Let the trip begin 9 October 2009

Our road trip to Dumaguete was made possible a month ago – 6th and 7th of September – before Pano got his working visa for Kuwait. The initial plan was to tour the whole perimeter of Negros Island. Later on, they decided to go to Dumaguete instead via Mabinay since we seldom set foot at Negros Oriental.

Mag-aso Falls

Mag-aso Falls in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental was our first stop and we explored the falls and its surroundings before we ate our breakfast prepared by Mommy. We were awed by the beauty of the falls and its surroundings. Mag-aso is maintained by the local government and there is no entrance fee but per table is charged 50 pesos.

 

Wake up! It’s the end of September. 30 September 2009

September 26, 2009… A day to remember. A downcast and dispirited day, indeed. There were times when we love the rains pouring down our roofs while we lazily snuggle in our blanket to get more sleep. But on that Saturday morning, when Visayas was experiencing heavy rains with gusty winds, Metro Manila and neighboring provinces were drenched with heavy rains brought by tropical storm Ondoy a.k.a. Ketsana and the water got a life of its own flooding every nook and cranny of Southern Luzon.

Ondoy brought Southern Luzon a month’s worth of rainfall in 6 hours. It turned roads to rivers claiming lives and properties. People seek shelter on top of their roof. I was disheartened with what I had seen online and on tv. However, online communities truly played a big role in providing hotlines and information. They hasten the search and rescue operation. Sad to say, rubber boats are still not enough and some – tired and hungry – got help after 24 hours. Private sectors already provided aid and rescue in their own way. Different drop off points were set around the globe to collect more funds and donations.

Going round and round 25 September 2009

It was Amam and Vima’s first vacation for this year and Christine’s very first Visayas getaway. Val coincided his last day in Teletech in time for us to get home and bond with my brother. No definite plans were made for their visit. Amam just wanted to have a big break from his very hectic schedules and satisfy his appetite with my mom’s scrumptious home-cooked meals. For the 7 days they stayed here in Bacolod, we didn’t dine out in any restaurants. But Biboy treated us a delicious made-to-order rum pie which he secretly ordered a week earlier and picked it up upon Amam’s arrival last August 19.

His idea of a trip to Mt. Kanlaon Park through Rafael Salas Park and road trip to Dumaguete remained in our to-visit list due to time- and budget-constraints. Since they already visited Mambucal Resort in Murcia and The Ruins in Talisay during their vacation last year, Val and I suggested a photo shoot of nature in the town of Don Salvador Benedicto and they all agreed. My brother also developed a passion for photography only that he doesn’t have the time to go around and take the shots when he is in Manila.

Harvest time! 18 September 2009

It was a chance for Amam and Vima to visit the rambutan farm, if I may call it right, in La Carlota City last August 20, the day after they arrived in Bacolod for a week long vacation.

There were a number of trees and they weren`t so tall that was why we were able to pick the fruit, peel it, then eat it right then and there! Most of the red ones were already harvested but we still got home a big plastic full of it. Some were still green outside but were sweet and juicy inside.

So long, Cebu… 17 September 2009

Val and I were supposed to be excited to finally go back to Bacolod last August 19th. But the excitement was overcame with anxiety for the car started to act funny while we were still at the compound transferring our things from the house to the car. The engine kept on cutting off every 5 minutes! We left the compound at 5 am – an hour late from our expected time of departure.

We still pursued our journey hoping that we could reach Toledo port while the sun was still up then my father-in-law would fetch us from the San Carlos port. The car intermittently worked. It was 30 minutes past 7 am when we had the car checked by a mechanic at Toledo. The family were still having their breakfast when we came.

See you around 16 September 2009

My constant joining of team Val’s outing gained me the friendship of their member’s wives. The first team building I joined in Boljoon gave me a chance to meet Honey, Jaja’s wife, and Mae, now Mark’s wife. Chantal, Caesar’s wife, arrived in Cebu just a week earlier than me and we shared the same house in Opon. After few months, Chantal with her husband, moved to her sister’s house also in Mactan. Each time the team planned an outing, dining out or just hanging around, the four of us would always be there to mingle together until we earned the name “first ladies”.

However, for team Val’s last team building in Bohol, Honey, Mae, and Chantal failed to make it. Thus, just the night before we left for Bacolod on August 19th, we tried to free each other’s schedule and got a chance to meet again.

We’ll see each other again, team Bertonians! 16 September 2009

Bohol. I was there once with Ivy and going there again seemed impractical especially when the budget is tight but I hate to break my husband`s excitement. It would be literally his last team building with his team before we left Cebu. Besides, we could avail of Ocean Jet`s free return ticket promo if we purchased the ticket a week earlier.

All Aboard!

On August 15th, there were only 4 of us from our group who embarked the ferry when boarding was announced a few minutes past 3 pm. Others were still on their way to pier 1 while some were caught in a traffic. Right before the ferry started to leave at 4 pm, all 15 members of team Val were aboard! Whew!

10 Dove St. – Siblings’ Cebu Trip 3 of 3 2 September 2009

After our Kawasan escapade, it was already 2 a.m. when we crept into our beds. We were supposed to drive around Cebu City the next day, August 13, for Franc who was in Cebu for the first time. We had been to Ayala and SM Malls but didn’t visit the usual tourist spots like Mactan Shrine, Taoist Temple, Fort San Pedro and Magenllan’s Cross. At least, he tried the Edge Coaster and enjoyed Kawasan Falls.

It was 1 p.m. when everybody was up and ready to go. We drove to 10 Dove St. in Sto. Niño Village since Val wanted them to experience a set of sandwich, soup, salad and cake for lunch. It is a simple yet elegant place to dine in a posh residential area. It can serve around 20 persons and they also accept take-out orders.

Kawasan Falls: Siblings’ Cebu Trip 2 of 3 1 September 2009

Val has been to Kawasan Falls thrice for the 5 years he stayed in Cebu. Yet, he still recommends this magnificent work of nature to whoever plans to visit the island of Cebu. I have mentioned this place to my former teammate Sion who didn’t miss the chance to visit Kawasan when they had their quick tour in Cebu last March. And during Val’s sisters’ vacation, Val doesn’t want his sisters and their partner to miss the falls, too.

Last 11th of August, all 6 of us – May Joy, Pano, Kathleen, Franc, Val and I – hurriedly bought the things we needed for our Kawasan trip after our dinner buffet in Crown Regency. We bought milkfish, junk foods, biscuits, purified water and some softdrinks. We planned to leave as early as 5 am the next day for the 3-hour land trip so that we could get back before nightfall.

Sky Adventure: Siblings’ Cebu Trip 1 of 3 24 August 2009

Val’s sisters together with their boyfriend took the last flight from Bacolod to Cebu last August 10. They came for a vacation while Val was still in Cebu to save their board and lodging and while we still have the car. The room was spacious enough to occupy 6 persons; they brought an airbed, extra foam and beddings, too.

There were no concrete plans to tour Cebu. Since 3 of them had toured Cebu several times already, we decided to try the Edge Coaster ride in Crown Regency Hotel in the heart of Cebu City. The Edge Coaster and Skywalk Extreme were featured in tv the first time it opened last year and I wanted to try them since then. It was scary to ride it honestly. I got goose bumps for the thought of riding the whole edge of the 38th floor but I still found myself excited to give it a try.

Using Smart Bro Prepaid 14 August 2009

I was happy to sync the correct time of Smart Bro Prepaid. It is a minute shy from my laptop’s time and 15 minutes late from my cellphone’s clock. Consequently, I was able to maximize the consumption of its prepaid load. Wala lang… Mababaw ang kaligayahan ko eh. He he…

Thank you, Tina, for lending it to me. I don’t need to leave the house to get online.

Read here on how Smart Bro Prepaid is charged. No worries when you estimate the time correctly except for the very slow connection like what happened last night when there was a cable problem in the Asia Pacific Region. My 30-minute connection was gone to waste.

Busy Sunday 10 August 2009

I came back here in Cebu last Friday night bringing with me the joy that finally my husband and I will be going home soon… for good. I will only stay for less than a couple of weeks here but those days are packed with so many activities.

For one, Val’s cousin is also here for a vacation with his family and in-laws. It was his first visit in Cebu since he got married 3 years ago and it was also his son Miggy’s 3^rd birthday party yesterday.

Thank you, Tita Cory! 4 August 2009

 along Rizal St.

The banner says it all.  Together with the entire nation, Bacolod mourns for the loss of a selfless leader. Yellow ribbons can be seen tied outside the Cathedral Church as well as in some vehicles, trees, or pinned on shirt. There’s also a mass and tribute for President Aquino at USLS Coliseum. Just this afternoon, I went to the new Government Center to write on the Book of Condolences.

We lost an honest leader, a caring mother and a respectable icon. The love shown by the people are overwhelming. I hope her legacy will continue to live and this will be a turning point for a big change in the entire nation.

Thank you for bringing the democracy, Tita Cory! Thank you for touching our hearts!

We love you!

From 18 to 80 22 July 2009

I am sick last week and am still sick right now. The torrential rains brought about by successive low pressure area and storms intensified my cough resulting to a husky voice. I was worried I would miss the 3 important occasions I committed weeks earlier – a debut, a birthday and a golden wedding.

A princess’ ball

Our family friend’s unica hija, Celyne, has reached the age of maturity this month. She was given 2 choices for a gift – a trip to Hong Kong with the whole family or a debut party. We all turn 18 once hence she chose the latter with the theme “Shakespeare in Love.” It was a month-long preparation which coincided to the time when I was still recuperating from my operation but they still wanted to include me as one of the 18 treasures at the last minute.

First step 21 July 2009

I don’t know what came into Val’s mind when he suddenly insisted on buying our own SLR camera. I didn’t pay much attention to him at first (sowee…), thinking that his cravings for it will pass quickly and the high cost of DSLR cameras made me brush away his thoughts. He has browsed several sites about photography tutorials and has searched for the latest models of entry-level DSLRs. He also taught me what types of cameras and accessories to look for and even gave me some pointers on how to use DSLR. He is serious, isn’t he?

To make the long story short, after I did more searching and then comparing prices and features, we had my brother buy the Canon EOS 1000D through the online gadget store Gadget Grocery since the delivery is free within Metro Manila only and thanks to Mae Ann for bringing it to Negros for us.

 

katas ng U.K. 10 July 2009

Eto na ang bago kong laptop. Salamat kay Lyn sa pagdala galing Manila. Medyo mabigat pala. Buti backpack ang pinili kong lagayan nito at hindi masyadong hassle sa kanya. Tsaka syempre salamat sa kapatid ko. Sa kakatipid nya ng allowance na binibigay ng kumpanya nya sa UK, naibili nya ako ng laptop. Hihi…

 

Acer Aspire 4736Z

• Intel Pentium processor T4200 (2 GHz, 800 Mhz FSB, 1 MB L2 cache)
• 14″ HD Acer CineCrystal LED LCD
• 2 GB DDR3 Memory
• 250 GB HDD
• 8x DVD Super Multi Double Layer Optical Drive
• 1.3 Megapixels Crystal Eye WebCam
• modem / LAN / wifi / Bluetooth capable
• 5 in 1 card reader
• HDMI digital out port
• Dolby Home Theater

Galeng! Maraming salamat ulet! Dahil sa kabaitan nyo, karapat-dapat kayong i-klap klap!

For Nooks and Crannies’ Anniversary Special 8 July 2009

Mark, a friend and author of Nooks and Crannies, is commemorating his first anniversary blogging experience in WordPress by giving out his precious book “How to Shoot Great Travel Photos” by Susan McCartney. Ooops… It’s not as easy as 123. He thought of a special way to give out this book through his post “Anniversary Special.”

There’s no question that I began to love taking numerous photos since I have my own digicam but I don’t have the patience to manually adjust my digicam settings. It’s easier to point and shoot using the automatic mode especially when I’m capturing those “Kodak moments.” However, upon seeing amazing photos taken by amateur and professional photographers alike, the book can be a big help in my quest for more photography tips and tutorials.

Hmm… How should I describe it? I like the book after reading what it’s all about plus its full-illustration feature makes it more alluring. But posting a blog stating ‘why I deserve this book’ almost became a pie in the sky. I can’t compose well if the writing is graded much more having several judges scrutinizing my entry. What makes me push through with this blog entry is to show my appreciation for his encouragement in my writing. Besides, my full support and participation are the most I can give in return.

I can’t promise that I will be as good as or better than the book’s previous owner but I will gratefully value this book and at the same time continue to learn from it. I will treasure this book like a prized possession… that is, if given a chance to be its second owner.

Being a woman is not that easy 4 July 2009

It was exactly 3 Fridays ago when our hopes and dreams for a new member in both families was troubled. After we heard no fetal heartbeat and a 4-week difference in gestational age last June 4, I religiously followed my OB’s advice for medications and complete bed rest pior to another scan after 2 weeks. See my previous post here.

Since Val left for Cebu on the 7th, I was then restricted in the 4 corners of my parents’ room with the TV as my constant companion during daytime. Their room is nearest the bathroom and I would transfer to my room before bedtime. My brother would bring my meals upstairs, wash my dishes and refill my 2L water bottle. Hmm… I used to consume almost 2 and a half bottles of water.

Do we have to have reasons in everything that happens? 30 June 2009

It was more than 2 weeks since I left the hospital. I’m healed physically but not completely. My quick 38-hour confinement has brought tons and tons of questions to which only God can answer. The pain I felt gradually eases as my supportive friends and families continue to comfort me.

Reminiscing the incidents from ER to Rm 274 and from OR to the recovery room, I almost wanted to pinch myself to wake up from that nightmare. One minute I’m happy as a bee, the next minute I found myself in a hospital bed with those needles and medicines while seeking each one’s eyes for answers if I can still save my baby.

I was able to accept our loss after hearing other women’s stories. Some have worse cases than mine. One even shared her ordeal – 5 gestations with only 2 successful pregnancies and 8-month bed rest with heavy bleeding in each 5 pregnancies.

What happened seems like a dream – a dream so vivid that can sometimes bring tears in my loneliness. Why? How? When? It just happens with no specific reasons. MJ just slipped out into the bedpan as I peed – as simple as that.

Dear Li’l MJ 15 June 2009

Dear Li’l MJ,

When you gave me signs that you were conceived, we were all ecstatic! Your Father wanted to let the whole world know how happy he is. He wants you to call me Mommy and him Papa.

I can’t see what’s happening inside your tiny home. All I know is to provide you the nourishments you need, watch my actions and religiously follow the doctor’s advice in taking my vitamins. I’m not a fan of milk but I always think of your well-being so I obediently take 2 glasses a day. I frequently read articles on what to expect while you’re inside my tummy. I refrain from drinking softdrinks and eating junk foods, walk away from people who smoke, cut off my travel escapades, cease from using colognes and perfumes, and avoid anything that may harm you. Bulges on any part of my body seems pleasingly pretty!