Photoblog: Philippine National Railway

Photoblog: Busay Falls

Travel for a cause: update

Sa lahat ng mga nagbigay at nagbalak magbigay ngunit hindi na nakaabot..MARAMING SALAMAT.

And so after an eventful almost-fourteen hours of train ride, we finally reached Marela's small town of Manlilipot, Albay. 

waiting for our 6pm train @ PNR Station

At Naga Station

Immediately after feeding our empty stomachs, Marela's grandmother, Mrs. Amparo Bien talked to us regarding the outreach we will be holding the following day. She was so gracious to help us out in this endeavor. We learned that the whole Bien family is active in doing charity works in their municipality. You see, Mrs. Amparo was a previous vice mayor. It was inspiring to hear her tell stories about their charity works and how she sees it as her social responsibility. And when asked why we taught of such plan, the four of us just laughed in reply. It wasn't that easy to explain but I remember answering her we miss the feeling of doing such projects.

Planning with Mrs. Amparo
Photo credit: Marela Bien

Guys, salamat talaga ng marami!! Super madami tayong mapapangiting mga kids!!!

 

We we able to collect four huuggee boxes containing school supplies and old clothes all the way from Manila. Thanks to all who donated! Keep posted for updates..

Frustrations..frustrations (title by Ian Visico)

hindi naman dapat ganito eh..

haay...

I spent my last weekend on the mountains..mountains..

on which the original plan was at the sea..sea..saltwater..

I wont be writing about the place this time..

I was waiting.

waiting for that moment again.

That moment.that feeling.that inexplicable feeling.

like the first time I saw Mt. Mayon..

..the sunrise at Angkor wat..

..the white spots of the whalesharks at Donsol..

..the blinding white sands of the beaches of Coron..

I was missing that feeling

And I thought I would feel it again..

Alam ko ang babaw when I say it out loud

Childish even..

But a fellow traveler understands..

Is it weird for me to say that I always feel home when I'm on the road?

But I do..

I am at my element when I'm outside

Meeting people

Interesting conversations

Or maybe I just need a break

Just a break from my routine.

as Ian said..

Frustrations..

frustrations..

But sometimes.

Good friends

Conversations

Booze

are all a perfect vacation needs..

Lesson learned though..

Never plan an out of trip on rainy season..

Chances are..

yes.

It will rain.

argh.

oh yeah

Travel With A Cause

On my travels, at times, I feel, knowing people is not enough. I mean. I go to one place, site-see and all. The experience is great but is only fleeting. I feel there is more to it than that..


And so one afternoon, a sudden talk with Liza, exchanged some ideas and recent blog reads, a travel-with-a-cause sort of plan came up with..


The first days of planning were a blur. where to go. what to give. and how to start?


We went to a list of Philippine's poorest places and the choices went down to one in Bicol and the other in Kalinga since most in the list are in the Mindanao, which, for us is highly not feasible..


Luckily, Marela is a Bicolana and their family actually do this kind of stuff so half of our work is actually done..


Now, the other half..that's where we come in, where I come in, where you come in..
I always believe that we have social responsibilites to accomplish. That one doesn't have to be wealthy to help. What we earn cannot support this goal. 


And so we are asking..


We are asking our family and friends to support in ways they can on what our group is trying to do. Your contributions will go to the children of a remote island in Manlilipot, Albay, Bicol. They will be needing school supplies for the school year. Old clothes and shoes are also a big help. Anything. Just anything you think these kids will need. I'll be updating this blog so you guys see where your donations went to. 




I also would like to thank the people who already have given their assistance, specially to Mr. Toni France Apuli who shared a generous amount of his money.


For further inquiries on where to give your donations, look for us. Mare, Liza, France and Geh.

MY TOP 5 BEACHES...so far

1. Calaguas, Camarines Norte
No argue. Mahabang buhangin of calaguas group of islands is the best beach I've seen so far. It was love at first sight when I saw this beach. And I cannot wait to go back. The long bus ride was so worth it. I wish the place would stay the same five or ten years from now..

a long stretch of white sand beach

cake soft sand

2. Malcapuya Island and The-Island-That-Must-Not-Be-Named, Coron
I thought I've seen the best beach of Coron when I saw Malcapuya. I was wrong. I was back early this year and saw the most amazing place I've seen. Thanks to mamita for insisting to go to this place.. hehe

Blinding white sand of Malacapuya

the beach that shut me up

3. Blue Lagoon, Ilocos Norte
Even I saw Blue lagoon on a gloomy day, I still found the beach to be beautiful. Mang Arnel says it shows a different shade of blue when the water is calm, seen from the cliffs.. Still.. the beach is pristine and the sand is remarkable..The beach is also known a surfing site.

sorry for the poor shot..believe me, it's better than the photos

4. Boracay Island, Aklan
Maraming magagalit sakin kung bakit no4 si boracay. Undoubtly the longest white sand beach I've seen so far but the scene doesn't appeal to me. i prefer the laid back atmosphere over parties.

Boracay's famous 1km stretch of white sand beach

5. Manlawi Sandbar, Caramoan
I've only seen this beach on high tide. I've yet to see this on a low tide. And the perfect spot for some drinks with your best buds. The submerged huts is so much inviting. Sit on one of these huts while enjoying your beer.. Now that's a vacation..

Still in search of that perfect beach,
TaL

My Lakbayan Grade! I got B-!

My Lakbayan grade is B-!How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!
Created by Eugene Villar.

Cebu '12: Expenses, Itinerary

Day01:
Php 200 : airport terminal fee
Php 875 : accomodation (1750/room, for 2 nights=3500/4 = 875)
Php 80/4 = Php 20 : taxi (Pensionne to Pier One)
Php 200 : ferry (Cebu to Tubigon)
Php 10 : terminal fee
Php 30 : siopao, coke
Php 30 : tarsier watching entrance
Php 50 : Chocolate hills entrance
Php 500 : Loboc river cruise, buffet lunch
Php 60 : ice cream
Php 30 : Butterfly sanctuary entrance
Php 20 : Python entrance
Php 220 : ferry (Tubigon to Cebu)
Php 10 : terminal fee
Php 5 : passenger's fee
Php 2600/4 = Php 650 : car rental Kuya Benny
Php 75/4 = Php 19 : taxi (Pier One to Larsian bbq)
Php 412/4 = Php 103 : dinner
Php 70/4 = Php 18 : taxi (Larsian to Pensionne)


Day02
Php 80/4 = Php 20 : taxi (Pensionne too South Bus Terminal)
Php 150 : bus (Cebu to Tan-anawan)
Php 300 : Whale shark watching fee
Php 40/4 = 10 : add'l fee
Php 30 : lifevest rental
Php 1500 : Sumilon Day tour
Php 155 : bus (Tan-awan to Cebu)
Php 180/4 = Php 45 : taxi (South Bus Terminal to I.T. park)
Php 654/4 = Php 159 : dinner
Php 75/4 = Php 19 : taxi (I.T. park to pensionne)


Day03
Php 120/4 = Php 30 : taxi (Pensionne to North Bus Terminal)
Php 170 : bus (Cebu to Maya port)
Php 20 : Tunda
Php 100 : boat (Maya port to Malapascua Island)
Php 500 : lodging, Blue Coral Resort
Php 350 : dinner
Php 20 : tunda
Php 80 : boat (Malapascua to Maya port)
Php 170 : bus (Maya port to Cebu)
Php 120 : CnT lechon


Grand Total : Php 6,998




Day01
   am : arrive Cebu
Bohol Day tour
Tarsier watching
Chocolate Hills
Manmade forest
Loboc River cruise
Python, Butterfly sanctuary
Baclayon church
Blood compact site


   pm: dinner Larsian Barbecue


Day 02
   am: Whaleshark watching, Oslob
   pm: Sumilon Island


Day 03
   am, pm: Malapascua Island


Day 04
   am: Snorkeling, Malapascua Island
   pm: leave Cebu

26 random things I learned in my 26 years of existence... *inspired by Lourd de Veyra

1. Travel taught me a lot of things I never learned inside schools.


2. Genius ideas are recycled ideas.


3. We owe it to ourselves to live..and not just exist..


4. Your beliefs and/or standards in your teens will change when you hit your 20's.


5. Change is the only constant thing.


6. There are friends who come and go. And there are those who you know you can depend and trust your life on.


7. I don't believe in the saying "asa babae yan"..kung walang pumapatol sa mga hirit mo, kahit ano pang pagpapacute mo, walang mangyayari. Remember, it takes two to tango.


8. Gay men are way cuter than straight dudes. 


9. Girls stick together during break-ups. and boys? in cheating..


10. Ang tiyan ay sign ng pagkalalake.


11. Office politics. Its either you swim in it or get drowned in it.


12. Marry your bestfriend. 


13. I never liked milk teas. Its just a fad, this all too shall pass.. like Nursing.


14. Liking pages which advocates something never actually helps.


15. Wala sa model ng camera yan, nasa kumukuha parin..


16. I find guys who don't find themselves good-looking, attractive..and, I tell you, that's rare coz all looking guys i know are either gay or downright mayabang..


17. Never ever say yes to a spur-of-the-moment-last-minute-decision-after-movie-late-night-tagaytay-roadtrip when you have to report for work at six in the morning the next day.


18. Maturity is not measured on how old one is. I know people who are waay older than me and still think like they're in their early teens


19. Never talk to self-absorbed people. They treat people like mirrors when all you have to do is nod..agree to everything they say..


20. Conservative, makitid ang utak. iisa lang yan. parang burara, di lang daw organized. or malandi, friendly lang daw.


21. I don't get what's with people putting every single feeling they have on their social sites.


22. Mas masaya ang lakad na di planado kesa sa ten-year planned na lakad.


23. Facebook status are half-lies. People will put anything to sound and look good.


24. When you don't drink or smoke, it doesn't make you a goody two shoes. It just means you don't like drinking or smoking. 


25. The hardest things to say are the truest.


26. Umarte ng ayon sa ganda

Photoblog: Malapascua Island, Cebu