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Monday, August 29, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Writing
I am writing something. I'd probably publish this here in my blog as the "About Us" section. Right now, it's still in the works.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Coron Love
Straight from the company's team building activity in Nasugbu, headed straight to the NAIA Terminal 3 to catch a morning flight to Busuanga. Upon landing in Coron, was picked up by our shuttle c/o DIY Coron, dropped off our bags at the Coron Village Lodge and immediately headed to the pier.
Our island tour went through the Siete Pecados - snorkeling site; Kayangan Lake - a lake amidst an islet; Twin Lagoon - 2 lagoons connected through a little hole in the island rocks; Skeleton Wreck - a Japanese-era sunken ship wreck; and Banol Beach - white sand beach with still indigent residents.
The Siete Pecados is a great snorkel site with lots of corals and fishes. We ate our packed lunch in the boat before snorkeling. I enjoyed my time going around the island and got too tired. I didn't notice that I lost an earring though - probably when I was adjusting my snorkel mask.
Then went to another island and hiked uphill towards the Kayangan Lake. There was a spot atop the hill where the view is nice, you can see the pituresque islets and sea in Coron - a staple photo op-spot and a little cave nearby too. The lake is my favorite part of Coron,30% Saltwater and 70% Freshwater; the lake is so cool and so clear. It was fun going around the lake with my flippers on.
Then went back our boat and headed to the Twin Lagoon. If to describe it technically, the Twin Lagoon looks like a Venn Diagram with a Set A and B, and the intersection between the two sets is small hole in the rocks that gets submerged in water if it high tide already.
We then went to the Skeleton wreck, there weren't mich pictures of it though because the ship wreck scares the crap out of me. It's a massive, sunken ship that's submerged in the middle of the sea. Only the tip of the ship can be seen through snorkel masks, but scuba divers can go deep into the rest of the sunken ship. I am scared of the ship because I feel like it is way to deep and that it can somehow suck me inside the sunken ship - which is crazy because those sort of stuff happens only in the movies.
Last stop was the Banol Beach, there weren't people in the beach when we went there. The sand was so white and so fine. Native tribes of Coron called Tagbanua - if I'm not mistaken owns the island where Banol Beach is at. According to our boatmen, the government granted the island to the Tagbanua tribe, not to be sold to anyone or any company. There was a little store managed by the Tagbanuans within the beach, price of chips and sodaa was 200% of its normal city price. Because it is a monopoly and you can understand since that island was way far from the commercialized part of Coron.
Our tour coordinator, Judith, provided us with suman and orange soda for merienda.
Took a trike back to our lodge, bathed, walked around a bit in the nearby spots, then ended the night with Sinigang na Baboy, Sizzling Tuna and rice for dinner. Pineapple juice for Mike and Strawberry Daquiri for me.
***
4AM wake up call, and traveled 1 and half hours to Salvacion, Busuanga - Mike and I rode a Toyota Revo driven by Kuya Danny Toledo. We had our breakfast in homey lodge and resto in Salvacion. From there, it took another 30 minutes to get to the small deck where the boats going to Calauit are docked. The boatride was another 15 minutes. Came into the entrance of the Calauit Safari and registered, had a 5-minute ride in the safari truck to the actual safari.
At the safari, we came face to face with giraffes, zebras, deers, crocodiles, procupines, musangs, wild boars, monkeys and turtles. Our tourguide was an old man, if I remember correctly, his name was Boy Cruz - probably between his 50s to 60s, upon asking him, we learned that he actually is a resident of Pateros - a small town next to Taguig. We fed the giraffes and had photo-ops with everything that we saw there. The wild boar part wasn't too enjoyable because he stunk. Good thing we came there at the morning, when the animals are roaming a lot across the land. The tourguide said that it is their feeding time and they're out grazing at that time. The later batch of visitors won't be as satisfied as us though since the animals hide before noontime.
The Calauit safari is an island of some 300,00 hectares which Pres. Ferdinand Marcos allocated funds with to make a safari within the Philippines. The animals came from Africa. As per the safari staff, after People Power of 1986, the Aquino Government stopped funding for the safari and even held the staff's wages. Since then, the government hasn't given enough funding to the safari despite the fact that it has the potential to become an ultimate tourist destination. Upon speaking with the Safari caretakers, the provincial government take long before giving them their salaries - up to 4 months, our driver further ellaborated that the safari staff even go through meetings only with coffee, so he always bring them pan de sal on Monday mornings when the meetings take place. I really hope that I can do something about it though, because the Calauit Safari is closest thing that the Philippines has to an African safari.
We went back to the lodge in Salvacion to have our lunch of Inihaw na Pusit and Tinolang Manok. We drove about 45 minutes to Concepcion Falls and an hour and half to the Maquinit Hotsprings. The hotspring temperature was measured at 38 - 40 degrees Celsius. Despite the hot and humid weather, we still stopped by.
Went back to the lodge which is around 15 minutes from the hotspring, slept for a bit, had dinner at Kawayanan Grill near the lodge - where the Banana shake is heavenly, had Fish Fillet and Ginataang Pague (stingray),
We walked to the town plaza, where they had a tennis court and watched a bit. Got too tired, walked to our lodge then finally slept.
***
Woke up early and drank Milo only then went to the public market which is roughly about 10 minutes by trike from our lodge to buy dried fish pasalubongs, then to Coron Harvest to buy kasuy. Took a bath, then had our last breakfast the Coron Village Lodge resto where they served longganisa, danggit, omelette and garlic rice. The lodge resto was so cool, the owner probably was a big traveler, they've got souvenirs from all over the world.
Our shuttle picked us up and brought us back to the airport. Then went back home to Manila.
Our island tour went through the Siete Pecados - snorkeling site; Kayangan Lake - a lake amidst an islet; Twin Lagoon - 2 lagoons connected through a little hole in the island rocks; Skeleton Wreck - a Japanese-era sunken ship wreck; and Banol Beach - white sand beach with still indigent residents.
The Siete Pecados is a great snorkel site with lots of corals and fishes. We ate our packed lunch in the boat before snorkeling. I enjoyed my time going around the island and got too tired. I didn't notice that I lost an earring though - probably when I was adjusting my snorkel mask.
Then went to another island and hiked uphill towards the Kayangan Lake. There was a spot atop the hill where the view is nice, you can see the pituresque islets and sea in Coron - a staple photo op-spot and a little cave nearby too. The lake is my favorite part of Coron,30% Saltwater and 70% Freshwater; the lake is so cool and so clear. It was fun going around the lake with my flippers on.
Then went back our boat and headed to the Twin Lagoon. If to describe it technically, the Twin Lagoon looks like a Venn Diagram with a Set A and B, and the intersection between the two sets is small hole in the rocks that gets submerged in water if it high tide already.
We then went to the Skeleton wreck, there weren't mich pictures of it though because the ship wreck scares the crap out of me. It's a massive, sunken ship that's submerged in the middle of the sea. Only the tip of the ship can be seen through snorkel masks, but scuba divers can go deep into the rest of the sunken ship. I am scared of the ship because I feel like it is way to deep and that it can somehow suck me inside the sunken ship - which is crazy because those sort of stuff happens only in the movies.
Last stop was the Banol Beach, there weren't people in the beach when we went there. The sand was so white and so fine. Native tribes of Coron called Tagbanua - if I'm not mistaken owns the island where Banol Beach is at. According to our boatmen, the government granted the island to the Tagbanua tribe, not to be sold to anyone or any company. There was a little store managed by the Tagbanuans within the beach, price of chips and sodaa was 200% of its normal city price. Because it is a monopoly and you can understand since that island was way far from the commercialized part of Coron.
Our tour coordinator, Judith, provided us with suman and orange soda for merienda.
Took a trike back to our lodge, bathed, walked around a bit in the nearby spots, then ended the night with Sinigang na Baboy, Sizzling Tuna and rice for dinner. Pineapple juice for Mike and Strawberry Daquiri for me.
***
4AM wake up call, and traveled 1 and half hours to Salvacion, Busuanga - Mike and I rode a Toyota Revo driven by Kuya Danny Toledo. We had our breakfast in homey lodge and resto in Salvacion. From there, it took another 30 minutes to get to the small deck where the boats going to Calauit are docked. The boatride was another 15 minutes. Came into the entrance of the Calauit Safari and registered, had a 5-minute ride in the safari truck to the actual safari.
At the safari, we came face to face with giraffes, zebras, deers, crocodiles, procupines, musangs, wild boars, monkeys and turtles. Our tourguide was an old man, if I remember correctly, his name was Boy Cruz - probably between his 50s to 60s, upon asking him, we learned that he actually is a resident of Pateros - a small town next to Taguig. We fed the giraffes and had photo-ops with everything that we saw there. The wild boar part wasn't too enjoyable because he stunk. Good thing we came there at the morning, when the animals are roaming a lot across the land. The tourguide said that it is their feeding time and they're out grazing at that time. The later batch of visitors won't be as satisfied as us though since the animals hide before noontime.
The Calauit safari is an island of some 300,00 hectares which Pres. Ferdinand Marcos allocated funds with to make a safari within the Philippines. The animals came from Africa. As per the safari staff, after People Power of 1986, the Aquino Government stopped funding for the safari and even held the staff's wages. Since then, the government hasn't given enough funding to the safari despite the fact that it has the potential to become an ultimate tourist destination. Upon speaking with the Safari caretakers, the provincial government take long before giving them their salaries - up to 4 months, our driver further ellaborated that the safari staff even go through meetings only with coffee, so he always bring them pan de sal on Monday mornings when the meetings take place. I really hope that I can do something about it though, because the Calauit Safari is closest thing that the Philippines has to an African safari.
We went back to the lodge in Salvacion to have our lunch of Inihaw na Pusit and Tinolang Manok. We drove about 45 minutes to Concepcion Falls and an hour and half to the Maquinit Hotsprings. The hotspring temperature was measured at 38 - 40 degrees Celsius. Despite the hot and humid weather, we still stopped by.
Went back to the lodge which is around 15 minutes from the hotspring, slept for a bit, had dinner at Kawayanan Grill near the lodge - where the Banana shake is heavenly, had Fish Fillet and Ginataang Pague (stingray),
We walked to the town plaza, where they had a tennis court and watched a bit. Got too tired, walked to our lodge then finally slept.
***
Woke up early and drank Milo only then went to the public market which is roughly about 10 minutes by trike from our lodge to buy dried fish pasalubongs, then to Coron Harvest to buy kasuy. Took a bath, then had our last breakfast the Coron Village Lodge resto where they served longganisa, danggit, omelette and garlic rice. The lodge resto was so cool, the owner probably was a big traveler, they've got souvenirs from all over the world.
Our shuttle picked us up and brought us back to the airport. Then went back home to Manila.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Of Birthdays and Quitting
I turned 24 last March 1st. I greeted it by being rushed to the ER due to costochondritis and lack of potassium. Though I've had fits of this before, I guess having it on my birthday made it sort of a turning point.
The health issues due to the nightshift has reached its all time high. I've had numerous low-potassium fits, nightmares and is even taking melatonin supplements already to manage my sleep cycle. I am even paying extra 1,500 more or less a month on electricity bills because airconditioning turned out to be a necessity already for me to be able to sleep. Plus, Mike's and my room looks gloomy because sunshine is strictly prohibited to come in at anytime of the day during workdays so I can sleep soundly.
So I quit. I submitted my resignation last March 18. I am rendering my 30-days notice (sort of) and advised them that I'll be using the rest of my unused vacation leaves. I'll be starting in the new workplace April 11th. Goodbye, Bonifacio Global City; hello, Ortigas Center. Goodbye ultra-fair skin because I've been lacking sun exposure for the last 3 years of my life; hello normal calm life - one that actually experiences traffic.
I will be working as a Research Analyst for a TNS, Pulseasia-esque firm based in Australia. Wow. I am worried and excited at the same time.
The health issues due to the nightshift has reached its all time high. I've had numerous low-potassium fits, nightmares and is even taking melatonin supplements already to manage my sleep cycle. I am even paying extra 1,500 more or less a month on electricity bills because airconditioning turned out to be a necessity already for me to be able to sleep. Plus, Mike's and my room looks gloomy because sunshine is strictly prohibited to come in at anytime of the day during workdays so I can sleep soundly.
So I quit. I submitted my resignation last March 18. I am rendering my 30-days notice (sort of) and advised them that I'll be using the rest of my unused vacation leaves. I'll be starting in the new workplace April 11th. Goodbye, Bonifacio Global City; hello, Ortigas Center. Goodbye ultra-fair skin because I've been lacking sun exposure for the last 3 years of my life; hello normal calm life - one that actually experiences traffic.
I will be working as a Research Analyst for a TNS, Pulseasia-esque firm based in Australia. Wow. I am worried and excited at the same time.
Monday, February 21, 2011
K, FTW
Here's our final caterer. For real. I already booked them and provided the down payment yesterday.
k. by Cunanan
I love them becaused they customize everything for you. We have a caterer, we basically have a wedding already! The rest will just follow.
k. by Cunanan
I love them becaused they customize everything for you. We have a caterer, we basically have a wedding already! The rest will just follow.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Go Pau!
I am supporting Paula Camille Figueras on her journey to the crown. She is candidate # 34 for Bb. Pilipinas. She's from UP (UP Manila BA Political Science, UP Diliman BS Tourism Management), so I assure you, she's beauty and brains! UP Manila PolSci Block 5 is uber proud of you!!!
See her HERE and HERE
See her HERE and HERE
Monday, February 07, 2011
It's Confirmed!
Finally, I had my kumpil. In English, it's confirmation, which makes me think what am I confirmed with? Confirmed to be alive? Confirmed to or as what? Anyway, I had my confirmation at St. Michael (IKR, Saint?) and the Archangels Parish in Manila, near the Presidential Palace. The Confirmation fee is PhP600, a little higher than the usual kumpil rates, but it's express-kumpil - no seminar, no fuss, just drop by pay and get your certificate all in 3 hours (you'll need your Baptismal Cert, Birth Cert and kumpil Sponsor with you though). My kumpil was at 10:30 am, that is the Sunday schedule - though they also have kumpils on Thursdays and Saturdays, both at 2:30 pm.
The confimation mass ended roughly around 12 noon, then we went to Quiapo to have lunch and found this hole-in-wall Chinese resto called Amis'. Their fried chicken was glorious! We ordered 1/2 fried chicken, Ho To Tay soup (it has dumplings, shrimp, pork in a broth with pechay, cabbages, onion springs and carrots), Rice, Siopao for me and Fruit Salad for Mike and Mommy, then Sago and Black Gulaman for me, Melon shake for Mommy and Guyabano shake for Mike.
After that we went to the offices of the church and venue that we want to book. Too bad, they say it's still to early to book dates on 2012, too bad especially since I went to the great danger of bringing money on one of the most dangerous streets in Manila! Imagine my paranoia carrying my bag and walking through the Quiapo marketplace. On the other hand, they advised us when we the calendar will be open so it's pretty much a race for Mike and me by then. Someone stole my date before, no one's gonna steal it this time anymore!!!
So there goes, one of my first few chronicles of my life as a BRIDEZILLA :)
The confimation mass ended roughly around 12 noon, then we went to Quiapo to have lunch and found this hole-in-wall Chinese resto called Amis'. Their fried chicken was glorious! We ordered 1/2 fried chicken, Ho To Tay soup (it has dumplings, shrimp, pork in a broth with pechay, cabbages, onion springs and carrots), Rice, Siopao for me and Fruit Salad for Mike and Mommy, then Sago and Black Gulaman for me, Melon shake for Mommy and Guyabano shake for Mike.
After that we went to the offices of the church and venue that we want to book. Too bad, they say it's still to early to book dates on 2012, too bad especially since I went to the great danger of bringing money on one of the most dangerous streets in Manila! Imagine my paranoia carrying my bag and walking through the Quiapo marketplace. On the other hand, they advised us when we the calendar will be open so it's pretty much a race for Mike and me by then. Someone stole my date before, no one's gonna steal it this time anymore!!!
So there goes, one of my first few chronicles of my life as a BRIDEZILLA :)
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Whatever Happened to SERVE THE PEOPLE?!
I was late because I had to walk the length of Gen. Luna in Tuktukan yesterday night on my way to work.
Now I am posting this not because I am a Tinga loyalist, nor that voted for Lani Cayetano with her promise of change towards a better Taguig. I am posting this because I am a TAXPAYER and I don't want any Lani Cayetano or Dante Tinga waste the Two-Grand I INVOLUNTARILY surrender monthly to the BIR for government consumption (if I had a choice, I won't pay for taxes, I can think of better ways to spend Two-Thousand-Pesos - which is on food, clothes and shoes). The people, especially those of us who are EMPLOYED are paying taxes so we can have more convenient transportation, better roads, social services and healthcare, and this is what you DOUCHEBAG politicians give us? STRESS?! On top of the financial stress blatantly imposed to us by the uncannily high taxes despite the poor government services on health, education, infrastructures; the skyrocketing prices and the EHERM - long overdue ACROSS THE BOARD WAGE HIKE. This is so fuckin' lame. LANI CAYETANO, DANTE TINGA, ALLAN CAYETANO, FREDDIE TINGA, PIA CAYETANO, ET AL. Hello?! I don't fuckin' care if this is about vote-buying, vote-tampering or what have you (which of course started from you as well). I don't care about your political agenda and ulterior motives for personal (financial, prestige, political) gains. All I want is that you dimwits SERVE THE PEOPLE like you should, as you have said so yourselves that you are a bunch of PUBLIC SERVANTS. I don't think adding inconvenience to the already horrendous traffic scheme in Tuktukan, and disturbing the peace is not for common good, right? I find it VERY, VERY SELFISH! You are not serving us, instead you are giving all of us a hard time walking round the streets, looking for alternate (but much longer way away) routes and finding public transport! Plus, you're polluting EARTH! After Ondoy, we should've learned our lessons and put sustainable development at the top of our lists! All I'm asking is TRANSPARENCY, CHECKS & BALANCES and ACCOUNTABILITY. Stop playing the blame game. The TAONGBAYAN thinks it's not helping them at all. If there;s one thing that I learned from Prof. Bobby Tuazon's PolSci classes, those are necessary in any government. TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY and CHECKS & BALANCES from BOTH DISPUTING POLITICAL PARTIES in gratitude to the people who ever-so-lovingly voted for them in precincts despite the really sucky election process. This better end soon. Don't stress me. I get really bitchy when I am pissed off. PS: Lani Cayetano, you did not accept my friend request, and your profile is set to private. Why?Are you avoding to be tagged on photos such as these? Photos that depict that reality that you are not really the champion of the masses and the anti-dote to Trapo that you claim to be? PPS: There are days when I wish that I didn't study Political Science so I won't be so god-damned affected. But heck, I am really glad I did, at least I am ranting and rambling on much better causes on Facebook rather than all the other TRIVIAL stuff people these days seemed to be pre-occupied with. |
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