Mole on My Sole

Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao supports Earth Hour 2010

2010-03-22T07:19:00.000+08:00

In 2009, the Philippines ranked 1st worldwide in terms of cities and towns which participated in the Earth Hour activities. More than 10 million Filipinos in 647 municipalities switched off their lights saving 611 MWh of electricity. This year, Earth Hour hopes to see more people participating in this environmental awareness campaign. Hopefully, we will see more Filipino homes and establishments on candlelight from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM on March 2, 2010.

Special programs and countdown events will be celebrated in key cities across the Philippines on March 27, 2010 to make Earth Hour 2010 more memorable:

Manila - SM Mall of Asia from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Cebu - A special program will be held at The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu right after a show featuring the Side A band.
Davao - A mini indak-indak (street dance) will be held at the SM City Davao parking area from 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. to be participated in by students, business groups, and other professionals.

You can still do your part even in your own home. First, you can register by clicking the light bulb here. You can also participate in the "10 for 2010" initiative by inviting 10 friends to become Earth Hour Advocates. Lastly, do not forget to switch your lights off for an hour on March 27, 2010 starting at 8:30 p.m.

Earth Hour Philippines 2010 Theme - If We Try by WWF-Philippines

Learn more about the Earth Hour by visiting the Earth Hour Philippines Facebook fan page.

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SM City Taytay's 3-Day Sale!

2010-03-21T14:31:00.000+08:00

SM City Taytay celebrates Summer with with its very first 3 DAY SALE for 2010 this coming March 26, 27 & 28. Known as the most exciting venue in Rizal, SM City Taytay not only houses exciting activities, attractions and events but also boasts of a wide selection of food, clothing and other sevices.

Known to be flooded by people every weekend, the SM City Taytay 3 Day Sale also features noteworthy events such as the Earth Hour which will be on March 27, 8:30pm. Kids and kids at heart will surely have a blast as we host the very first Kite Making Workshop, March 28, 10:00am at the Event Center, followed by Kite Road Show - Kite Flying activity at 1:00pm wherein various colorful and beautiful kites will be flown at the open parking area at 1:00pm.

Enjoy up to 50% off on selected items mallwide and get a chance to win exciting prizes as SM City Taytay gives out 11 Asus Laptops. Please see print ads and flyers for more details.

For inquiries, call SM City Taytay at 661.2033-37 or email smttmarketing@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook , Twitter or Blogspot."

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Bilar Man-made Mahogany Forest

2010-03-19T13:20:00.000+08:00

Second stop of our Bohol Countryside Tour, Day 2 in Bohol.

We passed by the town of Bilar on the way to Loboc from the Chocolate Hills Complex in Carmen, Bohol. The man-made mahogany forest where the highway passes through is simple irresistible. Tall mahogany trees and seedlings line up the road and provide a thick canopy for motorists and tourists underneath. It has been a favorite stop over for tourists because of the cool atmosphere that the canopy brings.

There was nothing much to see in this place but tall mahogany trees. Yet, our group enjoyed the place and even stopped for a while to sit on the big rocks beside the highway. The view reminded me of the pine trees in Baguio. The weather that day was also almost the same as Baguio's cool weather since it rained while we were at the Chocolate Hills Complex. The man-made mahogany forest is truly a welcome sight for people like me who miss this kind of greenery in the city.

The Man-made Mahogany Forest is located in Bilar, Bohol which is about 20 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. To go there, tourists can ride a bus to Bilar from the Dao bus terminal in Tagbilaran City. It would be best if you visit the Man-made Mahogany Forest as part of a van rental package. We got ours for Php 3,500 for 8 hours.

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SM City Marikina's 3-Day Summer Sale!

2010-03-17T17:16:00.000+08:00

"SM City Marikina sizzles this Summer with its very first 3 DAY SALE for 2010 this coming March 19, 20 & 21.

SM City Marikina not only houses exciting activities, attractions and events but also boasts of a wide selection of food, clothing, gadgets and other services. On March 19, SM Advantage card holders will enjoy a 2-Hour Special as they take 10% extra off for SM Advantage card users for the first two hours of March 19!

Enjoy up to 50% off on selected items mallwide and get a chance to win one of the 6 Yamaha Nuovo Z Automatic MotorcyclesPlease see print ads and flyers for more details.

For inquiries, call SM City Marikina at 477.1686, email smmkmarketing@gmail.com, visit the SM Marikina Facebook page, or check out the SM City Marikina blog."

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McDonald's 24/7 McDelivery

2010-03-14T09:51:00.001+08:00

It's late at night and you are hungry. If you just want a Big Mac and nothing else, you could now enjoy it via McDonald's delivery.

Now, there are no more minimum food purchase orders at McDelivery. Whether you're ordering your McDonald's favorites for yourself or an army, the delivery charge is fixed at only Php 40. No more 10% delivery fee.

Big Mac or small fries, no order's too tall. There's only one number to call 24/7: 8-McDO (or 8-6236) or log on to www.mcdelivery.com.ph.

McDelivery 24/7 is starting this off in the following areas: Metro Manila; Antipolo; San Pedro, Laguna; Laguna Bel-Air; Tarlac; Lipa, Batangas; Cebu and Davao.

Any order, McDonald's delivers.

From our friends at Nuffnang.

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Rizal Arts Festival 2010

2010-02-26T16:02:00.002+08:00

The 2nd Rizal Arts Festival proved to be a showcase of Rizal Province's best artists. Organized by famed artist Nemi Miranda of the Nemiranda Arthouse Gallery and SM City Taytay, the exhibit was opened in February 24 at the mall's event center and will run until March 13, 2010. Gracing the launching and ribbon cutting of the arts festival was Rizal's First Lady and supporter of the Rizal Artists Group, Andrea Bautista-Ynares, and Taytay Mayor Joric Gacula.

Me with SM City Taytay's Manager Mr. Jason Alvarez and Mr. Nemi Miranda
Featured Rizal artists in this festival include Nemiranda's ART CAMP, the Rizal Bonsai Club, the Eastern Rizal Photographers guild, Taytay couturiers Gener Gozum and Merlino Cruz, the Neo Angono Artists, and tattoo icon Butch Bautista.

Below is the schedule of the Art Workshops that will be happening during the Rizal Arts Festival 2010:

Art & Sektching Lessons by Nemiranda's ART CAMP
March 1 - 5 (Monday to Friday), 4 PM at the Event Center.

Open to all ages.
Participants should bring own art materials (drawing paper, craypas/oil pastel, and pencil/charcoal).

Ceramic Painting Workshop
February 26-28, March 5-7, March 12-14 (Friday and Saturday)during Mall hours at the Event Center.

Open to all ages.
Materials are available at the venue.

Bonsai Making Workshop
February 26-27 (Friday and Saturday), 3 PM at the Event Center.

Open to all ages.
Materials are available at the venue.

Photography Workshop
March 6 (Saturday), 3 PM at the Event Center.

Open to all ages.
Materials are available at the venue.

The Art of Tattoo by Butch Bautista of Fine Line Tattoo
March 6 (Saturday), 4 PM at the Event Center.

Open to all ages.
Materials are available at the venue.

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Cebu Pacific Now Flies to Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur

2010-02-23T21:03:00.001+08:00

Starting April 27, 2010, Cebu Pacific will be flying passengers from Cebu to Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. Known as the Little Hongkong of the South, Pagadian City officially celebrates Chinese New Year to honor the contributions of its Chinese community.

Cebu-Pagadian flights are on sale for as low as Php 688 from now until February 25, 2010 only. Travel date is from April 27 to July 31, 2010.

Manila-Pagadian flights will be available starting June 9, 2010. Fares are at Php 1,088 for travel from June 9 to July 31, 2010.

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Chocolate Hills Complex, Bohol

2010-02-10T16:05:00.000+08:00

First stop of our Bohol Countryside Tour, Day 2 in Bohol.

Back when I was in grade school, we would study about the different places of interests in the Philippines and Chocolate Hills would always be my favorite. It never ceased to amaze me. I often wondered how the beautiful mounds came to be. Whenever we were asked to draw hills for a seatwork or an assignment, it would be automatic for me to draw one looking like a Chocolate Hill.

The Chocolate Hills in Bohol is really an unusual geological formation. There are more than a thousand of these hills spread across the towns of Carmen, Batuan, and Sagbayan.

From our El Portal Inn in Tagbilaran City, our driver drove more than an hour to the town of Carmen where the Chocolate Hills Complex is located. We paid 25 pesos each for the entrance fees. The facility is government regulated and it has a viewing deck that allows guests to view the Chocolate Hills in all its splendor. Our driver had to leave us and drive back down by the entrance gate as cars are not allowed to park in the area.

My dad didn't want to go all the way up to the view deck because he has become scared of heights. Since my mom was also suffering from a sprained ankle, we left her and my dad inside the cafe of the complex. We then ventured into the flight of stairs which led us to the viewing deck where we saw the famous Chocolate Hills. Too bad that the hills did not look "chocolatey" at all and were rather green when we visited. We were told that the best time to see the Chocolate Hills is during the summer when the grasses and ferns of the hills dry up.

I think we stayed for a couple of minutes more after having our photos taken before going down the stairs once again. On our way down, we saw the marker which declares the Chocolate Hills as as National Geological Monument.

Before heading to our next destination, we checked out the souvenir shops and bought some pasalubong shirts that were a bargain that day. All the other items were pricey, though.

The Chocolate Hills Complex is located in Carmen, Bohol. To go there, tourists can ride a bus to Carmen from the Dao bus terminal in Tagbilaran City (mainland). It would be best if you visit the Chocolate Hills as part of a van rental package. We got ours for Php 3,500 for 8 hours.

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Dauis Church, Panglao Island, Bohol

2010-02-08T19:53:00.001+08:00

Fifth and last stop of our Panglao Island Tour, Day 1 in Bohol.

We were not able to pass by Panglao Church anymore as it was already late. Our driver decided to bring us to Dauis Church instead.

Dauis Church is one of the oldest churches in the country. It was built as early as the 17th century and has undergone many renovations until 1879. The church's interior is very beautiful with its intricate designs. The walls are painted with a cool light blue paint which made the church even more serene.

My dad, who recently recovered from a major stroke during the Christmas season of 2008, was with us. I know he prayed fervently to thank God for healing him and letting him walk again. My dad's left arm is still paralyzed, though and he has occasional lapses in memory.

The caretaker must have noticed how I assisted my father while we were walking towards the exit. He led us to the back of the church where we were given bottled water which was collected from the well by the church's altar. I immediately remembered the church that was featured in Korina Sanchez's show and the caretaker confirmed that it was Dauis Church. He then led us to the altar and showed us the well where they get the water.

The caretaker related that they only collect water during the nighttime when the church is closed. They give the bottled water for free and they only accept donations. We left the church feeling blessed with 6 bottles of miracle water for my dad.

View more photos of our 2010 Bohol Weekend Trip here.

Dauis Church is located in Dauis, Panglao Island, Bohol. To go there, tourists can rent a tricycle from Tagbilaran City (mainland) or take a cab. It would be best if you visit Dauis Church as part of a van rental package. We got ours for Php 2,200 for 6 hours.

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Bohol Bee Farm, Panglao Island, Bohol

2010-02-07T16:50:00.087+08:00

Fourth stop of our Panglao Island Tour, Day 1 in Bohol.

I've never been this close to bees in my entire life! But I did not let the opportunity pass so I went ahead and held that thing with the bees. See the nervous smile?

Bohol Bee Farm is actually one of the many resort hotels in Panglao Island. However, Bohol Bee Farm offers its guests something different from the rest - that is, providing organic food and products and exposing them to organic farm activities. Indeed, our tour inside the place is memorable and educational as well.

After I paid our entrance fees (Php 20 per head), we were given straw hats to wear while we go tour the facility. After that, our guide brought us to the are where their potted herbs were displayed. She described each herb and its uses plus and she gave us leaf samples to smell, too.

Next, we were brought to the area where they keep the artificial beehives. Our guide shared some trivia about the bees and their role in ecology while carefully taking out one compartment from the box. That was when the first photo above was shot.

Then, we were brought to the farm's two livelihood areas. The first one was the Crafts and Livelihood area where we witnessed how the staff manufactured various handicrafts made of rafia. The second one was the food manufacturing area where we saw how their cassava ice cream cones were made. Their ice cream is homemade, too. Aside from the usual ice cream flavors, it also comes in exotic flavors such as durian and garlic. I loved the cassava ice cream cone because it isn't sweet unlike the sugar cones that I usually cannot devour.

The last leg of our Bohol Bee Farm tour brought us to the viewing deck facing the sea. It was a very beautiful sight! It is also the area where guests can avail of the traditional hilot (massage) using virgin coconut oil infused with different herbs. Rap and I went down the stairs and dipped our feet in the water. There's no white sandy beach there but guests can still swim especially when it's low tide.

All of a sudden, I felt bad that we did not push through with our hotel reservation. It made me really want to come back and stay in Bohol Bee Farm even just for a night so we can also get to try their organic food.

View more photos of our 2010 Bohol Weekend Trip here.

Bohol Bee Farm is located in Dauis, Panglao Island, Bohol. To go there, tourists can rent a tricycle from Tagbilaran City (mainland) or take a cab. It would be best if you visit Bohol Bee Farm as part of a van rental package. We got ours for Php 2,200 for 6 hours. You can also avail of the the free hotel to airport/seaport transfers if you will be staying in the place.

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Alona Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol

2010-02-06T15:00:00.003+08:00

Third stop of our Panglao Island Tour, Day 1 in Bohol.

Alona Beach is a one and a half kilometer stretch of white sandy beach in Panglao Island, Bohol. Being in Alona Beach brought back memories of Boracay back when I was younger and the waters were cleaner.

We chose to have some snacks at Trudis' Place while Rap went for a dip in water. Swimming in the beach is free, it would be up to you if you choose to stay and dine in one of the many snack bars and restaurants of the tourist inns surrounding the beach.

As with any other beach front, expect to be frequently visited by peddlers of sunshades and beach accessories, massage therapists, and boatmen who offer a tour to Balicasag Island which is an hour's ride away. If only we had more time, we would have agreed on riding on one of the boats. We'll probably do this the next time we come back and spend more time in Panglao Island.

After having our snacks, we walked towards Alona Kew resort which was on the opposite side of Trudis Place. The beach front over there was wider and the boats were fewer which made it better for swimming in the beach. We stayed for a while to relax in the sand and have some pictures taken. I bet it's better to stay there in the evening for some stargazing by the beach.

View more photos of our 2010 Bohol Weekend Trip here.

Alona Beach is located in Tawala, Panglao Island, Bohol. To go there, tourists can rent a tricycle from Tagbilaran City (mainland) or take a cab. It would be best if you visit Alona Beach as part of a van rental package. We got ours for Php 2,200 for 6 hours.

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Daks and Gams Wildlife Park, Panglao Island, Bohol

2010-02-05T11:35:00.004+08:00

Second stop of our Panglao Island tour, Day 1 in Bohol.

From Hinagdanan Cave, our driver brought us to Daks and Gams Wildlife Park in Tangnan, Panglao Island. It was just a few minutes drive away from where we came from. We paid an entrance fee of Php 15 per person to see the "wildlife" in the "park". Isn't it obvious that I'm a little disappointed?

Pardon my utter disappointment but I was expecting a wildlife park or, somehow, a mini-zoo where we can see wild animals in cages. Instead, what greeted us were a handful of live animals and a lot (and I say a lot!) of stuffed dead animals!

Stuffed dead frogs playing basketball.

Stuffed dead birds.
These are only the stuffed dead animals. I think we saw a dead crocodile under the murky waters of their makeshift crocodile cage! Meanwhile, below are some of the live animals that we saw that day.

DogMonCat: A dog, a monkey, and a cat living in one cage.

Flying lemurs... I guess.

Don't know what bird this is as there wasn't a sign to describe what it was!

Hen and rooster with curly feathers.
There was not a single guide to tour us around the place. Quite a bummer for a place that collects an entrance fee, eh? Fortunately, I can share something about the history of the place. Thanks to a big marker near the stuffed birds that tells the story of how the place began.

So, in 2001, the Diez family acquired the lot where the wildlife park now stands. They were supposed to build a residential abode away from the beaches of Panglao Island. However, while clearing the lot, they discovered living creatures inhabiting the place such as monitor lizards, snakes, rodents, birds, butterflies, turtles, frogs, and many more. This started the hobby that eventually became a lifelong pursuit of creating a habitat park and bird sanctuary in Bohol. Daks and Gams was named after the couple's sons. "Dako" means older son while "Gamay" means younger son.

I can only imagine how beautiful the place was when it started. The place needs a major renovation. Should you visit the place? I think so. Just don't expect too much. Your 15 pesos will make a huge contribution to the animals' feeds. Then again, I hope the management can make some improvements so as not to disappoint future guests.

View more photos of our 2010 Bohol Weekend Trip here.

Daks and Gams Wildlife Park is located at Tangnan, Panglao Island, Bohol. To go there, tourists can rent a tricycle from Tagbilaran City (mainland) or take a cab. It would be best if you visit Daks and Gams Wildlife Park as part of a van rental package. We got ours for Php 2,200 for 6 hours.

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Hinagdanan Cave, Bohol

2010-02-04T21:37:00.003+08:00

The first day of our short Bohol trip last January 29 to 31 started with our Panglao Island tour. We arrived in Tagbilaran City around 10 in the morning and, after having a quick but yummy lunch at El Portal Inn where we were billeted, our van arrived at 11 in the morning.

From Tagbilaran City, our driver slash tour guide drove for twenty minutes to the island of Panglao. Our van crossed the bridge that connected the island to the mainland. We were informed that there was no bridge yet a few years back. The only way to reach Panglao was to ride boats.

Hinagdanan Cave in Dauis, Panglao was our first stop. This destination is maintained by the provincial government of Bohol. After paying Php 15 per person for the entrance fees plus another Php 15 parking fee, I was given tickets that looked like postage stamps. Then, we proceeded to the entrance of the cave where we were greeted by our guide, Norman.

Hinagdanan Cave was named as such because of the flight of steps (hagdan) that brings visitors down into the cave. The cave was a haven to the swiftlets or balinsasayaw birds. These birds build their nest between the crevices of the cave and their nests are prized as they are the main ingredients in making Bird's Nest or Nido Soup.

As Norman toured us inside the cave, he pointed towards the different formations that looked like significant forms from afar. For instance, there was a group of rocks that looked like the Holy Family. We were very careful walking inside the cave as the floors is slippery because of the moisture. During high tide, the cave's floor also becomes covered with water from the pool.

See the white spots on the water? Those are bird poop, lol!
It was so tempting to take a dip into the clear waters of the pool inside the cave if it were not for the bird droppings that I saw floating above it. Apparently, the water can be as deep as ten feet but we still saw the floor underneath.

Norman was the one who took all these shots. Surprisingly, our tour guide is a trained photographer! He related that they were trained to take shots inside the dimly lit Hinagdanan Cave that's why he knew the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed settings to use. I was lucky that I didn't have to tinker with my Nikon before handing it over to him. Plus, I get to be in the shots!

Before heading out of the cave and up to ground level, Norman showed us some paintings that were drawn on one side of the cave by the entrance. He told us that the paintings were not ancient and that they were painted there as part of the set of a foreign movie that was shot inside the cave a couple of years ago.

Hinagdanan Cave is a well-kept tourism spot in Panglao Island, Bohol. Tourist guides are more than willing to show guests around to tell them bits and pieces of the history of the place and to take souvenir photos of them as well. Although tips are unnecessary, we gave Norman a little tip for a job well done!

Souvenir shops are strategically placed around the site's parking area. We did not buy pasalubong from there yet since it was still our first day. Nevertheless, I think the prices here are within the normal price range of souvenir items compared to those sold in the Chocolate Hills Complex.

View more photos of our 2010 Bohol Weekend Trip here.

Hinagdanan Cave is located at Bingag, Dauis, Panglao Island, Bohol. To go there, tourists can rent a tricycle from Tagbilaran City (mainland) or take a cab. It would be best if you visit Hinagdanan Cave as part of a van rental package. We got ours for Php 2,200 for 6 hours.

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15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (February 11 to 14, 2010)

2010-02-03T08:52:00.001+08:00

Witness the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta on February 11 to 14, 2010. The event will be held at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) grounds within Clark Freeport, Pampanga.

The event is held annually featuring balloons of participants from all over the world. Over the years, the event evolved into a convention of sorts featuring not only hot air balloon exhibitions but aerosports and other aviation-related pursuits as well.

Click here to see the event schedule.

Tickets are available at the gate for Php 150. Riding the hot air balloons are subject to a first-come-first-served basis and costs 150 USD. Don't worry if you don't get to ride a hot air balloon, just enjoy the awesome sights and the food from the food booths set up in the grounds. You may also avail of the ramp tour that will allow you to walk around the active flight line and interact with aircraft pilots and the ground crew.

Visit www.philballoonfest.net for more details about this wonderful event.

Clark Freeport is located at the Clark Special Economic Zone, Angeles City, Pampanga. Click here to view the instructions on how to get there.

Our First Cebu Pacific Flight to Naga City

2010-01-06T13:15:00.008+08:00

It;s our first time to fly to Naga City. We took advantage of the availability of Cebu Pacific's Manila-Naga flights since we only had five days worth of vacation to spend in my husband's hometown. Besides, we traveled with four young kids including a one-year old tot who'd surely be uncomfortable with a 9-hour bus ride. Flying, really, was the best option.

We bought our tickets as early as the second week of September. Ar round trip ticket cost each of us around Php 3,100 inclusive of taxes, fees, travel insurance and sure seats. I realized, a few months later, that we could have saved a lot if only we chose not to reserve seats anymore which cost us Php 200 per person. My brother told me that the trick for Cebu Pacific passengers traveling in groups to be seated together is to be early in the check-in counter. Food for thought, it will come in handy the next time I book tickets.

Our flight was at 1:40 PM but we arrived at Terminal 3 before 10 in the morning. The driver of the van that we hired made sure that we avoid the terrible Ortigas Ave. traffic and that we arrive on time. Better be early that spoiling the tickets!

Checkin in tat the Cebu-Pacific counter in NAIA Terminal 3 was a breeze. I had our travel itineraries printed and ready and, having a roll call of all the names of the members of our group, the lady behind the counter asked for our bags for check-in. We weren't even asked to present IDs anymore. Thank God our baggages did not exceed the 105 kilo weight allowance for our party. My sis-in-law had so much pasalubong from the United Kingdom that we were bringing that day.

After we had our big bags checked in, we proceeded to the other counter by the exit to have our body weight plus hand carried luggage checked. After that, we went up to the departure lounge area where we had lunch. The friendly T3 staff advised us to proceed to the food court in the 2nd level since the food there is much cheaper than those served inside the enclosed departure area. I'm glad we followed his advise since our balikbayan nephews enjoyed their Jollibee lunch while us adults had dimsum and congee from Dimsum n Dumplings.

We stayed within the food court area until 12:45 PM. Our ticket showed 1:10 PM as our boarding time but we went down early so the kids and our senior aunt won't have to rush. I payed the terminal fee worth Php 200 per passenger. Then, our hand-carried luggages passed through the X-ray machines while we entered the scanners barefoot. What followed after was a 5-minute walk to the gate where we awaited advise to board the plane.

I didn't expect that we will be getting on a Cebu Pacific bus to reach our plane. Now I know why the other passengers rushed in line once they heard the boarding announcement, hahaha! Three of us, including my 9-year old, ended up standing inside the shuttle. It was only a 2-minute ride to the plane, by the way.

It was uncomfortable hot inside the plane when we boarded. The cabin crew did not start the aircon of the plane yet until the last batch of passengers arrived. We were like in an over for ten minutes. By the time the airconditioner was switched on, the kids were already sweaty and uncomfortable. I was also coughing already from the sudden change in cabin temperature.

As it turned out, it wasn't the last of our problems. Our plane had to wait in line before take off. We were informed that there were a lot of planes coming in and going out of the airport that time so we had to wait. Guess what? After being delayed for 15 minutes, we reached Naga Airport, which was actually in Pili, Camarines Sur, according to our expected time of arrival! The entire flight only took around 40 minutes as opposed to the 55-minute travel time posted in our tickets.

Naga Airport is totally opposite from Manila's Terminal 3. Getting our checked-in luggages was an entirely do-it-yourself activity. We had to go directly to the trolleys to identify each of our luggages that were mixed up with the others. We ended up getting only 5 out of 6 and claiming the "misplaced" one inside the Cebu Pacific ticket counter. It was a surprise actually that one bag ended up inside the ticket counter. None was lost though. The bag was just full of my nephews' clothes and other baby stuff. We were the last passengers to leave the luggage check-out counter because of that.

In a nutshell, the entire Manila-Naga flight was full of delays but we were not really that affected. I guess it's the excitement of meeting our relatives in Naga that made us all forget about the hassles.

Back from a short blogging hiatus.

2010-01-05T08:31:00.005+08:00

As you can notice, the last post I did was way before Christmas. I got too busy with my online work and our holiday activities that I didn't have time to blog. We spent greeted the New Year in Naga City. Although we have just been there last Holy Week, we still felt excited because it was our first time to fly.

Cebu Pacific introduced flights from Manila to Naga City and vice versa only during the middle of 2009. We only had five days to spend in the province so we thought that it'd be best for us to take the 45-minute travel via plane. I'm glad we did. It spared us from the stress of traveling by land during the busy holiday season. We bought our tickets way back in September so we were able to get huge discounts.

I'm lucky that I was able to coordinate my schedule with my clients and I still have a week to rest from my online job. That means I'll be having much time to write more Travel Articles. I'll make sure to include our Cebu Pacific experience. I may even have time to list my articles in article directories like A1Articles.com. The site's Travel and Leisure page has travel advice and tips for weary travelers.

For now, I'll leave you with this photo with me and my boy before riding the plane. Technically, it's not his first time to fly but he considers it as one since the last time we took the plane was when he was still a baby.

By the way, belated "Merry Christmas and a Happy 2010" to all!

Celebrate the holidays with the family at Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila

2009-12-18T21:13:00.009+08:00

My son's school choir was invited to sing at Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila as part of the hotel's Christmas Traditions and Treats promos for the holidays. The Niños de San Francisco of Lourdes School of Mandaluyong sang Christmas carols at the lobby. After the program, we were introduced to Oakwood's promos for the holidays. (Just click on the photo above to read more details about their treats.)

My boys and I went up to the Oakroom International Restaurant and Bar at the 6th floor for dinner. I was quite surprised on how reasonable the prices of the food were compared to other hotel restaurants. Our total bill was around Php 1,200 and each of us already had full meals. Not bad for having good food in a quiet and warm ambiance. It really is perfect for families who are looking for an intimate place to talk to each other while having dinner.

The Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center is located at 17 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Christmas Cheers With Krispy Kreme

2009-11-26T10:08:00.003+08:00

It’s really a merry season for doughnut fans, as Krispy Kreme glazes the country with its delectable delights!

Now, Kapampangan sweet tooths can enjoy the delicious Original Glazed, as the trademark hot light turns on and freshly-made doughnuts come out straight from the oven! To everyone from the North, bring along your families and friends as Krispy Kreme opens it doors at Marquee Mall in Angeles, Pampanga on November 21 – and get to enjoy exciting treats on opening day.

In the metro, Eastwood denizens meanwhile have a delicious reason to head to their favorite hang-out place, with the newest Krispy Kreme branch coming to the one of the city’s most posh entertainment, and dining address.

With fifteen branches in the country, there are definitely more reasons to head to your Krispy Kreme store to celebrate the Holidays! So visit Krispy Kreme, get this season’s Holiday Dozen doughnut box and share your favorite doughnuts with loved ones today.

World Pyro Olymics 2009 Kicks Off Tonight!

2009-11-21T15:33:00.012+08:00

The World Pyro Olympics 2009 kicks off tonight at The Fort Open Grounds. Well, actually, there's a Drum and Bugle competition as early as 4 o' clock in the afternoon. The first pyro musical event will start at 7:00 p.m. featuring the team from Germany followed by China's pyrotechnic team at 8:00 p.m.. Special parking passes are on sale, too.

For more information, you can visit the World Pyro Olympics' official site.

PBW: Nuvali, Santa Rosa, Laguna

2009-11-02T11:01:00.005+08:00

We lived in Santa Rosa, Laguna from 2001 to 2006. I loved the community we had there. Everything was slow, yet, serene. Not to mention the fresh air that greets us every single day. But we had to relocate because of my husband's job and, as hard as it was, we had to leave everything behind. It was only this weekend that I was able to visit the city again after a long time. It brought back all the good memories I had of Santa Rosa. We were also able to visit the newest real estate development in the area, Nuvali by Ayala Land.

I felt more sad in leaving the place when I saw how Nuvali looked like. What was once an empty grass field has now bloomed into a beautiful commercial area. We initially planned to ride a water taxi and feed the Koi in the lake but we were informed that the schedule was 4 p.m. and we were there around noon. Nevertheless, we enjoyed hanging out and just enjoying the view. Restaurants like Itallianni's, Conti's, and Yellow Cab surround the lake and I can just imagine how lively and lovely this place it at nighttime.

Hay, I wish we never had to leave Santa Rosa. I guess, the only thing to do now is to save some money to buy a property in Nuvali. ;-)

Cara Mia Gelateria

2009-11-01T14:54:00.005+08:00

I have yet to try this new venture from Amici. I'm gonna update this post once I get to taste their treats.

Laptop User Friendly Places in SM Megamall

2009-10-26T10:28:00.008+08:00

Ever since SM Megamall became WiFi ready, a lot of laptop owners started to troop to the place to enjoy the free connection. But we all know that WiFi isn't the only thing you need if you want to be fully connected to the internet while at the mall. The place where you'll be staying should be laptop user friendly, that is, having free-to-use power outlets for its paying customers. Mind you, there are restaurants and cafes that charge by the hour for electricity use. The nerve of these establishments, 'no?

I decided to make this list for your reference, just in case you'll be in SM Megamall and you need to use your laptop for hours more than your laptop battery can handle.

Krispy Kreme, Ground Level, Bldg. B.

Image credit: Krispy Kreme Philippines
Cheaper than staying in Starbucks or any other coffee shop up in The Atrium. Average spending will be around Php 150 bucks (around 3 USD) for a small cup of coffee and a donut. KK has its own unsecured WiFi connection aside from that of SM Megamall's so you have 2 options. There are three power outlets, one is behind the condiments counter, that you can use. That is, if you are lucky enough to find a seat near them. The place is cramped and can be too crowded during the weekend. It can be warm, too. I don't know why. Me thinks that hot ovens + cramped place + another door facing EDSA don't mix. So, I've two pieces of advice: be there early to secure a good and cool seat away from the door facing EDSA and just order iced coffee or a glass of their yummy chillers to keep you cool.

Icebergs Eskimo Bob, Level 4, The Atrium

I originally thought that Icebergs is just a dessert place but they serve main meals as well. We were there for a snack and my boys and I shared the Belgian Chocolate Fondue that was served with fresh fruits, whipped cream, a few pieces of cake, and ice cream. It was worth it at Php 378 (around 4 USD). There are three power outlets attached to the mirrored wall. The place is clean and the food is yummy. However, my WiFi connection that day was low at 5.5 to 18 Mbps which was strange considering that The Atrium is supposed to be the place with the best WiFi strength in the mall.

Bigby's Cafe, 3rd Level, The Atrium

It was our first time to eat at Bigby's Cafe and, man, was I impressed! Think of an uber inexpensive version of TGI Fridays and you'll get what I mean. Take this, we had 3 orders of Seafood Chowder, 1 glass of bottomless iced tea, 1 chocolate shake, 1 glass of Four Season's, 1 plate of Rock-a-Bye-Baby Back Ribs, 1 plate of Uncle Sam's Roast Beef, and Chicken in a Basket all for Php 1,300! Everything, except the drinks, is good for sharing. Yummy and affordable food, fun and accommodating staff, homey ambiance, and strong WiFi signal. Definitely, two thumbs up! The biggest surprise of them all was that Bigby's is 100% Filipino! I read that the cafe's original branch is in Cagayan de Oro City. Now, the power outlet I used that day was just a bonus. It so happened that we were able to find the spot near the service counter. Just ask for the same spot from their friendly service staff.

Starbucks, The Atrium, Level 4 (added on 7 November 2009)

I was here yesterday to work on some online tasks that got piled up because of my mommy duties. Starbucks has power outlets conveniently placed either on the floor or on the dividers near each table. WiFi strength is excellent. I ordered a Toffee Nut Frappuccino which gave me my first sticker out of nine that I need to redeem the Starbucks 2010 planner come January. After a few sips, I realized that I should have ordered hot coffee instead because I was already shivering from the cold. I guess the A/Cs were on full blast inside Starbucks yesterday. Oh, by the way, I hope the power outlets on the floor were recessed like the ones in Krispy Kreme Robinson's Galleria. Someone was stupid enough to not look at where she was walking on and stepped on my laptop plug and bended the metal ends!

Superbowl of China, The Atrium, Level 4 (added on 14 December 2009)

This is an accidental find during our celebration of my son's First Communion. My boy misses Superbowl's free kropeck so we headed to The Atrium. It was an early lunch for us so we were able to find a place in the cushioned long seats beside the walls. When I looked under the table, there it was, the electrical outlet! Wee, such a sweet surprise. WiFi strength is commendable, too. Pretty much like the signal strength in Starbucks. The food versus the price is another story. I find the food choices and servings lesser and the prices higher now compared to when we were still dining at the old Superbowl by the ground floor food strip.

I'm going to update this list as I discover more and more of these laptop user friendly places. If you have tried other establishments that are worth adding to this list, just let me know by commenting to this post.

Moleskine and National Book Store present My Moleskine Philippines 2009

2009-10-24T20:21:00.006+08:00

National Book Store brings to the Philippines the legendary Moleskine notebook which is the same one used by artists and thinkers for over two centuries, such as Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and Bruce Chatwin.

Last October 23, 2009, the nation's biggest bookstore formally launched the "My Moleskine Exhibition" that showcases the great diversity of talents, creativity and innovation of contemporary artists based in Asia.

Thirty-four artists from the fields of design, photography, painting and music used the Moleskine notebook as their new canvas to freely express and showcase their inspirations and artworks or to share a more intimate side of their work. Their works are presented in the exhibit and visitors can freely flip through the pages of the Moleskine notebooks to view their art.

The My Moleskine Exhibition will be on display at NBS Glorietta 5 from Oct. 23, 2009 to Nov. 30, 2009; NBS Rockwell from Dec. 1, 2009 to January 22, 2009; NBS Trinoma from Oct. 23, 2009 to Jan. 22, 2010; and Bestsellers Robinson’s Galleria from Oct. 23, 2009 to Jan. 22, 2010.

Along with the exhibit, Moleskine and National Book Store also launched "My Moleskine Open Call Manila", an art competition which aims to promote and emphasize the strong association between Moleskine notebooks and artistic expression. It is an opportunity for Filipino artists to show off their own creativity by scribbling or doodling them on Moleskin notebooks.

The winner of "My Moleskine Open Call Manila" will receive P25,000 worth of gift certificates from National Book Store and the best entries will represent the Philippines in the "My Moleskine Open Call Shanghai 2010". They will also have a chance to be part of the permanent roster of Moleskines being showcased around the world. Entries to My Moleskine Open Call Manila can be dropped at participating NBS branches until December 15, 2009.

Moleskine notebooks are available at select National Book Store branches at a 10% discount until January 22, 2010. Follow National Bookstore on Facebook, Friendster and Twitter or go to www.nationalbookstore.com for details.

UPDATE (29 October 2009)

Thanks to Hannah for asking about the mechanics of the contest. I sent a correspondence to Mr. Charles Dee, Advertising and Promotions Officer of National Bookstore and he was kind enough to send me the mechanics of the "My Moleskine Open Call Manila" art contest. Art enthusiasts, please refer below:

MY MOLESKINE OPEN CALL MANILA
CONTEST RULES AND ENTRY FORM

• Entries to “My Moleskine Open Call Manila” need to consist of any original Moleskine notebook with any writings, drawings, doodles, photos or other attachments in the notebook. Participants are free to use the notebook in whatever way they deem fit.
• All entries must be dropped before December 15, 2009 at any National Book Store branch and must be accompanied by a duly signed and completed Contest Rules and Entry Form.
• All entries shall automatically be the exclusive property of National Book Store, Inc. (NBSI) and may be used, copied, reproduced and/or reprinted by NBSI into any size or medium for exhibition, advertising, promotion, publication or whatever purpose whether for profit or not. Contest participant further allows NBSI to use his/her name and/or image/picture/likeness without limit in conjunction with his winning entry.
• Final judging shall be on December 18, 2009 at the head office of NBSI at 125 Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City.
• Top prize shall be twenty-five thousand pesos (P25,000.00) worth of National Book Store gift certificates and a roundtrip ticket to Shanghai to attend the opening of myDetour Shanghai Exhibition 2010.
• Criteria for judging shall be: 50% Creativity, 25% Originality and 25% Execution.
• Winner, who shall be notified by registered mail, must present the original Notification Letter and a valid original ID (birth certificate, passport or driver’s license only) to claim their prize.
• All prizes are non-transferable and non-convertible to cash.
• The decision of the board of judges with regards to the winner is final.
• All employees of NBSI and Working Unit, the board of judges and their relatives up to the 2nd degree of consanguinity or affinity are not allowed to join this promotion.
• In case of doubt, the decision of NBSI shall be deemed final.

"Proud Ako! Nagueño" Music Video

2009-10-21T16:37:00.003+08:00

Sharing with you Naga City's present anthem. Indeed, the city has changed so much since the day I first visited it way back in 1999. My husband says that it's far too different from the Naga City he knew when he was a young boy. Nevertheless, we are proud of the city's progress, albeit the traffic in the centro, hehehe.

Proud Ako! Nagueño

Sa paglipas ng panahon
Unti-unting naiipon
Nakaraan at alaala
Na kay ganda

Ngunit kahit pigilan ko man
Nakaraa'y maiiwan
At sa paggalaw ng panahon
Napapalitan ng bagong ngayon

Chorus:
Tingnan mo ang Naga, ang laki ng pagbabago
Ating galaw sumasabay sa ikot ng mundo
Dahil sa pagkakaisa lahat ay sama-sama
Pinaghirapang pangarap ngayon ay narito na
Ngunit sa puso ko, merong di magbabago
Proud akong maging Nagueño.

Pagsisikap ang naging daan
Upang pangarap ay masimulan
At ngayon nga nang aking tingnan
Ibang-iba na ang aking bayan

(Repeat Chorus)

Bridge:
Maraming beses dilim nagdaan
Bayan ay sinubukan
Ngunit dahil sa panindigan natin
Wala tayong hindi kayang gawin

(Repeat Chorus except last line)
Pakikipagkapwa-tao
dedikasyon sa bayan ko
Proud akong maging Nagueño.

Let Apl.de.ap Take U To The Philippines!

2009-10-14T16:28:00.003+08:00

The Philippine's Department of Tourism (DoT) launched its latest tourism campaign dubbed as "Take Me To The Philippines" last September 27, 2009 with a music video starring Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas. The music video is entitled "Take U To The Philippines" and the song talks about the places worth visiting in the country.

Watch Tourism Secretary Ace Durano and Apl.de.ap talk about how the video came about.

Apl was chosen by the department as the global ambassador of its "Take Me To The Philippines" endeavor. This campaign is aimed at re-establishing the position of Philippine tourist spots as global destinations.