Archive for Travels

Andok’s Pork Sinigang

March 17, 2012 FOOD, Travels No comments

I was in Bohol last month to attend an the 19th SFC International Conference and stayed there for another 4 days just for a time alone and to explore Tagbilaran City. One of my frequent go to place for food is Andok’s. Even during my previous trips in Bohol, Andok’s has been my sort of “best friend”.

I can’t go adventurous on food when I’m alone simply because I have a very sensitive stomach. Even if I wanted to try the street foods there, I just can’t when I’m alone. hehe…

So in one of my dines during my alone time, I got this Pork Sinigang in their menu. Just trying this one out since I feel like  I already had too much carcinogens with grilled meat everyday. Yes, I love grilled food so much, but this time I had to try something else.

So this is how the Pork Sinigang looks like. It’s good for one person, but for me I think the serving is good for 2 people. There were numerous slizes of pork meat which is good and a handful of vegetables. I just find the soup too sticky though, probably because of okra and the radish. The taste? hmmm.. of course.. Sinigang! hehheeh *burp* The meat were tender and the vegetables were well done.

Bon apettit!

Located at the  Ground Floor Tagbilaran City Square, C.P.G. Avenue, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. In front of BQ Mall.

2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade Camp Tour

August 11, 2011 Gallery, Travels One comment

Cam whoring at 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade at Maria Cristina, Iligan City 9200. Last August 7, 2011

For more details on how to get there and book for a tour in the camp Please visit Purpleslipperz.com

Dodiongan Falls Adventure

July 27, 2011 Gallery, Travels No comments

My attempt to skinny dip. lols

Dodiongan Falls

For the full Article click here!

My First! Cebu Blog Camp 2011

June 3, 2011 Travels 6 comments
Blog4Reviews team with Ms. Janette

The very first day I received the invitation, I already block my schedule for May 28 to May 31, 2011 I know I should and must be there. I’ll miss half of my blogging life not being able to attend Blog Camp. hehe OA ra noh?

 

my pass :D

After all the chaotic changes of plans and schedules, I was happy that Jam of http://lovettejam.blogspot.com, Fleire of http://fleirecastro.com and I have finally make our schedules met. I  was the one who’s very determined to attend. Good thing positive thinking always works in times like this.

at the Oroquieta Lounge

Just the day before leaving for Cebu Blog Camp, I was elected President of the Iligan Bloggers Society. Now I’m not only going there as a Blogger, now I’m wearing a big responsibility of bringing Iligan and the Bloggers Society known to other bloggers.

May 27, 2011 - (Morning) I was so happy to know that Arlene of http://www.arlenecollado.com was able to secure her ticket for Cebu and she’s going with us, (4:00 pm)on board Cokaliong Shipping Lines – M/V Filipinas Ozamis.

 

Iligan Bloggers Society delegates

May 28, 2011 - 5:00 AM Arrived at Pier1 Cebu City, checked in to our respective accommodations and head to Sacred Heart Center for Cebu Blog Camp. We fortunately arrived 30 minutes earlier than scheduled start time. And just what they usually say “early birds catches early worms” so Yes! freebies from Airphil Express (one of the sponsors) were given away to 30 early birdees (meh ganung word!lols) :D   There were a lot of freebies at stake. As a newbie I find it overwhelming seeing bloggers personally. It’s funny how we know and call our selves using our blog names rather than our real names.  The usual reply every time  someone would introduce themselves was “Oh ikaw diay si <blogname>” for example… “ahhh ikaw diay si xyzaspeaks, or ahhh ikaw si lakbay diva!” See? hehehe.

Thanks AirphilExpress

 

I met a lot of bloggers most specially the bloggers that I religiously follow, like Estan Cabigas , Janette Toral, Juned Sonido, Yoshke, Coy Caballes and  Tonyo Cruz where just a few. Well I consider them the celebrities of the blogging world. They have mastered their craft and have been sharing their knowledge, skills, gifts and resources to other bloggers most specially for newbie bloggers like me.

Although I have been blogging since 2005, I don’t really consider myself very knowledgeable about it. Though I earn a bit in blogging, monetizing it like a pro was never a priority. I haven’t even identified specific niche for the blog but slowly I am discovering talents that I haven’t used properly for quiet sometime.

 

Blog4Reviews team with Ms. Janette

After the event, Blog4reviews team met and dine at  Casa Verde, The Walk  Asiatown IT Park Lahug, Cebu City with Ms. Janet Toral. I tagged along Michelle Yu of http://daysunderthesun.com too.

May 29, 2011 – Bloggers Tour. I am not really that excited at first since I have been living and working in Cebu for more than 5 years and have gone to the tourist and historical spots of Cebu. I was about to back out with Jam, because like me she’s been in Cebu for many many many times. But when we decided to go and join the blog camp organizers, it was a whole new Cebu tour.

Johnn of http://Focalglass.com shared his place to us, i mean THE PLACE! Who would have thought

parang nasa Resort lang! :D

that his living in a mansion eh? The gym, the pool, the soccer field and literally the mansion is his. Wew! I couldn’t help but say, he’s in a place where everyone wish is his. It’s like good morning Boracay or good morning Tagaytay every morning! The place is quiet far though but you know when you reach home, you wouldn’t want to go back to the chaotic City life. It’s a piece of wonderland up there. wew

Then we literally toured the parking spaces of SM hehehe when we fetch Coy to join us in the tour. With us was Carlo of http://reddot.com, Hogi of http://tymless.tumblr.com and Yuri of http://losttsinelas.blogspot.com. Then we head to Mactan for the Island Banca Twilight Cruise courtesy of Island Souvenir.

 

*updated 06.04.2011

Wakeboarding @ Camsur Watersports Complex!

March 4, 2011 Travels No comments

Wakeboarding just gone crazy lately. All of a sudden International competitions are held here in Camsur Watersports Complex. Seeing the pro’s gliding smoothly in the water look so easy and exciting. So I made a promise to myself that I won’t go home not spending a day wakeboarding.

Professional foreign riders as they practice their exhibitions in CWC Wakeboard lake

Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC) is owned and maintained by the government. It is a man-made lake built with an intention of bringing good vibes to Camsur tourism and also to increase revenue for the Region. This is a project of Gov. Ray Villafuerte which  has an intention of earning funds for the region and giving livelihood to the locals (salute!!!). Camsur Watersports Complex is a unique watersports park designed for wakeboarding, wakeskating and waterskiing. For beginner riders to the professional wakeboarders and skiiers from all over the world, CWC offers a 6-point cable ski system, coupled with restaurants, sand bars, spas, pro-shops and grand stands to hold guests. Riders can also enjoy their favorite water sports at night as the park will be equipped with spotlights that allow for it even to be open on evenings (http://www.cwcwake.com/about_cwc_philippines).

When the SFC Icon ended on Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 the other delegates already packed all their things and bid goodbye to CWC to catch up with their flight schedules and others vacate the vicinity to avoid having charged for another day of stay in their accomodations within CWC. My sister is a missionary so she has to stay in CWC. I opted to stay since my trip won’t be complete if I won’t be able to try what CWC has to offer me.  On that day, I went to the wakeboarding registration area to register for the free ride CWC catered for SFC Icon delegates. But sad to say it was already fully booked. And wait listing has been cut off early because of too many registrants, well imagine 7000 delegates of SFC ICON that should be a lot huh? Since there is no advance wait listing for the next day, we were advised to be in the vicinity starting 7am in the morning to catch the beginners monday promo that they have, which only costs Php 200 pesos from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.  Well, that’s fine with me, as long as I can wakeboard.

So the next day,Monday, was indeed my wakeboarding day. Me and my sister stayed in Naga City, we arrived an hour late for the beginners monday treat, so we opted for the per hour course instead. Well, i thought an hour was enough, but men, I would highly recommend to get the half day or the whole day unlimited ride instead.

We got to try knee boarding and learn wake-boarding at the beginners lake. Knee boarding was the easiest but wakeboarding is much challenging for me and for my sister. We are quite heavy and the wake-board needs control from your heels. I find it hard to control my heels and my hands to not pull the rope, but as a human reflex our immediate reaction when being pulled is to pull back which results to an unstable cable and the sinking of the wakeboard. So as you can see below are the pictures of our many “semplang” moments while learning to wakeboard at the beginners lake.

You might be wondering why we were at the beginners lake? Well, there are a lot of Professional riders on queue at the Big wakeboarding lake and if beginners trying to learn wakeboard will be placed their you’ll just be a waste of time, hehehe. So that’s why beginners lake was created.

The instructors are very accomodating and patient. They are very encouraging and full of powerful words pushing you to not give up. And when you were able to glide back and forth and know how to turn from one side to the other, you’re off to the Big wakeboarding lake…

 

 

And since we worked so hard for the ride, we have to stuff our hungry stomach with food from the CWC Club House which is moderately priced.  We wished to ride all day but my sister has to go for their missionary conference somewhere in Naga City. We have to bid goodbye to CWC after lunch.

Must try! Try their pizza it looks yummy and is yummy… It tastes like Da Vinci’s Pizza in Cebu :)

I surely will go back to Camsur and do wakeboarding again. It was a great experience. How I wish I had more pictures to share. Too bad were only 2 and have to switch positions to take pictures. That’s why when we have to knee board the camera stays with the bag. Hmmm that won’t happen next time, I’ll make sure of that.

For more information about Camsur Waterworks Complex wakeboarding fees please visit www.cwcwake.com or

Camsur Watersports Complex Office:
Provincial Capitol Complex
Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur
Contact Number: (054) 4773344 / (054) 4773349
Fax Number: +63(54) 477-5162
E-mail: [email protected]
Postal Address:
Provincial Capitol Complex
Cadlan, Pili 4418
Camarines Sur, Philippines
Provincial Government of Camarines sur
Manila Liason Office
2nd Floor bldg. 11 la Fuerza Plaza Compound,
2241 Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City
Phone number: +63(2) 817-0831 or 710 9086
Fax number: +63(2) 817-0832

Thanks for dropping by!

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook!  – xyzaspeaks

Camsur Day 4: CWC’s Villa del Rey Wood Cabins

March 3, 2011 Travels No comments

Villa Del Rey Wood Cabins

I love the architecture of this place.

with the SFC ICON delegates from Corpus Christi

Next to the Wood Cabins is the Dwell Homes and in between there’s the Containers. Next block from containers is the Cabana’s the nearest houses from CWC and Lago del Rey Entrance.  Adjacent Block from wood cabins is the Villa del Rey Mansion. The Tiki Huts is located right beside CWC swimming pool. The Accommodations are just right next to the CWC Complex, everyone is just within reach hehehe.

For more information about the available accomodations within Camsur Watersports Complex click here.

 

just like the country side

Want to visit Camsur anytime soon for wakeboarding? Oh please don’t forget to ping me I so want to go back… Wakeboarding was such a great experience!!! Just leave a comment and hope our vacant schedules will meet.  – xyzaspeaks

 


Voluntourism Day 2: Panicuason Hot Spring

February 28, 2011 Travels One comment

Panicuason Hot Spring is located at Panicuason, Naga City, which is government owned. Panicuason is a Barangay in Naga City just like Carolina. It’s located at the foot of Mt. Isarog, a dormant volcano found in Naga. This is one of Bicol’s secret hideaways. It is clandestinely located below the teeming and lush greens of Mt. Isarog. The resort is a sight to behold, a virtual jungle paradise of ancient trees and giant ferns minus the wild animals. A day or two at the hot spring resort will surely uplift one’s spirit and soothe his aching and weary muscles with hot spring water that emanates from the earth’s bowels. (text from Naga City Official Website)

 

submerging in this hot water is oh so painful to the face. wew...

Okay, so from Gualandi, we took a jeepney ride back to the dormitory at Carolina to get some personal stuffs for swimming. When we were all set we took another jeepney from Carolina jeepney terminal to Panicuason Hot Spring. Since we had the jeepney as a group the driver took us in the Panicuason Hot Spring resort.

“It is 20 minutes from the city center for Php 25.00 (US $ 0.50) “

From the gate,  the road leading to the spring itself is somewhat a roller coaster ride. The road goes up and down  until you reach the spring. And yes, the view is stunning.

 

with the SFC volunteers

The Hot Springs rates were as follows: Php 200/adult, Php 100/child. But since SFC Naga made arrangements had it at a lesser fee. Much less I should say. hehe

You can go swimming in the hot and cold springs surrounded by cliffs covered with ferns. When I say cold, I mean very cold around 20  and 25 degrees Celsius and when I say hot, I mean varying degrees of temperature, depending on the pool the water is diverted to and that’s 29 degrees hot, 32 degrees hot, 35 degrees hot, and the hottest tub 39 degrees hot. The area is divided into 2 ;the cold spring area and the hot spring area. The cottages are also available for rent for only Php 150.00. However, we highly recommend to apply insect repellent or “off lotion” to protect you from insect bites like “tagnok” hmm I don’t know though what’s the scientific name of that or the english name either. hehehe

Jacuzzi tubs are also available for only 300 pesos per hour maximum of 10 persons, that’s around Php 30.00 pesos only if you’re in a group of 10. Sweet!

TIP: The last jeepney trip from Panicuason to Naga is at 1700, so make sure to be on the roadside before then.

FACT: If your going in small groups, You would have to walk your way to the spring from the gates of Panicuason Hot Spring. Don’t mind the distance though just appreciate the view. And oh don’t forget to take some pictures!

Voluntourism Day 2 – Immersion Day @ Gualandi School for the Deaf [02.17.2011]

February 28, 2011 Travels No comments

Today was an Immersion day. The delegates were separated into groups. We were given the chance to choose which institution to go to. There were 6 institutions to choose from;

  • Sta Rafaela’s Home for the Aged (50 volunteers)
  • The Prison (50 volunteers)
  • GK Sibol (9 volunteers)
  • Gualandi School for the Deaf (15 volunteers)
  • Private School for the Indigents (20 volunteers)

I choose the quite challenging group, The Gualandi School for the Deaf. It is quiet challenging for me because of the fact that they are deaf and mute since birth ;the challenge in understanding them and how to communicate with them.

An orientation was conducted by Sis Tin, a Mission Volunteer who has been talking to the Nuns managing the school. And we were told that the kids were not taught to do sign language. It was even discouraged. They are being taught how to speak instead. This brought more challenge to me or to us as a group. We were told to prepare games and presentations for them.  So we had the games prepared and the dilemma was how to give the instructions to them.  Hmmm…


So we arrived in Gualandi around 9:00 in the morning. The teachers greeted us with delight. We were introduced to the kids from different levels and the kids welcomed us with the effort of voicing out their welcome.  If you would look at them you won’t even notice that they have the difficulty hearing you, but you would notice their stair to your lips when you speak. Yes, they were taught to lip read. We’ll I always have wanted to know how to do that for a personal bad intention, but this kids where learning it for them to understand the other people around them. Since they can’t hear you need to point your lips when you speak, telling them to “read my lips”.

And yes they can read phrase by phrase, and only in English. You can’t talk to them in Bikolano or Tagalog either and you have to speak slowly and shape your mouth properly for them to understand you. The kids even introduced themselves to us with their names and their age. And it’s so heartwarming to hear them voice out, though finishing a phrase and making that sound is quiet a struggle.

I salute the parents who constantly and patiently bring their children to the school. I salute the teachers who patiently and eagerly teaching this kids how to read the lips and how to speak. One phrase is already a struggle, how about for one paragraph huh?

GAMES
Just what I said earlier we prepared games for the kids, but unfortunately MESSAGE RELAY and PINOY HENYO won’t do, right? Hehe so we have to choose plan B. We have to play the BOAT is SINKING and PLANTING RICE instead.
Wondering how we gave out the instructions? We acted them out instead.

PRESENTATIONS
The kids prepared their own presentations for us. And it was a complete program with Opening and closing remarks. And yes, the KIDS did it.

There are 3 levels and each levels prepared a dance number. If you’re wondering how they are going with the tune of the music, we’ll they do count. They count each dance step for them to stay in tune with the beat. But as expected, they will be off beat at times but nothing to worry about their smiles and effort are enough to enjoy the presentation.

In return we had our presentation too for the kids and we taught them the action of the song “SUPERHERO” by Hillsong Kids.

After lunch we bid goodbye to the kids and head to Panicuason HOT SPRING for a FELLOWSHIP 

Panicuason Hot Spring in a separate post.

Expenses:

  1. From Carolina to Gualandi – Php 25.00
  2. Centro to Basilica Compound – Php 7.00
  3. Basilica Compound to Gualandi – Php 7.00

Till the next post — xyzaspeaks

 

Feb 16, 2011 – VOLUNTOURISM DAY 1

February 28, 2011 Travels No comments

We’re q uite ready for the voluntourism. Voluntourism is formed from 2 words Volunteer and Tourism. It’s a Pre-conference activity to give back to the community who’s hosting the International Conference for Singles for Christ (SFC).

So we head to Carolina, Naga where we will be hosted in a Dormitory, The Carmelite’s Dormitory which is conveniently located at the Back of the Parish Church and in-front of the Carolina Police Station. Well  I guess it’s safe enough huh?

The first activity is called the Amazing tour. It’s like an amazing race which is not a race at all. You will be given tasks to accomplish and places to go to. It’s not really a mind boggling tasks and activities that are quite strenuous just like what you see in the amazing race show. It’s just like going to the must go or must visited places in Naga City; Eating the must try dishes in groups and some must know dialect or word from the Bikolanos.

The so-called tasks:

 

  1. From Carolina, travel in groups and  Go to The Cathedral, ask someone where the museum is and visit the Museum. [Museum Entrance Fee: Php 10.00 ]
  2. Take a group picture infront with Porta Mariae and Cathedral as a background.
  3. Choose an SE (Servant Evangelization) site (within NAGA Centro) for an hour.
  4. Eat Naga’s Kinalas
  5. Go to Peñafrancia “INA” Basilica.

For the benefit of Public travelers here are the Expenses:

1. Brgy. Carolina to Cathedral – Php 22.00

2. Museum Archeologo Entrance Fee – Php 10.00

3. Kinalas – Php 35.00 (big bowl)

4. Centro to the Basilica Compound – Php 7.00

***tricycles for short distance commute within the Centro is only Php 7.00 and for jeepney rides only Php 8.00 :) ***

 

 

BIGGS Diner (Pili, Camsur)

February 21, 2011 FOOD, Travels No comments

I am travelling this time with my sister Eunice from Manila to Naga. Due to the massive turbulence of the plane while descending to the Port of Naga my stomach got upset. So we asked a local where we can stay  and rest for a while, while waiting for Ate Emyat, who’s scheduled to arrive 12:40 in the afternoon. Yup we waited for almost 5 hours for her because she’s the one who has contact for our host hehe.


For the benefit of your wondering mind, we’re in Camsur to attend the Singles for Christ (SFC) Voluntourism and SFC International Leaders Conference (ICON) and that’s the main reason why were there. It’ll be my very first time to mingle with the fellow SFC’s after months of hibernating in my own world or hurt and rebellion. Okay moving forward,  We were navigated towards BIGGS Diner where they said we can rest and dine.

When we get there I was so happy to see that they have FREE WIFI ACCESS. Well for online workers like me, having free WIFI is the best (hehe) because I can save SMARTBRO Plug-it minutes (wehehehe). So any way, BIGGS Diner is the largest fastfood chains in the BICOL region as how they claim it and you can basically see BIGGS almost in every streets of NAGA City. Well, the BIGGS that we’ve been to is in PILI, Camsur well definitely within the BICOL Region.

BIGGS has a western feel; I could imagine the ambiance like that of a country style resto. You’ll see pictures of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley and some other old singers in their Black and white pictures; photos of speedy raising cars and the like, which basically feels like 70’s and 80’s which is cool. The food is moderately priced that ranges from 60 to 200 pesos; desserts from 40 to 80; drinks from 16 pesos (instant coffee) to 80 pesos.

 

The Nagoenos where I guess, born accommodating and friendly people. From the Naga Airport to BIGGS I haven’t seen unaccommodating people so far. They all greet you with a smile. The BIGGS Staff from PILI specifically, has good customer service. The food is served quiet fast than what I have expected. The people are accommodating and they all smiley at you, which makes you feel comfortable, although they speak a different language but there are some words from their dialect that is quiet similar to Cebuano. But when confusion strikes you can speak Tagalog and/or English.

Expenses:

  • Instant Coffee – Php    16.00
  • Korean BBQ Rice Toppings – Php    89.00
  • TOCILOG – Php    93.00
  • Mango Fruit Shake – Php    48.00


If you want cheaper meals, there are a lot of Carenderia/Eatery within the vicinity which would only cost you 20 to 30 pesos for a meal and around 10 pesos for instant coffee. But since I was looking for a wifi access that’s why we opted for BIGGS.

So Ate Emyat and her friend Karen fetch us from BIGGS to Concepcion, Naga where our host is. But before heading to the host we pass by CWC first to have our first glimpse of what to expect in CWC.

Till the next post – xyzaspeaks

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