Commuting to Enchanted Kingdom

   Last Saturday, I had a chance to go to Enchanted Kingdom by commuting. Enchanted Kingdom or "EK" opened in 1995 and located at Santa Rosa, Laguna. This is the first theme park in the Philippines. 

Enchanted Kingdom do have transport service from Makati to their park but if you want to go there by commute then here's how:

From Buendia/Cubao

1. Ride a bus (Jam/Jac/BBL) with a signboard "Balibago"

2. Tell the bus conductor to drop you off at Walter-Mart

3. Take a tricycle and tell them your going to Enchanted Kingdom. 10php/head or 36php for special (whole tricycle) Tricycle terminal is on the side of the mall.

All roads lead to Pahiyas!

San Isidro Labrador

   Pahiyas Festival is celebrated in Lucban, Quezon every 15th of May. It is a celebration in honor of San Isidro Labrador and as a thanksgiving for bountiful harvests. Houses along the Pahiyas route (which changes every year) are decorated with different fruits and vegetables and sometimes animals! Houses are also decorated with "kiping" which is made from rice. They look like leaves and yes it is edible but be sure to roast or fry it first.

Mom posing for the camera

   This is my 2nd time going to Pahiyas Festival and I should say I always enjoy going to Lucban, Quezon probably due to scenic roads while going there, the people I see in the streets of Lucban and their local food like Pansit Habhab and Lucban Longanisa. 

Go to the upper floors of some houses then pose!

   We arrived in Lucban, Quezon at around 8:00 AM. After parking our car we walked along the Pahiyas route for few hours. Along the route various local food are sold, so be sure to try their food. After hours of walking we had lunch at the jam-packed Buddy's, good thing they have number system not only for their food but also for their seats. We bought pasalubong from Pavino's bakery then rested inside the Church while we wait for the Grand Parade that started at around 2:30 PM. We waited for the parade then went home after a day of walking

Don't forget to buy broas and other baked goodies
from Pavino's Bakery located across the plaza 

   All we did in Pahiyas Festival is walk, so be sure to be in your comfortable clothes and shoes. My parents also took a lot of photos so after lunch, all our cameras are dead. 

Busy street of Lucban

   Pahiyas Festival is also a good opportunity for photographers to have a photo walk along the route of the festival. This is probably the biggest and most popular festival in the Region (IV-A). Its accessibility makes this festival a quick getaway for those working and living around the metro and its nearby provinces.

 

Cowboy showing off his skills during the parade

Going to Lucban, Quezon

By Private Vehicle - when bringing a private vehicle its better to park in the outskirts of the town then walk or take a tricycle going to the town proper.

There are three routes going to Lucban from Manila but probably the shortest route (for us) is via San Pablo City, Rizal, Nagcarlan, Liliw, Majayjay then Lucban. (we always use this route)

*A road from Calauan to Nagcarlan is also available which can shorten this route but its not visible on Google map.

You may opt to choose the road via Santa Cruz and Pagsanjan (scenic route and side trip to the other towns of Laguna) or via Lucena City (driving to Lucena is a bit tough since buses and trucks going to Bicol will also pass thru this route and other Quezon town have their own version of Pahiyas)

*Road via Rizal passing thru the towns of Tanay, Siniloan, Pangil, Pakil and Lumban is also possible but I'm familiar with the towns of Rizal.

By Public Transport

Via Sta Cruz 

From Buendia Hop on a Green Star Bus the alight at Sta Cruz terminal then ride a jeep going to Lucban

Via Lucena City

From Cubao/Buendia/Alabang : Hop on a bus with Lucena City Signboard, then alight at Lucena City Grand Terminal. Then ride a jeep going to Lucban.

Palawan Experience 2013

Our Palawan trip was originally April 27 to May 1, but due to unforeseen  reason, we re-booked our flight and trip to April 29 to May 4. Luckily people from PALExpress did not charge us for any re-booking fee due to flight schedule changes of our original flights (lucky!).

We hired a tour operator so our trip will be flawless and yes, our trip was flawless, educational and fun!

Our Itinerary
Day 1
Flight to Puerto Princesa City (last flight PALExpress)
Arrival at Puerto Princesa
Airport pick-up to Niko's Cabana
Rest/Swim
Sleep

Day 2
Breakfast (Niko's Cabana)
Half Day Tour Puerto Princesa City
*Lunch at Nitchie's Vietnamese Noodle House
Rest/Swim
*Dinner at Ka Lui
Iwahig Firefly Tour
Sleep

Day 3
Breakfast (Niko's Cabana)
Travel to Puerto Princesa Underground River
Lunch
Side trip Spelunking and Zipling at Ugong Rock Cave
Travel to El Nido
Check-in at Ipil Travelodge El Nido
*Dinner at Sea Slugs
Rest/Sleep

Day 4
Breakfast (Ipil)
Island Hopping Day 1 (includes lunch)
Dinner

Day 5
Breakfast (Ipil)
Island Hopping Day 2 (includes lunch)
Dinner

Day 6
Breakfast (Ipil)
Check-out
Travel to Puerto Princesa City
Sidetrip in Taytay, Palawan
Buy pasalubong
Fly Back to Manila

*breakfast at Niko's Cabana are set breakfast, Ipil Travelodge are all buffet and included in our tour
  lunch at Nitchie's and Dinner at Ka Lui and Sea Slugs are also included are free and included in our tour

If you are too busy or too afraid to do a DIY trip, I suggest Isee Palawan Travel & Tours. Kuya IC is a great tour guide and his hands on approach to his guests is far better that other tour operators in Palawan(for me). He is also a good swimmer and had ALS & Rescue training which gives you confidence while on Island Hopping Tour. Visit his Facebook Page or contact him at 09178859494//09098849494

Ill post our destinations next time!

Palamig Ka Muna sa Palawan

Random Tagaytay Trip

Drinks from Bag of Beans

Gio, Faith, Lou-an and Me had a random Tagaytay trip earlier. Riding Gio's car we depart from Dasmariñas, Cavite around 11:00 AM. Our first destination was Moon Garden along SVD Road, only finding out that their restaurant was only for reservations. Since we are hungry we went to Bag of Beans to grab some food but decided to have only some snack because we suddenly craved for Bulalo. After eating at Bag of Beans, we went straight to Faith's dentist at Mendez, Cavite and after a quick visit we had lunch in one of the Bulalohan in Tagaytay. We then drove to Caleruega in Nasugbu, but we visited first Chateau Royale across Evercrest Golf Course. After visiting Chateau Royale, we continued our trip to Caleruega and had some sightseeing. Caleruega was a memorable place for us because our Retreat in College happened there. I really enjoyed our random trip. 'Til the next random trip!

Don't be scared, they sing very well!

View of Mt. Batulao from Caleruega

      Random trips are awesome, try it! Palamig ka muna.

New ride

thank you mom & dad

I finally have my own ride, a Schwinn Mesa MTB

First climb

Last December 2011, Kuya Angel invited me for a hike to Mt. Batulao in Batangas. We started trekking aroung 9:00 PM (Yes! It was a night trek) with our heavy packs and headlamps. Since I'm new to climbing, I was amazed that we we're climbing with total strangers that Kuya Angel just met in Mt. Batulao few months before. Sir Gilbert was with his brothers and I am with Kuya Angel and Alibert. Our group used the new trail and at around 1:00 AM we reached the campsite. We pitched our tents, have some snack and socials. I've learned many things about mountains and about my hiking buddies.

View of Mt. Batulao from our campsite

Hiking buddies

We woke up around 6:00 AM, had our breakfast and continue our trek to the summit. We reached the summit and stayed there for about 20 mins. We descended using the old trail and had lunch in one of the campsite. After resting for a while, we continue walking and reached the jump-off point around 5:00 PM. It was a nice experience and the next time I climb Mt. Batulao, I will bring my friends and brother.

View from the Summit.

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Being out of my comfort zone, I've learned to appreciate even the small things. I've also learned to appreciate God's creation and take care of it.

Samsung LED TV

Since the arrival of our Samsung LED TV, I really enjoy watching my downloaded TV series through it. This TV is the main component of our home entertainment system. The USB WiFi dongle connects our TV to our home network and now I can stream videos, music and photos trough Allshare. It is also a Smart TV and now we can download apps from the Samsung (e.g Google Maps, Facebook, Twitter) and now it served as a giant Galaxy Tablet (minus the touch screen). 

Series 5 LED, SMART TV 40" (UA405500RR) Photo from www.samsung.com

The downside of this model is unavailability of web browser since at least Series 6 (I believe) have this capability. 

Our TV is currently connected to our DVD Home Theater we also bought and a Blu-ray player we got for free and wirelessly to our home network