An easy afternoon with Dad Prijm Patrick, and his little cutie Yuan Patrick.
06
Sep
11
An Afternoon with Two Patricks
10
May
11
DPP On a High!
Mark your calendars people!
Digital Photographer Philippines will celebrate it’s 5th anniversary this coming June 4 and it’s going to be a whole day event! For more details, click here.
Sooooo looking forward to those free workshops.
10
May
11
Yo Mother Trucker!
Last Saturday, May 7, 2011 we attended Universal Motors Corporation’s Nissan Navara Mothertrucker event at Evia in Daang Hari, Cavite.
With my husband being a member of the Navara Club Philippines, how are we to miss this? So with two hours of sleep, we made our way to Alabang a little after 5 in the morning to meet with the other members before heading to Evia.
I had no idea what to expect, so I was surprised to see so many bikers in their complete gears! I didn’t realize there were going to be physical challenges as well.
So what the truck happened last Saturday? Let me break it down for you.
There were two groups/categories. The Navara Club and the members of the Media. Each group is composed of about 3 or 4 teams with up to 4 members. There are two main challenges.
First, the 6 Speed Showdown.
If you’ve never seen trucks doing drag before, let me give you an idea. 
One bad ass mother truckin’ Nissan Navara burning A LOT of rubber.
Second, is the Precision Off Road (4×4) Driving on the “Delta Course.”
With ex-drag-racers-turned-mother-truckers, the 6speed Challenge is not really a challenge for these boys. The 4×4 Precision driving challenge? The Sagada trip was waaaaayyyy more challenging than that. But with the competition so thick in the air, they still opted to do the obstacle course to shave off 1 second from their total time.
Now, I did mention physical challenges right? I felt that posting a few photos of the hard work the Navara boys had to go through would be injustice, so here’s a short video I made for them. Everybody was so game despite not knowing what exactly the prizes are. In the end, the winning teams got cash prizes (minimum of 3k per team member) and hubby’s team even won a Suunto watch each (that watch is now mine )
And here’s NCP President being interviewed by GMA news.
Although the sun went all out on us last Saturday, it was still truckin’ awesome!
Last April 21 to 24, the Navara Club Philippines in coordination with Universal Motors Corporation and Sagada Genuine Guides Association (SaGGAs) braved through the horseshoe journey of the Cordilleras. Photos of the NCP Fun Run to Sagada will be on the next post.
Sagada is a haven for adventurers and nature explorers. It is home to a culture not a lot of Filipinos are used to. Not the usual Baro’t Saya, Barong Tagalog, at Kundiman. But the indigenous culture that I find so much more colorful and fascinating. It is a culture where private ownership of land does not exist – well, did not exist. Of course the dominant money economy and oppression already made it’s mark.
Sagada is home to the Igorots, or mountain people – coming from the root word Golot meaning “Mountain Chain” and I meaning “people of” or “dwellers in.” It is also home to pristine natural formations, thus, the story of the happy meal begins.
Upon arriving in Sagada after a five hour drive from Baguio, the group immediately proceeded to town for late lunch. It was chaos as there were so many people in that ridiculously tiny street. The policemen and guides have doubled as traffic enforcers to reduce the mess Sagada was in. By the time we got settled in to our hotel, it was almost time for sunset.
So for appetizer, we headed to Lake Danum for a Sunset shoot of the NCP Models. There were too many people around what they fondly call the Chocolate Lake because of the water’s color. So by the time we were done, it was dark so there’s no point in heading to the actual sunset spot. But hey, we got an awesome shot! This is enough for me.
Moving on to the next appetizer is the Kiltepan Sunrise. This is the first time that I actually watched the sun RISE. Literally. We waited there for at least a good 15 to 20 minutes for the sun to rise. When it did, it was out and about in a few seconds. Majestic.
Done with appetizers? It’s time for the main course!
After sunrise, we stopped by Rocky Inn Restaurant for breakfast then headed to the first viand. Bomod-ok Falls or the Big Falls. It’s an easy trek down, but going up? Alas! I felt like my lungs were going to explode and my knees were going to give up on me. The first half of the climb up was just unbearable. Everything ached! Once you get past the information center halfway through the trek, it’s no longer as steep as the first half so it’s all cold breeze from there. So don’t forget to take a plunge in the ice cold water when you get to the falls because it is absolutely refreshing!
After the trip to the big falls, we headed back to the hotel for a quick change of clothes then headed to town for a super late lunch. We were so happy to find that there weren’t so many people so we finally got seats at the famous Yoghurt House. Click on the link to know why it wasn’t a pleasant experience for us.
So off we go to our next main course – the Sumaging Cave or more commonly known as the “Porn Cave.”
It isn’t as physically taxing as the trek back from the Big Falls, but it’s more dangerous. Those limestones in the first stage are slippery and one wrong move can send you rolling down the rocky abyss. If it’s adventure you want, it’s adventure you’ll get. The guides make the story telling very humorous too, and with a bit of sexual innuendo that I guess came about because of the very interesting rock formations.
After Sumaging Cave, I don’t think our bodies could take anymore beating. Two big feats in one full day. It was time to go back to the hotel for a much needed rest – and DINNER! Since it was our last night, some of the people in our group opted to finish the bottle of Alfonso left from the previous night but I was way too knackered.
Completing the horseshoe journey, we passed by dessert on our way home.
Carved by hand by the Ifugaos some 3000 to 4000 years ago, is the Banaue Rice Terraces which is said to be the 8th wonder of the world.
This for me is the icing on the cake, the cherry on top. The last one on the list of cultural UNESCO Heritage Sites in the Philippines. The first sight was simply breathtaking! I couldn’t stop gasping!
The sight of the Banaue Rice Terraces made the 15-hour drive from Sagada to our home extremely worth it.
I came home with a tired body but with an ecstatic soul. The Sagada happy meal definitely made my spirits full.
This is number two in the series of five posts for Sagada. Subscribe to get the latest.
Everybody I knew who went to Sagada recommended this. It was almost three in the afternoon, and we just trekked the Big Falls. We were starving! Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend it and I don’t think any of us will. The service was off the charts terrible! The girl who waited on us was extremely rude, big contrast from everyone we have met there so far.
Strike 1. When I asked for the menu, she rudely said “ginagamit na po lahat sa baba, maghintay nalang po kayo!” There were at least 8 of us sharing two menus. I was too tired to make a fuss, and I didn’t want her to mess with my food. So I waited like she told me to, and ordered when I got the chance to see the menu. If they don’t have enough menus to go around, they can just put up a giant poster with all of their offerings. I won’t care if they hand write it on a manila paper. How complicated is that?
Strike 2. After 45 minutes, the waitress came back and told us that they no longer have chicken (which is what me and my friend ordered). After freaking forty five minutes! We were upset nonetheless. When we asked the waitress why she didn’t tell us earlier, she answered “eh ngayon nga lang naubos e!” She said that we didn’t have to wait another 45 minutes because they will prioritize our order. So we ordered the breaded porkchop.
Strike 3. We waited for another 30 minutes for the food to arrive. And when it finally did, my friend jokingly said, “dapat may discount sa tagal ba naman ng hinintay namin.” The same waitress in a very condescending tone said “I don’t think so!” My friend got so upset at the remark that he left his food untouched and just left without paying.
The last straw. After about two spoonfuls of my breaded porkchop, I found a huge bug in my rice. It was clinging on to the rice, dead. Which means that the rice was cooked with it! My hands were almost shaking because of anger and hunger. I went down with my food, told them there was a bug and left. They offered to replace it of course, but after the terrible service and obvious lapse in cleanliness, I just lost my appetite entirely. I had to stop my husband from throwing a fit. For me, there was just no point. If they apologize and give us free food, there’s no way I’m eating it anyway. So why stay?
When I left and waited outside, we still had about three companions eating – because their food arrived more than an hour and a half from the time that we ordered!
So when they were done and with the two spoonfuls I had, we headed to Sumaguing Cave for another awesome adventure.
But as for Yoghurt house, that was it for me. No more coming back.
20
Apr
11
Khao San Love
My love, I have tried with all my being
to grasp a form comparable to thine own,
but nothing seems worthy;
I know now why Shakespeare could not
compare his love to a summer’s day.
It would be a crime to denounce the beauty
of such a creature as thee,
to simply cast away the precision
God had placed in forging you.
Each facet of your being
whether it physical or spiritual
is an ensnarement
from which there is no release.
But I do not wish release.
I wish to stay entrapped forever.
With you for all eternity.
Our hearts, always as one.
- Anthony Kolos -
Amidst the noisy crowd, the party, and the chaos, there’s peace in their embrace. It was as if this world did not exist but a world of their own. Entrapped in each other’s arms.
With this connection, how does one resist not to press the shutter?
—————————–
Most people now a days spend a considerable amount of time on Facebook. And in one of those “drown yourself with Facebook” days, I chanced upon a small ad at the right side of my screen. A photo contest with the theme “Love As I see It.” Without having to read any of the mechanics this photo immediately came to mind since it was how peaceful they looked at each other and the overwhelming love for each other that forced me to press the shutter. It is my hope that by sharing this photo that you feel the warmth that I feel each and every time I look at this image.
I immediately checked the mechanics and decided to edit this post and use this as my entry to “Love As I See It,” a project of www.islandrose.net flowers Philippines. I rarely join photo contests, but I thought of this one to be very fitting.
Wish me luck.
Shot taken along Khao San Road, Bangkok during the World Cup 2010 celebrations.
18
Apr
11
The Gushing Guimaras
If you live in Iloilo and have never been to Guimaras, then I don’t have a clue what you’re been waiting for.
I’d have to admit though, my first impression of Guimaras wasn’t as awestruck as Agho Island. It was a hundred times more comfortable to go to, yes, as it is only about 15-30 minute boat ride from Ortiz Wharf in Iloilo City. As I set foot in the Guimaras pier, there’s a buffet of transportation options waiting for you. I would recommend that you register in the tourism office when you get there. They can give you the standard rates for transportation, etc.
Since our reservation was in Villa Igang in Nueva Valencia, we took a 30-45 minute multicab ride (400/way). You will find more rates and contact details here. When we got to the entrance of Villa Igang (around 5:30pm), we were informed that we would have to wait for a tricycle (which they don’t know if there will be one available because of the time OR walk all the way to the resort. We we’ve been traveling for more than 5 hours by then coming all the way from Concepcion, waiting was just not an option. And so we walked.
It wasn’t a very long walk (about 500m to 1k), but it was late in the day and you will pass through a mangrove sanctuary, so by the time we reached the resort we had mosquito bites all over. Too late for the Off lotion I intentionally packed. I’d have to say that Villa Igang was disappointing for the following reasons:
1. THIS is how short the shoreline is. Not good for a person like me who likes to soak in the sand and keep my personal space.
2. Since they have a guard right at the entrance of Villa Igang, they should put a process in place where in they can call the resort when their guests arrive – so we don’t have to walk or pay for a tricycle ride. There were vehicles when we got to the actual resort. If this is the case, they should at least have a shuttle for their guests. It’s just not tourist friendly this way.
3. When we got there, there were no greetings whatsoever. We were just directed to our room. And when I asked for the key, we were informed that there was NO KEY. I was dumbfounded when the resort attendant told me this. She said that it’s totally safe to leave the room unlocked. Not that I don’t trust the resort employees, but they have to understand that they also should not trust all their guests. So we ended up bringing all our gears every time we went out. Inconvenient.
4. Bring Off lotion if you’re staying here. I had patches of red all over my arms and legs just walking there.
5. At 7am the following day, we booked an island hopping tour at 8am. The boat and the operator was there by 8am. But we haven’t even traveled 2 minutes and it broke down. They got us another boat, which arrived at 10am. It was a good thing that we booked a late flight back to Manila, otherwise, that delay would have totally ruined our trip to Guimaras.
Villa Igang overall is not for everyone. They have a lot to offer – a cave, a mangrove sanctuary, and a really nice looking cliff. But I went there for the beach and I didn’t get what I wanted. The room that we got was decent, but I think that 1700 for the air-conditioned room was just too much given the above reasons.
On a much lighter note, this is what we woke up to – Villa Igang at five thirty in the morning. This definitely gave us the boost we needed.
So off to island hopping we go. Once we hopped on that boat, the farther we went, the louder the music played in my head. I could hear Disney’s A Whole New World playing over and over.
First stop, SEAFDEC Research Station. SEAFDEC from afar. They have milkfish as heavy as 10kg a piece, or 35kg a piece Lapu-Lapu. Very entertaining. You can buy fish or abalone if you wish.
I’d have to say that standing on these bamboo/wooden floaters takes getting used to. I remember telling my husband not to save me but save the camera just in case I fall. I can swim, the camera can’t. Our boatsman was very eager to take photos. And I’d have to say, he takes better photos than some people I know who claims to be photographers.
Next, the Turtle Sanctuary. 
This little fella has the best colored shell, but we were told that it was about 13kgs, so we opted for the smaller-a-little-less-adorable one. The smallest in the group – about 5kgs.
Next stop, Ave Maria Island.
This must be the smallest piece of paradise I have ever seen.
The sand quality is just, ohhhh. The definition of powdery white sand. Walk a little to your right and it just hits the spot. It almost broke my heart leaving it. Definitely one of the finest I have ever set my foot on. I strongly suggest you bring your lunch and have it here.
Last but not the least, is the Guimaras Cave. I had no idea we were going somewhere dark so I didn’t bother to bring the flash. Fortunately there are still a few decent shots I can share.
There are more islands you can visit, but we didn’t have the luxury of time. Well if we did, I’d probably stay in Ave Maria Island and enjoy the sea, sand, and sun.
Our flight was leaving the same day, so we had to rush back to the resort. But before we go, there’s always enough time to have just a few vanity shots.
And of course, we can’t leave without those goodies!
You can get your goodies from Trappist Monastery, which is along the highway so you can ask your driver to make a stop over. As for those mangoes, oh they’re everywhere! You won’t have a problem getting those mouthwatering sweetness.
This is the third of four posts. To get all contact details, rates, etc., visit this page. To read about Agho Island, click this.
I just spent three days in Iloilo, a small and quiet city in Western Visayas boastful of beautiful islands worthy of international attention. It may not be as popular as the world known Boracay, but the experience that it can give you is just the same. And for me, even more.
My reason of going to Iloilo was to complete the list of UNESCO supervised Baroque Churches in the Philippines, and since we were staying there for three days, decided to visit it’s neighbor Guimaras and a remote island in the small town of Concepcion.
When we got to Iloilo Airport, it was small but clean and sparkling new. It is located approximately 30 minutes away from the city. You can take a passenger van right outside for 50php/pax and ask the driver to drop you off in SM City which they have allocated as a “traveller’s lounge” as it doubles as a terminal for different locations of the city and its’ provinces.
This trip was divided into three, and I will have a post for each:
Day 1: Miag-ao Church
From SM City, take a passenger jeep to Terminal Market (which is more commonly known as Super). Taking a cab will not cost you much as it is not too far. The jeepney fare is 8php.
From Terminal Market (called as such because it is literally a wet market), you can take the passenger jeep to Miag-ao (56php/pax) or rent a private van (contact tourism office to book).
When you get to the town of Miag-ao, the jeep will pass by the actual church. Once you see it, you can just say “lugar lang” (para po) and the driver will drop you off.
To go back to the city, you can just catch the same passenger jeep route that wait at the side of the church.
Day 1 to 2: Agho Island
Once in the city, proceed to Tagbak Terminal to catch the bus (HPQ Bus Line) to the town of Concepcion. Travel time is three hours. Prepare for the bus ride as there are no air-conditioned buses that travel to Concepcion. A bus leaves every 30 minutes.
Once in Concepcion town center, proceed to the market to get supplies and food/drinks. There are no stores in Agho as it is a small island, so make sure you get all your supplies there. They have cooking materials and a few china/silverware, but due to limited water supply, better get your disposable wares at the market too.
Passenger boat that travels to the islands leave at 10am and the boat back to mainland is at 6am (60php/pax). If you can’t make the schedule, make prior arrangements for a boat rental (1000php per way). Tip: make sure your gears are well protected. Get ready to get wet for a wild and enjoyable ride. It is better to travel in the morning as the water is more calm. We got there very late, and I tell you, you’d be wishing the boats have seat belts.
Day 2-3: Guimaras
Guimaras is a small town off of Iloilo and houses the world’s sweetest mangoes. Along it’s countryside, you will see rows and rows of mango trees. There are two jump off points in Iloilo City. Since we were going to Jordan (pronounced as Hordan), we took a passenger boat in Ortiz Wharf for 13php/pax. It’s a short 15 minute boat ride. You can then take a passenger jeep, rent a multicab (400php/way), or a tricycle (250/way). Travel time from the pier to most resorts in Nueva Valencia is about 45 minutes. You can however book a boat that will take you directly to Nueva Valencia for 4000php. Travel time is one hour.
Any of the resorts can book you a boat for island hopping. Depending on your preference, island hopping may take roughly 4 hours at the rate of 450 for the first hour, 150 for the succeeding hours. Most boats have the capacity of 6 passengers maximum.
Overall, Iloilo is a quiet city of so many secret heavens. I encourage you to take a tour down south and discover what they have to offer.
Contacts:
Concepcion
Mirriam Verdad: works for the local tourism office of Concepcion.
Email address: Mirriamverdad@yahoo.com
Contact number: leave a comment and I’d be happy to send it to you.
Mario Lazarito: former tourism officer of Concepcion, Iloilo. He can help arrange accommodation/transportation for you in any of the Concepcion Islands, also for renting private vehicles for tours in Iloilo.
Email address: Mariolazarito@yahoo.com
Guimaras:
Tourism Information Center (Iloilo): +63 (33)337.5411
Tricycle Driver: Maimai +63 (923)638.9891
Multicab Driver: Gerald +63 (920)737.7304
Boat Operator (he can take good photos. He took all our lovely couple shots during our island hopping tour): Jomar +63 (919)975.5012
How would you like to spend the night in a private island with cream colored powdery sand?
This small piece of heaven is called Agho Island. This small paradise is in Concepcion, Iloilo just 30 minutes away by boat from the town proper. You can spend the night in this privately owned paradise for only 1000php per night (23usd).
We took an incredibly early flight to Iloilo, so we didn’t have time to sleep from the day before. Upon arriving in the city, had a quick trip to Miag-ao church, which wasn’t so quick I tell you (will be in a different post). So needless to say that by the time we got to the bus station to go to Concepcion, our energy level was almost empty, and my hair in never-before-seen disarray. From Iloilo City, we endured a grueling three hour (non-airconditioned) bus ride to the small town of Concepcion.
Our very own version of Nat Geo's "Off the Beaten Path"
If you ever get hungry in the three hour bus ride, the small buko pie is actually quite good.
When we got there, we were alarmed by the strong waves in the nearby dock. It was a little over 4 in the afternoon and the weather wasn’t too good either. By the time we finished buying food and supplies, it was almost 5. While walking to the dock, our guide Mirriam assured us that the boatman said it was ok to travel. I was very much relieved to see it was actually a pretty big boat and can transport about 20 people. The boatman (Mang Ronnie) was obviously very skillful, braving through colossal open sea waves and got us to Agho safe and sound.
The moment I stepped on the island, I immediately removed my flip flops to get a feel of the sand. Ahhh! I wish there’s a way to describe it. I forgot about the bus ride, sleep, the heart pumping boat ride. I was in paradise.
Although I would have to say, that this beautiful paradise is not for everyone. This is an untouched, undeveloped island. Nature at it’s finest with no electricity.
We spent the night in this Nipa hut and to my surprise, it was quite comfortable. There’s no need for air conditioning at all. The evening breeze will surely lull you to deep slumber. The weather was not very good when we got there, the skies couldn’t be any more gloomy, and we could feel the hut move with the wind in the evening. The owner of the island helped us with the cooking (for a fee of 250php a day), and Mirriam graciously helped as well – despite our protests.
Definitely far from luxurious, but the gratification this island can give you can be so much more.
Although the weather was far from what I imagined, it was a little better the following morning. But nothing can ruin our mood, even with Mr. Sun going AWOL. Here’s me enjoying the peace Agho can so unselfishly provide you, with only the sound of trees and the Visayan sea. I sat here for less than five minutes and I almost instantly snoozed.
And below is the gang while reality awaits us as the motorized boat docked to bring us back to the mainland. It was bitter sweet. It was awfully hard to let go of something so beautiful, and quite pleased by the promise of civilization and air-conditioned rooms.
Us and our new found friend Bogart the sleepyhead island dog (not his real name, but we liked calling him Bogart)
So instead of spending one hour without lights for Earth hour, it turned out to be Earth Day for us. Can easily be a tradition for I absolutely wouldn’t mind not having the modern amenities in exchange for the solemnity this island offers. I never like spending too much for accommodation, but I like comfort too. And I found comfort in Agho.
This trip is unquestionably one for the books. I will be back.
Before I end this post, I would like to thank the former tourism officer of Concepcion, Mr. Mario Lazarito for arranging everything for us, and for giving us Mirriam as our guide. And to Mirriam, who unfortunately got stuck with us on her birthday, for being so helpful and informative. Although we knew she’d rather not spend her birthday with complete strangers, she never did make us feel that way. And for the island owners (I am so sorry but I forgot Manong’s name), for being such gracious hosts and even gave us a beautiful shell for us to remember him by.
For more information on the 16 islands of Concepcion, Iloilo, you may check this link.
Alternatively, you may send an email to Mr. Lazarito at mariolazarito@yahoo.com, check his website, or leave a comment and I can send you Mirriam’s email address and cell number.
Trip tips:
From Iloilo Airport, you may take a passenger van to SM City for 50php/pax. Then proceed to Tagbak terminal to take the bus to Concepcion (HPQ Bus Line) for 120php/pax.
Passenger Boat Schedules:
Conception mainland to any of the islands: 10am, Back to mainland: 6am
If you can’t make the schedule, you can hire a boat for 1000php per way. Contact Mirriam or Mario and they can arrange it for you.
21
Mar
11
Breaking Dawn
For a nocturnal creature such as me, taking a photo of the sunrise can be quite challenging. They say that sunsets are more beautiful because the colors are more saturated. But looking at this, I think that sunrises have it’s own sense of beauty.
It may not have as many interesting colors as a sunset, but it gives us a lot more than that.
It gives us a feeling of optimism, of solitude, and of that overwhelming anticipation of what the day has in store for us.
Say hello to this extraordinary Laiya sunrise.
Feel free to leave your own