Christmas 2011

I hope everyone had a blast during Christmas!

(1. snowman ornament 2. water color painting by myself 3. myself in nerdy glasses 4. what I wrote under the apple pie's box I bought for Noche Buena 5. parol in our sampaloc tree 6. lollipop 7. santa claus ornament for our rattan christmas tree 8. always love by nada surf played while we're on our way to Anilao 9. herd of deer under our tree 10. fur vest that I wore that day 11. plastic poinsettia 12. our pet poodle in santa outfit 13. christmas lights at night 14. our rattan tree designed by Wowa 15. merry grinchmas PJs)

Breakfast is the way to my heart

My Beach Bag

( Accessorize bag, iPhone, Canon Powershot D10, Panasonic Lumix LX-5, Rubber Ducky Dry Bag, H&M scarf, Cotton On sunnies, Banana Boat Aloe Vera Gel, Nivea Tanning Oil, Marlboro Menthol cigarette, Zippo lighter ) 

Ferris Wheel

Ferries wheels are lovely and dreamy especially during sunset. It's feels Coney Island-ish in Manila.

Cheapo Shopping

Last Monday was spent shopping for cheap but good finds. These things make me happy because I am not a fan of spending too much on clothes. When it comes to it, I believe in QUANTITY OVER QUALITY. Haha

I bought 2 pairs of shorts and a flowy white dress for less than a thousand pesos. Shopping need not to be expensive.

Beach Weekend

Last weekend was special because I spent it at the beach with some of my college kabarkada. We reminisced our fun college days and updated each other of what's happening with our lives now that we're working.

How I love to have an effortless beach hair everyday.

You know you're getting old when you're having coffee instead of alcohol.

Manila ♥

I've lived in Manila all my life and didn't care about the places most tourists rave about until one night my good friend and I decided to drive around the Philippines' capital city.

We passed by Quiapo Church which houses the famous Black Nazarene.


We drove to Ongpin, Binondo to try Tasty Dumplings and their Porkchop Rice.

While walking around, we stumbled upon a cross where Chinese as well as Filipinos light up an incense and pray. So we did the same and acted like a Binondo local.

We got lost as we find our way out of Chinatown and we ended up in Luneta Park.

Binondo, Quiapo and Luneta Park are not enough Manila Vibe so we agreed to explore Intramuros as well. We hungout at a quaint little coffee shop with a magnificent view of the walls. We had the perfect cup of coffee and churros as we let out a few oohhs and ahhhs on how truly beautiful Manila is.

Travel doesn't have to be far, yes? Yes!

Ultimate Beach Song

Dear Nana

Dearest Nana,


I wasn't happy when I found out Ma was pregnant with you. I didn't like you because I am too old to have a baby sister. I'm used to having just two sisters all my life. I also got scared because people might think that you are my child. Our age gap is so big I will pass as your mother.


It all changed when you were born. I would visit you in the nursery in between my classes. When I knew you are coming home with us, I cut my Math class just to be home earlier than your Ate Eun and Ate B because I was really excited to touch and smell you. Other than Wowa, I was the first to carry you right after you got out of the hospital. I often give you a bath before I leave for school. I borrow you every night and let you sleep beside me even if I have an early class the next day. You brought joy to the whole family. You are truly a blessing from God!


Today, it's been three years, two months and a day since you were born and you still put a smile in everyone's faces. You have grown tall, you are potty trained, you already choose what clothes you want to wear, you talk like an adult, you brush your teeth by yourself, you know what a Macbook is--Ahhhh, you are growing up too fast I want to slow it down. As selfish as it sounds, I do not want you to grow up anymore because your spontaneity is too cute.


Next year, you are going to school already. I promise to take a leave just to be with you on your first day of school. I hope you make a lot of friends and have so much fun playing with kids your age. We won't pressure you to be at the top of your class nor pressure you to do any extra curricular activity. We just want you to do what you love and enjoy your youth. We won't get mad if your Math score is 76. Who needs that extra one point anyway? As long as you do your best, then that will do.


Whatever it is that you want to do in life, we will support you 100% all the way. Just promise us you'll be a good person.


Love,
Ate Erika

2012 Travel Bucketlist

Next year will be different compared to this year because I will lie low and save up for a bigger trip for 2013. All the places I'd like to visit are limited in Luzon and reachable by car only. I'm saying goodbye to expensive airfares and saying hello to the beautiful places in Metro Manila and in Luzon as well.

I am booked to two destinations since the third quarter of this year so I won't include that in my list.

Go on a day trip to Corregidor

Trek Mt. Pinatubo and swim at the crater

Take surfing lessons in La Union

Swim with the butandings in Donsol, Sorsogon


Death by authentic Chinese food in Binondo

So, what are your travel bucketlist for 2012?

Starbucks Planner 2012

I finally got the 2012 Starbucks Planner!

I want to say thank you to Yeye who collected most of the stickers. You made one of my Christmas wish come true.

Malaysia: in photos

My trip to Malaysia has got to be the most memorable one yet. It helped me get out of my comfort zone in general. It is during this trip that I have done a lot of firsts that I thought I will never do in my lifetime. I stayed in a hostel and shared a room with strangers. I met a lot of people and learned a thing or two about life and myself as well. It opened my eyes to a bigger perspective and made me realize what I really want to do with my life.

Here's Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in pictures. Enjoy!

Who doesn't love food?

Air Philippines' Piso Fare

I have booked the whole family to Boracay on March 2012 because we will attend a family friend's wedding. I only booked one way though because the date we plan to return home happens to be the day after the promo runs. It costs less than 400 per person.

Until the next promo fare, as I have to book our return flight.

Have you met my materialistic side? *Barney tone*

Yes, I know, it's five months away from December and yet here I am listing down the things I want for Christmas. Or right now.

Camera bag - The one I'm using right now is the default freebie bag that has a Batman stitching on the front. The problem is it's not going to keep it safe and dry. I need a light and durable camera bag that can protect it when I'm outdor.

1. Customized Leather Luggage Tag - I love the vintage feel of this.  it looks like it belongs to my grandparents then handed down to me. 
2. Combination Bag Lock - I want this because I got so paranoid about the drugs issues in airports. This is to make sure that no one opens my bag and put some drugs and whatnot inside. It also prevents someone from taking stuff out of my bag. I am particular about this brand because a card is used to unlock  instead of a key. 
3. Lonely Planet Southeast Asia on a Shoestring - Just because! Maybe, someday. Soon!

What's inside my backpack?

Promo fare means no check-in bags so I packed really light on a recent trip to Iloilo.

Here's what's inside my backpack for an overnight beach trip:

1. Clothes - Clothes take up the most room in my luggage so I rolled it neatly to save space.
2. Swimsuit - What's a beach trip without something to wear on the beach?
3. Travel towel - Compared to normal ones, this chamois towel is easier to dry, not bulky and will not get heavy when wet.
4. Mask & Snorkel - I brought my own set to save money from renting.
5. Dry Bag - If I know I'll be riding a boat, I make sure to bring my Rubber Ducky dry bag. I don't want my electronics to get busted in case the boat turtle turns.
6. Hat - I don't want my hair to get really dry since I'll be spending a lot of time under the sun.
7. Sarong - This one is definitely a travel must-have! I can use it as a cover-up when swimming or a blanket when it gets cold at night.
8. DLSR - This one is very obvious.
9. Waterproof Camera - Cameras are always a must have on vacations no matter where where my destination is but I don't want to risk the DSLR getting wet on the beach.
10. Tripod - For obvious reasons that I don't want to bother other people to take my pictures.
11. Food - In case we get hungry while on the road.

2/2 Of aswang, mangkukulam and black magic

Salag-doong Beach

 

From what I read on travel blogs, Salagdoong has the best beach in the island. The beach didn't fail us though. The sand was powdery white but not as fine as the sand in Boracay nor Panglao Island. The water is crystal blue just like the one that welcomed us at the port. And slides are usually seen in the swimming pool, right? But here, the slide is built on top of a rock formation and goes straight down to the sea. The only thing that held us from staying there was.. Let me put it this way. Salagdoong Beach Resort is to SM Department Store while Coco Grove is to Rustan's. Get the picture now? Yes? Yes.

Tubod Beach



With 800 meters of white sand beach, you will always have a private spot on the shore. And since we went there during the rainy month of July, there were not much of guests. Just a few foreigners getting their dose of sunshine from a tropical country like ours. Although my feet hurt because of the rocky sea bed. The sand was not fine but it's white so that's good enough.

Tubod Marine Sanctuary




On our second day, we decided to check out what Tubod Marine Sanctuary has to offer. We paid Php 50 each for the conservation fee (I'm not really sure) that's good for the whole day. There was really nothing interesting underwater coming from a person who dives in Anilao. The waves are strong that time which makes it hard for us to swim away from the shore. After an hour of snorkeling, we gave up as we were struggling with the surf.




We got to talk to the locals who work for the resort. We curiously asked if there are really aswangs and mangkukulam in the island and they jokingly answered with a grin "Opo, kami po lahat dito aswang."

Will I go back tho this little paradise? Definitely!!!!