Libot Pinas

Hundred reasons to visit Pangasinan

noreply@blogger.com (TheAbundantPinoy) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 03:31:00 +0000

It was September when I received this special opportunity to visit Pangasinan. This rare chance was brought by an invitation to attend the Leader's Training Conference of Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon. A Catholic Movement of single young professionals which aims to bring Christ to the workplace. Lingkod has many branches in the Philippines as well as abroad and I'm currently serving in Makati which is the closest to where I'm working. I was very blessed to attend this training and through the generosity of the members, I was able to go to Pangasinan almost for free!

The first and second day of our Pangasinan adventure was full of inspiring talks and bonding time with all the participants. I really had fun learning more about my Faith and learning more from the different places where the other participants came from. And on the third day, it was the most awaited part of our stay in Pangasinan: Hundred Islands tour!

Hundred Island National Park is composed of 124 islands during low tide and 123 on high tide (from www.wikipedia.org). During our way to Alaminos City, a tour guide told us a folklore about the Island. Unfortunately, I can't understand it because of the poor sound system of the bus. All I can remember is there's a love story. That's all.

My boatmates

As we ride the boat that will carry us to the islands, we were starstruck by the bangkero that accompanied us. "Apl de Ap!", we shouted to the bangkero. "Sample, sample!", as we continued cheering for him to give us some piece of Black Eyed Peas. Our bangkero, who is popularly known as "Buko de ap" is a Buko juice vendor at the island who really looks like the real Apl de Ap of the Black Eyed Peas. You may check out his facebook profile. He's really popular but his buko is really expensive compared to the buko juice sold here in the streets of Metro Manila.

Buko De Ap

With Buko De Ap

The first island that we visited is the Quezon Island. The blue water and white sand of the island are the first thing that welcomed us. It was really nice seeing it up close. You'll be amazed how the Creator did it. We never wasted any time and we hopped into the blue waters and enjoyed the heat. We also checked the Governor's Island where the Pinoy Big Brother House is located. The island has a nice spot to see the rest of the islands.

Here's some of the images from our Hundred Islands adventure! Enjoy!

Quezon Island

With my buddy, Julius Estoesta

Sentro's Sinigang na Corned Beef

noreply@blogger.com (TheAbundantPinoy) — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 05:46:00 +0000

Looking for a different twist to our beloved Sinigang? Try Sentro's Specialty of the house, Sinigang na Corned Beef.

Sinigang na Corned Beef

Honestly, I'm not a fan of corned beef. I hate it when my dad serve it for our meal but not until my friend introduced this weird variant of a famous Filipino cuisine.

Sinigang is a common Filipino household dish with native veggies and pork boiled together. Its delicious sour blend comes from Tamarind broth which is also commercially available in dry mixes.

For a price of 310.00 Php which is good for 1-2 person, it's not bad after all for a special lunch or dinner. And what I like with Sentro's service is they will let you taste the soup before they serve it.

Rated GG

You should also try the Rated GG. It's kinda a pricey for 230.00 Php for a Galunggong fish but it's worth the try. With its look and taste, you could never resist it.

If you're thinking of a special date with a budget less than a thousand peso, Sentro at Serendra is a good spot.

Walk towards Market Market and try the pastries and hot chocolate of Cafe Mary Grace for your dessert. It's also a good try.

Cafe Mary Grace's Mint Hot Chocolate

Google Classroom finally hits the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (TheAbundantPinoy) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 08:51:00 +0000

Wide-Out Workforces Inc. has partnered with the top search engine Google to bring Google Classroom, which features five (5) full day of extensive seminar wherein leaders from the online industry are trained to become adept users of the leading online marketing tools specifically Google AdWords and Google Analytics.

In the Philippines, this is a rare opportunity to learn the latest, and experience first-hand the great tools of Digital Marketing and Web Analytics.

Below are some of the topics that will be discussed during the 5-day stint of the seminar:

Google AdWords (Span: 2 days)

1. Introduction to Online Advertising and Google AdWords
2. Understanding Online Statistics
3. Developing Quality Keyword Lists
4. Tracking Ad Performance
5. Advertising in a Down Economy
6. Keyword List Optimization
7. How to use AdWords Editor
8. Understanding ROI (Return Of Investment)

Google Analytics (Span of 3 days)

1. Getting started with Google Analytics
2. Understanding Traffic Sources, Content, Visitors, Goals and E-commerce, Actionable sights and the Big Picture
3. Best Practices: Clean Data
4. Analytics Intelligence
5. Advanced Segments
6. Best Practices: Advertising and Marketing
7. Best Practices: Engagement and Conversion
8. Sharing with the Organization
9. How Google Analytics Work
10. Google Analytics Code
11. Administration
12. Measuring Conversion, Traffic, Content and Visitors
13. Managing Cookies and Tracking
14. Extracting Data

For more information and details, please visit http://www.wideout.com/google-classroom. Call +63 2 822 2755, or email at marketing@wideout.com | daniel.molde@wideout.com.

Lake Pandin of San Pablo Laguna

noreply@blogger.com (TheAbundantPinoy) — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 09:15:00 +0000

By Leanne Figueroa

Last July 7, 2012, we went to Lake Pandin, one of the famous lakes in San Pablo Laguna. Lake Pandin is said to be the smallest among the seven famous lakes in San Pablo Laguna. Its a 10 to 15 minute trekking, i guess, before we could reach the Lake.

Its a 10 to 15 minute trekking, i guess, before we could reach the Lake.

The lake was surrounded by coconut and banana trees and the houses of the people living there. Looking at the lake, it was very calm and peaceful and little bit scary because you might not know what it has under its calm waters... or maybe I was just paranoid.. i guess?

To explore the lake, we ride a bamboo raft that was paddled by 2 women,who were actually sisters, and they accompanied us along the trip. First we went to the grotto where a statue of Mama Mary is there. And i guess if you were that observant, you can see that there is also another statue of Mama Mary but it’s smaller and looks like just a rock at first glance. Also there were water falling from the rocks and a flowing water from a bamboo. After seeing the grotto we stopped at the side of the lake where we can swim and rest for 3 hours.

The food that was prepared to us were ginataang hipon, grilled tilapia, ensaladang pako, steamed rice, banana and coconut and they were all good though we weren’t able to eat it all. And all of the food that was prepared for us was also from the place. The shrimp and tilapia were from the lake and the fruits were just around the lake.

Grilled tilapia

Ginataang Hipon

Ensaladang Pako-- actually ferns with salted egg, tomato, and other stuff

It is really scary swimming at the lake because it was so deep. Thanks to the life vests that I was able to stay long on the lake. The fact that it was deep I was scared because I’m paranoid of crocodile coming out of the water. :D I also learned that the insects that were on the lake were called “mosquitoes” of the lake because I thought it was a spider or something.

It was a really fun and relaxing day trip to lake pandin. I can say that it’ll be a good place for people to relax and or meditate because the place is so calm, peaceful and quiet. A really nice place to visit. :)

SM Mall of Asia's Giant Ferris Wheel: MOA Eye

noreply@blogger.com (TheAbundantPinoy) — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 03:25:00 +0000

The tallest Ferris wheel in the Philippines, SM Mall of Asia's "MOA EYE". It stands 180 feet tall or 24 Yao Mings is the tallest Ferris Wheel in the Philippines that stands on the breakwaters of Manila Bay inside the Mall of Asia Complex.

MOA Eye

Top view of the Baywalk

Mall of Asia's view inside the air-conditioned gondola of the MOA Eye

MOA Eye

Corregidor: History Up Close

noreply@blogger.com (TheAbundantPinoy) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 07:03:00 +0000

November of the year 2011 was one of the most memorable months of my life. Not only that in this month that I went to some of the Philippine destinations that I want but because I have experienced a very special trip back in time. Yep, you read it right, back in time. If you're wondering how we did it, go to Corregidor!

Malinta Tunnel

Corregidor Island is an Island strategically located at the entrance of the Manila Bay. The island was filled with coastal artillery and ammunition magazines that served as a defense for invading Japanese forces during the World War II. The island also served as a headquarters for the Allied Forces and the seat of the Commonwealth government headed by President Manuel L. Quezon. This is where President Quezon and General Douglas MacArthur left for Australia leaving his famous line, "I shall return".

Today, Corregidor Island is now a peaceful island that tells many stories of the war and has become one of the best tourist spot in the Philippines.

To go to Corregidor, go the Sun Cruises website and book your trip.

Here's some of our captured piece of History from Corregidor!

What I like with the Corregidor trip is the sea travel via Manila Bay. It's a 1 hour travel and if you love the sea, you'll surely enjoy it.

Enjoying the sea breeze

Looking back at Manila

Welcome to the port of Corregidor featuring the full-uniformed guards.

The Ferry of Sun Cruises that brings tourists to Corregidor Island.

The Tram that will tour you inside the island

Battery Hearn

The Battery Way

One of the mortars of the Battery Way

Battery Way

Battery Grubbs

The impact can be seen below the Battery Grubbs

A buffet lunch is also included when you book a Corregidor tour.

Lunch served at the Sun Cruises Hotel

The clear but shark-infested see of Corregidor

There's also a museum that was built inside the island that contains many items from the war. Here's some of the stuffs that you will see inside.

Japanese propaganda picture

The Pacific War Memorial

Eternal Flame of Freedom

Corregidor Lighthouse

General Douglas MacArthur's Monument near the port

The Malinta Tunnel Light show is optional but I suggest you try it. It's kinda creepy inside but the light show is worth it.

As we go home, we carry home a lot of insights and story about this peaceful island but as a bonus, I also won a Manila Bay Dinner cruise by just answering the survey. :D

The hidden beauty of Bataan

noreply@blogger.com (TheAbundantPinoy) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 03:45:00 +0000

Hi there! Been busy lately and was involved in different projects and business opportunities but as I have promised, I will share some piece of the Philippines!

Last March, our company Wideout Technology Services Incorporated which is now Wideout Workforces Incorporated was involved in a very special event in Bataan which is the Bataan Flora Adventure Hunt that was participated by different organizations and schools including the Philippine Army, the Marines and the Airforce.

I was part of the team that developed the Android App (The Flora Adventure Buddy) that was used by the participants to take pictures and identify their location in the mountains of Bataan.

In this article, I want share a glimpse of the beauty of the nature that the participants encountered. The team took photos of the different sights inside the mountain ranges of Bataan that amazed our eyes.

A specie of beetle

The foggy morning of the Bataan mountain ranges

Different flowers and views of the mountain ranges.

Kris Austria with other volunteers on their post

The Camp site

The Wideout Bataan App Team

Photos taken by the participants using their Android devices.

Paul Ang with a nice pose

Photography by: Erik Jacob, Jo Salinog, Kris Austria and Reagan Rico

Resorts World Manila: The Sound of Music

noreply@blogger.com (TheAbundantPinoy) — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:44:00 +0000

I am not a fan of Musical Plays and I can't imagine myself buying expensive tickets for it. But one day, me and my girlfriend saw posters of The Sound of Music at the Resorts World Manila and she asked me to watch it with her but as I was saying, practicality-wise, I will not buy tickets for an expensive play.

Comes this rare moment, our company, Wideout Technology Services, Inc. is giving away 2 free tickets for the The Sound of Music as a prize for a contest. I know that my girlfriend want to watch it badly so I tried my luck and thank God, I won! After getting my prize that day, February 17, 2012, I invited my girlfriend to have a dinner at Resorts World not knowing that I have a big surprise for her, I placed our tickets at table and I can't explain the happiness on her face. It's really priceless.

The Newport Performing Arts Theater was the venue for the play. The state-of-the art features of the theater like its huge digital screen at the backdrop added great effects to the play.

As the play started, I was really mesmerized by the voice of the sisters on the intro, they're really good. What got my attention most is the Philharmonic Orchestra playing at the background of each songs. I wish I have them at my home to play for me before I sleep.

Maria Rainer was played by Ms. Joanna Ampil. She's really pretty with a very nice voice. She played the role very well while Mr. Audie Gemora played the role of Captain Georg von Trapp.

Overall, we had a great time watching our first musical play and I'm sure that this is not the last. If you want to watch the Sound of Music at Resorts World Manila, it's extended until May 27, 2012.

For more info, visit http://www.rwmanila.com/entertainment-at-resorts-world-manila/newport-performing-arts-theater/the-sound-of-music.

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Bataan Flora Adventure Hunt

noreply@blogger.com (TheAbundantPinoy) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 02:37:00 +0000

Exploring the outdoor instead of the usual office environment is a lot of fun. What if your doing your office work on the outdoors? Plus your doing your work for the benefit of Mother Earth? Perfect job! This is what we experienced at Wideout Technology Services, Inc. when we became part of the Bataan Mobile Team that developed the Android Application for the Bataan Flora Adventure Hunt.

The Wideout Mobile Bataan Team

The Mobile Team walked, hiked and traversed from mountains to mountains just to ensure the Android App will work perfectly for the event. And there was a field test that I almost want to surrender but as I look back from where we came from, I realized that there's no turning back. The team traversed for 15-16 hours.

Organized by the Mga Bayani ng Kalikasan (MBK) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the Bataan Flora Adventure Hunt is a 2 day 40km adventure race that started at Sinagtala Farm Resort and Retreat Park at Orani, Bataan and Finishes at Bataan Technology Park, Inc. in Morong, Bataan in memory of the late Botanist, Leonard Co who documented the plants on the Bataan National Park.

Mr. Eduardo Francisco, Wideout's CEO with his wife

The first day of the event is a Flora hunt. The team needs to capture as many Floras as they can using their Android Phones provided by Smart Communications which is powered by the Android Application that Wideout Technology Services, Inc. developed. Using the App, the images will have Geotags that will determine the location of all Floras and will be plotted on the map found on the Bataan Flora Adventure Hunt Website.

There's a ceremonial tree planting on the second day followed by the race up to the finish line.

17 teams competed coming from different sectors from students to military forces but the Philippine Air Force was reigned Champions for the event.

The Philippine Airforce

The Boodle Fight

A bountiful feast was the climax of the event. From the participants to the staffs and all the volunteers ate together which is a sign of the unity of everyone to protect our Mother Earth even with the use of our modern technology.

BCDA Chairman Felicito Payumo's Team

The event was closed with a message from the wife of the late Leonard Co and BCDA Chairman Felicito Payumo.

For more images, please visit https://www.facebook.com/FloraAdventureHunt.

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Tagaytay Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (TheAbundantPinoy) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:53:00 +0000

In this busy world, relaxing is a very expensive word and last weekend, we went to a place where we can find some. A place that is known for it's cool weather plus fresh fruits and veggies - Tagaytay City. If you're thinking of a very budget friendly 2 day out-of-town trip, here's our itinerary!

The Foggy Entrance of People's Park in the Sky

Tagaytay City is part of the Province of Cavite and was very popular because of it's cool climate and beautiful scenery. From Manila, it's just 1.5 hour travel via coastal road if you will ride a bus from Pasay Rotonda. And if you're looking for an escape from the Metro, this is a nice spot.

Upon arriving at Tagaytay, we checked-in at Hotel Dominique located along Aguinaldo Hi-way which is near Olivarez plaza and Tagaytay Rotonda. We found the hotel nice with friendly staff and good service. Their Cabaña is good for 4 people and is worth 6,000 Php but through a group buying site, we just bought it for 2,800 if I remember it right. The Cabaña is complete with stuffs like refrigerator, an LCD TV with cable, a nice sofa, some storage space, nice shower room and toilet (I enjoyed the toilet throne) with towels and toothbrush, 2 beds and a larger bed at the upper level of the place. The hotel also has amenities like recreational room with videoke and billiard tables (which is not included on the payment) and a swimming pool that we never tried to experience because of the very cold weather that time.

Hotel Dominique

Tagaytay is not Tagaytay without the steaming hot Bulalo and Mahogany Market is one of the best. From our Hotel, it's just one jeepney ride, just tell the driver to drop you off to Mahogany Market. There are many Bulalo stores and you can choose wherever you want. They do Bulalo the same. One order is good for 3-4 persons and it only cost 300 Php that comes with unlimited banana but unfortunately, due to high public demand, we didn't have the chance to enjoy their special freebies. We also ordered Crispy Fried Tawilis that cost 80 Php. For our dinner, we only spent 440 Php or 110/person. Not bad and the Bulalo is just so good. It's perfect to sip some hot soup with Tagaytay's cool weather. There are also vendors of Espasol and other native delicacies. The regular price is 3 for 100 Php but I suggest don't buy with that price. Do some "tawad" moves and if they don't want, just look and wait for other vendors. I guarantee you that they will be chasing after you. But if you're not good with "tawaran", it's ok, just buy with the regular price. We bought 8 Espasols for 100 Php only. Another good deal.

Hot Bulalo

Crispy Tawilis

After dinner, we pampered ourselves with a 1 hour massage at Banahaw Heals spa which is located at the Rotonda. They have special offer for first-time customers. 250 Php for a 1 hour massage. I really want to have a massage to let my tired body be pampered and I was not disappointed with the service of Banahaw Heals Spa. After spa, we have a coffee at the 7-11 beside Banahaw then we returned to our hotel for a restful sleep.

Day 2. We took our breakfast at the hotel restaurant which is also included on the accommodation package. You can choose from American, Continental, and Filipino dishes. The food was great except for the very salty bacon. After breakfast, we rented a tricycle to bring us to People's Park in the Sky. We paid the driver 120 Php. Upon arriving at the People's Park, we found out that the entrance fee was already 30 Php from 15 Php last November of 2011 but it's evident that there's still no improvements on the park. That's just the thing that made me sad. I hope the local government will do something to restore and improve this tourist spot. After paying the entrance fee, there are jeepneys waiting at the gate to get you at the top of the park. The road is kinda stiff but for me, it's more fun to just walk up and enjoy the scenery with your loved ones.

After enjoying the cool breeze and very relaxing weather, we walked down and bought some fresh fruits and veggies outside of People's park. The goods are very cheap and so fresh so I bought some pineapples that're abundant in Tagaytay and some fresh lettuce. I bought 4 pineapples for 50 Php and 1 plastic of lettuce for 35 Php.

We rode back to our hotel via tricycle and our driver shared many stories of Tagaytay. He's a native of Tagaytay and went to Manila during his teenage years but then returned to Tagaytay after several years and told us that he will not exchange Tagaytay for anything. Tagaytay is a very quiet and peaceful place he told us. The Barangay Police are the ones who secures the city because there are few National Police assigned here. He is also a Barangay Police. According to him, most of the crimes in the city are caused primarily not by the natives but by outsiders. With our short talk, I appreciate Tagaytay more because of kind people like manong driver.

All in all, we spent approximately 1500+ each for our weekend getaway and we surely enjoyed our stay.

I hope this blog helped you planning a budget friendly weekend date. Please follow this site for more of our adventures in the Philippines and I encourage you to start you own adventure too!

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Welcome!

noreply@blogger.com (TheAbundantPinoy) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:25:00 +0000

Hi! Welcome to LibotPinas (Travel Philippines)! A compilation of adventures and many reasons why you should be travelling around the Philippines! I believe that this country have many things to offer and many are just not opening their eyes on the real beauty that this paradise have! Hope you enjoy reading! Libot na!