Wandering to Manila Aimlessly

It's been quite sometimes that I haven't posted here. But anyway, below are the pictures I have taken during our Semestral break when my friends and I wandered in Metro Manila aimlessly. :D We ride at LRT 2 in Santolan Station bound to Recto Station and from there we ride at LRT 1 in Doroteo Station bound to Baclaran and get off at U.N. Avenue Station. If you want to have a family bonding I could say this is the best place to bring your family at the Rizal Park or known by it's previous name Luneta Park but in our Elementary history books we known this as Bagumbayan where Rizal was executed. I could say this is the best place to escape and unwind and what I love most was there is NO ENTRANCE FEE but above all this park is clean and well maintained.

my two cute friends posing at Lapu-Lapu Monument

The building in Panorama magazine.

Welcome to Intramuros - We just walked from Luneta Park to Intramuros until our feet ached and blistered but it's fun if you are together with your friends.

Intramuros is the old capital of Manila that was built in 1571 by the Spaniards upon their occupation of Manila when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was in power.

We ask the guardia civil if we could take a picture together with him. 

The Manila Cathedral was closed during our visit because it was under renovation.

meet the Gomborza!

old canyon.

The Fort Santiago - the guard of Intramuros

Mi Ultimo Adiós (by Dr José Rizal) written on the wall and on the floor.

Before going to Manila zoo we drop by at Harizon plaza and have our lunch. Manila Zoo is poorly maintained. :( Way back in 1999 this zoo was well maintained and the animals are well cared. Now, the animals are skinny especially the tigers and it seems they are sick and unhappy. If they cannot take care the animals it would be better if they shut down the zoo and send the animals to a better place where they can be feed properly and live happily. They should clean the place 'coz it lack of cleanliness.

This souvenir shop was the one I have enjoyed here in Manila zoo.

Heavy Rain Caused Disaster in Metro Manila

When I was a kid I love rain because I love playing, bathing and dancing in the rain. That was the most happiest memory of my childhood. When the rain comes we always prayed that it will shower abundantly so that my playmates and I can ask our parents to let us bathe in the rain.

But the rain that poured for more than 3 weeks most especially this week starting on Monday August 6, 2012 until Thursday makes me hate the rain. :( I don't want to complain because I know there are people who are suffering more than me, there are families who lost their love ones, their property but I just couldn't understand my feeling that time. Maybe because I was so tired, and all the feeling mixed everything. I'm glad my neighbor help me, they are my angel.

I took this when our landlord was rescued and brought to the hospital on Wednesday August 8, 2012

The water subsided for almost 1 ruler 08-08-2012.

 

Marikina River took on Tuesday August 7, 2012

This stair has 38 steps but now it has the remaining 11 steps.

ACLC Cainta Acquiantance Party 2012 at Bosay Resort Antipolo Rizal

my lovely classmates the four Maria's 

This resort in Antipolo has its own story to be told. If you love to travel or just to unwind, Antipolo shrine is not the only place to visit but you can drop by and discover this lovely and seemingly mini zoo Bosay Resort. The name does not sound classy but I guess this resort can rival to many best resorts in Manila.

meet the Paraoh 

Soroy in Cebuano is Escapade, so this place is the best for escapade. 

meet kingkong and the king of the jungle. hihihi

let's go back to the prehistoric age and meet the prehistoric animal.

no kidding aside, this is the real one. He has a companion but it seems among them he is the well behaved, The rest are cute and naughty. When they saw us they scattered chasing each other .

I am surprised to see that the owner of this resort was able to preserve the nature as pristine and as if immaculate amidst its luxurious appearance. Even I was quite groggy, blame it from sleepless night that had left me the feeling but I really love and enjoy the nature and the whole resort as we strolled and scanned it when we arrived.

Why I was in Bosay Resort?  

Well, it was the acquiantance party of ACLC Cainta 2012 held on this resort on July 28. But before the party Jade and I met in Robinson MetroEast at 4:30 in the morning and we went to Niño's house to prepare our "baon" (pack lunch), we help each other prepared the "menudo" (stew). I'm so glad that I have a very cooperative group, even we are only four in the group but I'm happy that they are my group mate. Niño's  mom was so helpful telling us what to add on our menu and his dad was very kind, he drove us safely to the resort. (Thanks to them :D)

my classmates during their presentation

The party started at 8:30 AM and it started with a worship prayer, the song entitled "One Way" and we sang along to the music, it was a lovely and very meaningful song. After the song, Sir Carlo read a text from the Bible (Shame on me I couldn't remember it now ). The program ended at 12 noon I guess and we eat our lunch. After lunch, my most awaited moment and my favorite part of this event was swimming. Yahoooooo!!!!!!

                       meet our handsome adviser and our lovely classmates.

meet our awesome class president and our sensational classmates!

ok you judge. 

meet our two teddy bears.

                                                                   

Oppssss... meet the Datu Puti models... perfect, isn't it? ROFLLL..

At five in the afternoon we started heading home but before that we discovered the fish pond full of colorful and big koi fish, freshwater fish such as "tilapia" (St. Peter) and other saltwater fish. We enjoyed the fish, they are awesome and tamed. They kept on following us which I guess they thought we will give them something to eat. We posed and took pictures and after that we ask some queries with the guards and they are very friendly and helpful. They've addressed all our queries and when we asked them if they can kindly get a tricycle for us, they've assisted us promptly and happily. The tricycle driver asked  60 pesos and took us to the highway where we took PUV going to Cubao.

LOL, the color of my dress blend well with the color of the fish statue. 

How To Get To Bosay and visit this paradise:

Located in Brgy. San Roque, Antipolo City

Since I'm from Marikina this is the route my instructor/adviser gave me before the party. From Robinson Metro East or Sta. Lucia Mall take jeepney (PUV) going to Cainta or Taytay and get off at Junction Cainta. From junction there are jeepneys going to Tanay then just tell the driver to drop you off at the Unciano Hospital. From there take the tricycle going to Bosay Resort.

If you are from Cubao, take the LRT going to Santolan, from there take the PUV going to Cainta or Taytay and  get off at Junction Cainta. (please read above same route to take)

Calaguas Island - The Virgin Island

Last summer Calaguas Island was my last get away because I must prioritize my studies and my job.  Our original plan was on May 18-20, 2012 but it was moved on May 25-27, 2012. Tour packages is more convenient for me because I don't need to think of anything.

Our meeting place was in McDonald Buendia and we departed at around 8:30 in the evening. We arrived in Paracale at 15 minutes to 6:00 in the morning on my watch. There we took our breakfast, took some pictures and waited for the sunrise. After breakfast I get bored, so I did a little walk and chatted with the locals. I ask them on how to go there, what to take just in case I wish to go back on that place.

They are kind enough and gave me these instructions: 

1. If I'm from Manila, they instructed me to get off at Talobatib or Labo, then there are buses going to Paracale, and take that bus or I could ask the driver they said.

2.. If I'm from Naga they told me to take the vans going to Daet.
3. From Daet there are vans and buses going to Paracale. Luckily while we were chatting the bus going to Daet passed so, the woman named Raquel told me that - it is the bus I should take going to Paracale.
4. From Paracale there are boats you can rent going to Calaguas, the locals called it mahabang puting buhangin. I failed to ask how much the fare going to Calaguas Island.

After a long wait for our organizers who went to the market, they finally came and I think we left in Paracale at 9:30AM. It took us 2 and a half hours in the boat before we saw the beauty of Calaguas. Sad, it was midday when we arrived and I could no longer plunge into the water. :(  The water was soooo tempting geezzzz but it was sooo hot. What we did, we just took pictures and survey the island. After we get tired, we went back to our cottage and took our late lunch. :)

At 5:00 PM we trekked the hill behind the beach together with our tour guide kuya Bunso, they wanted to capture the golden sunset from the top that was gliding majestically against the streaks of the sky. I was so tired climbing but when I was up there, it's worth all the effort. It was breathtaking and I really enjoyed the scenery of islets against the Philippines sea. We took some jump shots and took some time watching and admiring the sea that connects to Pacific ocean. Going down the hill need to take some extra care because most of the rock formations were slippery and sharp and it was already dusk when we returned, the flashlight is not enough when you are not used to walk on that kind of place.

Before dinner, I enjoyed the clear waters, white powdery sands, orange sky and great company in this paradise. I haven't been in Boracay but most of my companion who have been in Boracay says Calaguas can rival the white sand of Boracay plus civilization hasn't wrapped its dangerous arms around this paradise yet, which is part of the charm of the island.

On this island you must be a "COWBOY" to appreciate it because there's no hotels here, no restaurants. On this island, you should not mind sleeping on the tent, taking a bath with a "tabo" (dipper) and "poso" (water pump) and you have to pay 10 pesos for each pail and 50 pesos for one bucket, and above all sharing a public toilet. But heck, if you are an adventurous like me who was able to survive and enjoy it, then I guess you should be just fine. :) With no electricity, no phone signals, no internet access, there really is nothing much to do other than enjoy the place and be one with nature.

Until then Calaguas… I hope to see you again soon. ♥

Night Swimming at Quezon Premier Hotel in Lucena

Lucena get away. I spent my weekend together with my best friend Family.

see the pictures below. I took these using my mobile. 

                                            took this picture in the afternoon.

The 7 Secret Of Success

A friend of mine post this comment on my wall and and this quote although very short but it has a profound meaning. It might somehow funny if we think of it, but it is a very simple formula to follow and we cannot find it in books. I think these are the seven principles I have or must practice in my everyday life. :)

An Awesome Individual

Words can't express. This man, Nick Vujicic truly a brilliant, inspiring and admirable. Not because he makes me realized my shortcomings, and put all my whining and grumbling to shame but rather he set himself as an example and turned his life into a positive for us all. He inspired and challenged me.

I salute you Nick Vujicic with great respect and esteem. And I hope that the salutary example you have set may continue to flourish. God bless you.

Watch his video below and hope he will touch your heart as well.