Pansol, Laguna

            Swimming pools, Collete's buko pie, hot/cold spring, water falls, are some of the things that will come up to mind when someone mention the place: Laguna!

            Transient houses are scattered everywhere in Pansol, Laguna.  These houses caters the need of big group of tourist to stay overnight and enjoy the cold/hot spring, which makes the place famous.  One of the famous village that compose merely of transient houses and "for-rent" swimming pools is Mira Monte, where almost all of corporate groups/teams in Metro Manila stays for team building and team bonding (especially those from Call Center Industry).

               If you have tried hibernating in the City of Pines aka. Baguio City, where you stay in a transient house, same concept are used.  Kitchen utensils (e.g burner, refrigerator, frying pan,saddle, basin, etc) are made available for your daily use (if you plan to stay for couple of weeks or couple of months) but food not included.  You will need to buy your own supply of food and beverages.  No need to worry about the electricity and water for its included in your rental fee.  Videoke machine for sing-all-you-want session is available per house.  You need to talk tot he owner/care take though if its "unlimited" - no need to insert coin/song.

Nueva Ecija: Almon Water Park

            A friend from Nueva Ecija invited us one time to visit his hometown and taste their famous delicacies e.g. espasol, puto and alike.  We get to experienced again one of the Filipinos famous tradition, that is to celebrate every town's fiesta.  Fiestas in the Philippines are held as thanks-giving for a good and bountiful harvest, a celebration for the patron of the town (Sto. Nino, etc.) and to commemorate the town's beginning.

            Going back to Nueva Ecija is another unforgettable experience for me and for my friends.  I never knew the town has one of the highest but may not be the longest swimming pool slide if not of my friend's cousin who invited us for a swim.  Almon Water Park Resort in Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija is my first swimming pool and water park resort experience in the town.  The resort is located in Soledad, Sta. Rosa.  You can reach the place by either hiring a tricycle or riding a jeep for those who don't have private cars.  Its a little far from Gapan City proper and may take 20-35minutes travel.

            Entrance fee is around 100Php (child) or 110Php (adult) for day swimming and 110Php(child) or 120Php(adult) for night swimming.  Senior citizens with valid ID's get 20% discount based from adult rates.  We enjoyed the cold water in their adult swimming pool with super slide.  Though we are not able to use the slides because of the long line of swimmers who wants to experience it and our lack of patience to wait. Hahaha!  Its also raining when we arrive, hence, we are too lazy to roam around and explore the area.  We get to swim and see all the swimming pools though.  We also spent time hanging out in kiddie swimming pool where the kids can enjoy the fountain and aquabrella.  Nipa huts are available for day swimming guest but there are a number of veranda and air-conditioned cottages that has toilet/bath room and TV for those who want to stay overnight.

Dawal Beach Resort

            Been wandering Zambales for quite a while and been keeping pictures of beaches, rice fields, mango orchards and old houses but not a nice, cozy, convenient accommodation.  When it comes to Zambales, other than SBMA, Subic and Olongapo, all I can think of when it comes to accommodation are either nipa hut/cottages or a tent.  Little did I know that even their farthest towns, Sta. Cruz and Candelaria offers world class resorts.

             Arriving in Iba, Zambales from Cubao via Victory Liner (371Php/pax) is not enough to get to Dawal Beach Resort and Restaurant.  One must take another bus ride from Iba terminal to Candelaria, Zambales (90Php/pax).  Drop off point is in Brgy. Uacon, Candelaria where you will need to ride a tricycle (10Php/pax) to get to your destination.  The resort is around 200 steps away from the main road, you may also take a walk.

           Dawal Beach Resort and Restaurant was founded to cater beach bummers and wanderers who wants to experience a serene environment with the magnificent view of the mountains, sea, sand and sunset.  A perfect refuge for those  who wants to get some peace of mind and refresh their body without going too far away from Manila.   

           

Potipot Island

             How many times I've mentioned before that I love Zambales to a  fault?  Oh, several times, right?  Well, you will always go back to the one you love no matter how many new 'place' you met along the way (even if those 'places' are prettier than your lover, right? He-he!).  So, here I am - coming back to Zambales and visiting one of Zambales pride: Potipot Island.

             Looking for a little distraction from the hectic schedule and stressful office life, I found my way here.  I search for a new place that will somehow makes me at ease.  Found out that my long list of travels in Zambales is not enough to get to know the place.  I haven't been to Potipot Island and its not as if its an infamous Island.  A simple click of my cursor generated a lots of website and results from Google.  Poor me, I don't really knew Zambales that much huh?

Big Rock Farm Resort

            It was almost midnight when we arrived at Big Rock Farm Resort in Coral na Bato, San Rafael, Bulacan.  Planned to stay overnight, we rented a bigger cottage right next to the biggest swimming pool, that will accommodate nine (9) of us and our, well, not-so-many swimming stuff.

             It was a Saturday night, almost all of the cottages - may it be the biggest or the smallest are fully-booked and occupied. You can choose to stay in a Nipa Hut cottage or executive cottages or you may also rent an open table available for small group of visitors and day tour packages. The moment we are settled and rested (from the long travel - I'll tell you later what happened on our way to the resort), we excitedly changed to our swimsuit and board shorts and proceeded to the swimming pool.  Oblivious of the cold water - we swum and dove.  The resort has three swimming pools.  Not only that, they also offers videoke-for-rent for those who wants to sing-their-lungs out (He-he!), billiard table and horse-back riding.  The kids will love to have their picture taken with the mini-jeep scattered inside the resort's premises and miniature of cartoon characters.

                The resort boost of a cave bar, cave pool with stage for the live band and singers of the night and Jacuzzi. They also have a large pool with orca slide, a hanging bridge with a man-made running water and a cute garden.  At the far end of the resort, at the back of the parking lot is an open space for a vegetable garden or such.  Terraces of eggplants or so I thought, are visible from the hanging bridge area.  They also have a huge space right in front of the resort for a parking lot (still in progress) and a farm.  In fact, we roamed around the area and took a picture of 'cute' ostrich (I found these ostrich cute for their big-round eyes. LOL!) in the cage.  There are different families of birds and even, monkeys.   

           

Red Box!

            If there's an adjective or phrase to describe Filipinos other than being hospitable and the love for eating like there's no tomorrow, it's the passion for music.  Filipinos love to sing, and because I am a proud Filipino, I am not an exception.  A celebration to Filipinos is not a celebration without the food and of course - the music.  Name the occasion - music is always in the air (even during wake/burial - yes, there is music!).

             I still remember my grandma would say that grandpa would sing to her (for Filipinos, we call it "Harana") in acapella during their courtship and even after the wedding.  My older cousins do sing too and they normally accompanied it with either a guitar or 'barabad' - a set of drum made by either bamboo or 'yantok' (rattan).  As time goes by, Filipinos love for music is still alive and getting  livelier as time passed.  People are getting innovative every time.  From guitar to piano; from 'barabad' to new and high-tech drums; from acapella to pop,  rock, country, R&B type of music, et al.

           

Manila Zoo

            Its a spur-of-the-moment escapade.  After work (we work in graveyard shift), the "Vermont Girls" decided to unwind and have fun.  Bored of going to the malls and hitting every karaoke bars in the city, we decided to go on a road trip and ended in Manila Zoo in Manila.

             Manila Zoo was opened to public last July of 1959.  From then on - hundreds of thousands of visitors frequent the zoo.  Manila Zoo, also known as Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden, is the first  and oldest garden and zoo of its kind in Asia.

Manila Ocean Park

            A park in the city?  I love that!  Manila is known for something else but not having a park within a park within the city.  Did I write it right? He-he!  A tour to Manila gets more interesting  when you visit not just the historical and old sites but the new and equally famous landmarks.  Yes, I am referring to the newly added to Manila's tourist destination - Manila Ocean Park.

              Manila Ocean Park is not really "new", new because it was built and opened to public last February of 2008 (If I remember it right).  Unlike its surrounding destinations: Manila Zoo; Rizal Park (Luneta Park); Intramuros - this site was constructed within 20th century nevertheless it offers a lot of interesting things to its visitors and a nobility to a place surrounded by Manila's ancient history.  It's located at the back of Quirino Grandstand in Luneta.

La Mesa Eco Park

            People may think Quezon City is just a bustling city of skyscrapers, noisy Jeep and buses, malls and other symbols of city life except a park, wildlife or anything related to nature.  I love nature and in the process of  looking for a best place to enjoy this "loving", I found La Mesa Eco Park. You don't need to drive too far, La Mesa Eco Park is located within the city of Quezon in Metro Manila - specifically in East Fairview Subdivision.  This breath of life offers different activities that friends and family can enjoy without spending all that much in your wallet.

              Huts and cottages are available for rent, some are free, but you may also bring your own tent or picnic blanket for your own comfort.  The area is around five(5) hectares of picnic, grill, garden and exercises stations.  I've been to the place several times with friends and office mates.  We busied ourselves with  taking pictures of beautiful and colorful flowers around the area, different types of trees, satisfy our curiosity about the water shed, tried different activities such as: horse back riding (Oh well, in our case - we used the 'calesa'.He-he!), bicycle riding, kite flying, getting a temporary tattoo, badminton, wall climbing, etc.  There are other activities designed for more adventurous guests: paintball, wall climbing, zipline and rappelling.

Intramuros: "The Walled City"

             A self-confessed history vultures would go to museum and municipal/city library to satisfy their artistic needs.  A traveler would drive long and pack her bag to get away  and satisfy her needs.  Well, if you are a combination of both, no need to stay seated for a long time at the back of your steering wheel and waste your fuel to get this ecstasy - Intramuros is enough to get the same high.

          Known to Manilenos as "The Walled City", this unbelievably awesome place stands historically beautiful despite of the evident modernization  and high-technology showing in every corner of the site.  The place is located in Metro Manila.  Its surrounded by different and equally historical tourist destinations such as: Rizal Park (Luneta); Manila Hotel; Manila Ocean Park; Manila Zoo; Manila  Botanical and Zoological Garden; Carfel Seashell Museum; Kanlungan ng Sining (Artist's Haven); Japanese Garden; Forth Santiago and a lot more.

              Several churches are located within and around Intramuros.  Some of these churches are reserved all-year-round for weddings and different important occasions that needs the church's expertise.  The following are the list of churches within the area:

• Manila Cathedral
• San Agustin Church
• San Ignacio Church
• Lourdes Church
• San Francisco Church (now occupied by Mapua Institute of Technology)
• Santo Domingo Church (now occupied by Bank of the Philippine Islands)
• San Nicolas de Tolentino Church (now occupied by Manila Bulletin)
• Third Venerable Order Church (Mapua Chapel)

Pangasinan: Manaoag Church

           It started when three of my friends, Susie, Mitch and Mel ( I am sorry, I just love to include your names here. Hehe!) - mentioned that its been a long time since they last visited Our Lady of Manaoag Church in Manaoag, Pangasinan.  We abruptly packed our bags and off we go to Victory Liner, Cubao to get a bus ticket to Pangasinan (330Php/pax).  The ride took 6hours.  Its a good thing most of us are wearing our jackets (Victory Liner to Pangasinan buses are air conditioned) and brought a travel pillow to doze of to sleep while on travel.

           Right next to the terminal are rows of restaurants and cafeterias where you can choose to eat. We left Manila around 11PM and arrived in Pangasinan at 7AM.  We had breakfast at Pinkish Resto that offers Filipino cuisine and got the taste of their specialty (and Dagupan's pride) - grilled Bangus!  After breakfast, we ride in a Jeep that brought us to Manaoag Church and Manaoag Municipal Hall after 30minutes. A little to the right of Pinkish Resto's entrance, you will see an intersection.  After crossing the intersection, 50 steps away to the right is the Jeep terminals that will bring you to different towns and municipalities of Dagupan.  I almost couldn't bear Mitch's never ending question: "Are we there yet?" (Reminds me of donkey in the movie Shrek. He-he!)

Star City

            One of my friends posted a Facebook status that goes something like this: " I wish I was a little kid again when all I wanted is to play. Oh, and smile. Oh, and  laugh and eat ice cream!".  Needless to say, it got me thinking, and said to my self, "Why not?".  Just like what the cliché would say, age is just a number.  It doesn't define who you are nor limit what you can or must do.  Who cares if I eat ice cream even if its raining?  If I shout-my-lungs-out while the Blizzard swing back and forth several times and so fast I could not count?  If my grins so wide while driving a bumper car?  If I fall in line to Star Flyer ride even if I am the hundred and one person in the line?  If I get wet while riding the Wild River?  I bet, no one.  And I am betting my one-month salary they'll try the same thing once they get the chance. Hahaha!

            It was cloudy (a little overcast even) when we turned back the hands of time and enjoyed both adults and kid's rides in Star City.  This magical park is located within the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex in Pasay City.  From our office in Mandaluyong City, it took us about 30minutes to reach the park by taxi.  It's only fifteen(15) minutes away from Manila and five(5) minutes from Makati City and about thirty (30) minutes from Quezon City if you take EDSA (Please reconsider the traffic. Hahaha!).

San Felipe: Surfing

            My love story with San Felipe started one unforgettable summer.  Mel and I are planning to spend our summer time Para-sailing in Subic Bay when out-of-the-blue, I asked her to try surfing instead.  Hesitation is written all over her pretty face but picture my surprise when she immediately jump on her bed, turn on her laptop and her fingers start dancing on her keyboard to Google the best rash-guard, Zambales maps and tips on how to ride the surfing board. Hahaha! (Excited much, huh?! He-he!)

            The six (6) hours travel time from Victory Liner, Cubao in Manila to Olongapo City are spent mostly by reading books and sleeping.  Instead of dropping off Olongapo - to Subic, as what we first planned, we took another bus ride to San Felipe, Zambales.

             After Olongapo, you will pass by Castillejos, San Antonio, San Marcelino, San Narciso and my love, San Felipe.  You can ask the bus conductor to drop you off San Narciso town plaza and from there you can take a tricycle to bring you to San Felipe.  You may also ask the bus driver to stop at San Felipe 'Welcome' signage and you can either hike to the nearest tricycle terminal or waiting shed or you may stay beside the road and wait for a tricycle to bring you to your destination.  I never knew of this place before that summer escapade.  We intend to surf in San Narciso where we should be staying - in the comfort and safe abode of Crystal Beach Resort.  Virgel (surfing instructor of Crystal Beach Resort)  suggested we try the waves in San Felipe for San Narciso's beach is quiet shy to show us its magnificent wonder when we arrived.  So, off we rode a tricycle with our surfing boards to my love, San Felipe.

Dampa - Kainan

           A self-confessed seafood glutton that I am, I'd rather miss my spa than a visit to Dampa-Kainan. Hahaha!  Imagining Dampa is like having those lobsters, crabs, shrimps and fishes of different types floating on my head like a halo. Hahaha!

           Thinking of this place makes someone complain about driving too far or being at the back of the steering-wheel in the middle of traffic in EDSA.  One may think its too far that even for the sake of a delicious "ginataang-hipon' or 'adobong-pusit' or for a grilled tuna-belly, they'd rather stay home.  Well, here's a very good news to homebodies, there's now a number of Dampa-kainan that you can visit.

             

La Union

            Every time someone mention La Union, beach and waves comes to my mind.  I normally chase waves in Zambales but La Union is not a bad choice, in fact, its equally adventurous and beautiful.  This quiet place is located in Ilocos Region and its name literally means ' the union of towns from different provinces'.  Its surrounded by different equally famous and beautiful places: Benguet , Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan.

             I am ready to experience surfing in La Union's (L.U.) wave but I am so glad one of my office mate invited us (me and my office friends) to try surfing in LU and stay overnight in their vacation house.  What is better than to get a free vacation with your friends in a secluded and awesome beach, right?

            We hired an urban van that accommodate eighteen (18) of us and off we travel to this land of rice, tobacco, cotton, cacao, mangoes, vegetables and silk coconuts.  The travel was fun and noisy as expected.  Most of us busied ourselves taking pictures of the gorgeous scenery along the way, some are busy chatting with their seatmates, some are sleeping and the rest are quietly 'texting' and playing with the games in their phones.

Monfort Bat Cave

            It was not my intention to visit this place when I boarded a ferry from Km.11 Sasa, Davao City to Babak, Samal Island. Not until my cousin-in-law informed me that my ever-dearest crush TV host/sportsman Marc Nelson visited the place and that a representative from Guinness Book of World Records checked out the place recently.  That and a beautiful beach grabbed my attention, then, off I took a 'habal-habal' (single motorcycle) ride to Monfort-Bat Cave in Babak, Island Garden City of Samal.

             The fare will cost you only 11Php/pax from Sasa, Davao City to Babak, Samal Island.  From the pier, several tricycles are waiting for your beak and call.  Fare ranges from 25Php-P50Php depending on your destinations. The cave is within the area so it only took us 30minutes to reach the place and 50Php less was stashed from my cash.  The entrance fee is 20Php/children and 40Php/adult.  Before I forgot, the entrance ticket has the stamp of Guinness World of Books Records.  You will be guided from the entrance on wards.  The area is not yet fully functional when I arrived.  As soon as I paid our entrance fee (I am with my mother, cousin and nephew) - we were asked to proceed to the stairs leading us to the entrance the cave.  It is gated for safety.  No one is allowed to enter without permission, may it be human or animals. Hahaha!  I was only allowed to take pictures outside of the gate, right outside of the cave. 

All About Baguio City

             Known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio City lives by its name.  Having a cool weather all year round - this place is the best spot to get away from the sizzling hot weather of Manila. Its only Six (6) hours drive from Manila.  Those who have cars can either choose to take Kennon road that start from La Union.  This is the old and favorite road Baguio

locals and old people from Manila used to take.  Marcos highway is also available, you can enter this road via Agoo or Rosario, La Union.  This is the favorite route  of buses and big cars because of its wider lanes. Another route is in Naguilan road (also known as Quirino highway).  The entry point is in Bauang, La Union and this is famous for visitors from Northern Luzon area.  And Baguio-Nueva Viscaya road that connects Benguet, Nueva Viscaya, Sagada, Ifugao and other provinces nearby.

The "City of Pines" boost of different activities famous for locals and international tourist.  If you are not afraid of water, you may rent a boat in their city lagoon located at the center of Burnham Park.  You get to enjoy the privacy talking to your friends without anyone hearing it (Hahaha!) and get the glimpse of SM Baguio right nearby.  Visit the place during weekends and you'll see the big area crowded with families and friends 

hiring rowboats, children laughing and playing in the children's playground, rose/orchids fanatics in Rose Garden and Orchidarium, having fun in the skating rink, taking a curios look at the Igorot garden, resting and posing in Melvin Jones grandstand, roaming around Sunshine park, picnic grove, Japanese Peace Tower, Athletic bowl and of course, the Pine Trees of the World.