Valentine's Date with Nature :)

During my rendezvous with Marvsz at Baguio last Christmas, we discussed some of the travels that we are planning to do for 2015. One of the destination on our list is Mt. Pinatubo. Since my February is full, except February 14, we decided to do a Valentine date with nature :) Good thing Tripinas offers Pinatubo tours every Saturday. We availed their Mt. Pinatubo tour for PHP 2090 with round trip transfers, 4x4 ride and other fees in Pinatubo.

Meeting time was 2AM at Mcdo El Pueblo in Ortigas so yes, I did not sleep because I have to leave the house at 1AM. We bought our lunch at Mcdo since there are no restaurants/fast food chains in Pinatubo. The trip from Manila to Brgy. Sta. Juliana (base camp) is 2 hours. From the base camp, we were assigned to our 4x4 and tour guide. The 4x4 ride was exciting at first but after a few hours of the ride, my butt started to hurt. If not for the beautiful scenery, the 4x4 ride would be hell (HA HA!)

Waiting for the sun to rise

Before the trip, we were told that we could choose the long or the short trek. Since our group opted for the long trek, we walked for around 1 and an half to 2 hours. It was fun except that I have been inactive for a long time so it was really tiring. 

There were a lot of river crossings so it's advisable to use trekking sandals rather than rubber shoes. Good thing I have ninja moves to avoid getting my shoes wet. Hehe. We arrived the crater lake after a few hours and lo and behold, the 4x4 and long trek was worth it.

It was truly majestic. I have no words for its beauty. After a long sense of awe, I got hungry so I took out my chicken nuggets and ate while enjoying the view. It was love that I felt for nature and this country when I saw the crater lake. It was one of the best Valentines to date. (Well, I don't really go out during Valentines ever since because I don't like crowded places haha!) There are really more places to discover here in the Philippines and I'm just starting :)

Anyway, at around 11am, we started going back. I badly want to go home because I was super tired already (LOLA VIBES FOREVER!). On the way back, we only had a 15-20 minute trek then we rode the 4x4 again. I was really tired and the sun was scorching hot so I did not enjoy the 4x4 trip back. 

My travel buddy

We left for Manila at around 3pm and arrived Ortigas at 5:30pm. I was super hungry so Marvsz and I had dinner at Metrowalk then headed to Citigolf for a few drinks. 

It was a fun day despite the sweat and energy lost from the trip :) Over drinks, Marvsz gave me tip for my upcoming Pulag trip and I can't wait! I conquered Pinatubo, next on my list... MT. PULAG! Woot!

Commuting. More fun in the Philippines.

I was browsing through Facebook this morning for my daily dose of news and cute videos (hehe!) then I stumbled upon this news: LTFRB exec proposes EDSA traffic scheme. When I read this, I thought of many reasons why this is not going to work in our current transportation system. I think this proposal will be a good idea if we have a better public transportation system. I mean, seriously?? Are you proposing this now? Have you seen how the buses/jeepneys/taxis acts like they rule the road?? And you guys are the one who give them the license to run. Please, fix the public transportation first before giving out proposals like this one. (I'm sorry, I just hate those buses/jeepneys who doesn't know how to follow the traffic rules and who feels like they can stop anywhere they want!!)

Okay, the problem may be because of the huge volume of private vehicles on the road everyday because people who can afford cars will definitely buy one (and cars are so affordable nowadays). They wouldn't want to risk their life riding a jeepney or bus that may contain snatchers or drivers who doesn't even know defensive driving. Have you seen how these buses drive in Commonwealth? Hanggang may butas, lulusot! HELLO, we have a yellow lane for you guys! Also, if you've been watching the news regularly, there will always be news about a jeep/bus that got into an accident or bus that caught fire. If the authority assure the people that the drivers of the public transpo can drive safely and will stop at their designated stops, then I believe more people will use the public transpo. Offer the people a system that they can believe in and I assure you, there will be lesser private vehicles on the road. Would people choose this over the hassle of bringing a car??

Parking is a pain in the ass (especially in Makati or Taguig) so personally, I would love to commute rather than bring my own car but since, I'm too scared to ride a bus or the MRT, I'd rather have a hard time looking for a parking than risk my life or waste my time in line.

I think this is where MMDA/LTFRB should focus on. Invest on an efficient public transportation system then implement it. We may have a better system in the future but implementation sucks here in the country. For example, when the MMDA released the bus segregation system in EDSA, I think it was a good idea but it wasn't implemented properly. So yes, it was a fail. I hope the authorities can impose right discipline to the drivers and the commuters.

There are always two sides of the story thus, authority should also discipline commuters who doesn't know where to wait/go down. Another reason why the MMDA's bus segregation system failed is because commuters doesn't know where to go down. They would like to go down to the place convenient for them (and they do not think of the hassle they are giving to cars behind the buses they are in!!!) They don't want to go down at designated stops because it's far from their destination... then ride a taxi if you like to go down right in front of where you are going!! (Sorry, another pet peeve!) Also, commuters sometimes wait at the middle of the road for jeeps/buses! As in middle of the road. So obviously, jeeps/buses will stop at the middle of the road too which causes inconvenience to cars behind them! For the commuters out there, know your place, please.

I know that this is possible because other countries have excellent transportation system that people follow. I saw how efficient it is in Singapore and I believe that this is possible for the country if we all help each other. Also, lesser cars on the road means lesser pollution! (yey!) Create a better system for public transport, train drivers to drive properly!, implement the system properly and discipline commutes. If this can be done, then I think we'll have smaller problems in our hand (then you might not need this proposal of banning private vehicles.)

#leyteracay

"Let us not abandon our country. First, never stop hoping for this country. Second, never stop caring for our people. Third, demand greatness from yourself as a Filipino. And fourth, inspire greatness in other Filipinos. Then poverty will end even before 2024."  -Tony Meloto

Normally, Gawad Kalinga's Bayani Challenge is a one week event where volunteers from all over the country come together in one place to build houses for the poor. This year, the Bayani Challenge (BC) is extra special for the victims of Yolanda, Bohol earthquake and the Zamboanga siege. Gawad Kalinga brought the BC to the next level when they announced that this year, it will be held for 2 months (April 9-June 12) in 12 provinces. For this year, I joined my family and friends in Leyte to serve in the Bayani Challenge family edition :)

The kids ready to go to Tacloban

DAY 1. We arrived Tacloban on Friday and this is what welcomed us. 

Airport's arrival area

You can still see the massive destruction Yolanda left. Everything was manually done, the checking of baggage, giving out of check in baggage, checking in etc. When we toured around the city, you can see more damages that will really break your heart. I can't imagine how strong the winds were that can destroy buildings and warehouses. :( We also saw different mass graves and pictures of kids are everywhere. I can't help but cry.

We went straight to the site in Tanauan, Leyte to start building. We had a scrumptious lunch prepared by the residents there then went straight to work. 

The GK site in Tanauan, Leyte

With party music blasting on the stereo, we started sifting sand under the sun. During Bayani Challenge weeks, I never worry about my color. This is the only time that I know I can be dark and be proud of it. After 2 blisters and several calluses, we decided to start painting houses. We were joined by the Cruzes, Santoses and Wilk's children. Seeing the little ones paint houses for the victims of Yolanda is very inspiring. 

Diwa, the youngest BC volunteer!

Since the kids overtook the painting scene, my brother and I decided to dig for septic tanks. I dug my first septic tank in Gabaldon and ever since then, I have been an expert (GK Ateneo is famous for septic tank digging). It would always be an honor for me to serve alongside my brother who is an inspiration to me.

Ateneo represent!

#20 Go to Palawan

I have been dreaming of going to Palawan ever since.. (I can't even remember when) That's why I've been itching for Feb 22 to come ever since we booked our El Nido trip last November. Another item off my 30before30 list! Yahooo!

El Nido is 6 hours away from Puerto Prinsesa and our van leaves at 12:30pm. Before heading to this long trip, we decided to eat at Kalui first. I fell in love with the interiors and the artworks in this restaurant. It is better that you have reservations in this restaurant because when lunch time comes, it gets packed. Good thing we arrived there super early. Before entering the restaurant, you have to remove your shoes. It was a good experience. The meal was delightful. For seafood lovers, you will definitely love this place because most of the food in their menu's seafood :)

Art exhibit inside the restaurant

We arrived El Nido at around 5:30 pm and this is my first sight of El Nido:

El Nido is ethereal! I can't describe how beautiful the place is and my pictures can't suffice. You really have to see it for yourself :) During our first night, we decided to go to Corong Corong since we have to pay our accommodations for the 25th. We had dinner there and at around 8pm, the lights went off. It is normal for the island to have random brownouts and they have a regular brownout at 6am-2pm. I got scared at first but when I saw how beautiful the night sky was, I wished that the lights will never come back. BEST NIGHT SKY I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE. I STILL GET KILIG WHEN I REMEMBER HOW BEAUTIFUL IT WAS. I FEEL LIKE I WAS IN SPACE.

The best picture that we had of the sky

 I wish I could see that again. So we went back to the Town Proper after dinner and had a good night sleep

Unexpectedly Awesome Trip

I worry too much about the future and I hate it when all my plans fail. I have been very anxious about this Cebu trip for 2014 since last year. Some plans got cancelled and all the excitement faded. I was having second thoughts on pushing through this 10-day trip to Cebu with my brother and sister-in-law but since this year, I am going for spontaneous, I hop on that plane and flew to Cebu.

It was one of the best decisions I had this year (HAHA!). I did not expect it to be that amazing :) It was all about new found friends, food, alcohol and adventures! Cebu truly has amazing and cheap food. Of course, I wouldn't leave Cebu without eating lechon and I swear, I had too much lechon (Approximately 8 lechon meals). Besides lechon, my new favorite food would be the ribs from Surfin' Ribs (better than Casa Verde's and cheaper!). I had more meals but I wasn't able to take pictures.

This trip, I guess, also made me more alcoholic. We partied, drank until the sun rises, move from one inuman place to the other etc. Everyday, I would cap the night off with a bottle or two. When I got home from Cebu, I extended my alcoholic days with a catch up gimik night with a friend :) 

My sister-in-law is Cebuana and we stayed in her relative's house. Her cousin took care of driving us around and bringing us to the best restaurants in Cebu. I also met Milo, Ate Trina's nephew and we became friends. He would always call me "Friends" and he is the most hyper kid I know as of today. He speaks Bisaya and I can't understand anything he's saying but he would still play with me, such a sweetheart :)

Since we don't really have an itinerary and our main purpose for this trip was Sinulog, we looked for other things to do in Cebu. So Kuya Justine and I went kart racing! It was a first for me and it was awesooome :) 

SINULOG 2014: THE BEST PARTY I HAVE BEEN TO.

Ate Trina's cousin told us stories about Sinulog and we got super excited. I was planning on just wearing my tank top, shorts and slippers but he warned us not to wear slippers so I bought cheap shoes. We went to Ayala Center's Metro Gaisano Dept. store to look for shoes and I was frustrated because I can't look for cheap shoes that has my size. I was about to give up when I had a light bulb moment and look for shoes at the kid's shoes and voila...

Super reliable boy's sneakers :)

Sinulog can be summed up into a few words:  UNLIMITED BEER/ALCOHOL, PRT PRRRTT PRRT!, BEER SHOWERS, DRUNK PEOPLE, CRAZY AND AMAZING STREET PARTY! I started drinking at around 11 in the morning and ended at 10 pm! Cebuanos really know how to partyyy! It was more awesome because of fun and wild friends around. This is my first Sinulog experience but this will not be the last!

The day after Sinulog, we visited Sto. Nino Basilica. You can still see the damaged left by the earthquake last year.

 We had more side trips that I could not elaborate anymore. We ended this trip with Ate Trina's cousin's wedding. It was lovely and extravagant (but would have been better, in my opinion).

It was truly an amazing trip that I wouldn't forget :) I will forever love Cebu and Cebuanos. It was a trip that I got to know the other side of Cebuanos and this is the better version. Awesome awesome people with a one of a kind custom. 

Thank you Cebu for making this trip unexpectedly awesome!

STRANDED

The weather for the past few days have been crazy. I, together with my brothers, sisters-in-law and nieces were victims of this typhoon but we were very lucky to have found a home. We got home from our Cebu-Bohol trip last August 20 (Tuesday) and we were welcomed by the crazy rain. We were very eager to go home because we were all tired from our early morning flight. Unfortunately we were trap because all the roads going to C5 was flooded and EDSA was not passable to all vehicles. 

Fortunately though, my brother called our client in DSWD NROC to ask if they are open and they can accommodate us until the flood subsides. We stayed there and ate cup noodles and Sky flakes for breakfast. For lunch, I went to NAIA Terminal 2 again to buy Jollibee and the line was supppeer long. There were a lot of people stranded at the airport. I lined up for more than an hour and waited for my food for another 20 minutes. When I got back to DSWD, my brother told me that we need to get going because Dinky Soliman is going there. 

At airport road (?)

When we left DSWD, we were all updating through twitter (THANKS MMDA TWITTER PERSON!!) for all the flooded areas. Unfortunately again for us, it's still flooded everywhere. We tried going to EDSA and Buendia but everywhere we go was not passable. We were planning on taking the LRT and MRT already just so we could go home and leave the car somewhere but it was very difficult for us to commute because we have 3 kids with us. But again we were very fortunate because someone adopted us for the night. We stayed at a friend's house in Paranaque and they even fed us good food (THANK YOU SO MUCH). We are very fortunate for having a place to stay and the whole night I was praying for the people who weren't very fortunate like us. 

We got home at around 9am the next day, Aug. 21. I finally had the time to take a bath (Thank God) and rested for a while. At around 4pm, we are going back to Paranaque but this time for Gawad Kalinga's relief operations. It was time to help those who weren't as fortunate as we are and even if we are all super tired from our misadventure, we still managed to help out and give our best for the least. 

Gawad Kalinga's relief ops

The relief ops finished at around 11:30pm and we got home at 12. I was so tired from the trip and relief ops but it was a good kind of fatigue :) I would really like to join the distribution of relief at Laguna the next day but unfortunately, I have work.

I am proud to be part of Gawad Kalinga that cares for the least :) I won't hesitate to give back, especially to those who needs it most.

The violence in this country is just too much. Various tragedy has happened this January and I just can't take it anymore. I just have to rant about it.

1. The car napping incident where the victims were burned. SRSLY, WHY CAN SOME PEOPLE DO SUCH A THING? Burning a person. Car napping is okay (Well, it's not because our old Starex was car napped when I was 10 but car napping is way better than killing a person right?) but taking the life of an innocent person is way way beyond a normal person's ability. I can't even see an animal getting killed, what more a person? The sadder thing here is my friend knows the family of the person who was killed and she told me that the kids of Evangelista was really devastated. They are too young for that :(

2. The Bombing in the Bus incident. I think terrorists are the only person who can do this because a normal person plan and implement such an attack. Whatever the reason behind this bombing, I still can't take it. Why involve innocent people? My friends or family could have been there (Thank God they are not) but what about the family and friends of the people who died. I can't even imagine the pain those people are feeling now. :(

3. The journalist killed in Palawan. This really struck me hard because this was the father of someone I know. I bonded with Mika Ortega, his oldest daughter during the Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge in Bicol last summer of 2007 and she was a really nice person. I bet her whole family is nice and influential that's why it's so sad that this tragedy have to happen to these nice family. When I saw Mika in TV Patrol being interviewed, I immediately went to her Facebook page to confirm if it's really her and sadly, all I saw in her wall was Condolence posts from her friends. It's just really disheartening that this has to happen to them.

I seriously don't know why does these things have to happen. Why can't everyone just get along? AND WHY ARE THERE PEOPLE WHO CAN LIVE WITH KILLING PEOPLE EXIST? All these things just makes me sad and it makes me sadder when I think about the family and friends of those people who got killed.

I really hope justice will be served to the people responsible for all these killings. I really really hope.

Bagyong Ondong left a great mark in all of us, Manilenos. we were attacked unguarded and was left with wounds, physically and emotionally. We all did not expect that this would happen and boy, was I surprised too.

I had NSTP in the morning so I have to go to school. =/ The rain was pouring but I thought it was just the ordinary storm rain but after class, the afternoon classes were suspended and it was SO UnFAIR. LOL. I went outside Schmitt and the rain was still pouring HARD. There were
small puddles of water in front of us and I was wearing Chucks. THE FEELING WAS YUCKY. :( Maja and Iwas trying to get to Xavier but we were welcomed by the super river in Edsa walk. OMg, there really was a river. I don't want to pass there so I went around and Maja and I parted ways. I was all alone and I just sat on a bench in RMT because I can't cross to GK office because the streets were flooded and heavy traffic filled Ateneo. I stayed in RMt for like an hour and a half and Kuya Mark & Kuya Ed can't move because of the traffic so I finally gave up and went on an adventure to GK office Haha.

So we were stranded. I walked around the GK office barefooted because of my super wet shoes :( Good thing the ISO caf is still open so we have something to eat for lunch. The traffic was so heavy and news was Katipunan was flooded because of the rain. We decided to stay there for a while then when we decided to leave, we were stuck in traffic for 20 mins already and we were still in front of ASoG. So Kuya Mark decided to walk to Ahead to pick up my cousin, JR and Ate Coco also walked from Mcdo to ASog. We were reunited and they told me that the flood in Katip was SUPER. The Miriam creek overflowed. So again, we were stuck in the GK office for a few more hours. We are all ready to stay there for the night but when Kuya Mark called at home, he learned that the flood in Katip and Commonwealth subsided so we can now go home.

We went home at NAKIPAGSIKSIKAN KAMI SA MGA BUS GALING EDSA SA BALARA. It was so weird seeing buses in there. Oh well, we got home safe but there's no electricity. :( Candlit dinner kami. We saw Kuya TJ's new house, it was flooded :( Since nasa dead end kami ng street, all the water and the leaves went to our drainage and since it was small and the leaves clog the drainage, the water rose up. Kuya Justine saw it so they made big holes on the wall.

The holes in our wall. :)

It was sad seeing Kuya TJ's new house destroyed by the storm but I thought about all those people still stranded in their roofs and is dying from the hunger and the very cold weather. I can't sleep last Saturday because of all the thoughts that is running in my head. I wanted to help them but all I can do that time is pray. :( I texted all my friends who lives in Northview 2, Sierra Monte, San Mateo and Marikina but some of them are not replying so I was more worried.

So I helped out in Ateneo yesterday. It was inspiring to see people help people out. I wanted to go to the GK villages to bring relief goods but Kuya Mark did not allow me :( So I stayed in ADMU Cervini Dorm and just help packed goods and eat :))

Bagyong Ondoy already left the country but the traumatic experiences for our fellow Filipinos will forever stay in our heads. Yes, it will stay in our long term memories haha. I am just happy to see everyone trying to lend out their helping hand. It was very inspiring and I just hope that more people can see this Filipino's way of loving their neighbors :)

MABUHAY TAYONG MGA PINOY!

RIP, Tita Cory. (Part 2)

I am blogging about Cory Aquino again because I am watching ABS-CBN for the live streaming of the funeral cortege of President Cory Aquino right now. She just really inspires me and I believe most of the Filipinos are inspired by her too. You can see it on the volume of the people who are following her. So this entry will be composed of pictures and pictures and pictures(haha) that I have been seeing in plurk, facebook, tumblr and twitter. :)

'History is repeating itself. “Ninoy believed the Filipino was worth dying for. Cory believed that the Filipino was worth LIVING for. Her life was about service.” -Jim Paredes

While watching too, I heard this interview on her and she says this: Even if people hate her or whatever, there will still be 5 people who will continue to support her, care for her and most especially, LOVE her. These people namely: Ballsy, Viel, Noynoy, Pinky and Kris. It's not the exact words but that's the idea. She's a very loving mother.

Even MTV is paying their respect to our former president. People all around the world are also paying their respect. That just shows us how Cory's legacy is seen all around the world. The leaders from other country also admires her for her unique leadership and her acccomplishments. She is someone to be proud of and I am really proud to be a Filipino. I am happy I am a Filipino and I will do everything I can for this country.

Their love story was one of the best. It's one of the greatest love story I know and that inspired people too. Now, I want to have someone like Ninoy who will love me and care for me and I want to be like Cory who will love my guy till the end and even after his death. So I will be ending this entry with Ninoy Aquino's poem to Cory. Jose Mari Chan made this into a song so just search for it. It's really nice.

I have fallen in love
With the same woman three times
In a day spanning nineteen years
Of tearful joys and joyful tears.

I loved her first when she was young
Enchanting and vibrant, eternally new
She was brilliant, fragrant and cool as the morning dew
I fell in love with her the second time

When first she bore her child and mine
She's always by my side, the source of my strength
Helping to turn the tide…
I fell in love again with the same woman the third time

Looming from the battle her courage will never fade.
Amidst the hardships she has remained
Undaunted and unafraid
She is calm and composed. She is God's lovely maid.

RIP, Tita Cory.

Last Saturday(080109), we, Filipinos, lost a leader, an icon and a mother. Our beloved President Corazon Aquino died at around 3am on a very rainy Saturday morning. I felt sad when I heard the news even though I was not yet alive during her administration (I'm alive na pala, I was 1 year old haha). We studied all the presidents in the Philippines when I was in elementary and high school and which I forgot already hahaha :)) Anyways, I never really know her but I guess I know some facts about her and all that she did but I think I know more things about his husband, Ninoy Aquino.

It's so nice to think that Cory and Ninoy are now together again in Heaven.
"it makes me smile thinking cory and ninoy have been laughing, embracing, talking non-stop since Saturday! " --from Toni's plurk

During my 1 year in USTe, we had a project in History and we were asked to create a video presentation about anything or anyone related to the Philippines and we chose Ninoy Aquino. After that project, I, together with my partner (Hi Barbie) started to love the Aquinos(and yes, all.. even Kris haha) I think Ninoy inspired me a lot and I still think he can be the greatest president we never had.

She even gave me a Ninoy shirt as a gift on my debut ;)

Maybe that is why I cried a little and felt sad when she died, I can see Ninoy in her. Also, the heavens cried with us as we mourn for the Mother of Democracy in the Philippines. She freed us from what Marcos left us, a very unstable and undemocratic country. She was the face of democracy and also during her administration, the 1986 constitution was made, which we are still using up to now.

She was a very strong woman because she was the 1st woman to be president of the Philippines. She also do not have any background on politics but still she run just to save us, Filipinos. That's why I would really like to thank you, Cory A. You brought change to this country and it is for the better.

With all her achievement of creating a very peaceful People Power Revolution, she was awarded Woman of the Year by Time magazine.

I think Marcos really did a great job in our country except the Martial Law. He did a lot of things for the country and he has a vision. But I think what made Cory Aquino unique from all the other presidents we had was her faithfulness to God. She had a different approach because she was a very moral leader. Maybe because she never planned to run for president but was only forced because of Ninoy and the people. She based her leadership on what is right together with a lot of prayers. That is why the people love her and that is why she is someone I look up to.

You're legacy will always live in our hearts. Thank you for everything.
You will always be remembered as one of the greatest president and person this country ever had. May you rest in peace, Cory Aquino. ;)