Boracay Day 3 (February 2012)

We didn’t do much on our last day. We picked up our Calamansi Muffins and headed back to the hotel to pack. After check out, we decided to have an early lunch at the Bite Club.

It’s a cozy semi-fast food place right at the heart of Station 2. Burgers, burgers and burgers everywhere. They have this big signage that tells you how to order your food.

Choose your burger + Add your own choice of toppings = create your own burger!

Here’s their menu:

I forgot what we ordered back then. I think we had The Bomb and Bombarella.

Do I look hungry here ^ ?

 

One of the best burgers I have ever tasted. Aside from I <3 BBQ, I have another restaurant to go back to next time I visit Boracay again.

We slept mostly during the bus ride to Kalibo Airport. It was also a first for us to talk during the flight back to Manila. Usually when we travel we sleep and listen to our own MP3 players.

 

But the weather’s really nice and we had to take it all in!

 

 

 

We were able to spot 3 rainbows!

After visiting Boracay twice in 6 months, of course I would go back! Maybe next year?

Photos taken with Canon S100

Boracay Day 2 (February 2012)

We booked a snorkeling + island tour + Crystal Cove trip during our first day’s hang-out-by-the-beach hour. We got it for Php 1500 (2 pax on a paraw) – I know it’s expensive. But hey, I didn’t really know how much  that trip should cost! Anyhooow…

We woke up just in time for our 9 AM appointment. That gave us time to eat breakfast at the hotel. You can choose from the two options: an American breakfast or a Filipino breakfast.

We are rice-lovers therefore: Chicken Tocino with scrambled egg,

and Longganisa with scrambled egg:

Small portions but they weren’t bad at all.

We met up with Romnick (09309125619) who is supposedly our boat guy but on our way to the shore, we transferred to another boat guy named Sherwin (I think it was Sherwin).

The paraw travels longer, that’s for sure. Snorkeling was bad though, the waves are too big.  We took ample photos at the Crystal Cove, that’s for sure. Our boatguy-turned-tour guide was kind enough to hold my camera the entire time to take our picture practically everywhere. Here are some photos in Crystal Cove:

There are several coves or caves on this island that you can visit. Entrance fee is around Php100. A lot of people come to Island Cove to have their lunch in one of the cottages available. They bring in lunch baskets, utensils etc. and there are also available comfort rooms around. There is nothing really going on here but what interests me is the mini-zoo available for the guests’ appreciation. And this guy:

because he seemed so out-of-place.

Hmm. This looks interesting:

We were supposed to visit another island after the Crystal Cove but we got so hungry from all that walking and boat ride we decided to skip that part. We freshened up and headed to Bistro Valhalla for lunch.

I forgot to mention that 3 meal coupons came with the final voucher we received from Cash Cash Pinoy after payment. And this was one of them (photo above). I thought the fried chicken will be just a normal dish but when it was served, I was SO wrong.

It was very juicy, delicious and crispy. We should have ordered this for dinner instead.

We headed to Real Coffee and Tea Cafe (Station 1) to order some Calamansi Muffins. We placed our order and asked them if we could pick them up the following day instead. And I think because most people do this, they asked for our name and contact number and the time of pick up.

We paid for our 6 boxes and headed to the grotto to take a few photos. It’s around 2 PM and the sun is high – we decided to buy drinks at Jonah’s Fruitshake.

While waiting for our drinks, we saw these foreign girl BFFs who were re-applying make up and sunblock. They had their DSLR on the table. And I almost cried when I saw it:

So much dirt and sand. It’s so sad!

We spent the afternoon swimming and talking and almost falling asleep. And when the sun started to go down, everyone brought out their cameras and took photos. So we did too!

We went back to the hotel, freshened up and went back to Valhalla to order dinner. We ordered soup (french onion and mushroom soup) even though the weather’s hot. Haha!

And the perfect way to end the night? Drinking your Green Tea Cream from Starbucks by the beach.

Photos taken with Canon S100

Search Engine Terms

Funny how some people research the craziest stuff on the internet. Here are some of the terms people search for:

HONGDAE SEX. Haha! What is it that s/he is looking for? )

[February 11, 2012] PyroPalooza/Pyromusical

Last February, I had a project with my previous job that gave me the chance to meet David Archuleta. It was just a simple coverage interview that will only need two to three staff.

But, I requested for five all access passes. Total of six actually, (including our driver) for a simple production. Why?

1. Me (of course, I’m heading the project)
2. Carlo, my brother (he’s a big fan, as a production assistant)
3. Jojo, my travel buddy (as our production assistant also, plus we get to “date”-ish during the fireworks display)
4. Maricar, our then-OJT (to add hours to her OJT work, and she’s a big fan too)
5. Tolits, our camera guy (for the well, camera)

We asked permission from his handler if we could get a group picture with David and when she said yes, the two big fans decided where to position themselves. Lo and behold, the final output:

So they can crop it and get to post the cropped photo as their profile picture in Facebook. Very smart!

That night, I told my mom about the project and how we were able to take a photo with my brother’s strategic position when it hit me – MY MOM WAS A BIG FAN OF DAVID ARCHULETA. His season with American Idol is I think the ONLY season she ever watched. She adores him because he’s a very humble person. And even though he is the youngest among the finalists, my mom thinks he is far better than everyone. I felt really bad because she asked for the pictures and just said “Sayang!” 

Oh well. Sorry mother, I forgot.

After the interview, we took a few clips of the event and even stayed for some fireworks display. Photo above is the VIP area.

Here are some photos of the fireworks display using my Canon S100, some in fireworks mode.

February 11, 2012 – South Korea vs Malta

(South Korea played 2NE1′s “I am the Best” haha! I enjoyed it so much)

Montemar Beach Club (Feb 2012)

I just got back from a business conference in Montemar Beach Club in Bataan.

My roommates

Our room

We left Manila at exactly 6 AM, stopped by Genesis bus station in Cubao (driver forgot the bus’ DVD player remote), and we watched The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. We reached Montemar, and the movie was still not finished (apparently, it was the extended version WTF bitin)

Anyway, after the Buscon proper and the commitment sharing, we all shared this activity that is popular in Montemar: the releasing of the turtles!

Me and my turtle!

They’re so many! And Montemar management made sure that every turtle’s released to the sea safely.

We freshened up after, had dinner and some of us tried their stakes at the videoke machine/Magic Sing. I asked Ate Jovy to hang out with me near the shoreline. The skies are clear and you can see an amazing view of the stars and moon. You can tell, and I am sure by now that you know I am a beach person. And the sound of the waves at nighttime is so relaxing, you want to sleep right there and then. Ate Lynette brought us each a can of beer and we started chatting and kidding around. After a while, I couldn’t resist the temptation to lie down and put my head back and stare at the skies (the difficult part is the getting the sand out of my hair).

People started to go to our small group and we ended up playing Pinoy Henyo with a new app I downloaded (for free) in my iPod Touch called iHenyo. What followed are a series of misguided clues, loud laughs, a crazy ’round-about’ and just a good old bonding time with work peeps.

Beer + iHenyo

The next morning, some of us went swimming at the pool, played beach volleyball and rode a banana boat. I even heard some went jet skiing. But me? I slept. But I still woke up earlier than usual. At 9:30, already dressed, I grabbed breakfast, hung out with the bosses, freshened up, packed my stuff, and ate lunch. Talk about hungriness.

After our early lunch, I grabbed my book and walked towards the beach. We stayed in a cabana (which is apparently for rent) but nobody stopped us, so I’m guessing that’s okay hehe. Read a few pages of Storm of Swords, talked with my roommates/office-mates and next thing we know, it was already 12:30- time to check out and leave.

Beach side

It was another memorable experience that I will definitely look back to.

Because

1. I got to relax for a bit,
2. read a book by the beach
3. felt the sand (again)

I haven’t written anything about my last trip to Canyon Cove + Tagaytay (because there are a lot to tell) so this one would suffice.

P.S. Can’t wait for my next beach weekend!

Photos taken with Canon S100

How short is short?

I am a coward when it comes to change. Physical change.

To date, I only colored my hair twice. I changed my hair’s length just once (since the beginning of puberty). I was in second year high school and my hair was so short back then (above shoulder).

I always thought about cutting my hair short but I never actually did. Until January 31 happened.

I had a shoot for a client AVP and my production manager hired this make up artist (he’s really good, by the way and he works fast). He knows how to cut hair too. First, he trimmed down the wig that we’re using for the shoot. Then, he did my PM’s hair. Then, they both asked me to cut mine too.

I was hesitant at first because:

1. We were not in a salon

2. We were in a school

3. We were in a shoot

4. I was not ready to cut my hair

But I my feet dragged me to the chair and MUA started snipping my hair. So from this:

to this:

I’m planning to color my hair this weekend. Talk about change.

I remembered one of my resolutions for 2012: ENJOY LIFE. So I’ll try to enjoy this short hair and look at the positive thing this brings me.

But first, sleep.

Officially Welcoming 2012

(This is going to be a long post. Read with caution hehe)

I seriously believe that the world will end in 2012. No offense to others, but I just like to believe that this event I saw in a movie will happen to convince myself to take chances, do things, explore new places and see new faces this year. And well, do my resolutions. Have you written down yours? Well, mine is longer than last year. But before we go there, let me have this opportunity to go over very special events and highlights last year that kept me sane and crazy at the same time. These are the events and opportunities that I am very much thankful for I know I’m a few days late but hey, it’s now or never right?

2011 HIGHLIGHTS:

• watched more movies in theaters in 2011 than in 2010
• finally applied for post-paid
• more dates with friends
• watched more K-Dramas
• colored my hair + side bangs:

• full bangs :

• KOREA TRIP <3

• BOLINAO for work

• BOLINAO for play

• 2NE1′s The Party

• cute and flirtatious moments with C-Barista

• SINGAPORE

• my brother finished school

(Where are our pictures???)

• CEBU, CDO for work/play (more raket with Digicon Family)

• actually FISHED during Christmas break

• Christmas parties

• BORACAY <3

Here’s a video made by my good friend Kizia about our group’s 2011 highlights:

Remembering these moments made me realize how much I’ve accomplished last year. It’s funny because I remember telling myself “You’ve been so busy with work, you don’t have time for yourself, your friends or family” but just by looking at these, who’s kidding who?

So based on these accomplishments, I came up with my resolutions for 2012. But here’s a summary of it:

• SAVE. Save up for the future!
• SHARE. Help others. Share happiness. Share knowledge.
• TRAVEL. Take every opportunity for travelling. See the world.
• LEARN. Learn a new dance. Learn a new language. Read more books. Learn to be more girly.
• LIVE. Be healthy! Be happy! Update personal journal. Create a travel journal.

It’s basically the same as last year, only it’s more detailed this time (it’s written in my journal. If you want a full list, let me know! haha!).

I feel good about the coming days. I am looking forward to experiencing 2012. And I can’t wait to experience 2012 with a blast!