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Created by Eugene Villar.

festive

We arrived at the Lucban town at around 6am, and since it is quite early, we were able to park our car near the festivity. The first stop was at the eatery that serves sumptuous local treats..

pansit habhab

lucban longaniza

Also, there were delectable hardinera, fried pork and embutido, all delicious!

As everyone is so excited to see what this Festival has, right after the breakfast stop, we started our tour of the town.

pahiyas

happy

Fun

i me myself in pahiyas

This year’s Dinagyang (2010) was my first experience of the festival. I was born in the neighboring province of Iloilo but had missed the chance to witness or rather join the festival in its previous celebrations. Together with 3 other colleagues from work, we booked our flight and our accommodation as early as October of 2009. We booked early as advised by friends who are from Iloilo.


The Dinagyang parade was so enjoyable, the tribes are so admirable, despite the heat and the crowd, we can see that they are happy as they perform. The tribes’ grandest costumes and props are indeed amazing.

Good thing for us that despite the heat of the sun we have a refreshing drink with us…

And huh..!?! Real Leaf Green Tea supports Dinagyang Festival, what a very good cause to support our Country’s tourism.

And here, caught in the middle of the parade…thirst quencher!

And here is DAGOY, the Festival’s official mascot, he’s so cute!

I am one of the priviledged few in our Firm who were given the chance to enroll in a Dale Carnegie Course. At first, I was hesitant, as i picture the inconvenience it would cause me for 12 consecutive Saturdays. The school operates at Galleria Suite in Ortigas and I live in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, so if you could only imagine the added travel i should take for the next 12 weeks. Luckily, i have the drive to learn and learn, so despite the despite, i enrolled.

I was absent during the first meeting, I was in Boracay then, so I really have no choice. On the class’ 2nd meeting was my first attendance, and I dont know but the class that composes my batch really had caught my interest, plus the undeniably good instructor that we had. The 3-hour session seems too fast, and is getting more interesting as the sessions passed by. I really appreciate the instructor, she is good, she is lively and she really gets the best out of her students. And without me knowing, or expecting it, the 12 weekly sessions had quickly come to its end. An end, which has been a start for the class, as we became acquainted and friends to each other.

The course indeed is very effective as we have learned, little by little, to live the human relation principles that Dale Carnegie had imparted to us.

From a stressful month of preparation for an external practice review, i have rewarded myself with the most sought trip, the BORA experience. I really love Boracay for its fine sands, beautiful sunset, great watersports, lively nightlife and a serene morning, all in one place.

the shore

amazing.. sun sets in my hands

On our 2nd day, we went to Puka beach for swimming and visited the Shangrila resort. At our 2nd night, we feast ourselves with sumptuous grilled seafoods for dinner, enjoyed watching the fire dancers and danced the night away.

with my pretty boss

3rd day has been more exciting, driving an ATV, we went to the highest point of the Island, the Mt. Luho and feast our eyes to the beauty of the Island from the top view. After Mt. Luho, we went to the other side of the island for a great water sport, jet ski, my first time, and its really fun! We actually thought of trying parasailing, but, we did not, maybe next time.

the ride

atv ride

mt. luho

beauty everywhere

All in all, the vacation is so wonderful, the beach is so lovely and i keep missing it.

loved-the-beach

For a 4-day/3-nyt trip, i was able to visit DAVAO, GENERAL SANTOS, SARANGGANI and SOUTH COTABATO! A very exciting and stomach fulfilling joyride i ever had.. gained 4lbs in 4 days! waaaaaaaaah, this again would take a month of diet..

This is the first time i set foot in Mindanao archipelago, our first stop is in Davao City.


Straight from the airport we went to Pearl Farm Resort for a day tour, this cost us P1,550, that includes a 45 min boat ride, a very delicious pineapple juice as a welcome drink, use of the resort facility and a very sumptous buffet lunch! The penny we paid is so worth it, the resort is very beautiful and picturesque.. i enjoyed swimming in their infinity pool.. the beach here is okay, Coron is better.

So beautiful..

After Davao, on the 2nd day, we drive to General Santos City, originally to visit our Champ’s home, but due to the unforeseen events, we ended up in a TUNA restaurant and relished the best of Gensan and forgot our initial plan.

The next morning, we ended up in Sarangani Highlands for breakfast, great Restaurant, great view and great food.

My favorite spot..

more stories and pics on the next post.. nid to sign off now.. =(

Just a minute walk from our hotel is the Merlion, a must see in SG.


Esplanade is also called the “Durian” as it looks like one.

They said visiting Singapore is never complete unless you’ve been to Sentosa Island, a themed Park, so to complete our visit, our fourth day was spent there! We enjoyed the sceneries, strolled in the beach of Siloso, trekked at the Fort and got amazed inside the images of singapore. We also enjoyed riding skyride, segway and the most exciting luge.

Siloso Beach. There are 3 beaches in Sentosa Island.

Seems real…

The skyride, Luge is more exciting but no pic taking is allowed, same goes with the segway.

On our last night, we stayed at the place of our former colleague, who is now based in Singapore. I was also met by my classmates in MBA and strolled in the streets of Orchard. I really enjoyed my visit in Singapore and i am so thankful to the hospitable friends that we got there.

With my MBA batchmates.

With the Friends of Ms. Cha.

And trips will never be complete without this…

Shopping.

As famous as Baguio itself are the pine trees that sorrounds us.

First stop was at the Mansion.

Next is the Mine’s View, too crowded in here.

Next is pasalubong shopping at Good Shepherd Convent.

Along the way to our Lunch destination is Botanical Garden, a must visit place.

Flowers everywhere…

Afternoon snacks aboard in Burnham Park.

Of course, a must experience.. strawberry farm.

We attended the Sunday anticipated mass at the Cathedral.

Visited bell church.

Offerred flowers at Grotto.

A very nice view in Grotto.

Wacky pose.

On our way home, we took the Kennon road just to have a photo with this Lion =)

enjoying-kayak-at-kayangan-lake

Came Feb 28, 2009, everyone was so excited, except for one who did not make it for a very funny reason, by the way, only 16 made it to Coron. We had booked earlier our packaged tour at CORON VILLAGE LODGE, that includes everything, airport transfers, a full board accommodation, tour fees, guides and a very good service. Each of us paid P4,380 for a 3-day packaged tour.

Before I start our Coron fun adventure, I’d like to thank first, CEBU PACIFIC AIR for their very generous discount – and for the pink pouch I won on our flight back to Manila – and of course to CORON VILLAGE LODGE, for their very accommodating owner and staff, sumptuous meals, very comfortable accommodation (clean and spacious rooms), a very friendly tour guide and a very patient driver (van for airport transfers), plus their very affordable packaged tour rates. And lastly, to PHILIPPINE AIRLINES, for their low fares also.

We arrived at Busuanga Airport at passed 10am and waited for around 30 mins for our other colleagues who boarded at PAL, they have Bayani Fernando on the same flight. The coaster van who fetched us in the airport is huge enough to really fit us, all 16 persons. The travel from the airport to Coron Village Lodge took us 35 mins., all of us were very thankful that upon getting to the Lodge, a sumptuous lunch was already prepared for us. We just settled our things in the rooms assigned to us (4 in a room) and proceeded to the restaurant/bar for our first meal in Coron. After the lunch, we got ourselves ready for the first tour in our itinerary – a visit to the lakes and snorkeling. First stop was the Kayangan lake, owned by the native of Palawan called tagbanuas. We have to hike to get to the lake, upon getting to the top and before we go down to the lake, a very breathtaking scenery welcomes us for a series of our photo op. We dipped in the lake and enjoyed the water, the scenery and the joy of being with each other, all 16 of us really had a great time. Next stop was the twin lagoon, an another breathtaking and stress relieving picture of God’s grace to mankind, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see one of the twin lagoon, as it was high tide when we get there and the hole way to the 2nd lagoon needs a swimmer to get through it, some of us were able to go through. Another stop for the day is the siete pecados, a snorkeling area that is rich in marine lives, so many colorful fishes can be found here, we all enjoyed feeding the fishes. Our last stop was the Maquinit Hot Spring, since our boat cannot dock near the hot spring (bec of low tide) we had to walk along the shoreline for 15 mins. The dip in the hot spring is very relieving, we felt that all our body aches were relieved, my varicose veins were calmed. We got back to the lodge in time for our dinner, a buffet one. Our first day was full of fun and laughters, a one of a kind camaraderie and enjoyment.