Princess Hopkins

Meet Princess Hopkins: The Philippines Blogger Who Has More Than A Touch Of South East Asia Running Through Her Veins! Born on the outskirts of the capital, Manila, Princess was named after the late Princess Diana, famed member of the British Royal family. “My Tagalog speaking mum thought ‘Princess’ was a forename so that’s what’s written on my birth certificate,” she said. “Had she had a bit more understanding I might have been called Diana, however, my name alone opens so many doors because people think I’m either an exotic Royal from Asia or they want to talk about my name!” And it’s that ability to communicate that has led Princess to all four corners of the Philippines: Banaue in the North to Davao in the south and all the bits in between. “I’ve heard blood curdling tales from Visayas where the Philippines answer to Dracula, Aswang, is said to reside, and I’ve even been ‘boiled’ in a Kawa bath, which most in the West would know as a witch's cauldron!” Curiosity has also taken Princess to Taiwan, where she was fascinated to learn about the delicate political balance between the powers of East and West. She has experienced the wonders and tragedies of Japan, sampled the hi-tech of Singapore and been amazed by the Arab cultures of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al-Khaimah. “Asia and the Middle East are amazing places and I am delighted that I can now share them with the wonderful readers of The Travelling Telegraph. Mabuhay! It means ‘welcome’ in the Philippines but on these pages it really means: Welcome to my homeland – Southeast Asia! Let’s travel together!