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!"

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.

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!

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.

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.

Getting high...literally

“Cause I’m leaving on a jet plane... I don’t know when I’ll be back again...”

This song has recently come to my mind as two weeks from now, I’ll be riding on a plane for the first time!

On February 10, I together with my colleagues in our student publication will board a domestic flight to Legazpi City in Albay for a three-day journalism contest. That’s the next level of the competition after winning at the regional level in December last year in the City of San Fernando, La Union.

This is one of the few perks I enjoy as an editor of the publication, going places with colorful historical relevance in the country and having a taste of their rich culture. This time, I’ll be seeing Mayon Volcano in person, that volcano with the almost perfect cone shape that I’ve only been seeing in pictures since childhood.

The trip’s still several days ahead and I’m excited. Meantime, “I’ll pack my bags and get ready to go.”