Ola Zamboanga!

Like I said, 2012 will be bound for trips and tricks!

April 14-16, the family went to down Mindanao! We were Zamboanga bound around 6.30am, originally from a 5:45am flight (Cebu Pac, tsktsk, you never fail to fail us). This time it was just the family, and tita Ellen

Another trip for SaltPepperCuminPaprika!!!

These oldies are like Camera Ninjas

As soon as we deplaned, I was flabbergasted with how their airport looked like! I believe it was how domestic airports around the country should look like (Airport pa lang, tourist spot na!) It shows the Filipino craftsmanship and the materials used to built it. Here:

Zambo Airport

Our agenda in traveling down to Zambanga was to attend a birthday party! And it was this day, April 14. We were greeted by the Villadolid family, our forever hosts whenever we go to Bacolod. Now they are also here in Zamboanga (Ninong Danny’s sister lives in Zambo, and we are here for her grandson’s birthday), so here they are, yet again, to welcome our arrival

The airport is much much nearer to their home than it is in Bacolod. We were there in less than… 8minutes? So yea. We had breakfast, saw Jayjay, Joyce, Leigh, Shing, Carlo, P-Boy and the rest of the Villadolids. Tito Oscar Zaragoza was the main host, the Padre de Familia of the home we were staying at. Like any other trips, we only settled down for a moment, then off we go again to take Zamboanga City tour care of Zaragoza siblings, Carlo and Cassandra. We went to their mini Intramuros, called Fort Pilar. It’s their museum as well. Despite the scorching heat, we enjoyed taking a lot of pictures, jumping and posing in every corner of the fort. Renzee even found his goal, the Vinta.

Indoor Vinta

 

Lollygagging in Zamboanga

 

Captain of the Sea

 

 

 

getting some shade before running under the sun again

After the tour, we had lunch, went back home to freshen up for the party. The party was held in Astoria Hotel, in the Grand Ballroom! C’mon, it’s a 1st Birthday Party! Wow! The venue was to die for; balloons, bubbles, smoke, mascot, everything! I think it trumped MY 18th birthday! Me, the fatties, and kuya were fans of the fondue and hotdogs We ate a lot.

Then the party became too long for us, so we went to the cafe beside the ballroom to get some coffee and some WiFi

the bongga party

enjoying the overflowing splash of colors

Again, we went home to rest… Becaaauuusseee…. We went swimming the next day!!! It was a private area, but up the mountain (they probably are really rich). It’s owned by Carlo’s friend. We had lunch there, then changed into our ever ready swimsuits (because a lot of them went to Zamboanga without swimsuits, I mean, who does that?!) and lunged into the pool!!! The view made it all better… Vacation mode, yesss Not to mention, the never ending appearance of food in the table. It just won’t stop!! *drool*

infinit-ish pool

weee for summer!

my failed hand stand

We were there until 4pm, I think. Then it was only the time they told us that Barter (is it?) will be closing at 6pm! Waaah, it’s less than 2 hours (including travel) to shop! Ohmygoodness I was hyperventilating because I still need a lot of things to buy! Well, along the way we passed by the Centennial treehouse. I’m uncertain with the “Centennial” but I believe it was a hundred years old.

the old house up in the tree

 

So…we shopped for like, less than an hour, and the store was left like a hurricane destroyed it. Bags were everywhere, bracelets and rings and pouches scattered. When the sales lady told me “Ma’am sa counter na po, mag-close na po kami”, I just had to grab all the fancy-looking bangles! No time to check for the designs! It was a rush

Then it was time to eat again… Gosh, it was seafood overload! Of course, I am not complaining, it’s called overwhelm. We had dinner at Carlo’s in-laws There was lechon, “curacha” (the Latin version of crab, haha. seriously, it’s crab.), more and morrreee! It was nice having to talk with Leigh, Shing and Joyce over dinner and dessert. We really missed these girls

And then…yes, it was time to go home… We packed our stuff, checked the weight of our baggages, took a bath, and went to sleep. We were early in the airport, so it was just right that we were seated in the FIRST aisle Like a boss

Adios, Zamboanga! Til we meet again! Muchas Gracias! Mi Labyow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northern Visita Iglesia

LATE POST.

This was a pre-holyweek trip, a first in the family. Instead of going to 14 churches around Batangas and Quezon, we decided to join a pilgrimage last Mar.30-Apr.1 up North! Technically we left Manila on Mar.31 already, since it was around 12:30 in the morning when we all settled in the tourist bus.

Indeed, it was a trip/vacation because aside from the whole family, we were with Ate Donna and Kuya Aris, plus Mom’s friends and their plus plus We took up maybe half the bus, and we were the noisiest bunch! The other passengers were a little bit older than the oldies that I was with.

Disclaimer: I did not get the chance to take pictures of every church we went to; I think ate Ej and Renzee did that.

We started in Manaoag, Pangasinan, then up north to Laoag! Honestly I became unfamiliar with the route because I was sleeping the whole time Well geez, traveling from one church to another took around 1hr! So yea, I shall post pictures of some of the churches anyway

Bantayan Tower

March 31 was mostly for visiting churches since like I said, the churches we went to were really far from each other. We grew tired and headed to Vigan where we will be staying for the night We stayed at Vigan Heritage Mansion owned by the sister of Sir Chavit Singson. The hotel lived up to the Vigan ambience, considering it was just along the road. As soon as we arrived there, we just went to our assigned rooms, changed into new clothes and went outside again. Madame toured us in her brother’s “lair” called Baluarte. The place was huuuuge!! And it was full of animals! If they built a pool somewhere in the perimeter, it could’ve been a large resort! Kids would definitely love it!

A very homey yet kinda scary place to stay

We went inside the “rest house” located at the top of a mini hill. There we saw Singson’s house where he and former president Estrada used to play poker, marbles or jackstone or whatever. It was a nice place. It has its own garden, more like a mini Baluarte upstairs. Chavit Singson’s pet tigers were there, very behaved despite the rush of people taking pictures of them and doing baby talks with them (or..I think that was just me). They have a fish pond too, and believe it or not there was a loose deer roaming around the building. It was surely a nice place to have a stay-cation.

Meet Kiara

2 cutie cats

it’s like your own Tagaytay! it’s freezing up here!

Someone’s enjoying…

We were there only up to 6pm, because our tour guide said that we would be having dinner at 7pm sharp, so it was a silly 1hour for us to shop in the Plaza.

I was kind of hesitant to go outside then because I was feeling sluggish already, but we were talking about shopping so I HAD to go. When we entered the Plaza, which was almost across our hotel, it was pouring with souvenirs! It was shop after shop after shop until it reaches the church. So, yea, I definitely had to shop a lot. It was tempting, to say the least. Another fun fact about that place was that motorized vehicles are not allowed; only Kalesa. The horses there even had their little flowers and hats on their heads. Very cute

Going back to the 1800′s

My Madame hat

Here Horsey!

 

After shopping, we went back to the hotel, had a hearty dinner, enjoyed the WiFi, and rested for an early day ahead.

We attended a 6am mass which was presided in Ilocano. We look like morons trying to understand what the priest was saying, what the crowd were singing, what response to make. Then after, we ate breakfast, took group pictures and returned to the pilgrimage.

After finishing the 14 churches, it was time to go back home…

Nice to be somehow “clean” before the Holy Week

 

Another Baby

Halow!

Just decided to make a new blog exclusively for my travels. I hope I can keep that one alive as much as I kept updating this baby

Will post again regarding the blog site name Woopdidoo!

Belated Birthday Blog

So… Here I am. 23.

I am slowly creeping into the mid-20′s range. I can’t really say I’m Forever21 anymore

Anyhoo, this year might be the year the I’ve celebrated my birthday in the most petiks way. I literally did not have anything set up, so for every “San ang celebration?” question I got, I religiously answered “Wala, wala akong handa.” I’m still pondering if I should have a party though. I started my day with dad greeting me. He was about to go to the office, and so I guess he waited for me to wake up. When he left I snoozed. Then I was up by 8:30am, home alone in the condo, that’s why I decided to just fix our pasalubongs for the Reshape employees (Note that we were in Zamboanga last April 14-16). My iPhone was already off the hook with the text greetings that I graciously answered with thank yous plus smileys.

I went to Pasig first because I was going to order food for the salons and I wanted it to to be brought to our house first. I guess I was lazy to buy it myself that I had Yellow Cab deliver instead. I spent my morning playing with my dogs, Elmo and Ola. Elmo decided to give his birthday gift to me by scratching my collarbone. Ouch. We played until their tongues were dry.

Elmo’s wet fur looks like he’s sweating from all the running

I ate lunch at home, with the housemates and mom, and kuya. When the pizza delivery came, I left a box of pizza and a box of fried chicken for them to devour later in the evening while drinking (I also gave money for them to buy booze). I went ahead and stopped at all branches of our salon. I gave their pasalubongs and food as well. I then proceeded to Makati to meet with Smurf. We went to Moonleaf in Pasig to kick ourselves in the butt since we were looking for the nearest Moonleaf in the longest time. And it’s just right in Kapitolyo, we just never turned left, always right. And yes, we’ve had our fill. And woohoo, happiness

We ate dinner at Racks, only to be told “Grilled lang po yung available”. And we were like “Hindi ba grilled naman talaga dapat?” Oh well. It was a good birthday, to say the least.

Nomnomnom

It was simple, incomplete because I didn’t see ate EJ and Renzi Jayne, I didn’t get to meet up with the Gang, but nevertheless, a low profile birthday. I’ve always wanted this

Happy 23rd year of existence, D! Thanks Lord, ‘wag ka madadala bigyan pa ako ng more years

Borrowed balloons from my inaanak

Winning Like A Loser

Like they say “You can’t call it winning when you cheated.”

It was never new. I have known about the “ibibigay yung laro” for somebody else, which I do not get why.

As for the incident that I’m talking about, I was not there. So I am solely relying on the stories of who were present. Yes, it is a huge shocker to see the team of Dreamland improve so much after the last EJ Sagaral Basketball League, but it was because of a lot of factors like Ronald (one of the great players of PM Drinkers) transferred to the Dreamland. So blah blah blah, and we saw how much of an asset Ronald was. PM Drinkers started losing to some teams, but apparently not to Saymot. Saymot is one of the 10(?) teams that is good depending on the mood. They are good sometimes, they may also play bad on a bad day. But that was then. This year, they sky-rocketed to the top. They were good, improved like Dreamland. In all games they aced it. Both teams were a threat. The only difference is, Saymot is like family to PM Drinkers, since the players are pretty much related (read: cousins, uncles, etc.).

It was a no brainer that PM would be losing to Saymot on the final eliminations. It was a tie for PM and Dreamland. If the PM lose against Saymot, Dreamland will be going on in the semi finals. If not, then they would still be in the top 4, like every year (PM Drinkers was the first Champion of Sagaral Cup, and continuously to be on the Top 4 on the following years). Maybe it was pride, ego, confidence, that they will always, ALWAYS be one of the top contenders, PM Drinkers allegedly “asked” the Saymot to let them win as a tie breaker with Dreamland. Don’t get me wrong, I never doubted PM. I have always been a fan. That is why I know that they would not be the same without Ronald (Forgot to mention, he was also the Most Valuable Player during their reign). Last year they were already struggling, even with Ronald playing. What more now, that they lost him?

Last Sunday, the unexpected happened. It was either PM miraculously regained their greatness, or Saymot left theirs at home. PM Drinkers won over Saymot. Saymot was still untouched after that loss, they still qualify to be on the Top 4. Third party watchers (non supporters of either teams) were aghast to see the game. They said it was unusual. I couldn’t tell myself because like I said, I wasn’t there. The defending Champion, Tricycle Kings, even went to Dreamland to talk about the controversial game. They said they were expecting PM to lose too. It was unnerving, I wished I could’ve watched it.

And so it left Dreamland Knights in a state of shock. They were hoping for this. And it breaks their heart even more that people do not like them, mainly because they became so good. The teams that they were cheering for probably got beaten by them.

It was sad. What’s done is done. It’s just bad seeing the turn of events. A fair semi finals is called for. I just don’t have the appetite watching it, knowing what had happened.

This is the second year that I support Dreamland. This would have been their year too. Next year, boys. Next year.

…Cheaters go to hell!

Today Is Not Promising

…and so were the previous days. Hardly anything made me happy or smile this week…and it’s only a Wednesday. I’ve been having a date with my bed and pillows and comforter, which I am slowly not enjoying because my back hurts when I’m sleeping too long. So this week, here are the things that are ‘okay’ in making my start of summer a little bit more sunny:

• Hair Color – I wasn’t totally ecstatic since I didn’t get the shade that I want. I don’t want to redo it ’cause it may “ngarag” my hair. I was aiming for a lighter shade, but I got a subtle one, like I just had a cellophane. Oh whatheheck, I’ll get a more vibrant shade on my birthday. BTW, my hair color contained NO AMMONIA, it’s L’Oreal’s new hair color, INOA. You people should try it, it’s much muuuuch safer! *Wink wink for salon promotion*

• Floral Skirt Bought Online – I was warned about impulsive online shopping but I couldn’t resist! Of course I would have been happier with more stuff, but like I said (I think) in my previous post, I’m currently paying for a lot of stuff now, couldn’t afford to spend anymore. Now I’m thinking if I should scratch off this skirt on my list.

• The Morning Rush Podcast – *Sigh* Truly, I am grateful for these crazy trio. My laughs are true and hearty whenever I listen to them. So when I am in the salon and got nothing to do (as always), I cheek for the latest podcast and listen and laugh (by myself) to make me feel lighter. Thank you C,D&G

• Jamba Juice – I didn’t enjoy my Peanut Butter Moo’d and Spinach & Cheese Wrap because I was eating alone. I really don’t plan on having #foreveralone as my own hashtag. But still, the wrap saved me from not having dinner.

• Ola and Elmo – These 2 babies spell the good life. They can make any dull moment of mine an exciting one. Sometimes I spend 4 hours just watching them ruff and scuff. They are funny in their own ways. Even if Ola loves to bite me (tiny, unburying bites, her way of “lambing”, lucky to have a non-masungit Chowchow), I still love carrying her and taking her to car rides. As for Elmo, he’s with me for over 2 weeks now, and the family couldn’t love him more! He embodies all the Golden Retriever traits, playful, loyal, loves water, adores belly rubs, licks everybody. He’s a keeper. There are times I would visit them in Pasig and I wouldn’t even enter the house. I’ll just let them out of their pens and we’d play outside. I love these dogs.

I hope the appearance of Mr. Sun is a sign that it’ll be sunny for me too

Separation Anxiety

The usual routine suddenly becomes unusual. A new day seems different from the other days that gone by. It’s pretty odd that everything looks so incomplete.

If that was your way of telling it, that was kind of impolite, but what’s done is done.

This separation anxiety is slowly eating me up. I started feeling sick, always having headaches (maybe because I don’t enjoy eating as much as I did before), not feeling hungry “hungry”, feeling feverish, and like vomiting. All the “under the weather” stuff.

My phone has not been charged twice a day, very strange. I think I have been using it solely for Temple Run. I swear I could have used it for Instagram if not only for the absence of our dear stolen wifi in the condo. Anyhoo, the phone is still alive at the end of the day, which does not really happen.

This is annoying. I would have shopped upon feeling this, but oh hell, me gots no money. I have stuff to pay, who would have known (And suddenly I realized I have a credit card now and I used it recently). Crap. I have more stuff to pay for.

I need the usual ‘usuals’, to keep me from having a separation anxiety. Not to mention, the weather is complimenting my mood. Shoo! Shoo!!!

P.S.

Ang naudlot kong P.S.

Excerpt from the previous post:

“Para magkalinawan po tayo, hindi ko ipinagtatanggol ang kasalukuyang pangulo ng RP dahil hindi siya ang ginusto ko at ng aming pamilya na mamuno sa bansa. HINDI TALAGA! Hindi kami nagpadala sa emosyon ng pagkamatay ng dating presidente. Hindi kami naniwala na senyales ito para tumakbo sa pagka pangulo ang kanyang anak. HINDI TALAGA.”

…Dahil patuloy padin ang pag suporta namin at pagdarasal na siya na lamang sana ang mamuno sa bansa. We lab yu Sir Richard Gordon!

People should ought to do this before deciding who to vote for. And yes, me and my sister did this before the presidential elections. I was educated by my sister on Gordon’s achievements, thereby strengthening our decision to support Richard Gordon.

We’re still hoping that he’d run for Presidency again. We’ll never get tired campaigning for him.

Gusto Niyo Yan E!

Nagsisimula na akong mainis at marindi sa walang tigil na balita ng pagrarally sa labas ng kung saan saang opisina, ahensya o eskwelahan (Mendiola). Ang daming reklamo.

Hindi lahat ng solusyon ay nasa pangulo. Minsan kahit sampu na ang presidential advisors nyan, hindi pa din nila malulutas ang problema ng bansa dahil hindi naman sila ang nakakaranas at nakakaramdam ng kakulangan sa mga pangangailangan. Oo, trabaho niya ang gawan ng paraan at punan lahat ng pagkukulang at pagkakamali ng iniwan ng dating pangulo, pero hindi ba responsibilidad din ng mga nasasakupan na tumulong sa iniluklok nilang pinuno? Ginusto niyo yan mga Pinoy, ginusto niyo siya. Siya ang pinili ninyong mamuno sa bansa at gawin itong 1st world country. Ngunit sasabihin ko sa inyo, hindi naman magician ang Presidente at mga naging presidente. Hindi sapat ang ilang buwan lamang para ma-transform niya ang bansa. Ang magagawa niya ay ang paunti-unting iangat sa pagkakalubog ang Pilipinas, at unti-unting maisaayos ang buhay ng mga Pilipino.

Kung kayo nga nahihirapan kayo ayusin ang ilang problema sa kani-kaniyang mga pamilya ninyo, isipin niyo naman kung gaano kahirap lutasan ang problema ng libo-libong pamilya. Makiramdam naman kayo madlang peeps!

Para magkalinawan po tayo, hindi ko ipinagtatanggol ang kasalukuyang pangulo ng RP dahil hindi siya ang ginusto ko at ng aming pamilya na mamuno sa bansa. HINDI TALAGA! Hindi kami nagpadala sa emosyon ng pagkamatay ng dating presidente. Hindi kami naniwala na senyales ito para tumakbo sa pagka pangulo ang kanyang anak. HINDI TALAGA.

Nagmumukha lang na pinpaboran ko siya dahil nasasapawan ito ng pagka pikon ko sa mga Pilipinong hindi marunong tumulong, makiramay, makiramdam, mag isip, magtrabaho, mang unawa at kung anu-ano pang ma. Hindi ba kayo ang bumoto sa kanya kung kaya’t landslide win pa siya noong nakaraang halalan? Hindi ba kayo ang walang sawang nagdidikit ng mga dilaw na poster, flyer, sticker, streamer at tarpaulin para manghikayat na iboto ang kasalukuyang pangulo na dadalhin daw tayo sa matuwid na daan? Ginusto niyo ho iyan, mga kababayan. Ginusto niyo na ipahalata ang kamangmangan sa wastong pagboto. Ang pagboto nang hindi ninyo man lang tinignan ang mga nagawa niya para sa bansa, nang hindi ninyo man lang pinag aralan ang kakayanan niya na paunlarin ang Pilipinas. Bumoto kayo nang base sa kaniyang apelyido. Hindi siya katulad ng yumao niyang ama. Katawa tawa kayo hindi po ba?

Maaaring may pagkukulang ang ating presidente ngayon, pero bakit ba, kayo naman ang pumili sa kanya a? Tignan niyo ngayon, mukha siyang baguhan na nangangapa sa pagka presidente. Kayo naman, bakit hindi niyo na lang siya tulungan at suportahan. O kaya ay magbigay kayo ng suhestiyon para makatulong na lang kaysa maging dagdag sakit sa ulo. Mayroon pa kayong pausong Noynoying. Pareho lang tuloy kayong nakaka irita.

Maging aral sana sa ating lahat ito, na hindi namamana ang kagalingan ng isang tao. Kanya kanyang biyaya yan. Huwag nga tayong uto-uto. Kung tutuusin, kasalanan ninyo kaya ganito ang nangyayari ngayon e. Kaya wala kayong karapatang magalit. Tanggapin niyo na mali ang naging desisyon niyo, hindi yung isisisi niyo pa dun sa taong hinalal niyo. Para kayong mga bata.

P.S.

…tignan niyo na lang sa susunod kong post.

For Shame!

Having Max (my new laptop) made me forget the sites I have been going to. I went blank and all I can remember was Google and Yahoo! How shameful is that.

And so I haven’t written in like… 3 months? Tsk tsk tsk. I’m literally feeling my brain cells get fried whenever I watch TV rather than hold a book and be productive. Sometimes I need people to dumb down the things they are saying But anyway, here I am, getting my blog fix again. I’ll try to update it as much as I can.

In the past months I believe the biggest that has happened to me would be the haircut. Hell yeah. Summer is here again! Or that was separation anxiety from my curls After having them cut off, I wasn’t satisfied with the shoulder length hair, so I had it shorter I regret nothing! …Since I’m used to getting different hairstyles from time to time. In fact, this month I’m thinking of dyeing my color lighter… Hmm.

Oh, and this year, I believe is a year for travel! Starting our 2012, we already traveled to Bacolod for Leigh’s debut. In February, I have been around, going to familiar places just to take pictures and breathe in some much-needed clean air. Too bad I wasn’t able to go with the VC friends in Zambales. I heard it was Legen…wait for it…dary.

This March, I was able to visit (more like daan lang) Daranak Falls in Tanay. T’was nice. I finally confirmed I cannot balance myself while walking on rocks. As a former cheer dancer who stood on top of human pyramids, I should be ashamed. I lost equilibrium. On March 30 until April 1 (or 2?), we’re tripping up North! We are going on an Ilocos tour! I hope we don’t bite each other’s arms on the way home because it’s just the 6 of us.

In April, my birth month, the family is yet again going on a trip! From North, we are going down South…Zamboanga! They planned on staying there until my birthday but I said I always celebrate my birthday in Luzon. Mindanao is just too far. After that it would be busy, because everybody just wants to plan something for the summer! I think I will meet Mr. Tan Lines once again

May…would just be more beach, beach, beach.

In June, it’s all about the US. The family would be staying there for a month, I think. Looong I know. Huhu.

Hmm, August is still a pending plan. Gang is planning to go to Singapore to meet Lloyd. I really hope this pushes through. Imagine, Gang’s first out of the country! It’s kinda lame how old we are and still haven’t gone outside the Philippines, but hey.

So there, so far so busy. I still have some open dates for the latter part of the year, so if anyone wants to go somewhere cool, I’m game!