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.

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.

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.

Preparing for your bride's ride

By Marie Lyn Tibule

Wedding is one of the occasions hardest to prepare for. There are a lot of stuff to consider—invitations, souvenirs, guests, bridal gown and the like. Your worries may seem endless but one thing you should not forget when planning for a wedding is the transportation service. This is one of the most important details you should not overlook because without it, there will be no bride. This is as special as the wedding cake and the wedding gown, so here are some things to consider in renting a bridal car:

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.

I got sucked!

Blood went streaming out of my veins...passing through a narrow pipe...coursing towards a vessel...

Yes, I got sucked. Not by a vampire, though—thank heavens.

On June 20, 2013, for the first time, I donated blood during the mobile blood donation activity of the Provincial Health Office of Pangasinan in partnership with Red Cross. Honestly, all I planned to do that day was to cover the activity held at the Provincial Hospital in San Carlos City, Pangasinan for a news report—not to donate blood. That wasn't because I was selfish and didn't want to share my blood to those who might need it. I just thought I wouldn't qualify because of my underweight look.

But the weighing scale said I qualified, having a total weight of 55 kg, so I went to the registration area and signed the form. Further screening revealed that my blood pressure was (and is) normal, therefore I am neither hypertensive nor anemic. Thank heavens again.

The bloodletting activity was conducted in the conference room of the hospital where 77 good Samaritans, including me, donated 450 ml each of blood.

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.

The road less taken

A few months before, I had faced the situation of asking myself where I would go after college. Going back to the university where I graduated from to teach and train other mass communication students became an option. Later on, I met a good opportunity along the way which made me realize teaching was not the path I wanted to take.

Well, there were two opportunities actually. They were both so good they made me feel as if I were the luckiest man alive. One was a ride along a shortcut route (somehow) to my ultimate dream; the other was another ride (a rough one) leading to multiple forks where many uncertainties come waiting (whoa, don't get me wrong, boss).

Many would think I went for the obvious, taking the shortcut to the mainstream media. It's not really a big jump to the big fish, but at least, had I grabbed that, I would be part of the big fish. I guess the only uncertainty I would encounter would be, "When will I be one of the giants?"

TGIF—Thank God it’s the finish line!

Four years ago when I stepped onto college, I was a clueless boy wondering what new challenges stood awaiting my curiosity. Like everyone else, I was excited to attend my classes and listen attentively to discussions with an expensive binder at hand to write notes on.

My college education was a very big blessing as I got the chance to study and take up the course Mass Communication which I really wanted—for free because of the presidential scholarship offered to me. To maintain it, I had to endure sleepless nights, drink immeasurable amount of coffee to stay awake, and experience the harsh stress derived from piles of tasks (not to mention the extreme pressure caused by professors and instructors ).