Finding Me

Let's Help Save Lives

2011-12-20T01:15:00.006+08:00

I'm at home again to Atcha.

I Thank God for the safe trip and a chance to be with my family again even just for the holidays. And for the past week since I arrived home, have never been busier during the Christmas shopping rush. Well, as on being thrifty as I ám now, I just bought gifts for my nephews and nieces.

And while people keep on buying gifts to family and friends, last 2 days, Mindanao area of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan are hit by typhoon Sendong that left houses, buildings and bridges destroyed, and 713 dead and 563 missing (latest update as of moment). Most of the victims are children, as the flash flood went through their houses and swept them with mud, big rocks and wooden logs. Its so heartbreaking to see people still searching for their missing loved-ones, though on the verge of losing hope to see their family member alive, at least recovering their remains for a decent burial.

For the moment, those who survived barely make it through after the disaster. Evacuation centers are filled up. Food, medicine and most of all, clean water for drinking are needed. You might have a spare money for the moment, please help.

Here are ways we can help (From PNRC website):

Cash or Check Donations

Please send cash or check donations to the PRC National Headquarters in Manila. Checks should be made payable to The Philippine Red Cross. We can also arrange for donation pick-up.

We now accept cash donations for the Philippine Red Cross at any 7-11 store or Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop nationwide.

Bank Deposit

Bank accounts for Donations
Banco De Oro
Peso: 00-453-0018647
Dollar: 10-453-0039482

Bank of the Philippine Islands
Peso: 4991-0036-52
Dollar: 004994-0103-15

Metrobank
Peso: 151-3-041631228
Dollar: 151-2-15100218-2

Philippine National Bank
Peso: 3752 8350 0034
Dollar: 3752 8350 0042

Unionbank of the Philippines
Peso: 1015 4000 0201
Dollar: 1315 4000 0090

All Check/Cash for the account of Philippine Red Cross (Swift Codes)
Banco De Oro
BNORPHMM

Bank of the Philippine Islands
BOPIPHMM

Metrobank
MBTCPHMM

Philippine National Bank
-PNBMPHMM

Unionbank of the Philippines
-UNPHPHMM

For your donations to be properly acknowledged, please fax the bank transaction slip at nos. +63.2.527.0575 or +63.2.404.0979 with your name, address and contact number.

SMS and G-Cash

SMS
Text REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)

G-Cash
Text DONATEAMOUNT4-digit M-PINREDCROSS to 2882

You can donate the following denominations:
Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000
Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000

Through your generosity, we can stand prepared for disasters. We appreciate your continuous and unwavering support. Thank you.

Email us: fundgeneration@redcross.org.ph

Call Hotline 143
or (+632) 527.0000

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
Bonifacio Drive, Port Area
Manila 1018, Philippines
Email: prc@redcross.org.ph

I've postponed my getaway vacation and shopping for myself, and instead about to donate the money. Please do the same. We may not alleviate totally the way of living of the victims right away, but at least, to help them survive for days until such time they can rebuild their lives again and start anew...May God bless us all!

24 Hour Hotline against Kotong

2011-12-01T19:18:00.004+08:00

    Its Christmas season. In the Philippines, this season starts as early as "BER" months start. Bonuses keep coming in for regular employees. Mall sales are sprouting everywhere. And so are the crocodiles on streets preying on helpless motorists to earn extra with their Kotong operations.

(photo credit from anti kotong fb page)

It is when you are driving peacefully on any time of the day, whilst on being a good motorist and seems when everything is ok since you followed all rules, when all of a sudden a crocodile in a blue uniform called your attention for violating a rule.Most of the time, victims are jeepney/taxi drivers whose mere income is just enough for a family of four, and with a boundary quota to meet. As you wouldn't want to get into the hassle of getting back your license at the LTO office, those crocodiles will just ask for some money to let you go. For such incidents, local agencies now launched an anti-bribery drive as you may send an SMS on their 24-hour hotline: 0918-8882749. You may want to send your details as anonymous as well.

You can make your loved ones feel special by giving them unique experiences & memorable gifts #DealGrocer

2011-11-30T17:42:00.000+08:00

You can make your loved ones feel special by giving them unique experiences & memorable gifts #DealGrocer

Selamat Datang Indonesia: Bandung Kota

2011-11-23T22:24:00.013+08:00

I have this love-hate relationship with Bandung, West Java's capital, a city 140 km away from Jakarta. Having stayed most of the time during my work in Indonesia, it is where Jakarta people go during weekends that traffic is so horrible starting from the toll entrance to anywhere. Here you find factory outlet shops, for brand-conscious people, its heaven. Last time I shopped for gifts when I had my break from work, I paid extra for my overweight baggage, so all the discounts I've saved gone into thin air! The climate is way better than hot Jakarta, scenery far more good, and my love for pork cuisine was never missed since the place I've stayed in had small canteens serving my favorite babi!

Going around Bandung, if by taxi, is a nightmare. Drivers don't use meters, they'll charge you for a crazy fee. On worst case you tneed a cab, negotiate on a rate first.If you can, use Angkutan Kota, as public mode of transportation, an open van. Say "Kiri" is when you want to stop, they are colored coded depending on the route, and having a fixed fee of 2000 Rp. On my day offs these are my usual hang outs in Bandung to give myself a reward for a hard week of workloads:

Paris Van Java Mall:
A refreshing mall, this one's my favorite among the malls I've been in Bandung. With high-end brands of shops, restaurants and cinema, you might like it here to spoil yourself once in awhile. I usually frequent the Breadtalk store and Pepper Steak restaurant. You can also your grocery as there is a Carrefour outlet at the basement of the mall.

This is an interior of Braga City Walk, located at the back of Aston hotel. It's a mall as well, but not much of shops here, mostly of restaurants at the ground floor. However, what makes me come back here often is whenever i crave for a quality and affordable seafood dishes, "The Cost" seafood restaurant is my most recommended, thumbs up for the service and so affordable dishes, ambiance is plain but clean plus you get unlimited servings of rice :).

Walking the street of Braga, you'll see unmaintained Dutch influence structures as remnants of its colonial past. Arrays of coffee shops and French & Dutch inspired bakeries could be found here, art collectors frequent this place for antiques and paintings by local artists. At night, the place is said to be lively as there are bars and clubs. I don't usually go out alone at night, as I'm more of looking through the cultural experience, I find Braga street as less of a heritage spot. Sayang...

Gedung Sate, a place for the current governor of West Java. Sate, is an Bahasa word for "satay", a traditional Indonesian dish, and the building was named after it was actually shaped in resemblance to it. This place is near my former office. At the park square nearby, events are celebrated often. 

Selamat Datang Indonesia: Kawah Putih

2011-11-23T21:49:00.010+08:00

As to fully maximize our last stay in West Java, E and me decided to rent a car to roam around. We headed next to Kawah Puti, a tourist spot of crater lake about 50 km south of Bandung. Temperature that time is low, that caused the acid lake to turn greenish blue. The smell of sulfur is strong when we arrived, and a pathway was made from the park to the crater entrance.

A note in the entrance to the crater, just that I wished it has an English translation for non-Bahasa speakers:

visit the crater center facility, max 15 minutes
if you have:
dry mouth or throat
cough
dizziness and nausea

leave the area immediately and contact a health post

My shoe after i stepped into the lake, then covered with sulfur sand.

Shelters are built near the lake, but since we cant stand much the smell of the sulfur that we left the area in less than an hour after taking some shots. More stores and restaurants could be found near the entrance gate.

Selamat Datang Indonesia - Mendut monastery and temple

2011-11-20T21:07:00.012+08:00

After the Borobodur tour, we headed next to Mendut Monastery, about 3 kilometers away from the temple. A small, well-maintained monastery next to Candi Mendut, a ninth century Buddhist temple, believed to be built earlier than Borobodur itself. Outside the monastery are souvenir shops selling shirts, statues and the likes. It was said that the monastery was strictly for Buddhists only, but they opened recently to all people in seek of path to enlightenment.

Inside the monastery I noticed this angel-like statue in praying position, adorned with fresh flowers. The place is of calm atmosphere.

A lying Buddha in sleeping position, I wondered what is in beneath those sheets but I didn't dare to peek inside it. Who the other statue with Halo could be? No other visitors around when we arrived in the monastery.

Lions never inhabitant Java islands before. And so, it was said that artists of this lion statue actually have never seen a lion before, answering my question of how come it looked more of a monkey to me.

A Buddha sculpture. We are told that Buddha had reincarnated into so many forms of life before reaching enlightenment. Was then he reincarnated into a She as well?

Past the monastery is the Candi Mendut. A temple smaller than Borobodur, but believed to be older. Buddhists frequently visits the temple in celebration of the Waisak day every May full moon. This is inside the temple, with 3 big statues namely: Cakyamuni, Awalokiteswara, and Maitreya. There are stories for children in the walls.

Me in front of the temple. Thank goodness for the nice weather during our visit! =)

Selamat Datang Indonesia: Prambanan - temples of Love

2011-11-05T05:24:00.012+08:00

Another spot tagged by UNESCO World Heritage Site, Candi Prambanan, is considered the largest Hindu Temple in Indonesia and most beautiful in SouthEast Asia. It was a 9th century temple complex in dedication to the 3 Hindu Gods namely: the creator (Brahma), the sustainer (Vishnu) and the Destroyer (Shiva).Its located within the boundary between Yogyakarta and Central Java.

(At the park entrance to the temple complex)

(Inside the complex, one of the main temples)

Surrounding the big temples are smaller ones, but in wreck stages perhaps by previous earthquakes and time. Local legends explains why such numerous temples were built was because of a beautiful princess named Loro Jonggrang was asked to be married by a prince. But the princess only made a condition that a marriage will take place when a thousand temple could be build within a night. Only 999 was done, and with betrayal, revenge and curse that follows, the princess turned into the last and most beautiful stone statue.

We're blessed of blue skies and good climate that shots were taken good, courtesy again of super travel buddy E =). I won't write much and let the pictures amaze you like it did to me. Such splendor and majestic on what turned into from previously bare stones, what can faith do.

Just on how complicated to built a single temple during those times, with no sophisticated tools to use, people managed to think of ways to have the stones attached to each other just like building a big puzzle.

Sample carvings on the temple walls, this depicts of wife superiority over the husband (well, as what our guide told us so.)

A god statue in one of the main temple.

We couldn't complain of the hot weather that time as the sky is clear and good for photos :). Thanks E for the shots.

We haven't got to meet the Slender Virgin statue Loro Jonggrang as its closed for restoration during our visit, the maiden that was said had launched a thousand temples. :(

Again, if you are on a budget I don't recommend DYI tour in Yogyakarta, as getting into one place to another is quite difficult on public transportation and the distances between them as well. You can join budget tours by quoting fees on travel agents along Malioboro avenue.

Selamat Datang Indonesia : Borobodur

2011-11-02T03:10:00.016+08:00

Just before leaving Indonesia last August, friend E and I decided to go west of Java for a cultural tour. Indonesia as the biggest archipelago of 13000 islands, we're pretty much aware that our 5 day itinerary tour isn't enough, so we just went to some spots where we think what Indonesia is famous for backpackers - and its not Bali you mind, its Yogyakarta (pronounced Jog-jah-karta).

A day after E arrived in Bandung, we left 630am from my kost to catch 8am train schedule. I only managed to get executive train tickets (non AC), since August 1 is the start of Ramadhan, that even business class tickets going to Yogyakarta are sold out, as most people come home for a reunion with their families before the whole month of fasting. Trip took about more than 8 hours.

We arrived Yogyakarta past 3pm, first hunted a padang resto for a late lunch. And like our Cambodia tour, we didnt booked an agent for the travel prior leaving, so after a serving of rice , stir-fried vegetables and chicken, we looked for an agent for the tour. We found one in the station, for a fee of 500K Rp, we had a car & driver for our a day tour around.

(*Left photo from Grage Hotel website)

I read from other blogs, travellng in Indonesia is cheaper when you book for a tour, compared to DYI. As soon as we booked a tour for the next day, we looked for a hotel...Yes, we didnt have any, and going through the streets of Malioboro and backpackers'street of Gang I & Gang II in Jalan Sosrowijayan on which unfortunately that time are all fully booked! Tired from travel, we got enough of being thrifty and booked instead in Grage Ramayana Hotel (400K Rp per night for 2 for superior room).

We never regret this choice as our room looks homey, clean, and comfortable. Also, if you have extra money to spare for comfort, I highly recommend this hotel. Even though buffet breakfast starts at 630am, they managed to have our packed food of nasi goreng & coffee the next day when we left for the tour at 6am.

For our first stop, Candi Borobodur (Candi means temple). Its a 9th century Buddhist temple of 6 square platforms topped by 3 circular platforms of 504 buddha statues. It was regarded by UNESCO as a world heritage site, and still used a pilgrimage once a year by Buddhists and called it Vesak. We paid 135K Rp for the entrance fee, and hired a guide for 75K Rp (english speaker).

(View of Candi Borobodur during sunrise.)

Carves on the wall marks Buddha's reincarnation of various types from a cow to king until he reached enlightenment. Of good deeds and musings of life he regarded as not the way its depicted in the old religion of Hinduism he grew up with. Its on knowing how to live on needs and not wants, freeing up on worldly desires that you can appreciate life and begin living.

Just one thing I noticed on some Buddha statues are headless. We are told few years ago that thieves cut them, smuggled and auctioned abroad for a fortune to collectors.=(

An Ogoh-ogoh monster head at entrance going to circular platform.

Buddha statues inside stupas in circular platform.

Our souvenir jump shot with the temple.

Photo credits from friend E, salamat uli mare :D. Hopefully we travel more of years to come.

Of a comeback and a Sad Goodbye...

2011-10-28T05:15:00.005+08:00

Its time to catch up, as I’m humbled by a friend/blog visitor asking me when will i update my site. (Thanks you-know-who-you-are).As of writing, my abode lies along earth coordinates latitude: 25.3303 longitude: 51.5859 =).Ok, not to give you much of google-ing, I'm in sands of Doha, Qatar. Settling with B finally.

In between months that I haven’t blog, are series of events that came along. I finished my work contract in Indonesia by end of July and was able to travel to Yogyakarta (Central Java Island) for pleasure. Got around Bandung with my ever go-girl travel buddy E, who in due diligence on arranging her hectic work schedule, flew all the way from Padang (Sumatra) to Jakarta then Bandung! It’s a travel of wasted hours, on dressing up traditions and lost in translation type (as usual), but nevertheless a nice trip.

However on my return home, as I'm on process of arranging my next destination, our family had a loss of a beloved member. My nephew, Matthew Gabriel, after 2 years of chemotherapy, succumbed of leukemia complications. He was just 7 years old. We are all shattered, since we all expect come October, Matt will be having his last dose of Chemotherapy, and supposedly his 8th birthday . Of broken dreams and faltered hopes, we dwelled in sorrow. The should and shouldn't been, the how I-wished-I-did it, what-if's, plans that are on the way after the treatment. Little children are not supposed to go ahead of their parents. But who are we to questioned God, Who is in the Know of all?

One vivid memory I have with him, 2 years ago when I visited Matt on the hospital, was when I carried him. I was confused that time, stressed, and worried on so many things that ran unexpectedly. And yet in his incapacitance to speak, he patted my back, as if sending message that everything will be ok. And I felt relief for awhile.
I dedicate this post for Matt, who in his lifetime, taught us that life as we know it, is beyond cancer and misfortunes, but of our capacity to love sans everything.

(In memory of Matthew Gabriel, I'm to donate my blood on a regular basis, wherever I may be, whenever I'm able. ..The family misses you so much Mamat, and yes, we'll go on.)

On how I see you...

2011-06-03T21:18:00.004+08:00

Sorry my dear blog, that I havent been much of a time to update you...I'm still in this wonderful place called Bandung, and yet I haven't got much around. Yes, my great local friends have been helpful to tell me where to go around, but I'm quite of a lazybug during day offs. Come weekends, I'm glued to my laptop, doing TV series marathon of this new personal craze I have - watching Ugly Betty. Yes, unlikely Iám a couch potato every weekends thanks to her.

I've watched TV series like Sex & the City and Desperate Housewives, depicting different subjects of life, and how our values and the way to look at things changes as time progresses. Sex & the City shows how a woman can get her place in the man's heart (or pants) by getting carnal, and giving it all despite uncertainties in a relationship. Desperate Housewives revolves on what lies behind the door of a seemingly perfect neighborhood, seen in the eyes of their dead neighbor.

In case Betty doesn't ring a bell to you, its a TV series revolving around a Mexican American Betty Suarez who dreamed big into getting herself in the fashion world. She landed a job as an executive assistant to the Editor in Chief of the prestigious Mode magazine. She's smart and resourceful, but having lack of good taste for fashion, not fitting into size 0 dresses, and for being naive,life at Mode has been difficult for her.

I like watching Betty as I associate myself in her. No, I'm not as smart, nor resourceful as her =). But on how plain looking, naive girls have to work double effort to be able to land a spot in a field she chose to be in. We can't deny the fact that outside appearance do a part of having the things we wishes to, like an ideal relationship, a good job, many great friends. Superficial beauty does wonders, from getting yourself a free drink in a bar, making the cutest guy in campus send you flowers or having people fix your flat tires. Yet in the end Betty found her spot and prove her abilities sans the personal appearance, and yes you guess it right, with lots of hard work...

Indonesia Tour in a Day at Taman Mini

2011-02-14T21:51:00.029+08:00

Friends Jo and R were in Jakarta for 3 weeks to attend a company training. Good thing I'm in Jakarta this week to accompany them for a tour. Since we're both short of funds for shopping, we went to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah for a cultural & budget friendly tour.

Located in East Jakarta, we reached the place by a cab. The recreational theme park showcases diversified Indonesia's culture of the 26 provinces that made up the country. Initiated at 1972 by
the late President Suharto's wife, Siti Hartinah. It has an area of about 250 acres (1.0 km2). With pavilions representing different provinces, entrance to the park cost us Rp9000 (about $1 USD). It was cloudy when we arrived, so we tried riding Aeromovel Indonesia, a wind powered monorail.It cost Rp 15000 (about $2 USD) for a 20minute ride.

Next we tried, Skylift Indonesia cable car. This one I enjoy more than the monorail as I get more of the park view from top. Ticket cost Rp 25000 (about $3 USD) for a 15minute ride.

View of the miniature Indonesia archipelago at the central lake from the cable car. Weather is cloudy.

View from the top, ethnic Indonesian replica houses.

The Monas monument replica.

We rented bikes to tour around after the cable car ride, for Rp 10000 (about $1.2 USD) per hour. We stop per pavillions with old Indonesian house replicas of various people from the old times.

Indonesian Museum pavilion entrance depicting Hindu architecture as one of the major religion of diversified Indonesia.

House replica from Bengkulu province, called Nobility house.

Replica house from South Sumatra (Sumatera Selatan)province. Could be one of the houses of noble Indonesians .

Visitors can actually go inside the houses for the feel of it, but only when you take off your shoes/sandals.

Replica house from West Sumatra (Sumatera Barat).

This one is so tall! Its from West Kalimantan (Kalimantan Barat) province. Stands on wooden poles, its called Baluk. The house protects the ethnics from high floods and animal attacks during those times.

Some of the replica houses now be rented out to cater some events within the park. This one is from the province of South East Sulawesi (Sulawesi Tenggara).

Houses from province of East Java (Jawa Timur).

From the province of Lampung, a province also from Sumatra island.

It was only in year 2000 that Indonesia recognize Chinese culture as an integral part of them that a pavilion and Confucian temple was then also built within the park.

For kids there is a pavillion of a castle like structure with rides for their heart's delights. Entrance is Rp 5000 (about $0.50 USD). But it was closed during our visit.

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah is ideal to give insight of the country's rich culture and architecture that doesn't cost you much. Though some parts of the park are not so well maintained, its still a must to visit when you're in Jakarta and very much interested to know the country in a day :).

Pera Natin Toh!

2011-02-12T00:15:00.002+08:00

In any case of corruption you might encounter when dealing with any government offices, our very own Department of Finance has initiated a site where you can file your complains online. Time for a move to help the government save taxpayers money from hungry crocodiles that eats up most of the funds and lounging away in luxuries, while ordinary Juan breaks his back on work on most days.

Links here: pera ng bayan.

Gap Kids

2011-02-10T16:05:00.005+08:00

One discussion I had with a Pinoy officemate from Dubai:

Sir M: hay salamat, konting araw na lang uuwi na ko (smiling while doing his routine work)

Ako: wow, buti ka pa sir, saya naman nyan

Sir M: eto nga, tinatamad na ako magtrabaho

Ako: hay naku sir, ako nga kadarating pa lang office, tinatamad na agad...(us laughing..)

Sir M: tulungan mo naman ako maghanap ng itinerary para sa bakasyon ko, gusto ko sulitin, mamasyal
palagi, kain sa labas, saan ba maganda pumunta na malapit sa Manila para hindi maubos oras sa byahe?

Ako: ay cge sir, bigyan kita ng links na im checking always whenever i want to set a trip (me while browsing the net, i still keep on talking), ilan na ba anak mo sir? naku matutuwa sila sigurado
kasi uuwi ka na, ako na eexcite para sa iyo hehe

Sir M: i have 2 teenaged daughter & son, maaga kasi ako nag asawa

Ako: wow, eh di ang bonding nyo mas ok na kasi malalaki na pala sila

Sir M: (face a little seddened), ewan ko, alam mo antagal ko na kasi nag aabroad, since mahal nga dito sa Dubai and they're attending college,yearly lang ako umuuwi...di ko alam kung natutuwa nga sila pag umuuwi ako.Feeling ko nga pag nasa bahay ako, tensed sila. Hindi sila sanay na andun ako, feeling ko nagbibilang sila ng araw kelan ako aalis uli...

Ako: wag ka naman ganyan sir, siyempre natutuwa sila na makita ka... (my thoughts freezed that moment, and time travel
back when i was 12)......

OFW din si tatay. From the time na magkaisip ako, minsan ko lang siya makita, once a year din. Di pa uso
ang skype, mobile phone at webcam noon. We do snail mail, and see each other by pictures sent by mail.Uso pa nga postcard and occassion cards. One time na umuwi siya, tuwang tuwa kami, bukod sa mga chocolates at pasalubong, natutuwa kami makita siya, bilang bata, na palagi mong nakikita ang ibang bata na kasama ang nanay at tatay nila,masaya din kami na me tatay kami nkakasama sa pamamasyal. Pero...dahil nga sa lumaki kami na bihira siya makasama, alangan sa pakiramdam pag kasama siya...

Isang hapon sa bahay kasama si Tatay...

Tatay: Den, ipagtimpla mo nga ako ng kape

Ako: Cge po tay
Iniabot ko sa kanya ang tinimplang kape, na hindi naman talaga ako sanay gawin, feeling ko
napatamis ng sobra yata...Ininom nya lahat, at ngumiti...

Tatay: Den, pag tuwing bakasyon ko, ikaw na palagi magtitimpla ng kape ko, kasi masarap

Ako: Naman po, talaga?

Tatay: Oo, masarap pa nga sa mga ready made na binibili ko sa labas

Ako: Binobola mo na naman ako "sir"....
Natigilan ako. Teka, tinawag ko nga ba si Tatay na Sir? I looked at him, he seems surprised as well, pero nag dedma lang kunwari
walang nadinig, pero nalungkot ang mukha nya. Nahiya ako, at lumabas ng bahay.
Bakit ako ganun, di ko ba sanay tawagin siyang tatay?
Ano na ba nagawa ng pagkakalayo namin para masanay kami sa bahay na wala siya? Ni hindi kami makapag usap ng hindi kami worried
kung ano iisipin nya sa amin bilang anak nya...One time na nagka aberya ako sa highschool, natakot ako na malaman ni tatay.
Hindi dahil sa grades ko sa conduct, kundi ano na lang ang iisipin nya sa akin, kung magagalit ba siya or what...Natapos ang bakasyon
ni Tatay, na aminado kami, na parang wala lang sa amin noon, guilt still haunts me now, na sana pala mas madami akong sulat sa kanya, mas
magiliw ako sa kanya, sana ganito, sana ganyan...Until nawala si Tatay sa amin....
Ramdam ko ngayon ang sakit nya dati ke Sir M. Mahirap na nga lumayo sa pamilya, na malayo sa lumalaking anak, lalo pa pala ang masanay sila na wala sa tabi mo..
Pag ako nagkapamilya ng sarili ko,ayoko lumayo sa mga magiging anak ko, sana.....

My Pre-Birthday Getaway at Canyon Cove, Nasugbu, Batangas

2011-02-03T22:48:00.007+08:00

A week prior leaving Jakarta, my siblings & I decided to have an out of town trip, courtesy of my sister in law. Its my nephew Matt's fine day to go out as his immunity is high at this time of the month before his chemotheraphy, and the beach breeze will do the kids good. We headed south and went to Canyon Cove in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Its a 2 hour drive from Tagaytay, we've finally reached the resort at 3pm.

We availed 2 rooms for us, both spotlessly clean. It has an LCD Tv, a mini bar, personal ref, comfortable beds. The place was relaxing, but there are noticeably unfinished units.Bringing of food inside rooms are not allowed, but we managed to sneaked in our bottled waters and few snacks inside hehe.

There are pools if you're not much of a beach fan: pools are divided into three, for toddlers (1 1/2 ft), kids (3 1/2 fr) and adults (5 ft or so).

There's a playground for the kids.

The view facing the beach is so nice. We took the kids the next early morning to have a dip in the beach as its believed to be good for them. Nothing so relaxing than walking in the shores and marvel at God's wonders.

Only one thing that didn't pleased me was the overpriced buffet, priced at Php600 per pax but not much of the menu presented. We decided to have our dinner instead outside the resort, at the Kainan sa Dalampasigan, a garden restaurant about a kilometer away from the resort, near PLDT office Nasugbu. Good thing we arrived on time as the restaurant is only open daily until 8pm only.

Canyon Cove room rates are updated on their site.Its address is Far East Road, Piloto Wawa, past the St. Francis Assisi church, signs along the road are visible.

Lunch at Manong Pepe's

2011-01-18T23:38:00.007+08:00

Jollibee, a leading local restaurant chain in the Philippines now has another concept of fast food, recently ventured into Carinderia business, Manong Pepe’s. Carinderia, is a local eatery serving food in a turo-turo style, literally you point on the dish you prefer in an array of food at the stall. Quite like Padang restaurant of Indonesia, only that they don’t serve you all the food on the table, only the ones you make “turo”. It caters people on the go since foods on display are already cooked and on tight budget.

It was then I was hungry and tired of eating at the likes of Jollibee & Chowking, in Monumento where I just had my ECG, I tried Manong Pepe’s Carinderia, as I was craving for Pinoy dishes that time. The place was clean and their toilet spotless as well. Polite staff greeted me at the self-service stall

They even have an AC but during those time was turned off, anyway it was a cold weather, and I dont mind using the fan.

With an order of a cup of rice, I ordered Ginataang Kalabasa (Squash cooked in Coconut milk), for Php25. I’m a gaga of any dishes cooked with coconut milk but I’m not a fan of this one. And paired them with Lumpiang Shanghai (Pork Spring rolls) for Php30 (3 pcs). Surprisingly meaty, tasty and still crispy.

I shelved out Php85 for this meal, and this is with a bottled water. I don’t expect much on my Php85 but I’m pleased on this one. Would definitely try another meal next time in Manong Pepe’s.

Hello Philippines - Back to Tagaytay, Lunch at Sonya's Garden

2011-01-17T00:51:00.016+08:00

Hello 2011.

Now we're able, me & my siblings are trying to bond on every possible moment while I'm still on vacation. Since Atcha don't want to spent an overnight out of town, we've decided to spend a day in Tagaytay. Atcha has always been fond of gardens, so we decided to drop by at Sonya's Garden for lunch. We availed their set lunch (Php610 per person), eat-all-you-can menu of salads, pasta, bread, dalandan juice & sweets.

The garden. Late that I realized I didnt have a good shot of this :(

Inside of one of the dining halls.

Another shot of the dining hall entrance.

Pati Girl's toilet hindi namin pinatawad picturan.

We're told a wedding will be held at the place 3pm later that day, eto yung on a part ng hall na setup nila. Christian wedding siguro noh?

Our entree. Fresh greens with Sonya's secret own dressing. I love it. Kids are surprised why we eat green leaves, nasanay sila sa rice meals and bread kasi. Or maybe too much play of Plants vs. Zombies in FB.

Pasta with two kinds of sauces and toppings: sun dried tomato and chicken cream with mango. Topped with ratatouille, salmon belly, shitake mushrooms, black olives, capers and grated parmesan cheese, pepperoncini. I like the red sauce, but my sis-in-law bets more on the white sauce.

We had bottomless freshly squeezed dalandan juice for drinks. Quite refreshing.

Our dessert, they call it "smashingly sinful homemade" chocolate cake. I call it just "cake", hmm, ok lang. Paired with tarragon tea. Also served are glazed sweet potato & banana rolls that I forgot to take a photo. Erin, my nephew, loves the banana roll.

Sonya's Garden also offers Bed & Breakfast accomodation for a daily rate. The package includes an overnight stay in one of the cottages, full breakfast and a complimentary dinner or lunch.

Inside of a cottage for a family accomodation.

I wonder what's this fruit name, but my nephew call it Mickey Mouse hehe.

As I was expecting more of a farm like garden, it was more of commercial now, as many other restaurant garden sprouts within Tagaytay. At napakalayo pa sa Tagaytay city proper, but at least tapos na ang curiosity ko sa kanya, as this place is on the lists of the must visits when you go to Tagaytay. I give the dining experience a 7, as I so love their salad dressing and bread. Nevertheless, in any place where good moments are shared with loved ones will always be #1. :)

Letter to God

2010-12-19T22:25:00.010+08:00

Dear Lord,

Please help me stop contemplating on my life right now. I may not be earning like I used to but I didn't pass on food and being hungry and going homeless. I may not be the young lady before but I didn't feel like ageing. I may not have improved technically when it comes to work, with all my forgetfullness and easy-going habits and yet You continuously give me chances which makes me believe in myself again. I may not be the good girlfriend to B and yet he never failed to pursue and understand me despite that I always opted on quitting. You always do give me second chances, should I say, nth chances. To have me realized that living a life indeed is awesome and being human is beautiful with all my flaws You never failed to show Your love and bless me with things that matters more than money - my friends, my love and my family. I should stop worrying for things for tomorrow, for You always know when to provide, just enough to handle for the moment. I never had thanked You before when I resolve a problem in my project, when I'm safe on every after travel, on every birthdays, on everything. I'm such an ungrateful child, always complaining and whining. I'm loved, and You always show it.

Please help me have an open heart. To be sensitive enough for other people's differences. Please help me think twice on words before they come out of my mouth, or a hundred times thought when its unpleasant. Please make me a blessing to others, please take out my selfishness, my negative thoughts, my insecurities. Sometimes I doubt You on things I hadn't got a grip on, like when You took our parents so soon, and when I dont get what I want. What I didn't know is that You plan better than anyone else, and better things awaits when faith holds strong. You gave me & my siblings our Atcha and her family to support us on. We grew up normal, educated and healthy despite being orphaned early. Still I'm weak, yet you blessed me so much of some things I realized other people might be more of deserving more than I do. I'm ashamed of myself.

It is indeed a long list of things I should be thankful of, yet You never expect a return but a gratitude. Thank You. This year is a blast.

I had fun in the deserts of Dubai.

Had a chance to bond with Atcha in Ilocos Norte.

Made it through bad times with a true friend in Vietnam.

Felt like walking next to Angelina Jolie in Cambodia.

And redeemed my demoted feelings back to Indonesia.

Your daughter,