28 December 2012

Tarabooms Kii in 2012

Like a tender smile which is fleeting yet memorable, the year 2012 gave me a little bit of everything - from a hot and cold plunge, an unforgettable sting, a four-hour dance marathon to an adrenaline pumping night drive. In an attempt to capture its highlights (and cram them all together in a single post), I bring you Tarabooms Kii in 2012:



Travel policy unbroken. I am proud to say that in 2012, I never went outside Cebu province nor crossed the seas to Bantayan, Malapascua and Camotes. But...

Around Cebu province I went. Yes I did, and finally! From Daanbantayan to Santander and back, I conquered it! Even stopped by Catmon for a hot plunge at Esoy.

Ran barefoot in the sand. <3

Awesome international friendships. My close friends have left the Philippines for work and greener pastures. This year, I have friends in USA, NZ, Australia!


Blogging. After years of writing press releases and email campaigns, I’ve tried my hand at blogging. And I’m beginning to love it!

Office change. After three years and four months with Xlibris, I am now with Zylun, where I am given a chance to grow and develop into a better person, professionally and personally.

One Touch from Alcatel. My first smartphone ℅ mother. Thanks to my phone, I got to play around Instagram and Pixlr.


Mahogany. My first time to have my hair dyed. After rounds of hesitation and drama, I finally have my mahogany brown locks. :)


Sport: boxing! After swimming, jogging and four-hour dance marathons, boxing may be just the thing for me.


Kartzone, my first try. The exhilarating experience is one I want to try again. 

IT Park. This place has virtually become my third home (First, Toledo; second, Pelaez). On second thought, I spend more than ten hours a day here. IT park is home? O.o

Imax 3D: Rise of the Guardians. I do not regret choosing this movie as my first experience for IMAX in 3D. Snowflakes, sand, and the animation really seemed to pop out!



Happy 2013 everyone!

27 November 2012

My Thanksgiving Weekend on Pixlr

 


  



05 November 2012

My perfect pair for movietime!


22 October 2012

The First Step


to healing broken hearts,
to mending old wounds,
to opening new doors,
to apologizing,
to forgiving,

...is usually the hardest.

17 October 2012

Badian Bliss: Lambug

*Thanks Kai, for helping me find my haven. 

Where do I begin?

It all started one weekend: I didn't have enough money to afford a high end day trip or an overnight stay at a hotel but my feet were really itching to go someplace else. I remembered Kai tell me about this beach she and her mountain buddies go to: Lambug beach in the municipality of Badian.

Off we go...

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Forgive the slightly slanted angle, the bus ride was bumpy :p

Lambug

To go there, you could ride a bus from Southbus terminal until reaching Badian proper. Fare ranges from 120-150 pesos. I think there are also available v-hire rides to Badian from citilink, I just don't know how much it costs. Anyway, once there, you can ask local motorcycle drivers to take you to Lambug beach.

Lambug is a public beach. Since it's public, you don't need to pay for entrance. The moment I hopped off the habal-habal, I immediately fell in love with the place! The beach is just awesome, the water is crystal clear, the view of the horizon is just wonderful! And even if it's low tide, the sea water is still high. 

See how big my smile is?


The first store you would pass by has a videoke machine: 5 pesos for 2 songs. The selection was not ancient, mind you. I even sang my heart out with my usual Taylor Swift playlist!

Most stores by the shore have tire floater rentals for only 25 pesos per day. Isn't that just awesome?


You can spend the day swimming, staring up at the sky, or watching the waves. Whatever works for you.



If you plan to go for a day trip, that's fine. If you plan to stay overnight, better! You can get a cottage at the local resorts for as low as a little over 1,000 pesos. There are also small stores, like the one I go to, that offers tent rentals for only 200 pesos overnight. The store also offers comfort room usage, cooks breakfast, charges your cellphone (for those wondering, SUN signal is quite strong here) at very low rates. You won't regret it!

Got any questions?


27 September 2012

Comfort Me In Ways You Know How

I’m pissed.

In fact, I have never felt so betrayed!

And because it’s something I don’t want to divulge online (sneaky bitch!), I’m posting a picture of how angry I am... with the hope of making me smile a little bit.


See what I mean?

19 September 2012

a pensive thought on friends


Each friend represents a world in our life. They become routine, like stirring coffee before taking a sip. You get used to seeing them every week, sometimes every day, because you need to try a new restaurant or because you need to tell them how you bumped into your crush, or because she needs a shopping buddy who’ll tell her if the dress she chose made her look fat. Or maybe because you just need someone to talk to about your dreams and plans over a hot cup of chocolate.

Then one day they tell you they’re leaving.



Leave physically though, not emotionally. You’ve been expecting them to tell you this, but the truth still stuns you. You know in your mind that despite the distance, they’re still there for you. That you should be happy because they are finally reaching their stars. That you should be rejoicing too because they are now off to a greener pasture. But somehow, in your heart, you also know that your routine gets disrupted. The usual cycle somehow stops. No more stirring the coffee. It becomes tasteless. No more spontaneous meetups. And it’s quite heartbreaking.

Or maybe I’m still hanging on the edge - still trying to accept the idea that I’m going to be left behind by some of my closest friends. Which is all happening so fast. You know me, I’m selfish and stubborn.

I know I’ll get over this but as of now, I want you to know that I’ll be missing you so much.

My prayer for you my dear friends will be one of strength, courage and good health. May you find what you’re looking for and keep it. May you have joy and peace, and may you be happy in what you do. Always know that I’ll be around (waiting for you to send me tickets to our next destination). Till we meet again!

And before anyone else sees teardrops on the keyboard, I’ll end this post with Kahlil Gibran’s take on friendship.

On Friendship
Kahlil Gibran

Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.

When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind,
nor do you withhold the "ay."
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared,
with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence,
as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth:
and only the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

18 September 2012

Beach Love: Tips for a Safe and Happy Swim



There are a million things you can do at the beach to enjoy yourself. You can swim, build castles, snorkel, and many others. But do you know how to protect yourself from beach injury? Do you know what NOT to do?

Here are five things you wouldn't want to happen at the beach. Keep them in mind for a safe and happy swim!

13 September 2012

Amazing Alcoy: Trips I'll Never Forget

When I think of Alcoy, nothing else comes to mind but bright smiles, hearty laughs and fun moments. This town, which is the municipality right after Dalaguete (if you are traveling from Cebu City), comes highly recommended for its local beaches and lush greens that most city people find relaxing and inviting.


How to get there:
Bus ride from Cebu City South Bus Terminal (aircon and non-aircon buses are available)
Vans for hire from One Citilink Terminal (GT Express)


Tingko Beach

Pros: Beautiful sunrise, relatively white sand, convenient for team building in big groups
Cons: day trip cottages are quite costly for small groups, no view of the sunset

I first had the privilege of gracing Tingko Beach in 2008, 4th year college. After our exciting “Amazing Race: Christmas Edition” which ended in Carcar (and which we didn’t win despite the heavy preparation :P), we headed to Alcoy to culminate our class Christmas party.


When we arrived, the tide was high and I was not able to control myself - being the impulsive beach lover that I am. After putting my stuff where they should be, I directly jumped into the waves and enjoyed an afternoon of swimming with my classmates and friends.


Our class spent the night on the beach and we had fun singing songs under the stars. No one bothered us - the place was safe.

The second time I visited Tingko was with two of my closest friends. At that time, we didn’t sleep overnight. We just stayed for a couple of hours. After learning that renting a table by the beach cost 200php, we decided to spread a mat on the sand instead. What a shock we had when the owner told us that putting a mat under “their” coconut tree also costs 100php!


We finally decided to put the mat near the shoreline. We swam and had fun - even sang one song (videoke machines are available; 2 songs for 5php).


On the other side of the beach, there are beautiful honeymoon villas perfect for couples who want to get away from the busy city life. I’d love to stay there when the opportunity arises. :D


Bodo’s Bamboo Bar

Pros: calm atmosphere, clean and green surroundings, jacuzzi, good pizza, good for family activities, breathtaking view of the Pacific ocean
Cons: not for those who want to go people-watching, restaurant food prices not for the budget traveler

Thanks to my friend Chelledy, I was given the idea of visiting this place. A few minutes away from Tingko beach, Bodo’s Bamboo Bar, also known as “triple B”, is nestled atop a hill overlooking the sea. The place is beautiful! It looks classy, too.


Owned by a German and Filipina couple, Bodo’s Bamboo Bar is a perfect place to rejuvenate from the stressful environment you have back home. It is equipped with 14 rooms, a pool, a jacuzzi, pool bar and a dive center. Guests can connect to the internet with free broadband WiFi. The resort also has power generators in case of brown outs.

When my two friends and I arrived in BBB from Tingko, the waitresses had quite a laugh. They pointed out that our knees were still covered in white sand! Imagine, we rode a tricycle and walked a couples of minutes (even took pictures) with white sand on our knees without even knowing!



Aside from that, I would never forget my first BBB experience because it was the first time I went swimming in a two-piece bikini suit! hahaha! I didn’t plan for it, honestly. But I was out of options, because I did not have boardshorts with me and proper swimming attire was needed. So, there I went, swam in the pool in a 2pc suit, with fats and all.




Their pizza and beer was a match made in heaven. We went around taking pictures of the green grass. I really plan to go back one day, for an overnight visit. For more information on the rates, you can check their website: http://www.bbb-alcoy.com/



09 September 2012

Around Cebu on a pair of Flip-flops

I have finally conquered Cebu province! It took quite a while (I know), but at least, I've done it.

Another check on my bucket list!




Here's a list of the cities and municipalities I've been to and if you click on them, you'll know some of its tourist spots.

This is still in the works, so please bear with me. I'll add the information by and by.

Alcantara
Consolacion
Pinamungahan
Cordova
Poro
Alegria
Daanbantayan
Ronda
Aloguinsan
Dalaguete
Samboan
Argao
Danao City
San Fernando
Asturias
Dumanjug
San Francisco
Ginatilan
San Remigio
Balamban
Lapu-Lapu City
Santa Fe
Bantayan
Liloan
Santander
Barili
Madridejos
Sibonga
Bogo
Malabuyoc
Sogod
Boljoon
Mandaue City
Tabogon
Borbon
Medellin
Tabuelan
Carcar
Minglanilla
Talisay City
Carmen
Moalboal
Toledo City
Catmon
Naga
Tuburan
Cebu City
Oslob
Tudela
Compostela
Pilar

20 August 2012

Baggy shorts, Big shirts.

It's something I wear home to Toledo every time. Baggy shorts, big shirts.

Since college, I've been wearing the same fashion - on the bus, vhire, or on any transportation - on way home to Toledo. Tatay's really cautious (and by that I mean super conservative)and believes that this manner of dressing will make me blend in and avoid being victim to pickpockets, snatchers and the like.



A-hiking we will go!

For this first post of the Baggy Shorts, Big Shirt series, I'll invite you to come along with us for a fun adventure o'er the lush hills. Let's go!


The road less traveled.

The picturesque sunset back home.

Tatay and Nanay

Tatay and I

Until the next baggy-shorts-big-shirt adventure!
xoxo


24 July 2012

Ready. Set. Go.

Things have been pretty exciting for me lately. A lot of twists and turns have taken place—marking the end of things and the beginning of other things.

What awaits me?



Ready.

It took me quite a while to accept the fact that I was about to open a new chapter of my life. I just resigned from my first job – a job I tenderly embraced for three years.

During my last day at the office, it never really occurred to me that it was really in fact, my last day. The reality just hit me when I was about to shut down my PC.  Gahd, this will be the very last time. My eyes began to sting and suddenly began to blur. The people I talked to everyday were looking at me with this longing in their eyes, asking for one last hug before I leave. I did not dare. I could not. I hate goodbyes.

But then again, I love beginnings. 


Set.

I have four days to prepare myself for another endeavor, a new adventure.

I have decided to give myself a break from all the formalities of life and follow only the dictates of my heart. I’ll go where the wind takes me, where my feet leads me, and where my mind brings me, without having to think about work—even for a second.

Keywords for this phase are: prayer, self-expression, enjoyment, healthy living. Yes, I will have those.

I plan to watch the sun rise, sing my heart out and build sandcastles. I want to run and run until I get dizzy and be thankful for fresh air. I will dance the hours away and lose pounds in the process.  

But most of all, I plan to write.

I will write songs, love letters, and poems unheard. I will weave legends and stories of heroines that have walked the earth. I will spill smiles into every line, and write on fallen leaves from autumn skies.

Go.

This  part is yet to be determined. What comes to my mind is Anastacia's song before embarking on a journey to  finding her destiny.

Heart don't fail me now,
Courage don't desert me.
Don't turn back now that we're here.
People always say:
"Life is full of choices"
No one ever mentions fear.
Or how the world can seem so vast
On a journey to the past.

But for me, it's a journey to the future.