Showing posts with label Cebu. Show all posts
Epic Fail Road Trip
Sunday and Monday are both my rest days as well as my friends so we always make this our "laag" days. But for the past few weeks, we had been going out to unplanned trips and we end up with returning home late night, exhausted and pretty regretful travelling without proper a proper plan.
Just like last weekend, one of my colleagues named Effie asked me to join them on one of their photo-shoot session in a marvelous place in Liloan, Cebu. Yet, prior to the day of the event, we figured out that this place called Amara is a private village and that only those who have appointments to one of the home owners are allowed in the area unless given the authorization of the management though. We hesitated to go but then just went with the flow, all eight of us were on our way to Liloan with four motorcycles.
We passed by SM Cebu City, catch up with each other at Metro Mandaue now known as Pacific Mall, we had a glimpse of the new SM Consolacion which I never had a good picture with and eventually reached Liloan proper. We even reached Barangay Catarman where Amara village is located but we realized that one of our motorcycles was running out of gas, Mia (our own motorcycle) was also almost drained up too, it was already almost fifteen minutes passed five.
Considering the gas outage and Effie sent us a notification that they were not able to come inside because they didn't called for any appointment or reservation, we decided to turn back and just go to a nearer area and look for a gas station. We stopped by Papa Kits but ended up leaving because it was almost dark and we won't be able to enjoy the place. Good thing we were able to get to a gas station and filled our tanks to its full.
Visited Cebu's Plaza Independencia At Last
It was not so long ago when I had shared my experienced at the World's Largest Floating Book Fair, the Logos Hope. The truth is, before James and I visited the huge ship, we were at Plaza Independencia taking some photos of the area. That was our first time together at the vicinity though we had been passing by it whenever we need to go to the port area. I was amazed because the area is quiet clean now and there were guards roaming around, blowing their whistles whenever somebody steps on the green Bermuda grasses.
There are a lot of changes I should say after the great renovation made a year ago, I can't really remember when the renovation had started and ended. All I know is, this place has a new look, a new face. More beautiful and more accommodating. Cleaner and greener. The area has been a place for events and gatherings as well, in fact, last year's Mass Wedding was held in there.
Travel: Naga City
Because I won Simple Yet Rock's Level Up Giveaway Anniversary, I had the opportunity to visit Naga City where I would be claiming the Php 1000 prize. Naga City is just 30 minutes away from Cebu City if via mini bus but will take you more than an hour if via a jeep. I am not new to the city since I have been passing it every time James and I need to go to Oslob however, I haven't been able to visit the place. I am happy that I had the chance to visit it last weekend. Thanks to the changes made with my new work schedule and I am now able to enjoy my weekends.
At three o'clock, James and I rode on a mini bus going to Naga City which ran pretty fast and surprised when we stepped out because the old sports complex building is now the new Metro Market. Curious about how it looked inside, we went in and ate some snacks inside. The building is more of a grocery store but they also have some food stands inside, like most Metro Gaisano grocery stores.
We met Roxanne from Simple Yet Rock and claimed my prize as well. We had a little chat and since she is also on her way to SM, we bid our goodbyes and parted ways. We then took our time to enjoy the place. We didn't go any farther, we just focused on the main city itself. Here are the shots we took while roaming the area.
A Date at Cebu's Shoe Capital
Astonished ~ that's what I felt when James and I visited Carcar City for the first time last Sunday, August 14, 2011. Carcar City is approximately 40 km south of Cebu and is a one hour and a half drive from the heart of Cebu. It is best known as the Shoe Capital of Cebu and so the photo above explains it. That shoe is probably the biggest shoe I have ever seen my entire life but it seem to be very old. The skins on the frontal part has been torn already yet, it is still the largest shoe I have seen so far.
I had to travel by myself last Sunday because James went home to Oslob and we just agreed to met at Gaisano Carcar branch. It was my first time as well to ride on a mini bus alone. It was amazing because the mini bus runs a lot faster than those large buses. It was a perfect timing because by the time I reached the mall, James just got off the bus as well. We ate our lunch at Mang Inasal which we actually regret afterwards. James had a business affair during the afternoon so we need to hurry up and go to where we want to. We first went to the town's Shoe Expo where we found a lot of stalls all selling world class shoes, hand-made sandals and of course the customized fad Espadrilles.
We went from stall number 1 up to the end and were astonished with the designs. I had my eyes set on some new designs, new because it was my first time to see those kinds of espadrilles. The prices are also affordable since the quality is really good, prices range from Php 100 to 400 depending on the design and the materials used. There were espadrilles on sale too.
I had to travel by myself last Sunday because James went home to Oslob and we just agreed to met at Gaisano Carcar branch. It was my first time as well to ride on a mini bus alone. It was amazing because the mini bus runs a lot faster than those large buses. It was a perfect timing because by the time I reached the mall, James just got off the bus as well. We ate our lunch at Mang Inasal which we actually regret afterwards. James had a business affair during the afternoon so we need to hurry up and go to where we want to. We first went to the town's Shoe Expo where we found a lot of stalls all selling world class shoes, hand-made sandals and of course the customized fad Espadrilles.
We went from stall number 1 up to the end and were astonished with the designs. I had my eyes set on some new designs, new because it was my first time to see those kinds of espadrilles. The prices are also affordable since the quality is really good, prices range from Php 100 to 400 depending on the design and the materials used. There were espadrilles on sale too.
Sunday Date at Taoist Temple
Sunday is considered as our "date" day because both James and I are free so it's the only time that we can spend a whole day together. Aside from going together to Church, we need to go out and bond a little. For the past three weeks, we made it a point that we should roam around Cebu, anywhere nice and in which we haven't been to. Last time, we've been to Crocolandia where Lapu-lapu, the biggest crocodile in Cebu is situated. We also visited the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House last week and felt the ancient days inside the treasured house. And then yesterday, July 31, 2011 we finally made it to Taoist Temple in Lahug, Cebu City.
Taoist Temple is a sanctuary of prayers, meditations and worship for Taoism, the religion which follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tze. It is located in Beverly Hills Subdivision in Cebu City, Philippines. The temple is open to the worshipers and non-worshipers, one good thing is that admission is free! I had been there once when I was still I guess three or four years of age, I still have some vivid memories about our visit.
Going to Taoist Temple isn't hard, you can go there with your private vehicle or commute. With our case, we got to ride on a public vehicle. From downtown Cebu, we rode PUJ route number 17B to Sudlon, Lahug. From there, we stepped on a habal-habal (public used motorcycles) for Php 10 per head. Since habal-habals can't get inside the Beverly Hills subdivision, we just walked approximately 10 minutes to the main spot. It wasn't tiring at all because the weather was gloomy that time and we had each others. But a few blocks before the temple, it rained! Bummer! Good thing I brought with me my super umbrella, we were lucky that it didn't rain hard.
A Date At Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House
Yesterday was a tiring yet amazing day, James and I celebrated the 35th month of our relationship and it was a lovely day to go out and spend the day with each other. We first thought of going to Taoist Temple in Lahug, I was still four I guess when I visited that place together with my family and the picture of the place is vague now. James has been there when he was still in secondary school so yeah, we planned to get there that day. Unfortunately, we have no hold of what the weather would be and surprise! It rained again, bummer! But my prayers were still granted because it was just a light rain compared to the other day's. So while James, I and her sister (yeah, he brought a chaperon, hehehe) were having lunch at Jollibee-P. Del Rosario branch, we decided to cancel out the Taoist Temple and just look for something else near our spot.
The rain stopped before we finish eating but the sky was still dark and sad so we just went our way to this museum featured in one of those local TV shows we watch. We actually have no idea on its name, all we know is that it is near the National Heritage. So, from P. Del Rosario we walk towards San Carlos University and rode a Jeep route 01B to Parian. On National Heritage's left we found the museum itself!
Summer Isn't Over Yet With Icruise
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| photo credits to ryan bagaporo |
Thanks to my new team, the spx (specialist) for the island hopping experience. The iCruise was an incentive given by our company HR because the team earned the most number of referrals last few months of recruitment. I shouldn't be joining this special treat because I just came into the team a few weeks ago but the team was very accommodating and generous to add me on the list. We were 30 in all and the HR said the boat can accommodate 30 heads, that was very good news.
Team Papa Joe Lunch At Casa Verde
Though I am not anymore part of the Team Papa Joe, I am glad I was invited for the team lunch which happened yesterday and took place at Casa Verde in Ayala Terraces. We had a great time and laughed alot, as in a lot! Unlike before, everyone was present yesterday. We got a prize from making to the top team for our account's overall stack ranking for the month of April. And as a celebration to that, we held this team lunch. Actually,we thought of eating at Banana Leaf but for some reasons, we ended up eating at Casa Verde which we didn't regret anyway.
Our "chikas" and laughter was interrupted when we learned that Loreto had already submitted his resignation. Without us knowing, his last night shift was last Sunday and though it maybe a sad thing that we will not be having him anymore in the future team lunch or any meal, we are happy because he is now moving into his greener pasture. He is actually going abroad but will be staying in the country first for his short term studies. Well, farewell and congrats Loreto! One good vibe was that he never let that event pass by, he made it to our team lunch without being late! Lol
Anyway, Casa Verde's specialty is the Baby Back Ribs also known as Brian's Baby Back Ribs. The serving was too much for me, if you are just an average eater like me, most women do, the serving is too much for sure. I was not able to finish it up but decided not to take it out then, most of my colleagues went out with the packed lunch. Now it is not just yummy and tender! It is also affordable, you can share it also if you want for Php 198.
To Bohol via Talibon
Everytime I go back home to
Bohol, I would usually travel via Tubigon or Tagbilaran and way back in
college, I would travel via Ubay so going to Bohol through Talibon has always been my last
option. But I had no other option yesterday, we have to ride the 12 noon ship
to Talibon because there was no ship to Ubay on Sundays and going via Tubigon
would take time to get to Guindulman and I was dying to reach home and eat
"sapajan" or in Cebuano "pasayan". Our neighbors had this
fishpond and they sell real cheap shrimps and bangus. My papa would buy and
cook me "sinigang na sapayan" which is my favorite.
Well enough for that, it
makes me hungry thinking of that big yummy shrimps. So going back, James and I
headed to Pier 3, since I don't know where the ticketing office is, I asked a "kuya",
an elderly man about it. We were able to buy our tickets worth Php 260 each and
then realized that the kuya who helped us get our tickets has his own modus
opirande - to sell us his otaps and ampao. We felt pity so we decided to buy
one but kuya insisted to buy three packs instead "para wala daw kida".
Tired of refusing we just bought the three packs for Php 100.
Inside the port, I was amazed
because the terminal ticket was quite different compared to Pier Uno's. They
have e-tickets instead of the yellow one but both of them costs Php 10.
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| tickets worth Php 260 each |
Oslob's Cuartel
I got the chance to get back to Oslob last Wednesday because we were invited to Charlene's graduation day, she is James' younger sister. The graduation was held at the covered court near the Catholic Church and the Cuartel so I grabbed the opportunity to get some photos of their Cuartel Area. It's a building made thousand of years ago during the Spaniards era for the guardia civil or the soldiers. It was not finished though since we were already freed by their colonization. It reconstructed and developed to become their town's tourist spot.
When I first went to Oslob about almost three years ago, the place was not really good. A great difference can be observed if you got to visit the Cuartel. Here are some of the photos we have taken:
When I first went to Oslob about almost three years ago, the place was not really good. A great difference can be observed if you got to visit the Cuartel. Here are some of the photos we have taken:
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| james took this photo of me at the Cuartel |
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| fences in front of the Church |
We Got Inked!!!
One more day and we will be hearing again the beat of the Sinulog Festival, people from different places will head towards the heart of Cebu and celebrate Cebu's Yearly fiesta.
Actually, the celebration started after the New Year. Goodbye to Christmas songs and Hello to Sinulog beats. The Cebu streets are filled again with flag-lets and the side-roads are full of Muslims selling their stuffs, "malongs" and "sarongs" can't be absent. I had bought one actually and it's quite cheap. So if you are planning to go to Cebu, make sure your pockets are full so you can go shopping and buy your friends some "pasalubongs" when you go back home.
One more thing that can't be absent with this festival is the Henna Tattoos. Yeah! I know you have one last year and don't worry it's cool, everyone loves to be dirty during those times. And so just like the others, James and I had our time last night to check out what Fuente Osmeña has in stored for us and started looking for good Henna artists.
We were surprised by the number of people who are there at the circle. It looks like its Sinulog already! The circle was full of people and the side streets have a lot of Henna artists looking for customers. After a few rounds of checking, we decided to get to this group of men with big tattoos in their bodies and huge ear holes. James had her own "tira" first and selected a Gothic design with his own name. I fell in love with the font style and the artist was quite good so I decided to just followed James' design. Haha... I first thought of my name but then eventually decided to just use his name instead, I felt like it's kinda sweet. Istoryahee!! Lols
It was just a 3 minute process, am not sure actually but it was really fast. And next thing to do here is to take care of it until it dries up. It's challenging though since there are a lot of people on the area. But after all, we were able to cover and protect it until it dried up. So this is how it looks:
Yeah! It's cool since it is still new, let's see how it looks like after three days, haha...
Oh! And one more thing, before we got inked, we found this people who were carrying a really huge snake. Aside from the huge snake, the other man was also holding an yellow one, they said it was an albino kind. One can take photos together with the snake for Php 20. Guess what? James and I had our own moment too, not with the huge snake though but with the albino, (this reminds me of our college friend).
While the snake was on my shoulder, I can sense it's muscles when it moved and I almost screamed when it faced me and was wiggling its tongue out. Woaah!
This is just a start of a tire-full weekend because tomorrow, we will head up to SM-Cebu for the fireworks display contest and then tough walk on the next day for the festival. Good luck to me then for I have to go on duty after.
Have you been inked too? Care to share?
Actually, the celebration started after the New Year. Goodbye to Christmas songs and Hello to Sinulog beats. The Cebu streets are filled again with flag-lets and the side-roads are full of Muslims selling their stuffs, "malongs" and "sarongs" can't be absent. I had bought one actually and it's quite cheap. So if you are planning to go to Cebu, make sure your pockets are full so you can go shopping and buy your friends some "pasalubongs" when you go back home.
One more thing that can't be absent with this festival is the Henna Tattoos. Yeah! I know you have one last year and don't worry it's cool, everyone loves to be dirty during those times. And so just like the others, James and I had our time last night to check out what Fuente Osmeña has in stored for us and started looking for good Henna artists.
We were surprised by the number of people who are there at the circle. It looks like its Sinulog already! The circle was full of people and the side streets have a lot of Henna artists looking for customers. After a few rounds of checking, we decided to get to this group of men with big tattoos in their bodies and huge ear holes. James had her own "tira" first and selected a Gothic design with his own name. I fell in love with the font style and the artist was quite good so I decided to just followed James' design. Haha... I first thought of my name but then eventually decided to just use his name instead, I felt like it's kinda sweet. Istoryahee!! Lols
It was just a 3 minute process, am not sure actually but it was really fast. And next thing to do here is to take care of it until it dries up. It's challenging though since there are a lot of people on the area. But after all, we were able to cover and protect it until it dried up. So this is how it looks:
Yeah! It's cool since it is still new, let's see how it looks like after three days, haha...
Oh! And one more thing, before we got inked, we found this people who were carrying a really huge snake. Aside from the huge snake, the other man was also holding an yellow one, they said it was an albino kind. One can take photos together with the snake for Php 20. Guess what? James and I had our own moment too, not with the huge snake though but with the albino, (this reminds me of our college friend).
While the snake was on my shoulder, I can sense it's muscles when it moved and I almost screamed when it faced me and was wiggling its tongue out. Woaah!
This is just a start of a tire-full weekend because tomorrow, we will head up to SM-Cebu for the fireworks display contest and then tough walk on the next day for the festival. Good luck to me then for I have to go on duty after.
Have you been inked too? Care to share?
Team Building Day 1
May 8, 2010 - Team Building day, each of us was really excited for the beach. I already told you that instead of going to Bantayan, we changed it to Alcoy, Cebu.
At exactly six in the morning, everyone was already out of the office, there were assigned committees and each had corresponding responsibilities with the said event. We were 14 as a team but there were outsiders who came, so we were all in all 23. We had agreed to meet at the South Bus Terminal at 9:30 in the morning. James and I were the first to come at the terminal, followed by Loreto and Reggy who brought the big box which contained our drinks. And the others also arrived a couple of minutes then. Unfortunately, we were not able to percieve the weight of the people who were also going home in the province, knowing Election day is on monday. Well, anyway, we were able to ride on the Ceres Bus at 11:00 in the morning, imagine that? We were at the bus terminal for three hours waiting for an available bus. It was not the only frustrating thing that happened, when we went out of the terminal, the bus routed to their garage to get more fuel and it took almost 30 minutes for us to get out of the place.
We were able to arrive first at the Tingko Resort at 2:00 in the afternoon. The resort was kinda not that beautiful and the facilities were not so appealing. The beach had a lot of dead seaweeds in the shore, I don't know why they didn't clean that out. Well, in fairness, there were a couple of people there ahead of us. We looked for some other resorts in the neighborhood since all of us did not like that resort. So we moved to El Paradiso, a walking distance from the Tinko resort and we ate our lunch there.
We had a very yummy dinner, we had shrimps, squid, lechon kawali and grilled fish. That was a tasty dinner really. Thanks to the cook committee. Then most of us went to sleep then, including me. As you can see, I wrote this in the morning of May 9. I will be updating you tomorrow then for the other activities and other more photos.
Team Building location changed: Alcoy Everyone?
Three days before the team building, the location was changed due to some safety problems. Instead of spending it in Bantayan Island, ( :'-( huhu Bantayan ohh bantayan!) we decided to spend it in Alcoy, Cebu. The problem with Bantayan is there are rumors that the place is not safe since election is coming up and the NPAs are active right now, they said the place has been listed as a danger zone in times of election. Well, we will not be risking ourselves of course just because the place is nice.
Anyways, moving forward, we still don't know the final resort where we will be spending the two days and one night event. We were thinking in Bodos Bamboo Bar, where there are pools also aside from the beach. Here are pictures of the place:
Here are there rooms:
I heard the room rates were low, that's quite nice. And before I forget, the place is a wifi hotspot! I will be bringing with me my laptop so I can update you guys!
You can try and check this:
