Mga Storya ni Kinagot

Pan de Amerikana (Marikina)

2011-08-25T00:48:00.001+08:00

Mochi's gift

2011-08-25T00:16:00.000+08:00

The Smurfs 3D

2011-08-14T18:05:00.001+08:00

I had no intention of watching this movie. Thanks to Dubs for insisting and finding it amusing that I have no idea of who the Smurfs are.

This may be the first time that I liked a villain, Gargamesh is damn funny and so is his sidekick cat Azrael.

A no-brainer, light-hearted movie with tiny blue people :) Cute!

Captain America: The First Avengers

2011-07-31T21:28:00.000+08:00

a Chris Evans starrer

This is another movie treat from Dubs :)

We had Slammers Burgers for take-out food and though the burgers were tasty, it was messy. During the movie I had to run to the washroom to wash off the icky stuff on my hands. I thought it was ketchup but it was mayo after all.

I'm not having Slammers Burgers again inside the movie house. I do miss the yummy popcorn at Gateway.

seats 9 and 10

Overall, the movie isn't outstanding. Hayley Atwell does look pretty as Peggy Carter. And of course, Chris Evans is hot. Whew!

Hayley Atwell

Peggy Carter

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II

2011-07-22T03:10:00.002+08:00

we got lucky! first day screening of HP 7 part II!

Dubs was having a hard time deciding when to watch the movie. We were losing hope that we could ever get tickets for a Friday night movie or for over the weekend. Almost all SM IMAX Cinemas were booked for the weekend and reservations for the following week were not yet available.

It was a surprise when Dubs came Thursday night at the book fair while we were just texting. He was asking me to check online for seat locations at a 3D Cinema in SM Megamall. Turns out that a scalper approached him for movie tickets.

From first to last, I read HP by borrowing from friends.
I acquired my own set last quarter of 2010.

We went to see Mr. Scalper and check if we can use the Dub's gcs which he meant to use for buying cinema tickets. Without further prodding, Mr. Scalper agreed to give us the two movie tickets in exchange for Php 500 worth of gcs.

A "bittersweet" movie. It's sad to see the HP movie franchise come to an end. Dubs and I were nostalgic and kept talking about when we first came across the book and the time it was adapted in film. I guess we both cannot believe that time flew by that fast. The entire Harry Potter experience after all was intertwined with our high school, college, and young adult lives.

a family friend shows us her HP outfit;
she's part of a group called Hogwarts Philippines.

It's sad to see the movie come to an end. It's that same feeling I get every time I watch the last few episodes of Friends Season 10. The Harry Potter movie series certainly made my imaginings a thousand times more vivid.

Childhood Hero

2011-07-19T19:03:00.004+08:00

she was in pink from head to toe :)

The other day Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago came by at the 15^th Philippine Academic Book Fair. It only took a few seconds for Almacious to convince me that it was certainly okay to have a photograph taken with her. (Okay, Mr. Services did me a lot of convincing, too. And, thanks to Sir A for taking the photo.)

Posing in front of the camera usually makes me feel self-conscious but I would like to think that I usually step up when the occasion calls for it. Last Saturday, July 16 at the SM Megamall was certainly one of those occasions and I’m glad I stepped up to it.

You see, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago was one of my childhood icons. I think that to my young mind she was an epitome of what a woman should be: feisty, eloquent, and intelligent; and that she is a lawyer and an Ilongga were also my other reasons for liking her.

In 1992, I remember my lola asking me who I want to be when I grow up and I said I want to be like Miriam Santiago. I can barely recall lola’s exact reply but it was clear that she disapproved of my choice of a hero.

Fast forward to nineteen years later, I realize that I have not grown to be a true fan of my childhood hero. I could not tell for sure if it was because of lola’s opinion or if that idol thing was something that I simply outgrew as a kid.

Still, fact remains that she is my childhood hero. Yay! Now I have a photo with her. Now, someone please get me Vince “The Prince” Hizon =)

Banyo Disenyo

2011-07-11T21:35:00.003+08:00

Finally, I have (partly!) enacted on my design idea for our little bathroom! It cost me Php 181.25 to do this project: frames, photo printing, and mounting tape expense.

resort or beach photos inside the bathroom

The idea here is to display photos that were taken from our individual trips. Since three people share the room, each should have one photo. I had two specific considerations for the photos. First, that it shows us swimming and second, that it showcases natural beauty. The challenge was that candid shots of us swimming were very hard to find and that those 'swimming' photos were not all nature photos. So I settled with these:

The Ayu Spa, Punta Bulata (Sipalay, Negros Occidental)

Puting Buhangin aka Lukang Beach (Pagbilao, Quezon)

Club Manila East (Taytay, Rizal)

Overall, I'm contented with the mix of photos. Lil bro Ansaw liked it and he couldn't wait for his photo to be included. He's also helping me find a photo for Dongrr. I couldn't gauge Smartin's reaction but I hope he secretly does like it. As for S and J, I'll probably have a better grasp of their response when they get back next year :)

my canvas awaits (aka the other bathroom wall) :)

The Day I Learned Ad Hominem

2011-07-07T23:25:00.000+08:00

oh, here's another clever attempt.

thank you for teaching me ad hominem and for confirming that i understand the concept. coz i deliberately said those words to invoke ad hominem when you made me realize that you only have prejudices, emotions, or special interests but NOT intellect or reason.

(note to myself: oh bugger, i have to double check that ad hominem definition sometime, Ilda might have spouted those definition straight from wiki and if so, that definition needs to be validated. wiki can be so unrealiable sometimes.)

the "intellectual volley" was fun until i realized that you wont engage in an educated argument and you're just haphazardly throwing your preconceived notions around and claim it is "what matters." wow, i honestly feel you should get over yourself. but hey, i wont burst your bubble anymore after this last one.

good thing though not all Filipinos think the way you do. sabi nga teacher ko sa La Salle "Dont take everything hook, line, and sinker." Sabi naman ng professor ko sa UP "Be critical and look at things in a multi-disciplinary perspective." there's hope for me, coz they still teach these at school!

in parting, cess is a 25 year old well-educated Filipina who despite the adversities and struggles of the present society still believes that the Filipinos can be critical thinkers who not only see one-side of the picture, see not just one-act but has the capacity to understand the entire scenario. and that capacity to understand social phenomenon coupled with compassion is something that she tries to apply when she interacts with people. people from all walks of life be it mayor, sheriff, squatters, or even plain narrow-minded people. she tries to appeal to reason but if reasoning wont work she can freely butt out.

good night all delusional beings reading this. i'm delusional myself for trying to understand you and for trying to uncover depth or dimension to extract substance. there was none. what a surprise.

p.s. i was about to include the link so you can get context of what the blah i'm talking about. but i decided otherwise. but on the otherhand here it is http://getrealphilippines.com/blog/2011/07/law-and-order-philippine-style/comment-page-1/#comment-5703...better you think for yourself and get those bolts and nuts grinding...

SIDCOR Sunday Market at the ETON Centris

2011-07-04T12:10:00.000+08:00

My second time at the SIDCOR Sunday Market.

Ang mag-iloy :)

Ansaw tried their Paella Negra. He says it was muy delicioso!

This sir here is cooking the Paella Negra.

A spicy balut dish from the booth next to Casa Paco.

Lengua, a dish that now reminds me of Prof. Helen :)

Are we tv-watching babies?

2011-07-03T02:25:00.001+08:00

potpot is our boob-tube :)

Are we a generation that can be described as 'tv-watching babies' and does that even mean anything somewhere? Me and my friends opine a lot about getting senseless stuff on local television channels. We honestly feel that there's talent aplenty laying around untapped. Better stories, better actors, better execution. The Filipino movie and tv-watching public are diverse and some do have discriminating tastes. I do not have figures to support my theory - is there a study that tells us about the Filipino Viewing Perception?, share it to me and I'd like to get informed - but if I were to speak for myself and some people I know, we do have discriminating tastes. We do watch Filipino shows and movies and we want quality ones if we are to spend our money for it. Sometimes having just beautiful people can replace overall good content but that does not create continued patronage.

Please, tv and movie producers whoever you are, please please just give me something more than just pretty faces.

PS. I do agree with Jose Javier Reyes when he wrote about Amaya and 100 Days to Heaven as good news on tv these days.

One little two little three Basket Cases

2011-05-30T08:46:00.001+08:00

An unannounced visit with five packs of Goldilocks cake slices.

Then a barrage of nutty outbursts, laughs, two mugs of coffee, cakes, love burger, and a shrink hunt.

Visitor's big question: Shall I go see a shrink?

>> I guess I don't need one. I know shit what they're going to tell me anyway. They'll probably suggest some drug (rattles of in medical lingo) or maybe recommend religion. <<

That certainly was a memorable office visit and an amusingly disturbing end to a week.

Truly such a basket case huh ^_^

A thing or two about relationships

2011-05-30T06:35:00.001+08:00

If only wisdom comes before experience, many would have been spared of indecisions, heartaches, and regrets.

---

Found myself unable to sleep despite shutting my mind from random thoughts, taking several deep breaths, and doing a mild stretch. I figured milk would help and so I went to the fridge to check. Milk smelled funny. Just my luck. Maybe its just the smell of milk around the lid, so I still poured whatever's left from the milk carton into a mug and took a sip. Yuck! Yup, milk's stale. I still tried to get some zzzzzs but gave up trying after several minutes. Maybe I'll take a walk when the sun's up or get to work really early. But that's something I can do before sunrise and I still have plenty of time to kill. Thank the heavens for laptop and internet.

Two significant things done.

First, just e-mailed a reply to one of my best girl friends who's overseas. She sent me a text about nine days back and she was concerned with something about work and her boss. I couldn't reply through text and so e-mail's my last resort to reach her. I wonder how she's doing at work now and really hoping that she's okay. Being physically apart lessens my ability to make her feel assured that I've got her back. I can only hope she knew I was in the listening end.

Second, searched for my ex of roughly three years on facebook. No, I'm not hankering for my ex who happens to be my first boyfriend and whom I've shared roughly four years with. I honestly feel that I'm in a healthy place for maybe a year now. The search for ex was to gauge my reaction on seeing his photos with his wife. One of my closest guy friends found out about ex's new civil status on facebook. Exactly when close guy friend found out about it, I'm not sure. He shared the info just a few nights ago when we we're talking relationship matters. He only told me about it after asking a hypothetical question: would you still talk to ex if the later initiates contact? Since the time I found out about the deal breaker, my answer has always been NO. I never wanted to speak to ex again even though he tried communicating. I was firm about not wanting to speak to him and to not even bother explaining why. (I did vent out on his pal who also became a good friend.) He made attempts to communicate but his intentions weren't clear to me. I loved him so much and I couldn't take any explanation with a clear mind. I knew that if I let my defenses down, he could easily win me back or crush me into pieces. My options are tiresome at its best, and numbingly heartbreaking at its worst. Back then, I knew I was at peace with letting go because I was tired of the work that the relationship required. So tired that to even think about working on an amicable ending was torture enough. Who knew that being stubborn, angry, tired, and confused all at the same time can be a recipe for letting go?

What I felt when I saw the photo? There's still that heady feeling and that indescribable warmth that goes through me. It's really less intense as three years back. I looked at it again just now and I can now shrug it off. Contrary to what close guy friend said, ex's new built suits him and the wife has a cute smile. I guess, I'm just happy he didn't marry the dealbreaker, and with all sincerity (and certainty) I wish him a solid married life. It will be a hell lot of work to keep it together and I wish them all the best.

Food trip at Ilocos Norte

2011-05-03T11:00:00.001+08:00

TOWN OF SAN NICOLAS

Enjoy a yummy and very filling empanada at Bolo's Empanada and special miki at Nana Lina's Tapsihan. They are right beside each other and the building that houses these eateries is just on the other side of San Nicolas church.

Bolo's Empanada

freshly made empanadas

empanadas are really filling at Php 35 and Php 25

Nana Lina's Tapsihan

Special Miki (with egg) at Php 30, without egg at Php 20

CITY OF LAOAG

Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant had an unassuming exterior but inside it had a cozy and spacious atmosphere. In the restaurant menu it said Saramsam means informal and constant eating; suggesting a fun atmosphere of friends getting together to eat and enjoy each other's company. The food was great and we certainly had a good time there.

restaurant facade

Saramsam dinner

8-inch Poque-poque pizza, Php 160

Chili Oil and Bagoong Sauce to complete the Saramsam pasta

Saramsam pasta, a delightful mix of flavors, Php 120

Chorizo Laoag pasta, Php 125

Tuna pasta, Php 105

Baraniw (wild basil) Iced Tea, tall glass at Php 40

TOWN OF PAOAY

A perfect sidetrip when visiting Paoay Church is the Herencia restaurant which is just right across the churchyard. They also serve empanadas and other popular Ilocano dishes but we did not really have a big appetite that time so we only tried the Pinakbet pizza. Next time, I'll try the Dinuguan pizza.

Herencia restaurant

salad

Pinakbet pizza

no caffeine, rice coffee

We were on an official trip in Laoag and went to Paoay for the weekend. We were accommodated by a close family friend of my colleague. They were very welcoming and even drove us around town to sight see.

On my first night, I had a really wonderful dinner of Tinolang Manok. They used home grown, organic chicken which made a lot of difference in the flavor. We also had a side dish of boiled corn, freshly picked from their lot. Hands down this was my most memorable meal for this trip.

Trip date: 25-30 January 2011
Also see blog on Paoay Sand Dunes, and Paoay Church.

Sand Dunes at Paoay

2011-04-20T19:02:00.002+08:00

sand

and more sand

at the Sand dunes

in Paoay, Ilocos Norte

our host

and us

view from top

a small patch of pine trees

halfway through the climb

view from top, other side

long coastline

but not for swimming

just like the Arab dessert in the movies

a shed among the pine trees

some of the few trees around

the trusty vehicle that brought us around Paoay

There are several bus companies that can take you to Ilocos Norte. Going there we took Fariñas bus and on our way back to Manila, Florida bus.

Trip date: 30 January 2011

See also Paoay Church

Paoay Church (St. Augustine Church)

2011-04-20T18:02:00.000+08:00

Paoay Church taken from across the yard

Bell tower

church facade

huge butress

massive yet picturesque

clean frontyard

mostly bougainvilleas adorn the frontyard

inside the church

Beach hopping at Padre Burgos

2011-04-20T16:51:00.000+08:00

Go beach hopping when in Padre Burgos!

or catch the sunset first

and beach hop the morning after

Get to Vista Playa restaurant and hire a banca. Off-peak rate for Borawan, Dampalitan, and Talabahan is at 700 pesos and during the summer it goes up to 800 pesos. I have only been to Borawan and Dampalitan and look forward to Talabaan in my next visit.

Borawan is a short strip of sand and interesting rock formations

Go pseudo rock climbing!

Take shelter under this rock formation...

or in between these two huge rocks =)

DAMPALITAN BEACH

How sweet it is to lie in a hammock by the beach

Just so sweet you can jump for joy

There's a bend in this beach that appears during low tide

take a breather by the bend

then walk the long stretch of sand on the other side =)

Padre Burgos

2011-04-12T17:42:00.001+08:00

Padre Burgos is a town in the province of Quezon and is formerly known as Laguimanoc owing to its coastline shaped like a chicken's bill.

When in Padre Burgos head off to Borawan and Dampalitan for a swim or simply to sight-see. The jump off point to these beaches is at Vista Playa restaurant which is right smack at the highway when bound to Agdangan or Unisan.

Take bus headed to Unisan or Agdangan

From Manila, take the bus to Lucena and from the Lucena Grand Terminal take a bus, shuttle, or jeep bound to Agdangan or Unisan. Tell the driver or conductor to drop you off at Vista Playa in Barangay Marao, Padre Burgos.

Vista Playa is under new management since September 2010

Day use cottages near the beach are at Php 300.00

Dishes are sold at affordable prices

first time I've heard of Pancit Chami, costs Php 60/plate and is good for 2-3

Vista Playa has recently opened their doors as a cheaper alternative lodging to The Tamarind Tree and Villa Anita resorts. They can also arrange for boat rentals, provide meals for your entire stay, and also allow camping at their site.

Waving Flag

2011-04-12T15:04:00.000+08:00

Artist: K'Naan
Album: Troubadour
Genre: Reggae, Alternative Hiphop
Released: February, 2009

When I get older, I will be stronger

They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag

When I get older, I will be stronger

They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag

And then it goes back, and then it goes back

And then it goes back

Born to a throne, stronger than Rome

But Violent prone, poor people zone

But it’s my home, all I have known

Where I got grown, streets we would roam

But out of the darkness, I came the farthest

Among the hardest survival

Learn from these streets, it can be bleak

Except no defeat, surrender retreat

So we struggling, fighting to eat and

We wondering when we’ll be free

So we patiently wait, for that fateful day

It’s not far away, so for now we say

When I get older, I will be stronger

They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag

And then it goes back, and then it goes back

And then it goes back

So many wars, settling scores

Bringing us promises, leaving us poor

I heard them say, love is the way

Love is the answer, that’s what they say,

But look how they treat us, make us believers

We fight their battles, then they deceive us

Try to control us, they couldn’t hold us

Cause we just move forward like Buffalo Soldiers

But we struggling, fighting to eat

And we wondering, when we’ll be free

So we patiently wait, for that faithful day

It’s not far away, but for now we say

When I get older, I will be stronger

They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag

And then it goes back, and then it goes back

And then it goes back

When I get older, I will be stronger

They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag

And then it goes back, and then it goes back

And then it goes back

(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)

And everybody will be singing it

(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)

And you and I will be singing it

(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)

And we all will be singing it

(Ohhh Ohh Ohh Ohh)

When I get older, I will be stronger

They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag

And then it goes back, and then it goes back

And then it goes back

When I get older, I will be stronger

They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag

And then it goes back, and then it goes back

And then it goes back

When I get older, when I get older

I will be stronger, just like a Waving Flag

Just like a Waving Flag, just like a Waving flag

Flag, flag, Just like a Waving Flag.

---

Disclaimer: Video and lyrics are owned by the artist.

"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

Thoughts on the Jan-Jan Controversy

2011-04-11T16:37:00.000+08:00

Sometimes we may have the best intentions but the actions we take may not be the most effective way of putting those thoughts into actuality.

Sometimes we may think we are helping the less fortunate but maybe providing entertainment to make people forget about their plight does not help them in the long run in the same way that a dole out only gives them momentary relief.

Once the laughter fades and the dole out spent, people can start sinking in that all too familiar despair and hopelessness.

Those who have the intention to help others cannot be blamed, at least those who truly have that honest sentiment. The desire to help is a good start. But perhaps we should always remain aware of how we translate our best intentions into actions. That perhaps, we should keep the bigger picture in mind and not just be content with the here and now. That perhaps there are better venues to consider for a specific cause.

At the end of the day our innocent act of helping can actually be disastrous when it conditions people to rely on escapism and handouts than the virtue of sensibility and hard work.

A Time for Everything

2011-03-28T10:18:00.001+08:00

Baby Dieciseis with much love from your auntie

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

photo: www.muralsforkids.com/images/MASanglbyBoy

Bohol Countryside

2011-03-22T17:47:00.002+08:00

Commonly called the "countryside tour" by most tour operators. This activity takes the entire day driving into several towns with at least eight stops.

entrance to Hinagdanan cave

inside the Hinagdanan cave is a pool of saltwater

another one of those Loboc river ferries

one chocolate hill turned viewing deck

the chocolate hills are green than chocolatey this time of the year

preserved butteflies at the conservatory

a welcoming hut inside the butterfly conservatory and garden

this lady at the highway bound by the Man-made forest

no entrance fee in this spot, just a donation

the smallest primate in the world

so sorry to stress you out but I cannot help myself

one of the biggest and largest phython in captivity

one of the oldest churches in the country, Baclayon church

*Wish I had a photo of the Blood Compact site. A sculpture said to be made by Napoleon Abueva.

Countryside tour fee costs Php 1,800.00 for a car that can fit a maximum of four persons.

Add-on expenses:

Hinagdanan Cave

Php 15.00 - entrance fee (adults)

Php 15.00 - parking fee

Loboc River Cruise

Php 300.00 - lunch buffet, eat-all-you-can

Php 100.00 - "terminal fee" goes to the LGU

Chocolate Hills

Php 50.00 - entrance fee

Php 10.00 - parking fee

Butterfly Garden

Php 30.00 - entrance fee

Tarsier at Rio Verde

Donation

Prony the Phython

Php 10.00 - entrance fee

Go travel Bohol from Bacolod!

Travel durations are estimates only. Senior citizens get discounts on public transport fares.

Trip date: 28 December 2010

Puting Buhangin (Lukang Beach)

2011-03-15T09:15:00.004+08:00

Puting Buhangin in Pagbilao, Quezon is a wonderful discovery. We used to rack our brains silly when we had the beach itch because of two considerations: budget and travel duration. An over the weekend beach getaway requires short travel time and must be easy on the pocket. Thanks to Dubs for suggesting that we check out this place and thanks to Claire of lakwasteradeprimera for blogging about Puting Buhangin.

Town of Pagbilao, roughly 35mins away from Lucena GT

If arriving early in the morning at Lucena Grand Terminal, take an ordinary bus headed to Unisan (AB Liner). From Lucena GT, trips to the nearby towns via jeep or van start at 7am. Tell conductor that you are getting off at Pagbilao bayan. Fare will cost you Php12. Your landmark is the town's welcome arch and a Catholic church just across the road. Ask the locals for the Polo terminal. It is just a short walk from the main road and is near the market place.

Fare matrix from Pagbilao to Ibabang Polo

First trip headed to Barangay Ibabang Polo leaves at 7am. Full capacity or not, the trip leaves as scheduled. This was a pleasant surprise after what we have experienced in Palawan going to Sabang.

Ibabang Polo, or simply Polo, is the last stop of this ride. Get off in front of the Power Plant gate and take a tricycle going in to the Lukang property. Going into the beach is roughly a 30-minute hike. A local volunteered to bring us and we gave him a hundred as thank you which he accepted only after we insisted.

first part of the hike is by the perimeter of Team Energy

then the rocky shores

and a bit rocky downhill nearing the entrance

take a shade under the trees instead of renting a cottage

coconut trees and cottages past the shore

coconut trees

one end of the shore

the stretch of beach

sand quality

the other end of the shore, Kwebang Lampas

Kwebang Lampas entrance

inside the cave

view of Puting Buhangin from inside the cave

view of Kwebang Lampas at the sea

took the banca on our way back to the jeepney terminal

had our late lunch here

highway crossing

Team Energy landmark

A banca ride on our way back to the jeepney terminal is roughly a 20-minute ride to the daungan at Sitio Gapalos then a short tricycle ride to the main street where the terminal is at. If you want to grab a bite try Cherry's Restaurant just across the terminal. Again, the jeep does not wait for a full load before leaving the terminal. It leaves as soon as another jeep arrives. The trip takes about 45 minutes to an hour and last trip leaves Brgy. Polo at 5pm.

This little piece of information is shared to everyone with a little hesitation. For as much as I want everyone to experience Puting Buhangin I'd rather have it remain a natural, uncommercialized beauty.

Plan your trip to Quezon and explore Puting Buhangin before everyone flocks there for the summer. Lastly, share with me your adventure. Enjoy and halong!

Expenses at Quezon

2011-03-14T13:46:00.001+08:00

Day 1
Travel expense from Kamias, Quezon City to Pagbilao and from Pagbilao to Padre Burgos
   Bus with ac Kamias Terminal to Lucena Grand Terminal Php 218
   Bus ordinary from Lucena Grand Terminal to Pagbilao bayan Php 12
   (get down across the church and walk to market place)
   Jeep from Pagbilao market to Ibabang Polo, Pagbilao Php 35
   Tricycle from gate of power plant to Lukang property Php 20
   (walk from Lukang property to the beach front)
   Gratuity tip to the local who served as guide during the walk (100/3pax) Php 33
   Lukang beach entrance fee Php 50
   Banca from Lukang beach to Sitio Gapalos daungan (100/3pax) Php 33
   Tricycle from daungan to jeep terminal Php 10
   Jeep from Ibabang Polo to Crossing Php 25
   Bus ordinary from Crossing to Padre Burgos bayan Php 15
   Tricycle from Padre Burgos bayan to Vista Playa restaurant Php 10
Accommodation Expense Php 250
   Rented space from the locals

Day 2
Travel Expense
   Banca from Vista Playa to Borawan & Dampalitan beach (700/3pax) Php 233
   Entrance fee at Borawan Php 20
   Entrance fee at Dampalitan Php 30
   Bus ordinary from Vista Playa to Lucena Grand Terminal Php 35
   Bus with ac from Lucena Grand Terminal to Kamias Php 218
   (from Lucena Grand Terminal to Magallanes Php 204)
   Total Php 1,247

Puerto Princesa, Palawan

2011-01-19T18:30:00.001+08:00

A new plan has been made!

Despite that travelling on a backtrack is yet to happen, this upcoming plan is just way too exciting to put off.

Yes, yes there's a lot of backtracking to be done but one just cannot put on hold future plans especially when there's an airline seat sale and a group of eager beavers. Right?

Palawan is a fitting destination after experiencing nature's charm in Bohol and this is said after a fair amount of research which has done nothing but increase the anticipation.

So here goes the plan, and just as usual, this is travelling on a budget and a whole lot of fun!

ITINERARY FOR PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN

DAY 1

Friday 11 February 2011

Places to go and things to do:

o ETD Manila – 7:30 AM

o ETA Puerto Princesa – 8:40 AM

o Get permit at City Tourism office for Underground tour

o Breakfast/brunch/lunch at Kamarikutan Kapi at Galeri

o Travel to Sabang – 12:00 NN to 4:00 PM

o Check in at Bambua Nature’s Park

o Explore Sabang beach

o Halo-halo available at the pier

Expense per person:

NAIA 3 Terminal Fee: Php 200.00

Commute: Php 183.00

Tricycle from Airport to Tourism Office – Php 7

Tricycle from Tourism Office to Kamarikutan – Php 7

Tricycle from Kamarikutan to Rizal Avenue – Php 7

Multi-cab from Rizal Avenue to San Jose New Terminal – Php 12

12:00 NN Jeep to Sabang - Php 150

Underground Tour: Php290.00

Underground River Fee - Php 150

(inclusive of park entrance and paddle boat tour)
Boat Rental - Php 140

(boat rent Php 700)

Accommodation: Php 214

Overnight at Sabang in a village type room at Bambua Nature’s Park (Php 950 + Php120 extra bed = Php 1070)

Total: Php 887

DAY 2

Saturday 12 February 2011

Places to go and things to do:

o Underground River tour - 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

o Early lunch

o Check-out at Bambua

o Travel back to Puerto Princesa – 12:00 NN to 4:00 PM

o Side trip to Viet Ville before heading back to city proper

o Around the city:

Boardwalk

Tiangge Tiangge

Market

Kinabuch Grill - dinner

Expense per person:

Commute: Php 229.00

12:00 NN Jeep to San Jose Terminal - Php 150

Tricycle from San Jose Terminal to Viet Ville – Php 30.00

Tricycle from Viet Ville to San Jose Terminal – Php 30.00

Multi-cab to Rizal Avenue – Php 12

Tricycle to Albon Pension – Php 7

Accommodation: Php 400

Overnight at Puerto Princesa in a family room Albon Pension (Php 2000)

Total: Php 629

DAY 3

Sunday 13 February 2011

Places to go and things to do:

o Breakfast at Itoy’s Specialty Coffee Haus

o ETD Puerto Princesa – 9:10 AM

o ETA Manila – 10:20 AM

Expense per person:

Commute: Php 14

Tricycle from Pension to Itoy’s - Php 7

Tricycle from Itoy’s to Airport – Php 7

Terminal Fee: Php 80

Total: Php 94

Estimated total: Php 1610

Banapple

2011-01-14T19:00:00.002+08:00

This quaint cafe located at 206 Katipunan Avenue extension is one of the yummiest and value-for-money food discoveries of 2009.

There are two closely located Banapple outlets in the Katipunan area. It looks like the original location became too small for their ever-growing number of patrons that they needed to open another outlet just across the street.

Thank goodness that they did because the original cafe is always full and a queue almost always fills it up leaving little leg room for when you have to go to the wash room or get into line again to order deserts as the cafe has a pay as you order system.

charming second outlet along Katipunan Avenue extension

Even though there is still that queue to deal with it is way better now since they are able to accommodate more people and has an al fresco second level to offer. Plus they also have kept the original outlet which is a strategically sound way of keeping the customers coming.

You will love this place for their generous servings of entrées and cakes -the cheesecakes are heaven sent, and the refreshingly sweet homemade classic ice tea that tastes even better with a lot of ice.

baked fish gratinee with scalloped potatoes (Php175)

breaded fillet of cream dory with honey thyme mustard sauce (Php175)

pan-fried porkloin with herb mushroom gravy (Php170)

hickory smoked barbecued country ribs (Php175)

delicious array of cakes

strawberry amaretto cheesecake (Php100/slice and Php960/whole)

blueberry cheesecake (Php90/slice and Php860/whole)

banoffee pie (Php85/slice and Php650/whole)

gobblin' goblin's pie (Php100/slice)

muffins, cookies, and savory pies galore

oatmeal & blueberry muffin (Php60)

fat & chewy chocolate chip cookie (Php60)

chocolate crumb muffin (Php60)

cookie fudge crinkles (Php60)

delivery service two any one beats queueing at any time

This is a backtrack entry on food but is just as fresh since lunch was eaten there today. The opportunity to introduce this favourite haunt as a lunch meeting venue was just deliciously irresistible.

Live, laugh, love and eat!