Thank you 2011

It's been a week. Hometown for the holidays.

Today is the last day of 2011. And what else can I say? Cheers to the past, they make us stronger. Looking forward to the future, it's where hope and dreams reside.

On the 25th, we went to Cotabato for Christmas. I was tired from all the red bags I carried all the way from our office building to Shangrila Mall (that's more than a kilometer) two days back. To give you a brief background, red bags is a CSR program of First Gen which aims to give out Noche Buena for Christmas to the needy and less fortunate. This year, we packed and distributed more than 1,600 bags which contain 1kg spaghetti pasta, sauce, 4 canned goods, cheese, and 2 kilos of rice. Now I gather each bag would mean 6kg approx. I carried 2 for more than a km since I could not find anyone I wanted to give the red bags to. Outcome: a very tired me.

Manila Manila. I keep coming back to Manila.

Sometimes the place grows on you. And it becomes a comfort. The familiarity of it all, the rush. We keep coming back to Manila. :) Four years now. :)

This here are pictures of good food, good fun in the familiar grounds.

Tagalong. aka Sabit.

7,107 islands minus 100.

Bolinao and Alaminos, Pangasinan.

May 2011

I was invited to an out of town trip, by the CPh Process Group. Of course, I said yes. When did I ever say no? Wait. I know. One time, June, I said no to Bellaroca. I shall see you next time, Marinduque. :)

Enough of the segues, we left for Pangasinan on a Friday.

Bolinao Falls. Never Stop Exploring.

Gala in Galera

First time in Puerto Galera. And so far the only time. I was with Alot and her high school buddies Tey and BB. 

The girls were awesome! I love 'em! But I am not much fan of the place.

March 2011.

Sunset Beach

 We went there even after a warning. A huge tsunami just hit Japan, but the plan was so long been made, and we were adamant on postponing it. So there we were.

Giddy

Hihi

Ramon Bautista in the flesh, ladies and gentlemen. He was behind me while I was queuing for ATM. Dear Lord. Pinagtadhana na magtagpo aming mga landas. Hahaha. Ang feeling ko talaga!

December 21, 2011. 12/21/11. My. Best. Day. In. 2011. EVER.

:)

We will always go back to the beach

My first time in Boracay was spent with officemates.

Eto yung sinasabi ni Ramon Bautista. "Bakit pa kita i-aadd sa Facebook eh nakikita ko naman ang Boracay pictures mo?" Hahaha. Feeling ko lang! :)

March 2010.

My Sunset

I misplaced my wallet then. And could find no ID. Good thing the airline decided they can accommodate me.

And wee, I was off to the famous white beach off the coast in Aklan!

Let's Kapit-Bisig!

December 5-8. Cagayan de Oro and Butuan

December 15-16. Davao City and Kidapawan
December 24-January 1. Davao City.

A week after my CDO trip, typhoon Sendong devastated the city. Last I heard, there were 500+ people dead already. Let's all help folks! Here's how:

from the Philippine Red Cross website:
1. SMSText RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)
2. G-CashText DONATE<space>AMOUNT<space>4-digit M-PIN<space>REDCROSS to 2882

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

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=314662605221457&id=314177328603318

http://nusp.org/tulong-kabataan-for-the-victims-of-typhoon-sendong/

http://mylittleways.com/typhoons/how-you-can-help-typhoon-sendong-victims/

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/blogs/the-inbox/help-sendong-victims-095238780.html


God help our fellowmen.

Peeta

My ride decided I'm too hot to handle, he overheats and I hafta pay a humongous amount of sum. Hahaha, I kid. Peeta, babe, you rob me more than a newborn human would. I still love you, though. We shall continue going places. And we shall discover Luzon! 

Read the story here.

Around the world in 80 minutes

Are you familiar with the book - Around the World in Eighty Days? Maybe you're more familiar with the movie. It stars Jackie Chan. Anyway, back to the book, it's a classic written by Jules Verne.I am not much fan of classics, but this one, I liked instantly. The book was bought by my sister for 20 bucks. Quite a bargain, really. To think that it was considered a masterpiece... By me! Hahaha. Oh well. I liked how the protagonist, Phileas Fogg, a wealthy bachelor, won the bet by a simple miscalculation. Of course, when you travel the world towards east, you lose a day. Oops! Forgive my blunder, that might've been a major spoiler but who cares, right? Everybody loves a happy ending!

And everybody loves Christmases!

Restless

Sometimes, I just want to leave everything behind - and travel. But that would be terribly irresponsible. Not to mention, expensive. I could tick off a lot of excuses, but this fact remains. I am a coward. I feel afraid of so many things, for no reason at all.

I need to dwindle down this mistrust. And this restlessness. :) And hope someday. Something worth it, is waiting. For me to be ready to receive it.

Meantime, this here's a good read. :)

11 Things to Know at 25(ish)

I don't know why I'm too restless. I thought this was what I've wanted. Here's the proof. 

I must settle.

When girls party - They party in Boracay

Because girlfriends are the bestest forms of bestfriends.

Grecian-inspired resort in Pinas

Close but not quite. Imma take you on, Santorini. Someday.

Meantime. Here's Thunderbird Resorts in Poro Point, La Union. 7 hours drive away from Metro Manila.

May 2010

Just another photoblog.

Kilig

This is nothing related to traveling. But a lot related to something, or someone, I so adore.

Ramon Bautista is <3.

These here're snapshots of the three questions which I asked, and he answered! Ayan Alot, naka 3 nako, ikaw wala pa!!! :))

Boondocks - Mt. Manalmon

Adventure is out there! -Russell

While we were out prancing, they posed for the camera

Kidnap

The three of us, on a Friday, watched 'The Adventures of Tintin.' Chabs and I were under the impression that Tintin was a girl. And the movie was for kids. We were wrong. Aside from the noticeably serious theme of the animation, there were gun shooting, sword fighting, and blood all over! Ha. Who was I kidding. I was just too engrossed with the film. Anyway, the movie was superb. And I loved Snow. :)

So we were all going home. But wait there's more!

I left Peeta at the office parking since I was expecting traffic in Ortigas. Chabs and Yeye walked me to car. And we decided to drop by Meralco. But it was nearing 12 mn and the lights exhibit was closed. We then decided to go to Tagaytay. What is it with me and Tagaytay these days? :D

She's expensive

The sister was in town. Had to treat her. Bubba Gump it is.

This here's a transparent bribe to prevent future kvetching.

Up North

A fun-filled field trip with officemates and their kids.

February 2011. It was my second time to go to Ilocos Norte. This time, we went further below to see Ilocos Sur.

We took the bus, a ten-hour travel turned eight hours, to Ms Mencee's place in Ilocos Norte. We rested some. And took a van to visit the sinking church, lighthouse, and the windmills.

Pretty girl

Let me introduce you to Daryn. She's three. And a little bit miffed by strangers. She does not actually talk to us, but basks in the comfort of Mommy Chu's arms. She, however, is a darling. And talks in English, cartoon-ish way. I quote, "It's so fun Ate, weeee!" After four days in our company, she gradually warmed up. And thus, the Kodak-moments when she let's us carry her up.

2009

Some people feel love in their hearts. Some of us feel it all the way into our souls. We're the ones who can't forget.

Cebu-Bohol

I love the beach. They calm me.

July 2011. Alot and I went to Cebu to take the SuperCat to Bohol. And here we are. These pristine white beaches keeping my soul intact.