Boracay Getaway Day 1

Finally! Some time off to visit my blog. lol. Anyway, let me share with you my recent (though not ultimately recent - at all!) visit in Boracay with friends. A brief overview of Boracay - Boracay island is separated from Panay island in Visayas by a narrow strait. White Beach is the main tourism. It is about four kilometers long and is lined with resorts, hotels, lodging houses, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses.

With the help of Cebu Pacific's promo fare, we were able to purchase a "not-so-bad" ticket to paradise from Jan 09 to Jan 12 2011. Although it was not my first time to see the place, I must admit that I had a bit of a blur memory of the island. I was obliged to do the itinerary as it's my friends first time to see the place and I intend to make the experience memorable for them.

- Terminal 3 -

First things first, the budget. First week of January is still peak season in Boracay. So, it was my duty to find a place economical and not too far from the happenings! I remember the place where we stayed back in 2007. It is located in station 2 near "D Mall", 30seconds away from the beach and it is near from everything! Tan's Guesthouse! My colleagues and I stayed there back in 2007 so I pretty much have an idea already. Ms. Net Sacapano of Tan's Guesthouse gave us a 3k per night stay multiply it by 3 we had 9k divide it by 4, each of us had to pay Php2250 for the entire stay which includes buffet breakfast! I would like to think that's not bad already considering it was peak season.

Day 1

We were scheduled to depart Manila for Kalibo at 5:35PM. The plane was running late so we officially took off at 6:05PM and arrived safe and sound in Kalibo Airport at 7:35PM! We have to be in Caticlan port before 9pm to catch the last boat ride to Cagban port. I have a contact already, and as soon as we set foot at the airport I saw my name on a piece of white board. The damage was Php1500 for the whole van divide it by 4, we each had to pay Php375 for one way exclusive ride to Caticlan port which is by the way, a 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from Kalibo airport.

From Caticlan port we each had to pay Php30 for a 10-15minute boat ride (normally, it's only Php20 at daytime), Php50 for the terminal fee and Php75 for the environmental fee which is one time charging - you no longer need to pay another Php75 going back to Caticlan port from Cagban port. From Cagban port we took a tricycle going to D Mall (Php25 per head) and from D Mall we went straight to Tan's Guesthouse. We officially arrived in Boracay at 9:30PM. Whew!

- Tan's Guesthouse -

And because we were so tired of the travel we agreed to eat somewhere that has a fast service rather than a restaurant in the area. What else to see but the ANDOK'S! 1 whole jumbo chicken, 1 order of chopsuey, 8 rice and a 1.5L coke! =P I will never forget the night we had dinner at Andok's. It was that night that my friend collapsed while we were having dinner. We remember her complaining that she feels dizzy but we just continued eating our dinner and somehow did not mind her. When suddenly she was mildly shaking, pale, about to fall off her chair - along the walking path of Boracay's D Mall and the pupil of her eyes is no longer visible! Like the symptoms of having a convulsion I must say. I was able to reach for her and my other friend quickly rushed to her side. I felt like I was so bad that I did not take it seriously at first, because the scenario somehow looks funny, although I know the severity of the situation. When she was able to contain herself after a minute that's when we all started laughing that even the couple on the other table who were watching us all through out the attack started laughing with us! Imagine that!!

- Jaydee, minutes before collapsing -

So, after the shaking and collapsing fiasco we took liberty of checking what was happening that night in the island and because it's weekend the bars and other establishments were alive!! Ugh! Too bad we were too tired to hang out. We get to see poi dancers though!

- Amazing Poi dancers of Boracay Island -

- Poi -

Baguio Trip

Just came from a very impetuous trip of my life.. Baguio City!!

Oct 21 2010 - While having our cigarette break, I told my friends that I wanna visit Baguio City. It has been 3 years since the last time I was there and that I feel like I need something to loosen up.. So I need to travel. Baguio - was first thing that came up on my list! I told my friends (Valerie, Kennette) my plan and they agreed to come with me. Since it will be Kennette's first time to visit the place it added more excitement!!

Oct 22 2010 - At 11:00PM we left for Baguio City!! It is a highly urbanized city in northern Luzon of the Philippines. Established by Americans in 1900 and it was designated as the Summer Capital of the Philippines. Anyway, you may want to Google the place to know more about it.


The Plan: To do a one day tour at the place. So, after we had our "yosi" break, I then started to do the itinerary.


We arrived in Baguio City at 5:00AM. We looked for a place where we can leave our things. And at exactly 6:00AM we are already at the famous Session Road.

Kennette and the Session Road

At 7:00AM - We attended mass at Baguio Cathedral Church

8:00AM - We're already strolling at Baguio Botanical Garden and made a stop at the famous haunted house of the city "The White House"


The White house - built on 1920′s, was home to the Laperal Family, the oldest clan in the city. Japanese soldiers occupied the house at the height of World War II. Most of the family was brutally murdered in the house. According to stories, the last Laperal, Roberto died of an accident by slipping and hitting his head.

9:00AM - We're at The Wright Park where you can see The Mansion. It is where the President of the country resides when he/she is in the city.

Mines View Park is the most visited tourist site in Baguio. It stands on a promontory overlooking Benguet's mines and the Cordillera Mountains.

We went back to the place where we stay to get some rest. We're so tired the three of us fell asleep - unable to finish the remaining places to go. Hahahaha! As soon as we woke up we decided to have a late lunch at A. Luna St - 50's diner.

I had "Guys in the hood" (Chicken, Porkchops, Spaghetti, a slice of pizza, a slice of garlic bread, Potato wedges and veggies on the side) and Vanilla Ice cream shake

Kennette ordered "S/S" (Shrimp and Steak with rice) and Chocolate ice cream shake

Valerie had a huge "Fish Fillet Sandwich with Potato wedges", "Chicken Potato Salad" and Vanilla Ice cream shake

Can I just say that they have an amazing menu!!!! I mean the ice cream shake is to die for!! Big serving ever and really inexpensive!! Ugh!! I wanna go back... NOW NA!!!

Anyway, we ended our day visiting the mall, SM Baguio and had our Starbucks. It's imperative for my good friend Val to have a taste of the city's Starbucks. lol

At 9:30PM we're on our way back to Manila. We arrived at 4:00AM. "Back to reality" just like what they say but as long as I am with my friends.. I would love to be in this reality.

Happy Birthday Joseph Joseph III

I received a call at 5:21PM last August 07, 2010 and it was from Ate Grace - my good friend Jose's big sister, asking if me and the others have plans to go out. It was raining hard the whole day so I thought I would be staying home. Then she asked me if I could gather the people close to her brother for some small dinner at their place (Greenhills, San Juan). In short, she's planning to surprise her brother, then I said "YES!"

As soon as we're done talking the next thing i did was to message my good friend Valerie to let the others know "the plan"

8:00PM at the Negrete's place!

So I went to the office to meet the fellas and at 8:00PM we were cruising the stretch of EDSA with heavy rains. It was not easy locating the place at night especially with our driver (Valerie) not good with directions.. hehehe. Thank God for BlackBerry and its GPS we arrived safe and sound at P. Guevarra

The birthday boy was definitely surprised seeing us. He was so speechless and laughing! If only he had known we're coming he could have changed his clothes for the "event"

We had a lovely dinner, ice cream and wine.
Went home around midnight.

It was a really great evening to spend with good friends!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSEPH!

- Birthday boy Joseph and Kennette -

- Spaghetti, Fried Chicken, Menudo and Sapin-sapin -

- Birthday Cake!! -

- Nikka, Nicole and Valerie -

Joseph's nephew Ice blew the candles out.. hahaha!

The BlackBerry 9800 R003

Yes, it runs with an OS 6.0. I guess I am one of the luckiest person to try this out. Since this one has not yet been released. I was even advised not to post anything on my FB, since my boss knew me as the one really updates my FB.

I got this on July 22, 2010. Our president (DBA, as what we call him) gave me an opportunity to take a glimpse of this amazing work of RIM. These were given to him by Brightpoint located in Singapore, one of the biggest distributor of BlackBerry, where our company get our BB stocks to be sold in the Philippines. He handed me over two BlackBerry 9800 for unit checking (the one is busted) and set up. The one that was working is for GRV (The Big Boss) and the one busted is for DBA, has a JVM Error 523 this means that the firmware is corrupted and re-installation of firmware is needed for it to be useful again.

My only dilemma that time was that where will I get the OS 6.0?!! Since it has yet to be released even the BlackBerry Universe does not have this OS. I checked every forum in this whole universe hoping that I tremble on a leaked version. None! And so I approached my Boss if we could somehow ask RIM to provide us an OS 6.0. But we were asked to do this request with Brightpoint. Brightpoint is so generous to provide this request together with the new Desktop Manager 6.0. However, it took me one week for the busted one to be fixed. The first file sent was corrupted and the POC is out of the country (he was in China) and it would take time before he could go back to Singapore. But in any case, thanks Brightpoint! =D

I fell in love with this handheld - instantly! It boots up faster than they used to be. A faster browser. The touchscreen is more like of an iPhone, very far out from the Storm series. If you are not a fan of touchscreen (like moi) it still has a signature QWERTY pad, just slide it (that's why it's called the Slider, lol). You can play YouTube without installing third party applications. It has a 5.0 MP camera. Bigger screen ('coz it's as big as the Storm) - A Storm and Bold in ONE!

RIM has definitely a lot of things to be proud of on their BlackBerry 9800. Check the link for you to see.

http://crackberry.com/blackberry-6-review