Ride the Waves - Surfing at San Juan, La Union

It'd been a long while since my daughter Ikee wanted to surf.  I guess since she was in the 6th grade or so.  Anyway, it became a reality for her last December when we decided we'd just go on a short trip up north to San Juan, La Union.

The trip took about 9 hours or so including stopovers for coffee and wee breaks.  It was around 2 pm when we got there having left at around 6 am.  We were not in a hurry to get to San Juan as my cousin-in-law, Mike, and Ikee's cousin, Carlo, knew that the waves weren't due till late afternoon.  So, we ate a rather late breakfast along the way and had lunch at Sebay Resort where we were billeted.  Sebay is a cheap alternative for surfers who are only there to surf but do not mind how the accommodation looks like.  We had paid about 2000 pesos for the 4 of us.  It was basic but clean nonetheless.  There were other resorts but they were either full or too expensive.  Besides, both Mike and Carlo recommended the place so we tried it.  It was ok. I'd give it a 7/10.

At about 4 pm, Ikee, Carlo and Mike trotted to the beach and got a surf instructor to teach them.  My husband and I just watched them as the 3 surfers-wannabes listened intently. It turned out that as Ikee was a beginner and the guys weren't pros themselves, they needed an instructor not just to teach them but to also guide them.  The whole package of the 1 hour board rental with instruction cost 400 per person.  Not a bad deal.  After 10 to 15 minutes of combined lecture, demo and return demo, they were off with their boards to ride the waves.  Here are some pics:

I guess the 3 enjoyed the waves as they returned the next day for another hour of stoke.  And guess what?  They wanted to drop by for yet another hour after our 3-day trip to Ilocos.

I was at the Hot Air Balloon Festival 2012 in Clark, Pampanga yesterday, Feb. 12,2012.  Left manila at 2:20 am and reached the Diosdado Macapagal Airport at about 4:15 a.m.  Surprisingly, there were a lot of people there already.  In fact, we were told that as early as 2:30 am people had already flocked to the site.  Nonetheless, we had a pretty good view and were able to get really close to the balloons.  Here are some pics for you to enjoy:

 

A skydiver with a flag as the Philippine National Anthem played.  It was an awesome sight. 

 They started firing at about 5:30 am.

 My friend Marian whose picture I took to document that she was really there.  hehehehe nice girl.

 

 Photographer's umbrella?  An unusual way to use a tripod.  clever.

 This boy seems to say "wait up ate.  I found a balloon on the ground!".  Huh, balloon on the ground?  LOL

The guys from our photography club.

I hopefully will be back to take more pictures next year.  But, note to self, we should leave much earlier.  and no excessive foodstuff please!  LOL

Radisson Blu Hotel - Simple and Elegant

 

During our reunion, my friends and I got to stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel.  It is situated at the Cebu reclamation area conveniently located as it is a stone's throw away from the SM mall and a few minutes to the city's center.  Its lobby is spacious and beautifully decorated.  Right at the center is a table where some plants with a few Birds of Paradise were tied and placed in large transparents vases.  It's nothing fancy but it is classy just the same.  It offered just the right atmosphere to hold a celebration of friendship.

 A few steps before reaching the front desk is a wide stairway that leads to a mezzanine.  Honestly, I didn't get to go to that part because we were so busy chatting.  Anyway, I took a pic of it to show you.  

 

 We stayed in a beautiful de luxe room.  There were two single beds and complete amenities.  As in other hotel rooms, its toilet and bath is by the door.  There, a huge well-lit mirror is at the center with the complimentary toiletries are placed which are replenished daily.  To its right is a glass enclosed shower. 


 Included in the rate is a buffet breakfast for 2.  This is the part I like.  There is a wide variety of food choices for the Filipino or foreign guests.  There were noodles, rice, meat, vegetables, fruits, cereals, yogurt, ice cream, etc etc etc.  I can't name them all as there was so much food some of which I liked while others were not really bad.  I so loved the cheese platter and the bread. 

One of the hotel's facility is a large irregularly shaped pool that has a small bridge that you can use to walk over from one side to the other and not have to go around.  It's a pity we didn't have time to use it.  I believe there are other facilities in the hotel but for lack of time we didn't get to see them.  We were so excited just to chat and be together.  After all, that is why we were there in the first place. 

Coffee at Dal Cielo, Los Banos

Aside from the Rice World Coffeeshop at IRRI, I discovered a small coffee and pastry shop right at the main road leading to UPLB. Dal Cielo is in front of an elementary school and is about 4 corners before the main gate of the campus. You won't miss it as it has this huge umbrella at the al fresco area.

It's a bit pricey compared to the Rice World but they have more choices - more pastries, meat pies, pasta, and of course coffee. Boyet likes their coffee better than Rice World while I particularly like their lemon squares and cream puff. As for coffee, I would give it the same score I'd give IRRI's Riceworld - best ones so far in LB.

One that intrigued us and  which we eventually tried was their sugar-free sansrival.  I didn't quite like it though maybe because i'm really a sweet tooth. 

Dal Cielo is rather small.  The dining area could be about 20 to 30 sqm only.  Despite the size, their airconditioning unit is not able to make the place cool.  It's fortunate that that at the time we were there it was rainy.  It is tastefully designed though and the toilet, though tight, is well laid out that it looks rather larger than it really is.  The verdict - if you like coffee and pastry, try it.  but if you're on a budget, just go in and buy their lemon squares and other small pastries.

IRRI Coffeeshop at UP Los Banos

One place that I do not miss going to whenever I'm at the University of the Philippines in Los Banos, Laguna is the coffeeshop at the IRRI. It's a cozy establishment but it's nicely decorated with some painting of rice fields. The resto has glass walls that where one has a view of the vast, usually green and not too distant ricefield and the mountains and hills beyond it. The sight is perfect during an overcast. Picture perfect I should say.



I love their food there. They're cheap and yummy. The coffee ranges from about 30 pesos to about 60 when you have one of those fancy ones with ice cream on top of them. Their formulation is at par, if not better than, the more popular coffee shops I have gone to. It's perfectly brewed and its aroma fills the air. I just love the smell of fresh coffee. Brings back so much memories of family and friends.

In addition to the brew, I normally order one of their pastries that are chewy and not so sweet but which have a lot of flavor. I have mine with ice cream on top. The pasty costs about 40 to 60 pesos. The ice cream costs an additional 15 pesos. perfect. I love their carrot cake. But of course, my daughter said my carrot cake is definitely better. Well, she's my daughter. What do you expect. hah!

Their sandwiches are muy delicioso too. I've so far tried their chicken sandwich. It was very tasty - has enough creaminess and less salt and a generous amount of chicken. They also have pasta and other dishes in their menu but I've not had the chance to be there to eat lunch or so. Maybe next week.



The coffeeshop has managed to stay at the top of my places-to-go list. However, I'm tempted to suggest they feature at least 2 rice based treat. Maybe rice coffee and a rice puff pastry? Perhaps I should go write the owner. Ah yes, that I will do next time I'm there. Wouldn't it be nice to be called the Rice coffeeshop at the International Rice Research Institute?

Pantoja Bakery - Goodies for Less

Have you been to a Pantoja Bakery yet? I suggest you do.

We went to one last week while on our way to fetch my daughter. This one is at the corner of the National Highway and the main road in Los Banos. It's right across Jollibee.



I was told about it by my mother-in-law when she saw the bakery 2 weeks ago. So, we paid it a visit a week later and voila! the goods were so cheap. And what's more is that their products are good too. So far the ones I like are the loaves and the crackers. need to go back there to check out the other stuff.



Another thing I liked is the idea of how they encourage people to bring their own shopping bags - they give a rebate of .50 centavos for each bag that is saved. Quite a good deal don't you think?

Peri Peri Chicken At Megamall - Ok?

A few days ago Ikee and I went to withdraw her documents from another university. It was almost 11 am when we left the house and I figured that it would be lunchtime when we reach our destination. So, I decided to bring her phone to the service center at the mall. We rode an FX jeep whose terminal is at Building B of Megamall, where the Authorized Nokia service center is too. Funny though that when we got to the center, the phone was working well!

Anyway, we needed to take lunch before we proceeded to Manila. That way we would be able to maximize time. While walking along the 4th floor bridgeway, we saw a Peri-peri chicken restaurant and decided to eat there instead. It was the first time I saw that resto and so I was excited to taste it. Remember, I'm the self-proclaimed family gourmet.

I was told Peri-peri charcoal chicken specializes in, quite obviously, charcoal grilled chicken. Just because we love hot food, it was Hot and spicy chicken for both of us. We were offered the drink-all-you-can soup and beverage for 49 pesos but we didn't try it since we were not quite hungry yet.

Our meal was served in a short span of time - about perhaps 10 minutes after we ordered. It was served with rice diagonally placed on the side which became the boundary for the chicken and the gravy. Aesthetically good. The chicken was a bit charred but that's alright since it was cooked over burning coal. What I found interesting is that the chicken almost didn't have any fat in it and looked more like free-range chicken. It tasted ok, not unusual, not strange but not a stand out. Yes, the flavors were there and it blended well with the spices but yep, that's just what it is chicken that lost its flavor because it blended with the spices. I don't like that. I want chicken to taste like chicken even with the spices in it.

The chicken resembles the taste of our very own Chicken Bacolod. In fact, as far as the dish is concerned I think Chicken bacolod, specially that one from Katipunan across Ateneo, is better. The one thing Peri-peri chicken has that Chicken Bacolod doesn't is the spice and the chili. I love their chilli sauce. It kinda makes up for the flavor that I found lacking in the chicken. Here I have compared the peri-peri chicken with Chicken Bacolod and Pollo.

(Scale of 1-5, 1 being the worst, 5 being the best)

Peri-Peri Chicken Bacolod Pollo Loco

Price (1/4 chicken) 3 4 3
flavor 3 4 3
Moisture content 4 4 3
Saltiness 4 4 4
time Food is SErved 4 3 4
Accessibility 5 3 5
Condiments 4 3 3

Dish Average score(flavor, moisture, saltinees, price)
3.5 4 3.25
General average score 4 3.57 3.33

So, for the dish itself, I would recommend Chicken Bacolod in katipunan across Ateneo. But, if you consider Food, accessibility, Serving time, price, etc. then I would go for Peri-peri Chicken.

Mt. Makiling Hike

Ikee's going to Los Banos. It is time that we explore the place while she's there. First, since UPLB is at the foot of Mt. Makiling, we should start our discovery of the area there. Mt. Makiling is one of the most significant dormant volcanoes in Laguna, a province in the Southern part of Luzon island, Philippines. It is the reason why Los Banos has a number of hot spring resorts. Not just that, Makiling is a mystical and mythical mountain that is believed to be protected by a goddess named Maria Makiling. According to legend, she was a generous, kind-hearted yet possessive goddess.

I heard and read about the tourism in the area of the University and it seems like a good place to have a family trip. We may in fact join the Hike organized by NACCI this June 4, 2011. Of particular interest to me are the national forest reserve, the museum and the botanic garden. We'd probably book a room at the SEARCA Residence Hotel. It's currently priced at 1900 php for an overnight stay for two. I heard this is better than Trace College Hotel. Can't confirm that though because I only got to stay at SEARCA.

If you would like to take a tour of Makiling, you may get in touch with Nature Awareness and Conservation Club, Inc (NACCI) or the Pinoymountaineer. NACCI has an organized hike this June while Pinoymountaineer has a blog on do's and don'ts and what to expect in Makiling. I suggest you browse through it before you go.

Might you wanna join us?

SEARCA Residence Hotel - For Transients in UPLB

We just came back today from the University of the Philippines Los Banos Campus. Ikee had 2 interviews there and I was the chaperon. The interviews were on a first come first served basis and we wanted to be sure that she had an opportunity to be interviewed so we opted to stay nearby.

Prior to the trip, I searched for where to stay and found out that the most recommendable accommodation was that of the SEARCA Hotel. I reserved for a double room which I was told was the last one remaining for the period I needed it. However, a few days after I called them, they called me only to say that there was a problem in the room and that they would try to fix it. Another call was made and I was told that they could not fix the room in time for our arrival but that they have already reserved a room for us at the SEARCA Guest house. How nice of them.

When we got to UPLB, though, I opted to stay at the Residence Hotel instead because it is nearer to the places we needed to go to. It is conveniently located at Duhat Street about 100 meters from the men's dorm. We were given an economy room which is rather spacious but didn't have its own toilet and bath. The T&B was shared among 4 rooms. We were fortunate that there was only 1 other room occupied apart from ours.



The hotel is rather small. It only has 16 deluxe rooms and a few more of the economy room. It caters mostly to the visitors of SEARCA but they extend this facility to those who need to stay in UP for a few days. Its other facilities are the guest house and the Apartments although I was told that the latter caters only to those from the graduate school.

Our room was spacious. It had two beds - one double and one single. The furnishings are rather old but everything was clean. My impression is that they really cater to those guests who have bulky stuff like books and other educational tools. The room has wi-fi unfortunately we didn't bring a laptop.

There's a small cafe at the hotel. They serve local dishes and some snack but it is best to have some snack bought outside the hotel in case you get hungry and there's no food left to order. So far, the meals that we ordered from them were cheap and delicious. There 's small television, 2 huge cabinets, 2 big tables with a small lamp shade. The accommodation was rather basic but ample.



The one thing that I think needed attention are the bugs. Nope, they're not roaches nor ants even. Those critters were the type that you find on plants. SEARCA is surrounded by trees and other foliage where the bugs might have come from. I did give this feedback to the manager so they could address it. Despite that, I still would go back to stay with them.

If you're interested to contact them, their website is at http://www.searca.org/web/facilities/tariff/.

Food and Memories

I hope you'd agree that some food make you remember things. When I was a little girl, I remember how my parents would buy us some really delicious stuff. One of those I vividly remember is the Mazapan de Pili. They used to come wrapped in foils, smelled of nut and vanilla, were chewy and never tasted too sweet.

As I was growing up, somehow those mazapan disappeared from the shopping list. I really don't know whether they were bought from the supermarket or from a specialty store or bought from someone who travelled to Bicol, but for a very long time I had not been able to taste that wonderful flavor that I remember.

Not until last Saturday, that is, when I paid a visit to the Bicol Exhibit held at the Megatrade hall of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. I went to the exhibit hall because these interest me - there are so many things there that I can learn from. One of the things I like about going to these food exhibits is the way they would let the visitors have a sample of their goods. As I was almost done with my visit, I chanced upon this stall where they claimed to have no flour in their Mazapan de Pili. At first I didn't quite believe what they said. Everyone said almost the same thing - that their product is the best, that I should take one sample and I would learn to love what they were offering me. But not me. Through the years, I have learned to be more discriminate with my choices.

Just the same I gave that mazapan a shot. I'm glad I did. It turned out to be truly the best one I have ever tasted since my childhood. It is the same as the mazapan I had been looking for! That one that brought back memories of my childhood, my mom and my family.

That mazapan de pili is a product of Albay Pilinut. I had asked them for a short interview and the owners were happy to oblige. They are the original makers of mazapan. The owners are the 3rd generation of this 70-year old nut candy factory and had inherited it from their grandfather, Don Antonio Morales Regidor Sr., a Spaniard who chose to live in the Philippines and had started the business way back in 1936.

I didn't have the opportunity to taste all of the goods they had on display. But what I did try were the Mazapan, the crispy pili (which had hondey) and the salted pili which were all of extraordinary quality. These products retained the taste of the indigenous pilinut and used minimal natural additives to enhance the flavor of the nut, making it the finest and most excellent delicacies of the province.

Although the factory and the stores are found only in Legazpi City in Bicol, their products can be ordered and shipped to Manila and any part of the world. I was told that for less than a hundred pesos extra, a huge box of their delicacies could be delivered door-to-door to any part of Metromanila. I had asked because I intend to buy some for my dad to bring to mommy in the US.

To order, you may call their Telefax at +63 (52) 481 11-61 or their office number at +63 (52) 820-3529. Their email address is albay_pilinut@yahoo.com.

Healthy Lifestyle On Tour? You Gotta Be Kidding!

Leading a healthy lifestyle is a trend and, well, healthy. But when you're on tour, it must be put aside to enjoy your trip, right? Ding, ding, ding WRONG!!!!

I'm dead serious. Leading and transforming to a healthy lifestyle is a L-I-F-E-S-T-Y-L-E and thus has to be done anywhere and everywhere you are. Thus exercise is a must do for those who are serious about the change. ULTRA is your best bet for a place to exercise since it does have a pool, an oval, a basketball court, badminton court, and what have yous.

So, if you're in the area of Manila, or Pasig in the Philippines on Nov. 8, 2008, I want to invite you to watch our Swimming Competition and Healthy Lifestyle exhibit at the PSC Swimming Pool Complex (formerly known as ULTRA, the cab drivers mostly know the place by this name). It's a one day event and I'm really excited about the exhibit more than I am with the competition.

Come join us!

New Travel Promotions

I've received the following promotional sale this week. Too bad my daughter is so busy that we can't afford to go anywhere. We don't travel individually so much you know. It's all or not at all.

Anyway, you may be interested so here it is:

1. Super Ferry

Now, you have six more days to get the most affordable fares to Visayas and Mindanao!

Selling dates (buy period) : August 06 - 11, 2008
Sailing dates (travel period) : August 18 – September 30, 2008

You can buy your tickets online using your ATM Cards.
Go to http://www.SuperFerry.com.ph/eticket/search.asp
for the cheapest fares. No service fee added!*


FARES

Manila to Visayas & vice versa
(Bacolod, Cebu, Coron, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa & Tagbilaran)
Super/Mega : P599
Tourist : P999
Cabin : P1199
Stateroom : P2998


Manila to Mindanao & vice versa
(Butuan, Cagayan, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, Gensan, Iligan, Ozamis, Surigao and Zamboanga)
Super/Mega : P899
Tourist : P1299
Cabin : P1499
Stateroom : P3498


Interports
(Cebu to Cagayan & vice versa)
Super/Mega : P399
Tourist : P599
Cabin : P799
Stateroom : P999


(Zamboanga to Gensan, Zamboanga to Davao & vice versa)
Super/Mega : P599
Tourist : P799
Cabin : P999
Stateroom : P1199


PLEASE NOTE
Prices are inclusive of fuel surcharge and 12% VAT, but exclusive of Terminal Fee, Supersure Insurance (optional), Security & Service Fees.
Tickets are non–refundable but may be revalidated with applicable surcharges, plus fare difference.
Promo is available for both with and without meals ticket.
Promo is available for both Confirmed and Open-dated voyages. Open-dated is not available through eTicket.
Other discounts such as Round Trip, Student, Disabled and Senior Citizen are not available.
*P75 service fee per ticket will be charged upon boarding in the ports of Coron, Dipolog, Ozamis and Surigao.


MORE INFORMATION
Visit http://www.SuperFerry.com.ph
Email info@SuperFerry.com.ph
Call +63 2 528-7000, Mondays to Sundays, 6:00AM to 10:00PM GMT+8
Text +63 917 889-2421

2. Jetstar Asia Flights


Jetstar.com Fares Hotels Travel
Insurance

Jetmail Subscriber's Bargain Deals are back!

If you thought you’ve missed the NATAS Sale or the National Day Special, here’s another chance to grab our special fares.

Macau from $25
Manila from $45
Bali / Taipei / Hong Kong from $50
Yangon from $60

Sale starts from 11 to 12 August 2008 for travel from
20 August to 30 September 2008.

Terms and conditions apply*

Check out these out and some others at Jetstar.com

3. Malaysia Air
A holiday in Langkawi offers you much more than sun, sea and sand.

And it's now easier than ever for you to uncover the island's many charms.

EVERYDAY Low Fares will fly you there from Kuala Lumpur – at low, low fares whiles enjoying award-winning service.

*Philippines to Kuala Lumpur from USD8
Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi from USD6

Happy travels!

For The Love of Rice Cakes

Yesterday, we went to visit my husband's uncle in Tarlac City. It took us about 3 hours to get to there from Pasig but we had to have lunch at the Hacenda Luisita. Thus, we were able to see Bapa at 3 pm already.

After our visit, we went home, happily planning how we could take the Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway on our next trip. At about 6 pm, as we were approaching Bulacan, I suggested we buy some rice cakes from a store in Marilao - Rosalie's. We had been able to taste some of their products more than a couple of times before. With no time to order delicacies, Rosalie's was our best bet to get quality "kakanin" which is the vernacular translation of rice cakes.

But as it was our first time to visit the place, we made several wrong turns. After getting lost for over 1 hour and 30 minutes, we were resigned to the fact that we'd go home without it. So, we followed the sign that lead to the NLEX exit. A few minutes after, we found what we had stopped looking for - ROSALIE'S! It turned out that the people of Marilao who we asked directions from, including a phone call to Boyet's friend, were actually directing us to a different "bibingkahan" (another kind of rice cake) store which was also in the area.

Well, we finally found it, and that's all that mattered. We bought some biko with buko, sumang violet, bibingkang malagkit with buko topping, puto with red eggs, suman cassava and some chicharon. After that hard maneuvering to find the place, getting the pleasure of tasting almost all of their specialties would make it all worth the trip.

Contact details:

Rosalies's Special Kakanin
219 Sta. Rosa II, Marilao Bulacan
tel. Number: (44) 711-5724, (920)246-6030, (921)951-7187

Driving directions:
Take NLEX and exit at Marilao. Left at the junction, then left before Vitarich. Before reaching the other NLEX toll, turn right. Drive all the way to Rosalie's which should be on the left side.

New Paint on A Really Bad Picture

One of the good things that has happened during this administration is the opening of the NAIA 3 which has been long overdue. Way too long as a matter of fact. It was supposed to have started its operations in 2002 but because of some issues that remain to be unresolved until the present time the airport's opening has been put on hold. The airport should be able to start earning at least to maintain itself. The government has lost money just trying to keep lights, guards and water in the vicinity to secure it.

Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines and PALExpress have started to use the facilities although there's much to do to repair and update those that have been installed already. Imagine repairing something that's not been used? It's like buying a brand new clothing that has a hole in the middle of it. sigh*

So, anyway, hooray to the GMA Administration. I just hope the administrators of the airport will do their work.

Coffee High?

How far would you go for that caffeine shot?

Today as I was doing my routine "drop" with entrecard, I came across a blog that wrote about the famous, world's most expensive coffee harvested from civet droppings - the coffee Alamid. I couldn't help but smile and chuckle a bit even as I was alone here in the room earlier. Well, primarily because I had gone as far as actually drinking one of those just to satisfy the "gourmet" status that I had bestowed upon myself. Not that I was curious but just because I was self-compelled and self-driven to give it a shot. Duhhh...

I had first heard of the coffee in one of the Agricultural exhibits at the Mega Mall Trade Hall. However, the advertisement had this big pic of a civet and, my curiousity all struggling to get loose, I read one of those tiny leaflets that the smiling lady had handed me. Of course at that time I was too coward to even go near the booth for fear that my curiousity would overpower the nurse in me. But no, I did not take a sip then.

During one of our trips to the Bag of Beans in Tagaytay though my curiousity finally took the better of me and yes, as I confessed earlier, I took that very first sip of that hot, aromatic brownish-blackish beverage served before me during a really wet, and cold day. And how will this article end but on a happy note - yes, I did like that sip and had finished the whole cup. And with a smile I dare say, "That's a great cup 'a coffee!"

Eco-Tourism in the Philippines

The Philippines is a beautiful country. or at least that's how I wish it would be. We still have undiscovered beaches, and virgin forests, and spectacular marine life in some uninhabited area. But, maybe due to development and the need to address poverty, our natural resources suffer as a consequence. Yes, we do attract tourists and our economy grows simultaneously with it. But we should be able to realize that these tourists are attracted more to the natural set up of the place rather than the presence of commercial spaces that sprout because of the influx of visitors. If we continue to permit the alteration of the environment, will we still attract those who originally wish to come?

By being advocates of ecotourism, the Philippines may be able to sustain its economic growth and protect its natural resources. This way we are able to encourage people to come back because what we have now will still be here in the future. We Filipinos should remember that eco-tourism generates gainful work which acts like a catalyst. Let me explain this. Take for instance the case of Coron in Palawan. The famed Kayangan mountain-lake is visited because it showcases a beautiful body of water that is set atop a hill. It is well maintained by the indigenous tribe that inhabit the area. Even they themselves are part of the attraction. To get to the Lake, one has to take a boat. To enjoy the lake is to stay there and pay the entrance fee. Not just that, one has to stay at the coron town in one of the inns around. You have to eat there, sleep there, and buy from the market area.

Coron is made up mostly of soil that is hardly tillable. Thus, farm crops are limited to mostly the cashew trees that can withstand the stony earth. The town relies mostly on the influx of tourists. Without them, Coron would hardly thrive. Imagine if the natural resources of this Island and town are depleted. I can only picture the worst scenario.

Latest Travel Deals Asia (In the Philippines in Particular)

I've been really, really busy these days. My hands have been full (literally) with things to do for my daughter's first week of school and my attendance to the Red Cross Standard First Aid Training this week. Anyway, here are the newest travel deals I've found:

In Asia:

Free Fares
1. from Siem Reap to Pnom Penh via Jetstar Asia.
$20 on - Oneway Special Promotion to Phnom Penh.

2. To Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur from Manila
To Kotakinabalu from Cebu
both are from Malaysia Airlines. booking period is from June to 22, 2008 and travel period is from July 15 to December 14, 2008.

3. To Kota Kinabalu from Manila for 280 Php via AirAsia
to Singapore from KL for 1 RM via Air Asia.com
purchase period is from June 10 - 22 2008 and the Travel Period is from 1 Jul 2008 - 25 Sep 2008.


Within the Philippines
Affordable airfares for Naga and Tuguegarao via Airphilippines.

Manila to Naga for as low as Php88++

Manila to Tuguegarao for only Php288++ per way.

MANILA-NAGA
Departure 0645H Arrival 0730H DAILY

NAGA-MANILA
Departure 0800H Arrival 0845H DAILY

MANILA-TUGUEGARAO
Departure 1350H Arrival 1440H MON-WED-FRI

TUGUEGARAO-MANILA
Departure 1510H Arrival 1600H MON-WED-FRI

Tickets for this sale can be purchased from 16 June 2008 onwards. As always, fare is exclusive of taxes and surcharges.

You may reach the Airphilippines Reservations at (02) 855 9000 or check out their website:www.airphils.com for more details. I think you can also book with travel agents.


Also from Airphilippines, fare from Manila to Boracay is being offered for as low as P88/oneway on specific flights:


MANILA-CATICLAN (BORACAY)


Flight number Departure Arrival Frequency
2P 071 1510H 1620H Daily

2P 077 1545H 1655H Daily


CATICLAN (BORACAY) -MANILA

Flight number Departure Arrival Frequency

2P 036 0725H 0835H Daily

2P 038 0805H 0915H Daily


As always, taxes and surcharges are excluded.

There are others but I've got to go elsewhere. I'll write about the other flights later. Ciao!

There's Danger Ahead - Anawangin

HELP! I'm drowning!

I heard someone say that as I was swimming to shore. From the corner of my eye, I saw two figures struggling to keep themselves afloat. At first I thought it was a joke. But, when the scream came again, I knew it was for real. Suddenly, I realized that the two people were our companions who were just a few meters from the shore where my family was. I tried to swim to them to help but realized I wasn't in a good shape to help and might even cause more trouble if I go nearer. As my thoughts raced through my mind, it occurred to me that Ikee had brought her kickboard with her. "Dad, the kickboard!" I shouted to my husband who immediately acted on what I told him to do although I also asked him to not go too near lest both of them drown. I kept telling the girls to swim toward shore but they were getting weak from struggling and shouting. When I reached shore, I was exhausted and felt my heart beating so fast that I thought I was going to faint myself. It was too scary. Anyway, to cut the story short, the girls got to land safely. We returned to the camp and told our story to the others. It turned out that there was another similar incident that happened that day.

After we had come back from Anawangin, Boyet and I found other stories on the net of people who either died or almost drowned. According to one person, there had been about 6 or 7 deaths over a period of two months. Some say it was the strong waves of the China sea that got so high and so strong at times that engulfed the swimmers. Or, it must have been the strong undercurrent that seemed to pull anyone out into the sea. Or it could also be the sea floor which suddenly becomes deep and entraps the unknowing beachgoer. On both sides of the cove were high stone formations and some mounds of rocks that perhaps had been fallen off the mountain. Anyone could easily be smashed into those by the waves. The fact that Anawangin is a cove and can be reached either by trekking a for 4 to 7 hours depending on the person's skill or by taking a 40 minute ride makes it almost inaccessible to any health or medical facility. What makes it even worse is even if you get to the nearest town which is Pundaquit, it still is a 30-minute bumpy ride by tricycle. Anyone who drowns has only a few minutes to survive. Thus, it would take a miracle to get anyone from danger should something happen.

Nature has its way of preserving itself and I do believe there are beautiful things and places that are best left alone. Anawangin is a good example. During the pre-departure orientation with our trip organizers, we were told that we shouldn't go far from shore because there had been a number of deaths that occurred in the area. But those girls were not even 50 meters away from the beach. Apparently, there is a deep part in the middle of the shallow waters. It caught the girls by surprise because I was even farther from shore than they were and it was just waist deep where I was.

I love Anawangin and I would love to go back to the place. But I love my family and their safety is more important than anything else. So, I guess, it will be a long, long while before we ever go back there. After the incident and after reading the stories, we might not even consider going.

New Tagaytay Website

I'm currently consolidating all my Tagaytay tips and travel pages at Squidoo. So, guys, watch out for it. I'll let you know when I'm done. I'd like to get your suggestions for it though. Like, what places interest you, what tips you may have, etc. Surely, I'll give you credit for it. If you'd like a backlink to your site, this is your chance so let those tips roll please?

I do hope you've gotten some of those airline freebies. I did't get any because when I had the chance to, we realized that Ikee might not be free on those dates plus the fact that we might go to the US in December. Anyhow, there'll be other days.



- Jane -

Where're You At Mother? - Mother's Day Celebration At RockWell

Yesterday was Mother's Day. I had expected not to go out because we were already at the Manila Shangri-la the previous day. In the morning, both my daughter and my husband were at the ULTRA pool to swim. When they got here, Boyet handed me a red box from Becky's (a well known cakes and pastries shop) and had instructed me to put it in the freezer. They both greeted me and my mother-in-law happy mother's day. So sweet.


Anyway, I was told that we'd be out to dinner. Earlier on, I and my mother-in-law were sort of wishing we could go to Tagaytay. I had wanted so much to try out Taj, an indian restaurant somewhere near the zoo. But we had a late lunch because the two people who came home from swimming were too tired and slept a little before having the meal.

We left the house at 4:20 p.m. Both Boyet and Ikee had to catch the 4:45 pm mass at the Rockwell so we could go to California Pizza Kitchen early. It's a family holiday and we had expected the restaurant to be so full. Boyet tried to get a reservation but the restaurant said they can't give out any reservations because there were so many people.

Nanay and I waited for them at the Fully Booked Bookstore at the 3rd floor. We had some fun together because I was laughing at how she sat on the floor like I did. There was nothing else for us to do but read but it turned out that we hadn't that much time to check out the books we liked. I was looking at some internet books and she, you wouldn't believe it, was browsing some romance novel.

When we all met up, I suggested we go to Rustan's grocery first. We had bought some stuff for the house and for Nanay to bring to Montemar tomorrow. Then we went to CPK. Although there was a line, we didn't have to wait so long. 15 minutes tops. After that we were in. We had the family favorite, the Barbecue Chicken Chopped Salad, an order of white pizza and 2 kinds of pastas, the Roasted Garlic Shrimp and the Ravioli. The meal was superb. When we were done eating, I hinted to the waiter that we be given the mother's day treat. He originally said there wasn't anymore but that he'd give us some dessert. But he came back and told us that the mother's day treat is available already and that he had it made for us. Well, we had 1 additional dish to bring home on a doggie bag. The others were the left over ravioli and pizza. The meal was really good but we were just too full already.

Before we went home, I had to do a quick look at the book I had wanted to buy at Fully Booked. However, Ikee said she was already sleepy so I opted to just go home and go back for it next week. That's where my celebration ended and it was quite fun. How did you spend your day?