That Trip To Manila

Off to Manila with my cousin and her boyfriend.
It was supposed to be my vacation escape of the year but it turn out not that way. To the last minute my cousin change schedule so instead of staying in Manila for 2 days we just had 1 day to stroll around. With that the itinerary that I've planned didn't happened also. Here it is:
Day 1
Zoobic Safari (PHP 495)
Activities: features a wide range of habitats like; Tiger Safari, Croco Loco, Savannah, Rodent World, Serpentarium, Aetas Trail, Petting Show and Animal Moozeum.
Marine Park(Php 500) Featuring whale and sea lion shows.
Day 2
Ocean Park Snow Village and then shop at Mall of Asia
When we arrived we rest and had lunch at the hotel. And then off to Mall of Asia for a stroll and dinner. Bought a cellphone for uncle at Nokia Store.

Had my first taste of New Orleans cuisine. Dinner at Gumbo.

Shop for make up at Etude House Mall of Asia.

I was determined to fulfill even just Day 1 of my plan but the travel time will eat out the hours because instead of the 1:45 hours planned it was said that it takes 3 hours to travel Subic. And we still need to take her boyfriend to the airport for his international flight in the morning of Day 1. Instead our day was just spent in Baclaran. We visited the church first, offer our prayer and off to the market and shop. I still haven't give up yet and I suggested ocean park coz I really wanted to witness the Snow Village and will going to stroll at Newport Mall in the evening and grab dinner there but my cousin isn't feeling well. She doze off the whole afternoon. On the evening we went back to Mall of Asia for dinner. we dine at Bulgogi Brothers, a Korean restaurant. The menu is expensive but its all worth with the great costumer service and great tasting food. :)

The next day our flight was scheduled at 2 PM, so we still have time to buy Krispy Kreme or JCo Donuts for pasalubong, but I just doze myself off the whole morning. I even had to drag myself off to bed to prepare to leave and say my goodbye to Manila.
We had a super delayed flight that time also. Boarding time was supposed to 2:25 PM but instead we board the the plane around 3PM and then we stayed at the plane for almost 2 hours because there was a traffic congestion on the planes. We arrived CDO already very late around 6PM. Hmmmm So Manila is holding me back huh! :D

Win A Trip To Hongkong!

Yes Hong Kong is one of my dream travel place since I was a kid. I was looking forward in exploring Disneyland but as I grow up, additionally I want to visit the place because its the World's shopping capital. And also a trip to a new place would not be complete without trying out there food! Keyword "Shopping" and "Food", so I really need to save up a lot before getting myself a ticket to visit the place. :D

But hey I have good news to you all! We can get a chance to win a trip to Hong Kong via Cetaphil's Promo. How? We just need to send a scanned copy of the official receipt of our purchase of Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 118mL and a photo holding the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 118mL. And then upon submission attach the following information:
Full name
Landline/mobile number
Email address
Send them to IlovemyskinIlovecetaphil[@]gmail.com.

The prize is not just a free trip to Hong Kong but you can also bring someone with you for free and explore Hong Kong for 3 days and 2 nights in a hotel. They will also give a day pass to Disneyland for two. And a pocket money worth US$100. Oh my, that's definitely a big treat! o.O
You guys better hurry! Promo runs from October 22 to November 22, 2012 and is open to all Filipinos 18 years old and above.

Harvesting Lanzones in Camiguin Island

Yesterday I left Cagayan de Oro to visit my lola and uncle in Camiguin Island. It was a fun experienced visiting my birthplace. Even though going there was a tiring because I rided the "wrong" bus.

I woke up early to catch the early ferry boat to Camiguin. When I arrived at the Agora bus station at 5am there's already a bus ready for leaving so I ride in immediately. And because I slept late the following night I slept in between while on the trip going to Balingoan Port. Until I noticed that it already took me a lot of time traveling from Agora to Balingoan. I looked at my watch and was shocked to see that its already past 9am when supposed to be at 7am ill be in Balingoan Port already. When Arrived at the bus stop in Balingoan there I see the name of the bus I just rided and it was D&C Express I really thought it was Bagong Lipunan bus because it has the same color red color. Duh! I must be still sleepy when I rided that bus...

Tip: Buses like Bagong Lipunan and Bachelors are non-stop buses so the trip just takes 1-2 hours or less from Agora bus station to Balingoan. And this buses offers aircon and non-aircon.

So when I arrived at Balingoan bus station I rode a tricycle that will take me to the Balingoan Port. Shuttle Ferry 11 was about to live at 9:30am so im just minutes early.

I arrived in Camiguin Island past 11am. I headed to my lola's house. Eat. Rest. And on the afternoon we went to Bio-ong to get some lanzones. There were already lots of ripe lanzones everywhere and a lot more waiting to ripe. My lola's working student and a cousin harvested some of the ripe fruits which I will be bringing back to CDO. This was my anticipated activity in this travel because its a chance for me to eat-to-sawa with the lanzones freshly picked from the tree. Its been 3 years since I've had my first experienced of picking lanzones right from the tree. And for a city girl like me this experienced shouldn't be missed!

Tip: Only ripe lanzones should be harvested with the use of knife, unripe lanzones should be untouch and wait until it is ripe to be harvested.

After helping in harvesting lanzones we went home. I could still catch the last trip back to CDO at that time but my lola doesn't want me to travel last trip because ill arrived in CDO already dark and I have a box of fruits to carry, its not safe for me daw. So I went J & A Lagoon instead I roam around watch fishes in there big pond.

Tip: In J & A lagoon you can catch fish from there fishpond and you decide how to cook the fish you catch. They will weight the fish you catch and you'll pay the total kilograms you catch. So the bigger you catch the more expensive depends on the price per kilo. Cooking of the fish on your decide dish is free though. ;)

I also tried there Halo2x while waiting for the freshly catched fish which I ask to be cooked into soup. My lola was right not to travel back to CDO because it was gloomy in CDO and a friend just texted that it was raining hard, lightning was scary and there was power interruption.

The next morning I left Camiguin Island at sunrise...

My First Zipline!

I just had my first zipline adventure at the Seven Falls in Lake Sebu. It was definitely one of the scariest experiences I've had. I was like committing suicide unsuccessfully. lols...

It was because of Soccsksargen Summer Safari that I get to experience this Seven Falls zipline adventure in Lake Sebu. Sa dami ng tao na nakaline-up for zipline adventure that day we almost lost our chance to zipline. Actually, umalis na talaga kami sa Seven Falls and went to our next tour which is Punta Isla but after eating lunch there CDO bloggers went back to Seven Falls to try the zipline. Hindi talaga namin pinalampas ang thrill and Seven Falls zipline adventure experience! Sa tagal namin naka-zipline halos gusto ko nang magback-out. The more people I saw zip-lining the more I felt scared. Ang lalim kaya ng liliparin and to think that you will be doing it twice.

However, it was great that I didn't change my mind because the awesome view of the falls and the forest from the top was very much fantastic and fulfilling. And to think that Lake Sebu is too far from Cagayan de Oro so I should grab every opportunity to experience the adventure that the place offers.

Me and fellow blogger Mike Photo by Migs

A Weekend of First Experiences: Day 2

Day 2

Breakfast at Dolores Farm Resort. This was another first for me since Dolores Farm Resort is located at Polomolok South Cotabato. Imagine, ang layo ng inabot namin!

Enjoy sa place kasi my swimming pools, zoo, and restaurant. Definitely a good place to relax and chill…

On the way to our next adventure dumaan kami sa Koronadal City. First time ko din doon!

Seven Falls Zipline Adventure in Lake Sebu. My first zipline experience happened here. Grabe ang ganda ng view na makikita mo sa taas and the thrill.

Lunch at Punta Isla Lake Resort. The never ending food trip is not finish yet. Ang ganda view sa Punta Isla it’s a great place to visit.

Ang sarap din ng cupcake from Rolee Bakeshop na pangtawid gutom while waiting for lunch to be served.

Snack at Merl's garden Resort. CDO bloggers didn’t get the chance to visit here since we went back to experience the Seven Falls Zipline Adventure. Enjoy din daw dito kasi may zipline din.

Coffee at Balai Bistro, Koronadal City. Dito na namin naabotan ang iba pa naming kasama sa Safari. Ang sarap ng coffee na barako nila.

Ginutom kami sa zipline kaya nag-order kami nang food and I tried Balai Bistro’s Lasagna. Ay naku, heaven sa sarap! Nabusog talaga ako. Sarap din ng tea nila I forgot to ask kung ano meron doon pero mukhang mascubado ang lasa.

Before going to our dinner venue we stopped at KCC Mall because Avel pick-up the Cassava Cakes from Kakanins At Iba Pa. Avel gave each one of us as a pasalubong and he also gave us a tour around KCC Mall. Mangha talaga ang mga CDO bloggers sa malls ng Gensan, 3D na mostly yung Cinema nila.

Dinner at The Red Tent Steakhouse. Ang sarap ng steak dito! Talagang nakakabusog ang lahat ng pagkain nila. Ang ganda pa nang ambiance.

Night Cap at Café Amoree. Hindi na ako sumama kasi im so tired na talaga.

Big thanks to Davao bloggers, Soccsksargen bloggers, Avel and Orman Manansala for the warm welcome and for accommodating CDO bloggers and most specially to Mayor Jun Acharon for our vehicle and the Lechon he gave at Piyesta and to all the generous sponsors.

A Weekend of First Experiences: Day 1

I just had a weekend full of first time experiences last May 29- 30, 2010. It was actually not just a series of first experiences but also a lot of travels, food trips and adventures. It was definitely a weekend I would never forget!

Day 1

Land Trip to Davao via Starrex. We left CDO at 4 AM and then stop at Jollibee, Malaybalay for breakfast. We also had an unexpected stop approaching Sea Gull Area because we had a flat tire. First ko sa Davao kaya excited ako sa trip!

Lunch at Ranchero’s Grill. When we arrived in Davao we headed directly to Ranchero’s Grill where Davao Bloggers waited for us. Busog na busog kami sa sarap ng food like kilawin, kinilaw, karagatan soup, seafood kare-kare, ranchero ribs, seafood platter, isda sa misu, pancit, vegetables seafood and fruit deserts.

Land Trip to Gensan via Bus. Magkakasama na ang CDO bloggers at Davao bloggers this time. The travel was fun since I get to see nice views. We passed so many Farmtowns... lols Travel to Gensan is another first for me!

Arrival in Gensan and Check-in at Ice Castle Experience. We were welcome by the owner Rey Billena. And nalaman namin na kaya pala Ice Castle Experience ang name ng hotel kasi 'it’s the hotel that ice cream built'. I like the design and decoration ng hotel simple and very comfy ang room gusto ko na nga matulog kaya lang the night is not over yet.

Aperitif drinks at Pacman’s Sports Bar. Kung avid fan ka ni Manny Pacquiao then you should not miss visiting this place in Gensan. Lahat ng memorabilia ni Pacman andito. Dito din namin luckily nakita si Pacman playing billiard later that night and that’s another first!

Sa Pacman's Sports Bar pa lang busog na kami sa drinks and food nila. Pero hindi pa doon natatapos ang kainan…

Welcome dinner at Le Jardin Arnevel's. We were welcome by Maam Nitz, the owner. It was an awesome dinner kasi ang sarap ng pagkain halos fave ko lahat. They served us with different kinds of food; Vegetables, Salad, Fish, Tahong, Crabs, Lechon. Ang ganda pa nang ambiance kasi dinner by the poolside gusto ko nga sana maligo pero too bad I didn’t bring any bathing suit. Ang maganda din sa place is affordable ang entrance at 20 Php makakaligo kana at you can bring your own food too. You just have to rent there cottages though, pero meron ding affordable na table and chair which is 50 Php lang ang rent. The place is also a good venue for special occasions and Maam Nitz caters food too.

Bloggers Grand Eyeball at Piyesta KTV and Resto Bar. Isa din eto sa hindi dapat pinalalampas na bisitahin sa Gensan. It was my first time to drink a Jell-O Syringe Shot, Gayuma drink and Rhum tea ang sarap talaga. Napansin ko din that they have spicy foods so kung mahilig ka sa ganitong pagkain then this place is for you!

Actually, nakakain ako nang ma-anghang na pagkain kaya na lagok ko ang isang basong Rhum Tea na akala ko Ice Tea! Lols…

The Bloggers grand eyeball that night was fun CDO, Davao, Gensan and Kidapawan Bloggers get to hangout and know each other. Ang nakakatawa that night was that ang reaction ng lahat pagsinabi na ang plurk nickname. Official tambayan ng bloggers na talaga ang Plurk. lols...

Big thanks to Davao bloggers, Soccsksargen bloggers, Avel and Orman Manansala for the warm welcome and for accommodating CDO bloggers and most specially to Mayor Jun Acharon for our vehicle and the Lechon he gave at Piyesta and to all the generous sponsors.

CDO - Davao - Socsargen Bloggers' Tour / Soccsksargen Summer Safari

I'm packing my things right now for a weekend adventure in Davao and General Santos tomorrow. Its going to be a 3 days vacation and food trip. This is going to be exciting since its going to be my first time in both places and I will get to hangout with fellow CDObloggers, Davao Bloggers and SoCCSKSarGen Bloggers at the same.

I cant wait for the trip after reading the fun activities that in store for us in Gensan at Ganda Ever So Much. Weeeeeee...

Weekend Adventure Trekking With CDOBloggers

I supposed to relate the Mapawa adventure puntos per puntos, every second of the event which took place last Sunday, 7th of February this year with fellow CDObloggers. Yet, it seems that the muscle pain really got me and thus decided to post pictures instead. Besides, pictures can paint better stories than words.. whoa! Lusot! Enjoy...

The faces before bumpy trekking and the prayer lead by Goma...

And off we go walk... crawl... jump... climb...

After Janlac's dive at the stones.... (lols)

Pose before leaving the falls...

Rest... rest... rest...

Climb... climb... climb...

Walk... walk... walk...

And just when we thought we're almost home...

...we discovered we we're not half way done yet.

After long hours of walk 'again' we no longer took photos when we reached the city, its already dark and everyone are dead tired.

My First Wordcamp!

This was my first to attend Wordcamp Philippines 2009 with Cherry, Chiq Montes, Janlac and Magman today. We were actually delayed when we arrive since we woke-up already late, and the driver doesn't know where Asian Institute Management- Wordcamp venue is located. Good thing when we arrived the program haven't started and we were able to register and meet some of the soon to be speaker (Lyle Santos) and emcee (Migs Hipolito) of Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3. The event was all in all fun and exciting. We get to meet fellow bloggers and get to learn useful tips in using Wordpress, blogging, citizen journalism, and updates of Firefox.

By the way, I will share the program of the event so you will have some overview of the who and what in Wordcamp 2009. (lols)

8:00am - Registration
9:00am - Welcome Remarks & Backgrounder: Mindanao Bloggers Community by Blogie Robillo
9:30am - Meet the WordPress Family by Beau Lebens
10:30am - WordPress in the Wild by Markku Seguerra
11:15am - Citizen Journalism in the Context of the 2010 Elections by Danilo Arao
11:45am - A quick look into the Mozilla community through the lens of localization by Seth Bindernagel
12:25pm - Lunch
1:30pm - Vlogging Mythbusters by Coy Caballes
2:30pm - The Editorial Voice and Taste in Writing Tech by Jeff Villafranca
3:15pm - Advanced WP: Portfolio & Directory Sites by Gail Villanueva
4:15pm - WP: The Ultimate Content Management System by Karla Redor
5:15pm - Q and A with WP Experts

There were also games that we got to joined and I even won a Wordpress t-shirt! It was fun and yet tiring since its a whole day conference but I really learned a lot.

After Wordcamp we went to Greenbelt and stroll around. However Chiq Montes didn't accompany us since she still had a meeting with PBA organizers. It was also nice meeting fellow plurkers Crixxie and Evanne who are kind enough to gave us a ride back to Kabayan Hotel.

Thats it folks! Ill sleep now and looking forward for another bloggable activities tomorrow.

Check this Wordcamp 2009 blogs also:

1. WordCamp 2009 was Awesome! By Jehzlau
2. I’m a Happy Camper at WordCamp by Maki Eduardo
3. What I learned in WordCamp 2009 by Melvin
4. WordCamp 2009 by Nina Fuentes
5. WordCamp Philippines 2009 by Rowjie
6. WordCamp Philippines 2009 by Regnard Raquedan
7. WordCamp Philippines 2009. by Judd Sta. Maria
8. WordCamp Philippines 2009 by Br. Vince Celeste
9. WordCamp Philippines 2009 by Buddy Gancenia
10. Live Blogging at WordCamp Philippines 2009 by ChiQ Montes
11. Presentation at WordCamp Philippines by Seth Bindernagel
12. Blogging, browser and balut by Nina Fuentes
13. Geeky Saturday: WordCampPH 2009 by Apendiks
14. My Wordcamp Philippines 2009 Experience by Karen
15. WordCamp Philippines 2009 by Joell Lapitan
16. My Wordcamp Philippines 2009 experience by Menard
17. Wordcamp Philippines 2009 by Janlac
    

Photos by Chiq Montes