Hit by Habagat

I know this post is not related to any of my travel adventure but i just wanna share this as my experienced the  "HABAGAT" last August 6, 2012 Monday morning i woke up early and prepared myself going to my office, rain continuesly  pouring outside, actually it's been more than two weeks already since the rain started,people were clueless about this rain since the typhoon Gener had gone already and that was according to PAGASA weather forecast.  The heavy rain continued and i can't go outside my office so i decided to hitched my officemate who lived in Bulacan. Every where we go the traffic was so terrible EDSA Quezon Ave. bound to North was so traffic due to heavy rain that never stop, were stuck in traffic and comforted each other while inside the car, we made ourselves busy such as watching people along Edsa.

on our way to North Edsa Trinoma Monday night of August 6, 2012

  Early morning of Tuesday rainfall awaken me, around 4:30 am i turned on the television to watched the news and i was shocked on what i have seen, there were lots of flooded area in Metro Manila due to the non stop rain and to think that there's no storm signal in Philippines Area of Responsibility (PAR).  It was nightmare seems like the storm Ondoy back again.  Again there were lots of affected areas just like this photos.

scene outside of our house

Mc. Arthur hiway, Marulas Valenzuela City photo grabbed from google

Photo grabbed from google @ NLEX Malinta Exit

 And the spirit of "bayanihan" was in the air again.

PHOTO BY RICHARD A. REYES google

This is not the first time that happened in our country, hope we learn from this tragedy don't wait for another storm to hit us and leave us lots of casualties and damage properties.

How long do we learn from our past? How many storms should still come for us to act?

If we really want a change we must start it from ourselves.

I remember some line in our One La Salle Prayer 

"Let me be the change I want to see
let us start the change we want to see
The change that begins in me"

Project Kilometer Zero

I was browsing my saved photos last time when one of the file caught my eye it was one of my college pictures and when i opened it i saw the pictures i used in one of my project.  Two years ago i remembered one of my professor in History she told us to make a documentary about Philippine Historical site. Since most of my group mate are graduating and others were busy in doing research for our thesis we finally chosen the nearest place so it won't affect our work schedule as well.  It was Saturday afternoon after our class we headed to Rizal Park to start our Kilometer Zero project, we visited first the National Museum took some photos of it and the Lapu-lapu statue at the park. 

Lapu-lapu statue @ Rizal Park

We reached the end of the park and took photos in the Statue of  Dr. Jose Rizal

Rizal Statue

 from  here we proceed to our next destination which is the "Walled City" or also known as Intramuros, this is the historic center and the oldest district of Manila.

Intramuros

 The Fort Santiago, this were Dr. Jose Rizal imprisoned before his execution in 1896

Main gate of Fort Santiago

    facade from the main gate

Aside from that you will see also old churches such as San Agustin Church( A UNESCO world heritage site) and the Manila Cathedral. 


This were the places we visited during our kilometer zero project, we end the night with full of laughter and shared different stories from different people, amazing and great experienced we had during that time at the same time we gain lot of info about the past and the history of my country.  Philippine history is quite interesting it will open your mind how brave Filipino's are to fight for our freedom.  I suggest before going or exploring other country you must explore first your own, take time to get to know more about own place and  you will realize how beautiful it is.  Better start your Kilometer Zero adventure now!! :)

Bato Spring cold as Ice

Whenever i hear the word or the place "LAGUNA" the first thing hit my mind is the song sung by Sampaguita 

(Laguna ng ito ay marating ko 

para bang ako'y nagbago 

kakaibang damdamin! )hehehe..

Its been quite a month when the last time i went out of town, so in just a snap me and my office mate planned to go somewhere just to escape the busy life of corporate world and leave the metro. 

May 1, Labor day, after we invade the North Luzon my friend Azza and I invade the South Luzon unexpectedly.  A supposedly 6 people was dropped down into four due to some reasons, but anyway that small numbers of explorer didn't weaned.

A day before we left i already sent an email to my friends who's going with me indicating a detailed itinerary.  We met at the bus station around 6:00 in the morning, exactly 6:30 in the morning our bus bound to Lucena left from Buendia station that time i don't know but i felt something unusual, am worried and i think it's because i didn't got a chance to search more about the place and on how to get there.  8:30 am we arrived at Brgy. San Gregorio San Pablo City from there we rode a tricycle going to Bato Spring. Approximately 15 minutes travel time and were at Bato Spring facade the long way going to their entrance gate. It was holiday then so expect the number of people inside the resort.  We paid 80/pax for the entrance fee, when were inside we started to scout for a place/cottages to stay and put our stuff but after we tour the whole area we found nothing .

see the red circle? that's the place were we stayed :D

no cottage means no table no chairs etc. but thank God am always have my sarong with me every time i have trips so i put down the sarong  and used it as our ply, we sat down took some rest while others were busy and enjoying the cold water of the pool.

We left the resort after lunch since we didn't bring food for lunch we decided to left early and eat outside, when we were at the resorts gate there were lots of tricycle waiting for people to give a ride but we rather chose to walk and enjoy the scenic view along the walkway. 

Azza and me enjoying the long walkway at Bato Spring :)

Bato Spring was very nice and cozy place from the main entrance of the road and the long facade surrounded with lush of greenery such as tall trees and birds humming i immediately appreciate the place. 

kiddie pool

It is a man made pool resort but the water is different from other resort because this has a running water coming from Mt. Banahaw, that was cold as ice. 

longest pool in the resort

happy us :)

Nowadays you will only experience fresh air if you're in the province,and if you are a nature lover type of person you will also love this place.. Two hours travel time from Manila to San Pablo Laguna this is the best place and easy way to escape even for just a day if you feel exhausted in the metro...:)

How to get there:

The reason why i'm also hesitant to go to Bato Spring it is because i can't find an exact info on how to go there by means of public transportation, but because i already experienced it ill be the one to tell about it.

 If you have plan to go there first look for a bus going to Lucena Quezon, there are Jac liner , Jam Transit and DLTB to choose from located in LRT Gil Puyat station (Buendia Taft).We chose Jac Liner and  Bus fare from manila to San Pablo is 127Php. tell the driver to drop you in Brgy. San Gregorio San Pablo Laguna, honestly its quite hard to remember the landmark on where to drop but if you see the Meralco sub station on the left side only few meters away from there and you are near at the loading bay going to Bato Spring there is a Big signage of BATO SPRING RESORT . From there you can ride a jeepney or tricycle going to the resort jeepney fare is 14Php. it takes 10 mins. away from Maharlika hi-way.

Enjoy your trip!!:)

Expenses:

Bus fare Manila to San Pablo-               127 Php

Tricycle- 150Php,good for 4 persons =   37.50/each

Resort Entrance Fee= 80 Php
Bato Spring to San Pablo- 14Php
Tricycle San Pablo to SM SP =  50Php good for 4 persons = 12.50/each

San Pablo to Manila(Buendia Taft) 127 Php.

Total =  398Php (not bad :))

Molo, Iloilo

  Three years had been past but until now I couldn’t forget my one week stayed in Iloilo. Year 2009 I was still in my college then when I first stepped in the province of Iloilo. At first I hesitated to go because I still have class and I have lots of errands to be made before our school term break. Few days after I checked my class activities I finally said yes and booked our flight to Iloilo (excited much!).

April 2009 holy Tuesday at around 7:30 pm we our plane landed at the Iloilo airport were supposed to be there earlier than the said time but due to delayed flight we arrived late. On our way out to the airport the place was quite dark so I didn’t get the chance to see the view of the place. But then the next day we started exploring, the first place that really caught my attention was the Old St. Anne Church or Molo church located in the district of Molo.

St.Anne Church Molo Iloilo

The Old Gothic St. Anne Church or  Molo Church is a “Feminist” church in Iloilo, this was built in 1831, the architecture was very amazing and you will noticed that the church was really old because of the structure  and one of its kind outside the metro.  They called it “feminist” church because of all female saints displayed and in 1992 it was declared as National landmarks by National Historical Institute.

the bell still bear the scars of bullet shot during the World War II 

At the front of the church is the Molo district Plaza with bandstand

These vacation really helps me a lot coz during that time i was exhausted and tired working for my thesis and other school papers, and because our school is trimester i am having a hard time to escape.
 If you are planning to go to Iloilo i suggest you to visit the Molo Church specially during Holy week they celebrate holy week in a different way :) which is i think every Filipino are good at it..

Oh Wow! Bolinao!

When we went in Bolinao for a day trip one of the place we visited was the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, this was located in Abac, Patar and one of the famous lighthouse in the town of Bolinao, Pangasinan, this is approximately 18 kilometers away from the town proper and a 30 to 45 minutes travel from the town.  This is the second tallest lighthouse in the Philippines after the Cape Bojeador which is located in Ilocos Norte.  351 feet tall above sea level but the lighthouse itself  is 101 feet high.  The place was awesome, the scenic view of the lighthouse overlooks the South China Sea, and aside from that you will also see the other resort like Treasures of Bolinao.  After took some pictures in the lighthouse we went down and started to scout for a new resort and we end up staying in one of the high end resort in Bolinao.

photo credit to day grace :)

We stayed in Puerto Del Sol resort  which is located at Brgy. Ilog Malino, a 12.5 kilometers away from the town proper and almost 30 minutes travel time from the town. This is the best place to chill and relax when you want to go outside the metro, this place was really cozy, the facilities and the amenities are very nice, and they have a very approachable service staff.  This is one of the exclusive resorts in the heart of a vivid Pangasinan, you’ll be amazed by the golden white sand and a crystal clear water of the South China sea plus the breakwater and a knee high deep of the sea which is perfect for kids and for those people who don’t know how to swim.  Aside from that the resort has also a Children’s and adult pool good for those people who don’t want to stay in the beach.  Since they didn’t allow their client/guess to bring food inside they have their own dining area and these are La Playa, Al Fresco and Café del sol. You may visit their website for other info at puerto del sol.

Lastly we didn’t forget to visit the St. James church which is located in the Bolinao town proper a few meter away from Five star bus station and Victory Liner this is one of the oldest churches in Bolinao, and you’ll see also that there are some parts of the church renovated coz I noticed that most part of it has cracked and the cross at the top of it has bend toward the left side maybe because the structure was too old and other past calamities.

Before we ride a bus back to manila we ate our early dinner in one of the restaurant in the town located in front of the Victory Bus station, all of us ordered their Boneless bangus for only 50 pesos/meal and additional 50 if you want an unlimited rice. The restaurant was nice and cozy their staff was very approachable and their boneless bangus taste good..:)

This were the place we visited during our stay in Bolinao, visit Bolinao to witness the real beauty of the town they also have a very nice and approachable people and there were lots of caves to explore..

Enjoy your trip!!:)

Kidnapped! Trip to Lingayen with the Dagupan Artist

The supposedly trip to Zambales became Lingayen trip with the Dagupan Artist.

Two years had been past but still can't forget my first visit in Lingayen Pangasinan, the visit was not in the plan but thanks to our friend Kaye Oyek for inviting me and malou. 

Me and my friends stayed in the house of kaye's friend named Patz he live in Binmaley Pangasinan, the next day we woke up early in the morning to start our Lingayen exploration, Patz cooked breakfast for us, he served their specialty which is Boneless Bangus! *drooling* best bangus ever.  After we ate we went to his drawing room and saw his painting inside which is really beautiful. Patz is one of the member of the Dagupan Artist in Pangasinan, aside from him there are two other artist accompanied us, they are Boni and Jojit.

Our first destination Lingayen Capitol! This  is one of the best Capitol in the Philippines, they allowed tourist to get inside  and witness the beauty inside of it, its also open during weekends.

View from the top of Lingayen Capitol, Pangasinan

                                           

outside the capitol few walks and you will see the Veterans Memorial Park

 And of course the entrance free resort  was here in Lingayen! We didn't let the day past without dipping our body in this sea water.  We seen only few people in this area, no cottages along the shore but you can set a tent if you want to.