Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy 2013!!!


Happy New Year my blog readers! :)


from stylemepretty.com


I've been blogging for almost 3 years but it's only this year that I've intended to share this blog. Well, I know that blogs are meant to be public but that was not my first purpose in making this blog. I just wanted to have an online journal since I gave myself a break from a handwritten journal but I learned to believe in inspiring people in my own little way and sharing a part of my life is a teeny weeny tidbit of that way. :) I hope I've inspired you this year and I pray that I can inspire more! Thank you for always taking time to visit my blog. It really means a lot coming from a newbie blogger. :)

I'm not really a 'texter' you see and I also seldom make calls (my bad) so this is also a way of staying connected with my friends who are now living away from this city. My another prayer this year is to rebuild long-lost friendships, stay strongly involved with the existing ones and enthusiastically create new ones. I'm not quite good on the last one because I tend to be so shy so if ever you'll bump into me, please say hi. :)

I'm sure you have a lot in your bucketlist by now. May we all together enjoy realizing each dream, achieving each goal, and loving every step of the way!

May our next year be the best year yet! Happy new year to you and me! :)


Ems


Tuka Marine Park

Looking for clear blue waters? Rich coral reefs? White sand beach? Quiet and peaceful getaway? I'm sure you have your own favorite places. I, on the other hand, find it hard to pick one most admired nature getaway because a lot of places in the Philippines, have really beautiful beaches to boast. And no matter how the same beaches seem to be, each has really something special to offer, right?

Tuka Marine Park in Kiamba is one of the must see places in Sarangani Province. It is one of my most admired beauty, with its pristine waters and shores. Well, not the whole of it but it was good seeing that majority of it remains to be "untouched". With the absence of commercialism on most parts of Tuka, that makes it a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city life.



We were invited to a small gathering... or did we just persistently show interest, Rendon and Laiza? Haha! Thanks to Ma'am Berl for the invitation, to Mary Ann for the free boat ride, to the rest of the group for the bountiful lunch.

Manny Pacquiao's new beach house



Pacquiao's old beach house which is now for rent.
This old beach house has five rooms - one air conditioned and four non-air. The right photo of the collage above shows a non-air room which can accommodate 6-8 people (according to their brochure). The four rooms will share a portable comfort room - not really comfortable in my opinion.

The aircon room, however, is quite spacious. It will be good for a group of ten (for sleeping purposes only). It has a very decent bathroom and a lovely deck fronting the beautiful sea! It is lovely because the curtains are in sunny yellow which compliments well with the blue colors of the sea. Love!

Room rates: Php1000 (non-air), Php1600 (aircon).



Kiamba has a very pretty park, too! Since I love everything pretty, I melt for this. Luuurrve! I've been here a few times before and I must say, it still is a pretty thing, even prettier during Christmas season. 






How to get to Tuka Marine Park in Kiamba?

(1) From Gensan, ride a van. Terminals are located at Osmena St. I recommend the Ablog vans.
     Approximate travel time: 1.5 hours
     Fare: Php 90

(2) Ride a tricycle to Lourdes park, the touchpoint for Tuka. Look for the Tourism Office and pay the
   necessary fees.
      Fare: Php 10

  Entrance fees:
      Adult: Php25 (Daytime); Php50 (Overnight)
      Child: Php10

  Boat:
     Php1200 - maximum of 15 heads

  Snorkel:
     Php100/set

  Cottage:
     Php300 (Daytime) ; Php500 (Overnight)

  Jet ski:
     Php3500/hour

(3) Ride a boat to Tuka 4.
     Approximate travel time: 15 mins


Prepare to get wet. If you don't plan to swim, just at least bring extra clothes. Bring everything you need. I doubt there are stores in the beach area. 

Saturday, December 15, 2012

HB Girlfriends


I TURN TO YOU. This is my high school girl group's theme song. We call ourselves the Healthy Babies :) You see, we were part of Christina Aguillera and Britney Spears' shining days. That's not so long ago, yes? :) And I'm so glad I was born in those years when songs were very meaningful and understandable. :) I don't understand why teenagers of today are so into KPop. I doubt they know every single word of their songs. Hehe. (Nothing against Kpop, though.)

I don't know if this is still true today but back in our HS days, we loved giving letters. Those endless I'll-be-there-for-you's and you're-the-best-friend-I've-ever-had's are just so wonderful to remember especially because I have the best girl friends ever! :) I belonged to a group of talented and beautiful ladies. :)

I'm so proud of how we turned out to be - happy and successful women. Insert teary-eyes here. Has it been that long? Oh, I miss you :)

Other girls are already in other parts of the Philippines and the world so it's really seldom that we see each other. But some of us met one night to plan the class reunion this month. (This is another thing I look forward to!) We were giggling over those happy times, catching up on each others' lives, cracking up in between the planning. I hope we can do this more often girls. I really miss this :)
Photo
Luv, me, Chichi, Loudette with Luv's niece - smartie little KC

Raya, Rain, Shine, Hannah, Rose, Bibay, Jervine we miss yah! :)

Yummy Gensan: Shabu-Shabu at Tong Yang

Shabu-shabu style of dining is something new on this side of the world. This is the reason a lot of Generals have been eyeing Tong Yang at SM Gensan. And of course, that would include the attracted-to-newly-opened-restaurants me! :)

Technically, this is not already new as it has started operating few months back. Since it was opened, my friends and I were itching to dine there. I didn't understand what took us so long. Hehe.. So anyway. This was what happened...

The waiter assisted us with the hot pot by providing us with the chicken and sinigang stock for the soup. Plus butter for all the grilling. Then he guided us to a chain of trays of raw food - vegetables, beef, pork, chicken, fish. Name it. They have it. They even have condiments and eggs and hotdogs which amazed me. :) This is when I started to get confused. A lot of choices! What would I get first? 

While still figuring out what to eat, I went to the ready-to-eat corner. Aren't you glad to hear that? Yes, they actually have something for the very hungry people. I got myself a vegetable salad and slices of watermelon and went back to my seat.Then Laiza and I were discussing our battle plan. Haha!

Look at these choices! How could you not be confused? I suggest that when you go there, you already have in mind what to cook. :) You can have as much as you want. This is unlimited! You can eat for straight three hours! Oh, how much more awesome could that get!



I love chicken and fish. Laiza loves shrimps and everything else so that's what we decided to have.What came out of our plan? We let the boys cook for us. Haha! They couldn't resist Laiza's charm. And I guess they were too shy to say no to their Ate Ems. :) Thanks boys!

Laiza and I in a bliss

Rendon and Jypzie almost regretful of dining here with the too-lazy-to-cook ladies.Hihi



Rendon is happily serving us. :)


Trying to look Koreans here. This is an after effect of unlimited ice cream plus unlimited drinks. Ahuh! That's a complete meal, from appetizer to dessert, for Php299 from 10am to 3pm on Mondays to Fridays and Php399 from 3pm onwards on all days of the week. (Note: Weekend lunch buffet is also at Php399) - the most sulit price for an unlimited meal ever!

The gang of five. The young ones of the office. The four of them are batchmates while I'm two years ahead. Now I feel old. Haha!  

Jypzie, Laiza, me, Rendon, Rommel




Location: 2nd floor of Alfresco Strip SM Gensan


Saturday, November 24, 2012

Yummy Gensan: Sarangani Highlands

Noticed something in the title? Ahuh... I don't have a food feature in this post. That's because Sarangani Highlands is more than just a place for food. It's more than just a restaurant. You see, I've been here several times and I will always be finding myself  coming back because this is my favorite place in Gensan! :)

The first time was love at first sight! Literally! It was not merely a crush. Trust me. I know the difference. :) And who would not be in love? Overlooking the Sarangani Bay on one side, Gensan city night lights on another side.

The following are photos of my recent trip there. But these don't do justice to the true beauty  SarHigh can offer. I must learn how to get more professional photos. :)


  









How to get to Sarangani Highlands?

      Ride a jeepney from the city (going to Tambler). The terminal is at Sarangani Merchandising. (Fare = P25) Tell the driver to drop you off Sarangani Highlands. This is a 20 to 30-minute ride. You'll be seeing a police post on the corner of the road going up to SarHigh. Then take a 5-minute habal-habal ride or a 15-minute walk. Upon arrival, expect an entrance fee of P100, consumable.



Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Boracay-themed Birthday Party

I brought back the Boracay fever to my family as we celebrated Mami and Papi's birthday at the beach. To really have the feel of Boracay, we all wore my pasalubong shirts.


It was a joint celebration since their birthdays are just a day apart. Now I call that destiny. Hehe.



It was also Caela's first beach experience and of course everyone was excited. She got her first swimsuit and first salbabida ever!


She was at first not so comfortable as we often are when dealing with first-times. But by the time she found fun and joy, it was hard getting her out of the water anymore. Good that she had many yaya's to look after her. Who would get tired taking care of such an adorable and smart little kiddo. Proud tita here! :)



We have an Ilonggo blood. My four siblings and I have grown to call our mother and father, Mamang and Papang. But these past few years, we've unconsciously shifted to Mami and Papi. I did not know how it happened but it sounded more malambing, yes? :)

Happy birthday to the most groovy granny and popsy ever! :) We love you! Hmmmmmm...

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Oh My Gosh, I'm in Boracay! (Day 3)

My last day in Boracay was spent as pasalubong day! So please understand if I forgot all about my camera and just focused on how to stick within my budget. I was only planning to buy tons of keychains for everyone because I felt I only could afford that given my tight budget. But of course, what would I expect? It was Boracay. Lots of foreigners. Locals could talk English. Baka dollars ang mga goods. Baka isang keychain, $2.

To my surprise, the Talipapa offered so much cheaper than what I had imagined. Yipee! So I upgraded my pasalubong from keychains to shirts! Boracay shirts for every member of the family including little Caela! I even got myself a shirt, too (first time). :) Plus a bag as a birthday present for my mother. How awesome could that get! I was feeling in super shopping mode even on a budget. 

Aries girls on February 2011...


Aries girls on October 2012...


You two are the reason why I believe in deep friendship so much. Words may not be spoken but the heart never stops loving. I love you both! And I will miss you again Ate My! :) 

All my bags are packed. I'm ready to go. You made me fall inlove with you, Boracay! Til next time.



This was the vacation we deserved friends. I wouldn't be able to have the same joy if it were not you that I spent it with. Haha! I sound like in an awards night giving thank you speech. So I'd like to continue this awards mode by giving due recognition to my friends. 

Best in Negotiating and Talking-To-the-Locals Award
Best in Reading Waivers Award
Best in This-is-a-Vacation-Moment Award

ATE MY


Best in Swimsuit Award (as always)
Best in Watching-the-Sunset and Taking-Best-Photos-of-It Award
Best in Reminiscing-Those-Days-in-Boracay Award

LAIZA


Best in Ilonggo Award
Best in Talking-With-Bus-Strangers Award
Best in Being-A-Nice-and-Kind-Younger-Brother Award (by default)

RENDON


Best in Solo Shots Award
Best in Don't-Talk-To-Me-I'm-Hungry Award
Best Hot Momma Award (by default)

ATE DOLI


Best in Panic and Paranoia Award

EMS


I only gave myself one award so as not to appear biased being the only member of this award giving body. :) 

Photo Credits: Ate My, Laiza, Ate Doli

Oh My Gosh, I'm in Boracay! (Day 2)

The beach is at its utmost beauty at dawn. I woke up early on day 2 to witness a Boracay morning. The sun was already up when I went out so it wasn't really dawn anymore but the beach was extra beautiful. I was joined by Ate Doli and Rendon while the other two sleeping beauties were... well, sleeping. :)



One thing I love about mornings is its serenity. It is when I really feel grateful for my life. 




Along the way, we saw people jogging. Others just walking (like us). But sometimes we jogged for a minute then stopped. Then jogged again trying to chase other joggers. :) We walked for about an hour then got tired and hungry so we took a tricycle ride back. Haha!

When everyone was set, we decided to start the day with a parasailing. We needed to ride a speed boat to reach the center of the sea.

Me: Wear your life jackets. Check the ropes.

Ate My: Read the waiver before you sign.

Ate Doli: Let's pose for some pictures. Make sure everything is documented. Then take my solo shot.


That was cool! Being up in the air was always cool. Everything was even more amazing from up there. And I needed not to do anything but sit, be moved by the wind, and be amazed. Wondering if you could also do parasailing? Take it from the not-so-adventurous me. You definitely can!

Next, island hopping. Actually, it was more like boating and sight-seeing. The waves were not participating with our urge to go to the other islands so we did not take the risk. 

Laiza: What about Puka Beach? What about Crystal Cove? Can we not go there?

Rendon: Kaya na ya! (Ilonggo intonation) (We can do it!)

Ate My: Safety first.

Me: Yah! Safety first. Now, wear your life jackets. Laiza, Rendon where are your life jackets?

Laiza: It's choking me. I don't want to wear it.

Rendon: Kainit tana ya. Indi man takon magsuksok. (Ilonggo again) (It's so hot. I don't want to wear it, too.)

Ate Doli: I'll wear mine later... after picture. Don, picture... One more. This side. This view. Ok. Give me the life jacket.

Haha! Ate Doli, you already! (Ikaw na!)



Part of the tour was the snorkeling. I did not snorkel but I jumped out of the boat for a photo op :) I love being in the water. Too bad I can't swim. Thanks to my life saver life jacket I somehow can manage to have fun. :)


















Guide: There's another snorkeling site ahead.

Laiza: I'm already hungry.

Ate My: Let's have lunch first.

Me: Yes! Lunch time!

Rendon: Woohoo! Kaon gid man ta anay. (No he's not eating a termite. He means it's really about time to eat.)

Ate Doli: _______________ (No words. Blank face.)

That meant she was very hungry. Good we were on a motor boat. She would have paddled her way to the next island for lunch. If we were on land, she would have left us and hurried her way to Mang Inasal. Haha! We'd know her stomach was well satisfied if she got her camera again and take pictures. :)

After lunch, we continued the boating and had landed the shores early enough to do another thing on the checklist. Puka Beach.

The waves were crazy! But I loved watching them reach the shore. I loved their roars. Puka Beach is one of those preserved beaches of Boracay - non commercial, so natural. 

Koreans were everywhere in Boracay. They usually went in groups composed of couples - the matchy-matchy couples. So cute! If not matching in shirts, it's the shorts. Sometimes both. Love them! We met a group in Puka and they wanted to take a photo with us. It paid to watch Korean movies. I knew how to say hi, "Annyeonghaseyo!" And after, we said, "Kamsahamnida!" That meant thank you. Oh yeah! So that's how it felt speaking in a foreign language and being understood. Loved that!





Finally, during the night after a dinner buffet, we walked miles to watch a fire dance show. I had high respect for fire dancers after watching them. Truly a great job entertaining your guests at your own lives' risk. I was definitely impressed!






























That was one full happy day!


Photo credits: Ate My, Laiza, Ate Doli


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