Guimaras Island: Nueva Valencia

Guimaras is the home for famous sweetest and the best varieties ofmango of the Philippines.  We went there in the last week of April and they were preparing for the Manggahan Festival held every May 11-22. 

From Iloilo City, we went to Ortiz Wharf and took a 20-minute pump boat ride to Jordan Wharf.  The cost is only Php 14.00.  From there we asked local policemen how to get to Nueva Valencia where we booked our resort.  He told us to ride a jeep going to Nueva Valencia.  There are multicabs in the area, but hiring one would be expensive so my friend and I opted for a cheaper transportation, a jeep for only Php 45.00 for 45 minutes to one hour depending on the jeep.  The jeep was full of commuter, my friend and I were already at the end of the jeep uncomfortably sitting on a piece of wood. 

We told the barker to drop us going to Alubihod.  We got off a gas station in an intersection going to Alubihod. From there we rode a tricycle going to Raymen Beach Resort in Alubihod.  Upon checking in and since it was already almost 5 in the afternoon, we decided to check Alubihod beach and enjoyed the water with other tourist.  Raymen also sumptuous food and the famous mango.

The following morning, we availed of the island hopping tour from Raymen Beach Resort and they helped us with the local boatman.  It was still early in the morning and the sun was rising from the horizon.  The first place we went was our local boatman’s house where he fetched a tour guide for us.  Our first island was the Ave Maria Island.

It is a small island where the sand bars disappear during hightide.  And since it was very early, we get to enjoy the small sand bar all by ourselves.  The water was clear here and we took a short swim.  Across Ave Maria Island was the turtle sanctuary where we got to see a huge turtle.   The island was surrounded by rock formations and a nice beach.

Our next stop was the small cave of Baras Cave. Nice went inside the small cave with rock formation.  From Baras Cave we went to Lamurawan Beach Resort.  This island has a beautiful garden and is open to tourists to take pictures.  We were able to talk to the care takers of the garden.  From Lamurawan, we could see the 7 small islands.

Our next destination was Natago Beach Resort.  It was a resort and a secluded island.  We tour the whole beach and were able to talk to the owner.  It was my favourite beach in our tour because of the landscape, the sand bar between water with the rock formation and clear water with the visible school of fish.    

We also check out the Fairy Castle and Isla Naburot.

Backpacker vs Flashpacker

How will you differentiate a backpacker and a flashpacker?  If you’re travelling with a backpack, does it count that you’re a backpacker or a flashpacker?

What does backpacking means?  According to Wikipedia, it is a low-cost, independent travel.  Backpacking, a budget travel and destinations that are relatively cheap.  A trademark of a backpacker is the use of backpacks to carry around for long journeys or long periods of time.  Backpackers often choose the public transport and to check-in in a hostel or any cheap accommodation.  They usually don’t stay in one place but travels to different places, sometimes even to the wilderness to mingle with the locals, to check out a different culture or to even learn the language, or to discover the part of the place that nobody dares to see or experience.

But time evolves, backpacking changes to flashpacking.  Flash packing means travelling with more money and going to fancy hotels equipped with different gadgets.  On a simplier definition, flashpacking is backpacking with a bigger budget. Some flashpackers still travel with a backpack but they are not necessarily backpackers.  They may travel with the backpacker’s sense of adventure but spend extravagantly to enjoy their vacation.  They’d go to nice hotels, sophisticated restaurant and have a thrilling adventure along the way.

I’d always thought I am a backpacker or maybe I used to be when I was younger.  I used to travel without an itinerary.  I checked on places when I get there.  I go wherever my itchy feet takes me.  There were times that I had to scout the area first before finding a cheap inn or hostel to stay in.  I had to ask the locals where to go and what tourist destination to see.  I always travel light.  One backpack is enough for my journey.   Sometimes you call it a do-it-yourself travel.  No plans, but an instinct on where to go once your there.

With the use of internet and popping out of the different gadgets, travelling became easy.  Information about the place is available.  Now, I plan and research my itinerary ahead.  This saves time for venturing the place.  You know where you want to go.  You know what to do beforehand.  Gadgets and wifi connection became a must while travelling. 

I still travel light.   That’s one of the things I have mastered for the long time of travelling.  I could fit everything in one bag, but this time I carry an empty bag that can be folded and fit in my backpack or if I chose a luggage, just in case I need to buy things or if my clothes becomes bulky.  I’d check out restaurants and coffee shops that were mostly on the top of the list of previous travelers.  My accommodation varies.  I could still go to a dorm, a cheap inn, a hostel and sometimes in an expensive hotel for accommodation.  It depends on my mood or depends on the place where I’m going.   I do go on planned tours.  Sometimes it’s cheaper, but it really depends on the place.  Other tour package cost a lot.

The best part of being a backpacker or a flashpacker is getting to know locals and being friends with different tourist or travelers. 

I guess, I’m in a middle of being a backpacker and a flashpacker.  Between a tourist and a traveler.

Coron Island Tour: Kayangan Lake

Coron has many islands tour packages to choose from.  And since we were there for 3 days and 2 nights, we arranged for the basic tour.   

We then availed the island tour that we booked.  Anna and I were on red flag during the tour.  The first island was the CYC of Coron Youth Club island, a small island with white sand beach and a mangrove.

From CYC, we went to the snorkelling area in Coral Garden.  My three companions went to snorkel here and found diverse species swimming in the waters and the corals underneath.

The next stop is Twin Peak Reefs, named after the two islets found in the area.  This time I joined Anna to swim in the water.  

We had our lunch in Bulungan beach.  It was included in the package where we shared the prepared lunch with the different tourist in our boat.  We had grilled fish, liempo and seaweed salad. Tall limestone cliffs surrounded the area.  After lunch we also enjoy the water here.

The fifth stop was the Hidden Lagoon with amazing rock formation and clear turquoise water.  I was busy here trying to get a great picture of the limestone cliffs in a lush of green trees.

Our final destination was the Kayangan lake.  We then had a short trekked and found the most photographed spot where most of the tourist post during their island tour in Coron.   It was a beautiful view from above of the cliffs in the waters.

We then went back to the muddy trail with stiffed rocks.  We found the lake where there were pathways of wood at the sides.  We left our things because clear water was inviting that made us jump to swim.   

After the tour we head back to the Inn. 

We had dinner at Lolo  Nonoy’s Food Station. Pinky and Robin went to the spa while Anna and I had a coffee  in Coffee Kong Coffee and Cake.

It was not enough for a 3 days and 2 nights in Coron.  There were so many islands and tourist spots that were still on my list.  And I would definitely going back there.

Coron: Mount Tapyas and Maquinit Spring

It was a three years in the making trip in Coron with Pinky and Robin.  We also asked Anna, one of our colleague to join us.  The Busuanga Airport was thirty minutes drive to Coron town proper.  We were fetched by an airport transfer and we stayed in R2R Bayview Inn.

We then looked for a place to have lunch. We walked to the town and found La Sirenetta Bar and Restaurant.  You have to walk in the bridge to get to the restaurant.  The walls of the restaurant where painted and shaped into mermaids.  They serve Italian and we ordered pizza and pasta.  You could also see the cross of Mount Tapyas from the restaurant.

We then ventured the Mount Tapyas.  We were four, but there were only three of us who made it on the top.  We had so many stops to rest going up.  But as you go up, the spectacular scenery of the islands from Coron were viewed.  We could see the restaurant from the middle part of the stairs.

We took a long rest in the area with a shade because the sun was so hot.  When we were about a few steps away from the top, there were many tourists who were cheering us to finish the stairs.  And voila, we were looking at the cross of Mount Tapyas.  When we were on top, we went around the area to see the different view from above.  The different islands and the waters of Coron were lining up from different directions.

When we went down, Pinky was waiting for us in the shaded area.  We stopped for awhile and went back to the Inn.  We decided to go to Maquinit Hot Spring.  It was a natural salt water hot spring.  It was raining when we were already swimming in the hot.

For inquiries: www.coronr2r.com

Visit National Museum

The island of the Philippines is rich in culture and had a very captivating history.  Where else should we go to discover our cultural heritage and cultural awareness?

 It is the Philippine’s National Heritage Month this May.  On the 18^th of May is the International Museum Day.  Free admission for the whole month of May on our government owned museums in the country, not just the National Museum in Manila and Planetarium including those in other regions: Vigan, Kiangan, Kabayan, Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs, Tabaco, Bohol, Butuan and  Jolo (Sulu). There are other events in other Museums found on the website of the National Museum.

And just recently I went to the National Museum of the Filipino People in Rizal Park. I was able to see the different exhibits such as: Baybayin, Hibla nang Lahing Filipino, Biodiversity and Rice, Lumad, Kaban ang Lahi: Archeological Treasure, Gallery of Women, San Diego Exhibit and many others.  Some parts of the Museum were closed for renovation.

There were not so many visitors during my visit.  There were some students and families who were inside.  I would like to advice people to read the information regarding the displays in the exhibit.  We don’t just look at them but we also need to learn and know about the history, artifacts, archaeological collection, natural cultural treasures and fine arts. 

We just don’t go there because it’s where most people post in their Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter or other social media platform.  We go there to unravel chronicles about our own country.  They were preserved for a purpose, for the next generation to see what happened in our past.   

Writer's Block Philippines: Feature Writing 101 (2014)

In 2014, during the time I wanted to write again, I started searching for workshops that would help me revive my writing skills.  I found a workshop in March called Feature Writing 101 which was held in Fully Booked, Bonifacio Global City.  It was sponsored by The Writer’s Block Philippines by Ms. Ana Santos and Ms. Nikka Sarthou – Lainez who were both writers for Magazines. 

At the end of the workshop we were given time to compose anything, so here was my first take of the Feature Writing 101:

The sand, the waves and you and me.

While driving this morning, I heard this song on the radio with the title FREE.  I realized that this is a summer song and summer is here and where else should I go, definitely I am going to the beach.

I have been into different beaches all over the Philippines.  From the virgin island of Bohol, to the loud party and night life of Boracay, from the fascinating underground river of Palawan, rock formations in Caramoan, where else should I go?  I think I have covered the entire archipelago to find the pristine white sand, the pinkish coral sands, rocky sands or the black sands created by the volcanic eruptions.  It still amazes me every time my feet sets foot in any sand bar.  I feel the water rushing over me.  And just by writing this I want to be sun-kissed by the sun and hear the waves.

Anywhere I want to be, any beach around in the Philippines, all I need is a good company.  Just you and me.

After which, I tried submitting for the Smile Magazine Destination Guide.  And I was featured in October of 2014 for the Phuket trip.  So that’s the start of my travel writing.  And also, my writer’s block was finally cured.

Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa

https://ajourneywith.me/sheridan-beach-resort-spa/

The travel from Honda Bay Wharf to Sheridan Beach Resort was about one hour and thirty munites with one stop to a simple store along the way.  The road going to the resort mostly curves and up and down.  There were so many of us who were nauseated and vomiting going there.  But my van mates were really cool in thinking that we were riding a roller coaster.  The view of the road was limestone formations trees and green mountains.

Sheridan Resort is dubbed as the first green resort in the Philippines.  It is located in the towering mountain ranges and the clear turquoise waters of the Wesst Philippine Sea.  Upon reaching Sheridan Beach Resort we had our welcome drinks.  Our room was located at the first floor with the pool view.  We explored the place and found the beach front area of Sabang Beach.

My colleagues enjoyed the different amenities and recreation of the resort like spa, pool, Jacuzzi, gym, billiards and darts.  I enjoyed swimming in the pool.  Some of my colleagues were also enjoying the basketball while swimming. And others were sleeping and resting in their rooms.  While enjoying the pool, you could also order in the Wet and Dry Pool’s Bar, just between the two pools of Sheridan.

We had the superior room in the Pool View.  I love the private balcony in front.  We had our company dinner set up at the spacious garden near the pool area.   

The breakfast is always in the South Sea Restaurant.

The best part of the Resort is the Sabang Beach.  I love the wide sand bars and the crashing waves from the beach. 

www.sheridanresort.com

Honda Bay Islands

https://ajourneywith.me/puerto-princesa-honda-bay-islands/

Honda bay is found at the east of Puerto Princesa City’s center. It was our company’s outing in 2012 and the first leg of our outing was the Honda Bay Island Tour.  Upon arrival, we were greeted by our tour coordinator and the welcoming party of Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa.  We went to the van and our luggage was transferred to the office in the city and we changed for our tour.

We stopped at the Panz Mask and Snorkeling Shop on the way to Honda Bay Wharf to rent for snorkeling mask. At the Honda Bay Wharf we waited for the guides to have our permits to tour the islands in Honda Bay.  As we waited we took pictures along the wharf.  Our group in the van were the last one to get a boat, and we joined the other group for our island hopping since it was the last boat rented by our company.   

After donning with lifevests, the group was ready to start the tour and we went to Pambato Reef, a small protected underwater reef.  The staging area of the created structure just beside the reef comes with a large turtle on top.  There was a briefing first before we were able to check the reef.

Luli island was named because of the Lulubog (floats) –Lilitaw (sinks) sand bars, the sandbars vanished during high tide and long sandbars during low tide.  Thankfully it was low tide when we arrived here and the sand bars were wide and long.

Our group was really hungry after and we were asking our boatman for lunch.  He said that we had to go to  Cowrie island were our lunch would be serve.  We were all quiet but after seeing the island from a distance we were very excited and grateful to have our lunch.

We took pictures first and then head to the lunch prepared at the end of the island.

This was our first tour before going to Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa.

Finkomarts and Nueve (IX)

After graduation while I was reviewing for the Chemistry board exams when a batch mate from college of Science called me and they wanted to include me in their next line up of authors for publishing a literary book.  We were the second book to be published by Finkomarts.  I immediately went there and talk to the person behind Finkomarts, which was an indie publishing and event organizer. 

It was during that time that my literary instinct was surfacing.  I was keen in studying science, but ever since highschool I would always find a way to write poems.   And most of my readers were just my seatmates or some friends who knew I love poems.  I submitted my collection and it was published in August 2000 with the title of IX (NUEVE), mga nobena at lagnat nang kaluluwa with other eight authors.  The other authors who showed their love in literature were Rommel Gestopa, Robert Fabian, Aaron Rapadas, Cana Lee Laeno, Ivy Baldoza, Maribel Hernaez, Pia Francisco, Raquel Galino and yours truly.  It was launched in Freedom Bar in Anonas.

Sadly, Finkomarts was only a short-lived publishing and event organizer company.  There were unprecedented problems that occurred when it closed.  It would have been a great avenue for writers, painters and performing artist to showcase our talent.  I believed that they were one of first in the indie publishing industry that supported the likes of me.  They were able to publish Bubot, Nueve, Taxi signs, and other 2 books whose titles I already forgot. 

Poetry reading was also included during the launching of each book.  We were encouraged to participate and even the audience to read their works.  I remembered being a guest in Martin’s Late at Night by Mr. Martin Nievera with other authors, where poetry reading was the main topic and we were joined by Session Road to do the music while we read poems. (If I only had it recorded then, it would have been great since it was an accomplishment.)    There were also numbers of events that they organized.

And during those times I was able to compose poetry in Filipino which I never did. It was inspired by the other authors who were really excellent in Filipino verse.

But after that, my writing career stopped.  Although I had created a number of stories and attended a workshop for script writing in 2004.  The poems were again shelved.  The stories I wrote doesn’t have endings.  My knowledge in script writing ceased and never got a chance to grow.  I tried creating a blog but in the end, I deleted 4 years worth of writing.  In 2008, I had a syndrome of writer’s block.  I couldn’t write anything at all.   

Bohol's Amazing Island

https://ajourneywith.me/adventures-bohols-amazing-island/

After our tour with Bohol Grand Scenery, we rested for awhile in our resort in Panglao.  We took a drink at the sands in Alona Beach and stayed there for awhile. 

We woke up early the following and waited for the boat that would take us for our island tour.  The sun was rising from the horizon and we took pictures of it while we went to the site for the dolphin watching.  There were so many boats in the site who was also taking a chance to see the creatures.  We were happy to see a bunch of dolphins lingering around the boats. They were having their own show for the people to watch.

We then had lunch in Balicasag island.  After which we went snorkelling in the Balicasag Island Marine Sanctuary where there were a diverse marine environment to explore. It is a dive site if you go further beyond the snorkelling area.

Our last stop was Virgin Island or also known as Pungtod.  This one was my favourite because of the long sand bar.  We even went to the middle of the island where the sand bar was no covered with water. There were vendors at the island.  In his boat were coconuts, clams and sea urchins.

Bohol

https://ajourneywith.me/adventures-bohol-grand-scenery/

In 2011, I joined my bestfriend Suzette and her family in their Bohol trip.  We were 9 in the group plus 1 child, Samantha, Suzette’s daughter.  We availed a tour from Bohol Grand Scenery Tours.  The first stop was the historical site of Blood Compact Shrine in Barangay Bool in Tagbilaran City.  It is along the coast overlooking the Balicasag Island.  It was a Sandugo between Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Raja Sikatuna during Spanish invasion.

After which we went to the church to Baclayon Old Church or the La Purisima de Concepcion de la Virgen Maria Parish Church.   There’s a museum found in the church.  It is made of corals stones. The original roof was replaced by galvanized iron.  It withstand major damge during the 7.2 earthquake in 2013.

We then explored the Rio Verde Tarsier Place in Agape, Laoay, Bohol.  The Rio Verde was a place for Tarsier and other exotic animals in Bohol like the Lemur. IF you’re going to take a picture with the tarsiers please make sure that you don’t use any flash or the tarsier’s will be stressed.

We had our lunch in the Loboc River Cruise and Luncheon. We had a boat ride to tour the Long River Cruise.  The food was good for a group of tourist.  At the end of the river was the singing and dancing Loboc River singers.

We then went to the bamboo hanging bridge, which cross the Sipatan River in town of Sevilla. We also went to the Loboc Man Made Forest. We went to the Butterfly Sanctuary in Bilar.  The Butterfly garden is owned by Simply Butterflies Conservation Center.

We went to the chocolate hills, the most famous attraction and a geological formation of a group of unusually shaped hills in Carmen, Bohol.

After which we went to Hinagdanan Cave in Panglao.  Stalagmites and stalactites surrounded the cave with a deep lagoon.  The cave is also made of limestone.   The tour ended in the Panglao Shell Museum and with us getting souveniers.

www.cheapboholtours.com

UST Alumni Card Perks and Privileges

So I decided to get the University of Santo Tomas Thomasian Alumni Card. Fifteen minutes later I already have the card.  I availed of the Lifetime membership because I'm not sure when will I be able to go back to my alma mater.  It was Php 1,500 for the Lifetime membership.
And currently here's the perks and privileges of having the alumni card, based on their 2016 list of establishments:

University Privileges:
1. access to all buildings in UST
2. 5% discount on room and board at the UST Hospital
3. 50% discount entrance fee in the UST Central Library
4. Free entrance at UST Museum
5. Php 2,000 off on the wedding fee at the Santuario Parish Church (UST Chapel)

Restaurants and Caterings
1. Alfredo's Steakhouse 
2. Banapple Pies and Cheesecakes (All branches)
3. Casa Roces
4. Chili's (All branches)
5. Coffee Empire
6. Fat Shaolin Food Cart (Boni MRT Station, Walter Mart Supermaket E. Rodriguez)
7. Healthy Day
8. Kaiku Restorante
9. Lola Nitha's Catering
10. Papa John's Pizza (All branches)
11. Poppin's Restaurant and Bar
12. Sandwicheese (All branches)
13. Sweet Beans Cafe
14. That's B.S. Burger and Sisig

Hotels, Resorts and Events Place
1. D' Lagoon Resort and Spa
2. Garden Plaza Hotel
3. Gazebo Royale Special Events and Venue Place
4. Manila Hotel
5. The Oasis Paco Park Hotel
6. Ramada Manila Central
7. Residence Inn
8. Richmonde Hotel Ortigas
9. Tugawe Cove Resort

Others
1. Dr, Villa Clemente-Baldovino Dental Clinic
2. Dumy Enterprises, Inc.
3. Eye Level Philippines (All branches)
4. HG Studio and Makeup and Photography
5. Reluxe Spa
6. Zoomanity Group

All information are subject to change without prior notice.  For inquiries about the Alumni Card please visit THE OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS, 3rd Floor, Buenaventura G. Paredes, O.P. Building, Thomasian Alumni Center.  They are open from Monday to Saturday, 8:00AM - 12NN and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM.
facebook.com/UstOffice For AlumniRelationsOAR

USTETIKA WINNER in 1999

I was in 4th year college when I joined the USTETIKA Awards for Literature.  I was advised by the Literary Editor of our College Department to submit an entry.  It was a last minute decision to join and passed the entry on the last day of submission.   I went to Varsitarian and turn over my entry for the Poetry Division.  

I received a call from the Varsitarian to attend the awards night, but I never went to the ceremony (I chose to go on a concert that December 1999).  I thought I never won, but my editor friend told me that I won and to get my award at the office of Varsitarian.  And yes I received my bronze medal, a certificate and a cash prize for winning the 3^rd place in Poetry Division in 1999.   

My name was included in the Varsitarian page with all the winners of the Ustetika.  I was the only Science student who received an award during that year.  My works was also featured in the College of Science Journal for their last volume of 2000.

There were few things that I discovered from the experience. 1) I gained my confidence in writing poetry.  I was never included in our College’s paper writers but I always submit poems and all were published.  2) My name was included in the Varsitarian, a rare moment for a student like me who never competes in anything until Ustetika. 3)  It was an avenue later on after a year to be published in an indie publishing.   

I do hope one day when I join a writing competition that I would be able to attend the awarding ceremony. I hope to be able to see the limelight of being a well-known poet and hopefully a novelist.