Here's the story, I logged out of work at seven morning last Friday, went to Jollibee with Jsames for breakfast and rode a cab to Cebu City's port number three. It was already eight when we reached the ticket booth for Starcraft bound for Tubigon. Was a bit frustrated and disappointed because I missed the 8:30 schedule, said it is already fully booked. Since I can't do anything about it, I went ahead to the waiting area and patiently waited for 10:30 boat. While sitting alone (James went back immediately due to a stomach ache) a woman of her forties spoke to me about the travel schedules. She had just exchanged her ticket from via Tubigon to via Jetafe because the latter departs earlier and she was like inviting me to do the same. I talked to her for awhile out of courtesy until I realized that Getafe is actually after Talibon and Talibon is just a few hours to Ubay and that means it's nearer my town. 

I jumped off my seat and went on asking how I could possibly change my tickets too. Good thing the Getafe craft don't have that much passengers and the person in charge allowed me to just get into the boat without changing tickets. Happy me!!!

Now the surprise didn't end there actually because when the fast craft started sailing it's butt off, it had also played the avengers movie. Yeah I know it's not yet on DVD but you know how pirates work right? So though the copy doesn't have a 10/10 quality as well as its audio, I was still keenly watching it. I love to see the actions you know. Unfortunately, we reached Getafe at ten so that was an hour of travelling and I didn't finish the movie which was a bummer. I swear I would get a copy of that movie with subs in the future.

Look what James and I found at the Bohol National Museum. It's a dead woman's skeletal system! First time to see a whole dead human's skeletal system intact!

The label in front states:

The truth is, there were a couple of skulls inside the museum, I wondered if they might be my ancestors or something.

After we spent three hours in JJ's Seafood Village's swimming pool, we headed towards this historical place just near the resort. Historical because mama said this is where they (our parents) spent time with each other before. It was here that they had made their commitments and had almost spent all their dates when they were in college.

I was amazed by her story and so I dragged everyone of us to visit the place too! Though Kuya Jonas was already sleepy, he had no choice but to change and get his butt off.

There was a Php10 entrance fee to get in the vicinity, mama said before it was still for free. There were arrays of lights through out the end of the port like place. The lights added beauty I must say, there are semi-cemented seats as well on each lamp posts. Mama and Papa kept on comparing it with the old one. Said it is much prettier today yet there are a lot of hard liquors sold while before, there were only plain peanuts and the yummy balut. My brothers went in finding for balut but they never found one. We met one of our cousins there too with his friend.

One of the restaurants I would love to visit in Tagbilaran City is Garden Cafe because of it's uniqueness. My first and last visit was when I was still in grade school, my cousin in law brought me there and I couldn't forget the experience. Reason? Because they have mute and deaf waitresses and crews which made the place the most silent restaurant I had been to ever.

Glad James and I came to the restaurant accidentally last week before we went back to Cebu. It was nine in the evening, while we were roaming around Tagbilaran City, we accidentally passed along the said resto. I hopped in happiness because I had been longing to get there. Though our ship's departure time was at 10pm, we still went in and ordered our meals. Unfortunately, we were not able to take photographs of our orders which we just took out because we were running out of time already and the camera had ran out of battery also, BOOO! BTW, I ordered Aloha Burger, it has beef patty with pineapple for Php 65, really good! James had his B roasted Chicken Meal for Php 110 and a Mango Pie for Php 35.

And while our order was taken cared of, we took advantage of the very little time taking photographs of the place. Garden Cafe is an old west cowboy restaurant and museum at the same time so most of the decorations are about cowboys and vintage stuff.

Peter Cagampang Cadorna's work. I am happy he made my wish come true at last. I have been looking for anyone who can draw or sketch a portrait of me and Pedro became the perfect one because this is totally for free. So who is Pedro? I call him pedro, a visayan version for Peter, he is my secondary classmate in Guinacot High School. We had known each other since sophomore year and we had been friends since then. We only communicate in facebook and it has been rare lately until I saw his sketches on his online profile.

I wish I could have the original one, I will surely get it once I come home to Bohol. But for now, I am happy with this though it isn't that perfect, at least it can be recognized as me. Here is the copy posted on facebook, this one at the top was edited in photoshop.

At the hills of Malbog Jagna, Bohol rises an airy family resort named Sunflower Malbog resort. Owned by Mrs. Sarah Gallendez, you will never expect something like this to emerged because the hills are quiet distant from the main town. James and I together with my family had a chance to spend an entire afternoon there enjoying ourselves with nature's beauty right before our eyes. 

Approximately two kilometers away from downtown jagna. you won't be worried because soon trail signs will be placed in each corners to guide the visitors. The resort is still undergoing development, they will be opening it for the public before this year ends. But actually, since their KTV bar is already ready, they would allow some customers to use it.

Since the resort is still under construction, the resort offers videoke bars as of the moment. However, as per the management, once the resort is done, they will be offering a lot of services which they haven't disclosed yet. Their KTV is cheap, you can play two songs for just Php 5.00

And yet another year has cometh for my younger brother, Jay-R. As a way of celebrating this bless-full event, we planned to go to the beach. Though we were already aware of the typhoon Chedeng, we still persisted to go. As a matter of fact, it rained before we went on our way. We still don't know which beach are we gonna be going to, Anda has a lot of beach resorts to offer though so we just went on our way and started picking which is which.


First option was Bugnaw Se-i, mom said it's kinda dirty so we went for Bituon Beach but one of our house mates said it would be hard for us to go there because of the waves. One said we can go to Anda Global but my kuya said it is far and will take some time to go there, considering we were all hungry. So another suggested that we go to Basdacu, unfortunately the resort has been closed for private use only. Tsk tsk tsk. And so I suggested Bituon White Beach and everyone agreed.


Upon arriving Anda, a guy asked for a Php 50 Environmental Fee, said it was a new law implemented by the municipality for four wheeled vehicles coming to the town which obviously carries people who are coming for a swim at some resorts. We said OK! On our way to the resort, another guy asked for Php 20 for the entrance fee. We said alright! But before reaching Bituon White Beach, we saw a new posting of a newly opened resort:




Instead of going to Bituon White Beach, we changed our minds and tried this new one. We found out later on they had started their operations a month ago. It can be seen obviously that the place was still under development. Here are my favorite spots at the resort:

I didn't had any other choice than to ride the 1:30pm trip to Tubigon, Bohol via Jadestar shipping. I found it very disturbing, very disturbing. While on the waiting area, I observed the ship since it was just floating right in front of us. By merely looking at it, you can conclude that it is too old. The structure's not sturdy if you look at it plus old rusty life boats placed on top were alarming. I was thinking that if the boat will sink during the travel, no one can definitely go in and survive with that kind. They might drown because of it instead. And there's no laying, all will be seating actually, the ticket costs Php 150 only though. This is the ship:

Let me show you what's inside...

Bohol has been known for the famous natural wonders and to name a few, there is the Chocolate Hills in Carmen, the world's smallest primate, Tarsier, the floating restaurant in Loboc and the alluring adventure town in EAT Danao. But there is one thing that Bohol has been known for over decades, guess it was already known before I was conceived and it happens every year in May, Bohol's Month long fiesta celebration.

Every year in May, Boholanos from all over the country and the world goes home for this celebration. In fact, there has been a saying stating that every May, Bohol Island sinks a few inches because of the number or people in the island.

So how does this happen? Coincidentally, most fiestas in Bohol fall in the month of May, so that includes barrio fiestas and town ones as well. My grandma often told me before that anyone can travel the whole month without concerning about food because you can just go in a house, the house host wouldn't mind if you are just strangers, instead they will be more than happy to let you eat inside with them, strictly no invitations needed, everyone is welcome! Though I didn't really believe it at first, they say it was actually true. That was the scenario before, I doubt if the home owners can still do the same today, maybe for some.

When I think of fiesta, what would first come to mind is the food, the lechon (this couldn't be absent!) and the drinks. The discos and the balikbayans who would make sure to come home during this season.

Here is an overview of Bohol Fiestas by date, this covers the towns only. Thanks to Bohol.ph for the list, view the site for other information.

A day after I reached home last Wednesday, my parents invited me to go out at five in the morning and eat some Puto(sweetened rice) and Sikwate(chocolate) at the public market for our pamainit. Now let me differentiate pamainit and breakfast, in the province like Guindulman, we usually eat pamainit first early in the morning to heaten up our stomachs, this meal is from four to six in the morning. Starting seven to nine, breakfast is served. While city people loves brunch, probinsiyanos love eating twice in the morning.

I had never eaten such meal for like ten years (just exaggerating) so I went in and came with them. I invited James but he was too sleepy to come because he slept late the night before. When we reached the place which we call as "Sikwate-han", we ordered three pairs of puto and sikwate for the three of us. I haven't eaten this for quite a long time already so I thought it is worth blogging about it. I didn't bring with me my camera so I borrowed my father's E51 cellphone. 

The puto was worth Php 10, no wonder why the serving had spiked compared before when it was still five bucks per plate.

After the colds attack I have experienced a couple of weeks ago, I  am now suffering with cough, I did so tell you that those two are my mortal enemies. Just so I thought I was successful in getting rid of my colds, cough came in. I had chills when it started reigning my immune system, I even had fever coming in and out of my body. James thought I need to go to the hospital but I insisted to stay at home and just drink medicine. After four days, the fever went away and cough started to become a super disaster. Disaster because at work I continuously cough out loud. Even in the jeepney, it has been a total hassle. 

So I informed my parents about it and told me I need to go home to take a rest and so someone can hilot(massage) me. I haven't been sick for almost two years and so I hate being like this. They said my cough won't go away until I undergo hilot.

And so, because I needed another vacation, I made sure to make out of that vacation. I applied for a two day vacation leave which was approved right away with the help of my supervisor. After which I purchased our tickets to Bohol. I don't want to experience the long wait and not to mention the disturbing trip via Talibon. I also don't want to travel long so I opted not to go via Tubigon this time. I decided to travel via Tagbilaran and go with Ocean Jet because they have this Balik-Promo. 

I bought mine and James' tickets last Monday, May 2, 2011 at Ocean Jet's ticketing office in Pier 1. I asked the ticketing lady if it is still available and she nodded. She checked the availability and thank goodness, the cheapest was still available. For only Php 420 per person, we can go to Tagbilaran with a free balik to Cebu trip. That means, it only costs Php 210 per route. I found it very affordable plus the fact that this is a fast craft is an add points. If I have to compare it with the other routes, either Tubigon or Talibon, this is so far the best option. I just need to make sure to purchase the tickets earlier so to avail the balik promo.

Here are our tickets:

When James and I had to go back to Cebu after our one week vacation in Bohol, we stopped by Bohol's Island City Mall to take our lunch and withdraw some cash since there ain't any other town that has ATMs. So we did took our lunch in ICM's food court situated in the ground floor of this four story mall. We were looking for something not beefy or porky, we tried to pile in this grilled stand named Payag but the line was too long that we might be eating our lunch past one in the afternoon, it was just twelve that time. So we ended up buying in this stand where there isn't any one in line, Savory Hot was its name. Why named that way? Because they cater meals in a sizzling and savory hot pans. Oh and the price is very affordable mind you, I had my own Chicken Curry Sizzling Meal at Php 45 and James had his Chicken Halang-halang as well at the same price. This is very pro-student! Lol!

Anyway, this isn't about Savory Hot though but about the desert we had after lunch. Since the ground floor food court was full of people and that there were diners waiting for vacant seats, we decided to go to the other floors and look for seats instead. We were seated near this inviting food stand:

Just by looking at the pictures, my buds immediately started to crave for it. Though I was still full, I persuade James to buy for us. I just realize now that I have actually sinned with what I have done! Oh my! It's gluttony, I have even tempted James and he gave in! (Sorry Lord). Anyways, so since the price was okay, we ordered the bowl size for Php 18 and added two toppings or they call it top-its worth Php 3 each scope: chocolate bits and assorted nips. This was how the bowl looked like:

After visiting the world's famous Chocolate Hills, we went to another spot in Bohol the man-made forest in Bilar. We had our lunch there and here is a leap I made in the midst of that cool place where trees are slim and tall.

Check out some other photos taken at the Man-made Forest in Bilar in Wow BOHOL post on my photoblog. 

After lunch, we went straight to Albur-querque where the biggest phyton and longest in captivity is located, exact address is Upper Sta. Fe, Alburquerque, Bohol.

We definitely love the beach and we can't just end our clan reunion without going to the beach. We did find it a good way to end and separate and so we have selected Global Beach Resort located in Anda, Bohol which is just half an hour ride away from Ubay. We passed by Alicia, Candijay and Guindulman then to Anda. This town has a lot of white sand beaches and most have been open for the public, just like Bugnaw Se-i. James and I were able to visit it and we are planning to visit more Anda beaches and blog about it. Foreigners had also dominated the town, as a matter of fact, most beach resorts are owned by foreigners but since they can't buy their own property here in the country, they would rather entitle it under their Filipino partners.

Check how gorgeous the shore and the sea at Global Beach Resort:

The shoreline is too wide and long as the same time, our nieces and nephews were enjoying it. Actually, you won't be worried if you have a toddler because he or she can play and take a dip on the shallow part. There was also a small islet between the shallow part and the deeper one so the children can play, make sand castles and then swim as well. 

From my former posts, I had informed you about our family's grand reunion from my mother's side and I had showed to you the presentations of each family. This post today will cater the activities during it's second day.

It was a funny sporty day for all of us because the second day was all about fun and games. In the morning, all the kids participated in there kiddie fun games leaded by Ate Ruth and Jesiel. 

In the afternoon, we had sports: basketball and volleyball. It was really fun fun fun because almost all of the ladies don't know how to play volleyball. Here were some of the funny photos taken during the game which was exciting as well because instead of just two game sets we had three, this just say that there was a tight game play.

Here are just some of the hundreds of photos from our volleyball game:

 

This is a continuation of the Ago-Cacay Butihen Clan First Grand Reunion post from yesterday.

Starting off the location was at Camp Karis in Casate, Ubay, Bohol exactly the same location where my older brother Steven's wedding took place. Karis means grace so it is called camp grace, most christian youth camps, seminars and crusades are held here.






Everyone was welcomed during the first day. The venue had a lot of houses around and so every family were situated with each houses. The Ago-Cacay Butihen Reunion was composed of seven families, namely Moming's, Pene's, Tony's, Bobby's, Dadie's, Levi's and Vicky's. My mom is the youngest among them.

The first night was a blast because every family had to render their special number. Either singing, dancing or whatever. Here are the families during the presentation night:

This is Uncle Levi's family:

Here are their song and dance presentation:

Have you ever been involve in family reunions? I can say I am blessed in a way because I am a part of a clan who gives the family a great importance. I can see a glimpse of the past where our family had a reunion in Alicia, Bohol and of which our grandparents named Ago and Cacay were still both alive. My elder cousins said our last family reunion was on 1993, I was still five that time and so the only thing I can remember was that I played with the other cousins.

Time passed by, everyone have been very busy with each others lives and so we never had the chance to cater another reunion. And so, when I was in grade five, my grandpa died and in fourth year high school, my grandma died as well. Then their first born followed when I was in college.

I was surprised and at the same time happy when Ate Aida, the eldest of all the grandchildren posted our first grand reunion on facebook. And the rest was history, God had used facebook to be a medium so every family from all the parts of the Philippines and even the world may know about the awaited event.

It was also a coincidence because the venue happened to be exactly the same as my brother Steven's wedding place. The event started in the 14th of April, 2011 up to the 16th.