The traveler goes to Batangas

Before I proceed with sharing another travel adventure, let me first confirm a particular matter as regards my previous post which was about starting over again.

I've got a new job.

It's not at a big TV network as I originally planned and badly wanted. Nevertheless, it is a job offer worth accepting, because first, it dwells on my passion which is writing, and second, the company belongs to a big, fully established and well financed corporation that operates in accordance with Philippine labor laws.

So, what am I?

I'm the copywriter of a real estate company situated within one of the high-end locations in Metro Manila--McKinley Hill in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. People around me said that it would be quite hard to live and work in Manila, especially that I would just be renting a place and become independent (which means I cook my own food, wash my own clothes, clean the space, do the dishes and all other household chores). I agree. But, to the person who said such a thing with the intention of ridiculing me and not because she was concerned, I'm up for the challenge (s).

The set up is corporate, somewhere I only imagined myself to be without the sheer intention of becoming an office person. But, as I stepped onto the premises, I told myself, "Why not?" Besides, since I need to do a coverage of events, I will have to be physically present at places where they will be held. Which means I get to travel!

And speaking of travel, on my second day (June 3, 2014), I got what I wanted.

Our company's Marketing and Business Development Division (where I belong) held the first quarter awards for Sales Suntrustees (sales people of the company). The venue was Matabungkay Beach Resort in Lian, Batangas, about a 1.5-hour drive from Metro Manila.

It's a vast land on which the resort sits. It looks old, though.

Truth be told, I wasn't amazed with the place, maybe because, first, the place is old and it is not properly maintained, and second, there is nothing extraordinary and jaw dropping with the beach. Fun and adventure, though, is present, so guests will definitely have fun still.

Along the shore, boatmen greet tourists and offer them a boat ride for a fee. Snorkeling may also be enjoyed.

For those who don't want to get too far from the shore, there are other activities that can be savored. Pedal boats (I'm not sure if that's what they're called) await passengers along the shore. For P300, a group of six can experience fun and leisure off the waters for 30 minutes. Banana boats and kayaks are also available.

Just like in my previous job, the one-day event was a work-leisure combination which, though this early, I love about my job. And with that, I say, "More adventures are about to come!"

Blissful night and day on Cabalitian

Experience paradise on this island

I didn’t experience rest right after graduation. In fact, a few days before the last of my college life, I began working and practicing my craft.

And since my schedule at my job was hectic as that was the campaign period for the 2013 midterm elections when we had to do a series of coverage, I needed a stress buster.

I was really hopeful I could get that perfect relief from the hustle and bustle the election season ensued. So, when it came, I didn’t have second thoughts even though it meant spending a part of my first salary. (Well, I’ve been known to be a stingy person.)

Cabalitian getaway

Over a year ago, my friends went to a beautiful island in Sual. The trip was a few days after the end of my third year in college. I failed to join them because my budget was scarce that time. When we met with one another again in a get together, they euphorically shared the experience on the marvellous island and how much they enjoyed their getaway. I felt envious and wished that one day, I would get the chance to be captured in wonder and be amazed with the place.

LEAVING THE ISLAND Boats line up the shore, waiting for guests leaving the island. You will, however, find yourself hesitant to leave because of Cabalitian’s natural beauty.

Pangasinan Food Tour 2014: Calasiao

Eat like a Don

Not very far from our last stop, Kuya Max, is another diner, this time in Calasiao, offering the usual Filipino cuisine but not forgetting to concoct twists to make a client’s food experience one of the best. Many have tried experimenting on different recipes, but only a few have stood out. Don Armando’s may not ring some bells when others hear about it, but the fact that customers come rushing in and out of the place is proof that it is getting there sooner rather than later.

Evidently, the owners, husband and wife John Paulo and Teng Bauzon, have poured extra effort into this venture. Not to mention the fact that they also cater to customers looking for an American cuisine through Pizza Don.

The Food Tour team

Pangasinan Food Tour 2014: Dagupan City

Food trip to the MAX

Going beyond and offering more than what others do will surely turn on customers looking for dishes other than the regular fare that can be found in most diners. These are acts put together by Maximo Alexis Tan, the owner of Kuya Max Grill and Restaurant in Dagupan City.

About 15 minutes from Mangaldan, our next stop during the Pangasinan Food Tour 2014 exceeded the satisfaction rating that our stomachs can give. It was lunch time when we arrived at Kuya Max situated along De Venecia Road, Dagupan City. We could hear our stomachs grumble at the sight of food. Add to that the inviting ambiance of a combined stone and wood architecture which gave us the cozy feeling of dining.

Blessed year of savory mix

Whoa! Time is indeed quick! Year 2013 is over and we’re now greeted by 2014—another year of happiness and laughter, of sadness and pain, of excitement and energy.

When 2013 started, I wrote an entry on my previous blog about words describing each month of 2012. Now, I’m listing down 13 of the most significant and unforgettable events and experiences I went through and dealt with last year. We're now more than halfway through January, but I hope this post isn't late yet.

Tasting Pangasinan

In my last post, I talked about how wonderful it is to learn about stories of people you meet when travelling. Isn’t it heart-warming to feel how comfortable they are in sharing with you, a person whom they’ve just met, some of the most significant fragments of their lives?

This time, though, I won’t be talking about another story I was enlightened on during another travel. But this post is something about one of the most exciting activities you can do when travelling—food trip.

Cela's Tapa and Meat Products' version of the ever famous pigar-pigar. You can find that in Mangaldan, Pangasinan.

A story carried by the wind

Most tourists only find cool destinations, extreme adventures, scenic views and picturesque landscapes in places they visit. Little do they know that there are stories waiting to be told; simple realities that touch a heart and draw a curve on the lips. Simple realities made more alive by the characters figuring in every story.

One of these is the story of Aling Rosa—a story we learned about during our taping in one of the places we featured on Traveldotcom.

Exploring Anda by island hopping

Out of all the beaches I’ve been to in Pangasinan, Tondol White Sand Beach is so far the most fascinating. Its shallow water is a feature hard to miss. 

Delivering my spiel on the shore.

Festive atmosphere

8:31 PM

In a few hours, we'll be celebrating Jesus's birthday once again. We're hyped up because of the festivity. The excitement reaches the sky as we wait for the time that we can open our gifts. Our stomachs grumble as we prepare for Noche Buena awaiting in the dining room.

Christmas carols echo in the neighborhood. The Church's bell rings in the background. Christmas lights seem to be dancing, following the beat of every song cheerful children sing in front of every house.

Well, indeed, in a few hours, we'll celebrate Christmas, the time of the year we've all prepared for. When the clock strikes 12, let us all be merry and share holiday cheers with everyone.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS 2013!

Collaboration starts with GBG Pangasinan inaugural meet up

Map and hop with us!

Connect. Inform. Inspire.

These are the three guiding principles on which Google Business Groups (GBG) all over the world are founded. This is a living proof that even in the age of digital technology where everything seems to be impersonal and fast paced, many aim to use the web to connect with others to achieve a unified success.

A Blogapalooza Saturday---the event!

It was indeed a fun and jam packed Saturday event at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Aura Premier, Taguig. And I, together with my colleagues, was there to personally experience this annual gathering of bloggers.

A Blogapalooza Saturday awaits

If I remember it right, the first time I heard the word 'blog' was in second year high school (2006). Back then, I was still learning the ins and outs on the Internet, its benefits and other important things related to it.

It was two years after when I tried blogging, but it was in fourth year college that I became serious about it. Since then, I've been blogging about my cool adventures, fun experiences and exciting activities (and about realizations and life's harsh realities when the circumstances compel me to). That was when I got the hang of it and enjoyed blogging more.

And this coming Saturday, Nov. 16, I'll be receiving one of the perks of being a blogger. My colleagues and I will be attending Blogapalooza 2013, a gathering of small and big businesses 'who have something cool to share' and bloggers 'who love to share.'

As of now, 425 bloggers RSVP'd for the event at SM Aura in Taguig and few slots are left vacant, so sign up now and partake in this one of a kind experience! The event will start at 11 am and will end at 9 pm. With that long period, we can expect fun and exciting activities, and cool giveaways. On top of all that, entrance to the event is absolutely FREE!

Thanks to When in Manila for this one in a million chance. See you on Saturday, fellow bloggers!

Exploring Anda

Last week was another chance for me to travel and explore another place, this time, a beach in Anda, an island town in the western most part of Pangasinan.

Tondol White Sand Beach exudes beauty invigorating to the eyes and inviting to the soul which searches for a refreshing kind of adventure. We also did island hopping, visiting three islands away from Tondol beach. This and a lot more adventures will be featured on Talk TV Global's Traveldotcom this month, so watch for its next episode.

Pannacalan Island, one of the three islands we visited, boasts of this hut which changes location depending on the height of the tides.

More of my adventures on my next blog post and Traveldotcom's episode.

Shop, save and relieve stress

Three Day Sale, Three Way Save

What do you usually do to relieve yourself from stress caused by school work or your job? Do you spend the whole day at home, snuggle in bed and do a movie marathon? Or, you just relax and sleep to gain energy for another week of stress?

Well, this week, we might not do any of those things because something else will surely be a stress buster and a welcome break for our tired mind.

According to an article posted on Business News Daily in June 2012, a research had concluded that “retail therapy” was a mechanism for people to cope with stress, a reliever similar to stress eating. Retail therapy is done by going out and heading to a mall or your favorite store to buy things for yourself. In other words, shop to relieve stress.

It is, however, more grueling if our budget is scarce. But, worry not because the biggest mall chain in the country has made an effort to help us with that.

On Oct. 18, 19 and 20, SM City Baguio will conduct a “Three-Day Sale, Three-Way Save” promo where in 50 percent will be cut off the price of great selections. But, the excitement and stress relief does not stop there.

On the first day of the three-day sale, an additional 10 percent off the price of the chosen item will be offered on top of the existing discount from 9 am to 11 am. This promo, however, is exclusive to SM Advantage Card holders only.

Moreover, a 5 percent rebate will be offered for every P5,000 single receipt purchase using a BDO Credit Card.

Lastly, we can get a P100-coupon for every P2,000 single receipt purchase on Oct. 19 and 20.

But wait, there’s more! Every customer will also be entitled to an entry to a raffle draw where we can win an Internet TV!

What is more exciting is that after shopping, you can also take a tour around the city and go sightseeing amidst its cool temperature and enjoy everything it has to offer.

So, let’s mark our calendars and avail of this special offer from SM City Baguio where we can savor the fun and enjoy the excitement. Have a happy leisure time, guys!

Busier than ever

September was a busy month for me (well, which month wasn't and isn't). The last few weeks before this week were more hectic. And the last few days before today were quite stressful and exhausting.

But, I'm not dreading my busy schedule. Neither am I hating my job. In fact, I'm very enthusiastic about it especially now that we've been preparing for the very first Talk TV Global Media Congress which has kept me quite busy lately.

A day on the sea

As part of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the government acquired two warships for the Philippine Navy from the US Coast Guard--BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz.

During this year's celebration of Pistay Dayat, PF15 or BRP Gregorio del Pilar docked on Lingayen Gulf with the Philippine Navy opening the ship to Pangasinenses from April 28 to May 2. Their curiosity and excitement could be felt as they waited for their turn on the motorboat that will take them to the ship's location anchored at 3 nautical miles from the shore.

BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF15)

And being a broadcast journalist, doing a report on this special event required hopping into the ship and having a tour inside. My adventurous side entered the scene and I found myself feeling excited about this first time experience.

Coming from the heart

Being the capital town of Pangasinan, Lingayen is tagged as the heart of the province. It boasts of the best architectural structure in the Philippines—the Capitol Building—and its significant part in the country’s history.

On the upcoming episode of Talk TV Global’s Traveldotcom, I will feature this town, exploring every corner of the capitol compound and other attractions as well as the ever famous bagoong (fish sauce) which I previously discussed.

While editing is ongoing, delve into this sneak peek.

Posing at the back of the Capitol Bldg.

New project

Picbits

Probably out of stress one afternoon, I thought of putting up a new project here on my blog. I've been active on Instagram lately and been loving staring at photos taken in different places, at different times. They tell stories, touch hearts, stir emotions, fuel dreams and desires. There I thought, what about sharing my stories on my blog through pictures? It's not a unique concept, but still a great idea and thing to do, so I'm now putting to action.

I call this project 'Picbits.' Pictures are also tasty bits of life that tell and stress reality and stimulate our mind to imagine fantasy. The subjects don't move, but the whole picture move us. Well, this is another part of me which I am sharing with you. Here are sample photos I posted on my Instagram profile.

SPACE. Something about the day I took this photo got me staring far beyond the subject--something that got into my ego and pumped up my fighting spirit.

Experiencing Albay

Upon stepping down from the plane, we grabbed the opportunity to have our pictures taken with the Mayon Volcano in the background.

We weren’t able to take many pictures, though, when the guard shooed us away already. We then proceeded to the arrival area and looked for our service. A van from The Oriental Hotel Legazpi, the venue of the conference, stood waiting for us. We hopped in and off we went to the hotel.

In the cabin

The take off

“Cabin crew, prepare for departure.” Then the plane zoomed up to the clear blue sky.

I was Wright (pun intended). The feeling was as euphoric as that of the inventors of the airplane when finally, I was flying up in the sky, over white fluffy clouds. Waiting for four hours for the check in counters to open, and then another hour for the boarding gate to let the passengers in, was all worth it.

Yes, it was my first time on a plane, so I savoured every bit and inch of the ride. Among the nine of us, only three had previously experienced it, but they were as excited as the rest of us because of the majestic Mayon Volcano awaiting our arrival.