Holiday Rush

Christmas is just around the corner and yet I still seem not prepared for it.I’ve been buying toys and possible gifts since September yet my preparation seems not enough. My gifts still unwrapped. I need to buy more for the people on list. No clothes yet for the 25th. I haven’t check the food list for the Noche Buena. Lastly, I still need to prepare that special gift for my little girl.

Still a lot to do. Hope I will still have time to drop by the mall and buy that toy she wanted except for the Ipad she is requesting. But on the other side, can’t wait to be out of work and head home to my hometown. See you soon then, Batangas.

Anyway, early greetings for everyone!

kawikaan - my life

When hurt -

laugh,

cry,

scream,

flirt,

dance.

I don’t owe anyone explanation

I am living my life the way I want it to be.


Version 3

Kawikaan - Eyes

Eyes will always be the best way to see someone. It reveals more than what can be said and done.

Version 2

P.S. Credit to the photo owner

 

Kawikaan Ver 1

The worse thing a person can make you feel is being thrown out of his/her world. You will only exist then on that person’s world once needed but other than that, you don’t matter, you are nothing.

Version 1

a bliss

all work, no play

makes a dull day

out of work, unto the field

crazy me makes time to feast

PS Even kids need time to be relax.


Photo from my Boracay Trip 2011

Work and Holiday

Work.

Work.

Work.

I feel so stressed that I can’t help but take few minutes off to ease myself and give my head a break.

Its brain draining, nerve wrecking, fingers flicking - click click, and eyes hurting – yes it’s really HECTIC (can you imagine it?). I’ve been looking, nah - it’s staring (a much better word) and reading on the two monitors in front of me while trying to type feedback and correction.

Did I mention it is November 7 today? It is holiday in celebration Eidul Adha yet look where I am now. :(

Yeah, A Friend

Friend.
I was there.
I never left.
I never leave you.
But all you said says I was never been there for you.

A Friend.
I help you to be strong.
I became your pillar.
I open my dwelling for you.
But that seems not to matter for you at all.

Yeah, a friend.
I say words to build support.
I tell stories to inspire you to move on.
I said words so you won’t have to fall on the same pit again.
I told them to help you move on.
But all you think was I don’t want you to be happy.

Yeah, a friend?
Have you ever thought of the good things done?
Is that single reason enough for you to throw everything away?
Is that person worth it to push every person away?
Have you realized how’s your life been now?
Is that how you want to be happy?

Yeah, a friend?
You come to us just when you needed
You come just when you want someone to listen to all the bragging.
You remember us when and only when you are vulnerable and miserable
But you never and cannot do the same thing.
Never you have grown up.

thought for a friend

You know the pain you are suffering but you are blind to see how it’s turning your life into a mess. You welcome it with much happiness.

You listen yet you don’t understand nor try to understand the point we are trying to say. You still believe in lie.

Guess you are living in a nightmare and you don't want to wake up from it.

Hope one day, you’ll wake up and realize what’s happening before its too late.

Great Food at Bistro Valhalla

There are quite number of restaurant in Boracay that serves pasta like Don Vito but sill my 1st choice when I crave for pasta is the Valhalla Restaurant located at the D’Mall in Station. You might find it weird that the chef and owner is Danish (as the name implies) yet they serve pasta and stakes and burgers.

We end up here as my friend craves for pasta during the trip. We hop from one restaurant to another, checking the menu, finding a specific dish that will satisfy his cravings. Here, while we look at the menu, the owner who was watching nearby approaches us as we argue a bit on the food. He asked for some details of the food we are looking since it is not on the menu of every place we went. He offered us to cook the food so he called the chef for us to give specification. Lucky, the chef agreed to cook it.

Atmosphere. The place is at the side of the D-Mall,a away from places with loud music. It is small yet cozy with all cute designs on the wall. Most things are made of wood except for the tables set outside the restaurant. We opted to sit almost outside since most tables inside are occupied and for fresh air in the outer area.

The Menu. They offer servings in two types: a. single - lunch or b. group - dinner. There are many choices for pasta lovers. And they also serve steak and non-pasta meals. Upon checking the menu, it is quite pricey for those on budget but less compared to other European restaurant here. But as I observed food served on our table as well as in other tables, the serving is big even for lunch (single serving) order.

Food. My friend Peter wanted to have pasta in white sauce and shrimps on which the Chef cooked by request. The food smells good once it is served. Pasta is cooked right. The sauce is neither that thick nor thin yet still clings on the pasta. Also there is a milky after taste (yummy). Shrimp? Lots of it that range from small to medium thus we end with 2-3 each. The plus, they gave free dessert (carrot cake during our stay) after meals.

Staff. They staff are friendly from the Chef, manager and servers. The chef keeps on coming back on the table to check if we are satisfied with his cooked meal. The owner often approach guests for small chat and make sure they like the food.

Overall, it’s a good place to dine aside from the grilled food and buffet usually offered. And it is worth every penny spent here. For sure I’ll drop by here on my next trip in Boracay.

Boracay 2012 Day 2

A Very Homey Restaurant

Craving for good and home cooked food away from home? This is one great choice in Tagbilaran. Payag Restaurant offers good variety of food at affordable price. And the staff is friendly and accommodating.

The restaurant is build inside a Spanish styled house. From the outside, the place looks big and overpowering with its all wooden structure though its not that big inside but spacious enough for the tables and chairs and few accessories. You will be greeted with the friendly guard, the welcoming chef statue and a wooden stairs leading to the 2nd floor or the dining area.

The upper part is divided into two: the open area with the view of the street- this one is open for smokers and those who want fresh air and an in closed room which got air-condition area.
The place is decorated with roosters and chicken – found on the table, plates and clock (both dining area) and some old inspired material like old capiz lamp, heavy wood chairs and tables (that reminds me of my lola’s house). The whole site gives you homey relaxing feeling.

The menu offers variety of food which can be shard by 2 people but at affordable price.

The specialty of the house is their Chicken Inato. The meal is just like another version of barbecued chicken which they will probably say has their own special marinade (as all restaurant claims). Out of hunger, I order this since it’s accompanied with unlimited rice offer then I add ripe mango shake for the drinks. The meal is delicious but still I can say there is a different taste between their version and the other inato house. Also the chicken is well cooked and easy to eat (no shreds caught between my teeth) which makes me add another cup of rice for evening.

Then my friend Peter ordered sizzling gambas along with rice and iced tea for his meal. The gambas is great though it’s a bit smaller in portion. The downside is it’s more of pepper and other veggies than the shrimp itself.

Overall, the eating place is one of the excellent place I’ve eaten away from my own. Food is great and delectable and fits well for the people that travel with a budget. It is walking distance from the St. Joseph Church thus you can stroll a bit after a full meal.

Boracay Bound Again

Boracay 2011 Trip - Day 1

I'm not really a morning person thus waking up early on a Friday is really a great effort. Though I force myself to wake up early, I am still happy and excited for this trip for I am Boracay bound.. and it’s for the nth time. Though some people always ask why always Boracay?! The only thing I can answer is I love Boracay and will always love it.

So at 7 am, I am at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 waiting for my friend Peter and the flight. I enter the place and he is not yet here. I can’t wait for him anymore for breakfast so I head to the 2nd floor of the departure area to grab breakfast. Lucky some of the food chain stalls there are open already and some stores.

After 30 minutes, we met and check in. There is a little problem though as Peter did a web checking but didn’t print the confirmation thus he was asked by the lady to do the regular check in. He was freaking mad at her for not checking in on the computer (for she is busy checking facebook that time). But it is still early so we did just as advice just to avoid discussion with Cebu Pacific crew. Anyway, it’s still early and few people were checking in. Then we head to the waiting area and passes restaurant and stalls opening up.

Peter hasn’t had breakfast so we went to Espressamente Illy, one of the coffee shops at the airport. I grab a donut filled Bavarian while he chose a sandwich and some beer. We’ve stayed there for a quite some time while waiting for our flight to be called.

Im not sure if the flight is late but it seems time passed fast while waiting. Then at last we are called to board… to the bus. Haha! The plane is tucked away from the boarding form. And another surprise for me is that it is a smaller plane.

But anyway, Im bound to Boracay again!

A Day Spent on Jack's Ridge

A Review on Jack's Ridge, Davao

Our stay in Jack’s Ridge is an out of the blue decision since I was not able to remember places I’ve researched except this one. So I advise the driver to drop us there and he obligingly does so. Once in the place I can say it has a good location with a good overview of the city and the Davao Gulf (even better at night) but I am limited only on checking its amenities like restaurants, piano bar and the amphitheater.

The receptionist was friendly and patient to explain the terms from down payment to staying there. And the rest of the staff there is accommodating and friendly though they ask me a couple of times where I came from. The said part is he is quite slow to process my request and makes me wait a bit longer (almost 30 minutes).

For the room, it is a small hut complete with small cable television (an old school one), telephone for in-house call, towels and soap, personal refrigerator, and small side cabinet plus the menu of the restaurants. The room size is small that we look so packed inside along with the things inside (imagine sardines in a can). The room has small veranda with the view of the city also and it is the only place in the room that allow us to access Wi fi but the signal is not too weak to almost none thus we end up going to the café for a stronger signal. Also the fridge on the room is too old that there were rust forming on some parts inside and I recommend not using it. And at night, there are many mosquitos lounging around the room and the stairs.
Amenities wise it’s good to have 3 restaurants to choose from though the price particularly Taklobo Restaurant is quite expensive and all of them have service charge on top of the bill. The pool is good but they got a different charge for its use (as shown on the sign near the area) so we’d opted not to check on it anymore.

Overall, Jack’s Ridge is a good place to eat (if you want to spend a little) and unwind due to the view it offers, the park and the big amphitheater. But I don’t recommend staying there for two reasons: 1.) It is far from the town center and 2.) the hut/room we stay is not a good one for my opinion. And there are there are many pension, inns and hotel in Davao much better to stay.

Tidbits on Jack’s Ridge (some taken from their site):

Jack's Ridge is located in Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao city. It is 30 minutes away from the town proper. It has 3 main restaurants namely Taklobo Restaurant, Kai’s Bar and Grill and the Karlo’s Coffee. Its location was part of the headquarters of the retreating Japanese forces towards the end the of World War II.

Davao 2011: My Hotel - A Great Place to Stay in Davao

Our first choice on hotel is bad thus the second day started with a place to stay within the city. There are lots on the list until I saw the name My Hotel and remember it from a fellow blogger’s site. From that, we called them and receptionist is courteous and friendly upon answering the phone. Lucky, she confirmed there are rooms available that day.

My Hotel Davao

We left the current place where we stayed for a night and transferred to My Hotel. Upon arrival, the hotel looks like another building along the busy street with a significant yellow painting on the wall based on the outside appearance. However upon entrance on the lobby, you feel at ease as there is less noise inside and the security guard is in full attention of people passing by the door. Location wise, it is good place despite the crowded area. It is near the church, mall, grocery stores, restaurant and small cafeteria and the Davao’s People’s Park.

My Hotel Reception Area

The lady receptionist is patient to explain us the room availability, amenities and other important details upon staying even though there is a flyer available just above the table. And the other hotel staffs are approachable and patient when explaining directions. Also the hotel lobby is spacious with lots of seats for visitors and waiting for their stuff.

My Hotel Lobby

We chose a double bed room. The first room given to us have problem with the air condition thus we requested for transfer which they obliged do. Also there is rust is rust of the place were towel can be hung. The next room given is a bit bigger than the 1st one with a good aircon. It is clean and they regularly clean up every morning. I notice from the two rooms that they have specific presentation for the soap, towel and roll tissue placed on top of the bet. There is a big flat screen tv with clear cable connection. The bed is good for sleeping though I wish the pillow is bigger and softer. The bathroom is also big and no rust on the comfort room anymore. Also no problem on the water for both hot and cold shower.

My Hotel Room

They offer free calls outside the country (I notice this on the post on the phone). Also they have free Wi-Fi connection for from the lobby until the top floors. However during peak hours, the connection is a little slow (but feel free to check the other connections) and sometimes it’s hard to connect whenever in the restaurant area.

Overall, it’s a great choice for a place to stay and will definitely stay here when I go back to Davao.

Davao 2011: An Evening Spree at the Park

Davao Trip 2011 - Day 2

We head first to the park since it is still early for dinner. There is a tight security as guards inspects bag for cigarette, lighter and sharp objects but they are accommodating and smiling most of the time. Also there were two lines – one for boys and the other girls.

First stop inside is to take a picture of the name of the park, People’s Park. Then next head to the dome like infrastructure inside. It’s really a big park divided into different areas plus it shows our culture. And since it is Sunday, it packed of family having a good time at the park. Also there are many children taking their time and playing around. After a long walk we head to a Vietnamese restaurant named Hanoi but was already transferred to SM Davao thus we end up eating to its sister Japanese restaurant named Tsuru (same owner) as my friend start to crave for sushi.

It is my first time to enter a Japanese restaurant (I only know of Tokyo Tokyo) and I feel so welcome here. The place is not big but with good ambiance. The servers are friendly and the owner is accommodating. I ordered prawns while he ordered various sushis. After dinner, we head back to the park to enjoy the rest of the evening.

Davao 2011: Afternoon Trip to The Philippine Eagle Center and Orchid Garden

Davao Trip 2011 - Day 2

After some rest, we head out for another trip. The afternoon starts with trip to Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) and Orchid Garden.

Going to PEC, we took a van going there which cost us PHP30 each but it took more than an hour ride. We took off at Calinan. From there a trike or motorbike ride is needed to each the center. A driver asked for a PHP150 going since there will be no one riding him when he heads back to the Calinan. Afterwards, he then asked for addition PHP50 for waiting and a ride back to Calinan. The trike stops at the entrance of the Davao City Water District (DCWD) Watershed Park in Malagos, just at the foot of Mt. Apo. A fee of PHP20 was collected at the entrance then we walk at the silent park despite a few number of people particularly the kids roaming around.

Then we pay another fee of PHP50 at the entrance of the PEC. I thought there will be a tour guide but I think they offer it for groups going inside (we were just two people). We follow the signs inside the area. I was impressed on the size of the well maintained area and on the big cages provided. There big tress and collections of plants and colorful flowers to simulate the natural habitat for the animals. Aside from eagle, there are also crocodile, monkeys, owls and other bird species. We explore the area until we finally saw the eagle that makes the place famous, Pag- asa. He is the first Philippine Eagle bred in captivity.

After an hour, we decided to head to an orchid farm. We first stop at Malagos Garden Resort but there was an entrance fee and my friend is not interested on the show thus we chose to go to the orchid garden just across the road. Pictures were taken with the orchids and other plants on the nursery. O guides there yet I was able to check details on the poster on the walls and got some information on the three sellers cum caretakers inside the garden. We stay there for a while then head back to the main road. Unfortunately, the trike driver ask for additional PHP200 for waiting for us instead of what we agreed earlier (he is lucky I was not able to take a picture of his face) and I want to smack him but to avoid argument, I paid him.

After that, we head back our hotel at San Pedro. We ride another van that cost us PHP35 per person for reason that the road back is longer than the first one. Being new, it’s hard to remember all the names of the streets thus we missed the street where we should got off. I only realize we are lost when I saw the SM Mall in Davao. I tried to ask details but most of them answer me using the local dialect which I don’t understand. We tried to ask the driver if we are near the My Hotel but instead of answering he ask the remaining passengers that he will drop us off at the hotel. However he took us on several hotel and in including Marco Polo thinking My Hotel is not the name of the place we are staying (honestly it is quite confusing). Then a woman inside the van remembers the name of the hotel as well as the complete street address and that’s when the driver realized he taking us to wrong places.

I end up laughing at myself once back in the hotel. Me and my friend rest and refresh before heading out to park and dinner.

Fully Loaded Sunday

Davao Trip 2011 - Day 2

Wake up and prepare for the day. We grab quick breakfast at Karlo's Coffee and googled a place to stay in the town proper where it would be easier for us to commute for other places to visit as well as more choices to eat. We called one hotel but the receiver seems busy listening to loud hiphop music (heard over the call) plus chatting with a collegue. Then I remember My Hotel from a review of another blogger while checking the remaining selections on the page I am looking at. We consider the area where the hotel was located before we agreed to transfer there.

After that we prepare of things while the guard called a cab from us, this time we got friendlier driver who loves to talk with us. It took us less than 30 minutes from Jack’s Ridge from the town proper. Once we arrive at the hotel I know it was a good choice from location to ambiance and it is not noisy inside despite near a main street where lots of vehicles passes.

Room check in and the aircon is not that good thus we requested for a different room. Voila! They provide us much bigger and better room with a niece view of the area though it is not the highest floor of the building. We rest for a bit while we try to decide the places on the list we can go. Since the museum is closed on Sunday thus that left us to venture on other places far from the town proper but close to each other, which is the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) and the Orchid Center in Malagos.

And planning still..

What An Unplan Day!

Davao Trip 2011 - Day 1

Me and Peter been talking via chat and e-mail before the trip for few days. I’ve researched on itirenery, places to stay and good food places then send it via e-mail thinking he make the final decision on everything. So we end on meeting in the airport with Peter all drunk and still drinking. Only to realize he wanted me to decide on everything when we are in Davao already ( I missed his last mail asking me to take charge of everything (im out of work when it was sent ) and I all I said is I’m on a mess now.

I know there are lots of places where we can check in knowing a lot of hotels and inns here but not sure if there is available rooms. I called and texted my friends to check several places for me until I remember Jack Ridge even though one of the cabbie there been advising us also to other places I knew he will get a kickback plus a large charge for us (I say screw him doing that!). But it is going to be my call. My decision then is to head to Jack’s Ridge and think of another good place after a night there. So I ask him to drop us at Jack’s Ridge and tried to bargain the price for the drop off – from PHP400 to PHP300. And one thing I hate people taking advantage of me knowing I am not from Davao and travelling with a non-local. Guess this is the bad side of being a known tourist place - that they charge higher fee for both Filipino and foreigner.

Once we arrive there, my friend end up sleeping at the vehicle while I deal with the receptionist for the payment for a night stay which takes half an hour. Lucky there is an extra hut available for us knowing they got only 3-4 rooms for rent. After signing few papers, we are now ready to go to the room. It’s around lunch already when start to head down to the room as a crew helps us transfer the baggage. The place is relaxing as we enjoy the view of the city while we walk down the stairs to the room. Only to realize it is at the far end of the stairs and at the end of the hut rows.

We checked the room for a bit before we settle down though there is a bit of complains on the location (it’s away from the city). As curious person, I end up checking every inch of the room while my friend ends up getting a quick shower and taking a short nap.

Hungry as no lunch and snacks eaten yet, we get out around half past 2 pm to have lunch con meryenda. The Taklobo restaurant is still gearing up for the night that will come we end up at Karlo’s Gourmet and Coffee. Also its weird that their menu got cents on the price only to notice the 20% tax and service charge that will be added on the final bill. My hunger already passes that I end up ordering a chocolate cake while he ordered grilled pork with mash potato and chocolate mousse.

After eating, we round the place checking the Amphitheater, the Penmar Halls and sneaking around the area. There are 2 gazebos at the far edge of the place which is a great for taking picture of the city. And there are lots of stairs there that we tried to check each one and where it will lead to.

Dinner came and we decided to check on Kai’s Bar and Grill over Taklobo restaurant. This time I am really hunger that I order grilled tuna and rice plus Tanduay Ice while my friend Peter munch on fries and beer. We skip out once in a while to smoke as it is not allowed in the area. There is not much view on the bar compared to other parts of the area but what we wait for is the Utopia band that will be playing play for the night. We stayed there a bit late until the sounds change into a different genre.

We left as the band started the 2nd set since most of the songs played make us sleep. Guess it is the sign that we need to rest and better called it quits.

Chriscent Ville Pension House Tagbilaran City

Good place to stay in the city. Staffs are friendly and easy to approach. Room is clean though not well maintained. But I can still say safe and comfortable to stay in. The place is near church, mall, dinner and other accommodation.

It’s all worth the payment.

Best Place to Stay in Panglao Island

Part of Panglao Island Trip

One word to describe the place: excellent. Amorita is one of the best places to stay in Panglao Island. One reason personalized service and staff are friendly and genuinely amicable. They always make sure that they inform us before entering the villa – rang doorbell, call out names, etc. They make sure we are taken care off. Also they offer extra mile to their guest like cooking us the Egg Benedict for breakfast which is not on their menu.

Area. The lobby is simple as well as the villa yet there is a class look on it. Also they use wood product to accentuate the place. It is not big place compared to other high end resorts in the island yet the rooms and the patio are significantly placed that makes the place seems a big place to roam. Also there is tight security whenever one left the area going to the Panglao shore.

Room. The room is well maintained. They bed is well prepared upon entering the
villa yet they removed after a few hours from arriving. Seems it’s just for presentation. There are lots of pillows of different sizes which I like a lot since I love to be surrounded by pillows. The bed is good for sleeping at any position (no back ache in the morning) and the pillows are soft enough for the head and hugging. There is one cabinet with security box for the clothes to hang and a small are beside it for sitting or for placing bags. I also love the spacious open area for bathroom that can be access from inside the room and from a backdoor to avoid wetting the room.

Here are my three downsides with Amorita. First is location. They are at the end of the island thus they don’t have private or even small beach area. Guest like us can only enjoy the view with the infinity pool inside the resort. Next, they could have added few more hangers where we can put clothes that need to be hanged. Last, it is too pricey that one must really save to be able to stay here.

Overall, my stay here is beyond my expectation and worth every peso. Wish I can stay here again for my next visit in Panglao.