experience every day.&quot;</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/01/11/24/ph-is-73rd-most-powerful-passport-in-the-world-global-index">PH is 73rd most powerful passport in the world: global index</a></li></ul>

Raizel Pauline Albano believes it's about time that Filipinos give honor to each other's hometowns through audio walking tours.

Explore the Philippines through audio walking tours by a Filipino anthropologist

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Explore the Philippines through audio walking tours by a Filipino anthropologist

Rowegie Abanto,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 17, 2024 09:49 AM PHT

|

Updated January 17, 2024 10:57 AM PHT

Read More:

travel

walking tour

audio walking tour

Raizel Pauline Albano

tourism

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