Perfect Day

Are you scared?

2011-10-16T23:16:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon this article from Investopedia.com while researching about the prospects of the emerging economies, because the US being the biggest economy in the world and it's state of economy may determine the GDP growth of the emerging economies, including the Philippines in the coming years. It is really scary though, fit for the halloween, although for an optimist, to read this article. The 6 Scariest Possibilities For The U.S. Economy - Investopedia.com

Source of image: http://femacamper.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/money_tree5.jpg

The Passing

2011-10-07T14:31:00.000-07:00

I just remember when my mother was teaching Rizal Course during her younger days, these beautiful lines were highlighted in her Zaide textbook:

"Si sobre mi sepulcro vieres brotar un dia
Entre la espesa yerba sencilla, humilde flor,
Acércala a tus labios y besa al alma mía,
Y sienta yo en mi frente bajo la tumba fría
De tu ternura el soplo, de tu hálito el calor."
- Mi Ultimo Adiós por Dr José Rizal, 1896

1911 English translation by Charles Derbyshire:
"If over my grave some day thou seest grow,
In the grassy sod, a humble flower,
Draw it to thy lips and kiss my soul so,
While I may feel on my brow in the cold tomb below
The touch of thy tenderness, thy breath's warm power."

It has been quite a while since my last entry appeared here. I was then very busy preparing for another exam when my very dear mother passed away last August 21st. It is very hard to get again into action and energy since it is just more than 40 days since her passing but life must go on. Our family is very grateful to friends and relatives for their support and sympathies during the days of our mourning and bereavement. May the Good Lord forever bless you with abundance and prosperity.

source: http://www.fabulousphilippines.com/mi-ultimo-adios-jose-rizal.htmlimage: flowerinfo.org

Heart's Day at Cuidad Christia 9 Waves Resort

2011-02-13T22:42:00.000-08:00

My friends, it's been a long time since I got another entry in this blog... and that was a year ago since my last entry! I was telling my 12-year old son, ACE, who also loves writing, to continue my blogging since I barely had the time to do it. However, he still prefers to master his moves in PSP and daze infront of Cartoon Network and Disney Channels, than to flex his literary prowess. Perhaps, not this time and maybe next time because as always I am a dad, who is willing to wait for him to bloom.

Last saturday, we had a great time at Ciudad Christhia 9 Waves Resort. That was how we celebrated Valentines Day for the family.

Why 9 waves? According to their website, the 9 waves swimming pool cast out nine different types of waves giving you that beach feeling without the mess of sand in your swimwear.

The kids enjoyed the pool, especially the wave pool, which gives us an extraordinary experience. The place is indeed a perfect destination for summer vacation. It has affordable rates that is fit for the family budget. The place has nice greenery, clean and well-maintained facilities that the entire family will surely enjoy during their stay. Guest can choose an array of cottages, from tables to pavillion in the picnic areas.

Also, an experience ride down down the 69-meter double loop water slide was surely one we don't want to miss at the adult pool. Deep inside the 6-foot deep adult pool we had a great time taking underwater photography using a new cam brought by cousin Tina.

Beside the double loop is the soothing outdoor jacuzzi covered by anahaw hut.

We also had a great time at the huge stage waterfalls.

(with my lovely wife capturing the beauty of the raging waterfalls)

At the kiddie pool, the whale slide will surely amaze the children.

We had a wonderful day in the anahaw kiosk and had a "salo-salo" ( a Filipino way of family solidarity of eating together) of "pansit-bihon" (noodle), spaghetti, adobo (a Filipino pork dish favorite), "inihaw na tilapia" and "liempo" (grilled fish and pork).Together with uncles Cris and Nelson. aunt Lita, cousins Tina, Melvin, Pong and Jhie and the kids, a vacation to Ciudad Christhia was really a great time for all all of us.

How to get here? Ciudad Christhia Resort is located at Carrieland Country Homes II, Ampid San Mateo Town, Rizal Province, Philippines. The historic and beautiful town of San Mateo, the home of the famous Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu, is located at the western side of the Rizal Province and surrounded by Quezon City, Marikina City and the equally historic town of Montalban (made famous by the Tale of giant Bernardo Carpio and the famed Avilon Zoo). It is just an hour ride from the heart of the City of Manila so it is considered as the most accessible holiday wave pool getaway in this part of the beautiful pacific islands.

It is indeed a great summer holiday destination perfect for family bonding. Take a visit there and experience the fun too! Help preserve and protect the beauty of nature and enjoy its pristine beauty. Happy Hearts Day!

Source:
Ciudad Christhia 9 Waves Resort, San Mateo Town, Rizal Province, Philippine Islands

Vitamins from Bo

2010-10-05T01:24:00.000-07:00

My friends, I'm glad that I'm back to blogging again. Ms. Jill, I'm back. Thank you for the messages and post and for reminding me that there is still life of abundance in the net.

September is a grueling month for me. After this month-long study and bar exams, I have to visit an eye care professional for advice and assistance. As a consequence, I was told that wearing spectacles could really help. So I decided to wear these glasses.

Last week, I had a chance to read some inspiring books written by Bo Sanchez and I was really animated and imbued with spirit that much has to be done to save something, for the earth's scarce resources are depleting rapidly.

I want to share these things to you because we really strive to motivate and inspire people in every way we can. I call these collections of motivating words culled from his books, "8 Secrets of the Truly Rich" and "My Maid Invests in the Stock Market And Why You Should, Too!" as "Vitamins from Bo" because these are good sources of daily quotes. I hope you will enjoy reading Bo's quotations, as follows:

----

"The chances of winning the lotto is equal to the likelihood of being hit by lighting twice at the same spot.
- said by Senator Jovito Salonga."

----

"Do you postpone, delay, become lazy daily? You become a bum.
Failure is not a single, cataclysmic event. You don’t fail overnight.
Instead, failure is a few errors in judgment, repeated every day.
— Jim Rohn"

-----

"Well, I’ve got news for you.
Do you know who set that dial of your inner financial thermostat?
You did.
So anytime you like, you too can enlarge your psychological wallet
to any size you want. You can raise your money comfort zone.
How? Start with your imagination.
Imagine yourself earning double of what you’re earning now by next
year—through wise investing and some side business.
That’s right. Double.
Get comfortable with that.
See yourself not spending it all, but actually saving it, learning how
to invest it and seeing your money grow.
See yourself with a business on the side, aside from your full time job.
See yourself as an investor."

----

"if you can’t see yourself as a “fantastic father to my children,” then you won’t be spending time with your kids on a daily basis, building your relationship with them. You won’t do that because it’s not who you think you are."

----

"It’s all a matter of purpose.
Read carefully...
Money isn’t the most important thing in the world.
But money affects every important thing in the world.
It affects your family life.
It affects your physical life.
It affects your intellectual life.
It affects your spiritual life.
It affects your ability to help others.
We need money. And money, if used properly, can bless the world."

----------

"Do you want your children to suffer?
No. You suffer when they suffer. Much more than they do, right?"

-----------

"Don’t expect God to do the very things He expects you to do."

---------

"God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference."

-----------

"Do you want to be truly rich?
Then be committed.
There’s no other way.
Be completely committed to your dreams."

-----------

"You’ll be surprised at how money-making opportunities
will open up before you. Actually, they’re already there,
waiting for you to discover them."

--------

"Do you want to escape your poverty?
Then start changing your daily, predominant thoughts.
Start thinking of yourself as a rich person, enjoying wealth,
abundance and prosperity. Imagine! Picture yourself! Feel it!
See yourself earning a specific amount of money each month.
See yourself giving generously to God a specific amount each month.
Feel the incredible freedom of having more than enough to share.
And be totally committed to making that dream a reality."

----

"Knowing how money works is a totally different field of expertise.
Financial ignorance is expensive."

-----

"Who should be your financial mentor?
Follow the money."

-----

"So a critical step to becoming rich is to get out of bad debt as fast as
possible. Get this enemy called daily compounded interest to join your side.

If you’re buried under a lot of debt, here are five crucial actions you
need to make:

1. Declare Your Freedom Day
If you think about all your debts, it’ll kill your spirit. (Remember
what I said? What you focus on grows.) So focus instead on your
coming freedom. Write a deadline when you’ll be financially free.
Call it your Freedom Day and plan for a big celebration. Read this
goal daily, think about it daily, pray for it daily. Sleep with it, walk
with it, work with it, eat with it.

2. Create New Ways of Pleasure
Discover new habits of simple joys. Examine your lifestyle. Have
you been spending more than you’re actually earning? It’s time
to cut back on things you can do without. That extra dress. That
dinner out. That movie. And get the same amount of joy (or even
more) from free—or almost free—pleasures. A picnic in the park.
A quiet read in the library. A walk around the neighborhood.

3. Schedule Your Steps to Freedom
With your increased savings from a simpler lifestyle, sit down and
write how much you can set aside each month to pay your debts.
Schedule all payments, starting with high interest-loans first. And
if you can, transfer high interest-loans to low-interest loans.

4. Don’t Borrow When You Can’t Afford It—Period!
Don’t borrow to buy consumer goods ever again. If you don’t have
money right now to buy it, then don’t buy it. If the credit card
in your wallet is a huge temptation, then get rid of it until you
acquire discipline.

5. Negotiate with Your Creditors
See your creditors regularly—assure them you’ll pay—but
negotiate to reduce their interest rates. I’ve learned that because
human beings run banks and other lending institutions, and because these same flesh-and-blood people make the policies,
everything is negotiable. Everything. Don’t back down simply
because they say, “It’s the policy here that we don’t decrease
interest rates.” Persevere.

Avoid bad debt like bad bacteria."

-----

"I detest insurance agents; They keep telling me I will die someday,
which is not so.
— Stephen Leacock, comedian"

------

"I believe that God protects our families through this blessing called insurance.
Get protection."

-----

"So how much insurance do you really need?
Here’s the formula: Multiply your annual expenses by 10. So if you
spend P100,000 a year, you need P1 million insurance. If you spend
P500,000 a year, then you need P5 million insurance. If you spend P1
million a year, then you need P10 million. (So, are you underinsured?)
Why that amount?
This is how it works: Let’s say each year, you spend P500,000 for
your family’s needs. So you get a P5 million insurance. In the event of
your death, the insurance company gives P5 million to the family you left behind.
Now, your family could spend that amount little by little until it becomes smoke.
Or, your family could become financially wise by investing the entire
amount in a fund (more on this later) that earns 10 percent a year. That’ll
give them P500,000 a year which, if you notice, is the same amount your
family was spending while you were alive. So they’re provided for the rest of
their lives. Isn’t that lovely?"

-----

"Protect Yourself Adequately."

-----

"I need 3M insurance protection!!!"

-------

"For the first problem of dying too young, the solution is having
protection or insurance. For the second problem of living too long, the
solution is to build your own retirement fund now."

-----

"Friends, I want you to be totally committed to be part of this two
percent when you reach 65. And I know of only one way to be part
of this small group: Build your retirement fund now. I don’t care if
you’re 30 years old, 25 years old, or even 18 years old. You’ve got
to start building your retirement fund now. Not tomorrow, not
next week, not next year, but now."

-----

"Automatically save 20 percent of your monthly income.Famine will always come. So prepare for it."

------

"Lesson #1: The earlier you save, the better.
Lesson #2: You need to know where to invest your savings.
Banks are good places to put our emergency funds and business
funds. But never put your retirement and long-term savings there. It
won’t work. Save first and spend later.

Overtime, your money loses its purchasing power.
How much? It loses around seven percent a year.
Do you now see how futile it is to put your savings in the bank?
What should you do?
Here’s the key: Differentiate your emergency fund from your
retirement fund. Put your emergency fund—around three to six months
of your salary—in the bank. That’s for quick withdrawals.
But not your retirement fund."

----

“Mutual funds are the great equalizer. Some call it the secret
of the rich which is now available to the poor. Banks don’t treat
people equally, but we do. Someone who puts P5 million in the
bank gets a higher interest than someone who puts P5,000. But
in mutual funds, it doesn’t matter how much you put in.
Don’t put your retirement fund in the bank."

----

"We are not taught financial literacy in school. It takes a lot of work and time to
change your thinking and to become financially literate.
— Robert Kiyosaki"

-------

"Read Books and Attend Seminars on Money."

--------

"How do you gain financial literacy?
1. Read Books and Attend Seminars on Money
2. Read the Business Section of the Newspaper
3. Volunteer in a Small Business
4. Get Financial Mentors
Look for people who are successful financially. Call them up. Ask their secrets to success. Finally,
ask them if they can teach you some more by taking you into their
businesses and learning the ropes.
5. Start Your Small Business on the Side. And don’t
worry if you fail the first time. And the second time. And the third
time. Because what’s important now is what you learn—not what
you earn. Just keep on trying!
Read, listen and practice."

--------

"The greatest income reducer in your life right now may be your TV set."

--------

"Rise early, work hard and strike oil!
— J. Paul Getty"

-------

"Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster
may come upon the land. Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you
do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.
— Ecclesiastes 11:2"

------

"Today, it’s risky to depend on your job alone."

------

"You need to have many sources of income—so that if one fails, the
others can sustain you.
As Robert Kiyosaki would say, financial freedom means owning
many assets (paper assets, business assets and property assets) that put
money in your pocket. More specifically, passive income, or income
that you earn while you sleep or do something else."

-----

"Ride many bicycles. Ride many cars. And ride many planes.
Even during the time of the Bible, wealthy men like Abraham, Isaac,
and Job had multiple income streams.
And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning;
and he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand
yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses.
— Job 42:12"

------

"Ride as many vehicles as you can."

------

"If you leave your P50 in your wallet, it will never grow to P50
million. The P50 million gets locked in there forever. That P50 will
remain P50 even after 1,000 years."

-------

"If you put your P50 in a bond fund or mutual fund that gives you
10 percent, it will grow to P50 million in 145 years."

-------

"According to statistics, the most common way people become
millionaires is by becoming a business owner."

-------

"But do you know what’s common between successful stars and
successful entrepreneurs?
They both use their core gift. And they have incredible passion for
what they do. And this to me is the “car” towards wealth: using your
core gift with passion in your own business. If you want to be rich, use your core gift with passion."

-------

"Success follows doing what you want to do.
There is no other way to be successful.
— Malcolm Forbes"

-------

"I have very few talents.
But this is what I can do very well: Communicate.
So I focus my entire life on that one thing.
I write well, and I speak well. Period.
And I delegate everything else to people who are better than I am.
The first question you need to answer is this: What is your core
gift?"

------

"1. What do you enjoy doing?

But friends, it’s not enough to discover your core gift.
You also have to ask yourself another question: How can I earn from
it?
Earn from your core gift."

------

"Ask and you shall receive…
— Matthew 7:7"

------

"Earning from your core gift means asking to be paid."

-----

"If you’re serious in starting a business, get a sales job.
Sell something!"

-------

"Always remember that selling means you want to meet a person’s
need.
So what do you call that? You’re serving someone."

------

"But my real profit wasn’t money.
It was the enormous skills and financial education I developed—how
to recruit, how to motivate, how to train, how to sell, how to control
costs, how to sell…. Skills that I would need in my future businesses.
Learn how to sell."

"Your first profit in any business is financial wisdom,
not money."

------

"Remember this principle: Profits are always better than wages.
Wages—or salaries—come regularly, and people are content with
that.
But that’s as far as they go. If you get an increase, if you get promoted,
it goes up by 10 percent, perhaps 20 percent…
But in your investments and businesses, you determine your
profits."

-------

"But the point is—you decide.
I repeat: If you can’t handle the growth of the business, then grow
as a person first. When you’ve grown enough, then start growing your
business."

-------

"Hold on to your full-time job, but start thinking like an
entrepreneur.
Be an investor and start something on the side."

-------

"Remember that profits are better than wages."

-------

"Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone."

-------

"First, I believe God has given us more capacity than we think we
have.
Because of this, I believe you can earn 10 times more than whatever
you’re earning right now.
You can help 10 times the
number of people you’re helping now.
Don’t limit yourself.
You’re bigger than you think you are.
Second, I believe that love is limitless. It has no boundaries.
Third, I build my Dream Team.
Fourth, I create an auto-pilot system."

--------

"Wake up each morning and ask, “How can I bless the
world more?”"

--------

"Create Passive Income
Remember that one of your goals is passive income.
You need to set up the business in such a way that, one day, it can
run without you. Or at least, with minimal supervision. Your goal is that
while you sleep, your business earns for you."

-------

"That’s why every time I enter into any project, I always do it with a
team around me. Never alone.
And together, we create a system for the project that’s replicable
and duplicable.

"In other words, it’s got to run on autopilot without my direct
supervision.
Here’s my ideal leader: If I appoint someone to be project head (or
organization director or business manager), after six months, I don’t
want her bothering me anymore except for major directional issues. If
she still bothers me for tiny matters, I’ve chosen the wrong leader—or I
trained her wrongly."

-----

"Earn Exponential Income

And other seeds fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and
increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.
— Mark 4:8"

----------

"Linear income is like a piece of bread. You eat it and it’s gone. After
that, you have to look for another piece of bread.
Exponential income is like a seed. You can’t eat it at first, but if you
plant it and wait for a while, you can eat as much fruit as you want to.
You have an infinite source of fruit if you keep on planting some of the
seeds."

--------

"What is exponential income?
That’s what a regular employee earns when he invests in mutual
funds and stocks. (So you see, everyone can earn exponential income,
even employees.)
That’s what a networker earns when she builds a downline
organization.
That’s what an infropreneur earns when he sells an e-book or when
he earns from Google ads from his website.
That’s what a sales manager earns from his salesmen.
That’s what a distributor earns when he distributes his goods to
various stores.
That’s what a store owner earns when she branches out, hires other
store managers, or sells franchises of her store.
That’s what a real estate investor earns when she buys profitable
rental property.
That’s what an author earns when she earns a royalty for every book
that’s sold.
That’s what a singer earns when she earns a royalty for every album
sold.
That’s what an inventor earns when he invents a widget and enters
into a deal with a company to sell it.
That’s what a dentist earns when he hires other dentists and opens
new clinics.
Exponential income—also called passive income—means earning
for a very long time from work you did only once at the very start.
Hey, income is income. Earn linear income when you can!
But invest your linear income so you can earn exponential income.
Because if you want to become wealthy, you need to find a way to
earn exponential income.
Earn exponential income."

-------

"Teams are powerful.
Alone, I can do a lot of things. But with my team, I don’t add but
multiply what I can do.
As I told you, I don’t enter into a project without a team around
me.
And I choose my team well.

I have a very simple criteria: I choose men and women who are
humble (team players) and who are experts in their field. In other words,
I search for impeccable character and fantastic skills.

Nothing great can be accomplished without a team. Even
Jesus had a team."

---------

"Chisel this on stone: Marketing is the lifeblood of all business. So
market, market, and market some more!
Because I don’t care how great your product is, if people don’t know
about it, they won’t buy it.
If you want to succeed, you need to reverse your math. Spend 80 percent
of your time in marketing and 20 percent of your time in developing your
product."

-----

"You can’t cross a sea by merely staring into the water.
— Rabindranath Tagore

God wants us to help ourselves.
He doesn’t want us to remain toddlers.
Like any ordinary parent, He wants us to grow up and take
responsibility.
In fact, I believe God primarily moves in this world through our
action.
Have a bias for action."

----------

"He speaks through natural
signs."

---------

"Talent is cheaper than table salt.
What separates the talented individual from the successful
one is a lot of hard work.
— Stephen King"

-------

"My point? My ideas aren’t unique. A lot of people think of them.
But here’s the difference: I just don’t think of the ideas. I make the
idea happen. And usually, I make it happen fast.
In other words, I have a bias for action."

----------

"But for pioneers, perfectionism is never a good
strategy.
My plan is to fail and improve along the way.
I risk failure. And I risk success.
Make things happen.
Truly"

---------

"For pioneers, perfectionism is never a good strategy."

---------

"When we give ourselves permission to fail,
we at the same time give ourselves permission to excel.
— Eloise Ristad"

--------

"Success can be achieved only through repeated failure. My success
represents the one percent of the work that resulted from the 99
percent that was called failure.
— Soichiro Honda
Fail your way to success."

--------

"The bolder the action, the greater the genius, magic, and power
that is likely to flow from it.
— Robert Ringer"

---------

"If you want to succeed, don’t take timid, tepid, tentative steps.
Give it all you’ve got."

---------

"Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase.
— Martin Luther King, Jr."

"Ten Sacred Rules of Success
Rule #1: Act.
Rule #2: Act again.
Rule #3: Act again.
Rule #4: Act again.
Rule #5: Act again.
Rule #6: Act again.
Rule #7: Act again.
Rule #8: Act again.
Rule #9: Act again.
Rule #10: Act again.

Allow yourself to fail."

--------

"To hustle means to believe that there’s a solution to almost
any problem—and to take it upon yourself to find it!"

---------

"Delight yourself in the Lord and
He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 37:4

What’s the use of having millions when your family is in shambles?
What’s the use of being physically healthy when your spiritual life
is empty?
You need balance.
You need to win in the seven major areas of life.
You need to…
1. Strengthen Your Relationships
2. Grow in Emotional Maturity
3. U se Your Core Gift
4. Get Physically Healthy
5. Gain Wisdom
6. Build Your Money
7. Nourish Your Spiritual Life
Is it possible?
I believe in the power of our beliefs to define our reality.
If you believe that it’s not possible to win in all areas, then you won’t
be able to do it. But if you believe at the core of your being that it’s
possible, then it is.
Win in all areas of life.

My inner compass is God’s voice in my soul."

---------

"Define Your Own Success
Poverty is a state of mind often induced by looking at a neighbor’s car.— Anonymous"

----------

"Define your own success.
You are already wealthy."

----------

"Give Your Best
You are the only one who knows whether you have won or not.
Don’t try to be better than someone else. Just be the best that
you can be.
— John Wooden’s Dad"

--------

"Give your best
Compete with yourself."

--------

"Your Harvest Will Depend
on Your Giving
Money is like manure. If you spread it around, it does a lot
of good.
But if you pile it up in one place, it stinks like hell.
— Junior Murchison"

----------

"When you give, you act rich. And thus, you’re released from scarcity
mentality and you develop an abundance mentality within you."

----------

"The reward of giving isn’t arithmetic. If I give a mango, I don’t
receive another mango. Instead, the reward of giving is exponential. I
receive a mango tree.
If I give a mango, I’m planting my mango seed on the soil of
God’s universe, and so I receive an entire mango tree with potentially
thousands of fruits inside it.
So my harvest is determined by my giving. The more I give, the
more I receive. It’s a law written in the very fabric of the universe.
And this has been my experience."

-----------

"Sacrifice Your Wealth for Others
Poverty is abandonment. We have abandoned the poor.
— Tony Meloto"

------------

"We receive blessings to bless others.
We receive wealth so that we can give it away.
Sacrifice your wealth for the poor.
Truly Rich Principle:
If you see the poor as your family, you won’t give charity.
You’ll love them. You’ll shed your blood for them."

-----------

"Get a Champion Partner.

I have come that you may have life and have it in abundance.
— John 10:10"

---------

"The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity… The Lord will open the heavens,
the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless
all the work of your hands.

You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.
— Deuteronomy 28:11-12"

---------

"Step #0: Give to God a Monthly Love Offering
(Start with 10 percent)

Step #1: Free Yourself from All Bad Debt

Step #2: Increase Your Income and Start a Sideline

Step #3: Get Protection (Insurance) Equal to 10 Times Your
Annual Expenses

Step #4: Create an Emergency Fund in the Bank Equal to Six
Months’ Expenses

Step #5: Create a Retirement Fund Saving 20 Percent of Your
Monthly Income in Various Growth Funds

Step #5: Create a Retirement Fund Saving 20 Percent of Your
Monthly Income in Various Growth Funds

Step #6: Create Passive Income via Businesses and Investments
Equal to or More Than Your Expenses."

--------

"Writing our dreams has a powerful effect on our brain.
It causes our minds to open up to opportunities that will help us
reach our goals—opportunities that we wouldn’t have seen if we didn’t
create a graphic vision of our future.
Write down your dreams.
Write Down Your Dreams

By writing down your dreams, you open yourself to life’s river
of abundance. But when you read what you wrote down
daily, you multiply the power of that river tenfold."

-------

So these are the quotations from Bo Sanchez' books that I compiled and lump all together as "Vitamins from Bo". Indeed, Bo's books are powerful instruments of God's blessing and abundance. I hope that you may draw inspiration from this article so that life can be meaningful. I recommend that you read the books of Bo Sanchez because it is always worth reading.

Finally, thank you Bo for inspiring me and my friends to.work hard and save for all these things that we do is the greatest love of all.

Quotations in this article were from:

"8 Secrets of the Truly Rich" by Bo Sanchez.

"My Maid Invests in the Stock Market And Why You Should, Too!"
by Bo Sanchez.

Also, thanks to topnews.in for the image.

Fun and Trill at the Island Cove, Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite

2010-07-19T06:44:00.000-07:00

It is at Island Cove Philippines where fun and good times takes care of nature. This 36-hectare island is only 45 minutes away from Manila. If you would come from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport you have reached Binakayan, Kawit, Province of Cavite, Philippines by passing through Aguinaldo Highway to get extraordinary actions. I say extraordinary because the islands has one of the best family-oriented adventure resort outside Metro Manila. This Mediterranean-inspired island is ISO 9001:2000 certified and accredited by the Department of Tourism as a triple “A” resort. Among the various attractions of the park are the Oceania Water Park, the Animal Island, and the Adventure Zone. Island Cove is also perfect for celebrations, corporate functions, and team building activities and family affairs. Its free Wi-Fi is accessible in most parts of the resort or along side the pool area makes blogging seamless together with your laptop.

Oceania Water Park has the most exciting water attraction. It has a 3,000 square meter two-layered swimming pool with four giant slides. It also has a wading pool for children, called the Kiddie Cove which has slides, fountains, and showers that are really a hit to kids and parents alike.

This line of coconut trees adorned the entrance of the Oceania Water Park

The kids tried the Walk on Water (WOW) Aqua Balls where they run and roll inside giant, inflatable and transparent balls.

My son ACE got inside WOW Ball with cousin Pong and Uncle Cris wait for the action.

ACE begun the adventure and feels it good how to walk on the water.

It is Tin-tin's time to walk on the water.

My daughter Colai's excitement at the Kiddie Cove.

ACE rested for a while after some splash.

It is my turn to recharge and collect ultraviolet rays.

My lovely wife Weng posed with her summer wear

The 3,000 square meter two-layered swimming pool with four giant slides.

At my background is the Fishing Village, which is a 3-hectare fishing grounds. There you can have your catch cooked exactly the way you want. You may also enjoy classic Filipino dishes and fresh fruit shakes while dining in huts on stilts over water. The huts in the background are of different sizes and can accommodate 6 to 150 persons.

This is the place which really drove the kids crazy. The attractions here include a Butterfly Farm, a Crocodile Farm and Monkey Island, and a Petting Zoo, where we meet six-foot tall ostriches, Bengal tigers, deer, bearcats, wild boars and rabbits, and different species of snakes and iguana, mammals, and birds like the predator eagle.

Inside the Crocodile Farm we had a chance to feed twelve-foot long crocodiles and monkeys. We also took a leisurely stroll along pathways lined with colorful flowers inside the Butterfly Farm. Horse back riding and horse-drawn carriage service are also available at reasonable rates.

Photos with baby crocs and the entrance to the Butterfly Farm.

Justine and Tin-tin

The crocs scrambled after a chicken meat was thrown.

I try to upload next time a video with the Bengal Tiger.

ACE with his cousins Justine, Joanne and Rachel

Going to Bacolod Chicken Inasal and mission accomplished.

Although man-made, the islands has through the years faithfully mimicked the romantic fantasies of nature. The place is perfect for sports and athletic events. It has a modern gym that is open everyday and equipped with quality equipments, which include treadmills, cardio machines, and weight lifting equipments. Qualified trainers are on duty to ensure that guests and gym members do the right workout. Health buffs may also use the Jogger’s Lane and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful surroundings of the island while sweating it out. They have basketball, tennis courts and beach volleyball courts. Table tennis and billiards are likewise available. A playground is also at hand for children. They also have outdoor giant chess set, the play ground, and Concert Park.

But of all these things, one thing I really admired with Island Cove is its environment-friendly park. A paradise in the making has sound waste management. To reduce in fuel emission, a zero-emission electric tram transports guests around the islands. Here at Island Cove the adventure never stops because nature is always the best adventure.

Source: Island Cove Website

From Clean Water to Sizzling Billboards

2010-07-18T23:46:00.000-07:00

Passing by La Mesa Watershed

When we went to Imus, Cavite, cousin Pong drove the Adventure. When we passed by the La Mesa Watershed it was really appalling to see how that area has been fast deforested. Equally very consternating was the nearby landfill which used to offer relief to Metro Manila's painful garbage woes. As this bleak sight of grim and stench gradually eroded the AUV left the supposed to be protected area but now desecrated by irresponsible citizens. Heading for the Commonwealth Avenue, I could not fathom in the near future how my children and descendants would savor and enjoy the gift of nature. Will they have clean water supply or and lush greenery? Perhaps a privatization of this water reservoir, where millions of people drew their daily water buckets would get the area greener and yield more water. Will it really solve the problem? Water please!

Stinky Gas Station

But wait. I could not barely notice it...we have to drop by a gas station as our rear wheel needs some blow. Upon reaching the gas station, I also alighted the vehicle and I came inside their comfort zone. But inside I could not barely take it...and I told to myself...luckily my son didn't come with me. I haven't got out from the sight of grim and stench.The toilet in that gas station stinks. And the worst thing was that their air pump has long been not functioning! This one is along the Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City near the Ever Gotesco Shopping Mall. Perhaps the administration of this petrol station don't know about this. I assume that being among the big three, it practices some sort of a degree of sound and quality management. Good enough, we were able to reach another one near UP-Ayala Techno Hub, and finally there we got the relief.

Thinking about EDSA without sizzling billboards?

We reached EDSA in not a breeze. You know when its SUNDAY...traffic is not so terrific. Pong told me not to pester him with eye-popping billboards along EDSA. I know, he won't dare to even a glance. Angel was not his taste, perhaps Derek...perhaps. For all we know, we were sandwiched with two huge delivery trucks...Really, it's so delicate to spare the steering wheels My entire family is on board so I just remarked..."Oh, Manila...we're heading to Cavite...where there are no sizzling billboards along Aguinaldo Highway". But I like billboards, especially huge ones.

This sizzling F and H billboard along EDSA features a tanned Angel clad in a white one-piece swimsuit. It is not a surprise that she has also been awarded as Style Star's Readers Choice for this billboard on Stylebible's Style Star weekly poll for last year's Hottest Billboard in the Philippines. I'm a huge fan of supermodel Angel so I searched this one on the web.

Still thinking about EDSA without sizzling billboards? That spells the difference between your Lolo's Highway 54 and the "jejemon" generation Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.

From Coastal Road to Bottleneck in Bacoor, Cavite

And so having reached Imus, Cavite about ten in the morning...we were again caught in a traffic while approaching Puregold in Aguinaldo Highway. We reached Uncle Cris's fabulous abode very later. He was on town for a week-long vacation from his European assignments. Kuya Cris and his daughter, Tin-tin, along with nephews Onel and Bryan, and nieces Justin and Joanne, lead us to a sumptuous special pancit meal with ice-cream and of course, hindi mawawala yun...a cake from Goldilocks. And after a brief chit-chat we boarded his hi-ace in droves as we left the AUV for the next destination...the historic Kawit, Cavite...the birthplace of the First Philippine Republic.

Looking for another best thing about Kawit, Cavite?.. why not try Island Cove!

Thanks for the image angellocsin.com.ph

Three of the World's 10 Largest Malls

2010-07-07T02:23:00.000-07:00

Metro Manila may not be the biggest city in the World but according to Forbes.com, the jewel of the Philippines holds a record of having three of the World's 10 Largest Malls. These Philippine Malls are the SM Mall of Asia, ranked No. 3 with gross leasable Area of 4.2 million square feet; SM Megamall, ranked no. 6 with gross leasable area of 3.6 million square feet; and SM City North Edsa, at 10th rank with gross leasable area of 3 million square feet. All of these shopping malls I mentioned are owned by Filipino billionaire Henry Sy.

SM Mall of Asia located at Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

SM Mega Mall located at Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines

SM City North EDSA located at Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

To complete the excitement, here is the prestigious list of World's 10 Largest Malls according to Forbes.com:

1. South China Mall
     Location: Dongguan, China
     Year Opened: 2005
     Gross Leasable Area: 7.1 million square feet
     In the Chinese mall arms race, this facility opened a year after the Golden Resources Mall to displace it as the country's and the world's largest. The space includes wind mills and theme parks, plus a replica of the Arc de Triomphe.

2. Golden Resources Shopping Mall
    Location: Beijing, China
    Year Opened: 2004
    Gross Leasable Area: 6 million square feet
    Not sprawling, this is a stacked-up five-story mall. Approximately 1,000 stores, selling plenty of familiar global brands like Nike and DKNY. A truly ambitious real estate project, with new apartments and offices, surround the mall. A tough location outside the heart of the city has resulted in disappointing traffic from foreign tourists.

3. SM Mall of Asia
    Location: Pasay City, Philippines
    Year Opened: 2006
    Gross Leasable Area: 4.2 million square feet
    Includes the first Olympic-sized swimming pool and first IMAX theater in the Philippines. Spread over four buildings, customers can get around on a 20-seat tram.

4. Cevahir Istanbul
    Location: Istanbul, Turkey
    Year Opened: 2005
    Gross Leasable Area: 3.8 million square feet
    Europe's largest shopping mall has a roller coaster, wave pool and several IMAX theaters.

5. West Edmonton Mall
    Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
    Year Opened: 1981
    Gross Leasable Area: 3.8 million square feet
    The biggest in North America, the West Edmonton Mall has over 800 stores, along with attractions like a water park, skating rink, casino and rides.

6. SM Megamall
    Location: Mandaluyong City, Philippines
    Year Opened: 1991
    Gross Leasable Area: 3.6 million square feet
    Fun stuff includes bowling, ice skating and a 12-cinema movie theater, along with traditional mall fare like arcade games. Customers can also get a haircut or see a doctor at the Manila clinic.

7. Berjaya Times Square
    Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Year Opened: 2005
    Gross Leasable Area: 3.4 million square feet
    Built with an adjacent hotel and convention center. In addition to over 1,000 retail shops, the mall includes a 12-story-high roller coaster, plus a pool, skating rink and "Cosmo's World," a children's theme park.

8. Beijing Mall
    Location: Beijing, China
    Year Opened: 2005
    Gross Leasable Area: 3.4 million square feet
    The first real suburban mall in China, located about an hour from downtown Beijing, this center has four levels with parking for 8,000 cars, plus a man-made beach. Bootlegged DVDs of American movies are a top seller.

9. Zhengjia Plaza
    Location: Guangzhou, China
    Year Opened: 2005
    Gross Leasable Area: 3 million square feet
    Has been known to attract over half a million shoppers on a good day. Another mixed-use space, the mall has a hotel and office tower in addition to retail stores.

10. SM City North Edsa
Location: Quezon City, Philippines
Year Opened: 1985
Gross Leasable Area: 3 million square feet
The first major "mega mall" built by SM Prime Holdings, which now claims three of the largest 10 in the world. It's a five-story complex that boasts over 100 retail outlets and restaurants, along with 12 cinemas, a bowling alley and skating rink. An IMAX theater could be added soon.

Source of article: World's 10 Largest Shopping Malls by Tom Van Riper at Forbes.com
Source of images: Forbes.com

Liham ni Ninoy kay Noynoy (Letters of Hero Ninoy to President Noynoy Aquino)

2010-07-02T01:28:00.000-07:00

Good day friends, for the past days I was not able to blog. I think I was infected with a "yellow fever". But don't worry. It is not contagious. It is just a feeling of awe, joy and hope after witnessing the oath-taking of the 15th President of the Republic. As I'm searching the web, I encountered these exchanges between the father, then a prisoner, locked-up by a constitutional and authoritarian regime and a young boy who later, no one knows and nobody expected it, would become someday, the most powerful person in the Philippines.

Link: Liham ni Ninoy kay Noynoy

See how valuable a 500-peso bill today. It is more than just a souvenir but a historical document itself!

Even without nightclubs and bars, there is life in Manila. Is there?

2010-06-23T01:04:00.000-07:00

There are contradictions in life, and you don't have to look far. Whatever it is, there is still more in life then anything else.

A truly unique destination in the galaxy can be found in Southeast Asia. If you're from the Americas - across the vast expanse of the pacific. If you're from the Asia mainland - beyond the South China Sea. Covering 636 square kilometers of land area, the pearl of the orient seas has been left untouched for thousands of years. So be prepared for a deep breath. Let's dive and get it.

EDSA, Metro Manila - An Aerial View

May you have a nice stay here even if the airport is not that good, as recent flights to the city has been rerouted to the Clark Field due to faulty navigation equipments in the NAIA. I know it will be fixed soon. If your taxi driver does not care that you'll be late with your appointments, just smile and say “how you doin?”. The traffic in the nerve center of the more than seven thousand island should not ruin your day. Look out and ask the driver to lower the window of the taxi. The sight may be untidy, as garbage piled along the way. But you can also see fine-looking men and gorgeous women who speaks like British and walks like an American. Sounds may be so noisy, videoke singing is everywhere. But everyone wants to be a rock star. (I also tried to be...and the microphone likes me...). American Idol has a huge following here. And the aroma may not be so good, as scents of smoke from cramped buses and WWII jeeps with stench of garbage and sewer along the way. But folks you'll meet do have fresh breath, smiles well, and smell well because they do take a bath everyday..

So this is it. I say the place is unique. There are shanties of city dwellers and slums that you can see. But there are also huge billboards along EDSA and thoroughfares. The people love to see these sights even if it is the skin that they can only see. What is left to advertise if not for the underwear. And if you'll have to pee and poo, at the gas station you can do it...but not all the time. Shoppers fill the malls even if its the window that they only shop. You may not wear your jewelry if it's fake. If you want to...achtung!..at owner's risk. But if the policemen are not so friendly all the time...probably because there are hidden cameras installed to watch. If have to ride in the bus or train be prepared to stand all the time. It isn't now a fad for a man to share a seat to a woman. Not then, but now. Why? But during Sundays, more and more people go to church. Jollibee is filled by families dining together and so with with McDonald's and Chow-king. Movies can be watched in every mall, with the best from SM i-max, of course. Life is full and vibrant here. At night you might forget what these contradictions really mean. Having good times in bars and nightclubs here is beyond compare.

The Filipina Painting by Fernando Amorsolo

So this is Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. This day the city goes on a holiday to celebrate its foundation day. It has a rich cultural heritage because of mixed Malayan, Chinese, American and European influences. You call the city dwellers, Manileños. They are known for being hardworking, neat and honest. Sadly, though on a broader extent, that if you'll search for “filipina” and “pinay” in your Firefox or Safari web browsers, the hits would be very revealing but grossly disappointing...online dating, sex scandal and maid.

Images from:
Manila
The Filipina Painting by Fernando Amorsolo

Sand Castles in Rizal Beach, Gubat Sorsogon

2010-06-15T01:50:00.000-07:00

If your going to Sorsogon, Philippines you'll probably ask your travel guide for the best places to hang out. There are a lot of places and of course beaches. And if it comes to beaches, I would say the best beach in Sorsogon, you might also try traveling to the Municipality of Gubat and to its world famous "Rizal Beach".

Gubat is just a ride from the City of Sorsogon. You can be there by bus or car or by passenger jeepney. You won't believe it! the jeepney fare from Sorsogon City to Gubat is only 10 pesos per passenger. The jeepney terminal is located along Manook Street. Named after Don Pedro Manook, a descendant of Rajah Sikatuna, who happens to be the first Gobernadorcillo (Mayor) of Gubat, Manook Street is a busy commercial hub in Gubat where you can find the public market, banks, stores and transport terminals for jeepneys and tricycles.

At the Gubat public market, I'm sure you will enjoy your shopping for native foods like mouth watering pili, suman or ibos, timitim, hinagum, and linukay. At the wet market you might also try freshly catched "angul" fish which is best when steamed (sinaing), crabs, and prawns. There, you can also feast your eyes to an array of dried fishes of different kinds, including dried squids.

Native handicrafts made of abaca (hemp) and sea shells can be also be purchased as souvenirs at very reasonable prices. This also includes hats, slippers, home decors, bracelets and necklaces, coin purses, and even cellphone accessories. Gubat really is a tourist spot. Very interesting though, you can also find in Gubat the "ukay-ukay" things. Para nang Baguio City.

If you're security conscious, you need not worry. There is constant police visibility in the town and I can vouch for this that there are no robbers and pickpockets in Gubat. Besides, Gubateños are friendly and very accommodating.

Rizal Beach is located at Barangay Rizal. By going there you would pass by the stretch of beaches from Dangkalan Beach passing to Buenavista and then Rizal Beach. It is indeed a "good view" watching this site, as a long time ago Spaniards called this place "Buena vista". There are inns and hotels there like the Veramaris Hotel which is perfect for a unique and enjoyable stay along the beach.

This week Gubat celebrated its foundation and occasions for the homecoming ("baragat") and reunions and Gubateños all over the world. "Baragat" for Gubateños not only means meeting old friends and enemies but also going to your roots to help. It also held its town fiesta in honor of its patron Saint, San Antonio de Padua. Legend tells it that the great saint then saved the town from an impending rape and onslaught of arriving pirates at Gubat Bay by brandishing a sword atop the belfry of the 17th century San Antonio De Padua Parish Church and driving them away to panic. Novena prayers for the saint are also said to aid in good voyage and for pregnant moms wanting to have baby girls. The cultural show "Guinubat Festival", which tells the saga of Bintolan and the raid of a horde of swordfish (locally known as "bugiw"), where the town got its name, is also held annually to highlight the event.

While in Rizal Beach, you've only got three things to do. First, enjoy the beach and try surfing. Second, enjoy the friendship and warm accommodation and third, enjoy a lifetime of trill and experience.

For me, I've got four. Add the time when my daughter learned how to build sand castles. Cool!

External links:
Gubat, Sorsogon by Wikipedia
Rizal Beach: Gubat Sorsogon by Gloria Gamat
Discover Gubat - Learn Some Things About Gubat Sorsogon

Sweat, Rains and Tears - A Story of Hope and Faith

2010-06-02T22:20:00.000-07:00

I do hope that hotter days will be over and it started to rain here in Manila, Philippines so I can't help to write something for an advocacy.

The Climate Crisis

Have you ever ventured into waist-deep flooded streets or worse, swim the flooded highways and needs to cling into the fallen electric cables and posts against the deadly surge?

Have you ever experienced excessive sweating all day not due to biological or medical reasons but due to hot days and hot nights that have become more frequent? Your undies were soaked in salty slimy liquid just after a few moments whether at home, travel, school or work. These inconveniences are brought about by extreme weather that we are experiencing.

I survived the wrath of Ondoy (Ketsana)

I can recall what happened on September 26, 2009 with Ondoy and its horrors, but I do not care to remember its sordid details. I swam the waist-deep streets of San Mateo, Rizal Province, Philippines to catch an exam in Manila scheduled early morning the following day. You might not believe that I reached Ampid, San Mateo by swimming in the flooded streets. But there, I was prevented by the soldiers not to proceed because the flood has already reached the second floors of the houses. I cannot go back as the flood level has already reached my breast so I took shelter at the nearby Saint Mathew's College together with other evacuees of the nearby subdivisions, their children, their pet dogs, and pees and poos and everything. I went home after the flood water has receded. What an awful sight to see where people lost a lot and terribly, and where everything is a mess. We begin to rebuild after the deluge because we always see the rainbow smiling at us. Indeed, such was a filthy event of nature's wrath that even the heavy downpour last days and night sent shiver to my spines. It is a story of hope and faith that we were able to survive such a catastrophe.

Drought

According to the Philippine government think-tank on climate change, extreme weather events have occurred more frequently since 1980. These include deadly and damaging typhoons, floods, landslides, severe El Niño and La Niña events, drought, and forest fires. Adversely affected sectors include agriculture, fresh water, coastal and marine resources and health. Frequent occurrence of extreme El Niño events has affected rainfall and inflow patterns of the reservoirs. It also resulted in water rationing in Metro Manila. There is also evidence correlating El Niño occurrences with the epidemics on dengue. On personal experience, these hot months have caused problems in electric generation, such as a high enery demands and brownouts or worse, blackouts. There was also the occurence of earthquakes and panic.

Deluge

Among the extreme La Niña events that have happened recently are those which caused massive landslides. These severe weather events have one thing in common - persistent torrential rains, causing landslides and flash floods, killing thousands of people and destroying billions of property along its path.

In all these extreme events, the poor and the disadvantaged are the most vulnerable to the negative consequences of climate change. In my view, nobody is spared. Even the rich suffers and so with the poor. They both terribly perspire the hot months and pay spiraling electric bills. And they both swam the flooded streets to save lives and properties. That is, because nature is always fair.

It's urgent. Let's do our share. Be Prepared. Share and Help.

As citizens, we can do our share to cushion the impact of climate change. Use fuel efficient transport to save on fuel. Use bikes or walk if you have to travel not in a distance. It is also a good exercise to keep our body healthy and active. Save on electricity at home or at work. Participate in eco-friendly activities in your home, work or community. Let us not forget that we also have social responsibilities. And these include relief response participation and food and medical assistance in case of emergency. It is our eco-friendly behavior and practices that can save us. Above all these, it is our green lifestyle that makes a difference because we are still alive today.

I know that Bayanihan spirit is still alive. It is a Pinoy way of self-sacrifice and charity.

Source of this post on technical aspect:
Philippine Task Force on Climate Change

Read more on Climate Change:

Al Gore on Global Warming and Climate Change
Gore will be in Manila on June 8, 2010 to Speak on Climate Change
Climate Crisis Coalition

Image from:

www.keepbanderabeautiful.org

Meeting Rumpelstiltskin in 3D

2010-05-30T23:37:00.000-07:00

Rumpelstiltskin

by Brothers Grimm
An Excerpt

“Today I bake, tomorrow I brew,
Next, the queen’s child is mine;
How good it is that no one knows
Rumpelstiltskin is my name!”

You can imagine how happy the queen was when she heard the name.

And soon after the little man entered her chamber and asked “Now, Mistress Queen, what is my name?”

She first asked “Is your name Kunz?”

“No.”

“Is your name Heinz?”

“No”.

“Is your name perhaps Rumpelstiltskin?”

“The devil told you, the devil told you,” the little man cried and in his rage stamped his little foot so with such force that he sank into the ground up to his waist. Then he stamped his left foot into the ground in rage and with both hands tore himself in two.

Read More:

The Fairy Tale Channel

Short Stories at East of the Web

Rumpelstiltskin and his Witches

We meet Rumpelstiltskin last night when we watched Shrek Forever After 3D at SM City Marikina Cinema 1 and we really had a great time. This horrible short guy is really terrible. Do not bargain with this fellow...even for at least a day of escapade. Treasure your present being. Be contented with what you have and be careful in making deals. In the story, at the end of the day Shrek realized that his family is everything that matters. The ogre has until dawn to make Princess Fiona fall in love with him again to take back his wish in an agreement with Rumpelstiltskin. If Shrek doesn't receive true love's kiss by that time, he will cease to exist.

Read more...

Shrek and Rumpelstiltskin

Princess Fiona, Shrek and Kids

I would like to acknowledge the sources of Shrek 4 posters:

behindthevoiceactors.com; worstpreviews.com; and babble.com

Visiting Bicol - May 7, 2010

2010-05-25T02:21:00.000-07:00

Occultation of Moon & Venus - May 16, 2010

2010-05-21T01:53:00.001-07:00

This is a special and rare astronomical event. This occultation means the conjunction of the Venus and Moon in an awesome celestial view! Moon (Luna in Latin) and Venus (Aphrodite in Greek) appeared very intimate as if I'm teleported to Afghanistan viewing the tower of a great mosque. The sweet duo was so notorious in the heavens that a lot of people with their cellphones took time to get the pics of a special and rare celestial sight. I would not have noticed it had it not for my daughter Colai when she asked, "Dad, why are they taking pictures of the moon?, when got out of SM City Marikina at about 7:30 pm on 16 May 2010. Indeed, that day was really a very special one...very very special.

I would like to acknowledge the sources of these photos at the following links: photobucket; vivian limpin; sphotos; and seeker401. Thank you guys for such wonderful pics.

Days and Night with Sierra Madre - May 15, 2010

2010-05-21T01:51:00.001-07:00

The Sierra Madre Resort and Convention Center is right along the National Highway in Tanay, Province of Rizal, Philippines. We spent two days and a night there as our annual office outing. We enjoyed the cool air, the spectacular view of the Sierra Madre mountain range and we took a lot of photos there especially at the veranda overlooking the mini golf course. If you're there you might think that you're not in Tanay but in Tanaytay (I mean Tagaytay!) because of the cool breeze especially at night so much so that you'll need no aircon inside your suites. There are a lot of sceneries you'll find there such as the the hanging foot bridge in the photo, located at the edge of the mini golf course; The Aphrodite adorned park such that if you're there you might feel that you're in Greece. It also has a clubhouse where we had a lot of singing and of course, dancing (si tito boy lang yun!). The food is also okay. They served us truly pinoy dishes of inihaw na bangus, bulalo ng baka and adobo. The owner is a true-bloodied Bicolano so expect the best of Bicolano hospitality and accommodation.

I would like to thank my officemates for these lovely and wonderful shots.

..and if you intend to commute to Sierra Madre Hotel, I've found this photo from multiply.com that is truly amazing.

More about the Sierra Madre Hotel at Tanay, Rizal, Philippines

More about Tanay, Rizal Province, Philippines:
Facts and History
A peek into Tanay’s Natural Wonder The Calm and Majestic Waters of Daranak Falls
Seeing the Breathtaking Sierra Madre Mountain Range from Tanay, Rizal
Tanay, Philippines - A Travel Blog of Rea Dora
Our Tanay Getaway
Erap’s Tanay Rest House

City of Pines - February 18, 2010

2010-03-30T20:04:00.000-07:00

Together with my wife and kids, we went to Baguio City, Philippines on February 18, 2010. The event was actually a school tour of the children so we have to accompany them. I have with me a handy Olympus Digicam to capture these beautiful and historical places. In the City of Pines we visited the following places:

a) Strawberry Farm at BSU, where we enjoyed taho with strawberry jam for only 10 pesos per cup from local vendors. It is unique and delicious and only from Baguio City;

b) The Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, which is located on Mirador Hill in the western part of the City. Inside the grotto is a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes (Virgin Mary), where we prayed and asked for blessings. To reach the grotto, we hurdled 252 steps. There, an excellent view of the city can be seen;

c) The Philippine Military Academy;

The PMA is the officers training school of the Armed Forces in the Philippines. Located at Fort Gegorio del Pilar on Loakan Road, visitors to the City of Pines are welcome to explore the grounds, view the cadets performing their drills, and explore the PMA museum and walk around its manicured grounds to see vintage tanks and other historical military weapons. The Philippine Military Academy began on October 25, 1898 with the establishment of the Academia Militar in Malolos, Bulacan by virtue of a decree issued by the first president of the young Philippine Republic, General Emilio Aguinaldo. Graduates were awarded regular commission in the armed forces.

On December 21, 1936, Commonwealth Act No. 1 (also known as the National Defense Act) was passed. The law formally created the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and authorized it to confer a Bachelor of Science degree on its graduates after they successfully complete the four-year course. The outbreak of World War II in late 1941 disrupted training at the Academy. The Philippine Military Academy reopened on May 5, 1947 again at its former location in the Summer Capital, Camp Henry T. Allen. Due to the need for wider grounds, the Academy moved to its present site at Fort Gregorio del Pilar, a sprawling 373-hectare compound in Loakan, some 10 kilometers from downtown Baguio City. Named after the young hero of the battle of Tirad Pass, General Gregorio del Pilar, PMA in its new location was developed into a military training institution with facilities and infrastructure required by a growing academy. In 1993, PMA was transformed into a ‘Tri-Service Academy', which introduced specialized, branch-of-service-specific courses in the last two years of training, preparing fresh PMA graduates for their specific branch of service, for the graduates to be ‘field-ready', ‘fleet-ready' or ‘squadron-ready' upon graduation. Also that same year, in accordance with Republic Act 7192, the first female cadets were admitted into the Philippine Military Academy.

d) The Mansion.

It is the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines. The structure which is older than Baguio City is located on the eastern part of the city along C.P. Romulo Drive (formerly a part of Leonard Wood Road) and right across from Wright Park. Formerly called the Mansion House, this stately building was built in 1908 as summer homes for U.S. Governor-generals who were the American administrators for the Philippines and was destroyed in 1945 during the battle for the liberation of the Philippines. They say that the elaborate main gate of the Mansion is said to be a replica of that at Buckingham Palace in London, England. Vehicles entering the compound pass through a great circular driveway and it is usually open only when the Mansion is used for an official function or activity. With its beautiful gardens and a well-manicured lawn, it is a favorite site for sightseeing and picture taking.

e) Horseback riding at the Mines View Park

or enjoying its magnificent view;

f) Enjoying a boat ride at the the Burnham Park Lake; and

g) at SM-Baguio City; where we had our lunch.

Indeed, it was really a vacation for us all.

More about the beauty of Baguio City at http://www.gobaguio.com

Island Hopping 100 Times in Pangasinan, Philippines

2009-05-25T22:19:00.000-07:00

An afternon by the Marikina River Banks

2009-03-18T00:34:00.000-07:00

Together with my awesome kids, Ace and Colai, we went to the Marikina River Bank to relax. That was a sunny Saturday. The River flows from Montalban River and passes to Marikina City, which is now abundant with janitor fish. At the other side of the bank lies a new shopping Mall of SM which has its elaborate and huge parking areas at the basement and visible by the River. This is a photo of a plumber advertising his services via bike. Take notice of his unique and exotic bike and how it is elaborately adorned with different types and kinds of faucets. The plumber is enjoying his afternoon relaxation along the Marikina Riverbanks.