Amid new normal, DDVMH actively advocates contactless payments and online consult services

With the practice of physical distancing expected to be prolonged, Dagupan Doctors Villaflor Memorial Hospital (DDVMH), a leading healthcare provider in the Metro Dagupan area, actively offers contactless payment options, so patients would not have to carry cash, lessening the chances of being infected by or being carriers of the new coronavirus.

DDVMH offers the first and only mobile ambulatory service in Metro Dagupan

As Pangasinan eases through the new normal, Dagupan Doctors Villaflor Memorial
Hospital (DDVMH) has launched a new home laboratory extraction service -- the first in the Metro Dagupan area.

With Villaflor On Demand’s lab extraction services, patients are now able to have laboratory extraction services done in the comfort of their homes given the risk of infection from COVID-19 and by the limited mobility due to the community quarantine.

Wandering around museums

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”

~ Pablo Picasso

If you find reading books to learn about a country’s history and culture too tedious, go to museums. That’s a more exciting way of learning given that there are visuals to aid it. And museums, being (mostly) quiet, offer a break from the daily nuisance of a bustling city.

BenCabMuseum

It seemed unlikely, but in spite of living in Baguio City for 9 months, I didn’t visit the BenCab Museum. When I went back to the place a year later in January, 2017, it was originally part of my itinerary. But curling up during chilly mornings in Baguio is irresistible, so instead of going out early, I heeded the bed’s call.

Being an item in my bucket list this year, it must be ticked off, so in May, when my friends and I went to Baguio (my second visit this year), we went to the distant museum despite the limited time we had.

BenCab Museum is located along Asin Road in Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet, a 20- to 30-minute drive from the city proper. If you plan to go there via taxi cab, I suggest that you ask the driver to come back for you at a specified time, or ask him to wait for you, then pay him extra according to the accumulated distance, or time. Otherwise, you will have to wait for your turn, which takes a while, on the taxi line. There are public market-bound jeepneys passing by the area, but most of them are full.

The museum has four levels, starting from the Street Level (where you enter, register, and pay the P120 admission fee) all the way down to the Farm & Garden Level where Café Sabel is situated. Heads up: They don’t use paper cups, so don’t expect that you can take your coffee out. It’s a museum after all, food and beverage is not allowed in the galleries.

The Farm & Garden Level offers a picturesque landscape that serves as backdrop in photos taken by guests. You’ll love the fog obscuring the green mountains, the cottage in the middle of the pond, and the chilly breeze hugging the surroundings.

Palatable adventure in Binondo

There’s something about Manila that lures me into exploring it. The atmosphere, perhaps?

Traversing the streets of Manila transcends a feeling of going back in time and watching the colorful culture circling the place. Despite the modern structures, moving around Manila feels like living inside a history book, seeing the historic capital described in it firsthand.

As part of my urban exploration, my friend and I visited the oldest Chinatown in the world—our very own Manila Chinatown in Binondo. Established in 1594, Manila Chinatown offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

How to get there

Well, I can only talk about how we got there, but this is still useful information.

From any southbound station, take the MRT and get off at Taft Avenue station. Then, take the LRT and alight at Carriedo station. We walked from the station going to Binondo, but I’m sure there are jeepneys headed that way. We just navigated the route through Google Maps and decided to walk since it’s a short distance. It took us 7 minutes or less to reach our first stop.

Ying Ying Restaurant

It was lunch time when we arrived and the two-story diner was full. There’s nothing spectacular about the interior. In fact, it’s akin to a school cafeteria. But it being jam-packed hinted that an exciting feast awaited us. The intervals between people coming out and going in were short.

We ordered braised beef noodles, fried pork dumplings, shrimp hakaw, and black gulaman. While waiting for our food, we helped ourselves with the house tea that sat waiting for hungry souls on the table. It was newly brewed, as the tea pot was hot.

A few minutes later, food was served. And indeed, it was an appetizing meal!

Braised Beef Noodles

Out and about for adventure

Bahay ni Tuding is the place to go to if you’re traveling on a budget. Sure, there’s nothing spectacular about it. It’s like your old house-turned-boutique hotel, but it afforded me a quaint breakfast I enjoyed a lot.

The hearty meal was composed of toasted bread, jam, fruits and yogurt, and, of course, hot brewed coffee—something I couldn’t live without even when traveling. I was glad it was brewed coffee; not an instant 3-in-1 most budget hotels usually serve.

I had a nice sleep and since I got all the time in the world (well, for 3 days at least), I took the opportunity to wander around the place for a bit.

Except for the room bearing no windows, the hotel is nice overall. For only P1,000 a night, I enjoyed a nice bed, a bathroom with a water heater, hearty breakfast, and accommodating staff. You don’t get that much for a thousand bucks these days.

Oops, sorry for the quick review. Now, let me get down to business.

I allotted two days to go out and about for adventure in one of the cleanest cities I’ve been to so far. I did some research on the best spots to visit and the best places to eat at. My friend even found it hilarious that I got everything planned a few months back. She was laughing at me for being overly prepared for my Davao trip.

But, the thing about traveling is, not everything needs to go as planned. There’s always room for adjustment. I prepared a list of places I wanted to visit, but I ended up rehashing my itinerary.

Now, what follows is a list of the best spots and the best activities, and you don’t necessarily need to plan your trip according to it, but I bet you’ll have the best memories of your Davao trip if you tick everything off.

MUSEUMS

Museyo Dabawenyo

Never leave Davao City without paying Museyo Dabawenyo a visit. In fact, I suggest that you place this at the top of your itinerary, because this is one way of knowing and understanding Davao’s culture. Entrance is free. A guide will tell you stories about how Davao got its name, about the different tribes and ethnic groups in Davao, and many more. Take note though that you’re not allowed to take photos inside.

Satisfying food experience at Novotel Manila

Food plays a big role in our overall hotel experience.

One of the greatest things I looked forward to at this year’s Blogapalooza was our two-night stay at Novotel Manila—a first for this annual event since its inception in 2011. The relatively new hotel, which is part of Accor Hotels, is located at the Araneta Center. It’s perfect for both a leisurely stay and a business-related trip.

The hotel boasts of stylish posh rooms with soft beds, carpeted floors, elegant toilet and bathroom, and a view of the bustling city. I had a rejuvenating comfortable sleep, but truth be told, what I loved the most about the hotel was the Food Exchange Manila buffet breakfast.

The feast was a mixture of Asian (Filipino, Indian, Japanese) and Western (American, English, Italian) cuisines that created a flavorful revelry in my mouth. Even the coffee, which was served in a French press, added fun and excitement to my breakfast experience.

Appetizing salad greens and other colors!

Uniting PH at Blogapalooza 2016

In politics, what do you do to dominate the race? Get the right numbers.

And how do you get the right numbers? Unite your allies.

While this post is not about politics, this strategy seems to be what Blogapalooza has implemented in preparation for year 2017 dubbed as “The Domination.” On November 5, 2016 at Novotel Manila AranetaCenter (more about my Novotel experience on my next post), the event-turned-company gathered bloggers from Northern Luzon, National Capital Region (NCR), Visayas, and Mindanao to unite them as one collaborative organization of bloggers.

From being an annual event which kicked off in 2011 with the aim to connect businesses and bloggers, and which used to be organized by When in Manila, Blogapalooza is now a company headed by its chief executive officer, Ace Gapuz, who is nicknamed “Blogamomma.”

First night's mission: Experience downtown Davao

I took a deep breath as soon as I stepped out of the arrival area at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao City International Airport). It was both a feeling of relief that I made it to NAIA on time and of great satisfaction that I finally got the chance to travel again after a while. I’m blessed to be here.

Wasting no time, I hailed a cab to take me to the hotel where I was billeted at. I was in a dilemma at first though. I thought that if I took a cab at the airport, the driver might ask for a higher fare, just like what taxi drivers in Manila do most of the time. I thought of walking towards the gate leading outside the airport’s vicinity and hail a cab there instead, but I immediately dismissed the idea as soon as I realized that doing so would require much effort.

It was 7:45 pm and my stomach was starting to grumble, so I swallowed all bits of hesitation. The taxi driver was courteous enough to admit that he didn’t know where my hotel was located, so I just pulled out my phone and fired away Google Maps. I found the exact location and told the driver where to take me to. He obliged.

I initiated a conversation with him by asking a few questions, starting with, “Are you going to ask for an additional amount on top of the metered fare?” I almost sounded suspicious rather than inquisitive, but the driver willingly answered my query.

“Ay, bawal po dito ‘yan, Sir. Bawal pong mangontrata dito,” he said.

(“That’s not tolerated here, Sir. Demanding a fixed amount is not allowed here.”)

That’s great! My first impression: Dabawenyos are honest, obedient and disciplined.

We talked a bit more about the traits of Dabawenyos, the tourist spots, the food, the surroundings, and the bombing that shocked the nation, among others. That’s one way of getting to know the place—asking questions and seeing from the perspective of a local.

About 20 minutes later, we arrived at Bahay ni Tuding where I settled down for a few minutes before heading out for a night stroll. My mission: Wander around and experience downtown Davao at night. Oh, yes, Bahay ni Tuding is in the downtown area where you can find almost everything.

Since the hotel’s restaurant was already closed by the time I arrived, I opted to dine out. The receptionist advised me to try Kusina Dabaw. I obliged.

I found in the menu a dish that was new to my ears. Balbacua. I asked the waitress what it was, but since my stomach was already complaining, I placed my order upon hearing “beef.” Several minutes later, my order was served and, well, it was something I never expected. Apparently, balbacua is a thick soup dish with cow’s skin, seasoned with chives. I learned later on that it is a specialty dish in Davao and there’s a place in the public market called Balbacuahan, a strip of eateries serving the dish.

I didn’t like it though. Not that it wasn’t delicious at all; it just wasn’t my type of food.

As it turned out, I didn’t have a satisfying dinner, so I strolled around, looking for some redemption.

I stumbled upon a brightly lit old house that had been turned into a café and bar. Letting my curiosity take over, I entered Claude's Le Caféde Ville.

Davao adventure—my first shot at solo traveling

Part 1: Sprinting to the airport

All the seats by the window were taken, so I had no choice but to settle for a middle seat.

I thought I wouldn’t make it to the airport on time. At 3:45 PM, I was still on the MRT, wishing that it was a bullet train I was riding on. This is bad. My flight is at 6 pm!

At 4 pm, I was still at the station, trying to hail a cab to NAIA Terminal 3, but getting refused every time.

Damn Manila traffic.

I had to use my last resort: Grab Car. With a bit of hesitation, I pulled out my phone, clutched it tight in my hand—lest someone would snatch it—and ran a booking. At that point, I didn’t mind paying a higher amount, which was brought about by the price surge, just to catch my flight. While in the car, crazy thoughts were running in my head.

What if I don’t make it on time? Shall I book another flight? Shall I just stay in Manila and feel sorry for myself for a flopped trip? Shall I go somewhere else and just forget about all the plans I laid out, the paid reservation at the hotel, and all the crazy stuff I should be doing in Davao City?

Then my optimistic side toppled the pessimism. I will make it.

I arrived at the departure area a few minutes before 5. After getting through the X-ray machine and having my bags checked, I went straight to the self service check-in machine, half-walking, half-running and panting the whole time.

A beautiful Cebu Pacific personnel assisted me along the check-in process and in less than a minute, I got my boarding pass. I was then told to go straight to Gate 116, as boarding time was 5:15 pm.

Whew, thank God I made it. Now, I wait.

The new ride in town

One Saturday afternoon, without any plans of where to go after my friend and I completed our errands, I saw this rather new mode of public transportation in the metro, the Point-to-point bus service or more commonly known as P2P.

I'd seen the bus plying the length of EDSA a few times which got me really curious what it felt like to ride on it. The interior was not visible from the outside, as the windows are tinted. The windshield's size is much taller than the one I see on jam-packed buses. The exterior looks fascinating and judging from it, I inferred that the inside would be cozy.

Giving in to my curiosity, I told my friend to come with me for a joy ride to Trinoma, the sole destination of the bus which would depart from Glorietta 5 in Ayala.

Pinatubo—a hell of a trek to heaven

They say that the most beautiful places are the hardest to reach. I couldn't agree more.

Last month, I visited one of the most awesome places I've gone to, and it really wasn't an easy climb. It required strength, endurance, and sweat—literally.

Not everyone loves trekking, but one must try at least once every year especially if what awaits on the other end is an undeniably majestic site which answers the question, "Why would I 'punish' myself by doing that crazy thing?"

So, must you visit Mt. Pinatubo? Absolutely, because every ounce of energy, every bit of strength, and every drop of sweat you release will be replenished by the marvel and beauty that unfolds...that is the crater lake.

But if you think that it's the sole reason why you must pack your bag, put on your trekking shoes, and conquer Pinatubo, you're wrong. There are other reasons why you must do so.

Tam-awan Village—a treasure trove of culture and artworks

​​Baguio City became my second home for nine months. When I decided to go back to Manila and start anew, I realized there was one more thing to do before leaving the Summer Capital—visit Tam-awan Village.

Dubbed as "Garden in the Sky," Tam-awan is a village of art galleries built by Chanum Foundation on a roadside hill in Baguio City—a 10-minute drive from the city proper.

From mountains to buildings

Manila may not be the coziest place to live and work in, but it feels good to be back in this great urban jungle.

Nine months ago, I relocated to Baguio City following a directive from my former company’s management due to the need of having someone to oversee the operations in the area. I was directed to handle sales, marketing, training and administrative tasks--responsibilities I never thought or dreamed of performing. Why would I in the first place? They were never in line with my passion!

Moreover, like what I wrote on my blog in April, I never considered living, or working in Baguio City. I saw the place only as a tourist destination--a place I would always love to visit, but would never desire to be my permanent residence.

Bucket list in blissful Boracay

“Wow!”

That exactly was the first word I interjected when I saw Boracay’s enticing blue water. The island is such a beauty no one can ever resist and a destination no one can ever ignore. It boasts of pristine water and powdery white sand—it’s no wonder why people keep going back to this paradise.

It was my first time on the island last month. Before, I could only see it in photos and read about the place over the internet, and it took really long before I got to visit the island, so when I was there, all I did was focus on my precious vacation.

I want your Boracay getaway to be perfect just as mine was, so I prepared this Boracay bucket list for you.

Scenic Sagada

My 2015 planner has this list called “101 Things to do in 2015.” First thing on the list reads, “Enjoy the view in Sagada alone.” When I read that part after I bought the planner in November last year, I thought to myself that it was perfect, because first, I really needed some time alone and was planning to spend it someplace that offers peace of mind, and second, Sagada was my dream destination in the first quarter of the year.

Going to Sagada and appreciating its picturesque views while reconnecting with myself and pondering on things that really matter was the perfect idea to jumpstart the year. The thing is I accomplished neither within the time frame I set.

The amount I was setting aside for my planned Sagada trip was spent on a much higher priority, which was also related to my life as a traveller. Then this relocation thing got in the way and hindered me as well from pushing for the trip due to the load of tasks at hand.

Good thing, a few days before the second quarter ended, an opportunity to finally visit the place knocked on my door, so I grabbed it even without too much of a preparation. I just packed my bags with the essentials and off I went to Sagada—but not alone. That was when I realized that the idea I had in mind wasn’t the perfect idea after all. Travelling with a group was. Enjoying the views of Sagada without the “That Thing Called Tadhana” feeling in my heart was the best experience.

This is the view on the side of the road with the "Welcome to Mountain Province" arc.

One-day feast in Baguio City

One of the interesting things that draw people towards a place is the food it offers. Treating your eyes to all things wonderful is a great experience. But the food we eat in a particular place creates a delicious memory that sticks to our palates.

A tour around Baguio City isn’t about sightseeing alone; it’s also about tasting good food offered by the best diners around.

Have you ever wondered then what your one-day menu in Baguio would look and taste like?

BREAKFAST

Kiwi Bread and Pastry Shop

Mines View

Start your day with a hearty combination of sausages, steak, bacon, egg (sunny side up or scrambled), bread and beans in tomato sauce complemented by a cup of coffee, or hot chocolate with a refill. Good for two to three persons, you can enjoy this authentic breakfast at P420.

C Boutique Hotel: Where your dream staycation comes true

If you're looking for the pefect hotel in Baguio City, read this and be captivated by the beauty and coziness of C Boutique Hotel

At about 5,000 feet above sea level, you can find a jewel that promises an indulgent staycation treat, providing you with the modern comforts of home sans the boring feeling of staying at your own address. C Boutique Hotel in Baguio City is the perfect location for this kind of adventure.

Situated on Arellano St., cor. Moran near Mines View Park, C is not just another hotel; it is the epitome of a rewarding coziness that you’ve always been searching for which is way too evident in their room choices. Once you enter the place, you’ll feel the successful fusion of a modern home’s ambiance and an old Baguio house’s rural tranquility—something that you don’t usually see in the places you visit.

Sungyan Grill: Happiness on a river

A calm river is an irresistible place to many. In its enchanting serenity, one finds peace of mind and a sanctuary to regain inner strength.

Hal Boyle once said, “What makes a river so restful to people is it doesn’t have any doubt—it is sure to get where it is going, and it doesn’t want to go anywhere else.”

But aside from all the metaphors related to a river that feed the soul and replenish lost energy, one can also indulge in an abundant feast that makes the tummy happy. Eating on a scenic river is an idea which sparked the business of Sungayan Grill Floating Restaurant. Opened in 2013, the restaurant embarked on its maiden cruise along the Balingasay River and has become the go-to seafood diner in Bolinao, Pangasinan since then.

How to get there

Once you are in Bolinao, never forget to give this place a try. Before reaching the town proper, turn left on the street located before Carmak. Stay alert and read the signage on either side of the road, which also leads to Patar White Sand Beach, the most frequented spot in the small town.

Entrance to the restaurant is situated a few meters before the bridge over the river.

The pathway made of bamboo will make you appreciate the picturesque view bordering the water.

Finding joy in relocating

"I think we're going to the moon because it's in the nature of the human being to face challenges. It's by the nature of his deep inner soul... we're required to do these things just as salmon swim upstream."

-Neil Armstrong

No one can impede the influx of changes. After all, it's been said over and over that it's "the only permanent thing in the world." Who doesn't know that statement anyway? So often it's been repeated that it's now a cliche.

We can't escape change either. True enough, I myself have become its prisoner. But a happy one at that.

About two months before, the change had been announced. To many, it was a surprise. To a few, it came as a relief. To me, it was some sort of an uncertainty, surfing on the waves of the why's and the what ifs.

I've been relocated to Baguio. I don't know exactly what got into God's mind why He allowed that to happen (not that I question Him for his will), but I obliged, bent my will and proceeded with His plan. At first (maybe even up to now), I saw the situation's ironies. First, even though I love Baguio and its cool weather, view decks and mountains, I didn't consider living in the city. It was only a tourist destination for me that I would visit from time to time; not a home, not a work place.

Second, a fragment of my being which I've already learned to let go and move on from resides in Baguio. A thought crossed my mind: What happens if our paths cross? The city is not as big as Manila, so it's bound to happen--an inevitable encounter if fate finds joy in it and decides to revel in its awful awkwardness.

And third, speaking of Manila, I was re-establishing my life in the big urban jungle. Suddenly, the endeavor came to an abrupt pause and had been edited to change the scene. I was enjoying the lights, tall buildings and the social encounters despite the traffic, pollution and daily rush. I got to know a bunch of crazy people whom I made friends with. I listened to their life stories, issues and struggles, and shared pieces of me with them along the way. All of a sudden, change took me to a place where I can't eat lunch, watch movies, or spend the rest of Saturday afternoon with them by lounging in their cozy condo unit.

Bigger than all of these, though, is the added responsibility handed over to me. Despite the uncertainties it entails, however, I stood and accepted the challenge. Not because I didn't have a choice, but because I also got interested and wanted to know what going out of my comfort zone really means.

Nearly a month since relocating to Baguio, here I am, indulging in the challenging new stint and reveling in the opportunity to develop new skills. Just like what Armstrong said, I went to Baguio City because it's my nature to face challenges, no matter how rough the road may be, no matter how uncertain my daily undertakings may be.

Sure, job becomes more difficult since it's not exactly the field where I'd been trained for four years, but it's a welcome opportunity to test my ability to adapt. Socializing skills are being used more, multitasking is being practiced more often, and the thinking speed is being increased.

And yes, I'm enjoying the picturesque views, breezy mornings, cool summer, and the refreshing greens on the way to work...every day.

Just a few steps from the office, this landscape seen from the view deck of Mines View Park awaits.

Even from the office, eyes can feast on an awesome view--a stress buster.

And who would not be inspired and energized every day if daily commute is like this? Fresh air, no traffic and with lines of trees saying "good morning" along the way.

Or, if wandering at night gives you this sight?

Beauty and the Beast: An enchanting retelling of a familiar love story

Once upon a time, there was a self-centered, haughty prince living in a majestic castle in the middle of the dark woods.

One night, an old woman knocked on the castle's gargantuan door, begging to be accommodated for the night. The prince, selfish as he was, refused to let the old woman stay despite the cold and harsh environment of the forest.

She begged a second time, telling him not to make judgments based on one's appearance, but the prince rejected and banished her. Little did he know that the old woman was an enchantress putting him to test. A few moments later, she transformed to reveal her true self.

Realizing his mistake, the prince knelt before her and begged for her forgiveness. But it was too late. She cast a spell on him and turned him into a hideous beast. The spell would be undone only if he would learn to love and someone would love him in return before the last petal of the rose from the enchantress falls.