Travel Through Life with Me

Jollibee Art Workshop @ SM City Davao

6/27/2010

The whole family just got home from an Art Workshop conducted by Jollibee Foods at SM City Davao.

Late last week, I received a text from Ms. Gae of Jollibee Foods inviting my two kids to attend the art workshop. Eventhough , we had prior plans for the weekend we had to let it go because being invited ( not me but the kids..) for the art workshop does not happen always.

June 27,2010 at 1:00 PM was the slot reserved for the kids. There were 2 sessions, in the morning and the one that we got was the afternoon session . After registering the kids, they were given art materials while waiting for others ( note to parents: pls. do come early and avoid being late because it will disturb other kids and will break their momentum! ) When everyone were settled , the Jollibee Staff started with games and then the art workshop proper. The Kids were taught how to make bracelets , bookmarks. They also prepared snacks for the kids. It was a great activity for the kids and I guess my kids love it. We never regret coming. There are some points for improvement but I guess with the happy faces of my kids...I never minded it.

For more photos please click here.

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ILIGAN CITY. The City of Majestic Waterfalls.

6/25/2010

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Click the image to see more photos.

Iligan City is known as City of Majestic Waterfalls because of its numerous waterfalls that are located within the locality. There are about 23 waterfalls around Iligan . The famous is the Maria Cristina Falls , home of Mindanao's primary hydroelectric power station, and Tinago Falls to name a few.

Iligan City is Lanao Del Norte's main shopping district with the recent opening of Gaisano Citi Super Mall which is considered to be one of the largest Gaisano malls in Mindanao. Other department stores for shopping are the Old Gaisano Department Store, Trendline Department Store, Iligan Fiesta Mall, Unicity, Squareland Shopping Center, Berds Theater Mall and Jerry's Shoppers World.

Iligan City is one of the family's favorite holiday escape because of the waterfalls , cold springs and other rich natural resources. Aside from that , going to Iligan is a bit cheaper compare to other tourist destinations. We've been to this place again and again and we never get tired of going to this place , even if it means 7- 8 hour of land trip via Cagayan de Oro City.

HOW TO GET THERE ?
We took a 6 hour land trip from Davao City going to Cagayan de Oro City via Buda. Rural Transit Bus and Super 5 Transport are the dominant land transportation that caters trips to and from Iligan. The Terminal for bus going to Iligan is in Bulua. From Bulua Terminal , it took us 2 hours to Iligan.

WHERE TO STAY?
The City has various hotels such as Maria Cristina Hotel , Elena Tower , Cheradel Suites , and Famous Hotels1 and 2. You can also stay at Maze Parks & Resorts or stay at Timoga Cold Spring ( which is by the way our favorite!)

So what really keep us coming back to Iligan?

MARIA CRISTINA FALLS. Maria Cristina Falls is a popular landmark of the city and sometimes synonymous to the word Iligan. It known as the source of hydroelectric power that lights the cities of Mindanao. It is located in Barangay Maria Cristina, 8.5 kilometers from the city.

Maria Cristina Falls stands grandly 320 feet high. The volume of the water is 100 cubic meter per second. When the cascading water strikes at the base it creates a pressure of 224 pounds per square inch. The falls is not only very beautiful but it is full of myths and legends.

TINAGO FALLS. Tinago Falls is one of the most beautiful falls in the country. “Tinago” means hidden. As the name implies, it is indeed hidden by nature in a deep ravine covered by trees and other wild vegetation. The falls is 420 feet high.
One has to go downhill and follow the winding trail to take a look. It is located in Barangay Ditucalan, 13 kilometers from the city center.

MIMBALUT FALLS. Mimbalut Falls is located 11 kilometers away from city center in Barangay Buru-un. The falls stands 90 feet and 18 feet wide.

MAZE PARKS AND RESORT. It has varied amenities, such as, an Olympic size swimming pool, tennis court, skating rink, natural spring, diving pool, multi-function conference halls and rooms for short or extended stays.

TIMOGA SWIMMING POOLS. It is known for its crystal clear and very cold water that flows freely to the swimming pools. It is located in Barangay Buru-un along the highways.

There are 15 swimming pools built in different sizes and depths that can cater to children and adults like. The water in each pool is continually running as the water source is from the spring. The pools are with cottages, picnic huts and other amenities.

TIMOGA COLD SPRING. The most distinguish springs in the city because of its crystal clear cold flowing water. It is located in Barangay Buru-un which is 9 kilometers from the city proper.

MACAPAGAL RESIDENCE. The restoration of the Macapagal Residence is becoming an added attraction. It is located in Barangay Buru-un which is 9 kilometers from the city proper.

ANAHAW AMPITHEATER. It is nested below the Iligan City Hall which is ideal for outdoor performances.

These are few of the many tourist spots in Iligan City. Indeed, Iligan City is a wonderful place to visit...so what are you waiting for..?

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AMBISYOSA

6/23/2010

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This is a tribute to my being AMBISYOSA ( ambitious ). I had my first affair with DSLR way back in college when I joined a journalism seminar . It was a two day seminar in preparation for the audition of staff writers for our school paper. But unfortunately , I did not pass. I don't need to explain why because you see the obvious, why. ( ambisyosa part 1 )

Ambisyosa Part II. It was around 2003 or 2004 , I was working for a publication and luckily my office then was housed in the Media Center of Davao City. By struck of fate, luck or destiny ( whatever you call it!) there was an invitation for an out of town festival and the one invited was not available to join and me...being ambisyosa , agreed to go and represent the Media Center. In that Festival , I had my second affair with DSLR and this time around it's sweeter because I was able to hit two birds in one stone. Got my photos published and was able to met my Romeo. The love affair continued... was able to join for an out of town trips and enjoyed it. Too late for me to realized that I am falling deeply in-love with...taking photographs of course! But sad to say up to now, I haven't gotten myself a DSLR yet. I have to be contented with my Digicam as of now....

The evidence of my being ambisyosa....

The Flowers...

The Sunrise and Sunsets...

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The Gap Orchard Resort

6/23/2010

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I remember so well way-back in Bohol, said a promise to myself that if given a chance to set foot on the Land of Promise, DAVAO I will not pass a chance to have my picture taken on that large marker , LAND OF PROMISE and climb Mt. Apo.

In November 2001 , I arrived to the Land of Promise for a vacation that turn into job hunting and finally got a job. I was able to established my career and have my own family. It's been almost 9 years since I reside here in Davao City but that little promise of mine have yet to be fulfilled. I've been to different places, almost traveled the whole of Mindanao but I've never been to that large marker, LAND OF PROMISE.

Not until today, we decided to pay a visit to The GAP Orchard Resort . This resort is located in Green Meadows , Ma-a , Davao City. Fortunately, this time we are living just a ten minute walk , away from the resort. Entrance fee is Php30 and if you want to take a dip in their junior olympic size swimming pool, you will just add Php50 .

The resort has cottages and campsites , cangga ride , horseback riding , swimming pool , convention halls and World War II cave. There are also statue collections , The Conferencia ng mga Multo , The Parade of Philippine Presidents , The Parade of Greatest Heroes and Ang Parada ng mga Katutubong Tribo.

We were planning to take a dip in the pool , but since we arrived late the pool was already closed. Too bad but not that bad since my little promise way back saw its fulfillment today. In the meantime , swimming in that Junior Olympic size pool will have to wait, anyway we are already living near in this resort.

The whole experience was beautiful and revealing. And we also get to taste Apple Mangoes.

For inquiries , reservations and bookings , you may contact them at telephone nos. ( 082 ) 224-2671 / 227-5834

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Fantasyland in Dapitan

6/22/2010

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Gloria's Fantasyland in Dapitan City is the newest attraction in Zamboanga del Norte. Considering ZaNorte as a travel destination is no longer remote because of the mushrooming attractions, and Fantasyland is one of them. A travel to this place is very much worth to the last centavo.

Fantasyland is situated in the center of Gloria de Dapitan in Dapitan City . You can pay for the whole package of rides at Php300 it already includes the entrance and all the rides. Fantasyland is separated into four areas. Area 1 consist of fight shark , happy journey, galleon , ( which my husband loves to ride!) ferry's wheel , apollo , swinger , and mechanical bull ride. Area 2 consist of bumper car , jumping bed , carousel and roller coaster . In the area 3 you will experience the mini train , flying ball , choco cups , midi flume , world of war and many more.

There is also a Haunted House. Come with extra bucks because souvenir shirts saying you survived the haunted house are available. You can also enjoy the Go Kart , but you have to pay an additonal Php100. Over-all experienced is so much fun. For a newly opened park , I must say it's worth it. Oh, by the way fantasyland only opens at night and upon opening there is a Fantasyland presentation. So much fun and colorful. Enjoy!

For more info : if you are staying at Dakak Park and Beach Resort , inclusion of your accomodation is a free entrance ticket to Fantasyland. http://buklodsadapitan.com/

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Idja-Idja , Aho-Aho ! What's his/her is his/her , What's mine is mine!

6/22/2010

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TO MY FELLOW BOHOLANOS : nga kanunay sungugon na idja-idja aho-aho , i am reposting this article as an inspiration and best explanation of idja-idja aho-aho. Let's be proud because we belong to a noble culture! Just click the title to bring you to the original source. Thank you!

CHILD OF THE SUN: Idja-idja, aho-aho!
by Ting Tiongco/MindaNews
Tuesday, 28 July 2009 22:29

(Speech of acceptance as one of the Ten Outstanding Boholano Award (Tobaw)  delivered at the Tapok Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan awarding ceremonies on 25 July).

TAGBILARAN, Bohol (MindaNews/28 July) -- I accept this award both with great pride and humility. I dedicate this award to my late parents who came from Bohol; my father from Bilar, and my mother, a Manigque from Tagbilaran. My mother, who died a few months ago, lived 63 out of her 86 years in Mindanao. But she died a true Boholana, speaking Binol-anon to the end. I was not born in Bohol. Neither did I grow up here. My parents made it clear to their children who were growing up in Mindanao that we are Bol-anons. Ang Bolanon, murag Amerkano. Maskin asa ka ma tawo, basta Amerkano ang imong tatay o nanay, Amerkano ka lang guihapon. Ang Bol-anon, mao sad. Maskin asa ka matawo, basta Bol-anon ang imong kaguikan, Bol-anon ka lang guihapon. Mailhan man gud ang Bol-anon sa uban, kay tag-as man ug ilong.

I was often puzzled, growing up as Bol-anon in Davao where a welter of cultures flourish; the moment my companions knew I was Bol-anon, I was immediately set apart as different from the rest. I was puzzled by the saying ‘ idja-idja, aho-aho!’ often said in jest by classmates. And this was usually followed by the declaration that Bohol was ‘outside da Pilipins’. Predictably there ensued a typical schoolboy fistfight. Sinumbagay!

I often asked my mother what all this was about but she only told me to be proud of such things. There was a history and a culture behind this that she did not bother to explain because perhaps she knew that sometime in my life I would realize what it meant.

And indeed, I did. It happened the first time I came to Bohol to set up a health cooperative. I was warned that the Bol-anon attitude of ‘idja-idja aho-aho’ was against the basic principles of cooperativism. But setting up a hospital and health services cooperative in the land of my parents, ang akong yutang guinikanan, was a promise I made my father before he died.

So 15 years ago I landed in Tagbilaran, walked to a restaurant, and unthinkingly ordered more lunch than I could consume. I had the rest packed in a brown paper bag to give to a hungry street child.

Outside, I met a raggedy malnourished little boy and wordlessly handed him the brown paper bag. He looked suspiciously at me and asked what was in it. Learning it was food, he immediately ran away, shrieking ‘Di ko!’ (No!)

I was surprised, a bit disheartened. So I walked to the cathedral where I expected to find beggars. There I found an old woman sitting on the ground by the main door, in the heat of noon, clutching a rosary. This time I was more circumspect. I explained to her that I had ordered too much for lunch and I was loathe to see so much food wasted and I was wondering if she would accept the rest, assuring her that it was clean. She gladly took the brown paper bag, thanking me profusely. Then, as I was leaving, happy that no food was wasted, she called after me.

‘ Doy,’ ingon siya, ‘ pila man ni?’ (‘Doy,’ she asked, ‘how much is this?’)

I was floored. Only then did I realize what ‘idja-idja, aho-aho’ means.

It means the Bol-anon does not beg!It means that I belong to a noble culture that believes Man must provide for himself and the community he belongs to. It means that we are free of the humiliating cultural muck of Mendicancy that the rest of our country is drowning in.

It means that we believe in ourselves. In our own capacity to provide for our own needs through our own resources.

Happily, this is what cooperativism is all about. Self-sufficiency and pride in one’s own.

Then this could be very well our battle cry: ‘idja-idja, aho-aho!’. With this, from ‘outside da Pilipins’ we may be able to rebuild the Philippines, flattened by financial crises, sucked dry by unscrupulous politicians, debased in its own eyes by cultural pollution and disoriented by a demented media that foists the ‘Wowowee’ mentality on Filipinos in massive daily noontime doses.

Idja-idja, aho-aho!

Mabuhi ang Bol-anon!

Mabuhi and Filipinas!

[Dr. Jose “Ting” M. Tiongco, chief executive officer of the Medical Mission Group Hospitals and Health Services Cooperative-Philippines Federation, writes a column, Child of the Sun, for MindaNews. He is author of two books, “Child of the Sun Returning” (1996) and “Surgeons Do Not Cry” (2008). The second book is available at UP bookstore, National bookstore and MindaNews]

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Father's Day at Lantaw Bukid

6/21/2010

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Father's Day is celebrated globally honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood. It is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June. This is an occasion to express gratitude to our fathers for all the love and support. Though we can express our gratefulness everyday to our father but this day is made especially for them.

So come June 20, 2010 . Father's Day. The whole family decided to celebrate the occasion at Lantaw Bukid in Km 22 Los Amigos , Tugbok, Davao City.

It was a fine Sunday morning when we left home ... perfect weather to go swimming , fishing , and boating. Fortunately , we are the first guests to arrive in the resort... and by coincidence, the caretaker of the resort was a classmate of my mother-in law... so we got service de luxe. It was close to perfect...next to nirvana , family bonding.

Lantaw Bukid is a resort that offers a number of enjoyable amenities. The resort has a pond for fishing and boating . It also has a swimming pool and two kiddie pools with a fountain at its center( but unfortunately when we were there, the fountain was not turn on. It must have been more fun for the kids. ) . Just outside the pool area is a vast lawn where the resort's playground is located along with a volleyball playing area. There are also enough number of cottages for picnics.

It was fun...fun...fun...!!! Looking forward to our next family bonding...again.

For more information , you may contact them :
Address: Los Amigos, Tugbok District, Davao City
Name: Lantaw Bukid
Phone: 082-293-1190

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A Cute Love Story

6/18/2010

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Found this in the net. I so like the story and can't help but repost it. Pls click the image for the link. So here it is....

Loving an Imperfect Person

They have been married for two years. He loves literature and often posts his work on the net, but nobody ever reads them. He is also into photography and he handles their wedding photos. He loves her very much. Likewise with her. She has a quick temper and always bullies him. He is a gentleman and always gives in to her.

Today, she's being willful again.

Her: "Why can't you be the photographer for my friend's wedding? She promised she'd pay."
Him: "I don't have time that day."
Her: "Humph!"
Him: "Huh?"
Her: "Don't have time? Write less of those novels, and you will have all the time you need."
Him: "I... someone will definitely recognize my work some day."
Her: "Humph! I don't care, you'll have to do it for her!"
Him: "No."
Her: "Just this once?"
Him: "No."

Negotiation's broken. So, she gave the final warning: "Give me a Yes within three days, or else..."

First day, she "withheld" the kitchen, bathroom, computer, refrigerator, television, hi-fi... Except the double bed, to show her "benevolence".

Of course, she has to sleep on it too. He didn't mind, as he still has some cash in his pockets.

Second day, she conducted a raid and removed everything from his pockets and warned, "Seek any external help, and you bear the consequences."

He's nervous now. That night, on the bed, he begs for mercy, hoping that she'll end this state. She doesn't give a damn. No way am I giving in, whatever he says. Until he agrees.

Third day, night. On the bed. He's lying on the bed, looking to one side. She's lying on the bed, looking to the other side.

Him: "We need to talk."
Her: "Unless it's about the wedding, forget it."
Him: "It's something very important."

She remains silent.

Him:"Let's get a divorce."
She did not believe her ears.
Him: "I got to know a girl."

She's totally angry, and wanted to hit him. But she held it down, wanting to let him finish. But her eyes already felt wet. He took a photo out from his chest. Probably from his undershirt pocket, that's the only place she didn't go through yesterday. How careless.

Him: "She's a nice girl."
Her tears fell.

Him: "She has a good personality too."
She's heartbroken because he puts a photo of some other girl close to his heart.
Him: "She says that she'll support me fully in my pursue for literature after we got married."

She's very jealous because she said the same thing in the past.
Him: "She loves me truly."
She wishes to sit up and scream at him "Don't I?"
Him: "So, I think she won't force me to do something that I don't want to do."

She's thinking, but the rage won't subside.
Him: "Want to take a look at the photo I took for her?"
Her: "...!"

He brings the photo before her eyes. She's in a total rage, hits his hand away and leaves a burning slap on his face.

He sighs. She cries.
He puts the photo back to his pocket. She pulls her hand back under the blanket.

He turns off the light, and sleeps. She turns on the light, and sits up. He's asleep. She lost sleep. She regrets treating him the way she treated him.

She cried again, and thought about a lot of things. She wants to wake him up. She wants to have a intimate talk with him. She doesn't want to push him anymore. She stares at his chest. She wants to see how the girl looks.

She slips the photo out. She wanted to cry and she wanted to laugh.

It's a nicely taken photo. A photo he took for her. She bends down, and kissed him on his cheek.

He smiled. He was just pretending to be asleep.

"You learn to love, not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly."

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Happy Father 's Day!

6/18/2010

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This is dedicated to all the fathers in the world. Most especially, to my father and to the father of my kids...Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day

A Dad is a person
who is loving and kind,
And often he knows
what you have on your mind.
He's someone who listens,
suggests, and defends.
A dad can be one
of your very best friends!
He's proud of your triumphs,
but when things go wrong,
A dad can be patient
and helpful and strong
In all that you do,
a dad's love plays a part.
There's always a place for him
deep in your heart.
And each year that passes,
you're even more glad,
More grateful and proud
just to call him your dad!
Thank you, Dad...
for listening and caring,
for giving and sharing,
but, especially, for just being you!
Happy Father's Day

Here's my self-made video dedicated to the father of my kids...

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The Adventurer

5/31/2010

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I've got three moles in my left foot. I know I was born to travel. And my job as a key account specialist for a publishing company fits me so much. No matter how near or far our travels may be, it helps to be ready all the time.In my never-ending trips, I pick some helpful tips to make our travels as enjoyable as it can be without compromising our safety and being comfy!

So, here are the few trip tips I wanna share. Hope it helps.

PRIOR TO YOUR TRIP.

Bring only the essentials. That means bring only the most important things like clothes , comfortable shoes , toiletries , water , first aid kit and not to forget your digicam ( for the souvenirs! )
Pack light. Avoid those unnecessary baggage.
Checklist... Checklist. Prepare a checklist of what to bring , where to go , what to do and what to buy.
Research. Research in the internet , read travel blogs , trip advisor about the place you're going to visit . In that way you have more or less an idea of the place.
Make reservations ahead.

DURING YOUR TRIP.