My Dreamboard...

It's been a while since the last time I filled up entries on my so-called secret blog. Yep its secret because few people know it. I am not the type who flaunts everything I write or read or watch. As much as possible I want to keep my identity private so that I would be able to live in peace and write my heart's content without hesitations.

There's so many happenings around me and I am really not sure how to enumerate or put them into thoughts that would clearly define them in my entries. For my today's entry I decided to put up my dreamboard in my room. Just a few while ago, I was busy sorting out stuff in my room and been putting some things in their respective places since I left it in mess before going overseas. I just checked my dreamboard which I wrote down last year that I want to visit Hongkong, Macau, Australia and other local places I haven't been to.

I know it sounds silly but most people I knew already went to Hongkong and Macau. I've been to Singapore last year on a solo flight trip on my first out of the country experience and I find it memorable and eye-opener. But right now seeing that you already fullfilled one of your dreams, which is visiting Hongkong with your someone special is much memorable and fun. I used to think Disneyland is just a dream... here it is already fullfilled and experienced. I used to see commercials of Hongkong Disneyland in National Geographic and Discovery channels. I used to say that someday I'm going to visit my childhood dreams and cartoon characters I grew up with. Now I already done it and experienced a new different level of happiness. It was very special because last year I was putting it as a future travel destination in my dream board. I already fullfilled two. And I still need to visit different places...

For my next post in my dreamboard, here are some of the places I want to visit and things I want to do:

1. Visit Vietnam and Cambodia
2. Visit South Korea and experience the snow :)
3. Visit Bangkok and Kota Kinabalu
4. Go back to Hongkong and shop for Marc Jacobs and lots of Longchamp tote bags! (bag-a-holic mode) and also shop for dresses at H&M and other outlet boutiques
5. Euro-trip!
6. A nice house for my future family
7. A SUV care
8. my secret dream in Iloilo... :)

In due time I know I will be able to do this.

My Solo Singapore Trip

Last February 25-28, 2011, I went to Singapore alone. It wasn't my plan to go there alone, but some unexpected, crazy and unfair situation came in why I became a loner on my first out of the country trip. Anyways, things happen for a reason and I think going solo there helped me see myself clear and I did have a best and unforgettable days of my life. :) I never regret pursuing the trip alone. 5 Minutes before Arriving at Singapore

Good thing I had a cousin in Singapore who offered me a place to stay and some friends who toured me around the city. I did have a blast going there and enjoyed my four days stay. I am also thankful to have bunch of friends here in Manila who helped and encouraged me to pursue this Singapore trip. They even provided me some useful tips and itineraries so that I would make most of my time in Singapore. Once the plane landed in Singapore, I was literally in tears of joy. Crying and smiling at the same time because I could still remember what my parents told me a week before my scheduled of departure

"Anak, kaya mo yan and take care. I know you can manage going solo on your first trip outside the country"

and two friends of mine KC, PU and KRL posted messages on my Facebook wall, wishing me goodluck on my trip.

Here are the highlights of my Singapore trip:

Day 1 - met up my officemate and friend, MR who is now based in Singapore after getting married last December 2010. I stayed at their place and did have a lot of catching up with. I really missed MR and our "uwian talks" while she's still in our current office. It feels good to reconnect with her. There are so many things that happened since she left our office and it was fun reminiscing the good old days of our office barkadahan. After our rest and talk, we did the prawning on their nearby park in Pasir Ris. Our first goal was at least catch 2 prawns since prawning is quite hard on beginners. I think I was lucky that day, since we caught 4 prawns in an hour. Promise, nakakaadik gawin! Haha. The four prawns we caught Fresh prawns for fishing Pasir Ris National Park Day 2 - went to Universal Studios with my cousin. This is one great experience to us! Me and my cousin looked like excited kids queuing up for the lines and laughing like there's no tomorrow. We were so ecstatic lining up to do some photo ops with Universal Studios famous cartoon characters. Super memorable day for me because I feel like a kid who doesn't have any problem back here in Manila and just having the time of my life. Some of the must try things in Universal Studios are: 1. The Revenge of the Mummy ride - I'm not a fan of roller coasters but this one is a thrilling ride. You need to go to Universal Studios to find it out :)

2. The Wild River at Jurassic Park - be ready to get wet for the unexpected water coming your rafts. It's no use buying a 2SGD coat to avoid getting wet, just make sure you have extra clothes

3. The Battlestar Galactica - this is one hell of a ride!!! I think this ride is for me! For those who are depressed and willing to do any risk just to forget about something, this for you! Promise, I thought I lost my heart and soul for a while.

4. Watch the Water World - you might want to check the showing schedule first but you shouldn't forget to watch this. Cool props, pyrotechnics and lots of water. Be sure to sit on dry zone area, if you don't want to get wet.

5. Watch Shrek 4D - this is one cool 4D experience! I love Donkey!

6. Watch shows on the Hollywood Boulevard - you might get to see cute waiters and waitresses singing and dancing. You might even catch up our very own Streetboys performing on the street :)

7. Watch the Monster Rock - get to see famous horror villains singing and dancing to popular tunes live :)

8. Enter Lights, Camera and Action booth where you get to see how directors did their special effects on movies. It was really cool show. 8. Shop at Universal Studios Store for some souvenirs and pasalubongs :)

Some additional pictures from Universal Studios Singapore: After our Universal Studios, I met up with my elementary classmate and bestfriend YP, who is now an architect in Singapore. She toured me around Esplanade, Suntec City mall, Marina Bay sands and treated me for a Makansutra dinner. Day 3 - continuation of my catching up with YP. I met her at Singapore Botanical Garden with some of her friends and toured one of the most beautiful orchid garden in Singapore. After our SG Botanical Garden tour, I met my cousin at Vivo city for lunch at Marche - a Swiss restaurant and went to Sentosa to try the Luge, Skyride and extreme Log Adventure in 3D. We also went to Siloso beach for a quick stroll and watched the famous "Songs of the Sea" which feature a cool water fountains, pyrotechnics and special effects that lasted for 25 minutes. It was one cool experience! After our Sentosa trip, I met up again YP for our next tour to Clarke Quay area. It is famous for its strings of expensive bars and restaurants. This is where you can find the Extreme Bungee activity which is featured on Amazing Race Asia last season. While waiting for YP, I was sitting alone on the river bank beside Central mall looking at the river cruises and doing my own silent moment. YP treated me the yummy 1SGD ice cream and we walked along the Clarke Quay talking. Day 4 - Last photo ops with my cousin strolling along the Esplanade area and Marina Bay Sands before going home. Singapore capitol is different during morning and night and I get to witness them both. After our stroll at Esplanade, we went to Chinatown to buy pasalubongs and ate lunch there. I tried Singapore's famous Hainanese Chicken rice and Black Peppered Crab. After our lunch we went to Orchard Road and walked for a while before going back to my cousin's house to get my things and went to Airport. At the airplane going home, I won Cebu Pacific's game for guessing the correct answer on their trivia game :)

What I love about Singapore:

1. Their efficient SMRT system. Tourists doesn't feel awkward navigating the city because of clear directions. Unlike here in the Phils.

2. People - most Singaporeans can understand English and quite approachable when you asked them for directions.

3. The country itself - Their country is beautiful and clean. No clutter is left on the street because of heavy fines and there are designated smoking areas. There are also national parks across the country.

4. The buildings - modern tall building boasts Singapore skylines. All multinational companies are also located in Singapore

5. Food - I love their foods! Quite expensive but you get what you paid for. Delicious and big servings

6. Security - I didn't mind going home late since it is safe to commute to SMRT or buses. And you don't fear of losing your belongings since there are lower crime rate in Singapore because of death penalty

7. Malls - Singapore is one of the best place to go shopping specifically made for shopaholics like me :)

8. Fashion - you can wear whatever clothes you want. You can wear short shorts or skirts without being harassed (unlike here in the Phils). And I get to see lot of cool get ups from teenagers riding the SMRT.

9. Universal Studios - It was one dream come true for me!

10. Their EZ Link pass - swipe card which you can use riding their SMRT or buses

11. Free Singapore maps on the airports, SMRT and malls. And touch screen maps across the malls

12. No AIRPORT TERMINAL fee upon departure! Lessons I learned while in Singapore 1. It is always good to keep in touch with friends. Just like me and YP, we just communicated through YM and FB through the years. It was 12 years since the last time we see each other. Reuniting with her feels good and elating.

2. Read and ask for directions. It is always good to research on the place you're going to so you know what to expect.

3. I realized that I can live and go alone without depending on others or somebody

4. I don't have any itineraries going to Singapore, I just list down the places and landmarks I want to visit then check them out on my free time.

5. Still figuring out how to go back to Singapore :)

Promise I will be back on this country!!! :)

Post Birthday Celeb and Quezon Trip (with Mt. Banahaw on the sides)

Last Saturday out of our spontaneous minds, LP and I talked on having a weekend getaway. Since IL is asleep during the day because of her work shift, she doesn't know that LP and I are already searching for our weekend getaway. We just talked via Facebook and phone and deposited the initial payment for our trip.

Come the actual day, IL just read the messages a day before our trip and we went first to attend the 1st birthday party of LP's nephew. Our fourth year adviser wants to go with us but since she's with her family, just bid us goodbye while we hopped on LP's car with Kuya Henry driving.

Our weekend trip is going to Kinabuhayan Café in Dolores, Quezon. It wasn't that far because it was only one and a half hour travel from Alabang. We arrived at the place around 8:00 in the evening. We got little lost while looking for the place and ask for directions. The owner of the café is Jay Hererra who also cooks and entertain his guest. Upon arriving in the area his pet daschund Muning greeted us. Muning and I instantly bonded. He was cute chubby dog and very fond of guests. After we put our things on our native cottage, we roam around his place and check out the stuff around the dining table and do some pictorials. Jay served us red wine and a very delicious dinner consist of creamy risotto rice, lasagna with vegetable stuffing and salad with edible flowers. The serving is sooo big that two people can share on one plate. Jay said that he wants to make sure that all guests who dine in their place are satisfied with the food. The food was great and very delicious. After our dinner, Jay and Chrome served us desserts and coffee. The dessert is sweetened camote with coconut flakes in it with flower that tastes like watermelon. While eating, Jay entertained us with his stories and let us watched some of his local productions on his laptop. I already downed 5 kapeng barako because it was really delicious. I'm no coffee connoisseur but I really liked the coffee and the flowing conversation up to the wee hours of the morning. I would say I really enjoyed the night with my HS friends and our host. While talking, Jay's stereo are playing and I really liked the songs, from classical piano music up to the sentimental one it really brings the right ambiance in the place. And up until now, The classic song "Somewhere Down the Road" by Barry Manila and "Lost in your Eyes" by Debbie Gibson is still my Last Song Syndrome (LSS).






After our conversation, LP and IL played billiards and Jay was playing his guitar. Me on the other hand was busy shooting pictures and petting Muning. It was already 3am when we finished playing and talking. Before going to bed, we visited Jay's pet pig named Onion who was comfortably sleeping on Jay's couch. We stayed a little while on our hut and talked a few more. While my friends are busy arranging their stuff and changing clothes, I was sitting on the chair doing my own personal emotera moments. IL noticed this and told me to just be happy and enjoy our night together in Quezon.

The next morning, we woke up late and when we went to the dining area, Jay is already busy preparing our breakfast. As usual, the breakfast is delicious, it was the traditional chicken rice soup topped with plenty of kasubha, oregano and basil and combined with tokwa't baboy. I don't like tokwa't baboy that much but being curious on how it taste, it was very delicious and not the usual tokwa't baboy served in restaurants. We were also served with juicy dalandan juice. After our late breakfast, we toured around Dolores Quezon going to Mt. Banahaw. It was our first time to reach Mt. Banahaw and got intrigued by the mystical mountain. Kuya Jerry and Ka Jun was our tour guide. We went to the Sta. Lucia spring since the elders at the place told us to plunge in the water to "cleanse our soul" before going to different areas of the mountain. The water is so cold but very refreshing (I just dunno if my soul is already cleanse since I'm bitchy nowadays :P). We also tried cleansing on the falls and pray for guidance and success. After our Sta. Lucia trip, we went to Kinabuhayan falls on the other side of the mountain and trek our way to the falls. Before our river trekking, we went to the wishing spring at the Kinabuhayan. There is a rock in the center of the spring that you need to aim your coin. After 2 tries, my coin was successfully aimed at the rock.



After a few minutes we started doing the river trekking. The trek is not easy because of the huge rocks and muddy terrains but I did manage well on since I didn't get any scratches (only bruises… hahaha). In fairness, we did the river trekking wearing our ever trusted Havs flipflops and still manage not to slip or got scratches. Ka Jun was good at pointing nice places to reflect or pray and after a few minutes of walking we reached the Kinabuhayan falls which is 12 feet deep. He also gave us a red amulet that came from a native tree in Quezon for safekeeping. The red amulet is for good luck on career, business or lovelife (which I need?! Haha).

After our river trekking, we headed back to Kinabuhayan café for our late lunch and spiritual massage from Ka Jun. As usual, Jay prepared us a sumptuous lunch of fried rice, chicken fingers with spicy red tomato sauce and lasagna with mozzarella cheese and herbs inside. We were so famished at our river trekking that we almost finished the whole plate. After our lunch, our dessert was gumamela jam with vanilla ice cream. It was delicious that you won't even notice that you were eating a gumamela. Who would have thought that gumamela can be eaten and used as dessert? Haha. The food was superb and super sulit.






For the last activity on our weekend getaway, we did ask Ka Jun to do the spiritual massage (or in Tagalog, "hilot), to relax ourselves and prepare our things before leaving. Ka Jun told me while massaging me that I need to take care of my lungs since I am prone to cough and colds (which is also true since I was diagnosed before with Upper Respiratory Tract Infection). Then IL joked that its not my lungs that needs attention but my heart. Because of this joke, Ka Jun asked me what problems I am currently having and did advise some few words. I won't say what our discussion was but it was pretty shocking. Hahaha

After Ka Jun massaged us all, we all say our thanks to Jay for being a great host and headed on going home. After a few minutes of bus ride, we went to LP's restaurant in Calamba and waited for LP's driver to take us to our houses. FD, LP's friend was already waiting for us when we arrived. After a few minutes of talking about our weekend adventures, we already went home. Super tired during the weekends but it was sooo worth it! :)

Manila Adventures

I used to remember going to Manila is a luxury before. Since I went in a private school in Laguna during college, I seldom go to Manila or explore it. I don't go there without someone to accompany me since I am clueless commuting the LRT and jeeps and I find it too dangerous for newbies like me. First time I explored Manila was when I accompanied my Mom buying stuffs in Divisoria and found out it was a great haven for shopaholics like me! The next time I went to Manila was when my BF accompany me during my enrollment in Graduate School. Since he went to a public state university in Manila, he is more familiar in navigating the city. After my enrollment, he was able to show me around Quiapo, Recto, SM Manila and Binondo.

For now I am currently residing in Manila for almost three years and I must say it was a great experience for me since I learn my way around and I got comfortable riding public transportation. Sometimes I still get paranoid and suspicious of people around me.

Some of the lessons I learned in Manila are:

1. Don't talk to strangers
2. Be alert all the time
3. Do not flaunt your possessions
4. Avoid going home late in the evening as much as possible
5. LRT and MRT is a challenge everyday

Living in Manila is an eye-opener. Since I grew up being sheltered by my family, it is really tough to adjust in the city. But as you overcome the challenges of living independently you'll be used to the polluted and crowded city. For me it was like practicing to live outside the country.

Aside from personal learnings, there is something more Manila can offer. I know some people would say Manila is polluted, crowded, full of crooks and beggars and traffic but Manila is also rich in history and information. I learned these while trying to explore famous Manila landmarks during weekends with my significant other. For those who like to have weekend getaways that are cheap, relaxing and not going to the mall, visit these beautiful places and structure in Manila.


1. National Museum

This place is brimming with all our culture rich histories, arts and sculptures. I was fascinated seeing our national artists' master pieces such as Spolarium and offer interesting artifacts from different provinces and tribes. It was ages ago since I visited this place and I must say that my recent trip to National Museum is a fun one. Entrance to the Museum is 100 pesos and during February, museum is offering free pass since it is the National Arts Month :)





2. Intramuros

Just like the National Museum, Intramuros is rich with history and this represents Manila during the Spanish period time. This is also where our national hero Jose Rizal was imprisoned. Parts of the Intramuros is dedicated to our national hero. If you have foreigner friends this is a perfect spot for sight seeing and learn Manila's history in one day.

Entrance fee to the park is 75.00 pesos. Not bad actually ;)

The crumbling structure in Intramuros

The old copy of El Filibusterismo, housed in Jose Rizal's Museum inside Intramuros

The famous facade of Intramuros, almost destroyed during World War 2

3. Manila Cathedral

This is one of the beautiful structure found in the heart of Manila. It was destroyed few times from the Spanish era up to World War 2 in 1945. It was re-created and copied to the original architectural design during the ancient times. At the back of Manila Cathedral, a marker / commemoration for the unknown victims of World War 2 is placed. This is to remember the cruelty and the innocent casualties brought by nonsense war.

The old picture of Manila Cathedral destroyed during the World War 2

Memorare - Manila 1945, for those innocent Filipino people who perished during the war

The Pieta inside Manila Cathedral

Manila Cathedral facade

Manila Cathedral facade

4. San Agustin Church

San Agustin Church is one of the oldest church in Manila. Aside from being one of the most sough-after church for wedding, San Agustin church offers great history in its walls. Its museum is filled with information on the lives of Augustinian priests who stayed in the Philippines and the religious artifacts they left. I was impressed with the saints' statues and religious relics made from authentic ivory, gold and silver. It also houses an indoor cemetery dated back from 1500s to 1700s. Visiting it during late afternoon sends chill to the spine since it is eerily silent and cold. :P

Entrance fee to the church is 100 pesos, my bf thinks it's kinda expensive for an entrance pass, but for me I find it "sulit" because of the unknown wonders inside the church museum.

The beautiful ceiling of San Agustin (while wedding is ongoing below)

Wondering how this hall looks like during the 17th century?

Scary St. Rita de Casia, holding a skull in her left hand

The Prayles, inside the museum

The first floor hall, filled with paintings of renowned saints

5. Luneta Park

When I was a kid, I always hear the phrase, "Namamasyal sa Luneta". Well actually it might be a little different from before but when we stroll Luneta is was still filled with different types of people. You can see tourists flocking over Jose Rizal's monument, kids exploring due to their field trips, simple people hanging around, students studying and practicing/shooting for their plays (they are even in their costumes). Just to feel the actual experience of going to Luneta, me and my significant other brought packed sandwiches and mats then pass time by sitting and talking. We find it relaxing and fun since we get to talk about everything we see or observe in the park.

I also noticed that there are certain parts of the park that has entrance fees like the Japanese and Chinese Garden for 5.00 pesos each and the hidden Jose Rizal monument during his final hours for 20.00 pesos each

Photo from: http://www.aidan.co.uk/photo8436.htm

Next Stop: Manila Bay and Binondo food tripping :D