OF FIRST TIMES AND BEYOND
(In memory of my 27th birthday)
Photo taken by Justine Balanag
February 13 2011
After so many failed planned vacation leaves, it was only this year that I was able to maximize the days I intended for my celebration. It all started last Sunday before Valentine’s Day when I got my free cake and boxes of assorted polvoron (my favorite) from Goldilocks and was able to gather my family and some relatives in Marikina. It was just a simple, yet meaningful celebration, because there’s nothing compared to the sound of children’s laughter whenever they see a candle blown on a birthday cake. As I described my birthday album on my facebook account, I found it funny because it took 3rounds before I was able to blow my own birthday candle. The first was done by my brother’s son – Nash Gabrielle, followed by my half sister – Althea Faye. And since that was the very first candle I have to blow after so many years of not having one, I forgot to make a wish. I don’t even remember when I should make a wish – before or after I blow the candle? Haha.
February 22-25 2011
Four days, three nights stay in Coron, Palawan
When I found out that there’s a promo fare to Coron and was scheduled for February, I immediately agreed to come along. I told myself to give it a shot and see what fate presents to me on that day. I realized that it was my very first out of town trip (by plane) with some of my high school friends – Justine and Denisse, together with Alfie (Denisse’s boyfriend) and two of our new found friends, Tia and Candy. I’ll tell more specific adventures we had on my later post. So just stand by.
Anyway, another first for me was eating on the boat while traveling from one island to another. Oh, when I say we “ate”, it’s not the normal chips and crackers thing you have whenever you’re in the middle of the ocean. They were actual meals cooked by the boatmen, fresh from the sea (huge Crabs, Fish, Pusit – just to name a few). They cook really well and the food is so yummy!
Another first was when my sunglasses broke on our 2nd day, when we were on our way to Calauit Island: Safari. Just imagine how many hours we were walking on that huge acres of land to see each animal (following the tour guide like we were on an elementary fieldtrip or something), under the freaking heat of the sun without sunglasses on. To be honest, though, I kept on asking myself that time (in the back of my mind), “Can I just sit and watch the National Geographic Channel instead of walking with you guys?” Had they reserved an alternative truck for tourists, if what they originally have gets malfunctioned, we would have all been fine gazing through the field not minding the heat. Tsk, tsk, booooo! I love the giraffes, horses and zebras, though. 
Anyway, lesson learned: I won’t buy a ninety-nine pesos worth of sunglasses any longer so it won’t break after a day of use. Crap!
It was my first time to wear a real 2-piece bikini (despite my big figure). And it was not a two-piece outfit like shorts and a top, which I always wear before, when I have a nice figure to flaunt. How ironic.
It was a first when I get to eat on my own pace without having someone rush me to finish my food; and live somewhat like a real survivor in an isolated island when we stayed overnight in Castaway – wherein your only companion is the sound of the waves, and the cool breeze on your face. Electricity’s off during the day, and only a generator helps you get through the night. The only difference is, they served our food. We didn’t need to hunt to get something to eat. It’s like living in a paradise – without a special someone beside you *sigh* hehe.
Visiting 8 islands in one day (on exactly my birth day, the 24th) was another first. Snorkeling, swimming, trekking – name it, we did it. You can just imagine how exhausted we were at the end of the day. But we didn’t mind. We still managed to get a tricycle to drive us to Maquinit Hot Springs and give our tired bodies, a much needed break.
Our 4th morning was just a preparation to our flight back to Manila, so there’s nothing much that happened. Denisse just pointed a cute tree, though, while we’re inside the van going to the airport. It was alone in the middle of the field and it was a very pretty tree like what I see on children’s books when I was a kid, or a movie-like scene in need of a great nature’s background. It was amazing. Do you remember this phrase: “Living in a greener pasture?” The feeling was like that, only in the literal sense, because you are surrounded by green trees
Finally, it was a first having to trek 6 times, on different locations, when all we wanted was just to swim and snorkel. Mind you, we even trekked inside NAIA when all their escalators didn’t work when we arrived. Crazy, but super fun! 
Thank you, Lord, for keeping us all safe on this blessed trip; thank you for introducing us to thoughtful and hospitable people of Coron; thank you for creating such wonderful and amazing islands; and thank you for allowing these people (Justine, Denisse, Alfie, Tia and Candy) to share their time and part of their lives with me as I celebrate another year of blissful existence. Thank you too, for all of you who extended warm greetings and wishes.
I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me, next year
For now, I’ll continue living each day and each passing hour in God’s grace.
Due to popular demand: Here are the answers to your Questions about – Anawangin, Zambales (Taglish)
This post is actually long overdue. Now that I’m receiving more and more inquiries about how to go to Anawangin Zambales, budget, travel time and so forth – in a span of like 1 to 2hours today, I decided to put all my answers in one page, instead of answering them one by one on each wall. ^_^
The answers were as far as my memory can recall. Hehe
Q: How to go to Anawangin?
A: Since I was with my colleagues, we came from Ayala, then went straight to Victory Liner Caloocan Bus terminal. From there, we boarded the bus going to Iba,Zambales (if there’s an available bus to San Antonio, much better, because that’s where you will ride a tricycle to Pundaquit Town). Anuman ang sakyan mo sa dalawa, kailangan mo lang bumaba ng San Antonio. :p
From San Antonio, go inside the market (buy things/food that you think you’ll need more than what you brought). At the back of the market is where you’ll find the tricycles which will bring you to your second destination – Pundaquit.
In Pundaquit was where we met Kuya William – our ever dearest ‘bankero’ from the 1st time we were there. He then led us to a cottage to rest for a while, while he prepares our banka going to —- Anawangin.
Q: How long will it take us to Anawangin from Manila?
A: From wherever you will come, going to Caloocan, I have no idea. hehe. But from Ayala, I rode a cab last Saturday (April 17) after my shift going to Caloocan. It took me around 30-45mins.
The bus ride from the terminal to San Antonio is 4 hours (may mga stop over na din yun. Mga 2 or 3 stop-overs kasama na yung isang 15min break para mananghalian ang driver at konduktor ng bus pati na rin ang mga gutom na pasahero).
The tricycle ride from San Antonio to Pundaquit is roughly around 10-15mins.
And the boat ride from Pundaquit to Anawangin is roughly 30-45mins.(sure naman na matitigil ang reklamo niyo sa tagal ng biyahe once na nakita niyo nang malapit na kayo sa Anawangin. The view is just so beautiful, that you may want to jump right away from the boat. Hehe joke lang. Pero kung may gusto gumawa, go lang )
Q: How much is the budget?
A: It’s dependont. hehe. I mean, it depends whether you guys will bring food on your own or you’ll buy from the store dun (which got me surprised because the first time we were there – Jan 31-Feb 1 2009, it was an empty island, except of course sa mga may tent dun. No stores, no Henna stall, no numerous signboards of Attention, etc)
But for our group, we only prepared P1,500-P2,000 each. Andun na yung pinamalengke, pinambili ng water, transpo (bus to and from, boat to and from and island hopping at iba pa na di ko na maalala pang binayaran namin). That’s the cheapest budget so far na nagamit ko (of all the places I’ve been to), hanggang sa makauwi sa aking munting “haven”.
Q: Are we allowed to drink alcohol within Anawangin grounds?
A: I think I saw a sign of No Drinking Alcohol (im not sure. Baka nananaginip lang ako nun. hehe) and no Bonfire allowed, na ganito ang pagkakasulat:
Well, ilang groups lang ang nakita kong di uminom sa Anawangin. Most were drinking pagsapit ng dilim (as in dilim, dahil wala pong kuryente at ilaw sa lugar na yon – para sa mga di pa po nakakapunta), kasabay ng awitan, tugtugan, kulitan, sumbatan, tuksuhan at kung anu anu pang ‘tan’. hehehe. Sa karamihan, hindi kumpleto ang punta nila sa Anawangin kung walang inuman 
On our end, we weren’t able to drink the first time, dahil sa pagod siguro naming lahat at lahat kami bagsak sa pagtulog, dahil na rin sa sarap ng simoy ng hangin at magagandang bituin sa kalangitan .
The second time, di rin kami nakainom, dahil mas nagfocus yata kami sa paniniguradong “ready” na kami the second time around. “Ready” dahil may mga dala na kaming tent (sila lang pala,hehe), at maraming-maraming pagkain!
Q: Things to bring?
A:
-Tent,
-maraming tubig,
-flashlight/emergency lamp/kandila,
-mga gamit pangluto/ihaw/saing,
-OFF lotion kung sensitibo sa lamok,
-jacket/kumot kung lamigin,
-sumbrero,
-pang-swimming syempre (dahil sobrang pure ng buhangin at napakalinis ng dagat, ang sarap lumangoy
(magingat nga lang po sa ‘sudden drop’. Huwag masyado pakalayo. Ang akala mong mababaw pa, ay maaaring maging biglang-lalim at di ka na maka-ahon. Seryoso po yan at di pananakot. You may read blogs about that ‘sudden drop’ thing in Anawangin),
-Sunblock,
-tissue paper,
-gamit pangligo/banlaw,
-ziplock,
-Garbage plastic (para mapanatili pa rin ang kalinisan ng Anawangin, maging disiplinado sa basura),
-pangsapin,
-payong, at higit sa lahat
- CAMERA (dahil hindi ako papayag na ma-miss ninyo ang ganito kagandang likha ng kalikasan)
Kung may nakalimutan po akong banggitin sa mga dapat dalhin at nalimutan sa aking mga sagot, pasensiya na. ^_^
If you still have further questions, sa prisinto na kayo magtanong. Hehe, kidding. Just let me know ^_^
Hope this helps!
Puerto Princesa, Palawan – Part 2
Woohoo! Just finished exploring Hunda Bay and seen all their nice coral reefs. I didn’t see much of the fishes,though, but that’s alright. We have two more islands to check out!
This is where Edward took the video on the first part of this blog. Though I wasn’t able to see the exact shape of the island forming a snake, I was advised that it’s best to capture it from above (while riding a plane that is – sigh).
The following pictures were taken while we’re snorkling, feeding and looking at beautiful and more fishes in the ocean.
This Starfish just appeared in the middle of nowhere. Next thing we know, it’s more than one
Walking through the shore, I noticed a very nice scenery on the far right of this island. clean water, serene space. No wonder why we noticed a few couples scorching through the far-end of this place (having a private time with each other maybe). hehe
Of course we have our own set of couple too. Myrtel and Edward is one of them. Here’s a shot
And this lovely dog where I also don’t know came from, lovingly posed for me. hehehe
Just feeling the sand and the heat. hehehe
so I took advantage of it…heheheh 
Last Supper @ Mang Inasal
We got tired on our 2nd day and was so hungry that we craved for food,food,food! hehe. Due to budget constraints, we decided to settle on a fine dining resto with unlimited rice – Mang Inasal. Ü
We saw Kuya Albert and his family too! So nice of him to drop by and introduce his cute kids. They were really shy. We understand. Hehe
Sidetrip to the Sports Complex
We didn’t want to go back to the hotel yet. So me, Sager, Myrtel and Edward decided to roam around the place and checked on their park and sports complex. We were greeted by their tall Christmas Tree and people doing some bicycle stunts on the other side of the place.
We were like kids as we took pictures at the playground, and found a cute view inside the slide Ü
Posted via web from Unfold Me
Puerto Princesa, Palawan – Part 1
SeAdventure Tours
Hotel accomodation:
Duchess Pension
Tour Master:
Kuya Albert Mendoza
The Group:
Myrtle & Co.
With Special Participations of: Mr & Mrs. Ramos Ü
Airline: PAL
Straight from our Friday shift (except for Buon), and after all the long time preparations , we went straight to NAIA Centennial Terminal 2 so we won’t miss our flight at 2:50pm.
After waiting for the flight announcer to stop calling and looking for the very last passenger Lorelai from the batch before us, we finally made our way inside the plane. Our adventure to Puerto Princesa has just begun. Ü
The Arrival
While we were taking pictures and getting our stuff be unloaded, there, at the back of Puerto Princesa Airport, our tour master – Kuya Albert – has been patiently waiting while holding our group’s name Myrtle & Co.,
First Dinner @ Ka Lui
Our dinner at Ka Lui was so fun and their food were so stomach-filling that we forgot how sleepy and tired we were from the travel a few hours earlier. The fun goes with the different scenes you can create while eating, checking out the ‘couples’ inside (I still can’t get over the view of the 2 lovers I saw on the left area where I was seated. They were I dunno if Australians or Dutch, but one thing which stuck in my mind up to now, was the fact that they look good together regardless if the guy was black and the girl was so damn white – and pretty at that. hehe. I just don’t know if my friends saw them too). 
and the corner from their entrance which they named – Palawanderer Outdoor Lover 
Day 2 – Breakfast
We don’t need to have so much for an early day breakfast. These were good enough to make us last for a few hours. Besides, I think we’re on a diet. hehe Ü
First Stop: Running tour to Vietnam Ville
Kuya Albert brought us first to see one of the significant places in Puerto Princesa – The VietVille. From the houses to the people walking that we saw during the trip, it really felt like we’re passing through in a very small town of Vietnam. Unfortunately, since we were unable to go down due to a slight rainfall, we only managed to take pictures inside the van through the windowshield.
Running tour to Ulugan Bay – Buenavista Viewdeck
Actually, before we went to Ulugan Bay, we stopped by this area where there’s a huge mountain rock behind us (much like what we saw in Sagada - the rock mountain where the hanging coffins in Echo Valley is attached.)
Mr. and Mrs. Ramos joined us on our first day trip. So it was a pleasure to include them on our photo ops
Ulugan Bay – Buenavista Viewdeck
Next stop: Sabang Beach
This is where we had our first free buffet lunch by the beach. And this is also where I saw a perfect heart-shaped coconut just for me. Nice!
I can’t remember how fast Koya cut that one. Hehe
The waves were so strong and we didn’t care even if its a bit raining. We also had fun when we tried to walk (or run?) with the carabao-with-kalesa and koreans(?) riding on it. hehe Ü
Of course, we get to ride that carabao too!
Monkey/Jungle Trail
My friends saw monkeys while we’re on the trail, but unfortunately, I didn’t. I just felt and heard something moving in between the trees, though – while we’re walking and applying Off Lotion (hehe) but I did not see an actual monkey flying from one branch to another. Ü
Underground River
Who haven’t heard about the Underground River? We waited for a couple of minutes for an available boat to let us through this one of the 7 Wonders of the World. We saw different nationalities who wanted to take a peek into Puerto Princesa’s pride. Each so eager to find out what’s inside.
Apparently, I can only remember a few (since I continued writing this just now – Nov 6 2009). And I won’t spoil the suspense of knowing what else was inside, because it’s best to see them on your own. Ü
I find it hard to recognize some of the images captured due to some hazy shots. My apologies.
What made the experience inside so great, though, was the fact that all those figures were formed thru melted rocks and not man-made! Amazing
Second Dinner @ Badjao Seafront
Mr & Mrs Nova Ramos were still with us on our first dinner. We were like kids with parents — hehe,kidding. Ü
Posted via web from Unfold Me
25…
ÜÜÜ
27 days and counting!
27 days to go before Herbalife Extravaganza happens in Bangkok,Thailand!!!
i am sooooooooooo excited coz this will be my very first ever international travel!
we’ll be trained for 3days by the top supervisors and earners of Herbalife, and then we’ll just loiter around Bangkok for the rest of the days left! hehehe [3-days training, 2-days pasyal] Ü
isn’t that exciting?!
first, i need to get a passport though…wahahahahah!!!
Posted via web from Unfold Me
BosoBoso Antipolo
Nah…there’s no Peeping Tom. This is the name of the resort my dear Filipino friends — and this is not related in anyway with a scandal. Sorry. Heehee!Ü
May 16 2009 ~ Day 1
Following the usual summer get-away with my college friends (Buritos Favoritism), we visited BosoBoso Highlands Resort & Convention Center in Antipolo from May 16-17 2009. The following pictures you will see were taken by yours truly, capturing the beauty and mysterious place of this land in my then hometown.
Feel free to click on each to view the larger picture. Ü
OUR ROOM AND KEY, UP IN THE ATTIC
VIEW OF THEIR PUBLIC POOL
I wasn’t able to swim in here because of the kidsssssssss…hehehe…and look at the slide…it really freaked me out!
THE OTHER SIDE
See the kidsssssss?!? hehehe Ü
THE PRIVATE POOL
We preferred to swim here though. This is the only hotel facility they have which is only accessible to people who rents a room. The rest, are accessible to anyone.
THE RAMP
Until now, maybe, we are still wondering why this ramp/walkway was put in the middle of the pool!
May 17 ~ Day 2
Only a few of us managed to wake up by 5 o’clock in the morning. That includes Liza and her family, Polo and Me!Ü Despite the fact that I haven’t had enough sleep from yesterday’s shift, I so wanted to explore the place and got up as soon as Liza called my name. Ü
I just wish everyone get to stay ’til the second day. They missed the fun of trekking down the forest towards the holy chapel situated at the center of this Highland.
THE ZIGZAG
Take a look at this creepy zigzag road. This is the path towards Paradise II.
PARADISE II
Though we weren’t able to go there, I was able to grasp a view of it from the top of the mountain. Ü
LA ANUNCIATA CHAPEL
Finally. That little white chapel you saw on the above picture…is this.
We were just so lucky to see it when the sun is just rising.Ü
MORE VIEW FROM LA ANUNCIATA CHAPEL
All in all, the experience in this place was great. The scenery is good enough to have a peaceful weekend with my friends. Set aside their other facilities. I don’t want to comment more about it. As what we all have agreed upon, at least their maintenance people were nice and approachable to their customers — they at least helped us ‘understand’ some of the inconvenience. Ü
YOU.Speak